Author's Note

Sorry this update too so friggin long, but I had writer's block. I also mentioned I'd make this 2k words, but I hope 1.7k is enough. If this chapter sucks, I'm sorry.

Through the Everfree

Chrysalis put on hers and Night Winger's disguise as they began their trip out of the Everfree Forest. She could have simply changed and teleported away, but her mind was so full of questions and worry. She placed Night Winger on top of her back as she walked, pondering her thoughts. As of now, she simply wanted what was best for her son. It's all she ever wanted since she gave birth to him. Knowing his life was almost ripped from her before she could tell him he loved him killed her inside.

Her steps were slow, her breaths were choppy, her thoughts a blur. She didn't know what was right anymore.

Why was is so hard to obtain such a wonderful thing like love to feed her son?

She didn't know.

But she had to find a way.

The dirt was wet, thick and stick underneath her hooves from yesterday's rain and the air was cold. A slight mist was noticeable and all was silent. She took each step carefully, knowing this forest was never a safe place. She lit her horn in its bright green glow to light the way through the dark night.

"The only thing crazier than that zebra's ryhmes is that somehow she puts up with living out HERE of all places." Chrysalis thought to herself.

"Mommy?" Came Night Winger's sweet, innocent voice, disturbing her thoughts.

"Yes?" she responded, coming to a stop to allow her son to speak.

Night Winger looked around, drops of rain from the leaves on the trees dripped down onto his little muzzle. "Why don't we just Teleport to wherever we are going? Wouldn't it be easier that way?"

Chrysalis smiled a little and gave her son a little nuzzle. "You're always so curious, aren't you?"

Night Winger shrugged. "Dunno."

With a shake of her head, Chrysalis resumed walking.

She stepped on the twig that was soon to come. A small recoil was all and she kept going. She had this deep gut feeling she wouldn't be getting out of here without a fight. She became more cautious now, monitoring her surroundings for any creatures lurking in the dark. This place, is where she almost lost her son a second time. She may be a small pony now, but she still had all the power she needed to incinerate any opposing creature.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Sweetie?"

"Why did Daddy leave me here? Doesn't Daddy love me? What about Flurry Heart? Or Cadence? Why...did they just give me up?"

Chrysalis stopped once again. A question she knew was coming. The answer she gives could dramatically alter her plan or if she decides not to, it'll be mother lie Night Winger would discover in the end. It was a question that could change everything. Chrysalis froze, asking herself if she should even bother. She stares down at her hooves, her ears drooped.

Should she risk ruining her plan?

Or risk losing her son?

"I..." was all she managed to get out as she resumed walking, slower than before, her eyes locked on the ground.

"I...what?" asked Night Winger.

Chrysalis shut her eyes tight.

"I don't know..."

Night Winger lowered his head. "Okay..."

Chrysalis found herself fighting tears now as she walked. The tears blurred her vision as she trudged through the dirt, onward to Ponyville.

Night Winger took in all the sights of this forest. All he knew and feared as of now, we're the wolves. The Timberwolves who almost had him for supper his first night here. He was broken to wake, thinking he'd lost everything, but little did he know his father was worried sick about him. Little did he know of his mother's plan, or what would come to be further down the road. He didn't even know where they were going.

He wanted to see his Daddy again. He wanted to play hide and seek with Flurry, he wanted to cuddle with Starlight or read comics with spike. They were his friends and family he thought. He had no clue his thoughts were true, or how much they all really missed him. He'd never been so happy before, to be surrounded by so many loving faces, who had little care for the fact he was a changeling. It made him happy he could run through the halls without being questioned or judged for his appearance.

He remembered when Shining and Cadence were fighting over who would get him to themself. In the end, Starlight did, since the two royals tired themselves out. He really missed Starlight as well. They'd just talk about their life problems as they stared out a random window. They'd make each other feel better about any wrongs or simply to just...cuddle. Learning of Starlight's past made Night Winger see even ponies were bad. He was there when she cried. She couldn't bear to let anybody witness it, so she simply bottled it up.

To Night Winger, Starlight Glimmer was his best friend and Starlight Glimmer was more than happy to have a friend once more to hopefully stick with her.

Because of Chrysalis's plan, he thinks they all hate him.

A single tear leaked from his eye as they continued on through the forest. A low growl quickly got their attention.

"Who's there?!" Chrysalis demanded as she whipped her head around in an attempt to find the source of the noise.

Another low, deeper growl from somewhere else nearby came through the bushes.

"Mommy, it's the wolves, just go!" Night Winger urged, pushing his mother forward.

Chrysalis nodded, and quickly went into a gallop, the Timberwolves jumped out at her, each failing to hit their target, but soon gave chase, barking away. Chrysalis quickly changed herself back so her longer legs would be able to carry her faster. Chrysalis kept running, hoping to get somewhere and soon she came to a clearing, the clear sky above showed stars twinkling and the full moon shedding its light over Equestria.

"There she is!" a voice scratchy a boyish like.

Chrysalis gazed up and in her sights were Princess Celestia, Twilight, Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, Twilight and her friends. The wingless ones were either pulled along or floated themselves with their magic like Starlight. She couldn't stop, or the wolves would get her. It was now she depended on these ponies to save her and her son. She had no time to turn and cast a spell. As of now, she could feel their breaths on her rear.

"And she's being chased by Timberwolves!" said Rainbow Dash.

The nine ponies came to land a good twenty meters ahead Chrysalis.

"Move out of the way, Chrysalis!" Twilight called out And quickly lit her horn, a basketball sized sphere of static energy formed at the tip, sparking with light.

Chrysalis did as told and as Twilight fired, she veered to the right, time seeming to slow as the ball of energy barely scraped her side before impacting with the wolf closest to her, sending it tumbling head over paws, the next one quickly filled it's place, along with three more.

Twilight was about to charge up another shot until she felt a hoof on her shoulder.

"I got this." Fluttershy stated, determined like Rainbow Dash.

Twilight nodded and the cream yellow Pegasus took flight and flew past Chrysalis.

"STOP!!" she roared, standing tall before the wolves who earned "the stare" from the Pegasus pony. An all too menacing glare they stopped dead in their tracks, sliding to a halt. "Just what makes you think you can go chasing others, huh? That's not very nice or polite!" Fluttershy stepped forward, the wolves taking a step back.

Chrysalis watched in surprise as these ponies were here to help, the ponies she once attacked before. She turned her gaze back to the other eight, to see Princess Celestia standing in front of her.

Night Winger had no clue who it was. All he hear were voices as he held tightly onto his mother's neck, his eyes shut tight.

Fluttershy took another step forward towards the now whimpering wolves and flared her wings. "Go back to where you came and leave these changelings alone!"

One of the wolves nodded and the all turned tail and ran, and a satisfied Fluttershy trotted merrily back to her friends.

Chrysalis stared into the stern eyes of Princess Celestia.

"We have much to talk about, Chrysalis. That is, if you're willing to talk."

Chrysalis turned her gaze past Celestia, to the ponies behind her. She never expected this. Why were they here? Did they come for her or to save Night Winger only? She saw Shining Armor's worried expression as he stood near, Cadence at his side. They were both sharing the same expression as everyone else, save for Celestia who stood eye to eye with her.

Chrysalis asked herself another question.

Was it worth going on anymore?

Then another.

Was it worth risking her son's love and or life?

Now was her chance if she wanted to continue with her plan. She had the power needed to do so. She felt another pang in her chest as she lowered her head, turning to see her son who was still clinging to her neck. She nuzzled him lightly.

He misses his father.

His sister.

His friends.

His family.

She failed to see it all along, but now as she looks at these ponies, they are what he needs. To be with the ones he loves. She asked herself one last question.

Was this all worth taking so much away from him?

Chrysalis shed a tear and lowered her head, sealing the deal.

"I'll talk."

Princess Celestia nodded and with a spark of her horn, she whisked them away, back to Twilight's Castle