Author's Note

I apoligize for the long wait, but here's the 2nd chapter and if you want to know the names of the changelings, I'll list their names after I've finished telling all of you guys thanks for your patience and support and remember to stay tuned and remember to always keep bronying on

A Place of Peace and Freedom

With everyone in the lobby still too scared to approach Twilight and Spike, due to the "company" they were with, the young drake and alicorn waited patiently for the doctors to arrive. The sound of footsteps and squeaking wheels could be heard through the hallway on the right. Twilight and Spike looked and saw Nurse Red Heart running straight towards the group. She gets a bit scared when she sees the former changeling queen being carried by Spike, but her fear is tossed aside and Red Heart gestured Spike to place Chrysalis on the stretcher, in which he did so without question.

The other four changelings walked with Red Heart and disappeared into the hallway. Spike wanted to go after them, but Twilight stopped him by grabbing his tail with her magic. Spike looked back at his big sister who gave him a simple nod. "It's best thay you just wait out here, Spike. They don't trust you that well and plus you have to let the doctors do their job of helping them recover." she said.

Spike knew she was right, but at the same time, he just couldn't help but feel worried for Chrysalis and her unreformed changeling followers. He'd never felt so worried about an old enemy before. Nevertheless, he couldn't do anything, other than wait in the lobby until Chrysalis and her followers would feel better. Twilight also chose to wait patiently by reading a few books until there was nothing left to read, which took her 3 hours.

"Spike, we'd better get back home. It's late and I'm really behind on work. The changelings aren't going anywhere so you can come back tomorrow and check up on them." Twilight said.

"You can go back to the castle if you want, Twilight, but I'm gonna stay here and wait until visiting hours, or at least until the hospital closes for the night. Whichever comes first." Spike replied, not taking his eyes off the hallways where the queen was taken. He was too afraid to leave the changeling queen all alone, mostly because he was afraid that she might not make it out alive.

"Spike, I know you're worried, but you don't have to go through those kind of measures. You just need to have a little bit of faith in them." Twilight insisted

"I'm sorry, Twilight, but I'm staying right here." the drake persisted. "Whether you believe it or not, Chrysalis and her last few changelings need me. You can leave if you want, but I'm staying right here in this lobby until they're perfectly fine, okay?" Twilight thought Spike was just being stubborn, however, she knew that deep down, Spike was a good guy at heart and the fact that he's choosing to stay and wait for the changelings to recoverr shows that's grown more caring than ever before. She couldn't help but feel so proud of Spike and felt a smile form on her face.

"Alright, Spike. When you come home, I'll make sure to have some dinner prepared for you." Twilight said. She then walks up to Spike and hugs him. "Be careful when walking back home, okay?"

"I will, and thanks, Twilight." After exchanging hugs, Twilight walked out of the hospital and teleported herself back home while Spike sat in the lobby. Another 2 hours went by slowly, but Spike didn't even notice, for his mind was still set on the former changeling queen and whether or not she'd be alright. She and her army have tried to take over Equestria and feed off of everypony's love not once, but twice. Spike wants to believe that there's actually some good inside Chrysalis, but with the reputation she's built over the years, it's going to take a miracle for everypony to accept her and her last few remaining changeling followers.

Later on, Nurse Red Heart walked out from the hallway and saw only one single dragon sitting in the lobby and walked up to him. "Spike, what are you doing here? I thought you'd be home." Red Heart said.

"I'm just waiting to see if Queen Chrysalis is alright." Spike replied.

"Well, due to the multiple fractures in her body, she won't be able to walk for at least 3 weeks. But other than that, she's going to be just fine."

Spike felt a smile form on his face when he heard she was going to make it. "So then, can I see her?"

"Well, I suppose, but try not to ask any questions. But I will say this: What you did was very brave of you, not many ponies would go out and rescue Chrysalis and her four other female changelings."

"Yeah, well not even Queen Chrysalis deserves to go out like that, nor do any of her followers." Spike said, only for his eyes to widen when he heard what Red Heart said. "W-Wait a minute, did you just say Chrysalis' other changelings are all girls?!"

"Yep. Aside from the small amount of smoke they inhaled, they'll be okay. They just some need rest. Come on, I'll take you to them." she said.

Red Heart took Spike down the hall and passed up a few doors and made a turn to the right and approached the door first door on their right. Red Heart opened it up and let Spike in. He takes a few steps inside and notices Chrysalis at the end of the room, laying in bed and looking out the window. The other four beds showed the female changelings sleeping soundly into the night. Spike walked over to Chrysalis and stopped at the right hand side of he bed, getting her attention.

"What do you want?" Chrysalis asked, in a bad mood. "Did you come here to laugh at me and humiliate me even further because I've become nothing more than a weakling? You come here to rub salt into my wounds and say things like "This is what you get, Chrysalis" is that it?"

"No, Chrysalis, that's not it at all." Spike said, calmly, trying to hold her hand, but she swipes her hand away, "I just wanted to see if you're alright."

"Well, I'm breathing, now get out! I need not your pity!" she said, turning away.

"Chrysalis, whether you want to hate me or not, that's entirely up to you. But you have to understand that if I hadn't been there to save you, then you'd already be dead. But you're still alive today and so are your last few loyal changelings who still show their respect to their fallen queen. You shouldn't just look at the negatives all the time and moreso at the positives." Spike explained.

"You're right about one thing, I'm no queen anymore, just a washed-up bug who's of no use to anypony. You should have just let me die out there." Chrysalis replied in a low, slightly choked up voice.

"Chrysalis, don't say that! You know that's not true! Do you know why I saved you and your followers?" Spike asked, but got no response from her. "I saved you all because I care about all of you. Even though we've had a few bad times in the past, you still have a chance to change your lives for the better."

Chrysalis didn't reply. She just faced the window with the same blank expression. Spike didn't know what to do, other than to do the one thing that might be hazardous to him. He gave Chrysalis a hug and in doing so, offered her some of his love to help her get a little better.

"I hope you all get better soon." he whispered quietly to the former queen. He lets go of her and walks over to her other changelings and hugs them all as well. He could feel his energy being drained, but it didn't matter to him and once he was done, he exited the room and closed the door. After he had left the room, Chrysalis just couldn't stop quivering no matter how hard she tried. Whether she noticed it or not, tears began to form from her eyes and dripped down her face.

"T-That... cursed... dragon!" she grunted quietly, placing her hand on her head. Pretty soon, more tears flowed out of her eyes and she began to sniffle. "H-How dare he touches me!" Not long after she said that, she sobbed quietly to herself. She had never felt so humiliated in her entire life. Compared to the day when Starlight and Thorax took her throne away from her and failing to take Shining Armor in order to expand her army, being rescued by her enemy was even worse than those two failed attempts put together.

With her left alone with her changelings, Spike had flown halfway across Ponyville and was getting closer to the castle, still having thoughts about Chrysalis. She didn't really deserve to have that happen to her and neither did the other female changelings deserve to see their queen suffer like that. But thanks to the help his friends, at least now the changelings will be alright. Now all that mattered right now was to grab some dinner, and it was hard to concentrate when his stomach was empty and his mind was full. This was one of the same situations he was in when he had to get over his former crush.

He was so distracted by his thoughts that he bumped into the castle, snout first. "Ouch!" he yelled slightly, rubbing his snout and slowly floating down to the ground. He sighed and walked inside, seeing that the castle was completely silent, aside from the sound of the door closing. Spike walked down the hall and straight towards the door where the dining hall was.

Spike opened the door and noticed a plate of food and bowl of jewels being covered by a lid and a note. He picked up the note and read what it said.

Dear Spike,

If you're reading this, I've already gone to bed. I made sure to make you enough food so you wouldn't go hungry for the rest of the night. I can tell you were worried about Chrysalis and I don't blame you. I know she's the enemy, but I can say you did the right thing by saving her life. I've lost count of all the times when you were such a big help to everypony when we were in big trouble. Anyways, I hope you enjoy your meal and maybe tomorrow, we'll go check up on the changelings together.

P.S
I've invited somepony special so you wouldn't feel left out. I'm sure you know them very well.

Your big sis
Twilight Sparkle

"Somepony special? Who's she talking about." Spike asked.

"That would be me, darling." said a female voice. Spike's eyes widened when he heard that familiar voice, making him turn around and notice his ex-crush, Rarity, standing in the open doorway. She had on her usual light blue blouse on and long, purple skirt with three diamonds sowed onto it. "Twilight told me how you were worried about the changeling queen and how you rescued her from certain death. Would it be alright if I sat down and talked to you for a little while, Spikey-poo?" she asked, rubbing her arm.

"I, uhh... I suppose. Go ahead and have a seat." Spike offered, pulling up a chair. Rarity walked in and sat herself down and pushed herself in. Spike sat down next to Rarity, but then wondered. "So, are you hungry or did you already have dinner?" he asked.

"Don't worry, darling. I've already eaten, the food's all yours. Twilight did make it for you after all." she reassured, letting the young drake start eating. "Look, Spike. I know you said that you're finished with trying to win me over, and I can respect that as your friend, but are you sure it's a good idea to check up on Chrysalis, even after all the trouble she put us all through?"

Spike waited until he swallowed his food before he spoke to her so he wouldn't be rude. "She might have done ponies wrong in the past, but not even she deserves to go out like she almost did before, and plus, I want to believe that there might be some good in her."

"Spikey-darling, with all due respect, she's the changeling queen! For all I know, she might just end up using you to satisfy her hunger and I don't want to see you get hurt! I just don't want to lose you Spikey-poo, you're one of my most trusted and most generous of friends." Rarity placed her hand on Spike's.

"I know it's dangerous, but I'm taking that risk. And besides, I gave her and her changeling followers some of my love just so they wouldn't all go hungry for the night. Her last few changelings still have a high amount of respect for her, and I can't let them see their leader die." Spike said in a calm tone.

"Can I ask you something, Spike?" she asks. Spike nodded. Rarity avoided eye contact at first but then looked back at him and asked him, "Are you falling in love with Queen Chrysalis?" Spike's eyes widened when she asked that, but she wasn't sure if it means he does or doesn't. "Please, Spike. I just want to know. Do you love Chrysalis, or do you not love her?"

Spike sighed and looked directly at Rarity's pleading sapphire eyes. "I don't. At least... not yet I don't. Right now, I'm only staying focused on helping Chrysalis and her changeling followers get back up on their feet so I can help turn all of their lives around. After all, everypony deserves a second chance." he answered with a very kind and gentle smile.

Rarity just couldn't deny how much Spike has grown ever since he was just a baby dragon. All he cared about back then was winning her heart and affections, but now here he is, helping out others in their direst of needs and she knew she was never going to win Spike's heart as her lover. But at least she was going to be there for him as a kind and supportive friend, so without further ado, she leans in and hugs Spike, catching him by surprise and whispered in his ear, "You truly are a kind and generous dragon."

Spike smiled slightly and hugged his ex-crush back. Rarity felt like she wanted to melt away in Spike's arms, but she held it in and just mearly wiped away a tear from her eye.

Rarity and Spike broke the hug and Rarity stood up from her chair, stretching herself. "Well, I'd best be getting home so I can get some sleep." she said, walking towards the exit of the dining hall.

"You need me to walk you home?" Spike asked.

"No need to, darling. You can just go ahead and eat. You need your strength for tomorrow. I don't want to tucker you out at such a late hour. Good night, Spike." and with that, Rarity then walks out of the dining room and out the door on her way out of the castle. Spike sighed in relief, feeling like there wouldn't be any conflicts between him and his ex-crush. With that whole situation out of the way, Spike got back to eating his dinner, while still having thoughts about Chrysalis and the other changeling followers.

After finishing his dinner and washing his own dishes, Spike exited the dining room and traveled through the halls of the castle until he reached his bedroom. He enters his room and closes the door. He walks over to his bed and suddenly takes off his shirt before climbing onto his bed and covering himself up with the blankets and stared up at the ceiling.

The next day, after Spike had done his daily chores and helping out his friends, Twilight had once again took him to see the injured changeling queen at the hospital. Twilight wanted to make sure that Spike wouldn't get hurt, but he kept on insisting that he was going to be fine. Twilight didn't care if his hunch would be right, to her, Spike was still legally considered her younger brother. Whether he liked it or not, she wasn't going to let him see Chrysalis and her minions all by himself.

Once they got to the hospital, Twilight and Spike walked up to the front desk pony and asked her if visiting hours have started or not. She nodded and told the princess and her dragon brother where to find Chrysalis and the other changelings. Spike took Twilight with him down the hall to the right and took another right at the end, walking up to the first door on their right.

Twilight and Spike went inside the room and saw the four changelings and their leader, still in bed, resting their bodies, but none of them were asleep. The moment they all caught the sight of Spike and Twilight, they sat up and hissed at them to keep away from them. Twilight was trying to pull Spike back, but he shook his head at Twilight, letting her know he wasn't afraid of them. Spike walked casually at the still-hissing female changelings and stopped in front of their four hospital beds. They leaned against the foot of the bed and kept on hissing and glaring daggers at the calm purple dragon.

"What do you want, dragon?!" hissed the light blue-eyed changeling.

"Come to humiliate us and our queen even further?!" hissed the dark blue-eyed changeling.

"I don't care if I'm insulted, but leave our queen out of this!" hissed the green-eyed changeling.

"Give us one good reason why we shouldn't lash out on you now!" hissed the red-eyed changeling. Spike felt his whole body shaking, but at the same time, his heart was telling him to show them that he meant no harm and wants to help them out. He catches them off-guard by opening up his arms out wide. The female changelings looked at each other in confusion and at their queen, who looked back at them.

"You'll live a little longer if you feed. I don't care if he's offering it, love is love and you need it. Now FEED!" she ordered them but made sure not to strain herself.

The changelings looked at each other and back at Spike, who still had his arms spread out. They all glared and could feel the aching feeling inside them. They were hungry and needed to feed off his love. They signalled Spike to come a little closer out of annoyance. He did so and gave them all a warm, group hug. They wasted no time in feeding off of him, but Twilight wasn't going to let them use him as breakfast.

She glared and tried to pull Spike away from them, but to her surprise, she was pushed away, not by the changelings, but Spike himself.

"Spike, you can't be serious about this! Let go of them!" she said, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"I know what I'm doing..." Spike said, sounding almost out of breath. Despite his whole body becoming weak, he still hung onto them. By the time they had finished, they pushed him off with ease, making him stumble and fall on his back, feeling all dizzy. Hee struggled to get up, but thankfully, Twilight helped him up and wrapped his arm around her for support.

"Spike, what were you thinking?! You know they feed off love!" Twilight tried to warm him. Spike let go of Twilight and slowly made his way to Chrysalis. "Spike, didn't you hear a word that I said?! Get away from her, even if she's injured, she's still able to feed off of you!" she said. But Spike didn't heed her warning, he just wanted to do whatever he could to help out the changelings and their queen.

"You know, your little princess is right. If you feed me, I can't guarantee your safety." Chrysalis said slyly, "How should I put this in a way you'll understand?" she asked herself, thinking and smiling. "Worst case scenario, you could easily get killed by me, Spike was it?"

Without hesitation and to her surprise, Spike grabbed one of her hands and wrapped his vacant arm around her, and gave her a warm, gentle hug. Chrysalis saw this opportunity and was about to feed off of him, but then suddenly, she got this strange urge to hug him back. She didn't know whether to feed or let him be, it was all so confusing for her. No one has ever showed her this much mercy, other than Starlight. What was weird was that something started pounding in her chest. Something amazing.

She didn't know what it was and before she knew it, her arms wrapped around Spike and her chest started beating faster and tears started to flow out of her eyes again.

Even Twilight was surprised when Chrysalis started hugging him. She thought Spike was a goner, but somehow, Spike was doing his best to prove that even the most dangerous of enemies can change. She felt scared for Spike's safety and proud of his bravery and kind heart. Before things could get worse for Spike, she walks over to him and places her hand on his shoulder, causing him to turn to face her.

"Spike, I know you're trying to help, and I'm very proud of you, really, I am, but sooner or later we're gonna have to tell Princess Celestia about this." Twilight said.

His body stiffened up at the mention of alerting the princess. "Twilight, if you do that, she's gonna take Chrysalis over to the dungeon and she'll never see the light of day again!" he panicked.

"We can't keep this a secret forever, Spike. She has to know."

"No! I won't let Chrysalis or her followers get thrown into the dungeon. They've been through enough!" Spike hung his head over, trying to hold back the tears.

"Spike, this is no time for arguing."

"Stop sulking over me, you pathetic crybaby." Chrysalis said, almost shouting. "Listen, I don't care if I'm sent into the pits of Tartarus or the princess' dungeon. There's nothing much for me to do and you saw how the other ponies looked at me with fear and panic. This kingdom's gonna rejoice when I'm gone." she turned her head away from Twilight and Spike, trying to hide her despair.

"What about your last changeling followers?" Spike asked.

"They don't need me. I've seen how strong my faithful rebels are, so I'm not worried. Besides, why are you acting like this is a bad thing?"

"Because, you're still a living being. And to see you get thrown in some isolated prison wouldn't prove that Equestria is a kingdom of peace and freedom. I won't lie, trying to take over Equestria twice was the wrong thing to do, but I want to help give you a chance to start over." Spike explained wholeheartedly. "I refuse to believe that Equestria isn't a world where all living creatures, good or evil, can't live peacefully. Please, Chrysalis, let me care for you and your changeling followers."

"Spike..." Twilight said in surprise, placing her hand over her heart. It made Twilight feel so proud of her little brother and how much he's matured over the years. There was simply no arguing with him at this point, so instead, she thought up a new suggestion. "I understand, Spike." she said. "If you feel this strongly about helping her, then how about I'll go ahead and have the princess hear you out."

Her dragon brother looked over at Twilight in surprise. "You'd do that?" he asked.

"Yes. I want to believe that Equestria is a place of peace and freedom, too. And to prove it, when we get back to the castle, I'll let you write the letter to Princess Celestia." Twilight said.

Spike felt relieved and let out a sigh, placing his hand over his heart. "Thanks, Twi." he said, smiling.

"Just looking out for my number one assistant and little brother." Twilight finished up with a big hug for Spike, which he hugged her back in return. Chrysalis wanted to roll her eyes at this embarrassing sight, but that strange beating deep inside her chest kept getting in the way. She felt like seeing Twilight and Spike hug each other in such a warm way made her feel so touched. She started to wonder if this is what it feels like for a changeling to experience real love and if she could learn to love like they do.