It's a Beautiful Day Outside....(Edited)
Author's Note
This chapter is combination of the three previous ones as well as two new scenes, not much I know but I'm still dealing with a bit of writer's block for this but I knew I had to add at least something.
Sorry in advance if updates are super slow life happens.
It's a Beautiful Day Outside....(Edited)
Fluttershy woke to sunlight peeking through the gap in her curtains. A second later she heard the familiar thumping on her bedroom door that announced Angel Bunny's need for food. She sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes with a hoof, the thumping quickly turned into more of an insistent pounding and the yellow mare could the angry squeaks of her rabbit friend telling her to get her flank out of bed and feed the animals before they ate each other.
She sighed with a resigned smile as she got up and moved to open the door. She was greeted with a cranky Angel Bunny who gestured to the stairs and let out another annoyed squeak of impatience.
"Good morning to you too," Fluttershy said and moved past him to head to the bathroom. "I'll feed you all in a minute, i just need to freshen up first."
There was grumble of acceptance from the rabbit and the sound of him hopping downstairs to relay the message. With her wake up call sorted, she walked into the bathroom, washed her face, combed her mane and tail and quickly preened her wings. With her morning rituals sorted she glided downstairs to deal with the most important meal of the day for her animal friends.
After breakfast, Fluttershy decided it was a nice day for a walk in the Whitetail woods. She grabbed simple straw sunhat and a pair of saddlebags on the off chance she found something her friends, pony or otherwise, would enjoy and left out some extra food in case she returned late. With Angel in charge while she was gone, Fluttershy adjusted her hat and shifted her saddlebags into a more comfortable position and trotted off down the winding path from her house.
There was a cool breeze and the late spring sun was warm on her back as she walked, a few familiar faces called out to her and she offered a small smile or a wave in return but she was left alone for the most part. Soon the bustle of the town was left behind her for the peace of the woods and the sounds of nature.
Fluttershy meandered down one of the well worn trails at a slow pace, taking in the sights and sounds of the woods filled with birds singing and flowers blooming. It was on beautiful days like these that the yellow pegasus truly felt happy. The time spent with her friends was always enjoyable, but sometimes they had trouble seeing the same things she did, not that she minded and she always took joy in being part of the group but there were days when a pony needed some peace and quiet and to simply sit back and take in the world around them.
Their was a rustle in the bushes and Fluttershy turned to see a small brown rabbit hop out. It's nose twitched and it creature squeaked out a greeting before hopping off to do whatever it was wild rabbits do. With a smile she continued onward and eventually began humming a quiet tune with some of the local birds, happy to join in on a simple expression of happiness and serenity.
A cry for help pierced the gentle atmosphere of the woods, the birds were sent flying off in fear and Fluttershy strained to pinpoint the source of the sound. Another cry rang out and Fluttershy rushed to help. She soon came to a clearing where young dark grey mare with a dark green mane and lime green eyes was trapped under a fallen tree.
"Oh my goodness! U-um don't worry, it'll be alright, I'll get help." Fluttershy rambled in a panic.
"No! Wait, please!" the mare begged. "I-I don't think I'm going to make it..."
Fluttershy took a closer look and saw that the tree was crushing the other pony's lower half and that tears were streaming down the mare's face.
"Please don't go..." she whimpered. "Please I don't, I don't want to...T-to.."
Fluttershy walked closer and held the mare's hoof in one of her own, a sense of deep sadness and a burning desire to help this mare clashed within her heart resulting in bitter and empty frustration. Fluttershy struggled for words as she found herself crying alongside the other pony.
"It's going to be okay, I w-won't be long, you need help," she forced out and wiped her own tears away with her free hoof. "Somepony has to help."
They grey mare's expression twisted from terrified into something far crueler. The sharp contrast sent Fluttershy reeling back in shock as the mare gripped her hoof even tighter. Fluttershy was blinded by a bright flash of green and the pony she tried to help wasn't a pony anymore. A hole ridden black hoof kept its iron grip on her own as its owner drew herself to her full height, the tree she was "stuck" under rolled away with ease.
"I'm afraid nopony will be coming to your aid," Chrysalis cooed. 'Now be a dear and hold still..."
The former ruler of the changelings yanked Fluttershy towards her chest, her jaws opened reveling sharp fangs that were primed to bite into Fluttershy's neck. The trapped pegasus struggled in the changeling's grasp and pulled herself free and kicked her captor in the chin as she made her escape.
Fluttershy bolted through the woods as the sound of buzzing wings quickly grew louder from behind. She heard as a snarl from Chrysalis as she barely dodged the hoof that swiped at her. Fluttershy stole a glance back and caught sight of something that only terrified her more. Chrysalis was a snarling, rage filled beast as she pursued her, hunger evident in her eyes and fangs bared to attack. This only spurred the pink maned pegasus on, to run and escape the danger just mere moments away from killing her.
A cliff side was fast approaching and Fluttershy heard Chrysalis growl in assumed victory as they both hurtled towards it. With fear dictating her movements,Fluttershy swerved to side and snapped her wings open to quickly soar into the sky. The rapid shift in movement surprised the changeling and Fluttershy heard her attempt to change direction, only to crash into the wall of stone that loomed before them both. Fluttershy looked down to check she was safe and saw her pursuer sprawled on the ground unconscious.
Fluttershy hovered in the air uncertain of what action to take next. Part of her wanted to leave and never come back, to send somepony else to handle the problem, yet in reality she knew that by the time she informed anyone of what had happened, the former queen would most likely be gone. She thought about taking the changeling to her friends but she knew she couldn't carry the queen all the way into Ponyville let alone to Twilight's Castle.
As she thought over the issue a few of the woodland critters she was familiar with had come out to see what the fuss was all about now that the danger had passed. At the sight of her animal friends, Fluttershy had an idea, it was a simple idea but it was a start.
I'll take her back to my cottage to make sure she doesn't hurt anypony else, then I can figure out what to do with her later. She decided and walked up to a family of rabbits.
"Oh hello there Peter, I was wondering if you and you're family could help me with something..."
Fluttershy walked down into her cottage's basement, Harry the bear trailing behind her with an unconscious changeling in his arms. The pegasus passed the bags of dried food and animal feed and entered her renovated cellar. Gone were any and all signs of storage, the decently spacious room had been transformed into a quarantine zone for sick or badly injured animals. A large mattress with clean sheets, some pillows and a few blankets sat in one corner. the floor was covered in freshly dried hay and bowls for food and water were off to one side. One corner of the room was taken up by a bird cage that stretched from floor to ceiling and had anything and everything a bird would need to feel at home.
Fluttershy inspected the bed, floor and after ensuring everything was still as clean as she left it yesterday, she instructed Harry to place Chrysalis on the bed and politely asked him to keep an eye on her while she went out to inform her friends. The bear, for his part, puffed out his chest in pride at the important responsibility he'd been given and sat down in the doorway to watch the new arrival.
Rounding up her friends wasn't difficult, it was a routine as much as it was a force of habit. Fluttershy found Pinkie Pie and asked her to gather the others to meet up at her cottage. The pink pony saluted and promised to round up Starlight Glimmer as well even before Fluttershy thought to ask to include her as well. The quiet pegasus sometimes marveled at Pinkie's frighteningly accurate or timely foresight capabilities and today was exception as she trotted back to her home to prepare some tea and some snacks to hopefully ease her nerves as well provide something to take the edge off what would be a rather difficult revelation.
Her friends showed up one by one and took their sets either on the couch or on one of the cushions Fluttershy had pulled out for her guests. There were questions and a hint of curiosity from most of those present and Fluttershy found herself very, very nervous. She looked at her friends, at the trust and confidence on Rainbow's face to Rarity's patient expression that urged her to take as much time as she needed to explain herself. Fluttershy took a breath and began to inform the six mares sipping tea in her lounge room what her most recent venture into woods had ended in.
"So, um Chrysalis is in my basement so she wouldn't go after anypony else," Fluttershy explained at the end of her tale. "What should we do with her?"
"That was quick thinking Fluttershy, but maybe we should let Princess Celestia and Princess Luna handle this." Twilight suggested. "With the rest of the Changelings working alongside Equestria it might be better to hand her over to the authorities."
"But she would still be a threat wouldn't she?' Starlight added. "What's stopping her from escaping and doing this all over again?"
"We could hit her with the ol' rainbow of friendship, boom! No more problem!" Rainbow suggested. "It's worked before."
"Doesn't that sound too easy?" Starlight commented. "i mean don't get me wrong, but I think maybe a different approach might be needed."
"Didja have something in mind Starlight?" Applejack asked calmly. "No need to be afraid now, we're all friends here."
"After I helped rescue you all from Queen Chrysalis and after we all saw what happened to the changelings I thought maybe I could offer friendship to Chrysalis and you saw how well that turned out," Starlight explained. "Sure she swore revenge and ran off but it got me thinking, maybe a quick and easy solution isn't the best one and I looked over some of your old Friendship reports and read how Fluttershy reformed Discord. I think maybe that same approach could be used to reform Chrysalis."
"We'd have to be careful though, we can't threaten to turn her to stone like we did with Discord," Twilight stated. "I'll talk to the Princesses to see if there's a way to block her magic in the meantime because I have to say Starlight, maybe you're right."
"I am?" Starlight replied, surprised.
"She is?" Fluttershy echoed.
Twilight smiled and explained her reasoning. "Chrysalis got the drop on us before, if she's given a chance to rebuild her forces or find some other way to attack us, she would. However if she could be shown that there's another way, a better way to do things, then maybe she can be reformed and given a place in both pony nd changeling society, are you up to the task Fluttershy? You don't have to if you don't want to."
"I agree with Twilight, after what almost happened to you today I wouldn't be surprised if you wanted nothing to do with her." Rarity added as the rest of Fluttershy's friends voiced a similar opinion.
Fluttershy turned to Starlight and asked. "Do you really think I can do it?"
"Only if you're up for it," Starlight replied. "It's certainly a better plan that hauling her off to Canterlot and leaving her in a dungeon somewhere."
Fluttershy thought about all the battles she had fought in the past, Nightmare Moon had been turned back into Princess Luna, Discord had been reformed by her own hard work and Starlight herself had been given an new lease of life thanks to Twilight. She knew how happy they all were as opposed from this change and deep down, Fluttershy hoped Chrysalis would be given that same chance at happiness.
"Alright, what do you need me to do?" she asked.
Sometime later, Fluttershy watched Twilight anxiously as the alicorn applied a magic suppression ring to the still knocked out changeling's horn. With the safety provided by a friend in close proximity, Fluttershy inched closer and began to inspect her newest- for lack of a better word- patient. Chrysalis was skinny by pony standards but the yellow pegasus was sure her ribs weren't that visible the last time she saw her. She also noticed the black chitin that covered the changeling's torso was flaking in some places and uneven in others. It reminded Fluttershy of fur growing over scar tissue or feathers lacking the nutrients to grow properly.
"Twilight, could you watch over her for minute?" Fluttershy asked. "I need to go get something."
With a nod from her friend, Fluttershy quickly dashed upstairs and dug around her kitchen for one of her recently restocked first aid kits. The supplies in hoof, she rushed back down and set the large red case on the ground next to Chrysalis, cracked it open and began the careful and precise procedure of tending to the wounds and making note of any signs of malnutrition via a small note pad and pencil to question the changeling about later.
Stones were removed from hooves, mane and tail groomed free of knots and debris and a broken foreleg checked and bandaged when it was determined to be a clean break. Fluttershy took no notice of Twilight leaving the room s she cared for the injured creature before her, alternating between cleaning scrapes and lacerations that didn't seem to bleed to jotting down notes on Chrysalis' condition.
Several hours later, Fluttershy's patient awoke to her new surroundings. the fact that Chrysalis attempted to lunge at her at first sight was good sign of a fighting spirit in her opinion. With a smile, Fluttershy offered up a large glass of water and a small bowl of soft fruits, which Chrysalis only stared at in utter confusion.
"Where am I?" the former queen demanded and looked around her. "If this is a prison, then i demand you release me!"
"I have a guest room upstairs you can use when I'm sure I can trust you," Fluttershy replied. "But for now you'll have to stay here in the basement."
"You can't keep me here," Chrysalis hissed. "Once I drain you of your love and take your place, i will use your form to attain my revenge!"
Chrysalis attempted to cast a spell, When she noticed the ring on her horn she snarled in frustration and tried to tackle Fluttershy instead, who stepped out of the way and rushed over to her in concern as the changeling crashed to the ground in a heap, the drink and food forgotten.
"Are you alright?" Fluttershy asked in concern. "Here let me help you-"
"Don't touch me!" Chrysalis snapped and pushed herself upright and hobbled into a corner. "I refuse to be treated like one of your little pets."
"That's not what I'm trying to do," Fluttershy replied and calmly gave Chrysalis her space. "I spoke with my friends and we all decided that instead of spending to the Princesses or locking you up in a dungeon, I'm going to look after you and show what it means to have friends, to share happiness and love with others instead of taking it."
"You plan to reform me like you did with that oaf Discord?" Chrysalis commented. "I'm not some wayward fool who will fall for your false charity, I am Queen Chrysalis and you are nothing more than my lunch!"
"Well I'm sorry to hear that's what you think of me but you're not going to get anything by being rude and inconsiderate, ponies are just as smart as you Chrysalis and we deserve to be treated as such," Fluttershy stated. "But until you want to start cooperating, then I'm afraid you're going to be in there for a long time."
"So you plan to watch me starve to death?" Chrysalis asked. "And here I thought you were the kind one."
"I'm not going to let you starve, I'll be bringing you food and water every day and um..." Fluttershy's bravado quickly left her as Chrysalis gave her a flat look. "I-if it's love you need then I can give you a little bit...Um is there a way for you eat it that doesn't hurt me?"
"And why would I tell you?" Chrysalis replied. "It's thanks to you ponies I'm in this situation."
"Okay, well I'll just ask Thorax, I'm sure he'll tell me everything I need to know to make sure you're well feed and comfortable, I'll just um, leave you alone for now." Fluttershy said, walked out of the room and locked the door behind her.
Internally, she wished she didn't have to treat Chrysalis like a prisoner but she knew full well that there were those who needed to be contained for their own safety as well for the sake of others. It was something that held true for animals, ponies and now changelings. Fluttershy sighed as she headed upstairs and began to form ideas in her hed to try nd make Chrysalis' stay more enjoyable for the both of them.
Perhaps some small talk and light conversation was in order.
Her night was spent tossing and turning in worry, for as brave she tried to be in front of the changeling queen, Fluttershy only felt doubt and fear creep up from her troubled thoughts as the hours wore on. It was easy to not feel the full weight of her responsibility when distracted by a job that needed to be done but now in the quiet depths of the night the animal caretaker found herself restless and jittery.
Silently she slipped out of bed and quietly made her way down stairs. She took great care to not disturb her animal friends as they slept and seeing the house and it's inhabitants at ease bought a sense of calm back into her thoughts. She mentally breathed a sigh of relief and carefully walked to the stairs leading to the basement. She stopped at the top of the stairs, hesitant to go down and stood paralyzed in a nervous bout of paranoia.
Time seemed to lose all meaning as she stood in the darkness, seconds became minutes as she waited for something, anything to go wrong. The silence stretched on and Fluttershy waited. After what felt like an eternity, nothing happened and the pegasus finally felt the last of her worry slip away. With her late night adventure completed and her fears quelled for the time being, Fluttershy returned to her bed.
The following days since Chrysalis' arrival were uneventful and Fluttershy's daily routine hadn't changed much. When she was done with her morning chores and the animals were fed, she brought small easily digestible meals and fresh water to the changeling still living in her basement. Chrysalis herself, while still as dead set on taking over her life as when she first arrived was slowly coming to accept to the fact that, yes she was stuck down in that room until she agreed to give reformation a chance. At least she stopped being outright hostile whenever the yellow pegasus stepped hoof into the room.
Conversations were kept short as Chrysalis either ignored Fluttershy's attempts at talking with her or gave short, clipped responses to whatever question the pegasus asked. Despite the setbacks Fluttershy was glad to hear from Thorax a few days in as he sent a letter clarifying that as long the love, any kind of love, was given freely, Chrysalis wouldn't starve to death. Of course this fact had put the changeling in a foul mood when Fluttershy gleefully told her the news but it was no more than the usual irritated behavior Chrysalis normally showed whenever the other changelings were mentioned in their daily conversations.
As time wore on, Fluttershy bought in books and a radio for Chrysalis in lieu of their normal chats in an attempt to try other measures at earning her respect, the strange look on the changeling's face at being given something to pass the time with looked something like a mix of hesitation and gratitude and Fluttershy felt she might be finally starting to build some form of trust with her former enemy. The pegasus quickly took note of which books the queen liked to read and did her best to find others in the same genre so she wouldn't be bored.
Before both of them new it, it had been nearly a month. Chrysalis was beginning to show signs of recovery though with her renewed strength, came a renewed will to fight. Her hostile nature towards Fluttershy was back in full force and it sent the pegasus cowering as she came in each morning to deliver the food and water that was a necessity to Chrysalis' survival. That fear was soon something the captive changeling lorded over Fluttershy as some kind of trophy.
"Do you still wish to reform me pony?" Chrysalis sneered as she stood over a trembling Fluttershy with a cruel grin. "Do you still want to be my friend?"
Time seem to slow for the pink maned pegasus as the adrenaline kicked in and she stared up at the sharp fangs and predatory gaze locked onto her tiny form. Though the reaction was strong, the fear was short lived and Fluttershy stood at her full height and challenged Chrysalis with a glare. It wasn't The Stare but it was enough to let her tenant know that her cheap tricks were losing their edge.
"So you've grown a spine under those wings hm?" Chrysalis cooed curiously. "I would call it admirable if you weren't a pony."
Fluttershy was starting to lose her patience but she took a breath and kept her fraying nerves and shortening temper in check, no sense in angering her house guest. Silently she gave Chrysalis her meal and left the room with a neutral expression.
Fluttershy had a feeling it was going to be a long day.
The day dragged on into the early afternoon and Fluttershy decided to try her luck once more. With Chrysalis regaining strength, Fluttershy had purchased a variety of different foods as a small celebration for her patient's recovery, though some choices were certainly healthier than others with Pinkie Pie's addition of a new type of chocolate brownie not helping the matter, Fluttershy decided that a treat was in order either way.
She balanced the tray of goods on er back as she unlocked the door and braced herself for an attack but for once the changeling was facing away from the door, sprawled out on the bed with her head propped up with a fore hoof in contemplation. Fluttershy cleared her throat to announce herself and placed the tray within Chrysalis' reach.
"I bought you a few extra things today," Fluttershy said as Chrysalis turned and sat up to face her. "I thought you deserve a treat or two as a way of congratulating you on how well you're recovering."
"Why do you insist on being so nice," the former queen snapped as her face contorted into an expression of pure rage. "You ponies have taken everything from me! My kingdom, my subjects, everything!"
Her shout sent Fluttershy scrambling back but Chrysalis stepped over the tray on the ground and advanced towards her. A terrified Fluttershy could only freeze in place as she watched her approach until they were almost nose to nose.
"You are food, nothing more than my prey and yet you repeatedly believe in the foalish notion that we can live in harmony?" Chrysalis growled. "If your plan is to humiliate me or kill me, then get. It. Over with! I refuse to rot in here as your plaything!"
"K-kill you? No! I wasn't going to do anything like that!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "Please Chrysalis, my friends and I only want you to understand that this can be a chance for you to be happy and live alongside ponies instead of having to kidnap them to survive."
Fluttershy looked up at the angry changeling and saw confusion beneath the rage. Fluttershy smiled compassionately and guided Chrysalis back to her tray of goodies, the former changeling queen too shocked to resist.
"I promise nothing bad will happen to you, I want to be your friend and i want to help you," Fluttershy stated calmly. "Even if everypony else doesn't like it, even if you think I plan on doing something...horrible to you, I'm going to show the same kindness and respect I show all my friends and i hope you can feel safe here."
Chrysalis scoffed and began browsing the contents of the tray. Fluttershy decided to leave her alone, left the room and locked the door behind her. As she was about to walk up the stairs she heard Chrysalis mutter something.
"Why...is she so nice to me?"
The routine Fluttershy had fallen into the past month went from terrifying to awkward ever since Chrysalis blew up at her. Despite only a few days having passed Fluttershy wasn't sure what to do, she felt a need to fix her mistake somehow.
An idea popped up as she fed the animals that morning, it was risky but the risk would be worth it if her idea worked. Fluttershy mulled it over, partly swallowing her lingering fear of the changeling in her basement and partly building up the courage to pull the plan off.
The timid pegasus took a deep, slightly shaky breath as she trotted to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Chrysalis, the possible ways the whole idea could go wrong played in mind and she began to fret and second guess herself. She paced around the kitchen in a loop that mirrored her state of mind as fear and uncertainty clashed with her sense of duty.
What if she escapes and kidnaps me so Twilight restores her magic for my freedom? Chrysalis could run away and hurt somepony, what if she tries to leave Ponyville and gets hurt? She could end up in jail or banished to a place with no love where she would starve...
Her attempts to psych herself up ended up in much the same way. A thumping caught her attention and Fluttershy looked to see Angel Bunny on the kitchen counter. The rabbit squeaked at her to get her flank moving and pointed out towards the living room in the direction of the basement stairs. Fluttershy's ears flicked back against her skull in embarrassment and she quickly went to work to prepare and deliver breakfast to Chrysalis.
It's okay, all I have to do is go in, give Chrysalis her food and leave the door unlocked when I go back upstairs. Fluttershy thought. Not very hard, I can do this, I can trust her.
I should trust her.
