I snarled for the thousandth time this month “Where are you taking me?”

The Changelings said “Shut up, you stupid pony.”

I said “That’s uncalled for, I didn’t kill any of you, I just knocked out fifty of you, you lucky bastards captured me.”

They shouted “Shut up” then suddenly they shouted “to ...”

I watched as a scythe tore through the door, the voice had an buzz to it as if it was a bug. I watched as a Changeling Queen putting her scythe on her back as she entered the cart and asked “Are you okay?”

I responded “I’m fine, you are a different changeling from those, right?” She nodded at me. I said “Well then I will trust you” I stepped out and grabbed my blade which was covered in jewels around the hilt then I said harshly “If you try anything I will kill you.”

The Changeling Queen said calmly “I promise not hurt you in any way.”

I replied “Good,with that out of the way I guess introductions are in order, I’m Rara.”

The Queen replied “Well I’m Chrysalis Ex-Queen of the Badlands Changeling Hive.”

I frowned as I asked “Why should I trust you?”

Chrysalis replied “Because I have so little power left, I am no threat to you.” I stared at her for several minutes and realised she was right, she was sick and frail, her chitin was covered in cracks and her holes were almost the width of her hooves.

I asked “Um where do you live” and the I saw the unfamiliar stalls and inhabitants, some where like sharks, lizards and fish creatures as well a cat having some troubles with a mole rat “where are we?”

Chrysalis said “Klugetown, in the Storm King’s realm, it’s fairly safe for me as the Storm King will only allow each hive to have 5 changelings in the premises or else there would be an issue. I will take you to my place.”

When we entered it was a modest place, she had a small fridge. I asked “Can I make myself something to eat?”

Chrysalis said “Sure, go on.” I grabbed several vegetables and and ate them within a minute. Chrysalis said “You must be really hungry.”

I said “Those changelings had no idea what to feed a pony, we are not carnivores. Still it’s better than what I used to do during my old bard days, eating dung isn’t pleasant trust me.”

Chrysalis gasped “Dung, even changelings wouldn’t dare.”

I said smiling “When your hunting dragons, bandits, timberwolves, changelings or even the odd pony and have no time for finding food things can get desperate.”

Chrysalis asked confused “Why would a bard do any of that?’

I asked “Have you ever impersonated a bard?” Chrysalis hook her head. I then said “Bards learn how to fight because often we get attacked by bandits, kidnappers and the odd changeling. As years past we became renowned for our combat skills we started taking requests for hunting monsters or bandits, thus bard guilds also have a board full of marks.”

Chrysalis shouted in amazement “Wow, I’m glad I didn’t face any bards during my second invasion of Equestria which failed or else it would have been over.”

I asked coldly “Tell me everything?” Chrysalis shivered at the cold gaze in my eyes as she told her story.

I said “I guess you saved me to get in your daughter’s good graces.” She nodded at me. I said calmly “I am not happy about what you did but you saved me and I owe you for that.”

I gave her a light hug which caused her to ask blushing “Why did you do that?”

I smiled “You're a changeling aren’t you and you feed off emotions, I gave you some of mine, I thought some of my gratitude may help you.” Chrysalis noticed her holes shrunk slightly and some of the cracks in her chitin disappeared.

Chrysalis showered her with praise “Thank you so much, I haven’t never been shown such kindness.”

I said “I’m not that kind.”

Chrysalis scoffed “You said ‘you only knocked out fifty changelings of those changelings that were trying to capture you, you are a good pony.’”

I blushed at the praise “I just did what anypony would do?”

Chrysalis laughed “I wish, most ponies I know will strangle them.”

I asked “How do you know?”

Chrysalis said “Have you been to Canterlot or Manehatten or Fillydelphia, the rich lord over everypony and those who have little are starving in the streets, do you know how many converts came off the streets of the big cities, thousands of them.”

I gasped “Thousands of them.” Chrysalis nodded, I made a mental note to bring this up when I returned.

I said “Chrysalis how about this, on behalf of Equestria and all it’s ponies I will be you friend.”

I saw the tears cross her face as she asked “Really?”

I gave her another hug “Really, you need to learn how to be loved by others and the start is friendship.” I asked “Do you have a bed for me to sleep on.”

Chrysalis blushed “I only have one bed.”

I smiled “Well you need to eat don’t you, I could make sure you are nice and well fed by morning if we just cuddle in the same bed.” Chrysalis turned her head away, trying to hide her blush.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter.