Unconditional

It had all gone so wrong. The first attempt of taking over Canterlot was almost a huge success, but it was foolish of her to think that she could win just as easily by storming the castle. Without the love that she had absorbed from Shining Armor in the past, Queen Chrysalis was no match for Princess Celestia this time around. Today, she would stand trial for her crimes. She waited in the jail cell for the guard to move her to the courtroom, where her fate would be decided. Eventually, the guard came. “Hey, missy,” he called. “It’s time.” Chrysalis just hissed at him.

Chrysalis sat in the middle of a pantheon with 4 metal pillars surrounding her, where many ponies watched her with cold, hateful stares. Chrysalis gave menacing scowls at them, causing them to cower behind whoever they were sitting. Her terrorizing came to an end when a gavel was banged, signaling the start of the trial.

Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, sat as the judge, jury (and presumably executioner). Chrysalis was expecting the usual punishment for crimes such as this: Imprisonment, banishment. It would not matter, for she would come back until she had won. Her thoughts were put on hold when Celestia began to speak.

“Queen Chrysalis,” she spoke. “You have been captured following your most recent attempt at taking over Canterlot. One would have thought you learned the first time.” Chrysalis frowned at the subsequent giggles. “You have caused nothing but despair and strife for all of my subjects every time your presence is made. On top of almost having my niece and nephew-in-law’s wedding destroyed, you have terrorized innocents, caused massive amounts of damage to my city, and now, with your most recent attempt, you have almost taken the life of my sister.” Celestia pointed to a bench where Luna sat, bandaged heavily at the waist.

“With that in account,” said Celestia, “I have issued your punishment.” “And where will you send me?” asked Chrysalis in a sarcastically frightened tone. “I’m glad you asked. You will be banished to… the realm of the humans.” Ponies murmured loudly. Chrysalis was actually shocked and upset about this verdict. “What? You can’t do that! Who will feed my subjects?” “I have Princess Cadence to monitor the changelings. You might remember her?” Chrysalis looked at Princess Cadence, who stared daggers at her. Chrysalis assumed that with the grudge she must harbor for her kidnapping a couple of years ago, she would harm her other changelings or let them starve.

“Please, Princess,” begged Chrysalis, something that was outside her normal behavior, “I beg you to reconsider this!” “It is already done,” said Celestia. Celestia casted a spell at the glass pillar closest to her, causing it to spark. “I won’t forgive you for this,” said Chrysalis. “Nor will I forgive you,” said Celestia. The other 3 pillars began to spark. “May the humans be merciful on you.” Then all four pillars directed their magical electric energy to Chrysalis. With the bright light that had resulted, Chrysalis vanished.

Unconditionally

I was riding home as fast as I could on my bicycle. I never saw the sky darken so quickly before. It was supposed to be a quick run to Michael’s for some new brushes and paint. It was supposed to be a beautiful day out. Thankfully, the prairie path that I always took was a fast and efficient road to travel to and from town, and if I got home fast enough, I could get the bike in the garage before the rain would begin. Just 10 more minutes, that’s all I ask. But I wouldn’t be so fortunate, as I already began to feel tiny droplets on my face. Without my handlebars, I took my iPod from my pocket and placed it in my backpack, where it would stay dry until I got home.

It was beginning to turn miserable for me. I never minded walking in the rain, but when you’re riding a bike, especially down a dirt road like this, it becomes much harder. The rain makes your clothes heavier and the wet gravel makes you slow down something fierce, making pedaling almost impossible. Then I heard thunder roll. I decided to keep moving, hoping that the movement would make lightning harder to hit me. Not even a minute after the thunder started, a large lightning bolt appeared about 30 feet in front of me. The blast forced me off of my bike. I landed on my stomach to prevent popping the tubes of paint in my backpack. Not only would my shopping today have been for naught, but it would have certainly ruined my iPod.

I began snapping my fingers near my ears to make sure that I didn’t go deaf. I was happy to know that I was still able to hear. I then looked at the smoking crater left by the lightning bolt. Knowing I would never get this experience again, I ran to the crater and observed it. I knelt down inches away from where the depression began. I then went to feel a rock inside that was blasted away. I tapped it lightly as to try and not try and burn my hand, but I found that the rock was blisteringly cold. I dropped the rock inside the crater, as holding it any more proved to be too painful.

Not much longer after I dropped the rock, I heard movement inside. The steam coming from the crater still obstructed my view, but I wanted to see what was in there. Maybe someone is hurt in there, although I don’t remember seeing anyone in front of me when I rode my bike, so what could be down there? “Hello?” I asked. Suddenly, a large black animal lunged at me. It resembled a horse, but it was grotesque looking and extremely slender. It had a jagged horn on its forehead, almost like a unicorn’s horn, it had insect-like wings that looked torn and full of holes. What really scared me were the holes in its hooves and legs. It looked painful, but this creature didn’t seem to care. It also had a dark cerulean, seaweedy looking mane and tail that also had holes in it. It also looked like she had a bluish-green chitin-like saddle on its back.

I was able to dodge its attack. The creature stared into me, keeping me paralyzed. I thought this was an alien invasion. I’ve never seen anything like this before. I was certain I was going to die. I then noticed the creature’s heavy panting. Upon getting another look at it, she had multiple cuts and bruises on its body. She was bleeding badly. I then looked into its large green eyes. It looked frightened, as if it thought I was the one attacking it. After a lengthy staredown, the creature collapsed in front of me.

Despite its horrifying appearance, the creature didn't seem initially mean or malicious. It was more than likely acting out of fear, as would any alien creature upon sighting another alien creature such as myself. I knew I couldn’t leave it out here, but my house was still a mile away and there’s no way I’d be able to carry it that far. “Don’t worry,” I told it, “I’ll help you.”

I rode back to my house as fast as I could, hoping there was still time to save her. My house was in the middle of a part of land surrounded by forest along the prairie path. I find that kind of solitude very inspiring and serene. I parked my bike inside the garage and got my car. I dove the car through the path from where I came. I was praying to God that it hadn’t moved or was being eaten by any of the wildlife that lived in the forest. To my relief, the odd looking unicorn/pegasus was still there. I put the side of my head to where its heart would be. I was doubly relieved to hear it still beating. I then hoisted her as well as I could into the back without dropping her, cramming her in, or even waking her. I was successful, as she seemed too tired to be waked. I then drove back to the house with the alien in my car.

Upon reaching the house, I opened the back up and ran to my bathroom. I grabbed some damp, soapy towels and gauze and medical tape to stop its bleeding and possible infections. I began gingerly applying the towel to its cut arm, where the biggest cut was. I then saw as the towel touched the cut, the area around the wound began to fizz. I was scared that it was having a negative reaction to the water or soap, it being an alien and all (as far as I could tell), but to my surprise, the fizzing didn’t cause further injury. Instead, the wound seemed to heal itself. I was even amazed that there wasn’t a scar to be seen. I brushed my hand upon its arm, feeling for any scars, but all I could feel was her baby-smooth skin.

I then applied the soapy towel to the other cuts and bruises, all of them healing on impact. Even the face on this creature’s face looked progressively more at ease the more her wounds healed. I tried applying a towel to the holes in its arms, but nothing changed. Could this really be part of this creature’s physique? As far as I was concerned at that point, I was done dressing her wounds. I then slung the alien’s arm over my shoulder and carried her to my bedroom. It was amazing that she was still out. Either way, I was able to lay it on my bed, and adjusted it so I could lay its head on my pillow. I then pulled the covers over her body leaving only her head visible. Before I left and turned out the light, I looked back at it. It looked so peaceful in my bed. It brought a warm glow to my face. I turned out the light and left the door open a crack.

I then went to my studio, which was right next to my bedroom. I left the door open so that if the alien woke up, I could be alerted to its presence. I put the brushes and paints in their proper drawers in my studio. Before I could push the drawers back closed, I began imagining the creature that I saved. I took a blank canvas from my large closet and placed it on the empty easel. I grabbed one of my new brushes, a bunch of black paint, some colors for its eyes, back, and mane, and I squirted them on my palette. I couldn’t get this thing out of my mind. It was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. I never thought before today that life existed beyond our world, and the proof to the contrary was sleeping in my bed. Something like this couldn’t be passed up. With my spirits high, I applied the brush to the paint and then onto the canvas.

For what seemed like hours, I continued working on my painting. My styles can be quite different, being inspired mainly by the cinematography of films. This one in particular was inspired by a shot in the Lars von Trier movie Melancholia where actress Kirsten Dunst puts her arms up and watches as lightning-like plasma flows from her fingertips. However, my painting would be a tad different. I would establish some flat space with a forest background. I would then have the crater appear with this creature hovering over it. Her body would be emanating with plasma, her mane and tail levitating in a zero-gravity state. I imagined her face to be gleefully smug, as if she was saying, “Yeah, I can control lightning, bitches.” The thought of it in my head plus my ever-increasing progress only pushed me farther.

Eventually, I heard a door open. I put my brush and easel down. I looked over the door to see the creature moving around and observing its surroundings. It made its way to my living room. I decided to try and follow it. Upon taking my first step, the floor creaked. I saw as the creatures ears perked, being alerted by my movement. I was frozen stiff, still unsure with what it was about to do. Upon her running to the hallway where I was standing, her sudden appearance made me faint.

I woke up to find myself on the couch. Upon seeing my eyes open, the creature addressed me. “Good,” she said. “You’re up.” I was shocked. Not only did she speak in English, her voice had a duality to it, like a demon’s voice, which highly unsettled me. I tried moving but found that I was stuck. I looked down to see that my body up until my head was encased in a translucent green cocoon. “What? How are you talking?” She seemed taken aback by my question. “That’s odd. Usually, ponies scream, ‘Let me go!’ or ‘You won’t get away with this!’” “Ponies? You won’t get away with this? Just who are you?” “I am Queen Chrysalis, queen of the changelings.” “What’s a changeling?” This “queen” seemed to be annoyed by my questions. I was more confused than scared, the latter of which she hoped to see me like. “That doesn’t matter,” she said. “All I know is that you are mine now.”

“What do you even want from me?” I asked. “How shall I put this in terms you can understand? Have you heard of the phrase, ‘My house is your house?’ Now, the inverse is true.” I tried struggling more, but to no avail. “You can squirm all you like,” she said, laughing, “but you’ll never get out of there!” I slumped to the side onto the couch, accepting my inevitable fate. “I think I’m going to go and take a look at my new home. And to think, banishment was probably the best think that could have happened to me.” I watched as she went into my fruit bowl and grabbed herself an apple. She munched the thing in one bite. It was then that I saw the fangs. Oh please don’t be omnivorous. She then made her way to my studio. I was hoping that if she were to have seen the painting at all, it would have been finished. After a few silent minutes, she walked back into the living room, her evil smile was replaced with that of nonchalant wonderment. She then walked up to me. “Did you…” she began to say,” …paint that?” “Yes,” I answered, “It’s not finished yet.” “I can see that.” “Do you like it?” “That depends.” She then dragged her sharp horn across my cocoon, causing it to open and free me. “I’d like to see it finished first.” She looked at me, expecting me to try and make a run for it. She was surprised however to see me walk obediently to my studio. “Follow me,” I told her.

We both made it inside the studio. “I’d like to do a few things first,” I said. “What kind of things? I don’t have all day.” “Please,” I said. “If you’ve been ‘banished’ like you said you were, you have all the time in the world. Chrysalis opened her mouth to object, but she knew that he was right. Plus, he was offering to continue painting her. The very least she could do was abide to his wishes for now so he could paint the best picture possible.

“What is it that you want?” asked Chrysalis. I decided to ask as calmly and gingerly as possible so I wouldn’t sound like a creep. “Would you mind if I, gave you a massage?” Chrysalis was shocked by this answer. “That’s odd,” she said. “What is?” “Normally, no one would want to get anywhere near me, because of my… appearance.” “Your appearance? What do you mean?” “You… don’t think I look ugly, or deformed?” “If you want my honest opinion… I think you look different.” “Different? How different?” “You know. One of a kind. Extraordinary. Exquisite.” A tear began to well up in Chrysalis’ eye. “You... think I’m pretty?” “I never said pretty…” Chrysalis wasn’t even angry. Just upset. She looked down, dejected. “… but I’ve never needed pretty. I mean, no one should be measured by what they see on the outside…” I stroked her smooth, hairless neck on that sentence. “…they should only be measured by what they are on the inside.” On the last sentence I poked at her chest where her heart would be. “And I certainly think there’s a lot more to you than meets the eye,” I said with a wink. Chrysalis looked at me with watering eyes, which I responded with a wipe of my fingers. “Now,” I said, “shall we begin?” Chrysalis nodded. “Please kneel on the floor and just relax.” Chrysalis did so eagerly.

“Wait,” said Chrysalis. She then unbuckled her saddle and threw it on the floor next to me. “Okay,” she said. “I’m ready.” After getting a feel for the saddle, I began kneading her back with my thumbs, careful to avoid her delicate looking wings. Like her neck and arm, her back was hairless, but smooth as a baby’s bottom. I then stroked her wings. They felt like sturdy leaves. “Might I ask why you’re doing this?” asked Chrysalis. “I like to have a ‘feel’ for the subject I paint. Once I get the textures right, I can paint accordingly to make it look more realistic.” “I see,” she responded. I then brushed over her mane. Despite its ragged appearance, it was very smooth. I then felt her horn with my fingers. It felt like animal bone, just much more jagged. “Do you mind if I feel around your hooves?” I asked. Queen Chrysalis just nodded. I fingered the holes in her hooves, hoping not to do anything that would cause her any pain. “Do these hurt? These holes?” I asked. “No,” she said, relaxed. “I’d hate to break it to you,” I said, “but the massage is done. You’re finished.” “But you just started.” “Tell you what. I’ll give you a full on massage tomorrow. It will be like a spa treatment.” Chrysalis’ face brightened at the word spa. I smiled at her happy face. “Do you mind if I take a bath?” asked Chrysalis. “I don’t think my bath will be large enough for you, but you’re more than welcome to use the hot tub outside.” “I also wanted to clean myself.” “You can borrow my shampoo.”

I led Chrysalis to my hot tub and let her get in. She enjoyed the water, as one could tell by the look of pleasure on her face. “Here’s the shampoo and a couple of towels to dry off with,” I said, leaving them on the edge. “Th- thank… you,” she said. It sounded if she never used those words in her life. “No problem. By the way, if you get tired and want to go to bed, you can use my bedroom again. I usually sleep in a cot inside the studio." “You’re so kind,” she said. “Once again, thank you.” I nodded and went inside to finish the painting.

Upon getting a better feel for her, Queen Chrysalis was much easier to paint. I knew exactly what brushes I needed to use and the right paint combinations. Within a few hours, and despite it being very late at night, I had finished the painting. I wanted to show it to Chrysalis, so I went back to the hot tub to see if she was still there. She wasn’t. All there was a tub of soapy water two soaked towels and  the shampoo bottle. I picked the 3 things up, putting the shampoo back in my bathroom while throwing the towels in a hamper. I wanted to peek inside my room to see if she was really there and didn’t run away. She was. She was sleeping as peacefully as she was when I first brought her. It warmed my heart that she seemed so content. Tomorrow, I’d ask her about herself, get to know her a little. But for now, I went to the cot in my studio to get some well deserved rest.