Chrysalis awoke to the smell of rot and the taste of sorrow. It was something she knew well.

In her young life, everyone around her had been struggling to even survive. No one really raised her. Her egg hatched and she was made to fend for herself, her only real companion the hunger.

But not this time. Today was the day everything changed. She climbed the highest rock in the Badlands and shouted for the attention of all below.

"Changelings!" They eventually all looked up "For too long we have been in the hands of endless struggle and strife. We've been fighting each other for what little scraps we have. It's time for a new age! Why fight each other, when we can fight against the cruel fate which put us here, broken and bleeding among the stones." She could literally feel their excitement. "So join me! Allow me the privilege to lead our people into a new age! A new dawn! For the hive!" The resounding cheers of 'For the hive!' were all the confirmation she needed. This would be the first day of the rest of her life.

"And it was, wasn't it?" The mare in the moon descended like she was returning from a trip to her prison of eld. "We suppose we shan't be needed around here after all." Right. This must be a dream. She willed herself to her regular royal regality.

"What are you doing here, Dream Walker?" Her voice filled with venom. "It's not enough you have me under close watch! Now they're sending you to spy on me?" Luna only shook her head.

"It falls to us to guard the dreams of all citizens of Equestria. Therefore, as a creature living here, we were able to access your dreams."

"What, does it not work if your mark isn't nice enough to you?"

"Er, something of this nature, yes... Dream magic is difficult to understand. But it seems we are tardy, thy dreams have turned around after all." She rolled her eyes at the horse.

"Great! Then you can be going then."

"Hold for just a moment. Would thou... allow us to know more about thyself?"

Why did ponies never just leave...? "More spying??" But Luna shook her head.

"Hardly. Friendships bloom with understanding. We have never seen into thy stormy heart before this night. We would... Like to know more about you. Sympathize with thy plight." Chrysalis growled like a caged dog.

"I don't... Need. Friendship. But, fine. I'll show you, if you promptly crawl back under whatever rock you belong to."

"Despite thy combative nature, we thank you." Why did she keep talking like that?? Chrysalis narrowed her eyes. She could feel another set of emotions... Nearly in sync. Interesting. Perhaps it could be...

Eh. Nevermind.

"Well as you can see, whatever cruel God created us as a shit joke left us with nothing. No hope, no love. No leadership." Luna only listened quietly. Good. "But that day, I spit in the face of that God. I seized control of my own fate, and that of the whole hive!"

"It is admirable." That was a surprise. One of these princesses actually had some good sense.

"I agree." She grinned widely. "I've done everything I could for my people! And for awhile we prospered."

The scene shifted. The hive was working on assembling their new home. Everyone working together... Under her supervision. She lifted a hoof when needed, of course.

"I see.. You're working with your people here for your home, yes?" No attempts to scold her? Interesting.

"We were a species on brink of extinction. We needed somewhere safe. Where no one could hope to get to us." The scene shifted again. Her first campaign. Organizing those patrols was hell. She lost bugs that day...

Luna nodded like she understood.

"We see your people still suffered greatly. You inflicted harm because you felt harm. Hurt creatures hurt creatures, as the saying goes..."

"I've never heard that one."

"That's an enlightening issue." She stuck her tongue out at the princess. But she wasn't done.

"So, this is your past. But let's talk about your present." Her dreamscape shifted. She saw herself locked in a cage of pure gold. It was very on the nose, this dream...

"We have known this feeling in the past as well. As you know, on our return from the moon our people accepted me. Us. But we did not feel that way." She couldn't help but nod. For once, a pony was speaking sense.

"I know your kind does not trust me, and with good reason. I will never be accepted here. It is the way of things," Chrysalis stated bluntly.

"That's not as true as you think it is. Behold:" it shifts again. The bars are far apart now. She could easily slip through. But her copy did not move, rattling the bars.

"I was also the same way. We feel caged, but, in the end, we cage ourselves. Our hearts." Chrysalis rolled her eyes, but the princess went on. "The problems we felt were based in how we were inside. For us, we needed self-love. For you, I suspect you needed to open yourself to the love of others." What a laugh. She STOLE love. It was part of her very species. Why would she NEED to "accept love" when she was already getting it? She let out a haughty laugh. The princess only shook her head.

"Laugh as you wish, but I can see your inner worries. We've seen your heart through your dream. Consider my words in the coming days, Queen of shades."

She grumbled. Couldn't even get rest in her sleep.

"Have a good night, princess." she said.

Author's Note

This chapter's title is from...sonic and the secret rings.

~~Yeah I gave up a little~~

This is were things get the most...AUish. The comics are technically canon unless contradicted by the show. However, I don't like the tree orign for Chrysalis. I became aware of it only recently and while it works, it doesn't resonate thematically with the species later depictions. The leg holes just being battle scars is...boring.

But hey this won't be the last of her orgins we see. So for now my little ponies...sweet dreams! See you next chapter.