"Before we head out and depart," began Zecora with a hoof to her chest. "I shall feed you what you need, from deep within my heart."

Night Winger tilted his head in misunderstanding. The zebra's rhyming words confused and boggled his mind.

"What do you mean, Zecora?"

She smiled, giving the changeling a little nuzzle to his cheek. "It means we're going to cuddle."

"Ooh...."

With a smile, Zecora sat on her haunches, and pulled Night Winger close, resting her head upon his. He smiled, feeding off of Zecora's love, snuggling into her chest. He'd barely known this strange, rhyming character, but he was starving! It saddened him. He remembered how Shining Armor used to hold him like this, but that was then, and he'd left him out to die. It brought tears to his eyes. He was the happiest little colt in the world, he had a father, a sister and a step mother to love, but they had all gone and betrayed him. Soon, holding it back didn't seem like it was possible, and Night Winger began to sob.

Zecora seemed worried, holding the changeling tight in her forelegs.

"Hush little one, don't you cry." Zecora says softly. "Why your father would leave you there, I don't know why."

"I thought he loved me!!" Night Winger wept, burying his face into the zebra's chest, soaking her fur with his tears.

Sighing, Zecroa held him close, wishing there was something she could do. During the two days he was here, Zecora would read him a tale before going to bed, even though he was unconscious. He'd lost a lot of blood from the Timberwolf attack, and while he was here, she made it a known fact she'd protect him. She didn't let go of him. She let him cry, doing what she could to cheer him up. Nuzzles, tight hug, reassuring words. Not even a small kiss on the head could do it.

After some time, he managed to stop his crying, but stayed in Zecora's hold. As of now, he was depending on her to keep him safe. He didn't even want to leave her lap. As Zecora attempted to get up, Night Winger would whimper. Softly, Zecora smiled.

"Dear child, let me hold you tight, to show you things will be alright." Zecora smiled.

Night Winger nodded, and curled himself up into her. After a bit of time, he had fallen asleep, comfortable in Zecora's arms.

Zecora sighed. It pained her to see such a young child so sad and depressed. She didn't let go of him, she kisses his forehead and begins to rock back and forth. She had no clue who to turn to for help. It's not like she could waltz into Ponyville with him. So, she made a rather big decision. One she was all too happy to make.

She was going to keep him and raise him as her own.

*****

Queen Chrysalis lay on her bed, staring at nothing. She was sad. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Her plan was going well. Perfect actually. It was all falling into place. But using her son as her only means of doing so was killing her from inside. She wanted her Night Winger back. She wanted to hold him and tell him she loved him. A tear leaked from her right eye.

All she's put her son through these past couple weeks. He probably has found out by now and probably hates her. A pillow, a sad excuse for a substitute for her son she held. That pillow she held tight, wishing it were her beloved Night Winger. She missed watching him run circles around her as they wandered the hive. She missed hearing his giggles and laughter. This plan of her was indeed fool proof, but it was a rather large gamble. Will Night Winger still hate her at the end of it all?

Queen Chrysalis was evil, but even the worst of enemies need to cry sometimes.

She shoved her face into the pillow as the tears began to flow. This plan of hers would either make her or break her. She wanted her son home. She wanted to hear his sweet little voice. She wanted to hold him close as they slept. Night Winger was a big part of her and she loved him with every fiber of her very being. Her silent weeping soon became quiet sobs and as she continued to wish for her son back, she found herself bawling her very eyes out.

She didn't care if any of her drones heard her crying. This was her SON she was crying over. She felt like a failure. Unable to feed him sufficiently. She had no choice but to leave him with Shining Armor. It was hard for her to leave. The ponies that were her enemies were the very ones she left him with. She hated herself for it, but it had to be done.

Slowly she got up from her bed, wiping her eyes with her hooves. She stand there beside her bed, taking a few calming breaths. Never before had she cried. It was new to her. It made her feel pathetic she did it so openly. Slowly, she went out to her balcony and looked out to the morning sky. She needed to be strong, but she didn't feel it. She felt like a traitor to her own son. All she could do now is hope he was safe and sound.

Memories of happy times with her beloved son began to flow through her mind. His first birthday, his first tooth and lost tooth. His first everything really. She remembered when she first found out she was pregnant with him. The news went viral within the hive. Her subjects were all happy for her, many bringing her gift baskets, congratulating her, and telling her good luck. When she gave birth finally, it had been the happiest day of her life. She was a mommy.

"Mommy loves you, sweetie," Chrysalis said to herself, gazing up to the sky.

Author's Note

Sorry this one took a while...I had a bit of writers block :(