To Ne'er Come Down Again

Kneeling on the bathroom floor, with his face buried between Chrysalis’ succulent thighs, Anon stole the fleeting glance up at his lover. He hadn’t intended for his shower to take an abrupt and exceedingly lewd turn, but it had done so nonetheless. The well-timed appearance of, and a series of sinful compliments from his lover had caught his ear and caused him to retaliate. One thing led to another and, before he knew it, he was feasting on her marehood like a randy teenager.

Tart and sweet, her nectar flowed over his lapping tongue and down his throat. The weight of her legs on his shoulders, feeling her shiver when he teased her winking clit, hearing her contented groans and sighs of delight - truly, she was as delightfully wonderful as she ever had been - doubly so, since quiet moments of privacy had become less and less frequent.

Peering down at him, meeting his eye, a wolfish grin split her features. “Enough dawdling. As pleasant as it is, I yearn to feel you inside of me…”

Pushing himself up, Anon loomed over the seated changeling. Though he had every intention of obliging her, he couldn’t help himself from teasing her just a bit. Pointing to his groin, where his manhood stood rigid and proud, he uttered two words.

“Suck it…”

Just like that, she was upon him like a striking adder. Her luscious lips and sinuous tongue wrapped around his length, drawing them into her toothy maw. Skillfully bobbing her head, she peeked up at him. The moment she noticed him smiling down at her, she steadily torqued her head to the right.

As the slow turn continued, a series of rather loud pops filled the cramped room. While it wasn’t the first time she’d twisted her head all the way around, Anon couldn’t help himself from being disquieted by the sight. Like some perverse and particularly bawdy owl, her throat curled into view. As bizarre as it may have sounded, the spectacle of watching his dick swab her esophagus was astoundingly captivating.

Savoring her warmth, with his fingers gliding through her mane, he softly grasped the back of her skull. They both knew what was coming and, judging from the glint he’d seen in her harlequin eyes, and both needed it. Cradling her head in his hands, he gently bucked into her snout. As a pleased sigh escaped him, her forked tongue crept past her lips and to his softly swaying nuts.

With the kids off at the park with Spike, who had promised to walk them home after school, it was one of the few times they’d be able to fool around unharried. Though it was possible for them to get nasty when their hoard of offspring was home, it was less than ideal; the little buggers had some preternatural sense for when the two were becoming intimate and, as such, they’d taken to trying to peep in on the action; Chrysalis swore it had something to do with the ambient love energy they generated when going to pound-town, though that did little to make it any less awkward. Nothing quite ruined the mood like a decade of drones doing their damnedest to break into your bedroom while you were balls deep in your mate.

Moving one hand to her throat, he lightly squeezed. The additional pressure around his tool, while pleasant, wasn’t nearly as gratifying as gradually ramping up the intensity for her. Given that she was prone to the odd bout of sadomasochism, he wasn’t opposed to provoking her - if only slightly. Pushing her head forward, burying her nose in his balls, she groaned around him.

“Alright, that’s enough,” he grunted, patting her jaw. He’d been more than happy with the surprise oral, he wasn’t about to waste the opportunity to get some real action. “Come on, stand up.”

Unhurriedly withdrawing and reorienting her head, she hungrily licked her chops. “My my - someone’s rather eager.”

“For you, of course I am,” he purred. Drawing one finger under her chin, he tilted her face upwards, leaned in, and locked lips with her. He’d long overcome his aversion to the taste of his pre-cum, allowing him to fervently make out with her.

As she wrapped her forelegs around his neck, needily clinging to him, she closed her eyes. She wanted him just as badly as he wanted her - possibly more, since she gained strength from their carnal bouts - and he’d be glad to oblige them both. Only after their tongues had entwined, vying for dominance, did he reluctantly pull away.

Without being asked a second time, Chrysalis got to her hooves and stepped into the basin. Sorcerously setting the shower to run, adding a pleasant sprinkling of warm water to the impending deed, she braced her hind legs and flagged her tail. It was a tempting sight, one he’d indulged in countless times, although he had something else in mind.

Moving up behind her, he stooped low and grabbed ahold of one of her hind legs. The maneuver wouldn’t be the easiest to pull off - at least, not initially - but it would definitely be worth the effort. Wrapping one arm around her chest, ensuring she wouldn’t unceremoniously lose her balance, he pulled her towards himself.

Glancing back at him, she piqued a brow. “Not satisfied to rut me like a common mare?”

As she shifted in his grasp, allowing him to hoist her lower half into the air, she fully turned to face him. Cradling her back in one hand, while supporting her rump in the other, she quickly got the hint and joined in. Like a spring-loaded trap, her hind legs snapped around his waist. With his dick pressed hotly against her lower lips, he pulled her torso to himself.

“I’d much rather see my Queen’s beautiful face,” he chuckled, bucking his hips and taunting her sex.

Raising her waist and wrapping her forelegs around his broad shoulders, she effortlessly aligned herself with his shaft. “Haven’t I told you that flattery will get you everywhere,” she sighed, impaling herself upon him.

The upstanding citizen was one of the less frequent positions they used to consummate their affection; though they both enjoyed it tremendously, the strength and endurance to pull off such a feat wasn’t the easiest thing in the world. Thankfully, the bathtub one one of the places to enact the amorous arrangement. Stepping forward, as she clamped her legs around him, he pressed her back to the wall.

As he placed his heels against the side of the basin, his fingers sank into her ass. Face to face, with only a breath between her muzzle and his nose, he moved in and deeply kissed her. It was the perfect accoutrement to feeling her marehood needily clenching around his shaft and it spurred him onward. Adjusting his positioning, if only to ensure her comfort, he started to move.

Fiercely gripping his pistoning manhood, while making out with him, Chrysalis was certainly no slouch in the matter. The soft frogs of her hooves danced over his back and shoulders, sweetly caressing him as they made love. Besides the sound of water cascading over their bodies and pattering to the basin below, the air was filled with stifled moans and hums of satisfaction.

Given the remarkable amount of time he’d spent with her, Anon had gleaned a number of his lover’s weaknesses. Relinquishing his hold of her tush, he supported her lower back and altered the angle of his thrusts. The change, though subtle, caused her to tremble. He’d learned fairly early on just how to hammer her g-spot and he relished the knowledge that he could rather easily hit her buttons.

Pulling away and breaking their kiss, she rested her head on his shoulder. “Right - Mmmph - there,” she hummed, stroking her cheek against him.

Flexing her legs in tune with his thrusts, ensuring she was hilted with every plunge, she rhythmically drew him deeper into herself. It was not unlike a dance, with the pair working in tandem to heighten the experience. Despite having been robbed of most of her mobility, the Matriarch fiercely fought to match her paramour’s zeal.

On and on they went, growing more fervid by the minute, until the man was madly pounding into her sopping wet and excruciatingly inviting sex. Hot, velvety, and astoundingly snug, her depths contorted around him and offered him bliss like he’d never known. Even if he could go back to bedding human women, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to - not after learning the joys a Queen could offer him.

Try as he might to deny the inevitable, it was like fighting the tide. Between her marish wiles, how drop-dead gorgeous she was, and the sublime sensations her body afforded, his endurance was found wanting. He didn’t have to tell her how close he was, since she was likely already aware of the fact, so he saw no need to announce himself. He simply craned his head towards her, brought his mouth to her snout, and kissed her yet again.

Even if she hadn’t been on the cusp of release, his climaxes tended to push her over the edge - something about the influx of energy overclocking her senses and stimulating her in some seemingly supernatural way. Jackhammering into her, as they fiercely made out, he drove every inch of himself into her and hilted.

His triumphant grunts of conquest were met by her whorish groans of delight, as they came nearly in tandem. Orgasmic juices dribbled and lewdly squirted from her convulsing marehood, trailing down his legs and mingling with the water below, while his seed flooded into her. Locked together, they rode out their ecstasy and drew out the moment as long as possible.

Slowly, feeling his throbbing dick beginning to soften, he kissed his way across her cheek and down her neck. Even though their little escapade was done, they had every intention of savoring the afterglow with one another. With at least an hour to spend without their brood present, they’d have the house all to themselves.

“You know, if you keep treating me like this, I may just surprise you with another clutch,” she tittered, as his essence dripped from her winking snatch.

“And risk being overrun by more foals?” he laughed. Cautiously lowering her, allowing her to get her hooves under herself, he stepped back. “Please, we’ve barely got room enough for the ten that we have now!”

“It’s not my fault they’ve been growing so prolifically - not that I’m complaining,” she teased, moving in reverse and pinning him against the opposite wall. Grinding her ass on his groin, drawing his semi-rigid tool over her marehood and taut pucker, she smirked back at him. “If you had sired my old hive, we would have toppled the Princesses and reigned over the Empire ages ago.”

“Yeah yeah yeah - and then we could rule over Equestria with a tide of our offspring,” he mused, rolling his eyes. “Thank goodness I came up with a better plan.”

The comment caught Chrysalis’ ear and caused her to cock her head. “Did you now? And what pray tell was this glorious plan of yours?”

“To start a happy family with my little love bug,” he whispered. Leaning in and pressing his chest to her back, he hugged her barrel. “If we had an army to look after, I wouldn’t be able to spend as much time doting over you - now would I?”

Her cheeks darkened and he felt the goosebumps raise on her hide, yet she kept her lips pursed. Moments like those, when he had her cornered, were some of his favorite. Even after all the time they’d spent together, having produced a clutch and gotten a home, there were still singular moments where his love for her would cause her to lock up. Besides being positively adorable, it reminded him that she really did care about him.

“You’re just saying that because that loathsome Twilight Sparkle won you over years ago,” she countered, gathering her resolve and casting off his fond sentiment.

Even if there was a kernel of truth in her accusation, he’d meant what he said. Pressing the attack, sidling along her side and to her front, he knelt before her. “You know as well as I do that I wouldn’t let her or anypony come between us.”

“Even if they opposed me?” the Queen rebuked, casting a doubtful gaze upon him.

“Especially if they oppose you,” he murmured, raising and pecking her right forehoof.

Affirmation and the little kiss were the straws that broke the camel’s back. Though she was clearly trying to fight it, she broke into a silly grin. “I’ll remember that, once you’ve been arrested for sedition. Don’t worry though, I’ll be sure to visit you once a fortnight.”

Shooting to his feet and catching her off guard, he pulled her into a tight hug. “In that case, it better be a conjugal visit,” he snickered.

The chances of her attempting another overthrow of the ponies was remarkably thin, especially if he or their foals had anything to say about it, so that had been a hollow threat. Barring some major shit hitting some cosmic fan, he wouldn’t have anything to worry about - that being said, he’d been completely honest. As far as he was concerned, he wouldn’t let anyone or anything come between them.

Basking in his warmth, she rubbed her face against his chest. “As if I’d let them ever take you from me.”

Her admission, though unexpected, warmed the cockles of his heart. There were times when he questioned if she was using him, and others when he feared that she may tire of him, but those had become fewer and fewer. She awaited his return from work, she enjoyed cuddling with him in bed, and they both cherished time with their young - sure, they’d have the odd disagreement here or there, but they’d grown inseparable.

Reaching over her, he grabbed a bottle of lavender body wash and squirted it over her back. As much as he’d like to lounge in the shower with her all afternoon, their time was still finite. Soon enough, the kids would be home and clamoring to spend time with their mommy and daddy.

In the past eight months, since the first utterance of the word ‘daddy’, the bustling brood had become quite the little group of chatterboxes. Once again defying Chrysalis’ expertise, their offspring had begun talking at an exceptionally early age. Flying in the face of normal changeling development, they were maturing in size and intelligence at an alarming rate - for fuck’s sake, they were already double the size of other foals their age and attending school much earlier than usual!

Though the conundrum stymied everypony and everypony, the consensus was that their staggeringly advanced maturation and mental capabilities were due to two unique factors - Anon and Chrysalis. Between the ancient Matriarch’s genetic stock and the human’s wellspring of affection, as well as his amiable demeanor, the brood had basically won the changeling jackpot. All the little ones were exceptionally well fed and cared for, giving them something their reformed half-siblings had struggled to get.

While Anon was pleased with their progenies’ remarkable health, mental acuity, and apparent brilliance, he couldn’t help but worry that they’d be ostracized for their differences - sure, it may have been a silly concern, considering the various creatures of Equestria were all very accepting, but it troubled him nonetheless. He knew it was probably just fatherly anxiety, but he’d had his fair number of those already. Thus far, he’d managed how to differentiate the kids, raised them from grubs, and he’d even started helping them with their homework; if or when they started having social issues, he’d tackle that issue as well.

Their mother, as always, dismissed his fears and assured him that their little ones would be fine. According to Ms. Cheerilee, their foals were already making friends and getting along swimmingly with their classmates, despite some initial trepidation and curiosity about their size and appearance. Though they’d yet to invite any of their companions over for a play date, something told the man that would happen before too long.

“Any plans for tonight?” he inquired, casually lathering his lover’s flank and side.

Chrysalis shrugged, scouring his chest with a soapy loofah. “The children have expressed an interest in seeing Trixie’s show at the School of Friendship. If you’re not opposed to lackluster slight-of-hoof tricks and terribly pedestrian illusions, we could indulge their request.”

“Shit, that’s tonight?” he responded. “I didn’t think it was until next week.”

“You’re mistaken, it’s this evening. Should you wish to stay at home, I’m sure we could keep them entertained with one of the many games you’ve thought up for them - that is, if you’ve got the energy,” she remarked.

He shrugged, pleased enough with either option. “We can ask them when they get back. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind going out for some air.”

It was funny. When the kids had been a bit younger, spending any large sum of time in their immediate proximity tended to leave him slightly weary; it made sense, given their parasitic feeding methods, yet something had eventually changed. Instead of protracted playtime with the foals causing him to tire, the opposite had been happening more and more frequently; after lavishing them with attention and praise, he found himself energized. He still wasn’t sure what was behind it, or if the phenomenon was psychosomatic, but it was a pleasant development.

“As you wish, though I refuse to have you cook for us this afternoon. If we are to go on an outing, we can indulge ourselves at the grease-trap known as the Hay Burger,” she tutted.

“Like you don’t enjoy their sweet potato fries,” he snickered, playfully slapping her backside.

It may have been his imagination, but she seemed to be more able bodied than ever. Over the course of their relationship, she’d become increasingly active and was less prone to whiling away her days on the bed or couch. Between his regular helpings of love and the meals he regularly prepared for her, she was as or more powerful than she’d ever been. It would have been an alarming development, had she been as vengeful and malicious as she once was, though she’d become increasingly tolerant of Ponyville’s residents and civilization at large.

“They put something in them, I swear! So help me, if I have to surreptitiously infiltrate that establishment to discover their culinary secrets, I will,” she hissed.

The man laughed and patted her back, as he straightened up and rinsed himself off. “If you’re not worried about being found out and banned from there, go for it. I’m not gonna risk losing their sweet potato pie.”

“On the extraordinarily slim chance that I was discovered and we were both banned, I’m sure I could offer you something particularly juicy to sate yourself with,” she hummed.

Stepping out of the tub, dripping water to the tiled floor, she calmly lifted a hind leg, rested her hoof on the vanity, and flipped her tail. The picturesque view of her marehood, winking obscenely back at him, was one hell of a tease and it nearly lured him into a second spontaneous fuck-fest - nevertheless, their children would soon be home and their privacy would be forfeit. Sighing to himself, he turned off the shower and followed after her.

Her coy grin belied her lascivious intent, as she longingly eyed his loins. “Don’t want to ruin your dinner with some dessert?”

Strolling up behind her and calmly palming her sex, he deftly stroked her bulging clit. “You know I’d rather treat myself before bed, so long as you don’t wake the kids…”

“If that’s the case, you may need to gag me,” she taunted, rocking back into his hand.

With the prospect of super-sneaky screwing practically searing itself into his brain, Anon grabbed a towel and started drying her off. There was something magical about covert coitus, and he’d become increasingly appreciative of the activity as of late - hell, in the dozens of times they’d discreetly done it, they’d only been caught by the foals twice! While he mused on exactly how they could best keep each other quiet, while in the throes of passion, she began wiping him off.

Having slaked their carnal thirst, pleased to simply be with one another, the pair finished drying and moved into the bedroom. Anon made himself presentable for their brood’s return, slipping into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, while Chrysalis peacefully watched him from the bed. It only took them a few minutes to finish up and stroll into the living room.

Reclining on the sofa, content to wile away their scant bit of privacy, the Queen rested her head on her lover’s lap. Their radio softly filled their cave-like home with the soft, haunting reverberations of jazz - giving the air an odd, almost mysterious atmosphere. It was a tranquil scene, one which both found quite relaxing, yet it was perilously short lived. Before long, a clatter from the front door drew their attention towards the exit.

Even though Spike was more than welcome to see himself in, given the fact that he’d been tending to their foals, it was unusual for him not to knock and announce himself. The lovers stood, with the Queen taking to the air, as they both peered over at the entryway. Not only had the little dragon barged into their home, but there was no trace of their offspring and he appeared to be running as fast as his stumpy legs could carry him - needless to say, it was a disquieting sight.

Both Anon and Chrysalis took off, with the former by foot and the latter by wing, as they raced to see what was the matter. There was no exchange of words, no deliberation on what to do or how to act - no, they acted on raw instinct. If there was even a slight chance that something had gone wrong involving their offspring, they needed to address it as quickly as possible.

Though the man moved with surprising speed, there was no way for him to keep up with the Matriarch. Rocketing towards their pint-sized guest, while her paramour trailed slightly behind, she landed squarely in the little dragon’s path and cut him off. “Where are they?”

“T...they’re - Oh jeez,” Spike wheezed, breathing heavily and holding up a clawed finger. “They’re right outside.”

The scowl of disapproval she shot the reptile was better treatment than she would have given many. Despite his assurance that their young weren’t missing, she apparently saw fit to see for herself. Shifting her focus to the door, she flexed her legs prepared to launch herself to the exit - that was, until Spike jumped into her way with his arms held over his head.

“Wait! You can’t go out there - I mean, not yet! Listen, I need to talk to you and Anon first,” he pleaded, glancing over at the nearing man.

“What’s going on?” Anon asked, slowing as he approached.

Stepping back and lowering her head, staring daggers down at the dragon, Chrysalis’ lip curled. “I’d suggest you begin making some sense. Talk…”

“Ok ok ok,” Spike began, shaking his head. “First of all, the foals are just fine. I met them at the schoolhouse, after their classes, and we went to the playground - heck, I even picked them up some taffy from Sugarcube Corner!”

“I told you not to give them sugar before bringing them home! You do realize that they’ll literally be climbing the walls for hours,” Chrysalis groused, her brow furrowing.

“I mean, come on, I am the best uncle in Ponyville,” the dragon boldly asserted, smiling despite himself.

Anon tried not to smirk at the exchange, but it was a daunting task. Regardless of the occasional breaches of protocol, Spike had become an increasingly large part of the kids’ lives. He came over and played games, took them on outings, and even volunteered to escort them to or from school. His title of best uncle, though self-proclaimed, was quickly becoming an all too real fact, especially because it helped alleviate the strain of raising ten drones.

“Unless you want me to use my progenies’ best uncle as a Pinata, you may want to cut to the chase…” she hissed. Igniting her horn and causing her eyes to ominously glow, she ratcheted up the pressure on their guest.

Itching between the two, Anon intervened. He doubted she’d actually do anything to hurt the cold-blooded chaperone, but there was no sense in making senseless threats. “So what’s going on then?”

Spike closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, attempting to calm himself. “It’ll make more sense for me to show you, b...but I want you to promise me something,” he flatly stated. Squaring his shoulder and pointing up at the matriarch, he set his brow. “You have to promise not to be mad - not at me and especially not at them,” he huffed.

Locking eyes with their guest, Chrysalis’ patience waned. “No,” she grunted, leaping to the sky and sailing towards the exit.

“Did they get into trouble at school or - Hey!” Anon blurted, as the dragon turned tail and ran after the Queen. Chasing his friend, it only took him a second to catch up. “What the hell, Spike? Whatever is going on, it can’t be that bad!”

Something was definitely amiss, yet Anon was unsure what was wrong. Spike was almost always in a good humor and typically got to the point with matters, unless they involved his crush Rarity. The little guy really seemed to enjoy spending time with their foals, even if he did occasionally sneak them treats or keep them out late, so it couldn’t be anything terribly egregious. Wondering what in the hell was going on, he watched Chrysalis land by the open door and freeze.

Leaving Spike in the dust, he sprinted the last thirty yards to the exit and his awaiting mate. The first sign that something was definitely wrong was his mate’s expression. Staring through the doorway, into the yard, a look of abject shock lay plastered on her features. Catching up to her, seeing what had her so nonplussed, he went rigid.

Their decade of kids were all out in the yard, running around and playing with one another, though two of the little ones stood apart. Xanthous and Carmine stuck out like a pair of sore thumbs - not because they were behaving oddly, but because of how they looked. The two siblings were colored precisely like their namesake, a dark crimson and deep yellow perspective, unlike their midnight black brothers and sisters.

The sound of clattering claws and panting coming up behind him broke the spell, causing Chrysalis and himself to turn towards the winded dragon. Stopping behind the pair to catch his breath, a bright emerald energy enveloped him and slammed him into the nearby wall. As startling as the turn of events was, it didn’t hold a candle to the barely restrained contempt and rage on his lover’s face.

“What...did...you...do…” she seethed, openly baring her teeth and the stunned reptile.

It only took Anon a second to put the pieces together, figuring out what had evoked the Queen’s ire. He couldn’t be one hundred percent sure, but it sure as shit looked like two of the kids had possibly reformed. Post-parasitic changelings were almost always vividly colored, having gone through a form of evolution, though something wasn’t lining up. The newest members of Thorax’s hive had hatched with pastel hues, as far as he knew, which only deepened the mystery.

“Tell me,” Chrysalis growled, shaking her draconic victim.

Turning to face his irate paramour, Anon cupped her chin. “Just wait a minute, we don’t know exactly what happened and it doesn’t do anyone any good to jump to conclusions. Maybe they’ve just changed colors or it’s some part of a game.”

Leering over at him, dropping Spike to the ground, she sneered. “It’s not an act. You may be painfully naive about such matters, but I can tell that something has corrupted them.”

Thinking quickly, he waved a hand at the gaggle of drones. “They’re hardly acting like they’ve been corrupted. Just look at them, they’re all getting along like usual.”

Though she looked over her shoulder and watched them, her disdain didn’t waver - if anything, she appeared more displeased than ever. “If Spike is unwilling or unable to explain what happened to them, I’ll go and pry my answers from Twilight herself…”

Before Anon could ask what she’d meant, she broke into a gallop and shot through the door. Her words left little room for doubt - she was about to go after the Princess. With no possible way for him to keep up with her, or to send word to Twilight about the situation, he did the first thing that came to mind. Bounding after her, he grabbed her hind leg and hauled her from the sky.

“Wait, god damn it! You can’t just go barging into the castle and starting shit with Twilight!” he pleaded, digging his heels into the earth.

Scowling back at him, eldritch power crackled around her horn. “Release me or else,” she coldly whispered. “That shrew took everything from me once - I will not let it happen a second time.”

“If you do this, it will make everything worse!” Anon blared, desperately trying to keep his grip. “Please, we can talk about this!”

“Talk is what is what they use to entice the weak willed - it’s how the ponies ensnared the other races and brought them all to heel! I refuse to lose my family to their guileful ways!” she raged, shaking her leg and attempting to dislodge the man.

Screwing his eyes shut and clenching his jaw, it took everything Anon had to keep ahold of her. In the blink of an eye, their peaceful afternoon had gone to hell in a hand basket - not only that, but things were about to get much worse. If Chrysalis went and confronted Twilight, without him or the kids around, there was no telling what she’d do. For the good of his family and quite possibly all of Equestria, he couldn’t let go.

“Please!” he begged, feeling his fingers slip.

Peeking out, hoping to find something - anything which may tip the odds in his favor, his heart sank. Their foals, all normally cheerful and happy little souls, stood about watching the dispute with a mixture of dread and dismay. Each and every one of the tiny changelings stood in mute shock, and several clung to one another for comfort, as their parents fought over something they couldn’t possibly comprehend.

“Is this what you want?” he cried out, looking up to his mate.

Gazing upon their frightened young, only then realizing the distress she’d inadvertently caused, Chrysalis’ scorn seemed to waver. “They don’t understand. What I do, I do for them - for us…”

“If that’s true, ask them - ask them if this is what they want,” Anon murmured, lowering his tone.

The Queen’s wild buzzing ground to a halt. It was plain to see that his words and the upset looks on their offspring's faces was having an impact on her, yet to what degree was left to be seen. Steadily hovering to the ground, allowing the man to get the earth back below his feet, her menacing gaze caused Carmine to hide behind one of his sisters.

“Hey, Carmine and Xanthous, come here,” the man loudly requested, forcing a smile and shifting to face the bunch of mute, diminutive drones.

Taking a timid step forward, Xanthous’ glanced between her parents. “A...are you mad?”

“What? Pffft - no! Mommy and Daddy just have a few questions for you two,” he explained. Settling into a deep squat, hoping to dispel their worry, he waved them over. “You know how Mommy gets cranky if she doesn’t get a nap!”

The carefully executed ploy worked, eliciting a few giggles from the colts and fillies. Appearing slightly more at ease, the colorful filly and colt trotted over to him. As they came within reach, Anon extended his arms, gave them each a hug, and smiled down at them.

“Ok, so, I want to hear all about what happened!” he declared, beaming at the vibrant youths.

“W...well...Uncle Spike surprised us with a bunch of candy after school and then we went and played some hide-and-seek at the park,” Xanthous recounted, seating herself before her father. Carmine nodded in agreement, plopping down behind his sister while slipping glances up at his mother.

“Sounds like a really nice afternoon, even if you know you’re not supposed to have candy before dinner,” Anon noted. Crossing his arms over his chest, failing miserably to look authoritative, he looked between the two of them. “So you got some sweets and went to the park. How did you two end up like this?” he pressed, patting them softly on the heads.

“Carm ended up getting all the banana taffies and he gave them to me. It’s ok though, I traded some strawberry ones and gave him a hug to make up for it!” the filly bleated, her wings excitedly flicking on her back. “And then we just kinda POOF,” she exclaimed, jumping to her hooves and toppling her brother backwards, “it was like magic! There was a big flash of light! A...and then we were like this!”

“That is impressive,” the man remarked, taking care to act even more amazed than he was. Though he still had his concerns about the unforeseen development, showing too much concern would needlessly stress the foals out - as such, he did his best to remain positive. “So how do you two feel? All that color didn’t make you go mad with power did it?” he inquired, tickling his daughter’s sides.

“Nu-uh! I feel just fine!” Xanthous responded, leaping forward and wrapping her forelegs around her dad’s neck.

“And what about…” Anon trailed off, noticing the staring match between Carmine and Chrysalis.

“D...did I do something wrong?” the colt murmured, gazing up at his mother.

The Queen stoically stood and squinted down at the young drone, before dipping her head and bringing her snout towards his face. Their son immediately backed away, his eyes widening in alarm. Chrysalis paused, allowing him to put some space between them, yet her expression remained hard to read.

“Come here, big guy,” Anon grunted, awkwardly leaning in and hauling the colt over to himself. “You didn’t do anything wrong! I’m sure your mom is just super jealous about how good you look now!”

Though he did his best not to show it, he felt like he was walking a tightrope. It was no secret to anyone that losing her hive and having her offspring metamorphose into an entirely new subspecies of kind and amicable shapeshifters was an extremely sore subject for her. After their brood had hatched as the natural, pitch black drones of old, he’d hoped he wouldn’t have to deal with the potential cataclysm of reformed kids, though that hope had been for naught.

He truthfully couldn’t say what was going through her head, and that absolutely terrified him. He hadn’t dared broach the subject of their kids going pastel, since she got angry whenever she even saw one of her erstwhile kin, so he was in uncharted waters. Wrapping his arms around the pair of foals, he closed his eyes and quietly prayed for a miracle.

Wriggling out of his grasp, Carmine fretfully inched closer to Chrysalis. “Mama, is that true?” he softly asked, peeking up at her. Towering over him, as her eyes wandered to his face, she pursed her lips. “If you want, I could try to share some with you,” he continued, boldly crossing the gap between them. As small as he was, compared to her, he was only able to manage hugging one of her slender forelegs. “I love you, Mama, I don’t want you to be sad…”

“Me neither!” Xanthous piped in. Flitting from her father’s arms, she galloped over and embraced her mother.

One after the other, each of the fillies and colts joined their siblings. Whatever trepidation they had from before was sundered outright, as they merrily giggled and jockeyed for positions on and around their mom. The Matriarch’s legs were covered, three of the foals clung to her back, and two intrepid souls had plastered themselves to her neck and chest. As precious as the sight was, it wasn’t until Anon looked to his lover’s face that he fully grasped the magnitude of what was happening.

Chrysalis was smiling - not some half-assed grin of smug condescension, nor a twisted smirk of ridicule, she looked genuinely happy. She glanced down at them all, each and every one, with the corners of her lips turned up in a barely contained grin. It may not have seemed like much, from an outsider’s perspective, but he immediately knew that everything was going to be ok; be damned if he could explain exactly how he could tell that the crisis had been averted - he just did.

As heartwarming as the spectacle was, it came to an all too abrupt end. Bounding into the sky, shaking her legs and dislodging their young, Chrysalis glowered down at the gaggle. “Oh I will be upset with you, all of you, if you don’t get your homework done in time for Trixie’s show tonight!” she sternly tutted, shaking her head in disapproval.

The announcement had an immediate and profound effect, spurring the pint-sized drones to scatter. Each of the foals to gather up their book-bags, which had been scattered throughout the yard, and rush towards the front door. While there were plenty of enthusiastic and animated remarks about the promise of a magic show, it was clear that they intended to complete their assignments as quickly as possible.

Left to their lonesome, the lovers only eventually looked to one another. Though there was plenty to say and discuss, Anon wasn’t sure where to start or if he should even start at all. On one hand, it may not be a bad idea to let the issue lie, giving her some time to process everything and come to terms with the development - on the other, he really, really wanted to praise her for not making a scene or blowing a gasket.

“You know,” a voice announced, “I may have had my doubts, but you’re a darn good mom.” The pair turned, watching Spike totter towards them.

“Your position of best uncle is now temporarily forfeit,” Chrysalis barked. “Until you procure a camera to document any particularly memorable moments with them, you will be relegated to the rank of worst uncle.”

Spike’s jaw hung open, stricken by the demotion, though he was quick to recuperate. “H...hey! But they don’t even have another -”

“My order is non-negotiable. Perhaps if you join us at the School of Friendship this afternoon and take a few photos of us, I may re-institute your title,” she clucked, sauntering away.

Edging closer to the dragon, keeping his voice low, Anon leaned over to his friend. “I’ll get your ticket and dinner, just please find a camera.”

Issuing the man a conspiratorial wink, Spike stretched his wings and took to the air. “Well I guess I’ll see you guys in a few hours. Oh yeah, before I forget, Amber might need help with her math homework.”

Pushing himself up and brushing himself off, Anon waved goodbye to the departing dragon. While he still had some pent-up tension and emotional whiplash from the whirlwind of unforeseen events, he was definitely less stressed than he’d been mere minutes beforehand. Sauntering over to his mate, as she drifted to the ground, he rested a hand on her shoulder.

“Spike is right,” he sighed, lovingly caressing her, “you really are a great mother.”

Scrunching her snout and knitting her brow, she set off towards their home. “You’re going to need to help Amber with her homework. I’ll see to it that the others accomplish their tasks.”

Content to let the subject be, he walked along beside her. There’d more than likely be an adjustment period for the newfound circumstances with their foals, especially if more of them went full candy-colored, but that was a problem for later - for the time being, he was happy to have a pleasant evening with the love of his life and the little souls they’d brought into the world...