One time, long, long ago, there lived a young changeling in the Bad Lands. He came to love a Queen so elegant and gorgeous, all changelings envied her beauty. No magic could stop their love; no spell ever thought of could achieve what they felt. Not even the sting of death could bring about their end.

But all love comes with pain. The queen was blind to the joy around her until it was too late. The young changeling had loved her all his life but could never express that. They were changelings separated by cruel fate. The queen was raised to rule with absolute power, showing no weaknesses. The changeling drone was nothing more than that; a servant of the queen.

He longed for her, always. He rose in station until he stood next to her as a guard; he vowed to always protect her. Even if all of Equestria were to turn against her, he would be there to keep her safe. Just to see her smile. Just for her warmth. Just for her hopeful love.

Yet she never understood this. She cast him away on missions, trusting him even as she did not understand why. She focused solely on her duties, never once considering there may be something more for her, just waiting until she made her move. She never caught on.

She sent him on one fateful mission. A mission to go to Canterlot; a mission that would lead to an invasion; a mission that would result in his death.

He experienced much there. He learned to truly love. She joined him and slowly began to learn as well. But, by the time she truly learned, by the time she had known of his love, he was dead and gone. Her love died.

He sacrificed himself, just for her sake. For her to survive, he laid down his life - his love - for eternity. She watched his final breaths. She felt her concrete, cruel heart beating. Each beat brought pain; each memory, misery.

Now that Queen lives with that pain each day. She lives in remembrance of her true love, in remembrance of that pony whom she can never embrace. She was never able to embrace or caress or show her affection, but through a single kiss. She will wear that kiss for all of her days.

The young changeling’s name was Eacko. The Queen’s name is Chrysalis.

This is the story of how their love changed the lives of millions.

It all started with a kiss.

Author's Notes:

There we are. It has begun.