Several Days Later

The rolled up letter in Anon's grasp crinkled as he clutched it absently in his hand. He could still remember every word on the page as clear as day, his mind still struggling to process the information he'd received just hours prior.

~

Dear Anon,

I hoped to have better news to share with you by now, but unfortunately, it seems as if what your letter describing what Tempest said was accurate. There are no mentions of where exactly the Hall of Unity resides somewhere in the Peaks of Peril. Looks like Starswirl already did all the research for us again. Leave it to us to have to find some ancient elixir that nopony knows how to find except the last pony we'd ever want to ask.

All joking aside, I am really glad that you're at least considering this. I know you have your reservations, but I promise you that its the right call. Now the only thing we need to do is wring that information out of Tempest. My friends and I will be back in Equestria by next week, so I can help try to get that information out of her. I know there are some obvious down sides here, but there is a really big positive I think you should consider. We now know where to get that information. That's got to count for something, right?

-Your friend, Twilight.

~

Anon found himself thinking back to the mulberry mare still locked away in her cell. Just how she knew about something so obscure, so rare, and so specific, nearly made his head spin in circles. It just couldn't be possible. She had to be lying, somehow. There simply was no way that-

"Are you okay?" Luna asked, snapping Anon out of his daze.

The lone human of Equestria glanced over to his lunar wife, finding her sitting on her throne beside his. The moon was high in the sky and the last patrons of Night Court were just beginning to funnel out. Where the time when, Anon couldn't say, his mind struggling to recall anything that happened throughout the entire court proceedings. Was he really off in his own little world the entire time? He frowned in concern at his own shirking of his royal duties.

"Yeah. Just been thinking, is all." Anon acknowledged.

Luna gave an understanding nod, "About what Tempest said to you, I assume?" She pried, gently.

Anon huffed and nodded, "Yeah. I guess it's kinda just got me thinking a bit." He admitted.

Luna gently placed her hoof on his hand, the soft warmth emanating from the frog of her hoof embracing his hand like a soft blanket, "You mustn't allow her words to hurt you, my love. She was simply trying to strike us in any way she could. She lost and her anger was taken out on you. Celly, Chryssi, and I will never leave you, no matter what you choose. Besides, how could we ever get bored of you? You're the light of our lives, honey." She offered, kindly.

Anon nodded, though he failed to meet Luna's gaze. For a few moments, silence reigned over them, but that silence was soon interrupted as Dusk and Echo approached the steps leading up to the throne.

"The last of the petitioners are gone, your highnesses. Night Court proceedings are finished." Dusk announced, giving a quick salute, much to Luna's continued annoyance.

"One day, Dusk... one day I will make you stop saluting me." She declared, giving him a mock scowl.

Dusk smirked, "Maybe one day, Princess... but not this day."

Luna rolled her eyes as she got to her hooves, "I suppose it's time to head into the dreamscape for the night, then. I'll see you tomorrow, Anon. I love you." She stated, leaning over to give Anon a gentle smooch.

Anon happily pressed his lips against hers, the whisper-soft touch of her kiss sending a small wave of pleasant relaxation through Anon's body.

"Good night, Lulu. I love you, too." He bid her farewell, getting out of his seat as well to head back to his room.

As Anon exited the throne room, Dusk and Echo fell into step behind him, the trio walked through the nearly silent and empty halls of Canterlot castle as the tranquil moonlight filtered in through the many stained-glass windows lining the hallways. They passed several more thestrals along the way, as well as the occasional unicorn Night Guard, each one giving a salute and standing at attention as Anon passed by. He was quick to return the gesture, allowing them to return to their routines.

Soon enough, the three of them arrived at the royal bedroom, though rather than enter, Anon made a detour and walked to the door just a little further down the hall. Unlike the rest of the castle, there were an additional group of guards at this particular door, only they were changelings. Wearing deep maroon armor made out of the hardest, thickest chitin they had, the group of six changelings stood guard outside of the otherwise unassuming room. At the head of the pack, noticing Anon, Dusk, and Echo long before any of his comrades did, was Pharynx.

"Prince Anon." Pharynx greeted with a small nod.

"Pharynx. How're you guys holding up?" Anon replied, stopping just in front of the group.

"Quite well. It's been a quiet night tonight and she hasn't even needed any intervention from the nursing drones." Pharynx replied. There was a trace of happiness in his voice that Anon was unaccustomed to hearing. The tinge of happiness was all he needed to lift his own spirits slightly.

"That's good. Mind if I step in and see her?" Anon asked.

Pharynx glanced over his wither, biting his lip slightly as he considered the proposition, "She's never allowed guests at this phase of the grubs hatching, but then again, you're probably the only creature she cares enough about to change her mind on the matter. I'd say go right ahead, though it'd probably be best if it was just you."

Anon nodded, before glancing over at Dusk and Echo. Both guards simply nodded in return and took up their post just in front of the doorway, across from the changeling guards. As Anon walked over to the door, all of the changelings present parted, allowing him an easy and straight path to the doorway. He quickly reached the door and twisted the handle, opening the door just enough for him to step inside and close the door behind him.

Sitting there in front of him, her body absolutely covered in small black and white masses, was Chrysalis. Upon some closer inspection, Anon could see that the black and white masses were moving, and every single one of them possessed two small pools of blue for eyes. Some errant hissing filled the air, but none of them seemed to pay him any mind as he slowly approached the Queen of the Changelings.

"You know, I've never had a guest for this part." Chrysalis acknowledged, not even looking up from the grub held in her forelegs.

Anon stopped just a step behind her, "I know. Just couldn't bear to not see what you were up to, is all." He offered.

Chrysalis laughed, "Nonny, you know you're more than welcome to be here. Come, sit with me. I can explain the process a little better if you'd like?" She offered, finally looking over her wither and giving him a caring smile.

Anon nodded and sat beside her, his gaze falling to the bundled grub in her grasp. Said grub appeared to have only just hatched moments ago, if the slim and ooze still dripping of its carapace was any indication. Much to Anon's surprise, the grub was hungrily sucking the love from Chrysalis's chest, if the steady stream of pink mist was any indication.

"They're feeding for the first time. It's... not common for a Changeling Queen to share love with anycreature aside from herself. The only exception is when a new brood is hatched. Then they get to feed off of said Queen to their little hearts' content." Chrysalis explained.

"Why haven't you ever let any other creature see this before?" Anon asked, curiously.

"Would you believe me if I said it would be considered 'showing weakness'?" Chrysalis smirked.

Anon snorted in amusement, "Ah, say no more. I think I get the picture." He teased.

Chrysalis playfully rolled her eyes, "Oh how things have changed. This brood in particular has been quite a doozy."

"How's that?" Anon asked, leaning closer to look at the little grub in Chrysalis's hooves.

"They're all proto-queens." Chrysalis replied, simply.

Anon blinked, "I... see... what does that mean?" He inquired, slowly glancing up to her face.

"It means that each one will be strong enough to start a hive of their own. There's only a dozen of them -usually my broods are a bit larger- but every single one is essentially a future Queen like me." Chrysalis glanced over to him, a small smile on her face.

Anon pursed his lips as he held her gaze, "That's... good, right? They're not gonna end up needing more love than the entire continent can produce, are they?" Anon asked, cautiously.

Chrysalis chuckled, "No, Anon, they won't. With the bonds we now share with Ponykind, love seems to be exchanged, not stolen. I can't describe it but changelings aren't hungry anymore and ponies aren't any lesser for it. If anything, there's even more love than ever before. They'll grow to be strong and caring protectors of Equestria. I'll see to that myself," She replied, before fixing Anon with an amused smile, "It seems that you just have some kind of secret sauce in your seed that creates the absolute best versions of Equines when you breed with us. If you were to offer your services to the populace, I think every creature in Eques would be as strong as Celestia in just a generation." She snickered.

Anon laughed along with her, shaking his head in amusement, "I suppose so. You know, I've been thinking-"

"About what Tempest said, I know." Chrysalis cut him off, nodding slowly.

"Well... yeah. You can always tell, huh?" Anon sighed.

The grub in her grasp finally finished its meal, sighing contently before closing its eyes and falling back to sleep. Chrysalis's levitated the grub on top of her head with a small burst of magic before taking another off of her flank and holding it close to her chest. Much like the previous grub, it almost immediately began feeding off of her love.

"I've been able to gather quite a bit of how you feel. I think that you shouldn't consider her words as anything more than just a desperate attempt to rattle you." Chrysalis responded.

"But..." Anon began.

Chrysalis sighed, "But... you want to know if she was being honest or if she was lying?"

Anon nodded.

"While I have no idea how she knew about the elixir or where Twilight went, I can say that as far as she was concerned, she was telling the truth. She truly does believe that Twilight won't find any information about it the Crystal Empire and that she's somehow the only one who knows where it is. It's easy enough to garner her game from there. She believes she knows that you want immortality, and her plan is to offer you that immortality in exchange for her freedom." Chrysalis surmised, her brow furrowing ever so slightly.

Anon clasped his hands together and stared at the spot on the floor before them both. There was an clumpy amalgamation of sticky chitin Chrysalis used to hold them all in place in the corner of the room, along with the remnants of the eggs that were shed to birth all the grubs crawling all over her. As the two adults sat together, pondering their thoughts in their own minds, several of the grubs worked their ways down and off of Chrysalis's forelegs or flanks and started exploring the room. One in particular, however, went straight to Anon and crawled onto his lap.

The sudden feeling of something crawling onto his leg almost made Anon jump, but just as he flinched and looked down, he saw the face of one of his children looking up at him, a curious glint in her compound eyes.

"Well that's certainly interesting." Chrysalis noted, her interest piqued.

"How do you mean?" Anon replied, slowly reaching down and brushing his fingers against the the grub's cheek. He received a happy nuzzle in response.

"She recognizes you." Chrysalis replied, shaking her head in disbelief.

"She does? Well, I do have a pretty unforgettable face." Anon smirked.

"You really are something else, Anon... this brood might develop faster than any other brood I've ever had. If they're already developed enough to recognize their father's scent, they'll be fully grown in just a couple decades." Chrysalis explained.

"Isn't that pretty normal? Like, eighteen was considered an adult back home." Anon questioned.

"For a human or a pony, sure. For a changeling Queen? Unheard of. It took me a hundred years to reach maturity." Chrysalis shook her head.

"Oh wow." Anon replied, his gaze falling down to the grub now nuzzling into his hand like it was her favorite blanket, "So... how long with they live?" He inquired.

Chrysalis bit her lip, already well aware of where the conversation was going, "They're all proto-queens, so... as long as me, at least. Indefinitely, so long as they receive enough love."

Anon nodded, "So another dozen kids I'd be abandoning if I die..." He replied, bitterly.

"Nonny..." Chrysalis placed a hoof on his shoulder.

"You know, I never thought that dying of old age was selfish before... now though? I dunno..." He shook his head.

"Honey, there is nothing selfish about choosing to live your life as you are naturally. If you don't want immortality, then we will all love you just the same. I'll admit... we all want you to take the option, but... if you choose not to, we would never dare to call you selfish. We all know all too well that immortality can be both a blessing... and a terrible curse." Chrysalis comforted, gently rubbing his shoulder with her hoof.

Anon didn't reply for some time. Though his emotions were in utter turmoil and he knew Chrysalis could easily sense this, he found himself unable to find the right words. So instead, he sat there with her for a while, allowing her comforting touch to be his anchor in the storm that was raging inside his head. As the moon crested its apex in the sky, the bright white light beaming in through the window slowly shifted on the floor. It was only as the light touched Anon's knee that he looked up to see the display on the floor before him. The particular mural Chrysalis's nursery was closest to just so happened to be a smaller one displaying his marriage to both Celestia and Luna. The silhouettes of the lunar and solar alicorns flanked his on each side, and there seemed to be nothing but joy all around them.

Staring into this vision of the past awoke something deep inside Anon. Try as he might, he couldn't define it, nor could he place it, but it was there all the same. All he knew was that it was a drive, an unending and unyielding drive that drove him forward, even when he found himself utterly lost. It only took a few moments for him to connect the dots and realize that the drive he felt now was the same one he felt when he fought against Tirek to protect his family. It was a drive fueled by nothing more than love; his love. He knew in that moment that his decision was made.

"I think I'm gonna go speak with Tempest again." Anon announced, sitting upright.

Chrysalis frowned in concern, "Are you sure?"

Anon nodded, "Yeah... she has information I need."

"Don't you want somepony to go with you?" Chrysalis pressed, moving to sit up.

Anon quickly stayed her with a hand on her wither, "No, Chryssi. What you're doing is too important. Luna is in the dreamscape and Celly is asleep. I can handle this. Besides, I've got a few guards who I'm sure would love an opportunity to kick her ass if she tries anything." He said, offering a lopsided smile.

Chrysalis snorted and shook her head, "Fair enough. I do wish the timing was a little better. One of the worst parts of hatching a new brood is that they're insatiable. At this rate, they're going to drain me of all the love you, Celly, and Lulu have so generously been pumping into me the last year." She smirked.

Anon grinned and leaned over to Chrysalis, planting a firm, yet supple kiss on her cheek. He pulled away only to move to her ear, "Well then, I'll just have to pump some more love into you tonight, won't I?" He whispered.

Chrysalis bit her lip, "Mmmhh... only if you wake up Celly, too. I do so love having at least two of you to play with when I'm feeling peckish."

Anon chuckled before cupping her cheek and pulling her into a deep, loving kiss. For a few moments, he simply rolled his tongue over hers, savoring her taste and her touch, while she was happy to indulge him.

"How's about we all go to sleep and I'll tell Luna to come set up a shared dream for us all in twenty minutes?" He purred.

"Sounds lovely, my dear. That'll give me just enough time to put the little ones back to bed." She throatily murmured, before drawing her tongue up Anon's cheek.

"Alright, hun. I'll see you in bed." Anon replied, pulling away fully and heading for the exit.

"I'll be looking forward to it, stud." Chrysalis called after him as he walked out the door.

Anon closed the door behind him and headed off on his way without a word to the rest of the guards posted outside of the room. With practiced ease, Dusk and Echo fell into step behind him, the trio quickly making their way through the hallways of the castle until they arrived at the entrance to the dungeon. At her post, standing guard at said entrance, was a royal guard dressed in a noticeably black uniform. The shape and contours of her armor matched the usual royal guard garb, but the plume atop her helmet was blood red, and the rest of her ensemble was as dark as midnight.

"Prince Anon, good evening." The guard greeted, snapping to attention and saluting.

"At ease. I need to see the prisoner." Anon replied, giving her a polite nod.

"At... this hour, sir? Not questioning you or anything but I wasn't aware of any more interrogations happening until tomorrow afternoon." The guard hesitantly replied.

"I know it's off schedule, but... it's important. Have her brought to the interrogation room." Anon ordered, slightly more firmly this time.

With a nod, the guard saluted once more, "Yes sir. I'll get her brought up right away. You can head in if you'd like, otherwise it'll be about five minutes before she gets up here." She explained, before turning around and trotting down the hall.

Anon proceeded ahead, following the many halls he'd come to recognize over the past few weeks. Dusk and Echo followed closely behind, their ears flicking back and forth like little radar dishes as they listened for any unwelcome sound. However, much to Anon's surprise, the first voice to break the silence and monotony of their walk was Dusk.

"So... any particular reason you want to talk with her at this hour?" He inquired, professionally.

Anon shook his head, "I probably shouldn't, but... she has answers and I need them."

Dusk nodded, "So, you have decided then?" He asked, curiously.

Anon firmly nodded, "I have. No matter what's going to happen to me, I have to be there for my kids. For my wives... for everyone."

Dusk and Echo shared sage nods of approval, "Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad to hear you say that. It'll be good to have you around for the long term." Dusk smiled.

"Thanks, Dusky." Anon replied, giving a small smirk to the stallion, whose ears promptly flattened against his helm at the nickname.

"Just gonna throw this out there... I think you should wait until tomorrow when your normally scheduled time is with her. Coming here at this hour might make you look desperate, and Faust knows we don't want to give that mare any ammunition to use against you whatsoever. Best to keep her bargaining chips as thin as we can." Echo chimed in.

"I know. You're right. Although there is one thing that we have going for us that I don't think she's prepared for." Anon replied, glancing over his shoulder.

"What's that?" Echo questioned.

"She has no idea what time it is. For all she knows, it's been twenty four hours since the last interrogation she had. Or, Hell, it could be a week." Anon rebutted.

Dusk and Echo shared a nod, "Smart move, keeping her underground. Wish Alcatrotz wasn't a pile of rubble down there. That would've been a great place to hold her." Dusk noted.

"That makes two of us. Regardless, here's our stop." Anon announced, turning around a corner and walking the two thestrals to the door.

Anon opened said door and walked inside, Dusk and Echo taking up their respective positions on either side of the door. Unlike the usual spread that was set up on the table during normal interrogations, there was nothing on the table, a fact Anon was certain Tempest would pick up on the second she entered the room. Mentally shrugging, he took his seat at the table and waited.

He didn't have to wait long at all, as the chinking and jangling of chains quickly reached his ears through the wall. The door was swiftly unlocked and opened, revealing Tempest and a pair of guards on either side of her. While the bright lights inside the room blinded her for a second, it didn't take long at all for Tempest's eyes to adjust and a sinister sneer to form on her muzzle as she saw just who would be speaking with her.

"Ah, thought on my offer, have you?" She asked, taking a step into the room.

"Take a seat, Tempest." Anon instructed.

Without giving her a chance to respond, both guards pushed her forward, nudging her to the chair opposite of Anon. She was sat down across from him, though unlike before, the guards did not remove her hoof-cuffs. As the guards walked away and took their posts at the door, Tempest held Anon's gaze, that smirk never leaving her muzzle. After nearly a minute of silence between the two, she slowly held up her forelegs, the chains clinking against one another as she showed Anon her hooves.

"You know, Celestia normally takes these off of me when she wants to chat. You've also never kept them on while I'm in here. Am I to assume that's a bad thing?" She inquired, the slightest hint of teasing in her tone.

"Tempest, you have information that I want. You give it to me, and I can promise you your freedom. How does that sound?" Anon replied, getting straight to the point.

All four guards in the room glanced over to Anon, worried looks forming on their muzzles at the mere thought of releasing such a dangerous and traitorous mare. However, their attention was swiftly ripped over to Tempest as the sound of her deep, menacing chuckle echoed throughout the room. For Dusk and Echo, it was unsettling, but for the other guards, it was downright intimidating.

"Now we're talking," Tempest smiled, "But how's about we throw in something else for good measure?"

"What do you want?" Anon replied.

"I want my horn to be restored to me."

Author's Note

Well Chryssi was bound to pop those eggs out eventually, huh? "Grubs" just doesn't sound very cute but eh, they're gonna be adorable as they grow up, I'm sure. Hope you guys liked that one. I really love making Chryssi a loving mother so enjoy. There will be more to come...