"You didn't get a WHAT?!"
Chrysalis sat in her chamber, anxious as to what her punishment will be.
She knew that whatever it was, she had to face it with dignity. She wasn't the same changeling who was spiteful and selfish half a year ago....
Whatever her son had planned for her, she knew that it was for the best....
However, nothing could prepare her for what she was about to deal with soon.....
A changeling guard opened the door and motioned Chrysalis to step out, to which she did.
Later....
"Mother, I know that you only had the best intentions for Twilight and her friends. But what you did was EXTREMELY risky, and incredibly dangerous. You didn't have the power to keep FOUR villains under control, and because of that, we were almost DOOMED." Thorax expressed his disappointment towards Chrysalis's recklessness.
"I know, and it is a mistake I do not plan on making again. But I am open to whatever punishment you have in store for me." Chrysalis conformed.
"Very well then, your punishment will be to reform one of the villains you carelessly used."
Chrysalis's eyes widened in horror.
"Specifically, The Storm King."
Changeling guards carried a chained Storm King, looking very displeased of how things are turning out for him.
Chrysalis could only gulp in hesitation.....
Later.....
"You didn't get a WHAT?!"
"I know! Apparently plush Dragons are 'too expensive' and takes too many bits just to buy one! Baloney, am I right?"
"Not that! I mean you enslaved and destroyed COUNTLESS kingdoms for Celestia KNOWS how many moons, and the reason is because YOU DIDN'T GET A PLUSHIE?!"
"Oh, like YOU'RE one to talk, Mrs. I-use-hunger-as-a-motivator-to-become-more-powerful."
"I still care about the well being of my subjects! YOU don't give a released EXCREMENT about your people!"
"We Storm Creatures are faced with certain death in war nearly every day, why should I care if a few bodies drop to the floor?"
"Even when YOU'RE the one causing it?! By recklessly putting them in radius of your massive storm?!"
"I maaaaay have gotten a little carried away."
Chrysalis could only groan in frustration of how irredeemably monstrous this storm bastard is, and doesn't know how someone like him could ever be reformed.
However, she soon took a few deep breathes. Trying to get herself to a calmer level.
She knew she had to do this, it was her responsibility. And she knew she WOULD, SOMEHOW, find a way to redeem The Storm King.....
Even if it kills her.....
"Look, perhaps we've gotten on the wrong hoof. What if I were to buy you a plush Dragon? Would that make you reconsider your violent ways?"
"Ehh, wouldn't be the same. Don't make plush Dragons like they used to."
Chrysalis tried to resist face hoofing....
"Something tells me the whole plush thing is really just an excuse."
"No! Really?! Wha-what gave it away? Was it my bluntness? Look bug queen, you're wasting your time. In case you haven't guessed it by now, I'M THE BAD GUY. I have no interest in 'redemption'. You might as well lock me in Tartarus or imprison me in stone and never release me. Because I'd rather have that then cuddle with cute ponies!"
"But something tells me that it's not all darkness in that heart, is there? You'd rather not 'cuddle with cute ponies' because it is weakness. Right?...."
"Wha-.... I don't know what you're talking about!"
"You try to act all tough and brutish because you want to be 'above' all that, so you can be 'the strongest' in the end."
"And your point is?"
"You have a superiority complex."
..............................................
"Believe it or not Storm King, but I used to be just like you. It is true that feeding my subjects was an excuse to gain more power, I used to believe I was always superior and more strategic and always one step ahead of my enemies. But I was wrong, I learned that even when you don't think so, sharing love can be a thousand times more powerful then having ALL of the power."
"And just HOW do you know about my 'insecurities?'"
"You remember that crystal ball 'Grogar' had? Take a wild guess what 'he' did with it."
.......................
"You KNEW about our betrayal?"
"I thought I could find a way to keep you contained before you could, but I was proven wrong."
"So, whatever! I have my doubts on 'friendship', that doesn't mean you are even remotely CAPABLE of changing my mind!"
"Storm King, friendship isn't all cute and cuddly ponies and rainbows and glitter. It's about having someone who will be there for you, someone who will keep you from being alone. No amount of power could ever give you someone who will be by your side after all of that...."
Storm King glanced to the side, knowing that Chrysalis was right about him being alone. But did he WANT to be alone?.... He never really felt what it was like to have friends before, never even gave it a chance. And Chrysalis even before her reformation still had her children, she wasn't alone either.
"I know that the bond you had with Tirek and Cozy Glow was a genuine one, you felt alive, didn't you? That's what it felt like to have friends. Even if you don't want to admit it."
"Pfft! As if I couldn't care any less about that big red slouch or that pint sized pipsqueak! I only used them like I used my former commander! I don't need 'FRIENDS'."
"But you'd like friends, wouldn't you? You felt that way when you retrieved the bell, you even admitted it."
Chrysalis changed into Storm King.
"'I haven't felt like this since before I lost my empire..... Having others who will be there for you is.... pleasing.....'"
"Yes, but I stomped it out because I couldn't allow myself to be vulnerable!"
Chrysalis changed back.
"I didn't want to be vulnerable either, but I never felt more alive before I started opening myself to others and showing my feelings, rather then behaving as a tyrannical monster my whole life. You're afraid, aren't you? Afraid of being alone, afraid of being left in the dust, alone, cold, scared. You're afraid that you would lose everything........"
............................
"I was afraid just like you. Afraid of losing my children, afraid of losing my kingdom, afraid that I would lose everything. When my children became something different, when they shared their love, and metamorphosed into different bodies, I thought about running away and seeking revenge. But I didn't, because I knew that if I did then I would lose them forever..... Even if you don't treat them well, your kingdom is all you have....."
................
"Making friends isn't being vulnerable, it's living a healthy and social life, it's not being alone, it's EVERYTHING."
..........
"I understand you Storm King, and I am here for you. You can start now, and try again..... What do you say?....."
Storm King thought about it long and hard.....
"IF, I were to start making friends......... I'll really be happier?....."
"Indeed."
Storm King knew Chrysalis was right, he hadn't felt anything more amazing then working together with the big man and the bratty tyke. And if joining those cute little ponies meant experiencing something like that again.....
"Ehh... I'll think about it.... It's on my mind, I mean let's not make a big deal out of it!..... And I can see them again?....."
"Yes."
Chrysalis gave Stormy a gentle hug, he thought about pushing her away but.....
He didn't want to let go......
