For the past few years, Queen Chrysalis had been noticing something was... wrong. It had all started with small slips, little mistakes here and there, things she shouldn't have forgotten, especially not as her kingdom's ruler. As with everything else, she had ignored it at first, brushing it off as the inevitable signs of aging. But she couldn't do that anymore.
While the early signs of the unidentified affliction had seemed like no big deal, the growing lapses in memory, the confusion and disorientation, had become increasingly worrisome. How could she properly lead her subjects if she couldn't remember their names? Or even where her own bedroom was? At one point, Queen Chrysalis had tried to convince herself that this was all just a normal part of getting older, but deep down she knew something wasn't right. The time had finally come to face the truth.
"My... subjects..." Queen Chrysalis's eyes widened in terror and confusion as she tried desperately to recall their identities. "They left me... left the kingdom... left me alone." Her thoughts spiraled as she tried to process this alarming development. "No... they didn't leave me! They're still here, they have to be! Right?" She searched the halls of her once-beautiful kingdom, desperation rising inside of her as she tried to remember the names, faces, any sign of her beloved subjects. But it was as if they had suddenly ceased to exist.
Queen Chrysalis felt her heart beating faster and faster, the fear and confusion growing stronger inside of her. She couldn't afford to believe that her subjects had abandoned her, she couldn't allow her kingdom to wither and die. "No... they're here! I must find them!" With that, she began to search for any sign of her subjects, searching the palace in increasing desperation. But no matter how hard she looked, there was no trace of them anywhere. "They can't be gone..." She whispered through clenched teeth, struggling to come to terms with this impossible reality.
Queen Chrysalis was becoming increasingly agitated and desperate as she continued to search for her subjects. "They can't have left me! I would never let this happen!" She began pacing in circles, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the mystery. Suddenly, she noticed a strange glow coming from one of the rooms down the hall. "What in Tartarus? Who's there?" she muttered as she approached the doorway. When she stepped inside, the room was bathed in a dim red glow that seemed to beckon her forward.
Queen Chrysalis cautiously made her way into the dimly lit room, her mind racing with questions. As she moved further inside, the glow began to brighten, as if it was drawing her in and inviting her to learn its secrets. "What could this be?" she wondered as she moved ever deeper into the room. As she approached the center of the chamber, the red glow gave way to an unfamiliar sight: her beloved subjects, crowded around a glowing object in the middle of the room. "What..." She trailed off as she realized what she was seeing.
As Queen Chrysalis's eyes finally adjusted to the ambient red light, she realized with growing horror that the "object" was actually a mirror. And the "crowd" around her was actually her own reflection. Trembling in terror, she saw how her bright wings had faded to dull gray, her eyes had clouded over, her face was covered in wrinkles and sores... and her crown was long gone. She had become old and forgotten, a shell of her former self. As her reflection smiled at her with her own face, Queen Chrysalis let out a scream of despair.
But suddenly, Queen Chrysalis's scream was drowned out by the sound of a voice... her voice, young and untainted by the ravages of time. "What happened, Mommy?" The word hit her like an arrow to the heart. She looked down at herself, saw herself as a young chrysalis and realized that it was true. The affliction that had caused her memory loss was also causing her to revert back in time. Her subjects were back, her kingdom was back, but she was gone. "No... please!" she cried as she clutched her head.
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Princess Cadance was on patrol, keeping her empire safe and nodding to her guards. But that peace was shattered when she saw the unmistakable shape of Queen Chrysalis, walking through the castle with a vacant look in her eyes. In a fraction of a second, Cadance had summoned a glow from her horn and was poised to confront the former queen. Yet, she was too slow to react; Chrysalis had quickly turned a corner and disappeared out of sight. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
Cadance approached the corner where she had last seen Chrysalis, but the hallway was empty and quiet. She turned to her guards, unsure of how to proceed. "Have you seen the former queen?" she asked.
"No", an elite guard responded. Cadance shook her head in confusion, wondering what had happened. As she continued to search the castle, she noticed a faint glint of light down another hallway. Perhaps it was nothing, but she decided to follow it and see if it led her to the missing Chrysalis.
As Cadance followed the glint of light, her senses were filled with the sweet aroma of honey. It was comforting to her, taking her mind off the current crisis, but at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder if it was somehow connected. It seemed that the smell was coming from one of the rooms at the end of the hallway. She slowly turned the handle, unsure of what she would find. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Queen Chrysalis staring back at her. She sat hunched over a small table covered with honey pots, seemingly caught up in a world of her own.
"Chrysalis...?" Cadance said cautiously as she stepped into the room. The former queen did not react, her eyes still fixed on the honey pots in front of her, as though she was entirely in her own world. Cadance's heart felt like it was in her throat. "Chrysalis, are you alright?" she asked gently. Still no response. She slowly approached the former queen, trying not to startle her. As she got closer, she saw that the honey pots were empty. It seemed that Chrysalis had already eaten all of the honey.
Cadance's body was still tense and alert as she faced her former enemy, but she was trying not to let it show. She had asked her guards to rally to her, just in case, but she still wanted to handle this situation delicately. "Chrysalis... what are you doing in my home?" she called out again. The former queen finally reacted, looking up at Cadance with a confused expression on her face. "Your home? I thought I was... nevermind." Before Cadance could ask what she had meant, the guards stormed the room and began to approach the former queen.
"No... please, wait! She's... not herself, I think something is wrong with her." Cadance turned to face her elite guards, begging for them to stand down and stop their relentless advance toward the frail former queen. "She's harmless right now, please... just give her a chance." Her voice was choked with worry.
But her pleas fell on deaf ears as the guards drew their weapons, their faces filled with righteous fury. "She's dangerous!" one of them shouted as they charged forward.
Cadance could not stop the guards in time and turned to face Queen Chrysalis, determined to protect her at all costs. But as the guards descended upon the frail former queen, princess cadance stepped in the way.
As Cadance stepped in front of Queen Chrysalis, her voice was stern and commanding. "Stop right where you are. Do not advance another inch." The guards paused their attack, a look of surprise on their faces. Cadance turned to face Chrysalis, her eyes pleading with the former queen to listen to her. "Please let me speak to her, she needs someone who she knows. Someone who sees her past the way she looks now." As Cadance spoke, the former queen looked at her with confusion in her eyes.
Cadance looked closer at the former queen, taking in her faded mane and wings, as well as the dull and lifeless glaze in her eyes. It was shocking to see that she had aged so much since they had last met. But despite her appearance, Cadance decided to put the past behind her and try to help the elder alicorn. "You are my enemy, but right now that doesn't matter. I'm here to help you."
"Chrysalis?" Cadance cautiously approached the former queen, watching closely for any sign of aggression. But Chrysalis didn't offer any resistance, instead, she seemed overly cheerful and friendly. Cadance was concerned by this behavior. It was unlike any version of Chrysalis she had seen.
Cadance watched closely as the former queen continued to act strangely, her demeanor shifting from the solemn and reserved creature she had once been, to the overly playful and affectionate one that stood before her now. But the changes didn't end there, for even more disturbing behaviors were already beginning to manifest in Chrysalis. She would suddenly shift from joy to rage in an instant, her eyes growing cold and dark as her memories of the past flooded back to her. The mysterious affliction seemed to be accelerating, and Cadance was determined to figure out a way to help her old enemy.
The former queen's unpredictable behavior continued to cycle back and forth. One moment, she was friendly and playful, the next, she was aggressive and vicious. It was as if the mystery affliction had stolen her free will and was forcing her to relive her past memories. As Chrysalis snapped out of the episode and returned to her joyful state, Cadance finally spoke up. "Chrysalis, please, calm down for a moment. We can help you, but you have to understand what's going on."
As Cadance finished speaking, she saw a look of recognition in the former queen's eyes, as if her words had finally penetrated Chrysalis's fragile mind. But she wasn't sure if the old alicorn truly understood what she was saying. "Chrysalis, we can find a solution to this problem, but we need to work together," Cadance continued gently. "I need you to tell me what happened before you came here, okay?" She hoped that by finding out more about what had led to this point, they might have a better chance at helping Chrysalis recover.
Cadance held her breath as she waited for Chrysalis to speak, hoping that she would finally get some answers. But the former queen remained silent, her eyes looking past Cadance as if she were still reliving a memory in her head. Cadance couldn't stand the silence any longer, she had to try something. She let her horn glow brightly again and began to cast a spell, hoping that it would help jog Chrysalis's memory. As Cadance's horn started to erupt with magical energy, suddenly Chrysalis's eyes grew wide, as though she had just remembered something.
Cadance was relieved to see a spark of recognition in Chrysalis's eyes, and she slowly lowered her glowing horn. "Chrysalis? Can you hear me? Tell me, is there anything you remember?" The former queen's eyes continued to look past Cadance's, but she seemed to be concentrating on something in her mind. Moments passed, and as the glow from Cadance's horn faded, Chrysalis's eyes finally fell on her. Her expression was one of shock and dismay. "Cadance... it's you..."
"Why did you sneak into my home?" Chrysalis said with a cold and hateful gaze in her eyes, the same gaze she had directed at Cadance all those years ago during their first encounter.
Cadance was shocked by the sudden switch in attitude, but she did her best to stay calm. She took a deep breath and continued to lower herself in order to appear smaller and non-threatening, hoping to put her former enemy at ease. "We just want to help, there's no need for violence," she tried to reason with Chrysalis.
"Chrysalis, remember why I'm here. I want to help you, you have to trust me." Cadance held her horn out in front of her, as if to shield her from the former queen's hateful gaze. But Chrysalis was too far gone, she couldn't see past her own panic and anguish. She looked around frantically as if looking for her subjects, but her eyes were filled with despair as she found only the empty stone walls of Cadance's home. She suddenly looked up at the present alicorn, tears streaming down her face. "They're gone..." she said quietly.
Cadance was shocked to hear that Chrysalis had completely forgotten about the reformed changelings, which clearly indicated the severity of her condition. She would need the help of Twilight, Luna, and Celestia to solve this mystery. Cadance quickly turned to a nearby guard, "Please bring Twilight, Luna, and Celestia here. I will wait with Chrysalis and help her to a cell." As she waited for them to arrive, Cadance tried to keep Chrysalis calm by telling her reassuring stories about how much her subjects loved her, but the former queen wasn't responding at all.
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Twilight, Luna, and Celestia arrived and joined Cadance outside Chrysalis's cell. They were concerned about the former queen's mental state, as well as the danger it posed to others. As they discussed next steps, Cadance asked the princesses to try and get through to Chrysalis, but the more they talked, the more agitated the former queen became. It seemed as though she was reliving a distant memory with each word, and was unable to differentiate between reality and the past. Soon.
Cadance was confused as she watched the princesses discuss Chrysalis's condition, but was unsure of what they had discovered. Just as she was about to ask, Luna stepped away from the others and made a discovery. "Yes, we have seen this before." She turned to Celestia, who nodded in agreement. "Dear sister, you know this illness well, don't you?" Cadance watched curiously as the two alicorns talked, eagerly awaiting their solution to the mystery.
As Celestia continued to describe the illness affecting Chrysalis, Cadance could feel her horn growing brighter and brighter with each passing moment. She wanted to deny that the former queen's condition was truly incurable, and refused to believe that Chrysalis was truly dying. But she couldn't help but be affected by what Celestia had said. "There must be something we can do, we can't just let her die like this," Cadance protested. But Celestia was adamant that there was no chance of a miracle cure.
Cadance looked back at Celestia, Luna, and Twilight with empathy, knowing that they shared her pain. "I... I know she was our enemy, but I never wanted to see her like this." Cadance paused for a moment, trying to come to terms with what she was hearing. She didn't want to give up hope, but the princesses were right, there was nothing more that they could do. With a heavy heart, Cadance spoke up again. "Is... is there a way we can ease her suffering?"
Celestia stated, "Let us deliver her to her once subjects and their sovereign. Perhaps they shall assuage her concerns." The four divines concurred, while the entire quadrumvirate ventured toward the relatively new changeling state.
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Cadance, Twilight, Celestia, and Luna deposited Chrysalis before Thorax, who reacted with bewilderment. He exclaimed, "You carry her back to us? We must instead subdue this nefarious monster!" Their demeanor was dour as Celestia and Luna explained, "Thy blood relation... She doth suffer from dementia. We thinketh 't would be most appropriate for thy dear mother to take her latest breaths in the company of her own offspring."
Cadance retorted, "Have some empathy, Thorax! Can you not see that your mother is sick and unwell?" Twilight interjected, "Indeed, she is not herself at all. Please do not view her as a threat, but instead as a troubled individual." Thorax pondered his allies' words, and a tear rolled down his face as he acknowledged, "I suppose I should grant her at least a few moments with her spawn."
Thorax inquired, "Will she recognize me?" Cadance affirmed, "Yes, Thorax, she will recognize you." Thorax wiped away his tears, and nodded in thanks to Cadance and Twilight. The two stood beside him, offering their support and empathy in his hour of need.
"We severed our attachment to her, despite her erroneous inclination to destroy you ponies. Yet she remained our broodmother, and it is imperative that she is in the presence of her kin." Thorax stated, while gazing at Chrysalis. Her eyes slowly regained life, and she glanced at Thorax. In a hissing tone, she expressed displeasure, but Thorax embraced his mother. The other changelings watched closely, seated in proximity. As Chrysalis experienced recollections of cradling her young changelings, her eyes softened even further.
After a moment, she relaxed in Thorax's embrace, releasing her tension. Slowly, she reciprocated the hug, caressing her son's head with an affectionate touch. The other changelings were touched by the sight, and also approached to join the embrace. Some of the changeling young looked upon the scene in wonder, experiencing their first moment of maternal affection. Thorax gently led the reformed Chrysalis away from the crowd, and the two finally held a meaningful conversation. The others could sense the warmth and joy of the reunion.
Twilight and Cadance were pleased to see the reformed Chrysalis, but they were saddened by her malady. Cadance expressed sorrow, "Verily, it is tragic to see any individual afflicted with this affliction." Twilight added, "It is a horrible tribulation that no individual should endure."
Thorax returned, his demeanor dejected and somber. He beckoned everyone to follow, and he led the others to an area where Chrysalis was lying in bed. The changeling ruler was motionless, her breathing light and slow. She inquired, "Was I a good mother?"
The gathered changelings and princesses remained silent, struck with anguish over the tragic scene before them. They knew that the reformed Chrysalis did not have much time remaining, and their sorrow was palpable. Twilight and Cadance both attempted to offer comfort and reassurance, but their efforts were ultimately hopeless. The changeling matriarch was close to the end of her life, and the others could only sit with her and wait.
Thorax looked down at his mother, and responded to her query with sincerity. "Yes, you were. You were the greatest." Chrysalis smiled, comforted by the statement, as her eyes started to fade. "That is pleasant..." she whispered, and her breathing came to a halt. The changeling matriarch had passed away, and her demise was met with wailing and grief. The silence that had filled the room beforehand gave way to the anguished wails that accompanied her death.
As the crying continued, the others gathered around the bed, mournfully observing the departed monarch. Twilight and Cadance both spoke solemnly, expressing their thanks for the time they had spent with Chrysalis, and the appreciation they had held for her. Celestia and Luna approached the bed, and in a somber voice, they announced her official transition. They gave their farewells, and paid tribute to the changeling matriarch. With this, the sorrow turned to reverence, and the room was left in a quiet solitude.
Moments passed, and eventually the other princesses decided it was time for them to leave the room, but for Thorax, it had just become his new reality. He remained beside his mother's side, holding her cold, limp hoof, and contemplating the emptiness that now dwelled within him. The memories they had built together, once filled with joy, now only caused anguish, at her loss. In somber reflection, he realized that all the good times he had had with his mother were gone, and he would be left with only the memories, fading over time.
Though their relationship was fraught with difficulties, Thorax still cared for his mother, and cherished the memories of their happier times together, such as when he had been comforted or cared for as a little changeling. Even when she had been cruel or vindictive against him, his affection for her endured beyond her final breath.
The changeling kingdom mourned the passing of their revered matriarch, and as they grieved, they offered their sympathy and consolation to their ruling monarch. The changelings came to comfort their king, and as they offered condolences, they stood by Thorax, ready to provide whatever support they could.
The passing of the changeling queen marked the end of the changeling kingdom's evil and hostile ways. Although the changelings had already become peaceful, many ponies remained wary of the group as a threat. With Chrysalis gone, everyone could finally rest assured that any future actions undertaken by the changelings would be with goodwill and harmony. This event marked the true beginning of a new era of peace and trust between the changelings and the ponies of Equestria.
