Chrysalis's college days

by MephileztheHam

First published 10th of August, 2013

2 months after the events of the royal wedding Chrysalis has been stripped of her status of queen, now she must prove she has what it takes to get her right as queen back by completing a task, and it may be her toughest yet, attending college!

Living with your mother and sister is one thing Chrysalis would never have found herself doing, but being stripped of your queen status can leave one with no choice. After countless days grueling in training and tests from her mother, Arctiidaes, she has finally proved herself worth for a final task, but there is a catch, Chrysalis must compete against her sister, Gynaephora, for right the right to become queen, and the worst of it is that she must disguise herself and attend college. The task was clear, attend college and finish successfully, but problems arise and romance is found, can Chrysalis bring herself back to her former glory? Or will she be stuck as only the princess of the changelings?

Chapter 1: Sunday Morning

It was morning in the land of equestria, a sunday, most ponies would be getting ready to go out
and have fun with friends and family, some would be preparing breakfast while others would simply sleep in, and of course the pegasi would clear the sky above from any stray storm clouds from yesterdays thunderstorm shower giving everpony a wonderful backdrop up above to match the beautiful day. However deep down below the dirt and rock, underneath the thriving land above, another society was going along their sunday ritual a different way. Down in the abyss of Equestria lay a city made of stone and crystal rested below a stone sky of its own. Unlike the land above, this city was quiet, not a single soul roamed it's street, save for the occasional rat rifling through the trash that lay here and there on the streets, the only sign of life came from the gigantic ominous castle in the middle of the city where several orange spheres of light hovered over the castle, besides that, it was a ghost town. All was still except for a single armored creature flying through the air above the stone city, a being shaped like a pony but instead of fur and warm skin it had cold insect chitin, a changeling. On its head proudly stood a curved horn like a unicorns, on its back buzzed insect-like wings, it's hooves much like a regular pony's except for the organic holes in them and a spiky mane on its head. But its face was covered by a helmet, hiding the glowing eyes underneath.

It buzzed lazily along its flight path towards a hanging stone structure that hung from the cavern ceiling, a building that was supported by smaller stone arches, giving it the feeling of a upside down chapel bell tower. The changeling landed on one an open balcony and trotted inside, giving its wings a stretch before flattening them underneath its carapace. Much like the city below, the bell tower was silent, the only sounds coming from the changeling's hooves against the smooth stone floor as it made its away towards its destination. Glancing around the single circular room the changeling observed its surroundings, gazing at the various odds and ends that rested within, a single hanging cocoon like hammock against the far wall, a bookshelf, and in the center of the room, a giant white crystal floated over a rune inscribed podium, hovering around it were 3 small spheres made from gem.

Nodding to itself in approval that everything was just how it left it, it continued on its path to the center of the room, and the giant clear crystal that floated there. Circling around the crystal the changeling inspected the giant gem, prodding it with its hooves occasionally as it did, testing the crystal's surface with each prod, making the object ding at its touch every time it did. Seemingly satisfied with its inspection the changeling nodded to itself and lowered its head, touching its horn to the crystal. Taking a deep breath the changeling stood still as its horn began to become enveloped by a blue aura. After a few moments the aura instantly brighter and its aura seeped into the crystal it touched, the blue energy mingling inside of the green crystal as it oozed inside of it like oil in water, fully enveloping the crystal until it was entirely blue.

With a strained grunt and a few steps back the changeling shook its horn of the residual energy, gazing at the now glowing crystal before it. Once more the changeling raised its right hoof as if to prod it once more but instead slammed it into the side of the gem, sending ripples of energy to course through the crystal, causing it to resonate with a harmonic ringing sound. The changeling stepped back, flattening its ears down against its head in reflex to the deafening ringing. With a satisfied grunt the changeling reached up to its helmet and removed it, revealing a fanged smirk, its pale eyes glowing in the crystal's light.

“Rise and shine everpony, rise and shine”, muttered the changeling as it turned its attention to the three hovering gem spheres orbiting the crystal. Each sphere glowed a distinct color, green, orange and blue. Reaching out with its magic, the changeling pulled the green sphere to hover in front of it and proceeded to perform the same ritual that he did with the crystal, causing it to shimmer brightly. “and especially you princess”, chuckled the changeling as he tapped his hoof onto the sphere, creating the same ringing sound akin to the crystal albeit in a much quieter and soothing tone. Meanwhile at the castle, in a dark room the same sound echoed inside, awakening the inhabitant within.

“That sound, that incessant sound again, every damn morning”, grumbled a voice in the darkness. Moments later a dim green aura flickered twice and the room was bathed in a dull just as green light. “Alright, wake up chrysalis, get off your flank and prepare yourself for the day”, echoed that ever so annoying conscience of mine. Grumbling to myself I pulled up and away from my comfy bed, gazing around at the quaint circular room I was in, it was as roomy as it was when I was much younger, the only difference was the furniture and possessions that I had salvaged from the old hive. The image of my ransacked hive flashed in my mind, with a pang of sadness I got out of bed and onto the carpet below.

Shaking my head of the depressing image I readied myself for the only part that was enjoyable when waking at this dreadful hour, the morning stretch. “What to do today? Mother no doubt has something to announce at breakfast, but when doesn't she? Its always the same with the old crone”, I muttered to myself as I wrung out my hooves and neck, ending the routine with a cat like stretch. Satisfied that every kink in my body gone I turned my attention to my wings, willing them to pull out from their sheath. “After breakfast I suppose I will peruse the library for a few hours, besides what else can I do? Ever since that....embarrassing ordeal, hng!”, grunting at the expected pop, I flexed the now limber wings, giving them the once over before returning them back to their original position. All that was left now was to take a bath, comb my mane and put on my green sash and chest plate. With a sigh I did just that, trotting over to the bathroom, and shutting the door behind me, a new habit I learned when the last guard barged in demanding I go to mother, I miss being a queen when I didn't have to worry about my own bucking privacy.

The only consolation was that the guard from last week won't be walking straight anytime soon, I made sure of that. Chuckling to myself I remembered the look on the guard's face when I threw him right through the wall with my magic, from then on all the guards knocked but I still closed the door, just in case. With a flick of my horn I snapped my magic out towards the bath, willing the crank clockwise to allow the water to flow. After a few moments the tub was filled with steaming water, which was a surprise, usually my sister, Gynaephora, hogs the morning water, leaving me with the cold remains which means she must still be sleeping, good, time to return the favor. Testing the water I found it just right, dipping myself into the water and its warm embrace.

“Ah this is heaven, I just want to soak here all day”, sighing to myself as I raked my hooves through the water and raising them in the air, watching the water drip from the holes in them. Curious things, these holes are, most ponies wonder if they served a purpose besides making changelings look like swiss cheese, they do actually, for one thing it makes us more aerodynamic during flight, and the other thing is that they are really good instruments if you get just the right amount of air to pass through them, believe it or not. Shaking my right hoof of the residual droplets I pulled it to my lips like a flute, taking a short breath and blowing, eliciting a dull whistle. While doing this I reached out with my magic for my bathing essentials, feeling a tug of resistance as I pulled a bar of soap and a vial of green fluid to hover before my eyes. “shampoo first, soap second”, I thought as I emptied the contents of the vial over my head, relishing in the tingling sensation of the viscous fluids.

Bath time flew by as I finished up cleaning myself with a dry towel and planting my rump on a stool in front of the bathroom mirror and sink. “Hello beautiful, so flawless, so perfect, my my even your eyes look extra villainous this dreadful morning, your only flaw are those bags under them”, I cood at my reflection, running my hooves under my eyes, stretching out the wrinkled skin. With a sigh I reached into the sink and pulled out a brush and began doing what a brush was made for. A few moments later and my hair was back to its wonderful luster, “Perfect, now all that is left to do now is eat with the family, ugh, hopefully dear sister will sleep in this time so mother and I can catch up without her incessant prattling”, I said to no one in particular as I trotted towards the one and only door out of my bedroom, stopping at my dresser to dress myself in my clothes, tying a green sash around my back and belly as well as fitting my specially made chest plate onto myself with my magic. Giving myself a one more look in the mirror to make sure all was in order I made my way to the double doors outside.

With a clunk and chink I closed the door behind me and entered the grand halls of the citadel, I couldn't help but be in awe whenever I strolled these halls, as much as I miss my old castle, the citadel was a league of its own. The stone floors covered in thick orange rugs with green trim, the hanging crystals on the wall giving off their orange glow, and best of all the gothic stained glass windows each portraying their own stories, its a shame I never did the same with my old home, outside of the throne room decorations anyway.

“Princess?”, a voice in my ear caused me to jump, quickly turning to meet with the gaze of one of my personal guard by by the looks of the tell tale dark green body armor.

“What in the name of the gods do you bucking want? You nearly scared me out of my shell you fool!”, I hissed, glaring at the now trembling guard.

“I-I was told to see if you had woken up princess, I am sorry for alarming you, I apologize”, the guard changeling stammered as he shuffled his hooves in place. Rolling my eyes with a sigh I facehooved,

“It is alright, er Squelch was it? No harm done, but don't you dare sneak up on me again.”, I said softly to reassure the now calm, but still twitchy guard

“U-understood princess, queen Artiidaes wishes to see you in the dining hall, she has important news to relay to you and your sister, and again I apologize for the scare princess”, and with that said, Squelch banged his right hoof over his chest plate in salute and marched off down the hall and out of sight.

“Important news huh? Well now, wouldn't want to be late then”, thinking to myself as I trotted in the opposite direction. Suddenly a jolt of pain shot through my limbs, a painful reminder of what happened 2 months ago. “Damn those pastel ingrates, damn Cadance and Shining armor, and most of all damn that purple unicorn shrew Twilight and her band of misfits!”, I grunted in a quiet yell, trudging along on pained hooves. Everything ached, the throbbing pain in my limbs screamed in protest at ever step I took, but taking a rest off of my hooves was not an option, not when mother is waiting, and gods forbid you test her patience, as calm as she was, she could snap, and by the gods did she snap. After what felt like an agonizing eternity I arrived to the giant stone doors that lead to the dining hall, two stoic guards flanked each door. The guards nodded at me before flaring their magic hold onto their respective door and opened, revealing the grandness that was the dining hall, a obnoxiously long table sat in the middle covered in food, and at the end of said table was mother, she wasn't smiling like she usually does in the morning, and that means she is in a serious mood, buck.

Author's Notes:

Well there is chapter 1! Kinda rough i know, but let me know what you think about it and criticize it, I am new to this and I would love to hear how I can do better at this and iron out the kinks! Until next chapter folks!

Chapter 2:Breakfast and Arrival

The sound of the dining room doors slamming closed behind me unnerved me, the sound that there was no way to escape the dining room, and from my seemingly less than pleased mother.

“Well she isn't casting any spells at me like she does with Gynaephora during her, 'discipline training' at least”, I thought to myself as I approached the dining table. Casting a hungry glance at the breakfast spread I smiled at the work of the royal chefs. All along the the table sat plates of food, ranging from steaming bread to omelettes and pretty much any kind type of food you would eat during breakfast, perks of royalty. Not even reaching within hoofs reach of the table end was I assaulted by the aroma of pancakes, eggs, bread, soup, everything mixing together in a mouth watering scent. Now I know what your thinking, changelings eat food besides the nourishment of love? You bet your flank we do, although it isn't as filling as feeding on some poor fool who you tricked into loving you and neither is it nearly as satisfying. But one must make due with what you have if there isn't any love to feed on nearby. And personally, I would rather be full and unsatisfied than be dead from starvation and unsatisfied, besides, I occasionally miss chewing on something solid once in a while.

Anyways, I am rambling again, back to the story. Tearing my gaze away from the confections I brought my gaze back to my mother, and she still looked pissed.

“Good morning mother, I trust you slept well last night?” I said in the best happy tone I could muster while under he steely gaze, giving her my best genuine smile and nodding curtly as I made my way to a seat next to hers. Pulling the seat out from the table and plopping myself into it snugly I couldn't help but feel relieved. I haven't been blasted with any projectiles yet which means she isn't mad enough for some 'training', thank the gods for that. My mother gazed at me for a moment, her face void of any emotion, her orange eyes bored right through me as she did. I visibly shrank in my chair but I dared not to tear away from her gaze, that is right everypony, the only being in all of equestria that can make big bad old me scared is my mother, but who isn't afraid of their mothers sometimes?

Suddenly she burst out laughing, thrusting her arms around me as she brought me into a tight hug. Rubbing her cheek against mine as she squeezed the life out of me.

“Oh my little Chryssie, I had you that time didn't I? You should have seen the look on your face dear! Oh my that was priceless!”, mother chuckled as she nuzzled my cheek with hers. Returning her hug, albeit a bit shakily, I nuzzled her back.

“Mother, by the gods you scared me, I was worried I would have to dodge fireballs on an empty stomach!”, I chuckled. Leaning away from our hug she gave me warm look wearing a goofy grin and a caring glow in her eyes.

“Now why would I ever enforce discipline of that sort on my favorite daughter hmm? Certainly not when she has been behaving so well and excelling at all of her trials?”, finishing her statement with a bop of her hoof on my muzzle. Rolling my eyes at her I pulled away from our hug and adjusted my chest plate as it had been shifted during our embrace.

“And to answer your question dear, I slept wonderfully, I suppose you did as well?”, she hummed as she adjusted her clothes as well, straightening her robes.

“Until the bell rang its annoying tone, yes I did, and where is Gynaephora? Late again as usual with her beauty sleep?”, I scoffed while floating a few plates filled with pancakes as well as an assortment of syrups off of the table and towards me with magic. But before either of us could say another word the dining room doors flung open with a thud shortly followed by the clip clop of hooves.

“Speaking behind my back again dear sister?”, chimed a raspy voice, ugh that voice. Tearing my gaze away from the steaming pancakes and to the origin of the voice I was met with the visage of my dreadful sister, Gynaephora. The way she made her way to the table was simply infuriating to me, the way she kept her stride with a arrogant flare, the way she swayed her hips in front of the guards to rile them up, her ratty blue hair kept short by her own handywork, those azure hued eyes scrutinizing your every move, and her hook shaped horn on her stupid head, I hate everything about her.

“Yes we are, sister, and may I say your mane looks extra ratty today?”, I affirmed nonchalantly, turning my attention back to my well deserved pancakes as I doused them in caramel syrup. Satisfied that I drowned my pancakes sufficiently I glanced back to Gynaephora who was now seated on the opposite side of mother, her face devoid of emotion save for her azure eyes, they positively seethed with loathing, perfect.

“My shower was freezing cold, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that now, would you dear sister?”, the azure changeling glowered, flaring her horn in her magic as she spoke, levitating plates of omelots and the like in front. I smirked as I selected a nearby fork in my grasp and stabbed the mound of pancakes.

“Oh I wouldn't know Gynny, my shower was perfectly warm and refreshing, perhaps I spent to much time in there, it is quite hard to keep track of time when I am bathing, I apologize”, I muttered with fake sincerity as I chomped down a mouthful of pancake goodness, chewing slowly with my mouth open, smacking my lips together loudly before smiling. I smiled as I noticed her eyelids twitched ever so slightly, a sign that I was successfully getting under her skin, she was easy to instigate.

“Why you litt-mhp!”, suddenly Gynaephora was silenced by mother's hoof on her muzzle, a look of annoyance on her face.

“Now now girls, enough of this squabbling! Your negativity is giving me a blasted headache and I highly doubt you wish for some 'discipline training', Gynaephora ”, mother hissed, rubbing her temples in sooth circles. Discipline training', was when mother would attack little sister if she spoke out of turn, dueling her with deadly magic as she did. Why my mother did so was for one reason, if you have the gall to talk back to a superior, then you obviously must be stronger than the one in charge to do so. I chuckled at the image of little Gynaephora dodging mother's hellfire and getting singed in the process. Both Gynaephora and I softly apologized and gave each other the truce glare and returned to out meals, eating in silence, occasionally taking part in small talk with each other about the morning and such.

“Oh! I almost forgot, mother I finally found out about the-blah blah blah”, I grumbled to myself, tuning out Gynaephora's news and taking another bite of pancake, if its one thing my sister was good at, it was droning on about the most trivial things she thought was interesting.

“Isn't that right Chrysalis?”, mothers voice asked, nudging me with her hoof. i nearly choked on a mouthful of pancakes, choking back a cough , swallowing the lump.

“Huh, wha?”, I dumbly responded, startled awake from my thoughts and brought back to reality to the two mares watching me intently for an answer. My mother gave a huff, brushing a lock of hair from her face as she did.

“Please pay attention Chrysalis, for I shall not repeat myself again so let me start from the beginning, ahem, it seems your sister has successfully brainwashed a special guard in Canterlot, and this particular guard is captain of the customs checkpoint that we have been having trouble with these past months”, as soon as she said Canterlot I grimaced, images of my failure flickered in my mind, but I shook my head of those awful memories at the mention of the checkpoint. Clearing her throat mother continued on her explanation.

“As you know that checkpoint had been created because of your failure months ago, and ever since then it has put a wrench in our operation there, reducing the chance of success for our scouts there”, I lowered my gaze from my mother, my ears flat against my head. I refused to meet the eyes of mother and Gynaephora at the mention of my failure. That checkpoint has been tartarus on our scouts there from what I heard from the reports, the details aren't pleasant. Ever since the event of the royal wedding Shining Armor and Cadance worked in collaboration with Celestia to create a spell that reveals changeling disguises, forcing our scouts to use unorthodox methods of entry. And Gynaephora had managed to brainwash the captain in charge? For once in her life Gynny has finally done something useful.

“And now that we have some free reign with the checkpoint, we have access, and that brings me to my next point and how it ties with your training”, I perked up immediately at that, my training to become queen again. And so did my sister, her ears pointed towards mother.

“What about it?”, I responded, perhaps a little to eager as well. This caused a smile from my mother as well as a chuckle.

“Calm yourself daughter, this is good news for both you and your sister, now with access to Canterlot once again, I can continue with the final step for both of your evaluations for queenship!”, at the mention of that word Gynaephora and I glared at each other, the flares of competition burning in our eyes.

“For the final step I shall assign a test, a unique one for each of you to take part in, and in the end I will see if you proved your worth”, mother announced before turning to me.

“For your test Chrysalis, you will be sent to Canterlot to scout out the area for us and bring back information of any interior routes we can use as access, but you will not go alone. You may bring one of your personal guard with you and only one, and report in monthly of your endeavors”, a scouting mission? That's all? Queen status will be as good as mine at this rate!

“But there is special catch to this my child”, oh great, there is always a 'but', too good to be true then, typical. Why can't it ever be easy, like oh you are my favorite daughter and I want you to have your power back and your can order your sister around!

“Your second objective is to attend college called Bravehills university while you are there, I expect you to learn and achieve as well while you scout”, mother explained. What? Learn in a college? But why?

“M-mother, but, attend a college? What sort of importance does that have with scouting?”, I asked completely appalled. My mothers face wore a look of sincerity as she spoke her next words. What in tartarus? Scouting is one thing but College?

“Dear, you are completely knowledgeable of equestrian history, but you lack any other knowledge outside of that, forgive me but I believe you will benefit from your stay there, and besides you need to buck up on your studies, your sister has excelled in her evaluation in that category and quite frankly, you are lacking”, with that said my sister cackled, nearly falling out of her chair as she laughed. My mother sighed at my sisters display, slapping her across the muzzle before returning her gaze to me.

“You will travel with your sister to Canterlot later in a few hours, so please go and select a guard of your choice and be ready to go, I shall expect no delays or you will travel without the aid of your sister with the checkpoint”, mother explained seriously. Nodding in understanding I excused myself from my seat, saying my goodbyes to mother and sister and left the dining hall with thoughts running through my mind as I made my way to the guard quarter. Every single one about what had just transpired.

“College? I am to waste my time in a school to learn among the drivel of the ponyfolk there? Me! Chyrsalis the changeling princess, lacking knowledge? I spent my entire foalhood learning from the best, and mother still thinks I am lacking? So be it, if this is my test to prove my status as queen than I shall succeed!”, I roared, not caring that I was scaring the guards that were unlucky enough to be patrolling the hall I was meandering down. After a few moments of calming down I collected myself, rubbing the sleep that still itched my eyes and continued on my path down the halls, may as well pick a guard with a steady mind free of rage, wouldn't want a repeat of last month, poor guard still hasn't been able to fly straight.

“Now who to choose I wonder? Perhaps Glimmershell, or Hunter?”, I muttered silently as I was deep in thought, I needed someone I could trust that wouldn't slow me down, shame I can't bring them all, they haven't seen any action since Canterlot.

“Perhaps I will take, oh, yes that is a good idea, he will do just fine”, I giggled at the idea of a certain changeling guard from earlier this morning to bring with me. Soon that giggle turned to a maniacal laugh, perhaps this won't be as bad I once thought, not bad at all.

Some time later....

“Why in tartarus are you taking me with you? Lemme go!”, squeeled a voice from up above. Rolling my eyes I looked up to the origin of the fear stricken voice. Hovering above me encased in my magical hold was Squelch, struggling in futility.

“Be quiet and still Squelch, you are coming with me on my mission and that is final!”, hissing at the changeling guard in my hold. But Squelch wasn't having any of it as he continued to fight against my grip. With a flick of my horn the aura around Squelch disappeared leaving the changeling to fall face first into the ground. Squelch muttered something, his whiny voice muffled against the ground.

“Care to repeat that, Squelch?”, I asked impatiently while I inspected a suddenly interesting crack on the wall. Squelch raised his head from the ground, casting a scrutinizing glare at me before he brought himself back on his hooves. With his face off the ground I good look at my new companion. He was of lean build for a guard but neither was he flimsy, his unique dull blue eyes scrutinizing me and his ruffled spiky hair unkempt from the face plant. He was an odd changeling, having pupils instead of having just a pale sclera, it was a rare mutation that was considered a genetic thing. Or so I have been told anyway.

“I said you didn't have to drop me from all the way up there, Princess”, Squelch's growled while he dusted himself off. I yawned at his attempt to be threatening, a parasprite is more of a threat. At least he is trying to act like he has a backbone.

“You have wings Squelch, use them and besides it's the best way to test your lacking reaction speed, come”, I commanded, continuing down the exit tunnels. It wasn't long before the sounds of another pair of hooves against stone echoed next to me, good boy. Little was said between the disgruntled guard and I as we went, the occasional whining of Squelch breaking the calm. It wasn't long before we made it to the bright light at the end of the tunnel. But of course it wouldn't stay calm for long.

“So why of all the changelings to take with you on your suicide mission did you choose me?”,the question hung in the air. I turned to look at Squelch, giving him my best evil glare I could muster. Squelch visibly shuddered at my glare as he lowered his gaze submissively.

“You dare question your princess, Squelch? I will bring you with me willing or not”, I stamped my hoof against the ground to emphasize my point, leaving a small crater in the stone. At my display Squelch shivered in place. His hooves shaking with every step as he dared not to stop walking. I couldn't hold back, this was too good.

“Pfft-hahah! Oh gods that was priceless! No wonder mother finds this sort of thing hilarious!”, I laughed so loud to wake even Gynaephora during her beauty sleep sessions. Squelch however looked less than amused if his scrunched up face and squinted eyes were any indication.

“You are evil”, those three words nearly made lose myself to another giggle fit. With a roll of his eyes and a angry huff the changeling trotted pass me muttering angrily to himself. Easy instigation, that is the main reason I brought Squelch with me. Easy entertainment and protection to boot. After that little event, the travel through the tunnels was a quiet affair. That is until we finally made it outside and came face to face with my escort and dear sister.

As soon as we left the cold tunnels underground and made it outside to the woodlands above the change was a stark contrast. The warmth of the sun, the cool breeze of Sunday morning against my shell and the crisp smell of the woods. I missed this feeling of the outdoors, sure it's safe down below in the Citadel. But quite frankly it lacks the atmosphere and feel of the world above. And personally I get tired of the whole dark and brooding theme of the castle sometimes.

“Ugh finally you arrived sister. I was wondering if those pancakes slowed your already big flank self down, now come along and bring that scamp of what you call your guard with you”, my sister's raspy voice brought me back to Equestria, plenty of time to think when we arrive to Canterlot I suppose, wait what did she say about my flank? Ignore it now, plenty of time to ridicule her own appearance.

“Just a moment sister, I need to speak with my guard”, my sister rolled her eyes but complied with a nod of her self righteous little head. With that said I turned to my companion who was busy fidgeting with his armor nervously. His pale eyes darting all around the surroundings. It seems the stories about the new guards never leaving the Citadel was true then.

“Squelch, you have never left the citadel have you?”, I asked softly placing my hooves on his shoulders. He tensed up at my touch but relaxed just as fast, slowly nodding his head at my question. He gave me a childish grin before pushing away from me and looking all around him.

“I haven't princess, I only read about the surface during training! The sky is so open I feel like I will fall into it! It's freaking me out!”, Squelch muttered in awe as he looked past me and up into the cloudy sky. I sighed, facehooving myself at his child like manner. “I would be enjoying this if it wasn't for the whole, 'forced on a suicide mission' thing ruining it”. Here we go with the damn complaining again.

“For the last time it is not a suicide mission Squelch, you know what? You can leave if you want, I am sure mother would love to hear about a guard refusing a princess's command”, I threatened, my lips curving into a wicked smile. Squelch shook his head “no” vigorously while he straightened his posture.

“No my lady, I am willing and able so um lets go”, with that said I turned my attention back to my sister who was busy checking her manicured hooves, typical. After a few heated words between us we prepared ourselves for flight and took off to Canterlot. Flying, one of the few things to ever bring me genuine joy, well except for overthrowing figure heads and manipulating the weak but hey we all have something. Little was said between us in our little group save for the occasional vocal fascination from Squelch in the form of oohs and aahs. I smirked as it reminded me of the first time mother took me outside to see the world.

Time passed and eventually we made it to Canterlot's high walls, and right in front of the entrance was the dreaded checkpoint. Two watch towers loomed over the city gates as well as a guard house stationed there. And right in front of the gates were a pair of royal guards standing proud at attention. Without a word the three of us landed outside the city limits and into the surrounding forest. Squelch scouted the area and returned, nodding to us that we were indeed alone and safe from prying eyes.

“And here we are, I suggest you choose a disguise so we can move along already, your fat flank has delayed us enough sister”, Gynaephora said nonchalantly as her body became engulfed in blue flames. As the flames died down Gynaephora's was gone and a blue unicorn with a green mane took her place. The only thing that signified that she was still herself was her azure cat like eyes. With a slow blink her eyes changed to that of a pony's, striking purple. Her cutie mark was a depiction of a crystal orbited by three gems.

“Is that all? I've seen better disguises from a hatchling, let me show you how its done!”, I scoffed as I cast the disguise spell and let the process take over, feeling the warmth of green flames wash over me. With the last of the fire sizzling away I stretched my new body. My new wings flapped twice, feeling the sensation of feathers against my now soft skin. Giving myself the once over I found everything to be in order. My shell was now warm skin covered in fine red fur, my wings no longer like a insects but of a pegasus, feathers and all and my mane was now cut short with a flare of cyan. However I kept my eyes green. My cutie mark was a flaming feather.

“Adequate at best, now for-never mind”, my sister was cut short due to Squelch already being in disguise. He chose the form of a pegasus with a white coat and yellow mane as well as cobalt eyes. His cutie mark was simple, a shield with a crystal gem in the middle of it.

“Anyways, shall we dear sister?”, I said with a yawn, fluttering my wings and launching myself back into the sky. Gynaephora and Squelch followed close behind as we arrived to the front gates landing in front of the gatekeepers.

“Allow me sister”, Gynaephora whispered as she slipped past us and sauntered her way to one of the guards. Swaying her hips as she approached the guard on the right and hugged him, planting kisses all across his face. The guard returned her affections with kisses of his own before lifting her up in a hug and planting a final kiss to her nose.

“Oh my, ah see that ya missed me Beacon! Kissin me like that on the job! You silly colt you”, I cringed at my sister's disguise voice, a southern cowpony? Really?

“You have no idea how much I missed you Amethyst , it's just been me and old Ark over there and I have been pretty lonely”, the guard named Beacon said aloud as she hugged my sister before locking lips with her. I rolled my eyes as the scene played out, Squelch however shifted nervously in place as he tried his best not to stare. Looking over to the other guard that was mostly likely Ark, I saw he was in the same predicament of Squelch. After what felt like hours the two idiots finally ended their slobber fest and turned to Squelch and I.

“Beacon, ah I would like you to meet my best friend and her brother!”, Gyanephora said happily in her now annoying as tartarus accent. I trotted up to Beacon and shook his hoof, Squelch just nodded grinning.

“Lovely to meet you Beacon, I am Flare and this is Stonewall”, I greeted in the voice of a upper class mare I met in manehatten when I was much younger. It was odd to hear the voice of another's leave my lips, it lacked the force of power behind it. Beacon stared at both of us before smiling and returning the hoof shake.

“Now ah have to help Flare and Stone to their apartments, today is their first day at college yah know! Ah will come back to your place later Beacon~”, the way my sister fluttered her half lidded eyes nearly made me gag, what a hack. Beacon nodded as he placed a hoof to his lips and whistled loudly. A moment later and the gates slowly opened revealing the city within but before we could even take a step the elderly guard stopped us.

“Woah there Beacon, we gotta give em the scan before we let em inside remember?”, my heart sank, we can't be revealed now not after flying all the way here! I gave my sister a worried glance, she returned my glance with a smirk before turning to whisper something in Beacon's ear. For a split second her eyes flickered back to blue when a blue aura shone over her eyes and Beacon's. Beacon's face drooped into a smile, nodding his head to Gynaephora's unheard words.

“There is nothing to worry about here Ark, if my marefriend and her friends were changelings, I would know, right? So let em through for Celestia's sake ya old fart!”, Ark just shook his head at the young guard and sighed. Ark gave up and returned to his original standing point before speaking.

“Bah I am too old for this crap, just get in there already but you, you are going to spend overtime tonight if you don't want me to tell the Shining Armor about this!”, Ark argued jabbing his hoof into Beacon's side while he cowered at the mention of the captain of the guard. I however flinched at the name and the pain in my limbs returned at the thought of that blasted stallion. Thankfully no one noticed my flinch and we went along our merry way in the city. The city of Canterlot was alive and well, ponies went along their daily afternoon routines and store owners manned their stalls in the streets.

“And here we are, this is where you will be staying for the remainder of your evaluation sister, here is the key for the apartment room and inside you will find a note with everything you need to know”, Gynaephora explained as she led us to impressive looking apartment complex, marble columns outside and everything. Levitating two keys over to me which I snatched out of the air and looked them over, room twenty six. I turned to head inside but a pressure on my shoulder stopped me, turning over I was met with the worried face of Gynaephora.

“Sister, please don't do anything to give yourself away alright?”, I simply was flabbergasted, Gynaephora showing concern over my well being? Who is she and where is my crabby primadonna sister?

“Because I wouldn't want to win just because you bucked up and got dragged to the dungeons, I would rather have the story of how I gained status as Queen be far less uncouth, dear Chrysalis”, my sister snickered maniacally, trotting away to down the street and out of sight. At least she is still a insufferable. For a second there I actually thought she turned a new leaf on me. Shaking my head at the thought of a loving sister I went inside the apartment complex, Squelch following close behind. Once inside I found the interior of the building just as extravagant as the outside with its pompous design.

“Heh, fancy isn't it? Sure glad that your mother payed for the best of the best, I was afraid we would end up at some hovel in the arse end of the city!”, Squelch said as he swept his gaze all around the empty lobby. He was right about that, this place looked fit enough for any rich socialite, red carpets, paintings, candle lit chandeliers, elevators and the only thing missing was a snooty receptionist. Oddly enough nopony was here in the lobby just a sign saying, out to lunch.

“Lets go Stone, we are burning sunlight”, I ordered, heading to the nearest elevator and calling it down, thankfully we didn't have to wait long as the doors slid open. We both stepped inside with Squelch doing the honor of selecting the second floor and off we went. Calming elevator music played accompanied with the occasional thump of machinery, but that calm didn't last.

“About my name princess, I didn't agree to the name Stonewall, I mean really? I was gonna go with Onyx Shield! Its far more impressive than Stonewall, I mean seriously who names their son Stonewall? And another thi-mph!”, I couldn't take it anymore, choosing to shove a hoof in his mouth instead of hearing his whining.

“For gods sakes Squelch do you ever stop complaining? Stonewall is a convincing name for the disguise you chose and Onyx Shield sounds like it comes from a bad superhero novel, now come, our floor is about to come up”, the look on Squelch's face would have made feel guilty if I cared, the look of defeat over his name he probably spent time creating. Whatever, he will get over it eventually and he needs to harden himself if he ever wants to make a name for himself back home. Stepping out of the elevator and into the hallway I could see that the lobby downstairs wasn't a front. Whoever the owner was they spared no expense in driving home the whole snooty Canterlot look. The next few moments were spent finding our room and that didn't take long to find since the doors had giant plaques with the number engraved on it. With a kachunk the door unlocked and swung open revealing darkness within.

“Squelch get the lights, I need to see what this letter is all about”, Squelch just grunted to himself as he did so, trotting over to the window and opened the blinds. As the room was bathed in the afternoon sun I spotted a piece of paper on a coffee table. With a flick of my head I became enveloped in green flames and I felt myself return to my original size and shape. “Ah much better”, I said with a coo, reaching out with my magic and bringing the letter to eye level perusing it's contents.

“Hope you arrived safely daughter, by now you have acquired a disguise and are no doubt ready to continue on your mission. The college you will be attending will be just down the street south of the apartment you are staying in, and don't worry about travel its only a few blocks away. Attached to this letter will be your class schedule and identification card so you won't have to waste time with the officials there. And about your scouting objectives, do not worry about that just yet so just enjoy your first day of college because you shall receive a letter with details about that later in the later in the week. Love you always, Arctiidaes.-PS:If my timing is right you will have arrived around four thirty, and that means your first class will begin in about one hour, have fun!-PPS:This coffee table is enchanted to receive any letter I send magically and it works both ways, just write a letter and burn it with your magic! Good luck my little love bug!”

I smiled at my mothers cursive, hearing her voice with every word I read. Looking up to a clock on the wall I saw that it was indeed four thirty, how does she do that? I sighed to myself, not willing to investigate a mother's intuition. If I did it would probably give me a migraine if I tried to figure her out.

“One hour huh? Squelch! I am heading out for class so hold down the fort while I am out, I will be gone for a few hours if not more! Got it?”, I yelled taking on my disguise and stopping at the door. A crash was heard somewhere within the apartment followed by a very drenched Squelch. I raised an eyebrow, hoping my expression was enough to ask him why he was in that state.

“Um, they had champagne and I kinda sorta shook the bottle and it fell on me”, Squelch explained with a sheepish grin. I facehooved, this is what I have to be living with for the next year or so, perfect. Just what I need, a guard who is more colt than Stallion to "protect" me.

“Just watch the apartment while I am gone, don't break anything, and most of all don't waste the alcohol because after today, I am going to most likely need a drink”, Squelch simply banged his right hoof over his chest as he dove back to wherever he was before and another crash was heard. I rolled my eyes and left the apartment complex and onto the streets below. Today is going to be a long day.

“College her I come”, I muttered to no one, taking off the ground and flying off southward at a leisurely pace hope in my heart that it wasn't going to be terribly difficult. It was going to be a hard day indeed, but I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Let me tell you one thing that I learned that day, college was nothing like learning with the elders in the Citadel. And that the people there didn't give a donkeys ass that you were royalty, there were no second chances, and boy did I find that out the hard way!

Author's Notes:

Here is chapter 2 guys! I am going to make these chapters a bit longer than I intended so expect more of these kinds of lengths. I still feel like my punctuation still needs to be better but its getting there heheh. Hopefully I improved in this chapter... Anyways I hope you all had a great day and look forward for the next chapter in Chrysalis's misadventures in college!

Chapter 3:Rough First Day

There it was, Bravehills college and my oh my did it look preppy. Even from the air anypony could tell that this place was made for the prestigious families of Canterlot, or at least for ponies who shelled out enough bits for the entry fee. A plaza area holding several buildings stood in front of the entrance gate. Most likely all stores or cafes of some sort seeing as how ponies of all shapes and sizes left said buildings with bags and drinks. Typical that this place would have places to suck more bits out of your pocket.

And there laying in the middle of the college grounds stood the main building. Why did I think it was the main building with all the classes inside? Well the giant dome roof and flags bearing the symbol of Bravehill gave it away. Anyways, I arrived and landed in front of the entrance gate, I had a feeling security wouldn't take kindly to some random pegasus diving in without verification. As I touched down I took note of my surroundings, students and their parents were seeing their kids off. There were hugs abound and family love in the air, it was invigorating just to be near these families and its a shame that I don't have the time to harvest it.

I felt somewhat jealous of them, to have a family to see them off but at least mother left me a note with her love I suppose. Shaking my head of my inner ramblings I approached the front gate, and the tired looking security guard in his little booth. He had a coat of white but his mane was hidden under a skull cap.

“Good afternoon, I would like to sign in for entrance please”, I asked nodding my head curtly. His response was less than hospitable as he glared at me, holding out a hoof outstretched towards me. Rolling my eyes at the guard I took out my card and placed it on his waiting hoof. With a grunt he brought it up to his face for a moment before looking back to me his glare softening a bit.

“Well Miss Flare, welcome to Bravehills college, sorry about the mean look earlier, it's just that I had to deal with several fake entries earlier this morning and I couldn't handle another one”, the guard said sheepishly as he returned my card.

“It is no problem, so I am free to head inside then?”, I tried my best not to yell at the buffoon, but there was no point in wasting energy with a rent a cop. He said nothing just simply nodding his head and pushing something in his booth with a click. Shortly after the front gate opened, as soon as it did I quickly trotted inside the college grounds. Once inside I was greeted with the sounds and sights of the college scene. It was chaotic to say the least, students roaming all over the plaza in droves going along their own objective, ponies chatting with friends and others simply running to gods knows where.

“Just like the hive, feels kind of like home in a way”, I thought to myself as I watched everypony scatter about their business. This reminds me just like the mornings in my old castle, everyling rushing to finish their tasks on time just to get ready for breakfast. Again that empty feeling sank in my gut as the memories of my old subject's faces flashed through my mind. I shook my head at those painful memories, pulling out the itinerary mother attached to the note at home. Skimming over my schedule I found that the first class of the day was biology101. And surprise surprise it's located in the main building like every other class here on the list, second floor room thirty two.

I mentally thanked my mother for creating an easy traveling experience for me as I made my way to the main building. On the way there I passed by many ponies of varying shapes and sizes, but one thing was common among them. They all radiated positive feelings, it was sensory overload but it wasn't unpleasant to be sure. In fact I found myself feeling giddy all of a sudden from all of these positive emotions. It's not just love that feeds a changeling, positive emotions can quell the hunger but definitely not as much as love does. But it does have it's drawbacks, if there is a large influx of negative emotions it can affect me just as negatively making me drowsy and even get hurt from it, changelings have it harder than most.

“Huh, now that isn't pompous or anything”, I grumbled, gazing up at the institute building and it's many marble columns. If its one thing Canterlot socialites know is that the best way to show off your wealthiness is with marble columns, what a eyesore. Pushing myself up the steep steps up I finally found myself inside of the building and in a lobby of sorts. A quaint long room filled with paintings and other college memorabilia. At the end of it rested a help desk flanked by staircases leading up, which at the moment was being swarmed by students most likely lost on their first day. I have to remember to thank mother for the itinerary, otherwise I would have spent more time just trying to get around like these fools.

Moments passed and after navigating down the halls of Bravehills I finally arrived to room thirty two.

“Ugh, I really hope that the walk to each class room isn't as tedious as this”, I grunted as I pushed passed a group of unicorns that chose to hold their conversation in front of the damn door. Once inside I took note of the room, it was a medium sized auditorium circular shaped in build. All around the room stood booths containing seats that descended along side stairs to the middle of the room and in said middle rested a podium and some sort of stone pedestal.

“Crowded, there has got to be a seat somewhe-ahah!”, spotting a an open spot in a booth with one seat remaining. And it seems I wasn't the only one who took notice as that group form outside had come inside and their eyes were dead set on the lone seat. We all looked to each other for a split second and it turned into a mad dash with all of us pushing past each other. But I had the advantage over them, my wings! Flaring out my feathered appendages I took flight and glided over the group and landed safely on my new seat. The look on those unicorns was priceless, each of their faces contorted in anger and surprise.

“Better luck next time chaps! Maybe next time you will talk less and pay more attention”, I sang victoriously, flipping my mane obnoxiously as I did. The group just grumbled obscenities among other things before slinking off to a crowded booth and squeezing in. I chuckled at the sight, serves them right.

“Serves them right I suppose, those idiots have been a nuisance ever since last semester, good job”, chuckled a voice to my right. Turning towards the origin I met my booth mate, a blue furred pegasus with a jet black mane and striking green eyes. Right in front of those eyes rested a pair of spectacles and he wore a light green overcoat that complimented those green orbs of his. I couldn't see his cutie mark due to his lower half being under the desk but I tried not to make it obvious I was looking. “Oh right, the names Page, Page Breakwatt”, the pegasus announced as held a hoof out towards me.

“Nice to meet you, I'm Flare, charmed”, I greeted shaking his hoof daintily as I did. He smiled at me before returning his gaze to a notebook in front of him promptly picking up a pen in his mouth and jotting down something in it.

“Habent sheen you here before, new shtudent?”, his voice muffled from the pen stuffed in his muzzle.

“First year actually, folks sent me here to study my flank off, you?”, I asked my question, peering over his shoulder to see what he was writing. I saw a glimpse of my name but he blocked the rest of the writing with his hooves.

“Shecond year myshelf, working fer a mappin majer so I can get my profession as a Cartogriffer started, its....going well I supposh”, even with his voice obscured by his pen his tone said otherwise. Whatever his problems are they aren't my business and nor do I care frankly. I didn't come here to make friends with ponies and their issues.

“Shame, most Cartographers are unsuccessful but I think you'll pull through”, I said sarcastically. Page just grunted, dropping his pen and squinting his eyes at me.

“And whats that supposed to mean?”, his voice laced with annoyance as he crossed his hooves at me. I seem to have touched a nerve and I couldn't hold myself back from what I said next he was too easy to instigate. I could have explained that I wasn't talking about him with that remark, that it was a misunderstanding. But I hated it when others spoke to me like that, and one thing led to another. Lets just say that I ruined my first impression with Page.

“Oh nothing at all, I don't question your skill but most Cartographers fail boorishly in your situation in fact I once knew stallion in a position just like yours, he took up janitor duties within the year”, as a matter of fact I did know such a stallion. He was a poor soul whom mother gave me as a target in my training years, what a foal he was. But that was besides the point, Page grimaced at me, flaring his nostrils as he did. He was too easy, I could have stopped my assault but I wanted to egg him on some more. “I suggest you switch your majors if your having trouble, it would be a shame if somepony as handsome as yourself would have to resort to cleaning the halls here”, I don't know why I kept egging him on, force of habit with Gynaephora I suppose.

“Hah hah hah, your not the first pony to say something like that, I take it its polite to ridicule someone about their dreams where you come from or something?”, he was up in my face now, our muzzles inches apart. I just smirked at him, batting my eyelids at him as I propped my chin up with both of my hooves.

“Kind of, you know Page, you are cute when your upset”, I cooed. Page's face turned a deep shade of red but he still kept his angry expression. With a huff he shook his head at me before returning to jotting down something on his notepad, albeit a bit more roughly now. I suddenly felt a little light headed and the cause was Page. He was practically seething negativity and it was making me feel a bit weak. The fact that I didn't feed on love lately made it much more draining than it would have if I fed.

Whatever problems Page had they were some deep scarring ones if he reacted this badly to my teasing.

But alas my thoughts on Page's peculiar reaction were cut short at the sound of a door opening and slamming shut. Suddenly the auditorium was deadly quiet and not a soul made a sound. The only sound of somepony's hooves against the wooden floor echoed across the spacious room. I had to see what kind of teacher could command such control over this class that was as rowdy as a buffalo just moments ago. And there he was, a tall unicorn about five feet tall trotted with purpose towards the podium. His fur was the color of slate, cold and grey and yet his stylized mane was a flamboyant pink, his cutie mark obscured by the satchels he was carrying.

The stallion ignored all the eyes on him, simply unpacking several items from his satchel onto the podium. One such item was a crystal ball which he placed onto the stone altar with great care. With a yawn he flicked his horn twice towards the altar, bathing it in a pink aura. In a flash the altar released a stream of light into the air as streams of magic energy seeped out of the crystal. Like a practiced artist he waved his horn like a baton weaving the magic with every wave, it was mesmerizing.

But all too soon as he began so did it end with the end with the energy forming a shape. A perfect circle floated above the altar shimmering brightly in a pink hue. Looking over to Page I found him slack jawed, his mouth hanging open. Casting a quick glance to everypony around me I found the same dumbfounded look upon their faces. Bringing myself back to the stallion I found him chuckling in delight at the reaction he was getting, his just as pink eyes glistening with mischief.

Once again the room was silent as he eyed us all before coughing loudly. The way he cleared his throat was obnoxious as he ended the fiasco with a crack of his neck and composing his posture before he spoke.

“Welcome everypony to Biology101, I am your teacher Mr. Phylum and for those of you newcomers to Bravehills I expect you to be on your best behavior! This isn't like your namby pamby highschool! This is a prestigious academy for the best of the best! No pressure!”, I was expecting his voice to be falsetto but on the contrary it was deep and commanding. He certainly wasn't what I expected that was for sure. I pictured a stereotypical nerd teacher with thick glasses with a terrible lisp like in those comedy movies. But I rolled my eyes at his introduction nonetheless, it felt rehearsed and unnecessary.

“Now before we begin, take out your biology101 book and turn to page three hundred and ninety six”, oh buck, I forgot the books at home. I started to panic, my eyes darting around at all of the other students hoping I could find solace in that someone else forgot as well. But I was the only one without a book, what a great way to start the year. Before I could curse my negligence anymore, a small whisper broke my trance.

“Here, we can share and stop panicking, at least act like you didn't bring it on purpose”, with that said Page pushed his book so that it rested between us. I muttered a quick thank you and turned the pages to what the teacher specified. What I saw surprised me, in big bold letters read, “Changeling Anatomy and Characteristics”.

“Now I am sure some of you are wondering about the reading material for today, well the reason for that is that Princess Celestia has wished for every student to learn about Changelings in precaution from the event four months ago”, I didn't look up from the book but I could tell from his tone that Phylum spoke with disdain, or was it anger? I was too focused on the various images floating near text, Changeling skeletons, organs, transformation characteristics. My eyes scanned for the date the book was created and right at the bottom of the page stated in small print said that it was published two months ago. My blood ran cold, someone has been researching our kind and from what I can see printed on this page, its scarily accurate.

“Now for the rest of this hour I would like you all to read over this chapter, and feel free to ask questions regarding it, but do not expect this entire semester to be around the creatures”, with that said Phylum returned his attention to the floating magic sphere and began weaving its shape once more. The outcome was a very pink representation of a standard changeling drone rotating three dimensionally. “And no questions about Changeling sex habits, I have had quite enough of those questions today!”, the class laughed in response, all except me.

“Who the buck did all this? Who could have researched us this fast?”, I thought hastily, flipping through to the beginning of the book to its index. Skimming the lines I came down to the Changeling section, and the author behind it. My lips curled into a snarl, my blood began to boil at the name printed on the page before me. Twilight Sparkle, the damn purple harlot who ruined everything.

“Uh Flare? You okay? Your kinda freaking me out”, Page's voice in my ear brought me out of my rage and to the real world. I composed myself, taking deep breaths before I looked to the worried yet annoyed face of Page.

“Oh its nothing, I have a really bad stomach ache is all....”, I lied, flipping the book back to the changeling chapter. Page shook his head and went to reading and so did I. After what felt like a solid half hour I recounted what I had read. Twilight has covered the anatomy of our kind flawlessly but that wasn't impressive in the slightest, we aren't that much different on the inside compared to a pony. Although our blood is green instead of red however, anyways the tidbit that caught my attention was the section on love and emotion.

From the way we can be invigorated by it and how we can also be hurt by it. I shudder to think about how she learned of this and how she tested it. Images of those scouts captured at the checkpoints being examined like animals flashed in my mind. However I couldn't continue reading this garbage, this entire chapter described my kind like some sort of animal, the gall of that purple foal. And it seemed everypony in the auditorium agreed with the idea, all of the students harbored looks of disgust and fear at the pages before them. All except Page who read on with a look of wonder upon his face, his eyes twinkling with interest.

Before I could question why, he sprang up on his hind legs holding his hoof straight up in the air. Phylum took notice and smiled, pointing at Page and nodding in silent acceptance for him to speak.

“Mr. Phylum, is all of this about Changelings true? I mean about all that stuff about them being violent and animalistic seems a bit biased in my opinion”, Page's asked, his question hanging in the air. The room was silent and all eyes were on Page, the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

“Well that is a question I wasn't expecting! Ahem, well I don't think its biased at all and besides, the student of our fair Princess Celestia had seen these beasts firsthand and researched them alongside the princesses,”, Phylum explained quaintly. But Page wasn't buying it, his green eyes staring down Phylum's pink ones.

“Even so, I find it odd that there aren't any passages here explaining sentience of any kind. Surely Changelings are intelligent, I mean they had a leader who spoke!”, Phylum just laughed at Page, pinching the bridge of his muzzle as he did.

“Every hive mind has a hierarchy , the chapter dictates that the queen of said hive has intelligence while her followers are nothing but mindless drones. Much like how a hive of ants work.”, I gritted my teeth at that comment. Comparing my kind to that of insects following pheromones trails, if I didn't have to hide I would have lynched him then and there.

“Anyways, it is pointless to question the logic from the student of Princess Celestia herself, mister, er I hadn't caught your name?”, oh boy looks like Page just dug his own grave.

“Er, Page, Page Breakwatt sir”, at the mention of his name Phylum smiled a cruel smile. This isn't going to be pretty.

“Well well well, a Breakwatt gracing my presence”, Phylum bowed sarcastically. Murmurs were heard around the auditorium, what was going on?

“Mister Page, I believe you shouldn't harm your family's reputation any more than it already has, now sit down and shush, I don't need the opinions of a outcast questioning factual information in my class, do I make myself clear?”, all the color drained from Page's face as he slowly nodded and slunk back to his seat. As soon as he sat back down the class was in a uproar. Everpony laughing at what had just happened, tickle me paranoid but don't I think Page's family is held in high regard here in Canterlot. The laughter soon died down at the order of Phylum but I could hear the occasional jab at Page, the words were too barbaric to say out loud. Page looked devastated, his head sunk low and his ears flat against his head, a dead look in his eyes.

Guilt, thats what I felt after that, I don't know why but I just felt bad about all of that. I wanted to ask him why everpony was treating him like pariah but I couldn't find the words. I never got the chance to as Phylum whistled and told us class was over. As soon as we got the dismissal Page stuffed his belongings into his satchel and bolted out of the auditorium. And just like that he was gone, leaving a trail of papers in his wake. One such paper caught my eye as I got up to leave, a crumpled piece of paper with my disguised name on it.

There under my name was a sketch, a beautiful rendition of my face from my side. But halfway through it stopped abruptly and began again with a new drawing of much like the one above it. Except this one was of me bearing devil horns and fangs. This was most likely a before and after drawing when I teased him. And there it was again, the annoying pang of guilt in my gut. Pushing my thoughts away I folded the drawing and tucked it behind my left ear for safe keeping and went on my merry way.

Moments passed in a blur before I found myself seated in my next class, pre-algebra mathematics. The professor stationed inside was a unicorn mare, and she looked as unenthusiastic as I was, a frown on her face. Her fur was a vibrant teal while her mane was a slightly dark blue and her eyes were a dull brown. Her cutie mark was of course, a algebra equation of some sort how surprising. But besides that she was nothing special, I tuned out her voice as she spoke letting my mind wander.

Class went by in the blink of a eye as I let myself sit with my mind on auto pilot. Allowing the droning of the teacher to go in one ear and out the other. I ignored everything except for the advice to review chapter 1 and chapter 2 for the pre-test on tuesday, whatever. Oh math, how I loath thee, let me count the ways in how I wish you were but a myth. I just hated math in any form, I for one think its useless pass the basics. Why have somepony search for imaginary numbers for equations that don't matter to begin with? I logged it as a class that the college makes you take so they can suck more bits out of you.

One hour passed when the teacher signaled class was over. I was overjoyed that the torture that was algebra was over, maybe a bit too much as I flew out the class room window. Several ponies all stared at the odd pegasus woohooing throughout the air space of Bravehills college. I hummed a happy tune was I glided through the now darkening sky, ignoring the ever growing distant yells of the algebra professor. It wasn't long before I found myself back at the apartment and inside of my room. Locking the door behind me I found that the apartment was still in one piece.

“Squelch! I am home!”, announcing myself while I trudged over to the living room and plopped myself on it. A crash and a tumble echoed from somewhere in the apartment followed by of course, Squelch. I raised my eyebrow at his appearance, he was in his disguise and covered in sweat. His mane was a complete mess and he was panting heavily like he ran a marathon.

“What in tartarus have you been up to?”, I asked the exhausted changeling. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could speak the sound of somepony else approaching cut him short.

“Oh Stoney, where are you? We haven't made it to round 2 yet!”, a feminine voice sang from somewhere within the apartment. And sure enough a mare had appeared seemingly out of nowhere next to Squelch and slumped her body against him. She looked especially ditzy, orange fur, green mane with blue highlights and a image of a microphone crossed over a treble cleft on her rump. Squelch's face turned to a shade akin to a tomato, blushing furiously as he fiddled with his hooves.

“You have some explaining to do Squelch”, I said flatly, doing my best at keeping a straight face at the two. Finally the mare noticed me but she still leaned on Squelch, nibbling his ear playfully apparently not caring that she was among prying eyes.

“Who's this Stoney? Is this your sister that you told me all about?”, she asked, still biting his ear between words.

“Why yes it is, um, Flare meet Medley, Medley meet Flare”, Squelch said as he gestured his hooves between us.

“Why hello Flare, I was just spending some quality time with your brother and we-mph!”, before she could finish her sentence Squelch silenced her with a hoof to the mouth.

“Eheh, alright Medley I think you should be going, you wouldn't want to be late for rehearsal now would you? Go on!”, I watched as Squelch hurriedly shoved Medley off of him and towards the door. It was quite the scene to watch, I should have taken pictures.

“Aw but Stoney, I think I can miss one rehearsal and be fine”, she cooed as she gave Squelch very obvious bedroom eyes. Squelch only sputtered in response, giving her a final shove out the door.

“I know darling but you gotta go, meet you tomorrow around the same time?”, Squelch was trying his best to say this calmly but his voice just shook with nervousness as she spoke. Medley smiled and nodded before planting a kiss upon Squelch's lips and disappeared down the hall. Closing the door, Squelch slowly turned towards me, removing his disguise as he turned. There was a awkward silence between us as we both waited for the other to speak first. Removing my disguise I cleared my throat and kept a smug grin.

“So I am gone for a few hours and you end up rutting some random mare hm? How did you even manage that Squelch?”, I teased, giggling loudly. Squelch once again did his best impression of a ripe tomato, glaring all the while.

“I was hungry alright? I needed some love to fill me up and besides I can't cook! What was I supposed to do?”, Squelch sputtered.

“Understandable, but I am more curious as how you managed to seduce a mare of all things, I thought for sure you fancied stallions!”, I teased, enjoying the reactions of the flustered changeling.

“I-I, oh buck you Chrysalis! I know how to get mares! And what the buck makes you think I like stallions?”, his voice raising with every word, oh he was just too easy. But alas all good things must come to an end and I believe Squelch has had enough.

“Calm down Squelch, I am only teasing, so your new love battery is that ditzy mare then?”, I questioned curiously. He nodded, rubbing his forehooves together nervously
.

“Y-Yeah, I met her at the local theater when you were at school and I was bored and hungry. She approached me first believe it or not, asked my name and I asked for hers and we just hit it off. She told me she was lonely and that she recently broke up with some stallion, she called me cute....and even I know when a mare is hinting at sharing a bed you know!”, he explained, defensively crossing his hooves across his chest.

“Well keep her around, I could use the unconditional love floating around you two to keep my energy up”, Squelch nodded once, his muzzle scrunched up in thought. Oh boy, there is his thinking face again, this should be good.

“She is cute though right? Beautiful even....”, Squelch sighed dreamily. Oh no, don't tell me he is falling for a target.

“Squelch, it isn't safe to taking a liking to your food you know, keep it professional”, I said sternly.

“Wait what? I have no idea what you are talking about? I never said she glowed like the sun or anything!”, Squelch lied terribly, his muzzle scrunched up, his eyes refusing to meet mine. I sighed, this is exactly what cannot happen to Squelch, I have to explain to him the right way.

“Squelch, listen to me, I am telling you to watch your feelings for your own good, Medley isn't attracted to you she is attracted to Stonewall, understand? I don't want you doing something stupid like revealing yourself to her or something. Just remember that alright?”, Squelch slowly nodded in agreement, but I could tell he had something else to add.

“But, what if she could fall in love with the real me? Is there no way for changelings to get love without forcing our way into their hearts? I mean I barely had to influence her at all to get her to like Stonewall”, his voice was barely above a whisper, his eyes gazing into mine as he desperately waited for an answer. I sighed, Squelch won't let this go.

“Truthfully, I don't think so, after what I learned today in college I can tell you that changeling reputation has already made a possibility like that impossible”, I muttered, remembering the changeling chapter in biology. He tilted his head at me in confusion with a eyebrow raised. “What do you mean by that?”

“You might want to sit yourself down for this one, cause it's going to be a doozy, Squelch”, and so he did, laying himself on the carpet, resting his head on his hooves. It is going to be a very, very long night.

Author's Notes:

And there is chapter 3! Why is Page's family outcasts? Will Squelch get over his seemingly hopeless dream of unity? Will college get easier for Chrysalis? Why am I asking all of these questions? Stay tuned for the next chapter folks!

Chapter 4: Tutoring and a History Lesson

“They what!? And they said all that in the book!?” yelled a very upset Squelch, his breaths growing ragged as he paced the living room. Rolling my eyes at his outburst I craned my head to view the clock on the wall. Ten forty five pm, it is way too late to deal with a ranting idiot.

“Calm yourself Squelch, this is indeed a disturbing revelation but I would rather you not rave like a lunatic and wake the neighbors!”, yelling in a hushed tone as I magically slapped him. My slap seemed to have done the trick, the left side of his face was a little swollen but at least he was quiet. I sighed, perhaps I hit him a bit too hard. With a grunt I disdainfully got up from the couch and into the kitchen. Taking a step in the kitchen I was happy to see that it was stocked with all the essentials, microwave, fridge and the like.

After a few moments I scrounged up ice cubes from the freezer and stored them in a plastic bag. Returning back to the living room I found Squelch sitting in the same spot I left him in, his eyes glued to the floor and his hoofs idly rubbing his wound.

“Here, sorry for hitting you so hard, we are both a little at edge from today aren't we?”, I apologized and placed the bag of ice on the swollen part of his face. He looked at me for a moment before nodding and taking the bag into his own hooves. With a wince and a grunt he applied the cold relief and spoke.

“I'm used to this sort of thing so don't worry about it”, he smiled weakly as he spoke. I assumed he was speaking of his family, but I asked anyways.

“Really? Tough upbringing?”, I asked, hoping this would change the conversation away from the whole book dilemma for a moment. Squelch nodded, his smile slowly dissipating to a frown.

“Good ol dad was a hard ass, with him being the captain of your royal guard it wasn't surprising that he wanted his sons to join the legacy”, he was speaking of Carapace, he was a grizzled changeling and I knew him well. He was the grittiest soldier you could ask for, but he was quite the softy when you got to know him.

“If I failed a exam or didn't keep up with the other initiates during training he would hit me to get me going, but not hard enough to scar or anything”, he waved his free hoof around his swollen cheek for emphasis. I rolled my eyes at him, sure it would bruise but it wouldn't be permanent.

“But he did it for appearances you know, he wanted to show everyling that he had no favorites in the barracks, not even his own son”, he sounded like the exact opposite of mother, she would always place me first ahead of Gynaephora, even after my failure she still kept me close as her favorite daughter.

Suddenly Squelch chuckled, his lips curling in a smile over his fangs.

“Whenever we got home after a day like that he would apologize to me for hours, treating me like a prince all the while explaining that he didn't mean any of it. I always forgave him of course though. He wanted me to know that he loved me and he only did it to keep the image of the grizzled guard with no emotion. My mother didn't like my father's methods but she always did squee at the sight of dad being a huge softy”, how sweet and unorthodox, reminds me of father before he passed although there was much less hitting.

“And I assume your brother didn't take kindly to how pampered you became after those days?”, I asked while I sat back down on the couch pulling the coffee table closer to me as I did.

“Oh right, him, yeah Shell didn't like it when dad did that you know. He complained that father was making me weak, that if I can't handle a few hits then I wasn't fit for the guard”, Squelch explained, lacing his voice with poison as he uttered his Brother's name.

“Personally I just think he was jealous. Sure he got recognition from my folks for excelling at nearly everything during training but he was never coddled like I was and I think it is the main reason he is so sour all the time!”, Squelch chuckled and as did I.

After that little laugh a awkward silence fell between us. I took advantage of the calmness to begin writing a letter to mother, using the convenient supplies that lay on the coffee table. Several stacks of paper, an inkwell with a feather and envelops, perfect. Surrounding the feather in my magic I dipped it in the inkwell and began writing.

“Dear mother, I wish to inform you that all is well here in Canterlot. The apartment is quite luxurious and spacious, I thank you for acquiring such a place for Squelch and I. However I need to tell you what I have learned from my first day at college, and it isn't going to be good news so I pray this doesn't ruin your day mother. When I attended class I found something quite unfortunate, they are teaching the students in Bravehills about changelings. And not just simple things like what we are but everything about us in great detail, it seems that those rumors about the captured scouts being interrogated are true mother. But that isn't the worse of it, the author of said information is none other than Celestia's apprentice Twilight Sparkle”, I stopped writing just to glare at the last two words I wrote, just looking at that name makes my blood boil.

The next few lines I had to erase and do over due to them mostly cursing the name of Twilight and I won't tell what I wrote. Just know that I was going grossly off topic and it started to look like a letter from a madmare. After promptly crushing the letter into a ball and disposing it I began again on a new sheet. Writing back to my stopping point on the now crushed letter.

“And she has described us as animals in her writing, no more than mindless beasts and savages among pony folk. Thankfully she hasn't written anything about how to sniff us out besides that spell used in the checkpoints. I shall attach the book alongside this letter so you can read it, the information is located on page three hundred and ninety six. Please return it with a letter of your own when you finish it. But one thing is for sure, Squelch and I must be more careful from now on, and I suggest letting Gynaephora know about this. As much as I think it would be hilarious to find her hanging from the gallows I believe it would be best for even her to be safe. All in all I miss you mother, and besides all of this I am enjoying college so far. Love, your favorite daughter. Ps:Squelch sends his regards!”

I looked over the letter twice to make sure it was up to snuff and sealed it in the envelope. Placing it flat on the coffee table I did as mother instructed from her first letter and burnt the letter along side the bio book, to cinders with magic. As the cinders died down the table itself glowed for a moment before returning to normal. Ah the wonders of teleportation magic, what would I do without it. An image of Squelch delivering mail at mach speed brought a grin to my lips.

“That book is really going to make this harder for us huh? Like, for everyling I mean?”, Squelch's question brought me back from my daydream. He looked worried, his eyebrows furrowed, muzzle scrunched up and his ears flat against his head.

“Yes, yes it will but we have survived far more dangerous things as a people. One chapter in a book won't destroy us all Squelch, but we have to be more cautious for sure”, I reassured him with a complacent hoof on his shoulder. However my hoof was not enough, he still bore that worried look upon his face.

“And when Medley reads that book....well I may as well lose hope in revealing myself to her, er I mean, uh, never mind!”, Squelch tried to stop himself but the damage was done. This fool was actually thinking of doing that? All for one little morsel who would no sooner shun him then love him back legitimately? He is either brave or stupid, most likely a mixture of both in his case.

“Squelch, whatever feelings you have for this mare, for Medley, you can't let it jeopardize our mission here”, I said, stopping slowly to consider what to say next. But Squelch had other ideas.

“You can't expect me to just bottle this up in a corner and forget about it? I know its stupid that I fell for a mare that I only knew for a day, I never expected my first crush to be a pony but all of these sights and sounds, all of this....well everything! Its so much different from the hive!”, Squelch explained, returning to pacing the carpet.

I said nothing, simply waiting for him to let this out of his system. I should have foreseen this,
Squelch has never left the hive. I should have known he would overreact to the stimulus of the outside world.

“I just don't know how to deal with this, one part of me wants to tell her the truth when the time is right! And another part of me just wants to go back home to a nice hot cup of mom's cocoa! I-I....I just don't know what to do, I am just so confused right now Chrysalis”, Squelch brought his gaze to mine, the look of a lost youth stared back at me. He wasn't making this easy for me.

“Squelch, it is alright. I understand how difficult it is to get used to all of this, but you have to keep a level head okay? I can't have you going all nuts on me got it? And about Medley....”, I was going to break his heart, let him know that this couldn't go on. But then he gave me the biggest puppy dog eyes he could muster. Even I, the great mighty Chrysalis can fall victim to the puppy dog eyes folks.

“Bucking hell I am going to regret this but fine, you can keep seeing Medley”, one second I was talking and the next second I was being hugged to death by a very happy Squelch.

“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you Chrysalis!”, Squelch squealed happily as he nuzzled me nonstop. It took all of my strength to pry the little ankle biter off of me, the little bastard has a surprisingly strong grip. After a few seconds of struggling I was separated from Squelch and now he was staring at me with the stupidest grin on his face.

“Alright, but let me tell you one thing, promise me you won't do anything stupid like reveal yourself, understood?”, Squelch nodded furiously in agreement.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!”, he said this as he performed some odd ritual as he ended the charade with his right hoof in his right eye.

“What was that?”, seriously what the buck was that?

“Oh, heh, it was something I saw this really pink bubbly pony doing in town, its like a sort of promise I think?”, Squelch chuckled rubbing a hoof behind his head sheepishly.

“Uh huh, well I am going to bed now since I have to wake up early for class tomorrow”, I announced, trotting over to where the bed room was.

“Yeah me too, Medley and I have a date tomorrow so I gotta get rested for that!”, I scoffed at that, really? Rutting first and then you start dating?

“One would think you would first date before you rut, Squelch”, I teased. He just blushed furiously, sputtering about something before speeding off ahead of me. Oh Squelch you are so easy to fluster. A few moments later I made it to the bedroom, taking in the room in stride. My, it was as luxorious as the rest of the apartment which isn't surprising, but still. It was stocked with normal room fare, dresser, mirror and of course two beds. Both could fit two ponies but the state that they were in stood out.

One was pristine and untouched while the other one a few feet away from it was a complete mess. Bedsheets thrust all about with pillows hanging from the sides and to top it all off, a unsightly stain in the middle. Squelch followed my eyes and panicked, rushing over to the sheets and promptly covering the stain as best he could.

“I am still surprised how you even managed that”, I said flatly, gesturing to the stain before climbing into my own comfy bed. Squelch said nothing, opting to just stew in his flustered state and plopped himself in his bed.

“Yeah, yeah goodnight my quee-hey whats that? That thing behind your ear? Paper?”, his question caught me off guard, paper? My eyes widened in surprise, the memory of Page's sketch came back to me. Reaching up to my left ear I plucked the folded drawing and opened it. And there it was, the well drawn images of Flare courtesy of Page Breakwatt. And there it was, that guilty feeling again.

“It is nothing, just some notes I took in class, good night Squelch”, I lied, putting the folded paper under my pillow and tucked myself in. Squelch nodded and yawned before wrapping himself in a sheet cocoon. Not even five minutes later Squelch was snoring and fast asleep. First crush problems, overreactions, clumsy and to top it all of, he snores. Boy do I know how to pick em. Glancing my eyes around the bedroom one final time I relaxed, allowing slumber to take me as I drifted away.

Thoughts ran through my mind that night, every single one of hope that everything will be alright in the future. Squelch would be under control, I would pass my classes and I would be queen in about a year. What could go wrong? But the universe had other plans for me, and things would get worse before they got better.

Two Months later

The next two months went by rather quickly, along with the little scouting missions and school things were going well. Every week I received a few letters from mother and I would scout out Canterlot for any holes in its defense. Everything was indeed a cakewalk. That was until I received my grades for the first half of the semester and things weren't looking good. Out of my four classes I was failing two of them, College algebra and economics. Fortunately I was excelling in biology and speech presentations since they were right up my alley. But mathematics and economics were never my strong suits but I never thought I would mess up this badly.

So here I am, two months in my mission to take back my throne and I have already hit the proverbial wall. I lost all hope to be honest, Gynaephora would win and she would never let me live it down. But this isn't were the story ends everpony, fate smiled upon me in the form of my teachers taking pity on me. Now here is the kicker, since I have been such a good egg head in biology Mr. Phylum wished to assign me a tutor to assist to make up for my faults. All of those after school extra credit jobs really put me in good standing with the pink haired idiot.

Now here I was, waiting in the college library to meet my tutor that has been assigned to me. My one and only hope at bringing my grades up. And he or she is one hour late. A first impression is something you don't buck up, and whoever my tutor is, they have royally bucked up. I passed the time with thinking mostly about grades and my trusty companion, Squelch. Now that was someling with luck, something I don't have at the moment.

These past two months have been very kind to my loyal guard. He has found a job at a local bakery named, “The Sweet Tooth”, and is now coltfriend to his first crush Medley. The two fools have been inseparable ever since their first night together. And although Squelch has been having trouble keeping his true identity hidden, he has kept his resolve. But I can't say I don't approve of their relationship actually, you would think I would have snuffed their little romance in a week.

I sensed their love for each other and what Squelch said about him barely influencing her emotions, he was telling the truth. There was a small trace of changeling magic on her but it was gone after the first week. Usually you would have to keep a targeted pony under your constant influence so that they wouldn't break free. But she genuinely loves Squelch, or at least his disguise anyway. And if love can bloom that quick and efficiently then there may be hope that she could understand if he told her the truth.

However that is just wishful thinking, I have no idea how Medley would react to Squelch's true identity. She would most likely scream and run to the guard, and that is the best case scenario. But Squelch has told me he was apparently talking with her about changelings and such. Surprisingly Medley doesn't believe what has been written from Twilight's article on changelings. She states that changelings shouldn't be labeled as monsters just based on the wedding incident.

“Anypony would have done the same thing in their position! Can any of you honestly tell me that if we lacked resources and food, that we wouldn't be desperate for a source of life? Queen Chrysalis and her hive were simply desperate for land and food. Perhaps if our illustrious rulers hadn't blown them to kingdom come, then we could have reached a diplomatic solution!”, that is what Medley had said during a pro-changeling protest.

It was surprising to learn that a group of ponies actually pitied us, and how accurate Medley's speech was. Indeed my hive and I were very desperate, we were starving after a rival hive had declared a war of attrition on us. We lost so much land, so many changelings had perished and we were forced to retreat from out home. After that we wandered, barely surviving on meat from hunts and love from forlorn travelers. So after much debate I decided to pool all of our efforts and take Canterlot under the ruse that was the royal wedding.

We all know how that ended, I lost, my status stripped from me and here I am trying to get back what I lost piece by piece. Looking back upon Medley's words I realized that I could have resorted to diplomacy for survival. But I wasn't thinking straight at the time, my hive was starving and so was I. Perhaps if our situation wasn't so dire we would have opted for the peaceful solution. Alas there is no point in dwelling on what could have been. What matters is the here and now, not day dreaming on alternate presents.

So here I am in this lonely library, tapping my hoof against the table I was sitting at to pass the time. At least it was calm and peaceful here, a few ponies wandered around the library doing their own thing. The smell of old books hung in the air pleasantly, reminding me of my personal library back at the Citadel. Perhaps I would spend my weekends here reading in perfect solitude. Suddenly a large crash echoed in the library, speaking of solitude.

“Sorry! Sorry, everypony! Heavy load coming through!”, yelled a familiar voice. Oh no, it couldn't be. But unfortunately there he was, Page Breakwatt tumbling through the library. He was carrying two satchels filled to the brim with what seemed to be books as well as a tower of packages on his back. If it was nightmare night you would think he was costumed as a caravan mule.

Everypony gave him the most anger filled glare they could all muster. Sure he was being loud and disruptive but I think his family name might have made it worse for him. But it didn't phase him, he just kept a tired smile and approached my table, ignoring the hateful looks he was getting.

“So sorry that I am late, I am your assigned tu-oh great”, his smile faded as soon as he saw my face. I frowned back at him, out of all the ponies in this college I was assigned Page as my tutor. To bring everypony up to speed let me just tell you that our little heated exchange two months ago never got better. For the past weeks we have been at each others throats constantly arguing. And for some bucking reason the universe deemed fit for us to grouped up together for everything.

Every time there was a group project and I had to choose a partner, the only one left was Page. If there was only seat available in class, it was next to Page. And the worst part is that I recently found out that he moved to my apartment complex, and lives next bucking door. The universe is a fickle bitch with a sick sense of humor.

“Don't tell me your the student I was sent to tutor?” he asked flatly as he unloaded his satchels and packages on the floor. His eyes never left mine while he unpacked, I suppose he was trying his best to seem aggressive.

“Unfortunately yes my dear Page, seems the universe wants us together”, I spat dryly. Page just sighed, rummaging through his satchels and pulling out two books. Pre-Algrebra and Economics Equestria Edition, my two most favorite subjects. Page then pulled out more things from his seemingly bottomless satchels. Pencils, notebooks and a lunch box. Well at least he is prepared for a few hours of study at least.

“So, I hope you had a good day today Page”, I asked, hoping to break the ice as well as the animosity. He said nothing, just raised an eyebrow at me with a confused expression. Usually I would expect some form of rebuttal from him but it seems I caught him off guard with my nicety. Honestly, I really wanted to make him squirm but he is my only hope at passing.

“Uh, yeah I had a great day today Flare, hopefully it stays that way”, lucky for him I had no intention of making his time here a living tartarus. The goal today is to be as nice as possible if only to get him to cooperate.

“As do I Page, so, I assume you know my faults and are prepared to help?”, I asked. He nodded, pushing the math book towards me. Math first then? Wonderful.

“Yes and from what I have seen from your previous test results I can say that you are lacking. I have worksheet for you to work on first so I can see were you are at”, with that said he handed me a worksheet and left me to my work. I sighed but began working on the problems, finding the hardest problems and doing them first. I cannot say enough how I hate fractions and all of these imaginary numbers. “Find X! Find Y!”, it is so bucking pointless to search for numbers and decimals.

The next half hour was spent in silence, I working on the questions and Page writing on his own piece of paper. Finally finished I looked it over and erased the unnecessary chicken scratch I used for counting. I cleared my throat and passed the sheet under his nose. Page never looked up from his writing, simply taking the sheet in his hoof and examining it. After a few agonizing minutes Page raised his eyes up to me and back to the sheet.

“Well at least you have some sense in this chapter, however you failed around half of these questions”, ouch, well that was to be expected I suppose.

“Let me show you a trick I knew, now first you start with the fractions”, and that is how the first few hours went. With Page teaching me tricks and me doing my best to recreate said tricks. At first it was a slog but over time I was actually getting the hang of it.

“There! See that wasn't so hard now was it? Now use that trick on your next test and you got it made!”, Page smiled as she spoke, odd, well it was odd for me anyways. Every time I saw him on college grounds he always had moped around wherever he went. But right now he looked genuinely happy. He looked better with a smile on his face, not that grimace he wore 24/7.

“It is definitely easier Page, thank you. I suppose all that is left to do is economics then?”, Page nodded, pushing the economics book towards me with it already opened on the chapter I was having issues with.

“Your teacher told me that you just didn't pay attention in his class, just review this chapter and be sure to write notes!”, I didn't like getting ordered to do something but I had to grit my teeth and bare it. And so I did, writing notes on all about the Equestrian economic status for the past decade and recent endeavors. It was incredibly boring and bland, the writer didn't care much for interesting facts. This book was drier than a desert, thankfully small talk with Page broke up the monotony. But it didn't stray past conversations about the weather and class troubles. Occasionally I would steal a look at his flank, or more importantly his cutie mark. A compas crossed over a feather pen, now whats the story there?

“So, ever want to talk about what happened two months ago? That whole fiasco in Biology?”, Page froze up instantly at the question. Page glared at me for a moment before returning his attention to his writing.

“Sorry, if you don't want to talk about it then forget about it”, I regretted asking him that now. Now he is going to go ballistic and I lose my one and only chance at success. I couldn't help it though, curiosity killed the cat. I just had to know why Page is treated like a outcast here.

“No, its fine Flare, I might as well tell you why folks treat me different if we are going to work together. You noticed how everypony likes to hang my name around like some kind of threat to me right?”, I nodded, every time he gets abused his name gets mentioned at some point. Its hard not to notice.

“Well you want to know the reason why i'm so bucked up? Its all because of my Celestia damned father! The stallion who ruined everything for me, the stallion who broke my family apart, Alidade. He married my mother Aurora and had me, a nice little Canterlot family right? Well it sure as hell didn't last. But before he changed he was the best father anypony could ask, teaching me about how to use maps and chart them. And that is how I got my cutie mark, the one thing that I thank my father for giving me.”

I tried my best to calm him, telling him to stop yelling. He eventually calmed down but I sensed his negativity, this is affecting him to a breaking point.

“You know cartography was the main reason the Breakwatt name was held in such high regard. In past wars of Equestria my family would be called upon for service in the war, providing their skills with maps and geography in use against the enemy. My father was still called upon by the military to update maps every so often, going on long expeditions across Equestria for months at a time. He often took my mother with him on his expeditions and left me alone with my aunts and uncles. But every time he came back he was different, I should have noticed what was happening.

I have never heard of that, you would think the name of Breakwatt would be widespread and known. What happened to change that?

“Then one day, when he came back from after a especially long expedition, but he came back alone. Mother was not with him, and when I asked him he went ballistic, beating me until I was just a quivering mess. I don't know what happened out there, but this stallion was not my father. Even though I was still a colt I knew something terrible must have happened to my mother, maybe father lost her in a skirmish. But I was so wrong, the truth was so much worse.”

This was starting to sound like a mystery flick you would always see in the theater. As Page went on his tone got darker and darker, his eyes becoming misty with tears.

“After weeks of traveling and abuse we encountered Celestia's own guard. They captured us, binding my father and yelling about treason. And the murder of my mother, ” Page's voice cracked, tears barely escaping his eyes. I didn't know how to react, but how can you react to something like this?

“I learned that my father was leaking information about the borders surrounding Equestria's capitals to other nations. The Gryphon kingdom, the Zebras and many more had been leaked information about security details and exits entrances to blind spots in border security. He bucking sold himself out to every extremist to betray Equestria and its people, and my poor mother had found out! I attended his trial and saw my father plead guilty and when he was asked why he killed my mother....he bucking called her a loose end.”

Now it all comes together, the reason why the Breakwatt name is held in such low regard. If I felt guilty before, now it was ten times worse.

“So here I am, one bucked up leftover from my fathers greed. Everpony sees me as the bastard's son that wears his face. Do you have any idea how it feels for everypony to treat you like shit just because of the choices of somepony else? I have spent ten years in tartarus because of my old man and whatever bright future I had before is gone because of him! I try so bucking hard to prove that I am not my father, working hard in classes, doing all sorts of odd jobs just to get a chance to show I mean something. And what does everpony do? They shut me out and refuse to give me a chance to redeem my families name.”

And now its come full circle, my what a broken life Page has lived. I can't help but notice the similarities between us. Two souls just trying to fix their ruined status in life.

“I didn't even want to be here, wasting my damn time here tutoring you when I could be studying for my major. But I bucked up and now a teacher is holding me hostage with blackmail!”, Page slammed his hooves against the table, cracking the wood underneath. A shushing sound was heard behind us but we both ignored it.

“Isn't it bucking perfect? After all of this I have to deal with being a teacher's bitch until he gets tired of me being his plaything”, with that said Page finally calmed down, resting his head on the table. A glazed look in his eye as he stared off into space.

“Who is this teacher?”, I asked, prodding him with my hoof. He didn't react to my prodding but just mumbled a single word, Phylum.

“I'm sorry Page, things are tough but it will get better, I promise”, I tried my best to make light of the situation but my words fell flat. I suddenly felt tired and frankly, I didn't care about all of this. But Page didn't notice, he just smiled at me.

“Yeah, it has got to get better, thanks for listening and I guess I will see you later Flare”, he said his good byes and went to stuff his belongings back in his satchels. I nodded and left the library at a brisk pace. For some reason I felt so tired, like I ran a marathon nonstop. But then it hit me, all of that negativity flowing out of Page was the cause of it. Unknowingly I absorbed his negative energy and left me weak, I need a nap.

A short time later I arrived back home, muffled cries could be heard inside my apartment. Slowly but surely I opened the door and found Squelch and Medley doing the horizontal shuffle on the couch. The look on both of their faces was just priceless, but I was in no mood to tease them about their lovemaking.

“Ohmygods! Your here early! I uh, sorry about the-where are you....going?”, Squelch's words fell upon deaf ears as I left the two behind and plopped down on my bed. Shutting the door behind me I tore off my disguise and cast a sound dampening spell on the room and instantly fell asleep.

“W-Well I guess she doesn't mind, so um, where were we, Stoney?”, Medley cooed, batting her eyes at Stonewall. Stonewall blushed furiously but kept a cool head, planting a deep kiss on Medley's muzzle. Pulling apart from her he planted small kisses along her neck, muttering words in between kisses.

“Oh. I. Think. we. Left. Off....here!”, a very unlady like squeal echoed for all the neighbors to hear. Nopony was going to get any sleep tonight thanks to these rambunctious two, all except for the slumbering would be Queen.

Author's Notes:

And there is chapter 4 folks! Sorry if there are mistakes in this one, i was up until 3 in the morning writing this one! Oh and some news for future chapters, next week I will be going for the next semester in college. So the future chapters might come out a little more slowly but I am going to keep writing guys! Anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter and have a wonderful day!

Chapter 5: Excursions with a Side of Drama

It was the dead of night, a full moon in the sky shining its celestial light across Canterlot. I loved nights like these, it gave me a moments reprieve from my problems. Unfortunately I am not on a stroll, and my problems are very much present at the moment. Instead of relaxing I am huddled, my back against the wall in a alleyway. And two guards lay unconscious in said alley way, each one sporting a bump on their noggins.

“Did you really have to knock them out in such a way that they nearly alerted our presence to everypony?”, I whispered angrily. I turned to the shadows, waiting for a response. Sure enough two glowing azure eyes glared at me from the dark. Followed by Gynaephora, her form seemingly oozing out from the dark. My sister was always good at being a sneaky little mynx, I'll give her that.

“Oh hush you, it wasn't my fault that they let their curiosity get the better of them”, she half whispered half yelled at me. Her raspy was even more annoying when she whispered.

Looking to my left and then my right I sighed, thankfully nopony had heard the scuffle. I pinched the bridge of my nose exhaling a annoyed breath. This was nearly over before it started. And it was all thanks to this harlot. How did I end up sneaking around with my sister? And why are there two knocked out guards in a dirty alleyway? Well I may as well bring everypony up to speed.

It's been one month since that tutoring session with Page and things have finally been looking up. The tutoring has payed off, those tips and tricks taught to me helping me out past the last few exams. Thanks to my new friend I passed them with flying colors and I no longer have to worry about being dropped out of school. And yes you heard me right, I labeled that troubled pony my friend. But don't get the wrong idea, I keep him at arms length and only see him as a means to an end.

Yes, yes I already know how most of you are going to react to me.

“Oh but Chrysalis, Page is a stallion going through a tough life and shouldn't be treated like a tool! How could you treat him this way! He needs to be loved and shown that he isn't like his father-blah blah bucking blah”, yes young Page has been through a lot. However I am not a charity worker that helps out any pony in distress. I am here to do one thing and one thing only, become queen again. As heartless as it sounds I will use Page as I see fit, if I find myself no longer needing a tutor then I cut him loose.

Although I have noticed he has been getting worse emotionally. Sure most times he would appear happy during our sessions but I knew it was a facade. I would ask him how he was and if things were getting better. And he would lie, telling me things were getting “chipper”, as he would say. He can put the biggest smile on his face and lie through his teeth but he hid nothing from me.

Any pony would see a happy stallion tutoring without a care in the world. But when he was sitting next to me I could sense all of the negative emotions pouring out of him. Page was in a emotional rut and he tried his best to put on a brave face. But I have noticed one thing, he has been improving. Ever since a few weeks ago I felt the improvement, he was legitimately happy if only a little bit.

So something was brightening up his days, but what?

But before I ramble anymore on about that heap of emotional baggage lets go back on track shall we? As I said school is going smoothly and mother has sent me on my fifth scouting mission. Or has it been my sixth? I don't know for sure, the days are blending together now and I lose track of the boring days. But unlike my previous missions mother insisted I take Gynaephora along with me.

Of course I protested, I would rather go back to hatchling school instead of team up with that raggedy whorse. But mother threatened to end my trial to be queen then and there. So with a disgruntled resign I accepted and now I am sneaking with my cohort.

Our objective was to scout out a barrack full of guards assigned specifically to the changeling checkpoints. Get in to brain wash the captain named Grunt as well as his lieutenants and get out. Well that was how it was supposed to go. But of course the universe likes to buck with me, so on our way to the barracks we caught the attention of two guards. The drunk fools saw us and mistook us for a pair of “working mares” and approached us.

And what do two drunken guards do in a situation like this? They began cat calling us and nearly groped poor Gynny. My plan was simply to cast a sleeping spell and be done with them. But my idiot sister had another idea. She grabbed the nearest blunt object and whacked them both when they weren't looking. The poor bastards screamed out in pain but quickly went out like a light.

Like a flash we both took to the shadows and waited to see if anypony would come investigate. And now here we are, sitting in a dirty alleyway with two loose ends to take care off.

“At least this wasn't a total screw up, we can disguise ourselves and take their places”, I mulled over the situation. Disguised as these two guards will make it easier for us to sneak in, no need to seduce anypony guarding outside if need be. Gynaephora nodded in agreement as she approached the unconscious drunkards. With a flick of her horn she removed their armor with ease. Floating the uniforms in a neat pile to the side.

“Interesting, one mare and one stallion. Didn't know they let mares in the royal guard to be honest”, my sister said curiously. She was right, one of them was indeed a mare, she looked fair enough. Purple fur,white mane and a very stereotypical guard cutie mark. A sword and shield, how original. The male looked more like a guard, brown in color with a black mane. His cutie mark was a bubbling flagon, explains his drunkenness I suppose.

“Dibs on the mare! You can get the other one dear sister”, Gynaephora mused, prodding the sleeping mare as she did.

“At least make it fair sister, how about a duel? A rock paper scissors match for the disguises. Loser gets the stallion and vice versa”, in a instant Gynaephora agreed. Flaring her horn with her magic at the ready. I readied my magic as well and counted down from ten. As soon as I said zero we both materialized our chosen weapons. Gynaephora chose rock, and I paper. This would be easy after all.

“Gods damnit!”, I lost, horribly so with two to one. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so cocky. Gynaephora just cackled, laughing it up as she disguised as her prize. With a very disgruntled sigh I strode over to the stallion and cast the spell of change. Feeling the last of the flames die out I stretched my out my new form.

I felt bulky, rigid and sported a new hanging weight on my loins. Ugh how males deal with this constant sensation I shall never know. Let me tell you that the reason I absolutely hate disguising myself as a male is because of the extra baggage. And feeling every little breeze against my new nethers made me feel just bucking uncomfortable. For those of you wondering about changeling transformations, yes everything is changed to the littlest detail. A disguise has to be convincing after all, no?

“Oh get over it sister, you should be used to this sort of thing by now. Now get over here and suit up before anypony comes by”, Gynaephora ordered, if only I didn't need her conscious to do this mission. I did as she commanded and put on the uniform. Normally both changelings and Ponies alike don't wear clothes. But I was relieved to wear something to cover my male extremities. The uniform itself was a black chain mail body suit, accompanied with rounded pauldrons resting on the shoulders.

“At least these things come in black, however the helmet leaves much to be desired. But anyways here”, Gynaephora mused, passing me the stallions helmet. Now the helmet design was odd, it looked like the ordinary helmets the guards wore except for it having a crystal gem surrounded by glyphs embedded on the forehead. I shrugged it off as a design choice and put it on. But as soon as I did I felt my body go stiff and I felt my own will slipping away.

“No way, these suits can't....”, I muttered as I tried to cast a spell, only for it to just fizzle out and fail. These uniforms have been enchanted to block magic, the crystal and glyphs make sense now. I looked over to Gynaephora who was also attempting to cast magic. I calmed myself and thought, these suits are most likely used to counter any magic from changeling attackers. However my sister wasn't taking this well, the look on her face would have been priceless if the situation wasn't so serious.

“Are you bucking kidding me? This makes things ten times more difficult now!”, Gynaephora cursed, a vein pulsed visibly on her forehead.

“Quiet you idiot! We can't use magic and that is alright, we will just have to improvise now”, I explained hoping to calm the raving diva. After a full minute of her yelling obscenities she calmed down and we went along to the barracks. Of course before we left I put a memory loss spell on the guards in the alley. When they wake up they will believe they passed out from being drunk and some thief pilfered their armor. It didn't take long for us to arrive to the barracks and past the guards outside.

Once inside we had found that the interior of the barracks resembled a college dorm pigsty. There were rows and rows of messy bunk beds along with trash littering literally every inch of the facility. The floor was sticky with something that I hoped it wasn't what I think it was. In corner of the room there was a guard dancing clumsily corner mumbling something about a killer party. And by the gods the smell, it was beyond rank.

“Looks like we missed one wild party eh?”, Gynaephora whistled.

“Now wild would just be a understatement, lets just find the captain and his lackeys shall we?”, I said while I navigated the mess. Taking very careful steps as to not accidentally step in the viscous gunk on the floor. Both Gynaephora and I carefully made our way through, but before we even made it halfway past the gunk minefield a voice called out from behind us.

“Hey Schnapps your here a little bit late!”, we both turned around to see a rather large stallion accompanied by two others. Judging by their uniforms and emblems its safe to say we found our targets.

“What took you and Riposte so long to get back? You missed one hell of a orgy!”, the stallion I assumed who was Grunt chortled as he came over to us. Well that explains the smell in here at least. Grunt's steps along with those of the other two stallions were unbalanced, nearly falling over several times as he went. Now this should be easy, three piss drunk targets, child's play. After a amusing display of jerky movement the lumbering stallion stopped in front of me. He was nearly two heads higher than me, gods what do they feed the guards here to make them this big?

“Now I should report you for arriving late, I suppose you had a good reason honey?”, his gruff voice smelled of alcohol. I assume the “honey” part was the alcohol talking so I just humored him with a salute.

“Sir, Riposte and I were detaining a pair of dru-hmp!?”, in an instant his lips were on mine. His tongue brushing against my teeth greedily. Frankly I was shocked, not knowing if I should return it or not. I looked to Gynaephora who gave me a look screaming, “just go with it”, and so I did. Ugh he was a terrible kisser, flopping his tongue against mine clumsily. It lasted for a few moments before the big oaf pulled away and chuckled. I heard my sister stifle a giggle, yeah laugh it up you idiot.

“Ya still know how to swap spit Schnappy, oh I missed ya my little pony you!”, the stallion bellowed as he grabbed me in a bear hug. Great, I lost a bet to get this disguise and it just so happens that I am impersonating Grunt's colt friend. At least it made me think of a plan to get these three fools alone. And that plan was to seduce this colt cuddler and his hopefully open minded lackeys.

“I missed you too my big strong ragga muffin, I hope you still have some energy for some fun hm?”, I laid out the charms on the big oaf, brushing my tail against the tip of his snout for good effort.

“Ohoho! You are being more forward than usual Schnappy, wanna be up front about it tonight eh?”, I nodded, giving him my best bedroom eyes.

“Oh yes, and I want it to be extra special tonight, how about we have a little orgy of our own? Lets bring those boys behind you as well as ol Riposte here for a little get together”, now that got their attention, all three of the fools drooled at the thought. How uncivilized.

“Now your talkin! Here that fellas? Ya'll get to see why I keep Schnappy around! C'mere you!”, he lunged out to grab me but I side stepped the clumsy drunkard.

“Uh uh, how bout we go somewhere more private? Maybe your office? I don't feel comfortable rutting out in the open dear”, I sang in a sing song voice all the while flashing my plot towards the trio. Thankfully they nodded in unison and moved, beckoning towards my sister and I to follow. And so we did, closely following the three stooges to Grunt's office.

“So, are we really going to buck them or are you just playing them like the drunk violins they are dear sister?”, Gynaephora sounded a bit too enthusiastic as she whispered in my ear. Typical Gynaephora, always putting sex first instead of important goals.

“You can sate your desires another day, tramp. As soon as we get to the seclusion of his office we strip off this cursed armor and strike, understood?”, Gynaephora bit her lip in anger and nodded. Moments later we found ourselves in Grunt's office, locked in and alone with three horny drunks. As I expected Grunt's office was typical to that of a muscle head. Cans of beer along with dumbbells littered the floor as well as magazines I wouldn't be caught dead reading, it had a desk and besides that it was very generic. But compared to that mess outside, his office could be considered spotless.

“Lets take these uniforms off shall we?”, not even a second later Grunt and his companions stripped, thank fully leaving on their undergarments. Why would a pony wear undergarments? I would guess it was regulation but that was besides the point. We followed suit and removed our armor, immediately feeling the affects of the magic block lifting off of my senses. All that was left was to put these fools in a trance, cast the spell and go home.

I approached Grunt while my sister took on the two lieutenants, sauntering our way to our targets. Gynaephora looked to me, a smirk on her lips as she nodded for the okay to go. I nodded back and attacked. It happened in the blink of an eye, my disguise was gone and I was now on top of a very confused Grunt. Looking over to my sister I saw she fared well, she had the two lieutenants in her magical grasp, floating them in the air.

“W-What's goin on? Wheres Schnappy?”, Grunt slurred as he struggled against my grip, absolute fear in his eyes. I chuckled darkly. I relished these moments, the moment where the prey realizes he just bucked up and there was nothing he could do about it. Nothing is more gratifying then showing off who is the apex predator.

“Shhh, forget about Schnappy and listen to my voice”, I cooed into his ear. I lowered my horn and touched it to his forehead and seeped my influence into his mind. Grunt struggled as hard as he could, but it wasn't hard enough. My magic was busy working its way into his system, slowly turning his own body against him. It wasn't long until he was completely immobile, for such a strong stallion he was incredibly weak willed.

Pained cries erupted from Gynaephora's corner, looks like she wasn't being gentle in her subjugation. Hopefully she holds herself back from injuring them permanently, mother ordered for them to be more or less unharmed.

“Now, look into my eyes and tell me you would follow me, tell me you would do anything to please me”, I whispered, gazing deeply into Grunt's auburn eyes. Slowly his eyes lost that lively flair he had just moments ago replaced with a dead look. His eyes glazed over and his lips curled into a dumb smile.

“Anything for you mistress”, his said with a dead pan voice. With a chuckle I stepped off of Grunt and removed the binding spell. He wobbled to his feet and bowed to me.

“What is thy bidding my mistress?”, the entrancement spell did have the odd effect of making anypony affected sound a bit more refined. Personally I like captain Grunt better this way, nice and obedient.

“You will go about your business here as usual, however you will obey the command of anyling that relays the catch phrase ouroboros. When that happens I expect you to be obedient to them like you are to me. You will be aiding a wondrous cause, do I make myself clear?”, I explained, circling Grunt as I did.

“Yes mistress, I will do as you say”, Grunt nodded, banging his hoof against his chest. Now with Grunt done I turned my attention to Gynaephora. I was pleased to see that her two targets where just as enraptured as Grunt. She muttered something to the two lieutenants and received a salute in return. Then they both laid themselves on the ground and closed their eyes. Moments later they were snoring.

I may as well do the same to Grunt. As pleasant as it is to have a slave at my every whim the mission comes first.

“Good, now go to sleep and when you wake up you will go about your days normally. You will take Schnapps on a wonderful date when you meet him tomorrow as well. Oh, and only activate upon hearing the code word”, I commanded with a stomp of my hoof. What? Even though he is a tool for mother's plans he has the right to be happy as any sentient should. And the real Schnapps needs something to brighten up his mood when he wakes with that nasty bump on his head.

Grunt's response was a single dumb nod as he did as I said. Falling sound asleep immediately as he came in contact with the floor. Well that went a little differently then I originally planned but the job was done. All three targets are under our control and are ready for deployment whenever mother wishes it. And no detections either, well technically the alleyway doesn't count so shush you.

“Well done sister, time to go home then? I have a harem waiting for me back home and I have kept them waiting long enough”, my sister announced shamelessly. If I was anypony else I would probably do a spit take or feel more flustered than a virgin in a brothel. But I resorted to just rolling my eyes and gagging.

“I didn't need to know that, ugh the very idea of those poor stallions alone with you. I wouldn't wish a fate like that on anypony or anyling for that matter”, I scoffed, transforming myself back into Schnapps. Gynaephora did the same, assuming Riposte's from, but not without bitching of course.

“You are just jealous that nopony would be caught dead with you dear sister. Everyling knows that every male loves short hair and a horn curved like mine!”, if I had a bit for every time my sister's comments made me roll my eyes I would have a fortune.

“Yes, because you totally didn't entrance them with a love spell. If you approached with your so called flawless exterior anypony would run for the hills”, I retorted flatly. Gynaephora opened her mouth to speak but shut it choosing to just glare silently. That one shut her up, even she knows her “beauty” can only take her so far. There wasn't much talking between us as we left the barracks. Only saying our good byes, albeit a little passive aggressively, as we went our separate ways.

Before I knew it I was back in my apartment and found it in one piece. I let out a sigh of relief, usually Medley and Squelch would leave this place a complete mess from their excursions. After a quick poke around the apartment I found Squelch disguised and asleep with Medley in his bed. I had to admit they looked adorable holding each other in their hooves like that. With a wistful sigh I put on my Flare persona in case of Medley waking, made some coffee and began writing a letter to mother.

“Hello mother! I wish to inform you that the mission was a success. Captain Grunt and his lackeys have been turned into sleeper agents as you requested. That should make it even easier for our agents to slip inside and keep watch on the goings on here. In time we will have full coverage over the checkpoint security guard! But I have a question mother if you don't mind me asking, what is your plan exactly?”

I stopped writing for a moment, carefully deciding my choice of words. If I don't write this correctly mother will most likely slip into one of her episodes again.

“I simply wish to know if this has anything to do with those plans you mentioned in your last letter. You may recall I asked you about it and you said we would speak of it later. And well it is later, one month, three days to be exact. But I merely jest, if you do not wish to speak of it I understand. These are just the ramblings of your favorite daughter showing concern is all.”

Stopping to take a sip of my coffee and a short review of what I wrote I returned to scribbling away.

“But enough about my mission, I am sure you would love to hear about my progress this past month in college. I am happy to say that I have improved greatly since my last progress report! And it is all thanks to a tutor that has been teaching me all sorts of tips and tricks during our lessons. Who is this pony you may ask? Well remember that stallion Page, the one that I told you about in my previous letters that was the troubled heap of baggage? Well we have been meeting up regularly every week for our lessons, I can't deny that he is quite talented as a tutor.”

I clucked my tongue as I wrote Page's name, that poor colt needs to find some outlet for his emotions before he gets swallowed up by them. That and he is giving me migraines whenever he slips into depression around me.

“But all in all things are going well for me here. So how are things back in the Citadel mother? Has anything juicy turned up over there? Perhaps you have taken a liking to one of your many suitors finally? Please let me know, you know I miss our talks of gossip mother and we have a month to catch up! So with that said I want you to know that I miss you very much, and please don't take a month to write back okay? Sincerely Chryssy.”

A quick tucking of the letter in a envelope I placed it flat on the coffee table and burned it. I hope mother writes back quickly, it bothers me she isn't writing as often as she used too. I guess she must be busy, being the queen of an entire city of millions can be exhausting. I just hope she is doing okay over there. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, I looked to the clock. Half past twelve, who in the world is knocking at this hour?

Fluttering from my comfy couch and to the door I swung it open and prepared an onslaught of insults. But what I saw instantly changed my mood. Standing there was Page, his eyes bloodshot with tears. He was shaking and his right hoof was dripping with blood.

“Page? Whats wrong? Are you hurt?”, I asked worriedly. Page's lips quivered, he choked back tears before clearing his throat.

“Y-Yes I am h-hurt, c-can I p-p-please come in? I l-l-lost the k-keys to my apartment....”, he said stuttering. Before he could say another word he stumbled, falling forward. With a quick grab I caught him in my hooves and dragged him inside. Locking the door behind me I pulled him over onto the couch. While laying him down I noticed a gash running along his right wrist but stopping suddenly on his forearm. Oh gods don't tell me he tried doing what I think we has was doing.

“Wait here and don't you dare move”, I quietly ordered, dashing like a mad mare for the first aid kit in the kitchen. With kit in hand I returned to Page who was huddled in a ball where I left him. Raising his head from his protective ball he looked at me, new tears running down his cheeks.

“I am so sorry, I was just....Phylum was....I'm sorry....”, he whispered weakly. I shook my head, shushing him gently.

“Page its okay, let me see”, my voice gentle and soft as I carefully held his arm in my hooves. His flesh was torn jaggedly, it definitely looked self inflicted with a shaky hoof. It was bad but it didn't look like he actually punctured his veins but it was still deep. Tearing my gaze away from the wound I opened the kit and pulled out everything. I held the antiseptic bottle carefully, hydrogen peroxide, this was going to hurt.

“Listen, I want you to be calm okay? This part is going to hurt but I want you to bear with it alright?”, I tried my best to sound calm but I found my voice wavering nervously. Page's eyes widened in fear but he nodded, closing his eyes to brace himself. I had two options, slowly pour the contents or do it all at once. I thought it was best as to not prolong the pain so I went with fast.

“One, two....”, not waiting for three I poured the substance along his wound as fast as I could. Page let out the most blood curdling scream I have ever heard, I held him down with my free hoof as best I could. A tumble and a crash came from the bedroom. Shortly after Medley and Squelch bolted in the living room.

“What the buck is going on here, oh Celestia!”, Medley gasped, Squelch said nothing, his face drained of color at the sight of blood.

“Medley! Get over here and help me damnit! And Stonewall, get me the bandages and a wet cloth!”, Medley quickly nodded and helped me hold Page still. Squelch disappeared to the kitchen and returned with wash cloth in hoof. It took Medley and my combined strength to stop Page from hurting himself but finally he stopped writhing. His breaths were heavy and short as he turned to me muttering something. I couldn't catch what it was but we could talk as much as we want later.

“Stonewall, cloth and bandages now”, my guard nodded and gave me my requested things. I began my work, lightly dabbing his wound clean of the antiseptic. Page winced but kept his mouth shut, stifling his pained whimperings.

“Flare, what happened? Who did this to Page?”, Squelch asked, plopping himself next to me as he talked. Before I could explain Medley spoke her insight.

“It looks self inflicted, honey. I think he tried to hurt himself, did he say anything about it Flare?”, I shook my head while I continued my ministrations until the last of the bubbling liquid was gone.

“There was a knock on the door and it was Page, he looked shaken up and nearly passed out so I took him in. I don't know what drove him but it definitely looks self inflicted”, I explained, placing my hooves against Page's forehead. He was burning up, this is not getting better anytime soon.

“That looks bad, he is gunna need stitches, Flare”, Squelch was right, I can't just place bandages over his wound when its like this. It will just continue to bleed nonstop. Thankfully the first aid kit had a suture pack inside. Unfortunately there wasn't any sign of numbing agent. If I didn't have to be bucking disguised I can heal this in no time with my magic.

But a idea popped in my head, Medley! She is a unicorn, hopefully she knows some medicinal spells.

“Medley I know this may be a bit late to ask, but you wouldn't happen to know any medical spells?”, I let out a sigh of relief when she nodded. Thank the gods, hopefully she knows a numbing spell. Once again I cursed the need to be disguised, this could be remedied by Squelch and I if Medley wasn't here.

“I know some spells from my first aid course in school, I think you need something to numb him right?”, Medley asked nervously as she readied a spell. I nodded once and gestured to the wound. Medley's horn glowed brightly for a moment before strings of magic poured from her and into Page's cut. A moment later the glow dissipated, his wound looked no better than it had been seconds ago but I trusted in Medley's skills. But is it enough?

As if she read my mind medley took the suture kit in her magical grasp. A look of determination addled by fear covered her features.

“Let me close the wound, I learned about this kind of thing from class kay?”, that was all I needed to know. I trusted Medley, she could do this.

“Okay, just be careful”, I muttered. She smiled nervously, that kind of smile that told you everything was going to be okay but it wasn't going to be pretty. Squelch and I watched with bated breath as she angled the needle and thread just above the skin. Slowly but surely the needle dug into the flesh, we all looked for Page's reaction but he barely flinched while he kept his eyes glued to the ceiling. We both exhaled, Medley's spell worked.

Several agonizing moments passed while the needle and surgical thread worked its way through. Criss crossing the wound in a oddly hypnotizing rhythm. Finally after what felt like hours the cut was closed and was cleaned. Page brought his gaze down from the ceiling and to his now closed wound then back to us.

“T-That didn't hurt as much as I t-thought. I kinda feel w-woozy though, urp”, Page gagged, holding a hoof over his mouth. I shook my head at him, at least the wound was closed. All that was left now was to bandage it. Without a word I took the roll of bandages in my mouth and unraveled it across his arm. At this point Medley and Squelch were up and about, talking about whether or not we should take Page to a hospital. I apposed of course, I need to know why Page did this and besides, he was in no danger now.

“We are going to have a talk, just you and me okay?”, I whispered softly so Squelch and Medley couldn't hear. Page slowly nodded, a look of worry emblazoned his expression. Tying a final knot on the bandages Page's surgery was complete. Slowly and steadily I helped Page sit up on the couch being very mindful of his injury.

“Alright Page, everything is in order, how do you feel?”, Squelch asked but dared not approach him.

“It feels a little numb, but that is to be expected from t-the spell right?”, Medley nodded, explaining it would take a few hours for the numbness to wear off. When that happens we will use the pain killers for when time that comes. The good thing is that we stopped his blood loss and he won't die from it, although he will be woozy for a while.

“So, erm Page? Why did you do this to yourself? If you don't mind me asking”, Page froze as if the question physically struck him. He started breathing fast, rocking back and forth as his eyes darted all over the room. In that very instant I did what I had to do. I hugged him, hard enough to calm him and soft enough as to not disturb his injury. I shot a glance to both Squelch and Medley, we needed privacy and now.

So the duo nodded knowingly and retreated back to the bedroom, leaving us alone in silence.

“Um, Flare you can let go I-I'm fine now, honest”, I nearly jumped when I realized I was still holding Page close. I coughed awkwardly and released him, my face felt warm. I was no doubt sporting a damn blush.

“S-So Page, tell me what happened. Take your time if you need to okay?”, Page nodded as he breathed slowly. We spent a few moments sitting together on the couch, somehow we ended up laying against each other but neither of us said anything. Simply relishing in the comforting touch between us.

“Today started out normal you know, I wake up early every day and start doing my odd jobs in town. Sure the people I worked for went out of their way to remind me about my father and some folks were more conspicuous about it. I am used to that sort of thing from hearing it my entire life, but today everypony seemed dead set on trying extra hard today for some reason. I shrugged it off and finished my last job by midday and went to meet my favorite bucking teacher, Phylum.”

He spat Phylum's name with such hatred, his emotions flared instantly and I felt it. It wasn't hard to guess that this was all Phylum's fault. I should have stopped him at this point and pushed his ass down for rest. He needed rest after what happened to him. But I had to know what happened, and so Page continued his tale.

“That bastard worked me extra hard today, making me do his paper work, archive his biology lessons and nearly everything that ten ponies could do. I know he bucking had assistants but he left the entire workload on me. He also made sure to loom the whole blackmail thing over me the entire time. Ranting about my father and how it would be disappointing for my college career to end so early in the year.”

I had heard Phylum was working Page to the bone, I just didn't think he was being that cruel. I know for a fact everypony knew what was happening to Page as well. They just let the outcast suffer without any help, cowards.

“The blackmail, what does he have on you?”, Page just laughed darkly at my question, running his free hoof through his hair roughly.

“Its funny, the blackmail is a lie he made. Its a bunch of fabricated evidences that I was cheating through all of my exams. But who is going to believe me if I said he was lying huh? And besides he already told the dean all about it and word spread to everypony, apparently I wasn't working hard enough lately and he cut me loose. It all makes sense, the reason for the extra hateful comments and attacks on me today. Phylum just put fuel on the fire and now its over for me, all my bucking work was for nothing!”

Working Page to death over blackmail was tough enough, but he made him work over a false promise . And in the end he still went and did it. Even I would never be so cruel, I never gave false hopes, resorting to the blunt and ugly truth. But Phylum just worked him until he could do no more and cut him loose. I felt a pang of guilt in my stomach, I was going to end up doing the same thing to Page. I was going to toss him aside if his tutoring couldn't hold up, I was just like Phylum.

“Tomorrow there will probably be a letter in the mail room downstairs detailing my expulsion. After all these years of working hard to try and prove the Breakwatt name means something....disappears in a flash. The pressure was too much, I couldn't take it anymore, all of this fighting for it to mean nothing. So I locked myself in my apartment and, well, took a knife and tried to end it.”

Page started to shake again, his voice cracking as he spoke. Snaking my hooves around him I brought him into my embrace, holding him against my chest. I tried my best comforting him, doing what mother always did when I was upset. I sat there caressing him until he calmed down, he tried pulling away but I just held him tighter. When he realized he wasn't going anywhere he continued his tale.

“Who was going to miss me, the outcast right? No pony bucking cared before and they wouldn't give damn if they didn't see me again. I could finally stop fighting, and everypony would be better off without me. That was what I thought as I cut myself, it hurt so bucking much. But right when I was going to finish it I stopped, one thought stopping me from committing. That there was a pony who would miss me if I was gone.”

His green eyes gazed into mine, a look of doubt flashed in his green orbs.

“I was thinking of you Flare, the only pony ever to give a damn about me was you. I know you were obligated to tutor under me but we turned into friends didn't we?”, he spoke barely above a whisper as if he spoke any higher it would scare me away. Friends, I guess that is what we had become after one month forced together.

“Yeah, but you were a pain in the ass in the beginning, Page”, I joked, ruffling his hair as I did. Page laughed weakly, laying his head against my chest and sighing.

“If one pony like you can see that I am not worthless then why give up? Flare saw that I was worth being friends with even though I was just baggage to the others. And it would disappoint her if I didn't show up for tutoring, she would probably throw a hissy fit! That was what I was thinking at the time anyway”, Page chuckled and soon I found myself laughing along with him. I would have done just that if he suddenly disappeared on me.

But our laughter was short lived, the seriousness of the situation sunk back in extinguishing the happy moment too soon. Page looked up at me from his position against my chest, a look of conflict plastered on his face.

“What I am trying to say here is that I am here, alive....because I didn't want to leave the one pony I cared about in this damn world behind. You were the other reason for me to get up in the morning, Flare”, Page poured his heart out and he meant it. His emotions flared, but in a good way, sending oddly familiar warm feelings into my senses. And right then and there I remembered where I had felt these warm sensations, the very same ones I would sense from him during our sessions. The reason he had been happier, the one thing that brightened up his day, was me.

“Sure my college days are over but at least I have somepony that gives me some kind of purpose. Just because I failed doesn't mean you have to, they can't stop me from tutoring! And hey, if I help you succeed then I can count that as the first step to prove that the Breakwatt name is worth something!”, Page exclaimed, suddenly looking a lot chipper, happy even.

“I like ya a lot Flare, I-woah the room is spinning. Oh I feel light headed, hey why are there two of you?”, Page slurred between words, his eyes rolling back into his head. I panicked but my worrying was for naught, Page was out like a light, small snoring sounds escaping his muzzle. I'm not surprised he passed out, he's been through a lot the past few hours, he deserves the rest. But one thing is bothering me, he had said he liked me and for some reason I felt guilty and....happy? I tried shrugging it off as just him being delirious when he spoke, that he didn't mean it, but even I couldn't convince myself.

His emotions flowed freely into me and I felt every single thing. Page cared deeply for me and I didn't know what to do. My first thought was to cut him loose, but how could I? Not after this, it would only make Page worse off then he is now. And as cold as this sounds, I can't have my meal ticket to queenhood dying on me. But it wasn't just that, I felt a part of myself grow attached to him emotionally.

At first I thought it was just student camaraderie but now I am not so sure. I always told myself and my underlings never to fall for your target. And here I am, finding myself starting to like this stallion. I am such a bloody hypocrite, if Squelch found out I would never hear the end of it. But I would spend hours here thinking about this crap so I filed it away for consulting later. Perhaps mother can help me somehow?

With a sigh I brought my attention back to the broken stallion in my hooves. He looked so peaceful, so fragile, like the smallest gust of wind would blow him away from me. In a sense he was, he was a mess now emotionally. I would have to keep a close eye on him from now on to make sure he doesn't risk his life again. Tomorrow I will tell Squelch and Medley to help keep close watch for the next few weeks.

And his college situation, I should have let it go and let him give up like he wanted. But something burned inside me for revenge, the part of me that wanted Phylum to suffer. The rational part of me screamed for me to ignore it, to go about my days as if nothing happened. But I silenced those thoughts and embraced the lust for vengeance. I will make sure that Page gets back into college, I'm sure a small “chat” with Phylum will change his mind.

“Do not worry Page, everything will be all right”, I whispered, planting a light kiss upon his cheek. Letting out a tired yawn I curled up against Page, still being mindful of his injury. I slept soundly that night, dreams of Page, and visions of Phylum's demise swam through my mind as I slept.

Looking back on that night I still couldn't tell you why I was suddenly so protective. It was like a flip was switched and I couldn't turn it off. Like a instinct inside of me was turned on to the maximum and the only way to quench it was with justification for Page. Perhaps it was my sudden attachment with Page, or perhaps I was fed up with that pink haired buffoon interfering with my tools for success. Maybe it was a mixture of both, but what happened next nearly ruined all of the work I had done here.

What happened you ask? To put it simply I bucked up and things went sour fast. For the first time, I the powerful Chrysalis Queen to be, was frightened for somepony's well being besides my own. And I nearly lost those I held dear because of my actions. Lets just say that the following week got unnecessarily exciting.

Author's Notes:

Boy things are getting a little hectic for Chrysalis and co huh? Anyways It has been a while since my last chapter and I apologize for that one guys. Things have been a little bit hectic over here but I finally finished this chapter for you all. Now as I have mentioned in my previous author's notes i said college was starting up for me this week. Rest assured that this won't stop me from writing the story, but I will make sure to put a chapter out every week for you guys! I guess quality over quantity applies here so be patient everyone! I promise to make these chapters longer for the wait. And with that said I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and I hope you have a wonderful day folks! Oh and sorry if there are errors in the writing, typing at 4 in morning does that to me! Anyways stay tuned for more!

Chapter 6:Recollections and a Visit from Mother

Three days later, Flare's apartment....

“Ah! Flare not so hard! Geeze I want it still attached to me!”, Page nearly yelled, biting down on his free hoof to silence himself.

“Shut it you imbecile, I am not even doing it that hard!”, I yelled back as I continued my pulling.

“Y-You are supposed to be gentle when you pull like that! Hell, even the book said that!”, Page cried out in discomfort, swatting the back of my head to prove his point.

“Why you little! I have the power here and I can do this as I see fit! And besides look, its starting to come out, ugh it really is white in color”, I grimaced, continuing my ministrations despite my disgust. Before either of us could retort back to one another the sound of the apartment door caught our attention. Page and I froze, slowly we both turned towards the sound and met with the judging eyes of “Stonewall” and Medley. We were caught in the act and at the mercy of Squelch and Medley, well this is awkward.

Squelch was the first to speak as he trotted over to us, a smug grin on his lips.

“You guys really couldn't wait for us so you started without us huh? Is he aching for it that bad?”, Squelch mused smugly. Page's response was just a blush as well as glaring daggers in defense. I just giggled at the two while going for another pull. The stallion under me in question twitched, beads of sweat rolling down his face.

“Stonewall is right, I am simply disappointed in you two! We told you to wait and you just went along and did it, and you still are! But I have one question Flare, why are you straddling him while doing that?”, Page and I looked at each other for a moment, both of us sporting embarrassed blushes. Its an awkward story actually.

“I was itching down there for “it” pretty bad, I couldn't wait guys, sorry....”, Page whimpered, his blush intensifying to a shade of red I thought was impossible to achieve.

“Yeah I understand that feeling bro....but I don't think that is the safest position to remove stitches, Flare. It looks like you guys are about to buck or something!”, Squelch stated bluntly.

I tilted my head at his question, looking down at the stallion crushed beneath me. Wow this just makes things worse doesn't it?

“Look, he was bitching on and on about how itchy his wound was getting and judging from this book on surgeries it states that surgical thread is enchanted to turn white when the wound is ready to heal without it. Of course the wimp wanted Medley here to remove the stitches but I simply could not withstand his complaining. So here I am holding him down trying to get this damn thing out!”, I explained all the while still tugging on the visible strand of thread.

“Ugh you are so Impatient, here, get off of him and let me do my thing kay?”, before I could offer a retort Medley levitated me off Page and flung me onto the couch. The nerve, nopony handles me like that, nopony!

“Now now let auntie Medley take care of those stitches huh? Wow this looks a lot better, its nearly sealed up, the wonders of healing enchantments huh?”, Medley mused as she gently but surely removed the stitches from the wound. Even from my angle from the couch the sight looked morbid, the thread twining its way through the scarred flesh, ugh how revolting. A few long sickening moments later the stitches were in a neat pile and thrown away, leaving Medley to apply new bandages over the wound.

“As fun as it its to watch this horrid display I think its time for me to escort you to class shall we, milady?”, Page said in a forced noble accent while beckoning me with his bandaged hoof. I just laughed at his horrible attempt at being smooth, the draw back of his pain killers did make him a little loopy. “Oof my hoof still hurts though, I don't know what I would do without you guys, I probably wouldn't have made it to the hospital three days ago”

And there was that guilty feeling I knew all to well. By the forlorn looks of Squelch and Medley I think its safe to say they felt the same. I shudder to think about what would have happened if Page hadn't knocked on my door.

“That is in the past Page, don't worry about it okay? Lets just enjoy the day and head to class hm?”, I hopped off the couch and took gingerly his hoof in mine, being careful as to not to grip his bad hoof too hard. And before I could say anything else, Page planted his lips on my own. My eyes widened in surprise but I closed them, choosing to ease myself into the kiss. If this was any other stallion I would have chomped his lips off, but this one is special. Before I could deepen the kiss a single cough sounded behind us.

My heart dropped, I forgot Medley and Squelch were still here! Oh buck, here we go.

Reluctantly I pulled away from Page and turned to our audience. Medley's mouth hung open and Squelch was just smiling knowingly. I swear to the gods Squelch if you say a damn wor-

“I bucking knew you two would get together eventually! Finally! I win the bet, pay up Medley!”, yelled a very happy Squelch, whom was bounding around Medley in circles.

“Yeah yeah, take your bits you big lug”, scowled Medley as she held a big bag of bits to Squelch to which he snatched up eagerly. How much were they betting on us anyways? That bag's a little on the plump side.

“Don't worry my little love bug, I am gunna take you to that restaurant you've been wanting to go to with this. You know, the one with those cakes you love so much~”, Medley instantly brightened up at the promise, pulling Squelch into a bone crushing hug. Now it was our turn at a little revenge, both Page and I coughing to get their attention. The two ignored us as their hug slowly turned into a makeout session.

“Ugh for bucks sakes, lets go and wait outside, Page”, and with that said I dragged Page with me outside and closed the door behind us. Knowing how long they usually go at it it would most likely be a good ten minutes until their slobber fest would be done. And I base that off previous moments of boredom I spent laying in bed in the middle of some nights. Counting all of the seconds leading up until the noises stopped, I regret not asking mother for a apartment with two bedrooms, ugh.

“Well they certainly are comfortable with each other to do that in front of us, or are they just exhibitionists? Either way their cute huh?”, Page blushed a little as he spoke. I sighed, nodding in agreement, yeah they are sickeningly quite, bleh. The next ten minutes was spent with idle chit chat about the weather until the shameless duo popped out of the apartment.

“You done? Good, now lets get to class before it we are late!”, Medley and Page nodded in agreement and we were off, trotting at a moderate pace through the halls and out of the apartment. As we went along our way through Canterlot Page and Medley were talking about exams, while Squelch and I conversed about far more serious topics.

“Soooo, you and Page huh? What happened to never fall in love with your food, little miss hypocrite?”, Squelch teased, wearing the most shit eating grin on his face. It took every ounce of my willpower to not strangle the idiot. Resorting instead to a very quick and painful jab to his ribs. “yeeowch, heh did I hit a nerve there princess?”

I rolled my eyes at him and looked over to Page and Medley to make sure they were far ahead out of earshot. Satisfied that they wouldn't hear us I recounted my attachment to Page as well was the event of us actually deciding to become a couple not too long ago. And describing my strange instinct to protect him. Perhaps Squelch has had the same urges as I?

“Well I am glad we are all in the same boat now, but that whole instinct thing? I haven't felt any urge like that with Medley, maybe you should ask your mother about this whole thing?”, I cringed at that idea, although I had the same thought I just fear mother's reaction.

“I'll tell her about it in my next letter, as much as I hate asking for help I have to let her know. My emotions can be a danger to us both and I need some way of controlling myself.”, my thoughts flashed back to what happened Phylum, my most recent example of said emotional outbursts.

“Like what happened to Phylum? I saw the aftermath when you left college that night, but you never told me what happened. He was like an entirely different pony, what did you do?”, he was right, I didn't. The main reason was because of the aftershock, it was like I blacked out and woke up with a unconscious Phylum by my side. It took me a few days but the memories came rushing back, and my little “chat” with Phylum? It wasn't pretty.

It was a day after Page's attempted suicide and I was outside Phylum's office. The night was young, the sun had barely set and the college was void of life, save for the occasional janitor roaming the halls. I knocked on the door twice, after hearing a muffled “Come in”, I slipped inside. I knew he was expecting me, turns out Phylum has taken a liking to me, flirting every chance he got. So I took advantage of his lust to me and asked him to speak privately with me. Begrudgingly I asked for some extra credit and he obliged.

And there he was, the pink haired bastard sitting at his desk. He wore a smile on his face when he looked up from his writing, dimming his magical hold on his papers for a moment. His eyes roamed my body from afar, a twinge of excitement in his pink orbs. Poor fool thinks this is going to go down like those cheap porno films where the student ruts the teacher for extra credit. Oh how wrong he was.

“Ah hello Flare! It's a little late but I suppose you wanted to speak to me about that extra credit you asked of me earlier today?”, his voice was smooth and soft and his smile genuine, you wouldn't think that this stallion would harbor such a dark side. I said nothing, merely nodding as I approached his desk.

“So, what did you want to do abou-hurk!”, I didn't let him finish as I dove at him like a cannonball. My hooves at his throat, my wings flared and a bestial growl erupted from my throat. To put it lightly, I wasn't myself.

“W-what the buck are you doing Flare!? Get off of me this instant!”, Phylum shrieked between erratic breaths. I just growled, applying more pressure on his throat. He struggled like mad, punching his hooves against my sides. I was so full of adrenaline that I barely felt a thing, unlike poor Phylum right then and there.

“Why?!”, that single word snapped me out of it, this wasn't the voice of a evil pony I was expecting, but of a quivering coward. Realizing I was this close to snapping his neck I let go, taking a few steps back from my coughing teacher. He coughed and coughed, doing his best to rub his throat, no doubt trying to ease his discomfort. All the while his gaze never left mine, a look of both anger and fear in his eyes.

“Because of Page”, I plainly stated, barely holding myself from growling. Phylum's face scrunched into confusion, his eyes left mine to a spot on the floor then back. Slowly he stood up, wincing slightly, clearing his throat twice as he did.

“What about that worthless waste of space? What, you a sympathizer for the Breakwatts? Did that runt whine about that blackmail and send you to kill me over it?”, Phylum's voice was calm but I could hear the shakiness in it, what a weakling.

“You ruined his life, you bled him dry over a false promise and threw him away without a second thought! What did he bucking do to deserve that? Why should he suffer for a past mistake he didn't even take part of?”, I roared at him, not caring if a passerby heard me. Phylum tilted his head at my question and chuckled. That chuckling turned into laughter, well that wasn't the reaction I was expecting.

“Why do you even care? It's none of your damn business flare, you know what? How about you get the buck out of here and I won't press charges? Wouldn't want your career to be over before it started, so there's the door!”, he crossed his arms as he said this. As if I was intimidated by getting expelled. If I wasn't so feral then, I probably would have backed down in fear of losing my chance at becoming queen again, but unluckily for Phylum I couldn't care less.

“I don't bucking think so, you made it my business when you broke him. You don't have the right to treat somepony the way you did, Phylum!”, with a growl I lurched forward, causing him to flinch ever so slightly.

“W-who the buck do you think you are!?”, he was going to regret asking that, and so did I. I closed my eyes and let the change happen. My fur fizzled away in waves as green flames washed over me, dissipating my disguise as it went. Feeling the last of the flames die out I opened my eyes to the most pleasing sight. There was the big bad stallion Phylum, cowering on the floor shaking like a leaf in the wind. His pupils were nothing but pin pricks, and do I see tears?

“Q-Q-Queen Chrysalis? Oh my Celestia.”, I grinned at his reaction, being sure to flash my fangs over my lips. Phylum's horn glowed in his pink aura, don't tell me he is trying to attack me of all beings in this world?

“Don't even try it, you will just die tired”, with a low growl I stepped forward until I was looming over him. The aura around his horn died down to nothing, instead resorting to shrinking into a ball as best he could. I smirked at this and used the same spell I used when Squelch got busy, sound proofing the room for this private moment.

“Now tell me, my dear Phylum, why did you do it?”, I asked calmly, perhaps I could try the nice approach for now. Phylum muttered something between a cry and a pitiful whimper. I don't have time for this, buck being calm! I slammed him with my magic in full force, flinging him through the air. With a loud thud I pinned him against the wall. An instant later I bound him in my magic, willing green ethereal binds to form around his limbs and at the base of his horn.

He was at my mercy, if he tried to break free I would snap his limbs apart. If he tried to use magic he would lose the part of himself that gives him purpose. In all terms and purposes, he was bucked beyond measure. And the look in his eyes told me he knew.

“W-what do you want to know, Chrysalis?”, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Now that is more like it, I am going to ask this only once. Tell me why you hate Page so much”, I squeezed his binds as I questioned him, eliciting in a pained grunt from the stallion.

“I don't hate him, I hate his family, his damn bucking family!”, Phylum yelled angrily as he struggled. I stayed silent, there was more to this story and I want to hear every detail. I urged him to continue with another squeeze on his limbs.

“Hng! That's it! Stop! No more!”, he had the gall to beg for mercy, after all he did?

“Fool! Tell me everything!”, I roared, applying even more pressure leaving him to cry out in pain.

“F-fine, you know the Breakwatts yes? Of his traitor father Alidade and all of that huh?”, I nodded, my curiosity piqued.

“Yes, his father leaked information of Equestria's security around the borders, selling the nation's weaknesses to the highest bidder. What of it?”, what was he getting at?

“He sold the secrets to a band of rebels vying to take revenge on Equestria for some war crimes. The ones he sold them to were Gryphons trying to bring back the old ways of their people, ways of war and tribal bullshit. The fools thought that if they attacked a few settlements in Equestria it would rally the people of their society that still followed the old ways. One of the towns they attacked was in Appleloosa, they murdered dozens in their raid. I used to live there at the time along with my wife....”

I already had a good idea of how this ended but I let him continue. If reliving painful memories made him suffer then I would gladly let him finish. I sensed a well of emotions in him, he was holding something back, and it was about to burst out.

“I was away on business when they attacked, I went back home as fast as I could when I had heard. There....there was a list of people found dead. Among the names I found my wife listed among those killed....because of Alidade my wife is dead!”

Tears ran down Phylum's face freely as he screamed those last four words. All of the pain and sorrow he held deep inside flowed freely. I felt everything he did at that moment, all of the suffering, it was enough to cause a single tear to leave my eyes. I pushed those thoughts of pity to the back of my mind, I don't care what he went through, I want absolution for Page and nothing else.

“And so you wanted revenge I suppose? With Alidade gone, Page's mother dead, how would you have gotten it? The answer I think you know well Phylum”, my words cold as ice as I spoke.

“I tried to forget what had happened all those years ago, bury the pain. But when I saw Page, when I saw that name of his family printed on those student forms....I lost myself. It all came rushing back to me and I wanted satisfaction, I wanted Page to suffer because somepony had to pay for what Alidade did! Its not enough that he was executed, I did what was right, for my wife!”

I scoffed at that, justifying simple revenge with the death of his wife. The stallion who caused this is long dead yet he refuses to let it go. He's just a fool who wanted others to suffer like he did, selfish bastard.

“Your wife is dead, I get that. But Page is not his father and he sure as hell doesn't need all that has happened to him! The city was already against him and you made it worse with your blackmailing. Because of you he nearly killed himself, because of you he lost his one goal in life to bring his family's name out of the gutter! And I will make sure he gets that back.”

I took a step forward, angling my horn against his forehead.

“I will give you one chance, promise me you will explain to your superiors that Page's charges were false to get his place in Bravehill returned to him”, I explained, digging my horn into his skin to push my point across. No pun intended of course. “And I will let you go.”

“Never! I don't care if that runt's life is made worse because of me! I wanted him to feel what I felt when my wife died, to feel the world take everything away from him! And you, little miss cheeselegs? I don't bucking care why you would waste your time with him, but I would gladly do it all again!”

“Oh, very poor choice of words”, I growled and charged my horn in preparation for a very special spell just for Phylum. Phylum was begging now, apologizing for everything, saying he would turn a new leaf and try to make it up to Page. Too late, should have made that choice before that snarky insult. I grinned evilly as I released my charged energy, unleashing a torrent of green energy right into his mind. This spell is similar to what I used to indoctrinate ponies, like the one I used on Grunt during my last excursion for mother. Except the goal was not to make him a mindless slave, I had something far more sinister in mind.

This particular spell delved in his memories, linking our minds together in a continuous melding process. Phylum screamed a blood curdling cry of pain, thrashing about against his bindings in seizure. And did I mention that it was extremely painful for the being that the spell was influencing? I relished in his screams but focused on my goal, his juicy center of his subconscious. I saw everything, every little memory, every emotion he ever lived and all of the things that made Phylum who he was.

It is hard to explain the feeling of melding with somepony's mind, all I can say that it is both comforting and harrowing to take part in. Two beings sharing each others memories in one moment, but alas this was far from intimate, I kept my thoughts blocked and his wide open. From what I could see he was a model citizen who was prized as a professor by many. He had many friends and had a deep love for his deceased wife. And of course there was the anger for the Breakwatt family, for Page. But I didn't delve into his subconscious for a field trip, my goal was to do what every smart changeling learns to do, manipulation.

His memories were like bubbles filled with experience and life, and I started popping the metaphorical figments. Starting with his hatred for Page, his family and every little thing he knew about them that affected him personally. Phylum once again screamed at the sensation of losing his memories. His personality? Gone, bad temper? Zilch, I wanted him to be a clean slate. Phylum was in pure agony, everything he held dear to himself was being erased completely. However I did leave the basic things intact, how to do his job, eat, sleep, bathe, his friends and all of that.

He was nothing but a whimpering, quivering mess now. I doubt he even knew who he was now, nothing was left but his name and his profession. But I was wrong, he still held a shred of his life.

“F-Floral, w-where are you?”, ah yes his wife, I can't have him remembering that little tidbit can I? The last thing that kept him who he was, my my he must have some strong memories of her if he can still stay resistant if not a little bit. I took those memories of Floral, they felt warm and loving, he truly cared for his wife even after death, perhaps it was the only thing that brightened up his days? And without any hesitation I wiped them away until there was nothing left of Floral.

All the while Phylum screamed bloody murder as I forced him to watch as every moment he spent with her was erased right before his very eyes. He begged and begged for me to stop, but I didn't even give him a single drop of respite. After what must have been felt like an agonizing eternity for Phylum he was deathly quiet as the last of his memories for Floral faded away. Phylum looked hollow, his empty eyes gazing off in the distance.

As cruel as it sounds I felt satisfied, I broke his will and destroyed all that made him who he was and I felt....good. But my job wasn't done, now all that was left was to create new memories for him, he was a clean slate after all. So I began repairing the holes in his memory, creating false moments of happiness to replace all of the bad ones. And finally I made a memory for Page, this particular memory would give Phylum a small purpose that he would strive to follow, a small goal if you will. Phylum will have the need to help Page in any way possible, and I added a little bit where he thinks he was on his way to the dean to fix what he had done.

After all was said in done I cast a strong sleeping spell on Phylum, when he wakes up he will be a different stallion. He will be happy and submissive and he will be Page's new best friend. But as soon as the connection between our minds died out I blacked out. I woke up the next day with no recollection of the night before, I panicked when I found Phylum unconscious next to me. I had no idea what I did at that moment but I knew I did something horrible.

I left the college and arrived home to a very elated Page, he told me that Phylum took back everything. All of the lies he told, the blackmail, it was just gone. Apparently he told the dean that he was mistaken and Page had not cheated. Needless to say Page was taken back into college, charges dropped and all. I was happy for him of course, but there was a heavy feeling in my gut and when the memories came back from that night....I was ashamed. That is correct, me of all changelings had felt bad for what I had done, that wasn't me that night, I was someling else entirely.

“Wow, Cheeselegs? Seriously? Oh my bucking god that is a good one!”, Squelch's laughter brought me back to the present with us nearing the college. Have I been talking that long? But of course Squelch didn't find this one bit serious at all, no surprises there.

“At least pretend you find this serious in some way you idiot!”, I growled, swatting his muzzle hard.

“Ow, I do find it serious, just trying to lighten up the mood jeez. Look, I won't judge you on what you did, what happened was pretty bucked up but in the end Page is happy, Phylum is happy-ish and everything is alright.”, I tried to accept his words but I just couldn't. I used a spell that was entrusted to only the royal bloodline and it was never to be used lightly. If mother found out I would be ruined.

“I broke him Squelch, you didn't see how empty he was when I did that to him. And when I saw the aftermath of what I had done, how I couldn't control myself....I'm scared Squelch.”, I muttered in the ghost of a whisper. I really am scared, what would happen if I lost control around Squelch, Medley and Page? A comforting hoof from Squelch broke me from my thoughts, a small smile on his lips.

“Its going to be okay Chrysalis, just stay calm and when you finish class just write a letter to your mother about all of this okay? I know you don't want to lose your chance at being queen but personally I wouldn't like having a crazy leader, just sayin”, as much as I wanted to slap him for that comment, he was right. Being queen wouldn't matter if I couldn't find a way to control these instincts.

Just have to be calm and in control, no problem right?

We arrived to college soon after, Squelch said his goodbyes and left for his day job leaving us, the dynamic trio to ourselves. Medley went along her own way to her music classes and Page and I attended Biology class. As soon as we got inside I saw it was going to be like every other day here, crowded and barely any seats to share. We opted for a occupied table, but thankfully it had two seats free. Unfortunately our arrival had not gone unnoticed, Phylum had seen us and waved, a friendly smile instead of a angry scowl.

Besides that, class went smoothly, twenty minutes remained in class and nothing had triggered my instincts. I kept repeating a mantra in my mind, “Just a few more moments, Just a few more moments”. But the universe has impeccable timing with its way of bucking things up

“So Page, since when did you go from being Phylum's bitch to being his best pal huh? Do anything extra curricular in his office or something?”, one of the students jabbed a hoof into Page's side as he teased him. The pony in question was a blue furred earth pony with a green mohawk, sitting next to him was a just as blue pony with the same hair style albeit black and much smaller in size. They must be twins, but that wasn't the problem, he was touching Page, my Page!

“Yeah, sucking up to the teacher can get ya in good standing if ya catch my meaning!”, the duo cackled at their own joke. Page just yawned in response and ignored them both. I however was struggling not to throw myself at them. There was that feeling again, the need to tear something apart and protect Page. I had to do something so I bit down on my hoof, hard. Thankfully the pain shocked me out of my urges, they were still there but much less now.

“Um are you alright Flare? You look a little on edge?”, I snapped my eyes to Page's. Looking into his pools of green instantly calmed my feelings. The carnal instinct dying down until there was nothing left. That was way too close.

“Y-yeah, just some nerves for the exams and all of that, heh”, Page just shook his head and kissed my cheek. If he had anything to say about me he kept it to himself. After what felt like an eternity class was dismissed and we left home. We arrived without incident and found Squelch and Medley had arrived before us. And as quick as we had arrived the trio had left me behind, apparently they were going out for some clubbing but I declined. I trusted those two to watch over Page, and it would save me from going batshit crazy if Page got heckled or something.

Suddenly the sound of flames burning tore me from my thoughts. Sure enough when I turned to look to the coffee table there sat a letter in the center. It was still sizzling from the transit, little embers fizzling onto the wooden furnish. With a flip of my mane I levitated the still smoking letter to eye level, examining the for the tell tale signs of mothers handywork. There in oh so perfect cursive stood a single name at the top, Artiidaes. A letter from mother, and it didn't take her months to write back this time!

With a giddy Squeak I tore open the envelope and perused its contents eagerly.

“Dear Chryssy, I am oh so very happy to hear that your are progressively getting better in your studies! From what you have told me you are doing much than your sister. You know how she is, her mind more focused on mating instead of actually completing her tasks I assign to her. Can you believe she actually didn't write her last letter to me? She had her personal guard write a letter in her stead! The very nerve!”

I rolled my eyes at that last part. An image of Gynaephora yelling orders to poor Shell to write above the sounds of her rutting unpleasantly popped in my head. Oh and speaking of Shell, did I mention that Squelch's brother is the guard Gynaephora chose as her personal assistant? You should have seen Squelch when he found out, he wasn't pleased at all. Seems like he and I have sibling issues, at least it gives us something else to converse with my underling about.

With that thought I returned to reading.

“I did find that the guard's name was Shell as he described himself in his missive. He is so much more pleasant to communicate with compared to your sister. Quite a shame he isn't my son, I would gladly exchange him for Gynny! Alas I jest, but I won't lie when I say that I considered it.”

Now that is a enticing thought, but a mare can dream can't I? I chuckled at the very idea, I wouldn't mind having Shell as a sibling at all. A strong, intelligent and decisive changeling guard would give us better credibility than Gynaephora ever would.

“Anyways I hope I have surprised you with how quickly I responded compared to my last letter. I apologize for that my dear, it has been quite hectic down here with planning and organizing our forces. Yes I did write “our” plans daughter, you aren't going crazy. For the final step of this plan I need both you and your sister, you are both essential for what I am bringing together. What I am about to write next, I know you will not like what I am proposing. I am planning to pursue diplomatic relations with Canterlot, specifically the princesses.”

Wait a bucking second there, diplomacy? I reread that last line finding that wretched word there plain as day. She seriously can't be deciding diplomacy with those blasted ponies and the those damn princesses no less either! Has she lost her mind?

“I already know what you are thinking and yes I mean it. Now this relates to my reasons for sending you out to Canterlot, daughter. Of course the main goal was for you to attend college, but to assist in my plans. You asked me in your last letter how turning the captains to our cause would help us. My plan is to use them to help ease our passage into Canterlot during the merchant guild meetings of this year. This way it wouldn't seem suspicious for a large group of ponies to travel to Canterlot, they would be assumed to be one of the merchant caravans.”

So she intends to disguise a small army and herself as humble merchants and just march into the city unopposed. Clever, but I still don't understand how the whole diplomacy part comes into place. I went back to her writing, eager to see where she was going with this hair brained scheme of hers.

“As you know, every year the merchant caravans consult with the princesses in their court discussing economics and such. Using the captains under our leash, we fake our credentials and easily make it inside the castle towards our goal. Then and only then will I reveal myself and leave my life in the mercy of the princesses.”

I could hardly believe what I was reading. She will be executed on the spot!

“No doubt you find my method crazy, but I believe that the princesses will listen to what I say if I come in peace. I take hope in the knowledge that they will not harm us if we relinquish ourselves, unlike changelings pony folk are much more understanding. Despite their hatred towards our kind due to your failure, which I understand your decision I do not agree with it, they will help us if I explain our plight. We lack the resources for surviving another few years, a decade at the most, we must put our trust in the princesses in this. Chrysalis, we cannot keep resorting to our old tactics, I know it is in our history but we must change or die and become history ourselves.”

Perhaps mother is right, maybe we need to kill them with kindness instead of dominating them. If this plan succeeds we could coordinate an understanding with the ponies. Looking to my friends, Medley and Squelch, it gives a small twinge of hope that an alliance between our species can grow and prosper. Although Squelch is disguised, I am sure their love would stay strong if the truth comes out about his true self. But looking at it now, a world where we wouldn't have to disguise and deceive to survive....it will take time to adapt certainly.

“At the end of this year, when I take to Canterlot I expect both you and Gynaephora to be by my side when I confront the princesses. Please trust me Chrysalis, I cannot do this without you. There is no need for fighting anymore, quell your hatred for Celestia and your allies if only for a moment. Our future is not to be written in lies and deceit, but in compassion and understanding! I know you will understand what is best for us.”

Give up my hate and accept surrender, surely she doesn't think it can be that easy. Or can it? I find myself getting used to these ponies now, Page and Medley have changed my outlook in a way. Fine, I shall give mother the benefit of the doubt, hopefully I will leave to see the success.

“In my heart I know you will understand what is best for us, if you are angry with me I understand, but please approach this with a open mind. Love, your mother, Artiidaes.

Thoughts swam through my minds eye as I folded the letter close. Mother was serious, she really believes that diplomacy will fix everything. Perhaps it could work, but will they even give us a chance after what I did? Whatever happens, I trust in mother's judgement, even if I don't wholly agree quite yet. But if this can secure our species a brighter future, then I will stand by the notion of said future albeit cautiously. My only worry is Gynaephora, she will most likely refuse the idea entirely but who knows, maybe she will actually stop being such a fool for once.

After what felt like hours of pacing and thinking I sat down and wrote my thoughts to mother. With pen in my magical grasp I began.

“Mother, as insane as that plan sounds, I shall stand by you. I just hope we are successful, just call on me and I shall follow you my dear mother. My only worry is Gynaephora, she won't be on board on this as I am, and I fear her reaction. As much as as she is a fool, she is still the ever cunning ice queen. Anyways lets go onto less serious topics for now mother, we can always deliberate more on this in the future. We have many months before this year ends after all and I wish to ask of you a question”

Gods damnit here we go, mother is going to flip when I tell her about Page and I. Here we go....

“I don't know how else to put this so I shall write it out bluntly, I have taken a liking to a certain stallion.”

My heart raced, my cheeks flushed heatedly and my stomach felt like it had butterflies in it. I was about to reveal my crush to my mother of all changelings, how am I supposed to react in this situation? No matter what I write I can just imagine the outcome would end with mother scolding me or embarrassing me somehow. For bucks sake I am falling for my food! How will she react? But there is nopony or noling for that matter that I can talk to to find out if what I feel is genuine.

“I feel a attachment, like I want to protect him and hurt any ho would harm him. Already I have acted upon these urges, manipulating and torturing a teacher that blackmailed his life to ruin. The stallion in question is Page, and those feelings I fear have always existed all the way to our first meeting somehow. Only when he tried to kill himself did those feelings become strong enough for me to notice. Yes that is right, he nearly ended himself from his losses and I fear what I would have done if he had gone through with it. I imagine the newspaper headlines would be of a rabid changeling slaughtering the faculty of Bravehills, I shudder to imagine it, anyways please write back asap.”

With a nervous sigh I burnt the letter, watching the flames linger for a moment before sitting on the couch. Maybe I should have worded that differently? Will she disown me if she knows I am dating a pony and not a changeling? Would I even be banished? I wonder if someling else had ever had these problems, maybe there isn't any mention of it because those involved were banished, or worse!

Before I could imagine a fate worse than banishment the coffee table burst into flames, a single letter lay emitting smoke. With a shaky breath I picked up the letter, slowly unfolded it and read. Only a single sentence was written

“We need to talk, I shall be over in a moment”

I gulped dryly, what does she mean by in a few moments, she is down in the citadel....isn't she? Knock, knock, knock, three solid thunks on the door made me jump. There is no way she is here, it must be Page and the others coming back home early, yes that must be it. But still I couldn't lose this sense of dread that hung over me as I made my way to the door. Slowly I opened the door and what I saw brought a huge weight down from my shoulders. There stood a pegasus mare, her fur was a striking red and she had quite a long white mane that went all the way down her neck. The most beautiful part of her were her eyes, a calming orange.

“Yes? Do you need something? Because if your selling something I don't want any”, the mare merely smiled at me, oookay. I moved to close the door but was stopped when she placed a calm hoof against the door. I caught a glance at her cutie mark, a white star orbited by three balls of fire, one green, blue and orange.

“Is that any way to greet your mother, Flare?”, I gasped, oh buck me. I tried to utter a greeting but I ended up tripping over my words and ended up saying, “Bwuh?”

The mare just giggled as she pushed past me into the living room. I quickly closed the door and turned to my new guest. She looked around the room intently before plopping herself on the couch. A moment later she burst into orange flames and as the flames disappeared there sat my mother, a smug grin on her muzzle.

“How did you, but you were-how!?”, mother giggled again as he facehooved.

“Don't tell me you forgot about teleportation magic, dear?”, I groaned, indeed how could I forget I did send her a letter long distance with magic after all.

“So you wanted to talk, mother?”, I asked, laying myself down on the carpet but never taking my eyes of off her.

“Yes I did, and I am severely disappointed in you Chrysalis. You have fallen for a stallion, and a pony no less”, oh no, she is going to banish me and get rid of Page. Looking back on that moment I was really overreacting, but could you blame me? I was already on edge from my urges and just the notion of me never seeing Page again drove me over that said edge.

“No! I will not have you take him away from me! I know he isn't a changeling and you must think I am crazy for even pursuing a relationship with the species we consider our food!”, I looked away from my mother and to my wringing hooves, I was in deep and I could only go deeper so I said it. “And I love him okay!? And not as a source for love but as a individual, I know that if I explain myself to him we could make this wor-”

“Enough!”, I flinched at my mother's booming voice. My ears rang with that single word, even my head was pounding at the sheer volume of it. I kept my sight downwards, not willing to look my mother in the eyes.

“For heavens sakes Chrysalis, enough with your rambling, what makes you think I would separate you two?”, I was dumbstruck, this had to be a joke. But when I looked up at her I saw no teasing look, no smug grin, just a motherly smile.

“But, you aren't mad?”, mother shook her head, which confused me even further. Mother yelled at me for things much less serious than this.

“Actually I am extremely furious, but not because of you falling for a stallion, honey”, she said in a calm voice. I shuddered at that, now that's more like the mother I know. I was just surprised she wasn't yelling her head off right now.

“I just thought that yelling at each other would do nothing to solve our problems, wouldn't you agree?”, I nodded dumbly, how does she do that?

“Although I am disappointed in you Chryssy, about your actions of late to be more precise. You said you have been having urges ever since you realized your feelings for Page?”, again I nodded. She brought a hoof under her chin and hummed thoughtfully.

“Looking back on this whole thing I blame myself for this in a way. I should have told you about our....condition”, condition? What does she mean by a condition?

“Good thing your sitting down for this one cause it is going to be a doozy. We of the royal blood line are much different compared to the commoners in our society, no? Well this condition that I speak of relates to our instincts, and for example, your own. You see, those of us in the royal blood line are quite possessive of our loved ones to a most homicidal degree, I heard that alicorns have the same problem but I've never seen it happen personally. An example is needed, remember how your father executed those bands of rebels way back when?”

I nodded, I do in fact remember that situations, I was only five years old, a hatchling but I vaguely remember some sort of conflict. Something that had to do about disgruntled soldiers that didn't get enough pay or something.

“Well he sentenced them over their war crimes against the changeling people, but in reality he was just jealous because all some of those rebels happened to be old suitors of mine before I met your father. When he found out he used their crimes as a scapegoat to, leveling the playing field as is how he put it. Oh he was such a charmer, taking me to a luxurious dinner the very same night as the sentence. He was such a romantic, oh how I miss him”

Well that was unexpected, at least I wasn't the only one in our family to go insane for a moment or two. At least I'm not psychotic or anything, this is perfectly normal, well for our kind anyway.

“Although I have felt the same urges I resisted enough for it to not be a problem in my case. Your father was always a bit headstrong, and you are your father's daughter but anyways lets go back to you shall we? This is your first love, and don't tell me it isn't because you first timers are the hardest to control. So you are perfectly fine, and I know what you did to your professor, Gynaephora had told me all about it.”

“Wait a bucking second, Gynaephora told you? You had her spy on me!?”, I was outraged, how long has she been keeping tabs on me?

“Please understand that I only enforced her spying after you told me you had been spending a lot of time with Page, I was afraid you would harm somepony and alert the populace to your presence. But I am impressed darling, you managed to control yourself enough to not kill Phylum during your episode and kept your tracks relatively unnoticed to all but Gynny.”

“ I understand why you did it mother, I was a threat and I can push that behind me, for now. So, um, you aren't going to punish me for what I did to Phylum? For nearly revealing myself to the populace and all of that jazz?”, mother just raised an eyebrow at me and scoffed, as if the question was ridiculous to her.

“You felt terrible after you incident with Phylum correct? Well don't be, he deserved every bit of what happened to him and I approve of it. Besides, I believe the guilt you harbor will be a good lesson for yourself. It will remind you of what you become when you lose yourself to your instincts. Use it to better yourself, but remember that these urges will never go away”

Never go away huh? So I have to deal with homicidal feelings toward anypony that would even think of messing with Page? There has to be some sort of loop hole here!

“Is there nothing I can do to lessen the drive? Like a cure or some sort of potion I can drink whenever I am around Page?”, my mother just burst into a fit of giggles when I finished my question. Okay did I say something funny? She rolled around the couch as she cackled for a good five minutes until she sobered up. She still wore a goofy grin however.

“Oh my goodness I am so sorry daughter. Ahem, phew, I don't think your going to like the answer to that question. As far as I know there is no potion in the world that can cure you. Maybe the zebra's know of such a potion but I am afraid traveling to their lands is out of the question at the moment. The best way to calm that heat in your body is well, you are going to have to perform the horizontal shuffle and Page shall be your dance partner.”

My face turned red instantly, oh she did not just say what I think she said. I haven't even considered going that far yet, Page and I have only been together for three days for gods sakes!

“Hahah! Oh my the look on your face is priceless, oh my gods! Calm down daughter! I was merely jesting!”, I just growled at her, this was not the time for joke making.

“Although mating would help you ease that urge of yours it is not a requirement. Just spend time with your coltfriend, embrace him, kiss him, basically become used to his presence. In time you will find it easy to suppress yourself around him and any dangers poised towards him won't bother you as much. But anyways that is all you need to know about this, do you have any questions?”

I had a multitude actually, but I shall settle on just one.

“Just one really, why are you okay with me loving a pony, mother? You said you always wanted me to land one rich and strong prince from the other kingdoms, so why aren't you yelling at me over that?”, mother smiled at me as she leaped off the couch and layed down to my eye level.

“Because even though you are two different species, even though they are a source of food for us, means that you can't love each other? Heavens no! I believe that as long as your love is true anypony or anyling can love who they want, regardless of species or gender! I am proud you finally found that special somepony for yourself, frankly I am glad you did and didn't end up like Gynny, trouncing around with dozens of suitors!”

Well butter my flank and call me a biscuit. She is perfectly okay with me and Page, well that is a relief, sort of.

“And besides, I think it would be exciting for my future grandchildren to be hybrids!”, I face hooved at that comment. Yep, this is definitely my mother, quirks and all. For the next hour or so we talked about our past days, I recounted tales from my classes and her with her plans of diplomacy. I missed talking to her about trivial things and the mood was pleasant. But it didn't last for long as there was the sound of the door unlocking. Oh crap, Page and the others are back, I need mother too-oh.

Mother had already stood up and was disguised, she gave me a smug smile that positively screamed arrogance. At least she is competent! Soon enough the three stooges stumbled inside, Squelch was holding a very tipsy looking Medley up from falling over. But Page and Squelch on the other hand looked pretty sober.

“Geez Stonewall, how in Celestia's big flank did you even manage to down all of those ciders and not even be a little bit tipsy?”, Page asked, his voice holding an air of amazement as he questioned the smug guard.

“Now that is a trade secret my friend, I did give Medley fair warning when she challenged me though! Ain't that right darling?”, Medley grumbled something incomprehensible, poor girl was drunk beyond reason.

“Ahem!”, mother cleared her throat and caused the sober two to jump nearly a foot in the air. All eyes were on my mother, Page looked confused as hell but Squelch just smiled, oh great he knows too? Looks like I am going to have to chat with Squelch after all of this.

“Er, hello? Who are you?”, Page asked while he fiddled with his hooves worriedly. I don't blame him for being nervous, he is unknowingly standing in the presence of one of the strongest leaders amongst the changeling nations.

“Why hello there, you must be that strapping young colt that Flare has told me all about! I am her mother, Nova, charmed!”, she gave Page a quick hug to which he returned awkwardly. “Oh and get over here Stonewall, give momma a big hug!”

Oh yeah I forgot that Squelch's disguise is also “Flare's” brother, one big dumb happy family, minus one Gynaephora of course. I smiled at the cute little moment that was happening before me, it was so cute I think I might have gotten diabetes from just the sight of them hugging. After that fiasco we all relaxed in the living room, Squelch made dinner for us all and Medley was finally sobering up. The rest of the night was spent well, mother poked us all with questions and a few of them I won't mention just because of how bucking embarrassing and uncouth they were. Alas, all good things must come to an end and mother said his good byes and left, leaving the rest of us to get ready for bed.

Medley and Page were fast asleep, she in Squelch's bed and Page in mine. Oh yes, Page has moved in with me after the incident, apparently the owner of the apartment complex had heard of his falling out and kicked him out. Something about how he was only allowed to stay in the apartments if he managed to excel his studies, there was a bet going around the complex, one side against Page and the other betting for his success. The owner of the complex was actually betting for his success and he lost a lot of bits when word of his expulsion go out. Basically he got pissed and kicked him out, you should have seen his face when he learned Page got accepted back in college.

Anyways that is old news, speaking of news Squelch and I were talking about mother.

“So, your mom told you how you can control those urges of yours then?”, I nodded, taking a sip of the coffee he had graciously made for us.

“Your mother really is a big help around here, and I am sorry for not telling you about her. I promise you I only found out about her when she sent Gynaephora to snoop around here. Imagine my surprise to find your sister acting all submissive and shit. I thought she was an imposter or something, perish the thought!”, a mare can dream though.

“All in all I think we are gunna be okay, your mother is the best huh?”, just as he said that a letter fizzled into existence, Squelch unfolded it and read aloud.

“That is because I am darling, oh and don't forget to brush your teeth before bed!”, Squelch and I just stared at each other wide eyed.

“How does she do that?”, I muttered in disbelief. And sure enough another letter appeared. This time I read it aloud.

“Because I know all, mwuahahaha!”, and yes she really did take the time to write the maniac laugh in there.

“You know what? It is way too late to be thinking about how your mother does that thing. Frankly its creepy and I just want to sleep, agreed?”, with that said I trotted to the bedroom with Squelch by my side. For the first time in a long while I slept soundly, with Page nestled between my chest. This was bliss, nothing could possibly ruin this week.

Two days later....

Friday, the last day of the week has finally arrived. I was sitting during my math class listening to the teacher drone on about equations or something. I didn't care about that today, I was all giddy for the plans I thought out for today. What was so exciting about today? Today is Grand Galloping Gala, but I know what your thinking, how did I even afford the tickets to such an event. The answer? I didn't, the college itself is hosting their own version of the Gala, something that the student body had created for those of us that didn't have a small fortune to spend willy nilly.

I had it all planned out, I had even bought a summer dress for the occasion, Medley bought a ballroom dress for herself and I assume Page and Squelch got tuxedos. Speaking of Page, I hadn't seen him this morning. The last time I saw him was when he was going to get breakfast at a cafe or something like that. I notched it off as him being late, I mean its only been one hour and I would see him at Biology101 anyways. All of a sudden there was a banging noise. The entire class turned to the origin and we all found ourselves staring at “Stonewall” banging like a mad against the one of the windows.

I excused myself from class and dashed outside, nearly galloping into Squelch. He was breathing heavily and he was covered in sweat. His pupils were dilated, he looked like he was high on adrenaline.

“What the buck is wrong with you? This better be good, this counts as an absence you know!”, seriously, what is so gods be damned important that he had to interrupt class?

“Page and Medley have been ponynapped!”, my heart dropped.

“What!? Who!? When!?”, I felt my body grow hot, my heart began to race, I was losing control, and I was losing it fast.

“I saw a bunch of the royal guard march to the apartment, they took them!”, oh gods not the royal guard, Page! Who could have done this, and why? Did they know about us? Did they figure us out after all this time?

“The one leading the guards to our home, its Phylum! Chrysalis, I overheard him talking, he told them everything!”

It was as if time itself froze, all of my senses were dulled out. Phylum? But how? I erased all trace of me from his mind. Who could have....that bucking bitch. I roared, stamping the ground leaving two indents and took off to the sky. Squelch followed close behind me just barely keeping up, she is going to pay, but first I needed to save my Medley and Page. I tore through the sky and flew with all of my might. There was nothing in all of Equestria that was going to stop me

Or so I thought, what happened next....there was nothing I could have done that could have prepared me for it. Not even my enraged self could help me. It was the toughest fight I had ever been in and I nearly lost it all.

Author's Notes:

Dun dun duuuuuun, how did Phylum get his memories about Chrysalis back? Who is the mystery mare that caused all of this? Will Page and Medley be alright? Well that is another story for chapter 7! Sorry for ending it on a cliffhanger folks but I promise chapter 7 will be worth it! Oh and sorry for this one being a day late, I know i promised one chapter a week but my teachers wanted to give me a hefty workload for the weekend. Anyways I hope you had fun reading this chapter and please let me know if you see any mistakes, I should probably get someone to help revise these things soon. Hope you all had a great day, see you next time!

Chapter 7:Rescue and Imprisonment

Pain, searing pain is all I felt. Ow, feels like I went a few rounds in the ring against a buffalo. I couldn't seem was it night? No something feels like, my eyes are covered, bandana maybe? Why is it hard to breathe? I can't move my limbs, maybe my wings? Damnit, feels like I am strapped down! What the buck is going on, where the buck am I!

“Ah, the runt is finally awake then?”, a voice called out from somewhere, sounds female. But it sounded weird and unnatural, it sounded like the voice was layered?

“For a second there I thought the boys might have beaten him into a coma”, that voice! Phylum! The last thing I remember was him leading a bunch of guards and Medley....oh my god Medley!

“What the buck is going on here!? Phylum, where am I, wheres Medley!?”, I croaked, urgh my throat feels really dry. It feels like I haven't had a drop of water in hours. Suddenly a blinding pain hit the right side of my face, buck! Even though I can't see, I know what a sucker punch feels like when it hits.

“Shut it, Page! Save your energy for the main event”, what the hell is he talking about, what the buck is going on!?

“Now now, Phylum, you mustn't leave any more bruises than he already has! It will make fabricating this lie harder than it already is”, the mystery mare cooed. The sound of hoofsteps against stone echoed towards my direction and sounded like it stopped inches away from me. “Such a fragile thing you ponies are, I can't imagine the pain you must be in right now. Its a good thing that the other mare was my intended target, Medley was it? Anyways, you are very lucky the guards didn't beat her to a pulp as well”

Something cold brushed against my still aching cheek. It felt like a hoof but it was far too cold to be that of a pony, like a bug's shell. My heart quickened, oh please don't be what I think you are. That single thought repeated in my mind, I was freaking out and there was nothing I could do about it.

“What my sister sees in you I will never know. You are all the same to me, just food ripe for the taking. I care not for the reason but her attraction to you will serve its purpose in time”, the voice mused in my ear. I shuddered a bit against the feeling of her cold breath upon my ear. An image of her hovering over me just irked me even more.

Wait a second, attraction? Sister? Is she talking about Flare? Oh no, do they have her here too?

“What does this have to do with Flare? I swear to Celestia if you hurt her I'l-”, all of a sudden my throat felt like it was in a vice, somethings choking me! This didn't feel like hooves, it felt cold and fuzzy, magic?

“You poor fool, Flare this, Flare that, if only you knew”, once again that cold, cold hoof touched me, this time against my chest. Bucks sakes I would feel less freaked out if I could bucking see! As much as being under the mercy of two psychopaths is exciting, I would rather see it coming.

“If you did know her dirty little secret I doubt you would worry about her at all, my dear Page. And besides, why should you worry about her at all?”, something wet slid across my bruised cheek, oh shit don't tell me that is a tongue. What the buck.

“I am right here after all, my wittle Pagey wagey”, what in the, Flare? No, it can't be it, it sounds just like her....

“F-Flare? Is that you?”, I half croaked, half whimpered but nopony answered. Instead something pressed against my forehead, something sharp.

“Of course its me silly, just relax and listen to my voice”, I started to feel dizzy, my thoughts began to swirl. Flare's voice echoed in my mind, it felt so warm and inviting. But something felt off, I couldn't place my hoof on it but, it just felt wrong....

Relax my little pony, you are safe, just let go”, ah that feels so nice, maybe I should listen and just relax. Its so warm, I feel all giddy! The pain and fear from being a prisoner are so far away now, just gotta listen to my sweetheart

“That's it, listen to my thoughts. Become mine and obey me!” No, this is not right! This isn't Flare! Fight it Page, fight! I struggled, pushing the voice out from my mind as hard as I could. The one thought in my mind was of the real Flare, she would never do this to me. Whoever this was, she is not my love!

Then as soon as the warmth had came it was gone just like that, replaced with an empty cold feeling. I heard a gasp and somepony take a few steps away from me, then a low animal like growl followed, I think I nearly fainted.

“What? He resisted me! How could....ah, most impressive. So those feelings of yours are in fact legitimate then. And here I thought dear sister had really made you her personal love bug”, love bug? What in the world does that even mean? Wait a second, she couldn't be saying Flare is a cha-ow my head. Maybe I should stop thinking big thoughts, ouch, bucking migraine outta nowhere.

“So what does that mean exactly, I thought you cheeselegs had the wwhole indoctrination trick down?”, cheeselegs and indoctrination? Oh Celestia he's talking about changelings isn't he. Buck, that means that....I was just mind raped by a changeling! How am I going to explain that one to Flare?

“Ugh, I would ask of you to stop referring to my kind to a dairy product, Phylum. And as for my failing, it seems his affection for her counterbalances my advances. Its like the love between them acts like a barrier, and it feels like genuine love to me. How disgustingly annoying. But no matter, I need not break him for this plan to work, a pity though I was going to enjoy watching her reaction to her colttoy loving me instead of her. “

The grip around my throat finally loosened and a new sensation rippled against the back of my head. She was untying the blindfold! A second later I was blinded by light, blinking a few times I found myself in a sort of cell in a rather big room. It looked like those cells in Canterlot prison, and don't ask, just know I have had my fill of incarceration just for my family name.

And there in the middle stood Phylum garbed in what looked to be royal guard armor, but it looked weird. It was like a body suit of some sort with crystal pauldrons, a helmet with a crystal on the forehead rested under his forehoof. Next to him was a sight that made my blood run cold. There stood the changeling, a wicked smile on her face. She looked much different compared to those pictures in biology, her figure was far to lithe to be that of a drone. Perhaps she is higher in the food chain or something, maybe royalty?

Now that is a scary thought, I may be in the presence of evil royalty, bucking perfect. Besides that she had short blue hair that looked well taken care of. On her head proudly stood a hook shaped looking horn, and her eyes, cat like and azure in color. She was garbed in royal guard armor different to Phylum's and she was at least two heads higher than him! And for some reason she looks oddly alluring, well as far as changelings go I suppose.

A groan sounded to my right, straining my head past my chains I saw a sight that instantly gave me relief. Medley! She's alive! And unlike me she is on the ground in a cell opposite of mine, well at least she isn't chained up like I am. She looked a little messy but otherwise she looks unharmed.

“Yes, your friend is alive and well, its a shame she had to be a part of this.” The changeling said while giving Phylum a death glare. Phylum visibly flinched as if the glare itself smacked him in the face. I held back a chuckle, I don't think laughing out loud will bode well for my health in this situation.

“It wasn't my fault! I had no idea she was even in the apartment and I was told it was just the runt inside! Besides, can't have her being a loose end and snitching!”, Phylum uncharacteristically shrieked as he stood his ground. The changeling just rolled her eyes in response. Phylum ran a worried hoof through his pink hair and I caught a glimpse of something glint in the dull candlelight. A bracelet, and not just any bracelet. That is the bracelet Flare gave me when we started dating!

“Hey! Give me back my bracelet, Phylum!”, Phylum chuckled and dangled his hoof out to me, taunting me.

“You aint gonna need it where you're going kid! Don't worry though, I will keep it nice and safe, maybe pawn it I dunno. His words hit me like a bag of bricks, reminding me that I will most likely die down here. At least the bracelet is still in one piece, unlike me right now.

The bracelet itself was of simple design, a silver band that had a line of green crystals going all around it. Flare gave it to me as a gift, telling me that I would always be with her if I wore it. Something about how it would bring us together if we were apart. Sure it sounded cheesy, but I simply adored it, I never got gifts since mother died. You could see why I treasured it so much.

Just as Phylum finished his taunting the bracelet began glowing faintly, I didn't think any of it at the time. Probably from the candles, that's what I thought anyway. The changeling however eyed it, a flash of fascination in her cat like eyes. Without a word she snatched the bracelet off of Phylum and examined it.

“Hey, finders keepers Gynaephora!”, so that is her name? Definitely sounds like a name a changeling would have I suppose. Sounds creepy and everything. Anyways, the changeling now known as Gynaephora held the bracelet in a delicate manner, like it would break at the slightest touch. A few moments later she giggled to herself and gave it back to Phylum whom greedily slid it back on his hoof.

“Clever girl, always thinking a step ahead, not bad.”, Gynaephora said silently. Who was this sister she is talking about, I am so bucking confused. “We will probably see her in about thirty minutes give or take.”

Phylum grimaced at her words as he absentmindedly fiddling with the bracelet.

“So we don't have a lot of time then huh? This put a dent in your plans, cheeselegs?”, Gynaephora sneered at the comment but otherwise kept her cool. Shaking her head Gynaephora closed her eyes and hummed thoughtfully.

“It makes things a little bit different, but who doesn't like a little exciting diversi-”, Gynaephora stopped, her ears perked towards the door listening to something I couldn't hear.

“Suit up, Phylum. The royal fool is on her way”

Phylum's eyes widened, nodding quickly as he put on the odd helmet he was holding while the changeling burst into blue flames. The flames disappeared and there stood a stoic looking mare in her in Gynaephora's place. She was pure white with grey eyes, a buzz cut hairstyle ordained her scalp. Whatever her cutie mark was it was blocked by the armor. If my life wasn't in so much danger I would probably be amazed by the sight of the transformation, the books doesn't give it enough justice.

A series of clinks and clanks echoed from the a door I hadn't noticed before. Some ten seconds later the sounds finally stopped, just how many locks are on that door? After the last clank the door swung open and in came somepony I thought I would never see personally in my life. It was none other than the princess of the night herself, Luna. As she trotted in she was closely followed by two guards garbed in gothic armor, her personal elite I presume. If I wasn't in this predicament I would be clambering for an autograph, but I think begging for freedom would be just as good.

I tried to scream out to her to warn her of the changeling and Phylum but I only managed to choke out a dry cough. That bitch Gynaephora's choking bucked up my damn throat making it impossible to speak. Luna raised an eyebrow at my poor attempt at communication, casting a stern glare to Phylum and Gynaephora.

“We had ordered you to take in this criminal without harming him, and yet we see our prisoner bruised and beaten? Explain thine self captain”, the princess of the night's voice was cold as she approached me. Luna was much taller in person, she literally towered over me. And I couldn't even curl myself into a ball since I was chained up, there goes my defense mechanism.

Luna was just inches away as she examined me a moment and charged her horn in a blue hue. Without warning she cast a spell, tendrils of magical energy poured out from her horn and seeped into my skin. Flinching at the cold sensation reflexively I expected my heart to stop or something. Instead the burning throbs scattered across my body turned into much less painful aches. At least I feel less like I got hit by a train.

“The prisoner we deemed Page had retaliated against us as we detained him. He was like a rabid animal, princess. It was the best we could do”, Gynaephora explained. But it was all lies, I didn't even fight! They just broke in and beat me unconscious, I have to try to say something!

“Urk, t-t-t-that's a l-lie!”, I croaked, and bucking hell it was excruciating to say just that. Luna frowned at me and cast another spell, this one aimed at my throat.

“Be still for a moment, this will ease your pain so you can speak”, Luna said in a soothing voice as she worked her magic. Another set of tendrils entangled my throat and disappeared into it. Instantly my throat felt much less raw, oh by Celestia's great ass, that feels so much better. “Now tell me, what has happened to you? Is there anything we should know about, we promise to lessen your sentence if you regale your point of view.”

The princess placed a reassuring hoof against my bruised cheek as she spoke. Only lessen my sentence huh? So I really am in deep shit then? I looked to Phylum and Gynaephora, their faces bore no expression. Anything I say next will make my life hell and I doubt she will believe me. Buck it, gotta at least try.

“F-for starters, that captain of yours is a bucking changeling, princess!”, Luna squinted her eyes in disbelief and looked over at the duo whom just shrugged their shoulders.

“I told you earlier that ponies indoctrinated by changelings still have residual effects of influence in their mind. We broke him out of his bond but I have no idea how deep the damage to his psyche is. He's probably still under the changeling's influence, ma'am.”

Luna nodded in agreement, oh come on don't believe her!

“That's a lie! I am sane, I swear on your sister's life that I am sane! I was just in my apartment with my friend over there and suddenly those psychopaths break in! They just beat me within an inch of my life and I woke up here, I swear!”

Luna looked me straight in the eyes as I spoke, her eyes scrutinizing my own. I saw a sense of doubt in her eyes, I hope it was enough for her to believe me. I had to try harder!

“Please, please believe me princess! I've done nothing wrong! I am innocent and the real criminals are behind you!”, I begged Luna, practically screaming at the top of my lungs as I struggled against my chains. Gynaephora just chuckled along with Phylum.

“He is clearly delirious, princess. Respectfully ma'am, unless know the spell to detect changeling presences we can't even try to see if he is speaking from indoctrination.”

“What? No no no, don't believe her princess!”, I wanted to say more but my hope died as I saw the look of uncertainty on Luna's face. She shook her head and turned to leave, my heart dropped, she doesn't believe me.

“You are right captain, it is a shame we had not taken the time to speak to Twilight about the spell. For now we shall take our leave and return soon with her, as of now she is the only one that knows what to look for, and min sister is unavailable. Terrible timing for diplomatic meetings, but no matter, we shall return soon, captain.”

Luna gave me one last look, a hint of sadness and apprehension in her features. She nodded to Phylum and Gynaephora and left with her guards. And just like that she was gone, my last hope at getting out of here gone. I couldn't believe it, she didn't believe me.

“Heh, seems not even Luna herself believed you Page. Such a shame, but soon the last piece will fall and I will have you to thank. Don't feel so bad, you are not entirely useless you know. Your family name will leave a mark on history like you always wanted. But I suppose not in the way you wanted it to turn out though, a Breakwatt harboring a fugitive that led to the murder of the two princesses, such a smudge on your already broken history.”

What in the? How the buck does she know that? And oh my Celestia, killing the princesses? What is she planning? Who is this fugitive she keeps referring too? I don't understand!

“I know plenty about you, Page. And you will be a proper scapegoat for what I have planned.”, I glared daggers at her, I was tired of being used. But there is nothing I can do about it so I just hung my head in defeat.

“What are you going to do?”, I muttered. She just laughed and sure enough Phylum joined cackling along with her as he approached me.

“Don't worry your little head about it squirt. Just sit back and relax, it'll all be over soon enough!”, with a growl he pulled on my chains causing them to dig into my flesh. I yelped at the pain and they just laughed and laughed. Great, stuck in a cell with Medley along with these crazies down in
Celestia knows where part of some evil plan. And I will most likely never see the light of day again and die along with Medley, what a cheery thought. At least Flare and Stonewall are safe somewhere, at least I hope so....

Meanwhile....

The sound of air whipping against my ears was deafening, I was flying faster than I have ever before. My body burned with pain, screaming for me to stop my stressing. But I couldn't, not until I have Page in my arms safe and sound. And so I heeded my instincts and disregarded the alarms sounding in my body to stop as I scoured Canterlot from above. Every few minutes I would raise my right hoof to take a look at my bracelet, looking for the tell tale glow.

This is the one thing that I can use to find him, I just hope he still had it on him when he was taken.

“For bucks sakes slow the hell down! I know your worried about them, I am too, but if you keep this up your going to burn yourself out!”, Squelch's voice broke me out of my trance.

I flared my wings, stopping myself instantly as I hovered in the air. Looking behind me I was met with the worried face of Squelch. I nearly forgot about him, I could barely think about anything that wasn't about Page's safety, I have to pull myself together. I took a shaky breath and tried to calm the still ever present urges. I recollected my thoughts but I still couldn't keep myself from talking with a low growl.

“Can't stop, have to find him, keep up or I leave you behind!”, I growled at Squelch and turned to continue my flying but stopped at the sensation of something clamping down on my tail.

“Would you lishen fur a shecond!?”, looking over my shoulder I found Squelch holding my tail in his mouth. I growled at him, hoping it would be enough to let me go but he just glared back. I didn't have time for this! In one swift motion I flicked my tail and flung him into the air and caught him by his throat. I wasn't thinking clearly, and I fear what would have happened if Squelch didn't snap me out of my trance.

How did he snap me out of it? To put it bluntly, he punched me right on the muzzle. I grunted in pain, releasing my hooves off of Squelch and to my now bleeding muzzle.

“Sorry, but you are bucking crazy! Please tell me your thinking clearly now?”, Squelch asked, his voice laced with worry. He needn't worry, that punch did the trick. The pain brought me out of my trance and finally I could think clearly.

“Yeah, thank you for that”, I said as I wiped the blood from my muzzle. I prodded my teeth with my tongue and found I hadn't lost any. Thank the gods for that.

“So, uh, whats the plan? You still haven't told me how we are going to find em. I hope you don't think we are gonna search every building, cause I doubt that's gonna work”, Squelch said while he looked down to the city below. He was right about that but I didn't intend to go on a warpath through Canterlot.

“I plan to use something mother gave me when she visited a few days ago, she gave me this”, I hung the bracelet out for Page to see. He raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders. I sighed, really?

“Mother gave me two of these, one for me and one for Page. She explained that it would help me find him if he ever strayed too far from me. It is enchanted to glow when near the presence of its sister bracelet if I cast a little of my magic on it”, I explained. Squelch nodded in acknowledgment, rubbing a hoof along his chin thoughtfully.

“So with that we can find Page and Medley huh? So any sign of it glowing?”, I shook my head at his question. Squelch frowned, obviously not happy with my answer.

“But I do have a good idea of where they might be, come!”, and with that I flexed my wings and went back to flying. Although at a much slower speed than last time. And so Squelch and I scoured the city for one particular area. That area was the barracks that Gynaephora and I had infiltrated together when I indoctrinated Grunt. Lo and behold my bracelet began to glow faintly as we approached the structure.

I began my descent down into an alleyway with Squelch close behind. I caught a glimpse of the area around the barracks, several guards patrolled the fenced grounds. They never did that, after all of my infiltration missions I have never seen the guards move in such focused formation. Gynaephora was here, I am certain of it.

“Ahah! Its glowing! So I take it we gotta sneak inside that guard infested building huh? Well that doesn't sound so hard”, Squelch said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at him, this wasn't the time for his antics. “So what's the plan? We disguise ourselves as guardsmen off duty and just slip in all casual like and get in get out with Page and Medley?”

Now that wasn't a bad idea, it would be easy enough to sneak inside. But I wasn't in the mood for subtlety, a wicked idea came to mind.

“Just follow my lead, it'll be a blast”, I let loose a throaty growl as I spoke. The urges began to rise again at just the thought of the carnage I was about to unleash. Sure my rational side screamed for me to reconsider, but for once I think I will indulge in my instincts for a little bit. Squelch and I left the alley and into the crowds of ponies in the streets. There was a wall of ponies blocking my way to the barracks as they went along their day. It looked like a busy day in Canterlot, it was a little bit crowded for my tastes.

“I think it would be a pain to walk through that crowd, no?”, I grinned at Squelch and he just gave me a confused look. The next thing I did was unbelievably foolish, but I didn't regret it a single bit. Willing away my disguise I let the flames of change burn Flare away. Everypony just stared at me, fear in their eyes as they found themselves in the presence of evil old me. A few ponies gasped, others just muttered prayers and some just passed out from fright.

Oh how I missed this, being feared by everypony but I didn't have the time to appreciate their horror.

“Boo!”, that single unleashed hell. One mare screamed and like a domino effect a chorus of blood curdling cries sounded about the streets, it was music to my ears. All of the ponies ran in every direction, clearing a path straight to the barracks. And now for that pesky fence wall, I mustered my magic to the tip of my horn and fired. Boom, that's the only sound I heard as a orb of green energy flew to the wall and blew a hole through it and the building behind it.

And like ants guards swarmed out of the hole and surrounded Squelch and I. Squelch finally ditched his disguise and took a defensive stance in front of me, shielding me with his wings. I just giggled at his actions and gently pushed him aside. The guards didn't even flinch, such a shame. They should have run along with everypony else.

With a toothy grin I bowed my head at the guards, touching my horn to the cobblestone street. The guards looked to each other in confusion and at that moment I surged a blast of magical energy into the ground around me. The effect was a spectacular shockwave that flung the guards into nearby buildings with a satisfying smack. I always wanted to use that spell, I had to thank mother for all those hours droning about spells later.

All of the exterior guards are unconscious and I still feel peppy, excellent. With my path now clear I trotted at a brisk pace past the gates and towards the gaping hole in the building's structure. Once inside I saw that the interior looked much cleaner than the last time I visited with Gynaephora. Well, as clean as a room that was covered in dust, rubble and several bodies that is.

“By the gods Chrysalis, we are so bucked! Did you really have to make such a damn scene!?”, Squelch sounded genuinely worried as he yelled at me. I just ignored him and raised my forehoof out and inspected my bracelet. It was glowing much more brightly now, we are close.

“I mean, bucking sakes the crowd of ponies seeing you was one thing but that explosion is bound to send the royal guard coming!”, he had a point, I doubt just the two of us can hold off a small army. I started to regret my little show outside, only a little bit though.

“We have about thirty minutes at the most before they organize themselves, but we are in the right place, follow me.”

Squelch sighed and begrudgingly followed me as we watched for a change in the bracelet's glow. After moments of searching the bracelet led us to a staircase leading down, most likely to a storage room or basement. The room itself was nothing to write home about, just a small room stocked with a few crates here and there. This couldn't be it, we are missing something.

“Dead end? Hm, you sure that bracelet isn't broken or something?”, Squelch mused as he leaned against a crate. I ignored him and followed the glow to one of the far off walls, my bracelet was glowing furiously now. Perhaps a hidden entryway lay behind this wall? One way to find out.

“Hey I found a switch behind this cra-BOOM!”, before Squelch could finish his sentence I did a repeat of that ball of death in the streets against the wall, albeit in a much smaller size. As the dust settled where the wall once stood there lay a dusty passageway behind it.

“Son of a bitch, would you look at that!”, I rolled my eyes at Squelch's astute observation and went down the passageway. Squelch followed closely behind as we descended down into the depths. Thankfully there were rows of torches lining the walls, someone was definitely home. “Oh boy, here that?”

I twitched my ears forward, and indeed there was a sound. The tell tale rattle of chainmail echoed down the tunnel. We had company on its way, and it sounds like a dozen, maybe two. We kept our pace however, no need to run headfirst into a possible ambush. Eventually we found ourselves in a clearing of sorts, a big circular room that had several archways all around the room leading down different passageways. It was like a crossroads of sorts.

“Bucking perfect, these could lead anywhere!”, Squelch cursed.

“That's what the bracelet is for kiddo”, I said quietly as I approached the passageways. Squelch facehooved and followed me as I raised my bracelet to each archway. One by one each tunnel came up with no change on my bracelet. I almost gave up hope until the last passageway made it spike up suddenly. We are almost there! But we haven't seen neither tail or hide of those guards I hear earlier, I don't like this.

“Alright, the brighter the glow, the closer we are right? Well after you, fearless leader!”, I shook my head at his comment but continued on. Every few steps I listened for the sound of those guards we heard earlier. It wasn't long until we reached the end of the tunnel and arrived to a intimidating looking door. The thing looked ancient, a rusted metal door literally covered in locks. My bracelet was glowing to the point where it looked like a small sun, Page has to be behind this thing. I pressed an ear to the door, two sets of voices spoke, it was muffled but I could hear one male and one female.

“Well a bunch of rusty old locks and us with no keys, after you loca”, I grinned at his nickname choice, fitting for my current state. With a flick of my horn I charged up the same explosive spell and let loose on the seemingly impenetrable door. The door merely crumpled into nothingness, not even a shard of metal was left after I was done. Squelch and I hurried inside and what I saw brought both great relief and anger to me.

Two cells each holding our respective sweetheart, Medley lay on her stomach in hers, looking no worse for wear aside from her messy coat. In the other cell Page hung from some sort of contraption, his front arms tied above his head with rusty chains. He looked like he had been through hell, his body was cut and bruised. Gynaephora was going to suffer for this, I started to feel the heat in my body grow at the image of her throat in my hooves, oh she would pay. But first I had to embrace him, kiss him and make sure he is-

“Q-Queen Chrysalis! Oh buck, p-please don't hurt us, don't hurt Page! Those other two have already done enough!”, my heart dropped, I forgot about my disguise! I had to say something, buck, how am I going to explain this? I took a step towards them with a small smile but the small movement caused both Page and Medley whimper in fear. Was I really that scary?

“Don't hurt Page! If you are going to hurt somepony hurt me! Just don't hu-S-S-Stonewall?”, my eyes widened, how in the? I looked over to Squelch who looked just as surprised. Medley cautiously got up from her resting spot, her eyes never leaving Squelch. “Is that you? Don't bucking lie to me, I know its you!”

“How did find out so quickly?”, Squelch asked surprised as he dashed to her cell. When he got close enough Medley thrust her hooves through the cell bars and wrapped her arms around him.

“Your eyes dummy, their the same color and everything”, Medley explained, nuzzling her head into the crook of his neck. Either she is very perspective or she is really foolish, maybe a bit of both.

“Well thats one thing, but how do you know I'm not just some random changeling?”, I would like to know the answer to that one as well. Medley just giggled.

“Your eyes gave me the first clue, but you have the same voice, so I put two and two together”, Squelch facehooved and so did I. I never even noticed it until now, he didn't even disguise his voice, bucking Squelch. After I let the two of them hug it out I took my time unlocking the two cells. And by unlocking I mean I blew off the locks. As soon as the cell door had opened Medley leaped at Squelch, planting kiss after kiss on the now red faced changeling. Suddenly she stopped kissing him and slapped him right across his face.

“That's for not coming here sooner! This is for deceiving me with that disguise!”, slap after slap she assaulted poor Squelch's face. I almost felt bad for him, almost. Suddenly she dove in and smothered him with her lips. Sure enough the two love birds began making out then and there. Ugh, I could just barf.

“Mmm, yep, now I definitely know its you now~”, Medley cooed, bumping her muzzle against Squelches as their slobberfest ended. “So, what should I call you? I don't think your real name is Stonewall, is it?”

“Nah, just call me Squelch, yeah I know, not as rough and tough as Stonewall right?”, Medley's response was just to nuzzle against his cheek.

“I think its a cute name for a cute changeling”, oh barf.

I turned my attention to the still handing stallion in the other cell. Without a word I brought him down from his bindings, gently lowering him to the ground in my magic. Page winced slightly as he landed on his hooves, but he looked like he would manage.

“I didn't see that one coming, never thought I shared an apartment with a changeling”, Page muttered as he watched the slobber fest between Medley and Squelch. “So, changelings breaking us out of a deathly situation, what a Friday.”

“Do you know who I am?”, I asked softly. Page flinched at my question and nodded slowly, his eyes trailing up my body until finally meeting my gaze.

“Queen Chrysalis, yeah? So um, not trying to complain or anything, but why are you helping me and Medley out huh?”, okay, moment of truth, its now or never! I willed my disguise and transformed into the mare he trusted for so long.

“I came here to rescue somepony near and dear to my heart, Page”, Page's eyes were wide as dinner plates. His mouth was agape and his ears splayed back, I think I broke him.

“No, no, no, no no....you? She? Why?”, Page shook his head as he spoke, backing away from me until his back hit the wall.

“Calm down my love”, I said in the softest tone I could manage, but Page wasn't having any of it.

“Calm down? You want me to calm down!? My marefriend is a changeling, and you no less and you want me to calm down!?”, Page shrieked. If past experiences were to be trusted, Page was just going to go into panic, so I willed my disguise away and stayed silent, waiting for him to calm himself.

“So what, was all of this fake? The love and everything I felt? Was I just food to you?”, Page questioned, his voice was calm and unemotional but his emotions said otherwise. Negative emotions poured out of him, the very same ones that had appeared when he tried to kill himself. I had to choose my next words carefully or risk losing him.

“In the beginning, yes. I came to Bravehills college to complete a mission to regain my queenhood. My first day of school I met you, and you know the rest after that. I was failing my classes and got sent to tutor under you. I became your friend just so I could use your knowledge from our tutoring sessions. It was all part of my plan, my plan to regain what I had lost. But when you nearly killed yourself, when you poured your heart out to me about your past and your life....I started to grow attached to you. As much as a lie as it sounds, I found that I had been slowly falling in love with you since the beginning”

Page was silent as he listened, a stoic expression is all he had and not a single twinge of emotion in his features.

“I found myself drawn to you, I never fell in love with anypony or changeling for that matter. But I knew I was falling for you, I wanted to tell you sooner. But shit happens as you can see. Just know that I truly love you.”

Silence, deathly silence. Moment after agonizing moment passed as Page just looked at me in silence. I feared his reaction, and I couldn't read his emotions, it was all steady and null. Finally after a painfully long moment of silence Page trotted past me and out of his cell.

“I believe you”, I sighed in relief, oh thank the gods he believes me.

“But I don't know what to do about this, about us”, Page said as he gestured a hoof between him and I. “I need to think about this, just, leave me be.”

My heart felt like somepony had thrust a knife into it. Those are the words of somepony would say before a break up. But I respected his wishes and let him stew in his thoughts. What else could I do? He had just found out he was being used, and by somepony he loved. He had every right to reject me, but that didn't mean I was okay with it.

I took a deep breath and steadied my thoughts, my friends needed a leader, not a emotionally distraught fool.

“Lets go, we don't have much time before the royal guard arrives”, with that said I led my group out of the room. Occasionally I would look over to Page expecting him to reach up and kiss me and take me back. But he just kept his eyes forward, letting out cold feelings every so often. Short moments later we found ourselves back at the crossroads. But something felt different, it was already quiet before but now it felt like we were being watched.

Suddenly droves of guards came out of the other archways, I counted at least two dozen, each one bearing a spear or a sword. But that wasn't what surprised me, its the being in front of the group that made things interesting. There stood a changeling who looked remarkably like Squelch garbed in azure blue armor, Shell. The only difference was that his mane was tied in a ponytail. Squelch took a step towards the changeling, disbelief in his eyes.

“Brother? Shell is that you?”, Squelch's voice was low and quiet as he approached his sibling. But before he could take another step Shell flared his wings and growled at him, teeth bared. “Brother its me! Squelch!”

Shell didn't say a word as he glared at Squelch with glassy eyes. I remember the look in those eyes, dead and empty. Gynaephora you monster.

“Squelch, that isn't Shell, not anymore”, I said darkly. Squelch looked to his brother and back to me, a look of confusion in his eyes. “She broke him, he's just like the rest of them.”

“No, no, no, no! Brother snap out of it! Its me your brother! Cmon!”, Squelch pleaded as he tried to take another step towards his brother. The only response he got was another bestial growl from the broken changeling.

We didn't have a lot of options, if we were by ourselves we could have taken them easily. But with Page and Medley with us, it makes things complicated. But I wasn't able to think of a plan fast enough, and it looked like we had to wing it. I looked to Squelch and he gave me a small smile and a wink. Oh don't you bucking dare you fool!

“Go, take Medley and Page with you and get the buck out of here!”, Squelch roared, charging into his brother, sending him and Shell tumbling into the group of guards. Without a second thought I grabbed Page and Medley in my grasp, hooking one arm around both of them and flew. With the guards swarming around the two growling changelings it gave me an opening to one of the archways. I had no idea where it lead to, but I didn't have any other choice.

“Squelch! Go back! We can't leave him behind!”, Medley screamed, punching her hooves into my sides.

“He will be just fine, Squelch may not be the brightest but he can hold his own”, I gave Medley a reassuring squeeze as I flew. “You will see him again, I promise.”

I half lied half spoke the truth, sure he was tough but there were so many of them....no, he will be fine. If he dies I am going to bucking kill him for being so stupid!

The sounds of battle died down to nothing but an echo as I flew. Damn this tunnel is long, where the buck does it lead? Not even a moment later my question had been answered. By some dumb luck I had flown down the tunnel that led back to the barracks. The sunlight was welcoming and finally we were free. I set down my precious cargo and turned back to the tunnels.

“You two wait here, I'm going back for Sque-”, I couldn't finish my sentence as something flung me like a ragdoll. Everything went by so fast, one second I was inside the ruins of the barracks, and now I was out in the streets of Canterlot. Everything was spinning, my skull was pounding, what just happened?

“Don't tell me that was enough to put you down sister, I thought you had more fight in you than that!”, my sister's words sounded so far away. I shook my head of my dizziness and found myself face to face with none other than Gynaephora, Phylum by her side as well as a entourage of guards.

“I was wondering when you were going to show your ugly mug around here, sister”, I spat as I brought myself back on stable hooves. I quickly glanced around for Page and Medley, I couldn't see them. “So, Phylum's your new pet?”

“Ah yes, Phylum, remember him I take it? Wondering how he knows everything once more? Well I knew you broke him during your temper tantrum, mother told me everything and I merely just awoken the parts of him you locked away. At first he feared me, but when I dangled the promise of revenge against Page and you, well, we just became best friends I'd say. He is quite loyal when you get to know him, such a sweety pie, isn't that right, Phylum?”

“You got that right, and when were done with you, when we beat your bug ass into the ground? You and I are going to have a very long chat! And after that? Well, me and Gynaephora are going to retire someplace nice and tropical!”, Phylum sneered. Really? It took barely took them a day to get hooked up? Ew I can imagine the offspring now, yuck.

“We shall see about that you worm. And when I am done with you? I won't be nice this time with your memories, Phylum.”, I said in the coldest tone I could muster. It had the positive effect of making Phylum take a step back, heh, coward.

“I still do not know your reasons, sister. Why do all of this, I doubt that you just did all of this to kill me?”, I asked.

“You were down in the tunnels, do you know their significance?”, I stayed silent, I didn't actually, but I know she would tell me.

“Those were old passageways once used by the royal guard as a emergency escape route from the castle. My plan was to lure you down there and kill you, with you gone I could enact my final plan by bringing all of the brain washed guards to infiltrate the castle. And with them inside I could easily strike a coup d'etat, removing the princess of the sun and moon in one stroke. But you made things significantly more difficult, alerting the royal guard with that light show of yours was not helpful by any means.”

By the gods, Gynaephora you ambitious runt. With the princesses gone she could overtake Canterlot quick and efficiently. Mother would be furious that she would even consider such a plan. Thankfully I put an end to her original plan, I have her above ground and nowhere to go.

“Killing you and your little emotional love bug was just the icing on the cake”, Phylum sneered.

“Anyways, speaking of extra baggage , where is your coltfriend, sister? Did he run away already? A lot of good that true love gets you huh?”, Gynaephora said smugly. So Page and Medley ran away, at least they are safe now, all that is left is to put this bitch in her place.

“Doesn't matter, its just you and me now, Gynaephora!”, I charged her, horn aimed right for her chest. As I predicted her entourage immediately formed a defensive wall between me and her. So she thinks she can stop me with a few guards? Well you aren't the only one with a trump card. I stopped in my tracks, and spoke one single word.

“Ouroboros!”, the instant I uttered that single word the guards stood up straight and bowed their heads. You didn't think I had forgotten all of those missions I spent brainwashing the guard did I?

“We follow you, mistress”, they all said in unison. I smirked, thank gods that worked. Gynaephora looked absolutely dumbfounded, looks like she forgot about our brain washing missions. What a block headed idiot.

“Attack Gynaephora!”, I ordered, and like a charm my new henchmen threw themselves at my sister. One by one they charged but their efforts were fruitless as they were tossed aside like ragdolls. Phylum stunned the guards with his magic and Gynaephora flung them about with her own spells. They were quite a team I'll give them that. My goal wasn't to win with the guards, I simply wanted to get rid of them and wear Gynaephora out in the process. But it was a guilty pleasure to watch all of those guards get tossed about like nothing.

However all good things must come to an end and I found myself with just Gynaephora and Phylum left. No words were said between us as we each took a defensive stance, circling each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. I chose to act first, casting a barrage of magical bolts at Phylum. He didn't have time to react and just took every single bolt, screaming out in pain. Gynaephora dove in front of the bolts and shielded herself and Phylum in a bubble of magical energy that absorbed the bolts.

“Is that all you've got? I expected more!”, she roared, exploding the bubble in a deadly shrapnel explosion. I barely had enough time to cast a shield of my own, if I was a second too late I would have a few extra holes besides the ones in my hooves. Before I could retaliate Gynaephora and Phylum began pounding my shield, shooting off all kinds of magic against me. Fire balls, frost spears, telekinetic blasts, they unleashed everything they got. But it wasn't enough, they hadn't even manage to make a dent in my shield.

“Keep hiding behind that shield, dear sister! You are only good at protecting yourself! If only you hadn't left Page alone!”, my focus faltered at the mention of my stallion. But it was enough to cause a crack to appear on my shield. I had to ignore her! I had to focus!

“You should have heard him squeal, he was calling out your name, Flare! Flare come save me! How bucking pathetic, how do you fall in love with a weakling like that?”, Phylum's words broke my concentration. I felt the urges start pushing back into my psyche, and I didn't have Squelch here to knock some sense into me. I had to concentrate, can't lose myself now!

“He didn't even stick around to help you, you are all alone, even useless little Page saw how much of a lost cause you were!”, that was the last straw, buck being level headed! I let the instincts take over, and boy did it feel good.

“Would you shut the buck up!?”, I roared, dispelling my shield and charging ahead. With my horn blazing in magic I reached out to the buildings around me and tore out chunks of concrete and wood. I threw them with all of my might at Gynaephora and Phylum. They reflected them back but they weren't fast enough, and I was just getting started. Twenty meters away, that's how much distance was left between them and I. I had to mix things up, throwing chunks of buildings would only get me so far.

I had an idea, a sneaky idea and it was devious enough to work. Charging up the same explosive spell I used against the barracks I focused every bit of magic I had left and blasted. But instead of a orb of explosive energy, I sent out a small sphere, which Gynaephora and Phylum side stepped with ease.

“Hah! Is that it? Getting tired dear sister?”, Gynaephora laughed, oh laugh it up bitch. I said nothing and just pointed a hoof behind them. What they saw turned their smiles upside down, that little sphere turned ten times its size when they weren't looking. And it was coming right back at them.

“Bang!”, and so it did. The entire world was bathed in a bright green light, and a sound of thunder rocked the city block. My ears were ringing but besides that I was still standing, Gynaephora and Phylum weren't so lucky. Phylum lay on his side, still conscious and Gynaephora was struggling to stand up.

“I call that one the slingshot, fitting name don't you think, sister?”, I said in a smug tone as I approached her. She mumbled something under her breath and coughed up a glob of blood at her hooves. “Its over Gynaephora, try to move and I will make sure you spend a few weeks in a full body cast.”

“Nice trick, but you aren't the only one with a ace up your sleeve!”, in one swift motion Gynaephora used the last of her energy to send a ethereal link between her horn and Phylum's. I moved to stop whatever she was planning but it was too late, and I was thrown back by a blast of magic. The next sound I hear turned my blood cold, the sound of somepony screaming bloody murder, and it was Phylum. I saw a horrific sight, there lay Phylum writhing in agony as his very essence left his body. He was being drained, his muscle and fat turned to bone, his skin and hair began to gray with age, his horn crumbled away into dust. Gynaephora on the other hand had the opposite effect, her wounds began to heal and her eyes glowed a bright azure blue.

“What are you doing to me? Why, Gynaephora?”, Phylum croaked, his voice sounded like he was an ancient old stallion. My sister laughed maniacally and continued her spell, draining Phylum of his very life force.

“Just making your life worth something, Phylum. You really think I would have shared the throne with you by my side? Hah! You are worth more as energy!” , Gynaephora giggled crazily as she sucked Phylum dry until there was nothing but skin and bones left.

“Gynaephora, what have you done? You used dark magic!”, I was horrified and not because only because of Phylum's demise but because my sister had resorted to such tactics. Using any kind of dark magic is forbidden even among my kind, there is a reason not even our kind would resort to such lowliness. She performed a blood pact for gods sakes, killing is one thing but sacrificing the very soul of another is corrupt. And now I have to deal with a fully charged Gynaephora mad with power, fanbuckingtastic.

“Is that fear I hear in your voice, sister? What happened to the big and bad Chrysalis?”, Gynaephora cooed, circling me like a predator would do with her prey. Her eyes were fizzling with azure flames as magical energy seemed to ooze out of her glowing eyes. Every breath she took she exhaled puffs of blue smoke. Blue flames covered her hooves and horn, her mane turned into ethereal flowing fire with a life of its own. She transformed herself into a monster, this is no longer the sister I once knew, this was an abomination.

“And here I thought the change would be an improvement, personally I like your old look better.”, I taunted, hoping I could reach whatever is left of Gynaephora's original self in the monster in front of me. For a second her eyes shimmered back to normal, but they morphed back to the soulless pools of pure azure a second later.

“Nice try, sister. But this form is here to stay!”, the monster now known as Gynaephora roared as she attacked. Blast after magic blast she was relentless. I couldn't even fight back, dodging back and forth all around the city block barely inches away from her. I had to stop her but how? I was running on reserves and only had enough energy for one last attack. So I did something stupid, I attacked directly.

I thrust my horn at her, swinging the sharp edges of it to try and cut her. But every time I lunged she was already a few steps ahead. It all seemed fruitless, and I was running out of steam. And Gynaephora noticed, taking advantage of my sluggish movements and copied way of attacking. Stab, stab, thrust, one move after another she kept on the pressure. She was toying with me, and there was nothing I could do about it.

No, there was one thing I could do, and if I messed up I won't live to tell the tale. Lunging forward I jumped over her but not without her nicking me with her blazing horn. With a scream of pain I stuck the landing and gained some breathing room away from Gynaephora. Feeling around the wound on my stomach I felt that it was deep, not deep enough to be a mortal wound but deep enough to hurt like tartarus.

“Feeling tired? Why not just relax and let go? I promise to make it quick, I'll give you that much!”, I growled at her in response. Words are meaningless now, only action is worth wasting energy over now. And with one final charge of my horn I focused the last of my energy into one last blast. Seeing me charge my spell Gynaephora did the same, honing her own magic at the tip of her hooked horn. With one last battle cry I fired everything I had into one focused beam of magic. Gynaephora met me halfway with a blast of her own, the two spells meeting together in a mesh of crackling energy.

So here I was, fighting against my own sister in a power struggle, I never thought I would end my week with this. We were evenly matched, but I knew she was still toying with me like how a cat plays with her prey. I knew at any moment she could finish me just like that. So I dug deep, willing every bit of myself into the struggle, all of my fury and instincts into my reserves. And for a moment I felt the slack on my side lessen, but even that was fleeting. I saw Gynaephora smile, and right then I knew my time was up.

“This was fun sister, but I think its time I end this, with you gone I shall be queen! Its such a shame though, your love left you, he abandoned you and will die alone. But don't worry, I will make the pain of your loss go away, say good bye, dear sister!”, a sudden surge of energy on her part nearly smashed my focus away. Her beam grew in size and pushed my pitiful spell back towards me. I was losing, I was going to die, I would never sire children, never spend my days in my own hive and all my time spent here would be wasted. But all I could feel at that moment was peace. Page, Medley and Squelch are safe and sound, and with that thought I began to let go.

“She is not alone!”, that voice, Page? I whipped my head to my right and saw him standing along side Medley at the side lines.

“We have her back! She won't die alone, we are her friends and we stick together! Changeling or not!”, Medley announced proudly. I smiled at her, I could feel their emotion from here their friendship and care, it was invigorating. I absorbed their positive energy and focused it back at Gynaephora, pushing her back slightly. It wasn't enough, I needed more power!

“Flare, Chrysalis, it doesn't matter to me who you really are! I've done some thinking and I know what I feel in my heart wasn't a lie! I understand why you did it, hell I would do the same thing if it meant my family name would be cleared of everything! I just want you to know, when you told me you loved me back there, I know you weren't lying! You are the same mare I fell in love with, disguise or not! I love you Chrysalis, without a doubt in my heart!”

My heart swelled, my cheeks felt warm, and my stomach felt like it was filled with butterflies. He loves me, even as I am right now. I could feel his love for me radiate from him like a beacon, he definitely wasn't lying, and his love was more than enough for me. Without taking my eyes off Gynaephora I cast a spell to harvest Page's affections. His love formed into a green mist as it flowed straight into my horn, and my oh my did it feel invigorating. Small puffs of the mist danced over my muzzle, it tasted wonderful, love always tasted sweet but after having a taste of this? True love is my new cocaine now, that's for sure.

I felt my magic grow stronger, all of the exhaustion in my body disappearing into nothing and the wound in my belly began to mend and heal. This felt amazing! Never in my life have I ever felt this energized from love, I wonder if this is how Cadance and Shining armor felt when they flung me out of the wedding? Bah, I can wonder about this sappy stuff later. Right now I had to put my sister down once and for all. Using Page as my endless supply of energy I fed everything I had into my spell.

Instantly I could feel my side of the power struggle gain ground against her side. You should have seen the look on Gynaephora's face at the exact moment she realized she was losing. A mixture of anger and fear on her face, her maw twisted into a fanged snarl. I just smiled and charged my spell into overdrive and my side of the beam grew nearly double the size of Gynaephora's.

“Say good night, dear sister!”, I roared, pushing the spell forward with all of my might. In an instant my spell overtook her's and ended up enveloping her being entirely. Poor Gynaephora wailed in pain as my magic dominated her, burning her to her very core. And just like that is was over, Gynaephora lay on the ground, smoke rising from her still twitching body. And it seems the last of her new form was gone, not a single trace of it. Seems Phylum's forced sacrifice was used in vain, not that I am complaining or anything.

“Is she dead?”, I looked over to see Page and Medley by my side, their eyes glued on the now pacified Gynaephora. I leaned down and felt for a pulse, sure enough there was one, although it was a bit faint. She'll live, unfortunately.

“No, just knocked out. I made sure not to kill her, I am sure our mother would love to speak to her personally.”, I muttered, oh Artiidaes will have a long talk with her that's for sure.

“Yeesh, sounds like family issues huh? I guess that is another thing we have in common, Flare, or should I call you Chrysalis from now on?”, Page chuckled as he bumped a hoof against my side.

“Up to you really, I can be anypony you want you know.”, I said seductively with a smirk. I caught a faint blush on Medley but Page was unphased, a smile on his lips.

“I would rather you be you, no more barriers between us. Besides, I think you look erm, b-beautiful”, Page stammered as he spoke that last word, how cute. Things were looking up, Page and I are together still, Medley is safe and Gynaephora has been dealt with. But why do I feel like I am missing something?

“Hey! Did I miss the big fight!?”, Squelch! I almost forgot about him! We all turned towards the ruined barracks to find Squelch himself, and his brother standing by his side.

“Squelchy!”, Medley squealed, galloping over to the changeling and barreling him over in a hug. Shell just looked to the mess of lovers and just shook his head.

“Did you really have to choose a pony for a mate, brother?”, Shell spat in disgust as he left the two love birds behind.

“Don't knock em until you try em, bro!”, Squelch teased. Shell snorted in response and approached me, bowing slightly. But he looked to be struggling with just leaning his body down, I'm not surprised, with what he's been through.

“There is no need for that, I think we are past such formalities, Shell”, Shell nodded once and brought himself back to his shaky stance.

“But first things first, how did you manage to break free of your trance?”, I asked curiously, it usually takes a powerful spell to counteract what Shell had. He just pointed to the back of his head, turning slightly to show a nasty looking bump.

“It wasn't that hard actually! I just had to fight off the guards and just 'knocked' some sense into him is all!”, I cringed, yes the pun was that terrible.

“You didn't have to buck the back of my head so hard, brother. This things is going to be aching for at least a week or two, but thank you.”, Squelch just saluted his brother and laughed.

“Well, so uh, what now, Chrysalis?”, indeed, what now? I can't head back to the apartments now, I revealed myself to the populace which means the royal guard will be hunting me down. The only option is to head back home with Gynaephora in tow. But before I could think of a way to travel out of here, I sensed a familiar presence. One that made me angry, the very same presence of a particular unicorn that foiled my invasion plan all those months ago.

“Shell, Squelch, keep Page and Medley safe for, me alright?”, they both looked to each other and back to me, a worried look plastered on their faces. Before they could answer I used the last of my magic and prepared a teleportation spell. Squelch and Shell nodded knowingly and gave me their best salute. Medley just frowned, tears in her eyes, looks like she knows what I plan to do as well. Page on the other hand just yelled no, hugging me with all his might.

“It will be alright my love, trust me when I say that we will see each other again”, with those final words I kissed him. This was utter bliss and I relished every second of it like it was my last kiss I would share, and depending on the next few moments, it very well might be my last. Reluctantly I pulled away and cast the spell, and just like that they were gone in a flash of light. I took a deep breath as the sounds of hooves against stone and wings flapping came into earshot. I stood there waiting for my judge, jury and executioners to arrive.

Moments later a small army of guards had poured into the street and circled around me, spears aimed at the ready. And then came the two ponies that I expected to see, Luna and Twilight Sparkle at the head of the group. And lo and behold she had wings, so Twilight got an upgrade while I was gone? Now the blasted mare is a alicorn? How can this day get any worse?

My inner voice yelled at me to charge Twilight, to get revenge for what she had done that caused me to lose everything. But I resisted and just kept taking slow breaths to calm myself. But Twilight on the other hand looked pissed to hell, her face contorted in anger for a split second before it went into a state of neutrality. Her eyes still held fire in them, and it seems Luna had taken notice, resting a reassuring hoof on her companion.

Twilight just brushed off her hoof and took a step towards me, eyeing me carefully as she spoke.

“I don't know what you are planning, but you will not succeed, I have prepared for every contingency and I am ready to do what is right!”, oh big bad alicorn Twilight is going to give me her hero speech? Yeah, I rather not hear her monologue.

“I surrender”, I said plainly, bowing my head to the princesses. The guards surrounding me were in uproar as a symphony of gasps and surprised mutterings erupted among them. Didn't expect that did they?

“No you won't cause I am-wait what?”, Twilight was dumbfounded, and Luna just raised a questioning eyebrow.

“I shall not repeat myself, take me in, put me in the brig, do what you must, Twilight”, I growled impatiently. Still looking confused Twilight motioned to one of the guards forward, and bound me with a gem encrusted collar. I instantly felt a similar feeling just like when I wore those guard clothing in my last mission, my will and use of my magic was silenced. I couldn't fight back now even if I wanted to. And so I approached the princesses and waited patiently for them to move out of my way.

“Oh and be sure to get my sis....”, my voice trailed off when I saw that Gynaephora was nowhere to be found. She's gone, but how? Just then I noticed a guard give me a wink and slink away from the main group, oh that bitch. I thought of telling Twilight but would she believe me when if I told her one of her guards was really my sister in disguise and it escaping? Most likely not, so I kept my mouth shut. Gynaephora was weak and she had no idea where my friends were, I teleported them far away, and to where exactly? To the citadel of course, hopefully Page and Medley aren't freaking out too much.

The next moments were of silence, only the sounds of our hooves breaking the silence. Twilight walked on my right, and Luna on my left as they escorted me, and I assume the rest of the guards were trailing behind us.

“A question if we may, Chrysalis”, Luna asked me with a curt nod. I simply nodded, not willing to waste my breath with a simple 'yes'.

“What happened to the prisoners in the barracks?”, so she knew about Page and Medley? Well wouldn't she like to know?

“What prisoners? I was simply here to wreak some havoc, princess Luna”, I feigned innocence with a smile. Luna just gave me a disappointing glare. She can glare all she wants, she won't be laying a hoof on my friends. I spent the rest of our walk in silence, trying my best to ignore the glare Twilight was giving me.

And there it is, the Canterlot castle in sight, and a huge mob of ponies at the front entrance. It looked like the entire city was here, and they were all being held back by a line of guards. At least I wouldn't have to worry about the citizens attacking me then. But the guards didn't stop them from giving me bad looks and hate filled stares.

“Hey cheeselegs! Go home Bug brain! Hope you rot in tartarus changeling scum!”, those were just a few of the insults they threw at me, and trust me, those were the “nice” ones. We stopped in front of the drawbridge and waited as it lowered down for us to go inside. To think I once came here for conquest, and now here I am as a prisoner. How the tables have turned. And so we went, passing by the gates and inside of the castle. It was just like how I remembered it, pompous, clean and very regal, I miss the citadel.

We past by several guards and maids, some who passed out at the sight of me while others screamed and ran off the opposite direction. Still got it, although it was starting to get a little old to be honest. Eventually we came to a spiral staircase leading downwards, most likely to the infamous Canterlot dungeons, and my new home. Down and down we went into the bowels of the castle, and the deeper we went the more sinister it became. Turns out that the two princesses had led me to a single room, with a large cell taking up most of the space inside. I had to give Celestia some credit, she really knew how to make her dungeons empty of life have an air of hopelessness.

“And here we are, in you go!”, with a very unnecessary push from Twilight I stumbled into my cell face first. But I let it slide and composed myself, trying to look dignified in front of the princess of the night and the princess of, wait, what is little miss purple princess of? Well I had plenty of time to think about that I suppose.

“We hereby charge you with battery against the royal guard, destruction of a military installation and for endangering the safety of Canterlot”, oh is that all? I'm guessing a few years in this cell then? No big deal, but you know my luck by now, and I am not very lucky by any means.

“And for the attack on Canterlot during my Brother's wedding, you will spend the rest of your days in this cell until Celestia returns to put you for trial, Chrysalis,” Twilight added, her voice arrogant and triumphant, a smug look on her face.

“So you aren't going to give me a chance to explain myself before you hang me up to dry, Twilight?”, I asked, plopping myself down on a ratty old bed that had been so graciously left for me to use. Twilight hummed to herself for a moment, a hoof rubbing her chin as she thought.

“No”, and with that she turned to leave. Well at least I tried.

“Twilight stop, we must hear what she has to say, perhaps she has a good reason”, now that is a surprise, Luna is being the voice of reason here? Twilight opened her mouth to say something but stopped at the glare she was receiving from Luna. That's right, obey your betters Twilight.

“Please, regale us your thoughts, Chrysalis”, Luna said calmly as she sat down along with Twilight. Now that is more like it, I have never met Luna until earlier but I like her already. So civilized and curt, shame everypony can't be just like her.

“Well its good you sat down, cause this is actually going to be a long story. So forgive me if I ramble on about some facts.”, Luna nodded as did Twilight, albeit a bit grudgingly but I ignored her and focused my gaze on Luna.

“I had come to Canterlot to attend college along with a personal guard, at Bravehills to be more precise. Now before you ask, why in Equestria would the changeling Queen Chrysalis waste her time schooling among the commoners? The answer, it was my assignment and I had to. The reason was because when I returned to my mother's hive with news of my failure of the wedding I was stripped of my status as Queen. And for the past months I had been toiling away under my mother's watch and she assigned me one last test that would decide if I was worthy of commanding my own leadership. And that test was to attend college and pass it, odd I know.”

As I told my story Luna listened on with a look of curiosity, whilst Twilight rolled her eyes at my words, philistine. Whatever, I only needed one pony to listen, not two.

“However after a few months of studying at college I found myself failing and was assigned a tutor. And soon I fell in love with him”, I felt my cheeks grow hot at the mere words, I miss him already.

“Hah, you fall in love with a stallion? You just wanted to get close to him so he could cooperate with you right? Cause I doubt a changeling could ever feel love let alone find it!”, Twilight stated in a matter of a fact tone. I hate this purple know it all, but I continued.

“I will not lie when that was my plan in the beginning, but eventually I had found a growing attachment towards him. And as much as I believe that you are an expert on my kind”, I stretched out the word expert with so much sarcasm that it caused her eyes to twitch. Good, get mad. “We fall in love, but falling in love with our food is....unheard off. I was confused but I knew what I felt was genuine.”

Luna said nothing but nodded, waving her hoof at me to continue and so I did.

“Everything was going well, I had friends and somepony who loved me, but alas my bright days would not last. My sister, Gynaephora whom I have been competing against for queenhood had ponynapped my love as well as my guard's marefriend. I don't know why she had done it, but it was most likely to lure me into a trap, and thankfully she had failed in removing me from the running.”

Gynaephora, if she had succeeded I would be six feet under and she would be queen, thank the gods Page and Medley showed up when they had.

“What I learned next was startling, my sister had planned to use the old escape routes underneath Canterlot to sneak in the Castle and assassinate you and your sister, Luna.”, if Luna was surprised she didn't show it physically, her face stoic and emotionless. Twilight's face on the other hoof had lost its color, her mouth agape. The two didn't say a word but kept listening.

“I fought her with tooth and nail and defeated her with the help of my love and my friends. That was around the time you had arrived, and don't ask me where my friends are now, I sent them far away to a place you cannot follow. Just know that I did all of this to save you and my loved ones, that's it.”

Finished with my story I lay back against my bed and let out a yawn, boy that was a doozy.

“That is quite the story, Chrysalis. We know not what would have transpired if your sister had succeeded, but we thank you.”

Being thanked by the princess of the night herself, scratch that off the bucket list.

“However due to your past crimes I am afraid we cannot take back your sentencing now. You will spend the rest of your time here until min sister returns from the Crystal Empire, perhaps you shall be freed when she hears all of this.”, explained Luna as she got up and brushed herself off. Twilight stayed on the floor however, she just stared at me inquisitively and frankly, it was creeping me out.

“I don't understand, why would you risk your life for anypony? You were the tyrant that tried to take over and now you turned a new leaf? What are you planning?”, Twilight questioned, hooves rubbing her temples. I smirked, she still thinks this is all part of some scheme? I guess it is hard to believe now that I think about it.

“Is it so hard to believe that one can change under the right circumstances?”, Twilight shook her head no.

“No it isn't, I mean, hay, Discord has been reformed to good now. Ponies can change and I suppose changelings can too. Its just, you are so much more different than the last time I confronted you”, I guess the wounds of the wedding catastrophe are still fresh for her. I did use her brother as a tool after all, it would be some time until she would even think about trusting me.

“I am not asking you to trust me right off the bat, just give me a chance to prove I have changed.”, Luna smiled at my words and patted Twilight on the head.

“We think she is being sincere, don't you Twilight? Hasn't friendship taught you not to judge somepony, or someling for that matter by their past? Give her a chance, we believe she has certainly earned that much!”, Luna said as she gave me a small smile. I felt relieved somewhat, I can have Twilight and Luna by my side but it doesn't mean shit if Celestia doesn't believe me. I'll cross that bridge eventually I suppose.

“I suppose you are right, Luna. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but I will be watching you!”, with that said Twilight scurried out of the room leaving me alone with Luna. She looked over to where Twilight had gone and lay herself back down on the floor, her front hooves crossed over each other. Her blue eyes staring back at me inquisitively. Okay....whats going on now? Am I going to be under watch, with Luna and Twilight taking shifts?

“Tell me about this stallion”, Luna asked, a hint of glee in her voice.

“Say what now?”, I stammered, a bit confused at her question. Luna's response at my question was just a very girly giggle that I never expected to erupt from somepony so uptight.

“Tell me the details! What is he like? How old is he? Whats his profession? Is he....good under the sheets~?”, question after question she assaulted me, but the last one nearly made me choke on my own spit.

“His name is Page?”, I said uneasily, I was a bit confused by her sudden forwardness.

“Page, hmm, would that be the Breakwatt child?”, my eyes widened, she hit the nail on the head. Luna grinned mischievously at my reaction.

“It is good to see he has found somepon-er someling to love, he needed a companion after all he has been through. I had heard of him from my sister when she told me of recent events when I returned, such a sad story. But anyways, lets talk, mare to mare hm? We promise to reveal our crushes if you tell us about him!”

I chuckled at Luna, this was the princess of the night and she was acting like a little mare in grade school. Even one of the mightiest rulers of Equestria has a more humble side, hell even I did and you know me! So for the next few hours we talked about stallions and our crushes in our lives. After we had talked and talked the princess of the night bid her good byes, promising we would continue our colt talk tomorrow. And there I was, laying in my cell feeling a lot more welcome than I thought I would be.

Twilight gave me a second chance, I made a friend with Luna and my loved ones are safe and sound with mother. I would probably be here for a year or more but at least I was in good company, so I wouldn't be lonely. My thoughts flashed to mother's plan, by the end of this year she will enact her plans and hopefully an alliance will be brokered between changelings and ponies. And then I will be released, here's hoping right?

Gynaephora was on the loose however. I doubt she will let all of this go, but she won't be trying the same plan twice after what happened. Hopefully she will take the hint and slink off to some hovel in the ground and stay in it. Maybe she went back to the citadel, but I doubt mother would let her set one hoof inside, not after Squelch and the others most likely retelling her betrayal. However I can't drop this feeling of pity i hold for her, even though she did all of those traitorous things. She did all of this just to be noticed, at least that's how I see it. Just a valiant, albeit misguided, attempt at proving her worth to mother.

Looking back at her decisions with a clear mind free of those damn instincts, I can see why she she was so desperate. What if I had been nicer, what if she was the favorite daughter and I was in her shadow? Would things be different? would we be sisters without quarrel? Would I be where I am now? Maybe yes, maybe no, there is no point in thinking about the what ifs and wishing things could change as I will it. Perhaps in time I will find her when I leave this place, show her how to turn a new leaf and dare I say it, forgive her.

But that is a bridge I will cross another time, for now everything was calm and complete, all I had to do now was wait. Oh Page, how I wish you were here with me....but I will you again soon. This year is almost over and I am just a few months away from mother's arrival and her hopefully successful diplomacy. Perhaps I won't be spending my life in this dusty old cell for long. And so with that cheery thought I fell asleep with my hope in my heart for a bright future.

Author's Notes:

And here we are! Chapter 7 finally! What will happen to our heroine now? Will she ever see Page again? Chapter 8 will hold all the answers! And sorry about the long wait time to get this one out guys, the college work is just piling up and but I finally got rid of last weeks baggage. Hopefully this week will be a little less homework heavy! Anyways I hope you enjoy this chapter and I hope I didn't miss any mistakes, let me know if I did @_@ Stay tuned for the next installment in Chrysalis's crazy college days!

Chapter 8:All's Well That Ends Well

So this is how it ends? The queen cornered, her pawns gone, her knights vanquished. While the enemy barely lost any of it's forces. And just who was I combating against? It was nopony other than the purple harlot herself, Twilight Sparkle. Twilight was my executioner and I had underestimated her on the battlefield. She was an excellent tactician, leading her troops against mine flawlessly. Every move I made she countered with one of her own, and just when I thought I was turning the tide she would strike me back down. She was toying with me and I couldn't do a damn thing about it.

I turned tail and retreated my forces behind our lines, my guards were valiant but soon enough she took them down one by one. Eventually she had me in a corner, my back against the wall in my room with nowhere to run. How could I let it get this far? Now it was just she and I face to face, with her charging her horn to ready the killing blow. I was finished.

This is the end of Chrysalis, if only I was more careful! I sat in silence awaiting my end, staring at the floor of my room and my grave, clank!

“Checkmate!”, Twilight sang victoriously as she knocked over my queen piece.

“I bucking hate chess”, I groaned. Looking up from up from the table I gazed angrily at the chessboard in front of me, and to the mare who vanquished me.

“Its not so bad! I'm sure if you keep practicing you can be quite the opponent!”, Twilight giggled as she tried to reassure me. But it was too late, my pride was damaged and I lost, again. I watched as Twilight cleared off the chessboard and placed our pieces back to their original places ready to for battle once more. I just groaned again, pinching the bridge of my muzzle and exhaling an annoyed breath. “Another round, Chrysalis?”

“I have practiced, against you! Fifty six times to be exact and you continue to dominate me. And no, I would like a break from this horrid game, Twilight”, I muttered bitterly as I sunk into my cushion. Twilight frowned with a sigh and cleaned up the chessboard, flinging the marble pieces into a wooden box on top of the chessboard.

“You are just a sore loser, my friend!”, Twilight mused while she floated away the infernal chess set and brought over a tray carrying a steaming kettle along with a just as fresh plate of muffins. Oh, and yes Twilight did call me her friend, you aren't going insane. I would explain now, but those muffins were calling my name, more on that later.

“We did bet that the winner would get the first muffin, but I suppose you earned first rights for your valiant effort”, Twilight teased as she passed me one of the confections in an aura of purple.

“Valiant effort my flank, you destroyed me”, I tisked aloud, snatching the muffin in my hooves and gobbling it up in one bite. Immediately my taste buds were assaulted by the sensation of sweet, buttery goodness baked just right in perfect harmony. My compliments to the chef, baker, whatever.

“Their pretty good huh? Not as good as Pinkie's, but their still up there”, ah yes that bubbly pink psychopath. Twilight told me about her and introduced me to the party pony as well as to her other friends. I received glares and frowns from all of them, but that pink idiot nearly snapped my spine in half from a bone crushing hug! Apparently she was really, really happy that I turned a new leaf. Perhaps a bit too happy for my tastes.

I can already hear your exclamations, Twilight and I are buddies and she trusted me enough to meet her friends on good behaviour!? Yes, I suppose I have some explaining to do. And I did finish my muffin so here we go. A lot has happened these past few months. So I might as well start from the beginning of my time spent here, ahem.

A few weeks after my incarceration I had become good friends with Luna, spending most nights chatting about this and that during our little sleep overs. Of course no sleeping was done and we just talked the night away. Sometimes Luna brought along Twilight to join in on our escapades and when she did, well lets just say the purple alicorn still didn't like me and complained every moment she got. I know Luna was trying her best to prove I was a good egg to her, but at least somepony was trying. Most times Twilight would just ignore me completely and just bury herself in a book, such a annoying defense mechanism.

She was still wary of me even though I was behind bars and magically incapacitated. But who could blame her? Having a sleep over with your would be nemesis is a little uncomfortable isn't it? Well soon enough those awkward weeks became a few months and Twilight began to warm up to me, after from some insisting from Luna of course. I still remember that night she finally opened up to me. She came trotting through the chamber doors with several saddle bags in tow. Without a word she plopped herself across from my cell and emptied her bags. Revealing a hefty pile of papers, some inkwells and a feather pen.

I was curious so I asked her what she was doing, her answer surprised me. And it still does to this day.

“Would you mind if I ask you some questions about changeling society? I understand if you don't want to, but looking back on my previous notes....I feel I've been biased on the whole thing about you and your kind. So, I think its time I set the record straight! What do you say?”

I still remember my reaction, my dumb sounding approval and the warm feeling of acceptance in my chest at the time. She was willing to rewrite everything she knew about my kind. Entrusting me with the finer details to write her wrongs, I felt honored to say the least. Hours passed and Twilight threw question after question at me. She was relentless! She had a list that looked like it was five feet long, and she had several of them!

“Do you mate for life, how many live in a hive, do you rule in a monarchy, can you survive on love alone without food?”, she asked all of that and more. However I was more than happy to relay every single thing to her as she went. But there was the last set of questions that popped up that caught me off guard.

“Is it normal for changelings to fall in love with a species besides their own? Could you describe your relationship with, what was his name again? Page was it? Is it possible for you to bear offspring from er, relations with other species outside your own? And can you tell me if the moment of reproduction is similar whether you are disguised or not?”, my response was intelligently stumbling around my words and wringing my hooves together nervously.

“W-What kind of question is that? Ponies trounce around with other species all the time, why does it seem so odd?”, I was overreacting obviously, the question just caught me off guard is all! And asking about sex, intimate moments that I have not even spent with Page yet mind you, was simply uncouth. Unlike Gynaephora, I was never one for bed talk, yes I did seduce like her but I never did go all the way to copulation at all. It just never did sit right with me to get intimate with a pony I never cared for.

“No no no! I wasn't judging you! I just want to know about the basics, ponies date outside their species all the time! Hay, I walked in on a friend of mine, whom I will not say, with a gryphon. So I know all about that stuff, kinda!”

Poor Twilight, oh how the tables have turned. I watched with morbid glee as the once stoic and calm Twilight was now fumbling over her words all flustered like. I teased her about it and received a playful lash or two but soon we both calmed down and I answered her question.

“I haven't had sex with Page, not yet anyway, but I can tell you that I can bear his children. Although they will be hybrids, not that I mind, it adds diversity to my bloodline in a sense”, Twilight nodded as she listened while scribbling away on her notes. Looking back on the idea of Page and I having little hatchlings running about in our castle, it was a little image that I looked forward to seeing in the future. I sighed wistfully as Twilight wrote down her notes, I missed Page so much, I wonder how he is doing in the citadel? Is he even still there?

“Okay, now then, tell me about how you raise your young!”, little did I know that question would spark a little moment between us. And don't ask me how but we ended up talking about babies and motherly topics, personal ones. Twilight told me she had her future pregnancy all planned out on paper and she decided on the stallion she would spend her life with. That is when I learned of Twilight's crush and how she wanted to marry him one day. She was crushing on a guard named Flash Sentry, if I remember correctly. Twilight also spoke about she met him in some interdimensional adventure and creatures called hue-mans, she described them as apes wearing clothing. I never did like apes, always being grabby with those appendages on their hands.

Anyways, apparently Twilight is quite the parent, technically. She told me she raised a baby dragon since it hatched. Spike, the way she said his name when she reminisced, she sounded like my mother when she would talk about her moments raising me. Such a motherly tone, I wouldn't doubt she would raise her future children perfectly with the experience she has now. And if she never does bear children for whatever reason, she still has a son. A scaly, fire breathing one at that.

So after that little moment between us she packed her things and set off to leave. But right as she was about to ascend the spiral staircase she stopped. She was silent for a little while before turning around and clearing her throat.

“I'm sorry, for everything”, now that was a surprise.

“For judging you and treating you like dirt when all you have done was be nice to Luna and I. Personally I never thought I would actually say this but, I want us to start over.”, Twilight said as she approached my cell, holding a hoof through the bars towards me.

“Hello, I am Twilight Sparkle, student of princess Celestia, and I would like for us to be friends!”, I was so confused, I thought this had to be a dream. A short pinch later proved that it wasn't. With a smile I took her hoof in mine and gave a firm shake.

“Pleasure to meet you miss Sparkle, I am Chrysalis, incarcerated former changeling queen, and I would also like to be friends”, Twilight just giggled and shook back. With out little charade done Twilight left and I was alone to meddle with my own devices. So that is how we became the best of buds. After that she visited me nearly everyday after with new questions every visit as well as a stack of books. We had our own little book club and surprisingly she invited several of the maids to partake. Imagine my surprise to see the very same ponies that I terrified on my arrival here treat me like an old friend.

I guess when two of the three princesses make friends with a former enemy, word gets around that I'm not so evil anymore. I won't lie that I miss being feared and watching them tremble at my presence. But it feels nice to feel accepted, not as exhilarating as causing fear but I still enjoyed not being treated like a disease to be avoided.

Another set of months pass and during said months Celestia had finally returned from her business in the Crystal Empire. Twilight and Luna warned me that she was coming and that's when the anxiety sank in. Three hours, three tortuously long hours and Celestia had not come down to see me. What is taking her so long? Was she deciding to execute me? Were Luna and Twilight talking her down from some sort of angry rant? Those were some of my thoughts swimming through my mind as I paced my cell.

Rusty creaking, the sound of the door to my room opening made me jump out of my shell. Slowly I turned to my new visitor, my heart racing, my breath quickening at the sight of her. There in all her majesty stood Princess Celestia by herself. Not a twinge of emotion laced her features as she scrutinized me with squinted eyes. Without a word she approached my cell and I did the one thing I could I could think of at that moment, I swallowed my pride and bowed.

“Greetings your majesty”, I said with a curt nod. I felt so degraded to have to both bow and be courteous but I had to prove I had changed. And what better way to do so by doing something nopony would expect of me? Thankfully Celestia returned the bow and sat down in front of me, still staring at me silently. After a few silent moments Celestia finally spoke.

“To be honest, I wasn't expecting this”, Celestia said while she idly played with her necklace. What was she expecting? A rabid animal in a cell growling at her while trying to reach her from these bars? “The changeling queen had surrendered herself after risking her own life to save my sister and student. And now here she is, an entirely different changeling compared to that tyrant during my niece's wedding. I doubted your reformation, but seeing you now I know you have changed. I can see it in being, in your eyes and right down to your very stance. You are a far cry to what you once were.”

I wasn't expecting that, I was prepared to plead my case to her but this works too. I said nothing but smiled at her, to which she returned with a small one herself.

“Luna and Twilight trust you and even call you their friend. That is no small feat, especially for someling in your case, Chrysalis. I would love to learn more about you like they have, so without further ado....”, Celestia trailed off as her horn flared in a gold aura. I couldn't help but flinch, expecting her to blast me but instead a small click echoed in the room. To my surprise my cell door swung open and Celestia beckoned me out with a wave of her hoof.

Carefully, I left my cell for the first time in months, finally stretching my legs in a bigger space was a relief!

“You no longer have to stay in that cell anymore, I hereby give you free reign of the castle. I will send for a maid to ready a room for you to live in for the rest of your sentence. And I think you will be happy to know that for this one time, I will clear you of your past crimes during the wedding.”

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I was free! I could go home and see-wait, a room for the remainder of my sentence? Oh bucking hell....

“Unfortunately I cannot clear the crimes from your rampage in the city. You will stay for a year in my custody, maybe more but after that you will be free to go. Believe me when I say that this was the best solution I could settle on with the day court.”

Well at least I won't be here for the rest of my life, and the change from the cell to a proper room is a welcome change at least. Now how about this restraining collar?

“I know what you are thinking, but the collar will stay on. It will stay on due to the demands of the day court, it will be a deterrent in case you try to leave the castle. If you try to leave you will receive quite a shock and be rendered paralyzed. Know that I trust you completely Chrysalis, but I had to adhere to the day court just to quell their uproar in just clearing your crimes from your past. Forgive me, but this is how it must be.”

Well buck, yay to wearing this bucking thing for the rest of my stay. Damn thing chafes like a motherbucker, I'll go see Twilight to see if she can loosen it or something. But things could be worse, just have to grit my teeth and bear it for now.

“Now, lets go shall we? I think you would rather not spend another night in here?”, I nodded furiously at her question. Instantly springing up to her side at the base of the staircase. Oh gods yes, finally a comfy bed instead of a wooden cot with a raggedy sheet to sleep in! And so up the staircase we went. As soon as we hit the top we were greeted by a few maids I remember from Twilight's book club and a single guard. All of the maids smiled and waved, and the guard just yawned, no screams or anything.

“Ready a room for our guest, and I appoint you to watch over and protect Chrysalis, understood?”, Celestia ordered. The maids and guards nodded in unison. As the maids trotted off to do their duties, the guard ambled his way over to my side.

“Razorwind at your service, madam”, the guard named Razorwind said with a curt bow. What a gentlecolt, Squelch could learn a thing or two from this stallion in the first impression department. But he lacked the flare Squelch had, Razorwind just looked like any of the royal guard here under all of that armor he was wearing. And let me tell you now that I have never seen what he looks like under it, he was hardcore at what he does.

“Now then, let us walk shall we?”, with that said Razorwind, Celestia and I did just that. Strolling through the halls of Celestia's castle all the while making small talk about politics and pastries. I learned that the princess of the sun simply adored her cakes, perhaps a bit too much in my opinion but nonetheless it was a pleasant topic. Razorwind had little to add to our conversation, resorting to the occasional nod or shake of his head when we included him in.

“So that is why I prefer vanilla over sherbet! I simply cannot stomach Sherbet after that incident”, Celestia and I shared a laugh while Razor chuckled silently. I still don't know how Pinkie Pie could manage to jury rig the door to Celestia's room to explode with Sherbet ice cream when opened. What a random mare that one. Eventually we arrived to a dead end hall that lead to a single door, outside stood the maids from earlier.

“And here we are, thank you ladies”, Celestia nodded to the maids as she opened the door and went inside. Razorwind and I followed, shutting the lavish door behind us and taking in the just as lavish room. What a huge room! It was like a huge circle all around, filled with dressers and any amenity you could imagine to find in a bedroom. Times ten in ticket price of course, she spared no expense. And right in the center lay a enormous circle bed covered in pillows and expensive looking sheets.

“Wow, this beats the cell by a mile, thank you very much Celestia!”, I was truly impressed. Now with a room like this you can make any mare feel like a queen. With a giddy laugh I launched myself onto the bed and rolled around on the sheets. Relishing in the heavenly feeling of the fabric against me.

“Indeed, I want to show you that even though you are under house arrest you are our guest. No more cells or lies between us!”, Celestia giggled, plopping herself on the other side of the bed next to me. Razorwind however rolled his eyes at our childishness and sat down on a nearby chair. But Celestia's words reminded me of the plan mother told me months ago. No more lies huh? What do I have to lose if I told her?

“About that, I have something important to tell you, Celestia”, my voice was shaky as I spoke. Celestia smile instantly turned into a worried frown at my words, but she remained quiet as did Razorwind. Suddenly I had second thoughts about this, this information could turn the benevolent ruler before me into a dictator with a iron fist. But I bucked up and told her, no reason to show fear now, right? This could make everything easier for mother, if things went nicely however.

“My mother is going to sneak into Canterlot during the merchant clan meetings at the end of this year. She wishes to enact diplomacy with you and your sister, Celestia. For peace, an alliance between ponies and changeling kind. Things are tough for us, we are running out of resources and we seek to end all of this fighting between our kinds. I tell you this because I don't want secrets between us, and with the hope that if I warn you in advance that you will consider her plea for peace.”

Celestia's said nothing, gazing into my eyes with a blank unemotional face. Razorwind however had eyes like dinner plates, his mouth agape. Maybe I shouldn't have been so blunt with my wording....

“Peace? Seriously? I can take having Chrysalis running around freely but this, this sounds like a trap, princess. With all due respect this sounds far fetched.”, Razor stated bluntly as he crossed his hooves. Thankfully Celestia didn't share his point of view.

“Your concern is noted, Razorwind, but I believe her. As surprising as it sounds I believe that you would not lie about something of this matter. Thank you for trusting me with this information”, I breathed a sigh of relief at that. She believes me, oh thank the gods.

“I will think on what you have told me, the wounds of what you had done at my niece's wedding are still fresh but I believe every word. From what Twilight told me you attacked us because of desperation. So in order to stop something like that from ever happening again I shall consider a course of action. Perhaps it is time we reach an agreement between our species and consider an alliance.”

Celestia's words still give me goosebumps when I look back on that moment. The defining moment of hope for a bright future for both pony and changeling kind. After that, Celestia had left me alone with Razorwind whom stayed to protect me. He opted to stay outside but I told him it was alright for him to stay and relax. I mean who is going to attack me and incur the wrath of Celestia? And besides it must be hell on his hooves to stand in one position all day after all.

So that is how I ended up under house arrest with Celestia as a new friend. Of course Razorwind and I had a small camaraderie but it never went past the whole protector and VIP idea. He made me miss Squelch, Squelch! I won't say it to his face but I missed Squelch, he's the annoying little brother I never had. The kind of brother that you just want to ruffle his mane and tease the hell out of kind. Anyways the next few months flew by at a snails pace, and it didn't help that I had to accompany Celestia to her day court.

She had told me that it was the best way to prove that I had reformed to her underlings. A way to improve changeling relations in preparation for mother's arrival. But they didn't buy it, they just ridiculed me at every turn. I knew what they were doing, they were trying to get under my shell and make me lash out at them. But I just bit my tongue and stayed courteous, much to their dismay and annoyance. Bucking idiots, the lot of them.

And speaking of mother's plans, Celestia, Twilight and Luna are the only ones who know about them. I half expected Twilight to freak out but she just rambled on and on about creating a schedule to prepare ahead. Luna was surprised but agreed to keep the knowledge secret, she was delighted in the idea of an alliance for peace. Everything was in place, all I had to do now was wait for mother at the end of the year. Hopefully I can finally leave when an alliance is brokered, hopefully.

“So, today is the day huh?”, Twilight's voice brought me out of my reminiscing and to my bedroom.

“Yes, I suppose it is isn't it?”, I said absentmindedly. This was the day, the meeting of all major merchant clans in Celestia's throne room. Mother should be in there right about now if not later. Gods I hope everything goes well, but how could they not? Celestia said she loves the idea as did Twilight and Luna. It was only a matter of time until everything comes together.

“Lets go, wouldn't want to keep Celestia waiting, especially for a day like this!”, Twilight said as she made to leave the bedroom. I nodded and left with her. No words were said between us as we slowly made our way to the throne room. It was good that Twilight hadn't spoken, I was too nervous to speak anyways. A heavy feeling lay in my gut and my nerves were on edge. Finally we made it to the throne room doors, and by the muffled sounds of chatter behind them it was safe to say the meeting was under way.

We nodded to the guards as they let us in, instantly the sounds and sights of a room full of nearly a hundred or more ponies, gryphons and zebras attacked my senses. It was literally packed with the merchant clans. And standing at the front of the mob stood three beings, a gryphon, a zebra and a mare garbed in a hooded cloak. Those were most likely the leaders of them all, and I had a pretty good idea of which one was my mother. As I made my way past the trio the mare and I made eye contact and I saw a flare of surprise in her features. But as soon as her surprise had shown it was gone and replaced with a calm expression.

I nodded to mother and she nodded back, her orange eyes sparkling, a small smile creeping up on her lips. With my the knowledge that my mother arrived safely I made my way over to Celestia and Luna who sat in their own respective thrones. Twilight sat in her own throne next to Luna's and I stood next to Celestia's.

“So we are in agreement then, the traders will receive a bonus in profit in accordance as long as trade between the smaller colonies is continued. Is there anything else any of you would like to ask? Do so now, or else this meeting is adjourned.”, Celestia's voice held an air of power as she spoke.

The throne room was silent save for the silent murmurings in the crowd. The trio of leaders nodded to each other before returning to their respective groups, all except for the mare.

“I have one more favor to ask of you, princess Celestia,”, the mare asked taking a step forward.

“You do? Well please, tell me my friend.”, this was it! The moment that will define changeling history! As soon as Celestia spoke, the mare burst into striking orange flames, burning away her cloak to ashes. As the flames died down to nothing but smoke, what stood at the center of the flames made everypony gasp out in horror. There stood my mother, strong and proud with her head held up high.

“I wish to employ diplomatic relations if I may, Celestia”, my mother bowed to the princess in question as she spoke. Two of the three merchant clans were in uproar, many of them yelling for Celestia to execute mother on the spot. The last group of merchants stood silent and watched for Celestia's answer intently.

“Silence! I will not have you all treating our guest with such barbaric manners!”, everpony gasped in surprise at Celestia's words including my mother. I bet this wasn't the reaction she was expecting now huh?

“Now tell me, what do you wish to speak about, miss?”, Celestia asked as she straightened in her throne. Mother just smiled a toothy smiled and spoke.

“Queen Artiidaes at your service, Celestia. I have come here to represent both my people as well as the other kingdoms to the east, south and west. And I am here today to propose an alliance between the changeling kingdoms and all pony kind. I believe it is time we stop this fighting between our species, that there is no need for deception and lies any longer!”

The crowd listened to mother intently as she went along. I expected one of the gryphons to tackle her at some point but even they stood calm and attentive. This was going well so far, come on mother, bring on home!

“It is my belief that with an alliance both of our species can flourish together, we would no longer have to hide and hunt ponies anymore. We can live in harmony together, work together and endure the future together if you allow it! All I ask is that you give us a chance, besides all our differences we are not so different. So please, consider my plea and if you reject my proposition then I shall surrender myself and my guards.”

Just then the pony merchant guild transformed, morphing into a horde of changelings who all bowed together. All except for one pony I had not noticed, Page! He was here! And lo and behold standing right next to him stood Squelch with that shit eating grin of his. I fought the urge to run to them both, resorting to just giving them both a huge smile to which they returned. Page winked at me, mouthing out a, “I love you”, my heart just melted.

The room was dead silent as Celestia watched the event unfold but she was smiling.

“That is a wonderful idea, I too believe that an alliance will benefit us both greatly and it is time we end our hostilities. I accept your proposition, Artiidaes. May this alliance flourish and our new friendship last forevermore!”

The room was in uproar, but this time with cheers and cries of elation. Mother's changelings all hugged each other and jumped with joy. And to my surprise some of the zebras and gryphons joined in the cheering, how about that?

“Thank you princess, let it be known on this day that our days of struggling to survive are finally over. And I see you have my daughter, has she been good? She has been on her best behavior I hope?”

Oh gods not in front of all of these ponies mother. Don't you dare!

“Oh she has been quite the the house guest actually. Such a respectful young mare she is, she saved our lives and changed our outlook on her and her kind. You could say she has been an influence on us all,” with that eye rolling statement said Celestia cast a spell, tapping her horn against my collar. With a loud clank the collar popped off of my neck and I felt months of pent up magical energy rush back into my body unhindered. Oh by the gods that feels so much better, feels like my entire body feels lighter all of a sudden.

“Well that is a relief, my underling and her coltfriend had told me about what she did. And I would gladly help pay for the damage if there is anything left to repair”, mother said with a impish grin. I once again rolled my eyes at her and left her alone with Celestia. I wanted to get reacquainted with a certain changeling and pegasus. And there they were, I spotted them pushing their way past the crowds. My heart soared at the sight of my lovercolt running over to me with Squelch close behind.

I galloped the fastest I have ever galloped in my life and tackled Page. Wrapping my hooves and wings around him as I smooched all over his face all the while still tumbling from the tackle.

“I missed you so much, oh my gods I can't believe you came all this way! Oh Page I am so sorry for sending you away and-mph!”, before I could say another word Page silenced me, pressing his lips against mine. And to my surprise he forced his tongue against my own, my oh my, seems time in the citadel has made him braver! Our tongues wrestled against each other as we sealed our lips together, kissing each other as hard as we could to make up for the year we spent apart.

“Guys, hey guys I'm right here too you know! Not going to say hi to your favorite guard, princess? I know its been a year and all but I deserve some recognition too!”

With much disdain I pulled away from Page's tasty lips and stood back up, pulling Page along with me and turned to face our idiotic friend. Now that I look at him I can see that he looks good, he has gotten considerably more bulky since I last saw him. Quite a far cry from the skinny guard of yesteryear, but even though he has all of that muscle he is still lanky as ever.

“You really do know how to kill the mood bro”, Page whined as he leaned against me, nuzzling into my neck. I guess he wanted me to deal with big bad Squelch, how submissive. I nuzzled him back and smirked as I thought up a witty response for the runt. But I let Squelch make the first move of this teasing war.

“Really, you mean like the private moment of making out in a throne room full of ponies and all that jazz?”, and there is the Squelch I remember, I wonder if he is still easy to fluster? Even though he looks more like a guard he is still the idiot I remember I'm sure.

“Considering you kept me awake with those squealing 'private' moments between you and Medley, I don't think you have the right to call us out, hmm?”, I teased. Squelch just glowed red as a tomato and mumbled a few curses at me. Still the easily flustered Squelch, I don't know whether to be happy or disappointed his personality hasn't changed. I'll tell you one thing, I would never trade his idiocy for anything else.

To add insult to injury I smacked him right upside his muzzle, but in a playful joking way of course! Squelch still winced at my struck and grumbled as he rubbed the pain away.

“Aw don't be such a baby, but hey, speaking of Medley where is she? Is she not with you two?”, I couldn't spot neither head nor tail of the ditzy mare in the crowd.

“Oh yeah, that's cause she aint here, ow buck, my muzzle! Jeez you still haven't lost your touch with those smacks of yours”, Squelch mumbled, still rubbing his muzzle. Oh cmon I didn't even hit him that hard, what a foal.

“Just making up for lost time, I am sure I missed out on countless stupid moments that needed a good wacking!”, I mused, playfully punching him in the shoulder.

“Fair enough, but yeah Medley is back home at the Citadel. And don't ask me why she couldn't come along, she made me promise not to tell you, not until you went back home. She didn't want me to ruin the surprise!”, a surprise huh? Now what have those two been up to the past year?

Before I could pry any further I felt Page wrap a hoof around mine. He gave me a gentle squeeze, beckoning for me to follow.

“Enough about that, I think we all need to catch up and its a bit too crowded here for all of this personal junk yeah? Come on, before your mom and Celestia finish talking!”, Page tugged on my hoof as he spoke. I sighed and motioned for him to follow, and so we Page and I made our way pushing past the crowd with Squelch close behind. I doubt mother would mind if I was gone for a few moments anyway. After a brisk walk through the halls I led the duo to the royal gardens. Not a single sign of guards or maids, finally found a secluded spot for us to catch up.

“Woah, nice place! And here I thought you were worse off than us! Speaking of us, why don't ya ask me how my guard duties have been doing?”, Squelch whistled innocently as he sat on a nearby bench. I rolled my eyes but asked anyways.

“Alright, how have your guard duties been faring this past year?”, I asked in a monotone voice. As soon as I asked, Squelch jumped up into the air flying, performing aerial loops and barrel rolls all the while yelling at the top of his lungs.

“I got promoted! Artiidaes and my dad had heard of all of my heroism in the face of danger from Shell! She made me honorary royal seeker captain! Captain of the scouting brigade! Can you bucking believe it!? Got a pay raise and everything, big daddy Squelch ain't the underdog anymore and I got you and Shell to thank!”

Well would you look at that, Squelch has made quite a name for himself. The seeker captain, now that is a prestigious position I would never had imagined Squelch be in. Organizing all of the scouts sent out from the Citadel and leading patrols when needed....hard to see Squelch sitting behind a cushy desk all day but hey, he's Squelch. I guess a congratulations is in order then? But before I could congratulate my guard he dove out of the sky and tackled me in a bone crushing hug.

“Thank you for choosing me as your guard that night we left the citadel. If ya didn't, I wouldn't have met Medley and never got this promotion. Thank you, Chrysalis”, Squelch said sincerely as he tightened his hug even more. Even though he was squeezing my lungs of all of my oxygen I hugged him back instead of swatting him across the muzzle.

“Yeah yeah, sappy moments and all that. Now let go of me before I bop you....and good job Squelch, I am proud of you, seriously,”, Squelch brightened up at my praise and squeezed me once more, looks like this hug isn't going to end anytime soon, may as well hug it out to his hearts content. I meant every word of my praise by the way, my little idiot guard has grown to be an idiot seeker captain and I am proud of him. A few more moments of hugging and we broke apart, both of us wearing a goofy grin on our faces. A short, “ahem” brought our attention to Page who was fiddling with his hooves nervously.

“I hope your success story doesn't end with a crushing me in a hug, not that I would mind though.”, I teased with a wink, causing Page to blush wildly.

“N-Nothing like that Chryssy. I j-just want to say that none of this would ever have happened, the whole alliance thing if it wasn't for me, kinda. My special talent is the reason, cartography is in my blood and your mother saw that and asked if I would take a chance to bring my family name out of the dark. And so I agreed and well, I made maps and coordinate suggestions to sneak Artiidaes's horde past outposts into Canterlot. Sure I only did just that but she needed somepony with natural navigation skills, and so for the first time in years a Breakwatt has been part of something good in history. Because of a Breakwatt, changelings and ponies can finally be allied together peacefully!”

I smiled, mother knew about Page's family problems and gave him a chance to rewrite everything.

“A Breakwatt cartographer designing entire maps for the changeling diplomatic escort that enabled peace, ending a feud all across Equestria....it's got a nice ring to it don't you think?”

And now Page has finally gotten his wish, his family name written in the history books for a good deed outshining his father's follys. My heart swelled at seeing Page so happy, and not just physically but emotionally as well. He was a beacon of positive energy without a trace of negativity. And how could he not be so happy? He finally achieved his dream of proving the Breakwatt name, now he won't be seen as his father's child but as the cartographer that helped make all of this possible.

“Thank you, if I hadn't met you....I don't know what I would be doing with my life now”, small tears left Page's eyes as he spoke. Sure enough I felt tears of my own threaten to escape. Without saying a word I embraced him, wrapping my hooves around him with my wings as a blanket over him.

“You are the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life, Chrysalis. I know I am getting really sappy but I-”, I didn't let him finish, silencing his lips with a firm press of my own. Before he could ease into our kiss I pulled away and licked his snout playfully.

“I love you too, my little love bug”, I heard Squelch gag from somewhere behind us but I didn't care. Choosing to just kiss my lovercolt to my earnest. Suddenly I felt myself become energized like I had just drank fifteen cups of coffee. That is when I realized I had been feeding off of Page's love subconsciously and it was too much for me to handle. And as embarrassing as it is to admit, I prematurely shot out a spell out from my horn from the stimulation. Never in my entire life have I ever done that, I blame it on the pure love, and I wasn't prepared.

“Hahahaha! Oh my gods, did you just? Pfffhahaha!”, Squelch laughed, clutching his sides as he chortled.

“I don't get it, what?”, Page raised an eyebrow at Squelch who finally stopped laughing enough to answer. You say one word Squelch and I will end you!

“You know how pegasi get wing boners when they get all hot and bothered? Same thing happens to unicorns but its a bit more explosive if you catch my meaning!”, Page facehooved and I on the other hand blushed furiously with both embarrassment and fury. Leave it to bucking Squelch to ruin a special moment.

“Chrysalis? Squelch? Page?”, mother's voice echoed throughout the garden. I looked to Squelch and gave him the 'its not over' glare. Squelch snickered as he galloped to my mother's voice laughing all the way. He was an idiot but I couldn't stay mad at him for long, it was just Squelch being Squelch. You get used to his idiot ways after a while, its his charm. And now we were alone, with nopony to interrupt us, hmm.

“Well I guess we should head along then? After you milad-mph!”, poor Page couldn't finish his sentence seeing as how his mouth has been muted by my own. I giggled into the kiss, pulling apart for a moment.

“Now that the annoying idiot is gone for a moment how about we continue were we left off hmm?”, I cooed seductively coupled with the alluring batting of my eye lashes. My little Page could only blush furiously all the while darting his eyes to anywhere but my own. I love it when he gets nervous, he is so cute when he gets all hot and bothered.

“I-I suppose we it wouldn't k-kill us to be a few minutes late?”, now were talking, good boy. Slow and steady I eased back into our lip lock, intertwining our tongues in the age old dance we knew too well. I won't tell you what happened next, just know that I have still kept myself 'pure', although Page might be a bit weak in the knees for a bit. So on wobbly jelly legs we followed Squelch's path and arrived to the outer gates leaving the castle. Waiting for us was Squelch, mother and her small army of changelings.

“Ah there you are, I was about to send Squelch back to look for you two. For a second there I had thought you had been imprisoned again and we would have to leave without you!”, good, at least mother is oblivious to our still red faces and Page's slight panting. That would have been embarrassing, although Squelch had a knowing grin on his face. If he wants to be able to smile in the future he will keep his mouth shut. I also noticed several royal guards standing around our group in a defensive perimeter, Celestia must have sent protection for when we left, just in case I suppose.

“But alas you were simply enjoying a private moment, but dear please do that on your own time. The gardens aren't as secluded as you think!”, mother chuckled and a few of her underlings joined in. Squelch was having trouble keeping his mouth shut, a hoof stifling his giggles and snorts. I shot everling a threatening glare and they all shut up, except for mother. “Don't worry, I didn't watch I just merely saw you two alone and I put two and two together.”

Well that's a relief, the very thought of mother watching us spend an intimate moment together was utterly degrading. And it would give her ammunition for future arguments against me, she would never let me live it down.

“At least she isn't flaunting herself about like her sister, Gynaephora would probably take this moment to brag on her sexuality or something!”, Squelch snickered as did mother and Page. But I kept silent, instantly forgetting about the world around and me, only focusing on that single name. Gynaephora, just the mention of her name brings guilt flooding into my sense. I cannot leave home until I know she is, dare I say it, safe. As crazy as it sounds I need to find her and make things right between us.

“Chrysalis, is everything alright?”, Page nudged me with his muzzle as he spoke. I returned the nuzzle albeit a bit halfheartedly. Damn Page and his perception of me, even though we have been separated for a year he still knows the signs of me worrying about something, even when I am stone faced.

“No, everything is not alright. We can't leave yet”, Squelch, Page and mother as well as everling her horde perked up at my words. No doubt curious as to what is holding up their departure home, and they aren't going to like the answer. I have to tell them what I have been thinking about these past months, its now or never.

“There is one thing that is bothering me and I cannot leave until this loose end is taken care of.”, I kept my voice low as I paced in front of my captive audience, thinking on what to say next. I was getting worried about the reaction of mother and the others, they definitely won't like this idea one bit.

“What could possible be bothering you Chrysalis? Everything is fine and well, the alliance is brokered, everypony and everyling is safe. What else is there to stress over?”, mother asked, tilting her head in a curious fashion.

“Gynaehpora, I have to confront her to make sure she will no longer be a threat....and to fix the ties between us. And when all is said and done we will bring her back home.”, every was quiet, okay so they aren't yelling yet that is good.

“Wait a bucking second, you want to bring that backstabber with us?”, Squelch yelled, getting right up in my face as he did. I nodded, standing my ground against the seeker captain. I was afraid of this, but I expected this reaction nonetheless. But the reactions would only get worse, and my love, Page was next to assault me.

“She tried to kill you along with me, Squelch and Medley! Hell even the princesses too! I understand you want to make sure she can't hurt anypony but taking her back with us is just madness!”, Page yelled, he was absolutely livid. My love barking in my face and I could not blame him. He suffered both physically and mentally under her torture so of course he would be against the idea. I just hoped that he would at least consider it and just trust me on this one.

“She is my family, Page. Her crimes against all of us are terrible but I will not allow her to hide in the dark, and neither should any of you either.”, Page shook his head in disbelief as did Squelch. Mother just stared without a hint of emotion. I fear the thoughts running through her head at this very moment. Things were silent between us, that is until Squelch laughed sarcastically before ambling up to me.

“Frankly I don't see why she is even worth the trouble. Gynaephora is ju-WHAM”, before Squelch could finish his retort I stamped the ground, hard. If the very land before us could speak he would curse my very name and blame me for the new cracked scars in the aftermath.

“Do you not understand why she has done all of this?! Are you blind to her suffering like I was?!”, Squelch was stunned without a word to say. He slowly shook his head 'no' as he recoiled slightly. He dared not move nor speak a word and neither did Page.

“I was blind to her pain, I was too full of myself and rubbed my status in her face my entire life. What I saw as a lust for power was in reality a cry for a chance to prove herself as the better choice for Queen. I did a lot of thinking this past year and as odd as it sounds I have come to terms with her. Looking back at her actions, I pity her for making them. Mother, you know how she tried to one up me every chance she got right? We both thought she was just being an uppity bitch and the problem child, but she just wanted to be accepted and loved. For bucks sakes she worked as hard as I did and never got any recognition, anypony or anyling would grow mad from just that!”

Page and Squelch refused to look me in the eyes, keeping their sad looks aimed at the ground. Mother however kept her eyes locked on mine, a frown on her lips.

“Perhaps if I had tried to treat her as an equal than this would have never happened....maybe her madness could have been avoided....”, Guilt, pure and utter guilt plus a sense of pity created a heavy feeling in my belly. I felt horrible when I realized that Gynaephora was simply trying to be noticed by her own mother and she couldn't even get that. And what did I do when she was in pain? I rubbed it in her face and treated my own flesh and blood like dirt. I am Chrysalis, the evil, deceitful changeling who wanted to treat everypony as a lesser being and here I am trying to justify my sister's horrifying deeds. But even she is worth forgiveness, if I can be forgiven of trying to destroy a monarchy then so can she.

“Mother, we must find her and make things right, I must forgive her for all of this or else this bad blood will never end”, I pleaded to my mother, begging her to at least consider the idea.

“Finally you understand”, mother's words threw me off for a second I expected yelling, yet she is calm and collected. What does she mean by that?

“I had known of Gynaephora's jealousy, it was quite obvious. But what I am saying is that it shall not change a thing if I gave her the same praise at this point. She is too far gone, Chrysalis. It is too late, perhaps you are right about her motives but it does not change the fact that she is a deranged traitor. If we look for her you might not like what you find. I know she is family, but seeking her out may make things worse.”

Maybe she is right, maybe it would be easier to forget about her and move on. But how could I? My sister has been in my shadow her entire life and I feel responsible for what she has become.

“We have to try, you may not feel responsible for her but I do. I will go alone and seek Gynaephora out myself if I must”, mother glared at me as I spoke. But I did not budge and inch, keeping my stance proud and strong, my eyes glaring and unblinking. I will not submit to her, but I still hope she would reconsider and help me, but the burning look in those orange eyes said otherwise. The air was filled with the sound of deafening silence as we stared each other down. Squelch, Page and the other changelings watched with bated breath.

“You know what, if Chrysalis sees that someling like Gynaephora is worth redeeming, then I will stand by her side. Chrysalis was forgiven for a crime that nearly toppled the kingdom and she got redeemed. Why not Gynaephora? I still don't like the idea, but I trust my marefriend on this one”, my heart fluttered as Page spoke. The young cartographer broke away from the opposing group and stood by my side. Honestly I would have smacked the living tartarus out of him if he even thought of not coming along.

“Ah buck it, I'll come along too, someling has got to watch your back if your little plan screws up anyways. And hey, if we can turn that ice queen to turn a new leaf then it would be a nice bonus yeah? And besides, Page is your coltfriend so he is entitled to follow your every whim, I even this one out in my opinion!”, Squelch announced as he spun into a hero like pose before trotting over. Squelch, always the fool even in serious situations. Page and Squelch stood by my side, all that was left was mother and I hope she comes along. I could do this without her but this is a family issue, and mother needs to burn the bridge between her hatred of her daughter.

Mother looked to Page, Squelch and then to me as if sizing us up for a fight. I really hope she doesn't do what I think she is going to do. Suddenly mother broke out into laughter, the crazy maniac kind.

“What character my daughters have, now this is something I never expected! My how you have changed, dear daughter. I don't know whether to be proud or angry of your outburst to protect that conniving sister of yours. The old Chrysalis I knew would have let her sister fall into oblivion itself, to die a traitor's death. I wonder, has life in Canterlot civilized you that well? Whatever the reason I shall accompany you to see this plan's outcome!”

Confusion and anger were the two prominent feelings I felt right now. Confusion for mother's 180, and anger for how she called me 'civilized', the implications were infuriating. One day my bipolar mother will be the death of me I know it.

“So you are fine with this?”, Page asked cautiously, running a worried hoof through his hair.

“Yup”, mother simply said with a curt nod and a toothy smile. Squelch, Page and I simultaneously facehooved at my mother's actions. I keep forgetting she walks the fine line between crazily sane, and bucking crazy if that makes sense.

“Oh and henchman! I hereby give you all a weeks worth of vacation! Tata!~”, mother ordered her changelings with a wave of her hooves and a sing song voice. Mother's henchman all cheered and disguised themselves of ponies ranging from all shapes and sizes before dashing out of the main entrance. All of the guards around us chased after the changelings, no doubt wanting to keep watch on them to both protect them and the city itself.

“Oh and before you ask, Celestia gave us free reign of the city as long as we behave. My own guards can behave themselves I assure, now back to the task at hand hm?”, mother explained.

“Aw I want a vacation!”, Squelch whined. I went to smack him but to my surprise he dodged my right hook. He even dared to stick his tongue out at me along with a wink.

“Not this time Chryssy baby! Months of slapping me back in that apartment has toned my sense just fo-WHACK”, and with a swift smack mother backhanded Squelch right on the muzzle. Didn't see that coming did you?

“Okay, shutting, ow that smarts, up now!”, I rolled my eyes and turned back to mother, eager to move this plan along.

“As fun as it is to watch the slapstick, how are we going to find Gynaephora?”, Page took the words right out of my mouth. This is quite the conundrum, she could be anywhere. “I hope you don't expect me to find her, my talent is in finding stuff and cartography but that's for mapping, folks. I don't have the talent for finding changeling escapees.”

Page was right, and I was going to ask him for help but that was a foolish idea to start with. What to do?

“Do not worry gang, I know exactly where she is”, we all turned to my mother and just stared at her slack jawed. How did, you know what? I am not even surprised anymore,

“Oh don't be so surprised, did you really think I would have not kept an eye on her ever since her betrayal? Remember children, I know everything”, mother said with a mischievous smile. Mother turned towards Canterlot and beckoned us to follow. “It is quite a walk to our destination, and I think it would be best for us to disguise ourselves. We may have an alliance but it news hasn't spread among the populace and I don't think ponies will react nicely to three changelings walking the streets nonchalantly.”

And with that said we disguised ourselves, I as Flare, Squelch as Stonewall, mother as Nova and Page as, well Page. Its been so long since I wore this disguise, it feels so alien yet comforting, my second skin that I had to live without. So with our disguises on the four of us went along our way, nodding to the guards at the gates and went on our merry way into the city. We spent the next half hour trotting through the streets. It was a sweltering day out but at least it was sunny. As we followed mother I caught sight of several of mother's guards relaxing among the populace, lucky bastards.

Half an hour past and we arrived in front of a shop, 'Bijoux Jewelers' was printed in big cursive letters on a sign outside. Jeez it looked like the sign itself was encrusted with a few gems too, the owner must be full of himself. We all looked to each other, nodding to each other silently as we made our way inside. The jingle of a bell sounded from somewhere in the store as we entered, followed by a crash and clopping of hooves.

“I'll be there in a second! One moment please, don't leave!”, yelled a high pitched voice from deep within the store. It was hard to tell if it was a mare's or a stallion's voice but soon enough we'll see whom it belonged to. Meanwhile while we waited I took in the scenery, this was a very expensive looking store. It was a quaint store that looked extravagantly made, a set of stairs rested at the end of the shop leading up. Everything looked like it cost a fortune, from the jewelry laying in their cases to the wooden shelves and marble podiums.

I can already feel my wallet crying just at the sight of the price tags on some of these trinkets. I can't even afford half of this with what I have leftover in my bedroom back at the Citadel.

“Five thousand bits?! Holy bucking shit, who in the right mind would willingly pay this much for something this tiny?”, Squelch held in his hooves a pair of golden earrings that was encrusted with a dozen or so blood red diamonds.

“Somepony with class and bits to spend, honey! So if you don't intend on buying that I suggest you put it down”, turning towards the sound of the voice I met with the visage of the literally most flamboyant stallion I have ever seen. There behind the cash register stood a bright pink stallion with baby blue flowing locks held together in a ponytail. His eyes were of a deep alluring blue as he gave us all a wink. He was leaning over the counter, giving me a glimpse of his cutie mark, seven hearts swirling over a heart shaped gem.

“But for you, I might give ya a discount pretty boy!”, the stallion cooed as he winked slyly at Page. On reflex I put myself between Page and the stallion. I nearly let a growl escape my muzzle but I kept it in, resorting to just glaring at the pink store owner. “Awww, guess you're taken then? Ah what a shame. Anyways welcome to my store the Bijoux Jewelers the best place in town for the most luxurious of jewelery! And I am Falsetto!”

Falsetto announced as he struck a pose with his hooves on his hips, complete with him blowing a kiss towards all of us. Falsetto huh? Totally didn't see that one coming at all.

“Greetings Falsetto, I am looking for a mare who works here, she is my daughter. She's about my daughters height right here, blue coat with a green mane cut short?”, mother asked the flamboyant shop keep whom hummed thoughtfully to himself. After a few seconds of thinking Falsetto let out a silent 'ahah' and clapped his hooves together.

“Yes I know who you are talking about, Amethyst is the one yes?”, mother nodded and this seemed to please Falsetto as he let out a feminine giggle.

“Oh she is a doll! One of the hardest workers I know! I had just sent her upstairs on her break, did you know this shop is actually built into a house with this area as the ground floor? I have two rooms upstairs and one is being rented out by Amethyst and her coltfriend. My oh my is she helpful, because of her my sales have increased tenfold! Just the other day she went along an-”

I just tuned out Falsetto at this point, the flighty stallion just kept rambling on and on about how great she was. By the gods was this coltcuddler annoying.

“Yeah she's amazing we get it, but can we see her please?”, I interrupted the stallion, smacking a firm hoof against the counter.

“Watch the glass, honey! Just had this cleaned! Show some manners!”, Falsetto whined in that oh so high pitched voice of his. I just grimaced at him and grinded my hoof into the glass just to piss him off for rambling.

“Please excuse my daughter she has had a long day and really wants to see her sister. Would it be alright if you showed us to her room?”, Falsetto tore his eyes off me and immediately brightened up at my mother's polite manner.

“Now I see where Amethyst gets her manners from, such class! You however must take after your father if I had to guess, so uncivilized”, Falsetto turned his nose up in the air and scoffed at me. The very nerve of this flamboyant idiot! I'll show you who's uncivilized! But before I could show him what for mother placed a hoof on my shoulder and shook her head. Giving me the whole 'stop embarrassing me', glare. With a angry sigh I slunk away from Falsetto, but not before kicking my hoof against his precious glass counter leaving behind an unsightly crack.

“Why you-you know what? Its alright Falsetto, just breath in and breath out, release the demons. Don't let the instigator win”, Falsetto muttered silently to himself as he rubbed his temples. After a short mantra whispering moment later he bounced back to attention and motioned towards the stairs behind him. “Follow me if you please!”

Up the stairs we went and we came upon a short hallway that split in two with a door at each end. Falsetto led us to the right side to the wooden door that reside there. A wooden barrier is all that stood between a quite possibly deadly situation. I started getting nervous, what if she expected us and would spring a trap on us as soon as we touched the door knob? What is Falsetto is under her control and this is all just an elaborate ruse to get us all under one roof?

All sorts of implications swam through my mind, and every single one ended with either Gynaephora or I dead and buried six feet under.

“And here we are! I shall leave you to say hi and what not, if you don't mind I have a shop downstairs to return too. Oh and bye bye cutie!~”, Falsetto sang a goodbye as he smacked Page's ass and quickly dashed down the stairs. Page was speechless, sporting tomato red face. Squelch just laughed and mother rolled her eyes, I however was seething. That motherbucker! How dare he touch my Page like that! Why I outta strangle him!

“Let it go my daughter, this is far more important don't you think?”, mother said calmly, placing a hoof on the door as if to knock. Fine, I will ignore Falsetto and his gay antics, for now anyways. I moved past mother and went to knock but I stopped halfway. Apprehension and fear hit me like a ton of bricks, my sister is behind this door, the one who tried to murder me and I am just going to knock? How am I going to go about this, “Hi sister, you nearly killed me but I wanna forgive you, so bffs?”

“This little rivalry between you two will never end if you don't confront her and knock, Chrysalis. No matter what has come to pass, she is still your sister.”, a little rivalry was an understatement. But she was right about this, if I never knock then this will never end. Time to bucking mare up and just go with it.

Knock, knock, knock, the sound of my knocking echoed down the hallway and just made my anxiety worse. It was quiet for a moment, until the sound of somepony clambering around behind the door broke the agonizing silence.

“Ahm comin, hold yer horses!”, my heart started racing, that was my sister's disguised voice alright. The southern cowpony drawl that was just as annoying as when I first heard it. The sound of several locks clanked on the other side, I held my breath. I felt the need to just bolt out of here and run as fast as I could but I held my ground, running won't fix this as much as I wanted it to. A final clank and the door swung open, revealing Gynaephora's persona, Amethyst.

“Howdy, how may ah-oh, its you....”, Gynaphora's voice lost its accent and turned to normal at the sight of me. There was a short pause as she eyed me and the others, stopping to linger a second longer at mother before returning back to me. In reality it was only a few seconds but it felt like an eternity. “What the hell do you want?”

Gynaephora's tone was ice cold as she gave me a loathing glare. I gulped, say something Chrysalis!

“I came here to talk, nothing more”, I said softly, hoping a softer tone would ease the message along. Gynaephora squinted her eyes at me before sighing loudly, rubbing a hoof over her eyes.

“Come in, but be quiet my coltfriend is sleeping and he had a long day so keep your trap bucking shut!”, Gynaephora whispered in a quiet yell as she retreated back into the room. We quietly followed her inside, shutting the door with a clunk. I quickly scanned the room and found it to be quite homey. A single room that held a kitchen, living room fit with a two couches and a television set along with a quaint dining room that could seat four. There were no windows so escape routes were limited to the door we came in. And finally there was a door near the kitchen that most likely led to a bedroom, all in all it was a solid home, wonder how much the rent costs?

“All right, what the buck do you want? Came here to gloat or to drag me back to the Citadel in chains?”, Gynaephora barked as she sat herself on a couch, flipping on the television with a flick of her horn. The channel she switched too was the news station, an image of a mare in a suit forecasting the weather flickered on screen. Well if the weather mare is to be trusted then at least the weather will be nice outside if we end up duking it out outside. “Or perhaps you came here to kill me for my crimes, if you are then please let me say goodbye to my coltfriend, he deserves that much.”

“No! We did not come here for any of that! I just want to talk”, I exclaimed, sitting opposite of my sister on the other couch. Gynaephora snorted in disbelief, keeping her eyes glued on the tv.

“Chrysalis has some things to talk to you about, and I think you should listen, Gynaephora”, to my surprise Page spoke first, not showing a hint of fear in his voice. Gynaephora again ignored us, focusing on the tv instead.

“I don't believe you. She comes down all this way and brings along mother just to talk? Quit beating around the bush and do what you came here for”, Gynaephora muttered as she sank deeper into the couch cushions.

“Its true! Chrysalis wants to just talk things out”, Squelch added, sitting himself down next to me. Page followed close suit and sat on my other side. Mother opted to stand, staying silent as she watched the event play out.

“....I'm listening, speak”, Gynaephora turned off the tv and turned herself to face us, dissipating her disguise in the process. Mother, Squelch and I followed suit, disrobing our second skin and got comfortable. Here goes nothing.

“I know why you did what you did, sister. All those years of never being noticed had pushed you to the edge. I understand why you did it, and I came here to forgive you....for everything you did to my friends and I. I know that this seems so sudden, that it doesn't make sense but I have done a lot of thinking this past year. About you, about me, about everything really. Looking back on everything, I should have treated you as family, not as my enemy.”

Gynaephora's eyes grew wide as she listened, but she didn't speak a word. She stayed silent and let me continue with a wordless nod.

“I was always in the spotlight and I should have shared it with you, but I was blind with success. We used to be so close, Gynaephora. As hatchlings we were inseparable but everything changed when mother chose me for ascension to queenhood didn't it? Sisters turned into foes, where did we go wrong? But, what I am trying to say here is that although I understand the whys, I will not justify what you have do-”

“You don't understand what I have been through! You don't know what it was like to play second fiddle your entire life!”, Gynaephora growled, thursting herself off the couch as she yelled. Page and Squelch recoiled in their seats but I stayed stoic and firm, she will not intimidate me.

“Mother praised you for every bucking thing you did, even when you failed! When you came back from that failure in Canterlot I expected you to know what it feels like to fail but what did mother do? She bucking gave you a second chance! I worked harder than you at everything and never got any recognition! Don't you bucking dare act like you know how I feel! Chrysalis is so amazing, Chrysalis you did so well, what about me?!”

Gynaephora was in my face now as she roared. Mother took a step towards us but I held a hoof out to stop her. Disdainfully, mother stepped back but never kept her eyes off of Gynaephora.

“What about me? I tried so hard to gain her affection and what do I get? I get treated like shit by my own mother for working my hardest and you get the meal ticket. What did I do to deserve this....”, my sister collapsed on top of me, breaking down into tears. Pounding her hooves weakly against me as she wailed. “Why....why is it that no matter what I do I never get noticed? Why did fate choose you to be the favorite one?”

I said nothing at first, just embracing her gently and rubbed her back hoping it would sooth her suffering. After a while she finally calmed down enough to only sobbing softly.

“I don't know why fate did what it did. I want you to know one thing, Gynaephora. I am sorry for everything....and I want to help you get better. You did terrible things and so did I, and if I can change then so can you. Just trust me, we'll get through this together”, I whispered softly into her ear. Pulling away she gave me a look that had a mixture of both shock and disbelief. She opened her mouth to speak but the sound of something crashing open interrupted us.

“What's going in here?! Gynny where are ya?!”, yelled a familiar yellow stallion who burst from the bedroom door. His disheveled green mane tumbled over his eyes but I didn't have to see his face to recognize him. Beacon, that guard pony that Gynaephora seduced to allow us entry here when we first arrived to Canterlot. “Who the buck are you guys?”

“My family, the ones I told you about....”, Gynaephora muttered as she tore herself away from me and sat on the other couch. She kept her eyes to the ground, little droplets of tears fell from her face staining the carpet. As soon as my sister explained who we were Beacon's face contorted into anger.

“What the buck do you all want? Hasn't she been through enough already?”, Beacon growled as he eyed us all angrily. He circled around us, sizing us up like he was going to charge. Mother just scoffed and readied a spell, oh crap.

“Beacon stop, its alright. Come, sit”, Gynaephora beckoned in a soft voice. Begrudgingly Beacon acknowledged her wish and sat next to her. But he never dropped that hateful glare he was giving us. Thankfully mother let the aura around her horn fizzle away, that would have been a disaster.

“What are they doing here? They come here to take you back? Cause if you motherbuckers are you aint gonna buckin succeed”, well isn't he being protective, I wonder what kind love spell Gynaephora used?

“Beacon, darling, there is no need for violence. My mother and sister came here to talk, nothing more. So please, calm down my love.” Beacon just snorted but he let his anger die down as he laid back against the couch, hooves folded across his chest.

“Fine I'll be civil, but I don't bucking have to like it. I don't trust these folks after what they did to you”, Beacon grunted. Wait a minute, that means he isn't brainwashed! He is here willingly? I was about to ask but I kept my mouth shut. She will explain herself if she wanted to, I didn't want to push her.

“I assure you I regret treating Gynaephora the way I did, I have myself to blame in some of this, and I believe mother has something to say?”, mother just gave me an incredulous glare for putting her on the spot. Too bad, you have to say something, this is just as your fault as it is mine.

“Yes I believe I do, I would first like to say that I am disappointed of your actions, daughter,” Gynaephora froze up in her seat and Beacon rolled his eyes. Mother, really? You are going to do this that way? “But, I want to tell you something I should have told you a long time ago. I am proud of you.”

Gynaephora gasped along with everyone in the the room, including me. I was expecting her to say something else, phew.

“I didn't give you enough props when you were growing up and I am sorry for that. But know that I was always proud of you for being the most devious, cunning and cruel of the two of you. I just never thought you needed the praise but I see now that your insanity is part of my fault. Perhaps if I coddled you more as a child you wouldn't have resorted to such a betrayal. I was cold to you because I wanted you to grow strong, but that was such a foalish action from my part. Your father was always better at raising you than I was, you know that.”

Well that is a odd way to say you are sorry, but this is my mother speaking after all. Unorthodox ways are her passion.

“Just, buck this was easier to say in my head, what I am trying to say is that as crazy as you are, you are still my daughter. Sometimes we get a little crazy and perform a blood pact with black magic sacrificing a pony for power, and sometimes we royally buck up an invasion and lose everything we hold dear. But besides all of our many flaws we are still family, and this one time I can look past what happened so that we can be a family again. And....Iamsorryforbeingaterriblemotheralloftheseyearsyoudeservedsomuchbetterthanwhatyoureceived! There I said it, and I shant say it again!”

Mother looked like she was in pain from just saying she was sorry. But its good that she finally spoke her peace, even though it was cringe inducing to suffer through, in my opinion anyway.

“And I want to say that even though you put me through hell, I forgive you. I know what its like to never feel appreciated, that was every day of my life until recently, so I know how it feels. But you can't let it rule you like it almost did me, hell I almost killed myself because of that reason. I had something to help me get better, and if you will let us, let us be that something to help you change.”

All eyes were on Page as he spoke, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride for his words. Gynaephora smiled, it was a small one but it was a sincere one. Fresh tears flowed down her face but these were tears of joy.

“I-I'm so sorry, for everything I did to you all....looking back on that moment of insanity, I was such a foal. By the gods I sacrificed so much just to get a chance in the spotlight and somehow I knew that it still wouldn't have changed a damn thing. But even from all that happened you all still want me to be part of the family even from everything I did huh? You are all sappy bastards, but your my sappy bastards....thank you.”

Finally, Gynaephora has seen the light. Maybe now we can be a family again

“And besides, if you hadn't won that battle against me I would never have got back with Beacon. Not saying that Phylum's life was worthless, but no one is going to miss him right?”

We all chuckled at that, except for Beacon who squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. Poor Beacon is going to have to get used to this if he intends to be my sister's coltfriend.

“Speaking of Beacon, so uh, how did that happen?”, Squelch asked cautiously as he propped his head on his hooves.

“I am curious as well, is he under a love spell or something?”, mother added with a raised eyebrow.

Gynaephora just shook her head at the both of them and let out a wistful sigh. She looked over to Beacon who put an arm over her, nuzzling into her side reassuringly.

“I suppose I should explain, and since we are all back on peaceful terms it won't hurt to tell you the hows right? After you had defeated me, sister, I wandered the streets looking for safe haven. But I barely had enough energy to hold a disguise and I wasn't going to last much longer so I sought out Beacon. He was my last chance and I really hoped he would take me in, or at least not kill me. What happened next still surprises me today.”

So where she went off too, I thought she had escaped the city. But that was a risky move to put her faith on somepony she seduced, especially a royal guard.

“You should have seen the look on his face when I told him who I was, and that I had been tricking him this entire time. But even though he learned that I was seducing him just to gain passage into the city he still took me in. I don't care what you've done but I won't leave anypony out to dry, that's what he told me when he carried me inside his home”, Gynaephora sighed happily, easing into Beacon's chest. Beacon just smirked and kissed my sister's forehead.

“Sure I was mad as hell but I just couldn't turn her away to get lynched by the guards. That's not my style and besides, I wanted to know why you know? I wanted to know if the mare I loved really did love me back. The answer I got sucked to be honest, everything I felt was a big fat lie, but it didn't stop me from growing attached to her as time went on.”

So a relationship started to grow between them on a fresh start huh? Page and I had feelings between us to push us along but these two started with nothing. Just a royal guard and a changeling princess living together under one roof, I smell a sitcom.

“Beacon nursed me back to my prime, and he asked me if I could stay, to pay help pay the rent. But he couldn't hide his feelings from me, I knew he was falling in love with me but I kept quiet. At first I didn't want to hurt him anymore, I thought that pursuing a relationship with my food would be uncouth. But as time went on I started to see Beacon as more than a food source, I blame it on him being so bucking nice all the time around me. He's such a big softy, he's the reason I got this job here too.”

Smooth move Beacon, pay the rent? Not even Squelch is that cheesy.

“So after a few months we moved out his little apartment and rented this one, its so much roomier here than that dingy old hovel. I got a stable job that payed well and I had this hunk of a stallion to keep me company. I still felt empty you know, the thought that I could never go home floated around me like a annoying parasprite. But one night Beacon told me something that changed everything for me. He told me he loved me, he didn't care that I lied to him and used him to my own ends.”

Gynaephora nuzzled into her coltfriend and he nuzzled back. They looked into each others eyes with a burning love so hot it might have turned the couch on fire if it could. And let me tell you that Beacon glowed like a, well beacon with all of the love flowing out of him. Just like how Page was when he told me he still loved me during the fight between Gynaephora and I.

“And so here we are, two bucked up lovebirds living together peacefully. Not how I pictured my future but it will do,” with another wistul sigh my sister leaned towards Beacon and kissed him. I felt uncomfortable that my sister was kissing someone she truly loved, and not for the goal of rutting. She has changed just like I had, just in her own way.

“So this means I will have more hybrid grandchildren? Wonderful! I expect no less than six grandchildren from both of you combined, understood?”, mother squeaked as she hopped around the room all giddy like. We all facehooved at my mother's antics, mother's are supposed to be embarrassing but this was just ridiculous. After that embarrassing moment we talked about what Gynaephora had been up to and we asked her if she would come back home with us. She declined, wanting to stay a few more weeks in Canterlot with Beacon, but she promised she would come home until then.

Mother also asked if she wanted to be queen, stating right then and there that she could grant her rights over her own hive. To my surprise she refused and said that she isn't cut out for leading a hive, to much work is how she put it. She did promise that she will come to visit us soon, she just wanted to finish some things with Falsetto, something about repaying old debts with the rent.

So we all had a group hug and said our goodbyes, and finally I felt that guilt ridden hole in my chest fade away. Things have been settled with Gynaephora, peace between changelings and ponies is possible now, and I can finally go back home with my love. Everything is right in the world, finally I can relax. With those happy thoughts in my head we teleported back to the Citadel with a help from mother's magic, ending up in the throne room.

“And here we are, ah lair sweet lair! Now make yourselves at home, I have to prepare my emissaries to travel to Canterlot as my diplomats, ta!”, and with that said mother disappeared with a flash of light, leaving us alone to our own devices.

“Alright I think its time we relax huh? Oh right, you need to meet up with Medley for her surprise!”, Squelch said as he grabbed my hoof, dragging me along as he galloped down the castle halls. Moments of dashing around in what seemed to be circles we finally arrived to a unassuming door. I raised an eyebrow in question and Squelch said nothing and simply opened the door, slipping inside as he did.

“If Pinkie Pie is in there with a welcoming party I am going to strangle him”, I deadpanned as I walked into the room. I tensed for a moment, expecting party steamers and confetti to explode in my face but nothing happened. Just calm silence, phew. But instead of a party room, I was standing in what looked to be a nursery. There was a crib and everything you'd expect in a foal's room, and there sitting in a rocking chair in the middle sat Medley. And she was holding something, something bundled up in a shawl and whatever it was it was crying.

“Aw don't cry Minuet, daddy is here, and your auntie Chrysalis is here to meet'cha!”, oh buck me they multiplied. Medley looked up from her crying bundle and nodded at me with a warm smile. Page pushed me from behind, urging me to take a look, slowly I went over to the two and peered down at the crying foal. To be honest, the foal was the cutest thing I have ever seen that it nearly put me into a sugar coma. “Say hi Minuet, this is your grumpy auntie I told you so much about!”

Ignoring Squelch's comment I took in the adorable visage that was Minuet. It was a girl and she was a unicorn just like her mother. She had a orange coat like her mom, but she had her dad's mane color and eyes, striking ocean blue. But the one thing that stood out was her horn, it was curved and bent just like Squelch's. Imagine a regular looking unicorn with the eyes of a changeling and a exotic looking horn, all in all I was expecting a six legged abomination to be honest. Well there's your answer folks, changeling pony hybrids are possible and they don't turn out to be the ugliest thing ever.

Thank the gods for that!

“It is wonderful to see you again, Chrysalis. We all missed you, its good to see you alive and well”, Medley said with a warm smile as she lifted Minuet up towards me. The little foal immediately stopped crying as it regarded me with curious eyes. Minuet reached over with wobbly hooves and grabbed a hold of my muzzle and squeezed. Jeez the little thing had a strong grip, gotta get this runt off before she tears my muzzle off! Just then Minuet giggled a little laugh that melted my heart, I think I just got diabetes.

“Well I see this little girl got the annoying part of the gene pool, cute kid though”, I grumbled as I endured Minuet's fumbling. Medley giggled and Page just daawed while Squelch grumbled a curse under his breath.

“She is our little bundle of joy alright, Squelch is such a good daddy, you should see it when he-”

“Okay who wants dinner? I'm hungry, is anyone else hungry?!”, Squelch yelled desperately, oh I so want to hear this one.

“Oh do tell, what kind of things does he do that makes him a good father?”, I asked, watching Squelch squirm as he waved his arms for Medley to shut up in the corner of my eye. Oh this is going to be delicious.

“You should see him when he is all alone with our baby girl, he baby talks in the cutest voice you have ever heard! And when we go out with little Minuet he always freaks out about what kind of milk to bring and whether or not if I am holding her right. Are you holding her right, is she warm enough, did you bring her the stuffed manticore? You'd think I would be the overprotective one here but Squelchy has that part covered.”

I tried to hold it in, I really did but it was too much. I burst into a fit of laughter, tears running down my face. Medley and Page joined in my laughing fit, even baby Minuet chimed in with her little giggling.

“Oh my bucking god I just can't! Oh my gods, oh my gods I can't bre-e-eeaath!”, this was just priceless! I am never going to let Squelch live this one down!

Minutes of laughing like a crazy mare I finally calmed down and caught up with Medley over what she has been up too since I've been gone. Apparently she returned back to her classes shortly after the Gynaephora incident and graduated top of her class. Scored a job as an opera singer in the symphonic orchestra along side the likes of a mare named Octavia. The way she spoke so highly of the mare obviously made her out to be some sort of celebrity in the music industry. But that excursion ended abruptly when she became pregnant, so she returned back to the Citadel and has been here since. She told me she plans on returning to her job one day, but right now Minuet comes first, that is what she told me anyways.

I am happy that her dream job had been obtained, and even more elated at that fact of her successful pregnancy. She and Squelch are wonderful parents. Everything really is going in the right direction isn't it? Not a single bad thing has come to pass and I hope it stays that way. After leaving the two parents alone with their child I was finally left alone with Page, in my room, us sitting on my bed, definitely alone.

“So, how has living in the Citadel been like? Everyling has treated you nicely I hope? If anyling has given you any trouble just tell me who they are and I will make their life a living hell. Just say the word, no one is going to hurt my Pagey wagey and get away with it.”, I asked, breaking the ice.

“Oh it hasn't been that bad, a few guards tried picking on me but your mom immediately dropped the whole thing about us being together. That shut all of them up pretty quick, noling wants to mess with the coltfriend of Chrysalis herself. Sure a few changelings gave me some flack for, 'diluting' the bloodline with future children, but I just ignored them”, Page said with a smirk. That was both a relief and a disappointment. A relief because Page hadn't been given hell, and a disappointment that I wouldn't be cracking any skulls. Oh well, plenty of time to get an excuse for that later.

“And how have you been spending your time here alone without me? Find any cute mares to keep you satisfied?”, I teased as I leaned into Page's side, idly tracing a hoof on his shoulders. But Page kept a straight face, but he couldn't stop a blush from appearing. Huh, usually he would be stammering like a fool at the mere mention of sex, impressive.

“O-Oh nothing like that, I spent most of my time here studying about changeling culture with your mother's advisers. They were pretty annoyed at me first, but when they figured out I was just curious they warmed up to me. Oh and I made maps here and there for the scouts, hung out with Squelch, and spent time with your mom talking over tea. And for the mare thing, I haven't seen any girls here that really caught my eye, but I am afraid I have been smitten by a changeling I met....”

Page stopped, leaving me in suspense as he twiddled his hooves, trying his best not to look in my direction. And then it hit me, he what? He fell in love with someling else? I felt the oh so familiar heat in my chest rise up as my instincts screamed at me to hunt this mystery mare down. I am going to-ooh I get it. Phew that was a close one.

“And just who is this mare, hmm? Is she beautiful? Cause if she is I think I can prove myself as a better marefriend. I doubt she knows about that one spot right on your....”, I trailed off and whispered something into his ear. He instantly froze up and his once blushing face was now completely red. If he blushed any harder he would probably catch fire.

“Um, yeah she's beautiful, but she's pretty b-b-bossy sometimes but I find that bossiness attractive. And unfortunately she does know about that one spot, I think I have it bad for her,”, Page muttered, playing coy as he continued to stare down at his hooves. So that's how he wants to play huh?

“If that doesn't make you change your mind then I could just capture her and make her watch us make love. I'm sure the torture of being forced to watch would drive her insane. And besides, I need to show you just how much I missed you this past year~”,I cooed, making sure my voice was as seductive as possible. Leaning myself over Page until I was right on top of him.

“Eheh, are those the instincts talking or are you just that horny right now?”, Page chuckled as he squirmed beneath me. He tried to get up but I had pinned his hooves at his sides with my own, he wasn't going anywhere.

“A little bit of both, now how about we stop this charade and just get right on to it?”, I purred, licking the side of his cheek slowly, savoring the taste that was Page. Page just kept on stuttering, trying his best to formulate a sentence, how cute.

“S-s-so you w-w-want to do it? I-I mean if you want to that's f-fine, b-but I am not very experienced in s-s-s-s....”, poor Page couldn't manage to say the last word. He was just too flustered to say it. Oh he is just so precious, and he's all mine. But if he has the first time jitters then I won't force him .

“Yes I am, but if you aren't ready I can ju-”

“Nononono! I mean, er, I didn't say I didn't want to, I'm just worried that I am going to mess up!”, Page stammered, suddenly being a lot more eager than he was moments ago. With a mischievous smirk I straddled him, leaning down until we were muzzle to muzzle. My heart was racing, lecherous thoughts swam through my mind and my breath quickened in excitement. Page looked just as rearing to go, a nervous smile sat on his lips. Without another word I kissed him and he kissed back, with a flick of my magic I pulled the covers over us and sound proofed the room.

And what happened next became the most amazing night I have ever spent in the embrace of another. Page was a natural, and I was satisfied, that's as much as I will say about that. I don't kiss and tell, that's Gynaephora's department.

The next morning I awoke in Page's arms, the artificial light flowed in from the crystals outside, bathing us in its warmth. Suddenly the dull familiar sound of a bell resounded in the room, I groaned. I completely forgot about that damn thing, its been so long since I heard of it. With another groan I disdainfully pulled away from my dear Page and stretched, popping the kinks in my back with a grunt.

“Hmmwuzzat? Morning already?”, I looked over to a very sleepy Page whom was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. I grunted a yes and pulled myself off of my oh so comfy bed went along with the old morning rituals.

“Yes indeed, looks like mother didn't wait long to enforce the old rules of the morning. Guess we have to work today,” I grumbled, working out the kinks in my wings as I stretched. Today was going to be a long day, but this time I get to face the day with Page by my side.

“Wait we? Why do I have to work? I'm not the royal one here, I just wanna sleep!”, Page whined as slumped back under the sheets. I grinned evily, oh so mother hasn't told him about his new title then? This is going to be good.

“Mother didn't tell you? Since you are my coltfriend that means you are entitled to several things in the Citadel, as I'm sure you know. But there is one important thing to know, since you are my coltfriend it means you are going to be future king of my hive”, Page jumped up from out the covers and just looked at me with a horrified expression.

“And being my future fiance means that you have duties to uphold now, so get ready to meet your subjects at the royal council, my king”, I made sure to draw out the word king as I trotted to the bathroom and shut the door behind me. A tumble and shriek was all I heard as Page scrambled around the room.

“WHAT!?!”

I smiled evilly to myself as I drew out a bath and sunk into the warm waters. Relishing in the warm waters I listened to Page hyperventilating, the sounds of hoofsteps pacing back and forth came muffled from outside the door.

“Maybe I should have told him in a different way? Eh, he'll get over it”, I muttered to myself.

I should have told him there was no guarantee that he would be king, mother hasn't even told me if I even earned queen status back anyways. Regardless he still has yet to adjust to life in the Citadel, and being the lover of changeling princess is full of surprises. Ah but such is life in the Citadel, and besides, the future is looking bright for once. And with Page by my side, I have nothing to fear of the future. Even if I don't become queen again I doubt it will bother me, as odd as it sounds I no longer care about that anymore. I have friends and the love of my life, what more could I ask for?

Author's Notes:

And here is chapter 8, friggin finally! Sorry for the long delay on this one and the I have the excuse ready, drum roll please! College! But yeah, busy busy busy over here! Anyways here is chapter 8 with all of its chaptery goodness. I hope you enjoy this one and I hope there aren't too many mistakes, heh. All that is left is one more chapter folks and I promise not to take a week to churn the next one out! Again I apologize, until next time folks! Hope y'all have a good week!

Chapter 9: End of The Road

6 Years Later....

It was a brisk Sunday evening in the land of Equestria. Luna's moon hung high in the sky, the stars twinkling like diamonds complementing the glowing orb. With the sun gone and the night taking over, all of the denizens across the land from Manehatten to Canterlot are readying for bed. Well, almost everypony, down deep below the ground another society was still up and about. An underground sprawling city of changelings still had not let sleep take them. The city was alive in the night time, changelings skittering about their night in an energetic fashion, a stark contrast to the land above.

Time worked differently in this city, and 'night' was not scheduled to pass until in at least four hours giving the denizens plenty of time to complete their duties. And so the city of thousands bustled around the city made of stone and crystal like a well oiled machine. Street vendors selling various goods ranging from priceless gems to fine baked goods. Even a few ponies moved among the changelings, something you would never have thought seeing, especially in a changeling city. But things have changed since the time of peace granted in Canterlot all those years ago.

Nowadays it wasn't strange to see ponies mingle and live among the many hive's below ground and vice versa to see changelings above ground, undisguised too! Times have changed in this bustling world, but not everyling was up and about. Deep inside the brooding castle at the center of the city a tired queen recounted tales of her past to her hyper daughter. All in the hopes that she could lull her to sleep for bedtime. And she wasn't having much luck.

“And that is how the alliance began and how I became reunited with your father”, I said as I finally finished my tale. The little changeling before me oo'd and awed, clapping her hooves together happily. I chuckled at my daughter's antics as my little bundle of joy bounded around her bed. Such a lively little thing she is, reminds me of myself when I was her age. But I suppose that is where the similarities start branching out, she is a mixed bag of both father and mother after all. Luscious emerald eyes gazed up at me as her messy blue mane lay bedraggled across her face.

And her coat made her look just like me, a striking night sky black complementing those eyes and mane of her's. She had a something from both of us, and she looked just precious. As well as having features from both Page and I, she is a hybrid as expected. But unlike Squelch's child she has little wings just like mine and a crooked horn of her own. The doctor's told me it had something to do with my blood, royalty and all that. The only difference is that she doesn't have a hard shell just like momma, she is so soft and squishy just like her father!

“Wooow! That all really happened? What happened at college though? Did ya pass?”, my daughter chirped up at me. I smiled, she wants another story? And I just told her a new one as well!

“My aren't we being a greedy little minx tonight? Now Pupa, I just told you a new one and your bedtime had been about an hour ag-”

“Aww, just one more story! Please momma?”, Pupa begged as she hopped up and down on her bed. All the while giving me big puppy dog eyes that she used whenever she wanted her way. Damn my weakness for the old puppy dog eyes trick!

“Okay, okay my little princess one more story. But after this one do you promise to go to bed, Pupa?”, I said sternly as I picked up my daughter and wrapped her under the covers. Pupa protested but I had ways of dealing with a rambunctious hatchling. Like a lightning strike I attacked, tickling my daughter with no mercy and dealing raspberries on her little tummy.

“Haaahahaha! Oookayay Momma I promaahamise!”, I just chuckled and let her go as she slumped back onto the pillows breathlessly. I placed a kiss on her little head and she returned with a small peck on my cheek. “Can you tell me about how you became Queen again?”

“That one again? What about the story where I saved your father from dragons? Or the time Discord and I pranked Celestia on her birthday?”, to each suggestion Pupa just shook her head 'no' every time. Hmm, wonder why she wants to hear that one so badly? “Since when has my little hatchling liked serious stories? I thought those particular ones bored you to death? When did you get all serious on me?”

Pupa just pouted and crossed her little hooves across her chest in mock anger.

“Your queen story is my favorite though! I like hearing about it, you look so happy when you tell it”, aww what a little suck up. But she is my little suck up and I love her for it. Anything for my little girl, especially if it will put her to sleep faster.

“Fine, I suppose I can tell it again but only because you're my wittle princess!”, I cooed as I nuzzled her cheek. Pupa waited patiently for my story to begin, her cute emerald eyes shining up at me expectantly, a giddy smile on her lips. Little fangs poked out from under her lips, ah her first fangs had just come in recently. Soon she will be the very image of a little changeling dictator with those chompers of hers. She is growing up little by little, so proud of her.

“Now this story takes place not long after the alliance began. It was a lazy Monday morning and I was enjoying a cup of tea with your grandma in her chambers....”

6 Years Earlier....

“Things have been going smoothly although there have been a few kinks here and there. But many ponies have been accepting of our caravans since Celestia spoke out”, I said as I sipped my tea. Ah chamomile, you are simply the best kind of tea.

“Hmm, that is to be expected. A little resistance to changeling trading wasn't going to be loved by everypony. Anything else to report?”, mother asked as she refilled her empty cup to the brim. What have I not mentioned? Well there is THAT, but would it be wise to ruin mother's mood? Eh, its a monday.

“I received a....letter from Bravehills, mother”, I said, carefully placing my cup of tea gently on the table. Mother just kept sipping on her tea, raising an eyebrow as she did.

“Oh? And what did it say?”, mother asked as she too put down her cup and put her full attention towards me. Oh boy here we go, the big news. But just as I was about to speak, the doors to mother's room blasted open and there stood a singed Gynaephora and Beacon in the doorway. They were both panting, but Beacon looked the worse of the two, and he was carrying several bags on his back, poor Beacon.

“Sorry I'm late! Got held up, phew, in traffic!”, Gynaephora wheezed as she took a seat next to me. Shakily grasping a tea cup in her hooves and sipped daintily.

“What in Equestria happened to you? You look exhausted and is that....smoke coming out of your mane?”, jeez her hair looked like a smoke stack, and it didn't help that she was covered in ashes.

“Gynny tried to teleport us here and well, it didn't end well!”, Beacon grumbled, dropping the bags he was carrying with a heavy thud as he joined us at the table. What in the world has Gynaephora been making Beacon carry? Probably all of her clothes and then some. Poor Beacon, Gynaephora made him the mule for the day.

“Oh hush you, Beacon! We arrived in one piece didn't we?”, my sister scowled at her coltfriend and he scowled right back.

“What exactly happened? Don't tell me you tried to teleport without that focusing crystal I gave you?”, Gynaephora's only response was to smile guiltily at her. I facehooved, let me explain why I did. Gynaephora sucks at teleportation spells, and as embarrassing as it sounds mother gave her a crystal and helps with such spells. A sort of magical crutch if you will. “For the love of....Gynaephora I gave you that blasted thing for a reason!”

Gynaephora scoffed at mother and took another sip of her tea.

“It wasn't that bad, we are here aren't we?”, Gynaephora mumbled.

“Yeah barely! You teleported us into a dragon's den! I nearly got cooked, hell look at my damn tail!”, Beacon explained, pointing to his now much shorter scorched tail. Well that explains the smoke and ash at least.

“Shut up you fool!”, Gynaephora yelled, slamming her tea down and staring down her lover.

“Make me, Bitch!”, Beacon took a defensive step forward as he spoke.

“Cunt!”, my sister took a step forward, matching Beacon's own steps.

“Whore!”, the two idiots were muzzle to muzzle now. Their eyes burning fiercely into the others. Well aren't these two a loving couple. And then bam! The two were making out right then and there, well that turned out differently then I expected.

“Ew gross!”, Pupa made a gagging noise as she exaggerated a choking motion. I rolled my eyes at my daughter, she heard this part so many times yet she reacts the same every time. Well I don't blame her, it was pretty gross.

“Ahem, may I continue?”, Pupa smiled sheepishly and sunk back into bed.

“Very well, now after my sister's fiasco....”

“Well its good to see that they are still in love at least”, mother whispered as she pointing a hoof at the two lip locked buffoons. True, I am proud she managed to stay loyal to a single male after all of this time. It couldn't have been easy to drop her old mating habits.

“Indeed, I am still surprised Gynny has stayed with Beacon for this long!”, I chuckled. Gynaephora noticed our hushed whispering and pulled away from Beacon's lips with an audible pop.

“You are just jealous, dear sister. Jealous that your little Page isn't as publicly intimate as Beacon over here. It must be so grating to never be as open as we are!”, my sister cackled as she kissed Beacon once more. Nope, not letting her get under my skin this time, my turn.

“It is true that Page isn't reckless as Beacon but he makes up for it with his sweet nothings, cuddling and lets not forget his wonderful skills under the covers. I doubt Beacon is as sweet as my coltfriend, but don't worry. It is okay to have a coltfriend that is half of the stallion Page is”, I said with a sarcastic yawn. I did my best to be as nonchalant as possible, and judging by Gynaephora's twitching eyes its safe to say that I won. Sure Gynaephora has changed but she is still easy to instigate.

“Oh really? Well Beacon doe-”

“Can you two just shut up and enjoy our family time together? My gods you are giving me a migraine again with your combined rambling!”, Gynaephora and I just bowed our heads and muttered our apologies. It was quiet after that, save for the slurping sound of tea being drank every couple of minutes. That is until mother prodded me about the letter.

“Oh, I almost forgot! What was this about a letter from college?”, mother's question caught the attention of both my sister and Beacon. No pressure, just your family watching your every move, judging you. No pressure at all, Buck.

“Y-Yes I received a letter from Bravehills about my progress. To shorten this out lets just say that 'Flare' has been absent for a long time due to my incarceration. And since I haven't attended college for many months....I've been kicked out. Mother I....I failed my mission after all”, I muttered in a ghost of a whisper. I couldn't bare to look my mother in the eyes, keeping my gaze focused on my empty tea cup. Gynaephora muttered something to Beacon and mother but I could not hear her utterance nor did I care.

“But it doesn't matter, I don't need to be queen. I have all that I need right now, I just want to say that I am sorry for disappointing you....”, I was true to my words on my desire to be queen. I truly did not need it anymore but I couldn't help but let a few tears escape me. Being denied the role of queen didn't hurt, it was the new notch of failure on my list that haunted me. Now comes the belittlement from mother....

The room was silent, not a single word spoken, not a scream nor a yell from mother. What she waiting for? Dramatic pause before the she reprimands the hell out of me? Just then I felt a hoof tilt my face up and I found myself looking at my mother's face. But instead of anger and disappointment I found....happiness? She was smiling, not a sign of a frown at all, what?

“Now why would you think I would be disappointed in you? Chrysalis, I am far from disappointed, frankly I am proud of you”, mother's words utterly shocked me. I tried to find any hint of her lying to me but her face was the visage of sincerity, she was telling the truth.

“What?”, was all I could muster in response. She was proud of me?

“It is true that you have failed your test. But did you really think a bunch of letters printed on a report card would be a blemish on all that you have accomplished? Honestly a few F's is hardly anything compared to all you have done and learned. Turning a new leaf, finding love, throwing away past prejudices and most of all assisting in ending a feud between species. In the beginning I had sent you to study, but in reality I cast you out to find yourself, a sort of spiritual mission I guess.”

I was speechless, my mother had ulterior motives for sending me away after all? A ruse to grant me insight, to change me for the better....very clever.

“True I sent you and your sister for the same reason, to see that there is more to life besides competing in a, excuse my language, dick measuring contest. Is that the right term? Anyways, what I am trying to say is that both you and your sister have accomplished the task. Albeit each in your own ways of course. Gynny found acceptance in somepony that sees her for what she is and you my daughter, you have learned to rid yourself of your selfishness and hate. Actually, on second thought I think you are still pretty selfish, but that is a charm of yours no?”

We all laughed at that, its true that I am still the same in that department. Page, Squelch and Medley can answer to that. But hey, you can't change everything can you?

“And so with that thought, I am happy to announce that you and your sister have completed the final trial. You and Gynaephora have earned the right to rule once more. To be brutally honest Chrysalis, you were an adequate ruler before, but now I believe you are more suited to have power again”, well that is a hit to the old ego, thanks mom.

“So with that said, do you accept the title of queen?”, mother asked, turning her attention to my sister. Whom shook her head 'no' with a honest smile on her face.

“With respect, I don't think I ever was cut out to for leadership. I get kinda crazy when I have too much power anyways. And besides, I found somepony who accepts me for who I am and that is enough for me. Somepony to see that I exist, sorry mother”, my sister spoke her refusal as she embraced her tether and her love in this world. Mother nodded knowling and turned back to me with a piercing gaze that must have stared right into my soul, gulp.

“I do hope you don't refuse as well, Chrysalis. I mean what would the other kings and queens think if my daughters don't spread out the family territory? My reputation would be ruined! Please, please, please consider it! I beg of you my daughter!”, mother begged sarcastically as she fake cried and slumped herself all over me. Sobbing crocodile tears as she performed her little act. What a drama queen, really, the begging is unnecessary. You'd think she was the B movie actress with how she was acting.

“There is no need to worry, mother. I am honored that you think of me to be fit to rule once more. I accept, and I promise not to let you down ever again”, I said as I bowed before her. Mother instantly perked up at my answer and hugged me with her signature bone crushing Artiidaes patented mother hugs.

Very good! And see that another wedding catastrophe does not happen again. I had to endure being known as the mother who had a daughter defeated with the power of love, bleh!”, mother made a gagging motion and laughed.

“You are never going to let me live that day down are you?”, I grumbled with a roll of my eyes.

“Nope”, mother's simple answer just elicited another roll of my eyes. If I keep rolling my eyes this commonly I am going to get cross eyed like that mail mare Twilight told me about.

“Fantastic, no really I want to be constantly reminded about how I bucked up, really”, I sighed.

“Aw lighten up, we are all family here aren't we? Whats a little chiding between mother and daughter hmm? Anyways on to more important things, I have to prepare the coronation ceremony, the banquet plans and lets not forget we must announce Page as your fiance soon.”

Oh right, that thing. Page isn't going to like this, with me being queen again he is going to be confirmed as my future king. And he still hasn't gotten over my little joke from last week.

“Very well, I shall warn Page to get presentable when the coronation begins. Gynaephora, Beacon, mother good day”, I nodded to each of them and left mother's chambers behind. As soon as I made it inside the halls I looked around to make sure I was alone. With no sight of either guard or maid I let out the most high pitched fangirl shriek I have ever mustered. I was so bucking happy that I bounced all the way to my bedroom chamber's like Pinkie Pie after a raving party. Once I made it inside my room I found Page scribbling away on a map of sorts as he lay on our bed.

“Page, I have something to tell you~”, I sang as I jumped onto the bed next to him. He just tilted his head and smiled at me.

“Oh? And what has you all in a good mood today?”, he questioned, still smiling. Oh boy that smile is going to disappear instantly when he hears what I have to say. A few moments later a cry could be heard from all over the Citadel.

“WHAT?!?!”

“You're so silly momma! I think you should be silly all of the time!”, Pupa giggled with a little snort. I just smiled at her and booped her on the nose.

“Not as silly as you my little love bug! And I can't be silly all of the time, who would be queen if I was?”, teased my little girl with another boop. But Pupa dodged my booping and bit down on my hoof all the while laughing evilly.

“I would! I will take over and rule the changelings with an iron hoof! I will be the best queen ever!”, I watched as Pupa cackled an evil cackle with all of her might. Her little hooves smashing against the sheets as she swatted away invisible foes. The imagination of a child is a wonder itself isn't it?

“One day I am sure you will be the most evil queen ever. But right now you are my wittle princess of evil. Now is my princess sleepy yet?”, as expected Pupa shook her head, albeit in a drowsy fashion. I sighed, it usually takes more than one story to knock her out, oh well.

“Now then something I haven't told you in a while, next would be the coronation, how about that part?”, Pupa shook her head no again.

“No! That part is boring”, Pupa huffed as she crossed her hooves over her chest.

“Even the celebration part?”, Pupa instantly brightened up with a fanged smirk.

“That was the night I got conceived right?”, I nearly fell out of my chair at Pupa's statement. Where in the world did she learn that word?

“Who taught you that word?”, I asked sternly but I still kept my cool. But on the inside I was beyond pissed. Who corrupted my daughter's thoughts? I'll throttle em! Pupa just smiled innocently and spoke.

“One time I was playing with cousin Minuet at grandma's castle and I heard uncle Squelch and auntie Medley talk about how they conceived a new baby. I dunno what it means but does that mean I'm gunna have a new cousin?”, I let out a sigh of relief. But I am going to have a long talk with her uncle. Bucking Squelch.

“You don't have to worry about that word until you are older, maybe in thirty years. But yes, I think you are going to have a new playmate soon. Anyways lets continue with the story hmm? I believe the next part was about your father and I traveling to the remains of my old hive”, I mused, tapping a hoof against my chin thoughtfully.

“Yeah that one, I....like that....one”, Pupa mumbled in between yawns, rubbing her eyes sleepily. I got her on the ropes, another story or two and she will be out like a light.

“Okay Pupa, now we arrived at my old hive after two days of traveling the deep dark tunnels from the Citadel. It was a few months after my coronation....”

4 Months Later....

Th sound of wheels grinding against stone echoed down the tunnels alongside the clip clop of changeling hooves. There I was sitting in my personal chariot with Page by my side as we got pulled along by my royal guard. From what I could see the tunnels ahead were barely lit up with glowing light crystals. Years without maintenance has turned these once majestic passageways into decrepit tunnels. But soon things will change, that's why I came here after all. To fix and repair what I had lost all those years ago.

And to help me with the restoration I brought every single changeling that remained under my flag, the survivors of the loss of my hive. They were all cooped up in the Citadel and it was time to return home, I looked back to see the couple hundred of my loyal followers keeping pace behind us. A bunch of caravans of them all traveling together, all eagerly wanting to see their old home.

“How much longer, Chryssy? According to this map we should have been there ten minutes ago?”, I looked over to my fiance who had his face buried in a dusty old map. He was right, we should have been there quite a while ago. But we had taken detours of the main route, we ran into a few cave ins and dead ends a few times. Years without scouts maintaining these passageways have really done a number down here. I glanced back at the caravans behind us, they looked tired but they kept a steady pace and held their heads up high.

They had resolve among them, I am sure they will last a little while longer.

“That map is old and tartarus and we have encountered a few bucking blocks along the way. But we should be there soon, I just wish we didn't have such a gods be damned dated map!”, I grumbled lowly. I know this area hasn't been lived in but mother couldn't spend a few of her scouts to at least watch this area and keep it up to snuff? This was simply infuriating, gods be damned! Before I could stew in my hatred any more I felt the calming touch of Page on my side.

“Chryssy, remember what the doctor said, no more outbursts and stressful moments! You may upset our little package”, Page cooed in a soothing voice, his free hoof rubbing the the noticeable bump on my belly. I rested my hoof atop his and pecked his lips lovingly.

“Sorry, you right I should be calm....for our little girl”, I am going to be a mother, can you believe it? The mere thought strikes both fear and happiness in me. Would I be a terrible mother? When I asked Page that very moment he told me I was worrying over nothing, that I would be a wonderful mother. But I still couldn't shake the thought that my child would loath me somehow.

“But I would never hate you! I love you momma!”, Pupa interrupted me as she jumped out of bed and hugged me with all of her might. Her little antic just put the biggest smile on my face, she knows just how to make me smile. I hugged my daughter, cradling her close to my chest, kissing her little nose and nuzzling her all the while.

“D'aaaw!”, I opened my eyes to see Page standing in the doorway carrying satchels on his sides.

“Poppa!”, Pupa squealed as she beckoned Page to come over waving her hooves wildly at him. Page just chuckled, dropping his bags and coming over to our group hug and embrace Pupa and I.

“Welcome home, darling. How has the mapping been going? Have you finally scouted out that pesky sector you've been talking about?”, I asked as I kissed my husband. To which he returned the kiss and nodded.

“Yeah, finally got that entire area on the map! And guess what I found down in the uncharted caves? I had a feeling that there was more to the cave so I ordered some of the guards to blow a hole in a wall that just rubbed me the wrong way. And bam, an entire cavern full of crystals as far as the eye can see! I sent the guards to ready up a procurement order, oh I can see the bits flowing in now! And its all thanks to my superior cartography!”, I chuckled at my husband's child like glee.

He sure does love to embellish himself whenever he gets the chance.

“More like superior guess work, but it still counts I suppose”, I teased Page with a flick on his muzzle. He just shrugged and kept his smirk.

“Meh, anyways so why is my little girl still up? Not sleepy yet?”, Pupa shook her head but she couldn't hide the yawn that escaped her.

“Nooooo not tiiiired....one more story!”, Page just raised an eyebrow at me and I just rolled my eyes.

“I was about to get to the part where we rebuild the hive and all that. This little bugger just refuses to go to bed!”, I said with a yawn. Uh oh, looks like I'm getting tired as well here.

“Well go on! Pupa won't sleep until you do~”, I sighed, he was right. May as well wrap this up, its starting to get late.

We finally arrived to the hive and its giant barrier doors that kept intruders out. I ordered my guards to open it and slowly but surely the immense doors gave in and opened. Piles of dust fell from its hinges leaving behind a musky old smell as we passed through the arch way. Once inside I saw a sight that made my heart sink. There in all of its 'glory' stood the stone city with my castle resting in the middle. It was a large city to be sure, but it was just a far cry when compared to the Citadel.

All of the once lively buildings were either cracked, scarred or just straight up destroyed from disrepair. The streets were covered in rocks and overturned carts that looked ancient. This was a ghost town, and it felt so empty and forlorn. Without a word all of changelings following us had scattered about the city and began the slow process of cleaning up the area. Everyling had a sad look on their faces as they rummaged through their old home. It broke my heart but this was just the beginning, the worse was yet to come.

And so Page and I continued with our guard and approached the steep incline to my castle. As soon as we overcame the hill I met with the visage of the most depressing sight I had ever seen. There was my castle, barely standing in one piece. The once glorious front gates had been blasted open from scavengers, old scorch marks and scratches tainted the ground around the entrance. But the castle, oh but the castle, it was in a much worse state than the city. It was simply falling apart, the columns holding up the various upper levels of the castle had been blown apart.

My once proud castle now looked like a broke jigsaw puzzle missing all of the important pieces to it. Some parts of the upper floors looked to be intact but some just weren't there, and the main door itself was just gone. Windows were either cracked or destroyed and the very tip top of the castle was nothing empty space. It looked like someling took the flag that once stood there as trophy, damn scavengers. You'd think that that was the worse of it, but it just kept getting worse. With the help of Page I carefully got out of my chariot and entered the remains of my castle.

If the outside was a disaster then the inside would be called a catastrophe. The entrance hall was a complete and utter mess, from the torn green tinted carpets to the many holes and cracks in the very foundation. Looks like nothing was spared when the scavengers came, mother had told me of thieves ransacking in my absence but I never expected damage of this kind. With Page by my side I strolled down the halls of my once beautiful castle. A few of my royal guard stayed outside but the few that opted to follow walked around us in a tight knit circle. If there were any dangers, my guards would handle it.

After checking a few rooms I found a similar pattern in each one. Shit was gone, and checking every room to find nothing but dust and scraps of old objects was getting old. Was there nothing left sacred? Nothing left untouched or unnoticed? Eventually we arrived to my throne room, we didn't have to worry about the doors that led inside. They weren't even there, just rusty hinges were they used to be. Damn scavengers just stole anything that looked like it could sell a bit.

“And here we are, my throne room....whats left of it anyway”, my voice echoed in the large room. It felt so empty and hollow, but at least my actual throne was intact. Taking a look up I also found the stained glass ceiling was untouched as well as the murals on the walls. I ran a hoof over my throne, trailing up years of dust as I went along. “Years of building up this city, wasted.”

“Its not entirely wasted, Chrysalis. We will rebuild it, make it better and stronger than before. It will take some time but it will happen, I promise”, Page said as he gazed up at the murals. I joined him at his side and examined the stained glass pictures. “Whats the story here?”

“Its just a story about our gods and the rise of the first changeling queen. Over here, this mural depicts my entire family history. Here is my mother, Gynaephora and....father”, my voice trailed off as I gazed at my father's image. A strong looking changeling king with a flowing white mane was frozen in a still image. His white eyes seemed to glow and stare back at me, taunting me.

“What was he like? Was he as crazy as your mother?”, Page's comment made me chuckle a bit. The very thought of that serious stallion acting like mother was a hilarious image.

“No he wasn't, he was quite a serious changeling king. He was always business this and business that. But when he was alone with us, his family, he was such a warm being. He always knew just what to say to make us all laugh, that stoic posture of his hid the loving father beneath. Did I ever tell you how he took on an entire army from the southern kingdom?”

Page shook his head, right I never did tell him anything beside him just being my father haven't I?

“Three thousand changeling troops took him on when all of his forces had fallen. And only he came out on top, after that battle noling ever thought of overtaking the Citadel after that. King Monarch, loving father and one of the best kings in changeling history. He would freak out if he ever saw the state of this place. He built this place for me you know, back when I was a hatchling. Preparing the young for the future is what he called it.”

“He sounded like quite the stallion, you must miss him”, I nodded, yes I did. Very much so, he was a great father, a great influence for me to be the best. I just wish he was still here with us. “He would be proud of you, Chrysalis”

I looked over to Page and then back to the image of my father. I smiled, placing a single hoof upon his image and uttered a prayer. Satisfied with my words I stepped away and looked back to my love.

“I know he would be, lets go, we have a lot of work to do”, and with that said we left the throne room. Once outside I called for the changeling builder mother assigned to us and went over the restoration plans. The builder estimated that both the city and castle would be up and running in a few months, maybe a year. But fully restoring the hive will take another year or two. I was expecting to hear him say a decade but these were much better odds, time to get started.

7 Months Later....

Things have finally been looking up, my hive had been rebuilt. Well more specifically the main city has been rebuilt. My castle had repairs done but it still looked like a puzzle missing a few valuable pieces. Estimated time to complete it? One year give or take, I could hardly wait. But right now I wasn't thinking about the restoration project, I was screaming. And not because I was mad or upset, but because I felt like I was bucking dying.

“Holy bucking shiiiit! For the love the gods this huuuuurts!”, I screamed at the top of my lungs. The pressure down below was excrutiating, I felt like I was being split in half! All I could do was lay there in my old room screaming, giving it my all to give birth to my child. The doctor attending me, Bile, used a numbing spell but it didn't do jack shit! My entire body was burning!

“Keep pushing my queen! She iz starting to crown!”, I forced open my eyes to see a grizzled old changeling between my legs as he yelled above my own cries of pain. Page was at my side and I was squeezing the hell out of a hoof he offered me.

“This is all your fault!”, I yelled, squeezing even harder as my body rocked with another contraction. But before Page could speak the doctor betwixt my legs laughed. Why the buck is he laughing at a time like this?!

“Actually et iz his fault! Since zis child is a hybrid et iz cauzing complications! Normally ve vuld deal wit an egg and be done with zet!”, Bile yelled. I looked up to my idiot fiance and smacked him across his face.

“I swear to the gods if I die I will bucking kill you!”, I screamed through another contraction, yelling at the stallion who was the cause of all of this pain.

“Ah! Wunderbar! Keep doing zat! She haz come out a bit from your anger!”, Bile yelled again. I could barely think straight but yelling and being angry was all I could do right now. So I screamed out insults at Page, feeling the contractions grow in intensity until I felt the pressure suddenly lessen. The next thing I heard was crying, it was like music to my ears.

“Ahah! There ve are! She iz out and iz alive! Congratulations!”, finally after hours of screaming the pain in my loins finally eased down into a minor throb. But I didn't care about the pain, I wanted to see my daughter.

“L-Let me....ah buck”, I tried to speak but I could barely muster any words. I was just too exhausted. I watched as Bile trotted up to Page and handed him a crying bundle all wrapped up in a sheet. A huge smile grew on Page's face as he looked down at the foal in his arms.

“H-How is she?”, I managed to say past my panting. Page said nothing and passed me the bundle. I took the little thing in my hooves, treating it like the most precious thing in the world that would break at the slightest touch. And there she was, a little foal crying in my arms. I cried, not tears of pain but tears of joy as I watched my newborn daughter cry and fumble about. “Shh, its okay now, your safe.”

Immediately my daughter calmed down and looked up at me with emerald eyes. With shaky hooves she reached up and took a hold of my muzzle. Feeling my daughter's little hooves grip me, to feel this little life....is something I will remember forever. She giggled as she felt my face, her little eyes gazing up into mine with wonder.

“She has your eyes, Chrysalis. She's beautiful”, Page said quietly as he leaned over my shoulder.

“Hi little thing, I'm your poppa, nice to meet you”, our baby only giggled in response, her little hooves waving up at Page.

“She likes you, I love her....what should we name her?”, I mused as I watched my daughter grasp Page's hooves with her small ones.

“Hmm, something cute? Maybe, um Pupa?”, Page mumbled as he played with his daughter. I snickered at the name.

“Heh, Pupa? Really? I was expecting you to give her a name relating to maps”, I giggled and our little girl giggled along with me. Page just blushed and huffed an annoyed sigh.

“Well I think its cute, but how about we-”

“I like it”, Page sputtered a dumb 'what' and cause another giggle to escape our newborn.

“I like it”, I repeated which only confused Page even more as he raised an eyebrow. “Its a cute name, and she is part changeling. And I think it has a nice ring to it, Page, Chrysalis and Pupa. The terrible three!”

Pupa just giggled again and shook around in my arms. “See? She likes her name!”

“So she does, okay Pupa it is. Welcome to the world, Pupa”

Present Time

“And that was the wonderful day that you came into our lives”, with my story finally done I looked over to a very sleepy looking Pupa. She was barely awake, doing her best to fight the heavy lids that struggled to go down over her eyes.

“I'm sorry for....hurting you momma”, Pupa mumbled in between yawns. She is so precious, apologizing for being born, what a card.

“It was worth being hurt to have you with us, you are my precious little princess after all”, I said with warm smile.

“Your mothers right, you are our bundle of joy, Pupa. We love you Pupa.”, I watched as Page leaned down and kissed Pupa right on her little forehead and tucked her in. I followed suit, doing the same and planting a loving peck on her head.

“Good night momma, night papa, I love you....”, it wasn't long until Pupa finally fell asleep. The sound of her little snoring filled the room, the cutest sound you could ever hear. Page and I left the room and gently shut the door behind us. We walked the castle halls whispering to each other with Page leaning into my side and my wing draped over him. After some time walking we made it outside to my favorite part of the castle, the gardens. Various different kinds of flowers and trees were planted about with extra care. I spent hours with Page planting each and every single plant here.

Like Pupa it was our labor of love. Sure it wasn't as beautiful as our daughter but it was a wonderful place to spend the evenings. A shame that there is no moon underground, but the crystal globe at the very top of the cavern ceiling would be enough. I watched as the ethereal energies flowed inside of it, giving off a pale blue light signaling that it was now nigh time in the city. It wasn't the moon, but it was still a close second.

“We've come a long way haven't we?”, I muttered to Page whom closed his eyes and hummed thoughtfully. I love it when he does that, he looks so sophisticated when he makes that face.

“If you told me I would fall in love with a changeling and become king of an entire kingdom I would call you crazy. But I wouldn't see myself doing anything else right now, this feels just right. And I wouldn't take it back for anything in the world, everything is perfect.”, Page looked at me and gave me chaste kiss. “It was worth coming all this way.”

“That is the cheesiest thing I have ever heard, how long have you been working on that one?”, I nearly snorted, that was something you'd hear from a romantic comedy.

“I know, but it worked didn't it?”, I had to agree with him on that one. Sure it was cheesy but I couldn't help but feel my heart race from listening to those cheesy lines.

“Eh, seven out of ten at the most.”, I teased as I brought my stallion into a wing hug. Page eeped but eased into the hug, his hooves snaking around my waist, his muzzle against my neck.

“Chrysalis, I know I say this all the time but I love you so much. You are my tether to this world and you are pretty boss sometimes but I want to let you know that I don't regre-”, I silenced Page with a gentle touch of my lips against his. I couldn't handle any more cheesy dialogue, I love him but he is just to cheesy sometimes.

“Oh just shut up and kiss me before you ruin the mood”, I said in mock anger as I pulled Page's face to mine. Our lips just inches away.

“Well since when you asked so nicely”, Page lurched forward and pressed his lips against mine. Slowly but surely I eased into his kiss and closed my eyes. And so underneath the pale glow of a crystal moon I kissed my husband, my king, my love. Looking back on everything I have done, it took a lot of years but I have gotten everything I ever wanted. A family, my throne, a life in where I would no longer have to fear failure but overcome it with my loved ones. Sometimes I miss being a tyrant, but my new life outshines the old one, my family and friends can attest to that.

But one thing is for sure, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Author's Notes:

Here we are, the end of the road. What do you think guys? Personally its been a fun experience typing this story. I hope you all enjoyed reading this story and I hope this chapter is up to snuff! Anyways now its time to take a break, finish those essays I've been procrastinating on and plan the next story. Who knows what will come next, but anyways I just want to say thank you for sticking with me through this experience. So with that said I take my leave! Until next time folks!