The audience applauded as the graduating class of Saddleburg High tossed their four pointed hats into the air. One young mare in particular, a pink pegasus with a light blue mane, flew into the sky and scanned the emptying bleachers for her parents. She saw them waving her down and zipped down to them, grabbing them in a crushing hug.

“Congratulations, little one.” Tirek whispered into her mane, trying to hide the croak in his voice. “I’m so very proud of you.”

“We both are.” Chrysalis added, wearing her Shutter Bug mask once again. While the good folks of Saddleburg had come to accept the fact that a centaur now lived and worked among them, Chrysalis still thought it wise to keep her true nature hidden for the time being. “Would you like to go out for dinner? Or did you make plans with Lily Vine and Mustard Seed?”

“Actually, I may have cooked up a little graduation surprise of my own. For you guys, I mean.” Cozy Glow pulled away and looked around sheepishly.

Tirek raised an eyebrow. “Cozy…” He said in a warning tone she knew well. “Have you been scheming?”

“Just… meet me in the woods just outside of town in half an hour.” Before they could ask any questions, she was gone, mingling and laughing with the circle of friends she’d cultivated over the years.

Tirek and Chrysalis shared a look before shrugging.

What harm could it do?

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Half an hour later, the centaur and the changeling sat and waited in a clearing in the midst of the sunset soaked trees of the Fawny Woods. They lounged together against a redwood tree and held each other close. Given the seclusion, Chrysalis had shed the guise of Shutter Bug and leaned into Tirek’s embrace in her natural Reformed state. She’d grown more accustomed to it over the years.

Tirek breathed in the smell of his wife’s mane and sighed. “We did good, didn’t we?”

“Yes, we did.” Chrysalis snuggled into his warmth and sighed. “She’s an amazing mare.”

“I always knew she would be.” Tirek reached up and adjusted his spectacles. “She came closer to conquering Equestria than we did when she barely a filly.”

“Do you miss those days?”

“What days?”

“You know?” She looked up at him and smirked. “Being bad.”

“Sometimes.” Tirek admitted. “But I’m much happier now. When I was bad, I was alone. Now…” He bent and kissed her lightly. “Now, I have you.”

“We could be bad together.” She reached up and kissed him again. “…Would you have me right here? Right now?”

“Don’t tempt me, your majesty.” He growled. “You look ravishing in this light.”

Chrysalis’ response was cut off by the sound of approaching hoof-steps and voices. In a flash of green, she resumed the appearance of Shutter Bug and stood beside Tirek, ready for anything.

Almost anything.

“Here we are.” Cozy Glow stepped into the clearing and waved two ponies to come join her. She smiled at the centaur and the changeling as she indicated the stallion and mare behind her. Both were clearly middle aged, their manes going grey and thinning. Even through their confusion, they carried an air of smugness and superiority. “I sent these two an invitation to the ceremony. Never imagined they’d actually show up.”

“Cozy, is this really that important?” the stallion asked, pulling a pocket watch from his lapel. “We have a train to catch and…”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that.” Cozy Glow flapped her wings and landed between her fellow former villains. She faced the two ponies, smirked, and pointed to the two strangers. “This is Stuffed Shirt and Number Crunch.”

Tirek and Chrysalis froze, recognizing the names at once.

“Stuffed Shirt? Number Crunch? These…” She gestured behind her. “These are my parents.”

The mare scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Cozy Glow. We are your parents.”

“No.” Cozy flared her wings and glared at the two. “You were never my parents.”

“Cozy…” Stuffed Shirt narrowed his eyes. “That’s no way to talk to your mother.”

“She’s not talking to her mother.” Chrysalis stepped forward, green fire dancing at her hooves. “I’m her mother.”

“And I’m her father.” Tirek stepped forward as well, removing his spectacles and sliding them into a pocket of the vest he now wore. “And I’d appreciate you not talking to my daughter like that.”

Stuffed Shirt shrank as the muscular centaur loomed over him. “Cozy Glow… what is this?”

“This? This is a long time coming. That’s what this is.” Cozy Glow looked back at her parents. “I hope you don’t mind the surprise.”

“Mind?” Green flames washed over Chrysalis and she relished the taste of fear from the two ponies when they beheld her old, twisted form. “This is the best gift you’ve given us in ages.”

Tirek smacked one huge fist into a meaty palm and grinned. “Chryssy, you were asking if I missed the old days?” He cracked his neck. “Shall we take a trip down memory lane?”

“Oh, absolutely.”

Cozy Glow sighed blissfully. “I love our family.”

Laughing maniacally, the three former villains launched themselves at the cowering ponies before them. True, it might have been a step back after all the growth they’d done. But, really, how could they help themselves?

Old habits die hard.