Author's Notes:

Short chapter but I wanted this moment on its own...

The Next Day, 10:13 am

Chrysalis opened the door of Cloudy's home and hesitated, turning to face her. The disguised Changeling looked into the pegasus' eyes, reaching a hand out and placing it on her cheek. The mare nuzzled it and smiled lightly, the Changeling smiled back. Neither one wanted to part but they both knew it was best.

"I will see you again..." Chrysalis promised before backing out the door.

Cloudy smiled back. "You better..."

The queen sniffled and slowly turned away. As she walked, she glanced over her shoulder at Cloudy. The mare watched her walk further away before slowly closing the door. Chrysalis was soon overwhelmed with emotion and quickly ran out of the village and into the woods.

Tears fell from her eyes, slightly blinding her and making it so she couldn't see a root sticking out of the dirt floor. Letting out a yell of surprise, her foot got caught and she face-planted into the soil. Instead of getting up, she curled up in the fetal position and sobbed into her arm.

After what seemed like hours, she heard footsteps drawing near. Letting out a gasp, she sat up and wiped her eyes. As the footsteps got closer, she was able to make out who it was. Eyes going wide, she scrambled to her knees.

"C-Cloudy?" She asked as the pegasus pushed her way passed a bush.

The gray mare let out a gasp and ran over to her, kneeling down. "Oh thank the goddesses I found you..." Cloudy cooed as she nuzzled Chrysalis' cheek. "Please... Whatever it costs... I want to be with you and only you... No matter what..."

The Changeling gasped as tears fell from her eyes. Cloudy then pulled back and kissed her on the lips. Immediately, Chrysalis began to kiss back, letting out moans. After a few more seconds, the gray mare giggled. Pulling away, Chrysalis tilted her head in confusion. Cloudy then let out a chuckle, putting a fist over her mouth.

"I am sorry, Chryssi..." the mare giggled. "I could not resist."

Chrysalis let out a gasp, eyes going wide. "Wh-What?"

The gray mare was engulfed in red magic before turning back into Ember. "You really love her..."

The green queen let out a gasp. "Ember!" She yelled, before slapping her hard. "You bitch!"

The red queen chuckled and rubbed her cheek. "Hello to you, too..."

"How could you?!" Chrysalis screamed. "How did you even know?!"

"I have been watching you for some time, Chryssi..." Ember cooed, putting her arms around the green-eyed Changeling. "The fact that I am no longer connected to your hive made it quite easy. I even bought these clothes from Cloudy last time you were here... Same ones she normally wears..."

Chrysalis growled and grabbed her neck before throwing her to the ground and climbing atop her. "Explain what happened! How did you become a queen?!"

Ember chuckled and held up her hands. "You can relax. It is no secret anymore so I have no problem telling you..."

The green queen hesitated before slowly releasing her grip. "Fine... Now explain..."

The red Changeling rubbed her neck before casually interlocking her fingers behind her head. "There are two ways one can become a Changeling..." she cooed. "First is obvious. The queen transfers her magic to you and she becomes an Elite while you become a queen..."

"And, the second?" Asked Chrysalis.

"Hold on," Ember sang. "I am getting to that..." She then looked up at the sky. "The second is a very uncommon method as most are unaware of it..." She then looked at Chrysalis again. "When an Elite becomes a queen, their magic is incredibly powerful for the first day before it becomes completely absorbed into their body... So, if a queen had a horngasm... and one were to drink it..."

Chrysalis let out a gasp. "So, that is what happened?" She gasped. "I let you become this?!"

"How were you to know?" Ember asked with a chuckle. "And, I suppose a hive can only have one queen...which is why I can no longer hear you... nor you, me..."

The green queen slid off Ember into a seated position before the red queen stood up.

"Do you ever get tired of fucking up?" Asked Ember with a smirk.

Chrysalis' eyes narrowed before throwing a punch at her. Ember quickly shot backwards with a chuckle. Chrysalis stood up and glared at her.

"You should be more careful, sister..." Ember said as she turned her back to the other queen. "I want you by my side when the fires start burning... Not against me..."

"Fires?" Asked Chrysalis as she took a step towards her. "What fires? What are you planning?"

"Finishing a job started a year ago..." Ember replied.

Chrysalis thought for a moment before gasping. "The Empire? That is... insane!"

"For you, perhaps..." the red Changeling cooed. "Not for me..."

"But, you do not even have a hive!" Chrysalis protested.

Ember began to slowly rub her belly. "Not yet..."

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow before noticing the rubbing. "You are starting a hive of your own? I thought you hated Drones!"

Ember chuckled and turned to face her sister. "Cannon fodder, yes... But, I need Drones before I can have Elites."

"Only two Elites, though..."

The red queen groaned in annoyance. This fact was one of the most common among Changelings. "Yes, I know... Only really powerful queens can have more... But, that will not stop me. The Empire will fall..."

"That could mean war!" Chrysalis growled. "You could get my hive killed as well as yours!"

"Only if I fail," Ember cooed, giving Chrysalis a wink before taking off into the sky.

The green queen let out a gasp before changing back into her normal form, taking off into the sky after her. Looking around, she saw nothing but trees, the sky, and the village.

"Dammit, Ember..." she growled, before flying back towards her hive.