Chapters It has been two months now since Nightmare Moon was destroyed and we announced our plans to get married. I had shifted my routine to be awake at night so that I could spend more time with Luna.
Most nights we woke up together in her... in our bed and I watched in awe while she raised the moon. We admired the night sky together for some minutes and had a 'breakfast' afterwards. Then while Luna had night court, I practiced my painting and drawing skills.
After midnight when Luna was pretty much free of princess tasks, we spend our time walking through her beautiful night together or exploring each other's body in a very athletic way. We just had finished a session of that and laid sweating next to each other, breathing heavily. I felt the heat radiating from her body and her scent, that I loved so much, was in the air. I moved even closer to feel her wet fur and caressed it.
"I have new name for our future foal.", I whispered to her.
"Maybe we should wait for me to be pregnant.", she said smiling. "We will have enough time then."
"But it is gooood and has a little story.", I begged her.
She kissed me.
I cleared my throat.
"Boooo, sun..."
I smiled at the antics.
"Beautiful Moon goddess, that's nice, maybe I should change my title. Did she really had my name?"
"Yes, that was her name and you will always be my beautiful goddess.", I got a passionate kiss for that. "The third sibling was the goddess of the dawn 'Aurora'."
"That has a nice ring to it, I like it... Should I worry that you want to call our foal another word for 'Twilight'?", she asked smiling.
"Her name might have given me this idea."
"Speaking of Twilight.", Luna started. "Her brother will marry Princess Mi Amore Cadenza in about two weeks."
"Shining Armor is marrying a princess? Is everyone a princess here? I was hoping you would be rarer than... Ouch!"
"I should shower now.", she said. "I'm so sticky and sweaty."
I hummed disapproving, hugging her closer.
"How about you joining me in the shower while showering me with kisses?", she asked with a seductive smile. Now THAT was an excellent reason to leave the bed...
...
It was still two days to Shining Armor's wedding, but the palace was already bursting with activity, all in preparation for it.
I was more interested in these preparations than I normally would have been. Since it wouldn't be long for me to have the same preparations for my wedding I was very curious about everything the staff prepared. It was a bit scary to know how many guests would be attending a royal wedding, the logistics for all of this has been just insane.
Today I wasn't in the mood for painting, so I walked through the nightly palace to waste some time until Luna would be through with the night court. I had been in the palace for quite some time now, but I was still amazed by all the things happening in it even after dark, the guards, the cleaning, the preparations for the next day, sometimes it felt like a beehive buzzing with activity.
I just had passed one of the many kitchens of the palace... and maybe had sampled some food, when I noticed Luna was coming my way, a lot earlier than normal.
"Has anything happened? You are very early.", I asked her.
"Night Court was very short tonight. Maybe ponies are occupied with the wedding preparations. But this is a nice opportunity because I have a surprise for you, something I want to show you outside of the castle, even outside of Canterlot."
"Oh, you know I love surprises, can you give me a hint?"
"It will be nothing you ever expected.", she answered with a grin.
"Ok, let's go then.", I tried to put my arm around her, but she shrieked back.
"Let's wait until we are alone.", she replied apologetically.
I was a bit surprised about that. She never had a problem showing affection around others.
We went out of the palace...
I thought about what the surprise may be, she was in high spirits, so it seemed to be something big. I guessed her being pregnant for a second but reminded myself it would not be possible without using the spell she talked about, and she wouldn't use it in secret on me. Was it something about the wedding of Shining Armor? Or maybe our wedding? I got excited because she seemed excited.
...
We had quite some distance from Canterlot now, finally she would... wait, where is she?
I felt a sharp pain in my neck, had she bitten me? But these teeth must be long and sharp, what...?
"Surprise."
I heard this voice from behind my back. It didn't sound like Luna at all. I wanted to turn around but found myself unable to move. A hoof was laid around my shoulder and appeared in my field of vision, it was black and had holes in it.
"Time to go to sleep my love, it seems your ability doesn't help against poison at all, such a shame..."
I was unconscious before I hit the ground.
I heard voices...
I felt a cold floor...
Light, voices....
"... is this thing?"
"It is a human, he is engaged to the moon princess, so he has access to all rooms, Queen Lycosa. I can use his appearance to get close to Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, the target of my plan."
I saw a big room before me filled with several black creatures. They looked a bit like ponies... if you are having a nightmare, their voices had a strange echo to it.
"Chrysalis, you know this is very dangerous, never before did we reveal our kind. An attack on Canterlot is very risky, it has to be perfect, or our whole swarm could be erased, failure is not an option!"
"Yes my queen, everything works as planned, soon we will have more ponies to feed on than we ever dreamed of."
She walked back to me. She had a dark green mane and a crooked horn.
"Where... where am I?", I asked hoarsely.
"Food should not talk."
I received a hard kick to the head and went unconscious again...
...
I opened my eyes again...
I layed face down on the cold floor of a dark cell, my head felt like it wanted to bust into pieces. I groaned and slowly tried to stand up. I was a bit shaky, but I made it.
The cell was very small and it's dark walls had remains of some green goo. There was no window to the outside, only a tiny one in the door, just big enough to look through. There wasn't much to see through it, only a poorly lit corridor and more cell doors like mine.
I had no idea how much time had passed since I was attacked. What kind of creatures had abducted me? I remembered how they looked in this little moment I had saw them, I had read some books on the different species here in Equestria, but nothing came close to these things.
What did they talk about... an attack on Canterlot? All the ones I cared for were in danger, and I couldn't do a thing to warn them.
Oh Luna, please be alright...
...
I had lost all feeling for time. The light did not change, and nobody came to give me food... or to eat me. I was pretty sure I would just starve or die of thirst... I refused to think about other ways I could die here.
...
I stared at the wall, it was all I could do, there was nothing at all to do here. It was just a matter of time to become insane here, maybe I... Wait, there was a sound.
I stood up and walked to the door and tried to see anything through the tiny hole in it. I heard uneven steps toward my cell, it stopped for a while then started again. The steps came closer and closer.
I could make out the form of a changling getting near my cell, but the corridor was not well lit, and the hole was tiny, I couldn't see any details.
If it entered my cell I would fight it and try to escape. I made myself ready, next to the wall which would be behind the door once it would open.
I heard a bolt being removed and the door opened very slowly.
The changling slowly entered the room, any moment I would...
I looked in horror at the changling as I saw its back. It was clear to see it's wings had been torn out, there was a lot of... green blood running down it's back and dripping to the floor, the whole body was covered with bruises and cuts and part of its mane look like it got pulled out too. It looked to be closer to death than being alive.
As it slowly turned around, I recognized her, her dark green mane and her horn that was pretty different from the few other changelings I had seen. Her name was Chrysalis. She had been the one who got me here.
She looked at me with swollen eyes. "If you want to survive and get back home, follow me and be quiet."
She turned around and moved out of the cell. I wasn't sure what to do, but my options were limited anyway, I doubted I could find a way out by myself so I followed her.
She was barely able to walk without falling and moved at incredibly slow speed. I made a decision, I put my arm around her midsection and started to pull her along, she made some sounds of protest but had no power to do anything against it.
We came to an intersection.
Finally, we escaped through a door out of this very complex structure, it was nice to see the sun again.
Chrysalis lifted a hoof.
...
The cave had an opening to the sky while its entrance was overgrown by bushes. I had laid her on the ground. I didn't know how I should react to her. She was the one who had poisoned and abducted me.
She coughed.
I studied her body. The bleedings had stopped, but she still looked closer to death than living.
What had happened? I worried about my friends in Canterlot, had the attack been such a brutal fight?
"It doesn't matter, we help each other to survive, it is win - win.", she growled.
"No.", I replied. "I want to know what exactly you creatures are and what had happened, or else I will try on my own to get back home."
She was silent for about a minute. Finally she spoke up:
"What happened in Canterlot?", I asked still worried.
She sighed.
"What about Luna?"
"She searched for you after you disappeared and I wasn't using your appearance anymore, she wasn't even at the wedding because she was looking for you."
She stopped and had trouble breathing. "I need a moment."
I looked at her worried. Sure she was the evilest thing I ever met, but I didn't want her to die, though I wasn't sure what I would do if she did something to Luna.
"Is there something I could do for you?", I asked reluctantly.
It took her a moment to answer.
It took her about ten minutes before she continued.
"So this is why you are in this condition?", I asked.
She chuckled, but it turned into coughing.
She went silent.
"What happened?", I asked.
She sighed again.
Then she had fun for minutes punching and cutting me to bring me close to death... without killing me... and they threw me out of the hive so I would slowly starve."
She turned herself away from me so that I couldn't see her face.
I was silent for a moment.
"Then you came back for me because you hope for some ransom."
After a moment she nodded.
"But there is a second reason.", she added. "I have no power left. I will starve within hours... unless someone gives me some love."
"Wait WHAT?! I could never love you in any way.", I stepped a few feet back.
"That is not how it works.", she said, again she had trouble breathing.
After some seconds she continued: "When creatures like you feel love, you are radiating it from your body, that is what we can absorb."
"But maybe you can't use my love because of my ability that..."
She interrupted me: "I can use yours, I been close to your room when you and Luna did have se..."
"Ok, I believe you!", I interrupted her this time.
"Maybe it was Luna's love you took?", I asked.
"No, every love has a unique taste, I tasted both of you."
There was so much wrong with that sentence... I paced through the cave, unsure what to do.
"Let's say I would help you... what would I have to do?", I asked her.
"I am very weak and the amount of love I can absorb is dependent on the distance of the source... You have to lay next to me and embrace me, then..."
"No!
"I don't think so, it isn't magic, it is our natural ability like eating or breathing is for others. Anyone stopped breathing when you touched them?"
I decided to pace through the cave again. After a few seconds I asked her to continue.
"As I said... You have to lay next to me and embrace me. Then you think of your Moon Princess and how much you love to be with her and all this silly stuff. Once you feel your love for her, I can absorb it."
I stopped pacing and looked at her.
She rolled her eyes.
I shook my head.
Now fear showed on her face.
I didn't know if it was a for show or her honest feelings, but it didn't matter, of course I couldn't let her die. I walked over to her and watched her closely. Her body looked so beat up and hurt, in special the torn out wings.
I sighed and laid next to her. I closed the distance and carefully wrapped my arms around her. Her skin wasn't how I expected it, instead of cold and hard it was like warm leather. Her face and fangs were real close now and I could smell all that blood on her body, despite its color it smelled just like blood.
I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on Luna, but it was hard to do while I felt Chrysalis breath on my face.
After some time without results, she spoke up: "Maybe I could help a bit, Stallions love it when I stroke their..."
"I will let you die if you try this.", I said in a cold voice.
"Okay, okay, just wanted to help."
I relaxed as much as possible and thought about Luna, how I had embraced her, and felt her body heat against mine. Soon we will be married and start a family. We will play with the foal and show it the world with all its wonders. I wonder what color it's mane will have...
I was able to keep these thoughts up for some minutes until I felt hooves wandering down my back and grabbing my butt. I opened my eyes and looked into Chrysalis face, her cheeks were red and she had a dreamy look in her eyes, she was breathing hard again, but this time because of other reasons. Her mouth came close to mine.
"Stop!", I shouted and freed myself out of her grasp. It was easy to get some distance between us because she still was very weak.
As I got away from her, she seemed to snap out of it and to be aware of herself again.
I stood up again. I noticed her wounds looked less severe now.
"Our body's regenerate over time if we have enough power.", she said as she noticed my stares. "In some weeks even my wings can grow back if I can get enough love."
"Well... that's good... Let's get going in about one hour. I want to get some distance between me and this hive.", I said and sat down the other side of the cave, at this moment I wanted as much space between us as possible.
We moved through a thick forest. Chrysalis said it would be best to stay under trees until we had more distance to the hive.
I was impressed how much better she looked only three hours into our journey. Most of her injuries had disappeared, and she managed to walk at normal speed, but we paused often.
"How long do you think we have to walk until we reach Canterlot?", I asked her.
"Hard to say.", she answered. "I only flew there before. I would guess two or three days since we can't go in a straight line because of a mountain and a little canyon."
That was a lot longer than I had hoped for.
"Are love and positive emotions the only way you can survive, can't you eat normal food?", I was curious and hoping to avoid 'feeding' her again.
"Yes it is, we can 'eat' food when we have to keep up our disguise, but we gain no energy from it."
I thought I found a flaw in her logic: "Then how are changeling babies fed?"
She stopped. "Do you really want to know how we function as a hive? Some things are not that pretty."
"Well, two or more days of walking will get pretty boring if we don't talk to each other. So yeah, I want to know, or is it secret knowledge I'm not allowed to know?"
She chuckled. "Are you kidding me? They left me to die. I tell you everything you want. Let's rest and have a chat."
We found a fallen tree we used as a bench.
"You have been a teacher in the hive?", I asked.
"No questions during the lecture, you can ask them later student.", she answered with an impish grin.
"Sorry Miss teacher."
She continued: "The babies from these eggs will become workers, soldiers, teachers or any other job. For a princess egg, there have to be unique mating habits. Every changeling can produce a green slime that is very versatile in its use. We have several glands in our mouth to change its characteristics so that it can be utilized as a building material, a trap for enemies or by transferring some of the stored love, as food for our babies. After about four months, the food will be reduced to only a fraction of what the little changelings need, a fight for food will occur, and only the strongest third of them will survive. After about five years, changelings are big enough to work in their allocated position, princesses after about ten years."
"Wow, fighting for survival when they are little, that is harsh.", I said with a frown.
"A changelings life is not easy..."
As she did not continue, I decided to ask her again.
"A princesses and possible future queen of the hive has to know exactly what her subjects do, so every princess works two years in every possible job. All jobs combined that's 34 years."
"Wow, that is a long time."
"Not really.", she said. " Princesses live a very long life. How old do you think I am?"
I knew in any universe or dimension this was the most dangerous question, I knew there was no good way to answer that.
"You... you look very healthy and pretty, no matter what age you are.", I tried to sidestep the question.
"Very smart answer. I am 204 years, that is young for a changeling princess, we can become around 1200 years... but I guess I'm not a princess anymore."
I could see how her mood darkened and she stared back the way we came from.
"I guess I can't get near the hive or speak to another changeling ever again..."
There was an unpleasant silence because I didn't know what to say.
"Maybe we should get going again.", she said after a moment, stood up and walked on.
As we continued our journey through the forest, I decided to return the favor and tell Chrysalis about the world I came from. It got her in a better mood again, while I told her about our history and inventions like TV, phones, and the internet.
...
"Hey, do you know what berries are edible or poisonous?", I asked her. "I'm starving, and I am very thirsty."
"No, that was never a problem for me, but do you remember that green goo I can produce and vomit? You can eat that."
The thought of doing that made me nearly throw up. I had to sit down for a moment.
She started laughing.
"So funny...", I answered slightly angry.
"There is a reason why we are going this route, when I was younger I practiced hunting in this area, together with a sister of mine. In a few minutes, we should reach a natural fountain, you can drink there. Also, I am pretty sure if we wait there for a while, I can use the bit of magic I have, to stun a rabbit and start a fire."
I was surprised. "Wow, that sounds great."
"Well, I can't let my food and power source die.", she answered with a warmer smile than I had expected.
Like she said, we arrived just a few minutes later at the natural fountain, eagerly I drank from it, this pure water tasted like the best thing ever.
Then we hid and waited for some little animal to show up.
"Is your sister still in the hive?", I whispered.
"Who?"
"The sister you hunted with in this area. Maybe you could try to meet her again when some time has passed.", I whispered again.
She did not answer for some minutes, I was surprised as she finally did.
"That's..."
"Quiet, something is coming."
Just a moment later I saw a rabbit carefully hopping toward the fountain. The moment it started to drink, it got hit by a green magic bolt, it hurled him a few feet away, and it laid there without moving.
"Go and get him!", she shouted.
I ran over to him and held him by his hind legs.
"What now?", I asked even though I knew the answer.
"You should kill it while it is knocked out, break its neck."
I looked another way while I used both hands to grab the bunny at its head and body.
Chrysalis gathered some wood, while I used a sharp rock to make a strong branch pointy enough to use it for the rabbit.
The sun was about to set as she started the fire and I made some basic holders to roast the meat over the fire.
We sat next to the fire and waited.
She was a bit surprised by the sudden question.
"When you had been out in the world, gathering love, have you ever considered just staying with a stallion... forever?"
"That's not how we changelings are trained to do it. Long contacts increase the risk of being discovered. Three days should be maximum since a regular changling would not be able to store additional love after that anyway. Well, I can store a lot more, but still, the rule is three days.", she said while she stared into the fire.
"That didn't sound like a 'no', you're just avoiding the question."
She sighed.
"Ok, deal. But we keep a little distance between us this time. You seemed to be a little... heated last time."
She blushed a bit but ignored that comment.
"There are different ways for us to gather love.", she started to explain. "You can replace someone and absorb the love of their partner and free the captured pony later after using magic to cloud their memory. You can sneak around at night and be close when two ponies make love, or you can blend in as a new pony and start a new relationship.
I went as a light brown unicorn to Manehatten and searched for a stallion. I played the part of a clumsy mare on the ice rink, and within minutes a unicorn stallion was very eager to help me. He invited me to dinner, and everything went as planned. After another date the next day, we ended up in his apartment and in his bed. I had a fantastic night with him and gathered a lot of love while doing it.
This went on for two weeks, at day we had fun trips to different sights, and at night we had other fun together. I should have left him days ago since I could not store any new love, but he was so caring and fun to be around...
Then one morning he woke up, and I wasn't disguised. I don't know why it happened. It is no problem at all for me to sleep in disguise. I think unconsciously I wanted him to see the real me, wanted him to accept me. Well, you can guess what happened, he ran out on the street screaming for help 'there is a monster in my house' and I barely made it away unseen."
She ended the story with tears in her eyes and turned her head away from me.
I went over to her and sat next to her. She was looking so miserable. I wrapped my arm around her.
She tried to shake off my arm, but I held on.
"Sure, you can look frightening at first glance, but once I got used to it, I found that there is more to you than that.", I told her while I rubbed her back.
We sat like this for a while. My arm was wrapped around her midsection again while we looked into the fire. The rabbit would be done soon.
"Hey, remember our deal.", I said. "You can get your love now."
"But your to close this way.", she answered.
"No, I'm not. I want to try something, start your ability.", I said still hugging her.
"Ok..."
"You don't think of your Moon Princess.", she said after a moment.
"No, I don't. What does it taste like?", I asked her.
"... Friendship"
"Towards whom?"
After some seconds she looked at me surprised.
We sat like this for some minutes until the rabbit was done.
It felt so good to eat meat again, especially since I had not eaten anything at all for at least two days.
"I can't tell my pony friends about this. I don't know if they would understand.", I said to Chrysalis.
"I think they would, there even have been stories about ponies in dire situations eating meat to survive. I believe it is accepted in emergency situations.", she replied.
We sat next to the fire, while the moon came out. I looked at it and remembered all the times I watched Luna raise it, I missed her so much.
"Maybe we should go to sleep.", I suggested.
"Can I have more power before we sleep, my body can use it to regenerate during the night.", she asked with a pleading voice.
"How much weaker is friendship than love, how long would it take to feed you with friendship?"
"About five times weaker. Only to provide for my on own needs, would only take about 15 minutes Friendship while hugging, since I don't have to store any for the hive. But because of my healing, I need double that amount."
"Are you trying to give me math problems?", I asked.
"More like 10 minutes love because of your stupid 'no touching' rule."
"You got pretty grabby back then. I think it is good to keep it like this.", I replied.
"I would like the friendship hug then.", she decided.
"Ok, but why? Isn't Love the tastiest for you?"
She looked a bit uncertain before she answered: "I never said that, love is the most powerful for us, that doesn't say anything about its taste. The tastes are just different, your friendship is..."
I sensed she wanted to tell more but had problems putting it in words. I gave her a few seconds before I encouraged her to go on.
"... it... it feels just different... better... because the emotion is aimed at me, not at someone else or a disguise I'm using, aimed at me... ", she only whispered the next part, but it was loud enough for me. "...it doesn't feel like stealing anymore."
I embraced her.
...
After some minutes she started purring. It sounded a bit strange, considering her voice, but very pleasant.
"Sounds like a happy kitten to me.", I whispered to her.
She kept her eyes closed and whispered back: "Don't ruin this moment for me, I'm a mighty warrior, not a kitten."
"Then why are you purring?", I quietly asked back.
"It's my mighty 'purr of death', you should fear it...", she whispered.
Her breathing slowed down, and she relaxed more and more. Her body went limp, but her front feet stayed wrapped around me.
"Chrysalis...", I whispered.
'I slept worse.', was my last thought before I drifted into my own dream.
...
I woke up the next morning, her head rested on my upper body. I looked around. Only a little ember was all that was left of our fire yesterday. Some small animals used the opportunity of us sleeping to drink from the natural fountain. Chrysalis mumbled something in her sleep, but it sounded like a lot of hissing sounds mixed with growling, I guessed it must been in her own language.
Carefully I slightly lifted her head and freed myself. I stood up and walked over to the natural fountain, a small bunny dashed away. I drank plenty because I didn't know when I had the chance for it again, then I went to the bushes to get rid of the water I drank yesterday.
...
When I got back to Chrysalis she was already awake.
"Do you think we have a chance of getting to Canterlot by the end of the day?", I asked her.
"Hmmm... only if we find a way to cross the canyon instead of going all around it. I wish I had my wings back already."
We started walking at a good pace. I entertained her with human trivia while we progressed through the forest.
...
"What kind of ransom you were hoping to get?", I asked her out of the blue.
Her steps slowed down a little.
"And then what?", I asked her.
"Well, I would choose some little town, far away from the hive, and walk in as a new unicorn. I would buy a little cottage and walk around at night getting some love just from being close to ponies houses. As I said before, I don't need much just to survive. I should be able to hide for at least 100 years this way. Maybe I would go to the griffon empire afterward."
I thought about that for a few minutes, as we wandered on.
"Maybe you should ask for forgiveness and mercy from the princesses instead.", I suggested.
She stopped walking and looked at me like I had punched her in the face.
"Surrender to the enemy?", her voice was full of disgust.
I laid my hand on her back.
"I can't imagine the princesses would be happy to see me.", she said and looked to the ground.
"You saved my life. That should be worth something to them, especially to Luna.", I encouraged her.
"After I have abducted you and got you in that situation."
"Well, maybe we should be a little creative when we are telling them about that.", I said pondering.
"Why are you doing this for me?", she asked.
"I have grown to like you and found your not a bad person... pony... creature. I believe Celestia will be smart enough to see you can be a valuable friend."
She came closer and whispered: "You're believing there is a chance for that?"
"I think so, and you wouldn't need to hide behind a disguise anymore.", I said with a warm smile.
She just stood there for a minute and thought about all that.
"Thank you for doing this for me.", she said while she pulled me into a hug. "I will try it... if everything fails, will you visit me in the dungeon?"
"I would come by every day and bring fun board games with me. I can't let my friend starve."
Her hug got a lot stronger, and I nearly had trouble breathing.
We had been walking a good pace, without long pauses. Chrysalis seemed to be fully healed, except her missing wings.
She was in a good mood and talked a lot about her life when she was little.
She stopped in her tracks and went completely silent. My eyes followed her stare, and I saw why she looked so afraid. Only 30 feet in front of us stood a giant bear-like creature, it must have been at least double the size of any bear on earth. It had huge fangs and shaggy black fur, covered with stains of blood.
He looked at us and slowly shortened the distance, his maw open, and saliva was dripping from his fangs.
"What is that thing?", I whispered to Chrysalis while we slowly walked backward.
"A terrorbear.", she whispered back. "The most dangerous and aggressive monster in this woods... and to fast to run from."
Her horn lid up and glowed light green. The bear stopped for a moment but kept walking as nothing happened.
"I was hoping I could bluff. I don't have enough magic.", she whispered next to me.
Suddenly she darted toward the monster. The bear swung a paw towards her head, but she ducked just before the hit. In a quick motion, she thrusted her horn upward into his belly and got just out of range again before the next paw swung close to her. I saw the tip of her horn covered with blood, but the wound wasn't critical for the bear in any way, he was just so enormous. He tried to hit her again and again, but she was quick enough to stay out of range.
Meanwhile, I had picked up a few rocks, closed the distance to them and started throwing them towards his head. After two misses, the third hit him right in his left eye. He screamed from pain and anger and turned his head to me. Chrysalis used this little distraction, stormed towards him and bit him in his neck. A hit from a paw sent her flying only moments later. I ran around the monster to reach where Chrysalis had crashed to the ground right before a tree.
I reached her just in time to drag her out of the way of a swipe. His claws instead made contact with the tree, and they tore out a piece of it.
"Chrysalis!", I shouted while I shook her body.
"How long will he be knocked out?", I asked her.
"Ten minutes maximum, we should move fast."
I took her piggyback, the holes in her front legs had been surprisingly good grips. I moved as fast as I could to get a lot of distance to that monster.
"You are a great fighter. I didn't think you could move that fast.", I complimented her while jogging.
"You have to thank my time in the guards and special forces for that, four years of combat training."
Fifteen minutes later we decided to rest behind some bushes, I carefully put her to the ground.
"Are you feeling better?", I asked her.
"I am ok, give me a moment and some friendship and I am ready to go again in minutes."
"Ok, take what you need, I concentrate on our friendship."
I used my shirt to wipe the blood of her horn.
Her mood darkened.
I used my finger to trace the form of her horn. "I think it's a very interesting and cool shape."
She trembled under my touch.
"You should know... what you did just now is a very... sensual act.", she answered breathing a bit heavy.
My eyes widened, I had totally forgotten how... arousing tender touches to the horn could be.
"Oh, there is no need to be sorry, is not like it had been unpleasant.", she said with a seductive smile.
"Well... have you absorbed enough FRIENDSHIP, can we move on?", I asked while I looked at the ground embarrassed.
She looked at me with big puppy dog eyes.
Awkwardly I put my arms around her, this time I was very aware of the warmth of her body.
...
It was afternoon when we reached the canyon. It wasn't as wide as I had feared, maybe about 30 feet, but at least 100 feet deep.
"Okay, I can see how this messes up our time to reach Canterlot.", I said and looked to both sides to see where it ended, but the forest hid it from me since the canyon wasn't a straight line.
"If we go right, it should be a little shorter, but we lose at least half a day.", she said and started moving that way.
"But you said there could be a possibility for a shortcut, what did you mean?", I asked hoping for some good news, while I caught up to her.
"Well, this is one of this problems I didn't have since I had my wings, but I sometimes noticed some trees that had fallen crossways to the canyon and had formed natural bridges. If we are lucky we can find one."
We walked on for about half an hour when I saw a fallen tree that had bridged about two-thirds of the canyon.
"It doesn't bridge all the way. I don't think it is safe.", Chrysalis remarked as we came closer to the tree.
"There is much more of it on the ground then over the canyon. It surely won't tip.", I said checking the situation. "And we can jump that little gap at the end."
"I don't know. I think we should move on, maybe we find another tree or we just walk around it.", she said and started to move.
"No! I don't want Luna to worry another night, and I want to be in Canterlot as fast as possible. It is better for all of us if the princesses mood is as good as possible."
"Not when we are dead on the ground of this canyon.", she protested.
"Come on, it looks safe. If you worry we can find some weight to add to the end, so it is even more secure."
She huffed.
"Great, let's do it."
We walked to the roots of the tree, and I waited for her to begin.
"I don't want you to look while I am doing it.", she said to my surprise.
"Why?", I asked.
"I don't want you to think of goo vomit when you look at my mouth, plus it is a bit embarrassing.", she said.
I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"How about me looking next time you pee?", she asked.
"On second thought, maybe some things are personal.", I said, turned around and walked away for a minute.
I sat in the grass and thought about strategies of introducing Chrysalis to the princesses without creating some disaster. Celestia was a very calm and gentle leader, but if someone puts her subjects at risk...
"It's all done, the tree is connected to the ground it won't tip or anything, but I'm still worried about balancing over it and jumping off it.", she said beside me. I jumped a bit because I didn't notice her before.
"I'm sure you did a lot more dangerous stuff in your life, it's just a little jump.", I replied.
"Well, I am used to have my wings to protect me from falling, without them such height makes me nervous."
"Well we have neither a rope nor do we have time, so we just have to do it.", I said and walked toward the canyon.
I stepped on the tree and moved slowly over the edge.'Wow, that is terrible high.' , I thought but was too proud to show my fear in front of her.
One step after the other I came close to the tree's end.
I stopped three steps before the end and took some deep breaths. I took the last steps in high speed and catapulted myself through the air. I touched down the other side.
"Ok, you're next!", I shouted.
She slowly stepped on the log and inched forward. Once she was over the edge, her face was a grimace of terror and her body looked more gray than black.
"Concentrate only on the tree.", I told her.
She inched to the end of the tree and jumped. She made it without problems to the other side.
I hugged her.
I felt her heart race.
"I need my wings back as quickly as possible.", she said with some tremble in her voice.
Since Canterlot was only about six hours away, there was something we had to talk about.
"Apart from my wings I am fully healed, so I could store a little power. But changing and keeping a disguise doesn't use much power anyway, as long as you give me some friendship once a day I can keep it up forever. Any preferences on how I should look?", she asked with a sly grin.
"No, do whatever you want.", I answered and rolled my eyes.
There was a green flash and a unicorn mare stood next to me. She turned on the spot to show me her new body. Her coat was light gray with a yellow mane and tail. Her cutie mark showed a red heart with a yellow outline... she was gorgeous to look at.
"What do you think?", she wiggled with her flank. "Love is my special talent."
"More like your favorite food.", I replied. "We have to be careful not to walk to close together when I touch you we have a lot of surprised ponies around us."
We walked on and made sure always to have a few feet between us.
...
As we had Canterlot in sight, more and more ponies showed up passing us in different directions. I knew Chrysalis disguise was perfect, but I expected any second somepony would shout or scream anyway. I guess it was hard on my conscious to smuggle her in.
...
We just reached the first houses of Canterlot as a guard came running towards me.
"Alex! Thank goodness your alright, we all worried so much.", he shouted.
"Greenleafs!", I answered. "Good to see you again, I'm happy to be back in one piece."
His horn glowed and shot a beam of light in the air.
"I also can't wait to see her again.", I said excited. "I will visit you and your family someday this week and tell everything that has happened. I know your daughter loves adventure stories."
He nodded and smiled.
I saw something blue flew at incredible speed towards us, Luna landed only a few feet from me and ran into my arms with such force she tackled me to the ground.
"I'm so happy I got you back.", she said between kisses. I enjoyed it to feel her again. My hand ran through her mane and along her neck.
I noticed all the ponies staring at us. "We should go somewhere else.", I pointed out. "We have a lot to talk about."
I got back on my feet and moved next to Chrysalis.
"Emerald.", Chrysalis jumped in. "Nice to meet you, princess."
Luna inspected her.
"She saved my life and is the reason I was able to get back to my beautiful fiancee.", I hastened to clarify.
Luna's body relaxed, and her smile came back. "Oh thank you so much, I don't know how we could thank you."
"Well, there is more to all this.", I told her. "But we should talk about it somewhere private. I don't want to worry other ponies."
She looked at me curiously.
While we walked in the castle, Luna explained to me in detail what had happened while I was gone, about the changeling attack. I tried hard not to give away any hints I already knew the story because I didn't want to answer questions until we were alone.
...
Finally we reached our room, and the doors closed behind us.
I took a deep breath and started my story: "A day before the wedding I was abducted by a changeling. I was imprisoned in a cell and left to starve if it wasn't for her saving me." I pointed towards Chrysalis. "You know I would never do anything to bring you in danger, please trust me now and be calm.", I told Luna and gave her a little kiss and then stepped between them. Luna's gaze wandered between Chrysalis and me, her face full of questions. After a nod from me Chrysalis changed to her true form. I could see every muscle in Luna's body tense up, but she did not attack.
"Chrysalis saved you from dying?", she asked pressed through clenched teeth.
"After the failed attempt to take over Canterlot, she nearly got killed by the Changling Queen and got thrown out of the hive to slowly starve.", I explained to her. "She was in a terrible condition when she got me out of my cell, bleeding and her whole body covered in cuts and bruises."
Luna looked over to Chrysalis, and her body relaxed a bit. Chrysalis just looked at the ground, she didn't like to admit defeat.
"I thought she is the changeling queen?", Luna asked.
"I... I was only a princess, but I was sure to dethrone the queen with the powers I had.", Chrysalis answered very quietly. "But that didn't work out so well."
"She is no longer part of the hive and wants to change. She is sorry and asks for forgiveness.", I said and sat next to Luna.
There was silence for what seemed like forever until Luna finally said something: "I know how it is, I did something bad for wrong reasons and have been forgiven by my sister and more ponies every day. I found someone special who drove away the last traces of evil from me.", she nuzzled me softly. "I understand the situation you're in, but I have to be sure you are not controlling Alex in any way."
"How should she do this with the ability of mine?", I asked her.
"The same way I healed you.", she answered, and her horn started to glow.
Her spell washed over us and the whole room.
"Okay, there is no connection."
"I hope to live a normal life.", Chrysalis said. "I don't want to cause trouble."
"Well, thanks again for bringing back Alex in one piece.", Luna said. "If the stallion... the man I am going to marry trusts you, I will as well."
"Thank you, my love. So will you help when we meet Celestia next?", I asked her.
To my surprise she smiled.
Luna had asked her sister for a private meeting in our room, so we were waiting for her arrival, Chrysalis in disguise.
"How was the look on my sister's face when you beat her horn on horn?", Luna asked out of the blue.
"Oh, she was sure to win and very shocked as she realized she was losing.", Chrysalis answered with a light chuckle. "I guess it was something like this..."
Chrysalis changed her appearance to Celestia and imitated her shocked reaction.
Luna laughed while Chrysalis changed herself back. I looked in surprise at Luna.
"What?", she asked. "She always was perfect in everything. It is nice to see her fail at something."
I still tended to forget that they were also normal sisters after all.
...
Finally Celestia entered the room, she looked a bit puzzled when she noticed the unknown mare but smiled when she noticed me.
"Well, that is exactly what we wanted to talk about, you see I have been abducted by a changeling before the wedding and had been imprisoned in the changeling hive. I would be dead by now if this mare hadn't helped me."
Celestia looked at her surprised. "It is a pleasure meeting someone who helps the ones in need.", she said smiling.
"Actually, we have met before.", Chrysalis answered and dropped her disguise.
The surprise and shock in Celestia's face was more than I ever expected to see from her, but she still only needed a second to fire a beam towards Chrysalis... which was blocked by a shield Luna casted just in time. Chrysalis flinched and made a step back. We had talked about it before, but an angry Celestia is very terrifying. I would have preferred a less dramatic reveal and something safer, but blue and black both wanted that moment.
"What are you doing Luna!", Celestia screamed while she still powered her beam.
"Please calm down sister, she is not an enemy.", Luna replied.
Celestia looked from one to another, and finally stopped her beam, but her horn kept on glowing, flickered for a moment and finally dimmed.
"Chrysalis saved you from death? Why?", Tia asked.
"After she failed to conquer Canterlot, the changeling queen... she is only a princess... tore out her wings, cut and punched her to near death, took her power and threw her out of the hive to slowly starve.", I explained.
"How many times do you have to tell that story, it is embarrassing.", Chrysalis grumbled.
"That was when she came back to save me from my cell, and we both helped each other on our way here.", I concluded my story.
Chrysalis coughed.
Celestia looked very surprised about that, but not convinced.
Really not the question I wanted to hear. "No.", I lied.
"You did not abduct him Chrysalis?", she asked her directly.
Chrysalis hesitated for a moment. "It was me. I did abduct him.", she finally answered.
I saw a fire in Luna's eyes. I knew I was in trouble.
"I am surprised by your honesty.", Tia said puzzled.
"I want to come clean.", Chrysalis continued. "If I hadn't been nearly killed, I would have never helped Alex. I needed him to keep me from starving after Queen Lycosa drained me from all the love I had stored. But along our way we developed a friendship and I found the friendship towards me far better than anything I had stolen from others."
"I have been told that nopony got seriously injured during the attack.", I interjected.
"Of course not.", Chrysalis replied. "There is no sense in hurting or killing our food, if possible we just immobilize them, so we... "
There was a silence between all of us.
"I do believe you.", Celestia finally said. "And I think you could be a powerful ally for us, but there will be restrictions on what you are allowed to do here, I will think about them and tell you tomorrow."
"Thank you, princess. Thank you so much.", Chrysalis said and bowed.
Tia nodded and left the room.
I was a bit afraid to look at Luna, she hasn't said anything for quite a while now.
"How could you lie to me about something that important?", she asked with trembling voice. "Both of you, out of my room! I need some time to think!"
"I only did it because..."
"OUT!", she shouted.
We both hurried out of the room and the door got slammed behind us.
I rubbed my hurting cheek, a slap by a hoof was nothing I ever wanted to repeat.
"Did you see the flicker in her horns magic after she stopped the beam? If I focus, I can sense magic spells, and she had cast a truth spell onto the room, so she knew instantly if anyone lied. Because of your ability she could not read you, but as she asked me directly, she would have sensed anyway if I told a lie, so I decided to get some points for honesty.", she smiled at me. "And that is the reason why she was convinced so fast, she knew I was telling the truth."
"I am surprised how cunning you can be in any situation."
"Oh thank you.", she answered ruffling my hair.
"I am not sure it was a compliment... let's go into the city and eat something, I'm so hungry.", I said and walked away from Luna's room.
"But after that, I want to get some 'food' from you.", she answered while she was catching up to me.
We walked to one of my favorite restaurants "Blue Wings", they had a ton of very rustic stews, soups, and spicy vegetables, and there was only one item on the menu containing hay.
"I remember being here before.", Chrysalis said while she looked around. "I was on a 'mission' a few month ago."
"Who was the lucky stallion?", I asked while we took our seats at one of the tables which had some distance to the next, for privacy.
"A mare.", she corrected me. "Lavender Dust, a beautiful mare who worked in a flower shop two streets from here."
"So you had been disguised as a stallion?"
"No dummy, I was a mare too, black coat, dark blue mane named 'Night Star'. You should have noticed by now that there are a lot more mares than stallions among ponies. I think it is about one stallion to three mares, aside from some cities, some stallions try to 'make it big in the city'. Therefore it is normal to have a lot of mare to mare relationships or to have herds with one stallion and two or more mares."
I was to curious, I had to ask: "But you could be a stallion?"
"I...", she stopped because the waiter arrived to take our order.
We both ordered a spicy 'Potato-Leek Soup'.
Once the waiter was out of earshot again, she continued: "Of course, maybe you remember I even have been you for a few hours, but I prefer not to. It feels strange to have these additional parts, so I only do it for short times or if there is no other way."
"Can you change into anything? A rock, a chair?", I asked still curious.
"And then I pull a rabbit out of a hat...", she laughed. "Instead of answering your specific questions, I will explain our ability to you.
"Thanks for telling me all that, it helps me a lot to estimate what you can and can't do.", I said with a warm smile.
"I don't think it will matter much in the future. I am pretty sure one of Celestia's conditions will be 'no shapeshifting'.", she said with a sigh.
"Would you miss it if you never could do it again?", I asked.
"Well... it is a part of me... it's not as I would only shift to do 'evil' things, I use it to be funny or to adapt to a situation. Like the Celestia thing I did for Luna."
"Speaking of Luna...", I started. "Do you think she will forgive me soon?"
She seemed to be unsure how to reply to this, after a moment she said in a soft voice: "Sure, you have a pretty new relationship, it is normal to get angry over not so big things but cool off quickly. I can read her feelings for you before your next meeting to give you a little head start."
I smiled at her and felt more relieved. "Thank you Chryssi."
"When did you think of nicknames for me?", she asked smiling.
I realized what I just had done.
"Don't be, I like it, it is far less formal. I had much worse nicknames in my life."
"Care to tell me?", I asked with a smirk.
"Let's just stick to Chryssi, ok."
The waiter showed up again to bring our soup, it smelled delicious. I started to dig right in, I sure was hungry.
"It tastes great.", Chrysalis said after a while. "To bad I can't get any energy from it."
"What happened with Lavender Dust?", I asked her.
Her expression went gloom.
"It must be hard to do all this just to keep your hive alive."
"It's not my hive anymore...", she replied with tears in her eyes.
I scooted my chair next to her and wanted to hug her, but remembered just in time it would break her disguise.
"I'm sorry, I would hug you right now if I could. How about going back to my room and I feed you with a friendship hug."
She just nodded, so I called the waiter and paid for our meal. As we stood up to leave, she addressed me: "Can we take a little detour? I would like to see how Lavender is doing."
"Sure, lead the way.", I said.
...
The flower shop was next to a small dim alley, we stood there and looked through the display window.
"She looks happy...", Chryssi said after a while.
"Why don't we go in, she won't recognize you in this disguise.", I suggested.
"No... that is exactly what I could not stand after all we had, she would look into my eyes and wouldn't even recognize me.", she was breathing hard and could barely keep her composure.
It took her a few seconds before she could speak again.
"Sure, let's wait a bit."
...
After some minutes we could see how Lavender started to arrange her shop for closing. Another mare walked in after a while, we saw how they chatted... then they hugged and kissed. I looked at Chryssi's face and saw several emotions fight to get the upper hand, again I just wanted to comfort her, but couldn't. The two mares walked out of the shop. Lavender locked it up, and they walked away chatting and giggling.
"... she looks happy...", Chrysalis repeated, but her voice was cracking.
I looked around. The dim alley ended in a dead end after a few feet, I saw no one in it. I took her hoof, which broke her disguise, and pulled her deeper into the alley. I wrapped my arms around her, and her head laid on my shoulder, I could feel my shirt getting soaked by her tears. I just rubbed her back while she cried for minutes, she often tried to say something but she couldn't stop crying long enough to get the words out.
Finally she so stopped crying, and we stood in silence while we embraced each other.
She took a few steps back and changed back into her disguise.
So we hurried back to the palace and entered my room. I closed all the curtains and Chrysalis dropped her disguise the moment every window was blocked. She sat on my bed and leaned against the wall behind it.
"I'm so stupid.", she started in an angry tone. "That is exactly the reason why you don't visit somepony again who you fed on."
"Please stop doing that.", I begged her and sat next to her.
She ruffled her mane with her hooves and groaned.
I opened my arms.
Eagerly she moved into my embrace and closed her eyes.
"... this... this isn't just friendship.", she said after a moment. "... it can't be, no one could feel that way for me..."
I had to look inside me to find what I was hiding from myself. I was a bit surprised by the warmth of it.
"But I can't.", I said. "Luna is..."
"I will not let you go.", she interrupted. "I feel your love and your rising lust, I want you, I need you."
I felt her hot body against mine and my body reacted to it, our mouths separated only by an inch. I opened my mouth and inhaled her breath, then my tongue reached out to her while her tongue did the same. The moment our tips met, we closed the gap and shared a wild and foreign kiss. My hands grabbed her butt and she hummed a surprised sound into my mouth while she ripped off my shirt.
Chrysalis was beaming at me, even without her ability I could feel the incredible happiness coming from her.
"You love me the way I really am.", she said with tears in her eyes and the biggest grin on her face. "It feels so good to be loved." She hummed happily.
But after a few moments her face clouded. "But I although feel regret coming from you..."
"I love you, you know that.", I started. "But I love Luna the same way, and I betrayed her. We shouldn't have done that."
We laid next to each other and both searched for the right words.
"You know we have the herd concept here and can share your love.", she whispered to me. "It isn't a finite resource, there is more than enough for both of us."
"Without her knowing? I think that is cheating no matter how we would try to paint the picture. Also I am taking advantage of both of you."
We went silent again.
"You are right.", she said. "This is considered cheating... you have to be introduced to the first mare and she has to approve to form a herd with another pony... and I'm not even a pony."
"Instead we did the stupidest thing possible...", I said bitterly.
"I don't want to lose you.", she said with pleading eyes.
"I neither want to lose you... or Luna.", I replied and brushed along her cheek.
"There are only two options Alex, to tell the truth, or we keep this a secret and ask her in the formal way to form a herd."
"Last time I lied to her didn't go well at all. I should not hide this from her."
Chryssi kissed me.
"I will do anything to prevent that from happening, but I have to tell her the truth... and I hope she will understand at least a bit."
"Should I come with you?", she asked worried.
"I think I should talk to her alone."
I stood up and searched for some clothes.
...
I stood in front of Luna's room. I had brought the same flowers like on our first date. I was scared and my stomach felt like someone made a knot out of it. I tried to control my breathing and forced my hand to knock. She opened the door and smiled as she saw me and the flowers.
She took the flowers with her magic and invited me into the room.
I sat down on one of the pillows on the ground while she put away the flowers.
"No, I shouldn't have done it this way, and there is another much bigger mistake I have to confess, would you please sit down."
"In my past I made huge mistakes myself.", she said while sitting down. "I nearly destroyed the kingdom, twice... no wait three times. How bad can it be compared to that?"
"Pretty bad.", I said in a voice that got her attention and a worried look on her face.
I told her every detail about what had happened. Chrysalis 'mission' with Lavender, her regrets about what she had done, her breakdown, the things we saw at the flower shop and how it broke her.
Luna interrupted me: "I can see that Chrysalis is a much nicer and more interesting character than I imagined, but I don't see the problem here."
I sighed.
I saw how Luna tensed up.
"I noticed it only as she mentioned it, that I was in love with her. She was drunk by the emotions of love targeted towards her and... got very close... I saw the need in her eyes... and... we... kissed. One thing led to the next... and we spend the night together..."
If I had the choice right now, I would have battled Nightmare Moon again instead of sitting before Luna under the stare she had right now.
I was sweating like crazy as the minutes passed by.
After five minutes I decided to carefully raise my voice.
Luna interrupted me: "What is the problem? Was that UNPLEASANT for you? Really, what is your problem? Are princesses who are having a bad day a weak spot for you? If my sister feels down because she ate too much cake, will she be the next you comfort?!"
"I wouldn't..."
"SHUT UP! I'M TALKING RIGHT NOW!"
I winced.
She was breathing hard and started to use a calming technique I knew she got from Cadence.
She continued more calm: "Look, I know your are from another dimension and don't always understand how things are around here. My problem is not that you love another mare, if you still love me like before. The concept of a herd may be strange to you, but it is natural for us. Maybe I would have brought someone else to form a herd in the future... and Chrysalis seems nice and has a similar lifespan to me. The POINT is that you have broken my trust, AGAIN!"
She came close to me, her head only inches away from me, she looked me right into my eyes.
"Does that mean we are still...", I started.
"You will do EXACTLY what I tell you now. NOPONY will hear about what happened, that includes my sister. You will propose Chrysalis to me in the official way. That means we will meet in a restaurant where she will approach me wearing a white dress and a golden ribbon around her right hoof, and then she presents me red roses. I will invite her to our table and we will have multiple dates together. I will give her a fair chance to join our herd, but if I decide against it, you will have to make your choice."
"I will do anything you say, anything to make good on what I have done."
"You can start to prove that to me within the next hours, you will not be able to think about anything other than me, and you will worship me for it. I will be your number one forever.", she passionately started kissing me.
She stopped after a few seconds.
And so she did.
As I went back to my room I had problems walking in a straight line, I never had been so exhausted in my whole life... it was also the best thing to be exhausted from, and I couldn't get that big smile of my face.
Finally I reached my room and entered. Chrysalis was sitting on a chair reading one of the books I had checked out from the library. I fell face first into the bed.
"What happened, more than two hours have passed since you visited Luna?", Chrysalis asked worried. I turned my head to look at her, it was strange to see her as insecure as she looked right now.
"I have pretty good news.", I started. "I have told her everything that happened, and up to the flower shop part she showed a lot of compassion and affection towards you... of course her mood changed when I told her what we did in this room."
Chryssi shifted in her chair.
"She did nothing, just stared at me in a way that I was sure she would kill me within the next moments. Then she screamed for a bit...
"She really considers forming a herd with me?", she asked in disbelief.
"Yes, she said she would give you a fair chance, but there are conditions what we have to do and what is forbidden. The first one is easy, don't tell anyone what we have done. The next is a lot harder, you and me can't touch each other at all until we may be a herd."
"But if she isn't here she won't notice, I like to repeat some of the things we did last night and try a lot of new things."
I gulped.
"The last condition.", I continued. "I have to propose you in the official way to her. I guess you know how that works?"
"Restaurant, white dress, golden ribbon and red roses, right?", she answered.
"Right, but there is one more thing about that event, I have to propose you in your true form, no disguise."
Chrysalis skin turned gray, her face was full of horror, and she nearly fell off her chair.
"Calm down, I promise you it is not like that. She wants to make an announcement to make you a 'normal' citizen of Equestria. You could walk through Canterlot without hiding behind some disguise. Of course you will draw attention, but no less than I did at first."
"Being among ponies without a disguise goes so much against everything I ever did and learned, it frightens my a bit. I will be... vulnerable."
"But you told me you have revealed yourself at the wedding.", I reminded her.
"That was different, I was in a position of power."
"Well I will be right next to you, and I bet you look smashing in that white dress."
She blushed a bit.
Now it felt the heat coming to my cheeks.
"You did it for about two hours? It looks I haven't used your full potential so far."
"Really, that is what you think about right now? ... And we had breaks in between for me to regenerate... We have a meeting with Celestia in a couple minutes about the restrictions you have to follow."
She showed a naughty smile.
...
"Alex?"
...
"Alex! Do you hear me?", Chrysalis asked.
I snapped out off very specific and detailed thoughts.
"I asked if we should go to Celestia's chambers now, you know, the meeting.", she replied with a knowing smile.
"Sure, let's go."
She changed her appearance and we left the room.
...
We knocked and after we heard her positive answer we entered Celestia's private chambers. The two princesses sat on cushions, so we did the same opposite of them and Chrysalis dropped her disguise.
"Hello Alex, I didn't know you would attend this meeting.", Celestia started.
"I'm just curious, I showed her the way to this room anyway, so I thought I could just come in with her... should I go?"
"Of course not.", Tia answered. "You know I always like having you around."
"We temporary gave her Alex room, since most of the time he is in my room anyway.", Luna answered.
Celestia continued: "Oh, very well. Let's talk about the conditions of your stay here. First of all, I want to notice how happy I am you gave friendship a chance to fill your heart. But here are the rules I have decided are necessary for you to live here.
"I veto against that rule.", Luna interrupted.
Celestia looked at her as if she had grown another head.
"Equestria is a place of acceptance and friendship. We should make an announcement we have a friendly changeling here. She shall be a normal member of society and treated equally to anyone else, this way she can live here without the need for a disguise."
"Well... that sounds fine too. We shall make this announcement.", Celestia said, clearly not used to someone questioning her decisions. I was a bit surprised about Luna's bold manner too, but had the advantage of knowing why she did it.
"I think it is her natural ability and we should trust her not to use it in evil ways.", Luna said and received an angry look from Celestia.
"Excuse us for a moment.", Celestia told us and created a magic bubble around herself and her sister that blocked all sound.
We saw them bicker and Chryssi had the biggest grin on her face.
"Yes, but I'm not sure if this all happens because of you, or because she wants to stand up against her sister."
"Look, I think Celestia gets her flank kicked.", she commented happily.
Indeed it looked like Luna had the upper hand judging by their faces.
"Oh, right. It better should be."
...
After some minutes the bubble disappeared and we faced a very happy Luna and her not so happy sister.
"Thank you so much princesses.", Chrysalis replied and bowed.
"Let's go and get some lunch sweetheart.", Luna said and kissed me on the cheek while she passed me.
"See you later.", I told Chryssi and hurried to follow Luna.
We went to the "silver horn", Luna's favorite place. Luna was in an excellent mood and beaming with energy. We didn't speak much on our way there, to much ponies crowded the streets around us.
Once we took our seats in the restaurant, she started the conversation: "That has been so exciting, to show Tia she isn't in charge here, I should have done this weeks ago."
"It was quite impressive how you stood up to her. You are right, you two have equal rights, and she should stop treating you like her little sister, but as the co-ruler of Equestria."
"You are absolutely right. Do you know you will be a prince after our marriage?", she asked.
"I never thought about that, sounds strange to me."
The waiter came and took our order. I choose a grilled cheese sandwich, and she picked a mushroom risotto.
"Your sister aside.", I addressed her. "Chrysalis was very happy about your help."
"Well apart from what you two did, I was in a very similar situation only months ago. I was the feared villain who tried to fit in, they even have their own holiday to remind everypony how evil I was. So... she should have a chance to make it and what you told me this morning did sound like she can be very caring and emotional."
"Yeah, I was surprised by that too. How long do you want to wait until I start the official proposal for forming a herd?"
"We should wait at least a couple of days.", she answered. "Having a friendly changeling here is huge news already, if Chrysalis would try to form a herd with me the same day, Canterlot would think I'm under some spell."
"Thanks for doing all this.", I said and kissed her.
"Well, I starting to see what you like about her... and her shapeshifting ability could be fun to exploit."
I blushed a bit as I understood what she was talking about.
We had a nice lunch together and walked through the city for some hours afterward.
...
"... so we should wait a few days before we make the official herd proposal.", I ended my explanation.
"Well that's ok, I would rather get fueled by all of your love right now, but it is just a few days."
"I do concentrate on our love right now, you can start to absorb it.", I said sitting next to her.
She closed her eyes and started purring again after some moments.
"And you are still my purring love kitten.", I replied with a smile.
"You know, I think that nickname is not to bad, but you have to be prepared for me to scratch a bit next time I want my milk...", she said with a lewd smile that nearly doubled my heart rate.
I tried my best to focus just on the love I felt for her and thought of other things to talk about.
"I remember the time we had been on our way to Canterlot, you talked in your sleep."
I could see she was very displeased with the fact I changed the topic, away from her much-preferred talk about love and lust.
"I don't know, it was a combination of hissing sounds mixed with growling, back then I guessed changelings had their own language."
Suddenly she went very gloom.
"Sorry, did I say something wrong?", I asked.
She sighed.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.", I told her.
"I want to spend my life with you, I want you to know everything about me, there is no reason to hide anything.", she said and was about to lay her hoof on my hand but stopped an inch before it when she remembered she couldn't touch me right now.
Again she took several deep breaths.
"But we can't...", she started sobbing.
"Luna would understand if she is looking.", I replied.
Once she calmed down she continued: "I'm sure Lycosa had killed her, but there was no evidence... not that it would have mattered, she is in total power of the hive."
"I'm sorry to hear all this.", I stroked her hair.
...
"On my way here I saw Canterlot guards attach announcements to the walls.", I said after a little while. "They're announcing a friendly beautiful changeling who is free to move around Equestria and is under the princesses protection."
"I doubt they called me beautiful.", she replied with a smile.
"Well, they should have..."
----0_0----
He looked at the announcement in front of him. He was sure his queen would praise him for that information. He went back to his hotel room and concentrated on his hive connection.
'Queen Lycosa, I have found valuable information here in Canterlot.'
He waited for a response.
'Tell us scout 83.'
'Chrysalis is still alive.'
'Crooked lives? Have you seen her?'
'Not yet, but it seems she has switched sides, she is declared a citizen of Equestria and can move freely at will.'
He felt a lot of anger from the other side of the connection.
'Well done scout 83, monitor her everywhere she goes and kill her if you find an opportunity.'
'Of course, my queen.'
The next day Chrysalis had her first "changeling information" meeting with Twilight. Of course the princesses had informed Twilight about everything that happened, but still Chryssi asked me to join her on the visit. The first reason was she would go out without any disguise today and was very nervous about it. The second was "to have a witness if Twilight tries to kill me", how she put it. I decided we could use this opportunity to spend the rest of the day in Ponyville as well since I only saw Rarity's boutique before. So right now I tried to push her out of my room, while her instincts resisted leaving without disguise.
"Maybe we could wait a few more minutes to prepare myself.", she shouted while she pushed against the doorway.
"We already waited half an hour. We will miss the train if we wait much longer.", I answered while pushing.
"Maybe we could postpone it."
I stopped pushing her and looked directly into her eyes.
"Don't you dare... you... you are not allowed to touch me."
"I already did as I pushed you, and by the way, I got an 'okay' to handle you in none intimate ways from Luna this morning, I had a hunch it would be necessary."
"Fine... I go. It is just so hard when all you ever been told is 'don't ever, ever drop your disguise, for your own sake and the sake of the hive'.", she released her grip on the doorway and straightened her posture. "But stay close to me."
"Of course."
...
Things went pretty good as long as we moved inside the palace, sure she was sweating, breathing heavily and glancing around all the time, but I had imagined it worse...
"Come on, relax.", I told her. "What can happen? The guards and other ponies know you are here, friendly and under the princesses protection. They can be frightened, angry or curious but they will not hurt you, NOTHING will happen. Where is the mighty warrior in you?"
"The warrior in me doesn't like to be outnumbered 3000 to 1."
I tipped against her forehead.
She took a deep breath and kissed me on the lips.
"Naughty mare.", I replied and slapped her butt while pushing her out again. To my surprise she reacted with a very sexy humming sound.
At least it took her mind from the situation, and she was much calmer as we slowly walk through the street towards the train station. A lot of ponies stopped and stared. It was the mix I had predicted, fear, anger, and curiosity. She walked right next to me and tried to focus her attention on the street right before her.
Suddenly a young filly stood in her way.
Chrysalis looked surprised and confused. "No... I got them a long time ago."
"How?", the filly asked and tilted its head.
Chryssi seemed unsure how she should answer and looked at me.
"Give her a short version, we don't want to miss the train.", I told her.
"Well, a long time ago I was in a fight and someone used powerful magic against me, that where I got them from."
A mare showed up and got to the young filly.
"Not at all, she was just curious.", Chrysalis said with a soft voice.
"We should get going now. We have to catch a train.", I excused us.
"But I wanted to hear the whole story how it happened...", the filly complaint.
"Maybe the next time we meet and I'm not in a hurry.", Chrysalis replied.
"How about tomorrow, can we meet tomorrow?", the filly jumped up and down.
"We shouldn't bother her, Yellow Star.", her mother said with an apologizing smile.
"It's ok.", Chryssi replied. "If you want and your mother is okay with it I can tell you some stories tomorrow."
"Mommy pleeeeease."
Her mother looked unsure how to react to all this.
The filly jumped in joy.
"Sure why not. Tomorrow we meet at this place at 2 o'clock?", Chrysalis asked. Her mother nodded and we turned to head to the train station. After two more steps Chryssi turned toward the filly again.
Yellow Star shook her head.
"But I look scary...", Chryssi stated in a lower voice.
"Nooooo... you look cool, I wished I had such cool fangs."
Chrysalis had a huge grin on her face and showed them off while doing it.
"We really should be going now if we don't want to miss the train.", I reminded and pulled her along.
"Bye."
While we moved along I could hear one last thing.
...
We rushed to the train station and entered the train just in time before it started moving.
We found a pretty empty part of the train, so we would not be stared at the whole time.
"Now that wasn't so bad.", I said to her. "You already have fans."
She chuckled.
"Maybe that's something you could do in the future, work as a teacher again or even just tell stories."
"If they trust me enough, I would like to do something like that."
...
After a very scenic train ride, we arrived in Ponyville.
The ponies we saw on our way to the library seemed to be much less surprised to see Chrysalis, and there was much more curiosity than fear. Suddenly we got double tackled by a pink blur.
"Uuuuuhhh, I hoped you would show up soon as I read the announcement Queen Meanie became good and cuddly.", Pinkie said while she hugged her so hard Chryssi gasped for air. Twilight and Luna both had warned me about her greetings.
"Please, don't break her.", I said to Pinkie. She looked at Chrysalis who started to turn blue and jumped back a bit.
"Oops, sorry about that. I'm just so excited to throw a you-have-been-evil-now-your-good party again, it's been weeks since I did one for Luna. And a cuddly hello to you too Alex.", she said and gave me a nice warm hug without crushing me.
Chryssi still gasped, I helped her to stand up again.
"I have been told growing up on a rock farm may be the reason for that.", I replied to her.
"What is your favorite cake and ice cream flavor?", Pinkie asked face to face with Chryssi again, only inches between them.
"If I answer would you please give me some personal space?"
"Oops, I'm doing it again.", Pinkie said and jumped back a bit with an apologetic smile. "My friend Rarity already told me I should stop doing that."
"Strawberry with chocolate for cake as well as ice cream.", Chrysalis answered her question.
"Oh yes, I can make an ice cream cake."
"I'm sorry Pinkie.", I said. "But we have a meeting with Twilight, so we have to move on now."
She stopped bouncing and looked confused.
"Maybe she forgot.", I tried to explain but knew that couldn't be the reason with all the lists she used.
Pinkie got her bounciness back anyway.
"Well that was... something.", Chrysalis mumbled.
I just gave her a smile and we walked towards the library.
...
"It's inside a tree?", Chryssi asked as we stood before the library. I was surprised as well, Twilight had always talked about 'the library' but had not mentioned it was inside a tree.
"How can it be a living tree with leafs and everything while there are rooms inside it?", I asked.
We approached the door and knocked.
"It's open, come in!", I heard Twilight shout from within the tree.
We entered and saw how Twilight rearranged some books on one of the many shelves covering the walls.
As she noticed us, she interrupted her work and approached us.
"Hi Alex, good to see you again, it has been some time.", she said while hugging me.
"Nice to see you too, Twilight.", I replied.
"Hello Twilight...", Chrysalis said quietly.
Twilight didn't look towards her, nor did she acknowledge Chrysalis was there at all.
"How is your painting progressing?", she asked me.
"Fine, thanks for asking, but that is not the reason we are here, is about her meeting with you."
"Who? Are you expecting someone to arrive later?", she asked, her eyes glued to me.
"Come on Twilight.", I said. "It is the princesses wish for you to do this."
"Well, maybe they should have selected someone else for this project.", she replied with clenched teeth.
"Twilight, I'm really sorry for how...", Chrysalis started.
Twilight's horn lid up very bright and she shot a beam towards Chrysalis who dropped to the ground and avoided being hit by just an inch. Twilight horn glowed up again, but I could touch her neck just in time to break her magic. She tried to brush off my hand to fire again, but I put her in a headlock instead. I looked to the wall where her beam had hit and saw a burning spot of about a foot diameter.
"Twilight calm down!", I shouted while she was struggling to break free. "How many ponies have died or even had been seriously injured during the attack on Canterlot? Not a single one."
Twilight was still in fury mode.
"Maybe if I try to...", Chryssi said.
"Please, I don't think anything you would do would calm her.", I interrupted while I did my best not to lose my grip. "Twilight, what would Celestia think if she saw you like this?"
She noticeably calmed down but still tried to get out if my grip.
"She mind controlled my brother and who knows what she would have done to him if I hadn't stopped her."
"I only fed on his love which doesn't hurt anyone.", Chrysalis replied. "Only when you gave him reason to doubt me I had to add mind control."
"So I am to blame?!", Twilight shouted angrily.
"Enough!", I screamed at the top of my lungs. Both froze in their movement. I released her from the headlock and looked straight in her face.
"I'm sorry for what I tried to do, please don't tell the princesses.", she said.
"Of course not, I understand why you reacted like this, but please believe me she can be good. You don't have to be friends, but think of all the knowledge you can gain from her, knowledge that has never been accessible to anypony."
"You're right. I will learn all there is about her kind, so they never can do something like the attack on Canterlot again.", Twilight answered.
"Glad you came to your senses, but there is one more thing.", I said to her.
"What is it?"
"Your wall is burning."
"Oh %$Ï€#&*!"
Twilight had used her magic to extinguish the fire and opened the windows to get rid of the smoke. I browsed through some of her books while she got her quill and paper to interview Chrysalis about her kind. Twilight's mood improved with every question as her curiousity took over. Nothing she asked was new to me, so most of my concentration was on the books before me, that changed when she started to ask about reproduction, I still pretended to read while I listened very closely.
"So how do you reproduce, how long is the pregnancy and do you really lay eggs?", Twilight asked.
"Oh, now we are getting to the stuff you really like to know.", Chrysalis said grinning.
Twilight blushed.
Chryssi laughed.
*THUD*
I had dropped my book.
"S... sorry Twilight.", I used my shaking hands to pick up the book and pretended to read again.
"It's very impressive how far you have evolved in that way, would these eggs become normal changelings?", Twilight asked very intrigued.
"Yes, they would. I can decide if or how many of them would be 'şahzadə' that's my body type and what would be princess in the hive. I could produce up to 20 eggs per week that can all be fertilized at once, but that is pretty extreme, queens normally do five to seven a week because we don't have enough food... again this is something we can control very well. After a week I would push the eggs out and they hatch after another 20 days. After about five years, changelings are big enough to work in their allocated position, princesses after about ten years."
Twilight wrote this all down, her eyes nearly glowing from all these fascinating facts.
"Oh look, the time is up... next week you can ask her more.", I said, very eager to get Chryssi somewhere else where I could talk to her alone.
"Already?", Twilight asked. "Oh, you're right. That was very fascinating. The princess will be very happy with my next report." A little hesitant she added: "Thanks Chrysalis for giving me this much valuable information."
"No problem, if you don't try to kill me next time we meet, it was well worth it."
"... sure.", Twilight meekly answered.
"Okay Twilight, see you soon.", I said while I held the door for Chrysalis. It seemed like forever until she finally walked out. Since the library was on the outside of Ponyville, I pushed her a little more away towards the trees and bushes behind it.
"Mmmmhhh, you want to do something in the bushes?", she asked in her most lecherous voice. "I'm all in."
"Are you pregnant?", I asked her once we reached the bushes.
"What if I am? Surely you would help me raising our 20 babies, right?"
"I... I... of course I would do everything to be a good parent to them and..."
"Oh shut up.", she interrupted laughing. "As I said, it only happens if I want it to and I thought this wouldn't be the best timing right now. But if you want me to be pregnant we can change that right now." She wiggled with her butt.
Nobody knew we were here and this place was very well hidden, maybe we...
I shook my head and tried to concentrate on something else than her beautiful, well-rounded rear that...
"Oh, enough!", I shouted. "We will stick to the plan and not risk our future as a herd."
"Sometimes you're no fun.", she said with a pouty face.
"And when we get intimate again... please don't use your compatible mode without asking me."
"I promise to use your fluids just for fun.", she said with a naughty smile.
I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths.
"I can't imagine she will be happy to see me or do anything for me.", Chryssi said.
"I know from Twilight that she is a hopeless romantic, I think we can take advantage of this. And I wouldn't hurt if you were on your best behavior."
...
I knocked while we entered Rarity's Boutique.
"Welcome to Rarity's Boutique, where everything is... ooooohhh."
"Hi Rarity, I'm sure you heard about Chrysalis change of heart.", I addressed her.
She hesitantly took her eyes of the changeling and noticed me.
"Alex so nice to have you here again, I was just a bit surprised by your company... Hello, Chrysalis."
"Hello Miss Rarity, I must say, you have a lovely shop here, these dresses are very creative and so beautiful."
Rarity had the slightest blush and I was happy Chryssi did what we had planned.
"Thanks for these kind words. What brings you to my shop."
I leaned close to her.
She got very excited.
I made a pause for dramatic effect before I started to tell her our story. We had decided before we would tell a... improved version of it.
"I had been abducted by a changeling and had been brought to the hive. Changeling Queen Lycosa decided to throw me in a prison cell to stave but Chrysalis was already interested in me, visited me in my cell to talk to me and smuggled in some food. That's when I already saw that there was something good in her and we had more things in common than I thought."
Rarity was already captured by the story, she leaned forward and listened eagerly.
Chryssi continued: "Back then I already felt attracted to Alex but had trouble understanding that feeling since I never felt anything like this. Then I had to obey and attacked Canterlot, but failed doing so. As I got back to the hive Queen Lycosa was furious about our defeat and let loose all her anger on me... She ripped out my wings, drained all my magic, punched and cut me... when I was on the brink of death, they threw me out of the hive to starve slowly. As I layed bleeding in the grass before the hive, my thoughts circled around Alex, he was the only thing still important for me. So I dragged myself back into the hive to save him, but was unsure if I even would live long enough to see him."
Wow, Rarity had tears in her eyes.
I took over again: "She stumbled into my cell closer to death then living, I carried her away in my arms and we escaped to a little cave close by. There she explained me their kind could regenerate with enough energy and I gave her some friendship to heal her. In the process I held her close, I felt her heartbeat and her warm breath on my skin. I was a bit afraid of the feelings that started to develop inside me, but it felt so good."
"We had our adventures together and learned to depend on each other.", Chrysalis continued. "And over time I felt his feelings changed when he fed me, love replaced friendship. It felt incredible aimed towards me and helped me to understand my feelings, my love towards him. Our love took control over our minds, our lips met and I melted away, I knew I wanted to start a new life."
"But I was engaged to Luna who I loved just as much as Chrysalis."
Chryssi embraced me and kissed my cheek. "I reminded him about the herd concept and that I would love to form a herd with them."
"That's were we need you.", I said and smiled. "We want to propose Chrysalis to Luna as soon as possible and hoped you could design the white dress for us."
"I do... I mean... of course I will design this dress for you.", she said happily, her face between her front hooves. "And it will be a very nice challenge too. Your body shape is quite different than a pony."
She used her magic to bring a measuring tape next to her and started to take down Chryssi's measurements.
...
"Would it be offensive to use holes as a style element in your dress?", Rarity asked.
"The holes in my mane and tail are no coincidence, I use them for a coherent look, I like your idea."
Rarity was euphoric to hear this and showed us a drawing she made.
Chryssi nearly tackled Rarity to the ground as she hugged her.
"Of course you will." Rarity said softly. "Luna won't be able to resist such a pretty mare."
"I hope so...", Chrysalis whispered.
I woke up next to Luna, last night I had told her about what had happened in Ponyville... except my worries about Chryssi's possible pregnancy... and the dress from Rarity... okay I only told her what had happened in the library and the young filly we met on our way to the train station. Luna was very touched to hear Chrysalis would tell stories to young fillies today and decided to join the event to get to know Chrysalis a bit better.
I used my afternoon to book a table in the 'silver horn' for tomorrow night and to get the dress from Rarity, who made me promise not to look at the dress inside the box she gave me. On my way back I ran into Pinkie Pie again and convinced her to delay the party for a few days by hinting we maybe would have an even bigger reason to celebrate then. She REALLY wanted to know and guessed for about ten minutes until she finally was out of breath and ideas... her second guess had actually been right, but I had a good poker face.
Back in Canterlot I met with Chryssi, she told me about how much fun she had with the young ponies. Luna had been very interested in her stories, and they had talked together for a while after her meeting with young ones was over.
...
I did wear my favorite (and only) suit, the one I had worn on my first date with Luna. I looked across the table at my marefriend who was in a beautiful black dress with silver moons on it.
I didn't mention the herd proposal when I told her I had booked a table in the 'silver horn', but of course she knew. I felt quite nervous about the situation, the concept of introducing your girlfriend... marefriend to your other marefriend still gave me chills.
I could easily notice when Chryssi entered the restaurant because of all the gasps and whispering. A changeling alone was unusual enough, but a changeling dressed for a herd proposal, with red roses and a golden band around her hoof...
She looked magnificent as she slowly walked towards our table, Rarity's dress was a masterpiece and a beautiful contrast to her skin, she even had bound one of the roses to her horn. As I finally was able to take my eyes of her, I looked for Luna's reaction. I saw Luna was flabbergasted by her sight too and heard a whispered "wow..." from her.
As she arrived at our table, she spoke the traditional words: "May I join your table and maybe someday join your life?"
Luna nodded and answered: "Please join our table and let us see what the future brings."
As soon as Chrysalis sat down two stallions stormed out of the restaurant. I guessed they worked as reporters.
"You look absolute lovely tonight.", Luna addressed Chryssi.
Chrysalis cheeks showed a bit of heat as she answered: "The same goes for you Princess Luna."
"Please, just Luna.", she replied.
"Thank you, Luna... Oh and you look great too Alex."
"Compared to both of you I feel like a rock next to two diamonds, but thanks for the nice words anyway.", I answered with a smile.
The waiter took our orders, and we had a nice chat while we waited for our food to arrive. We talked about things we liked when we were young. Luna surprised me with loving knitting back then. Chrysalis told us about her hunting trips, but she always checked her surroundings and looked to the entrance while she talked. I was worried Luna would disapprove of her hunting tales, but she showed no negative reactions. Both snickered as I told how much of a bookworm I was back in my world. It felt so nice to see the mares I loved being together and having fun. Our food finally arrived, and we enjoyed it too the fullest. I noticed Chryssi was still looking around quite nervous.
"Everything is fine, thanks. I think I am still nervous to be around ponies without my disguise...", she answered in a happy voice. Then her face got more serious and she got close to me. "You trust me, right?", she whispered.
"Do you two have secrets?", Luna asked with a bit of a pouty face. I wasn't sure if she was serious.
"I have a special gift for you, Luna.", Chrysalis said to my surprise. "But I have to go outside for a moment to get it."
"That's the kind of secrets you can have anytime. I love surprises.", Luna replied.
"Good, because this will be a big one.", Chryssi said and stood up. "I'm back in a second."
We watched her walk to the exit... as he reached it, she quickly turned around toward a pony sitting close to it, grabbed his head and repeatedly smashed it into the table, blood sprayed over her white dress. Luna's horn lid up but I touched her hoof. The guests jumped from their seats in panic. The pony lost consciousness and his body transformed... to a changeling.
Luna used her Canterlot voice: "EVERYPONY STOP AND CALM DOWN!"
Everybody stopped in their tracks and tried not to move. Luna walked over to Chrysalis. "Explain yourself.", she demanded.
"This is a changeling undercover agent, I think I was his target. It's something I feared from the day my presence here became public. I was suspicious because he wasn't surprised when I entered the restaurant, after this he made little mistakes, we are lucky he is pretty young and inexperienced. "
"He is still breathing.", I said after looking at him.
"Of course, I didn't want to kill him.", Chrysalis said. "I just wanted to knock him out so he could not contact the hive, but we have pretty thick skulls."
"You should have told us before you attacked him.", Luna said with anger in her voice.
"I had sensed a spell he used to listen in on us if I said anything he would have been warned."
"... okay. You're excused.", Luna said. "We should get this blood of your dress, or else Rarity may murder someone."
"Shouldn't this blood be green?", I asked her.
"Only princesses and queens have green blood.", she replied and used her magic to lay the changeling over her back. She addressed the other ponies: "I'm sorry everypony for interrupting your meal, please accept my apologies." She trotted out of the restaurant, Luna and me trailing her.
We arrived in the dungeon under the Canterlot palace and Chrysalis gently placed the changeling in one of the cells.
"Knowing that he probably was supposed to kill you, you are surprisingly nice to him.", I commented.
"He was only following orders. Changelings would never disobey an order from the Queen. They are raised to never question her authority."
"So now what will we do with him?", Luna asked. "Should we try to get information from him?"
"There is no use in trying.", Chryssi replied. "He would rather die, as I said they are absolutely loyal to their queen. There is a very complex spell I can cast upon the cell to prevent him from connecting the hive mind, but I have to renew it once a day."
"When the queen doesn't hear from him for a few days, wouldn't she just send a new agent after you? Maybe a one with more experience?", Luna asked.
"Yes, that's how it will be...", Chrysalis replied very gloom. "She will send agents until one is successful, she has an infinite amount at her command."
"I can't accept a future herd member being in constant danger of being murdered.", Luna said to her.
"You're right Luna, I will bring everyone in danger, I withdraw my proposal for..."
"That's not what I meant.", Luna clarified. "I can not accept someone tries to kill you since you are a part of our future herd and I like you." Luna drew the surprised Chryssi into a hug. I saw how happy Chrysalis looked thanks to Luna's kind words. I was so happy for her and for us all, but her expression changed to horror with Luna's next sentence:
"Wait... what? We can't do that!", she shouted while she gently tried to get out of Luna's embrace.
Luna set her free. "Why not? If we defeat her, they all will obey your orders, that's what you said."
"But she has all the stored love of the hive to fuel her magic, that's incredible power, we can't challenge her in the hive."
I touched her cheek with my hand. "I'm pretty sure you know someone who can suppress magic."
"I know very strong shield magic.", Luna added.
"Even if we could get away with such a crazy plan, what then?", Chrysalis asked. "I live as a changling queen in the hive while you are here... I don't want that anymore."
"What if your changelings would be allowed to live among ponies?", Luna suggested. "They could absorb the love and friendship of ponies and over time they will find friendship or even love aimed towards them, just like you did. Do you think that could work?"
"Yeeeesss... that should mostly be okay, they are all unique individuals and not that much different from ponies. You really think they would be allowed to live like that?"
"When they just feed of the emotions around them they don't harm anyone and we would have then as allies and friends... I think I learned within the last few days that we are not that different."
Chrysalis looked at us for a moment. "I think you two are absolutely crazy...", she said. "And I love you for it." She kissed both of us on the lips. Luna seemed to be surprised, but there wasn't any complaining.
"Let me just cast the interference spell and we meet in Alex room in a few minutes.", Chryssi said with a smile and started her spell.
...
"Okay, there are a lot of positive points to our favor.", Chrysalis explained. "She feels safe and would never expect an attack.
"It's for the benefit of Equestria and your kind.", Luna said. "And it's my chance to do something positive I will be remembered for."
"It's to bad my ability prevents us from flying or teleporting.", I complained.
"But we will bring food, water, blankets, and tools.", Luna explained. "It will be like a camping trip. Here, there is one thing I want you to have." She handed me a sword in a decorated scabbard.
"Wow, it looks amazing, but I never used a sword before or even held one.", I admitted.
"Well, when it gets dangerous I don't want you to fight without a weapon.", Luna said smiling. "Just point the sharp end towards your enemy."
Twilight arrived, Luna had sent her a message that she was chosen to learn Changeling magic. She was out of breath, it seemed like she had been running here from the train station. Chrysalis took her aside and started to show her how the interference spell worked. Twilights task would be to keep that spell up.
Meanwhile, Luna and me packed all the things we needed in saddlebags, and I modified one of it to be more like a backpack to me.
We told Twilight we would go on a camping trip together, me and Luna had argued about this before. I thought it would be better to tell the truth, but Luna insisted on keeping it a secret. It seemed she didn't want Celestia to know what was going on and was afraid Tia would just take over the whole operation.
So we walked out the palace, my sword under Luna's Saddlebags, and Twilight waved goodbye to us and told us to "have fun".
A team of three characters, as different as they could be, walked into the sunset and into their adventure.
It was midnight when we stopped to set up a camp in the forest. I gathered some wood, Luna ignited it and Chryssi prepared some blankets for us to sit on. We ate some great pastries and drank apple juice while Luna showed us interesting parts of her night sky. When Chrysalis reminded us she was hungry too, Luna was confused at first because of the amount we had eaten before, but then she remembered.
"So... are we having a group hug now?", Luna asked.
"That would be great.", Chryssi replied and licked her lips.
We embraced each other. It was a great feeling to be this close to both of them, after a few moments Chryssi started to purr.
"Is that her standard reaction?", Luna asked amused.
"Yeah, pretty much, but usually it takes a lot longer, seems she really likes your feelings."
"It's very cute.", Luna said. "I haven't expected... mmmmhhhhh..." Chrysalis had started to nibble on Luna's ear.
"If there are stronger feelings than she expects, she can get carried away by them.", I tried to explain to Luna.
"Mmmmhhh... I don't mind.... aaaahhh... her doing this.", Luna said breathing heavily. After a view more moans from her, Luna shifted her head and started to french kiss with Chryssi instead.
I wasn't sure how to react, but it was the most incredible sight I ever had seen before me. After a moment I decided to massage one of Luna's sensitive spots under her wing, she reacted with a loud moan. I looked in Chrysalis happy eyes and she grinned at me. I nodded in silent agreement, and we used the next half hour to collectively focus on pleasing Luna in any way possible.
...
We all laid next to each other, out of breath but very happy.
"Forming a herd is an EXCELLENT idea.", Luna stated as she was able to speak in coherent sentences again.
"Really? What brought you to this idea?", I asked her smiling.
"She felt like this before we did this.", Chryssi remarked. "Her emerging love put me in this frenzy."
"I'm not used to somepony reading my emotions, but I'm happy you did it this time.", Luna said and kissed Chryssi's hoof. "If someone did that 1000 years ago things could have been very different."
I laid on my back with the two mares I loved in my arms and we enjoyed the cool night breeze.
"We shouldn't forget we are on a mission.", Luna reminded us. "We should wait until we are back in Canterlot before we do something like that again."
Chrysalis wasn't happy to hear that and mumbled something disapproving.
"It just wouldn't be very clever to be all tangled together while some changelings may stumble into us.", Luna explained. "Don't worry, I intend to fully pay back for what you did... and then some."
I looked over to Chryssi, and she had the biggest smile on her face.
"I will still love you if you're round as a ballon.", I said snickering.
She used her fangs to give me a little bite, but I suppressed a scream.
"Let's just sleep now my loves.", Chrysalis told us. "I can cast an alarm spell that will notice me if anything bigger than a rabbit comes closer than 40 feet... but you can't touch me Alex."
I stood up and got myself a blanket.
...
The sun was up petty high above the horizon when I woke up. I stretched and walked over to the mares. It was an adorable sight as they had been in a loving embrace, Luna's head on Chryssi's chest, both smiling... I had to buy a camera once we returned to Canterlot.
There was enough ember left from the fire, so I put the teakettle on it and poured some water in from one of our canteens.
"Good morning my dearest marefriends.", I greeted them and added a kiss for each. I put the cups to the ground, so they could use their magic to get them while they changed into a sitting position.
"I could get used to that.", Chryssi said smiling.
"Me too and you are an excellent pillow.", Luna added.
"Anytime...", she answered smiling.
"We should be able to cover a huge part of the overall distance today.", I said. "We should be a lot faster since none of us is injured and be able to reach the hive tomorrow afternoon."
"Hmmmm... haven't thought I would ever see it again...", Chrysalis mused.
We ate breakfast, then packed our things and moved on, we had small talk and even sang together for some minutes... I taught them some rock classics, our version of 'Stand by me' was crazy good and we laughed a lot. We enjoyed ourselves as much as we could, tomorrow wouldn't be this fun for sure.
Author's Note
"three letter word, starts with 's'..." had been an alternative chapter title
"You did what?", Celestia asked aghast.
"We went to the changeling hive, defeated their queen and Chrysalis is queen of the changelings now.", I repeated while we stood with a very smug grin before her.
"I want one of the stain glass windows for this adventure.", Luna demanded.
"Is this a prank?", Tia asked.
"No, it is the absolute truth.", Chrysalis explained. "I am the changeling queen now."
There was a long silence.
"Why didn't you ask for help sister?", Celestia ask.
"I don't remember you asking Twilight this question when she does a great deed for Equestria.", Luna replied.
"I... I'm sorry. You three did something amazing for all of us. I'm very thankful for that.", she bowed to us.
"We had a plan beyond making Chrysalis a queen.", Luna explained. "We want the changelings to live among ponies..."
That's when Luna and Chryssi told Celestia everything about our plan.
I smiled while I watched them working together selling Tia on our idea, they were such a great team.
I had been down after what had happened in the hive, but they lifted me up again by reminding me of all the evil things Lycosa had done and how lucky I was to have such good mares. I still couldn't forgive myself for what I did, but they helped me to focus on the positive things again... like forming a herd with them. It had been Luna's surprising suggestion to change our upcoming wedding into a herd wedding... within a few days I would be married to a princess and a queen, this was crazy.
I started to listen again as Celestia spoke after my marefriends had explained everything.
"Can we please skip all this queen and princess stuff, we will be sisters in law soon anyway.", Chrysalis said.
"Wait, what?", Tia was confused.
"Chryssi, I wanted to tell my sister myself.", Luna scolded her.
"Sorry, I messed up.", she excused herself.
"I think I have to punish you for that tonight.", Luna said in a very strict tone.
Chryssi's tail lifted itself and started to brush from side to side in rapid succession.
Celestia just stood before us, mouth wide open.
"Sorry sister.", Luna said. "I had the idea to change the wedding into a herd wedding. I just feel so good around both of them and I never want that to change. I wanted to tell you later today."
"I'm happy that you found so much love sister, it's all just a bit sudden for me. But of course, I will support you in your plans and look forward to your wedding." Celestia hugged her sister while she made a 'I am keeping an eye on you' gesture towards Chrysalis.
...
All three of us had made separate appointments with Rarity for our wedding garments. Rarity was on cloud nine for making a wedding dress for a princess and a queen. My suit was a pretty normal combination of black and a dark blue, is was designed to "be a link between the mares dresses", as Rarity had put it. I asked if I could get a little peak on their dresses, the stare I received for this question felt like I had killed her cat, so I told her I was just joking. To change the subject I asked about the two changelings who lived in Ponyville since a few days, it was one of the test communities to start our project.
"Well Darling, Pinkie prepared them a wonderful welcome party, this way nearly the whole town got introduced to them. They seem very nice and well mannered, one of them made an interesting comment. He said 'the amount of friendship radiating from Pinkie would be enough the feed half of the hive'. I guess he was just joking... but in Pinkie's case everything is possible."
"I'm glad everything seems to work out fine.", I said. "I hope they are fully integrated into pony society within a few years."
I said goodbye to Rarity and made my way back to Canterlot.
...
I was quite nervous and waiting for my brides in front of a huge crowd did not help much either. I looked at Celestia who stood before me and showed a warm smile towards me.
I tried to be calm but felt like a heart attack was just seconds away. I looked into the crowd and saw a lot of familiar faces, the Elements of Harmony, some of my friends from the royal guard and many other ponies I knew from the streets of Canterlot. I spotted Cadence and Shining, I had met them yesterday when they arrived for the wedding, we had not met for a few weeks. I decided to excuse on Chrysalis behalf for what had happened. Chrysalis herself avoided meeting them before the wedding, she too was very nervous and decided not to add additional stress this close to the wedding.
The music started, and all eyes were glued to the huge doors in the back of the room. They opened and Luna and Chryssi entered the room side by side, I was blown away by their astounding looks. The main theme of both dresses was white, but Rarity had integrated their natural colors within, in part by leaving openings in the dresses but although with black and blue pearls and lace. Their beauty was unreal. I couldn't believe they wanted to form a herd with me.
Finally they arrived next to me, Luna left of me, Chryssi on my right. I admired Rarity's work. I really was the link between their dresses. Celestia started the ceremony but I couldn't concentrate on her speech, I was captured by the beautiful sight of my mares and alternated looking left and right.
"... is there anything against the union of these three to form a herd..."
A very loud coughing interrupted Celestia and all heads turned towards Cadence.
"Sorry, something I'm my throat.", she said with a devious grin.
"... Hereby I bound them as a herd and wish them joy and happiness forever. You all may kiss now.", Celestia ended her speech.
As it was told us to be tradition, we did a 'star kiss', our lips all met at one point in the middle while our cheeks touched too. The was loud cheer across the whole room and confetti rained from above.
...
We walked all day without any big surprises and did set up our night camp in a little cave. We had to be more careful because this space was closer to the hive, the element of surprise was crucial for our plan.
We ate and drank while talking about what would happen the next day. We tried to relax as much as possible, so I gave both of them a massage and even managed to concentrate on the innocent parts of their bodies.
"I love what you can do with your hands...", Luna stated.
Chrysalis who was getting a massage from me right now chimed in: "Let's vote, all in favor of Alex giving us at least one massage per day say 'I'."
"I", came from my marefriends in unison.
"So you're going to ganging up on me every time you want me to do something?", I asked. "You're lucky I like to touch your bodies." I smacked Chryssi's butt... which again got me a sexy moan from her... I should remember this... judging by Lunas look, she would remember to test it on Chryssi too.
"Yes... Well, we should go to sleep now.", I suggested and got myself a blanket again.
"Your right, we can't be sleepy tomorrow.", Luna reminded us while she laid next to Chrysalis and drew her into a hug. "Take the love you need and let's sleep afterward." Luna kissed her tenderly, and I could hear Chryssi purr after a short while.
I laid on my back and watched the sky while I thought about the next day, everything had to be perfect to keep both safe. I saw the green glow of Chrysalis magic as she set up the alarm spell... time to go to sleep.
...
We were up early this time, we had a quick breakfast and had been on our way in less than 20 minutes, everyone of us was eager to reach the hive as fast as possible.
After some hours Chrysalis informed us we had reached the area where we had to expect changeling patrols. We slowed down, only whispered and Luna used a scanning spell to give us a little advantage.
This way we had been able to avoid two patrols before the hive came in sight. I noticed Chrysalis led us toward the same entrance we had escaped from. We hid in some bushes from where we had a good view on it.
...
Two changelings guarded the entrance, and each of them showed up about every 15 minutes to walk a few feet outside before they disappeared into the hive again.
"Are you sure its two guards?", I whispered while I strapped the scimitar in its scabbard around my waist. "They all look the same to me."
Chrysalis rolled her eyes.
"Of course, I'm sorry."
"We have to be extremely careful.", she continued. "A guard needs only a second to send a general alarm to the hive mind and only two more seconds to specify what has happened. If they notice us at all, we won't have the element of surprise anymore and fleeing would be the best option because of the enormous number of changelings here."
"Okay, let's go then.", I said and began to move towards the hive.
Chrysalis held me back on my shoulder. "One more thing, once we reached Queen Lycosa's throne room she will alarm the whole hive. Then I will use my magic, fueled by your love, to eliminate the guards in the throne room, Luna will defend the entrance from reinforcements, and you will run towards her and touch her to suppress her magic, but be aware of her horn."
"Yeah... I had negative experiences with a horn before. I will be very cautious about it.", I remarked.
"As soon as I eliminated the guards I will kill Lycosa."
"Isn't there any other way then killing her?", I asked.
Chrysalis looked into my eyes.
"... Okay.", I said. "I wished there was another way, but I understand."
Luna hugged me from behind.
...
We waited for another guard to pass, once he disappeared, we sneaked close to the entrance. Chrysalis peaked inside and made a gesture for us to follow her. All of us moved as quickly as possible without making any noise. After five minutes and passing four intersections Chrysalis pushed us inside a little room.
...
Finally, I heard steps slowly coming closer until the sound passed our little room and decreased in volume again. After another minute we decided to move on again, according to Chryssi the throne room was just minutes away now.
The next two intersections we stopped and listened for any other changelings before we crossed them, finally we stood before large decorated doors.
"You all know what we have to do. We have to be quick without hesitation.", Chrysalis reminded us again, we nodded. I drew my sword.
"3... 2... 1..."
Luna used her magic to force the doors open. They moved so fast in their hinges they slammed into the walls. We ran inside the room to use the element of surprise to the fullest.
Four guards stood before the very perplexed queen.
"Crooked?", she asked. "The moon princess and... this thing again. You must be crazy to face me in here. Kill them!"
Before she had ended her speech Chrysalis already started to shoot magic energy towards the guards while they shoot at her themselves. I stepped before Chrysalis and acted as a shield against their magic, the beams hit my body, but there was no reaction at all. Meanwhile Chrysalis shot hit the ground next to them and emitted a strong shockwave that pushed them to the side giving me a clear path to Queen Lycosa. The Queen shot a glowing beam at me while I started to run straight towards her, I could see the disbelief in her face as nothing happened to me.
"What? This can't be!", she screamed. I heard a lot of changelings running to this room, but saw out of the corner of my eyes how Luna's shield stopped then in their tracks while Chrysalis hunted the guards down. Moments before I reached Lycosa she lowered her head to use her horn as a spear against me, but this time I was prepared for it and use my sword to deflect it to the side. I touched her shoulder and brought the sword to her throat.
"You're making a huge mistake.", Lycosa said nervously. "Whatever you want, I'm much more powerful then Crooked. She is the weakest şahzadə we had in centuries. Together we could..."
"I love her, you can't replace that.", I responded while I heard fighting in the background.
For a second there was pure astonishment in her facial expression, then she started to laugh.
"SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW HER!", I screamed and twisted the sword I had thrusted in her body. "SHE IS EVERYTHING FOR ME AND HER NAME IS NOT CROOKED!"
Her body became lifeless and fell to the ground, I held on to her and followed her to the ground this way. "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS YOU STUPID WITCH!", I screamed at her dead body and cried.
Chrysalis hugged me from behind. "She isn't worth it, my love.", she said. "I wished you didn't have to experience taking a life, I'm sorry." I felt her tears moisten my neck.
"I need some help!", I heard Luna shout.
I wanted to stand up but Chryssi held me back.
"I hereby declare, I'm Queen Chrysalis, 56th queen of the hive.", she said and as she later explained to us, submitted it to the hivemind the same moment.
All fighting stopped as the hive listened for Queen Lycosa to object, but there never was an answer.
"Hail Queen Chrysalis!", I heard the changelings in the room shout... and so did every changeling in the hive.
I had been a year after our wedding when we decided to have foals. It turned out magic ponies have a lot shorter pregnancy than their earth counterparts. We had a lot of fun while I tried to get Luna pregnant, thanks to the spell she had told me about. After only two weeks we had success and Celestia was happy to hear she would be an aunt soon. Thanks to the very precise time of a changelings pregnancy to the hatching of the eggs, and Chryssi's ability to get pregnant whenever she wanted, we were able to time their pregnancies, so the foals would 'hatch' at about the same time. It was only a week of shared pregnancy before Chrysalis would push out the egg, but they had a lot of fun commanding me in this week to do whatever they needed.
...
We were all in the same room, Luna laid on a bed ready for the birth of our foal, while Chrysalis guarded a pulsing egg from which our şahzadə would hatch. Luna was first and we both held her hooves and wiped her sweat until our little filly 'Aurora' was born, I laid her on Luna's belly. Her fur was a much lighter blue than Luna's and her mane had a dark orange like the sky at dawn.
"I decided she would be pretty this way, so I have influenced her with my magic, isn't she pretty?", Luna asked.
"She is wonderful.", Chryssi and I said in unison.
...
It was only one hour later when the egg started to move, and we knew our second foal was about to hatch.
"Shouldn´t we help it?", I asked.
"No.", Chrysalis said in a soft voice. "She can make it without a problem, trust me."
It took several more minutes but finally she broke out of the shell.
"Hello little Cara.", Chryssi said and carefully cleaned her from the remains of the egg... it was a bit strange to see she used her long tongue for it.
"She is adorable.", Luna whispered because Aurora was sleeping in her embrace. Cara was black of course, but her mane and tail had a blue color.
"She sure is.", I said. "I am so happy to have these beautiful foals."
Author's Note
Well... thank you all again for accompany me on this crazy journey through my mind, I hope you all had fun reading it.
