It was early the next morning, Chrysalis groaned as the light of Celestia’s sun bombarded her face. Se groaned “Great another night of hunting for scraps.” Her sleep addled mind was unable comprehend why she was not sleeping in the cold damp Everfree but in a warm cotton bed in a fairly plain wooden room.

Applejack carried two apple pies into the room with a smile “Breakfast is ready?”

Chrysalis nodded “Thank you for the hospitality.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow “Your welcome, Ah must admit Ah wasn’t expecting a thank you. You weren’t very friendly at the wedding, you treated us all like dirt.”

Chrysalis frowned “I was taught the importance of good manners by my mother, she wanted to make it very clear to me the importance of respect. The wedding was an act, to act just odd enough to may Twilight suspicious while you would think it was just wedding jitters, I wasn’t planning on her finding Cadence.”

Applejack frowned “Well Ah got to go and get some ponies, they need to be informed about your presence here so they don’t cause.”

Meanwhile in Canterlot Castle

Celestia was holding the Solar Court. She frowned at one of the nobles “I will not pass such an absurd declaration.”

Now this most nobles would have taken her frown as a reason to shut their mouths but this one was unusually brazen. He grinned“Why should anypony listen to you, you were beaten by that stupid bug Queen!”

Celestia eyes narrowed, she was usually a calm pony capable of handling comments such as this with ease but with all the stress following the invasion had pushed her patience to it’s limits. In the first time in many centuries Celestia’s Royal Canterlot Voice echoed throughout the chambers “I am not in mood to wipe your plots for you! NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!”

The nobles all scrambled out, even the bold one knew that he made a massive mistake. Celestia slumped, everypony was questioning her decisions she was trying to sort out the aftermath but it was failing. Suddenly, a guard burst in panicked “A changeling is at the gates!”

Celestia roared “What, bring the Changeling in now!”

A few minutes later a tall, black changeling with a silky like dark green mane with chitin that shined in the light. Her hooves were devoid of holes, she was escorted into the room. She bowed before the Alicorn “I am here to offer my sincerest apologies for my mother’s actions. I have recently taken command of the hive, as for where she went noling knows.”

Celestia sighed “I will arrange you a room in the castle and we can discuss diplomatic relations tommorow. I am too tired for diplomacy today.”

The Changeling rubbed the back of her head “Forgive me I haven't introduced myself. I’m Queen Ocellus, how about we spend some time together.”

Celestia smiled slightly “Sure, I could use some company today.”

Back in Ponyville

Applejack was leading the five ponies to the farm, Apple Bloom frowned “We were going to do some crusading. What was so important that drag away from the Rarity’s.”

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo yawned, Rainbow Dash frowned “I have work to do and right now it’s being delayed. I want to have some time for my nap later.”

Pinkie bounced along with a smile “Relax Dashie, Applejack wouldn't drag us out here if it wasn’t important.”

Rainbow Dash sighed “I know that but it’s still very annoying. I was hoping for a slightly more normal day but apparently not.”

Applejack frowned as she turned to them at the gates of Sweet Apple Acres “Now Ah need you all to Pinkie Promise not to tell anypony about what Ah am about to show you all. It is very important.”

Applejack calmly watched as they did the motions “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

She nodded “Now come with me, Ah have to show you to our guest.” She frowned “Now be warned, our guest is not like most ponies you’d meet but Ah expect you to treat her with respect. She had a nasty run in with a Manticore, the fact she had survived long enough for me to tend to her wounds is a testament to her strength. Most ponies would be dead within seconds from those kinds of injuries.”

The Crusaders as well as Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash contemplated her words carefully as they were lead towards the farm house. Big Mac looked at all of them with a nod, he then turned to his sister “Eeyup.”

They headed through the house up the stairs towards the guest room, Applejack opened the door and Applejack stepped forward as the other five were staring stunned at Chrysalis who was nervously looking for an exit. Applejack put a hoof on the Changeling Queen, you’re our guest and anypony who tries to harm you will have to go through me.”

Rainbow Dash recovered first and let out a low growl “Queen Chrysalis, I will not allow you to get away this time!” Applejack got into a defensive position only for a pink hoof to slam Rainbow Dash into the floor.

Rainbow Dash turned to Pinkie Pie only to see the pink mare’s mane was completely flat as a murderous aura emitted from her. Pinkie Pie frowned “I never thought I would have to use this but you tried to attack someone who was injured. We need to trust our friends, we failed to trust a friend recently and we all vowed not to make such a mistake again.”

She then approached the Former Changeling Queen with a warm smile, her flat mane rested along her withers “I believe that there is something good in you, I can feel it. Your deserve a second chance.”

Chrysalis looked away “Why did you unleash a part of yourself that you despise for me. I’m your enemy, why help me?”

Pinkie smiled “Because you deserve a second chance.”

The Crusaders cheered in unison “Yeah, once you’re recovered maybe you could help us with Cutie Mark Ideas.”

Rainbow trotted over with a forlorn look “I’m sorry, I just snapped at seeing you.”

Chrysalis gave a small smirk “I understand, you and I are both very proud individuals” she then sighed “the fact you were the only one who reacted like that is a positive thing.” Applejack left with other five reaffirmed the fact they were going to keep the secret while Chrysalis fell asleep exhausted from the stressful interaction.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.