“Changelings!” My booming voice echoed around the cave walls. My hive quieted down their buzzing to a low hum as I spoke. “The time has come for the hive to move on. I’m going to feed you all one last time, and then you must leave this place. You must never attack the Crystal Empire or any pony from Equestria ever again.”

“Move on?” Thorax asked with his neck craned to look up at me. “Move on to where?”

“How do you intend to feed us?” Pharynx managed to break out of his instinct driven trance. His eyes were suspicious, and his quivering mouth worried.

“I’m going to transfer all of the love energy I have to the rest of you.” I said and the whole hive panicked. Their buzzing turned to a weeping sound, like when a clutch of newborns hatch and cry out at the unfamiliar world. It both broke and warmed my heart to hear them cry for me.

“You can’t!” Pharynx yelled.

“Mother, please don’t do this.” Thorax begged me.

“A mother must feed her children.” I calmly explained. “It’s only natural.”

“If you release all of your love energy you’ll…you…” Even the stouthearted Pharynx failed to say the truth out loud.

“I’m sorry Pharynx, but I need you and Thorax to grow up a little faster than expected.” I smiled at my boys. My leaders. My Princes.

“Thorax, you’re in charge.” I casually delegated as both boys stood stunned. “Pharynx, I know you won’t like that, but please understand. You are strong and brave, but Thorax is wiser. I need you two to be a team. To trust each other. Thorax, let Pharynx give you his strength. Pharynx, let Thorax show you patience and temperance. Both of you will make each other better as you lead the hive from here forward.”

“But mother, we…” Thorax began, but I cut in.

“Do you promise me, boys?” I demanded, Scowling at them.

“We promise.” They said in unison. Then they each uttered to each other under their breath:

“Tool.”

“Jerk.”

I pretended not to hear, confident they would figure it out together. They continued pleading with me, but my thoughts went back to the Crystal Heart.

I’m sorry it has to end this way. I apologized with a heavy heart.

Don’t be. There was nothing but joy in his voice. You were magnificent.

If there’s another side, I hope to see you there. I let my sorrow flow out of me. There would be no regrets or tears.

Sooner than you may think. He cryptically replied. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I activated my love magic. The dormant ability I had forgotten about for over a year. However, instead of draining love essences, I reversed it. I started building up all of the love energy I could muster to give it out in one quick burst. I had to be quick about it before I completely ran out of energy.

“Chrysalis!” Shining Armor trotted next to Pharynx and Thorax so that he could look up at me. He recklessly stood next to two hungry Changelings that wanted to eat him alive.

“Do you really have to do this?” He asked, joining my boys in their pleading. Stallions were at their weakest when they felt helpless to save their mothers and wives. “Isn't there some other way?”

“Shining…” There was no point in arguing with them. They would beg me to stop until the end of time. The fact that Shining wanted me to stop at all filled my heart with joy. I used that joy to build more love magic. My glowing essence was now twice the size of my body and getting bigger. The green haze of the cursed Changeling magic mixed with a white aura. They swam in and out of each other like a swirling ice cream machine.

“Please take care of Flurry Heart.” I asked him and his face collapsed.

“Oh my Celestia, you really mean it.” He looked up at me. No longer conflicted or angry, he was just sad.

“I love you.” I told him without fear or hesitation. “Whether you believe me or not, I love you all the same.”

“I believe you.” It was no love confession, but it was more than enough for me. More than I deserved.

“Changelings.” I shouted. My magical gathering was at its limit. The green had faded away, leaving only the white glow shining around me.

“You are forbidden to attack the Crystal Empire or Equestria.” I commanded them. “Your sister, Flurry Heart, lives in the capital, and we do not attack family.”

“Our sister?” Thorax’s eyes went wide.

“Yes, Thorax. You must protect her and keep her safe. Even if that means steering the hive away from her so that she’s safe from your hunger.”

“I understand.” Thorax nodded with a maroon redness lighting up his cheeks.

I couldn’t hold it anymore. The spell was going to go off with or without me. I could feel the energy pulsing forward, nearly beyond my control.

“Goodbye.” I said as the energy shot forward. I guided it making sure that it spread across all of my Changelings. Each child must receive an equal portion.

“Wait!” Shining shouted in vain. He watched as the white light spread out in streaming threads to all of my dear children. It reminded me of the healing spell that I had helped cast with the Crystal Heart to heal the Capital. In fact, it looked exactly the same.

How fitting. I thought in his direction, and I swear I heard him laughing in response. What a weirdly grimm fellow he could be.

As the love drained out of me, I felt my body atrophy. My muscles weakened, and my eyes grew tired. I had to make sure they got all of it. I had to use any strength I had left to feed my children. It must be done before I collapse.

As my mind began to slip from consciousness, A sudden power surge caught me by surprise.

“What’s happening?” I cried in panic. Not for my own life, but for my hive. Was this some part of the curse coming to thwart my efforts? Was my hive in danger? The spell was wild. Twisting and turning around the room before doubling back and striking me in the chest.

The energy surged with a bright purple glow. It wrapped around me over and over again until I was completely enveloped. I couldn’t see anything except for what looked like the inside of a cocoon all around me. Multicolored lights flashed in my eyes. I could feel my body shifting and changing. I was no longer casting or controlling anything. I was swept up in the mercy of this mysterious magic. My skin mutated as my fur shifted and changed texture. My mane shriveled up and evaporated, only to reform itself smoother and longer. My twisted horn cracked and broke as it straightened itself out. It wasn’t painful, but the sensation was surreal. I didn’t think I was dying, yet I also had no idea what was happening to me. What was I becoming?

My eyes finally opened to see I was standing on the cave floor once more. It seemed as if I was opening them, once again, for the first time. Unlike back then, I remembered everything now. The past year and before that. All the same, the cave looked different to me in a way I couldn’t place. Was it brighter in here? Did I see more clearly now? Everything about me was remade. My newborn eyes saw the world through a different lens. I was lighter than a moment ago. My movements were fluid and easy. I felt… good. Good in a way I couldn’t describe. It was as if I had never been well until this very moment. My essence sang with a melody that kept time with the rhythm of my heart.

I looked down at hooves that didn’t seem like they were mine. They weren’t Cadance’s either. They were a dusty pearl color with no holes in them. I turned my head and my flowing mane flew into my face. It was emerald green, but it was soft and luxurious. It was no longer greasy and thin. There was a natural shine to my hair with glowing sparkles lighting up like fireflies. Was that permanent, or just residual magic? I had been told that Celestia and Luna’s hair had a similar feature. I wanted to know what the rest of me looked like.

“Mother?” Thorax walked up to me with hopeful curiosity in his eyes. “Who is this creature you’re imitating? Where did you meet her?”

“Oh, Thorax.” I rubbed his cheek with my dark opal hoof. There was a gradient to my fur that got darker down in my hooves, and pearly white up at my chest. “This isn’t a form that I borrowed. This is me. This is who I am.”

“It’s shiny.” He said with a childlike grin. I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Thank you, son, you truly have a way with words.”

“You’re beautiful.” Shining’s voice made me turn to look at him. Suddenly I felt exposed and on display in front of him. I felt my cheeks go red as he looked me up and down. I heard Cadance gasp from where she stood next to Twilight. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I enjoyed hearing her jealousy. To him, I was beautiful. Selfishly, I kept that feeling close to my chest. Like a small win.

“Shining I…” I had no idea what to say to him.

“You did it, didn't you, Mother?” Thorax asked, but I was at a loss.

“Did what?” My son’s mouth was agape as he stared at me in wonder.

“You broke the curse.” His eyes went wide. “You’re free, aren’t you? That’s why you transformed. Why you didn’t…” He suddenly went silent, and looked down.

“I’m still here.” I caressed his cheek and he looked up to face me again. “I will always be here.”

“How did you do it?” He asked as his drool dripped from his bared fangs onto my hoof. Nothing a mother of many wasn’t used to.

“I already told you.” I smiled as he looked confused. “Love must be given freely, not taken. If you take the love magic in your essence and give it away to those you love, then you’ll never be hungry again.”

“Just give it away?” He asked, holding my hoof on his cheek. “And you promise everything will be ok?” He swallowed with doubt and fear in his eyes.

“I promise.” I whispered to him. I watched as he puffed his chest and summoned his courage.

“Ok, I’ll try it.” He walked over to Pharynx. “Brother, I am going to give you my love. Stand still.”

“Get away from me, you freak!” Pharynx dodged Thorax to come stand next to me.

“What’s wrong Pharynx?” I chuckled at him. I’d never seen him run from Thorax before. It was always the other way around.

“He’s being a weirdo.” Pharynx pointed at Thorax who looked hurt by his brother’s accusation.

“Thorax, why don’t you just aim generally at your hive brothers and sisters?” I said calmly. “Your brother will join us when he’s ready.”

Thorax nodded and summoned his love magic. I watched as the same green and white glow surrounded him, until a pure white stream of threads shot out towards the other Changelings. They watched in awe as their brother copied the same spell their mother had just demonstrated.

“Something’s happening.” Thorax’s panicked voice cried. He must have felt the sudden power surge like I did. His body wrapped itself up in a cocoon as multi-colored lights flashed throughout the cave, like a dance rave.

When the cocoon opened, Thorax stood before me completely reborn. His new fur had a color gradient like mine, except it was neon green. He was taller than he was before, especially with large orange antlers sticking out the top of his head. He had what looked like natural diamonds around his collar. His midsection looked like a forest green shell. His burns appeared completely healed in the transformation. He stood tall and proud as he stretched his much larger transparent wings.

“How do I look?” He asked with glee.

“You look wonderful, darling.” I praised him. “So regal and handsome.”

“Mother…” He blushed, tucking his head into his massive chest. He was still Thorax despite having a new body that could physically match up against Shining Armor.

“Momma’s boy.” Pharynx taunted him.

“Everyone!” Thorax hopped back up on the experiment table slab. “Free yourselves from the curse. Give your love magic away. I’ve never felt so full in my life. I no longer feel the need to feed. Love that is given instead of taken is more than enough. Join me!”

He belted his rallying cry to his brothers and sisters. I couldn’t have been more proud of him. One after another, my Changelings transformed. It was a wild sight to see. It was like watching magical popcorn as dark colored Changelings burst into light, popping out of cocoons and landing in new technicolor bodies. Everything was different about them from their color scheme to their eyes, so rich and vibrant. I saw the joy on their faces as they popped from their cocoons, and landed anew on the cave floor. They were full, they were happy, and they were free. No longer did they lurch or hunch over from constant hunger. They stood tall and proud, filled to the brim in mind, body, and essence. After a few moments, the cave was alight with the natural glow of my colorful hive. They all looked so beautiful to me.

We were free. The curse that had plagued us for multiple millenia was broken. Love was the answer all along. All of those years of anger and resentment seemed so distant and petty to me now. We could walk the earth as other creatures did. We no longer needed to isolate ourselves, sheltered from the civilized world. We were no longer afraid, and it felt incredible for all of us.

Well, almost all of us.

“Pharynx.” I noticed my son was still in his cursed Changeling form.

“Yes, mother?” He pretended as if nothing was unusual.

“Are you going to stay like that forever, or would you care to join us?” I offered my hoof to him. He just stared at it.

“All of this lovey-dovey namby-pamby ism makes me sick.” He snarled.

“Oh really?” I raised my newly formed eyebrow at him.

“Yes really!” He stomped his hoof on the cave floor.

“Don’t you raise your voice at me.” I glared at him.

“Mother.” He didn’t apologize, but lowered his voice all the same. “Why did you leave us?”

“I never meant to leave you, I lost my-”

“That’s not what I mean!” He yelled at me again, but my voice failed me when I tried to chastise him.

“I mean…” He lowered his own voice. “Why didn’t you tell us what you were doing here?”

“I…” I had no excuse for him.

“Why did you go off on your own to capture their Princess? To bring her here and use this…” He gestured to the orb above the slab I had laid on. “...Machine on her. Did you not want our help? Did you mean to leave us behind? To be rid of the burden of your own hive?”

“Pharynx, I would never…”

“By the time we got here, it was too late. They had taken you from us. You received a better life, in a better place. You didn’t need us anymore. You became one of them.”

“I…” I had no reply for him. He was right. “You all knew who I was the whole time?”

“Miss Cadance told me and Thorax.” He glanced at his now taller brother. “We decided to shield the rest of the hive from this.”

I looked over at all my young hivelings. They were as numerous as the gravel on the floor as they stared at me with bright and glistening new eyes.

“We didn’t want them to think of you as a traitor.” Pharynx sneered at the floor, away from my gaze. “The pain of losing their mother was already too much.”

“Do you still think I’m a traitor, Pharynx?”

“What if this new form, this new life, makes us weak and soft?” He dodged my question. “What happens if we lose our edge and become vulnerable?” He scowled, meeting my eyes again.

I walked up to him until I was looking down right in his face. I matched his scowl with my own.

“Pharynx, do I look soft to you?” My eyes widened as I emphasized ‘soft.’

“N-no Mother.” He broke eye contact with me.

“Are you afraid?” I asked and he glared at me offended.

“I fear nothing.” He declared.

“You fear change.”

“I fear ruin!” He shouted. “You claim to be free of our curse, but what if this is the real curse?” He pointed at my new form before gesturing to his brothers and sisters. “I will not debase myself to beg at their table as you have. I will not be dependent on their goodwill and charity. I will not see our hive scattered to the wind, addicted to their fluff and pity.”

He stared at me for a moment. Then he looked out at his colorful brothers and sisters. Finally he sighed as he faced me again.

“It’s not pity, and there is no beggar’s table.” I insisted.

“What else could it be?” He shook his head. He had only known a life of war and struggle, and I was the one to blame.

“Friendship.” I replied and the whole cave reacted. Twilight and Shining’s heads perked up. Cadance frowned in disgust. Pharynx looked at me as if I had just struck him, but it was Thorax who spoke next.

“You once said Friendship is their word.” Thorax flanked me on the opposite side, creating a triangle between us and Pharynx. “You said it was a lie that they used to manipulate.” Thorax stood tall with his chest out. I had never seen him so confident before.

“I was wrong, I…”

“Love must be given freely.” Thorax repeated more of my own words back to me. I stood caught in my own contradiction. “Is that what friendship really is? Is it what we willingly give away?”

I smiled at him. I could feel a warmth in my cheeks, and a wideness in my smile that I had not felt since I had entered this cave.

“Yes, my son, that’s right.” I nodded at my sweet, kind, and intelligent boy before turning my head back to Pharynx.

“Friendship is…” I began as I saw Twilight’s face light up for a brief moment. “...power.” I finished as she looked down in disappointment.

“I don’t understand, mother.” Pharynx shook his head. His long fangs hung down over his jaw, more pronounced than most of his siblings.

“You will.” I went to rub Pharynx’s cheek with my dusty pearl hoof. He reeled at first at my touch before relenting.

“Don’t be afraid.” I reassured him.

“Yes Mother.” He admitted. He pulled my hoof away from his dark chiseled face and stared directly at me. “I am afraid. I’m afraid that I will be weak.”

I cupped my hoof under his chin and he stared into my newly formed eyes.

“You don’t need a war to fight to be strong.” I released his chin and stood up tall with my chest out. “As long as we have each other, we will never be weak.”

Pharynx nodded as he glanced over at Thorax, who’s improved physique may have influenced his next decision. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. I watched gleefully as the green and white light swirled around him. Soon he was wrapped up in his own cocoon with colors bouncing off the cave walls. The final scene of our Changeling light show.

When he emerged he wasn’t much taller, but his color scheme was unique compared to the others. He was a dark deep forest green with antlers much like Thorax’s and some of the other boys.

“Oh you have got to be kidding me.” Pharynx angrily marched over to Thorax.

“What?” Thorax’s eyes darted around.

“Why are you so tall?” Pharynx demanded. “You’re like three inches taller than me. Maybe more!”

“I’m sorry?” Thorax shrugged.

“This isn’t fair, give me some of your height.” Pharynx went to grab Thorax’s antlers, as if he could pull some height off of his brother.

“No!” Thorax squirmed out Pharynx’s grasp.

“Come here!” Pharynx went to try again, but Thorax put his hoof on Pharynx’s head and stopped him dead in his tracks. Pharynx struggled to push forward as Thorax looked surprised by his own new strength.

“Give me.” Pharynx demanded.

Thorax grew a mischievous grin.

“No, brother.” He declared with his chest puffed out. “It’s my height. You can’t have it.”

I laughed at my boys bantering. It was delightful to see Thorax properly standing up for himself.

“It’s incredible.” Twilight said after being silent for some time. She looked out in wonder at all of my pretty little Changelings. “This is a miracle. I can’t wait to tell Celestia about this. What a marvelous…” She paused as she turned to look at me.

“Chrysalis…” Her muzzle drooped as her eyes looked somber. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were… I…”

I mercifully interrupted her rambling. “You have nothing to apologize for, Twilight. I’ve done terrible things to you, and Shining, and many others. I’m sorry.” I hung my head.

“Well, as the Princess of Friendship.” I glanced up to see her smiling at me. “Let me be the first to welcome you to the side of Friendship.” She offered her hoof to me and I eagerly accepted. I wanted to take her into my embrace and call her ‘sister,’ but, as I had once needed for myself, one step at a time.

“Now I know you’re used to acquiring magical power through other means, but I think you’ll find that Friend-” Twilight began and I couldn’t resist my will to interrupt.

“Friendship is Magic.” I declared. Twilight looked deflated as she pouted her lips.

“Well if you’re just gonna steal my line, then forget it.” She turned her head and crossed her hooves in contempt. I knew her better than that.

“Oh…” I let the despair I had felt only a few moments ago into my voice. “Then we can’t be friends? It’s ok, I understand.” I replied as solemnly as I could act.

“No wait.” She turned back to me with eager regret in her eyes. “I was kidding, I didn’t mean…”

I stuck my tongue out at her. She paused for a moment before bursting out laughing.

“You got me.” She wiped her eyes. “You are way too good at acting.”

“Changeling.” I stated. “It comes with the territory.”

“Stop it!” Cadance screamed, drawing everyone’s attention. “Shut up! Shut up! Stop saying ridiculous things. This isn’t over, Chrysalis.” She pointed at me. The scar on her cheek wrinkled with her twisted expression.

“She’s going back to Canterlot to face trial.” Cadance demanded. “You’re the one who said she’s under arrest, Twilight. She can’t just get away with everything she’s done.”

“That’s not fair, Cadance…” Twilight began, but I held up my hoof and she let me take over.

“Very well.” I calmly stepped towards Cadance, as she took a few steps away from me. “Let’s have a trial. Let’s have two trials. I will answer to every crime I’ve committed. And then you will answer for yours.”

I emphasized each of my next words.

“Every. Single. One.”

She looked up at me with increasing fear and recognition.

“It seems only fair.” Shining Armor chimed in.

“Treason has a heck of a sentence, let me tell you.” Twilight offered.

“You would choose her over me?” Cadance looked devastated. “I’m the real one. I proved it, I’m the real one! I’m the victim here. I didn’t ask for any of this.”

“Cadance.” Twilight stepped forward with a darkness under her brow, as her mane covered the top of her eyes. “A pony once told me, ‘who we truly are comes out when our mettle is tested. When we are pushed to our limit and we think nopony is watching.’”

She stared at Cadance for a long time. The cave was eerily silent.

“That pony was you, Cadance.” Twilight frowned as she looked at her sister in law. “A horrible thing happened to you, and in response you lashed out in revenge.”

“I-” Cadance was finally at a loss for words.

“Shining.” She shifted her attention. “You understand, right? I had no choice. I was trapped. Please, I’m your wife.” Her eyes wept with true sorrow.

“I forgive you.” He said, and she smiled with such gleeful rapture.

“But, things are different now.” He looked over at me. His eyes finally matched what they looked like when we entered the cave.

“I’ve… been through a lot with Chrysalis.” Shining looked like he swallowed a lemon after that sentence. “That’s gonna take some getting used to.” He shook his head.

“You love her?” Her voice was perplexed. “The one who tried to ruin our wedding. The one who replaced me… twice?”

“I…” Shining glanced back and forth between me and Cadance. “I don’t know what I’m feeling right now. Everything is confusing and complicated. What I do know is that things are going to be different going forward.” He rubbed the back of his mane with his hoof. “But I’m not sure what that ‘different’ is going to look like.”

“Oh.” Cadance said in the calmest tone of voice she had used so far. “So that’s how it is.” She stared at me. I watched as her neutral expression narrowed and twisted. Her skin folded as her muzzle wrinkled into a look of pure hate and disgust.

“You’re not confused.” Cadance declared, turning her attention back to Shining. “You’re trapped.”

“Trapped?” Shining looked confused as he glanced towards the Changeling infested cave entrance. It was much more colorful than it was a minute ago. “Because of the Changelings?”

“No, stupid.” She scoffed. I gritted my teeth at her continued insults of his intelligence. Her face suddenly turned joyful and angelic once again. She looked at him with pure delight.

It creeped the hell out of me.

“She trapped you with a baby.” Cadence’s mention of my newborn child instantly put me in a defensive mode.

“I mean…” Shining narrowed his brow. “I wouldn’t call it ‘trapped,’ I’m happy to be a father.”

“Of course you are.” She went to pet his head. He let her, but his face looked concerned. “And I know you’ll make a wonderful father one day - to our children. That’s one of the reasons why I married you. You come from good stock. Tough, strong, thick-headed. Our future heirs will be a perfect culmination.”

“Future heirs? Uh, I’m a father now?” Shining looked confused. He glanced at me as if I knew something.

“Only because that wicked Queen trapped you with her wicked spawn.” She shook her head as she rubbed his face. His breaths were heavy and short.

“Let me liberate you, Shining.” The sweetness in her tone didn’t match the aura her essence was giving off. “That baby was supposed to be ours. And she turned it into something evil. That child is nothing but a prison to keep you locked up in her devious grasp.”

“I don’t understand, what are you saying?” Shining grabbed her hoof, stopping her petting. I wasn’t sure if he was restraining her or being affectionate.

“We’ll start over and do it the right way.” Cadance’s smile grew until it was too big to fit on her face. “What was the little cretin’s name again?”

“Please don’t talk about her like that.” Shining pulled Cadance’s hoof off of his face.

“Flurry Heart, was that it?” Cadance refused to let go of Shining’s hoof. She grabbed it with her other hoof as well, now balancing herself in Shining’s grip.

“I like the name Flurry Heart.” She casually said while leaning her weight into him. “Maybe we'll use that name for our real child.”

The gesture looked forcefully posed. Like they were waiting on a portrait to be painted and having to ignore the awkwardness of the pose.

“Look, I’m sorry about what happened.” Shining was more than strong enough to hold her in place, but his own anxiousness seemed to make him sweat. “I didn’t mean to have a child out of wedlock. I thought she was you, and didn’t realize…”

“Shhh.” She put one hoof on his lips, silencing him. She managed to hold her precarious stance while doing so.

“I know, I know, darling. You didn’t know. You would never have done that on purpose, I know you better than that. She tricked you, and trapped you. Let me liberate you from her clutches.”

“What does that…?” Shining’s wide eyes looked like he didn’t want to know the answer to that question as she interrupted him.

“It will be quick and painless, I promise.” Cadance’s face turned. Her smile remained, but her eyes were full of menace. “I’ll snuff its life out peacefully, mercifully. She’s only an infant.”

My fight or flight instinct swam up in the back of my head. If this bitch came anywhere near my daughter…

“You won’t have to be there to watch. I’ll take care of everything. It’ll be as if she never was, and then we’ll be free, Shining. We’ll finally be free from all the pain and torment she’s caused us. We-”

Shining ripped his hooves away from her grip causing her to careen towards the floor. She just barely caught herself before face planting against the rocky gravel. If only she had.

“Who are you?” Shining yelled as his bulged eyes glared at her.

“Shining?” Cadance looked up at him from the floor. Her jaw quivered as her hurt and confused gaze met him again. “It’s me, Cadance. I’m your wife. You love me.”

“Cadance would never suggest harming an innocent child over somepony else’s mistake.”

My gut took a hit at his comment. I didn’t care what Cadance thought, but did he think our child was a mistake?

“Shining, we have no choice. She did this to us!” Cadance pointed at me as her face was an inch away from eating dirt.

“Listen to yourself.” Shining shook his head. “We have no choice, but to murder a baby foal? How could you say something like that? You’re not the Cadance I fell in love with. I don’t know you anymore.”

“You can’t mean that!” Cadance stood back up.

“I’m sorry for what happened to you.” Shining bowed his head, looking away from her for a moment. “Twilight and I made a mistake last year. We got it wrong, and I know we hurt you. But things are different and complicated now. I have a daughter, regardless of how she came to be, she’s my flesh and blood.” His eyes narrowed at Cadance. I had seen him make that same expression in combat.

“And I will protect her from anyone. Including you.” Shining insisted to my great relief.

I knew in that moment, despite my lies and past deceptions. I knew that Shining Armor and I could be amicable. Even if he and I couldn’t fully reconcile, we still had Flurry Heart. We could still bond in some way over our child.

“You…” Cadance’s eyes rapidly darted around, as if she wasn’t able to focus on one point.

“You want this child?” Cadence stared in disbelief. Shining simply nodded his head.

“Why you no good two timing cheater!” Cadance launched herself at Shining. I prepared myself to help him in case he couldn’t bring himself to hit his wife. Even in self defense.

But I could hit her. Repeatedly. For a long time.

Fortunately for Cadance, all that rage was unnecessary. She never made it to Shining before a purple glow surrounded her body, freezing her in place. Her outstretched hoof was maybe an inch from Shining’s face.

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” Twilight stepped forward with purple magic flowing out of her horn. I knew of Cadance’s full name and had seen it in writing, but hearing it said out loud was bizarre.

“You are under arrest for Treason against the Crystal Empire.” Twilight stood as determined as I had ever seen her. There was no sign of doubt or weakness on her face.

“Twilight, what are you doing?” Cadance struggled in Twilight’s spell to no avail. “I’m your sister.”

“Sister in law.” Twilight corrected. “As a Princess of Equestria, I am forced to act. I cannot let my personal feelings get in the way.” She glanced at her brother. “That goes for you too, Prince Shining Armor.”

Shining said nothing as Twilight shifted her focus to me.

“Twilight, don’t do this!” Cadance begged from her stasis. “It wasn’t my fault. I’m the victim here I-” Cadance’s mouth kept moving, but no sound came out of her.

“That’s about enough out of you.” Twilight remarked. She was simultaneously casting a binding spell and a muting spell, and it didn’t look like it took any effort.

Note to self: to never fight Twilight one on one. I swallowed as I thought.

“Chrysalis.” Twilight’s tone was cold and unfeeling. “I have every intention to arrest you as well, but…” She glanced over at my multicolored Changelings.

“I don’t think your hive is going to just let me walk out of the cave entrance with you in a binding spell.”

I saw angry and suspicious faces on my children, but they remained quiet. Waiting to hear what Twilight had to say.

“Are you still willing to come quietly and face trial, like you said?” Twilight asked. Her poker face left no room for negotiation.

I looked out at my hive. I was so proud of them for overcoming their curse. What took me a year to learn, arguably a lifetime, they realized in a single moment. I had to set a good example for them going forward.

My eyes turned to Shining as I answered Twilight’s question.

“Yes.” I replied softly. “I swear on my daughter, Flurry Heart. I’ll go with you without a fight.”

Shining’s face fell as I said it. I couldn’t imagine what he must be feeling. A simple mix up from a year ago now meant he had no wife, yet still the burden of raising a child alone. If I was sentenced, who else would be there for Flurry Heart?

“That’s a good enough vow, if I’ve ever heard one. However, can I trust you to walk with us, free of a binding spell?” She gestured to the state Cadance was currently in.

“You would trust me?” I had to admit I was surprised.

“We’re friends, right?” Twilight asked, finally letting some feeling land on her face, and in her voice. “Friends trust each other. Unless I made another mistake?”

“I promise to go with you.” I said, holding Shining’s gaze. “But, would you grant me a small request? I want to see Flurry Heart. We came into this cave thinking she was kidnapped and I need to see her one more time. And… I want her to see what her mother, her real mother, looks like. Especially if I have to go away for some time. One last hug.”

“Chrysalis…” Twilight’s voice wavered as she spoke. “I don’t want… maybe we can…?” I couldn’t stand watching her falter.

“No personal feelings.” I demanded in the most Queen-like voice I could summon. “No regrets.” I glanced at Shining, only to look away. “We do this the right way.”

“By the book.” Twilight nodded.

“Mother…” Thorax stepped forward until he was next to me. “What are they going to do to you? How long are you…”

“Thorax.” I rubbed his squishy cheek, as he did his best to hold back his tears. “Whatever happens next, will be what justice demands.”

“But we…”

“My orders haven’t changed, Thorax. You’re in charge. I need you to be strong for your brothers and sisters. I know you can handle it. I believe in you.”

Thorax sniffled as he rocked his shoulders back to stand up straighter.

“I understand, Mother.” He turned to face the hive. “Brother’s, sister’s, make way for the Prince and Princesses.” He commanded.

The hive hesitated. Some of them hissed out complaints.

“That’s an order!” Thorax narrowed his eyes on them. Many turned to look at Pharynx.

“You heard your hive leader.” Pharynx responded to their appeals. “Now obey!” He shouted, much harsher than Thorax.

The sea of Changelings reluctantly parted as a path was opened toward the exit.

“Shall we?” I asked Twilight. She simply nodded and we made our way out of the cave in silence.

My heart beamed with pride for my boys. My leaders. I knew the hive was in good hooves with Thorax and Pharynx. I was free of my guilt and doubt. I was under arrest and about to face a trial that would likely end with me locked away for a long time, but I was free. We made it outside and my eyes took a moment to adjust to the daytime. Everything had changed since I had last experienced the sunlight.

****

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay. Better late than never

Best song to pair with this chapter: Midnight Musician: Where Is Your Heaven Now