Queen Chrysalis, Relationship Counselorby PenaltChaptersChapter 1: Setting upChapter 2: Dee and Cay-CayChapter 3: Cutie Mark Crusaders, Cthulhu CultistsInterludeChapter 1: Setting upNoon, Late Spring The Crystal Empire Royal Audience Chamber “...and if that concludes the petitions for today,” Princess Cadence announced, “I think we can end co-”. The pink alicorn suddenly was interrupted by a large commotion at the entryway to the audience chamber. Cadence frowned at the kerfuffle and rose up to try to see the cause of the commotion. Nothing could have taken her more by surprise than what she saw as the doors opened. In the doorway stood the Queen of the Changelings herself, Chrysalis. She was shackled, her wings bound and a magic blocker on her horn. Four guards held leveled spears within a few inches of her body. None of which did a thing to diminish her presence, her sense of purpose or her majesty. “Seize -”, Shining Armor began to command to his guards. Then he realized that the changeling queen was most definitely already ‘seized’. “So,” he amended trying to keep smugness from his voice, “my troops have finally captured you for your crimes.” “Prince Armor, you are no longer under my magic,” said Chrysalis laughingly, “you should not still be that stupid. No, no, no. I landed before your guards and asked them to do this to me.” “Why?” asked Cadence from her throne. “For what possible reason would you willingly allow yourself to be captured and put yourself at our mercy?” “For the same reason I took your place, ensorcelled your husband and invaded Canterlot. My hive needs me to do it, my drones are hungry. This is the day the Crystal Throne hears petitions,” said the Chrysalis as she then shook a hoof. The attached chains clinking. “All this is to make you feel safe.” And then Queen Chrysalis, ruler of the Changelings, she who had defeated Celestia herself through main strength, the very definition of pride and arrogant strength, did something that no one would ever have imagined her doing. She knelt, and began to speak in a humble voice, “O Crystal Princess, I come before you as a lowly petitioner on behalf of many. I have delivered myself into your power. Will you hear my petition?” Cadence thought carefully. Chrysalis seemed sincere. But she was a master of deception. However, she was also a monarch and everything Cadence had ever seen or read about Chrysalis indicated that she knew well the burden of rulership. She looked over at her husband, her brave prince who had suffered so much at the changeling queen’s hooves. He looked back into her eyes. There are many advantages to joining your own life with that of another. Among which is the ability communicate with just a look. It isn’t telepathy. It’s more of a knowing what that other half of your soul will say in a given situation and acting accordingly. Shining read his wife’s intent with a single glance and nodded with a slight smile. He knew what Cadence was about to ask Chrysalis. “Your Majesty, I will hear your petition on the condition that you agree to be my Guest while you are within the Crystal Empire,” said Cadence as she verbally capitalized the noun. It was Chrysalis’ turn to consider for a moment. There were particular obligations between host and guest. Ancient compacts that were practically holy writ to beings like alicorns, monarchs and, she thought, empires that had lept forward a millennia in time. She didn’t like the idea particularly but, it was likely the best way to accomplish her goal. “Your Highness, I agree to be your Guest. I will offer no harm to anyone you command or have accepted into your Empire, nor take any action which would be considered untoward for a guest. While here, I will make every effort to assist and aid you, your household and your Empire while I remain within its borders. This I swear to you by my horn, my name and my power.” “And I, in turn, accept the responsibilities of Host. We shall share fire, bread and salt. Neither I, nor any I command, nor any that they command shall offer you harm. For so long as you are within my Empire. This I swear by my horn, my name and my power,” intoned Cadence, completing the ritual agreement. “Guards, release her. Guests do not wear chains within the Crystal Empire.” It was the work of a minute or two to release Chrysalis who then approached the throne and again knelt. Utterly astonishing those who had been swarming in to observe something that had never been seen before. “Princess Cadence, I ask your permission to help restore lost love, broken relationships and damaged friendships within your Empire.” “Explain your request in detail, your Majesty,” said Cadence, “as Princess of Love, you have my interest.” “Thank you, your Highness,” replied Chrysalis, launching into her explanation. “As Princess of Love you know that sometimes love fails, friendships die, and relationships crumble. Sometimes it cannot be stopped, but many times it can be if someone is there to provide a helping hoof. I ask that I be allowed to create a place within the Empire where I can be that helping hoof. No one knows emotions and relationships like a changeling. My people are uniquely skilled to help save loves, friendships and relationships that would otherwise fail. “And what do you get out of this?” asked Cadence, half guessing the answer already. “For changelings emotions like love and friendship are like food and drink are to you,” answered Chrysalis. “My drones are hungry, some starving. What I ask in return is that I be allowed to siphon off some of the restored emotions of love and friendship in order to feed my people. Will you grant my petition?” “In principle,” answered Cadence, “yes. But there are details that must be worked out. Come, let’s work them out over lunch.” Two weeks later The Crystal Empire A small office near the palace. It had taken a week of negotiations Chrysalis mused, but here she sat in a tastefully decorated office complete with a desk, chairs and a couch. Outside were a pair of guards who were there mainly for appearances sake and her receptionist. She had requested one of her changelings but it had been one of the points she had been forced to give up during negotiations. Oh well, if this worked her priority of holding out for a greater share of restored love, affection and friendship would more than accomplish her goal of feeding her hive. Yesterday had been the first day the office had been open. There had only been one pair of ponies come in that day but she had successfully worked the couple through their problems. Crystal ponies had even more love in them than Celestia’s subjects. That one couple had provided enough love to feed a hundred drones for a week. “Miss Harshwhinny,” Chrysalis said as she triggered the intercom, “what does the schedule look like for today?” “We have three appointments scheduled, your Majesty,” replied her receptionist. “The first is due here in ten minutes. They wouldn’t give their real names for the appointment though.” “What names did they give, Harshwhinny?” asked Chrysalis. “Dee and Cay-Cay” Author's Note This is the setup for what should be a lot of light humour with fun and relationships. This had to be the most serious chapter in order to set up the premise of the following ones. Updates won't be terribly frequent as this will be a side project for me. But, I do hope to put out a chapter every week or two. I'm pretty sure that an astute reader will have already figured out who is about to come through Chrysalis' door. If you have any ideas for future couples after our initial pair feel free to suggest them in the comments. Chapter 2: Dee and Cay-CayMid-Morning Crystal Empire The office. “Your Majesty, y-your ten o’clock is here,” came the voice of Harshwhinny through the intercom. Chrysalis frowned at the device. Harshwhinny was generally unflappable, not much fazed her. Harshwhinny’s reaction combined with the names her appointment had given added up to a very few possibilities. Chrysalis smiled to herself. This had the potential to be something very good indeed. “Send them on in, Miss Harshwhinny,” said the changeling. “And be sure to come by in about twenty minutes with some cheesecake, tea, chocolate milk and sunflower seeds.” A few moments, as expected, in flowed Princess Celestia, closely followed by her mane and then her tail. A subjective minute later in came Discord, the Spirit of Chaos, himself. For a pair of individuals who normally were the definition of ‘forthright’ they were both subdued, almost shy. It was endearing. “Please, sit wherever you feel comfortable,” said Chrysalis. Celestia took the couch but Discord decided to sit on the wall. “So, I have to say I never expected to see either of you here. Especially not together.” Chrysalis reached out with her emotional senses. She could feel love between the two. A bond as rich and full as an old married couple who had shared a lifetime together. Consider how old both of them were, maybe they had. And Chrysalis noticed that neither of them had spoken yet. “Normally, couples are a little more than forthcoming in telling me what their problems are,” said Chrysalis into the silence. “Do I have to invade Canterlot again to get one of you to open up a bit?” “Um, what, oh no,” Celestia blushed. “Dee, why don’t you go first?” “Oh no, dear,” replied Discord, “I wouldn’t dare take your prerogative to go first.” There was a bit of bite to the snaggle-toothed beings words. “Fine,” said Celestia. Chrysalis cocked an eyebrow at that most deadly of feminine words. “To put it in a nutshell, he isn’t...chaotic enough for me.” “What??” Chrysalis blurted, then smoothly recovered. “With all due respect. Discord is the Spirit of Chaos. How can he be anything but chaotic?” “I’m an alicorn. I’ve ruled Equestria for millennia. When I get, involved, with someone I do so because they can offer me something different. Discord was incredible in the beginning. He made me taste sound, see the taste of a smell, and feel, well. It was indescribable,” said Celestia with a happy sigh and a blissful look on her face. “Yes, I can see and sense that. But you’re moving away from the question. How can Discord, the embodiment of chaos be anything other than chaotic?” asked Chrysalis who had to tone down her sensitivity to emotions coming from the alicorn. “Everything he does is the same now. He brings me chocolates, flowers, he dances with me. Everything by the rules. Everything predictable,” complained the alicorn. “I follow rules and expectations all day. I have to be this paragon of order and orthodoxy and...I’m not.” “Paragon pony princess, pshaw!” scoffed Discord. “I’m a de-light to be around.” And then proceeded to transform into a Discord shaped lamp. “You’ll get your turn in a moment,” interjected Chrysalis, who then looked to Celestia, “keep going my dear.” Celestia continued, “I spend all day following laws and rules, when I’m done for the day, I want to let my hair down-” “If you let your hair all the way down it could cause a flood of follicle fatalities,” quipped the Discord lamp. “Discord. This isn’t helping,” said Chrysalis. “Let her get it out in the open.” “Fine,” he harrumphed, turning on and off, on and off. “As I was saying,” Celestia continued, “I want to let my hair down, go crazy, do something wild and unpredictable with someone wild and predictable. When I’m relaxing, I want some chaos in my life. I don't want to be some soulless minion of orthodoxy.” Celestia lowered her head in embarrassment. “It’s okay Celestia,” said Chrysalis, “I’ve known that for years, now.” Celestia’s head whipped up so fast you could practically hear the ‘crack’ from the speed of the motion. “After all, I had you in a pod. I’ve sampled your emotions and liking some chaos is nothing to be ashamed of. I’m just glad you were actually able to say it.” “Discord,” she said turning toward the lamp, “you’ve been very patient. Why don’t you tell us what you see as the problem.” The lamp continued to flick off and on in rapid succession. “You can’t just turn me off and on, whenever you want,” came the grumpy voice from the lamp. “I’m sorry, Discord. But someone had to go first, and you did offer to let Celestia do that,” Chrysalis pointed out. “Okay,” Discord said as disappeared in a flash and appeared on one of the plush chairs in his normal form. Celestia’s tail had somehow detached and was in his lap. He began to pet the tail which began purring like a cat. “She…oh this is embarrassing,” Discord said. He got up and began to go. Celestia’s tail poofed back to where it belonged. Celestia looked down sadly as Discord reached the door. “Discord, wait,” said Chrysalis, “you wouldn’t have come here in the first place if you didn’t want to things to be right between you and Celestia.” Discord stopped and looked back at the ladies. “I really don’t think there is anything you can do,” said Discord, hanging his head. “But thank you for being willing to make the effort.” “Do one thing for me Discord, before you go,” asked Chrysalis. “Tell me how being with Celestia makes you feel.” “Being with her…,” he paused, “It’s like being a part of light, of fire and warmth. Like being a shoot growing from the soil. You want to reach for her, be with her. She is life and the wonder of possibilities.” Celestia and Discord looked up at each other. The sense of love between the two was so great Chrysalis didn’t even have to try to tap into it. It just flowed into her on its own. “For you, my dear,” said Discord, as he moved to sit by Celestia’s hooves. “Just don’t be too mad at me,” he said gazing into Celestia’s eyes. “You aren’t ordered enough for me sometimes.” Chrysalis tried to keep her eyes from bugging out and managed, barely, to keep silent. Celestia looked like she had just been smacked in the face with a frying pan. “Um, what?” she asked. “You aren’t ordered or disciplined enough. It’s hard to be Chaos. Being random is hard. Being completely random is practically impossible. When I take a break, I want to be somewhere where I know what is going to happen next. Be with someone that I don’t have to keep coming up with new, original and random things for. I don’t know if you can understand that,” said Discord to Celestia. At that moment Miss Harshwhinny knocked and opened the door with the snacks Chrysalis had suggested. Chrysalis waved her in and she passed out the snacks with nary a word. Celestia appreciated the cheesecake, while Discord ate the chocolate milk, glass and all. As if it was one solid piece, like a candy bar. The snacks gave Chrysalis time to think. Love between an alicorn and the Spirit of Chaos? Unheard of, unprecedented, but undoubtedly, unimpeachable powerful. So different, and each wanted… Wait? Could it be that simple? “Celestia, you are a responsible ruler, a bastion of order. You’ve literally written entire legal codes,” Celestia looked up and started to answer but Chrysalis forestalled her with a raised hoof. “And Discord, you are the Spirit of Chaos, irresponsible, irrepressible and about as random as it is possible for a being to be.” Discord was suddenly wearing a ship captain’s uniform with a name tag that read ‘Obvious’. “Both of you want, for fun, what the other does for work,” finished Chrysalis. “We figured that out already Chrysalis,” said Celestia, “that’s the problem.” “And it is also the solution,” interrupted Chrysalis. “Aren’t I supposed to be the random one here,” said Discord, his eyeballs becoming spinning dice. “Yes, and that is part of the solution. Which is why each of you is going to spend a week doing the others job,” said Chrysalis. Both the alicorn and the draconequus looked at the changeling queen in surprise. “Not only doing the job, but doing it the way your partner would do it. Celestia, you will have to become Celestia the Chaotic, Alicorn of Anarchy. Discord, you will have to become Discord the Dutiful, Prince of Equestria.” Discord was too stunned to transform into anything but managed to sputter, “Me? A prince?” “A dutiful prince,” added Chrysalis, “who looks after his subjects and ensures order and security for them. Celestia, for her part, was holding her crown in her hooves, “And me. An alicorn of anarchy?” “Not just an anarchic alicorn,” again added Chrysalis, “but a chaotic alicorn. Irrepressible and unpredictable.” Celestia and Discord began to grin, which gave way to smiles, then laughter and hugging. “It’s the perfect solution, your Majesty,” said Celestia. “We get to do each others jobs, which will be like a vacation for each of us.” “Not only that,” said Chrysalis, “it will help each of you understand the stresses that the other goes through during their day. And understanding your partner is one of the keys to happiness. My suggestion is that you spend the next couple of weeks working out the details, do the swap for a week and then come back and see me, say a month from today, and we’ll go over how things went.” “Chrysalis, thank you very much. I owe you a big favour,” said Discord, who materialized a box of chocolates. “Love chocolates,” he explained. “Chrysalis, I had my doubts when Cadence told me you had set up shop here. I thought she had made a mistake. I was wrong. Here,” said Celestia extending a hoof. “Your Highness?” asked Chrysalis. She had a pretty good idea what Celestia was offering but with Chrysalis’ pledge to be a good guest in the Empire she did not want any misunderstandings. “Siphon off some of my love. That is the price isn’t it? Go ahead, I give you permission. Drink from me,” affirmed Celestia with a radiant smile, “you’ve earned it.” Fifteen minutes later Chrysalis was alone in her office lying on the couch. Celestia’s love buzzing through her like a lightning bolt. Partially drunk on pure alicorn love Chrysalis called out for Harshwhinny. Who appeared a few moments later holding one of the special containers used to store love in. “Just what I needed Miss Harshwhinny, thank you,” said Chrysalis as she began to transfer the stored emotion from herself to the container. “I think I may need to cancel the other appointments for today. By the way, did you know you have the most remarkable nose hairs?” Author's Note I hope you found this enjoyable. This is my very first story in this sort of genre and my second story overall. Writing for Discord was easy. Celestia, not so much. This chapter in no way ends the story overall as there will be other couples coming in to visit the Queen of Counseling. Particularly as word gets around. If anyone want to write the events of the week of Prince Discord and Celestia the Chaotic, feel free. If you want to credit me or this story with the idea that would be great but not necessary. Also, one couple coming in doesn't mean we won't see half of them in the future with someone else. Dislestia does not mean that Fluttercord can't show up. Also, thanks to my beta reader and personal Celestia to my Discord, Serenetea. Chapter 3: Cutie Mark Crusaders, Cthulhu CultistsWord had been getting around. Chrysalis had found herself busier than she had hoped with her plan of collecting love in exchange for repairing relationships. In the past week and a half, her hive had gone from the brink of starvation to having a surplus of love to store. At this rate, by the end of a month she would be able to start selling love to other hives. Sometimes, its good to be the Queen. A knock sounded on her door. “Odd,” Chrysalis thought to herself, “there are no appointments right now and Harshwhinny uses the intercom.” Aloud she said, “Come in.” Slowly the door opened and in walked a very elderly green earth pony. “Pardon, yer Majesty. But Discord said ya might be able to help my young’n with a friendship problem.” Chrysalis was a little surprised and pleased. Referral business already? “Did Discord happen to tell you what my price is for helping ponies?” she asked the earth pony. “Eyup,” replied the earth pony, “Y’all take some of the love you help put back. Granny Smith is the name by the by. And my young’n is little Apple Bloom. She an’ her friends have a powerful friendship problem. Even that there Princess of Friendship couldna’ fix it.” Chrysalis thought for a moment. She knew who Apple Bloom was, of course. Before her abortive invasion of Canterlot she had dossiers prepared on each of the Element bearers and their families. Apple Bloom meant the Cutie Mark Crusaders. All of whom were fillies. “I don’t drink from fillies or colts. They are too young. But,” said Chrysalis holding up a hoof to forestall a home spun interjection, “I am willing to drink some of your love, in advance, now, as payment for the attempt.” “Fair enough, Yer Majesty,” said Granny Smith, holding out a hoof. Chrysalis opened her empathic senses and tasted Granny Smith’s love. It was rich, full, and flavourful. Wound through with the triumphs and tragedies of a long, full life. It was all there, every flavour of love combined into a powerful, heady bouquet. Only the discipline of a Queen let her break free of that hypnotic flavour. “Granny Smith, I want you to promise me something,” said Chrysalis. “What’s that?” asked Granny. “Never be alone with me or another changeling again unless you want us to drink you dry,” Chrysalis said. “How’s that now?” Granny replied. “You have had a long and full life, your love for your family is full, and so rich. The flavour is quite addictive. Another changeling might not be able to stop," explained Chrysalis. “Have your granddaughter and her friends here tomorrow. I’ll do what I can.” Chrysalis cleared out her schedule for the coming day. Chrysalis heard them before she saw them. The door to her office opened, and in came three young fillies, being herded by an orange earth pony. Chrysalis recognized Applejack trying to ride herd on the trio. They were furiously squabbling with each other. “Excuse me,” Chrysalis said as she tried to exert some control on the sudden situation. “EX-CUSE me.” "LISTEN UP, Y’ALL!” bellowed Applejack. Sudden silence reigned in the room. “Thank you, Applejack,” said Chrysalis. “I will send for you when we are done.” “Chrysalis,” Applejack said, "Ah don't rightly trust you. But you gave Cadence your word and Ah trust her. So, Ah'll give you a chance. You treat my sister and her friends right, ya hear?" "I will treat them as if they were my own," said Chrysalis. Applejack just glared at her for a moment, then said, "You three, listen up to what Her Majesty has to say. Ah'll be back later." She turned, and with a final glare at Chrysalis, left. “Now then, you three,” said Chrysalis staring down at the trio before her. “We will start off simply. I will ask you questions, one at a time. You will answer as truthfully and as completely as possible.” The unicorn of the group held up a hoof for attention. “Yes...Sweetie Belle, isn’t it?” said Chrysalis. “Yes, um, your Majesty,” said the filly hesitantly. “Aren’t we supposed to be talking about our feelings and stuff like that?” “Usually, yes,” answered Chrysalis. “But your reputation proceeds you, and I thought as you are all of school age, a more school like setting would be more appropriate.” “Um...okay,” said a nervous-looking orange pegasus filly. “Why do you have holes?” “For now, I will ask the questions,” responded Chrysalis, ignoring the non-sequitur. “I understand that something happened with regards to your friendship.” All three began to tumble out a stream of words regarding something. It was impossible to make any details out of the babble. “STOP!” commanded Chrysalis, loudly. “No one can understand anything when you all talk at once.” “You,” she pointed to a yellow Earth filly, “in your own words, without interruptions,” she said, glaring at the other two, who shrank back at Chrysalis’s glare, “tell me what happened.” “Well, Sweet Apple Acres has been in the Apple family for a long time,” began Apple Bloom. “And things haven’t always been where they are, and some stuff isn’t where it used to be. So, sometimes, some stuff gets forgotten in some places.” Chrysalis felt her head spin a moment trying to follow the logic. “Anyhow,” continued the filly, “we found what we think was one of old Uncle Crab Apple’s root cellars. We were lookin’ though the place and we found some old books an’ were starting to look through them when the cellar started to fall in on itself. We ran out just in time.” Seeing the other two fillies were getting antsy to say something Chrysalis turned to the unicorn filly again. “Your turn. Tell me what happened after that.” “Well, after that, Ma’am, um, Your Majesty, um…Rarity says its important to get ponies names right,” said Sweetie Belle. “Excuse me, but what should we call you?” “Your sister is quite right to insist on proper protocol,” said Chrysalis. “In general, I should be referred to as ‘Your Majesty’. But due to our informal setting here, I am willing to accept Madam or Ma’am, for short.” “Um, thank you, Ma’am,” said Sweetie Belle. “Anyway, as my 'former friend' was saying, we had gotten out just in time with the book and we took it back to our clubhouse. We read it and it talked about ways to contact the Grape old ones. We figured they must be some oldpony relatives of the Apples.” “The...Grape...old ones,” Chrysalis dragged a hoof down her face at yet another fruit based name. “Wait, pegasus, Scootaloo, isn’t it? Continue with what happened; this story is...unreal.” Scootaloo continued, “I read through it, and some of the stuff looked pretty scary, but also pretty cool. According to the book all we needed to do was follow the instructions and we could talk to these Grape ponies and they could do things for us like give me a pair of wings that would get me off the ground.” “Or convince Applejack that I’m big enough she doesn’t have to watch me all the time,” interrupted Apple Bloom. “Or make Rarity as proud of me as I am of her,” said Sweetie Belle, interrupting the interruption. “What did I say about ‘no interruptions’?” Chrysalis said loudly, overriding the argument even as it began. “Anyhow,” said Apple Bloom. “Ah started to put together stuff for the ‘write you’all’ so we could talk to these Grape ones. And things were going good too! Ah only needed one more thing.” Chrysalis began to feel the icy fingers of fear crawl up her malleable spine as she realized exactly what the Crusaders were talking about. Somehow, these fillies had found a book of forbidden knowledge. A book of rituals to contact one or more of The Great Old Ones, perhaps even dread Cthulhu himself. “All ah needed,” continued Apple Bloom, completely unaware of Chrysalis’s realization, “was a cup of unicorn blood. Ah figured Rarity would be more than willing to donate to help us out.” “What happened next?” Chrysalis prompted. As she spoke she cast a very subtle delve spell at the three fillies. Thankfully, they showed only the barest touch of the darkness they had interacted with. There was still hope, if they could be reminded of their friendships. “Well, Ah asked Rarity if she would donate an’ she refused!” said Apple Bloom indignantly. “So, I decided to take some when she was asleep, which is when Sweetie Belle ruined everything!” “I found you beside my sister’s bed, in the middle of the night, with a knife, a tourniquet and one of Zecora’s sleep potions,” said Sweetie Belle hotly. “You were gonna bleed my sister!” “Ah only needed a cup,” complained Apple Bloom. “All that stuff was to make sure she didn’t feel any pain and that Ah didn’t take too much. She woulda been fine!” “It was my sister’s blood!” shouted Sweetie Belle. “Hush!” commanded Chrysalis. “Scootaloo, do you know what happened next?” “Yes Ma’am,” said the pegasus filly. “Sweetie screamed, Rarity woke up, saw Apple Bloom with the knife and screamed. Apple Bloom screamed and next thing everyone knew all of Rarity’s friends were there and so were all of us.” “And then Twilight took the book away and now I can’t send a message to the Grapes because I need the book,” Apple Bloom pouted. “Okay fillies,” said Chrysalis. “I think I have a fair idea of what’s going on with you three and I think I can help you. But first, excuse me a moment.” Chrysalis stepped outside and went to one of the two guards who had become semi-permanent fixtures in her office. “I need you to bear a message to Princess Cadence immediately. She is to relay the message to Celestia at once.” “What is the message?” asked the guard. “Code R’lyeh, Sweet Apple Acres, Castle of Friendship, Apple family, Twilight Sparkle, one book,” said Chrysalis. “Repeat that back please.” The guard did. “Good, now get going.” Chrysalis walked back into the room where the three fillies sat in silence, staring at each other. It was almost cute. This was definitely a friendship she had to save. For all their sakes. “I need to shake them out of their anger,” Chrysalis thought. “I need to be blunt. I need to hurt them so they understand the pain the others are in. It’s a good thing I am skilled in hurting ponies.” “So,” Chrysalis drawled out. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders, friends forever. I believe you all made a solemn promise of friendship to each other?” The fillies nodded. “But it seems all it took was a book and the promise of things you can only dream of to end that friendship.” The trio looked down, faces sad. Chrysalis could see the beginnings of tears, and while she would not feed from them, the "taste" of the room as whole, suddenly became acidic and raw. “You know, before I invaded Canterlot I had considered snatching the three of you and replacing you with infiltrators,” said Chrysalis. The three fillies looked up. “Do you know why I didn’t? Because I decided that the bond between the three of you was so strong as to make you impossible to hold with my magic.” “We are strong, we’re just...” said Apple Bloom, unable to finish. “You,” said Chrysalis, “are unable to do something that all friends have to do for each other. Something I thought the three of you had learned a long time ago.” “What’s that?” asked Scootaloo. “True friends forgive each other when they make mistakes. They don’t hold grudges,” said Chrysalis. “Each of you has wronged the other.” The heads of the three fillies shot up. “Apple Bloom, you wanted what wasn’t yours to ask for, and then when you were told ‘No,' you tried to steal it. Sweetie Belle, you leaped to conclusions about the book without asking for help. You didn’t go to your sister about either it or Apple Bloom’s request. And Scootaloo, you were willing to watch them, just to get a chance at bigger wings. You first found the book, and I think you at least had an idea how dangerous it was. But you assured your friends it was ‘cool.'” Scootaloo nodded, “Ya, anything written in blood can’t be good. I’m sorry for saying it was red ink, gals. And I’m sorry for thinking of myself first.” “I think Scootaloo has made a good start here,” said Chrysalis. “Apple Bloom, do you have anything to add?” “Ah’m sorry too. Ah shoulda known that anything that involved takin’ instead of givin’ was bad news,” said Apple Bloom. “And?” prompted Chrysalis. “And Ah’m sorry for breakin’ into the boutique and scaring everypony,” said the Earth pony. With that all eyes turned toward Sweetie Belle. “I should have spoken to Rarity right away,” said Sweetie Belle. “I should have asked somepony older for help and, I should have been honest about how mad I was that Apple Bloom was going to do something magical instead of me.” There was a long pause, then all three, at the same time said, “I’m sorry, can you forgive me?” The three looked at each other, smiled and with laughter, embraced in a group hug. Chrysalis smiled at the resiliency of youth, saying, “So, little ponies, how strong ARE your hearts?” It was a cue and the ponies went with it, breaking into song. “Celestia watches over foals and fools,” thought the changeling, listening to the song and basking in the rekindled furnace that was the friendship of the Crusaders. The song ended and the trio looked up at Chrysalis, who was sitting there with a pleased smile on her face. “You did that on purpose!” exclaimed Scootaloo. “You were mean on purpose, so we could see how mean we were being to each other.” Chrysalis said nothing and just smiled enigmatically. “And when we saw how mean we had been, we felt bad and apologized. Which made us remember our friendship and how much we mean to each other,” realized Sweetie Belle, her mouth clearly working as fast as her brain. “Ah think she needs some payback for that dirty trick. What do you think, girls?” asked Apple Bloom. “Oh, please,” said Chrysalis. “Like you could do anything to- ack!.” Chrysalis found herself swarmed under by the three ponies who tackled her in a massive combined hug. “Ah!...Guard!…Help!” yelled Chrysalis, half in jest. “I’m being hugged!” The fillies just hugged her harder yelling, “CUTIE MARK CRUSADER CHANGELING HUGGERS...YAY!" Author's Note The CMC's song... Shout outs to my three editors on this chapter. My wife, Serenetea, Damaged and Cross Lament. Interlude“...So,” Chrysalis was saying, “the Cutie Mark Crusaders are back together and their friendship is stronger than ever.” Cadence looked on the changeling queen with some satisfaction. She had taken a chance on Chrysalis keeping her word and she most certainly had. “You’ve done me a great favour by helping those three. Although Ponyville may not thank you for restoring the engine of chaos that is the CMC, you have my personal thanks and that of the Apple family,” she said. “Would you be willing to make that thanks into a more tangible form?” asked Chrysalis. “What did you have in mind?” responded Cadence warily. “You have nothing to fear,” chuckled Chrysalis. “I am still in the borders of the Empire and my word to be a good Guest still binds me.” “Alright, what did you have in mind?” asked Cadence, somewhat reassured. The changeling queen turned toward Shining Armor, “Prince Armor, do you or any of these fine strapping guards with us have any restraints on them capable of holding me?” Shining Armor looked in surprise at the four guards in the room. Their presence was standard procedure and they had done their job of being visibly invisible. “Yes, Your Majesty. The guards do. They each carry a pair of hoofcuffs more than capable of holding you.” “Good. Would you get out some of them, please?” asked Chrysalis. Four pairs of shackles, one from each guard, were set on the desk near Cadance by one of the guards. “Now then,” said Chrysalis, levitating one pair and tightly locking both cuffs around one of her forehooves. “I assume that the locks cannot be released with magic and shapeshifting will not allow me to escape them.” The connecting chain of the cuffs dangled about a foot or so from her hoof. “Quite correct,” said Shining Armor, fascinated, in spite of himself. “Only the key can undo them. Why?” “So you know where I am at all times,” said Chrysalis. “Princess Cadance, would you stand and come here for a moment.” “Okay,” said Cadance, moving to stand in front of the changeling, who was now also standing. “Now,” said Chrysalis, “look back at your husband and think of what he means to you.” Cadance did, and her heart filled anew with love her husband. Their shared love and the joy in their foal. “This must be what she wants,” Cadence thought. “To feed on my love for Shining and Flurry.” The thought was cut off as she heard a close-in jangle of metal, and felt a hoof turning her head back toward Chrysalis. Only it was no longer the face of the changeling queen before her. It was her own face looking back. Cadance only had a moment to register that before the transformed changeling queen was kissing her, full on the mouth. It was a good kiss. A warm kiss, starting gentle, yet insistent. Cadance gave into the kiss, opening her mouth further. Chrysalis responded in kind, lips working. Cadance couldn’t resist any further and began respond, moaning slightly and using her own tongue to explore the mouth and lips on hers. Chrysalis didn’t push, didn’t try to overpower, she simply responded in kind to the rising ardor of the Princess of Love. Matching her. Both mares were breathing heavily. The kiss went on, both of them taking pleasure in the physical contact and intimate closeness. Tasting and tantalizing each other. But it couldn’t go on forever and slowly, the kiss came to a close, both mares let it happen naturally, in its own time. As Cadance drew back her mouth, she noticed the smile of satisfaction on the face before her. She had seen it often enough when she looked in the mirror. She also noticed that while everything else was going on Chrysalis had somehow locked two more pairs of hoofcuffs to her. Cadance was now shackled fore and aft, much as she had been when Chrysalis had first captured her, back before her wedding. “Why?” she asked Chrysalis simply. Noticing, as she asked, that all five stallions in the room were having to “adjust” themselves. “Because Shining Armor isn’t the only one who has fantasies about you. I’ve wanted to do that with you for a long time now,” Chrysalis replied. “Prince Armor, I believe you and your wife need to go have a ‘discussion’ in your quarters.” “By your leave, Your Majesty,” said Shining Armor with a lustful smile toward his wife. Cadance was still floating on a cloud of endorphins from the kiss and submissively allowed her husband to slowly lead her out of the study toward their private rooms. “Should I let you out of those now?” asked the bemused guard whose cuffs Chrysalis wore. “Thank you, no,” said Chrysalis. “I’d like to wear them for a bit, as a reminder of what could have happened had your Princess chosen vengeance instead of mercy toward me and mine. But you need to go catch up to them.” “Um, why?” asked the guard. “Two reasons,” said Chrysalis. “First, you have the key to the shackles Cadance seems to have forgotten she is wearing.” “Yeah, she did seem a bit out of it when she left,” said the guard with a smile. “And the other reason?” “If you are very lucky,” said Chrysalis with a smirk, “Shining Armor might decide he needs some help ‘interrogating’ his ‘prisoner’.” The guard’s smile broke wide across his face. “Your Majesty,” he said, turning to leave, “you are a wicked, wicked mare.” “I know,” said Chrysalis with a throaty purr. “I know.” Chrysalis walked toward the door herself, the chain from the hoofcuffs slithering behind her shackled hoof. As she reached the door the changeling mare blurred and disappeared. “Well,” thought Luna to herself as she stepped out of Chrysalis’ dream. “That was certainly unexpected. Is that why Chrysalis went to Cadance, instead of myself or Tia? Because she has romantic feelings for Cadance? Can a changeling actually feel love for a pony?” The thoughts disturbed Luna on a deep level. She would need to find someone to talk to about what she had seen and discovered while spying on Chrysalis's dreams. ~~~~~+++++~~~~~ As the dawn rose over the Crystal Empire, so did the Queen of the Changelings. She rose from her bed, and smiled slightly at the memory of her dreams from the night passed. “It’s been awhile since I had a dream like that,” she thought. “I can’t feed off dream love so I’d better be careful I don’t drain myself dreaming.” She paused as realized her body’s state of hunger. “I’m full. I was hungry before bed. How can I be full now?” Chrysalis began to groom herself. Somehow, she had fed in her sleep. She had a full day ahead of her and now, something of a mystery to solve. It was a mystery she had to solve. If she had fed on a pony in her sleep, it would be a violation of her sworn word and her grubs would suffer. Chrysalis went outside to speak to the ponies guarding her, to ask if they had seen anything overnight. It was a first step. Author's Note I've run out of ideas for this story, sadly. I did have great fun with what I did write, but the press of other projects means that a return to it is very unlikely. Therefore I'm marking this story as complete. However, another author Sandstorm94 has offered to take the reins of this story, so into their hands I throw the torch. Be it theirs to hold on high.
Chapter 1: Setting upNoon, Late Spring The Crystal Empire Royal Audience Chamber “...and if that concludes the petitions for today,” Princess Cadence announced, “I think we can end co-”. The pink alicorn suddenly was interrupted by a large commotion at the entryway to the audience chamber. Cadence frowned at the kerfuffle and rose up to try to see the cause of the commotion. Nothing could have taken her more by surprise than what she saw as the doors opened. In the doorway stood the Queen of the Changelings herself, Chrysalis. She was shackled, her wings bound and a magic blocker on her horn. Four guards held leveled spears within a few inches of her body. None of which did a thing to diminish her presence, her sense of purpose or her majesty. “Seize -”, Shining Armor began to command to his guards. Then he realized that the changeling queen was most definitely already ‘seized’. “So,” he amended trying to keep smugness from his voice, “my troops have finally captured you for your crimes.” “Prince Armor, you are no longer under my magic,” said Chrysalis laughingly, “you should not still be that stupid. No, no, no. I landed before your guards and asked them to do this to me.” “Why?” asked Cadence from her throne. “For what possible reason would you willingly allow yourself to be captured and put yourself at our mercy?” “For the same reason I took your place, ensorcelled your husband and invaded Canterlot. My hive needs me to do it, my drones are hungry. This is the day the Crystal Throne hears petitions,” said the Chrysalis as she then shook a hoof. The attached chains clinking. “All this is to make you feel safe.” And then Queen Chrysalis, ruler of the Changelings, she who had defeated Celestia herself through main strength, the very definition of pride and arrogant strength, did something that no one would ever have imagined her doing. She knelt, and began to speak in a humble voice, “O Crystal Princess, I come before you as a lowly petitioner on behalf of many. I have delivered myself into your power. Will you hear my petition?” Cadence thought carefully. Chrysalis seemed sincere. But she was a master of deception. However, she was also a monarch and everything Cadence had ever seen or read about Chrysalis indicated that she knew well the burden of rulership. She looked over at her husband, her brave prince who had suffered so much at the changeling queen’s hooves. He looked back into her eyes. There are many advantages to joining your own life with that of another. Among which is the ability communicate with just a look. It isn’t telepathy. It’s more of a knowing what that other half of your soul will say in a given situation and acting accordingly. Shining read his wife’s intent with a single glance and nodded with a slight smile. He knew what Cadence was about to ask Chrysalis. “Your Majesty, I will hear your petition on the condition that you agree to be my Guest while you are within the Crystal Empire,” said Cadence as she verbally capitalized the noun. It was Chrysalis’ turn to consider for a moment. There were particular obligations between host and guest. Ancient compacts that were practically holy writ to beings like alicorns, monarchs and, she thought, empires that had lept forward a millennia in time. She didn’t like the idea particularly but, it was likely the best way to accomplish her goal. “Your Highness, I agree to be your Guest. I will offer no harm to anyone you command or have accepted into your Empire, nor take any action which would be considered untoward for a guest. While here, I will make every effort to assist and aid you, your household and your Empire while I remain within its borders. This I swear to you by my horn, my name and my power.” “And I, in turn, accept the responsibilities of Host. We shall share fire, bread and salt. Neither I, nor any I command, nor any that they command shall offer you harm. For so long as you are within my Empire. This I swear by my horn, my name and my power,” intoned Cadence, completing the ritual agreement. “Guards, release her. Guests do not wear chains within the Crystal Empire.” It was the work of a minute or two to release Chrysalis who then approached the throne and again knelt. Utterly astonishing those who had been swarming in to observe something that had never been seen before. “Princess Cadence, I ask your permission to help restore lost love, broken relationships and damaged friendships within your Empire.” “Explain your request in detail, your Majesty,” said Cadence, “as Princess of Love, you have my interest.” “Thank you, your Highness,” replied Chrysalis, launching into her explanation. “As Princess of Love you know that sometimes love fails, friendships die, and relationships crumble. Sometimes it cannot be stopped, but many times it can be if someone is there to provide a helping hoof. I ask that I be allowed to create a place within the Empire where I can be that helping hoof. No one knows emotions and relationships like a changeling. My people are uniquely skilled to help save loves, friendships and relationships that would otherwise fail. “And what do you get out of this?” asked Cadence, half guessing the answer already. “For changelings emotions like love and friendship are like food and drink are to you,” answered Chrysalis. “My drones are hungry, some starving. What I ask in return is that I be allowed to siphon off some of the restored emotions of love and friendship in order to feed my people. Will you grant my petition?” “In principle,” answered Cadence, “yes. But there are details that must be worked out. Come, let’s work them out over lunch.” Two weeks later The Crystal Empire A small office near the palace. It had taken a week of negotiations Chrysalis mused, but here she sat in a tastefully decorated office complete with a desk, chairs and a couch. Outside were a pair of guards who were there mainly for appearances sake and her receptionist. She had requested one of her changelings but it had been one of the points she had been forced to give up during negotiations. Oh well, if this worked her priority of holding out for a greater share of restored love, affection and friendship would more than accomplish her goal of feeding her hive. Yesterday had been the first day the office had been open. There had only been one pair of ponies come in that day but she had successfully worked the couple through their problems. Crystal ponies had even more love in them than Celestia’s subjects. That one couple had provided enough love to feed a hundred drones for a week. “Miss Harshwhinny,” Chrysalis said as she triggered the intercom, “what does the schedule look like for today?” “We have three appointments scheduled, your Majesty,” replied her receptionist. “The first is due here in ten minutes. They wouldn’t give their real names for the appointment though.” “What names did they give, Harshwhinny?” asked Chrysalis. “Dee and Cay-Cay” Author's Note This is the setup for what should be a lot of light humour with fun and relationships. This had to be the most serious chapter in order to set up the premise of the following ones. Updates won't be terribly frequent as this will be a side project for me. But, I do hope to put out a chapter every week or two. I'm pretty sure that an astute reader will have already figured out who is about to come through Chrysalis' door. If you have any ideas for future couples after our initial pair feel free to suggest them in the comments.
Chapter 2: Dee and Cay-CayMid-Morning Crystal Empire The office. “Your Majesty, y-your ten o’clock is here,” came the voice of Harshwhinny through the intercom. Chrysalis frowned at the device. Harshwhinny was generally unflappable, not much fazed her. Harshwhinny’s reaction combined with the names her appointment had given added up to a very few possibilities. Chrysalis smiled to herself. This had the potential to be something very good indeed. “Send them on in, Miss Harshwhinny,” said the changeling. “And be sure to come by in about twenty minutes with some cheesecake, tea, chocolate milk and sunflower seeds.” A few moments, as expected, in flowed Princess Celestia, closely followed by her mane and then her tail. A subjective minute later in came Discord, the Spirit of Chaos, himself. For a pair of individuals who normally were the definition of ‘forthright’ they were both subdued, almost shy. It was endearing. “Please, sit wherever you feel comfortable,” said Chrysalis. Celestia took the couch but Discord decided to sit on the wall. “So, I have to say I never expected to see either of you here. Especially not together.” Chrysalis reached out with her emotional senses. She could feel love between the two. A bond as rich and full as an old married couple who had shared a lifetime together. Consider how old both of them were, maybe they had. And Chrysalis noticed that neither of them had spoken yet. “Normally, couples are a little more than forthcoming in telling me what their problems are,” said Chrysalis into the silence. “Do I have to invade Canterlot again to get one of you to open up a bit?” “Um, what, oh no,” Celestia blushed. “Dee, why don’t you go first?” “Oh no, dear,” replied Discord, “I wouldn’t dare take your prerogative to go first.” There was a bit of bite to the snaggle-toothed beings words. “Fine,” said Celestia. Chrysalis cocked an eyebrow at that most deadly of feminine words. “To put it in a nutshell, he isn’t...chaotic enough for me.” “What??” Chrysalis blurted, then smoothly recovered. “With all due respect. Discord is the Spirit of Chaos. How can he be anything but chaotic?” “I’m an alicorn. I’ve ruled Equestria for millennia. When I get, involved, with someone I do so because they can offer me something different. Discord was incredible in the beginning. He made me taste sound, see the taste of a smell, and feel, well. It was indescribable,” said Celestia with a happy sigh and a blissful look on her face. “Yes, I can see and sense that. But you’re moving away from the question. How can Discord, the embodiment of chaos be anything other than chaotic?” asked Chrysalis who had to tone down her sensitivity to emotions coming from the alicorn. “Everything he does is the same now. He brings me chocolates, flowers, he dances with me. Everything by the rules. Everything predictable,” complained the alicorn. “I follow rules and expectations all day. I have to be this paragon of order and orthodoxy and...I’m not.” “Paragon pony princess, pshaw!” scoffed Discord. “I’m a de-light to be around.” And then proceeded to transform into a Discord shaped lamp. “You’ll get your turn in a moment,” interjected Chrysalis, who then looked to Celestia, “keep going my dear.” Celestia continued, “I spend all day following laws and rules, when I’m done for the day, I want to let my hair down-” “If you let your hair all the way down it could cause a flood of follicle fatalities,” quipped the Discord lamp. “Discord. This isn’t helping,” said Chrysalis. “Let her get it out in the open.” “Fine,” he harrumphed, turning on and off, on and off. “As I was saying,” Celestia continued, “I want to let my hair down, go crazy, do something wild and unpredictable with someone wild and predictable. When I’m relaxing, I want some chaos in my life. I don't want to be some soulless minion of orthodoxy.” Celestia lowered her head in embarrassment. “It’s okay Celestia,” said Chrysalis, “I’ve known that for years, now.” Celestia’s head whipped up so fast you could practically hear the ‘crack’ from the speed of the motion. “After all, I had you in a pod. I’ve sampled your emotions and liking some chaos is nothing to be ashamed of. I’m just glad you were actually able to say it.” “Discord,” she said turning toward the lamp, “you’ve been very patient. Why don’t you tell us what you see as the problem.” The lamp continued to flick off and on in rapid succession. “You can’t just turn me off and on, whenever you want,” came the grumpy voice from the lamp. “I’m sorry, Discord. But someone had to go first, and you did offer to let Celestia do that,” Chrysalis pointed out. “Okay,” Discord said as disappeared in a flash and appeared on one of the plush chairs in his normal form. Celestia’s tail had somehow detached and was in his lap. He began to pet the tail which began purring like a cat. “She…oh this is embarrassing,” Discord said. He got up and began to go. Celestia’s tail poofed back to where it belonged. Celestia looked down sadly as Discord reached the door. “Discord, wait,” said Chrysalis, “you wouldn’t have come here in the first place if you didn’t want to things to be right between you and Celestia.” Discord stopped and looked back at the ladies. “I really don’t think there is anything you can do,” said Discord, hanging his head. “But thank you for being willing to make the effort.” “Do one thing for me Discord, before you go,” asked Chrysalis. “Tell me how being with Celestia makes you feel.” “Being with her…,” he paused, “It’s like being a part of light, of fire and warmth. Like being a shoot growing from the soil. You want to reach for her, be with her. She is life and the wonder of possibilities.” Celestia and Discord looked up at each other. The sense of love between the two was so great Chrysalis didn’t even have to try to tap into it. It just flowed into her on its own. “For you, my dear,” said Discord, as he moved to sit by Celestia’s hooves. “Just don’t be too mad at me,” he said gazing into Celestia’s eyes. “You aren’t ordered enough for me sometimes.” Chrysalis tried to keep her eyes from bugging out and managed, barely, to keep silent. Celestia looked like she had just been smacked in the face with a frying pan. “Um, what?” she asked. “You aren’t ordered or disciplined enough. It’s hard to be Chaos. Being random is hard. Being completely random is practically impossible. When I take a break, I want to be somewhere where I know what is going to happen next. Be with someone that I don’t have to keep coming up with new, original and random things for. I don’t know if you can understand that,” said Discord to Celestia. At that moment Miss Harshwhinny knocked and opened the door with the snacks Chrysalis had suggested. Chrysalis waved her in and she passed out the snacks with nary a word. Celestia appreciated the cheesecake, while Discord ate the chocolate milk, glass and all. As if it was one solid piece, like a candy bar. The snacks gave Chrysalis time to think. Love between an alicorn and the Spirit of Chaos? Unheard of, unprecedented, but undoubtedly, unimpeachable powerful. So different, and each wanted… Wait? Could it be that simple? “Celestia, you are a responsible ruler, a bastion of order. You’ve literally written entire legal codes,” Celestia looked up and started to answer but Chrysalis forestalled her with a raised hoof. “And Discord, you are the Spirit of Chaos, irresponsible, irrepressible and about as random as it is possible for a being to be.” Discord was suddenly wearing a ship captain’s uniform with a name tag that read ‘Obvious’. “Both of you want, for fun, what the other does for work,” finished Chrysalis. “We figured that out already Chrysalis,” said Celestia, “that’s the problem.” “And it is also the solution,” interrupted Chrysalis. “Aren’t I supposed to be the random one here,” said Discord, his eyeballs becoming spinning dice. “Yes, and that is part of the solution. Which is why each of you is going to spend a week doing the others job,” said Chrysalis. Both the alicorn and the draconequus looked at the changeling queen in surprise. “Not only doing the job, but doing it the way your partner would do it. Celestia, you will have to become Celestia the Chaotic, Alicorn of Anarchy. Discord, you will have to become Discord the Dutiful, Prince of Equestria.” Discord was too stunned to transform into anything but managed to sputter, “Me? A prince?” “A dutiful prince,” added Chrysalis, “who looks after his subjects and ensures order and security for them. Celestia, for her part, was holding her crown in her hooves, “And me. An alicorn of anarchy?” “Not just an anarchic alicorn,” again added Chrysalis, “but a chaotic alicorn. Irrepressible and unpredictable.” Celestia and Discord began to grin, which gave way to smiles, then laughter and hugging. “It’s the perfect solution, your Majesty,” said Celestia. “We get to do each others jobs, which will be like a vacation for each of us.” “Not only that,” said Chrysalis, “it will help each of you understand the stresses that the other goes through during their day. And understanding your partner is one of the keys to happiness. My suggestion is that you spend the next couple of weeks working out the details, do the swap for a week and then come back and see me, say a month from today, and we’ll go over how things went.” “Chrysalis, thank you very much. I owe you a big favour,” said Discord, who materialized a box of chocolates. “Love chocolates,” he explained. “Chrysalis, I had my doubts when Cadence told me you had set up shop here. I thought she had made a mistake. I was wrong. Here,” said Celestia extending a hoof. “Your Highness?” asked Chrysalis. She had a pretty good idea what Celestia was offering but with Chrysalis’ pledge to be a good guest in the Empire she did not want any misunderstandings. “Siphon off some of my love. That is the price isn’t it? Go ahead, I give you permission. Drink from me,” affirmed Celestia with a radiant smile, “you’ve earned it.” Fifteen minutes later Chrysalis was alone in her office lying on the couch. Celestia’s love buzzing through her like a lightning bolt. Partially drunk on pure alicorn love Chrysalis called out for Harshwhinny. Who appeared a few moments later holding one of the special containers used to store love in. “Just what I needed Miss Harshwhinny, thank you,” said Chrysalis as she began to transfer the stored emotion from herself to the container. “I think I may need to cancel the other appointments for today. By the way, did you know you have the most remarkable nose hairs?” Author's Note I hope you found this enjoyable. This is my very first story in this sort of genre and my second story overall. Writing for Discord was easy. Celestia, not so much. This chapter in no way ends the story overall as there will be other couples coming in to visit the Queen of Counseling. Particularly as word gets around. If anyone want to write the events of the week of Prince Discord and Celestia the Chaotic, feel free. If you want to credit me or this story with the idea that would be great but not necessary. Also, one couple coming in doesn't mean we won't see half of them in the future with someone else. Dislestia does not mean that Fluttercord can't show up. Also, thanks to my beta reader and personal Celestia to my Discord, Serenetea.
Chapter 3: Cutie Mark Crusaders, Cthulhu CultistsWord had been getting around. Chrysalis had found herself busier than she had hoped with her plan of collecting love in exchange for repairing relationships. In the past week and a half, her hive had gone from the brink of starvation to having a surplus of love to store. At this rate, by the end of a month she would be able to start selling love to other hives. Sometimes, its good to be the Queen. A knock sounded on her door. “Odd,” Chrysalis thought to herself, “there are no appointments right now and Harshwhinny uses the intercom.” Aloud she said, “Come in.” Slowly the door opened and in walked a very elderly green earth pony. “Pardon, yer Majesty. But Discord said ya might be able to help my young’n with a friendship problem.” Chrysalis was a little surprised and pleased. Referral business already? “Did Discord happen to tell you what my price is for helping ponies?” she asked the earth pony. “Eyup,” replied the earth pony, “Y’all take some of the love you help put back. Granny Smith is the name by the by. And my young’n is little Apple Bloom. She an’ her friends have a powerful friendship problem. Even that there Princess of Friendship couldna’ fix it.” Chrysalis thought for a moment. She knew who Apple Bloom was, of course. Before her abortive invasion of Canterlot she had dossiers prepared on each of the Element bearers and their families. Apple Bloom meant the Cutie Mark Crusaders. All of whom were fillies. “I don’t drink from fillies or colts. They are too young. But,” said Chrysalis holding up a hoof to forestall a home spun interjection, “I am willing to drink some of your love, in advance, now, as payment for the attempt.” “Fair enough, Yer Majesty,” said Granny Smith, holding out a hoof. Chrysalis opened her empathic senses and tasted Granny Smith’s love. It was rich, full, and flavourful. Wound through with the triumphs and tragedies of a long, full life. It was all there, every flavour of love combined into a powerful, heady bouquet. Only the discipline of a Queen let her break free of that hypnotic flavour. “Granny Smith, I want you to promise me something,” said Chrysalis. “What’s that?” asked Granny. “Never be alone with me or another changeling again unless you want us to drink you dry,” Chrysalis said. “How’s that now?” Granny replied. “You have had a long and full life, your love for your family is full, and so rich. The flavour is quite addictive. Another changeling might not be able to stop," explained Chrysalis. “Have your granddaughter and her friends here tomorrow. I’ll do what I can.” Chrysalis cleared out her schedule for the coming day. Chrysalis heard them before she saw them. The door to her office opened, and in came three young fillies, being herded by an orange earth pony. Chrysalis recognized Applejack trying to ride herd on the trio. They were furiously squabbling with each other. “Excuse me,” Chrysalis said as she tried to exert some control on the sudden situation. “EX-CUSE me.” "LISTEN UP, Y’ALL!” bellowed Applejack. Sudden silence reigned in the room. “Thank you, Applejack,” said Chrysalis. “I will send for you when we are done.” “Chrysalis,” Applejack said, "Ah don't rightly trust you. But you gave Cadence your word and Ah trust her. So, Ah'll give you a chance. You treat my sister and her friends right, ya hear?" "I will treat them as if they were my own," said Chrysalis. Applejack just glared at her for a moment, then said, "You three, listen up to what Her Majesty has to say. Ah'll be back later." She turned, and with a final glare at Chrysalis, left. “Now then, you three,” said Chrysalis staring down at the trio before her. “We will start off simply. I will ask you questions, one at a time. You will answer as truthfully and as completely as possible.” The unicorn of the group held up a hoof for attention. “Yes...Sweetie Belle, isn’t it?” said Chrysalis. “Yes, um, your Majesty,” said the filly hesitantly. “Aren’t we supposed to be talking about our feelings and stuff like that?” “Usually, yes,” answered Chrysalis. “But your reputation proceeds you, and I thought as you are all of school age, a more school like setting would be more appropriate.” “Um...okay,” said a nervous-looking orange pegasus filly. “Why do you have holes?” “For now, I will ask the questions,” responded Chrysalis, ignoring the non-sequitur. “I understand that something happened with regards to your friendship.” All three began to tumble out a stream of words regarding something. It was impossible to make any details out of the babble. “STOP!” commanded Chrysalis, loudly. “No one can understand anything when you all talk at once.” “You,” she pointed to a yellow Earth filly, “in your own words, without interruptions,” she said, glaring at the other two, who shrank back at Chrysalis’s glare, “tell me what happened.” “Well, Sweet Apple Acres has been in the Apple family for a long time,” began Apple Bloom. “And things haven’t always been where they are, and some stuff isn’t where it used to be. So, sometimes, some stuff gets forgotten in some places.” Chrysalis felt her head spin a moment trying to follow the logic. “Anyhow,” continued the filly, “we found what we think was one of old Uncle Crab Apple’s root cellars. We were lookin’ though the place and we found some old books an’ were starting to look through them when the cellar started to fall in on itself. We ran out just in time.” Seeing the other two fillies were getting antsy to say something Chrysalis turned to the unicorn filly again. “Your turn. Tell me what happened after that.” “Well, after that, Ma’am, um, Your Majesty, um…Rarity says its important to get ponies names right,” said Sweetie Belle. “Excuse me, but what should we call you?” “Your sister is quite right to insist on proper protocol,” said Chrysalis. “In general, I should be referred to as ‘Your Majesty’. But due to our informal setting here, I am willing to accept Madam or Ma’am, for short.” “Um, thank you, Ma’am,” said Sweetie Belle. “Anyway, as my 'former friend' was saying, we had gotten out just in time with the book and we took it back to our clubhouse. We read it and it talked about ways to contact the Grape old ones. We figured they must be some oldpony relatives of the Apples.” “The...Grape...old ones,” Chrysalis dragged a hoof down her face at yet another fruit based name. “Wait, pegasus, Scootaloo, isn’t it? Continue with what happened; this story is...unreal.” Scootaloo continued, “I read through it, and some of the stuff looked pretty scary, but also pretty cool. According to the book all we needed to do was follow the instructions and we could talk to these Grape ponies and they could do things for us like give me a pair of wings that would get me off the ground.” “Or convince Applejack that I’m big enough she doesn’t have to watch me all the time,” interrupted Apple Bloom. “Or make Rarity as proud of me as I am of her,” said Sweetie Belle, interrupting the interruption. “What did I say about ‘no interruptions’?” Chrysalis said loudly, overriding the argument even as it began. “Anyhow,” said Apple Bloom. “Ah started to put together stuff for the ‘write you’all’ so we could talk to these Grape ones. And things were going good too! Ah only needed one more thing.” Chrysalis began to feel the icy fingers of fear crawl up her malleable spine as she realized exactly what the Crusaders were talking about. Somehow, these fillies had found a book of forbidden knowledge. A book of rituals to contact one or more of The Great Old Ones, perhaps even dread Cthulhu himself. “All ah needed,” continued Apple Bloom, completely unaware of Chrysalis’s realization, “was a cup of unicorn blood. Ah figured Rarity would be more than willing to donate to help us out.” “What happened next?” Chrysalis prompted. As she spoke she cast a very subtle delve spell at the three fillies. Thankfully, they showed only the barest touch of the darkness they had interacted with. There was still hope, if they could be reminded of their friendships. “Well, Ah asked Rarity if she would donate an’ she refused!” said Apple Bloom indignantly. “So, I decided to take some when she was asleep, which is when Sweetie Belle ruined everything!” “I found you beside my sister’s bed, in the middle of the night, with a knife, a tourniquet and one of Zecora’s sleep potions,” said Sweetie Belle hotly. “You were gonna bleed my sister!” “Ah only needed a cup,” complained Apple Bloom. “All that stuff was to make sure she didn’t feel any pain and that Ah didn’t take too much. She woulda been fine!” “It was my sister’s blood!” shouted Sweetie Belle. “Hush!” commanded Chrysalis. “Scootaloo, do you know what happened next?” “Yes Ma’am,” said the pegasus filly. “Sweetie screamed, Rarity woke up, saw Apple Bloom with the knife and screamed. Apple Bloom screamed and next thing everyone knew all of Rarity’s friends were there and so were all of us.” “And then Twilight took the book away and now I can’t send a message to the Grapes because I need the book,” Apple Bloom pouted. “Okay fillies,” said Chrysalis. “I think I have a fair idea of what’s going on with you three and I think I can help you. But first, excuse me a moment.” Chrysalis stepped outside and went to one of the two guards who had become semi-permanent fixtures in her office. “I need you to bear a message to Princess Cadence immediately. She is to relay the message to Celestia at once.” “What is the message?” asked the guard. “Code R’lyeh, Sweet Apple Acres, Castle of Friendship, Apple family, Twilight Sparkle, one book,” said Chrysalis. “Repeat that back please.” The guard did. “Good, now get going.” Chrysalis walked back into the room where the three fillies sat in silence, staring at each other. It was almost cute. This was definitely a friendship she had to save. For all their sakes. “I need to shake them out of their anger,” Chrysalis thought. “I need to be blunt. I need to hurt them so they understand the pain the others are in. It’s a good thing I am skilled in hurting ponies.” “So,” Chrysalis drawled out. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders, friends forever. I believe you all made a solemn promise of friendship to each other?” The fillies nodded. “But it seems all it took was a book and the promise of things you can only dream of to end that friendship.” The trio looked down, faces sad. Chrysalis could see the beginnings of tears, and while she would not feed from them, the "taste" of the room as whole, suddenly became acidic and raw. “You know, before I invaded Canterlot I had considered snatching the three of you and replacing you with infiltrators,” said Chrysalis. The three fillies looked up. “Do you know why I didn’t? Because I decided that the bond between the three of you was so strong as to make you impossible to hold with my magic.” “We are strong, we’re just...” said Apple Bloom, unable to finish. “You,” said Chrysalis, “are unable to do something that all friends have to do for each other. Something I thought the three of you had learned a long time ago.” “What’s that?” asked Scootaloo. “True friends forgive each other when they make mistakes. They don’t hold grudges,” said Chrysalis. “Each of you has wronged the other.” The heads of the three fillies shot up. “Apple Bloom, you wanted what wasn’t yours to ask for, and then when you were told ‘No,' you tried to steal it. Sweetie Belle, you leaped to conclusions about the book without asking for help. You didn’t go to your sister about either it or Apple Bloom’s request. And Scootaloo, you were willing to watch them, just to get a chance at bigger wings. You first found the book, and I think you at least had an idea how dangerous it was. But you assured your friends it was ‘cool.'” Scootaloo nodded, “Ya, anything written in blood can’t be good. I’m sorry for saying it was red ink, gals. And I’m sorry for thinking of myself first.” “I think Scootaloo has made a good start here,” said Chrysalis. “Apple Bloom, do you have anything to add?” “Ah’m sorry too. Ah shoulda known that anything that involved takin’ instead of givin’ was bad news,” said Apple Bloom. “And?” prompted Chrysalis. “And Ah’m sorry for breakin’ into the boutique and scaring everypony,” said the Earth pony. With that all eyes turned toward Sweetie Belle. “I should have spoken to Rarity right away,” said Sweetie Belle. “I should have asked somepony older for help and, I should have been honest about how mad I was that Apple Bloom was going to do something magical instead of me.” There was a long pause, then all three, at the same time said, “I’m sorry, can you forgive me?” The three looked at each other, smiled and with laughter, embraced in a group hug. Chrysalis smiled at the resiliency of youth, saying, “So, little ponies, how strong ARE your hearts?” It was a cue and the ponies went with it, breaking into song. “Celestia watches over foals and fools,” thought the changeling, listening to the song and basking in the rekindled furnace that was the friendship of the Crusaders. The song ended and the trio looked up at Chrysalis, who was sitting there with a pleased smile on her face. “You did that on purpose!” exclaimed Scootaloo. “You were mean on purpose, so we could see how mean we were being to each other.” Chrysalis said nothing and just smiled enigmatically. “And when we saw how mean we had been, we felt bad and apologized. Which made us remember our friendship and how much we mean to each other,” realized Sweetie Belle, her mouth clearly working as fast as her brain. “Ah think she needs some payback for that dirty trick. What do you think, girls?” asked Apple Bloom. “Oh, please,” said Chrysalis. “Like you could do anything to- ack!.” Chrysalis found herself swarmed under by the three ponies who tackled her in a massive combined hug. “Ah!...Guard!…Help!” yelled Chrysalis, half in jest. “I’m being hugged!” The fillies just hugged her harder yelling, “CUTIE MARK CRUSADER CHANGELING HUGGERS...YAY!" Author's Note The CMC's song... Shout outs to my three editors on this chapter. My wife, Serenetea, Damaged and Cross Lament.
Interlude“...So,” Chrysalis was saying, “the Cutie Mark Crusaders are back together and their friendship is stronger than ever.” Cadence looked on the changeling queen with some satisfaction. She had taken a chance on Chrysalis keeping her word and she most certainly had. “You’ve done me a great favour by helping those three. Although Ponyville may not thank you for restoring the engine of chaos that is the CMC, you have my personal thanks and that of the Apple family,” she said. “Would you be willing to make that thanks into a more tangible form?” asked Chrysalis. “What did you have in mind?” responded Cadence warily. “You have nothing to fear,” chuckled Chrysalis. “I am still in the borders of the Empire and my word to be a good Guest still binds me.” “Alright, what did you have in mind?” asked Cadence, somewhat reassured. The changeling queen turned toward Shining Armor, “Prince Armor, do you or any of these fine strapping guards with us have any restraints on them capable of holding me?” Shining Armor looked in surprise at the four guards in the room. Their presence was standard procedure and they had done their job of being visibly invisible. “Yes, Your Majesty. The guards do. They each carry a pair of hoofcuffs more than capable of holding you.” “Good. Would you get out some of them, please?” asked Chrysalis. Four pairs of shackles, one from each guard, were set on the desk near Cadance by one of the guards. “Now then,” said Chrysalis, levitating one pair and tightly locking both cuffs around one of her forehooves. “I assume that the locks cannot be released with magic and shapeshifting will not allow me to escape them.” The connecting chain of the cuffs dangled about a foot or so from her hoof. “Quite correct,” said Shining Armor, fascinated, in spite of himself. “Only the key can undo them. Why?” “So you know where I am at all times,” said Chrysalis. “Princess Cadance, would you stand and come here for a moment.” “Okay,” said Cadance, moving to stand in front of the changeling, who was now also standing. “Now,” said Chrysalis, “look back at your husband and think of what he means to you.” Cadance did, and her heart filled anew with love her husband. Their shared love and the joy in their foal. “This must be what she wants,” Cadence thought. “To feed on my love for Shining and Flurry.” The thought was cut off as she heard a close-in jangle of metal, and felt a hoof turning her head back toward Chrysalis. Only it was no longer the face of the changeling queen before her. It was her own face looking back. Cadance only had a moment to register that before the transformed changeling queen was kissing her, full on the mouth. It was a good kiss. A warm kiss, starting gentle, yet insistent. Cadance gave into the kiss, opening her mouth further. Chrysalis responded in kind, lips working. Cadance couldn’t resist any further and began respond, moaning slightly and using her own tongue to explore the mouth and lips on hers. Chrysalis didn’t push, didn’t try to overpower, she simply responded in kind to the rising ardor of the Princess of Love. Matching her. Both mares were breathing heavily. The kiss went on, both of them taking pleasure in the physical contact and intimate closeness. Tasting and tantalizing each other. But it couldn’t go on forever and slowly, the kiss came to a close, both mares let it happen naturally, in its own time. As Cadance drew back her mouth, she noticed the smile of satisfaction on the face before her. She had seen it often enough when she looked in the mirror. She also noticed that while everything else was going on Chrysalis had somehow locked two more pairs of hoofcuffs to her. Cadance was now shackled fore and aft, much as she had been when Chrysalis had first captured her, back before her wedding. “Why?” she asked Chrysalis simply. Noticing, as she asked, that all five stallions in the room were having to “adjust” themselves. “Because Shining Armor isn’t the only one who has fantasies about you. I’ve wanted to do that with you for a long time now,” Chrysalis replied. “Prince Armor, I believe you and your wife need to go have a ‘discussion’ in your quarters.” “By your leave, Your Majesty,” said Shining Armor with a lustful smile toward his wife. Cadance was still floating on a cloud of endorphins from the kiss and submissively allowed her husband to slowly lead her out of the study toward their private rooms. “Should I let you out of those now?” asked the bemused guard whose cuffs Chrysalis wore. “Thank you, no,” said Chrysalis. “I’d like to wear them for a bit, as a reminder of what could have happened had your Princess chosen vengeance instead of mercy toward me and mine. But you need to go catch up to them.” “Um, why?” asked the guard. “Two reasons,” said Chrysalis. “First, you have the key to the shackles Cadance seems to have forgotten she is wearing.” “Yeah, she did seem a bit out of it when she left,” said the guard with a smile. “And the other reason?” “If you are very lucky,” said Chrysalis with a smirk, “Shining Armor might decide he needs some help ‘interrogating’ his ‘prisoner’.” The guard’s smile broke wide across his face. “Your Majesty,” he said, turning to leave, “you are a wicked, wicked mare.” “I know,” said Chrysalis with a throaty purr. “I know.” Chrysalis walked toward the door herself, the chain from the hoofcuffs slithering behind her shackled hoof. As she reached the door the changeling mare blurred and disappeared. “Well,” thought Luna to herself as she stepped out of Chrysalis’ dream. “That was certainly unexpected. Is that why Chrysalis went to Cadance, instead of myself or Tia? Because she has romantic feelings for Cadance? Can a changeling actually feel love for a pony?” The thoughts disturbed Luna on a deep level. She would need to find someone to talk to about what she had seen and discovered while spying on Chrysalis's dreams. ~~~~~+++++~~~~~ As the dawn rose over the Crystal Empire, so did the Queen of the Changelings. She rose from her bed, and smiled slightly at the memory of her dreams from the night passed. “It’s been awhile since I had a dream like that,” she thought. “I can’t feed off dream love so I’d better be careful I don’t drain myself dreaming.” She paused as realized her body’s state of hunger. “I’m full. I was hungry before bed. How can I be full now?” Chrysalis began to groom herself. Somehow, she had fed in her sleep. She had a full day ahead of her and now, something of a mystery to solve. It was a mystery she had to solve. If she had fed on a pony in her sleep, it would be a violation of her sworn word and her grubs would suffer. Chrysalis went outside to speak to the ponies guarding her, to ask if they had seen anything overnight. It was a first step. Author's Note I've run out of ideas for this story, sadly. I did have great fun with what I did write, but the press of other projects means that a return to it is very unlikely. Therefore I'm marking this story as complete. However, another author Sandstorm94 has offered to take the reins of this story, so into their hands I throw the torch. Be it theirs to hold on high.
