> Starlight Glimmer: Subject Stealing, Undeserving, Soon To Be Destroyed, Queen of MY Changelings > by Dr Atlas > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > SHE'S YOUR WHAT!? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chrysalis couldn’t hold in her smile once she looked deep into the dark cave, knowing full well what was inside. “So...this is it…” She stepped closer as a figure shrouded by a hood came up beside her. The queen noticed and turned to her. “I have to thank you again. Without you, it would’ve taken me many more months to find them.” A smile spread across the figures face. “Although your chances for finding them were bleak, you never seemed to give up on which you seek.” Chrysalis raised an eye, still not understanding half the things this hooded woman was saying to her. “Uh...yes, I...didn’t?” The mare chuckled and pointed behind Chrysalis. “For this cave, last time I checked, have the children you will never forget.” The queen nodded. “Yes, for such a long time I have tried finding them, going through town after town, city after city, forest through forest, but seeing them here...so close next to where I landed...” She put her hoof over her eyes. “I feel so foolish.” The hooded mare behind her laughed. “They say the most foolish of mice would hide behind the cats ear, but only the wisest of cats would think to look so near.” Chrysalis laughed at this. “Well, my subjects are known to be just as, if not more, foolish, but I still can’t understand why they haven’t found me first…” The mare rubbed her chin. “A bug coming out of the cave, I rarely see. Perhaps they stayed inside, thinking hiding is key.” “That wouldn’t be the first time they decided to just laze about while I was away…” The mare smiled. “Quite the children, I must say.” Chrysalis tilted her head, still confused by this lady’s language. “Um...right.” The figure chuckled. “I must go, dear Chrysalis, for I have business that I cannot miss.” She started walking, but was stopped once Chrysalis stood in front of her. “Wait, before you go, I need to ask.” Chrysalis tried looking at her face, but all of it was shrouded by her hood, only seeing a black and white striped muzzle and yellow glowing eyes. “Why did you help me? In fact, why was it that the first time I met you, you weren’t even phased by my...well, look?” The lady laughed again. “One shouldn’t judge a book by their cover, for, being called a monster, is something I once discovered.” Chrysalis crossed her arms. “Let me guess, was it ponies who did that?” The mare nodded, but continued smiling. “I figured. Those creatures are always like that, always laying around in their own society of their own kind while we’re forced to be on our own.” The mare noticed her expression and frowned. “Ponies may be quick to judge, but I rarely see them hold a grudge.” She stepped closer, seeing that Chrysalis was still mad. “But if anger is the way you want to go, there is something more you should know.” Chrysalis pushed her away and started walking to the cave. “The only thing I needed to know was where my children were, and thanks to you, I have, but I can handle it from here. So, run along and...do whatever it was you were wanting to do.” The hooded woman sighed. “Very well, continue on with your day, but don’t forget the things I say.” Chrysalis rolled her eyes as she walked away into the forest. “Zebras are very strange creatures…” She chuckled and made her way into the cave. “Then again, this is coming from a creature who changes into ponies and feed on love...heh.” She looked around the area, seeing that she was alone. “I really need to stop talking to myself…” The changeling queen took her first step inside the cave. “I hope the subjects will be happy to see me...I wonder if they’re preparing for me right now.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “I got five pair, you?” “Four of a kind, hatchling.” The changeling at the far end of the table gritted his teeth and threw his cards in the middle. “And to think the flop had such high hopes…” “Yeah….’had’.” The winning changeling said, raking in his chips. As for the other changelings, Stan, Marvin, Twig, Carson, Shawn, and Henry, they stared at Addison in annoyance. Every other changeling was either chatting to each other about their soon to be peace, flying around, or just laying back and waiting for their new ruler to return. “Oh, you’re winnin’ now,” Carson pointed at the bug’s poker chips. “but all those chips are gonna be mine.” Addison snickered as the next dealer, Twig, dealt out the next game. “Maybe if ya had better skill, you would’ve beaten me by now. Stan rolled his eyes and looked at his cards, a slight twitch in his eye. “Hey, some of us have skill!” Carson yelled as he pointed at Henry. “Look at Henry. He’s not even sayin’ much, and his poker face is the straightest I’ve ever seen.” Henry nodded and looked at his cards, not showing any type of expression once he stopped. Twig watched in amazement. “Whoa...so hardco-” “When do you think they’ll be back?” Marvin asked. “It’s been, like, what, six games now?” Stan rolled his eyes while Shawn glared at his cards. “Things like this take time, Marvin. You really think discussing peace will take a shorter time span?” Addison looked at his cards and scratched his ear stem. “You’re one to talk, Stan.” Stan stood up. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Twig raised his hoof. “Oh, I know. He’s saying that you can do it in under a time span of half a day! I’m sure if you can do that, Phil can do it even better!” Stan sat back down, doing the first call. “Uh...what?” Shawn chuckled and folded. “I think what Twig’s saying is that’s how it usually goes. Ya make friends with one pony who has connections to royalty and, before ya know it, we’ll be hanging out with ponies, goin’ to sport events, dressin’ up like them.” He sighed. “I can almost see it now…” Carson shook his head and raised. “Yeah, you keep tellin’ yourself that.” Addison laughed and decided to raise as well. “A bit for every time I see that!” Stan raised an eye. “How much do you see it, Addison?” Addison shifted his eyes while Henry called. “Uh...n-not much.” “ALL IN!” Twig yelled, pushing all his chips, which was the size of Addison’s raise, into the pile. Marvin folded. “Twig, trust me, if you keep doing that, you’re gonna lose.” Twig tilted his head. “But isn’t this game about fun?” Stan shrugged and called the raise. “Eh, depends on how hard you play, I bet that some at this table can’t-” Carson slammed his cards on the table, showing that he folded. “Why do you ALWAYS raise my raise!? It’s called poker, not no-limits-flank hole!” Addison laughed as Twig dealt the first three cards on the table, called a flop. “Maybe if you weren’t such a wuss, you would win. For all you know, I could be bluffin’.” Carson grumbled to himself and put his hooves on the table, resting his head on them. Stan smiled at this and checked. “Chilax. Soon we’re gonna be playin’ poker with ponies, and I’m sure they’re even worse at it.” Addison bet and sat back in his seat. “I’m sure most of them don’t even know how to play this game.” He pointed at Twig as Henry called. “Twig here probably knows more about this game than them. Twig smiled. “Yeah! And I didn’t even see my cards!” Stan sighed and folded. “Well, I’m sure they’ll be other stuff we could do with ponies.” Carson snickered and Twig dealt the next card by the flop, called the turn. Stan noticed Carson’s immature laugh and smacked the back of his head. “Grow up, Carson!” Carson rubbed his head. “I’ll have you know my age has gone up over the past month.” Stan shook his head as Twig checked, even though he didn’t need to. “Uh, sure…” Stan, and the others, then noticed Henry going all in, pushing all his chips in the middle of the table, his face as straight as ever. “Daaaaang…” Shawn looked at all the chips in the center of the table, known as the pot. “Look a that pot.” Addison laughed and went all in as well. “Like he can beat these cards.” Shawn and the other two changelings showed their cards. Addison stood up. “HA! Pair of queens! Beat that Hen...ry…” Addison then noticed Henry’s two pair, his face still blank. “Ah...I see.” Addison sunk back in his seat. “W-Well, there’s still the river!” Twig held his tongue out and dealt the last card next to the other four, the river. “Whoa, another queen!” Addison raised his hooves in the air as Henry pushed his cards in the table, knowing he lost. “Yeah! In your faces! You guys should’ve-” “Uh, Addison.” Marvin looked at Twigs cards, his jaw dropping. “I-I think Twig beat ya.” “I did?” Twig went crossed eyed and looked at his cards, which was a two and a seven of the same suit. Shawn raised his eye and looked at the cards in the middle of the table and Twig’s. “A flush, impressive. He beat ya with the second worst hoof possible.” Addison slowly lowered his arms as Twig smiled. “Wooo! I won!” Twig grabbed all the chips and set them next to his two cards. “Hey, can I keep these cards next round!” Addison continued staring in disbelief, looking at his pair of queens. “B-But...3 queens…” “Maybe if ours were here, you would’ve won.” Carson looked at the other’s hoping they understood his joke. “Cause, ya know, there’d be four then.” Everyone had straight faces, besides Henry’s, who was looking down in shame at how he lost as well. “Ha Ha.” Stan said sarcastically as Marvin dealt the next hoof. “Dark jokes, ya gotta love em’” “I was talking about our new one, Stan! Not our old one.” Stan laughed. “Yeah, like we’ll ever see her agai-” “Greetings, my loyal subjects!” All chattering came to a halt and every changeling turned to the entrance, their eyes went wide and their jaws dropped to the floor. After some silence, one brave bug broke it. “Ch...C-Ch...Chyr...Chrysalis!?” Chrysalis smiled and stood tall. “In the carapace.” She started walking in the room while her children were still trying to comprehend what they were seeing, some rubbed their eyes to get a better look, others continued having hanging jaws, and some hid behind others in fear as to what she would say. “B-Bu..But..but how!?” One asked. “W-We thought that...th-that you...y-ya know...went away." “And what’s with your voice?" Another asked. "Sounds...kinda different.” Chrysalis nodded. “I know, child, I know. You thought I had perished, that I was was gone, that I would never be found again, but I assure you that I never stopped looking for all of you, for I knew my children would be doing the same, correct?” Blank faces started appearing on every changeling, one brave bug stood up. “U-Uh...w-we didn’t...I-I mean, w-we tried...or...w-we...y-ya know…” Chrysalis sighed, knowing about their laziness. “It’s fine, child, I know having no ruler makes it very difficult for you to make decisions, but you could’ve at least sent a search party out once in awhile to look for me.” “But we weren’t looking for you.” Shawn immediately shoved a hoof in Twigs mouth, hoping the queen ignored that, but her raised eye and her face now facing them made those hopes vanish in an instant. “Not looking for me?” She stepped closer to the poker table. Shawn started thinking fast. “U-Uh...w-what he meant to say is that...um...w-we were also looking for...love! H-Heh..eh…” “Looking for food?” Chrysalis rubbed her chin. “Really? That’s all you did?” Shawn pulled his hoof away from Twig and laughed very nervously. “Uh...w-well, w-we looked for love...uh, s-sat in the cave...w-waited for...stuff to happen-” “What ‘stuff’?” The queen asked. “Uh...s-stuff stuff.” One bug answered. Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “Listen, children, you’re going to have to be more descriptive on that, there’s no way you all just looked for food, what else were you looking for?” Twig raised his arm in the air. “A que-” Carson tackled Twig to the floor. “Will you shut up!” He whispered. “A queen?” Chrysalis was starting to become very confused. “What do you mean by that?” Every changeling started thinking of excuses. “U-Uh…” “I-It means t-that…” “U-Uh...w-we were.” “W-We...um…” “I-It...It was…” “Just tell me already!” Their past queen shouted. Panic was starting to spread among them. They knew it was only a matter of time until they would have to tell her. Luckily for them, one bug, who had answered so many questions before, decided to answer one more. “It means that we found a new queen to rule over us since you’ve been gone.” Twig said, Carson trying his best to strangle him, and failing. The queen stayed silent for some time, her face had an expression so blank that she could win at poker. After what felt like hours of silence. Chrysalis chuckled; a chuckle that made her children shiver. “Heh...what?” She asked, a smirk on her face. Carson stopped trying to shut Twig up and gulped. “U-Uh...h-he said that...w-well, w-who cares! i-It’s Twig...h-he’s not-” Chrysalis shook her head and walked up to the table. “No, no...I want this to be clear.” Without warning, she slammed her right hoof on the table, making the sound echoing through the cave and the tower of chips next to Twig fall. Despite the sudden movement, she kept a smiling face. “Because I could’ve sworn he said something that...heh, that makes a queen rather...upset.” “O-Okay...uh…” Shawn looked at his fellow siblings for help, but some of them did the same, except for Twig, who was currently smiling. One bug even started scooting away from the table, but stopped once the queen used her magic to push him back. “Well, go on child.” She leaned closer, Shawn seeing his own scared expression in her eyes. “Tell your queen what happened while she was gone, because I am very curious to know.” Shawn could feel the sweat dripping from his forehead. He thought that, at any moment, she would blast him on the spot. “W-Well...a-as you know...w-we did...a-a lot of stuff over...a year.” “Mhh hmm.” The queen nodded. “Go on…” Shawn couldn’t tear his blue eyes away from her’s. “A-And uh...w-we followed protocol...l-like you sai-” “Protocol?” Chrysalis raised an eye, still smiling. “Strange, if you followed protocol, you probably would’ve found me by now.” She closed her eyes and hung her head. “Because, if I remember correctly, protocol is when you look for your queen, not-” She grabbed the table and flunk it across the room, the chips and cards flying everywhere while the table smashed to pieces after making contact with the cave wall. “Not a...new queen.” Twig raised his eyes. “Ohhh...so that was protocol.” Chrysalis smile went away, now blank with half closed eyes. “Yes, finding your one and only queen is what all of you should’ve done.” She leaned down to the nearest bug. “And I take it you didn’t do that, did you?” Chrysalis didn’t wait for an answer, wanting to hear a more important one with her next question. “So, who’s the new ruler?” Stan gulped. “Wh-What?” Chrysalis quickly cocked her head to the right, making it crack. “‘What’ is not an answer, child! so I suggest you give me one...NOW!” Shawn looked at the corkboard in the back, knowing it will explain things quicker. “W-Well, w-we tried finding...others…” He slowly stepped back from his past queen and went over to the board. “U-Uh...h-here’s some that-” He was interrupted by the queen pulling the board over with her magic, the side showing all the candidates facing her. “Huh...rather strange choices. A goat, a centaur-” Her eyes went wide. “S-Sombra?” Carson stepped closer. “Uh...y-yeah, we had some weird choices, d-didn't’ we?” Chrysalis flashed a glare at him, forcing the bug to drop to the floor in fear. She looked back at the picture of the king. “I don’t know how that big horned freak got out of that prison…” She flipped the board over. “But he sure isn’t a ruler I'd-” Her face went blank again, the only part of her that was moving were her eyes traveling across the board. Some changelings were almost too afraid to ask. “U-Um...q-queen?” Chrysalis stared intently at the board, looking at the many pictures of sketches that were hanging. “You made your new queen a PONY!?” She turned to the nearest bug, her eyes flashing red for a brief moment. Many sunk down to the floor and started whimpering. “U-Uh…” The bug gulped. “Y-Yeah...s-she’s...uh...s-s-she’s pretty evil...b-b-but not as evil as y-” “Flattery is getting you nowhere, child.” Chrysalis looked back at the board. “Who is this mare?” Knowing the situation would get worse if they didn’t give her an answer, one bug raised his hoof. “H-Her name’s Starlight...S-Starlight Glimmer.” Chrysalis put on a look of disgust. “Why must everypony’s name sound so disgusting.” She took of a picture of the mare off the board and studied it closely. “Looks disgusting as well…” Shawn laughed nervously. “H-Heh...w-well, t-those ponies sure are-” “Where is she right now?” The queen said harshly. One changeling stood up. “S-She’s going to go talk t-to someone in Ponyville with Phil, our ambassador.” Chrysalis looked rather surprised. “What happened to our other one?” Shawn started fidgeting. “Speaker went away, and...uh, no one’s seen him or his band of siblings ever since.” Chrysalis didn’t seem to care. “And tell me, why is it that our ambassador and her are going to that town?” It was at this moment the changelings knew she would lose it. “U-Uh...t-to...uh...y-ya know...” One bug shrugged innocently. “T-to make...make...uh...peace.” “PEACE!” Chrysalis screamed, her eyes flashing red again. “You bugs, not only abandon your queen, but now make it so our entire race can look weak to those...those-” She stomped the cave floor, causing a slight crack. “Those monsters!” Every changeling was too afraid to respond, knowing no matter what they say will make her happy. Her eyes traveled all around them, filled with hate. “I have never been so disappointed in you children. Making a mare like her your new ruler, only to make it so she’ll lead you out to a life worse than death!” A brave bug flew in the air. “B-But being at peace with ponies might be a good thing.” All it took was a menacing glare from Chrysalis to make him hit the ground floor. “I’ve heard ENOUGH!” She used her magic to fling the board across the room, papers flying everywhere as it smashed into a wall, the only thing now in her magic grip was the picture of Starlight, her eyes staring at it with as much hatred as she could. “It’s time I pay this mare a visit.” “W-What are you gonna do to her?” Chrysalis continued staying silent as she turned around and started walking to the exit. The bugs raised their heads. “Q-Queen?” “You really want to know?” Chrysalis held up the photo, it erupted in green flames within seconds with it’s ashes hitting the floor. “I’ll give you a hint…” She stomped on the ashes. “That picture of her doesn’t even come close to what I’ll do.” Without another word, she turned back to the exit and mater her way out. Once she stormed off, some of the changelings that cowered in fear before started standing and looking at each other, wondering what would happen now. After some silence, Twig said something that made the whole cave glare at him. “Chrysalis’s mad.” > First Impressions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Are we there yet?” With his head high, Phil pointed ahead. “Horsy ville should be just half a mile away.” “Ponyville.” Starlight corrected. The bug tilted his head. “Isn’t that what I said?” Starlight rolled her eyes and continued walking along the path in the forest. “Listen, Phil, I’m glad you’re letting me do this, but you guys really need to know more about ponies if you wanna make peace with them, specifically the names of where they live.” Phil crossed his front legs and flew in the air. “Well, if they didn’t have such weird towns and names, maybe we’d know more about them, even your names are hard to remember.” Starlight wasn’t sure how that was even possible, to her, the changeling’s names were way stranger than her’s. “What makes you say that?” Phil shrugged. “Well, yours kinda sounds like that other pony who was on the list, sun...sun sea...shim...shimmery?” Phil started spacing out. “How the heck did we pronounce it?” Even Starlight didn’t know. “I’m pretty sure a name like Starlight Glimmer-” “Sunset Shining!” Phil yelled before looking back down. “No..wait...maybe it was Starset Shimmer...or...Twilight spinner?...Sunlight Glimming Shimlight?” He started going crossed eyed. “Wait...isn’t that that purple ponies name…?” Starlight shook her head, having no idea who he was talking about. “Now you’re just mixing names.” Phil stopped thinking and shrugged. “Eh..all we know is that she got lost somewhere in a portal...at least, we think she’s still lost…” Starlight groaned and thought about changing the subject, not even wanting to know who he was talking about. “Maybe there’s something else you can talk about...like, maybe you can explain why you knocked me out last night.” Phil landed on the ground and looked away. “Uh...yeah, about that...w-we thought that you’d probably scream and run away if you saw what we looked like...so, Stan, Twig, and Carson decided to play it safe and apply a light aesthetic to you.” He smiled, hoping Starlight would do the same. In the end, Starlight sighed and continued walking. “Listen, next time you meet a pony, don’t ponynap them, okay?” “But pony napping is what we do best! Right next to espionage, shape shifting, and singing.” “Singing?” Phil nodded. “Yeah, our song would’ve been pretty nice...if only he had the lyrics down…” Starlight was rather surprised. “You guy’s can sing?” Phil felt a big offended by the question. “Of course we can sing. What, it’s not like you ponies don’t do the same thing. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to pull off a song for us...but nooooo, ponies only need seconds for them to sing an entire chorus.” Starlight started keeping her distance the more he talked. “Uh...well, ponies are usually like that, it’s just another thing you guys need to know about-” “I know...I know...we need to be….friends with ponies…” “Why do you say it like that?” Starlight asked. “What’s wrong with having friends?” Phil sighed. “It’s not about being friends, it’s about being friends with ponies, no offence, Queen, but ponies aren’t really the type of animal that most other creatures get along with.” “What are you talking about? What other creatures?” Phil scratched the back of his neck. “Well...uh, the rough majority...ya know, diamond dogs, hydras, dragons, woodwolves...the only thing they like about you is your taste.” Starlight blinked. “T-Taste?” Phil nodded. “Yup, that’s pretty much the only thing they like about you ponies, and that’s saying a lot since their own kind doesn’t get along that well.” “Does that go the same for changelings?” Phil held his head high in pride. “Yup,  we hate each other, but we hate as siblings, so it’s normal, correct?” “Wha...That’s...It’s not, uh, it can’t...it’s…” Starlight was sure that no matter what she said, he wouldn’t understand. “Let’s just...keep going, okay?” “But there’s so much more we can talk about! Like...uh...” Phil started smiling, knowing the perfect question to ask. “When did ya start?” “Huh?” Phil nudged her. “You know, when did you start being evil, cruel, nasty, horrible, monstrous...” Starlight pushed him away. “I DON’T...wanna talk about it…” “Aw, come on!” Phil flew above her. “Don’t leave me hanging!” Starlight sighed and looked away. “I was young, I had a friend, he had a cutie mark before I did, I got mad-” “You turned evil over that!?” Phil laughed before clapping. “Bravo! And I thought the queen seeing her mother die by the hooves of ponies when she was a hatchling was good.” “It wasn’t just that! It was-” Starlight then realized what he said afterward. “W-Wait...w-why did your queen-” “HERE WE ARE!” Starlight almost hit the sign to Ponyville as Phil pointed forward. “Wow...that was fast.” She said. “It’s always fast when you make conversation.” He started walking again and disguised as a random pony, knowing he would have to blend in for a bit. “Why do you think I wanted to keep talking?” Starlight shook her, but laughed. “Right...Come on, her home’s-” “I know where it is.” Phil stated, Starlight raising an eye seconds later. “What? You act like it’s a bad thing.” Starlight couldn’t believe this. “Okay, where is it?” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Here’s the place!” Phil smiled and held his head high as the two of them stood in front of Twilight’s castle. Starlight was both amazed and concerned by how fast he found her home. “Uh...how long have you known about this?” He turned to her. “For one thing, it stands out like a huge hole in a hoof, and second, we’ve scouted this place out way too many times for us to count. From our reports, there’s about one hundred and fifty two ways to attack this thing, the first twenty involving the front door.” “If you know how to attack it, then why didn’t you...attack?” “Um...w-whehehell...uh…” He scuffed the floor. “All the ways usually involved things that we don’t have...such as powerful magic or a leader who knows how to...well...lead.” He turned forward. “All thanks to that mare and her-” Starlight stepped in front of him. “Look, just...just stay calm, okay. When I saw her a second time, I was pretty furious too, so just stay back and let me talk for a bit, alright?” Phil grumbled to himself, but nodded, knowing he, and his brothers, had to let go of this grudge in order for this to work. “Fine.” Starlight smiled and turned forward, lighting up her horn and opening the door. “Uh...h-how about you...k-keep your disguise for a little bit longer, okay?” Phil knew what she was talking about. “Yeah, don’t want the pretty little princess from screaming at a monster like me…” He looked away, only for Starlight to make him face her again with her hoof. “Hey, cheer up...Soon, you won’t even have to disguise anymore. Things will change, I promise.” Phil chuckled. “As we bug's say…’the time's are a changeling’ And I guess it’s time it does.” Starlight nodded and walked inside, the Changeling following close behind. “Now then, where would she-” “Starlight! I was wondering where you were!” Both bug and mare jumped once they saw Twilight running up to them, a pile of books in get magical grip. “I haven’t seen you all day. Where were you?” Starlight tried her best to smile, but she could feel the uneasy presence of the disguised bug behind her. “Uh...y-yeah. I was, um...doing things here and there.” “What ‘things’?” Twilight tilted her head, seeing a pony behind her. “And, uh, who’s that?” “Someone I’m sure you remember!” Phil yelled. Twilight stepped back, a bit shocked by the ponies harsh tone. “What?” Starlight laughed nervously. “Twilight, uh...y-you remember your brother’s wedding, right?” Twilight tilted her head, wonder why she would ask this question. “Uh...yeah, I remember it...Why?” Starlight gulped, hearing Phil gritting his teeth. “Uh...a-and you remember what happened during it, right?” Twilight crossed her hooves. “Oh, yes, I remember an entire swarm of changelings coming in and almost ruining it, not to mention a queen that tricked my friends into thinking I was a jerk, but at least Pinkie got a lingfriend out of it...why do you ask?” Starlight’s bit her lip. “W-Well, uh...s-someone wants to talk to you about-” “YOU QUEEN KILLER!” Phil shoved Starlight out of the way and charged toward Twilight, only for Starlight to hold him back with her magic. Twilight let go of the stacks of books and raised a hoof to her chest defensively while Starlight struggled to keep him out of hooves reach to Twilight “You really need to work on first impressions.” Starlight said, managing to place him behind her again. “What’s with your new friend?” Twilight asked, trying her best to stack the works of literature around her. “He’s not a- Uh...he’s actually..uh, h-he’s…” Starlight sighed and flared up her horn, forcing Phil out of his disguise. She stepped back and presented and slightly disoriented bug to Twilight, her jaw to the floor. “He’s this…” Twilight gasped, never thinking she’d see this day come. “A-A changeling!?” Phil’s eyes continued to roll until he shook his head. “No...it’s another creatures who feeds on love, shapeshifts into ponies, and is hated by almost every-” “Phil!” Starlight pushed him out of the way. “W-Why don’t you just sit here while me and Twilight talk, can you do that?” Phil would’ve objected, but he knew if he went continued, it would only make it worse, so, he sat down and crossed his front legs, looking away from the mares. “Take all the time you need, queen...” “Queen?” Twilight said in an even more confusing tone. Starlight sighed and placed her foreleg on Twilight, walking both of them farther away from the bug until they were out of earshot. “Listen to me, Twilight. I know this is kinda confusing right now, but the first thing you need to know is that they’re...not really much of a threat right now.” “Is this where you’ve been;” Twilight pointed at Phil, who was looking around the castle in both disgust and amazement. “talking to those...things?” “Come on, Twilight, you still don't have a grudge against them, do you?” Twilight shook her head. “It’s not about having a grudge, Starlight, it’s about what they’ve done and what they are doing and what they intend to do!” She went eye to eye with Starlight. “Changelings are one of the most cunning and notorious creatures out there. Their shapeshifting abilities allow them to infiltrate anything, anywhere, anytime! There could be a bug hiding somewhere this very second!” “Twilight, if you can forgive me, then you can forgive them, right?” “Starlight, look at him!” They both turned to the changeling, who was currently scratching his ear with his back leg like a dog. “Do you know how hard it’ll be to bring them into our society after the things they’ve done?” “I-It can’t be that hard, we’ve accepted tons of creatures into our society.” “Yes, but they are all across Equestria and they’re usually nowhere near us.” “But we’re friends with them, right?” Twilight looked back and forth. “Uh...y-yeah, of course we are...but we’re talking about changelings!” “Twilight, if one changeling can be a friend, then so can they.” “But that’s about Pinkie. What about everyone else?” “The changelings don’t really have a choice, Twilight. Their queen’s not really...with them anymore…” Twilight noticed the look she was giving her, having a rough idea as to what she meant. “Y-You’re saying that Chrysalis is...i-is-” “I don’t know.” Starlight answered. “All I know is that they’ve been by themselves ever since the attack and the only reason why they haven’t done anything is because they didn’t have a leader.” Twilight sighed. “Well, it’s good that they have been away, it would’ve been horrible for them to return, especially after Flurry Heart being born.” “Who?” Phil asked Both mares turned to Phil, Twilight lifting a book from the pile to his face in seconds. “No one...J-Just read this for a sec.” She said before turning back to Starlight. “This is a big deal, Starlight, you can’t just let them in and expect peace with ponies in seconds.” “But you’ve done it before. What about Discord?” Starlight shifted her eyes before whispering. “Title drop…” “He usually stays away from ponies...well, we try to make him stay away.” “And it’s good that you do.” Both mares jumped once Phil flew in between them, the book on his head. “That guy’s insane…” He landed and looked at Starlight. “To tell you the truth, if he was gonna be our ruler, it wouldn’t go so well…” Twilight raised an eye. “What makes you say that?” “Do you know what he does?” Phil started shaking. “He can warp reality with a flick of his tail, he can shoot laser beams out his eyes, he can throw things and make them explode on impact, and he talks weird! H-He’s like that force of teens that were hungry...in the water.” “The what?” “Phil…” Starlight pushed him away again. “Can you please let me...actually…” She pushed him in front of Twilight. “Maybe it’s time you talk about this, Phil. She’ll understand it better coming from you.” Starlight gave him a slight shove and stepped back, waiting for him to talk, but all he did is look down in anger, not even wanting to look at Twilight. “Go ahead, Phil.” Twilight was a bit hesitant as well, but after everything Starlight told her so far, these creatures didn’t seem that hostile, so, she sat down and smiled. “Uh...y-yeah, changeling, tell me about what’s going on.” Phil sighed. “So...a-anyway, like our queen was saying, we’ve been by ourselves for a while, and we tried finding other rulers over the past year...but it would seem that you dealt with every single one we found.” He glared at her. “From that unoriginal king to that towering centar, you took them away from us before we even had a chance to talk to them.” Twilight craned her neck to Starlight. “And She was your last pick?” Phil turned to his queen and smiled. “Not only that, but she did it better than the other foes you faced...I-I mean, messing with timelines! How can you outdo that?” Starlight stepped in between the two of them. “Um...P-Phil, I think she-” “And that evil smirk she had on her face the whole time.” Phil closed his eyes and held up his hooves. “It was just perfect.” “Phil…” “And when she went all the way back to stop you elements from becoming friends instead of fighting you head on! WOW! We never would’ve thought of-” “PHIL!” Starlight grabbed him with her magic and brought his face inches away from her’s. “That’s enough…” Phil smiled. “SEE! She even has the best angry face too!” He turned to Twilight. “Either you ponies are very forgiving or just plain stupid if you think she could ever be refo-” Starlight literally zipped his lips with her magic, glaring at him. “As your queen, I command you to be QUIET!” She yelled, a vein appearing on her neck. The room froze for a bit until Starlight regained her composure, sighing and looking back at Twilight. “So, Twilight, what do you say?” Twilight looked at her and the changeling, who was struggling to get the zipper off him. “Well...I guess we should give them a chance...but I’m just worried about the other ponies. Everyone in Equestria knows about these guys and what they do, it’s not gonna be easy for all of them to just shake hoofs and be nice to one another.” “Hmm mhmh mhphmhmh hm?” “What?” Twilight said, unzipping his mouth with her magic. Phil breathed and said. “I said that it shouldn't be that hard, I’m sure it’s been done tons of times in other places, and I’m sure if we all tell them the situation the ponies will understand. That’s how it usually works with us…” He looked around the room and noticed a lamp standing in the corner. “Hey, cool, the lampshades already set up.” Starlight was still worried. “Look, Phil, I’m glad you’re wanting to do this with me, but it’s gonna take a lot more than that to have everyone forgive you.” Phil tilted his head. “Why do you say that? Are you still doing stuff so Twilight and her friends can forgive you of all the nasty, cruel, terrible-” His lips were zipped up again, this time by Twilight. Starlight raised an eye at this while Twilight cleared her throat. “He’s right, Starlight, this will take some time, but lucky for you, it shouldn't be too hard for me to figure this out!” With a determined face, Twilight levitated some books around her. “First we need to set up the treaty, then schedule the times to meet between me and the queen, which is you, then the laws of peace, how we go about getting food for you guys, and how we-” Starlight slapped a book out of her view and said, “For the last time, I’m not going to be their queen!” Twilight set the books down. “If you’re not gonna, then who is?” *SLAM* “WHERE IS SHE!?” > Explanations > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The disguised Chrysalis stared intently at the door in front of her, knowing full well what was behind it. She looked behind her to check if anyone was around before turning back. “Time for me and this so called ‘queen’ to have a chat.” She said aloud before blinking. “I really need to stop talking out loud like this…” She shook her head and reeled up her front legs before she made a move. With all her might, she slammed the front door open, causing Twilight to drop the books and making Phil yelp and hide behind Starlight. All three of them turned to the door to see a mare in black with green hair coming inside. Before any of them could get a word out, she said something that made Twilight flinch, Starlight yelp, and Phil open his eyes as wide as ever. “WHERE IS SHE!?” After a brief pause, Twilight said, “Whoa, what’s with the cringey color scheme?” Chrysalis stomped up to Twilight. “My choice of colors isn’t important right- Wait…Sparkle!?” The mare inspected the purple pony, noticing a change in her appearance from the last time they met. “Since when did you get wings?” Twilight blinked and unfurled one of her wings, looking at it. “Uh...a couple seasons ago, I kinda thought everypony knew about this.” She furled it back and eyed the mare. “And do you mind telling me who you are?” “You know who I am, I'm...I'm...” Chrysalis was about to answer, but her eyes fell upon Starlight. “You…” She said coldly. Starlight noticed the dagger stare and flinched. “M-Me what?” She said as Phil struggled with the zipper on his mouth. The mare shoved Twilight out of the way and slammed the door once she was inside. “So you’re the pony who took them away from me!” Starlight raised an eye while Phil's eyes went wide. “T-Took what away...who are you?” “You’re alive!” Phil yelled after a final pull of the zipper, running up to the mare. “C-Chrysalis...h-how did-” “That’s QUEEN Chrysalis! And how I got here isn’t important.” She walked around her child and made her way to Starlight. “What is important is what this mare will be saying in the next five seconds, because that’s all I’m giving her!” “Wait...Chrysalis!?” Twilight ran up to the imposter pony. “W-what in Celestia’s name are you doing here!? I-I thought you were-” “What does it look like!?” Chrysalis pointed at Starlight. “I’m here to put an end to this mare’s ruling so that I may claim my rightful place as Queen of the Changelings!” Twilight was still a bit confused. “Really? You’re here just for that?” Chrysalis glared at her, knowing the hate was mutual between them. “I’ll deal with you once I’m done this this mare, Sparkle.” Phil walked up to her. “W-Why do you wanna do that, Chry- er, Queen Chrysalis? Are you mad at her or something?” “Oh...mad?” Chrysalis laughed. “I’m not mad at all.” Starlight stepped closer. “T-Then why are-” Chrysalis stomped the floor, green flames forming around her disguised body, it didn’t take long for her true form to show, her hair being the only thing that was still on fire. “I’M FURIOUS! How you...you can control my children with such ease.” She stepped closer while Starlight stepped back. “What do they see in you? What have you done to impress them?” Starlight started shaking, thinking those pictures she saw at the cave were just an exaggeration. “T-That’s what you actually look like? “Oh, so now you insult my looks, you’re really asking for it, aren’t you mare?” Starlight held her hooves up. “I-I’m not trying to be mean here, Chrysalis...I-I’m just trying to have a suitable conversation here.” “Says the mare who just reeks of impervious pretentiousness!” Twilight crossed her arms while Starlight raised an eye. “Preten-what now?” Starlight said. Twilight cleared her throat. “It means she thinks that you’re saying things like you’re more important than you really are.” Before Chrysalis could correct her on that, Twilight continued. “She just thinks that using big words makes her a more superior and smart ruler while it just makes her look hostel and act like a bigot, and hostility just leads to stupidity.” Chrysalis’s jaw dropped. “W-What does being angry have to do with being idiotic!?” Twilight’s eyes narrowed. “Anger towards someone makes you look stupid when it’s for reasons like that, I mean, you’re mad just because she rules over your children, and you don’t even want to wait for her to explain why she has them?” Twilight shook her head. “That’s just a calling card for a weak intellect right there.” Chrysalis’s eye twitched, wanting to correct her on how wrong Twilight was and how right she is, because Chrysalis knows that she’s always right no matter what the circumstance. “You watch your tongue before you cause even more arguments in this discussion!” Twilight shrugged. “It’ll probably happen regardless.” Chrysalis shook her head at this and turned back to Starlight. “You have some nerve coming into my home and taking away the only thing I have left in this world!” Starlight shook her head. “I-I didn’t walk in there on my own, I was-” Chrysalis stomped the floor, causing an echo. “DON’T...lie, Starlight...You went to my home for one reason and ONLY one: To have an army at your hooves.” Twilight knew this was going to get ugly, so she stood by Starlight. “Chrysalis, now is not the time for this. Me, Starlight, and uh…” She looked at Phil, who was now fixated on a fly. “Your child are in the middle of making peace between-” “Peace?” Chrysalis looked away. “So they were right...you did set them up for this!” Her eyes shot to Starlight, sending chills up her spine. “You came to my cave just so you can take us down! This is something I expected from Cadenza and her stupid husband...but a random pony who I’ve never even heard of?” Chrysalis barred her fangs. “What did you do, HUH!? What did you do that was so impressive to have my children make you a ruler?” Phil raised his hoof before Starlight could get a word out. “She ruled over a town and took away the element’s cutie marks!” The changeling queen rolled her eyes. “Big deal.” “She stayed undercover and spied on Twilight.” Twilight looked at Starlight. “You did what?” Chrysalis laughed before Starlight could answer. “Like we can’t do better.” “She also managed to switch timelines and travel across time while messing with that stupid pony and her lizard friend, and always making sure to put on a smug face every time she beat her on every time...she won in...time…” Phil scratched his head. “Did I word that right?” Chrysalis’s eye twitched, her brain having trouble comprehending that. “Ta...Time travel?” Phil nodded while Starlight covered her face with her hooves, hating to hear all of this. “Yeah! She did all that bad stuff! I hate to say it, Chrysie, but she might’ve done more bad things to that purple pony then you, but the weird thing is that Sparkle over there gave her a clean slate after everything, isn’t that strange?” She turned to Twilight, baffled to see that the two mares were standing next to each other. “Y-You forgave her!?” Twilight continued glaring while Starlight looked away. “It’s called doing the right thing.” “I call it being stupid.” Chrysalis pointed at Starlight. “I-I mean, forgiving a monster like her!? What next? Are you going to tell me that you forgave that mutant goat too?” Twilight rubbed her arm. “Well...uh…” Chrysalis’s jaw dropped. “If you ponies are like this, I’m surprised you haven’t come to me directly so I could try to forgive you.” Starlight tilted her head. “Isn’t that the other way around, I mean, you’ve done some pretty bad things to ponies.” “What are you talking about? I haven’t done anything wrong!” Twilight patter her hoof to simulate counting. “You ponynapped my sister-in-law, ruined a wedding, almost took over Canterlot, made my friends think I was a jerk, and brainwashed my brother.” Chrysalis crossed her arms. “Alright, m-maybe I have. Maybe I have done some terrible things, but you…” She pointed at Glimmer. “To you, I’m a saint. I have never heard of such an evil creature. Brainwashing an entire town, stealing destinies, messing with timelines...I must say, for a pony, I’m impressed.” Starlight had it. She wanted to defend herself, and the only way she thought of doing that was showing she wasn’t the worse. “B-But the other villains Twilight has faced are even worse. Look at Sombra, he-” “Oh yes, I know much about that king...too much…” Chrysalis shivered. “And I’d rather not talk about it.” Twilight was curious. “What? Did you two-” “I don’t want to talk about it, Sparkle…” Chrysalis said through her gritted teeth. Starlight cleared her throat. “A-anyway, I-I’m sure if Discord were here he’d say-” “He pretty much did the same thing I did, fooled you all, made sure you didn’t grab the elements, and even when you did, your ‘friendship’ was gone at that point.” Chrysalis chuckled. “He’s not bad for an ugly goat.” “B-But then there’s Tirek who tried to-” “All that giant centaur did was run around and eat magic. We can do the same thing, and in greater numbers.” Chrysalis narrowed her eyes. “Face it, Starlight, you’re no good pony, you’re not even half good, or semi-good, quasi-good, not even the diet drink of good! You have zero calories. Not good at all.” Starlight opened her mouth to say something else to defend herself, but Twilight stepped in. “She is good! She’s done so many things to make up for what she-” “Nothing can make up for what that mare has done…” Chrysalis ran up to Twilight, their faces inches from each other. “Listen, you winged freak. If I were in your hooves, I would’ve snapped that mare’s horn off and thrown her back into a timeline where she would live out the rest of her days being tortured by my children!” Twilight gasped while Phil nearly gagged at the thought. “Tha-That’s horrible!” The queen held her head high. “That’s being creative, dear Twilight.” Narrowing her eyes, Twilight took another step toward Chrysalis. “You’re one to talk, Chrysalis! The only evil one in this room right now is you!” Chrysalis laughed at this. “You don’t see it, do you Twilight?” “See what?” Chrysalis bursted into green flames before changing into Starlight. “You don’t see an evil mare even when it’s standing right in front of you…” Twilight went face to face with her, hating to see Starlight’s evil look again, even Starlight couldn’t do it. “Don’t you dare say that to my friend!” Chrysalis laughed and stepped back, showing her true form again. “F-Friend?” She looked at Starlight. “Do you really feel like a friend, Starlight? Because that’s not what I have heard.” “Chrysalis…I’ve had enough of this! You’ve insulted my friend and now you want to stop this treaty!?” Twilight pulled away from Chrysalis before flaring up her horn. “I’m only saying this once...Get out of my castle.” Chrysalis wasn’t fazed by this. Alicorn or not, she knew she could take Sparkle again. “I’m not leaving until I have that mare’s head. If anyone should leave this castle, it’s her on a spit.” Twilight narrowed her eyes while Starlight covered her's “You lay one hoof on my friend and I’ll-” “Are you blind, Sparkle!” Chrysalis pointed at Starlight while the pink mare buried her head in her hooves. “She’s an evil mare!” Twilight stood higher. “She’s a friend!” Chrysalis did the same, her horn flaring up as well. “She almost ended your friendship!” “You almost did the same!” “She took away your destinies!” “She gave them back!” “She would’ve destroyed Equestria!” “You did the same in your timeline!” “My timeline?” “SHUT UP!” Both Twilight and Chrysalis stepped back after Starlight’s sudden outburst. They turned to her, seeing her standing on her hind legs taking deep breaths. “Ju..Just..SHUT UP! OKAY! I get it! I did bad! I was a horrible pony! I did things that might not deserve forgiveness, but I’m making up for it! I’m trying to do what’s right! And right now,” Starlight grabbed Phil and held him up. “I think the first step in this is making sure this creature's entire race can be at peace with ponies to finally end their hunger!” Phil looked around in confusion with his body curled up while Starlight continued holding him by his stomach. “Uh...queen, c-can you-” “We have to cherish this changeling!” Starlight lightly shook him. “But I’m-” “CHERISH HIM!” Twilight stepped back from Chrysalis while the queen rolled her eyes. “Like you could ever help my subjects, you’re far from being ruler if you think making a treaty is-” “At least I’m doing my job right as a queen!” Chrysalis blinked. “Wha-What did you just say to me?” Starlight set Phil behind her. “As a queen, it’s up to her to provide food for her subjects.” Starlight pointed at her. “And what do you think happened in Canterlot?” Chrysalis’s face went deadpan, thinking that was a stupid statement. “I know what happened in Canterlot, I was there.” “So you know that you led your own starving children into battle and didn’t even think about trying to talk to ponies?” The queens eyes went wide. “I’ve tried talking to ponies, and all they’ve done is-” “If you talked to Twilight, she would’ve helped you!” Starlight yelled. “E-Even Celestia might’ve helped you if you told her what was happening to your whole race!” Twilight had to be honest. “I have to say, Chrysalis. If you told us about how your kind feeds on love, I’m pretty sure we could’ve found some way to help without ponynapping and fighting.” Chrysalis tried to say something in response to that, but the more she thought about this, the more sense it made. “B-But it’s not my fault my children are like this!” Starlight narrowed her eyes, knowing this was going to get dramatic. “Look at yourself, Chrysalis, you know you’re the only one to blame for what happened.” Chrysalis shook her head. “No...everything...all of this, i-it was all...all…” She tried to think of who was more at fault her, then it hit her. “YOUR FAULT!” Chrysalis lit up her horn, pointing it straight at the alicorn. “I-If you would’ve just stayed in that cave to rot with that pink princess...” Twilight would’ve lit up her horn as well, but Starlight came in between both of them. “Seems you can’t handle the truth...so you make your own…” Chrysalis’s eye twitched. “NO! S-Sparkle is the real problem! S-She’s-” Starlight stepped forward, determined to end this. “I can accept my actions, Chrysalis. It’s time you do the same.” The queen started shaking. “I-I...I just wanted to help my children…” Her horn started fizzing down as she looked away from her. “I-I wasn’t...wasn’t trying to...t-to...” Chrysalis sat down, never thinking she would be defeated by words. “I...I didn’t mean to hurt anyling...” Her child frowned. “But you didn’t hurt us, Chrissy.” Phil came up to her. “Some of us thought the plan was pretty cool, and all of us made it home ay okay!” “All of you?” Chrysalis asked. Phil scratched the back of his neck. “Well...almost everyone...we did several counts and it seems we lost two, but they were kind of a lost cause; one hated fighting and the other failed all his classes, so it’s not that big of a de-” “It is a big deal!” Chrysalis yelled. “Lo-Losing even one child makes me feel horrible.” Twilight was surprised to hear this. “You care about them? Chrysalis felt offended by the question. “Of course I care about them, I’m their mother!” Twilight was having a hard time figuring out how a voice and personality like hers could be considered motherly. “O...kay then.” Twilight coughed. “Well, um, since the drama’s over and you feel a bit better...how about we start talking about making peace.” Phil wagged his tail. “Yeah, come on, queen!” He started pulling on her hoof, but she wouldn’t move. “I know it’s not really what you wanted to do in the first place, and that it makes us look weak to ponies, and that it's with a pony who tried to take us over, but maybe it could be a good thing for-” “No…” Phil stopped pulling. “Wu-What?” “You heard me, child; no...I don’t want to be…” She shivered. “friends with those ponies.” Feeling absolutely flabbergasted by the statement, Twilight and Starlight said, “Wh-WHAT!?” “I’ve said this before, Twilight.” Chrysalis pulled her child closer to her. “I came here to take back my place as queen, and I take it Starlight isn’t up to the task?” Starlight ran up to her. “If it means making peace between ling and pony, then yes, I think I can-” “You know, Starlight.” Chrysalis said with a wicked smile. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but...maybe I was wrong about you.” Starlight raised an eye. “Wait...so, y-you think I’m good?” Chrysalis’s face was blank before she laughed. “Good? Like you could ever be considered good in my eyes. I’m talking about how...interesting you are~” She tilted her head. “You seem like a bad enough mare, that you have a goal to rule over everything, that you are strong and powerful enough to handling anything, and if you can prove yourself to the subjects…” She looked at Phil, who waved with a smile. “Defeat Sparkle many times" She glanced over at Twilight, who glared at her. "I’m sure we can…” She raised her hoof to Starlight, waiting for a shake. “work something out in terms of ruling Equestria?” Starlight stared at the hoof while Twilight started coming closer. “Starlight?” With a deep breath, and a hateful glare, Starlight smacked the hoof away. “I’ll never join you...no matter how powerful you are, nothing beats the magic of-” “Say what you will, Starlight.” Chrysalis put her hoof down. “They always turn evil again.” She slowly started forming flames around her body. “But if you feel like being a powerful mare again…you know where we’ll be.” The now disguised queen winked at Starlight before making her way to the door, Phil forced to follow. “Uh...bye Glimmer!” Phil said, waving while putting on a disguise as well. “Have fun not ruling anymore!” The door slammed shut before either mare could say goodbye, leaving both of them to look at each other in silence. Starlight scuffed the floor. "Um. should we...go after them or..." Twilight sighed and shook her head. "She won't be a problem, if one of her children decide to spy on us, I'm sure we'll catch them immediately." Starlight sighed and looked back at the door. "I just hope her children will be okay..." Meanwhile, Chrysalis began her long walk back to her home, Phil following right beside her. “So, uh, seeing as how making peace isn't really something you want to do, then, uh, what do we do now, queen?” He asked, wanting to make some conversation to pass the time. Chrysalis chuckled. “Not us, dear child, but her...She’ll soon learn that it takes a lot more than forgiveness to be good, in fact…” Chrysalis craned her head to the castle. “I think we should keep an eye on her, who knows what she might do next.” “What do you think she’ll do?” The queen smiled. “I have many predictions, more time travel, powerful magic that surpasses Twilight, maybe even some mind control of her friends.” Phil laughed. “But only you have that power, queen, I doubt she’d ever do that.” Chrysalis shook her head, but continued grinning. “You poor, nieve child. If all those things you said about her are true, then I say she’ll turn back, back to the mare she once was...and when she does...” Chrysalis started laughing silently. Phil tried doing the same, but what she said next made his laugh sound more nervous and fearful. “Equestria will be ours…”