The Meaning of Chrysalis

Judging by the position of the moon, Chrysalis ascertained it was nearly around midnight as her, Copycat, and their new guard landed on the somewhat silent streets of Manehattan. Chrysalis was now in the form of a large, white unicorn, and Copycat a blue pegasus, as not to stir up trouble.

"Alright, you two. I want you in my sight at all times," their guard grunted. "I swear, if I have to call in a search for you if you decide to run, your accommodations will be a lot less pleasant when you're caught."

"I wonder if they serve love at jail?" Copycat pondered.

"I'm serious: no funny business," the guard growled.

"We won't cause any trouble," Chrysalis sighed. "What's your name, anyway?"

The soldier lifted an eyebrow.

"Private Firefly," he finally said. "First Equestrian Airborne."

"First name?"

"Not for you to know," he said discouragingly. "I might as well say it, though: I was in Canterlot the day you invaded. One of your changeling drones decided to forcefully feed on my wife, then. She was having nightmares for months."

"I'm sorry," Chrysalis said.

"I doubt it," the guard growled. "I know of your kind: you're built for deception. Anything you say doesn't mean anything. You're just trying to get love again. You don't really care about anyone but yourselves."

"That's not true!" Copycat argued. "Back in the old times, the changelings helped out people who never even gave them love: like the griffins."

"Probably just to gain love from other races who would look upon that proudly," Firefly huffed. "But I'll give you credit: at least you helped out back then instead of just trying to take love forcefully."

Chrysalis opened her mouth to say something, but quickly decided saying nothing more would probably be the best option.

Eventually, the guard led them to a rather ratty-looking building. It was nearly twenty stories tall, and a large, flickering sign hung off of it that said: 'The Rat's Nest Hotel'.

"Erm... you're sure this is the right place, right?" Chrysalis asked.

"Yep," the guard said. "The right place for you."

"Where are the rest of the delegates staying?"

"The Waldorf-Haystoria. But they can afford it. You're lucky you're not sleeping on the streets."

"I see..." Chrysalis said, gulping as a ratty, homeless-looking pony gave her a wink upon the stoop of the hotel, before showing her a pair of rotten, jagged teeth. "Well, let's get settled then..."

They entered the hotel (Chrysalis carefully navigating around the bum), where a tired looking, saggy-eyed pony sat at the help desk. An ash tray sat by her which seemed to be overloaded with cigarettes. The room spelled distinctively of them.

"Yes? Yes? What can I help ya with?" the pony muttered, not even bothering to look up to them from the magazine she was reading.

"I'm Private Firefly of the Equestrian Airborne," the guard muttered. "I need to book a room for two delegates for the U.N."

The pony looked up, actually giving a laugh. "Are you serious? Here?! And shouldn't they have a bigger guard then just you?"

"Let's just say they're... masters of disguise," he grumbled.

"Fine, whatever," she shrugged, sorting through a nearby check-in book. "I got a room on Floor 7: 702. It's a piece of shit, but it's something."

"Do you have uh... anything else?" Chrysalis smiled.

"Sorry sweetheart, take it or leave it."

"We'll take it," Firefly sighed.

The attendant nodded. "Alright... that'll be fifty bits a night. Good enough for you?"

"Done."

"Well, here are your keys, then," the hotel tender groaned, sliding a pair Chrysalis way, which she grabbed with a bit of levitating magic.

"Thanks... I guess," Chrysalis muttered.

"Don't mention it, honey."

The trio then made their way from the desk and up a set of old, wooden stairs that seemed like they were about to break upon every step. The walls were plastered with old wallpaper that looked like it had decided to start shedding a long time ago.

"Well, I guess if you really want to see the heart of Manehattan, this is it," Copycat said, trying to keep a chipper attitude.

"It's going to take a bit of getting used to," Chrysalis grumbled.

"Well, that's something you'll have to do on your own," Firefly said. "I'm going to be sleeping nearby. You're not to leave this hotel without escort, at least until Princess Sparkle says otherwise. If you need it..." He quickly procured a small, blue stone. "Rub this stone a few times and it will signal me. I'll be there to escort you around."

He handed it to Chrysalis, who examined it curiously.  As she finished, they had reached the room.

"Here you are, your majesty," Firefly grinned, dramatically gesturing towards the ratty, paint-stripped door. "Contact me if you need me."

With that, he turned and made haste away from the two.

"Pleasant fellow. Must be the life of any party," Copycat said, rolling her eyes.

"He just doesn't like us," Chrysalis sighed. "And if he's any indication on how this whole thing's going to go, then I'm starting to doubt myself more than I was already..."

"Not everyone was personally effected in Equestria by the attack. The ponies out of Canterlot may have different views," Copycat noted. "Maybe we should listen in to what the people of Neigh York are saying?"

"You really want to hang around that guard, though?"

"No... not really."

Chrysalis gave a sigh.

"Well, at least we can check out the room."

"Do we really want to do that, either?"

Copycat gave a smirk. "Brace yourself."

She opened the door, and immediately the distinct smell of rot entered their nostrils. There were two small beds in it, complete with moth-eaten sheets and blankets, and a stove with a sink nearby, but that was about it as far as accommodations. For some reason, Chrysalis had the strange feeling that death had visited this room.

"Could be worse I guess. Not sure how... but maybe it could be filled with rats," Copycat shrugged.

There was the sound of squeaking, and suddenly a rat scurried across the floor.

"Oh very funny..." she sighed.

At that, Chrysalis stood by the room's window, gazing down upon a nearly vacant, cobblestone street. A few ponies were walking down it, however.

"Wouldn't it be nice, Copycat...?" Chrysalis sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"To be... a normal creature," she smiled. "A normal existence... without our needs."

"Yeah... sometimes I think it'd be cool," Copycat shrugged. "But being a changeling does have its benefits."

Chrysalis nodded. "Yeah... shapeshifting can be handy I suppose..."

"Not to mention our link," Copycat continued. "The ponies may be harmonious, but they don't... 'get' each other like we do. They don't have our bond. We literally feel each other's pain. Empathy can't do that."

"But is that a good thing, or a bad thing?"

"Depends on the circumstance," Copycat said. "For sometimes... we can feel each other's joy."

"I haven't felt joy in years..." Chrysalis groaned.

A beat.

"I think I can help with that," Copycat grinned.

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow.

"You wanna hit the bars?" a very tired, very grumpy Firefly groaned.

Chrysalis and Copycat nodded their heads. "For... official and unofficial business."

Firefly gave them a blank look. "Uh-huh." He then rolled his eyes. "Well, alright. I can't deny you the trip. I'm allowed to bring you anywhere in Manehattan, so if you want a bar: I can provide."

"Where do most of the delegates hang out; do you know?" Chrysalis asked.

He gave a nod. "Yep, I know... just get yourself a form with wings, changeling. We're goin for a flight."

They exited the hotel, and soon, Firefly was airborne. Chrysalis and Copycat took off after him, barely keeping up: and for a second Chrysalis was wondering if he was purposely trying to lose them.

"Come on, changelings!" he called. "I'm barely going half-wingpower!"

"God, these wings are hard to get used to," Copycat gasped in pegasus form, panting madly. "I like our natural ones better."

"Come on, let's not give him the satisfaction of seeing us lag behind!" Chrysalis smirked.

"Into the wild... black yonder, then!" Copycat said, returning the smirk.

The two began to flap more vigorously, and were soon by Firefly's side.

"Not bad..." he nodded reluctantly.

Chrysalis put on a prideful smile, before glancing below. The beautiful city, illuminated city was zooming by them, and despite the hour growing later, it seemed traffic was getting busier. Horse-drawn carriages, and even very primitive magitek automobiles filled the streets. The night life had started.

Chrysalis then glanced where they were going. Directly ahead was a massive skyscraper, a large neon sign blaring on the side of it that said: 'The Waldorf-Haystoria.'

"You wanted to see where the delegates hang out, right?" Firefly asked. "Well, there's a kickass bar on the top of that skyscraper. Fancy folks only. Get me in, and maybe I'll spot you a few bits."

Chrysalis quirked an eyebrow. "Uh... I was hoping you'd get us in."

"Haha, yeah right! A lowly soldier like me? Fat chance! You're going to have to figure something out, or we'll have to hit one of the shitty dive bars below."

With that, the two landed at the top of the hotel, near two glass doors of a bar that seemed to still have heavy activity. There was a gruff looking bouncer at it standing next two polls with a thick, red rope that stretched between them, blocking the way.

"Would it be alright if I switch to my true form?" Chrysalis asked.

"If you want to risk it," Firefly shrugged. "The delegates will know about you being at the U.N. tomorrow, anyway. Just try not to piss off the griffin ambassador, Aldaris, I think he's called. He's not a fan of changelings. And if he's drunk, well... you know how that goes."

Chrysalis nodded. "Thanks for the tip."

"Just doin' my job, your majesty," Firefly grunted. "Though how you plan to get in is anyone's guess."

"Don't you have any papers to give us identifying us as guests?" Chrysalis asked.

"Nope. I assumed Princess Sparkle was going to give you some tomorrow."

Chrysalis then raised an eyebrow. "Wait, why don't you just tell the bouncer that we're guests of the U.N.?"

The soldier blinked at his own stupidity. "Well uh... didn't think of that."

"Then do it!"

"Er... right."

With that, Firefly gave a cough, before making his way to the bouncer. He then cleared his throat before saying, "Uh... hi there, big guy. Listen, these two folks with me are delegates of the U.N. You're uh... not going to believe this, but they're changelings. One of them is their leader."

The bouncer gave a smirk. "Uh huh. And I'm Princess Luna's cousin."

Firefly rolled his eyes, before giving a nod Chrysalis way. She nodded back, before morphing into her true form.

The bouncer's eyes widened. "W-Woah! You weren't kidding. S-Sweet Celestia, is that the queen bee?"

"Yeeeep."

Chrysalis then walked over to the bouncer, smiling. "We just want to make a few rounds. Know what I'm saying?"

"I thought the changelings weren't even in the U.N., though," the bouncer said, scratching his head.

"We're about to be," Chrysalis said confidently. She then leaned down to the bouncer's level, before morphing into a beautiful mare, one with a luscious, golden mane. "And if you could let me in... I'd be very..." She inched closer to him. "Very... grateful."

The bouncer gulped, sweating slightly. "I uh..." He turned towards Firefly. "You're uh... sure they're participating in the meeting, right?"

"Yep," Firefly growled, gazing at Chrysalis with a hint of spite.

The bouncer took a deep breath. "Fine... alright... you can come in."

"Thank you," Chrysalis smiled, before switching back to her true form.

"Awesome! Time to freak everyone out!" Copycat said sarcastically.

Chrysalis nodded to herself. "It's necessary. I don't want them to think I'm trying to hide anything."

"I hope you're right..."

"That makes two of us," she gulped.

Before entering, however, she noticed something... there was actually a bit of snow falling down from a far rogue clouds above. She was surprised she didn't notice it earlier, but it seemed to be melting on the still-warm roof of the hotel.

"Why is it snowing?" Chrysalis said, lifting an eyebrow. "I thought it was spring."

"That would be Aria," Firefly grunted. "The leader of Artaria, the northern wolves. She's an elemental: creates snowstorms wherever she goes. It's a pain in the flank to keep them clear..."

"So, she's in there," Chrysalis mused, before taking a breath. "Alright... I suppose it's time to make an entrance."

"Right behind you," Copycat winked.

"Wait! Remember our deal," Firefly said.

"Oh, almost forgot," Chrysalis said, turning towards the bouncer. "Private Firefly here's with us."

The bouncer shot her a smile. "If you want him in, he's in."

"Great: thanks!"

Firefly then stepped towards the entrance, a slight smirk on his face. "I still don't like you, changeling... but for this, I'll buy you a few drinks."

"Fair enough."

With that, they stepped into the bar.

It was a brightly lit place, and five-star to the detail. A brilliant chandelier hung from above, illuminating premium oak floors a number of ornate carpets sat upon. The main room was cylindrical, and in the center sat a massive, round bar table. Surrounding it were a number of other, smaller tables, and in the edges of the room sat a number of games: darts, pool tables, you name it. There was even a set of stairs leading upward with a sign hanging off them that read: 'Hot Tubs.'

"Well then," Copycat said, smiling. "Looks like we just struck jackpot."

"You can go enjoy yourself if you want, Copycat. I'm going to do the whole meet-and-greet thing..."

"Hah, good luck with that," Firefly chuckled, before pulling out a few bits and tossing them Copycat and Chrysalis' way. "There. My part of the deal's done. Find me when you want to leave."

And and instant later, Firefly had scurried away. Luckily, nobody in the bar was taking notice of them... yet.

Copycat shrugged. "Well, at least he led us down the right road. But yeah, it's a good idea for us to split up. We can cover more ground that way."

"My thoughts exactly." She then smiled down at her assistant. "Let's see if you can put that degree to good use."

"Heh, I hope so, too. The last time I did it went poorly when I tried to negotiate with the Yuctan Island Griffins. But two time's the charm, right? I'll uh... just try not to chip my other ear."

"Good luck, Copycat," Chrysalis smiled.

"Same," she winked, before making her way to another corner of the bar.

Chrysalis heard a bit of commotion coming from where she left to, but not as much as she expected. It was logical that some of the delegates expected a changeling or two to show up to defend themselves.

With that in mind, Chrysalis began to scope out the bar table. She noticed Twilight Sparkle and her friends on the far end of it, and after a second, the little yellow one named Fluttershy seemed to take notice of her. She pointed a wary hoof her way, and the five of them entered a hushed conversation...

Wait... five of them?

Where was the pink one?

She, she got her answer in the form of her cheering:

"Wooooo yeah! Play that thing, Spike!"

A few more voices soon followed, the first sounding very raspy, and the second calm and controlled.

"By the night, you're amazing! Keep going!"

"Your skills are formidable, young one."

She glanced over towards the origin, and sure enough, there was Twilight's little dragon, Spike, playing a version of Rhapsody in Blue on a stand-up piano. Standing near him was Pinkie Pie, a figure dressed in a black cloak, and none other than Aria, the white wolf of the north.

Chrysalis tapped her chin in thought. Aria... Aria was someone Chrysalis had little contact with. And Copycat was definitely correct in saying she'd remember Chrysalis' past good deeds.

And so, Chrysalis summoned her courage, and made her way over to the piano.

"Um... hello," she said.

The group turned to her, and Spike stopped playing immediately. And surprisingly, both him and Chrysalis gave gasps, the latter at the sight of who was in the cloak. It was none other than clone-copy of Twilight, though her eyes were two pools of white.

Spike began to scoot away from her, as Aria quirked her head, almost as if looking Chrysalis over. Finally, she smiled, before saying:

"I believe it is fine for us to relax. You means us no ill will, do you, Chrysalis of Sinmaria?"

"Aria," Chrysalis said, putting on a slight smile. "Long time no see."

"By that you mean three hundred years," she said calmly.

She then turned towards the hooded figure, who seemed to be looking over her curiously. "I believe we haven't been introduced..."

The white-eyed being nodded. "I've... heard of you. You're Queen Chrysalis, leader of the changelings, right?"

"That's right."

"I'm... Twilight Soulshard of the Nightmare Realm. Um... pleased to... meet you?"

She held out a decaying, nearly furless hoof to shake, and Chrysalis, wincing slightly, took it.

"Uh... does anyone want to tell me why Queen Chrysalis is here?" Spike gulped.

"Yeah! What are you doing here, you big meanie?!" Pinkie growled.

"I'm here to represent the changelings when the time comes for their vote to enter the United Nations," Chrysalis aid calmly.

"Hmph, are you sure you're not here to spy!? Or ruin any weddings?!" Pinkie said, inching uncomfortably close to Chrysalis face and narrowing her eyes.

"Uh- Pinkie... there aren't any weddings going on," Spike pointed out.

"You get my point! And I still haven't forgiven you for calling my party decorations childish! Hmph! Some nerve!" Pinkie huffed, now glancing away from Chrysalis.

"I'm-I'm sorry for that," Chrysalis said, scratching the back of her head. "I was going through... issues at the time. I'm better now."

"You know, when most people go through 'issues', they go see a psychologist," Spike said, raising an eyebrow. "They don't take over a nation."

"Yeah, likely story! How could you have changed so quickly? Well, minus the fact that you're a changeling but... you get the point!" Pinkie huffed.

"It wasn't quick," Chrysalis said, glancing away from them. "And it took many long nights of solace."

She then glanced at the quartet. "Tell me, any of you. Has something ever bad happened to you... something so bad it put you in such despair that you spent hours upon hours... just lying in bed... examining your life? To see where it all went wrong?"

The group stood silent.

"That's what happened to me. After I attacked Canterlot, I became so depressed at how things were going for my people, I could barely function. I had so many dreams... dreams where two sides of me did battle."

Chrysalis stood in a blank void. Literally, blank. No stars, no planets, only her, her mother, and a younger version of herself standing in it.

"It is only a minor setback," her mother hissed. "The changelings can grow strong again... go on more raids, capture more food. You can bolster your strength while you lie in wait. And then, eventually, you will be poised to strike again."

"It isn't the right way and you know it!" her younger self cried. "Nobody deserves to be harvested like cattle! It's wrong! And one day, it will bite you in the flank!"

"Don't listen to her..." the mother growled. "If do things my way, you can have all the love you want... and take whatever else you could possibly need. Just like you have the last hundred years. Have your cake and eat it too."

"And put your people at risk! Look at where you are right now because of that line of thinking! The changelings are on the brink. Conquest and our people do not mix! However, it's not too late... you haven't done any permanent damage! You can fix things!"

"No... you cannot! She isn't your good side, she's your weak side. Live a life of appeasement and you'll never be able to procure enough of the resources you need to sustain the hive..."

"Yes you can! You just need to learn to negotiate better! Just because those griffins didn't want to leave their homes, for instance, doesn't mean you couldn't have worked out a deal to mine their lands. It could have been possible, you just needed more time. More patience! And you needed to put your emotions at bay... you can get what you need while still gaining love!"

"It was like two forces were tugging at me constantly."

"And what happened?" Twilight Soulshard asked.

Chrysalis put on a smile. "Eventually, my younger self won. I don't want to conquer anything anymore. I just want to get my people back on their feet."

"We've all heard of the blockade," Aria said sympathetically. "However, none are willing to act against it alone."

"What blockade?" Spike asked.

"My home islands have been blockaded by a mixed force of slave traders and griffin Knight Templars," Chrysalis snarled. "They're there to collect slaves."

"S-Slaves?" Spike said in a concerned tone.

"That's right," Chrysalis nodded. "If we don't give them five thousand changelings, they're threatening to starve us. Box us in to keep us from feeding."

"Oh my gosh!" Pinkie squeaked. "That's horrible!"

"Why isn't Equestria doing anything about this?! That's genocide!" Soulshard growled.

"Equestria doesn't have the navy to act alone, even if they wanted to," Chrysalis sighed.

"Uh- hang on, let's not forget, however, that Queen Chrysalis here was planning to take pretty much everypony in Canterlot as a food source," Spike said.

Chrysalis took a deep breath. "I did, and I will suffer whatever consequences the U.N. deems appropriate, but my people followed my orders and my orders alone."

"She's right! Her people don't deserve to suffer for that!" Pinkie shouted.

"Yet they still followed those orders," Spike said suspiciously.

"And you think they deserve to be slaves for that?!" Pinkie shouted.

Spike opened his mouth to say something more, but soon seemed to give up the argument.

"You're doing an honorable thing here, Chrysalis," Aria nodded. "Willing to put your own neck at risk for the good of the whole."

"Thank you, Aria."

She gave one of her rare smiles. "I take it you're here to present your case to the U.N. Perhaps force them to make an act forcing military action against the blockade? For that... I may lend you my support in when the voting comes to allow you in the U.N. so you may take part in further action," Aria said whimsically. "But... that may require a favor."

"What kind of favor?" Chrysalis asked.

"I'll think of something," Aria smiled.

"You have Edeathstria's vote," Soulshard nodded.

Edeathstria... Chrysalis had heard that word before. Apparently, it was an alternate version of Equestria, one filled with supernatural (vampires, werewolves, you name it) creatures. Apparently, they had recently crafted a portal linking both the the regular Equestria and it together. However, there seemed to be a bit of controversy about this...

"However, I want a good explanation for your attack on Canterlot," Soulshard said firmly. "And something more than just an apology to Equestria."

Chrysalis nodded. That was two delegates in her corner so far, if she could meet their needs. And Pinkie also seemed to be on her side... perhaps if she could bond with her a little bit...

"So, what does one do for fun in Equestria?" Chrysalis smiled.

Pinkie's eyes seemed to widen in glee at that. She gave a little bounce before saying, "You're looking to have fun?! You've come to the right mare!"

"You are the Element of Laughter, right?" Chrysalis asked, still smiling.

"You betcha, Chryssy!" she said, bouncing over to the dart board. "Come with me! I'll show you how we do things Ponyville style!"

Perfect... this was going to be too easy.