Author's Note

Sorry if this chapter is a little short, but here you go. I still welcome the constructive critisism if you find any errors in the story, so as always, thank you for your patience and support and remember to stay tuned for more chapters to come and remember to keep bronying on.

Questions of Love

Spike yawned as the rays of Celestia’s sun shone through the windows. Smacking his dry lips, he walked to the nearby bathroom to take a drink of water. Letting the cold water rinse his throat, Spike still remembered what happened yesterday, but he didn’t mind.

Even though he was drained yesterday from the love he had given to Hornet and the others, a good night’s rest seemed to have done the trick. He knew he would have to find other foods to introduce the changelings to or he might have a problem.

He learned from what he saw yesterday that Queen Chrysalis seems to enjoy the taste of chocolate ice cream. Though he had a feeling it would be difficult convincing the other changelings to give it a shot. Nevertheless, Spike was going to try his best to convince them. But for now, Spike focused on rehydrating himself with a couple of cups of water.

After he was finished, Spike walked out of the bathroom and stretched himself before heading downstairs to check and see what he could eat. He was able to restrain himself from eating the gems of Twilight’s castle. He remembered all too well what happened when Dragon Lord Ember came to Ponyville for the first time.

Fortunately there were plenty of other options, especially since Spike had gone grocery shopping yesterday. Deciding on what to eat, the young drake got to work on fixing some french toast along with some hash browns. Focused on breakfast, he failed to realize who had come into the kitchen.

“Are you feeling alright?” Chrysalis asked, getting Spike’s attention.

“Oh, hi Chrysalis. Yeah, I was bit drained yesterday, but I’m back on my feet. Why? Is there something wrong?” he asked back. At the question, Chrysalis averted her gaze, thinking about what Spike did yesterday.

“Look, I… I apologize for what my subordinates’ behavior yesterday. But that’s not what I want to talk to you about,” she said, forcing herself to look at the dragon.

“It’s about the kiss, isn’t it?”

Chrysalis sighed, clenching her fist, but not too tightly. “Y-Yes... W-Why exactly did you do that?”

Spike shrugged as he put some bread in the toaster. “Honestly, I’m not so sure. Maybe it’s because I just wanted to be even more nicer to you or to show you that deep down inside me, my feelings are starting to grow stronger or something,” he explained.

Chrysalis quirked an eyebrow at Spike when he explained his actions. Still, recently after he kissed her last night, she wasn’t able to ignore the strange thumping feeling in her chest. Last night, when she went to her bedroom for some sleep, she kept tossing and turning, groaning in discomfort and frustration.

Spike returned his attention to the two pieces of toast, which had just popped up. Licking his lips, he spread some butter and jelly on the slices and sat down.

“By the way, how are the other girls, are they doing alright?” Spike asked, before taking a bite out of his breakfast.

“Hmm, glad you brought them up. All of you, get in here, now!” Within just five seconds, Chrysalis’ four bodyguards rushed into the kitchen. Spike knew that if it took so little time for them to get in here, they couldn’t have been far away before they were called.

“Y-Yes, my queen?” Arachnea asked poking her head out.

“First off, the next time you fools eavesdrop on me, all the love you’ve fed off of other ponies AND Spike will belong to me! So, you’ve been warned. Now get inside the kitchen and apologize to him immediately,” Chrysalis ordered.

“Y-Y-Yes my queen!” Tarantula replied, intimidated. The four changeling bodyguards walked inside the kitchen and approached Spike while he’s still eating. Spike gave the changelings his full attention. They didn’t like apologizing to their “inferiors,” but they didn’t have a choice.

Spike just chuckled after they had apologized. He found it impossible to stay mad at these four beautiful changelings. He accepted their apologies with a big group hug. Only this time, the bodyguards didn’t suck the love out of him. Spike was surprised that they didn’t seize the opportunity to do so, but even more surprised when he heard their chests beating rapidly.

“Your heartbeats are beautiful,” Spike whispered, unable to help himself. The moment was cut short when all four of the changelings backed away, blushing, but withheld their hissing.

“W-What did you just say?” Hornet asked, in denial of what he just said.

“I just said that your heartbeats are beautiful,” Spike repeated without a moment of hesitation.

“That’s absurd! We changelings do not have hearts! How can you say that our heartbeats are beautiful if we have no heart to begin with?!” Tarantula asked.

Spike wasn’t intimidated and shook his head with a smile. “I was able to hear it clearly during our group hug. I don’t see why you’re acting like it’s a bad thing.”

He reached over and gently started to stroke Tarantula’s cheek while she was still in shock. She blushed intensely and neither she nor the other changelings could find the strength to stop him.

Once he was done, Spike sat back down to finish his breakfast. Chrysalis and her underlings left him to his business. What was strange is that Chrysalis and her bodyguards weren’t as hungry as they were before. In the past few months, up until yesterday, they had no problems with feeding off of Spike’s love, but now, their appetites were deteriorating.

After Spike had finished his breakfast, he put his plates in the sink before leaving the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Twilight was coming out of the castle library with a couple of books and noticed Chrysalis and her underling changelings, sitting around in the living room, looking rather uneasy and confused. Twilight felt concerned for them, which was a shock to her, but she still addressed them nonetheless.

“Is... Is everything alright in here?” she asked as she walked into the kitchen. As the changelings their attention to her, Twilight was actually surprised how they didn’t hiss at her.

“Hardly. I don’t know what to think anymore,” Chrysalis replied. She didn’t even make eye contact with Twilight as she placed her hands on her head.

“Well, maybe I can help. I don’t know if I can be of any help like Spike is, but the least I can do is at least try,” Twilight sighed, knowing this will be difficult.

Chrysalis groaned as she let go of her head. “I can’t believe I’m resorting to this, but what choice do I have?” she sighed. “Whatever, I’ve got nothing more to lose and I’m out of answers. That assistant of yours is impossible to figure out.”

Twilight sat down on the couch next to Chrysalis. “Well, Spike has always been one to put other ponies needs before his own. It’s in his nature to help others when they need it most. I can’t help myself but worry about him every time he puts his life in danger. I’m not always going to be there to protect him and he knows it.”

“What does he hope to accomplish from doing something that reckless?” Chrysalis asked with annoyance obvious in her tone.

“He does it simply to be a good friend and to show that he cares. You’d be surprised of the bonds Equestria has formed because of Spike. He even showed it when he saved you and your bodyguards from that fire,” Twilight continued.

Chrysalis sighed and kept her hand placed over her chest, trying to hide the blush which has grown across her face. “What am I going to do? That dragon friend of yours has been making me feel... strange ever since he rescued me. I’ve been feeling these weird poundings in my chest and I just want it to stop!”

Hearing Chrysalis explain her situation, Twilight had a good feeling what all this meant. Even though the ex queen had covered her face, Twilight was able to faintly see the blush which had formed. While she could have taken the chance to tease Chrysalis, Twilight remained mature.

“Chrysalis, I think that’s because you actually have a heart... and what’s more is that you’re falling in love with Spike,” Twilight said. “I know it sounds hard to believe, but I think that Spike’s actions are starting to-”

“Y-You’re mistaken!” Chrysalis cut her off. “T-There’s no way a changeling can have a heart! I-It’s just not possible!”

“Chrysalis… I don’t think that’s entirely true. If you didn’t have a heart, you wouldn’t be feeling the way you are now. Plus... I even did some research on changeling history and there was actually a time when changelings actually used to have hearts.”

“Are you insulting our queen?!” Aphid asked, finally deciding to hiss at the princess of friendship.

“No, of course not. I’m merely saying that all changelings weren’t bad to begin with. In fact, I think you girls and Chrysalis are probably the only remaining changelings who were born with actual hearts. If you didn’t have hearts, you wouldn’t be feeling this immense love for Spike,” Twilight explained.

“But then... how come we’re starting to feel this now? Tell me... HOW?!” Chrysalis asked, still feeling frustrated.

“There’s only one reason why you haven’t been able to show them up until now. But first, I need to know something: Has there ever been a time when you were abused and betrayed when you were younger?” Twilight asked.

“T-That... That’s none of your concern!” the queen snapped as she stood up to take her leave. “Quite frankly, I believe I’ve heard enough out of you for now,” she scowled.

“B-But Chrysalis...” Twilight protested, but to no avail as Chrysalis left the living room without looking back. Once she was gone, Tarantula and the girls started to glare at the purple alicorn for offending their mistress.

“I think you’ve done quite enough damage to our queen, princess!” Arachnea hissed and the other changelings agreed.

“D-Do you know anything?” Twilight asked carefully. The four changelings’ harsh expression didn’t let up, but after a long pause, Aphid decided to speak up.

“No! It’s not our job to ask of our beloved queen’s history!” she answered.

Twilight tapped her fingers against the arm rest of her favorite couch, as many thoughts raced through her head. ‘What happened to her?’ she thought as she looked out the window. She wasn’t so sure how she could help Chrysalis and only hoped that Spike could think of a solution.

Wanting to get out of the castle, Spike had decided it would be nice to go over to Fluttershy’s cottage. At the moment, he was enjoying some nice hot tea and cookies that the sweet yellow pegasus had made for him.

“Mmm, these taste delicious, thank you Fluttershy,” Spike said, after gulping down on of the cookies.

“You’re very welcome Spike,” she said with a smile as she took a bite of her own cookie. “If you don’t mind me asking, why is it that you wanted to come see me?” she asked.

“Oh yeah, that’s right. Uh, Fluttershy, there’s something I gotta tell you regarding Chrysalis and her bodyguards,” Spike said before he let out a sigh. “You see, recently just yesterday, I went to get something for Chrysalis to eat so they wouldn’t have to resort to always feeding on my love. Recently their feeding has begun to affect my health. Yesterday I could barely stand and it was difficult to walk around the castle. However that’s not the key issue right now.”

“What’s the real issue, Spike? You can tell me,” Fluttershy assured.

“Last night, before I went to bed... I...” Spike stopped and took a deep breath before he continued. “I kissed Chrysalis. It was only on her cheek, but I still kissed her. I can’t explain it, but I think... I think I’m beginning to fall in love with her. What do you think I should do? It’s not like she’s going to say she feels the same way about me, she’s too insecure. She worries about what other ponies think of her and I don’t want to put any pressure on her or hurt her. I just don’t know what to do anymore.”

This news was quite a lot for Fluttershy to take in. “W-Well gee, I... I didn’t know you felt so strongly about Chrysalis. Do... Do you feel the same way towards the other changelings?” she asked.

“To be perfectly honest, I couldn’t help but feel attracted to her subordinates, too. But... I can’t help but feel like I’ll just end up making everything worse if I choose just one of them. That’s why I need your help, Fluttershy. How can I fix this?” Spike asked.

“Love works in mysterious ways Spike,” she began as she walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. “If you think you’re developing feelings for Chrysalis, you should go and tell her how you feel. There’s also something Twilight mentioned to me some time ago. She said that long ago, ponies and other creatures would practice what we call “herding.” Fluttershy explains.

“Herding? What do you mean?” Spike asked, confused.

“Well, basically, because of the population of mares being greater than stallions, the mares would all either date and sometimes marry one stallion, just to keep our species from going extinct and it’s worked out so well. If you’re experiencing these undying feelings for Chrysalis and her other, you might have a chance to be a part of their lives.”

Spike was left speechless as he took in what Fluttershy had just told him.

“But, what if they’re not ready for that kind of commitment?” Spike asked and then felt Fluttershy stroke his shoulder

“Not every relationship starts off nice and easy. There are a few bumps along the way. It’s good that you’re worried about such a thing. Maybe you should give them some time and allow them to open up to you in their own way. I’m sure that within due time, they’ll start to accept you and welcome you into their lives, just as you did when you took them in and cared for them.”

Spike felt a smile coming to his face as Fluttershy finished giving him advice. “I see. I’ll keep that in mind when the time is right for me to confess. Thanks, Fluttershy,” Spike said pulling Fluttershy into a warm hug. The timid pegasus hugged him back.

“Anytime, Spike. I’m just glad I was able to help,” she said rubbing his back. The hug lasted for a few more seconds before Spike decided it was time for him to take his leave. Fluttershy allowed him to take the remaining cookies in a small bag as he left her cottage.

He waved goodbye to Fluttershy and vice versa. With a smile on her angelic face, Fluttershy closed the door once had Spike flown out of her sight.

After arriving back at the castle, Spike headed straight for his room in order think things over on how he’ll be able to confess to the changelings. Of course, being the patient dragon he is, he chose to wait patiently and still keep up his usual routine, looking after the changelings and Queen Chrysalis. Speaking of which, Spike soon heard a knock on his door.

He looked up and turned towards the door with a questioned look. “Who is it?” he asked.

“I-It’s me,” Chrysalis replied from the other side. Spike got up from his bed and walked towards the door, unlocking it and opening it up. Chrysalis and her bodyguards all had troubled looks on their faces.

“Is something wrong, girls?” he asked, concerned. He placed a claw on the queen’s shoulder and she placed her hand over his claw.

“We need to talk.”