The Meaning of Chrysalis

It took another five minutes for Chrysalis to round up Copycat, who actually, to her complete bafflement, was in conversation with Princess Cadence. Even more baffling was that it seemed friendly enough... until Chrysalis herself showed up in it, in which case Cadence turned her back on her, excusing herself.

After that, they found a very drunk Private Firefly on the second floor, flirting with a crystal pony in one of the hot tubs.

He was not happy to have to leave, though what he was doing could be less described as flirting as 'making an ass of himself with sexist comments.'

"Pfffft, yeah, I don't know why they let mares do a stallion's job," he laughed. "It's up for us men to protect you! Why they let women into the Airborne is beyond me."

"Er... yeah," the crystal pony said, looking like she wanted to leave the hot tub at the first chance.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, before yanking Firefly out of the tub, receiving a wary, but thankful glance from the crystal pony. They were quite an interesting case, actually. Though their leader was not a fan of the changelings, or at least of her, the crystal ponies themselves were not directly effected by the changeling's actions in the last thousand years, though she assumed that the attack on Canterlot would decrease public opinion like in every other nation.

"Ugh, come on, what the buck?! I was totally about to score a date with her!" Firefly slurred as he was levitated in front of Chrysalis.

"You know, I thought it was the role of the guard to protect us," Chrysalis smirked. "Not for us to protect you from yourself. You really shouldn't be flirting so drunk."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he growled. "Your legs are filled with holes. Haha."

"That's specism," Copycat said bluntly.

"He'll thank us in the morning, provided he can find enough coffee," Chrysalis chuckled, before turning towards Copycat. "So, how did things go with Cadence?"

"Pretty well," she nodded. "She was a little cold at first, but warmed up to me after a bit. I don't think I got her vote, though."

Chrysalis shrugged.

"Well, it's a start," she nodded as the two made their way out of the bar.

"Seeya tomorrow, Chryssy!" Dagger called in an overly-sweet voice, smirking.

"Go choke on your caviar," Chrysalis called in an equally sweet voice. "God, how his company actually got a seat in the U.N. just baffles me."

"I asked Cadence about that, actually," Copycat nodded. "Apparently it involved a lot of bribery. The rumor is that Dagger payed off the dragons, the zebras, and the griffins to let him in."

Chrysalis' eyes widened. "The zebras?"

She could hardly believe Zecora would follow that order.

"Yeah, it was an ambassador before this one who did it. When Dagger was voted in, both Equestria and Artaria threatened to leave, but in the end decided against it."

"Damned straight" Firefly hiccuped. "I may not like you changeling, but that Dagger is a piece of shit. Grade A shiiiiiit! However, Equestria and Artaria didn't want to be thrown out of the loop, though, and they also managed to get Edeathstria, that weirdo alternate Equestria to join so there wouldn't be so many bad apples in the U.N. Still, the place is corrupt as hell, even with the zebras back on team good guy."

"If the changelings were voted in, we would never take bribes," Chrysalis stated bluntly.

"Pfffft, whatever. You'd still be after our love. You'd never really care about any of us!."

"All good actions come from selfishness," Copycat stated. "It may be for food or it may just be for that feel-good feeling. It's not a bad thing, but it is the truth. You don't have a right to judge us for giving to the world in order to get love."

Firefly seemed to shut up at that.

"Come on, let's get him home," Chrysalis said.

"B-But we're supposed to be escorted at all times,"

"I'm sure some soldier there can fill the role," she stated.

With that, the two took flight, Chrysalis in alicorn form to carry Private Firefly. The two flew over the city, Chrysalis noting a decrease in traffic as the night dragged on. The night life was growing to a close, and soon the hustle and bustle of the morning hours would begin. She sighed at this. There were so many lives being controlled by the wills of so few, including herself and all those in the U.N., many oblivious to the workings of the bigger picture. Perhaps it was best they didn't know of some of it.

They dropped off Firefly at a small hotel across the street from them, getting a begrudging 'thanks' from him, and a new guard to take them back to their hotel, Chrysalis now in a regular pegasus form.

"How's the night treating you, honey?" the hotel bellmare asked as they entered, smoking another cigarette.

"Better than I hoped it would," Chrysalis smiled.

She nodded. "Heh, that's what I always hear, even from people who stay in this shithole. Manehattan just has a way of providing. Say, what country are you guys from, anyway? Who do you represent?"

Chrysalis and Copycat bit their lips.

"Uh... Saddle Arabia," Chrysalis said sheepishly.

The counter worker raised an eyebrow. "You don't look it."

"Well uh... that's a common misconception. Not all of us look the same," Copycat said. "It depends on the province you live in."

"Huh, you don't say. Had a cousin from there. Said they were trying to get into the U.N.. There might be a vote for them along with those weirdo changelings tomorrow, who knows? Anyway, good luck with that!"

Chrysalis' eyes widened as she walked away. Another wyldcard was about to be thrown into the loop. And if the delegate was in Dagger's pocket...

Then it hit her.

At least they probably wouldn't be allowed to vote for or against the changelings right off the bat. It was the future that mattered.

As she finished her thought, the duo then entered the room.

"I wondered who sponsored their entry," Copycat blinked. "As a matter of fact, who sponsored our's?"

"Princess Celestia of all people. It was a silent thing, and it was the only letter I got from her since the invasion. I guess she wanted to give us a chance to be judged by the world, even if two nations seemed to be in Dagger's pocket."

"Maybe she thinks you could do some good," Copycat suggested.

"I hope so... Firefly was right, there's so much corruption it's not even funny. If the zebras were still in Dagger's pocket, and there was no Edeathstria, that'd be three 'bad' nations versus two 'good ones'... that's a scary thought."

"What do you think the chances are of a united military front against the blockade?" Copycat asked.

"I don't think that'll be necessary, we just need to scare Dagger out of his blockade. There's a lot that can be done against him besides military intervention. Pressure could be put on the griffins to pull their troops from the blockade, or perhaps to limit the amount of slaves they're allowed to import. Start threatening Dagger's pocketbook and he'll quiet down. The dragons and the griffins are the only two peoples to use slaves anymore, after all. Get them to stop buying as many slaves and it'll be a serious blow to Dagger. Or, we could push for a vote outlawing changeling slaves, which Dagger may or may not follow."

"But what if he won't back down even then?"

"In that case, we have two options. We can either rally Equestria and Artaria's support for a combined attack against Dagger's fleet, or at least present a large enough threat that they'll retreat, or we remind the world of how we used to act. We gain their sympathies. Sympathy is the first step to love. If we can get enough of that sent our way..."

"Our magics may become strong enough to break the blockade," Copycat smiled. "But as for the former, I thought Equestria's navy sucked?"

"It does, but they do have a powerful airforce. They have a number of zeppelins which house squadrons of pegasi. They could do some damage."

"Ooooooh," Copycat nodded.

"I really doubt this will happen though... I just don't see it."

"What if they just flat outlaw international slavery?" Copycat asked.

"That would kill Dagger, unfortunately not literally, though the griffins and dragons could threaten to withdraw from the U.N. if they feel they don't have enough slaves already to keep a decent population up."

Copycat gave a grumble. "Ugh... I hate when you have to do this. View people as numbers and statistics."

"It's cold, I know," Chrysalis sighed. "But there's no way around topics like it when you're in this line of business."

A beat.

"So, how are you feeling? I sense a lot of nerve in you," Copycat said, frowning. "I don't like seeing you so nervous..."

"Are you afraid I'll fail because of it?" Chrysalis asked.

"No it's just..." She winced, taking a deep breath. "I don't know you as a conqueror. I mean, I know of the actions of our people of course, but I only got to know you as a person... after your metamorphisis. And... well, remember what you're always saying about the changelings being more than just a people, but family? Well... you're sort of the mentor figure I've always wanted to have..."

"You care about me, is what you're saying," Chrysalis said, smiling slightly.

Copycat gave a nod.

Chrysalis chuckled. "I care about you, too, Copycat, even if a queen is supposed to be unbiased." Her smile widened. "I saved my money at the bar... if you want to get one of those haydogs you were after, tomorrow."

"Hell. Yeah," Copycat grinned. She then raised an eyebrow. "Seriously though, how are you feeling about tomorrow?"

"I'm very nervous, but I am prepared. I have my resolve. I have my strength. I have the knowledge that the changelings deserve to be a part of the world, and not as a slave race." She took a deep breath. "My people do... but me, however? I'm not so sure... if we were a regular society, I would have been disposed of by now for my actions..."

"Actions supported by your people," Copycat stated.

"Some, but not all," she sighed, tears forming in her eyes. She stood mostly in darkness, only a small bit of light creeping in from the room's window. "I... do not deserve to be a queen. I would give an eternal life of slavery to make up my mistakes."

Copycat shook her head.

"Chrysalis..." she whispered, surprising her by not using her title. Suddenly, Chrysalis found herself wrapped in a hug. "I'd like to love you like a mother, or a sister, but I can't. I can't feel any love... But I can give you this."

"I-I don't deserve this..." Chrysalis whispered, trying to wiggle out of the hug. "I don't..."

"You're not as bad as you think you are," Copycat whispered. "You're not a tyrant. You ordered your soldiers not to kill when they could during your campaigns."

"So our people could feed off them."

"Yes, so our people could feed off them. But you've let most of them go, now, haven't you?"

"I-I have," she gulped.

"Everyone... can go through a bad period in their lives," Copycat stated. "It just so happens that you went through a bad period... while as a queen. Your actions had larger repercussions. But- my point is, you are no worse than any other being."

Chrysalis rapidly shook her head.

"Look at us, though! Look at us... sitting in this ratty hotel room... preparing to beg a world's help who could care less for us."

And suddenly, her eyes widened, as a quote from Princess Celestia twisted through her head.

"What is it?" Copycat asked.

"But... it takes a strong person to admit they need help though, doesn't it?"

Copycat smiled at her. "That it does." And she gave her queen another hug. "I would follow you anywhere, my queen. Because I know at heart you're a good person who only wants the best for her people... and perhaps, the world. Us changelings can't feel love, but we can... appreciate things, can't we?"

She walked over to the window. Chrysalis soon joined her. It may have been a crappy hotel, but the two could appreciate a beautiful sight happening outside the window. A group of wealthy looking ponies walked by the same hobo who seemingly lived on the stoop of the hotel, him rattling a change can, but instead of turning their snouts, they pulled out a number of bits, and soon, his can was filled.

"They're good people, aren't they? The Equestrians?" Chrysalis said.

"I think they are."

Chrysalis closed her eyes. "It wasn't the first example of kindness I've seen from them... kindness they just gave... for nothing. And the fact that they get that 'feel-good' feeling... doesn't that mean they are rewarded for being good? Like it's supposed to be a part of them? They... deserve what we gave them before. I regret that I just did it for love."

At that, she narrowed her eyes in determination before making her way out of the hotel room and down to the stoop.

The hobo wolf-whistled at the sight of the beautiful mare she had transformed into. He was being disrespectful... rude, but everyone went through hard times in their lives, didn't they?

"I want to know something..." Chrysalis asked him.

"What might that be?" he said, quirking a head.

"Who are you? What's your story?"

"Why do you want to know, hot stuff?" he asked, grinning.

"Just curious... I'm not trying to patronize you or anything, II just want to know."

The hobo blinked, lowering an eyebrow. It was apparent he was rarely asked this question.

"Lots of things got me here. Mental things, mainly. Got anxiety disorder, ya see? Makes it hard to hold down a job. Ran out of money for my medications and... well... kind of had to resort to liquor as a substitute."

Chrysalis gulped, before pulling out the bits Firefly had given her and tossing them in his can.

"Here, take these: but promise me something. Use them to buy yourself a warm sweater or some good food, not beer. Keep yourself alive. Because one day, I'm going to be back to help you get what you need."

The hobo shook his head, baffled. "Why do you care?"

"For that warm-fuzzy feeling you get whenever you do something good," Chrysalis smiled. "And because everyone deserves a second chance."

The hobo gave a rare smile. "Thank you kindly, miss. Even if you don't come back."

"I will be..." she whispered, turning back to the hotel's door.

A block away, Captain Jack Harness observed the scene through a pair of binoculars, his mouth parting in awe.