A Mother's Love...

by Mayhew Cullen

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, Original Character, Queen Chrysalis, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 7011

Chrysalis is dying and she has but one thought on her mind. When she is gone from the world, who will care for the one thing in the world she values above life itself?

Chrysalis is dying and she has but one thought on her mind. When she is gone from the world, who will care for the one thing in the world she values above life itself?

What will she sacrifice? How much of her pride will be thrown aside? To what lengths will she go to ensure her daughter's life? Will she beg a mortal enemy for mercy, not for herself but for an innocent foal? She is already willing to die for her child so what else could she give to be certain of the filly's sustained happiness?

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This is my entry for the EFNW 2014 Writing Contest. I'm really happy with it so it doesn't matter whether I win or not. Seriously I'm glad I got to tell this story.

Alright big shout out time. As of March 13, 2014 the impeccable Goombasa has posted this... HERE ... Now that a YouTube fanfiction reader has read one of my stories I am one step closer to world domination!

New big shout out time! As of August 28, 2018 the lovely CountessRose has posted this HERE ... Now that a second YouTube fanfiction reader has read the same story as last time, I am yet another step closer to worlds domination!

Now on to the important details, the shout outs to the artists responsible for the vectors and background I used to make the cover art.
The Chrysalis Vector
The Celestia Vector
The Background
Many thanks to them.

Published 2014-02-21 17:40:05 UTC
Last updated 2015-02-21 12:01:34 UTC

Chapter: The Only

The tiny filly sat on the cave floor, happily cooing and gurgling as newly born foals often do. She was a Pegasus with a warm pink coat and an oddly dreary two toned black and dark purple mane. Still in spite of her unusual location a pure contentedness shown from the sparkling green eyes that that had no doubt been inherited from her mother.

Contentment, happiness, these were the only things her mother ever wished for her child to have. Certainly at such a young age a mother’s sustaining love was more than enough to ensure the filly’s cheerfulness, but what of the future? How could she justify keeping her offspring hidden away in a cave? Eventually her daughter would want to explore beyond the cave seeking the one thing her mother could not provide, friendship.

The mother coughed heavily, tasting a metallic ichor on the back of her tongue. She pushed her sickly blue mane out from in front of her eyes with an oddly perforated black hoof. Her dragon-like green eyes matched her daughters in appearance and remained focused on the quill and parchment in front of her. Each was held in a green aura as the pen slid carefully putting words to the page. Still the pen strokes were rushed and every thought on the page was only half complete. Well, all but one. That point was communicated with an odd consistency that begged for it to be noticed by the reader.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Surely you will be overjoyed to hear that I will soon be dead. Please however do not disregard the rest of this message. First know that I do not nor will I ever apologize for my actions at Mi Amore Cadenza’s wedding. I am not seeking forgiveness for my choices, but I am also not seeking to justify them to you.

My current location is seven hundred forty-six leagues south by southwest of your castle in a cave with an entrance lined with moss. I only mention this, because I am sure you would love the opportunity to gloat while I still have some life left in me. Also perhaps you would like to meet my daughter.

I have found recently that love magic is a curious thing. When Cadenza and Shining Armor expelled my army and myself from Canterlot some of their love managed to… let us just say it entered me. Not in the way that would feed me and make me stronger, but in the way that feeds off of me and weakens my already wounded body. I never knew that foals had such insatiable appetites.

Oh yes I don’t believe I mentioned yet, she is a filly. A little pony, just like all your subjects… maybe. Do Pegasi usually drool every waking moment of their young lives? It is rather disgusting; I may ask you to take her with you after your visit.

You also don’t have to worry too much about her smell. I have kept her clean, but I am growing weary of the constant upkeep required to keep her so.

Anyway enough about the little one, as I said before, I am dying, perhaps Cadenza and Shining Armor would like to hear that as well.

Maybe I should be a little more honest, my daughter isn’t exactly a pony like your subjects… she, well she is also a little bit like me. She doesn’t consume love the same way I would, but she does take love from me that I could have used to survive. Isn’t it odd that instead of destroying the parasite I find myself more than willing to give my life for hers?

Yes I get the irony. Oh she’s crying again. Why don’t you come visit us and we can finish our little talk. Maybe you could bring something for the little one to eat so she isn’t bored by our adult conversation. Or I suppose you could take her to your palace and feed her there… and raise her… and love her…

Your Fallen Adversary,

Chrysalis

Chrysalis, Abject Mother and former Queen of the Changelings

Rolling the parchment into a scroll with her magic Chrysalis coughed again before focusing her magic into a gout of green flame that consumed the letter. If she were the sort to believe in a god the changeling might have prayed for the letter to reach its intended recipient.

Instead she merely lay down beside the crying filly and used a hoof to pull the little pony close. She was just about to slip into a restless sleep when the sudden sound of magic seemed to echo through the small cave she had been calling home.

Chrysalis smiled, the sound had been that of a half dozen teleportation spells, certainly she was not equipped to entertain multiple guests, but she understood and even applauded Celestia’s foresight in being on guard enough to bring soldiers.

“You wanted to see me?” Celestia stood tall and spoke with the warmth of a noonday sun. Her guards waited patiently ready to leap to their princess’s aid if the need should arise.

Chrysalis on the other hoof merely smiled at the princess of the sun before replying, “Certainly, we do have a bit of business to discuss after all.”

“Business?” The confusion in Celestia’s voice reminded the changeling of a summer breeze but still aggravated her as it meant wasting another portion of her remaining lifespan to explain.

So she rolled her eyes at Celestia’s ignorance, it was obvious now that she had given too much credit in regard to the princess’s powers of deduction. Still she was not above reproach herself so with a sigh she spoke, “The business of my punishment. I imagine it will be execution. At first I thought it might be exile, but really, aren’t I already in exile?”

Celestia’s eyes darkened at the mention of capital punishment. Such practice had been abolished long ago and Celestia would not allow such things as long as she lived. Her tone became harsh, reminding Chrysalis of a smoldering ember, "And what pray tell would my reason be for putting you to death?”

With another roll of her eyes the former changeling queen replied, “I committed a crime, do you not punish criminals in your country? I’ll be dead soon anyway so I guess whatever torture you devise will be more than adequate.” It was then that the small filly in her gentle embrace stirred causing Chrysalis to suddenly smile.

It was not a smile Celestia was used to seeing from a changeling. It was true that she had little experience with them as a species but the malicious grin that Chrysalis had worn at the wedding a year ago was nothing like the expression she wore when looking at her… filly? After stretching for a moment the foal opened her eyelids revealing the catlike green orbs to the princess.

Celestia finally understood. Everything in the letter made sense now. Chrysalis was dying and… and she wanted, no, needed somepony to care for her foal. Celestia realized why Chrysalis could not simply leave the filly at any doorstep in Equestria. It was then that she found she couldn’t help but whisper, “She’s so beautiful.”

The changeling beamed, though there was a strange sadness in her voice as she replied, “Even though she has my eyes, right? I also gave her a pony name so you won’t have to worry about that. I named her Crystal Dream; I honestly can’t help but feel silly saying it though so I just call her Chrysie for short.” Chrysalis suddenly felt it, love, real love, spontaneous and unconditional love directed at her little pony. Maybe the ex-queen had chosen the proper surrogate mother for her daughter, a thought that became fact when Celestia uttered her next words.

“Why say that when you have such lovely eyes?” A flash of magic materialized a bottle of warmed milk. She had gotten an odd look from her head chef when she requested food for a foal, but was able to convince him that his career would last much longer if he obeyed a direct order from his employer. She would have to apologize when she returned, but for now there was a hungry filly to feed.

The bottle floated slowly into the tiny pony’s reach and without hesitation Crystal clamped her jaws on the rubber tip and began suckling, showing the obvious instinct to nurse that anypony would be born with, that was all the proof the ruler of Equestria needed that this was indeed a pony deserving her protection.

Chrysalis chuckled warmly, which she instantly regretted as it drew out another fit of heavy coughing. After she managed to calm herself the changeling spoke in her most civilized tone so far, “I figured it out. You can punish me for my crimes by taking my daughter from me and raising her as your own. Raise her as your own and never tell her of her true origins and the monster that is her mother.” Tears welled up in both of the elder ponies’ eyes. Chrysalis wept at her own weakness, but Celestia’s tears were out of concern that the dying queen before her was so unwilling to release her true feelings in her final hour.

The princess spoke through the tears, her voice was pleading, begging to be heard. The sound reminded Chrysalis of falling rain, “Please Chrysalis. Please give up your pride, and make your request. Despite what you might think you are a subject under my protection, so please tell me your true desire. Tell me, my little pony, why you sent me that letter.”

Chrysalis could not stop her tears; truly she had underestimated the Equestrian ruler. She had never wept openly before but she didn’t take the time to appreciate the irony that the first creature she had cried in front of was at one time her most powerful enemy. Instead she spoke, openly baring her feelings to the princess of the sun, “I want to live! I want to watch my little Chrysie grow up and make friends. I want to watch her fall in love; I want to watch her raise little fillies and colts of her own. I don’t want to die before I get to see what kind of mare she will be!” Chrysalis stood in renewed defiance. She would not die here; she would fight and take Celestia’s place. She would…

“Look down.” Celestia’s voice quelled the changeling’s rage instantly, like cool running water. Chrysalis found herself obeying without question. What she saw was certainly not something she was expecting, below and behind her lying peacefully on the cave floor was a changeling queen curled around a tiny foal still suckling on an empty bottle. Chrysalis was silent leaving plenty of room for Celestia to speak.

“This is truly the most painful of my duties and for reasons that should be obvious I am still unwilling to burden my sister and faithful student with such things.”

“How long have I been…?” The question was unfinished, but it was one the princess was had often been asked.

Celestia’s tone once again became warming to the now fearful changeling, “Not too long, just before I arrived. You sent me the letter and when you fell asleep it was for the last time. I would say you should be thankful to have gone with such peace, but if that were the case you would have no regrets and you would not be here. I cannot bring you back, but I can promise you two things. I promise I will raise your daughter as my own. She will never have a need that will not be filled. She will never fear isolation or animosity, but instead she will live in companionship and goodwill. Above all however she will know your name, and she will hold that name in the highest regard.”

Chrysalis felt as if she were drifting away on a gentle tide but still managed to speak, “and the second promise?”

Celestia smiled. The warmth seemed to be like a gentle spring after the harshest winter and her voice was the same, “I promise that you will see her grow and play with friends. You will see her fall in love and you will see her raise her own foals. You will watch her grow old and when the time comes she will join you and joyfully tell you what kind of mare your daughter became.” Without another word Celestia lowered her horn to touch the conscious spirit of Chrysalis. In a flash the soul was gone and a bright green star bloomed in Luna’s night sky.

Five years later…

“Mommy! Mommy! Auntie Wuna says the tickle monster’s gonna get me!”

Celestia looked down at the tiny pink Pegasus that had her minuscule legs wrapped around her left front hoof. With a smile and a flourish of magic Celestia lifted the young filly to eye level. She then allowed herself a mischievous grin before speaking, “Well little Chrysie I guess that means Auntie Luna forgot to mention who the tickle monster was.” Celestia paused as her younger sister came into view behind the currently floating filly. The elder princess gave her sibling a playful wink as she leaned to whisper in young Crystal’s ear, “I’m the tickle monster.”

Without missing a beat Chrysie began squirming to escape Celestia’s magic but was unable to resist giggling uncontrollably when the princess of the sun pressed her lips to the filly’s belly and blew the biggest raspberry she could. Then as she nuzzled her daughter, Celestia felt her old memories afflict her, forcing tears to well up in her ordinarily regal eyes. It was not the first time and it would not be last, but today was the first time Chrysie noticed her mother’s tears.

“Mommy, why are you cwying?” The tiny filly’s voice was filled with an insurmountable concern. It was something so pure that even in her darkest moments Celestia had to smile warmly.

The princess spoke then with a truly motherly tone, “I’ll tell you when you’re older dear. Now it’s almost sundown and that means bedtime.”

If making puppy dog eyes was a skill to be learned, Celestia had to admit that her daughter had mastered it. Chrysie’s eyes and tone of voice were equally pleading as she stared into her mother’s own eyes, “Aw, but I wanna see Auntie Wuna waise the moon. Pwease mommy?”

Celestia chuckled warmly, “Alright, but right to bed after that. Your Auntie Twilight said she wanted to teach you how to make a proper book fort.”

“And Uncle Spike is gonna tell me how to be a libwawy!”

After another warm bout of laughter Celestia guided her filly to Luna’s tower to watch the changing from day to night. The stars were exceptionally bright that night, but none more so than one that seemed to glow brighter when a particular little pony looked up at it.

Seeing the brightness increase Chrysie bounced with joy as she exclaimed, “Wook Mommy, Chwisiwhistle is smiwing again!”

Celestia almost laughed at her daughter’s attempt to pronounce the star’s name but instead, only replied warmly as she looked up at the verdant star, “That’s right sweetheart. Do you remember why Chrysalis is smiling?”

The tiny Pegasus flapped her wings with excitement before proudly replying, “Because she pwotect and woves me!” Then with a deep breath Crystal shouted as loud as she could while waving happily at the green star, “Thank you Chwisiwhistle, I wove you too!”

The Director's Cut

It never rained in the badlands. Storms came and went but never did a drop of rain touch the ancient cracked earth. Thunder and lightning only quieted by hurricane force sand storms that were common enough that few creatures were tenacious enough to dwell there. Even the changelings lived in massive underground hives at the wasteland’s edge. Yet still as with all places there was one who called it theirs.

Though hers was a cursed life, starving and alone in a crevice barely sheltered from the wind. Still she could not leave for she lacked both the strength and the will to abandon the smaller creature curled up to her chest for what little warmth existed there.

It was a tiny filly seated on the cave floor, happily cooing and gurgling as newly born foals often do. She was a Pegasus with a warm pink coat and an oddly dreary two toned black and dark purple mane. Still in spite of her unusual location a pure contentedness shown from the sparkling green eyes that that had no doubt been inherited from her mother.

Contentment, happiness, these were the only things her mother ever wished for her child to have. Certainly at such a young age a mother’s sustaining love was more than enough to ensure the filly’s cheerfulness, but what of the future? How could she justify keeping her offspring hidden away in a cave? Eventually her daughter would want to explore beyond the cave seeking the one thing her mother could not provide, friendship. Of course that implied that they would survive the long wasteland winter with no food, water or proper shelter.

The mother coughed heavily, tasting a metallic ichor on the back of her tongue. Her injuries had never healed properly and she knew the foal beside her was to blame. Though for some reason she could not define, she never held ill will toward the creature

She pushed her sickly blue mane out from in front of her eyes with an oddly perforated black hoof. Her dragon-like green eyes matched her daughters in appearance and remained focused on the quill and parchment in front of her. Each was held in a green aura as the pen slid carefully putting words to the page. Still the pen strokes were rushed and every thought on the page was only half complete. Well, all but one. That point was communicated with an odd consistency that begged for it to be noticed by the reader.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Princess Celestia,

Surely you will be overjoyed to hear that I will soon be dead. Please however do not disregard the rest of this message. First know that I do not nor will I ever apologize for my actions at Mi Amore Cadenza’s wedding. I am not seeking forgiveness for my choices, but I am also not seeking to justify them to you.

My current location is seven hundred forty-six leagues south by southwest of your castle in a cave with an entrance marked by blackened stones. I only mention this, because I am sure you would love the opportunity to gloat while I still have some life left in me. Also perhaps you would like to meet my daughter.

I have found recently that love magic is a curious thing. When Cadenza and Captain Armor expelled my army and I from Canterlot some of their love managed to… let us just say it entered me. Not in the way that would feed me and make me stronger, but in the way that feeds off of me and weakens my already wounded body. I never knew that foals had such insatiable appetites.

Oh yes I don’t believe I mentioned yet, she is a filly. A little pony, just like all your subjects… maybe. Do Pegasi usually drool every waking moment of their young lives? It is rather disgusting; I may ask you to take her with you after your visit.

You also don’t have to worry too much about her smell. I have kept her clean, but I am growing weary of the constant upkeep required to keep her so.

Anyway enough about the little one, as I said before, I am dying, perhaps Cadenza and Shining Armor would like to hear that as well.

Maybe I should be a little more honest, my daughter isn’t exactly a pony like your subjects… she, well she is also a little bit like me. She doesn’t consume love the same way I would, but she does take love from me that I could have used to survive. Isn’t it odd that instead of destroying the parasite I find myself more than willing to give my life for hers?

Yes I get the irony. Oh she’s crying again. Why don’t you come visit us and we can finish our little talk. Maybe you could bring something for the little one to eat so she isn’t bored by our adult conversation. Or I suppose you could take her to your palace and feed her there… and raise her… and love her…

Your Fallen Adversary,

Chrysalis

Chrysalis, Abject Mother and former Queen of the Changelings

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rolling the parchment into a scroll with her magic Chrysalis coughed again before focusing her magic into a gout of green flame that consumed the letter. If she were the sort to believe in a god the changeling might have prayed for the letter to reach its intended recipient.

Instead she merely laid her head on the ground curling it around the crying filly pulling her into the crook of her neck.

“But Princess, are you sure this isn—“ Twilight Sparkle was quickly silenced by Luna’s raised hoof. The princess of the night took the moment of silence to offer her own, less measured assessment of the situation.

“Sister, thou art a foal if thou thinks this is not a trap. Surely she waits with an army of changelings ready to capture and take thy form. Let me go in thy stead and we shall bring thy judgment to the creature.”

Celestia smiled warmly at her sister’s concern and warmly replied, “No Luna, I have no judgment for her and I assure you there is no trap. However, if it will satisfy you I will take my personal guard with me.”

“My apologies princess, but it would satisfy me more if you let me come with you.”

Celestia smiled warmly at her student’s request. It warmed her heart to be reminded of Twilight’s selfless courage. “No, I cannot take you with me. Please just wait with Luna for my return. I fear I shall return shortly after dusk.”

At the elder alicorn moved toward her guards’ barracks Luna and Twilight looked at eachother wondering when diplomatic missions were completed so expeditiously?

After the youth quieted Chrysalis spent at least an hour with her offspring breathing softly into her mane. She was then lulled into a restless slumber by the tiny but surprisingly strong beats of the little heart.

Sudden quieting of the storm outside and warmth moving closer to her in her tiny cave told of the sudden arrival of her pristine foe. What woke her was not the feeling and the silence but instead the sound of a half dozen teleportation spells and the gruff mumblings of a guard who was trying to persuade his Princess to simply let the changeling die. The warmth told Chrysalis that the princess was with her in spite of the wise guard’s judgment.

“You wanted to see me?” Celestia stood tall and spoke with the warmth of a noonday sun. Her guards waited patiently outside ready to leap to their princess’s aid if the need should arise.

Chrysalis allowed herself a coy smirk as if she were hiding something up her metaphorical sleeve. She had no tricks or surprises available to her, but she had long since mastered the art of bluffing: a skill that Celestia had mastered long before the abject changeling queen was even born. Still the princess allowed her host the chance to speak, “Certainly, we do have a bit of business to discuss after all.”

“Business?” Like a summer breeze, Celestia’s tone was gentle as she tilted her head in curiosity. Her catlike gesture infuriated Chrysalis as it, along with the princess’s question, was simply wasting her remaining lifespan.

So she disrespectfully rolled her eyes at Celestia’s ignorance, it was obvious to her that she had given her adversary far too much credit in regard to the princess’s powers of deduction. Still Chrysalis was not above reproach herself, so with a sigh she spoke, “the business of my punishment. At first I thought you might choose to exile me, but really, aren’t I already in exile? After all here I am, trapped in the middle of the desert far from my hive and even further from your appetizing subjects.”

Celestia could have held back her chuckle, but chose to use this opportunity to empathize with the injured changeling and giggled warmly, “So I imagine you will expect a lighter sentence for time already served?”

Chrysalis had been told of Celestia’s contagious laughter, but even after her time impersonating Cadenza she still never felt the need to join in simply from hearing Celestia’s joyful amusement. So instead she only glared at the smiling alicorn, “Certainly not. I wouldn’t take your charity if my life depended on it. In fact I will expect nothing less than my torture and subsequent execution.”

Celestia’s eyes darkened. Such practice had been abolished long ago, and Celestia would not allow such things as long as she lived. "And what pray tell would my reason be for putting you to death?” Celestia asked in a harsh tone.

Chrysalis felt a movement in her digestive organs, Celestia was actively projecting emotions at her now and she would soon taste the princess’s true feelings. She was certainly surprised when she tasted something other than anger or hate, but was silenced when she realized that it was concern, deep concern born from love. “And what, pray tell, is your reason for giving me your love?”

Celestia turned her head away and tightened her brow in concentration. The truth had to wait, it was not time. So instead she allowed herself a partial truth to ease the burden of the lie of omission. “Does a ruler need a reason to show love to her subjects? Now let us end this silly game, please, tell me why you think I wish to murder you.”

“I committed a crime; do you not punish criminals in your country? I’ll be dead soon so I guess whatever torture you devise will be more than adequate.” It was then that the small filly in her gentle embrace stirred causing Chrysalis to suddenly smile.

Celestia fought back the urge to show more love for the changeling queen and continued her inquiry. “If you truly wish to die then tell me of your life. Surely you have some wisdom you wish to impart on your offspring,”

Chrysalis glared daggers at her, her reply like poison. “Nothing in my life will ever be of any worth to my daughter. Now tell me princess, why show love for me, I am not your subject nor am I within your kingdom.”

Celestia’s gentle smile returned as she responded, “No this land is a part of Equestria. Far flung and abandoned, but tonight you will see the true magic of an alicorn who exemplifies the strength of all her subjects.”

The former queen couldn’t tear her gaze from Celestia as a golden hue illuminated the cave, bathing her body in a golden aura. Celestia was strong but Chrysalis knew even this would not be enough to breathe life into the wasteland.

Celestia would readily admit the same, were it not for the army of workers of all three races she had commissioned to begin reforming the badlands into a fertile valley fit for all manner of life. Her magic would only be the start; it was her strong and brave little ponies who would be given the credit for this venture.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, but found a smile when her eyes reached her foal, and she allowed herself a little faith to believe that the princess before her had not gone mad.

This smile and the one before were not what Celestia was used to when it came to changelings. It was true that she had little experience with them as a species but the malicious grin that Chrysalis had worn at the wedding a year ago was nothing like the expression she wore when looking at her… filly? After stretching for a moment the foal opened her eyelids revealing the catlike green eyes to the princess.

Celestia finally understood. Everything in the letter made sense now. Chrysalis was dying and… and she wanted, no, needed somepony to care for her foal. Celestia realized why Chrysalis could not simply leave the filly at any doorstep in Equestria. “She’s so beautiful,” Celestia whispered softly.

The changeling beamed, though there was a strange sadness in her voice as she replied, “Even though she has my eyes, right? I also gave her a pony name so you won’t have to worry about that. I named her Crystal Dream; I honestly can’t help but feel silly saying it though so I just call her Chrysie— like my mother called me.” Chrysalis felt it again, love, real love, spontaneous and unconditional love directed at her little pony. Maybe the ex-queen had chosen the proper surrogate mother for her daughter, a thought that became fact when Celestia uttered her next words.

“Why say that when you have such lovely eyes?” A flash of magic materialized a bottle of warmed milk. She had gotten an odd look from her head chef when she requested food for a foal, but Celestia was able to convince him that his career would last much longer if he simply obeyed a direct order from his employer. She would have to apologize when she returned, but for now there was a hungry filly to feed.

The bottle floated slowly into the tiny pony’s reach, and without hesitation Crystal clamped her jaws on the rubber tip. Suckling, she showed the obvious instinct to nurse that anypony would be born with. That was all the proof the ruler of Equestria needed that this was indeed a pony deserving her protection.

Chrysalis chuckled warmly, which she instantly regretted as it drew out another fit of heavy coughing. After she managed to calm herself the changeling spoke in her most civilized tone so far, “I figured it out. You can punish me for my crimes by taking my daughter from me and raising her as your own. Raise her as your own and never tell her of her true origins and the monster that is her mother.” Tears welled up in both of the elder ponies’ eyes. Chrysalis wept at her own weakness, but Celestia’s tears were out of concern that the dying queen before her was so unwilling to release her true feelings in her final hour.

The princess spoke through the tears, her voice pleading, begging to be heard. The sound reminded Chrysalis of falling rain each drop crying out at its inevitable collision with the ground. “Please Chrysalis. Please give up your pride, and make your request. Despite what you might think, you are a subject under my protection, so please tell me your true desire. Tell me, my little pony, why you sent me that letter.”

Chrysalis could not stop her tears; truly she had underestimated the Equestrian ruler. She had never wept openly before, but she didn’t take the time to appreciate the irony that the first creature she had cried in front of was at one time her most powerful enemy. Instead she spoke, openly baring her feelings to the princess of the sun, “I don’t want to die. I want to live! I want to watch my little Crystal grow up and make friends. I want to watch her fall in love; I want to watch her raise little fillies and colts of her own. I don’t want to die before I get to see what kind of mare she will be! I never had a mother to love me or care for me and the only thing of any real worth that I have accomplished is in my embrace. I will not—no, I cannot let my daughter grow up without her mother’s love.” Chrysalis stood in renewed defiance. She would not let herself die here; she would fight and take Celestia’s place. She would—

“Look down.” Celestia’s voice quelled the changeling’s rage instantly, like cool running water. Chrysalis found herself obeying without question. What she saw was certainly not something she was expecting. Below and behind her lying peacefully on the cave floor was a changeling queen curled around a tiny foal still suckling on an empty bottle. Chrysalis was silent leaving plenty of room for Celestia to speak.

“This is truly the most painful of my duties and for reasons that should be obvious I am still unwilling to burden my sister and faithful student with such things.”

“How long have I been…?” The question was unfinished, but it was one the princess had often been asked.

Celestia’s tone once again became warming to the now fearful changeling, “Not too long, just before I arrived. You sent me the letter, and when you fell asleep it was for the last time. I would say you should be thankful to have gone with such peace, but if that were the case you would have no regrets and you would not be here. I cannot bring you back, but I can promise you two things. I promise I will raise your daughter as if she were my own. She will never have a need that will not be filled. She will never fear isolation or animosity, but instead she will live in companionship and goodwill. Above all however, she will know your name, and she will hold that name in the highest regard.”

Chrysalis felt as if she were drifting away on a gentle tide but still managed to speak. “And the second promise?”

Celestia smiled. The warmth seemed to be like a gentle spring after the harshest winter and her voice was the same. “I promise that you will see her grow and play with friends. You will see her fall in love and you will see her raise her own foals. You will watch her grow old. And when the time comes, she will join you and joyfully tell you what kind of mare your daughter became.” Without another word Celestia lowered her horn to touch the conscious spirit of Chrysalis. Before she was sent into her afterlife Chrysalis could have sworn she heard the pattering of heavy raindrops falling just outside her cave. Then in a flash the soul was gone and a bright green star bloomed in Luna’s night sky.

Wrapping the filly in her golden aura, she left the cave, stepping out into the torrential rain. As the icy water soaked Celestia to the bone, she heard the faint last words Chrysalis would ever speak. "I love you, my most precious little pony.”

In a burst of golden light, Celestia returned to her throne room. Her mane and tail hung limp from her body, her hooves caked with mud, and her coat seemed a little grey to the ponies awaiting her return. She would have collapsed were it not for her sister’s swift embrace.

“Nay sister, it is not time to look weak before thy subjects. Come tell us of thy adventures.”

Celestia shook her head violently. “Luna, I have watched one of my beloved subjects die and began the restoration of the southern valley. Truly this was no grand adventure. Please just help me up to my bed. Oh Twilight, I made a list of things I will need to raise a filly before I left. It is on my desk; go with Luna to get the most pressing items.”

Twilight’s eyes burst with wonder when she finally noticed the filly on her teacher’s back. She wondered how a changeling could have given birth to a pony but shook her head as she remembered how truly miraculous love and magic could be.

Luna’s reaction was not nearly as reserved. She shook with excitement as she turned to Twilight with a grin and asked, “Twilight Sparkle! Dost thou know what this means?”

Twilight only stared as she drew a blank on what could have made the princess of the night so ecstatic. Celestia however had plenty to say on the subject.“It means Crystal and I are very tired and need to rest. So stop stalling, Lulu.”

Luna’s grin only widened as laughter rippled between her Answer, “Nay sister, this joyous occasion means that the filly will call us Aunty Woona.”

Celestia glared until Twilight interjected, “Really Luna? I don’t think we need to worry about any speech impediments as long as I’m around. In fact I think I have a copy of, ‘Encouraging “Etiquette, Good Manners, and Proper Speech in your Newborn Egghead, for Eggheads’ back in Ponyville.”

Celestia chuckled at her student’s predictable response and only laughed harder at her sister’s reply.

“Twilight Sparkle, I will make it happen.”

Five years later…

“Mommy! Mommy! Auntie Woona says the tickle monster’s gonna get me!”

Celestia looked down at the tiny pink Pegasus that had her minuscule legs wrapped around her left front hoof. With a smile and a flourish of magic Celestia lifted the young filly to eye level. She then allowed herself a mischievous grin before speaking, “Well, little Chrysie I guess that means Auntie Luna forgot to mention who the tickle monster was.” Celestia paused as her younger sister came into view behind the currently floating filly. The elder princess gave her sibling a playful wink as she leaned to whisper in young Crystal’s ear, “I’m the tickle monster.”

Without missing a beat Chrysie began squirming to escape Celestia’s magic but was unable to resist giggling uncontrollably when the princess of the sun pressed her lips to the filly’s belly and blew the biggest raspberry she could. Then as she nuzzled her daughter, Celestia felt her old memories afflict her, forcing tears to well up in her ordinarily regal eyes. It was not the first time and it would not be last, but today was the first time Chrysie noticed her mother’s tears.

“Mommy, why are you cwying?” The tiny filly’s voice was filled with an insurmountable concern. It was something so pure that even in her darkest moments Celestia had to smile warmly.

The princess spoke softly holding her foal close; fear welled up in her heart knowing that one day she would have to tell Crystal the truth. She only prayed that her daughter would not hate her. “I’ll tell you when you’re older dear. Now it’s almost sundown and that means bedtime.”

If making puppy dog eyes was a skill to be learned, Celestia had to admit that her daughter had mastered it. Chrysie’s eyes and tone of voice were equally pleading as she stared into her mother’s own eyes, “Aw, but I wanna see Auntie Wuna waise the moon. Pwease mommy?”

Celestia chuckled warmly, “Alright, but right to bed after that. Your Auntie Twilight said she wanted to teach you how to make a proper book fort.”

“And Uncle Spike is gonna tell me how to be a libwawy!”

After another warm bout of laughter Celestia guided her filly to Luna’s tower to watch the changing from day to night. The stars were exceptionally bright that night, but none more so than one that seemed to glow brighter when a particular little pony looked up at it.

Seeing the brightness increase Chrysie bounced with joy as she exclaimed, “Wook, Mommy, Chwisiwhistle is smiwing again!”

Celestia almost laughed at her daughter’s attempt to pronounce the star’s name, but instead, only replied warmly as she looked up at the verdant star, “That’s right, sweetheart. Do you remember why Chrysalis is smiling?”

The tiny Pegasus flapped her wings with excitement before proudly replying, “Because she pwotect and woves me!” Then with a deep breath Crystal shouted as loud as she could while waving happily at the green star, “Thank you Chwisiwhistle, I wove you too!”

Author's Note

Okay this is the director’s cut, complete with deleted and extended scenes. The major plot line remains the same, I just felt the need to update and improve what is literally my most popular story. I will not remove the original version as it is that story that got me so many followers and it is my only story to date that got a reading on YouTube.

Questions, comments and concerns for my sanity are always greatly appreciated.

Now I want to give a shout out to every wonderful thing this story has received.

One, Goombasa read it HERE

Two, it was featured on a French brony site HERE

Three, it was translated to French HERE (I have no idea how or why, but it was really neat when I found out.)

Four, I don’t remember adding it to any groups other than the inbox of Nonpariel, so it was amazing to me to see it in as many groups as it is.

Five, it was my first story that I felt compelled to write a sequel for and the first of those that I have actually started publishing the sequel for. That said, I hope to have the next part of that sequel out soon. For those who have not read it yet, HERE

Six, mudh love and appreciation to Twi-Fi for helping me make the best of this train wreck. It was vastly improved based on his input and keen eye for details.

Seven, you all read it. It is easy for a writer to say that he or she writes for themselves, but I think every writer wants an audience and they want to see others enjoy what they’ve written. Thank you all, I’ll see you at the next chapter.