Moss.

The shadows in the cave danced along the wall, bringing life to the dark ocean blue stone.  Each crack in the surface of the rock birthed small pebbles of sand that had gathered on the ground. In the center of the small cave sat a pile of ash and a smoldering charcoal pit that marked the remnants of fire.

Though there were no more signs of flame, it was giving off enough heat to warm the insect queen who was nearby, slumped on her side. Both of her wings were safely tucked against her midriff, her tail curled against her. Around her midriff were several thick cloth bandages.

“Mmmm.” She grumbled as her body now decided that it was time to get up. As one eye opened lazily, it only took a moment for her to catch the gaze of a red coated stallion. He was gently stoking the embers with a stick, giving birth to some small tongues of flame.

It was Grandpa Apple.

Chrysalis’s breath caught in her throat, as she tried to move. The stallion merely set down the piece of kindling and sat closer to the fire. A slight glint brought her gaze to a few golden trinkets hanging from his ears. Each earring decorated with black crystals. Even for her they looked a little tacky, and she was pretty sure they were meant for mares.

“Don’t move around too much,” Grandpa Apple said as he leaned back against the warm walls. “You’re in no condition to be up and about.”

A moment of silence passed as the changeling queen checked her faculties. She did feel weak, and mildly disoriented. What caused her the most trouble was her side; it held an almost dark red tinge. For the most part, she was fine, which was the problem. In all reality, she should have been dead by now.

“Who are you?” She stated her voice was hoarse, raspy and last but not least, weak.

“Come now, I’m Grandpa Apple. Who else—“

“Tell me the truth.” She said bitterly.

His face turned sour, “I’m Grandpa Apple, nothing more, nothing less. As for you, Epona, or Chrysalis or whatever you call yourself now-a-days. Should be thankful you still have breath in your lungs.”

She hated to admit it, but it was true. Nothing she could say or do could prove otherwise. That was it though. How? How was she still alive? It was still there, she could feel it in her system. The poison that was the bane of her entire race, it was still there, coursing through her body.

“How am I alive?” she asked, trying to sound like she was in control, and failing.

“My time is growing short. I can’t be here for much longer,” He sighed again. “The poison would have killed you, but I killed you first.”

It took a moment for the words to be processed, “huh?”

The stallion leaned back; he knew this might take a bit. “The syringe I injected you with, it was an alchemical mixture that I developed over the years. It was filled with sand that came from the rocks you see around you and a deadly plant called hemlock, along with a few other ingredients. I had to kill you to save you.”

He raised a hoof to stop her from asking any further questions, he knew already she had a lot.

“The sand has can absorb magical properties, I used it cancel that illusion or skin you had. I needed to slow down the poison; the hemlock stopped your heart to seize the spread of the toxin.” He was only reserved with a deadpan stare.

“So what is the difference between me dying from a plant or getting killed my poison?” she said taking on a slightly bemused squeal.

“The difference,” he said as his voice started to grow shallow. “That with big enough shock, I could revive you, which I did, I had some assistance from an Ixion.”

Her eye twitched, even amongst her brood the notoriety of the Ixion was legendary. How this stallion was able to tame one was unheard of, but he had no reason to lie to her. Unless there was some underlying motive she could not see. Which there very well could have been, again, raised yet another question in her mind.

Why do all of this?

There was no point. She could have died; the world would have kept turning. She had no valuables, no land. All she had was a title, one she didn’t even want to a race that was no longer around.

“Why did you save me?” she said in a lighter tone.

“I was asked too.” He said flatly. “But if it was my choice I would have left you to rot. I have been around longer than I care to mention. Your race is a plague; it makes me sick that I even am letting you live after what your kind has done.”

These were the words, he spoke true. She could feel her heart sink into her chest. “How long do I have? I was on death’s door before,” She said lamely, mildly curious to whom would want her still alive. One thing she had learned as a queen though was patience.

The stallion tapped the stone floor twice. “This whole cave is made from a rare stone that draws out mana. As long as you stay in Alicorn Way, the poison will never get near your heart, but if you leave… you will be dead within minutes, hour tops.”

“I am to stay in this cave for the rest of my life?”

“Yes.” He said with a uncharacteristic smirk. “Although you may leave, you’re at the base on a giant cliff in the Everfree, not even the animals come around here. There is runoff from the Ponyville River so you can still drink. Mating season is coming up so you won’t starve.” He looked around the cave, “Look at all this moss! I heard your kind loves moss, great for sleeping on.”

Well that was true, their home, or what used to be their home was once a lush green forest. Filled with animals they could feed on. Moss as far as the eye could see. When the rivers dried up, over the span of fifty years all the animals moved away or died. Which left her hive, alone, hungry and without a home.

“But, if I leave base the blue stones…” she changed her thought as she realize what this was, “this is a prison.”

It was then as a tiny stroke of good fortune, an ember kicked up from the fire and landed right on that black mane of her roommate. His ear flicked and dashed the tiny pieces of charged wood away. Even if it was but a moment, she still saw it. Several hairs fell against the floor, all turned white even before they hit the ground.

“Yes, I guess in a way you could think of this as a prison.” The stallion said as he stood up and took a moment to dust off. “I’m not going to be here to monitor you. You can do whatever you want now.”

No words left her lips, this is what she deserved. How much damage her kind has caused, how many lives that were lost. Deep down, she was hoping for something like this. A way to repent, it was small, almost inconsequential, but it was all that she could do.

Wordlessly the stallion made his way out of the cave entrance, he had other places he needed to be.

The queen laid there on her side nursing the wound that she had gotten from the Apple member. As the rules of her life were now there, she could just walk away, and die, or stay here in a hole and live. She hated the fact she loved living, it was a gift she shouldn’t have in her opinion.

Don’t pretend like you don’t want to live.

The words rang out in her ears as the memory of a certain human burned in the back of her mind. How easily the strange being picked through her guilt. It was almost laughable.  Then there was Snow, her adoptive egg. She knew it would hatch soon, maybe a week or two. She sighed a little at the thought of her beloved.

She could feel her cheeks begin to burn; it was almost deplorable how fast she had gotten smitten over the human. The feelings were there though; she knew full well the emotion she was exerting. Then she felt it, that annoying twitch. How she was feeling it was beyond her. Maybe the season was starting to get to her, which made no sense; her season didn’t start for another three months. She put the thought of that out of her mind. She had no males to comfort her. The one male she did want was now far beyond her reached now.

“So this is how my fairy tale ends.”

It was then she spotted them, several of the white hairs that had fallen from her would-be savior. A smirk pierced her lips. If he wasn’t going to tell her who sent him to save her, she could just go about another means of gathering the information that she wanted.

Slowly, she scooted over near the fire and took the strands of hair, within seconds she was chewing on them like a cow would grass.  What she saw she would have never believed even if he had told her himself.

"I have to warn Frost!"

The filly waved vigorously to her attendant and fiancé as she and Silver Spoon watched him walk towards the center of town. Diamond, starry eyed as her betrothed. Your features just seemed enhanced by the morning light as you walked toward the morning sunrise.

The sky above beamed brightly as down on the little pink filly as her plan now was getting ready to act.

“So have you told him yet?” Silver Spoon questioned as she took a seat next to her filly friend.

Diamond shook her head, “No, I was going to tell him today though. Maybe around lunch,” she said mildly nervous, her breaking the news of the tiny foal growing inside her was huge news. She however, knew she was going to be well taken care of.

“Oh can I come with, I want to be there.” Silver Spoon said gleefully. “I want to see the look on his face.”

Diamond pondered it for a moment; she was her closest friend, well only friend. You had been upgraded to ‘lover’ status. “Sure, but you have to stay hidden. I don’t want him knowing you're there.” This was a special time she wanted to be alone with her special human. Just like you had taught her, but there was nothing said about a friend joining in on the merriment.

“You won’t see so much as a single hair from my mane.” Silver confirmed as she pushed her spectacles up her brow.

Diamond turned from her friend, “I’m going to go grab something I forgot at home.” Diamond said quickly as made her way towards town. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, cover for me.”

Silver Spoon just nodded, this was not the first time she had to cover for her friend. Nor would it be the last. It only took her a minute to reach the front door of the school; her journey came to an end fast as she collided with several fillies and colts that were gathered outside the front door.

“What’s wrong?” Silver said as she tried her own luck at the door. Just as she suspected, it was locked.

“I don’t know, Miss Cheerilee is never been late, ever.” Archer said.

“She probably was making kissy face with Big Mac.” Snips said as he nudges his partner, Snails.

Snails though only gulped in silence as he stared on at the beauty before him, Silver Spoon. “Yeah,” He said lamely as he snapped back to reality.

Silver Spoon huffed as she shifted her weighed down saddle bags to the other side of the stoop and sat down. “I should have gone with Diamond.” She grumbled.

The burning grease of the trains the pulled by on the single track that ran by the countryside town filled the air. He didn’t care; he would wait eagerly to see his one and only friend.

Discord sat patiently sat on his lawn chair, waiting. He could see it coming, from almost five miles away as it chugged along the tracks. Finally it came to a screeching halt.

One by one, five mares left the train only to be stopped by the door.

"Get out of our way Discord,” barked the cyan pegasus. “We need to get to Sugar Cube Corner.” She had been sitting in that train far too long for her personal taste.

“Sorry Discord our reunion is going to have to wait we have some might important business that we need to take care of right now.” Applejack stated. “It was nice that you saw us at the train station.” A moment passed as realization dawned on her. “Wait a second, how in the hay did you know we would be here?”

Discord raised a brow slightly, “Oh Applejack, ever so inquisitive. Normally I would be glad to tell you, but even I have my secrets.” He looked over to Fluttershy, “So my dearest best friend forever how was the Crystal Empire?”

“Oh Discord, it is just terrible! Pinkie’s special some- human might have cheated on her. We came back as quick as we possibly could to try and find out if it was true or not.” Fluttershy ended in a squeak.

Discord found himself at a small cross road. He could tell them the entire story. He had personally watched it from the beginning with only a few breaks here or there to attend to the duties the Fluttershy requested of him. He however, was still in his match versus Cup Cake.

Would this be considered cheating?

It would certainly help him if they accidently came across some detrimental information that would in turn help him. Not to mention he was a good draconequus now, he did nice things. He was even thanked once!

“Well… I must say that does sound a bit interesting…” Discord trailed off for a moment trying to choose his words very wisely. “Since the frolic started I guess I might believe it.” He said playing dumb, “I wouldn’t try Sugercube first, there was a fire of sorts, place went up in smoke. I would try—“

“IT WHAT!?” the entire group said in unison.

“Burned, actually exploded was more like it. Mess everywhere. Terrible thing too, I really liked their bismarcks.” Discord cooed.

Twilight stepped forward, “Was everypony alright?” She said in almost a fevered tone. This –albeit unofficial- was her land. She was in charge of watching over Ponyville and the Everfree Forest. Not much considering but she was a Princess in training.

“No one important, that human, I forget his name. Was caught in the blast, but he came out unharmed.” Discord stated. “But enough about him, Fluttershy lets ditch these low brows and have some fun!” He finished as two maracas appeared and hundreds of balloons appeared behind him.

Fluttershy shook her head, “I’m sorry Discord, this comes first.” Fluttershy started trying to be assertive. “We still need to talk to—“Her voice was cut off as all of the balloons popped at once.

Discord huffed, “Come now Fluttershy, today with the frolic you know you don’t want to be around town when all of that is going on.“ A deep crimson filled the coat of the tiny butter yellow pegasus. It was true she avoided the frolic ever since she came of age. Fluttershy always found alternative ways to push away the heat in her loins that came around this time of year.

“Later Discord, I promise.” Fluttershy stated, she knew full well there was no problem walking around town if you weren’t participating in trying to find a mate.

“We’ll have fun on your manhunt. Just have fun, because I’m going too.” Discord chided as he vanished from sight. In his wake was a puff of fog that drift away as quickly as it appeared.

Several moments passed as the girls just stared at the vacant spot where Discord once stood, “What do you think he meant by that?” Rainbow Dash said.

“I don’t know…” Twilight said not immediately giving into the first few ideas that popped into her mind. “But if Sugercube Corner really did burn down then we should fan out and try to find him. It will increase our chances of locating him.” She still was giving him the benefit of the doubt.

“I’m on it!” Rainbow Dash didn’t hesitate as she took to the skies.

“I’m going to ask some of my critter friends if they would be willing to help search.” Fluttershy squeaked as she trotted off.

“I guess I’ll hit the farmer’s market, I’m sure some of the merchant would know where he is. Not that many places you could go after your home gets set aflame.” Applejack stated as she took off to the stalls across town.

“Well I don’t know about you Twilight, but I’m going to go check out Sugercube, I’m sure we will find him I’m just going to go see how much damage is done.” Rarity finished as she strode off in the direction of the store.

Twilight just smirked to herself as she stepped forward; she knew what she had to do. In her home was a book that had the perfect tracking spell. She could find him in a matter of minutes, she thought as she teleported away.

The barn had been abandoned, the smell of sex still lingered though and there were more than a few piles of questionable material lying on the ground. Being a dragon though, a small flame burst here and there and it started to feel like home. In a manner of speaking, that is.

Now the purple dragon was lying face down in a pile of hay, twitching. Next to him was his loving companion, Winona. She was face up, her tongue flopped off to the side, panting. Her hind legs spread far apart, her tiny peach leaking fluids of questionable material.

Spike took a moment to take a breath, “That was great.” He said, but he was almost cut off as the pup nuzzled her way under his arm. Her breathing became soft as she tried to find that crux where she could rest her head.

A moment passed between them as they just looked at each other.  Spike would rather cut his tongue out than admit it, but he had grown attached to her. It wasn’t love, but it was something. It was her idea that she meets him here. This was her favorite spot in the world.  Well there was that one spot in the field, but all of the cows were grazing at the moment.

Spike thought for a moment if he really tried, he could maybe try for a relationship with her. His feelings for Rarity were going nowhere, but that didn’t stop them from burning inside his chest. Winona though, she cared.

“Evening Spike,” came the welcoming voice.

It took half a second for him to jump up and away from the now equally startled Winona. She bolted into the corner of the room to hide her shame. Spike however couldn’t move so fast and now was staring at the hooves of the third party, Grandpa Apple.

“Ahh, hi?” Spike said as he tried to make eye connect with anything but him.

“Sorry to bother you and Winona,” at this moment Spike could feel his veins turn to ice. “I thought wanted to talk to you about something very important.”

“Absolutely anything,” Spike said trying to change the subject away from Winona and himself. At this moment he was about ready to peel every one of his scales off if he asked him too.

“Good, you see since I was on my travels I met a few interesting ponies. I was going to tell you about this later, when you were older but since I see that you’re old enough to... breed I guess I can tell you.”

Spike didn’t care one way or another just as long as this conversation leads away from Winona, “Yeah.”

“Well Spike, I met your father.” He said bluntly.

“You what?” Spike said almost in shock at what he had heard.

“I met your father,” he repeated, “It was almost seven or eight years ago now.” He said as he took a seat next to Spike. “Macintosh met him as well, but he might not recall the experience as fondly as I do.”

“Why is that?” Spike questioned.

“He almost ate both of us.” He nodded, “Don’t get me wrong, your father is a nice guy. He is just over protective of his gems. Mind you I was a treasure hunter before, but your dad was cool with us when we sat down and had a little talk.”

Spike never knew a pony who could just ‘sit down and have a talk’ with a dragon. But he had heard the stories of Grandpa Apple’s adventures. If anypony could, he could. “How did you know he was my father?”

“Because he has been watching you, he told me his entire story on why he had to give you up. It was kind of sad…” he trailed off.

“Why?” Spike could feel the tears swelling in his eyes; these were questions he had spent whole nights awake trying to answer. Twilight was a good adoptive mom, but she didn’t give him the answers he needed.

“Well to be honest Spike, your mom… kept trying to eat you.” He said in a matter of fact tone.

The visible flinch in his face was almost enough for him, “She tried to eat me!?”

He nodded, “look the dragon world is rough, and you know the women are the ones who hunt down the males for breeding. It’s kind of scary. Yeah well… you mother only wanted girls, but since you would have been born a male she kept trying to eat you. That’s not the point of me telling you all of this. How would you like to meet your dad?”

In a matter of a minute and several seconds, the little dragon was willing to turn over the entire barn. “Yes!” he shouted.

A twisted grin grew on his face, “Good, but Spike this information doesn’t come free.”

“What do you want? Money, jewels, I can make you excellent cookies.” Spike said nearly willing to sell his soul.

“No nothing so arbitrary, you see I simply need you as my personally assistant for today.” He stated with an award winning smile. “Since Twilight spoke so highly of you I’m sure you could do anything.”

Spike nodded vigorously, “Being an assistant is my specialty, whatever you need I’m your dragon.”

“Good, now Spike how well do you know the Castle in the Everfree? There is something there I need you to get for me.” Grandpa Apple said with a growing grin.

Next Chapter: Filli Fiance Part Two Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 58 Minutes