Chrysalis stopped to review how she ended up in this situation.

She was in a train headed towards the hive. Undisguised, at the request of the princess. She'd gotten much fewer shitty looks than she thought, to be fair.

When finding seating, Cadance had pat the seat next to her and invited her to join her. She didn't feel like refusing. She had a lot more on her mind at the moment. It was then that Shining Armor made a big show about how it was definitely meant for him, before sandwiching her between the two royals. It was utterly embarrassing. But extremely comforting.

It wasn't enough comfort to stop her nerves from going crazy. She had only felt this way the last time she lied to these two. Now she had her head on Cadance's flank, listening to her soft breathing. She quietly read a book under her. In and out went her breath. Was anything about her inelegant? Utterly baffling.

Then on her other size snoozed Shining Armor. It had been so long that she'd forgotten how much of a cuddler he was. They were nestled in close to her, even holding her tail. She felt the end of it flick about, as if it were acknowledging her.

From both she felt a soft ambient affection. She thought it was for each other but... There she was, in the middle of it, clearly. Was their love that strong? She recalled the sheer strength it gave her the day. Perhaps it was.

She felt a bit like a thief between the two, stealing their affection for herself. The old her within her wanted to holler about how this was the way it was meant to be. But the her here and now had pride to keep. She had made the rules of the friendship agreement. It wouldn't do if she broke them. She might be a liar and a cheat, but she had standards, even at her worst.

She was so distracted that she only noticed they were arriving when the train slowed down. Cadance quietly called out her husband's name, who awoke with a sleepy yawn, looking around. He smiled at her. Then at Chrysalis. But why at her?? She didn't understand.

"Whoops, guess I feel asleep again." He chuckled.

"It's ok dear, I know trains make you sleepy." She smiled. "Besides I don't think Chryssy minded."

"Don't call me that.." Chrysalis grumbled, but couldn't spare the effort to deny her claims.

"Right. We have important things to take care of. We'd best get going." She stood, steadying herself. She couldn't stop her wings from buzzing slightly, like the energy had to go somewhere.

"You're nervous, aren't you." Cadance smirked.

"I am not. A changeling queen is not one to be nervous."

"No, you totally are. It's super obvious," Shining chuckled, to her great annoyance. "It's alright. You've got the best support squad ever right here." And with that, he pulled in his spouse. Chrysalis wondered if she preferred it when he hated her.

"If you two lovebirds are done trying to feed the entire hive, I need to go rip the bandaid off so we can all pretend this never happened," she grumbled.

Today was the day for the to re-introduce herself to the hive, after her incredibly long absence. She wasn't alone. The other rogues were with her. The medical officer seemed to be doing well, taking to a crystal pony casually about some interest. Femur locked eyes with her and gave her a salute and a smile. He was trying to encourage her. Had she really fallen that low, that her bugs needed to encourage her instead of the other way around?

Stepping from the car with the duo, she saw them all in their... annoyingly colorful new forms. She could feel waves of anxiety from a lot of them. But there stood Thorax, with his brother at the front. Pharynx was unreadable. Good. Thorax was resolute. As much as she hated him, she was glad he was at least getting the qualities of a leader. The hive must thrive.

She stepped up to him and looked him all over. He was as tall as her now. She tried to think of something to say, but the horrid silence hung over them. Even Thorax was at a loss, and if she remembered correctly, he never shut up.

"Hey... Thorax," Cadance broke the silence. "We're finally here!"

Thorax shook his head to free him from his thoughts.

"Good... good afternoon! I hope the train ride wasn't too bad."

"It was very comfy, actually. How's the hive?"

"Well!" He answered cheerfully. Chrysalis wasn't sure what came over her, but she started rapid firing questions at them.

"How's the swarm? Everyone healthy?"

"Well swarm isn't quite what we'd use, but we have very few ill cha--"

"-- Are there any recent broods? Are the hatchlings doing well?"

"Only a small one, but all very healthy!" He said trying to keep up.

"What about perimeters? You're keeping it open to invite guests, but do you have security for the changelings that live here?"

"Actually, I'll answer that." Pharynx stepped up. "I'm making sure we're not getting too soft. I'm chief security officer around here." Thorax nodded.

"My brother was.. Not too comfortable with adopting the new ways either. But every 'ling has a place here. Maulwurf attacks have slowed significantly thanks to him. The hive has never been more secure."

"I'm also working on the ... feelings thing," he said, sounding bored. "Like, I'm feeling conflicted seeing you now," he added, more sharply. She rolled her eyes.

"At least not everyone has given up on my teachings," she grumbled.

"Chrysalis.." started Thorax.. He put a hoof on her shoulder. She involuntarily jolted at the touch.

"We haven't given up on everything we were in some weird attempt to spite you."

"I doubt that! Highly."

Pharynx rolled his eyes. "Trust me. I wouldn't let him if he tried."

"Right. Phy, you're actually a great example. No one has had more trouble adjusting than him. He used to stomp around here and tear up decorations and try to intimidate everyone..."

"Watch it," Pharynx warned.

"... But he found his place here, like everyone else. We don't need to discard who we were. We need to acknowledge it, and move forward. To not do so would be to leave behind all the good things you taught us. 'No changeling left behind. The hive thrives when we act as one. You're you, but you're also part of our collective.' You gave us unity and purpose, in a time when we had neither. You taught us to be tough, true to ourselves, and think about the greater picture. You will prevented us from ever giving up even after our worst loss ever." He blinked apologetically to the princess ".. And kept us going."

It was a fine speech, if not extremely ponylike.

"What are you trying to say?" she said quietly.

"Well my point is, we haven't forgotten you. Good and bad. It.. will be extremely rough. I won't lie and pretend there isn't Changelings here who fear you. Some who are even angry with you."

She scowled. Of course. How ungrat-

He held up a hoof to continue.

"But, with time, we can work on those things. Changelings are tenacious to the end. You'll always have a home here." He ended his rousing speech with a smile.

"And if you start shit I'll kick your ass myself," Pharynx added, not much into the emotional catharsis.

"Charming." She rolled her eyes at him.. This was it, though. She was back home. Her people. Her hive. They belonged to her.

They belonged to her?

"What if I wanted to rule again?" There was a great unrest among the various changelings, murmuring spreading quickly.

"I'd... be open to the idea." Thorax admitted. "Not... immediately. But my duty is to the hive.. If it would help everyone I would step down."

"Eh you can't do any worse than he does." Pharynx snarked over the mummers, swiftly growing louder.

Did she want to rule again? She almost had it. Everything she wanted was nearly in her grasp again. The hive was safe and strong. And hers.

And hers...

"No." A wave of silence hit the bugs like water. "You're far too easy to forgive, Thorax. You can't simply let me take over. Do you notice how I haven't even apologized? Don't be so eager to throw away your crown, fool!" The voices grew cacophonous.

"Are... you sorry?" They questioned for a moment.

"Of course I am. What do you take me for? ...I'm sorry I didn't know a better way for us. I'm sorry that I oft put my needs before the hive. I'm sorry that I couldn't move on. I'm sorry I left you leaderless and without guide. Honestly I'm still sorry our big plans for the wedding didn't work."

Cadance huffed, pouting in an exaggerated manner at that last comment.

"But I'm also not sorry we failed. We... You would have never gotten to this point of I got all the things I wanted. I'm not sorry to see my hive THRIVING. I'm not sorry that I led us out of darkness, even if my ways were wrong. And I'm not sorry you've taken over. You'll make a fine leader."

Thorax blushed blueish before clearing his throat.

"I think... I can speak for most of us when I say... apology accepted." He turned seeing for confirmation. For the most part, there was sound of muffled agreement. He smiled.

"Welcome home, Chrysalis."

Author's Note

We're at Max level obscurity with this chapter's title. This is from a track I found on the new grounds audio portal many, many years ago. The artist is Rainwave

happy surprise update friday!