Breaking Boundaries

Blazing opened the front door of his house to let Filia in. After she passed him, he walked in, closing the door behind him. As soon as Filia heard the door closed, she released her magic and reverted to her natural form with a sigh of relief.

"Are you okay?" Blazing asked as he watched her.

"I'm fine," Filia answered as she slumped on the couch in the middle of the room. Blazing watched Filia for a few seconds before he walked towards the kitchen at the other side of the room.

"How about I make some of that hot chocolate I promised?" he asked. Filia looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Some what, now?" she asked.

"Hot chocolate," he answered. "You know? That love potion thing we talked about this morning?"

"Oh," she sighed as she leaned back in her seat. "Sure, whatever."

Despite Filia's careless answer, Blazing smiled at the fact she accepted his offer and continued into the kitchen. Filia sat on the couch staring at the floor as she listened to the sound of rushing water. After a few seconds, she looked at her body to find the cuts almost wholly gone. The amount of energy she absorbed would have increased her power tenfold if she were not so weak. "This is ridiculous!" she thought to herself. "I'm Queen Chrysalis' daughter! I shouldn't be in this pathetic state!"

"It takes a few minutes to boil the water," Blazing said as he stepped into the room, pulling Filia out of her thoughts as she looked at him. Blazing offered her a warm smile as he leaned against the wall. Filia tore her eyes from Blazing to look around the room. She scanned all the pictures hanging on the walls and sitting on the shelves until she spotted a picture of Blazing with a unicorn female. She pulled herself off the couch and walked to the image hanging on the wall.

The picture showed Blazing standing beside a unicorn female with a yellow coat that matched his own. Her hair was a royal blue and curly, much like Pinkie Pie's. Both Blazing and the unicorn looked happy together as they stood net to each other.

"Who's this?" Filia asked. Blazing walked up to look at the picture.

Filia suddenly sensed nothing but heartbreak and sadness coming from the pegasus standing by her, and she looked at him to find tears running down his cheeks. Whoever this equine was, she caused him great pain somehow.

"That's Water Weight," Blazing softly said as he reached up and slid his fingertips on the glass of the frame. "She and I worked together in the fields." Filia sensed annoyance, followed by love, then joy, and finally, heartbreak. "She was absolutely fearless and full of joy. We fell in love. I was even willing to ask her to marry me." Blazing's lip began to quiver as he recalled the events.

"What," she said. "Did she cheat on you or something?" Blazing closed his eyes and turned away from the picture.

"She was killed," he answered. Filia looked at the picture. When she looked to where Blazing went, she could not see him.

"No wonder mother was so desperate to claim this land," she thought to herself. "Love is more powerful than I thought, and Equestria's full of it. Damn!" Whistling pulled Filia out of her thoughts, and she looked toward the kitchen.

"It's ready," Blazing called out. Filia looked at the picture again before turning toward the kitchen.

"So, uh," she began as she thought about what to say next. "Did Water like your hot chocolate too?"

"She loved it," Blazing answered as he came out with two mugs in either hand. He offered one of the mugs to Filia. "Careful, it's hot." Filia reached up and took the mug from his hand in both of hers. She stared at the contents of the cup as it steamed from the heat. She took a whiff of the brown liquid and found the scent inviting. She raised the cup to her lips and let the contents spill into her mouth. Filia's eyes went wide at the sensation flooding her taste buds. "Good, huh?" Blazing asked just before Filia guzzled down the whole drink. "I take that as a yes," Blazing chuckled. Filia gasped as she licked her lips.

"More!" she demanded as she held the mug to him. Blazing chuckled.

"I guess Chocolate was a good name after all," Blazing observed as he took her cup. "Luckily, I boiled enough water for seconds." Blazing went back into the kitchen to make her another batch.

Filia followed Blazing into the kitchen. "How do you make this stuff?" she asked as she watched him. Blazing looked at her with a smile before turning to the kettle on the stove.

"First, you need to boil water," he began. "Next, you need one of these." He held up a small package for her to see. He tore the chocolate open and carefully set it to the side so he would not spill any of it. He took the kettle and poured the water into Filia's empty mug. "Now, you add the chocolate," he explained as he took the bag of chocolate and poured it into the cup.

"That's all?" Filia asked.

"Not quite," Blazing answered. "You need to mix the chocolate into the water, and then it's done." Blazing took a spoon and stirred the hot chocolate before he handed the cup to her, which she took with vigor. "Try to enjoy it a little slower," Blazing said as he chuckled. "It'll last longer that way." Blazing's suggestion made Filia smirk, and she took a sip of her drink. "I guess changelings can take the heat better than us equines. I usually have to let it cool a bit, or it burns my tongue."

"Are you kidding?!" Filia asked. "This is amazing!"

"Thank you," Blazing chuckled. Blazing took another sip as he walked past Filia into the living room. "Well, I think that went pretty well, all things considering."

"What did?" Filia asked as she followed him into the room.

"Meeting my friends," Blazing answered. "You got to meet them all without a hitch."

"And it was easy to make those fools think I was one of them," Filia thought to herself. Suddenly, she looked at the front door before she took her new pegasus form. Blazing looked at her before he followed her gaze just as there was a knock.

"I sense three disappointed children," Filia whispered.

"The Crusaders," Blazing observed as he got to his feet and walked to the door. He opened the door and smiled when he saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders looking upset. "Hi, girls!" Blazing greeted.

"Hey, Blazing," the trio said in unison.

"Let me guess," Blazing began with a smirk on his face. "No marks?" The girls shook their heads in reply.

"We're definitely not getting our marks in skydiving," Scootaloo groaned.

"You three actually tried skydiving?" Filia asked as she stepped beside Blazing.

"Why don't you three come in?" Blazing offered as he stepped to the side to let them in.

"Thanks, Blazin'," Apple Bloom said with a thankful smile on her face. The trio walked in one by one.

"Is that hot chocolate I smell?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Oh! Can we have some?!" Scootaloo asked excitedly.

"Yeah!" Apple Bloom added. "You make the best hot chocolate, Blazin'!" Blazing chuckled at the three.

"I see no harm in making some more," Blazing said as he closed the door before walking to the kitchen. "Make yourselves comfortable while I get it ready." The Crusaders hopped onto the couch in the middle of the room while Filia watched them, unable to hide the smile on her face.

"Zecora wasn't lying when she said others love your hot chocolate," Filia observed.

"It's because I pour my heart into it," Blazing called from the kitchen.

"Oh, hi, Chocolate," Apple Bloom greeted warmly.

"How are you liking Ponyville?" Scootaloo asked.

"It's different from what I'm used to, I'll say that much," Filia answered as she looked for a place to sit.

"Good different?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"So good, it's nauseating," Filia thought to herself before she sat on a chair not far from the couch. "Yes, Sweetie," she answered.

"That's awesome!" Scootaloo cooed.

"Yeah," Apple Bloom agreed. "Maybe y'all should live here!"

"Yeah," Sweetie Belle piped up with a smile. "And you and Blazing can get married and have kids!"

"Whoa now, Crusaders!" Blazing chuckled as he walked in with three cups of hot chocolate on a tray, which he sat on the table in front of the trio. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, now. Chocolate's only visiting."

"Oh, come on," Scootaloo cried as the Crusaders took their cups. "You two are perfect together!"

"Yeah," Apple Bloom agreed.

"You've only just met Chocolate today," Blazing smiled at them.

"But you both are pegasi," Scootaloo observed. "You know each other; you get along-"

"Scoots," Blazing interjected. "Chocolate is just a friend. That's all. And don't you three get any ideas about brewing a love potion." Blazing added with a smirk.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that," Sweetie Belle said after a sip of her hot chocolate. "We've learned our lesson."

"Love potion?" Filia piped up.

"These three brewed a love potion for their teacher some time ago, and things got a little," Blazing paused as he thought about what to say next.

"All of Ponyville could've been overrun with starving, uneducated equines!" Apple Bloom cried.

"Now, it wouldn't have been that bad, AB," Blazing chuckle.

"Let me guess," Filia began. "Pegasus feather, rainbow, and a tuft of a cloud?" The crusaders nodded in unison. "Yeah, that's some powerful shit."

"Chocolate, language," Blazing huffed. "These are kids!" He looked to the Crusaders. "Don't you three start using words like that, you hear me?"

"We promise!" Scootaloo cheered.

"Me too," Apple Bloom agreed.

"Me three," Sweetie Belle said as she raised a hand. "But, why?"

"Swear words aren't for little kids," Blazing explained. Sweetie Belle shrugged before she took another sip of her hot chocolate.

"You make the best hot chocolate, Blazing," Sweetie complimented.

"Hands down!" Scootaloo agreed before sipping from her cup.

"Hey, why don't you tell us how y'all met?" Apple Bloom suggested.

"Yeah!" Scootaloo agreed. "How'd you two love birds meet?"

"Scoots, we're just friends," Blazing countered. "Now, let's see," he thought as he scratched his chin.

"He saved my life," Filia piped up. Blazing blinked as he looked at her while the Crusaders watched her intently. "It was in the middle of a forest far from here. There I was, lying half-dead in the bushes. I had no food, no water, and my chances of survival dropped rapidly."

"She telling the truth?" Blazing asked himself.

The Crusaders watched Filia in awe as they listened to her tell the story as if she were telling a ghost story.

"I was too weak to move," Filia continued. "I couldn't even lift my wings." She spread her wings for effect. "I thought I was done for when all of a sudden, this strapping young pegasus came to the rescue!" The Crusaders smiled at Blazing, who scratched the back of his head in both embarrassment and confusion. "The last thing I saw was this yellow pegasus scooping me up and carrying me away, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in a warm bed."

"Wow!" The crusaders said in unison.

"You really saved her, Blazing?" Sweetie asked.

"Of course he did!" Scootaloo answered for Blazing. "He's strong and caring! He'd never leave an injured equine like that!"

"That's amazing!" Sweetie cheered.

Filia took in all the positive energy flooding the room. The Crusaders may have been young, but they were full of love and joy for Blazing, and Blazing had little to no negative energy in his body. Filia could not help but smile at the change of scenery. The hive always felt cold, harsh; you had to be strong to survive. Here, she felt like she could let her guard down, even if only a little bit and part of her relished the feeling.

"Yeah, Stripes is cool but not as cool as me," a familiar raspy female voice called from behind Blazing, making all five of the others jump in surprise.

"Dash?!" Blazing squeaked. "When did you come into my house?!"

"The door was opened, and you all were focused on Chocolate's story about how you met," Rainbow explained. "Sweet moves on rescuing Chocolate, Stripes," she said as she nudged his shoulder with her elbow while smirking. Blazing groaned at the nickname.

"I just did what any sensible equine would've done," Blazing replied. "And for the last time, stop calling me Stripes," he glared at Rainbow.

"Dream on, Stripes," Rainbow said as she took his cup and drank the rest of his hot chocolate. "I may be awesome, but you still make the best hot chocolate!"

"I would've made you some, Dash," Blazing groaned.

"Yours was getting cold," Rainbow replied. Blazing rolled his eyes.

"Weren't you at the party?" Blazing asked.

"Everyone left after you two did," Rainbow explained as she plopped onto the couch next to Scootaloo. Filia noticed how the excitement in the young pegasus spiked at that moment. Filia did not need to sense the emotion to know Scootaloo admired Rainbow Dash.

"That's surprising," Blazing observed. "Everyone loves Pinkie's parties."

"Yeah, it was weird," Rainbow said as she scratched her chin. "Everyone said they were feeling tired, so they left." Blazing looked at Filia, who rubbed the back of her neck.

"I guess I absorbed more than I thought," she thought to herself. Suddenly, a sharp sting ran down her spine, and she looked to the window, trying not to react to the pain. She stared out the window, her eyes darting left and right across streets, bushes, and houses within view. She could not see anything.

"Hello! Earth to Chocolate!"

Filia blinked and looked at Rainbow, who had a confused look on her face.

"Everything okay over there?" Rainbow asked. "You blacked out on us for a minute." Filia looked at Blazing, who she sensed was very concerned with what happened.

"Sorry," Filia began. "I tend to fade out like that from time to time. Nothing to worry about." She offered the five equines a reassuring smile as if nothing was wrong. The Crusaders looked at each other while Rainbow shrugged.

"Maybe you need some rest?" Blazing suggested. "You have been on a long trip, after all." Blazing's suggestion gave Filia an idea, and she gave a great yawn as she stretched.

"I was up pretty late last night," Filia answered. "Maybe a quick nap will do me some good."

"Chocolate, you're speaking my language!" Rainbow grinned. "Mind if I crash on your couch for a while, Stripes?" Blazing got up and pulled Rainbow up.

"Not happening, Dashster!" Blazing said as he began pushing her toward the front door. "You can find yourself a touch branch or soft cloud to take your power naps on like always."

"Hey!" Rainbow protested. "Is this about your nickname?! I promise to use it less often!"

"Out!" Blazing ordered as he pushed Rainbow out the door. The Crusaders could not help but chuckle at the smirk on Blazing's face. Before Rainbow could protest further, Blazing slammed the door and leaned his back against it.

"Rude, much?" Filia asked. "That's the second time today."

"Can you blame me?" Blazing asked.

"Does this mean we have to go too?" Scootaloo asked.

"Maybe you three can try your luck at hot chocolate making at Sugar-Cube Corner," Blazing suggested with a smile.

"Why would we do that when yours is the best?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Hey, you never know," Blazing began with a friendly smile. "Your hot chocolate may be better than mine."

"It's worth a shot," Sweetie thought out loud.

"I dunno," Apple Bloom piped up. "Last time I tried to make anythin' at Sugar-Cube Corner, it turned out pretty bad."

"That was baking," Scootaloo corrected. "This can't be worse than that."

"And even if you don't get your marks in making hot chocolate," Blazing interjected. "You'll at least know how to make a tasty treat for yourselves."

"That's a good idea!" Apple Bloom smiled. "But, can we still have some of yours?" she asked with a worried look.

"Any time," Blazing answered with a warm smile. The trio hopped off the couch and wrapped Blazing in a group hug while saying "thank you" in unison. Filia smiled at the four equines before they split.

"C'mon, Crusaders!" Scootaloo cheered. With that, they rushed out the front door, leaving it opened for Blazing to close before he looked at Filia.

"You okay?" he asked. Filia sighed as she released her disguise.

"I don't know," she answered. "I've never felt anything like that before." She looked out the window as Blazing watched her in concern. "If I have to hazard a guess, I'd say it was a changeling high in the ranks looking for me."

"What makes you say that?" Blazing asked as he looked out the window before closing the blinds.

"It's just a hunch," Filia observed as she watched the blinds. "But, part of me hopes I'm wrong."

Outside the house, atop the neighboring house, stood a crow peering through the window before Blazing closed the blinds inside. The blackbird spread its wings and took off toward the mountains in the distance. After flying for a few miles, a flash of green magic transformed the crow into a changeling.

"What the fuck are you up to, Princess?" he growled under his breath as he flew.

The changeling arrived at a cave in the mountains and walked right in to find the rest of his hive gathered around fires to keep warm. Many of the changelings were either injured or unconscious from their endeavor at Canterlot Castle. The changeling ignored his kin as he walked through to find the queen sitting alone in the far end of the cave. He stopped before he got within ten feet of his queen and dropped to one knee.

"I found the princess, your highness," he said with a growl. Chrysalis looked at the drone who spoke.

"Alive?" Chrysalis asked.

"Yes, your highness."

"And, you didn't think to bring her here?"

"Forgive me, your highness," the changeling began. "But, the princess was with a pegasus male name Blazing Feathers." Chrysalis raised her brow at him. After a minute of silence, the changeling dared to glance at his queen.

"What is she doing with the equine?" Chrysalis asked sharply, making the changeling tear his eyes away from her.

"I'm not sure, your highness," the changeling answered. "When they're alone, she doesn't even hide what she is."

"You mean to tell me this Blazing Feathers knows she's a changeling?!" Chrysalis hissed, getting the attention of all the other changelings in the cave. The lone drone only nodded in reply. Chrysalis glared at the changeling in front of her before looking away. "What are you up to, my child?" she asked herself out loud as she scratched her chin. The drone looked at her. After a minute, Chrysalis' demeanor appeared to settle. "My Filia never does anything without reason, but why allow this pegasus to know the truth?" The drone wanted to say something but kept his lips sealed tight out of fear. Chrysalis looked at the drone. "Consider yourself lucky, Torck," she began. "For a second, I thought about ending your miserable life where you kneel."

"Th-thank you, your highness," the drone studdered.

"For now, I need you to gather the hive and return to the castle," Chrysalis ordered.

"What of the princess?" he asked as he looked up.

"Leave her to me," Chrysalis answered. The drone bowed his head.

"Yes, your highness!" he said before getting to his feet. "Alright, everyone! We're returning to the Desolute Zone!"

Chrysalis walked to the cave entrance as the changelings began moving to look over the land. In the distance, she could make out the small town where her drone just did recognizance. "You've never disappointed me before, Filia, but I'm curious as to what you're up to," she thought to herself. She spread her great wings and took off toward Ponyville. "You better have a good explanation, my daughter."