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Queen Chrysalis

Warmth.

I can’t remember the last time I was warm, truly warm, there is only so much the sun can do. With all the preparation for the invasion I hadn’t had the luxury of a warm fire, never mind a full meal. What could a fire do anyway? Warmth wasn’t love, couldn’t fill hungry bellies.

Now all I needed was some love...

The fire crackled as it latched onto more kindling, popping and fizzing as I listened to my body's complaints.

Hold on...Fire...

More crackling and shuffling sounded, my ears swiveled to try and follow the sound. Smoke reached my nose, woody and calming, that crackling was definitely a fire.

But I didn’t make a fire.

A small sneeze came as I came to the only conclusion, that stallion!

My eyes shot open only to be blinded by the miniature sun that cackled at me in mirth. I squinted against the glare finally noticing what I was looking for. The Alicorn stallion rested across from me looking into the flames. I hadn't lost my mind, there was a Alicorn stallion looking across the flames at me...Perhaps I was crazy though, he didn't have a cutie mark, his mane didn't discharge magic.

There wasn't Alicorn stallions...

So then what was I looking at? No that was inconsequential, whatever he really was he wasn't a changeling, noling would choose such an unbelievable disguise.

What now?

I was exposed, naked of my disguise. I barely had the strength for that disguise to begin with and I blew it! I didn’t see his fast reaction or his horn till the last second. I couldn’t fight back. I couldn’t fool him. I wouldn’t make it to the next town, I had doomed changelings again, if only myself being the last one this time.

“What’s your real name?”

Although he was talking to me his eyes were still in the flame, still not looking at my disgusting form. Why is he even bothering asking? Why am I still alive…

“I don’t want have to make up a name for you mare” Did he just sneer at me?!

“JUST KILL ME-“

“ANSWER THE QUESTION!”

I was speechless as his eyes stared into mine, they were no longer the friendly orbs of before, a cold blue had replaced them.

“Qu-," I paused. I wasn’t a queen anymore was I? “Chrysalis.”

“Good. Now let’s start over. Hello Chrysalis, my name is Ari. I believe we both need help getting of this forest-“

I wasn’t really listening anymore. Was he going to bring me before the princesses? Will he kill me in my sleep? Why haven’t I heard of him before? I thought I knew all the royalty, I h-had changelings posted in every city and plenty in the castle.

“-I hope we can work together.” Together? Just what is he playing at?

“Enough of this farce, just what are you playing at pony?” I didn’t like to play games.

“No farce Chrysalis. I just have a mutual desire to escape this hellhole.”

I gave a quiet chuckle, a pony that swears? I can see why I have never heard of him, those princesses would have a panic attack.

“Big talk, but we both know that you know exactly who I am and that you will turn me over to Sunbutt and Moonbutt as soon as we reach a town.” I couldn’t help but sneer at him, did he really think that losing a wing made me stupid!

“I’m afraid to admit but I didn’t know who you were, I just found your provided name very fake. I mean who is named Silver Stream anyway? In the future just use your real name, it sounds possible at least. I must know who are “Sunbutt” and “Moonbutt”? They *PFFT* must be teased mercilessly for those names. I mean-HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA“

I snorted at him, maybe this stallion isn’t so bad.

“You don’t know Princess Celestia or Princess Luna? The rulers of Equestria? Your fellow royalty?”

A myriad of emotions flitted across his muzzle as his laughter faded: shock, anger, and finally resignation.

“Look, I’m new here okay? I’m not royalty *snort* I am nothing in this world. I literally fell from the heavens today. You make it sound like they are important, that you are important, that any of this is important…Well it is NOT to me! You could be a bug, or a Pegasus, or an Alicorn but it doesn’t change anything to me. All I want to do is learn more of where I landed.”

I gulped, in my many years ruling I had learned to spot the signs of a liar, a maniac, and many more wastes of my time. He wasn’t one of them. His eyes held no crazy glint, nor calculating glances, nor even fear. He was determined and I couldn’t help but shiver at the intensity.

“Are you cold?” His head cocked to the side, wings rustling as if considering hugging me...I may be losing my mind.

“N-no, your conviction surprised me…Ari”

He clearly didn't believe my words, but nodded anyway. Eyes scrunched as he looked at his hooves for a second. “Hmmm”

Perhaps I should get down to my needs then, seeing as he wasn't a chatterbox like most ponies tended to be. “Do you know what I am?”

“No.” Blunt and to the point, but his ears were focused on me again.

“I’m a Changeling." No reaction still, not even a subtle tell. "I change into ponies and feed off their love.”

His eyes widened then scrunched.“So you launched yourself at me to eat my love-“

“Yes.” My frustration bleed into frustration as he asked such a stupid question...

“-and you can eat an emotion?”

He sounded doubtful, eyebrow raising as he shifted on the spot, but I still answered. “Yes.”

“How?” Like he had never heard of an emotionvore, it wasn't even like changelings were the only type. Surely where ever he came from they had something of the sort?

I blinked at him as I tried to process his ignorance, ”How do I eat love?” He nodded. “I absorb the emotion through touch, such as holding hooves, sharing a kiss, but the best love is from a lover.” I may have purred a little at the thought, considering I haven't eaten anything in months it was very impressive that was all I was doing.

“Why –“

*Gurgle*

We both looked at my stomach chitin, heat moving up my muzzle...This hasn’t happened in a while.

He shook his head quickly. “Why did you feel the need to disguise yourself?” I looked at myself then at him and then back again. Silence, he was looking attentively for my answer still.

“I’m not exactly a pony, am I?”

“So?” Ari sounded genuinely confused, doing the head tilt again that was becoming increasing adorable, just like a giant overgrown foal.

Did I really have to say this?

“I am not what is considered beautiful, would you give love to one such as me?”

Again he didn't seem to have any knowledge, asking something even sillier, “Does it hurt ponies?”

I blinked, remembering Shining Armor as I worded my answer carefully. “No, it can be draining if too many feed at once," or if you feed at a increased rate, forcing the food out of them, "But one changeling is not enough to hurt. At worst a pony would feel a tad dizzy for a couple of seconds.”

Again he thought about what I had said, but this time instead of asking more foal level questions he got up, walking around to me and awkwardly laying down beside me. There were still a couple inches separating my chitin from his fur. Looking up from it I saw him lay his head on his hooves.

“Night.” He closed his eyes but he wasn’t asleep yet. His breathing was too hurried to be natural.

I felt paralyzed to the cave floor, he was offering to feed me, without me having any disguise or deceit...An Alicorn...I don’t know how to feel about that, but I certainly won’t refuse his clear offer.

Scooting my chitin over the last couple, I gasped as I felt his concern, his worry, and most importantly his small sweet love through his fur. The love wasn’t for me mind you, but it was still water in a desert for me. My feeling of emptiness faded slightly as his emotions filled me, lulling me into his warmth and in turn the land of dreams.