"Papa?"
You look down between your feet, the tiny black pony staring expectantly up at you.
"Uh, no little one, I don't think I'm your father. Are you lost?"
Little cutey shakes her head vigorously, then nuzzles into your ankle.
"No, found papa. Not lost anymore."
Her voice is awkward, but to you it adds a level of adorability that causes you to pick up the black pony.
The first thing you notice as she curls into your arms is her fur.
...or lack thereof actually, its more like armor than hide.
What's more, she seems to be some weird form of alicorn, if alicorns had dragonfly like wings and holes all over their bodies.
"What are you little one? Uhh, hey!"
She's already fallen asleep, using a shoulder as a rest for her head.
You settle to take her home for now, but you'll have to find her parents later.
They must be worried sick...
Turning and walking back the way you came, it isn't long before you find the worn trail through the woods that leads to your shack.
For a minute you stop and remember you have to get some food, hence your stroll into town.
A squeaky, two toned yawn reminds you that's not what's important right now.
You sigh in frustration and keep walking into the woods.
"Home sweet home."
The trees part way to reveal a rundown cabin, a small outhouse off to the side, and a little stone well.
Its not much, but its out of the way, which is good for you, considering...
You open the door and duck through the slightly too short threshold.
Old, ancient wood creaks under your weight, and you deposit little... bug pony on your bed.
Sensing she's left your warmth, the little one squirms around until you tuck her into the only quilt on the bed.
Sorry thing has more holes in it than your guest does, but you can't afford a newer one on your meager earnings.
Oh well, you can't do anything till she wakes up, might as well get comfy.
You toss a couple logs into the fireplace and light a match, igniting the kindling and spreading to the logs.
Once the fire gets nice and roaring, you set a kettle over it and walk out to the well.
The rusty bucket falls into the abyss before coming back up sloshing with water, and you unhook it before taking it in.
Before you make it to the fireplace though, you grab a few sprigs of mint and some pine needles.
You dump the buckets contents and the fistful of leaves into the kettle.
Next up, you walk over to the dilapidated pantry door and retrieve a loaf of bread that is only somewhat stale.
Aside from a few webs its all that's in there.
...
You glance over to the bed, the quilt rising and falling rhythmically.
"I have to find your folks soon girly, I don't know how long I can feed you for..."
A few hours pass, night has fallen and the crickets and frogs of the forest are the only noise to be heard save the crackling of the fire and the creaking of wood as you shift weight on the rocking chair.
You're enjoying a nice book that purple pony gave you, though its horribly moth eaten and a few pages are missing.
That's fine though, context is a nice thing to have.
Suddenly, you hear the squeaking of metal springs, and that cute two toned yawn.
You set the book down and lay your glasses on top just as bug pony makes her way to your ankles.
She's rubbing her lidded eyes, in the same position as when you found her earlier.
"Papa, up?"
What's this?
You stare at the little one until she puts her forehooves on your knee.
A smile comes yo you when you recognize what she wants, obliging happily.
The little one curls up in your lap and stares into your eyes.
"What's your name?"
"Name? Silly papa, you name me Chr-Chruh..."
Its adorable watching her struggle, but you try to help.
"Calm down, don't hurry. What's your name?"
"Chrys...Chrysalis... CHRYSALIS! Papa named me Chrysalis."
Chrysalis takes up a proud stance, obviously satisfied with herself.
"Hehehe. That's a pretty name Chrysalis. Are you hungry?"
Chrysalis nods her head, "Vewwy hungry papa, feed?"
You chuckle and reach over to the bread, ripping it in half and giving her the bigger portion.
"I'm sorry its not a five star meal but its all I got Chrysalis. Here."
She simply looks at the bread with the slightest bit of disgust on her face.
"Eww, no want. Not food."
Well that's rude...
"I'm sorry Chrysalis, but it is all I can give you. What do you normally eat?"
Chrysalis looks over at you, eyes cocked as if wondering where you lost your marbles at.
"Eat motions!"
You double take, wondering how that works.
"Motions?"
She smiles and nods happily, her little green tail swishing across your legs.
...
You have an idea but it doesn't seem like it'll work too well.
With your right hand, you wave your fingers under her nose.
She simply gives you a look.
"What? Motions."
"Nuhuh! Motions! Happy an sad motions."
Wait what?
Could she mean...
"What? Like /E/motions? As in feelings?"
Chrysalis jumps around in your lap.
"Yupyupyup!! Motions!"
Well...
How does that work?
"Do any emotions work? Do you have a favorite?"
"Good motions best! Wuv most!"
You think you're catching on...
You pick the book back up and start reading.
Chrysalis responds with a happy look, so you must be doing something right.
You flip over to a scene a few chapters back, where the main character is doting over her foals.
The more you get into the scene, the more you feel Chrysalis bounce around on your lap.
You stop and lower the book, to see a fading green aura emanate from her horn.
Chrysalis was swaying her head back and forth, but stops and glares at you annoyedly.
"Why stop? Feed good!"
"Huh... That works then..."
You get back into the book, and just as soon as you do Chrysalis begins bobbing her head back and forth again.
Deciding to experiment a little, you flip a few pages forward...
This is the part where the hero faces the bad guy for the first time, a fight scene commences in which the mare loses hope of beating her adversary.
When you get that far though, Chrysalis stops bouncing, and begins shivering.
A sickly blue glow radiates over the lip of the book.
"No want! More happy!"
Oh shit, she sounds actually distressed.
You drop back to the first few pages that describe how the mare feels about her husband as they cuddle in front of a fire.
Somewhat ironic, but you tune that thought out to devote more of yourself to the book.
Chrys quits her shivering, and begins humming.
You can just make out a pinkish glow too, that's good right?
You run out of feelsy pages and reread the cuddle scene four or five times.
You're noticing a pattern: the pink glow grows stronger, barely, when you read over the part where they kiss.
After a few minutes Chrysalis stops her humming and pokes her head up under your book.
She nearly knocks your eye out with her horn, but no harm no foul you suppose.
"Tanks papa! Feel good now."
A chuckle rolls around your chest, and you scratch the filly behind her ears.
"That's good then, but its getting late. I think its time to go to sleep, don't you?"
She starts to shake her head, but a yawn stops her.
Her eyes water up with the yawn and she awkwardly hoofs her face to get rid of the moisture.
She has a little trouble so you intervene by doing it yourself with your fingers.
A cool, menthol like feeling numbs your thumb and index, which are wet with some strange, faintly blue liquid.
That's new...
Despite this you pick up Chrysalis and lay down in bed with her on your belly.
To be honest, its not too comfortable, but you don't have anywhere else for her to sleep, and the bed is a little too small for you as it is.
Fuck it, you draw the tattered quilt up and close your eyes, the fire popping warmly and lulling you to sleep.
The next day you are on the path to ponyville, little Chrysalis trotting alongside you happily.
Occasionally she dives into a patch of flowers, but she doesn't stray too far from you.
The marketplace comes into view and you heave a sigh, dreading what comes next.
The further into town you go, the more you see ponies shooting ugly looks your direction.
Most walking on your side of the road give you a wide berth, some mumble to themselves.
You know how most ponies see you, the big predatory alien ape thing.
You try not to let it bother you, like you could when you were on earth, but for some reason the idea that ponies should be more open minded skews your view of them.
You make your rounds buying all the old food the stands were going to throw out, and at twice normal price, with Chrysalis skipping obliviously around your shins.
Wow, today is a rough day actually.
Normally you get stared at and avoided, but the ponies seem much more hostile today than normal.
They point at you and talk behind their hooves, some not caring if you can hear them.
"Eww, look at the ape, and... Is that a changeling with it? Someone needs to call the guard."
Changeling?
What's a changeling?
And why does it warrant the guard?
You glance around to see what they could be talking about, but the only thing you see... is...
Chrysalis...
A fury unlike anything you've felt since coming to equestria builds in your chest.
You clench your fists and attempt to swallow it, with little luck.
"Look at the furless duo! It's sickening to think now we have TWO ugly ducklings in ponyville."
That's it.
You can make fun of Anonymous all damn day, but this little filly hasn't even bothered you!
Your legs pump furiously, carrying you straight towards the pompous jack ass who thinks it's cool to make fun of little kids.
Lips part to start a verbal assault on the pathetic horse, but a bump on your shin causes you to look down.
Chrys looks up worriedly at you.
"Papa? Why angry?
In a word?
You've been disarmed.
Chrysalis' innocent question causes you to pick her up and cradle her.
A boop on the nose causes her to go from worried to giggling.
"Its nothing Chrys. Just a few meanies."
You check your pockets, a new idea forming.
Fuck, fifteen bits...
Hopefully its enough.
You drape Chrysalis over your shoulders and walk towards the large treebrary.
When you knock, the little purple dragon answers.
Cool little bro.
"Sup bro? Is Twilight home?"
"Uhh. Yeah she is, but I don't think she'd be too happy to be bothered by you right now. No offense."
"Nah I get it, could you go get her anyways? I need to buy a book."
"Okay, but I warned you."
Spike turns and heads into the library, a few seconds later Twilight replaces him.
"Its you."
"Yeah, me. Look, can I buy a book? I need to research a specific subject."
Twilight mean mugs you for a second.
"Well? What topic?"
"Oh, Uhh, changelings. I need to know all about them."
"Why do you... Never mind. I'll be back."
The door slams in your face, and you reach up to pet-
Where is Chrys?
A rustle in the bush catches your attention, and said bug pone pokes her face out.
"Are meanies gone?"
"Hehehe... No not yet Chrysalis. I'll let you know when."
"okay"
With that she duck back into the bush.
The door rips open again, Twilight stands in the doorway with a grumpy look and a dusty tome.
"Twenty bits."
Shit.
"I Uhh... I have fifteen... Can you do fifteen?"
She eyes you like you were a within mass of tentacles.
"Fifteen is what I'd charge a pony, y'know, cause this /is/ the PONYville library."
"Look, all I have is fifteen. I'll pay you the other five when I get payed. Promise."
Twilight squints at you.
"Fine, but I know when you get payed. I'll be down to collect later."
Yes!
"Thank you twilight."
You make the trade and get the door slammed on you again.
"Cmon Chrys, let's head home."
"Yay! Meanies gone!"
Making sure to go the way around ponyville to avoid too much attention, you start the walk home.
Despite leaving earlier in the morning, its already sunset by the time you make it to the trailmouth, shadow encapsulating much of the path.
Fuck.
The Timberwolves will be prowling soon, and you don't wanna get caught in the dark woods like last time.
With a little extra bounce, you take off into the treeline, Chrysalis following close behind.
She hugs your jeans practically, as though she senses and reflects your nervousness.
Actually, that makes sense...
A distant howl sends a shiver running down your back.
You speed up, and the sun fully sets, obscuring your view of everything not within ten feet of you.
The howling gets closer, but you can't pinpoint its source.
Practically running now, you scoop Chrys up to keep her from lagging behind.
A stick breaks to your left, but before you can react a mass of lumber slams into you and knocks you down.
Chrys squeals as she's flung out of your grasp.
You aren't too worried about her right now though, considering there is a timberwolf gum deep in your forearm.
"FUCK! CHRYSALIS GET TO THE CABIN!"
With your free hand you pummel the wooden construct in the face repeatedly.
You only succeed in ripping your wounds wider.
Blood flows freely from your arm, and something stabs you in the lower abdomen.
Another wolf, dangerously close to your spine.
Your frenzy has dissolved into frantic bellowing.
A third wolf pounces your leg, but before it can bite, its blasted off of you by a blinding green light.
You turn to the source, all attention momentarily drawn to it.
Chrys stares at the blown mass of twigs, then looks over to the other wolves attacking you.
"YOU HURT PAPAAAAAA!!!!"
Holy shit, her scream is so loud you can't see straight any more.
A blast of more green light radiates around her in a growing dome.
"LET PAPA GOOOO!!"
The wave of energy passes over you, and disintegrates the wolves.
Literally nothing left.
You can see Chrysalis split into two, then four wobbily clones.
"Papa?"
She sounds so distant, like at the end of a tunnel.
You pass out from blood loss before anything else can happen.
Have you ever woken up, but not really?
Like, your eyes were closed, and you felt like you were still sleeping, but you are mentally awake?
That's how you feel right now.
There is a weight on your chest, and your back hurts.
When you open your eyes, the memory of last nights events truck into you like a big rig nitroing downhill.
You draw your arm up, but see only a tattered sleeve, likewise the lower back half of your shirt is ribbons, but you're fine otherwise.
Chrysalis snores on your chest, curled up tight with her muzzle millimeters from your nose.
There is a damp spot under her head, and your shirt is stained blue there.
Well, you suppose this tee is totaled.
Damn, it was your lucky shirt too.
...
Actually, given the circumstances, you'd say its done its job terrifically.
Chrysalis' eyes open up, and she focuses them in on yours.
Realizing you're awake, she jumps up and smiles euphorically.
"Yay! Papas okay!"
She jumps off, and you stand up, surveying the carnage.
You are standing in the middle of a blast crater about six feet in diameter and just as deep.
Jeez... What kinda magic was that?
"Chrysalis hungwy! Feed!"
"I'll bet. Holy shit. Wait, where's the..."
Awww goddammit, you lost the food and the book.
Chrysalis scampers up over the lip of the crater and you see your knapsack fly over the edge.
"Chryssy keep papa food! Let's go home, want feed!"
Can't argue with that much, but now you're going to have to build a bridge for that...
When you arrive at the cabin, the first thing you do is sit down and read another old book you had lying around.
Chrys seems to be happy after a few minutes of reading, and you set to make breakfast for yourself.
Simple bread and a couple old apples. Nothing fancy.
Afterward, you sit down in the rocking chair and crack open the big tome.
"Hey Chrysalis, what kinda chang-"
You look over to the bed.
Chrys is sprawled out on her back snoozing heavily.
Poor thing ate and passed out, that display of... Something, must've wore her out.
You'll let her sleep for now.
"Chapter one, the basics of changelings."
You read, and read, and read.
Pretty soon you're about halfway through the eigth chapter.
You've narrowed down the possibilities of what Chrys might be.
The first is a worker drone, but she can think independently and has a horn.
The next is a soldier, but again, the horn.
Lastly, she could be one of the elite guard.
You think that's the case, both horn and wings are present.
But she can think by herself, so her hive must've been destroyed.
Wouldn't that cause insanity though?
"Fuck this is difficult."
You realize you're still in your shirt from earlier, so you stand up and peel it off.
Your nipples are hard on account of the numbing agent Chrys produces when she cries.
With a wet rag, you wash off a little and toss a new tee on.
Feeling a little peckish, you grab another apple.
You chew on the red orb, a gust of wind causing you to lose your page.
"Shit. Where was I?"
You pick the book up, a large illustration catching your eye.
Its a large black pony, with holes drilled into it.
Insect like wings protrude from its back, a large horn adorns its face.
Unlike most of the others, this one has a proper mane and tail, much like Chrys does.
"What's this? Changeling queen, mother of the swarm."
It describes a full grown changeling queen, but the part you're interested in is closer to the bottom.
"Newborn queens are exiled from their origin hive, cast into the world to spawn a new hive. They aren't exiled until later in development, but a queen who is deemed weaker than her counterparts is immediately expelled to hatch in the wild. The first creature the queen lays eyes on from that point becomes the new caretaker, and the queen will devote herself to this particular creature indefinitely, regardless of sapience."
You look behind you to Chrysalis, drooling a little on your mattress.
You don't think you're going to find her parents anymore.
The book continues.
"Queens are immensely powerful, even at a young age are more adept at magic than most well seasoned unicorns."
That would explain the funky light show.
"Finally, independent queens will feed from any source of emotion they deem proper, however an exiled queen (from birth) will only feed from their host creature unless their life is threatened by starvation or they are under orders to."
So you gotta take care of her now, she's yours and she won't be going anywhere.
Oh boy, at least she doesn't eat material food like you do.
You don't know if your budget could take it, it can barely keep you afloat.
Chrys sneezes in her sleep, then rolls over smacking her lips and mumbling.
"papa... Love papa."
Dawwwww.
That'll give you diabetes if she keeps it up.
Oh well, its getting late.
You heft her up and crawl into bed, falling asleep.
You are queen Chrysalis of the great badlands swarm.
Life is harder now than it ever was when you and daddy lived in the everfree.
Those pompous sisters, in all their infinite wisdom, decided it was time to eliminate you, and didn't mind killing your father to do it.
So you swept him up and brought him here, where there are no more ponies to vilify him for being himself.
In fact, daddy is sitting next to you now on his half of the throne.
He's reading a really good book, you can tell by the way he reads.
He is the one and only constant in your life, even the drones come and go with short lifespans.
Something has been bugging you lately though.
"Hey daddy, can I ask you a question?"
The flow of emotion stops, he sets the little book down and faces you through those beady green eyes of his.
"What's up pumpkin?"
You swallow a growing lump in your throat.
"Daddy, you aren't a pony, or a diamond dog, or a changeling, right?"
He laughs a little, finding humor where you find dread.
"No pumpkin, we've been through this. I'm not any of those things. I'm a human, first, last, and only of my kind ever here."
"Oh okay...."
After a little eye contact, daddy always loved looking into your eyes, he goes back to reading his book and stroking his beard.
This is the part you always chicken out about.
You've got to ask him some time, before you find out the hard way.
...
Maybe tomorrow the-
"Why do you ask?"
Well, you have no choice now.
You swallow again, this time the lump in your throat fights its way back.
"H-how... How long do humans l-l-live for daddy?"
This causes him to furrow his brow and set the book back down.
He takes a deep breath and removes his glasses, then turns to you.
You can feel pain radiating from him, pain and some fear.
Two emotions you're well acquainted with, both from yourself and others.
But not from daddy...
"Humans generally live to about eighty or ninety sugar, at least in human years."
This is the real test of fortitude here.
"How old are you in human years daddy?"
He looks away from you, an arm comes up to cover an eye.
He never let you see him cry, even if you knew he was.
"I'm eighty two in human years pumpkin. Forty seven on the equestrian calender."
....
That's what you were afraid of.
Daddy stands up, reaching for his walking stick on the far wall.
A drone brings it to him, and he starts walking toward the balcony.
"Walk with me pumpkin, we need to talk."
You stand up and trot to his side, a little taller than him now with his deep lean.
The two of you exit the throne room to the grand balcony overlooking much of the badlands.
Dry, sandy wind blows gently up here, causing your mane and his hair to flitter in the breeze.
"Pumpkin, you're a changeling queen. You will live as long as you aren't killed. Biological immortality."
You both gaze upon the setting sun, beautiful as it falls behind the distant mountains.
You are by his side, but you dare not look him in the face out of respect of his aversion to crying.
"I wish I could see this sunset with you for all eternity too, but sadly it just isn't so for humans. I want you to know though, my short life was made so much better when you came into it."
Wh-what is this?
Why is everything getting blurry?
The mountains melt together, and your face warms up.
"Pumpkin, my everything is you. Know that. Keep it close to your heart. Because even if humans perish, we've found a way to achieve immortality."
The dam bursts, tears leak from your eyes, and a little anger bubbles in you.
"But you never told me? You can still see that sunset daddy, how do we mak-"
"Hush baby doll, I'm not done. You see, humans will die, there is no way out of it. But so long as you remember me, so long as you keep me in your heart, my memory will live on. I'll always be with you."
This... But...
"ITS NOT FAIR! Why do those two goody sisters and their lowborn pets get to see the sunsets you deserve more?"
This draws a round of hacking laughter from daddy.
"Well, for one they /are/ the sunset. With out them I don't think I'd ever get to see it."
But still! They're the bad guys!
You and daddy didn't bother anyone until they evicted you from your home!
So why do they get all the praise and long life!?!?
"Calm down pumpkin, you're starting to hiccup. I love you you know?"
"*HIC* I love you t-too daddy."
Suddenly he grabs your hooves and his stick falls over.
You open your eyes to see his own, streaming freely and gazing back at you intently.
"Chrysalis, I'm going to die soon. I don't know when, but when I do, I want you to know I'll be going out as the happiest man who ever existed in any world. I want you to know that no amount of gold or food or time to live could ever be as valuable to me as you are. You are my little Chryssy, my baby bug. Even when I pass on, wherever I go, I will sing your song right up until you join me to sing too."
Daddy...
"Thank you daddy, I love you."
"I love you too pumpkin. Now, let's get to bed eh? All this emotion might be good for you, but a feeble old man like myself starts to tire quickly."
"Yes daddy, bed it is."
You sniffle, and follow daddy back into the colony and to the bedroom.
He crawls into the massive silk sheeting, and you climb in behind him, cuddled up close.
You can be queen of the swarm,
Feared by any sane sapient being not allied with you,
Possess magical power to rival Celestia's herself,
But you'll never outgrow sleeping with daddy come bedtime.
"Good night Chrysalis."
"Good night daddy."
You wrap your hooves around him, and he embraces you in his arms, sharing warmth across your soft thorax.
Daddy falls asleep after a while, you can't though, still thinking about what he said.
In fact you stay up pretty much all night just staring at him.
He wears the most peaceful smile...
At some point, you feel daddy stop dreaming, and soon after his breathing follows.
You bury your face into his shoulder and cry your eyes out.
Most of your tears are spilt in sorrow of loss,
Some fall in frustration for not being able to change this.
But somewhere in there are tears of joy, because daddy held true to his word.
You can still taste his lingering euphoria, even as it fades like his life.
Today the hive mourns the loss of its king, but celebrates his memory.
Eventually your consciousness eludes you, but your last waking thought is this:
"Daddy, thank you."