Who We Leave Behind
Chrysalis sat quietly in the chair, forelegs extended and bound securely with thick leather straps. She wore a tired expression and little else save for a shawl that covered her neck, shoulders, and upper back. Though she sported some cybernetics, they were minimal, a robotic eye, a neural port, and a lower jaw made mostly out of metal. Where most kept these improvements unobtrusive, Chrysalis’ eye was a single glowing mass without a pupil and her jaw looked like it was physically bolted in place.
That wasn't the end of her changes, however, though, unlike the artificial replacements, these were wholly natural. Holes had returned to her body, some of which were so large that she could barely use the afflicted limb, facilitating the wheelchair she now sat in. Her usually shiny chitin exoskeleton had dulled, her mane was mostly gone, and her wings had stiffened to the point of uselessness.
“Just hold still for a bit longer, it should almost be complete,” Celestia murmured absently.
Unlike the changeling, Celestia sported no cybernetic replacements, nor had she been affected by the passage of time. Appearing exactly as young and as vibrant as she had five millennia ago, the alicorn was seemingly unaffected by the passage of time. The only hint that something had changed in her was the wild look in her eye and the nervous manner of which she twitched even while standing silently next to the changeling.
“Are the straps really necessary?” Chrysalis asked, her voice a raspy croak. “If you wanted to get back into bondage you just had to ask.”
“This is no time for jokes Chrysalis. This formula is the best my scientists have come up with. It must work,” Celestia stated.
Chrysalis glanced up to where the IV bag hung nearby, the end of which was inserted into her right forehoof.
“How's your company doing anyway? Does the board mind you spending trillions trying to keep me alive?” Chrysalis asked dryly.
“They know, but they don't care,” Celestia answered. “Our rejuvenation treatments have earned them nearly eighty percent of the market.”
“Sounds like a monopoly,” Chrysalis pointed out.
“They’ve been hiding our market numbers but I made sure to pass that information along to Twilight. When the time comes that the company is no longer needed it will be broken up into a dozen of smaller divisions or sold off. I don't care,” Celestia dismissed.
“That's good,” Chrysalis murmured faintly.
“You know, I’m technically already the longest-lived changeling in history,” Chrysalis remarked idly, her gaze lingering on the view of the changeling plains that lay just beyond her window.
With the population of Equestria centered mostly on a few megacities, the majority of the planet had been designated a nature preserve. Looked after by rangers like Chrysalis, these wild, untamed lands still brimmed with life, untainted by the industry limited to the hive-like spires of far-off lands. Chrysalis could have made out one such distant, towering megalopolis on the horizon if she focused her good eye, but she did as she usually did, and ignored it.
“Don't talk like that. You’re going to live much longer still,” Celestia pressed.
“Hmm,” Chrysalis muttered absently.
“Okay, it's done. How do you feel?” Celestia asked, untying Chrysalis’ forelimbs and unhooking the IV.
Chrysalis closed her eyes and focused, feeling out her body with a wisp of magic.
“The same as always. Old,” Chrysalis replied after a long pause.
“Your holes haven't shrunk either,” Celestia added.
“Oh my. Is my nurse getting frisky?” Chrysalis teased.
“That's not what I meant,” Celestia hissed back.
“Relax Celestia. I’m dying, not dead,” Chrysalis retorted. “You never know. Maybe I’ve got another decade or two left in me.”
“That is an optimistic read of the situation,” Celestia murmured, inspecting Chrysalis’s hoof, paying close attention to the hole present right at the elbow. “Have you given any more thought to the full-body prosthesis? I hear Twilight took the plunge a few years ago and hasn't looked back.”
“Frankly Celestia, Twilight is a technophile and I’m not just saying that because she's dating a synthetic intelligence,” Chrysalis retorted.
“Be that as it may, the offer stands,” Celestia shot back, the alicorn dropping Chrysalis hoof and taking a step back.
“We’ve gone through this Celestia. My brain will still age. Yes, it may make the last few years a bit easier but if I am to die I will do it in my own body thank you very much,” Chrysalis proclaimed.
“Except your eye, jaw, three of your organs, and all the synthetic chitin,” Celestia shot back.
“Yes well, that doesn't count,” Chrysalis declared.
“I still think-”
“Celestia,” Chrysalis interrupted. “I have lived a very long time thanks to your endless support and bottomless love but unlike you alicorns, I am not a true immortal. The sooner you accept that the sooner we can simply enjoy what time we have left together.”
“Chrysalis, you underestimate us ponies. Heck you underestimate your changelings!” Celestia began, standing taller. “We have reached the moon and made it our home. We have-”
“Gone to other planets, met aliens, etc. I’ve heard it all before Celestia. You can spare the inspirational speech,” Chrysalis interrupted. “Honestly it's like you don't want to enjoy the time we have left.”
Celestia held the dramatic pose she had struck for a moment longer before releasing a sigh.
“I’m sorry Chrysalis,” whispered the alicorn.
“It's fine. Now, get the teleporter prepped. As much as I love this little cottage I’d hate to spend our five thousandth wedding anniversary here,” Chrysalis stated calmly.
“Right,” Celestia declared, clopping a hoof against the ground. “Cadance said she had something special for us.”
“I am eager to see what that old witch has been up to these past few years,” Chrysalis added.
“I hope she hasn't gotten into any kind of trouble,” Celestia offered, her gaze growing distant.
“If she was, I’m sure she’d be a little more insistent we show up on time,” Chrysalis sat upright. “Speaking of which, we really should be moving.”
“Right, of course,” Celestia muttered, trotting away.
“C.C, bring us to the teleportarium,” Chrysalis ordered, tapping a button on her wheelchair. “Take it easy though.”
“Sure thing boss lady,” exclaimed a robot voice from the back of the chair.
The wheels began to spin on their own, and Chrysalis slowly glided after her partner at a relaxed pace. Chrysalis glanced about the room, taking in the many pictures hanging on the wooden wall, and nicknacks tucked into various nooks and crannies. There were scenes of battle, some against creatures not native to Equestria, though most were of times of peace.
There were so many momentos, so many memories that Chrysalis nearly felt overwhelmed, the changeling’s vision swimming with unshed tears.
“I change my mind. Quicker C.C,” Chrysalis whispered.
“Aye boss,” chirped the synthetic intelligence.
Making their way through the living room and into the back of the home, Chrysalis entered a small square space. Barely large enough for herself, her partner, and all the equipment housed within, Chrysalis was forced to linger in the doorway. Crystal pylons connected to electric wires created a runic array that was both simple looking but was actually incredibly complicated.
“We got a message,” Celestia remarked, tapping a key on the old-fashioned computer. “Cadance said to meet her in the old crystal castle.”
“Huh. Isn't that a museum now?” Chrysalis half stated, half asked.
“I think so. Cadance apparently pulled some strings and secured the whole place for the day,” Celestia replied, hitting a few more of the buttons.
“Someone’s sentimental,” Chrysalis reasoned.
“Only one way to find out what she has planned,” Celestia offered, gesturing to the faintly humming circle.
“Alonsy!” Chrysalis declared, her chair powering her into the middle of the array.
“I still can't believe you like that show. You, who refused to partake in digital media for nearly three hundred years,” Celestia mused, adding another instruction to the machine before squeezing in next to Chrysalis.
“I was merely waiting until there was a backlog of things to enjoy,” Chrysalis countered with a smirk. “And I’ve never run out since.”
Celestia chuckled.
“Hello? Is anyone there!” Celestia called, trotting slowly down the hallway.
“I forgot just how many stairs this place had,” Chrysalis muttered bitterly.
“You say that like I didn't use my antigrav to carry you up all those stairs you curse,” countered the electronic voice of C.C.
“I still hate them,” Chrysalis countered.
“She has to be in the throne room right? It's the only place we haven't tried,” Celestia muttered.
“Well, go on. I ain't gettin any younger,” Chrysalis complained, gesturing to the large double doors.
Celestia hid a frown and pushed open the crystal doors.
The pair stepped into the room to find that it wasn't like the rest. Where there were museum pieces and exhibits elsewhere in the building, a small section of this room looked like an apartment. Either that or like someone was squatting here, hoping to go unnoticed.
The crystal, dulled by dust and thousands of years of poor maintenance was little more than a smoky quartz. The large windows remained but grime coated them, and the view was nonexistent, as the city had long since built over the former crystal palace. The only peice of original furniture, the crystal throne, bore the scorch marks of a bygone battle even to that day.
What was new, was the small kitchenette, living area, and bedroom separated by shelves that would have been better suited for the interior of a mech bay. There were clear signs that someone was living here, be it the smell of recently cooked eggs or the bubbling pot of boiling water sitting on a table. Chrysalis thought that perhaps no one was present, only to notice the small hospital bed sitting at the base of the throne room.
“Cadance?” Chrysalis whispered to herself.
The hornless lump perked up and glanced in their direction.
“Oh, it's you two. I thought you wouldn't make it in time,” Cadance called, her voice weak, and barely audible. “Come, sit. Pour yourselves some tea.”
Chrysalis and Celestia exchanged a glance before trotting or rolling up to the now-mortal mare.
“Cadance you-” Celestia began.
“Gave up my immortality, yes. Please don't bother trying to talk me into going back on my decision. Twilight already tried for the last week and even she gave up,” Cadance replied, the wrinkled mare flashing the pair a wry smile.
“Well if Twilight failed. Then I don't mind throwing in the towel,” Chrysalis remarked. “Ceecee, bring us over to that table and pour us some tea, would you?”
“Sure thing boss,” C.C. replied.
The chair moved on its own, seating itself at the small table placed next to Cadance’s bed. A holographic purestrain changeling then appeared and lifted the kettle from its warming plate, stopping the high-pitched whistle. It then began to pour some of the provided tea into the two cups already set out for the duo. Chrysalis took her cup from her assistant and began to gently blow on the steaming hot liquid while Celestia just stood there.
“What… what brought this on?” Celestia murmured, clumsily falling into the prepared chair.
“A lot of things,” Cadance replied. “I’ve been running on fumes for almost a millennium at this point but it was that last big ski outing where we went to Luna’s resort on the moon that convinced me of this.”
“You mean when you hooked up with our chair lift operator and got so drunk you ended up fighting Luna over what the word canoodle meant?” Chrysalis prodded.
Cadance laughed a dry, hollow laugh.
“Yes,” Cadance replied after she paused to catch her breath. “Seeing you both still as in love as ever, it made me realize just how much of me I’d lost over the years.”
“Cadance I-” Celestia began.
“Tia, please,” Cadance interrupted. “I know you want to argue I know you want to try and change my mind but please don't. Not only is it too late, but I’d really like to just enjoy this moment, okay?”
“I just…” Celestia began, only to glance to a stern Chrysalis and then back to Cadance. “Okay. I can see you’re heart is set on this.”
“Thank you. Now, where was I?” Cadance muttered. “This whole being old thing sucks.”
“Tell me about it,” Chrysalis added.
“The skiing trip,” Celestia offered.
“Oh, right,” Cadance cleared her throat. “I fought her not out of any real malice, or anything but because I was less then secretly jealous of you girls.”
“We are pretty awesome,” Chrysalis remarked.
“Normally I’d disagree but we are quite awesome,” Celestia exclaimed.
“Even now, you two are so in sync with one another it almost makes me wish one or both of you had fallen for me, rather than the other,” Cadance replied, a teasing smirk on her face.
“Eh, you couldn't handle us,” Chrysalis retorted, jabbing a cup of tea at the pegasus.
“We are a bit much,” Celestia admitted with a bit more reluctance.
“That is also very true,” Cadance murmured.
“So, that was it? You felt jealous of us and decided to end it all?” Chrysalis prodded.
“Not exactly. That just started a train of thought that ended in a realization,” Cadance replied.
“Well? Don't leave us in suspense. What did you figure out?” Celestia urged.
“I realized that you made a better princess of love than I did,” Cadance declared, only to chuckle. “Not in my prime mind you, I was still a better of princess of love four thousand years ago. But after all this time…”
Cadance shrugged.
“I suppose it has been a while since you called yourself by that title,” Celestia mused. “Funny, I haven't really noticed that until now.”
“With the mantle empty, I wanted to pass it down to someone truly worthy and I can think of no one more worthy than you,” Cadance continued, turning to face the lone changeling. “Chrysalis.”
“You know there was a time I would have relished such a statement,” Chrysalis exclaimed, her frown turning into a soft smile. “Still, it's nice to wear it for however long I have left.”
“Thank you, Cadance,” Celestia added.
“Oh don't thank me. The title is meaningless these days. I have no lands, no empire, I barely have a savings account,” Cadance exclaimed dryly, the mare chuckling to herself. “It's more symbolic than anything.”
“Still. It's from you, so I appreciate it nonetheless,” Chrysalis replied.
“Don't be so quick to accept. There are still certain responsibilities that come with being the princess of love you know,” Cadance warned, waggling an aged hoof at the changeling. “Do you promise to do your best to promote love, and understanding between as many creatures as you can and to hold love in the highest of regards?”
“Yeah, sure whatever,” Chrysalis dismissed.
“Chrysalis, she’s serious,” Celestia whispered.
“What? Oh, uh,” Chrysalis scratched the back of her neck. “I promise to do all that.”
“You have to say the whole thing,” Cadance pressed.
Chrysalis rolled her eyes.
“Fine,” Chrysalis muttered, exhaling completely before continuing. “I promise to do my best to promote love, and understanding between as many creatures as I can and to hold love in the highest of regards. Happy now?”
“Quite,” Cadance exclaimed.
“Well, thats nice. For a year or two I get to say I’m the princess of love and it wouldn't even be a lie,” Chrysalis stated, elbowing Celestia in the side. “What do you think of that?”
“I think you're incorrigible,” Celestia deadpanned.
“That may be but you love me anyway,” Chrysalis shot back.
“True,” Celestia admitted. “I’m rather committed at this point.”
“No backing out now,” Chrysalis replied, taking Celestia’s hoof and squeezing it tightly.
“That's what I like to see. Here,” Cadance muttered, reaching down beside her bed. “This is for you.”
Chrysalis was about to make a joke when Cadance produced the crystal heart and pressed it into Chrysalis’ hooves.
“Is that…” Celestia muttered.
“Looks like it,” Chrysalis replied, raising the shimmering heart.
“Thank you, by the way,” Cadance whispered. “It's been an honor knowing you both.”
“I…” Chrysalis trailed off.
Both Celestia and Chrysalis watched in a mix of confusion and mounting horror as Cadance began to glow a faint pink light. The brightness increased until both were forced to look away, their eyes both organic and otherwise, rendered briefly inoperable. When vision returned, Chrysalis felt strange but ignored that sensation for something more pressing had presented itself.
“Cadance… she's gone,” Chrysalis muttered.
“I think we got bigger concerns, dear,” Celestia replied.
“What do you…” Chrysalis trailed off, suddenly aware of the stunned expression on Celestia’s face.
“You look amazing, boss,” offered C.C.
Chrysalis looked down to find that the holes that had riddled her body were gone. Her implants had vanished, yet still she could see and more than that, she felt stronger than ever before. Her horn was long, and straight. Her now long mane and tail had become a mix of soft teal and seafoam green. Three orange ovoid crystals had grown on her chest, and her wings, once as brittle as aged paper were extended, revealing themselves to resemble that of a newborn butterfly’s.
“You look… young,” Celestia whispered.
Chrysalis took a tentative step from her wheelchair, hooves shaking with anticipation and fear. When she was able to stand without pain or discomfort, she looked herself over with a renewed interest.
Her carapace was a soft, gentle green, while the band around her middle was a darker shade of the same color. Her mane had fully grown back out, falling down just past her barrel in twin waves. Touching the top of her head, the changeling was distinctly aware that her old crown had grown back, only the points resembled three flowers.
“I’m… young again,” Chrysalis thought.
“I think you're an alicorn or at least a hybrid of some kind,” Celestia remarked.
“The crystal heart, it's gone,” Chrysalis declared, only to frown. “Wait, I feel it. It's inside me.”
“Gross,” Celestia teased.
“Shut up, you. You’re ruining the moment,” Chrysalis spat, punching her partner in the shoulder.
“Sorry dear,” Celestia replied with a chuckle.
“But seriously. Thank you Cadance,” Chrysalis muttered, placing a hoof on the now-empty bed. “I have regretted much over the long years but our friendship was never one of them.”
“She was the second-best student I ever took,” Celestia added.
Chrysalis chuckled mirthlessly.
“That's some high praise,” Chrysalis teased.
“I can't tell a lie. I was the element of honesty you know,” Celestia replied.
“True,” Chrysalis agreed.
“What now?” Celestia asked.
“I live up to my promise, and we enjoy our anniversary,” Chrysalis declared.
“Really? After all that we just go about our day as if nothing happened?” Celestia pressed, gesturing to the empty bed.
“It's what Cadance would have wanted,” Chrysalis stated confidently.
“Hmmm, I suppose you’re right,” Celestia agreed, leaning in close and gently pressing her forehead against Chrysalis’, their horns brushing against one another. “I love you Chrysalis.”
“I know,” Chrysalis replied.
“Jerk,” Celestia taunted, planting a kiss on Chrysalis’ lips.
“I love you too,” Chrysalis finally replied. “Now, and forever.”
“Now and forever,” Celestia echoed.