The Curse Of Chrysalis

Chapter 28

Thus Starswirl the Bearded and his companions were now freed from the void they trapped themselves in along with the Pony of Shadows which was then taken in by Cory less the shadowy monster be banished. Stygian, who was the previous host of the pony of Shadows, was reunited with his friends.

However, there was still one problem to deal with. Back at the hive, Cory and Kris stood on either side of Chrysalis as they all looked down on Starswirl and the other Pillars. This meeting was a long time coming.

“So Starswirl, I understand you seem to have a problem with me and my hive.” Chrysalis stated.

Starswirl narrowed his eyes at Chrysalis. “Indeed I do. The spell I used on you was meant to represent your heart, or lack of one, as you proved to me so long ago. Had you truly met the conditions I placed, you would have returned to normal. Seeing as you haven’t, and instead have changed into something else, you haven’t completely changed.”

“I don’t know about that. Perhaps something happened with the spell? I assure you I have changed. I no longer desire nor require love energy to sustain myself or my hive. I care for my children and I love the two humans before you. They are my kings and the fathers of my new children.”

“I know the spell I used. It had no flaws. The end result was that you either died due to your vanity, or returned to normal because you understood and learned true love. This form you now have only shows you have only completed half of the criteria while not fully understanding the other half.” Starswirl countered.

Cory snarled. “You best choose your next words carefully, old one.”

Starswirl glared right back. “You may possess that Pony of Shadows, but you don’t scare me.”

“First off, his name is Kage, get it right. And second, it’s not him you need to fear.”

“It's the two of us.” Kris stated.

“Enough.” Chrysalis spoke up. “Let us not fight over this matter.” She then looked back to Starswirl. “Whether I met the full criteria of your spell or not doesn’t matter to me. The fact is I have changed at least some and am no longer a threat to the land. I have no desire to take it over or harvest love forcefully from the ponies. I have all the love I need right here whether I need it or not thanks to these two. That should be enough for you.”

Starswirl glared harder at the queen before speaking. “I will leave this matter alone. For now. But I’m keeping my eye on you all.” He said before turning and taking his leave, leaving the other pillars.

Cory looked at said pillars. “And? What of you?”

Somnambula stepped forward. “We feel Starswirl is just being his usual stubborn self. It is clear the changelings have indeed changed their ways and are good now. We have no issue with them and would like to be friends.”

Cory sighed. “So long as Chrysalis is willing, I have no issue with you.”

“Same here.” Kris stated.

“Good. I am glad to see not all the pillars are so stubborn.” Chrysalis stated. “I am always happy to have new friends.” She said with a smile.

The pillars smiled and bowed. “We shall be takin our leave then if ya please.” Stronghoof said.

“Indeed. And know you are welcome here anytime.” Chrysalis replied.

The pillars left after that to join up with Starswirl.

“Jeeze, why does that old fossil have to be so stuck up and cold?” Kris asked.

Cory shook his head. “Who knows. But at least I didn’t have to break his horn.”

“Oh I so wanted to if he stepped out of line.” Kris said.

“Now now, no need to be so hostile.” Chrysalis said. “I do appreciate you two wanting to defend me, it shows you care. But violence won’t accomplish anything.”

“Love, he admitted that the spell was meant to kill you if you didn’t fulfill the criteria. He admitted to trying to kill you. No sane, respectable husband would take that and just let the fucker walk away unscathed.” Cory said as he stared at Chrysalis with such love and affection.

“Exactly. That unicorn had to have been out of his mind.” Kris stated.

“Now now. I agree what he did was rather harsh. But he did have Equestria’s best interest at heart. Now enough about him. What’s done is done and there’s nothing to be done about it.” Chrysalis stated.

Cory sighed. “Fine, for you. But if he tries anything like that again, no matter the reason, I will end him.”

“Oh, I’ll do more than end him. I’ll have him begging for the end before really making him suffer and THEN end him.” Kris stated.

Chrysalis sighed before stroking both the humans' chins. “What am I to do with you two?” She then kissed them both on the lips.

Both humans returned the kisses before smiling at her. “Well, you do have several ideas, if the weeks leading to our kids’ birth is any hint.” Cory said with a purr in his tone.

“Do tell.” Chrysalis replied with half lidded eyes and a grin.

Thus, relative peace had come to Equestria for the time being. As peace never lasts very long for the land. A new shadow was looming in the distance. One that would prove to be an even greater threat that Equestria had ever faced. A blue old goat man entered an old cave in a hidden frozen area. His horns lit up and his eyes glowed. Three forms appeared before him. The first being a shadow no pony thought they would ever see again. Nightmare Moon, the alicorn of the night. The second was Tirek, the magic stealing centaur. And finally, the third was Cozy Glow...a pegasus filly.

So Cozy Glow may seem like an adorable, cute and harmless filly, but she did nearly wipe out all of magic in Equestria. Thankfully she was thwarted and banished to Tartarus for her deeds. Kris and Cory were present for the banishing and Kris did think it rather harsh to banish a filly to such a place despite what she did. If anything, he felt sorry for the filly.

Anyway, back to the group. “What is this, how...where...how am I still here? Where is here?” Nightmare Moon asked, looking around.

“How did I get out of my cell?” Tirek asked.

“I am the one responsible for bringing you all back. For I require your help.” The old blue goat answered as he stepped forward.

“And just who are you old goat?” Cozy asked.

“And why should we help you?” Nightmare Moon asked.

“Because I freed you and brought you back from the abyss you came from. And I can just as easily send you back. I am Grogar. And you are going to help me take over Equestria.”

“You?! Take over Equestria? Hah! As if. We all tried that and we all failed. What makes you so sure you’ll succeed?” Tirek asked.

“Because Unlike you fools, I see the bigger picture. Plus, if we can get our hands on an old artifact of mine, we will be unstoppable.”

“Okay babies, please stop crying!” Kris pleaded as he and Cory were spending some time with their sons and daughters who were in the middle of a crying fit.

Cory had checked each of them and shook his head. “It ain’t diapers, they’re clean as spring water.”

“They can’t be hungry either, they just ate.” Kris stated.

“Maybe they're tired?” Pinkie Pie suggested, having popped out of a nearby drawer.

“Pinkie Pie!” Kris exclaimed in surprise. “W...what are you doing here?”

“Just wanted to stop by and say hello. It’s been a while. Hello!” Pinkie waved.

“Uh, right. Wait, Kris, did we burp the babies after feeding them?” Cory asked.

“I uh…..thought we did?” Kris replied.

Cory then picked up Scarab and began patting his back gently.

Kris did the same with another. The babies let out a burp and calmed down. One by one, as Kris and Cory burped them, the babies calmed down and smiled with little giggles.

Kris sighed in relief. “Whew...finally.”

Cory cleaned out an ear. “I was worried I was going to go deaf. Those babies have some serious lungs.”

“What was that?!” Kris exclaimed jokingly.

Cory sighed at this before giving his brother in all but blood the stinkeye. “Can you NOT startle the babies and cause them to cry AGAIN?”

“Right, sorry.” Kris said now in a hushed tone as he noticed the babies were now yawning. The nursery room looked how one would expect for such a room. The walls were decorated with light pinks and blues with images of grassy fields and white clouds. There were just as many cribs as there were babies and the floor was littered with toys for them. There was even a shelf full of books to read to them.

“Uh oh, time for nappies.” Pinkie said silently as she helped the boys put the babies to their beds.

Once that was done, Cory sighed before stretching his limbs out. “Alright. We have a few hours before they wake up. I am heading to Ponyville.”

“What for?” Pinkie asked.

“I have a date with Applejack and she has the day to herself today. I am NOT going to miss that.” Cory said with a grin.

“Oh, that’s right, you and I have a date today too.” Kris said to Pinkie.

“Oh yeah! I totally forgot! How silly of me.” Pinkie replied. “Let’s go.” She grabbed Kris’s hand and took off like a bolt.

“KAYSEEYALATER BYE!” Kris exclaimed to Cory as he was dragged off.

Cory chuckled at this. “It still surprises me how NOT surprised I was that those two got together.” He said before he took his leave as well.

Applejack was relaxing in the park leaning against a tree as she sat under the shade. She was wearing her usual blue jean cut off shorts and orange and white plaid button up shirt with the bottom tied up showing off her midriff. She was leaning back with her hat tilted forward practically covering her eyes. “This is nice.” She sighed out.

“So is the most beautiful country mare to live.” A familiar voice said as footsteps were heard approaching.

Applejack snuck a peek as she looked up with one eye and smiled. “You always gotta greet me with such flattery? It’s embarrassin.”

Cory smiled back. “You didn’t seem to mind the other week when I took you to that camping date.”

“Trust me, I felt a might embarrassed with how ya kept praisin me an such.” Applejack said. “Ah’m just a simple country farm mare. Nothin special.”

Cory sighed as he sat next to her. “And that’s just it. You aren’t simple. Simple wouldn’t have snagged me like you did. Simple wouldn’t have ‘rewarded’ me like you did after the Diamond Dogs. And simple certainly wouldn’t have said yes to dating me.” He looked at her with love in his eyes. “You can deny it all you want, but you have what is called a ‘Natural Beauty’.”

Applejack hid her face with her hat blushing as Cory went on. “Aw come on now, knock it off with that mush talk.”

Cory chuckled before pulling her in a one arm hug and kissed her cheek. “Well, I could say other things, but those would make me a liar.”

“All right, all right, so where ya wanna go fer our little date?” Applejack asked.

Cory grinned at her. “Well, I thought I could be a little romantic this time. Not the type that Rarity likes, I’m not gonna treat you like a princess, even though I so want to. But I did find a special spot while I was hunting a while back and have only shown Chrysalis. And I want to show you as well.”

“All right then, let’s go.” Applejack said as she stood up with Cory and brushed herself off some.

Cory held his hand out to her. “Hold on, we’re going my way.”

“Uh….and what way is that again?” Applejack asked a bit nervously.

“We’re not flying for one. We’re going to be teleporting. Much faster that way.”

“Oh, uh...well all right then.” Applejack then took Cory’s hand.

Cory closed his eyes for a few moments, picturing where he wanted to go, before opening his eyes, showing them glowing white with power before they were instantly consumed by white and black flames and disappeared.

Another burst of flames and the two were in a new location.

Cory looked about while he let Applejack regain her bearings. “Good, we’re only a short walk from there.”

“Dang….don’t think I’ll ever get used ta that.” Applejack replied as she was a bit wobbly on her hooves. She shook her head before looking to Cory. “So uh...where are we?”

Cory smiled at her as he took her hand. “We’re in a forest, not the Everfree before you panic. I think it’s the Blackwood forest, if I heard correctly.”

“The...blackwood forest?” Applejack replied in a questioning tone.

“That’s what I heard the locals call it. Anyway, come on. It’s this way.” He then began leading the way through the trees, whose branches were so cluttered that no sunlight came through. The only light that allowed them to see were bioluminescent plants and fungi.

“Dang, how’s it so dark here?” Applejack asked. “Say uh...there aren’t any...ya know, dangerous critters lurkin bout in this forest too is there?”

“Oh, there is, but I’ve made a rather strong impression the last time I came here. No predator will come within a mile of us. We could fall asleep and they still wouldn’t come close.” Cory said calmly.

“Why am I not surprised.” Applejack commented.

Cory chuckled at that before they emerged from the trees. “Here we are.” Before them was a large pond that was being fed by a river. The water was crystal clear, with more bioluminescent plants and even fish being seen under the water, making it look like a starry sky with shooting stars had fallen to the earth. Around them, more glowing plants dotted the area, giving off a calm and beautiful blue light. It honestly looked like something Princess Luna would create in a dream.

“Wow, this place is amazin. How did ya find this place?” Applejack asked in amazement.

“I was tracking down a rather large deer buck when I followed the tracks to here. This place seemed to be a sanctuary for herbivores. For some reason, predators avoid this place like the plague.” Cory said as he walked up to the pond.

Applejack followed him. “Really? Ah wonder why.” As Applejack gazed at the water, a large fish with black scales that sparkled like the stars jumped up out of the water. Time seemed to slow as she gazed in awe at the fish, drops of water flew through the air with it from the splash. Once it dove back down, time resumed. “What...was that? Ah never saw a fish like that before.”

Cory smiled. “I have no idea, but from what I know, it’s friendly.” He said before kneeling down and dipped his hand in the pond.

Just then, the fish from before poked its head out and sprayed water at Cory’s face before ducking back down.

Applejack giggled at the sight.

Cory wiped his face off before chuckling. “Friendly, but a bit of a prankster.”

“Ah can see that.” Applejack replied before she was then sprayed. The fish ducked back down and Applejack gave a flat look as her hat dropped from the water.

Cory laughed a bit before grabbing her stetson and stood up before offering it to her. “Can’t let your guard down with that one. Remind you of anypony?”

“Kinda.” Applejack replied before taking her stetson and shook it some, then squeezed it, trying to get it dry as possible.

Cory then began taking his red button shirt off. “Well, since our friend got us wet, might as well have a swim.”

Applejack blushed as Cory removed his clothing. “But uh….I...didn’t bring a swimsuit.” She said as she looked away.

Cory looked at her, now shirtless. “So? Not like anypony’s here. And you don’t have anything I haven’t seen on you before. We can swim naked.”

“I uh….ah’m not feelin well. I think ah got a cramp or somethin.” She said, suddenly holding her waist. “Ooh...yeah, maybe some other time.”

Cory stared at her for a moment, not blinking once. “Applejack, do you not know how to swim?”

Applejack blushed and gave a light glare at Cory. “Course I know how ta swim! Ah just...don’t...wanna right now is all.” She then replied shrinking back as she looked away.

Cory smiled. “You do know your snout twitches when you lie, right?”

“Does not! Shut up!” Applejack exclaimed, blushing more. “Can we go back now!?”

Cory chuckled. “Applejack, it’s okay not knowing how to swim. I can teach you if you want.”

“Y….ya could? Ah mean….ah uh...well...ah wouldn’t want ta be a bother er nothin.”

Cory went over to her and gently caressed her cheek as he had her look at him in the eyes. “If I thought it was a bother, I wouldn’t have offered.”

Applejack blushed more. “Ah….ah guess a few pointers….wouldn’t hurt.” She replied blushing.

He smiled at this. “Wonderful. We’ll start slow and work our way in. Thankfully, this spot is rather shallow, just enough to reach our waist.” He said before he stepped back and began taking his shoes, socks, pants and underwear off.

Applejack watched as her nervousness grew a bit more. “Yer….really sure bout this now?” She asked.

“I’ve taken a few swims here before. Nothing dangerous is around.” Cory replied as he took a few steps into the water. “Mmm, warm tonight, that’s good.”

Applejack took a few careful steps into the water and paused, letting just her hooves get wet. The water was indeed warm, only a few degrees away from a bath. Whatever caused the water to warm up like this did a good job.

Cory looked at her before holding a hand out to her. “I promise, nothing bad will happen. I’ll be there with you every step of the way.”

Applejack hesitantly began removing her clothes and tossed them aside before nervously taking Cory’s hand. “Ah….ah trust ya.” Cory then smiled while gently pulling her more into the water until they were both in up to their waists.

He then held both of her hands. “Now then, first, just let yourself lay in the water. As you float, gently kick your legs. We’ll start on actually getting the rhythm down first before doing actual swimming.”

Applejack began sweating nervously and breathing heavily. “Ah….ah...can’t do this! AH! Something touched ma leg! What was that sound!?” Her eyes darted before panicking. “Ah can’t!” She then ran out of the water and curled up on the shore panting as she trembled and her eyes darted back and forth breathing heavily.

Cory didn’t waste any time as he rushed after her and knelt beside her, holding her close. “Applejack, talk to me. What’s wrong?” He knew the signs of trauma, having seen it too many times in his service years.

“A….ah c-c-c-can’t...ah just c-c-can’t.” She said in a trembling voice. “Ah’m...j-j-just..t-t-too scared.”

Cory then turned her head to him before he forced her to look him in the eyes. “Applejack, focus on me. Focus on my voice. Think nothing else besides me.” Normally, an old method he would use would be to use fire, but right now, he needed her to focus on something stronger to her than fire.

Applejack seemed to calm down some but still trembled. She closed her eyes and hugged Cory as she started to cry. “Ah….can’t do it Cory. Ah just can’t. When ah look at that water, ah...ah just feel so scared.”

He rocked her back and forth like one would a scared child. “Talk to me. Tell me what happened.”

“Ah...ah don’t know. Ah can’t really remember why ah’m so scared.”

Cory frowned at this. “Can you think of any who might remember?”

Applejack thought for a moment. “Big Mac might. He is older.”

“Then let’s go and ask him. While I would rather continue and finish our date, this is more important.”

“Ah’m sorry Cory.” Applejack said as she seemed to calm down more. Cory silenced her however with a kiss, already wrapping his tongue with hers. Applejack closed her eyes and returned the favor for a moment. Once they broke the kiss, they dried off and got dressed before going to find Big Mac.

The big red stallion was busy moving a few bales of hay into the barn when they found him.

Cory called out. “Big Mac!”

Big Mac turned to see Cory and Applejack, then set down a bale he was carrying at the moment. “Howdy.” He greeted.

Applejack still looked shaken up from earlier as she didn’t make eye contact and instead was looking down and off to the side holding her right arm. Big Mac raised a brow at this.

Cory sighed. “To answer your silent question, we have one of our own.” He said before looking Big Mac in the eye. “Did Applejack suffer any trauma involving water?”

Big mac narrowed an eye at Applejack. “What happened?”

Applejack hesitated. “Cory wanted ta take me swimmin. Ah...ah got in the water waist deep at least but then...ah panicked. Ah don’t know why.”

Big Mac sighed, shaking his head. “Not surprised considerin what happened.” He sat down then on the hay bale he put down. “This all happened when Applejack was just a filly. Apple Bloom hadn’t even been born yet. Ma, pa, and me went down ta the river with Aj. We were gonna teach her how ta swim. She took ta the water like a duck and was swimmin in no time. However, we looked away fer just a moment when somethin suddenly pulled her under. Pa acted quick like and swam in after her. Some water serpent grabbed her leg and was pullin her down. Pa managed ta get it off her and pulled her up. After that, she had nightmares fer weeks bout tentacles reachin up from the dark deep waters tryin ta pull her under. After that, she never set hoof in water again save fer when takin a bath er shower.”

Cory rubbed his eyes with a sigh. “Yeah, that would do it. So she developed thalassophobia. And I’m guessing either the event itself or something else caused her to forget all about it?”

“Ah musta repressed it subconsciously with how frightenin it was.” Applejack said.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac replied. “Ah had ta sleep with ya fer a couple weeks after that so ya wouldn’t be so afraid o’ havin nightmares anymore. Me or ma and pa.” Applejack hugged herself and closed her eyes as a tear fell.

Cory frowned at this before hugging her tightly. “Applejack, I know it’ll be hard, but we can work through this.”

“Ah don’t know. Now that ah know what happened...wh….what if it happens again?” Applejack asked.

Cory made her look at him. “First off, you are going to have episodes, the trick is to work past them. And second, if anything tries to take you, just remember that I will always come get you. No matter if it’s a snake, or even a monsterous Kraken, nothing will stop me from bringing you back to safety.”

“Great, now ah got an image of a monstrous kraken reachin out from the deep tryin ta grab me.” Applejack replied.

“Then I’ll chop it up and turn it into fried calamari.” Cory countered.

“Ah don’t know. Even though ya were there with me, ah still panicked.” Applejack stated. “Ah don’t think ah’ll ever get over this.”

Cory frowned at this before hugging her tighter. “Well, I’m not giving up.”

Applejack pushed away from Cory hugging herself and took a few steps from him. “Look, ah really do appreciate ya wantin ta help me with this but...well ah’ve gone this long without swimmin an I’ve done just fine. Ah can go the rest o’ ma life without it. So it’s no big deal.”

“An what if a time comes when ya’ll will NEED ta get in the water?” Big Mac countered. “Sure it hasn’t come up yet, but it might at some point. Like say you and Apple Bloom are out walkin along the river an she falls in an yer the only one that can save her? What then?”

Applejack was silent as she tried to think of a counter but couldn’t.

“Applejack, I can help you. But you have to let me. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.” Cory said, almost pleadingly.

Applejack clenched her eyes. “Ah….ah just can’t!” She then ran to the house, closing the door behind her.

Big Mac sighed as he watched his sister. He then looked back to Cory. “Ah appreciate ya tryin ta look after her. Don’t give up. She needs ta get over this.”

Cory kept his gaze on the door Applejack went through before he nodded. “On that we agree.”