Safe Haven

Chapters

1st: Strained Sanctuary
2nd: Hard Truths
3rd: Acclimatising
4th: Choices
5th: Talk of the Town

1st: Strained Sanctuary

“Don’t let her get away!”

“Get back here, witch!”

“This is for Canterlot!”

The bitter taste of the pursuers’ anger nearly made Chrysalis gag, yet she pushed through as she leapt down the hill and continued at a gallop. A quick glance back revealed her hunters – an earth pony, unicorn and two pegasi – were still gaining ground on her inch by inch. One of the pegasi had either conjured or acquired a large tuft of cloud, one that grew darker the closer it got. Turning her gaze back to the path ahead, Chrysalis had to dive to the side to avoid an oncoming tree.

Knowing that it would give the ponies more of a chance at capturing her, she mustered what magic she could and lobbed a ball of green energy at them. The two pegasi flew clear of the blast while the smoke cleared to reveal the unicorn had protected himself and the earth pony with a lavender shield. Chrysalis turned to run once more, only for one of the pegasi to ram into her from the left, knocking her to the ground.

“Got you now, bug!” He yelled as an ivory hoof rocketed towards the queen’s face. Instinct took hold as Chrysalis caught it with her teeth and threw the stallion to the side, making sure to siphon what little emotion other than hatred she could gather. The momentary boost was enough to get her back on her hooves and running at least. A flash and a burst of sound, light and heat made her jump as she looked over her shoulder to see the other pegasus attempting to strike her down with lightning from the now fully-developed storm cloud.

As fear began to regain its foothold in her mental processes, her destination was in sight; Whitetail Wood. Though nowhere as infamous as the Everfree Forest, the woods were still a dangerous place for ponies the further one ventured inside. At present, the woods represented a huge risk for Chrysalis. But considering the alternative, she knew which choice to take. As another bolt of lightning missed her by a hoof’s length, the changeling gave it all she had and flew low to the ground, gaining territory as she zoomed into the trees lining the woods.

The sound of rustling leaves as she past them and the rapid beating of her heart filled her ears as she ducked and weaved through the branches. After what felt like hours, Chrysalis finally landed, her legs nearly buckling beneath her out of exhaustion. Still breathing heavily, she looked back to see her pursuers had long since let her go. Sighing, she slowly moved to the nearest tree trunk and sat back against it, finally letting her tired muscles rest.

For the first time in what seemed like weeks she had a moment to reflect upon her situation without the threat of immediate danger. A frown formed as she closed her eyes and her mind cast its gaze back to the cause of her plight; her failed coup at the royal wedding in Canterlot. Thanks to the power of Princess Cadence and Shining Armour, she and the rest of her hive had been separated, scattered seemingly to the four corners of the world. It had been a struggle to avoid getting caught in the following months, but even more so when trying to find a satisfying emotional meal. Sure, she could’ve sustained herself for a small while on basic food, but a changeling requires a meal of strong emotions to survive. Chrysalis had finally secured one such meal, luring in a love-struck filly, when those ponies had discovered her. She had barely started siphoning the love the filly felt before being chased out of town.

It’s all the fault of that accursed Twilight Sparkle! Chrysalis’ thoughts roared as the setting sun pierced the leafy canopy to shine upon her face. Opening her eyes, the changeling queen looked to the heavens despondently. Ancestors… How? How could this happen...?

Surprise, as well as a touch of fear, ran through her veins when she received an answer in the form of a growl.

Chrysalis was quick to her hooves, eyes widening to find three Timberwolves encircling her. Cursing her continued bad luck, she took on a wide defensive stance, wings spread and horn lowered. She bared her fangs as the three halted mere metres away. Their foul breath was beginning to make her eyes water, yet she refused to let any of them out of her sight. Their advance had her pinned to against the tree, and in her weakened state she wasn’t sure if she could outrun them. She knew there was no chance she could outfight the beasts, and her magic was still too weak for combat. With her options dwindling and the wolves testing her by advancing slowly, Chrysalis’ wings buzzed to life as she took flight.

Only for a Timberwolf hidden in the branches above her to pounce.

The beast knocked her to the ground, briefly winding the queen. With ravenous barks of hunger, the others advanced to join in the slaughter. With no choice left, Chrysalis alighted her horn and concentrated. Seconds away from the jaws of her predators, a flash of green light left the wolves snapping at open air.

A few metres away, Chrysalis reappeared, panting as she started running away. Howls of anger and furious wooden claws against the soil sounded out behind her as the beasts gave chase. It infuriated her she couldn’t stand her ground and reduce these snarling beasts to twigs. But with her magic so dependent on the amount of emotion she consumed, Chrysalis had little choice but to swallow her pride and run. After leaping a fallen tree, she dared a glance back to find the Timberwolves no more than a few metres behind and gaining.

That’s when her vision turned upside down.

Her hoof catching an exposed root Chrysalis fell forward into a small slope, tumbling until hitting the wall of earth at the foot of a large ditch. Her head felt like she was swimming and she could feel bruises beginning to form all over her exhausted body. Struggling, she raised her head to see the wooden menaces looking down on her from the top of the slope. Their eyes narrowed, and if they could Chrysalis imagined the Timberwolves were wearing smug grins.

Not without effort or protest from her body, Chrysalis struggled to her hooves, spreading her wings and lowering her horn at the beasts in one last act of defiance.

“You…” She gasped, each breath laboured. “…You… will not… be my end. I… am… Chrysalis. Queen… of all changelings.” Against her better judgement and despite the pain it created, she lit her horn once more. “Come… if you wish… for death!”

With a howl of hunger and delight, the wolves charged down the slope. One leapt down, aiming to pounce and end it in one decisive blow. Chrysalis locked onto it and fired a blast of magic with a pained roar. The bolt of green magic shot through the air, turning the lunging beast into splinters. The spell sent another wave of incredible pain rippling throughout her head. She pushed through it, but came back to receive a claw from a Timberwolf from her left as another lunged at her from the right. Ignoring the blood now flowing from her cheek, Chrysalis ducked the airborne canine and threw it into the one that struck her with her magic. Before they could stand, Chrysalis continued her motion from the throw. Leaping into the air in a spin, she invited even more pain to charge magic into her hoof, the holes within suddenly crackling with green electricity. Another roar erupted from the queen as she brought it down on the beasts, who burst apart in an explosion of green sparks.

Exhaustion and pain barred Chrysalis from remaining mobile. It was taking all her concentration just to stay conscious through all the searing agony that ran rampant throughout her body, her mind especially.

That was when the final Timberwolf struck, sinking its teeth into Chrysalis’ neck.

Chrysalis screamed in pain as she finally was brought to ground. Survival instincts overriding her fatigue, she frantically rammed her hoof into the jaw of the beast until it released its hold. Not letting up though, the wolf latched onto her right foreleg and swung her into the wall of earth behind them, Chrysalis’ head bouncing off the rock.

Upon impact, Chrysalis went numb. Time seemed to start slowing down as exhaustion began consuming her whole consciousness. As the Timberwolf closed in for the kill, images began flashing before the queen’s eyes. She saw herself as a nymph, touring the hive with her mother, learning to feed, her coronation. The last image before her vision faded completely was that of her being flung hundreds of feet into the air, her hive scattered as Canterlot faded into the distance.

Ancestors… she pleaded to the darkness. Forgive me…

\ ~*~/ /

Warmth.

That was the first thing Chrysalis felt. No, the first thing she tasted. In the fuzzy darkness that clouded her mind, Chrysalis had trouble discerning what the familiar taste was. Whatever it was, it was a nostalgic flavour, something she hadn’t tasted in a long time. As the warmth flowed throughout her body, it slowly brought feeling back along with it. Then, as her memories slowly seeped back, the taste’s familiarity suddenly became clear to her.

Love!

Eyes snapping open, Chrysalis sat up, tightening her jaw around what felt like a neck as she began forcefully extracting more of the delicious emotional nectar. A yelp of pain was hard but that mattered little to Chrysalis, her exhausted mind Tartarus-bent on consuming all the love she could. But just as she started a stinging burst of light erupted in her face, forcing the queen to release her hold and fall back onto something soft. Clutching her sore head, Chrysalis’ ears swivelled towards the muffled sound of voices nearby. Slowly opening her eyes, she took as much of her surroundings as she could.

She appeared to be inside a building, a small hut perhaps. The walls were made of large tree trunks joined together by a green substance. The bed she lay upon was in the corner of the hut, with a desk and chair to the left of the bed and a closet standing against the far wall. There were a few windows but were closed with simple blinds.

“-Dad, I’m fine.” A feminine voice said as Chrysalis’ hearing started becoming clearer.

“Alright,” an older male voice responded. “But all the same, you can go now. I can handle this from here.” Chrysalis looked to her left, catching an alabaster equine form walking out the door on the opposite side of the hut.

“So, are you feeling better?” Chrysalis’ sight turned to the voice’s owner, though even racked with exhaustion surprise filtered into her features at the face.

Before her stood a fellow changeling; shorter than her, she assumed, yet taller than her drones. He wore a sky blue scarf around his neck, his wings rested by his side and his posture relaxed yet holding an air of authority. But what struck Chrysalis the most was his facial features. Namely the fact he had unique features. An honest smile adorned his muzzle as he looked at her with deep ocean blue eyes. He also had a head of short but messy hair that matched his eyes in colour.

The stranger chuckled softly as he read her analytical gaze. “Let me guess; you’re wondering why I don’t look like a drone?”

“H-How… is that possible?” Chrysalis asked, her voice sounding course and her throat sore. “The… the curse… broken?”

“Not really,” he replied, bringing the chair of the desk over with his magic before taking a seat. “I, nor any changeling I’ve grown up knowing has never been affected by the Conformity Curse. Then again, I guess it shouldn’t be surprising, given you’ve come from the Old Hive.”

“What do you mean?” Chrysalis weakly demanded, trying to prop herself up into a sitting position. “Explain yourself.”

“Whoa, settle down.” The stranger shushed, gently pushing her back down with his magic before tucking her in. “You pushed yourself well beyond what’s safe out there. You’re lucky our patrols found you when they did. Even discounting the Timberwolf they saved you from, you wouldn’t have lasted long with those injuries. And nearly burning your magic out…” He shook his head.

“I had no choice,” Chrysalis whispered before turning away. “I would’ve preferred the beast ended me.”

“You can’t mean that, can you?” This made her look back at her host. “After all, with you dead, who would your hive look to for guidance?”

“My hive has fallen,” she stated solemnly, glaring at this stranger. “Don’t act as if you know the burdens of being a leader.”

The new changelings face fell a little, though Chrysalis could tell it wasn’t himself who he felt sympathy for. “Believe me; I’m probably the only Changeling this side of Equestria who knows the burden of leading a hive.” This drew confusion to Chrysalis’ features but a wave of weariness swept over her, her head falling back into the soft pillow.

“I can explain more when you’ve rested,” he said, standing up and moving the chair back under the desk. “I’ll come by later on to check up on you.”

“Wait,” Chrysalis called out weakly, gaining the stranger’s attention as he opened the door in a green aura. “Who are you?”

The small smile returned to his face. “My name’s High Charity. I’ll see you later Chrysalis.”

Chrysalis readied a verbal barb for this High Charity, so casually addressing her by name, but her exhaustion beat her to the punch and she was once again embraced by shadows.

\ ~*~/ /

A ray of light suddenly flickered on from above, illuminating Chrysalis in a pillar against the darkness.

“W-Where am I?” She called out, and was soon answered with the sound of hoof steps approaching. As the individuals stopped before her, her eyes widening as a pillar of light revealed her visitor.

Before her stood another tall changeling, reminding Chrysalis much of herself. However, this changeling stood with a strong stance, wearing her hair in a professional-looking bun, a dark lavender cape that wrapped around her right shoulder and a crown that resembled a ring of silver thorns.

“Queen Fascia,” Chrysalis whispered in shock as another pillar to her right flickered to life to reveal another changeling. This one was male, a short but well-maintained beard adorned his frowning muzzle, and his body was encased in dark green armour. “King Tumultus.”

Then a third light appeared, and the changeling who appeared now shocked Chrysalis to her core. The smoothest horn she had even seen among her kind, a silver locket in the shape of an angular heart, and kind aqua eyes that now looked upon her with pained sorrow.

“Mother…” she gasped, shaking her head. This couldn’t be possible. Chrysalis’ mind reeled at the mere sight. “…How? Why? Why are all of you here?”

“We are here because of you, Chrysalis,” Chrysalis turned to see Tumultus had stepped forward, his face a grim mask of disappointment. “And your failure in protecting the hive we entrusted to you.”

“No, no! I-I haven’t failed!” Chrysalis blurted out in defence, feeling like a nymph under the piercing gaze of her great grandfather.

“Your hive is scattered,” Fascia responded, her tone harsh and her glare as vicious as a swarm of dragons. “You failed to ensure your victory over the ponies of Equestria and now rely upon the pity of the cowards that fled Tumultus’ war. I cannot recall a more perfect failure of a queen as you in our history.”

“No!” Chrysalis pleaded. “I’ll gather the hive once more! I’ll make our hive great again, I swear!”

“We are not interested in your excuses, you snivelling nymph!” Tumultus bellowed, causing Chrysalis to jump in fear. “Your disappointing reign has brought shame to our hive. There is no room for weak failures such as you.” At this, the two aggressive monarchs advanced on her, Fascia’s horn alighting while Tumultus drew his curving sword, the dreaded Venenum Serpentis, with his magic.

“No!” Chrysalis cried out, fearful tears forming. “Please! I’ll make this right! I swear!” She then swung to face the only face familiar to her. “Mother, please, forgive me!”

Her mother just stared at Chrysalis with those beautiful, sad eyes before turning away.

Chrysalis froze, her tears breaking free as she looked back to see blades of both magic and steel swing towards her.

\ ~*~/ /

“NO!” Chrysalis screamed, sitting ramrod straight before pain forced her back down. Opening her eyes, she found herself back in the same bed as before. The hut was darker now, and despite the shadows Chrysalis was thankful to find herself alone.

Alone. Never had she felt more alone than in that moment. Despite being a nightmare, she knew the words of her predecessors to be true. She had failed her hive and did not deserve to be queen. So there she lay; crying alone in the darkness as her resolve finally fell. She cried for what felt an eternity before light flashed into existence within the hut. Slowly, Chrysalis turned to see High Charity, standing at the open door with that same sympathetic look. At this Chrysalis’ face hardened, and she slowly moved to a sitting position in the bed to meet his gaze.

“Why don’t you head home?” He spoke to someone outside. “Something tells me she’s not in the mood for a meal.” After that, he slipped inside and closed the door. Not once during his stroll towards the bed did Chrysalis remove her pitifully defiant stare, nor did his expression change as he sat beside the bed. “I take it asking how you’re doing would be pretty pointless, huh?”

Chrysalis didn’t answer, only allowing her face to shift into a full frown. This drew a sigh from High Charity. “You know, if the wind changes your face will get stuck like that.”

“You think this is a joke?” Chrysalis spat.

“Define ‘this.’” He replied, unfazed by the overt aggression.

“You think you can address me so casually? Gift me your pity? You dare act this way in front of your queen?!”

For a moment there was silence before High Charity responded calmly. “I don’t pity you Chrysalis, I feel for you. And as for how I address you, we’re technically equals. After all, had my ancestors not left during the War of King Tumultus, there’s every chance I could’ve been in your position.”

It was at that moment it finally clicked. The words of her ancestors, High Charity’s unusual size, and the lack of the Conformity Curse.

“You…” she realised, eyes going wide before narrowing in renewed repulsion. “You’re a descendent of the traitors.”

High Charity nodded. “I wouldn’t call abandoning a war that is destroying your race being traitorous. More that they didn’t feel the need to follow a mad king to his death.”

“How dare you!” Chrysalis hissed, instinctually preparing a spell only for immense pain to surge throughout her head.

High Charity sighed. “I don’t expect you to understand. At least not yet. And if I was you, I’d let your magic recuperate before trying to kill the one offering you sanctuary.”

Opening her eyes after the pain slowly subsided, Chrysalis glared at him. “I didn’t ask you to save me so I could be your prisoner here in this… this dump.” She gestured to the hut with her left hoof, realising the right one was held to her chest in a sling.

“Prisoner?” High Charity repeated before shaking his head with a bemused smile. “Who said you were a prisoner? I like to think you more an unexpected guest. And I’ll have you know Timberjack worked quite hard on this guest house. Said it was some of his best work actually.”

The response caught Chrysalis off-guard. “I-I’m… not your prisoner? Then what’s to stop me from slaying you where you stand?”

“Three things,” he replied without missing a beat. “First, you’re in no condition to hurt anyone. Second, harming me would be the last thing you want to do while here. “And three,” High Charity’s features gained a slightly more stern look, “even at full strength, I’m not sure you’d be able to kill me that easily.”

At this, Chrysalis looked herself over. Bruises encompassed her body, and the bandages and sling for her right foreleg were joined by more on her neck and cheek. With these injuries, and her magic severely depleted, she realised the validity of his claims.

“Besides,” he went on, an unsure smile appearing on his muzzle again. “I was hoping we wouldn’t have to be enemies here. After all, here you’d be safe, assuming you want to stay.”

“And where exactly is here?” She asked curtly.

“Safe Haven.” High Charity replied with what Chrysalis could feel was pride mixed with traces of hope. “Prince Shard founded this town shortly after he, his sister and followers left the Old Hive. Like the name suggests, it’s a sanctuary for us changelings, especially after your stunt in Canterlot.” Chrysalis turned away in frustration at this.

“Regardless,” he went on with a sigh. “Doctor’s orders are that you get as much rest as you can, so please don’t try and sneak off in the night.”

“And why shouldn’t I do that?” Chrysalis asked with the same unpleasant tone she’d had all conversation.

“Well,” High Charity shrugged. “There’s the town’s border patrol, so they’d probably stop you trying to escape, if they didn’t try killing you for what you’ve done. Then there’s the fact its night-time now, so there’ll most likely be even more Timberwolves out there. And finally there’s your injuries. You wouldn’t last five minutes on your own in the woods right now.

“So…” he went on, a small trace of agitation mixing with the diplomatic tone he spoke with. “Maybe for this one night, you can put aside your high and mighty attitude and embrace the fact I’ve let you stay here to recover.”

“And you want my gratitude for all this?” Chrysalis came back, looking him in the eye with all the bile she could muster.

“That’s up to you,” he replied with a shrug as his voice lost its amused tone. “Whether you want to accept the fact I’m helping you or not is your decision. I’m not going to demand your respect, nor should I. In this town, respect is something to be earned, and both of us have a long way to go before we achieve that.”

With that he turned and headed to the door before looking back. “I’ll send someone to let you feed off of their emotions in the morning. Goodnight Chrysalis.”

Flicking the light off, High Charity closed the door, leaving the agitated queen to stew in the darkness of her house. As Chrysalis lay back, staring a hole in the roof, her anger soon ebbed away. In their place, the words of her nightmare and the reality she now found herself in returned, plaguing her until sleep embraced her once more.

2nd: Hard Truths

A smile adorned the muzzle of the royal nymph, strolling through the glowing metropolis of the hive. Drones bowed as she passed by, filling her with even more delight. To her left walked her mother, Queen Duplicitia, the most beautiful queen the hive had ever seen. The nymph beamed at her, coming close to nuzzle her mothers’ legs as the smile was returned.

But she fell. Looking up, the nymph saw herself alone. No drones, no hive, no mother.

“Mother?” She called out, fear beginning to rise as she rose to her hooves. “Mother?!”

Something on the ground nearby caught her eye, and drew a gasp as she approached it. Before her lay her mother’s silver necklace, the angular heart losing its shine. She reached out to hold it but on an unfelt wind the necklace disintegrated. Tears began to well up in her eyes as the nymph watched what remained fly away into her suddenly dark surroundings.

And so she wept, alone in the dark.

“Mother…”

\ ~*~/ /

Chrysalis opened her eyes, the darkness of her dreams replaced by the now familiar sights of her wooden hut. Sunlight peaked through the blinds, dimly lighting the building. So quiet was the hut that Chrysalis eased herself into a sitting position before realising she wasn’t alone.

“Ah, Miss Chrysalis. Good to see you’re awake.”

Surprised, Chrysalis whipped her head around to locate her intruder, only to have pain flare in her neck, her wound stinging beneath the bandages.

“Easy now,” the voice said gently as it drew closer. “We don’t want you reopening that wound, now do we?”

When the pain subsided, Chrysalis look to the side of her bed to find a drone-sized changeling looking back, wearing a smile and a white coat with holes cut in the back for his wings. Like High Charity, he had individual features; silver-tinted stubble to match his short but maintained hair and dark emerald eyes that looked on from behind small glasses.

“Who are you?” Chrysalis asked, the pain subsiding. “Why are you here, and where is High Charity?”

“Ah, yes, how rude of me,” he replied, though it sounded more like he was talking to himself. “My name is Bypass, I’m the town’s chief physician. I was just checking on your injuries and how they’re healing. As for High, he’s attending to other matters in town. Believe it or not my dear, you aren’t the only thing he has to worry about.”

Chrysalis was about to chastise this doctor for his improper attitude when addressing nobility, but realised it was pointless. Bypass and High Charity sounded as though they were on good terms, so angering a friend of her warden wouldn’t bode well for her at this time.

“So… Doctor,” she asked, “How are my injuries?”

“At the moment?” He asked, sitting beside the bed. “Well, the scars on your neck will take a few days to heal, even with my healing spells. The dressing on your cheek should be fine to remove by tomorrow morning, though your foreleg will need to remain in that sling for at least another week, maybe two.”

“Two weeks?” Chrysalis asked exasperatedly.

“And then there’s your magic,” Bypass continued with a nod, ignoring her outburst. “Even with your larger wellspring, you burnt up almost all your reserves of magic. Another strenuous spell and you might not have survived. I’d recommend plenty of rest and emotion feeding, and not using any spell more complex than telekinesis for at least a month.”

“You expect me to be powerless for a month?” Chrysalis nearly yelled, the thought of being without magic terrifying her.

“It’s the only way your magic will return to what it used to be.” Bypass said with a neutral tone signalling no responses allowed. “Otherwise you’ll be as potent with magic as a newborn nymph.” Chrysalis grit her fangs, biting back her next argument. Bypass’ tone carried no hint of deception, yet it still stung the queen to feel powerless.

“I understand it might be… confronting to suddenly find yourself in this position,” he carried on, no doubt sensing her emotions. “While I’m not much of a therapist, should you feel the need to talk, I’m always willing to listen.

“Unfortunately though,” Bypass paused to look at a silver pocket watch he had pulled from his coat. “I’m afraid I have other appointments to attend to. I’ve left a few books here for you so you don’t go insane waiting to heal, and I’ll be back again in a few days for another check-up. Just remember; plenty of rest and emotion and no moderately strong magic.” With that, the doctor turned away.

“Wait.” Chrysalis called out, Bypass pausing with one hoof out the door. Immense shame flowed from Chrysalis like a flood, and no doubt he could sense this. She looked down, her eyes resting on her sling-bound foreleg. “Th-Thank you,” she softly muttered, “for tending to my wounds.”

She sensed a small spark of satisfaction, or was it happiness, emanate from Bypass. “No need to thank me. After all it’s my job.” Chrysalis looked back up at the physician to see a small smile, genuine in nature, adorn his face. “See you in a few days Chrysalis.”

With that, he was gone and Chrysalis was alone once more.

\ ~*~/ /

The next few hours passed by slowly for Chrysalis as the light that filtered through her windows moved across the floor. Her injuries gave her enough reason to remain in bed, yet she felt her sanity was being eaten away with all this inactivity. Her thoughts did crawl back to escaping multiple times, yet each time the cold logic of her predicament shot it down. Despite how loathe she was to admit it, High Charity was right; she wouldn’t last a day on her own in this condition.

So, to stave off insanity that little while longer, she turned her attention to the books Bypass had left for her. It had been a struggle to reach them despite their proximity on the table. If the doctor was to be believed about her magic, she didn’t want to risk any further damage over trying to levitate a few books. She read through the first two – one about a pony burdened with two souls and the other about three teenage ponies uncovering a conspiracy within ruins – up to the third chapter, the novels failing to capture her imagination. That left the final book; a moderately thin hardback book with a green cover and golden patterns on the cover and the title.

“The History of Safe Haven,” Chrysalis read it to herself. Perhaps this would supply her with the answers she longed for. But before she could open the book, a knock rattled the door. The noise made Chrysalis jump, eliciting a small sting from her neck wound and fresh internal chastising for herself.

“Hello?” A somewhat familiar feminine voice called out as the door opened. “I’ve brought you your meal.”

“Come in,” Chrysalis answered in a neutral tone, putting the book to the side. Throughout the day her stomach had ached, begging for sustenance. The first thing to appear through the door was a levitating tray that bore a bowl of steaming soup and fresh-looking fruit. But any critique of how mundane a meal this was died in her mouth when Chrysalis saw who had stepped in.

There, holding the tray in an aura of aqua-marine blue magic, stood a changeling unlike any Chrysalis had seen before. In fact, she thought the young nymph before her was permanently trapped in-between shifting forms. Her coat was a creamy white colour, and she wore her dark spring green mane in an intricately woven braid. Her mane and tail, along with her legs and insectoid wings, bore no holes, though there were the familiar circular indents in her fetlocks. Her horn, illuminated in the act of magic, bore only one circular indent at the front near the base. She looked at Chrysalis with eyes that matched the colour of her magic’s hue. Not the slit pupils of changelings, but pony eyes, the queen noted. And then there was the cutie mark; a jar containing some green substance within labelled with the image of a green leaf.

“Ah, good,” the newcomer said with a smile and what Chrysalis swore was genuine relief. “You’re awake. I was beginning to worry you’d never wake up.” The mare set the tray down on the table, but exuded odd curiosity when turning back to see Chrysalis just staring at her, apparently oblivious to the queen’s own confusion. “Um,” she went on, shaking away any nervousness, “My name’s Synthea. It’s nice to finally meet you properly.”

But still Chrysalis stared, her eyes analysing every strange aspect of her newest visitor. Noticing the scrutinising nature of Chrysalis’ gaze, Synthea nervously shifted her weight between her hooves. Chrysalis stopped, looking her in the eye as she finally spoke. “What are you?”

“Oh,” Synthea replied, surprise and relief the primary emotions radiating off of her. “Right. I keep forgetting. You’ve probably never seen anything like me before.

“Well,” she went on, bringing the chair over with her magic before taking a seat. “I’m what’s known as a Halfling. My mum was an earth pony, and you’ve already met my dad.”

Though the banter from Synthea was playful bordering on lecturing, Chrysalis finally realised where she had heard Synthea’s voice before, and what that meant. “You,” she said slowly with shock. “You’re… High Charity’s child?”

“Yep,” Synthea replied, oblivious or uncaring of Chrysalis’ shock at this revelation. “I have to say though, you’re really interesting.”

“Why?” Chrysalis nearly spat the response.

“Well,” Synthea sat back as she looked up in thought. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dad so invested in a new arrival here. That, and I’ve never seen a changeling as tall as you. I have to ask; what’s your hive like? I’ve heard legends about it, but I’m sure it’s not as bad as everybody keeps saying, right?” It was only once she stopped talking that Synthea saw the firm frown now adorning Chrysalis’ features, felt the anger pulsating off of her in waves.

“Oh,” Synthea realised, shock and a tinge of humiliation released. “I’m sorry. I tend to ramble when I meet somebody new. Anyway, are you feeling up to feeding on emotions?” Chrysalis’ glare answered her question with the force of an earthquake.

“How dare you?” The queen hissed, Synthea’s expression finally revealing she picked up on Chrysalis’ feelings. “You dare offer me your pity, ask so casually about my hive, and expect me to feed off the emotions of a half-breed? How dare you and your father insult me this way!?”

Synthea, clearly hurt by this angry outburst, stood up from her seat and took a few steps back in fear. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know your hive was a touchy subject. Look, you don’t have to feed off of my emotions right now. How about some soup?” Synthea nervously took hold of the bowl in her magic once more, hovering it closer to the bed in an attempt to salvage this encounter.

Those hopes shattered like the bowl when Chrysalis smacked it out of her magical grasp, the crockery falling to the floor and breaking into pieces. The silence and tension within the cabin became palpable. Shocked, Synthea looked back up, staring down the barrel of the most vitriolic glare she’d seen in her life.

“Leave,” Chrysalis commanded, her voice devoid of all emotion save contempt and disgust. “And inform your father,” she venomously extended the word, “that I do not except charity from half-breed vermin.” All throughout Chrysalis’ bile-fuelled attack, Synthea had been backing towards the door, tears forming in her eyes. Fear and pain from the mare intoxicatingly flooded the cabin before she turned and ran, closing the door on her way out.

Chrysalis huffed, glad the vermin was gone but still infuriated at the airhead half-breed and her father… High Charity, she thought to herself. Even as a descendent of the Traitors, how could you do such a thing? A grumble from her stomach forced her to look down at the shattered bowl and the now spilled soup. For a moment, she almost regretted wasting it. It was a necessary sacrifice, however, to demonstrate to the young fool where her place was.

No more than ten minutes had passed before a burst of magic erupted in the centre of the cabin. Chrysalis lowered the foreleg shielding her from the sudden light and gust to see High Charity, all trace of civility and hospitality gone. In their place was an anger Chrysalis could tell he was struggling to control. He seemed to have a handle on it so far, though for how long that would last was uncertain. His horn alighted, slamming the lock on the door into place and then casting a spell that caused a small, numb ache within Chrysalis’ horn.

Sonus Vacuum, she realised. Known more commonly to ponies as a Silence Field, it ensured whatever happened inside the hut wouldn’t be seen or heard by anyone outside its walls. It actually pleased her to see her captor so unsettled. Had she known it was that easy to get under his chitin, she would’ve insulted him about his bastard child sooner.

“What did you say to Synthea?” High Charity asked, the disdain in his voice clear for all to hear.

“I simply told her the truth,” Chrysalis responded in a haughty manner, turning her muzzle at him. “I merely stated that, as a queen, I deserve to feed off of something better than a filthy half-breed.”

“That half-breed,” High Charity growled through gritted fangs, the word seemingly causing him pain to even say, “Is my daughter.”

“And that brings me to you, Traitor.” Chrysalis, riding the high of actually rattling High Charity, continued as she slowly worked her way out of bed and into a standing position. “Even with your status among the hive as a traitorous noble, to think you’d throw away what little pride and honour your family ties had left by mating with a pony and siring that vermin. I almost feel sorry for you.

“So,” she finished, now standing before him to her full height and looking down her muzzle at him. “What will you do now? If you’re as charitable as your name would suggest, you wouldn’t want me harmed now would you? That wouldn’t be very hospitable, would it? Or perhaps you’ll try to make me understand by introducing me to the filthy whore that you l-”

Chrysalis never got the chance to finish the insult, as a green hue of magic surrounded and paralysed her where she stood. Unable to move, she looked back to see High Charity staring at her with all the fury of a thousand angered dragons, his scarf and tail seemingly caught in an ethereal breeze. He lifted her slowly into the air as if she were a puppet, and stepped forward until their muzzles were inches away from each other. Even without looking into his now glowing emerald eyes, Chrysalis was nearly drowning in the intensity of High Charity’s anger.

“Mock me all you want,” he spoke with a tone as severe as his glare was fierce. “I’ve outgrown being hurt by insults aimed my way. But even my patience has limits. You will not say another bad word about my daughter. And I promise you Chrysalis; if you EVER say one uninformed, untrue word about my wife, I will escort you on a one way trip to the darkest corner of the Everfree Forest. And when I’m finished with you, the beasts living there would be lucky if there are any scraps left to feed off of. Am I understood?”

Chrysalis wasn’t given a chance to respond, as she was methodically floated back into her bed and held there as High Charity held his unrelenting glare. Whilst pinned to the bed, the magic surrounding High Charity’s horn intensified as it shaped itself into a blade twice as long as his horn and seemingly rippling with his anger. As hard as she tried to hide it, Chrysalis’ earlier confidence had evaporated, and looking into his eyes elicited a fear most primitive; fear for her life.

“You have two choices before you, Your Highness,” High Charity continued, contempt and sarcasm dripping from the title as his voice rose. “Either continue down this path towards oblivion you’ve set out for yourself, or pull that firmly lodged stick out of your plot and actually act like something other than a spoilt brat wearing a paper crown. Safe Haven isn’t a new hive where you can just treat everyone however you see fit. It’s a community, a family…” High Charity’s gaze momentarily drifted to the book on the bed opposite Chrysalis. “That book might actually part the clouds of arrogance in your lofty version of reality, and show you how changelings should live. Take that books teachings to heart and there might be a sliver of hope for you yet.”

With that High Charity let his blade vanish, turned and headed for the door, Chrysalis still pinned to the bed with his magic. But as he undid the lock he paused. “You should know,” he said, not looking back, “that out of all the ponies and changelings living here, Synthea was the only one to volunteer feeding you emotion. The only one. Let that sink in.” With that he left, slamming the door on his way out. It would be a few more minutes before he released his magical grip on Chrysalis, allowing her to sit up and catch her breath. For a few fleeting moments there, she genuinely thought he was going to kill her. That fact alone raised a question, a question she had asked herself when at her lowest following her defeat in Canterlot;

“Why?”

\ ~*~/ /

The light of morning sifted through the closed blinds, slowly illuminating the cabin. As motes of dust flitted in the light, Chrysalis groaned tiredly. The night had been a long and exhausting one. After High Charity effectively dismantled her pride like a cat toying with a mouse, she had spent the reminder of the night either painfully jolting awake from her continued nightmare or reliving the ordeal and the facts it gave rise to.

What now? She asked herself as she sat in her bed, staring down at nothing in particular. The question had haunted her almost as much as her dreams. High Charity was correct when saying Chrysalis wouldn’t last five minutes on her own right now, his barely contained fury the previous evening had been proof of that. It also proved she had nothing to gain by antagonising him. Any resources at her disposal were gifted to her by her hosts, and with her hive scattered to the winds she had no one to fight in her name should her host’s fury overpower his self-control.

And her continued existence brought back another question; why? If High Charity, and this whole town from what she gathered, despised her so, then why spare her? What could he hope to gain from stalling her execution? Over and over she pondered these questions until she noticed the book from the previous night, still resting on her bed where she’d left it. Perhaps he was right, Chrysalis thought, reaching for the tome.

Before she could reach it though, the door opened slowly. Chrysalis turned to see High Charity step in and, though he kept his face and emotions under control, Chrysalis couldn’t help but sense a small spark of anger, or was it frustration? He looked at her unemotionally for a moment before stepping to the side, allowing Synthea to meekly walk into the hut.

“I’ll be outside if you need me.” High Charity said as he spoke softly to his child, lightly kissing her on the temple. The brief moment of kindness vanished the second he looked back at Chrysalis, replaced instead by coldness and regret.

The next moment, the door closed and it was just the two of them. Silence settled uncomfortably in the air, though for Chrysalis this was dwarfed by Synthea’s ever-shifting emotions. There was hope and even a little self-doubt, but uncertainty and fear were the ones she kept coming back to. But as much as these emotions rolled off Synthea like waves, these were a mirror of Chrysalis’ emotions as well. She was uncertain how to proceed, of what to say. Should she even say anything? Never in her life had she faced a situation such as this. A master of social espionage and here she was struggling to find what to say to a young nymph/mare, or whatever she should be called.

“I-I,” Synthea mumbled, ending the silence. “I’m… I’m sorry, if I offended you yesterday. I understand if… if you don’t want me to feed you emotion anymore. After all, I know I’m…” With that, Synthea’s bowed her head, her shoulder trembling with tears set to burst as sadness and shame radiated out from her. “S-So,” she continued, sobbing. “If you don’t want me… want me around anymore… all you have to do, is say so, a-and you’ll… you’ll never see me again.”

The halfling looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. The sight elicited a response Chrysalis never expected; her heartstrings tightened. Nothing was said as she held Synthea’s gaze for a moment before closing her eyes and turning her head. Synthea’s mouth opened, her hopes shattering like the bowl of soup the previous night. The tears came faster now, and she struggled to wipe them away before slowly getting up and turning for the door.

“Forgive me.”

The words froze Synthea in her tracks, her hoof inches from the door handle. Eyes widened in shock, she slowly turned back around to look at Chrysalis, still facing the wall beside her bed. Synthea remained still and silent, not wanting to interrupt.

“I…” Chrysalis struggled for the right words. “You asked what my hive was like, correct?” Synthea nodded, despite Chrysalis not turning her head to check. “I… I ascended to the throne during a time of great upheaval for the hive. I was forced to struggle, to fight, to obtain what was mine by birthright. Such trials ensured that, when I was done, I answered to no one. I was respected and feared in equal measure. I was queen.

“But that… that blinded me to what I had become. Now that my hive is scattered… I...” Chrysalis’ shoulders shuddered as she fought through the memories that had flooded back. “I can no longer expect to be respected, for what I have done to our kind.” It was then that Chrysalis finally looked back, and Synthea silently gasped at the sight of tears rolling down the changeling’s face.

“And I can no longer deny that my actions have terrible consequences…” Once more she looked away, shame rolling off of her in immeasurable quantities. “So, for what I said to you and your father… Forgive me.”

The silence returned, pressing heavily down upon the two. Chrysalis struggled to reign in her tears, trying to erase her perceived weakness with little success. But then something softly rested upon her right shoulder. Slowly, Chrysalis turned.

There stood Synthea, tears in her eyes but a small smile adorning her muzzle. Frozen with shock, Chrysalis remained immobile as Synthea clambered carefully onto the side of the bed, fixing the larger changeling in a gentle embrace. When she finally regained control of her limbs, Chrysalis hesitated for a moment before using her free foreleg to return the hug, resting her head on top of Synthea’s. As tears flowed down her face and remorseful but happy feelings mixed within the cabin, Chrysalis looked to the door to find it ajar, High Charity wearing a small but proud smile.

“Thank you,” Chrysalis whispered to both of them.

3rd: Acclimatising

The young nymph slowly crept down the stone steps of the palace, the muffled noises below forcing her curiosity to urge her on. After what seemed an eternity of descent, she reached the ground floor of the royal chambers and saw an opening to her mother’s study emerge, candlelight filtering through. The noises now resembled conversation, and as quietly as possible the nymph pushed forward, sneaking up to hear it more clearly.

“Please,” she heard her mother’s voice beg with an unfamiliar desperation. “She’s confused. She’s unsure of her path forward. Please, I beg you to reconsider-”

A loud smack rang out, followed by a shadow passing the candlelight briefly. Concerned, the nymph looked inside and at once her mouth opened and her eyes widened. Her mother, the beautiful queen that she was, lay on the ground nursing her cheek as before her stood an angry changeling noble the nymph could swear she’d seen before.

“Your nymph is a fool!” The noble nearly roared. “To side with the enemy forfeits her crown, and all protection that goes with it. And for not stopping her in time, you shall share her punishment.” At this, a jagged sword materialised, raised high in anticipation of tasting blood.

“Mother, NO!” The nymph cried out, bursting through the opening and galloping towards the queen over what suddenly became an incredible distance.

“CHRYSALIS, RUN!” She screamed, a hoof reaching out to her child.

Little did the nymph see the noble appear at her side, nor the sword closing in on her neck.

\ ~*~/ /

“Chrysalis? Are you okay?”

Chrysalis’ panicked mind refocussed on the present, looking up to see Synthea standing at the door levitating a tray of food. Her aqua-marine eyes instantly bore a look of concern, and even in this state Chrysalis could discern it was genuine. As the moments passed, Chrysalis fought to bring her breathing and heartbeat under control, succeeding after a few minutes.

“What happened? Are you alright?” Synthea asked again, setting the tray of food down on the table before approaching. Chrysalis didn’t respond for a moment, the shock of the dream still affecting her despite calming herself down. The image of her mother being struck down was jarring to be sure, and felt so real. But her memories assured her those events never happened. Shaking her head softly, she donned her impassive mask mastered from years of experience and looked back at the halfling.

“I am fine,” she finally replied, finding a sceptical yet still concerned Synthea looking back at her. “A bad dream, nothing more.”

“Oh,” Synthea sat down next to the bed. “Do… Do you want to-?”

“No,” Chrysalis cut her off with a shake of her head. “It’s not worth discussing.” Silence followed for a few moments. Chrysalis could tell Synthea was still concerned, yet that was soon forced aside as the halfling plastered a smile over her features.

“Okay. We can talk about it when you’re ready. But for now, I bet you’re pretty hungry, huh?” Before Chrysalis could answer, the audible grumble of her stomach beat her to it. Chrysalis blushed embarrassedly at this undignified response, yet all it resulted in was Synthea gently laughing.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Here you go.” With that, Synthea levitated the tray to Chrysalis, the aroma making it difficult for the changeling queen not to lose her composure and drool. On the tray were a few slices of buttered toast and an apple, as well as a steaming bowl of what smelt like pumpkin soup garnished with chopped spring onions.

This brought back memories of the other day. “This is the same soup, isn’t it?”

“Oh… yeah.” Synthea answered, surprised at first but then more subdued. She soon buried such negative feelings, however, clearly not wanting Chrysalis to worry. “I just thought it was a shame you didn’t get to try it before, so I made you some more.” Chrysalis looked between the halfling and the soup, unsure how to feel. “Go on,” Synthrea urged. “It’ll go cold otherwise.”

Nodding, Chrysalis’ attention turned to the spoon beside the bowl. The concentration brought a dull ache as she wrapped her magic around the utensil before slowly lifting it into the air. It wavered for a moment, as did the green glow surrounding it. With sweat starting to form upon her brow, Chrysalis released her hold in a fit of anger, the spoon clattering back onto the tray.

“Tartarus,” she cursed as she looked at it, wishing she had the magic to atomise the spoon.

“It’s okay,” Synthea spoke up soothingly. “I can help.”

“No,” Chrysalis shot back before reigning in her frustration with a sigh. “I must do it, at least once.” To prove I still can, she thought to herself before inhaling deeply and trying again. Her hold looked just as shaky as before, but with more concentration she steadied it before guiding the spoon into the soup. Carefully carrying her cargo, Chrysalis leaned forward to gulp down the spoonful before leaning back and catching her breath, the spoon bouncing off the tray and onto the sheets.

“Here,” Synthea said softly, taking the spoon in her own magic and scooping up some more soup before bringing it hovering before Chrysalis’ face. A brief moment of stubbornness ensued before Chrysalis opened her mouth and allowed Synthea to feed her.

“I know this might seem pretty embarrassing,” Synthea spoke as she continued feeding her charge the soup. “But it’s not a bad thing to ask for help when you need it. Besides, if you’re following Bypass’ instructions, you’ll have your magic back in no time.” Chrysalis said nothing between each spoonful, concentrating on the meal. The feeding carried on in silence for a few minutes, the meal warming up Chrysalis’ body with each spoonful. Once it was finished, Synthea offered the fruit and bread but Chrysalis declined.

“Do you want to feed off of my emotions?” Synthea asked cautiously, knowing full well how this question was answered the other day. But thankfully Chrysalis nodded, almost too eagerly. It was the hunger for emotions that all changelings felt that drove her sudden excitement. Not having a decent emotional meal for months didn’t help the look of desperation she no doubt displayed either.

Smiling at the eagerness, Synthea levitated a small pad from the tray. She peeled the packaging away to reveal a translucent square with light green lines printed along the edges that Chrysalis recognised as spell markings. Dropping the packaging in the nearby bin, Synthea then placed the square onto her neck, the markings glowing for a moment as the spell activated.

“What is that?” Chrysalis asked as Synthea shuffled closer.

“It’s an inhibiter patch. It protects the donor from being drained of too much emotion.”

Chrysalis frowned. “You think I can’t restrain myself whilst feeding?”

“Well…” Synthea trailed off uneasily. “You were a bit forceful the day you woke up.”

The comment made Chrysalis wince at the memory. “Very well. How does this work?”

“Oh, it’s simple.” Synthea replied with a little more cheer. “You just bite into the patch like you normally would while feeding. But if you feed too long or too forcefully, the patch will shock you a little, just enough to make you let go.”

“And what? You plan to feed me love? After the last few days I imagine that would be difficult.”

“Well, I’ll be thinking of something else that I love. The emotion doesn’t have to be directed to the feeder.”

With that, Synthea leant forward, turning her head so that her neck and the patch were clear. Chrysalis fought the animalistic urge to rush in and gorge herself, knowing the patch would shock her and partly fearing some form of retribution from High Charity. Therefore, she bent over slowly before sinking her fangs into Synthea’s neck as gently as possible. The young mare flinched at the contact, but focussed and soon Chrysalis could feel the love flow into her body. It was such a sweet taste, with a hint of honey. Chrysalis had found over the years that the sweeter the taste, the more powerful and meaningful the emotion, so whoever Synthea was thinking of was very close to her heart.

It had only been a minute before the markings of the patch glowed, zapping Chrysalis into releasing her meal and falling back onto her pillow.

“Don’t worry,” Synthea said upon seeing Chrysalis’ sulky face. “It takes some getting used to.” The two then lapsed into an awkward silence; Chrysalis clearly with nothing worth talking about, and Synthea unsure how to proceed. Eventually though, she broke the silence.

“So, I was wondering… Since you should be fine to walk, would you want to take a tour of the village?” Chrysalis let her questioning gaze speak for her, remaining laid back in the bed.

“After all,” Synthea went on. “It’s not like you can stay cooped up in here forever.”

“And what if I want that?” Chrysalis asked bluntly.

Synthea looked at her, concern and confusion quick to wash off of her. “Why would you want that?”

“You father has made it clear I’m despised by most of the village. I doubt leaving here would help my status any more than dying on the spot.”

“That’s not true.” Synthea protested as she hovered onto the bed with a buzz of her wings. “I mean; yes, what you apparently did in Canterlot was pretty awful. But staying in here won’t help your chances of changing into someone better. We’ve had difficult ponies and changelings come through before and gave them a chance. I’m sure you’ll get that chance too.”

Chrysalis hid it well, still unsure whether halflings could sense emotions like full changelings could, but she had to admit she was impressed at the positivity with which Synthea saw her situation. If only it were that simple, Chrysalis thought to herself before shaking her head.

“I don’t feel up to touring the village today. I won’t display myself as an easy target for those that despise me out there.” Synthea dropped her head and sighed, realising Chrysalis wasn’t budging. But as she continuously did, she shook away the negative emotions and shot a small, understanding smile to the changeling queen.

“Well, maybe another time then. Anyway, I have to go. Bypass is probably wondering where I am.”

This peaked the queen’s interest. “You’re unwell?”

“Oh, no,” Synthea shook her head with a smile as she gathered the tray in her magic. “I’m his assistant. I’ll sure he’ll understand though. No doubt you’ve noticed he’s a bit of a softy.”

I wouldn’t be too sure, Chrysalis thought to herself, remembering his firm tone when diagnosing her injuries.

“Okay, I’ll see you later Chrysalis. Think about that tour offer.”

With that, she was gone, leaving Chrysalis alone with her thoughts once more. Foremost amongst them was whether to accept Synthea’s offer, or wait on deciding for now.

\ ~*~/ /

So, she waited… and waited. Despite the smile and understanding of Synthea, Chrysalis knew that each time she delayed her response only let her carer’s annoyance grow, no matter how much she covered it up. It was a full six days before she couldn’t stand it any longer.

“If I agree to go on this tour with you, will you stop pestering me?”

Despite the harshness of those words, Synthea had jumped for joy at the news, and so the next day Chrysalis stood in the centre of her hut, waiting for her tour guide. Despite the scratch marks on her check having faded almost completely and the scars on her neck unbandaged and well on their way to recovery, the sling around her left foreleg remained as a reminder to Chrysalis of her weakened state. It did feel good, however, to no longer be bedridden. Out of nervous curiosity Chrysalis tried moving her wings, and relief rolled off of her as they moved and buzzed at her command.

“Hi,” Synthea’s voice rang out, bringing Chrysalis out of her inspection as the young halfling entered wearing an buttoned-up orange shirt, a frilly off-white skirt and a bright smile radiating enough positive emotion to stir Chrysalis’ hunger. “You ready to see the sights?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Chrysalis replied neutrally. Synthea’s enthusiasm dimmed for but a moment before shaking it off as she always did. With that, Synthea opened the door and stepped aside to let the former queen through. Having spent at least two weeks inside the hut with the blinds shut, Chrysalis had to turn her head away from the glare of the sun until her eyes adjusted while the wind reminded her what it felt like as it gently sifted through her mane and tail. When she looked up, her jaw slowly dropping in awe only served to fuel Synthea’s good mood.

The hut Chrysalis had been living in was near the top of a hill, and down at the foot were more wooden dwellings. Some were built by seemingly hollowing out one of the many surrounding trees, or built traditionally like her hut, only with a large canopy of leaves covering the entire space of the roof. Looking around, Chrysalis was able to discern where the housing ended and the rest of the Whitetail Woods began; a thin gap between the treetops that surrounded the general area. The size of it was simply staggering, as the town’s borders circled around the hill in an uneven oval. A small stream ran through the town as well, even passing through a river mill’s water wheel. Looking back up the hill, Chrysalis saw not only the large leafy covering that blanketed her own hut, but a larger house at the peak of the hill, looking down over the rest of the town. The house was a hollowed tree with traditional extensions built out to either side.

“That’s my place,” Synthea spoke up, confirming Chrysalis’ own thoughts. “My family has lived in that tree since Safe Haven’s founding. Come on. Let me show you the rest of the town.”

With that the two followed a dirt path down the grassy hill, Synthea occasionally waiting for Chrysalis to catch up. As they began walking down the villages shaded main street and Synthea waved at someone, one more factor made itself apparent to Chrysalis; the inhabitants. All around were ponies of all three subspecies as well as dozens of changelings, each with their own distinct features. And then there were all the halflings spread around. As they passed, Chrysalis observed a pegasus filly casually chatting with her two earth pony friends before realising the pegasus was actually a halfling. The only real indicators were the circular indents in her fetlocks like Synthea’s, as well as pronounced fangs. Another one helping move crates into a shop lacked wings of any kind, yet had a horn with two circular cuts in it and hols in his legs.

“Noticing all the different halflings?” Synthea asked, once again bringing Chrysalis back to earth.

“Indeed.” Chrysalis nodded before tasting something on the wind, something sour. “However, I believe the same can be said of them.”

Synthea stopped, looking around to see Chrysalis was right. As they had passed through, the ponies, changelings and halflings in town had noticed their arrival and all eyes were on the queen. Chrysalis could taste all the conflicting emotions emanating from all around her. Fear, anger, disgust, uncertainty and even a small bout of naïve curiosity all mixed together into an uninviting mess. She had expected this, of course. Even with how large Safe Haven may have appeared from the hill, it couldn’t be too large for the gossip machine to work its magic, and Chrysalis had imagined her outburst at Synthea the other week had done the rounds with varying degrees of truth.

“This was a bad idea,” Chrysalis muttered. “I’m going back to the hut.”

“Oh, come on.” Synthea protested before blocking Chrysalis’ path. “It’ll be okay. Once they get to know you, things will turn around.” Chrysalis’ sceptical eyebrow raise answered that statement far better than words ever could. “I know. How about I introduce you to Timberjack? I’m sure he’d be happy to know what you think of the guest hut he built.”

Shrugging with a tired sigh, Chrysalis let Synthea pass before following her lead while trying to ignore the glare and fearful glances being thrown her way. After a few minutes of walking the two came close to the clearing border between the town, arriving at a large traditional building with an open section full of various wooden wares ready for sale.

“Timberjack? Are you home?”

“Now jus’ hold on there,” an accented voice replied. The two waited until a muscular stallion with a brown coat appeared, strands of his dark green mane sticking out from underneath a Stetson, unpleasantly reminding Chrysalis of someone else. Freckles rested just beneath his dark blue eyes and his cutie mark showed a saw partially embedded in a large log.

“Ah, howdy Synthea,” he said upon seeing the halfling, embracing her in a big hug. “What’re ya doin’ wandering ‘round town? Ain’t the doc gonna be mad you’re skipping shifts?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Synthea waved off his concern. “He let me off considering I’ve got another important job to do. Speaking of which,” She then stepped to the side, allowing him to see Chrysalis for the first time. “Timberjack, meet Chrysalis. Chrysalis, this is Timberjack. Safe Haven’s number one carpenter.” Chrysalis noticed the minute widening of his eyes and tasted the brief moment of surprise. But rather than turn hostile like she was expecting, Timberjack instead flashed her a big smile.

“Well, nice ta meet you Chrysalis. Say, how’re you liking the house Ah built? One of the best Ah’ve made, Ah reckon.”

Chrysalis took a moment to process Timberjack’s laid-back attitude before replying. “It is… better than what I’ve had recently. Thank you for letting me stay in it.”

“Ah shucks, you don’t have to thank me for that. Besides, it’s Charity’s guest house, so whoever stays in it’s his call, not mine. Whelp, Ah’d best get back ta work. Ah’ll see ya’ll ‘round some other time then.” With a wave and a smile, the stallion went back to his work, leaving the two mares to continue their trip.

“So,” Synthea asked as they headed back towards the main street. “Pretty friendly, right?” But rather than the reply she was hoping for, Chrysalis’ response was nothing more than a murmur and nodding her head, a lack of interest clearly displayed across the queen’s face.

“Um,” Synthea dithered, eyes darting around for something else to keep her charge’s interest before locking onto the merchant stalls lining the road. “Oh! How about we get you something? A souvenir of your first trip into town?”

Chrysalis didn’t let the neutral face fall away, but she almost felt like she was drowning in Synthea’s concern for her the feeling was so strong. With a nod, she was led towards one by her caretaker; her feelings only slightly abating. The first stall they came to displayed a large assortment of garments and jewels, but Chrysalis cared not; her private horde back in the changeling palace dwarfed these mere trinkets a thousand times over, though for Synthea’s sake she held her tongue. The next stall showcased the works of a unicorn artist, yet their meaning either held none for the queen or they escaped her understanding, and so they moved on again.

It wasn’t until the sixth stall that Chrysalis finally took on something other than feigned interest, locking her gaze upon a charcoal-coloured pair of saddlebags with a green trim to them. When she finally said she wanted it, Synthea’s relief was instant.

“Great,” the halfling said quickly, but just as swiftly retracing her steps. “I mean, we could’ve kept going if you wanted, but this is what you want, right?”

“Yes,” Chrysalis stated factually. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time earlier.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Let’s get this for you then.” Synthea waved it off with a hoof before turning to the earth pony turned to the back of the stall. “Um, Barter Bargain? We’d like to buy something.”

“Oh, I’ll be there in a moment,” the voice said cheerfully, and the stallion turned to face the two. As he drew closer, Chrysalis observed his beige coat and off-gold coloured mane and tail, held away from his face by a rubber band at the base of his neck, as well as the scales cutie mark imprinted upon his flank. But when his grey-blue eyes locked onto the changeling his jovial attitude evaporated, replaced with annoyed concern and a hint of aggression. Noticing Synthea next to her however, this Barter Bargain tried to hide it with a smile.

“So,” he spoke up again after clearing his throat, his tone now more cautious than before. “What were you after Synthea?”

“Well,” Synthea began, either oblivious or ignoring Barter’s change in attitude. “I was wondering if we could buy this bag for Chrysalis here.” Motioning to the changeling, Barter finally made eye contact with her, and it was clear; he wouldn’t be Chrysalis’ stay here pleasant.

“Ah,” he replied, trying to hold back on the lack of enthusiasm on this task and instead focussing on the bag. “Well, this is one of the newer varieties I managed to get from Manehatten, and since it’s such a new item, I’d say it’s worth… Twenty-five bits.”

“What?” Synthea asked, confused as Chrysalis’ eyes narrowed at the negative bias simply flowing off of Barter. “But I remember you sold an older one similar to this a few days ago for half that price.”

“Yes,” Barter began, oozing professionalism. “But like I said, it’s a newer version. I also have to take into account the travel expenses and the expert stitching in this particular bag.”

“Enough!” Chrysalis interrupted, her frustration barely contained. “You dare insult me with such biased salesmanship? Do not take me for a fool.”

“No,” Barter responded, keeping his tone calm and collected in the face of Chrysalis’ growing animosity. “I’m merely explaining to Synthea here why this particular bag is worth as much as it is. This one, on the other hoof,” he picked up a dusty brown, plain-looking pair of saddlebags. “This one seems a better fit for somepony like you, wouldn’t you agree?”

If her magic were healthy and her rage not kept in check by fear of High Charity’s likely retribution, Chrysalis would have incinerated the earth pony where he stood. Instead, with Synthea looking nervously between the two, the changeling simply released an angry huff before storming off in the direction of her hut.

“Chrysalis, wait.” Synthea called out, muttering something before catching up to and blocking Chrysalis’ path. This immediately brought to the changeling’s attention the plain saddlebags hovering just to Synthea’s side. “I’m sorry about him. Maybe we can get you something else-”

“No.” Chrysalis cut her off, her tone final as she returned the glares she was receiving from the majority of onlookers nearby. “This was a fool’s errand. They will never accept me.”

\~*~//

“You okay honey?” High Charity asked, not even requiring his ability of tasting emotions to feel the disappointment radiating off his daughter.

“Yeah,” she sighed whilst simply shifting the mashed potato left on her plate around. Releasing a sigh, he laid his knife and fork down, shifted his plate over and took a good look at his little girl. Her eyes were downcast, and the air around her was intoxicated with the tastes of regret and disappointment.

“She didn’t care much for the tour, did she?” He asked, remembering the event Synthea had been so excited about was today.

“No,” Synthea moaned in reply, leaning back in her chair. “It’s just… She was trying Dad, honest to the White Mare she was trying to take it in, to be normal. But no one else was trying. It doesn’t matter that I can’t sense emotions like you and her because they made it all too clear. No one wants her here Dad.” With her voice, having grown throughout the venting of emotion, irritation chief amongst those, Synthea sighed and looked back to her father. “Was it wrong for me to take her out?”

High Charity simply smiled sympathetically and rested a hoof on Synthea’s shoulder. “Of course it wasn’t a mistake. She just… needs some time to get used to it here.”

Synthea looked down at her plate, mulling this over for a few minutes before releasing a long breath. “Thanks Dad.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He replied as he moved over and gave her a hug. “You want me to put your food away?”

“No. I was going to take it over to Chrysalis for dinner,” she said with a smile. “Don’t want to waste your cooking.”

Flashing a grin of his own, High Charity’s horn glowed and the leftovers responded by glowing as well, warming back up to the proper warm temperature. The food sufficiently heated, he turned and walked back to the kitchen, his own plate in to via levitation.

“Thanks Dad.” Synthea, feeling more energetic than before, gathered her plate in her own magic and hurried out the door and down the hill to the guest hut. Slowing down, she hesitated at the door. Memories of her first meeting with Chrysalis as well as the events of earlier in the day danced across her mind’s eye.

No, she thought to herself. If you get afraid now, you’re no better than the rest of the town. With a reassuring breath, she gently knocked on the door. “Chrysalis? It’s me, Synthea.”

No answer.

“Chrysalis?” Synthea called out again before noticing the lights weren’t on. She knocked harder on the door, only for it to creak open at her touch. Confused, Synthea pressed on inside. The darkness inside abated slightly with the glow of her horn, but it only disappeared when the young halfling set the plate down on the floor by the door and focussed her magic primarily on illumination.

In the aqua-marine light, one thing was clear.

Chrysalis, as well as the brown saddlebags from earlier today, was gone.

“No,” she whispered in horror. She rushed back outside on instinct, her horn ceasing its glow as she frantically looked around hoping to see her. But Chrysalis was long gone. Emotions wildly shifting within her, Synthea felt lost, almost willing to let her feelings wash over her and just sit there and cry.

But thinking of Chrysalis’ condition, she felt something alight within her; determination.

“Oh, no you don’t.” With that, she rushed back inside, hoping she could remember the spell she had in mind.

4th: Choices

“Gah! Confounded weed.”

Chrysalis took a moment to steady herself, glaring at the offending tree root that she nearly tripped over. Quickly pushing her annoyance aside, she scanned her surroundings for what felt like the hundredth time. The darkened Whitetail Woods seemed clear of danger for the moment but Chrysalis’ senses remained on edge. The shadows almost seemed alive, with the queen all too aware any one of them could be hiding potential predators.

High Charity was right; the woods were not a good place to be at night. But with the townsfolk treating her with such open disdain, she knew it was only a matter of time before somepony tried taking matter into their own hooves. So, after one last check of her surroundings and pushing the memories of her previous woodland experience behind her, Chrysalis continued on into the dark woods.

She wasn’t certain how long after that she walked on for but only by the time she reached a small clearing bordered by a high rocky ledge did she stop again. The air felt cool with the slightest breeze and the pale moon in the night’s sky bathed the area in a soft light. But through the rustling of the trees Chrysalis’ ears swivelled, ensuring she wouldn’t be caught unprepared again.

“Chrysalis!”

The voice, though faint, instantly froze the changeling queen in her tracks. Chrysalis spun her head around, looking behind her to see no one there. Yet the familiar voice sounded so real.

“Chrysalis!”

This time she definitely heard it, spinning around as her ears constantly pivoted to find its origin.

“S-Synthea?” Chrysalis tentatively called out, unsure if all her trials and torment had finally eroded her sanity. “Synthea, are you there?” A low buzzing sound faded in as Chrysalis’ ears swivelled to her left where, sure enough, a familiar form landed once it cleared the trees.

“Chrysalis...” Synthea huffed, stray leaves sticking out of her mane. “What… what do you think you’re doing?”

Chrysalis remained deathly still for but a moment before answering her younger counterpart by moving as fast as she could into the bushes on the far side of the clearing.

“Wait!” Synthea called out, her wings buzzing to life once more as she again gave chase.

“Stay away!” Chrysalis shouted back, barely managing to stay ahead of the airborne halfling and avoiding obstacles on only three legs. Noticing her follower gaining quickly, Chrysalis leapt over a fallen tree and took flight as well, pushing through the canopy and into the open sky. Rather than test her endurance in a clear-cut chase, Chrysalis immediately dove back under the trees, landing carefully and darting into the shadows of a hunched over tree trunk.

There she waited, focussing exclusively on controlling her breathing and scanning the few canopy openings for any sign of her young pursuer. After a tense few minutes she heard nothing and moved onwards as quietly as possible. Sticking to the shadows, her racing thoughts struggled to consume her mind. What is she doing out here? How did she find me?

So focused on her thoughts, Chrysalis didn’t notice the halfling stood before her until she bumped into her.

“Chrysalis,” Synthea implored. “What’s going on?”

Shocked at how fast she found her, Chrysalis took off again. This time she stayed low to the ground, darting through trees and over shrubs. Her path arced slightly to the right, taking her closer to the clearing from earlier. After five straight minutes of flight she landed, her wings hanging limp at her sides and panting for air. She considered it a blessing her saddlebags had remained on during the chase.

“Chrysalis, we need to talk.”

Despite the fatigue, astonishment still widened Chrysalis’ eyes to saucers as, sure enough, Synthea landed softly before her, barely out of breath.

“H-How?” Chrysalis asked, her breathing staggered. “How could you’ve possibly found me out here?”

“A scrying spell,” she hurriedly replied. “But that’s not important right now. Chrysalis, what are you doing? Why are you out here?”

“I could ask the same of you,” Chrysalis huffed, looking Synthea in the eye as she stood taller. “If High Charity didn’t want me in these woods after dark then I’m certain he would be mortified you’re here now.” Synthea looked away for a moment, and Chrysalis could tell her young acquaintance agreed due to the slight release of guilt and shame.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right about that.” Synthea then shook her doubt away, her resolve strengthening as she met Chrysalis’ gaze. “But I still want to know what you’re doing out here.”

“I thought that would be obvious.”

“Yeah, but… well, why? I mean…” the young mare’s emotions threatened to get the better of her, yet she still pushed on. “I stood up for you. I helped heal you. I even fed you. So, if anything, I feel you owe me an explanation.” She moved closer now, her will surprising Chrysalis as she stood firm and bore a hole into the queen’s soul with her look. “So…why are you leaving?”

The determination Synthea displayed flowed off of her in waves. Somewhere deep down, Chrysalis was impressed.

“For your sake, if not my own.” She finally answered, turning away and resting a hoof against a nearby tree as if to steady herself for what she would say next. “It would only be a matter of time before someone in town decided to take matters into their own hooves and take vengeance for what I did in Canterlot. And with you and your father shielding me, your standing in town would undoubtedly suffer.” It was now she turned back to face Synthea, her emotions uncharacteristically difficult to maintain at the moment. “For the all the kindness and charity you have given me, I… No. This is my burden to bare, and mine alone.”

Chrysalis looked away, admonishing herself for feeling so weak. Having to justify her actions to a… hybrid? Her ancestors were right; she was a disgraceful queen.

Then something rested gently upon her left shoulder. Chrysalis turned to find Synthea with her hoof on her shoulder, smiling that same understanding smile she always wore exuding comfort.

“Chrysalis, you don’t have to worry about us,” She began. “I mean, sure; there are ponies, changelings and halflings alike that are concerned about you. But that’s because they don’t know you yet, and you haven’t given them the chance to know you either. The only way you’re going to change that image is if you let them in.

“And you don’t need to worry; Dad and I can handle ourselves.”

“But I-”

“I don’t need emotion reading to tell you’re scared.”

“Scared?” Chrysalis baulked. “I fear nothing.”

“You fear what’ll happen to you now, don’t you?” Despite the soft tone in which they were spoken, Chrysalis was stunned silent by Synthea’s words. Words that seemed beyond her years. “The future’s a scary thing. Believe me, I know. But Dad told me a long time ago that the future’s ours to change. We only need the courage to do so.

“So, do you think you can be brave enough to make that choice? For me?”

Chrysalis’ answer screeched to a halt on the tip of her tongue, the sound of rustling leaves nearby demanding her attention. As swiftly as she could manage with only three legs, Chrysalis stood and scanned the surrounding woods. Synthea must have noticed her changed posture, as she too was looking around for threats. After a few tense moments, it seemed they were alone.

“Sorry,” she sighed. “I just thought-”

Time slowed horrifically for Chrysalis.

Synthea, eyes widening at something behind Chrysalis, buzzed her wings and shoved the changeling out of the way. The next she knew, the young halfling was dragged backwards as a wooden mass tackled her to the ground.

“NO!” A roar erupted from Chrysalis, ignoring her injured state and charging forward. As the Timberwolf looked up at the new threat it was greeted with an almighty buck to the face, knocking it off of Synthea and back a few feet. A split-second glance revealed Synthea was still breathing, though her hysteria would soon consume her if unchecked. “Synthea, fly!” With that order, Chrysalis took to the sky, hovering a metre or two before turning back to check on Synthea.

She was still on the ground.

Chrysalis soon saw the cause of the horror in the young nymph’s eyes; one of her wings was torn, nearly completely shredded. She wasn’t flying anywhere soon. Noticing the Timberwolf was recovering and all too aware there were most likely more of them lying in wait Chrysalis swooped down, delivering another kick to the beast’s jaw before flying low and urging Synthea to follow her on hoof, an order she promptly followed.

The two weaved in and out of the trees, unsure of whether the wolf was following them. Their worries only multiplied, however, as a new Timberwolf stood in their path. As they nearly skidded to a halt a third leapt from the side, hoping to catch them unawares. Instead the beast itself was caught in Chrysalis’ magic, strengthened with Synthea’s when it looked like it would falter. Together the two swung it into the one blocking their path before them and hurried onwards, hearing paws pounding away behind them.

The two broke through the treeline to find themselves back at the clearing from before, pausing in the centre to catch their breath and turning around to face their pursuers. Slowly the three Timberwolves emerged from the trees as one, their rancid breath making it hard for Chrysalis to think straight. Despite being the injured prey, she still put herself between the monsters and Synthea.

“Chrysalis!” The shout caught Chrysalis’ attention and she looked behind her to see a fourth Timberwolf in mid lunge from the rocky ledge bordering the clearing. It was too close to get out of the way and her magic was still too weak to use to protect herself. But that wasn’t what scared her the most.

What scared her was Synthea leaping into the beast’s path. Again, time revelled in torturing Chrysalis by slowing to a crawl, as the Timberwolf’s jaws dug in. Crimson wisps arced through the night air as the two landed on the other side of the changeling queen. Despite Synthea clearly screaming in agony, Chrysalis’ world became mute at the sight.

“SYNTHEA!” She cried out, fangs bared as she advanced on buzzing wings. A buck to the wolf’s abdomen forced it to release its hold on Synthea, and Chrysalis followed with a strike to the face with her good foreleg before delivering another buck, this one shattering the monster to splinters.

Standing protectively over Synthea, Chrysalis quickly looked over the damage. Synthea was clearly in shock; hyperventilating and gripping her shoulder tightly as her creamy white coat was staining red with blood. Something manifested within Chrysalis, a feeling she became well acquainted with following her defeat at Canterlot. Rage. Pure and unbridled. Raising her head, Chrysalis saw the three remaining wolves hold their positions, but also noticed there were more and more appearing from the woods. Her rage grew. If these beasts could sense emotions as she could, they would be running for their lives.

“You will pay for this,” She hissed, her horn bringing a green tint to the surroundings. At that moment, all of the searing pain and consequences of using her magic didn’t matter. All that mattered to Chrysalis was that these beasts had injured the one being that cared for her, the one individual who hadn’t done so out of obligation.

All that mattered was that they paid for it with their lives.

A green, hexagonal magic symbol formed beneath her hooves as electricity crackled in the air. Sparks of magic flashed from the hexagon to Chrysalis’ horn as it built up more and more power. One of the wolves tried to rush her before the spell was cast, but before it could even lunge at her lightning redirected from the hexagon and left nothing but smouldering twigs in its place. The rest stayed back and watched as Chrysalis winced, nearly collapsing due to the all-encompassing pain she felt. Her magic wellspring emptying, her watering eyes opened with a bright green glow, the collected magic concentrated into a single orb of light at the tip of her horn.

“FULGUR AGRI!” She roared with all her might, completing the spell by firing all the stored magic skywards. At a certain height the beam burst into a wide coverage of storm clouds, blocking out the moon’s soft light as it covered the entire clearing and surrounding area. The hexagon symbol then reappeared beneath the clouds.

With a roar of thunder, Chrysalis’ vengeance began.

Emerald lightning soared down from the symbol, striking an unsuspecting Timberwolf. Before most gathered could figure out what happened, a second was struck down. With rapidly accelerating ferocity, the lightning went on and on with its genocidal purge. A few Timberwolves tried fleeing back into the woods, yet the lightning would either block their path before another bolt finished them off, or strike though the leafy canopy to deliver death from above.

After what seemed an eternity the magic of the spell dissipated, the moonlight revealing a pot-marked clearing littered with burnt scraps of wood. In the centre of all this destruction stood Chrysalis. Her magic spent, she took a few weary steps forward before collapsing, an unconscious Synthea the last thing she saw before joining her in darkness.

\ ~*~/ /

“Well done, my little nymph…”

\ ~*~/ /

With those somehow familiar words echoing in her mind, Chrysalis slowly opened her eyes. Doing so re-introduced her to the searing pain writhing within her skull, instantly forcing her to hiss and close her eyes again. After a few moments to catch her breath, Chrysalis opened her eyes once more to an unexpected sight. A quick survey of her surroundings revealed she was back in the bed of her borrowed cabin.

And she wasn’t alone.

Beside her bed sat High Charity, looking like he had trouble sleeping recently if the bags underneath his eyes were any indication. The moment her saw her awake though, Chrysalis became the recipient of his undivided attention, closing off his emotions from her.

“W-What?” Chrysalis began, only for the pain to return and silence her. High Charity waited for her to compose herself.

“You have some explaining to do.” He stated, his tone as unreadable as his emotions. “And don’t bother wasting time by lying to me Chrysalis.”

“W-What happened? How long was I out?”

“A few days, but I’m the one who’ll ask the questions here.” High Charity’s firm tone made it clear no further questions from her would be tolerated. Slowly, Chrysalis managed to work herself into a sitting position despite her aching body and all-conquering headache. It felt like as if someone had decided to ignite a forest fire inside her bloodstream, such was the pain. Throughout this long task though, High Charity barely moved. He merely waited for his fellow changeling to look him in the eye once more, ready to answer his questions.

“What were you doing in the woods?”

“I was leaving.” Chrysalis replied tiredly. She knew any snarky remarks or agitated retorts would give her little advantage in this situation. That, and she could not physically bother to muster any bitterness to do so.

“Why was Synthea with you?”

“She followed me, trying to convince me to stay. She nearly succeeded before the Timberwolves attacked. She leapt into harm’s way to save me, and so I eradicated them for it.” For a few tense moments, neither changeling spoke. They simply stared into each other’s eyes, searching for the truth.

“What you did was incredibly foolish,” High Charity finally spoke, careful to have a firm grip on his emotions. “Endangering not only your own life but Synthea’s, and then casting one of the most deadly and dangerous changeling spells ever designed? It’s that kind of selfishness that can really get under someone’s chitin.

“But…” He sighed, the tension escaping from his body. “Despite the significant cost, you did save my daughter. For that, I owe you a debt.” High Charity bowed his head slightly. Chrysalis’ mind, however, was focussing on something else he said.

“Cost?” High Charity’s look turned sympathetic, the empathy and regret flowing off of him adding to a fear that was rapidly flooding her mind.

“You were very lucky,” he continued. “Bypass said that, had you not finished the spell when you did, there’s every chance you’d be as magically potent as a new-born earth pony.” Chrysalis’ eyes turned to saucers, her fears flooding the cabin, as evidenced when High Charity shook his head for a moment; no doubt picking up on her fears as he rested a hoof on her shoulder.

“It’s not all bad news though.” There was optimism in his voice, enough at least to give Chrysalis reason to look him in the eye once more. Gone was the serious gaze that greeted her upon her awakening. What she saw now were the same caring blue eyes that were present the day they met. “Bypass also mentioned that, despite nearly running your wellspring dry, there’s still a small amount of magic left. Not enough to cast even the most basic unicorn spells, mind you, but perhaps still enough to shapeshift.”

“Is there any chance I could regain my magic?” Chrysalis asked, seemingly borrowing High Charity’s optimism to even ask the question.

This gave him a moment of pause, bringing a hoof to his chin. “I’m sorry Chrysalis, but you’d have to ask Bypass. He’d know more than I would.” A pang of sadness struck Chrysalis, yet this was quickly flung aside as a more important thought broke through the exhaustion of her ordeal.

“Synthea! How is she? Where is she? I-”

High Charity raised a hoof to stop the queen’s apparent panicking. “She’s asleep back home. If you really want to, and if you’re able, I’ll take you. But you must do as I say. To. The. Letter. Understand?”

Chrysalis nodded immediately, though the motion gave rise to a slight return of her headache. Taking a moment to steady herself, Chrysalis gingerly crawled out from the bed. She winced as she nearly stumbled once on her hooves, though High Charity caught her with a deftly soft touch. As she stood more firmly, Chrysalis noticed her magic hadn’t been the only self-inflicted injury sustained during her spell. There were burns on her hooves, though they looked a decent way towards full recovery. She made a mental note to thank the good doctor when they crossed paths again. Once certain she wouldn’t fall again, High Charity moved over to the door and waited as she walked over at a slow pace.

“Okay,” he began, his horn alighting in a soft glow. “It’s probably a bad idea for you to be seen outside right now, given how the rumour mill’s been lately. So, I’ll cast a Silence Field around you and walk up to our house. You’ll need to remain grounded and not make any sudden movements so that I can concentrate on the spell, understood?” Chrysalis answered with a silent nod, and soon felt the numbing sensation of the spell being cast.

“Okay, here we go.”

With that he opened the door, pausing to fake a sigh so Chrysalis could sneak out. Once in the open, Chrysalis noticed a small crowd further down the hill dispersing at the sight of High Charity emerging. Yet, as the populace went back to their business, one took flight towards them. He was a grey pegasus with a spiked maroon mane, a silver streak running through both it and his tail. Possibly no older than twenty by her reckoning, the colt landed before High Charity. His amber eyes carried an air of aggression and youthful pride in them, yet those feelings cooled into concern and respect as he approached.

“High Charity, sir.” the colt greeted him, unawares he was being watched by another. “How’s Synthea? Is she okay?” His worry very much reflected that Chrysalis had felt not moments earlier.

“She’s doing as well as can be expected. I’ll let you know if her condition changes.” High Charity turned for the top of the hill, but the colt followed. Chrysalis made sure to fall behind the opposite side of High Charity so as not to break his illusion.

“And what about her?” The newcomer tilted his head towards the cabin, the disgust and anger dripping from him. The aggression was intoxicating, but Chrysalis felt something more to it than simple speciesism. There was something more personal, more malevolent, in his hatred for her.

High Charity sighed, a mix of weariness and annoyance exuded in the action. “Steel Wing, Chrysalis isn’t the best shape either. I know what she’s done, but I will not throw her back to the Timberwolves after she saved Synthea.”

“But she’s-”

“Injured, Steel Wing. This is the last I want to hear of this out of you. If you want to make yourself useful, go spread the word; there’ll be a town meeting tomorrow night.” With the firm order given, High Charity huffed before carrying on towards his home. Chrysalis winced with each step as she caught up to her now agitated host. As he paused at the front door of the grand home to let her in, Chrysalis looked back to see Steel Wing shake his head in apparent frustration before flying further into town.

“I’m sorry about him,” High Charity sighed as he closed the door behind Chrysalis, dropping the Silence Field. “He’s… difficult to handle at times.”

“I imagine never this troublesome, though.” Chrysalis replied as she looked around. The entrance opened into a wide circular area, with soft beige carpets covering the floor and a simple staircase on the far side of the room circling around the wall. To her right, a gap in the wall revealed a low table with multiple cushions surrounding it and the end of a kitchen bench further in. To her left there was a closed door, Chrysalis noticing the large lock installed. Surrounding the door on either side were large bookshelves holding an assortment of tomes and photos.

Spotting High Charity had started up the steps, Chrysalis followed him; hovering just above the floor to give her sore hooves a much-needed reprieve. Reaching the second story she followed her host, turning left and coming to an open door at the end of the hall.

There, her breath caught in her throat and her heart jolted by the sight.

Sleeping peacefully in a large bed was Synthea.

Chrysalis landed, biting her lips in an attempt to suck up the pain as she carefully trotted over to the side of the bed. Sitting down, she took in every feature, every motion. Her dark green locks splayed out freely over her pillow, emphasising a beauty to her Chrysalis hadn’t noticed before. Despite everything she’d endured, it looked like her dreams were being far more pleasant than Chrysalis’ had been as of late.

Thank Mother. Turning away, the queen exited the room. High Charity closed the door without a word, but exuded surprise and concern upon looking back at her.

“Chrysalis, are you okay?”

“Why do you ask?” She asked in replied, her voice taking her by surprise at how unsteady it was. High Charity simply brought a hoof to her face, wiping away tears Chrysalis wasn’t aware she had shed. A blush formed on her face as she hurriedly wiped the rest away, yet looking back she saw High Charity smiling. The sight was unsettling for her, considering it was so genuine and bright. And clearly directed at her.

Like father, like daughter, Chrysalis thought to herself.

“So,” he spoke quietly. “I guess since Synthea’s in no position to, I’ll ask. Are you still intent on leaving?”

The question caught her completely by surprise. “What?”

“You’re in no condition to go anywhere,” he carried on. “But, once you’re healed up and if you want to, I’ll let you leave. After saving my daughter’s life, I do owe you, after all. But then you’d have to explain to her why you’re leaving yourself. I’m not going to do the heavy stuff for you.

“Or… you could stay. It won’t be easy, that’s a given. Unlike back at your hive, you’ll have to work to earn your keep here, to earn back any form of respect. But at the very least she’d be happy you stayed.

“So,” he finished, looking her in the eye. “What will you do?”

Chrysalis’ head lowered for a moment in thought. A few weeks ago, she would’ve jumped at this opportunity and yet now she was conflicted? When what she had wanted was within reach? Why?

A small slither of happiness flowed from beyond the closed door. On it, Chrysalis tasted a stream of emotion with a familiar honey flavour to it. She now understood why she was so conflicted, and it made her choice all the more certain.

“I…” She stuttered, unsure how to phrase it before sighing and recomposing herself. “You say you owe me a debt, High Charity. Yet it is I that owes a debt, to your daughter. And I do not leave debts unrepaid.” High Charity’s smile grew as she spoke, as did his pride. The taste helped steel Chrysalis’ will and focus.

“I’ll stay.”

5th: Talk of the Town

“Tell no one of this, but… I’m worried.”

Despite knowing she wouldn’t get a response, Chrysalis thought it cathartic speaking to Synthea like this. Rarely had she ever had someone to confide in like this. At least, someone she trusted.

“To think,” she half-heartedly laughed, “that I, a queen capable of deceiving an entire kingdom, am terrified of…” Chrysalis couldn’t finish, sighing as she looked back at Synthea for answers that wouldn’t come. “The one time I wish for your counsel, I’m denied. It figures, given my fortunes lately.”

The halfling remained unconscious in her bed, though Bypass had assured her Synthea would be fine. Bypass had also looked over the queen earlier in the day, bandaging her hooves and finally removing the cast her left foreleg had been trapped in. In response, Chrysalis had insisted on watching over Synthea rather than stew and worry in the guest house.

The compassion had felt awkward for Chrysalis to deal with, but that was now being displaced by concerns over her own fate. While she had been by Synthea’s side, High Charity had been out of the house; meeting with ponies and changelings while setting up the town meeting that she was the focus of. With the stars now blinking into view across the night’s sky, the bedroom flickered in the light of the one candle Chrysalis had lit. She felt the room’s main light could’ve disturbed the sleeping halfling, though she had to admit it also made it easier to hide from the townsponies.

The sound of the door gently opening revealed High Charity waiting for her, a burgundy jacket worn along with his trademark blue scarf. He kept his face optimistic but Chrysalis could sense his apprehension, regardless of how well he masked his emotions.

“There’s no hope of achieving a desirable solution, is there?” She softly asked, standing to meet him. A sigh Chrysalis wasn’t hoping to see emerged, yet when he opened his eyes again High Charity’s gaze had a sense of purpose, a feeling of power she could just taste. Probably tasted like his iron will, for it was strong.

“I’ll admit this’ll be one of our more… interesting meetings,” he answered in the same hushed tone. “But let’s not jump to conclusions just yet. While I might not have been as successful with you, I’m quite the charmer when given the chance.” Chrysalis rolled her eyes at this before sparing a moment to look back on Synthea’s peacefully slumbering form. A hoof rested on her shoulder brought her attention back to High Charity. “She’ll be fine. I’ll send Bypass up to check on her straight after the meeting.”

“Thank you.” She sighed, stepping out of the bedroom and following her host back to the entrance of the house. Just before stepping off the stairs High Charity took flight, his horn glowing to reveal a secret staircase continuing down through the floor.

He took the lead now, his horn illuminating the path as the opening closed behind Chrysalis. They continued down the spiralling staircase for a few minutes before entering what appeared to be a stage. The size of it surprised Chrysalis, and to her left she could see sets for plays as well as tables and equipment that wouldn’t look out of place in more grandiose theatres. To their right was an emerald curtain, from behind which Chrysalis could hear the gathered townsfolk talk before the meeting began. Their emotions were a jumbled, near-overwhelming mess from the base of the stairs. But from what she could gather at this distance, her fears seemed to be rapidly solidifying into fact.

“Don’t worry,” High Charity reassured her. “Just focus on something else for a moment. I’ll be back in a second.”

Chrysalis nodded and as he trotted towards the curtain, she looked around the backstage area. She looked over the stage equipment, her worries intermingling with painful memories as she saw replica suits of royal guard armour and prop environs resembling the ivory towers of Canterlot. I can’t escape it, can I?

“Alright,” High Charity spoke up, interrupting her internal worrying. “I’ll get everyone settled and then we’ll get started. Just be honest and don’t… unnecessarily antagonise anyone, okay?”

With a nod from the queen, High Charity stretched his neck, rolled his shoulders and, with a calming breath, stepped through the curtain. “Forecast,” he called out. “This everyone?”

“Anyone not here is on patrol,” a gruff voice answered, the conversation bringing with it an organised hush over the crowd.

“Good. Evening everyone. Sorry for the late notice but I feel we needed to address tonight’s issue sooner rather than later. But before we get to that, I thought I’d let you all know that Synthea’s doing fine and she should make a full recovery.” The statement brought a wave of relief and glad murmurings from the crowd, so much so that it almost drowned out the anger Chrysalis felt earlier. Almost.

“Well,” High Charity went on. “With that out of the way, we may as well get down to business.” He then turned back to the curtain. “Chrysalis? Could you come out please?”

Chrysalis froze. Her fears were holding her in place, roaring at her to stay hidden. She could almost hear the changeling she used to be hissing in her ears. Run, it said. This is your last chance. If you go out there they’ll flay you! No matter what is said you’ll never be given a chance. Flee! Remake the Hive once more and strike at Equestria again!

“No.” She murmured to herself. It was that kind of thinking that landed her in this situation in the first place, that landed Synthea in this mess. Furthermore, what self-respecting changeling Hive would follow a queen that ran from something as mundane as a town meeting? Her pride would never let her live it down. Shaking her head to chase the thoughts away, she took a deep breath and stepped through the curtain.

The hall of this stage was twice as big, revealing to Chrysalis exactly how much of the hill had been hollowed out to make it. The roof was almost completely by the roots of the tree that made the majority of High Charity’s home, and from them hung lit lanterns that bathed the cavern in a golden hue. The exit stood on the far side of the hall from the stage, a ramp assumedly leading to the surface, and there was a single aisle running down the middle of the crowd to the stage. The townsfolk were seated in simple wooden pews, though there were pegasi, changelings and halflings that had chosen to hover close to the curved earthen ceiling instead. One of those hovering, she noticed, was the young Steel Wing, his gaze of disgust and hatred out for all to see. He wasn’t alone in this. The moment she stood beside High Charity, nearly all brows furrowed and the air in the hall was saturated in so much rage that it became a little unbearable.

A gagging cough from High Charity caught everyone’s attention, and this brought to Chrysalis’ keen eye that other changelings, and even a few halflings, weren’t looking too good or trying to calm their neighbours down. Some had success, others didn’t. But the mood softened enough to not literally suffocate on hatred.

“Well, that’s… one way to start a meeting.” High Charity quipped as he composed himself, though few bothered to laugh genuinely. “Anyway, as you know; Chrysalis has been recovering here for the past couple of weeks now. And…” High Charity drew the word out. “She has decided she wants to stay here, to learn to live as we have.” For a few seconds, there was shocked silence, everyone staring at either one of the two changelings on stage.

Then the shouting started.

“Are you mad?!”

“What makes you think she won’t stab us in the back?!”

“I’d rather trust Tirek than her!”

That last one stung more than most, and Chrysalis noted it was Steel Wing that yelled it. Nevertheless, the majority of the crowd looked ready to swarm the stage and give her their brand of justice. High Charity merely frowned, not taking a single step back in the face of this hostility. Chrysalis, weakened as she was, now wished she could borrow such strength. Her survival instincts were once again screaming at her to flee, but she just scrunched her eyes shut and kept focussing on Synthea told her.

But that’s because they don’t know you yet, and you haven’t given them the chance to know you either. The only way you’re going to change that image is if you let them in.

Opening her eyes again, she was about to try placate the crowd when she noticed High Charity lift his right hoof high, surrounded by the green glow of his magic. He then swiftly brought it down to the stage, the boom loud enough to silence the mob. Most of them looked scared at their leader, a mixture of worry and uncertainty flowing off of those gathered.

“Really?” He asked, the annoyance clear to hear if one wasn’t able to sense it. “We’ve had changelings come here before, with shady pasts behind them, and not once did we ever act like they were a plague.”

“But she’s a criminal,” shouted an earth pony mare from the back answered. “She tried overthrowing the princesses!”

“I’m well aware of her crimes,” High Charity shot back, his gaze locking onto the mare. “And I will admit she’s even gotten on my nerves at times. But she no longer wants to be that changeling. She wants to change.”

“What about her leading Synthea into the woods?” The one asking this time was a halfling near the front to the left. “She tried to kill her!”

“Synthea followed her into the woods of her own free will, and I’d like to remind you all it’s because of Chrysalis Synthea came back alive. We owe her a chance.”

“You’re lying!” Steel Wing shouted indignantly. “She’s brainwashed you, hasn’t she?” The look High Charity shot the feisty pegasus could have frozen Tartarus itself, and Chrysalis was glad she wasn’t on the end of it.

“Steel Wing, you’re forgetting the whole reason our town was founded in the first place; as a place of refuge, where ponies and changelings alike can live together in peace. If you’re so Tartarus-bent on demonizing Chrysalis and portraying her as a threat, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

“But if she’s strong enough to overpower Princess Celestia, how safe can any of us be with her in the town?” The fiery youth shot back, eliciting murmurs from the crowd.

“Well,” a new voice spoke up, and Chrysalis felt a small wave of relief to see Bypass getting out of his chair with a buzz of his wings to join them on the stage. “Having assessed her injuries and her medical state since she arrived, I can safely say Chrysalis is no threat to us at all.

“You all remember those lights in the sky a few nights ago?” Portions of the crowd murmured and nodded their heads. “Well that was Chrysalis casting an incredibly powerful changeling spell, one that requires vast amounts of magic. Given she had little magic left in her before she cast it, it’s a miracle Chrysalis has any magic left at all. I’d say that, right now, she only has enough magic to shapeshift. Anything else would be quite painful for her to cast.” Bypass then turned to face Chrysalis. “So, unless you’re practising your shapeshifting you’re not to even think of using magic. Am I clear?” Chrysalis simply nodded, being the centre of the attention mixed with Bypass’ firm tone silencing her immediately.

“Just so all of you know,” the physician raised his voice, addressing the crowd once more. “When I went to check up on Synthea earlier today, I was going to tend to Chrysalis’ injuries as well, but she insisted Synthea be checked on first. Just thought I’d pass that along.” Checking how everyone was feeling, Chrysalis nearly faltered in hiding the smirk from the stunned silence and partial shame caused by Bypass’ words.

With that, and a wink to Chrysalis and a nod to High Charity, Bypass turned and walked through the curtain, no doubt taking the shortcut to check on Synthea again.

Emotions as controlled as ever, High Charity then cast his gaze back over the rest of the crowd. “Most of you can tell whether Bypass or I were lying or not, but if you want proof, let’s hear it from Chrysalis.” Chrysalis then found herself in High Charity’s sights, though thankfully it had softened somewhat. “Floor’s yours. Tell them the truth.” As High Charity stepped aside, Chrysalis took a few deep breaths to calm herself down and stepped forward. All eyes were on her once again, though the hatred had certainly died down. Now there was mostly suspicious curiosity, despite the lingering animosity of those like Steel Wing.

“What High Charity said is true,” she began, imploring to those that could sense her emotions that this was the truth. “I know I’ve done terrible things, things that don’t deserve forgiveness. I don’t begrudge you for feeling as you do.

“But Synthea… she didn’t care about that. She gave me a chance, whether I deserved it or not. Despite my ignorance, she wanted nothing more than to help me be better.” Chrysalis paused, gauging the feel of the room. There was a genuine curiosity in the room now, most of it she noted was coming from changelings and halflings, though a few ponies also seemed focussed on what she was saying. There were still those that were silently fuming, but their number had significantly decreased. She took this as a good omen.

“Synthea also made me realise something. I cannot expect you all to trust me if I don’t allow myself to trust each of you. I will stumble as I learn, that much I know is true. But,” She said as something stirred inside her, filling her words with the strength they lacked before. “She told me that the future is an unknown, frightening prospect. But that it is ours to change.” The queen spared a glance back at a smiling High Charity, exuding the powerful taste of pride. “We only require the courage to change it.”

She turned back to the crowd. “I will be brave enough to face this change. All I ask is for your assistance in this challenge. Please, help me change into someone better.”

With that, Chrysalis finished, her insecurity returning slightly as the crowd looked at her, silently contemplating her words. Extending her senses, she could feel a lot of them were now deep in thought, their anger replaced with uncertainty.

“Well,” a familiar voice drawled from the middle of those gathered. “If you’re stayin’ here, then Ah guess Ah’d best git on wit buildin’ ya a house o’ your own.” The crowd looked to see the large Timberjack stand, place his hat back atop his head and head for the exit.

“T-Timberjack,” an unsure unicorn stallion sitting nearby spoke up, raising a pale blue hoof in surprise. “You… you believe her just like that?”

“'Course.” He said over his shoulder with a smile, a calm happiness at complete odds to the meeting’s beginning flowing off of him. “Charity hasn’t given us a reason to doubt him yet. Ah don’t see why he’d start now.” With a wave to the two changelings on the stage, Timberjack trotted off without a care, past a dour looking pegasus stallion near the exit. Chrysalis turned to High Charity, but stopped when she saw him shaking his head with a smile.

“No point stopping him,” he chuckled. “Once Timberjack focusses on something, he’s stubborn as a mule. Besides, he has a point. If you’re going to be a member of this community, you really shouldn’t be taking up a guest house.” He then turned back to the uncertain crowd, gaining their attention once more. “That just leaves one last item on the agenda. Since Chrysalis will be living here, she’ll need a job. So, anyone needing an extra pair of hooves?”

Uncertainty and nervousness returned as the main flavours in the air as ponies, changelings and halflings alike either pondered, scratched the back of their manes or looked at equally unsure faces. Just as Chrysalis’ hopes were starting to ebb, a gruff voice spoke over the murmuring.

“I’ll take her if no one will.” Chrysalis looked up, as did the crowd, to the back of the room. There stood the navy-blue pegasus, a firm look in his eyes as he lifted off with a flap of his wings towards the stage.

“You’re sure Forecast?” High Charity asked, he himself sounding a little surprised.

Forecast shrugged. “It’s not like anyone else’s jumping for her, and you know I’ll take all the extra hooves I can get.” A glance above showed Steel Wing, who had been stunned into silence by everyone’s reactions no doubt, was about to protest once more. Said protest died in his throat as Forecast levelled an intimidating side glance at the young buck. “And Steel Wing, if I so much as hear one complaint, you’re on night border watch every night for a month. Understood?” This shut him up fast, turning sharply away before dashing out of the room.

As he touched down, Chrysalis now got a chance to look over Forecast closer. A silver mane and tail, both kept short in what appeared a military style, complimented his coat. His light blue eyes were sharp, his body kept fit and a dark grey shield with crossing lightning bolts in-front of it emblazoned on his flank.

“Well,” High Charity said with a smile to the crowd. “I guess that’s all for this meeting then. Sorry for interrupting your night everyone. I’ll probably see most of you tomorrow at some point. Goodnight.” With that the crowd began to head for the exit, though there were quite a few that came up to the stage to bashfully apologise. Chrysalis noticed many of them were changelings and halflings, but there was the odd pony saying sorry as well. Soon enough, it was just the changelings and pegasus on stage remaining in the chamber.

“Well?” Forecast asked, his tired voice startling Chrysalis. “You want the job or not?”

Chrysalis spared a glance at High Charity before answering. “And… what job would I be doing?”

“Depends on who else is working and other factors.” he replied quickly. “Point is, I’m offering you work. You want it or not?”

“Uh…” Chrysalis stammered before shaking off her surprise at the offer and bowing her head. “I will, thank you. I promise to work hard.”

“You’d better,” Forecast grumbled before taking off again. “Meet me by the watchtower at midday tomorrow. And don’t be late. High, I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a nod from the changeling leader, the gruff pegasus flew out of the chamber. Chrysalis released a breath she wasn’t aware she was holding.

“Don’t mind him,” he said with a tired smile. “Forecast might be a grump, but he’s one of the most dedicated workers Safe Haven has.”

“And what work did I just sign up for?” She asked as the two heading through the curtain and back towards the stairwell.

“Forecast runs both Safe Haven’s weather team and border patrol. Since you can’t manipulate clouds you’ll most likely be doing the later.”

“And that entails?”

“Making sure no beasts or suspicious ponies stumble into town, and if they do, either expelling or pacifying them. How do you think you were found so quickly during your Whitetail Wood excursions?”

Chyrsalis nodded at this as the two re-entered the entrance hall of his house. “But… my injuries-”

“Will be taken into consideration.” High Charity finished. “Forecast might have a reputation as a slave driver, but he’s not cruel. I bet he’ll mostly have you on scouting duties or partnered with someone else for your first day.”

The conversation halted when four ears swivelled to the stairs, where the two of them saw Bypass hovering in the stairwell.

“There you two are,” he said, the urgency flowing off of him instantly replaced by relief and happiness. “Synthea’s awake.”

It took the two changelings a second to process this before both flew up the stairs, past Bypass and land at the open door, where they looked inside. There lay Synthea, her eyes barely open as she looked back at them.

“Daddy?” she croaked, her voice coarse.

“Synthea!” High Charity was by the side of her bed in an instant. “I’m here sweetie.” Pure joy flooded off of him as he sat and took one of her hooves in his.

“W-What happened?” The halfling mare asked trying to prop herself up, only for High Charity to ease her back down.

“You did a stupid thing,” he said, yet not a hint of disapproval or condescension escaped him. Nothing but joy and love, strong enough that Chrysalis couldn’t help but lick the air for a brief second to taste that glorious emotion. “You did a brave, kind, stupid thing. But you’re back home, safe and sound.” High Charity then turned to look at the door. “Thanks to Chrysalis.”

Synthea’s gaze followed her fathers and her eyes widened when they met the changeling queens. “You… You stayed?” Chrysalis nodded, moving to sit by the bed as High Charity moved out of the way.

“I owe you a debt for saving me,” she answered, forcing down any feelings of embarrassment to look the halfling in the eye. “And I intend to stay until I see it repaid.” Despite her weary state, honey-coated joy flowed from Synthea as she shone a tearful smile at Chrysalis.

“You don’t owe me anything Chrysalis. However… there might be one thing you can do for me.”

“Yes?” Chrysalis leaned forward. “What is it?” Synthea slowly raised her hoof before lightly poking her on the muzzle.

“Be my friend.” With that, Synthea’s head lay back into the pillow, her eyes closing as she returned to sleep with a smile on her face. Chrysalis looked at her for a moment more in stunned silence.

Until, that was, a small, genuine smile spread across the queen’s muzzle. Chrysalis hid her mouth with a hoof to stifle the chuckling.

“…Yes,” Chrysalis finally answered, returning the favour and delicately poking Synthea’s nose in kind. “Yes, I accept.”