It eventually came to Chrysalis’ notice that so many aspects of her life –perhaps all of them– were not really under much of her control any longer. She was ruler of her horde, the great queen of ancient days, mighty and powerful. Yet the decorum of her hidden kingdom? Not her choice. The meals she was served? Unknown to her until she sat down to eat. The knowledge her students received? Not by her hand. Their training? From another. Every aspect of her life and the myriad commands she had once been burdened by were tended to by the eager hands of another, leaving Chrysalis with only personal affairs and little else to concern herself with. At first, she wondered if the thought should concern her- does a queen really rule if she doesn’t have to make every choice herself? But when she considered the rising level of comfort in her life, and the warmth of those she spent it with, the so-called problem she now faced seemed frivolous worrying. Her life was wonderful.

Then came a new Lady of Love- and Chrysalis’ command of her own bedroom suddenly found itself all the more interesting. New variety was afoot.

“Rainbow, you’ve got no need to be worried,” Cadance teased, her body barely hidden by a thin babydoll nightgown as she stretched out atop the bedsheets, her smile painfully sultry and charming. “Let your guard down for a moment and relax. Trust me, you’ll love it.”

Rainbow Dash, somehow the only fully naked person in the privacy of their semi-darkened room, found herself blushing and trying to pout as she avoided the gaze of those around her. “This is stupid,” she muttered. “We’ve been fine as is.”

“And that’s great! But I want you to have even more fun,” Cadance said. “It’s called exploration, Rainbow. Experimenting. Haven’t you ever tried to shake things up a little?”

The colorful woman’s scowl continued, clearly unwilling to admit to the obvious truth. She was rambunctious and fiery, an energetic force that set a bedroom alive and that was how she liked it.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed. It’s perfectly OK to just be gentle when you’re making love. I know Rarity and Fluttershy would love to spend some quieter time with you,” Cadance added. Restored and whole after her long period of solitude, her new lovers had invigorated her old spirit and set her back to finding new ways of heightening their pleasures. “I bet you’d enjoy it. Don’t you trust me?”

Rainbow was pushed between a rock and a hard place. “I- I trust you a little.”

“Just a little? Alright, then, I’ll show you,” Cadance declared. “Pinkie, honey, will you come here please?”

The frizz-haired woman, who until that moment had been contentedly lounging in Twilight’s arms, suddenly leapt over and came before Cadance at her beckoning. “Hi, Cadance. Need something?”

“Oh, I certainly do, Pinkie,” Cadance said sweetly, sliding into Pinkie’s lap and putting her arms about her neck. “I think we need to give Rainbow Dash a little incentive. You mind… giving me just a little sugar?”

Pinkie, always eager for something sweet, was happy to oblige; Cadance’s lips found themselves occupied with the sugary presence of Pinkie’s lips and the two women let their kisses be displayed for all the room to see. That slender figure of perfection was a wondrous contrast to Pinkie’s sensual thickness, the two perfectly mismatched in a tender embrace as their kiss deepened slowly but surely, bodies held fast to one another as their soft coos and hums of contentment echoed in a muffle whirl.

Rarity gave a sweet sigh at sight of gentle romanticism, leaning her head against Chrysalis’ shoulder. “She’s so sweet,” she said quietly. “Yet so sexy! Oh, Chrissy, darling, I’m so glad she chose to stay.”

Chrysalis only nodded in reply. Cadance’s permanent entry into their fold last month had shaken things up in their nights together, that was obvious- but in all the right ways, keeping things refreshed and interesting so as to preserve the excitement. She was not Princess of Love simply because of the act, but also in its tender care.

As Cadance’s kiss with Pinkie came to a close, the two women allowed themselves a single meeting of tongues before pulling away, Rainbow’s gaze fixed upon them throughout the loving act. “Wonderful as always, Pinkie,” Cadance said delightedly. “Thank you for being so willing to help.”

“Always willing, of course!” Pinkie replied. “Now it’s your turn, Rainbow! She’s so tasty, you’ll love how she tastes!”

“She certainly will,” Cadance purred, reaching out and taking Rainbow by the hand so as to guide her closer. “Now come on, don’t be shy. We’ll have fun, I promise.”

Rainbow continued to blush a bright shade of red but the majority of her hesitancy was gone as she took her place opposite Cadance. Tenderness and subdued passions were not her style, nor an art form she had been willing to master. To have someone this beautiful to teach her was an intimidating thought.

“Now, just let yourself relax,” Cadance instructed, placing Rainbow’s hands down to her lap and keeping them there. “All you have to do is kiss me- just kiss me, nice and gentle. You want to enjoy the moment.”

Rainbow was blushing furiously now as Cadance leaned in and kissed her, the two women joined together by the mouth in their first union of lips. Rainbow knew the softness of Fluttershy and the gracefulness of Rarity, but this exquisite tenderness was a new sensation- and she rather liked it. A small pull away by the both of them, and then a return as their lips came to meet yet again. Their session of kisses was slow and peaceful, an intentionally romantic gesture as they kissed so softly. Even as they deepened the act remained tender, Cadance fully in control and keeping her partner controlled as they let their passions begin to increase.

Rarity leaned forward from her place atop the pillows and stared, suddenly made hungry at the sight of Rainbow in such a gentle act alongside the beautiful princess. “Oh my.”

Chrysalis grinned, leaning up and placing a kiss on the elegant woman’s cheek. “Excited, are we?”

“Aroused, darling,” Rarity confessed. “Oh, Rainbow’s never looked so… beautiful.”

The first sound that came from the lip-locked couple was of Rainbow’s making, a tender coo so unlike her normal cries. She followed after Cadance’s lips as the loving princess pulled back, only to soon find herself greeted by an outstretched tongue that beckoned for her own. Glad to meet it, Rainbow’s outstretched morsel found its mate and they unified, slowly lathering their caresses and tastes upon one another in a gentle motion. It was quiet, and soft- yet so deeply thrilling, the novelty of the sensation a sharp contrast to the wild freneticism the warrior woman usually knew. She loved Cadance, her silken tongue most of all- this needed to go a little deeper.

“Mmm… there you go, Rainbow,” Cadance trilled, eyeing her partner with no small amount of lust. “Mind if I keep things going? Make it interesting.”

“Please,” Rainbow giggled, unabashed by this sudden bout of pleading that was most ladylike and most unlike herself. Cadance’s nightgown had to go, she wanted to let this continue, indulge this new flavor- now.

“OK, then. Chrissy, would you mind coming-” Cadance’s words fell aside as her eyes caught sight of she and Rarity wonderfully entangled by both limbs and lips, the two sunken into a sapphic embrace that saw them utterly elsewhere, Twilight slowly slipping over so as to add her flickering tongue to the mix.

“We lost her,” Rainbow said with a grin. “As you were saying..?”

“Well, there’s always next time,” Cadance said briskly. “Applejack, sweetheart, would you come over here, please? Let Pinkie and Fluttershy have their fun, I think I need you here for a little while.”

It had been intended that Luna’s arrival would be marked as a reason to celebrate; her long absence that had seen her roaming the wildlands was not unusual, but with the beautiful warrior now so deeply entangled with the lives of so many others, her commonplace departures were a dull ache set against their hearts. When word had finally been sent of her return, Applejack in particular was set to a fit of excitement, an amusing sight to behold for one who had often been so hesitant; the farmgirl’s strengthened bond with the voracious princess was a fiercely devoted one, perhaps more than any others’ within their little nest.

But her arrival was a more clandestine affair than any of them had anticipated, save perhaps Chrysalis herself. Entering the nightclub to little fanfare, Luna had quietly seen herself to the queen’s study and offered nothing but the smallest amounts of greetings to her awaiting beloveds. Twilight soon followed in her wake, hiding herself behind the sealed doors; when Cadance did the same, it became obvious to the others that something was amiss. Luna’s last departure from their midst had not been a normal excursion after all.

Left in the dark for the time being, the remaining five ladies could do little more than wait until the concealed conversation came to an end, pooled together about a rounded table on the nightclub hall floor and discussing amongst themselves just what might cause such secrecy.

“Here we go,” Pinkie said softly, carrying out a tray of steaming stew that ignited hunger just by the merest scent. “I was planning on waiting for Luna to come back and we’d celebrate with her favorite beef stew, but…” a quick glance towards the halls and where Chrysalis’ study remained locked. “They’ve been in there for ages already.”

“At least an hour,” Rarity remarked, checking the time on the nearby clock. “I suppose we’ll find out what all the fuss is about eventually, won’t we?”

“Did you see her face when she came in? Luna, I mean,” Rainbow said. “She hadn’t been out in the stix. You know, like how she usually looks super weather-beaten right when she comes back?”

Rarity nodded, always swift to perceive the looks and appearances of others. “And wherever she’s been, it certainly has made her concerned. Fluttershy, darling, Chrissy tells you nearly everything that’s on her mind. Would you possibly know what has her behaving so secretively?”

Fluttershy had done her best to remain out of the conversation, but the sudden call of her name managed to put her on the spot; her gaze flicked away from the awaiting eyes of her love, doing more than enough to suggest that she did indeed have some knowledge on the day’s events. “I don’t know how much I should say…”

“Oh!” The fashionista felt a twinge of surprise at the remark. “Is it that serious?”

“Well…” The sweet-faced girl collected her thoughts before deciding upon an answer. “Since everyone is supposed to depart soon, she’s been nervous. And then Cadance and Luna have been coming here, it’s been a bit… suspicious.”

“Suspicious to who- oh.” Now she understood the full measure of her queen’s concerns. “Does Princess Celestia know she’s here?”

“I think that’s what Luna was trying to find out.”

“We’re in a lot of trouble if she does know, aren’t we?” Applejack said aloud. She’d been almost as quiet as Fluttershy since Luna’s arrival, whether it be pouting or worry they weren’t sure. “I mean, the last time Chrissy was here, she… and then we got Luna and Cadance tangled up in this, too.”

“And with all of Chrissy’s children about to leave- yeah, I’d think it was an invasion, too,” Rainbow said, pausing in between mouthfuls of steaming broth to add in her opinion. “If Princess Celestia knows the nest is here, she’s gonna level the place.”

And us with it. The unspoken thought rang through their midst and setting their nerves to pinpricks. From the outside looking in, the whole scenario would appear to be treason and hostile takeover all in one package; of course Princess Celestia would see their actions as a threat against the kingdom, and Chrysalis’ even more so. Unless they managed to fully explain exactly what had transpired, make it so that she really understood, then all their efforts these past few months might really be for naught.

“Do you think it’ll be OK?” Pinkie asked.

“Of course it will, darling,” Rarity answered gently, taking Pinkie’s outstretched hand and placing a kiss on her fingers. “Twilight is here with her; who else could figure out a better solution than she?”

None could say for sure, now so close to a whole new stage of life for so many. And unbeknownst to them all, behind closed doors that had been sealed to sound by the long and striding touch of a princess, four royal women found themselves in the midst of deep conversation- one already bearing a tinge of fire and growing hotter with every passing second.

Chrysalis was doing her best to not lose control of her boiling temper, but the painful need to seethe was pushing the limits of her patience. She had hoped Luna’s latest outing would tentative, an exploratory mission that would allay suspicion so as to safeguard her children’s departure. Instead- “And you did not think that perhaps this was a decision we might call rash?”

Luna had quite intentionally made herself the subject of scrutiny to her peers, though every inch of her displayed the defiance to which she clung to. “Who would have more knowledge on what makes my sister operate than I?” she challenged, her voice remaining calm in contrast to her royal beloved’s. “If we had simply announced your presence before her and demanded any kind of treaty, it would be seen as a threat and not as mediation.”

“But you told her I was still here!” Chrysalis fired back. “Now Celestia is on the defensive, and she will be watching for even the slightest hint of our presence! Almost the entire nest is set to depart this week! How can we achieve that great an exodus safely now that a kingdom’s military will be searching for us?”

“I did not tell her I had found you. Only that I think I might have,” Luna said again. “Quit thinking like a parent- I need you to understand why I chose this course.”

Chrysalis was fuming, furious that the strong-willed Princess had dared to so openly reveal such a secret. But staring into that calm face made it difficult for her anger to continue unabated, like water upon rock and keeping her stymied. “Very well, then,” she growled, “Explain to me your thoughts.”

“Right now, she is aware of you. When I return to my sister and verify that you are indeed still in the kingdom’s borders, I can also deliver your message that you wish to make a treaty at the same time,” Luna explained. “If I had discovered you and also come bearing your tidings all at once, the act would have seemed suspect. When you and Celestia meet, she must not try to believe that any of us –not a single one- is a deception. Because I know she will call for Twilight and the others to be here, I guarantee it.”

Chrysalis allowed herself to consider the thought. Yes, she wanted to make a pact with Celestia –and perhaps more, if she could manage it well enough- and she certainly did need the monarch to enter her nest without thoughts of battle. And though she was loathe to admit it, believing that her Ladies were all a false disguise would be a fair assumption for Celestia to make. “You know Celestia well,” Chrysalis said as she turned to a pensive Twilight. “Is this a sound tactic? How will she react?”

Twilight flickered between Luna and Chrysalis, allowing herself time to consider every possibility. Yes, Luna was the sibling, but her time away had allowed a different Celestia to form in her absence; Twilight’s experience with her mentor would offer a different perspective. “She… Celestia would call upon me to aid her in the matter, that’s true,” she admitted. “As to how we reveal that we already knew you were here is the more challenging matter- made all the stickier by the fact that we’ve been with you in such an intimate manner.”

“And that doesn’t even take into account that we also have to convince Celestia of your genuine change of heart,” Cadance added. “After all, your last encounter with her nearly saw a kingdom’s downfall; why would she believe you?”

“Then we convince her. What suggestions do we have?”

“No matter what we do, the revelation of those last two facts will feel like a betrayal. So our first goal is to soften that blow,” Cadance answered. “My best guess? That I be here with you already, along with the rest of the girls- save for Twilight and Luna who arrive with Celestia.”

“And what do you hope that achieves?” Twilight inquired.

“Legitimacy. That by my being beside Chrysalis, it makes her turn of heart all the more believable. After all, what sort of love spell could overcome the Princess of Love?” came the royal’s cheeky reply. “But just one surprise at a time. The presence of everyone else is revealed slowly, after you and Luna confirm your own connections- and after we’ve proven the sincerity of our actions.”

“Because if she suspects even the slightest bit of foul play…”

“Then there’s a very powerful battle in a very small space,” Luna said, a slow nod of grim agreement. “And people would get hurt no matter how we tried. It would be everything we’re working to avoid.”

“Then we take our time. Truly convince her, as best as we can,” Chrysalis said. “Much as I’d like to say otherwise, her first visit must be a formal one, kingdom meeting kingdom. Anything further will have to wait for another time, or else it ends up looking just like another kind of trap.”

“Furth- Chrissy, what on earth are you hoping for?” Twilight’s mind of tactics and politics was shunted aside as her love’s more personal thoughts were suddenly thrust into the open. “We’re trying to help you make a treaty, not plan a marriage!”

Chrysalis was unbothered by becoming the center of attention, and most certainly unabashed. “And does it bother you?” she asked lightly. “Just because we’re working towards one doesn’t mean the other can’t come along with it. Something tells me you wouldn’t mind having your dear old mentor in our midst.”

“Just because- that is neither here nor there,” Twilight said furiously, though unable to hide the flush of red that was spreading across her face. “We’re here to try to keep everyone safe and prevent a war. How about we focus on that instead?”

“A girl can daydream.”

“Perhaps at another time, say when we’ve formulated a final plan?” Luna said drily.

“I’m guessing she wants it as part of the plan,” Cadance remarked, grinning all the while. “My, my, Chrissy, just how thirsty are you?”

“Like a dying man in the desert, at all times,” Chrysalis purred, becoming all the more distracted by fantasy and hunger with every passing second. “It’s a pity I have to endure it right now; don’t you think that’s fixable?”

“Plan first, love later? Just maybe?”

She wanted to make a mess of her study. Hell, she wanted to open the doors, head to the bedroom and transform her world into a scene of utter sensuous beauty. But held in between the scowl of Twilight’s disapproval and the dry impatience of Luna, not even Cadance’s open desires could hope to keep her forever distracted. Chrysalis could only sigh. “Spoilsport.”

The great queen had seen battle before, known conflict and conquest for years without measure. There had been defeats that had left her reeling, and victories that had left them fat with strength. For far too long Chrysalis and her children had suffered through trials and pain, always on from one war to the next. But standing on the precipice of this last great edge, with only a sole obstacle still in her path, this next trial could very well be the last they ever knew. One day was all that remained, one agreement of peace and forever would she and her children be free.

Chrysalis knew the stakes and felt anxiety twist in her stomach at the thought of them- but all the more fierce was the darkened desire that had taken hold, the foolhardy yet insatiable hope that perhaps she might achieve more than just peace. Despite her own insistence and that of her council, the dark royal wanted to see her thirst quenched: her greatest enemy a foe no more, but the culminating jewel in her great house of lovers. She knew she should be afraid, but her heart could feel nothing but an fervent excitement.

A flash of color before her eyes and into her hands fell a swiftly written note bearing Twilight’s signature: We’re on our way. It was the sign she had waited for, and now Chrysalis would need to be prepared to receive her most distinguished guest. Comfortable as she currently was, it was time for her to rise and fulfill her destiny.

“Twilight and Luna?” Rarity asked, reclining on the couch beside the eager queen. She and the others had remained behind to tend to their beloved while Twilight and Luna had headed to the palace, taking to their private lounge while they awaited the now-arrived signal.

“They’ll be here soon,” Chrysalis murmured, rising to her feet and hoping her will would hold. Only now did fear begin to make its mark upon her heart, the endless loop of nightmarish scenarios burning through her mind. There were so many ways this could fall to disaster, so many things that she held precious able to be forever lost. She would have to be strong…

“And you’re sure you don’t want us with you?” Pinkie asked. “I could whip up everyone a super-nice meal and maybe that’d make everything a little easier.”

“For now, I wish for you all to be safe,” Chrysalis replied, stooping down to place a kiss on her beloved’s forehead, grateful for the offered kindness. “Seniya will be standing guard at the door until I return. Please, do not hinder her.”

The quiet warrior stood silently in the shadows, only coming to motion when the sound of her name rang through the quiet lounge. “I will allow nothing to enter lest you command it,” Seniya said, solemn and loyal to the end. “My apologies that Lady Rainbow cannot aid me in this endeavor.”

Rainbow Dash remained quiet in her place beside Fluttershy, somewhat sulky that need required her to be a passive bystander rather than a willing participant. Her skills in combat were beyond any of them save her beloved, but wisdom dictated that she could not raise a hand against her monarch; one wrong move could doom them all.

“Keep safe, my darlings,” Chrysalis said, a faint tremor in her soft voice. “Soon this will all be over, and we will be free.” A turn of her heel and through the threshold she went, off to the end of the hall so as to await the coming of the rival she no longer wished to wage war against.

“Wait- Chrissy, wait!” Before she could go further than a few steps, Fluttershy came rushing out of the lounge and towards her beloved, throwing her arms about the beautiful monarch and gracing her lips with a kiss of such wondrous softness and grace that the regal woman could do little more than melt at the touch. This was what she was striving for! No kingdom or conquest, no victory over any foe, but love- love in all its purity and warmth, to love and to be loved in return. What more could she want, what more could she ask for? Fluttershy had helped to change her world, her desires, even the very core of her being; now all of them were nestled deep within her heart, and the thought of them gave her courage.

When the sweet woman relinquished Chrysalis’ lips at last, the darkened queen wanted more. She wanted to seek out those lips again, find them and not let them go. But Fluttershy instead gave a small embrace and held her beloved’s head in her hands, the smile on her face unable to reach her eyes where worry still dwelled. “I love you,” she whispered. “So be safe.”

“Anything you ask for, my love,” Chrysalis replied, meaning every word. “Wish me luck?”

“Of course I will,” Fluttershy promised. “I’m sure you and Princess Celestia will be able to work things out and make amends. We’ll be waiting to celebrate when the time comes, OK?”

“Ooh, something to look forward to,” Chrysalis remarked. “And if Celestia decides she wants to join the party?”

Fluttershy rolled her eyes, the hopeful thought always on the tip of her beloved’s tongue. The sweet-faced woman knew the queen more intimately than perhaps any of the others, and knew just how deeply the daydream had taken root despite her insistence on a tempering of expectations. But still she smiled even as she shook her head, saying, “Then we’ll be happy to make room for one more.”

“You are more than wonderful,” Chrysalis breathed, a kiss in reply to honor the spoken kindness. “Now, return to the lounge, and stay safe.”

“Take care, Chrissy. All of you.”

The two loves parted, Fluttershy returning to her secured abode while Chrysalis strode onwards and away. Never in all her days had she and her children known a moment like this. Many times they had met rulers and masters of great lands of the world, but in battle and in the final moments of victory- never in the act of diplomacy, as peers between kingdoms. Despite her desires otherwise, Chrysalis’ attire that Rarity had designed was rather formal, a jet-black ballgown that shone like the deep of the night sky; comfortable, but offering no means to accentuate her form at all. She wanted Celestia, yes, but her Ladies had made her promise to make this a true act of politics. Chrysalis would have to dress the part of a true monarch, and for now lead alone.

The dining hall was empty, devoid of life save for her solitary heartbeat. The soft warmth of light against polished wood and marble should have offered comfort but only made Chrysalis feel so small and alone. The kitchen was quiet, no melody of Pinkie’s ever-present laughter within; no soft music in the background, no clinking of glass or sounds of good cheer to reverberate across the walls. Her children lay huddled down in safety, awaiting the moment their mother called them to a permanent freedom. It was all up to her now, and the weight of it was upon her shoulders in force.

The knock on the doors was the last signal she had waited for. “Keep them safe,” she told herself, taking in one last breath before issuing the command. “Enter!”

Luna strode through first, dressed in an elegance that the Changeling queen had not seen since their time together; she, just like the royal across from her, was adorned in a formal gown the color and gleam of starlight that befitted the might and majesty she so easily possessed. Beautiful though she was, this was a warrior, and the colors upon her skin only affirmed it. Behind her came Twilight, the sharp-eyed woman perhaps more anxious than her companion, a small pull at the dress that hung comfortably upon her figure. Chrysalis recognized it instantly, the young woman’s coronation gown in all its splendor; lovely and fair, an aura of newness that so easily befitted that wondrous day. She had only seen Twilight wear it once, and hoped that this stressful ordeal would not mar the memories of something so precious. And just behind her-

Oh! Chrysalis felt her breath catch and leave her, unable to withstand the unrivaled marvel that now strode into her abode. Celestia, the greatest Princess of Equestria, was here within her halls! Eyes no longer blinded by scales of malice and wrath now saw clearly, blessing the Changeling queen with a vision of truly cosmic beauty. Skin as soft as porcelain and shimmering as though flecked with gold, yet still allowing those lidded eyes to shine like precious stones. Hair that flowed so freely to her waist were all the colors of a gentle rainbow, twinkling and waving with each stride she took. All of her was so fair and beautiful, and so perfectly wrapped together upon a beautiful form of figure that was unlike any Chrysalis had ever seen. Celestia possessed grace and regality, strength and beauty- all of it and more! She had been advised against it, she had willed herself against it, but all her resistance gave way in a single meeting of eyes that set the darkened queen’s senses to overdrive. She was smitten, besotted, absolutely overcome by the wondrous perfection of Princess Celestia. She was in love-

And before the day was over, she would have her!

Chrysalis felt the makings of a tremor within her, ready to come forth and send her to shivering as desire consumed her form. Even after her many years, still how potent the feeling- but now would be a time most inopportune, so poor an instinct when the utmost diplomacy was needed. The need to convince Celestia of her genuine change of heart would be difficult enough of a task, and that was without the multitude of revelations that were about to occur, including that of having already slept with her sister- openly declaring that she wished to sleep with the other stellar princess would likely be a bit too much.

Celestia’s stride towards her supposed foe came to an end, the trio of gorgeous royalty standing a few feet apart from their intended host. A quick glance to her companions suggested nerves, and likely rightfully so. What came now would have to be their very best in persuasion and behavior. And if she wanted Celestia to trust her…

“Chrysalis,” Celestia said in an even voice, a nod towards the darkened woman. “So I have come, as you’ve requested.”

“Princess Celestia,” Chrysalis greeted, a deep bow of welcome to her newest object of desire. “On behalf of my children, welcome to our nest. May you find it well-suited to whatever need you require.” She was smiling, beaming almost; the queen was trying her best to ensure it didn’t look like a leer.

“So this is where you have been since Cadance’s wedding,” Celestia assumed.

“Only after a great deal of time,” came the swift reply. “We were brought low- as low as we could possibly have fallen. Perhaps such a thing was needed for us to see clearly at last.”

“And what do you now see clearly, Chrysalis?” Celestia asked. Still that even tone, but perhaps a small edge of curiosity within it. “You are here, within the walls of my city and already in contact with both my sister and my protégé. What is your intent?”

“My intent is the total surrender of hostilities between my people and yours,” Chrysalis answered- and the thrill that came when she saw Celestia’s eyes widen the slightest tinge! “I am not here to assail your city, nor am I here for any crown or ravenous feeding. Yes, my children are here in full but I have no wish for conflict any longer. It is my hope that today will see peace between kingdoms once and for all.”

Celestia mulled the words over, or at least appeared to do so. “A stark change from when I first met you,” she remarked. “Too much so for it to be mere happenstance. What has changed you so?”

Chrysalis took a small gulp. “And if I tell you, will you believe me?” Calm yourself now.

“That will remain to be seen,” came the sunlit princess’ reply. “What has changed you?”

It was the shortest, simplest answer she could have given. “Love,” Chrysalis answered.

Celestia at first appeared confused- only for the consternation to fall as Twilight broke from her place at the stellar princess’ side to cross the line, coming to take hold of Chrysalis’ left arm. A timid, worried glance over at her former teacher before she fully committed, leaning up and finding the darkened queen’s lips for her to kiss, a soft action that conveyed every argument so clearly. As their sapphic embrace came to an end, Twilight fell away from her lover and turned to fully meet Celestia’s gaze, still nerve-wracked but given heart by the affections of the Changeling queen. “I am not a Changeling,” Twilight said faintly. “I’m not… I’m not tricked, or under some kind of enchantment. I actually first came here to stop Chrysalis, but instead… I fell in love. By accident, really. And it’s been good.”

If the first surprise wasn’t enough, Luna’s potent stride over to the queen’s right side was sure to be more than any could handle, the knockout punch perfectly wrapped by a pair of fierce kisses to Chrysalis and Twilight each. As she took her own stand, the warrior princess turned to face her sister with head held high, defiant and rebellious without an ounce of shame or regret. “I’ve been fooled before, sister,” Luna said. “If Chrysalis was here with ill intent, I of all people would know. But she has been a partner and companion, a thousand times over. And I promise you, she and her children have truly changed. The days of the warfaring Changelings is over; this is a new creation before your eyes.”

Chrysalis scrutinized Celestia intently, studying every inch of her face for the slightest betrayal of what emotions lay simmering underneath. Her worst fears wondered if there would be signs of betrayal or panic, or perhaps even anger; her utmost hopes wished to see delight, maybe even so lucky as to find desire. But despite the thorough investigation by her keenest senses, all the dark queen could determine was that Celestia was currently performing some very deep thinking, and very quickly. To what conclusion, she couldn’t tell.

The silence became unbearable before words came forth once again, the anxiety palpable when Celestia rose from her inner contemplations. “There are others, aren’t there?” she said, catching Chrysalis blindsided and sending a bolt of shock through the loving trio. “You have taken others here before.”

So they’d come to that next revelation so quickly. Chrysalis had meant to reach that point in time, allow the initial shock to wear off before lambasting the sunlit princess yet again. But she remained still so calm, seemingly unfazed by the sudden truths now before her eyes; maybe it was safe to continue marching forward if she was taking such surprises so calmly. And it wouldn’t do to lie now, anyway. “There- neither Twilight nor dear Luna were the first to find me,” Chrysalis confessed. “They came later, of their own volition and not the deception of another. Both simply wished to aid their friends.”

“Fluttershy was the first to come here,” Twilight said. “And Rarity, she- she’d wanted Fluttershy for so long, so Chrysalis invited her in. And then Fluttershy and Rarity asked Pinkie to come into the fold, too. And then Rainbow Dash followed after them one day and alerted me and Applejack…”

“And they instead became part of the fold,” Luna continued. “All six of the Bearers were here before I had tracked the horde down, bound to Chrysalis and to one another. I was practically begged to join them all; so I have been part of the- the love nest, as it were.”

“And with Cadance having departed public life…” Cadance was putting two and two together more swiftly than they had anticipated. “She is here as well, isn’t she?”

“Under my permanent protection, and as one of the nest,” Chrysalis answered, rather liking how her moonlit princess had put it. “What wrongs I have dealt to her needed to be made right. Here she is home, and loved by us all.”

Celestia fell back to silence, still seemingly thinking through the menagerie of revelations that had befallen her in the short time since her arrival. A few had been cast at her feet, yes, but the others she had deduced herself; so what more was she considering, what questions did she possess that still remained unanswered? If she believed their arguments or still remain skeptical was not something they could tell, only allowing the muted void to ring in their ears while their fretful hearts pounded away within their chests.

Chrysalis saw a small flicker of light within the beautiful woman’s eyes, some small spark that might indicate a deliberated decision. Perhaps she had made a choice. For ill, maybe, or perhaps something good- maybe even wondrous, such as a desire to make their love nest a part of her world. They had once been enemies most bitter; what better way to mark the end that era than to be bound together by the bonds of deep, lavish, carnal passions? She could already imagine the body that lay beneath that brilliant clothing, the feeling of it against her fingers. And she would be tended to by her beautiful Ladies, all of them desperate to be with this glorious Princess of the Sun just as much as they hungered for one another-

“I wish to see everything,” Celestia announced. “Every part of the nest. Everyone within it, everything you have done within these walls. I wish to see it all.”

So perhaps she had gotten ahead of herself. But Chrysalis was patient, even in the ways of love. She would still have Celestia within her arms before day’s end, even if it took all day to achieve it. “Very well, then,” Chrysalis declared. “Follow me, Your Highness. There is a lot for you to see.”

Celestia indeed wanted to see everything. It were as though she needed to inspect every last rivet in every uncovered pillar of steel that held the weight of the warehouse built by her ancient command. From the spacious floor of the dining hall did they guide her downwards to the darkened depths of the levels beneath their feet, more than a minor stir of fear from Chrysalis’ many children at the unexpected appearance of this powerful force. Celestia’s unreadable expression show no sign of change at the sight of so many wary eyes upon her, not a negative or positive emotion for her guides to see. The passive appearance the princess bore was rather unnerving.

“You know her. Are we in danger?” Chrysalis asked of Twilight, leaning down to whisper into her Lady’s ear.

“I don’t think so,” Twilight mused, daring a quick glance at the woman who followed behind them. “But she’s thinking hard, I know that.”

“Any ideas as to what?”

“Not a clue.”

Upwards they went, leaving the many layers of the nest and onto the finer side of this newfound life, wading through the kitchen and the numerous private rooms that had been constructed. Whatever Celestia wished to see, Chrysalis revealed to her; even her personal chambers came under the sunlit woman’s scrutiny for reasons none of them could fathom. When at last the time came for the whole of them to be in the same room, the Changeling queen could only wonder as to what her honored guest was trying to make sense of.

She questioned Fluttershy, then Cadance; Rarity and every single one of the others, too. But each time it was the same batch of questions: how they came to be here, what they had done since their arrival, what they thought of Chrysalis, and what they thought of one another. Again, even to Luna’s scrutinizing assessment of her sister’s actions, it was impossible to figure out what Celestia was really thinking. If she were on the search for even the slightest hint of deception, Chrysalis would be hurt but at least understanding; trust was a difficult thing to earn and their last encounter had spilled blood. But if, and it was a big if, Celestia was trying to gauge her own interest in partaking of this beautiful nest of passions…

Chrysalis felt the shiver course through her form and was glad that no eyes were upon her to see it. This hunger that ached within her chest was like a beast in a cage, tearing at the bars so as to be set free. It was not a decision that would be deemed wise, but her potent desires were starting to take hold; if she could force this gambit just a little bit, the scales might tip in her favor. More than a peace treaty, but a union between kingdoms- a beautiful, sensuous, passionate union of carnal flesh.

“There is no more here of which I can show you,” Chrysalis declared as they departed from the presence of her Ladies, she and Celestia now alone in the empty halls of the sprawling nightclub. “All of my children, all of my beloveds- there is not a single inch of my world that has not been laid before your eyes.”

“Very well, then,” Celestia said. She appeared resolute to her fellow royal, a mind decided at last. “Is there somewhere private that we can discuss matters further? A quiet place?”

Oh yes. “My study awaits us,” Chrysalis said as her hand came to guide them, her heart sorely wishing they would instead head to the bedroom. “Lady Twilight has inscribed the treaty on our behalf; it would gladden me if you were to receive it.”

“Lead on.”

It was a daring that perhaps should not have been; taking the sun-kissed woman by the hand, Chrysalis led Celestia onwards to the intimate space of her private study, guiding her inwards to where a formidable length of parchment sat atop the carved desk. It was a foolish decision, but they were so close now. If she could only play her cards right, truly win this battle of wills, then Celestia would surely swoon in her arms. They would be bonded together, and make the world quake with the might of their united love!

“Please study the treaty at your leisure,” Chrysalis offered, taking the only available seat as she let her eyes soak in the beauteous form of her guest. “What comes next is up to you alone.”

“Hmm…” Celestia took the parchment in hand and regarded the words upon it, occasionally pausing in her perusal to glance over at the hosting queen. Perhaps she could see Chrysalis’ rising hunger, her potent lusts? “So this is for what you have longed for,” she remarked, her voice still so tranquil and calm as it had been since almost the very moment she had first spoken. “Tell me, Chrysalis: when this treaty is signed, what do you intend for yourself and your children?”

“You have seen this nest. Filled to the brim and ready to spill over,” Chrysalis answered. “But if you agree to terms, they can roam freely. Be people of your kingdom just as much as they are of mine; already they have learned so much from my Ladies, and eager are they to find loves of their own. Rest assured, they will work hard and be at peace with your people.”

“They have certainly changed from when I first laid eyes upon them,” Celestia replied. “Have Twilight and the others been such an influence upon them?”

Chrysalis gave a quick little chuckle. “The one who convinced them is Pinkie Pie, truth be told. They adore her- and why shouldn’t they? I of all people can attest she’s more than worthy of worship.”

“They have benefited you so greatly,” Celestia breathed, as though admiring the fervor within the Changeling queen’s words. “So deeply nestled within you.”

“I cannot imagine life without them,” Chryalis said. “Their presence, the very feel of them, and everything they do for me… a life with these women is heaven.”

“You make it sound so perfect,” Celestia said lightly, regarding her companion with what Chrysalis desperately hoped was envy. “I rather wonder if it really is heaven.”

“You don’t have to wonder, Celestia,” Chrysalis replied, her voice becoming a silken purr that none could resist. “Sweet Twilight, she has a mind of politics and logic; her council told me the only way to see us come to terms would be through diplomacy. But I always wondered if you might be swayed to meet me through more enjoyable means.”

Celestia’s eyes became slits, gleaming in the soft glow of the candlelight. “Is that so?” she said softly. “And I thought I was curious before… what do you offer me instead, Chrysalis?”

The lustrous queen rose from her seat and came forward, a hand falling gently upon that of the Princess of the Sun; they were close together now, the empty space between them shrunken down to little more than a head’s length. Chrysalis’s hunger was a throbbing pain now, desperate to be sated; she had to do this now. “Do we need paper to seal the bond between us, Celestia?” she said so sweetly. “To be united? Don’t you think we could join together in harmony without it, just the two of us?”

“Oh-! But your Ladies,” Celestia breathed, perhaps inching just a little bit closer, “Surely you won’t abandon them.”

“They’ll be happy to have you,” came the sultry whisper. She couldn’t take it any longer, she had to have her; if she could not make sweet, beautiful love to Celestia in this very instant then she may well go mad! “Won’t you join me? And together… we’ll share so much.”

“Then promise me one thing,” Celestia replied. Her lips brushed the edge of Chrysalis’ own, just the smallest distance between them as their fingers intertwined and sought to bind them together.

“Anything, my darling.”

The flickering light within Celestia’s eyes went dark. “You’ll tell me where Shining Armor is.”

The heady atmosphere of the small study became icy cold in the matter of an instant. Chryalis almost didn’t realize what had been said, so intent was she upon claiming her prize. But when the words truly rang in her ears, all thought of passion and romance died. “What?”

The Princess of the Sun stepped back and grew cold, her visage now stark as she took advantage of her foe’s disarmed shock. “Cadance came to you searching for him,” she said. “You know that to be true, she said so of her own volition. Yet now she chooses to be here with you, even calling this place her home; why does she no longer search for the man she married?”

The situation was unraveling quickly, a death spiral that was going to see all their combined efforts be put to flame. Celestia had not been convinced, nor did she believe Chrysalis had lost her ancient malice. If she did not recover quickly-! “He is- he has left our shores,” Chrysalis stammered, speaking as fast as she could manage. “Twilight and Luna, they searched for him for so long. And when they found him, he- it was as though he were another person instead. Shining Armor would not return to her. So I promised I would see her safe and cared for, because- because…” Because of something I cannot say. It would be a death sentence.

“How convenient,” Celestia remarked, her voice so cold with disdain. “So that is how you tried to conquer this kingdom. Covert and quiet rather than open conquest. After all, why would anyone put up a fight when they can love their enemy instead?”

“That isn’t true, not true at all!” Chrysalis insisted, cold sweat starting to form on her brow. “My children have changed- I have changed! We seek no violence, no throne or kingdom. All I want is to see them safe and happy, free of the confines of this place!”

“And your Ladies,” Celestia fired back, “what of them? Is that what they wish?”

“Yes! They helped teach my children- anything that could help them survive and flourish alongside anyone they wish!” the darkened royal replied. “All we wish for is peace and love, can we not have it? They mean no harm to you, I swear it.”

“So they can imitate what you have done here-”

“Yes!”

“Surrounded by a bevy of willing prisoners.”

“No. Not prisoners, but true loves,” Chrysalis vowed. “I know my first steps before you were wrong, Celestia. From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry for what I tried to accomplish. But- but Fluttershy! Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity- all of them! You cannot imagine how much I love them, how I would do nothing to harm them! Nothing in this world means more to me than they!”

“You never loved them.”

The swiftly spoken words that had fallen before her had been accusations against her intent, justified by a history of malice and wrath that had seen them come to blows. But this? This new charge was against her newfound character, plucking away at the deepest portions of her heart- and so Chrysalis’ panic transformed into a powerful anger. “How dare you!” she snarled. “How could you possibly dare to claim that? They are the loves of my life, my treasures! I do not know if I could love them more-”

“You never loved them,” Celestia said again, her placid tone an infuriating calm against the queen’s rising storm. “And nor could they love you.”

“Prove me wrong,” Chrysalis spat, incensed beyond any memory of fury she could recall. “Tell me why they could not love me.”

Celestia at first appeared exasperated, as though she were trying to reason with a toddler. But her expression began to change, turning at first to confusion before eventually reaching disbelief. “You… you actually believe yourself,” she breathed faintly. “You have deceived even yourself. You’ve forgotten what you even are.”

“And what am I?” Chrysalis sneered. “A monster? Try and take my darlings from me, and I promise I will prove it.”

Celestia appeared flummoxed; every moment that had been sure to be a surprise was nothing compared to what her foe said now. “You call them your Ladies,” she said slowly. “They help you in matters of estate, you said. Is that true?”

“They are not slaves, they do it freely-”

“But don’t you think it odd? Each of them tending to all of your affairs so perfectly that all you do is command. You have warriors, courtesans, advisors, chefs- all wrapped into a package that sees to your most carnal needs.” Celestia was speaking slowly, almost as if she were trying to soften a blow. “They gave you everything you could ever want- one even stopped trying to pursue her husband so you could have her.”

“He- Shining Armor abandoned her,” Chrysalis swore, a growing cold starting to take root in her bones. “He left her, I- I had to see Cadance smile again!”

“And why did he leave, Chrysalis?” Celestia asked. “I knew Shining Armor: a good man, faithful and loyal to the woman he wished to call his wife. Yet he left her- what changed?”

Chrysalis knew the answer all too well. And try as she might to avoid it, Celestia knew the truth as well. This was going so, so wrong…

“Chrysalis,” Celestia said, “how did Fluttershy first come to love you?”

A memory of flowers, a heady sniff. Miniscule droplets of scent that wove their way through the senses until she were intoxicated. An act repeated again when further feeding came through her very doors, eager to partake in both queen and vassal. Chrysalis had tried to forget.

But she knew. “I… I tricked her,” Chrysalis said weakly; she could feel a stinging in her eyes, a weakness in her limbs as this desperate horror took gold. “A pheromone. And on Rarity as well-” she had to fight against this; the memories were days long lost, a life left to the wayside. “I stopped. I never did it again. Pinkie was the first, then Rainbow- all of them love me of their own free will, I swear it! I only wanted them, and them alone. To have and to hold, I- I…”

“Have you forgotten who you are, Chrysalis?” Celestia asked, her eyes dulled by sympathy and sorrow. “You are a Changeling, but there is a much older title that was given to your forebears, and one that described what you have done here so well: the heart-eaters.”

Chrysalis flinched, wounded by the title. Not since her earliest days in this world had she heard mention of that cursed title, a fell blow that rattled her very soul. A damnation, a violent condemning of their very being, earned by the very means of their survival. “I didn’t- I love them.” She fell to her knees, crashing against the leg of the desk as her will shattered.

Celestia knelt down to face her, a small touch of Chrysalis’ form in kindness to the end of this misguided world. “The heart-eater… you feed on love, but you cannot make it. You reap it as though a crop, always keeping them nearby. Ready to be siphoned, squeezed dry; they could never love you, Chrysalis, because what has befallen them was never love at all. Only a spell, an enchantment that belongs to your kind alone. And what love they ever had for others is taken away, eaten and lost; you cannot love because you are the antithesis to it. Always taking, always consuming, but never able to return, for all acts of love are little more than food.”

She didn’t want to hear it. Each word was a new dagger in her chest, a new piece of her heart ripped away- but she could not block it out, not find a ringing ear that would see them be lost in the throbbing void. Chrysalis could feel the tears on her face, the wretched agony that threatened to break her very form into a thousand pieces, and she could do nothing to stop it. “What must I do?” she said, her voice echoing from someplace an eternity away. “What do you demand of the Queen of the- the heart-eaters?”

“Let them go,” Celestia said. “Set free your prisoners, Chrysalis, and I will do my best to explain what has overcome them. It will be a long road for them to recover, an addiction that does not quickly heal… but they will be better. You have not permanently wounded them.”

Chrysalis did not know how she managed to rise to her feet. Was it the helping hand of Princess Celestia, or what little strength she still possessed that helped see it done? But on tottering feet did she stand, barely able to hold back the wailing howl that lay caught in her throat. “I will… I will send them away,” she said in a voice so hollow. It was a pain to her spirit, but she forced her eyes to find those resplendent eyes of amethyst and met them clearly. “Thank you- for saving them from me.”

Celestia saw her grief and only nodded.

The sounds that met her when she opened the lounge door was that of merriment and laughter; Seniya stood aside and Chrysalis found her Ladies there together, enjoying the company of one another as they patiently waited for the final proclamation of this momentous visit- and perhaps the siren call when they too would be asked to make their presence known.

Cadance, a jug of lemonade mid-pour in her hands, was the first to notice their new arrival. “Hey, there she is!” She cried, the smile on her face promptly lost to concern at the sight of Chrysalis. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

She couldn’t even begin to know how to explain it. Chrysalis’ breast heaved with each breath, her eyes darting this way and that as she tried to avoid their gaze. It would be so loving to her, so adoring- and all of it a lie that she could not bear to witness again. “I…”

The eight women now focused themselves fully on their beloved queen, abandoning cheerful conversation and sustenance to tend to the apparent distress. “Chrissy..?” Fluttershy asked hesitantly. “Is- is everything OK?”

It would be the worst thing she had ever done. “You are dismissed from my presence,” she said in a strangled voice. “Celestia has bid you leave this place, for your safety.”

Luna blanked. “Chrys, do you wish me to speak to her? I can reason-”

“I wish it also.”

It was as though a great hand had swept across the room and slapped them across the face. From consternation to pain and to outright horror, all of them were left reeling by this sudden change of behavior. “But-”

“I have wounded you all,” Chrysalis said as she began to break. “I have stolen from you, and almost destroyed you. Princess Celestia has spared you from my clutches. Depart from this place, lest you never survive.”

“But Chrissy-”

“Go!” She did not await another objection, any semblance of a response. Chrysalis swept away from their sight and disappeared, heading to the last place in the world that would help mend her broken heart. As the bedroom door slammed shut behind her, the lock sealed by the might within her grasp, she could only tear away at the clothes upon her wretched form. Each new rip of fabric, every scratch upon her skin- anything that could cause pain was welcome, for she was more wretched and villainous than any that had ever walked this earth. She wanted her blood to be shed, she longed for the pain.

Without love, you will die, Chrysalis thought to herself. You will wither away. And to her sorrowed mind, so full of memories that spoke of light and laughter and love that had been everything but, it was the only conclusion that she felt worthy of hoping for. I will die, and I will deserve it.

I first started writing this chapter in August. Curse my lazy, depressed bum ass.

Enjoy, I guess. Only a little further now.