What Happened After

From that day on Twilight was much like her old self. The shadow was gone from her expression, and she seemed much more determined to make friends of the Changeling Queen.

To celebrate, it was decided to have a picnic in one of Ponyville’s many parks near the river. Fluttershy invited Pawise, and Pinkie brought the Changeling Queen. The sun shone brightly, but not too warm, as a breeze brought the scent of summer flowers. The tree under which they sat caused the sunlight to dapple as the breezes gently moved the leaves. It was a very idyllic scene.

They all sat in a semi-circle as the refreshments were passed around. Spike sat next to Rarity, and Pawise sat between Fluttershy and the Queen.

“It is so good to see you back to your former self, “said Rarity to Twilight. She passed a teacup to her while Rainbow, Applejack and Fluttershy looked on.

Pawise was in conversation with the Changeling Queen. Any animosity he’d felt towards her had quickly been swallowed up by his feelings for Fluttershy.

“If you can tell me, what are the limits to your changing abilities?” he asked.

The Queen sipped her tea as she thought of an appropriate answer.

“There’s only so much I’m ready to say about such things,” she said. “I’m starting to like you ponies, but I still have some reserves as to what I’ll reveal. I hope you understand.”

Pawise nodded. “Of course. It was the scientist in me asking, not the friend. You take as much time as you need.”

She smiled wryly. “Are we friends now, unicorn?”

He returned her smile. “I’d like to think so. And please, call me Pawise.”

“Alright…Pawise. Please refer to me as Chrysalis. Just do not call me “Chrissie.” That’s for Pinkie alone.” Pawise smiled and looked over at Pinkie, who was in the process of blowing up more balloons.

“Okay then, Chrysalis…how are you adjusting to life in Ponyville?” All conversation stopped as the Queen considered her answer.

“It’s not what I expected,” she began. “I’ve thought of you ponies as nothing but my enemies for the longest time. But I respect strength.” Here she looked at Twilight, who returned her gaze without comment. She went on.

“I found a different sort of strength, one I never knew existed: mercy.” Here she looked fondly at Pinkie, who smiled and waved, even though they were only a few feet away.

“Twilight spared the life of an enemy, at Pinkie’s insistence. That is something I would have never even considered doing, and I am not ashamed to admit I’m grateful for it. So yes, Pawise, I’m adjusting to Ponyville quite well, even though I’ve lost the worldview I held for so long. It’s worth it to have…friends.”

Twilight especially lit up at these words. “You have no idea how much it gratifies me to hear you say that, Chrysalis. It makes everything we’ve been through worth it.”

Chrysalis smiled. “Don’t get too comfy.” She gestured at the food around them. “This is all fine for now, but there’ll come a time when I need sustenance of my own.”

The silence grew. Finally Twilight asked, “You mean emotions. You need to feed off emotions. How much do you need?”

Chrysalis put down her cup. “I need as much as you’re willing to give. But,” and here her face took on an expression of pleading, “I think it would work best if the pony is willing to give, rather than me taking it. I…I like you ponies, something I never thought I’d say. ‘Taking’ is something I know now that friends just don’t do.”

There was uncomfortable shifting, as the ponies looked around at each other. Finally Fluttershy spoke up.

“I’m willing to give you as much as you need. But…but will it…hurt?”

“Absolutely not,” said Chrysalis. I don’t have my children to worry about now, so it needn’t be an intrusion. Am I asking too much?”

Pinkie bounded forward and hugged her. “You can have what you need from me as well, Chrissie!”

“This has to be everyponies’ decision. I’m willing to help you, just so long as you can control yourself. Is that possible?” asked Twilight.

“Yes, of course,” said Chrysalis. “I’ve been holding off all this time, and I can do so for a bit longer. I just thought it was a good time to bring it up, before things got out of hoof.”

“I’m glad you did,” said Twilight. “It shows we can trust you.”

They all started discussing how they would each take turns. Some, like Rainbow Dash and Applejack, weren’t as thrilled about it as the others, but each of them felt it would be worth it to share the load and help out their new friend.

After that they all fell into easy conversation for the next hour or so. Twilight looked around at her friends as they sat and enjoyed themselves. Her face held a look of peace, which lasted until she looked up and saw a crowd of twenty ponies, some she knew and some she did not, approaching them. Something was wrong. She got to her feet to face them as they came. Her apprehension spread to the others as they stopped their talk and waited.

Clearing her throat, the lead pony quietly said, “Good afternoon, Your Highness. We…we were all wondering if we could have a word with you?”

Twilight didn’t recognize the pony who had spoken, so she asked, “Of course you may. But first, why don’t you introduce yourself?”

“My name is Brandi. I just moved to Ponyville a few weeks ago, just in time for that horrible fight that happened out at that farm.” Here she cast a disapproving look at the Changeling Queen, who coolly returned her gaze. There were murmurs of anger from the ponies behind her. Brandi continued.

"We’ve all been talking, myself and ponies who have been here a long time. There’s always the threat of some danger or other popping up here in Ponyville…and we think it’s because of you…you and your friends.”

“We just needed to ask you…if you would consider moving away from Ponyville?”