Author's Note

Author's note up top this time as this is a big one! Song this time is "The Fall" by the protomen at my editor's suggestion. Thanks biddy! you're a real one.

The Fall

Chrysalis set aside her copy of "A Kirin's Tale: the History of the Kirin," by Autumn Blaze. In truth, she read it a week ago. But she needed something to distract her. It had been 2 more weeks since she began, and she hadn't found out about any secret Kirin mind powers. But it hardly mattered anymore. Tonight was the night.

She and her crew had carefully coordinated, each bug noting bed times of their marks, versus when they actually fell asleep. She already knew Sunset would be dozing in the other room. The plan was complicated. One of her officers would take the place of a captain of the guard. A second would be 'Sombra' and would be helped by one drone into making a scene.

The guard captain would then rush to her location, and give direct orders to the two guards who watch the heart-- to rush the fake monster. When she gave the signal they would drop the act and make a run for it. Her job, of course, was retrieval. It had the most chances for things to do wrong. But she had already made herself a regular fixture of the area. So all should be well.

It was time. She crept up on the kirin's room. Sitting just above her.. She watched her sleep peacefully, favorite plushie in hoof. It would be a sinch to cocoon her. So she just.. Had to... Do it.

...

It didn't feel right. Sunset being a player would REALLY hurt her plans, but she just couldn't do it. Cursing herself out, she quickly improved. Moving to the outside of the small room she lobbed a sticky mass at the front of the door. That would at the very least slow her down.. Good.

She made her way to the front and looked back longingly, despite herself.

"Good bye forever, Sunset Snow," she whispered, before stepping into the dark, locking the door, and sliding her copy of the key underneath it for them to find in the morning.

Her heart ached. Rather to say, it ached more. It always ached as a changeling, besides for those disgusting new forms. But it had been rather quiet recently. She convinced herself it was because she was out of the range of her ambient love. That's all.

She had work to do.

"I'm heading to position," she called out over the hive mind. "Is everyone in place?"

"Everything is going according to plan, my queen." Femur answered her. Good. "On my signal."

She arrived at the crystal heart, telling the guards she simply couldn't sleep, to their sympathetic nods. She called for action, and the night air filled with the terrified yells of those who had to be reliving their traumas head on. The two guards grew wary immediately, guarding both the heart... and her. It couldn't be more perfect. Her man on the inside rushed up.

"What are you doing??" The 'guard captain' cried out

"We were posted her to guard the crystal heart! What's going on??"

"They say it's Sombra! We need all hands on deck. Leave the heart!" The real guards were conflicted, but eventually followed, leaving her to her work. Gently she grabbed it within her hooves. It was all too easy. Time to escape and call off the attack.

"Moon Glow?" A soft voice called out her fake name, wrapped in trepidation and confusion. She held onto the heart.

"Hello Miss Sunset. What brings you out here?" Play it cool.

"I heard a bunch of screaming. When I woke up, my door wouldn't open. There was some goop on the other side. I... Used my fire to melt it. I went looking for you, but you were nowhere... So I came to check your favorite spot. What are you doing with the heart?! Do you know who got into the shop?"

Well, shit. This was going to be hard to lie her way out of.

"It must have been after I left. I didn't see anyone. Are you ok?"

"Fine ... Just really on edge" she could tell. "Why do you have the heart?"

"I was hoping to protect it with my life you know? It's so important to all of us." She lied heavily.

"I think we should leave that to the experts. If you're concerned, why don't you take it to the royals with me?" Hell. No. This was going poorly.

"Sure! I'll catch up to you. Go ahead and start running that way." Why hadn't she just cocooned her yet?? It would save her so much effort.

"No, we should go together. Safety in numbers," she said with a small shake of her head.

"It's fine. I'll be faster flying out."

Her face went pale for a moment.

Of all the rookie mistakes, here and now?? What was it about this stupid mare that always had her lower her guard?? Was it just because she was nice to her?? That's absurd. Sh-

"How do you intend to do that, silly...?" She laughed nervously.

Chrysalis was running out of time.

She let her disguise drop, and had herself be bathed in green fire. Were the holes on her legs smaller?

"I am Chrysalis. Former ruler of changelings. Queen of shadows. Future ruler of Equestria... Please... Just let me go. Don't make me detain you."

Her betrayal made Chrysalis want to throw up. This wasn't right. She was meant to relish this part. She started backing up towards the ledge. Her former companion's betrayal changed to anger, and determination.

"What are you planning to do with that? Please don't lie to me again."

No one makes demands of Chrysalis! ... But she wouldn't.

"With this I will have enough love to wander to the farthest reaches of Equestria, and live out my days in peace with anyone who should choose to join me. No more conflict. I 'die' a legend."

"If it's all about survival, then why do this?? You know there's another way! Have you even been draining me??"

"No.." she accidently answered out loud "bu-"

Loud chatter interrupted her thoughts. "My queen! We're in trouble out here! Have you collected it?!"

"I ran into complications, hold your ground!" she mentally hollered back.

"You've got that look again like you're talking to someone who isn't there. You're not alone are you. How many?"

"Fool...I work alone!"

"Chrysalis!!"

She winced. "Six. Not including me. We're few but strong. Sunset, everything I do is for my hive. I need to do this, for all of us."

"No, you don't! You literally--" She let out a little upset growl. "You're telling yourself you only have one choice when you don't! You're letting yourself believe how you always done things should never change! Trust me, I would know!"

Chrysalis was silent for a second. Loud chatter interrupted her again

"My queen! Our scout reports the princess is on her way!" Shit. Shit shit shit!

"Flee, you fools! I will find my way to you! The hive must go on!"

With or without me...

Footsteps of guards quickly making their way to her. She was out of time. Now or never. When they arrived, she was already up on the ledge.

"For the record, Sunset: yours was the most pleasant company I kept among non changelings".

"Moony, wait!"

"Sorry."

And she jumped. Wings fluttering to life. The next few moments a blur. She heard a voice from her past call out "Stop her!" She found herself surrounded by heat and death. Dodging through a stream of magical attacks. She flew with grace unseen.

Until she didn't.

A stray blast. Her wing clipped. She struggled to get air. She shifted forms rapidly, but a broken wing was not easily fixed by shape shifting, and she was far too on edge to concentrate. She... Accepted her fate.

What a way to go out.

Sunset could feel something taking over her, and before she knew it she was moving faster then she ever had in her life. For the first time in years, she entered her Nirik state. She had to put it all on the line or her friend would die.

It didn't matter that she hurt her.

It didn't matter that she lied.

It didn't matter because she knew inside Moony was genuine, and probably needed her. Now more then ever.

She leapt, blasting off. Making the greatest catch of a generation, she tumbled to the ground with the bug, successfully changing her momentum enough to avoid serious injury. Her friend's carapace was scorched, and that wing looked bad.. But she could see her chest moving. She was alive!

She wasn't alone though-- The Princess of Love! She'd never seen her so close. She bowed her head in reverence, but refused to let go. Guilty-looking bugs marched behind her, flanked by guards, but not bound, oddly.

"It seems you've saved a life today. What was your name, miss?" And so she answered.

"Even one who has done so much harm as Chrysalis has deserves to live." Cadence stated bluntly. "So, on behalf of the Crystal Empire, we thank you." And she bowed her head. To her! This was one weird night...

"We'll apprehend her for now. Hopefully we can get her to--"

Suddenly the other bug sputtered, managing a shift, failing at first but getting it second time. The heart caught between massive beetle mandibles.

"O-one false move and I crunch your stupid trinket," she sputtered. A hush grew over the area. "I would... make a deal with you." No... Why was she doing this?? She was surely better then this right??

"It's been a long time, Chrysalis, but I remember well your duplicitous nature. But this kingdom needs its heart. What do you offer."

"In exchange for not destroying it, all of my hive must be cleared of criminal charges, and allowed to go free. As well as anyone known to be helping me." Chrysalis shot her this little glance. Was she looking out for her? Maybe she wasn't wrong about her.

"Hardly a hive," muttered Shining Armor, to receive a good natured nudge and a look to be quiet.

"And what about you?"

"Do with me what you must. I am not afraid to die." Sunset's heart sunk. Chrysalis looked back to her for only a moment.

"We're not going to-- ...Fine! Deal accepted. Must you be so dramatic?!..." The Princess let out a sigh. Sunset never expected the royals to be so casual.

"Good..." Chrysalis croaked out... And then passed out in her hooves.