Chapter Seventeen: Rewards and Celebrations

It took a few days to set up the reward celebration to announce to all of Equestria that the changelings were now under Thorax’s peaceful rule. Almost a week later Thorax felt that he had enough of a handle on things for him, and his newly changed changelings, to be presented to Equestria. During those few days, I spent time with my dad down in the dungeon. Or at least as much time as I could scrounge up. My time with my dad right now is bitter-sweet. I was glad to finally have him free of Chrysalis control and finally able to talk freely to him again but now there was the task of freeing his mind. That was a much harder job. My dad was my only goal. I held no hope for Chrysalis.

“How many times must I endure your visits?” Chrysalis growled at me as I padded my way past her cell. “And how can you even get down here without any means of teleportation?”

Normally, I would just ignore her and walk by without commenting. However, this time she gave me a most wonderful opportunity to tease her. So, I stopped in front of her cell and faced her with a growing smirk on my muzzle. “Tia and Luna were kind enough to set up an automatic means for me, so I can come and go at will.” She simply glared up at me from her newly acquired bed. Yeah, we gave her and my dad both beds. She may be a mortal enemy, but I didn’t want to be cruel or I would be just like her. It appeared she appreciated it because she was currently laying on her side facing me. “So, I can visit anytime to talk to my dad and get him to finally understand what evil you had wrought upon not only him but upon all of Equestria during your rule.”

Her cackle was quick and filled with menace. “All I have to do is keep talking to him and can keep him under my control,” she grinned at me feeling that she’ll ultimately win.

With an amused chuckle, I shook my head at her, “No you won’t because there are two sound spells isolating your cell from his. He can’t hear you.”

She looked away from me, grunting softly in silent defeat. “You think of everything don’t you?” she snorted angrily and folded her forelegs together then laying her head down on them.

“I try,” I shrugged slightly, smirking a little at her. Then turned walking over to my dad’s cell. So, far he’s been the one to start talking every time I’ve come to visit. This time shouldn’t be any different either thus why I waited for him to talk. He was laying prone on his new bed with a blank look on his face while staring at the crystal wall in front of him. However, I knew better. He may look like nobody was home, but I knew his mind was active. Over the past few days, it was plainly obvious that he was thinking about his past actions. Two things gave that away. One was that we had already spoken about it. Two was the look on his face even if he was a changeling. And unfortunately forever will be.

“If you told me two years ago that we’d be in this situation, I would have called you insane and committed to a nuthouse,” he finally said while still staring blankly at the wall. It was one of those rhetorical statements that didn’t require answering, so I continued to wait and let him talk. “I’m actually in another world, in a body that’s not my own, in a jail cell that’s in a kingdom being run by my son married to ponies. Ponies that have enough power to move the sun and moon in space.”

Yeah, that’s pretty incredible. I smirked a little thinking about what he just said.

“Ponies that have given you a family,” he finally said again softly, as if his mind was tossing that bit of information around. “Your children, my grandchildren.”

“Grandchildren that you wanted to murder,” my voice was firm and filled with contempt. And looked at him with a certain amount of disappointment.

He opened his mouth to say something, but decided not to and close his mouth again. And stared at the wall.

“I don’t know what to say to get you to understand just how bad Chrysalis is.” I sat down on my rump with a shake of my head. “Our family had one motto and that was to never go against family. And what did you try and do?” Although he remained silent, I could tell that the gears were turning in his head. “Listen, dad, until you get your head on straight about some things, you’re going to stay in there. I can’t afford to turn you loose if you still plan on doing harm to my family.” With a sigh, I finished with, “You’ve got some soul searching to do, dad. See you later.” And left for the award ceremony in Ponyville.

^_^

Rarity and the girls wanted me dressed up in my human form for the reward ceremony. Why I don't know, but Rarity putting the finishing touches on my suit. It was a typical one that she made for me soon after arriving here. Black tie, white shirt, black vest, and pants, etc. I rarely get the chance to wear clothes in the first place due to my other form. So, when I do get a chance to wear clothes, especially during special events, Rarity wants to nearly go all out with me. However, she agreed to keep this suit more traditional, within certain exceptions of course. There were going to be some finishing touches and she wasn't taking no for an answer. So, what could I say other than a defeated "Yes, dear." To her credit, she didn't do all that much. Rarity put a thin strip of lining on my coat and the girl's cutie marks on the lapel.

The ceremony itself was being held in the big meeting hall inside Twilight's Friendship Castle. With PInkie in charge of decorating with word that it was already taken care of. Knowing Pinkie, she probably just blasted the decorations out of her party cannon as usual and called it a day. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet as Rarity was making sure my suit was perfect.

"There, that should do it, darling," Rarity mused while looking me over and circling me. "Just a little more pizzazz and flare." Rarity had retreated to her boutique to make the changes, so we were standing in the main room.

Looking myself over in the full-length mirror, I gave it a nod of approval. "Yeah, I like it. And thank you for not going all out."

Rarity sat down beside me, also looking in the mirror with me, and patted my hips, "You're welcome. I know how you don't like to be too flashy and stick with tradition. But all of us girls in your herd are proud of you and want to show you off, so to speak. After all, you do deserve it after everything you've done. And winning our hearts."

Moved, I knelt down, gently took her head in my hands, and gave her a passionate kiss which she returned with a soft hum. "Which you've proven by getting pregnant and dealing with the meat cravings," I told her with a slight smirk. "Have they kicked in yet?"

She sighed and looked at me with mixed feelings in her eyes. "I do believe they have. While I haven't eaten anything meat just yet, the aroma is beginning to smell better than before."

I gave that a light chuckle. "Then yes, I do believe they've started kicking in." And of course, my inner ass decided to tease her a little. "You know," I slowly grinned at her, "Tia told me that the taste for meat hasn't gone away even after she gave birth."

She gawked at that with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open, "Surely not!"

Not saying anything, I simply grinned at her.

She got the hint that it was nothing but teasing after a few seconds. Her eyes narrowed at me and her voice took on that "it is on" quality to it then leaned in to get almost nose to nose with me. "I do love you with all of my heart, but sometimes you can be such a...a...goujat." The last word sounded like French to me. And didn't sound good either. But it was all in good fun.

Luckily for me, we heard a soft pop of magic, and Twilight's voice interrupted us. "It's time. Are we...ready?"

I stood up and turned to face Twilight with a smile as if nothing had happened. While Rarity harrumphed softly and gave me a light kick in passing. "Yes, we're ready Twilight, dear."

"Oh...kay," Twilight said slowly, eyeing the both of us curiously before shrugging it off and teleporting us to the map room in her castle.

Back at the map room, my whole herd was there. Tia, Luna slash Nightmare Moon, AJ, and her sister, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow with Scootaloo, an excited Pinkie Pie, and my daughter that had latched onto my face. My daughter, of which, was now giggling away as I held her in my hands and blew against her belly. Every time I was with my daughter and my herd, my heart seemed to overflow. And only one thing would make me any happier. And that was to have my dad free. But that would only take time. At least there was time now.

"Now that we are all here," Twilight said to get our attention to the ceremony at hand, "I believe that it's time?"

"Sure are, sugarcube. Everypony is ready and waiting in the meetin' area." AJ chuckled, "We told them to go ahead and enjoy the refreshments until we're ready to hand out those heart-shaped necklaces."

"Pink Hearts of Courage, AJ," Twilight clarified.

"Right, those."

"Then let's go already," Rainbow urged, standing up in her throne chair putting her hooves against the table, "I want to talk with the Wonderbolts while they're still here."

While holding my daughter in my arms, I had to chuckle at Rainbow's antics. "Alright, alright, Rainbow. We're going." And with some chuckles and giggles around the room, we all got up and headed inside the meeting hall. The castle was designed where we walked out of the map room, down a hallway, and into the meeting hall. Specifically, the back of the meeting hall, opposite the main double doors on the other side. The hall was filled with ponies and non-ponies alike. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the gleeful happy look on Rainbow's face when she saw that Spitfire, the Wonderbolt's Captain, was there in full dress uniform. But only Spitfire, which meant that the others were busy with something or other. Other species were there like the griffons but in smaller numbers. One griffon, one zebra, and other changelings were mixed in with the ponies present. The griffon in question was Gilda. I tried to think of their relationship as of now compared to what was in the show. They did make up when the map called Rainbow and Pinkie to Griffonstone if I remembered correctly. Zecora was local, so it made sense that she was here. Which raised the question of why Gilda was here.

"Attention, please," Twilight used her amplified voice to get the crowd's attention, which she got. Twilight was standing in front of me with Tia and Luna on either side of me with the rest of the girls behind me. "Discord, Trixie, Starlight, and Thorax," she smiled to each of them in turn, "would you please step up? Those who still want refreshments can still do so." There was amusement in her voice when she told them about the refreshments as the four stepped up. "This is a celebration. A celebration in thanks to these four before me." That's when Twilight stepped to one side, allowing me to step up to address them, still with my daughter in my arms.

"Thank you. All four of you. Not only did you help secure the security of Equestria from Chrysalis. But also my family." I pressed my nose against my daughter's belly making her giggle to emphasize my point. It also had the crowd smiling, giggling, and cooing at my daughter. "You all didn't have to do it when I asked. But did so anyway. And to that, you have my thanks. And thank you, Thorax, for being brave enough to take the first step and the vision that ponies and changelings can live in peace. I truly believe that this is a major turning point in Equestria's history. And to the brighter future for all of us." To that, Thorax nodded with a reassuring smile. And with the talks that we've had, I knew that he would work to that very end. "Twilight?" my rhetorical question was just to let her know to hand out the awards.

Trixie was first and I noticed Twilight levitating the Pink Heart of Courage in front of her, turned to Trixie, and with a small smile. "Trixie," Twilight started slowly while looking at Trixie with a look that was both thankful and humble look, "with our history, I never thought that you and I would be here with me giving you an award for helping save Equestria. But, I am glad that you chose to help. You have come a long way since our initial clash." With that said, Twilight levitated the pink heart over Trixie's neck then moved to Starlight.

Twilight gave Starlight a smile as she moved in front of her. "You too have come a long way, Starlight. Going from a pony with a chip on her shoulder the size of Canterlot Castle to a good friend." Starlight hung her head slightly in the embarrassment of her past. "But I can honestly say that I'm glad that you are my friend now. I'm glad that you chose to help. I'm also glad to present to you the Pink Heart of Courage." Twilight lifted the pink heart over Starlight's head and onto her neck. Then it was Discord's turn.

"Discord, Lord of Chaos." Twilight paused while looking up at him, not sure what to say at first. Until Discord's duplicate suddenly appeared in the middle of the crowd and cheered for himself. Starlight wasn't the only one that giggled at his antics. Even Twilight giggled a little. "I can say that I'm glad that you're on our side thanks to Fluttershy." There was a slight hiss from behind me. "Flutterbat too," she added. "I'm glad that, through her, you're finally able to see the value in friendship and caring for others." Twilight levitated the pink heart up and would have put it over his head if Discord didn't disconnect his head from his neck to make it easier on her. Twilight simply smirked, rolled her eyes, shook her head, and moved in front of Thorax.

"Thorax. The one changeling who had the heart to want change and the courage to see it through." She levitated the heart over his horns, expanding the ribbon to fit around them, and over his neck. "Would you like to say a few words?" she asked him, which he acknowledged with a short nod then turned around to face the crowd.

"From very early on, I've always wondered why changelings and ponies couldn't live together? Whenever I asked my fellow changelings about it, most said that it can't be done because they're food, not friends." He shook his head slightly at that before continuing. "But that question never left my mind. Even if we fed off of love, then why not just ask? Why go around stealing as Chrysalis wants? Why did Chrysalis prohibit us from sharing love with one another? I had so many questions that I wanted to be answered. So, I went to the Crystal Empire to try and be friends knowing that Emmit and Twilight would be there. I met Spike, and Emmit there and began living peacefully here in Ponyville. Later, it was pointed out how my wings changed because I was sharing love through my friendship with others. Emmit then approached me about confronting Chrysalis and freeing all changelings from her iron hoof. And the rest is history." He took a moment for a breath while looking over at the crowd with a smile. "A history that all changelings can now change for the better. Our forms have changed, as you can see. My form changed when I started sharing love and thus was free from Chrysalis iron hoof. And I'm happy to be free to live with ponies...in peace." He paused just long enough at the end to bow his head for dramatic effect.

I think it had the effect he was hoping for because the crowd applauded him. I would have applauded as well if my daughter wasn't in my arms. So, I made her giggle when pressing my nose against her belly. And while I knew it would happen, I just wasn't expecting it right then.

"Da...dada." Was her first words or word rather. She was excited because of all the applause, which was probably the encouragement she needed to say her first word while waving her two front paws up at me. It brought a happy tear to my eye when she said her first word. I held her to me, laughing happily.

"Her first word!" I heard Tia get out through happy giggles before her squeal of delight went into higher frequencies. Which got the rest of the crowd cooing over my daughter's first word. And from there it felt like a real party that Pinkie was proud of. From there, the crowd was split between my daughter and the new changelings. Some asking the changelings questions while some cooing over my giggling daughter as she tried to say dada again. Tia took Solar after a bit which freed me up to retreat over to Rainbow where she was speaking with both Gilda and Spitfire over by the refreshments tables.

"Hey stud," Rainbow was smiling like the rest of the crowd around her, "looks like you finally tore yourself away from your daughter and all that cooing and giggling."

I chuckled and gently put a hand against her neck as I walked up. "Yeah, I may love swimming in the estrogen ocean, but even I have to come up for air every once and a while. I knew that she would say her first word someday, I just never thought it would be today. And during this ceremony no less. Although, I'll have to admit that it's turned into a party that Pinkie is proud of."

"Yeah, I get it," she looked up at me, chuckling lightly, "I don't mind the mushy stuff, but too much of it can be choking."

"Captain," I gave Spitfire a nod, which she returned before I looked down at Gilda. "So, this must be Gilda, right?"

"Oh yeah, you haven't met her yet." Rainbow blinked once before it hit her then motioned to Gilda with a hoof. "This is Gilda. We were friends growing up, had a falling out, and then made up again. But I think we made up before you got here."

"Yeah, we made up," Gilda said while looking up at me with a look that told me she was sizing me up. "I had issues." She paused while narrowing her eyes a little then looked over at Rainbow. "This is the dweeb that you're in a herd with?" Rainbow facehoofed herself with a patient and annoyed sigh while Spitfire just closed her eyes and shook her head. "Doesn't look so tough to me."

"Gilda, please don't start anything," Rainbow pleaded. "Not now."

"Hey," Gilda shrugged her shoulders with a slight shake of her head, "I'm not starting anything. I'm just saying he doesn't look that tough to me."

"Believe me," Spitfire spoke up with a smirk, "when I say that he can be quite terrifying when he wants to be. He has two forms. This form and his predator fox form. This form's benefit is his hands and trust me when I say it's a big benefit that all the mares in the Wonderbolts wish they still had. His fox form is his predator form and the most dangerous in all of Equestria." When Spitfire looked up at me I gave her a quick wink in thanks for stroking my ego. She smiled in return. However, Gilda wasn't too impressed.

There was an amused disbelieving smirk on her face as Gilda spoke. "This is the most dangerous predator in all of Equestria?" She let out a quick laugh, "Right, like I believe that."

"You can believe it, Miss Gilda," Nightmare Moon's voice came from behind me. Some ponies gasped softly as I felt her presence slowly approach then stood on the other side of me. Where I reached down and gently scratched behind her ear. "For I, the Queen of the Night has squelched many nightmares where they are hunted by him."

For a couple of seconds, Gilda looked shocked to see Nightmare Moon standing before her. Wide-eyed with her mouth hanging open she was definitely surprised. After putting herself back together, she steeled herself by putting on an amused look. The gentle smirk, the slight tilt of her head, and the nonchalant look in her eyes showed an heir of easy confidence that bordered on superiority. "Not surprising. Most ponies are mere dweebs that can't handle being in the presence of a predator. One of the reasons why I don't come here more often."

Rainbow hung her head with an embarrassed groan while Nightmare Moon simply looked on with an amused expression. "Gilda," Rainbow pleaded once more before I laid a gentle hand on her head.

"It's alright, Rainbow," I looked down at Gilda with a growing grin on my face and a plan in my head. "Challenge accepted Miss Gilda." While Gilda looked up at me with a competitive gaze, I simply said, "Nightmare? Would you come with me please?" I think Nightmare knew what I had in mind because she didn't say a word while following me to the back of the room where we slipped out into the hallway. And got undressed. Didn't want to ruin Rarity's suit when I transformed. Which I did about a minute later. Then with a grin, I asked her, "Would you change me all black again with that red glow in my eyes?" Without saying anything, her horn lit up and she changed me with a wicked look on her face. "Thank you," I said to her after I took a once over. Then we both headed back inside again with Nightmare Moon making my clothes disappear somewhere.

I was going for dramatic effect with Nightmare Moon walking beside me, I headed straight for Rainbow and Gilda. After walking back in we were definitely noticed. The crowd parted around us like Moses parting the Red Sea as we walked past them. "Emmit, what are you doing?" Twilight asked in passing with what sounded like strained patience.

"Just having a little fun," I whispered to her without stopping as I passed her. I did like Gilda's response when she spotted us. I heard her talking to Rainbow when she just stopped talking. For a split second, she was just curious. I tried my best to put on a terrifying look, or at the very least predatory confidence. Looking her right in the eye, I kept my walk slow with each step looking calculated. "Are you afraid of the dark, Gilda?" I asked putting a little ethereal howling effect in my voice. It had the effect I wanted because she took a step back with her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide with fear. Stopping directly in front of her, I gazed down at her and lowered my voice putting a slight edge on it. "Because I'm what shadows fear."

"N-nice illusion," Gilda tried putting up a brave face and only partially succeeded. It was still obvious how scared she was and I'll admit that it was satisfying to see her tremble when she challenged me. "But we all know that Nightmare Moon was defeated years ago after she tried returning."

Nightmare Moon held her head high with a wicked grin on her face, teeth bared, "I am no mere illusion for I am Nightmare Moon." Then shrugged her shoulders with a nonchalant look, "I just don't want to conquer Equestria anymore."

Now Gilda looked a little confused and she wasn't the only one. We started a scene that a lot of ponies were paying attention to and were also confused when they heard Nightmare Moon's declaration. "Alright then, what do you want to conquer?"

eeeEEEEE

Nightmare Moon turned her head toward me and with an amused smirk on her face, tried to say with all seriousness, "Him."

EEEEEEE I heard my daughter's squeal of delight, but I didn't know it was directed toward me until she glomped herself onto my face. Her small body was completely covering my muzzle with her legs holding onto the sides of my head and giggling. You just can't pretend to be scary when your daughter is latched onto your face and giggling herself silly. So, with my intimidation tactic now thoroughly ruined, I just sighed and plopped my butt down on the floor as others joined my daughter in the giggle fest.

"Yeah, I'd say you're a little late for that," Rainbow said before she started laughing at my plight along with others. From there, I decided to just let them talk and excused myself to change back into my human form again. So, I took my daughter in my front paws, gave her a kiss, and blew her tiny tummy before pawing her off to Nightmare Moon long enough for me to get dressed and come back inside. Fluttershy was my first stop after walking back inside and letting Nightmare Moon have fun with my daughter for now. While weaving my way through the crowd, I was greeted by other ponies and changelings alike. Fluttershy was sitting at a table along with Rarity and two other changelings, so I took a seat between them, leaned back in the chair, and put an arm around each of them with my hand resting on their cutie marks.

"Hello, darling," Rarity cooed, leaned over, and gave me a light kiss.

Fluttershy blushed when I leaned over giving her an affectionate kiss. "I'm happy that you're still here. Though surprised because you don't like crowds."

"I'm getting better," she replied shyly before looking down putting a hoof to her bulging belly. "I'll have to get used to it with these two anyway."

"Yes, and don't worry darling you won't be alone," Rarity encouraged her.

While Fluttershy looked over to Rarity with a grateful smile, one of the changelings at the table spoke up. "Now that we are free from Chrysalis, many of us are thinking about starting families."

"I think that's a wonderful idea," said happily as she leaned against me. "I'm happy to be having a couple of foals with Emmit."

"As am I," Rarity echoed while taking a dainty bite of a small piece of cooked fish that was on her plate. Now that is interesting because she's never eaten fish before. And she did say that the meat cravings were kicking in. "Though, not exactly happy about the meat cravings I am happy to be having his foal. I cannot ask for a better husband even if he does rub my coat the wrong way sometimes."

"That just makes it fun," Pinkie's cheery voice came from behind me. "He doesn't really mean anything by it. Kind of like Discord in some ways."

"Thanks, Pinkie." I thanked her and even turned my head around to smile at her. What she did next was a little surprising.

"You're welcome," she cheered then grabbed my head in her front hooves and leaned in for a big kiss. This time, however, what she put in my mouth wasn't her tongue like she does from time to time. But a big piece of fish. It was good fish. Smoked fish actually. What had me wondering was where she had the fish in her mouth in the first place? Wanting to keep my sanity, I dismissed that thought and simply ate it. While I was busy with the fish, Pinkie wiggled herself up and into my lap putting her front hooves onto the table.

"As we integrate into pony society we are bound to run into some awkward situations," one of the changelings mentioned a little sheepishly.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about that," Fluttershy dismissed with a slight wave of her hoof.

"Yeah, just learn as you go. Besides, shouldn't you know about pony society?" Pinkie asked.

"Because some of us have infiltrated towns?" Pinkie nodded her head. "You're not wrong. Some have learned how to live in pony society through taking the places of others. However, that was only for infiltration drones. Most of us don't know the ins and outs of living with ponies. It wasn't exactly shared with others."

"For example," Missus Rich's voice came from behind me with her arrogant and haughty voice, "my husband would never consider such a display as touching me so privately in public. Such a display in public...is..."

"Is completely acceptable," Rarity looked at Missus Rich with impatience and narrowed eyes. "He is my husband and can touch me as he wishes, where he wishes, and when he wishes. Not only do I find it comforting as it tells me that he still loves me and appreciates me, but he has also deserved it. Besides, it keeps the riffraff away." As Rarity took a sip of her orange juice, I took a gentle squeeze of her butt. "It also tells me that he still desires me and that I'm still attractive."

"His hands also feel really good," Fluttershy added as I lifted my hand between her wings and started firmly massaging, "especially between my wings." She moaned the last words a little as her wings started rising slowly while she took a deep slow breath and closed her eyes. And let herself get aroused without any embarrassment or shame. Though she was still blushing, she was openly welcoming it. "I welcome the warm feeling through me. He makes me feel safe and loved."

Missus Rich gasped in shock, "Such a blatant show of arousal in public-"

"Is nothing wrong with it," Rarity interrupted quickly cutting her off and even closed her own eyes as she too let my touch pleasure her with a quiet sigh. "Although it can be seen as risque, there is nothing wrong or illegal about it."

After having lost the argument, Missus Rich harrumphed and stomped away with her head held high. As Missus Rich left, I noticed that when Pinkie looked between Fluttershy and Rarity that she looked left out. So, with a smirk on my face, I leaned forward, kissed her neck, and proceeded to give Pinkie a hickie. I heard her quietly giggle and turn her head giving me more access.

"I take it showing affection in public is acceptable?" one of the changelings asked, though I couldn't tell which one because my face was covered in pink mane.

"Within certain limits, yes," Rarity answered softly while my fingers dug into her coat massaging the skin underneath. By the sound of her voice, it sounded like she was enjoying herself.

"Alright, what are the limits?" the other changeling asked.

"No sex in public," Fluttershy told them. "But even that can be done discretely."

"Fluttershy! So daring," Rarity's voice sounded mischievous and teasing.

Pinkie hummed in agreement, "I don't mind either."

"Tree Hugger has been encouraging me to be more open and free." I couldn't tell, but Fluttershy sounded a lot more relaxed. "So, if he wants to arouse me in public then," she paused to hum while arching her back, "I'll happily show it."

"I wonder how changelings show arousal?" Pinkie wondered aloud while I still kissed and sucked on her neck.

"I don't know," one of the changelings said. "The only ones to interact with pony society is the infiltrators as I've said. The rest of us hardly know anything about our own kind. We weren't allowed." This changeling sounded female.

"However," this one sounded male and a little hesitant to speak up, "some of us have secretly begun experimenting on each other. Mostly thanks to Thorax. His questions have inspired others in the past and more so now that we're free." Dislodging myself from Pinkie's neck and took a look at the two changelings across the table. The male turned and looked over to the female, "I could try to arouse you."

The female changeling looked hesitant, but gave the other one a firm nod and stepped down from her chair. The male also got off his chair to stand behind her. And I think he's had some experience because he didn't go between her wings. Instead, he lowered his head and went right for one side of her butt. They were just far enough away from the table for me to see him lower his head to one side of her butt while a hoof rubbed the other. While he worked on getting her aroused, I was watching her reaction. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie were watching as well, curious as to how Changelings actually get aroused. I was never expecting what happened next.

"I think I feel something," she said after closing her eyes.

"I knew my techniques wou-" The male changeling got cut off when the female changeling let out one long loud fart. At first, we were just surprised and shocked. Then the smell hit the poor fellow and he immediately started backing up. As the odorous invisible cloud assaulted his senses, he tried waving his hoof in front of his face to get rid of it. It didn't work as his eyes started watering before he had trouble breathing.

"Sorry," she tried apologizing with a smirk on her face, "turned out it was a fart. Physical food gives me gas."

I tried reinforcing the dam that was holding back the riotous laughter I felt inside. And was doing a pretty good job, as were the girls. Until he dropped to the floor, rolled over onto his back, and pretended to start dying by gasping for air and wiggling his feet in the air comically. And that's what did it. I lost it. Pinkie followed then Fluttershy then Rarity. The nail in the proverbial coffin was when she looked over at us and said with a smile and a straight face, "On the other hoof, I'm feeling much better."

From there the party had to be moved outside for obvious reasons. Some went outside while others stayed inside for the refreshments. I also went outside led by Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy because I had tears in my eyes from laughing soo hard. However, the party went on for another hour after that. I stayed outside, after calming myself down, talking amongst the crowd and the girls. A little bit after we went outside, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle joined me as I started talking with other changelings. It was a good learning experience for me. After meeting up with Thorax once more, he expressed a desire to go see, and talk to, Chrysalis. After agreeing to take him to see Chrysalis we started making preparations.

^_^

It was just Tia, Luna, Thorax, and I heading down into Canterlot dungeons where Chrysalis and my dad were kept. As we headed down into the dungeons, what happened during the celebration was still on our minds. "I still can't believe that she just let one out right in front of everypony," I commented with a chuckle while thinking about the poor changeling on the receiving end.

Tia giggled a little as we walked up to an alcove at the end of a hallway and stepped inside. "She does have a way of clearing the room, doesn't she?"

"Yes, she does," Thorax commented with a smirk on his face. "It's why she was never an infiltrator. The gas is a dead giveaway, especially when the pony she would be imitating would, more than likely, not have gas."

"However," Luna stepped inside the circle that was on the floor then used her magic to activate it, "it could always be used as a biological weapon." With a shake of my head, we were transported down into the dungeon below. I made it a habit of closing my eyes during transport, so when I opened them again we were surrounded by crystal and two cells. Tia and Luna wanted to talk with my dad, so they walked over to his cell while I stayed with thorax while he spoke with Chrysalis.

Chrysalis didn't notice us at first. She was laying down on the bed with her back turned to us. However, I was pretty sure she knew we were there due to her ears twitching when we walked up. More than likely she heard Thorax's hoof steps. And when she didn't answer right away, Thorax hit the bars with his hoof making them spark.

"What do you want, Thorax?" she hissed at him after turning her head and seeing us. "Come to gloat over your victory?"

"I've proven that changelings and ponies can live together in peace," he began, but his voice didn't hold any anger or resentment. Just pity. Chrysalis didn't look away as he spoke, but she did roll her eyes. "Thanks to Emmit, we've proven that this is our true form. That we don't have to go hungry all the time. Since our change, we haven't been hungry. I knew that you were wrong even knew that you could be hindering us in order to control us. What I want to know is why? Why would you do that to your own kind when there was a better way?"

"And you haven't figured it out yet?" she shot back with a wry, and amused chuckle.

"Power and control to conquer Equestria," was my comment. "That's your end goal, but the question remains. Why?"

"And how would you know that's what I want?" Chrysalis hissed at me.

"As you know I'm not from this world. And even this form isn't my true form, but one that the Tree of Harmony has given me as I arrived. In that other world, there was a play, of sorts, that was made for foals, or kids as we call them. It was called My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. It was about Twilight and her friends where what happened in that show nearly matched what was happening here. I had foreknowledge of what you would do to replace Twilight, her friends, Cadence, Shining armor, Celestia, and Luna. All the movers and shakers that controlled Equestria. But with my daughter now born, I couldn't take that chance. And with the foreknowledge of your throne, I knew that only changeling magic would work. So, I used knowledge from my homeworld to devise a way to knock out changelings without using magic and without harming them. Earlier in that show, during Cadence's wedding invasion, you stated that, and I quote, 'Who says a girl can't have it all?' The series, however, never explained why you want it all. Just only that you did. So, why do you want to conquer all of Equestria when we've proven that there's a better way?"

She sighed, and rolled her eyes again, before rolling over onto her other side to fully face us. "You truly want to know?" I gave her a nod. "Very well. Many years have passed since our origins and only I remain that still knows of the birth of our kind. And it started over one thousand years ago when a single rotten acorn fell into a magical pond beneath some lonely cemetery. The magic from that pond interacted with that acorn and it grew into a carnivorous plant that fed on anything from insects to ponies. It wasn't until Starswirl came by that I was created from that plant. His magic somehow interacted with the pond and the plant to create me."

"Insects and ponies," Thorax whispered softly as we listened to her.

"I wasn't the only one. And with a few more that were created from that plant, we set off after our first feeding," she said while glaring at us with a sneer. "So, now you know. Our kind is a plant that feeds off of emotions that was spawned by an accidental merging of magic and a rotting plant."

I was shocked to hear this and it showed on my face as I looked at her with widened eyes and slack-jawed. "That's how..." I had to shake my head just to get my head around it. "Ok, so that's how you were created or born, but why try and conquer Equestria?"

She slammed her hoof down on the mattress, "I'm a PLANT that was created to feed off of ponies. Don't you get that?"

"But changelings are more than that," Thorax tried to tell her.

"Yes, don't be confused by your origins with your current potential," I tried telling her. Then motioned toward Thorax, "Because your potential is right here in front of you. No matter how you were created, you have the potential to be something much more and the evidence of that is standing right there." I paused for a calming breath. "I still truly don't know why you set yourself on this path of destruction Chrysalis. But you are more than your origins. You have proof standing before you that you can live peacefully with the ponies in Equestria."

"I'M A PLANT-"

"NO YOU'RE NOT," I interrupted her with a scream of my own then took another calming breath. "You are not a plant, Chrysalis. You are a living breathing sentient creature that has the ability to live peacefully in Equestria. You are not your origins and you need to understand that. And hopefully, in time, you will. Hopefully, I'll be able to convince you of that. Until then, however, you stay in here where you can't do any harm." With Chrysalis not wanting to say anything else, I gave Thorax a nod before joining Tia and Luna at the next cell. One was to calm myself down from my conversation with Chrysalis. The other was much more simple. I wanted to know what they were saying about me. Usually when a father meets the girlfriend of his son, fathers, and parents in general, everywhere likes to tell embarrassing stories. I thought this might be the case, just in reverse. Tia and Luna slash Nightmare Moon were standing side by side in front of the cell talking to him with Luna looking like Nightmare Moon. Being curious, I walked up between them and put a couple of tails around them pulling them both against me.

"...has helped me let go of my anger," Nightmare said softly while leaning against me. "Luna and I are now one and the same pony now and happy that we have reconciled with our sister."

"That is just some of the things your son has done for us and Equestria as a whole," Tia said proudly then turned her head giving me a quick peck on my neck. "Twilight and her friends will say even more."

"And probably will now that they can do that safely without you trying to kill them."

That's when my dad lifted his head up and looked over at me with eyes filled with remorse and regret. "I'm sorry, son. I'm sorry your old man was soo stupid to not see what was right in front of him. I'm sorry I didn't listen. And I'm sorry for what I've done. Hopefully, in time, you can forgive your old man."

It did my heart good to hear him say that, so I gave him a reassuring smile. "I think I can manage. However, your actions do have consequences. And because of those previous actions, you will still remain here until I'm absolutely sure that you really mean that."

He nodded slowly to me, "I can understand that."

"Good, we are glad that you are seeing the light and error of your ways," her voice changed to the dual tones of both Luna and Nightmare Moon. "In the meantime, I need," she paused to let a yawn out, "...rest." And it was. It was nearly lunchtime and she's stayed up way later than she should have. She didn't have to stay up and meet my dad but did so anyway. Moved, I gently moved her head to give her an appreciative kiss, which she happily returned.

"Come on, let's get you to bed," I whispered to her softly, urging her toward the teleport ring to take us up.

"As long as you stay with me until I fall asleep."

"We all will sister," Tia said as we passed by Thorax as he was still talking with Chrysalis. I stopped just long enough to tell him that he could stay as long as he wanted and visit when he wanted to. For the express purpose of hopefully reforming Chrysalis, though that may be hopeless. He agreed that it would be good to try and reform her. Then went upstairs and spend some quality time with Tia, Luna, and my daughter.

Author's Note

For those wondering about how I came up with Chrysalis' origins. See this: https://mlp.fandom.com/wiki/FIENDship_is_Magic_Issue_5