Chrysalis

1442 B.W.
11:00 am

Ember let out a groan as she dragged a young green mare into her cave, one hand on her large belly. The mare was kicking and screaming before she used her magic to throw her near a stone slab. She then walked over and laid down on it with a sigh. The green mare had neon pink hair down to her back with a few strands falling down over her right eye. Right now, she was naked as Ember had captured her while she slept.

"Do not try to escape..." the queen cooed as she looked at the mare as she stood up. "The sun is almost at its zenith."

"Wh-What do you want with m-me?" She asked, taking a step back from her.

"I need you to help with my birthing..."

"Wh-What?!" The mare gasped, going wide-eyed.

"Birth... me..." Ember repeated. "I am about to lay my eggs and I need you to set them over there..." she said, pointing at the other side of the cave. "I can not move while I am giving birth..."

The mare whimpered before slowly stepping closer. "A-And, if I do this... you will let me go?"

Ember gave her a smile. "Of course..."

1440 B.W.

Chrysalis was seated in her throne, deep in thought when Nala approached her.

"You are doing it again, my queen..." The Elite pointed out, slight worry in her voice.

The queen looked at her and sighed. "I was just... thinking about Cloudy... and Ember..." Leaning back in her throne, she crossed her legs. "The sun has risen... fourteen thousand... six hundred times... since I last heard from Ember..."

"What do you think she is planning?" Asked Nala as she walked up to Chrysalis and gently rubbed her knee.

Chrysalis shook her head. "I do not know... She is probably waiting until her hive has grown large enough to the point that the Crystal Empire would not even stand a chance..."

"But... a lot of them... would mean that a lot could die..." Nala said, sounding sad by the idea of more dead Changelings.

"Ember does not care for Drones..." Chrysalis replied as she stood up. "She would not care if they all died... So long as she completes her goal."

Nala took step back to give the queen some room to get up. "How could she be so cruel to... ones so innocent?" She asked, looking back at the various orgies the Drones were engaging in.

Chrysalis looked down at her and smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You will make a fine queen some day, my sweet..." she cooed before walking passed her Elite.

Nala gave her a light smile before watching her walk away. "Where are you going now?"

Chrysalis stopped and smiled, looking over her shoulder. "You should know by now..."

The Elite smiled back and let out a sigh. "Be careful..."

The queen gave her a smile. "Always..."

Chrysalis, in her unicorn disguise, entered the village and made her way towards Cloudy's house. Looking around, she recognized a few ponies she's seen around before, only they looked a little older. As she approached Cloudy's house, an orange mare she didn't recognize opened the door.

"Crystal Wish?" The mare asked, looking worried as the changeling stopped. "Right?"

Chrysalis nodded hesitantly before resuming her walk. "I-Is something wrong?"

"Flare," the mare greeted, holding out her hand. "And... yes..."

The changeling shook her hand before being led into the house. On the bed was Cloudy, covers pulled up to her neck and her mane all out of shape.

“Cloudy!” The changeling gasped, rushing over to the bed.

“She’s sick,” Flare explained. “It’s bad, too. She’s been getting worse and worse every day.”

Cloudy weakly reached a hand up to the changeling, who gently took it and gave it a kiss. “Nice to... see you again...” Cloudy wheezed before coughing into the bed sheets.

Letting out a soft gasp, Chrysalis could feel how cold her hand was. Reaching out a free hand, she pressed the top of it to the mare‘s cheek. “Sh-She’s so cold.”

“They’re calling it The Freeze,” Flare said sadly. “When you’re cold enough you get a cold. When you become too cold...” She then wipes some tears away. “No one’s survived it before...”

Letting out a gasp, Chrysalis looked at her, tears in her eyes. “N-No... Can't we warm her up?"

"Nothing we've done has worked," Flare explained. "We've tried everything. If I'm being honest, I don't think it's the Freeze, but we don't know enough about this illness for me to be sure."

Chrysalis crossed her arms. "Can... Can I have a moment alone with her?" She asked. "I'm going away for a while and I... I may not make it back in time."

Flare nodded with the smallest smile. "Sure." She then gave the changeling a pat on the shoulder as she left the house.

Chrysalis watched her leave before she approached the bed. "Hello," she greeted.

Cloudy smiled up at her. "Hello, Crystal. I'd hug you, but..."

Chrysalis smiled back and bent over. She placed her hand on the mare's left shoulder and nuzzled her right cheek. "I missed you."

Cloudy giggled and then coughed. "I could infect you, you know?"

"I don't care," Chrysalis sighed, before pulling back. "I'm sorry this happened."

"It's not your fault," Cloudy assured her with a soft smile.

The changeling nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. "I have a confession to make. And, I need to tell you before... be..."

Cloudy smiled and reached her left hand out to place it on the changeling's hand. "Before I die?" She asked, making the changeling look at her with watery eyes. "You don't have to be scared to say it. I know what's coming. And, I'm... okay with it."

"You shouldn't have to be," Chrysalis replied with a shaky voice. "It's... too soon."

"I know," Cloudy said simply. "Now, what did you need to say?"

The changeling sniffled and cleared her throat. "Well... I'm not really a unicorn named Crystal Wish."

"Oh?" The sick mare asked with a tilt of her head. "And, who and what are you?" Chrysalis smiled and said nothing. She simply changed back into her true self. "Oh," Cloudy said as she stared. "You're a... a changeling?"

Chrysalis hid her face behind her hair. "Feel free to scream. It's what everyone else does. I just wanted you to..." She was cut off when she felt the mare's hold on her hand tighten a little, making her look down at her.

Cloudy was smiling. "I'm not everyone else. And, I still like you."

Chrysalis wiped her eyes with a forced chuckle. "Really?"

Cloudy nodded. "You haven't sucked out my love. And, your feelings seem genuine. What's to be scared of? Not to mention you're crying."

"Yeah," the queen agreed. "More than you."

The gray pegasus moved her hand to the changeling's wrist. "Feel like... another kiss?"

Chrysalis gasped softly and knelt beside the bed again. "Definitely." She then leaned in again and kissed the mare on the lips. This one lasted a little longer as both mares felt like tasting each other's tongue.

When they pulled back, Cloudy giggled. "You really don't care about getting sick, do you?"

Chrysalis shook her head. "I have something I need to do but I don't want to leave you. If I do, I may never see you again."

"If you stay, you will need to be in disguise," Cloudy reminded her. "And, I want to remember you as you."

"But..." Chrysalis started.

Cloudy put a hand on her cheek and rubbed gently. "Go. I'll be fine with Flare. And, I won't ever forget you."

Chrysalis let the tears flow now as she hung her head. "Dammit," she muttered.

"I love you, uh..." the pegasus started.

The changeling sniffled again. "Chrysalis."

Cloudy smiled and leaned in. "Pretty name. I love you, Chrysalis."

"I-I love you, too," Chrysalis cried, taking the mare's hand in her own as she squeezed tightly and sobbed.

She leaned in to kiss the mare on the lips again before teleporting away to a nearby forest. Stumbling away from the village, she tripped and fell to her knees. Not able to get up, she laid down and screamed at the top of her lungs, making a few nearby birds scatter.