Jen and Johnny quietly looked around the house they’d been given, it wasn’t much compared to some of the houses that had been on earth, but it was better than a hole in the ground. Honestly, it was more of a storefront than a house. At least the bottom portion was, it had a counter and shelves and such, the top floor was more of a studio apartment that overlooked the town’s main street. It had a Queen sized bed and a couple old looking pieces of furniture, as well as indoor plumbing.

Jen removed her boots and jacket and hung the item up on a nail that had been hammered into the wall to act as a hook. Honestly she was a bit surprised about how much she liked Dominic, she had worried he’d be some sort of macho last man standing jerk. In some ways he sort of was, but, something about the way he carried himself. The way he talked, the way he looked around, Jen got the impression he was often times off in his own world at times. She adjusted her clothes and looked at Johnny, the man was looking down out the window at the town.

“They’re not staring at us… That’s nice to see.” He said quietly as he turned away from the window to look at Jen. “I sort of think they put us with this Dominic guy so we’d be far away from their own population.”

“Maybe, but lay off him, will ya?” Jen examined her hat as she spoke, she moved over to the bed and sat down on the edge. “He’s still got that elmo look to him, you know…” Johnny just grunted in response and continued looking out the window. “I’m serious, John.”

“I know… I just… I guess I’m not used to using the kid gloves lately. I’ll try to keep from pissing him off. The last thing we need is a pissed off elmo with a private army.” Johnny pulled off his tattered shirt that had been stained green, leaving him in his tank top. The man walked over to the bed and sat down next to Jen, leaning on her playfully. “I’m so fuckin’ glad you’re safe and we’re together again.” The woman put her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek.

“Yeah, I kinda missed you too…” She trailed off as her stomach grumbled, Johnny giggled for a moment until his stomach grumbled as well. “Guess we should get something to eat before we settle in for the night, yeah?”

“Yeah.” Johnny replied as he stood up and helped Jen stand like the gentleman he was, the woman was quick to put her boots and jacket on again before the pair of them began walking down the steps to the empty storefront below. “You know, I think I could really do something with this place?” Jen gave him a look as they strolled past the empty store shelves. “How’s about a bar?”

“They already have a bar.” Jen responded as the two humans stepped out onto the street, again the ponies were too busy to notice them. The woman pointed to the saloon, which happened to be the only place to go for food in town.

“Yeah, but I bet I could do better.” Johnny said as if issued a challenge. “We’re in America now, aren’t we? Who says I can’t open a bar of my own?” Jen just chuckled as the two of them continued approaching the saloon, those chuckles faded as they heard pained groans from inside. A pair of guards by the door raised their eyebrows at them, and one actually stuck a hoof out to stop their entry.

“I’m sorry, but we can’t let you in.” Said one of the soldiers, an American with a dented helmet and chest plate. “This is a field hospital, and we need it as clean as possible.” The other pony there nodded, he was an Equestrian Royal Guard, his armor was a stark contrast to that of his American counterpart. Johnny opened his mouth to protest, but as he heard a loud groan from inside, he clammed up.

“Would it be possible for us to get some food out here then?” Jen asked, the American nodded and looked at his Royal Guard counterpart expectantly. The stallion let out a quick ‘Oh!’ and went inside, leaving the guard to shake his head and sigh. “Looks like you guys got hit pretty hard.”

“No shit…” The American replied. “Hell, we wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for those Changelings. However the Pres got Chrysalis to work on our side I’ll never know, but it really saved our asses.” He removed his helmet and held it to the side before extending a hoof. “Fortress Wall.” Jen shook the stallion’s hoof, finding it a bit awkward, Johnny opted just to bump it with his fist.

“I’m Jen, this is Johnny… We’re kind of new.” Jen explained, the stallion just nodded as he continued standing there. He looked young, and reminded Jen a little bit of her old subordinate Smalls. “Say, what rank are you?”

“Sergeant, got promoted when our squad leader bought it earlier.” Fortress replied, Jen scowled slightly at the mention of the dead officer.

“I was a Sergeant myself, it’s a pretty tough job.” Jen said, Fortress Wall nodded and looked over his shoulder into the saloon turned field hospital.

“So far all I’ve had problems with is this Canterlot Kiddo they saddled me with…” Fortress said, he poked his head inside and then pulled it out. “He’s on his way out, he just gets a little squeamish around blood like that…” There was another groan from inside, that one seemed to get Fortress to flinch. “You ever see shit like this?” Jen slowly shook her head.

“All the enemies we fought were more like animals than anything else, they never shot back, and they never left wounded.” Jen explained, Fortress just continued to nod as he leaned against the wall and pulled his helmet on.

“Ya know, a while back I met this mare from Equestria. Element of Honesty, if you know what that is…” Jen just nodded. “Used to think she was some sort of hero, and I still think to an extent she’s a nice mare, but… I dunno…” Johnny watched quietly, he’d never really taken into account the human or pony suffering before. For him the biggest worry in the apocalypse was getting shot at by street gangs, the infected were just a nuisance. There was a flash to the right of the group and Fortress began reaching for his spellbow, it turned out just to be an Equestrian War Correspondent.

“Hey there, care to answer a few questions?” Asked the reporter, Fortress Wall gave the pony equivalent of a one fingered salute. “Come on, you were right there in the thick of it! I’m sure the ponies back in-”

“Fuck off before I use that camera of yours to give you a colonoscopy.” Johnny suddenly spat, the reporter blinked and backed away. Jen and Fortress Wall looked at him for a few moments, the New Jerseyite cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck. “I can’t stand people hastlin’ GIs.” He said simply, before they could respond the Royal Guard returned with several tins of food floating in a magical aura. He looked green around the gills as the two people took the tins from him.

“Hang loose, Sarge.” Jen said as Fortress Wall pulled on his helmet and strapped it tight, the stallion gave a mock salute before Jen and Johnny began walking away. They made their way back to the house in relative silence as the sun set in the distance. “You know, this isn’t anything like what I thought this place would be…”

“Well, give it a chance, you’ve only seen a couple parts of this massive alien world, I’m sure there’s gotta be SOME decent places out there.” Johnny replied as he opened the door and held it for Jen to enter the store front, the two of them walked up the steps back to the studio apartment and set the food tins down on the small wooden table they’d been given.

“I know, but still, it all seems so grim here…” Jen pulled her combat knife from its sheath and began using it to open the can. It turned out to be canned beans, from the looks of them, they were military surplus. Johnny’s was also beans, so they ended up just eating them without heating them. The meal was accompanied by a comfortable silence, occasionally Jen or Johnny would pause as if thinking of something to say before going back to their beans.

There was a knock on the door, the two of them looked at each other for a moment.

“Who is it?” Asked Johnny.

“Princess Celestia.” The white alicorn replied through the wood, Johnny and Jen glanced at each other. A few seconds of silence passed before Jen stood up and walked to the door, she opened it and looked at the mare curiously. “Hello, do you mind if I come in?”

“Not at all, come in.” Jen stepped out of the way and walked back towards the table, she pulled her hair back and let it fall behind her shoulders before sitting down in her chair. She and Johnny turned in their seats and looked at the white alicorn who was examining the room, after a few moments she sat down.

“I trust you’re settling in alright? I wanted to make sure everything was okay after we parted ways earlier.” Celestia said, Jen and Johnny looked at her with a pair of shrugs.

“We’re settling in okay, we met with Dominic, he seems… Alright.” Jen said, Johnny nodded as he continued eating his beans, Celestia nodded and smiled faintly. “As it stands though we’re just sort of waiting for this whole conflict to settle down, maybe then we’ll be able to relax a bit.”

“I’m hoping to open a bar or something after this is all said and done.” Johnny added, he smiled and leaned back in his seat. “A little food, some booze, maybe some good music-” That word sent Jen’s palm to her face.

“Agh! Fuck!” She muttered as she reached for her pant’s pocket, Johnny and Celestia immediately raised their eyebrows as she withdrew a simple looking device. “I forgot to give this to him, Discord said this was Dominic’s and I totally forgot to return it.”

“The fuck… Is that one of them micro-something things?” Asked Johnny as he reached over and grabbed the device out of Jen’s hands, he turned on the device and flipped through the songs that were available. “He’s got every fuckin’ Tarantino soundtrack on here.” Celestia found her eyes focused on the device, she was vaguely familiar with it. The device had been taken off of Dominic when he’d first appeared in Equestria and had somehow disappeared, it seemed that mystery had been solved. “As for the whole returning it, just give it back to him tomorrow. He’s probably in bed or something by now anyway.”

“I doubt that…” Celestia mumbled, Jen glanced at her for a moment. Celestia froze, she hadn’t meant to say that out loud. The woman just shrugged it off and took the device back from her grabby companion.

“I’ll get it to him tomorrow for sure.” Jen set the device down on the table and looked back at Celestia. “So, now that we’re sure you aren’t some sort of evil dictator, can I ask you a couple questions?” Jen’s fangirl side was making a rapid comeback, it had been years since she had watched the show, but now that she was right in front of Celestia and she knew that she wasn’t in danger, well, she was about ready to squeal. Johnny could see it coming, he’d never seen her like that before, at least, not in the current context.

“I don’t see why not.” Celestia said, a slight smile spreading across her muzzle. Jen adjusted her seat, it was borderline fidgeting as she tried to think of the first thing to ask. Johnny would’ve normally rolled his eyes, but considering that Jen seemed genuinely happy, he just crossed his arms and wordlessly observed.

“Okay! I hope this doesn’t make you all weirded out, but I assume that judging by Dominic’s patch you know about things?” Jen asked, Celestia nodded good naturedly. “Great! I was just sort of curious about a few things, like your mane. How does it do that?” Celestia paused and looked at her mane, noting that it was flowing. She’d grown so used to it that she forgot it was a bit odd.

“Well, it sort of comes with age. As an alicorn I naturally produce more magic than I normally use, that magic needs an outlet or else things get messy.” The alicorn explained, running a hoof through her mane and humming. “I thought it was kind of odd myself, but magic has to have a way out, one way or another.” Jen was rocking back in her seat, this was honestly helping to put the thoughts about what was going on out of her head.

“Why doesn’t Twilight Sparkle have one like that yet?” She asked, Celestia paused and gave shrug.

“Perhaps she just hasn’t reached her full potential yet, I’m certain in the coming years there will be plenty of opportunities for her to supercharge her magic output.” Celestia rubbed at her chin, smiling faintly at the woman. She would of course have to deal with the fallout of a sniper attack back in Equestria, but Jen seemed like a genuinely nice woman, and Celestia knew that the woman wouldn’t have opened fire if the situation with Johnny and her had been handled better. “You seem to have a lot of questions about me, that’s kind of refreshing…”

“Well, yeah, you were the best Princess…” Jen said with a smile, leaning forwards. “At least I thought you were back when you weren’t really in front of me…” She paused. “That came out weird, I mean… Well, it’s kind of hard to say.” Celestia chuckled and shook her head, Johnny was downright shocked. There was happy Jen and then there was giddy as a schoolgirl Jen, he’d never seen the latter. “Do you still control the moon?”

“When I have to.” Celestia replied with a bit more quiet in her voice. “Luna’s night’s are far more beautiful than anything I ever could do though.” There was as slight pause as Celestia gained a thoughtful expression. “For instance, tonight I raised the moon so that Luna could comfort Dominic…”

“Is he normally like that?” Johnny cut in, Celestia looked at the man and slowly shook her head.

“He’s been very mellow for the past couple months, all things considered…” Celestia trailed off again, she sighed and rubbed at her eyes. “He hasn’t had it easy here, and mother knows I haven’t done much to help him. I suppose that’s why we’re at each other’s throats so often, figuratively and otherwise.” Jen raised an eyebrow, not quite sure how Princess Celestia couldn’t make it easy for someone, especially someone that seemed as damaged as Dominic. “I won’t go into detail, be he recently had a bit of… Let’s call it an outburst… I suspect he’s still bouncing back from that.”

“And Luna helps him?” Jen asked, Celestia nodded again.

“You have to remember when he came here he was a bit of an outcast, Luna could relate, and they just sort of hit it off.” Celestia explained before looking at Johnny. “As you’ve read, riots and political outcry can really do a number on someone’s mental faculties.” Jen briefly looked over at the music device she’d been given, then back at Celestia. “But I think that’s enough about him, if you have more questions you should ask him yourself, just, you know, be careful.”

“Right…” Johnny replied as he uncrossed his arms and leaned forwards.

“Back to my questions I guess?” Jen asked, from that point on the night went rather well. The woman asked her questions, Celestia answered them as best as she could. Johnny just continued watching, occasionally speaking up but letting Jen have as much time as she wanted. As the hours ticked by it was clear that the day’s events had taken a toll on both Jen and Johnny, this was made clear when Jen was practically yawning in between sentences.

Celestia smiled and raised a hoof to stop Jen before she could ask another question.

“I would love to continue our conversation, but it seems you’re quite tired. I should let you get some rest.” The princess said, Jen paused and then slowly smiled sheepishly.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right…” She stood up and walked over to Celestia, then gave the mare a big hug. The princess returned it before she stood up and wished the both of them a fond goodnight. That left the room with a bit of an awkward silence, the candles that had been lighting it were practically burned down by now. “That was nice…”

“Yup.” Johnny replied as he stood up and undid his boots, then the belt on his pants, before he stepped out into nothing but his undershirt and boxers. Jen undid her own boots and belt, then stripped down to her own undergarments. Of course she left on her own undershirt. “You know you’re gorgeous, right?”

“I’m also very sleepy.” Jen replied as she crawled into the queen sized bed and pulled the covers up over her, she peeked over them at Johnny. The man chuckled, he’d never seen her act so cute before, he guessed it perhaps had to do with their previous visitor. Slowly he walked around and blew out the candles, then made his way to the bed and crawled in next to Jen. “This bed is so soft…”

“I know, right?” Johnny replied, having been used to sleeping on the floor of a cave, and even the floor of his room in the castle, it was nice to be sharing something soft with Jen for the first time. “It’s even better because it’s got you in it.” Jen blushed and gave him a peck on the cheek, Johnny put his arms around her and pulled her close. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Jen responded tiredly, it didn’t take long for the two of them to close their eyes and drift off to sleep. For the first time in a while they were both asleep together, not worrying about keeping an eye out for anything that could get them in their sleep.

[♦]

Chrysalis sighed as she walked through the rain outside the POW camp that had formerly been her residence. The Changelings held within all gawked at her as the American’s patrolled around them, interspersed with Changeling defectors and Royal Guards. She had shed her battle armor hours ago but her mane was still tied back behind her head. At her side was Distortion, the young Changeling had neglected to change out of her under armor which still bore the green armband she’d been given to identify her.

The Queen paused at the gate of the POW camp, the two guards there eyeing her up carefully. She politely bowed, as did Distortion, before clearing her throat in preparation to speak with the guards. By now the rain was coming down hard, the guards wore dark grey rain coats over their armor and the occasionally flash of thunder made it clear there faces were impassive.

“I would like to address the prisoners, if that would be alright?” Chrysalis asked, the two guards looked at eachother for a moment as if holding a conversation in their silent glances. Distortion could pick up on the emotions they were giving off, they didn’t seem good.

“We can’t let you inside until morning, it will help us better keep track of prisoners.” The first guard said, Chrysalis nodded in understanding. At that moment there was a commotion within the camp, the buzzing of wings muffled by rain water. Slowly it looked like a few changelings were attempting to take flight over a barbed wire fence, but the rainfall was slowing them considerably.

“No! No! Stop, children, plea-” Chrysalis began to scream as she watched the guards take aim.

“OPEN FIRE!” The order cut her off, three bolts of energy surged through the changelings and sent them falling into the mud. They twitched for several moments, afterwards it appeared they were still breathing. Chrysalis felt her heart pounding in her chest, she thanked whatever deity she could think of that the American guards had shifted to using stun bolts instead of lethal ones.

Distortion was just as shocked and just as appalled, but it wasn’t because of the American’s efficiency in stopping her brethren. It was that she’d seen that two of the three shooters were changeling defectors, they hadn’t even batted an eye at shooting their own kin.

“That will teach you, treasonous scum!” Shouted another from across the compound. “That’s what you get when you betray your Queen!” A chorus of agreeing grunts and yells followed that statement, Chrysalis cleared her throat and spoke loudly.

“Children, please… Calm your tempers. There is no need for such anger now, the battle has ended.” Her voice was calm and steady, she even appeared serene, but Distortion could tell that her beloved mother was trembling. The defectors nodded to their mother’s command and went back to standing sentry. “Come, Distortion… Let us away from this place…”

“Of course, mother.” Distortion replied as the Queen began walking towards the entrance to the underground tunnels, the changelings had made good progress in clearing out and suring up their own part of underground complex. Chrysalis had dug her own little alcove for her and one next to it for Distortion. As the two of them descended into the underground they passed by several other defectors that stopped to give them a correct bow. The Queen and her daughter returned the gestures before moving along quietly.

“I know you can sense my emotion’s, Distortion.” Chrysalis commented as they continued down the dimly lit tunnel. “I appreciate that you did not mention it while we were above ground.”

“I would never do that, Mother.” Distortion replied warmly. “Everyone is allowed to be afraid once in awhile.” Chrysalis nodded slowly as they turned a corner that would lead them to their alcoves.

“I was afraid of my own children… That’s never happened to me before.” Chrysalis admitted, Distortion shook her head as the two arrived at the Queen’s room. The alcove was more comparable to a walk in closet, large enough for the Queen and one changeling to enter comfortably. Distortion sat down across from her mother, her back against the dirt wall behind her.

“You want change and peace, yet you wish your children didn’t change… I understand that wish, but you can’t have it both ways.” Distortion said as she began to remove her under armor. “You will soon have to accept that our hive will need to make changes, and then the others as well.”

Chrysalis sighed as she thought of the other two hives that made up her kingdom, each run by a Queen that was normally weaker than her. Normally. In her current state she would have quite the time taking on her daughters if they refused to come back into the fold. She supposed she had the aid of the United States, but in its weakened position, she doubted it could do much to help her.

“Have faith, Mother. Not all of your children are like Gigant…” Distortion added, Chrysalis felt a ghost of a smile creep onto her lips as she looked down at her daughter. She’d come so far and learned so much, the Queen could sense that sooner or later certain changes would begin to become apparent. “What of the new humans? Have you sensed them yet?”

“I have.” Chrysalis replied, glad to have changed the subject. “The one that most reminds me of our host is the male, John I believe his name was…” The Queen adjusted the way she sat and looked out of the door of the alcove for a second. A couple thestrals walked past in armor, most likely on a patrol as they didn’t seem to acknowledge the Queen was there. “He’s quite the hot head, deep down.”

“And the female?” Distortion asked, Chrysalis chuckled quietly at the thought of the female human, she had sensed great sadness in her, but there was also some sort of childlike joy to be found.

“I feel I like her a bit more, she has the capacity for joy that I have yet to see from either of the males.” Chrysalis stated, she looked at the dirt floor of the alcove as she thought more about the new arrivals. “Then again, I sense she carries a guilt that is all too familiar to me…” The Queen sighed as thoughts of her own dying children flashed through her mind.

Distortion watched her mother quietly, trying to think of something to say. Eventually she scooted across the floor and sat next to the larger changeling, the Queen looked down at her with a questioning expression.

“You feeling guilt proves that you are not some monster…” Distortion said quietly, she hugged Chrysalis quietly. The Queen was a tad surprised by the forwardness, but after a few moments she returned the embrace. “You’re our mother, and sometimes we place weight on your shoulders that would normally be too much, still you carry on…” Chrysalis felt a strange feeling then, a feeling so familiar and yet so alien. Distortion seemed to be the source. After a few moments the changeling let go of her mother and scooted back across the room.

“Thank you, Distortion…” Chrysalis said in a faint whisper, her daughter only nodded. “It is time that I do something I’ve intended to do for some time.” The Queen’s horn began to glow, a bit of dirt floated from the floor. She closed her eyes and focused on the rain above them, after a few moments several drops of water pushed their way through the dirt surrounded by the glow of the Queen’s horn. Distortion watched in awe as the dirt and the water began to swirl around each other.

“Emotions can be fluid and solid…” Chrysalis began, not opening her eyes as she manipulated the items. “A schoolyard crush is fluid, it comes and goes like the tide… A lifelong love is solid and immovable. As changelings we have survived on both of these.” The water and dirt pushed together to form a ball of mud that quickly flattened into a disc. Chrysalis’ horn glowed a bit brighter and the ball turned to clay. “Come closer, Distortion.” Her daughter did as told, sliding closer to her mother and the floating ball of clay. “Close your eyes.” Once again her daughter obeyed.

Chrysalis reached out into the magical field and let her hoof run through the clay, still a tad moist, but that was how she wanted it. With her hoof dabbed in it she began to trace lines over Distortion’s face, elegant and smooth, runes of their native tongue. Distortion didn’t move, she knew what was happening, for the most part.

Face marking was a ritual that marked a changeling’s promotion, and to have it carried out by the Queen herself was an honor all of its own. She had no idea what the runes on her face would read, not yet anyway. Chrysalis knew however, to finish her work she drew two lines next to Distortion’s eyes. The clay hardened into a chalky white color, and Distortion could feel an odd change in her body.

“Open your eyes, daughter.” The Queen said calmly, Distortion did as she was told and opened her eyes. She saw that her mother appeared quite tired, that was to be expected after such a ritual and with no added food rations. Distortion knew that it must have been important if the Queen was willing to go to such a length. “You have been known as Distortion for your entire life, my child, and more importantly, my daughter. I give you a new name, if you will accept it.”

“Of course, mother.” Distortion said, still not certain of what had been written upon her face. The Queen’s horn glowed once more and more water pushed its way through the ceiling, not one drop hitting the floor. It spun around and around until it was as flat and as calm as a mirror. It was then that Distortion could see her face.

“From henceforth, you shall be known as Mizu… My daughter, my apprentice, and my heir. As you know, in our tongue, Mizu means water. An adaptable force that is powerful beyond measure… It suits you very well.” Chrysalis said quietly, her daughter gawked at the images on her face for several moments, it was obvious she hadn’t expected this. Distortion, now Mizu, blinked for a few moments as she brought a hoof up to touch the lines. She felt the clay, she knew that what was happening was really real, the Queen would never joke with such a title.

“M-Mother… I… When you asked me to take your place should something happen, I had been flattered, but… But this?” Mizu said quietly, she felt herself tearing up. “I had never expected such an honor…”

“If I had told you it may have gone to your head, you wouldn’t have acted honestly, you’d try to impress me by becoming something you were not.” Chrysalis explained calmly, her daughter couldn’t contain herself any longer. She stood and rushed her mother, hugging her once again. Chrysalis smiled faintly and returned it just as tightly. “You will notice changes very soon, daughter… Sense things you haven’t before, and become more connected to your brothers and sisters than you ever thought possible.”

“I am ready for them, mother…” Mizu said as she broke the hug and sat down dutifully, Chrysalis smiled at her.

“I know you are.” The Queen used the still floating disc of magic to wash the clay from Mizu’s face, thus completing the ceremony. Normally such a thing would have been done with a witness, but that was more for tradition’s sake than anything. The hive mind already knew of Mizu’s change in name and status. Chrysalis preferred administering the clay by herself anyway, it gave much more weight to the event. “Return to your chamber, Mizu… We shall have much more to discuss in the morning.”

“Yes, mother.” The changelings said, she stood from her place on the floor and made her way out of the room. Then she went down the tunnel to her alcove where she curled up to sleep for the night. Chrysalis smiled faintly as she sat in her own alcove, her eyes closed in silent meditation. It had been a rough day, but now that she had done what she’d intended to for some time, it felt as if she was the closest to peace she could be. She barely noticed the sound of hooves against the tunnel floor, but assumed it was just a guard on a patrol. That was, until they stopped at the entrance to her alcove. She had her back to the wall, she couldn’t see who it was, but she could sense their emotions. Uncertainty, a hint of fear, and an overwhelming amount of hope.

“Celestia…” Chrysalis said, not opening her eyes or turning her head. “Please, come in, I don’t bite.” The hooves against the dirt came into the room, Chrysalis smiled as she sensed the fear fade away.

“You’re oddly calm…” Celestia’s voice sounded off from Chrysalis’ right.

“And you aren’t.” Chrysalis replied, she opened her eyes slowly and turned to view her one time foe. The solar princess was sitting hunched over in the rather cramped quarters, watching Chrysalis carefully. “I had wondered when you would arrive… I’m glad that you waited until now, it’s quiet here, we can speak freely.”

“I had thought you would be worried, considering how our last encounter went…” Celestia commented, Chrysalis shook her head with a slight laugh. “What’s so funny? I could order my soldiers down here to get you.”

“You won’t.” Chrysalis said, continuing to smile. “You’ve come because you want answers from me. Why I attacked Canterlot. Why I attacked here. What my intentions are once this is over…” The Queen’s smile was serene, not malicious in anyway, as if she was the one in charge but not through force. “To answer those in order… Because my children were starving and my general filled my head with delusions… Because I feared that you had sent soldiers to take more of my children’s land… And I intend to make peace with the world once this conflict has ended, which will be soon, hopefully.”

Celestia blinked for a few moments, having been disarmed by the sincerity and calmness with which the answers had been given.

“Why didn’t you tell us you were starving? We could have helped you.” Celestia asked, Chrysalis shook her head and gave a grim smile.

“No, you could not. While you may have been willing, your ponies would not have been.” The Queen countered, she sighed sadly as she continued to sit there. “With good reason. Our race, by definition, is a parasitic one.” Celestia frowned as she realized what she was hearing was quite true, evidenced by the riot that had broken out in Canterlot shortly after Dominic’s arrival. “When we fought I was blinded by arrogance, for that I must apologize. Desperation will do crazy things to a pony’s mind, as I’m sure you’ve seen by now.”

“I… I accept your apology.” Celestia responded, feeling odd at how cordial Chrysalis was being. “May I ask a question you haven’t already answered for me?” The Queen nodded. “Why did you side with Dominic’s forces? You could have easily turned on him and taken over.”

“It would have been easy, this is true…” Chrysalis said with a hum. “My children have suffered enough, however… Ensuring America’s survival ensures their survival as well.” The Queen looked thoughtful, and Celestia couldn’t help but be surprised at the sincerity in her voice. “The United States is small, but it has connections to larger players… I know that Dominic would be willing to mediate things between my kingdom and the rest of the world. My children would finally have peace.”

“I see…” Celestia said, honestly touched by just how much Chrysalis seemed to care about her children, and a little sad that it seemed that she couldn’t have that sort of connection to her own subjects.

“I sense it will be a long time until peace is achieved fully, but at least we will be taking steps in the right direction for once.” Chrysalis smiled at the solar princess for a moment before she noticed a bit of a pain growing in her head, using her magic had drained her considerably, but she ignored it in order to continue the discussion with Celestia. “I hope that this discussion will be the first of many… You are certainly an interesting pony to talk to.”

“Thank you… I think?” Celestia responded, Chrysalis nodded with a slight giggle before she winced and rubbed at her forehead. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I just over exerted my magic today.” Chrysalis responded, Celestia nodded and began to stand up.

“I’ll let you rest then, I’ve already kept a couple from sleeping on time tonight as it is.” Celestia said, Chrysalis was about to protest but decided against it. Instead she simply nodded to the solar princess, giving a slight bow. Celestia returned the bow and trotted out of the room, she felt much better leaving than she had going in. Chrysalis on the other hand was exhausted now, she laid down on the floor of her alcove and let out a sigh before she drifted off to her own land of dreams.

Above the ground the rain continued to fall, baptising the land and cleansing it of the blood that had been spilled. A new chapter in world history was beginning, one that would undoubtedly be filled with hardship, but also filled with joy and good tidings. As the Equestrian forces continued their vigilant duty alongside the American’s and Changeling Defectors a calm fell over the town of New Liberty. In the morning there would be funerals, tears would be shed and bodies laid to rest, but for the night before it would be calm. The rain lulled the town’s inhabitants to sleep, the fresh smell of the water overpowering the stench of burnt grease and blood. The day had been difficult and bloody, but the night was calm.

For once in a long while, the world was at peace.

Author's Notes:

Here's another one, I've been on a hot streak lately, so hopefully they'll keep coming faster.

Please, leave a comment, I enjoy reading them. They're like little achievements and I get so happy when I see I have notifications about them. If you like or dislike the chapter, lemme know.