In the days that followed, sharp eyes and keen senses noticed that something was amiss in their safe, protected world. From the largest cities to the smallest villages it was seen, a subtle change in daily life that had not once been there before. Though more suspicious folk may have seen and scrutinized with uncertainty, the easygoing and gentlehearted paid it little more mind than a simple thought, a quiet remark spoken to no one.

It was the strangest thing, to see new neighbors so suddenly. At one moment there had been nothing, no one before their eyes- and then the presence of another, in the flesh and there to greet them. And what strange folk they were, a sort of awkwardness and fearful attitude that seemed so out of place in the peaceful places of the world; they looked at those about them with wide eyes like one who awaited the crack of a whip, ready for the hammer to fall. As though prisoners on the run, these people were hesitant to speak, and many were soft-spoken when at last they gave voice. Yet there was no trace of mean in them, no hidden malice locked away just out of sight; these shy folk, when given the chance to be kind, were kind in return. When help was asked for, so they came, willing to offer more than was ever asked for. Generous spirits opened freshly crafted homes, offering good food and kind company if it were needed- and a listening ear, for those who were weary and burdened. Though strange they were, these new neighbors were welcome wherever their feet carried them, and seemingly so glad to feel the wind and warmth on their face. Like a prisoner long held in the dark, so too were these strange, yet kindly, new folk.

Some might even be worth loving, if time was given the chance to perform its magic.

From afar, quietly and in the shadows, watchful eyes kept notice of their movements. Whether it be the few of the guard who had been informed of this new advent or the gleaming eyes of a moonlit princess, those who had once called themselves Changelings were kept safe and hidden from revelation by those who knew them. Though some were slower to acclimatize, more hesitant to make roots and truly belong, all those who had left their mother’s nest were beginning to settle in and make lives of their own. From bustling boroughs that saw the comings and goings of thousands to hidden cottages that lay in the wild places of the world, so there they were: safe and free, monsters of myth no longer.

Yet for some, duty was all they knew. When given the choice of whether to forge her own path or to stay in service, Ghara had found that her days as a Raven were what she was would continue, a love for the hunt now reformed and given the chance for more noble ambition. Blessed with the support of both Sun and Moon, the unrivaled huntress found herself in the company of fellow warriors in whom she could find camaraderie. Stealthy trackers and great beings of the open spaces on earth, each knew their task was a burdensome one, for long had their prey been lost and yet to be found.

“I wish I could give you an easier course,” Chrysalis murmured. What she was asking of them- no, what she and Cadance were asking of them, was such a risk that it may as well be deemed folly. “What I know is long past, no true trail remains, and the world is not a small place.”

Ghara, often proud when met by doubt, gave a sniff. “Time has not weakened me,” she breathed, “Nor did danger ever best me. I shall find the trail gone cold and set it ablaze.”

“He was aboard a vessel called the Ibrahim,” Twilight added. “They sailed from Amaria, heading westward. I know it’s not much-”

“It is more than enough,” said Ghara, and her companions all assented the same; crescent moons and brilliant suns on their chest, now led by a bannerless woman who had stalked the wastes since before they were ever born- united by common purpose. “Shining Armor shall come home, even if I bring him through fire, water, and the grave itself. He shall return.”

“Then depart. Depart with all that you have requested, and the blessing of us all,” Chrysalis said, hands held out towards them all. “May the winds bear you safely across the seas, may the waves grow calm before your bow.”

“May the moon light our way, may the sun shine down upon our path,” came the ancient reply, a wayfarer’s prayer from days all but forgotten. And then they were gone, off to find the missing trail of the living dead so that he might be raise to life yet again.

Chrysalis felt a lump in her throat at the sight of her eldest daughter departing. So few of them remained now, so spread out across the kingdom that there was more than small likelihood that many of those last meetings would be just that- the last. Yet here she remained, in the nightclub she called home and surrounded by only a spare few that still remained.

“Hey… are you alright?” A hand on her arm as Twilight peered up at her with concern in those sharp eyes.

“Melancholy, my darling,” she whispered back. “That’s all.”

“They’ll find him. And whatever happened to my brother, we’ll find a way to fix it. Even if it takes the rest of our lives, we’ll do it.”

Chrysalis could only nod, strength to speak not yet summoned within her.

“The others were waiting on us to come back,” Twilight added, slowly walking away and trying to bring her beloved along. “Would you rather I give you a minute?”

“No,” the queen whispered, then more firmly, “No. I am- I am well.” Yet not quite, one last thought still on her mind. “Twilight?”

The brilliant princess paused. “Yes?”

That small niggle of doubt, ever there beneath the surface. “Are you sure that- that we’re not just fooling ourselves?”

A roll of her eyes at the question that came far too often, yet dismissed with good humor all the same. “I love you, too, Queen Worrywart. And don’t you forget it.”

The doubt dissipated, pushed back and away for a little while longer. It would be back in time, always eager to reveal itself in moments of grief or joy, no matter how far along she was. But for now, Chrysalis simply smiled and walked down the halls hand-in-hand with her beloved to where the whole of them awaited.

The door to her quarters opened, an elongated table elegantly set and awaiting the arrival of just two more as the other occupants greeted them with the love that held them all so tightly together. Rarity beamed, proud of the decorum that she had crafted; Pinkie waited the first bites eagerly, and the praise of her efforts that would come with it. Rainbow rested quietly beside Cadance as the two spoke quick words in their quiet conversation; Applejack and Luna’s raucous behavior lay on the wayside for a little while longer, hands still held tight beneath the table. As Twilight took her seat, Chrysalis found herself settled in besides her adoring Fluttershy, and a resplendent Celestia there on her left- flowing black colors upon her gown, yet somehow more alight than ever before.

The beautiful queen looked about at the faces of those she loved, and gave a small sigh; for now, doubt had no place here. “Well… are we ready?”

And that's a wrap. Took way longer than I thought it would, and didn't end the way I expected it to either.

Small remark: I may do a little slice of life sequel to this. This was more plot-heavy, I'd like to do something where we see them all interact in different ways. There's plenty of pairs we've not seen have some quality time together.

Enjoy, I guess.