The group made their way through the night life of Canterlot's middle district, finding bright neon lights all around them, and ponies nearly crowding the streets as they all made their way in or out of all the various establishments blasting music loud enough to deafen half the patrons. Dusk and Echo in particular, found their ears pressing against their skulls, even from their position on the sidewalk.

A few of the ponies they passed recognized Chrysalis in a heartbeat, and while some galloped away, screaming in fear, others simply stared with slack jawed expressions of disbelief. If their looks or fearful retreating affected the queen in any way, she did not show it, as she was far too busy trying to keep one hoof in front of the other.

Come on, Chrysalis... you're not a grub on your first meal of love... get it together, you look like a drunken foal right now. She practically screamed in her head.

Anon noticed how she swayed slightly from side to side, and tilted his head slightly in concern, "Hey, uh... you alright? Not too drunk or anything, are you?" He asked, just quietly enough for only her to hear him.

Chrysalis instantly stiffened, but continued to walk beside him, "I... am fine. It's just starting to hit me, is all." She mumbled.

Anon nodded in sympathy, "Well, when we get to the Pillars, we'll get you a spot to just sit down and calm down a bit, sound good?" He offered.

Chrysalis absentmindedly nodded, her focus returning to the simple task of walking in a straight line. Anon gave a small snort of amusement before looking back ahead, but finding that Javelin was glancing back at him, a raised eyebrow on his face.

"What?" Anon mouthed.

"She good?" Javelin mouthed back.

Anon glanced back to Chrysalis, finding her staring at the pavement as she took each measured step, then looked back up to Javelin once more, "Meh. She just needs to sit down when we get there." He mouthed.

Dusk and Echo both perked up their ears at the nearly completely silent conversation happening behind them, even through the loud music and chit chat happening all around them. They said nothing, but a single glance and nod from Dusk confirmed to Anon that they heard the entire conversation.

After just a few more minutes of traversing their way through the crowds of drunken ponies, they found themselves standing at the end of the road before a structure that could only be described as eccentric. Marble floors covered the castle-like entrance leading up to the stone walls that stood at nearly fifty feet tall. On all four corners, stood massive pillars jutting up into the sky, almost doubling the building's height. On each pillar, stood one of the hero's of Equestria.

Marble statues of Mage Meadowbrook, Somnambula, Flash Magnus, Mistmane, and Rockhoof stood proudly atop the four corners of the building, with a larger, more detailed marble statue of Starswirl the Bearded standing at the apex of the largest, thickest pillar jutting out from the center of the building. Lines of arcane energy connected all four smaller pillars to the tip of the staff held on Starswirl's hoof, each one colored to match their respective Pillar. A fountain of magical energy pulsed from the tip of the staff, where all the lines connected, sending out wave after wave of rainbow magical energy that cascaded down and around the building.

All members of the party stopped in their tracks and let out low whistles, save for Chrysalis who simply swayed back and forth ever so slightly. After a moment of maintaining her balance, she looked up to the building and rolled her eyes on the spot.

"Even still, ponies idolize that prick." Chrysalis rolled her eyes.

"What do you have against Starswirl?" Javelin queried, noting where Chrysalis was looking.

"All he ever did was unload Equestria's problems on other nations or dimensions. He never solved anything and all of his magical accomplishments were due to the work of thousands of unicorns before him and yet he gets all the credit. Just look at his statue. A monument to his ego is what that is." Chrysalis replied, sounding just a bit more lively.

Javelin pursed his lips, "Well, I'm not a big history major, but how do you know all that? Even you weren't around before the pillars all disappeared." He reasoned.

"I know this might be hard to believe, but I did have a mother once upon a time. She told me all about him." Chrysalis replied, sarcastically.

"You know, I never actually considered the fact that you had a mom way back," Anon spoke up, "What was she like?"

Before Chrysalis could open her mouth to respond, a familiar voice called out to the group from just across the street, "Javelin! Anon! There you are, good chaps!" Fancy called.

All eyes darted across the street to find the bulky stallion trotting over to meet them. Contrary to his usual attire, he wasn't wearing a suit or his typical monocle. As he approached, it became immediately apparent that there were more muscles on him than anyone else in the group, even Anon. From his barrel chest to his lumbering back, and his bulging withers, the stallion was the very definition of shredded.

Javelin quickly turned back to Anon, "I'm gonna start hitting the gym with you again."

Anon sagely nodded, "We must not let this injustice stand. How dare he be bigger than us."

As Fancy trotted over toward the group, the briefest flash of hesitation flashed through his eyes as he looked at Chrysalis. As quick as it appeared, however, it was gone and Fancy made his way onto their side of the sidewalk.

"Ah, Queen Chrysalis. I was told you would be joining us. Good evening to you. I'm not sure if you've heard of me but I'm Fancy Pants." Fancy politely greeted, giving the smallest of bows to the changeling queen.

Chrysalis subtly glanced back to Anon, finding him giving her an encouraging smile. With a brief moment of hesitation, she returned the gesture with a small nod of her head, "Thank you, Fancy Pants. Good evening to you as well."

Fancy smiled, looking up to Anon, "Well now that introductions are out of the way, what say we go get shitfaced?" He suggested.

Anon pumped his fist in the air, "That is why I fucking love you, Fancy! Let's get fucked up boys!" He proudly exclaimed, before looking down to Chrysalis, "...and girl, I suppose."

While Chrysalis rolled her eyes, the rest of the group quickly turned and made way for the front door of the establishment.

Javelin suppressed a playful groan, "Ugh, he's got you saying human words now too?" He teased.

Fancy chuckled, "Actually, the first time I heard it was from you, Javy." He replied, booping his cousin on the snout.

Javelin playfully batted Fancy's hoof away," Yeah, well I got it from him and now it's stuck in my vocabulary. It'll happen to you too if you stick around him too long." He laughed.

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Anon held a hand to his chest in mock offense.

"It's only bad if you expect anypony to know what you're actually trying to say." Echo offered.

"You guys know what I'm trying to say, don't you?" Anon replied, looking back and forth among the group as they reached the entrace.

"Honestly, I've been lost quite a few times already." Chrysalis answered.

Anon let out a huff as they reached the multiple bouncers standing guard at the entrance. A line of nearly two hundred ponies stretched down the opposite street, all the way to the nearest intersection and beyond. While the ponies in line most certainly noticed the apparent cutting-in-line that the group was doing, none of them dared utter a word as their eyes fell on the changeling queen and their human prince.

"We have a reservation." Fancy announced to the bouncers, nodding back toward Anon, as if daring them to challenge him.

"You stallions and... uh, Queen... go right ahead." The bouncer awkwardly replied, struggling not to abandon her post at the sight of Chrsyalis.

"Hay yeah! I've been waiting for this for months." Javelin enthusiastically announced.

Fancy, Dusk, Echo, Anon, and Chrysalis followed behind the stallion as he trotted his way past security and into the massive foyer of the establishment. Upon entering the building proper, the group was met with an open-grounds design that mimicked the castle courtyard. However, unlike the courtyard of the Canterlot castle, this courtyard was absolutely filled the brim with ponies dancing, partying, drinking, and other, lewder acts.

Anon let out a whistle as he surveyed the open top design of the courtyard, allowing batponies, pegasai, griffons, and any other winged creatures to fly in and out as they pleased. The walls were open, and filled with different levels that were packed with ponies sitting at the various bars and seating areas, giving the entire establishment a coliseum feeing. The center pillar in the middle of the yard was hollowed out and filled with a DJ booth that allowed a three hundred and sixty degree view of the ponies surrounding it. Every inch of that circumference was filled with different instruments and electronic music equipment.

Speakers lined the other four corners of walls, blasting music and filling the air with the beats and bass from the song the DJ was currently playing. However, in the foyer, Anon could just barely see a transparent wall of magical energy cascading down from the ceiling, making the entrance relatively quiet and tranquil in comparison.

"Well then, what are you all feeling tonight? Personally, I'd recommend the Flash Magnus section for the whole lot of you. The drinks are more fiery and enchanted to give you energy. It's where almost all of the off duty guards go when I come here." Fancy addressed the group, nodding toward said corner of the building.

"I think we'll take you up on that offer. I need to drink something that will give me enough courage to get out on the dancefloor and make a damn fool out of myself again." Anon replied, turning and walking toward the aforementioned section.

"Again?" Chrysalis questioned.

"Oh, don't be so harsh on yourself, old chap. From what Javy tells me, you were positively on fire that night." Fancy chuckled, trotting along Anon's side.

"For real, dude! You've got the moves, we just need to get you the motivation to get out there."

"I do recall watching that and it wasn't half bad." Dusk agreed.

"Not half bad? Dusk, that was the best dancing I've ever seen! I've been waiting ages to see him go at it again! Anon, let's get you bucked up!" Echo cheered, full of excitement.

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow at the exchange, but opted to simply follow the group as they made their way toward the bar of choice. They followed the staircase leading to the second floor and hooked a right turn, leading them straight to the designated corner of the building. The entire walk, ponies openly scowled or scattered at just the sight of her, making the changeling queen huff in annoyance.

Fortunately, the walk was quick, and soon enough, the group found themselves sitting at a booth overlooking the courtyard below, and the thousand or so ponies dancing and partying in it. The waiter quickly approached their table, holding a notepad in his magical grasp.

"What can I get all of y-you..." He trailed off, upon looking up to see Chrysalis.

Faust's sake, another one? Usually I can wrap these stallions around my hoof... not being able to change sucks... Chrysalis thought to herself.

"Oh lose the look of shock, will you. Just bring me a sugar-water." Chrysalis rolled her eyes with a flippant huff.

"R-right, of course... and for the rest of you? Prince Anon?" The waiter hastily jotted down her order and looked over to the rest of the group with a noticeable look of relief.

"Bring us all lava flows," Fancy interjected, before turning to Anon, "I've been meaning to get you to try this. Trust me, you'll all love these." He assured the group.

Anon nodded with a shrug, "Well, lava flows it is for us, I guess."

The waiter bowed his head, "Of course, thank you."

With that, he scurried off to the bar, no small sense of urgency in his hooves as he put as much distance between himself and Chrysalis as possible. Anon curiously raised an eyebrow at the waiter, before glancing back down to Chrysalis as she sat beside him, her forelegs crossed in the most adorable pout he could ever recall seeing a changeling doing.

"Uh, you good, Chryssi?" Anon asked, quietly.

Buck, why is that nickname starting to turn me on... Chrysalis thought to herself

"I am fine. I see I just have a long way to go before ponies aren't terrified of me." She sighed.

A wave of sympathy washed over the group, surprising the changeling quite considerably. Most surprising of all was the sympathy she could feel emanating from the pair of thestrals sat opposite from her. Before she could read too much into it, Fancy spoke up.

"It will take some time, but Canterlot will warm up to you eventually. I was... hesitant about meeting you face to face, but you've been remarkably pleasant so far." He offered.

Chrysalis gave a grateful nod, "I'm not quite so terrible once you get to know me." She tutted.

"Well, in the meantime, is it possible for you to transform into a normal pony?" Javelin suggested.

"That would require the removal of this," Chrysalis pointed up to the mana nullification ring on her horn, "And that isn't going to happen unless Prince Anon allows it." She explained.

Before Anon could respond, the waiter returned with their drinks. He sat them down before each of them, although his magic was shaky and nervous as he sat down Chrysalis's drink. Without a word he gave quick bow and darted away from the table, quickly taking refuge over by the bar.

As they all took their drinks and took swigs or large gulps of the volcanic orange drink, Anon stared at his for a few moments, his brow creased in deep thought. He watched the white gelatinous material inside the glass as it slowly undulated up and down in the liquid, almost like a lava lamp. Beside him, Javelin happily sipped down half his drink, letting out a long sigh of satisfaction as he set the glass back down on the table.

"Shit, Fancy, you were right. This stuff is amazing!" Javelin exclaimed.

"I could go for a few more of these." Dusk added.

"I wouldn't drink too many, everypony. The alcohol content is rather high and these drinks sneak up on you after just two or three." Fancy warned.

As the group raved over the exotic drink, Anon found his gaze pulled to the changeling to his other side, and how she idly sipped her sugar-water with a slightly bored look on her face. He rolled his tongue in his mouth for a few moments before leaning over to Chrysalis.

"Honest question, do you want to change into a unicorn for a bit so that ponies won't be super scared of you?" He asked, just loud enough for her to hear him.

Chrysalis looked at him as if he was speaking another language, "What? Are... are you serious?" She asked.

Anon nodded, "I wanted to get you kinda introduced to Canterlot, and we've done that. I don't want you to have to spend the rest of the night being gawked at and having ponies run away from you at first glance. So... if I trust you, and take off that ring for a second, will you promise me that you'll only transform into a unicorn, let me put it right back on, and then enjoy the rest of the night with us?" He offered, fixing her with a surprisingly serious look.

Chrysalis's jaw flapped uselessly for a few moments, before she finally found words, "I... I swear that I will only change into a pony and then you can put the ring right back." She replied.

Anon nodded, turning to Javelin, "Jav, with me. We gotta go take care of something," He said, before turning to the rest of the group, "We'll be right back guys. Gotta go handle something real quick."

Anon knew from just a glance that both Echo and Dusk heard his conversation with Chrysalis, but both opted to trust his judgement as the man, changeling, and unicorn squeezed out from the booth.

"Don't take too long now, old chap! I've been dying to see your moves out there." Fancy called after Anon.

"Don't worry, Fancy. This'll just take a sec!" Anon called back.

The group quickly made their way to the male restroom, Anon hurriedly ushering Chrysalis inside when he thought the least amount of ponies were looking.

"Anon, buddy, what're we doing in here?" Javelin asked, a worried frown forming on his muzzle as he followed behind.

"Just a sec..." Anon replied, glancing through all the stalls and ensuring no stallions were present, "Alright, it's clear for now. That gives us like, ten seconds."

"Ten seconds for what?" Javelin asked.

"Gonna let Chryssi transform into a pony for the rest of the night." Anon replied, reaching up to Chrysalis's horn.

Javelin facehoofed, "Buck's sake... you know I wasn't actually suggesting that for tonight, right? I was being rhetorical... ugh, fine. I'll go watch if anypony's coming." He replied, a resigned tone in his voice.

As Javelin strolled over to the door, opening it just a crack to watch for any ponies that might walk in, Anon grabbed the ring. After a few seconds of holding it, the ring clicked, and Anon pried it open before removing it from Chrysalis's crooked horn. A few arcs of arcane energy surged up to the horn in question, creating small flashes of green light and making Anon nervously gulp.

Hope this wasn't a stupid mistake... He thought to himself.

Chrysalis's yes fluttered shut as she felt her magic once more. A relieved sigh escaped her before she opened her eyes and fixed Anon with a predatory smile.

"Why so nervous all of a sudden, Prince Anon? Don't you trust me?" She teased.

Anon bit his lip, "I'm taking an enormous leap of faith right now." He answered.

Chrysalis chuckled, before green fire engulfed her entire body making Anon jump. When the fire disappeared, Chrysalis was no longer a changeling, but instead a much shorter snow white unicorn, with a flowing turquoise mane and bright eyes. Her cutie mark was a pink heart, wrapped in green thorns. To say she was beautiful would be an understatement.

"Wow. Forgot how dramatic that was" Anon said, blinking owlishly at the transformed mare.

Chrysalis smiled, "Oh, it's not that dramatic, is it?" She asked, playfully.

Anon shook his head as he approached with the ring once more, "Hell, Chryssi, the first time I saw that, I thought the changeling doing it was exploding. Either way, I just like the fact that now you can cut loose with us a bit." He said, gently clasping the ring back over her horn.

Chrysalis allowed the action without resistance, even going as far as to stand up straighter to help him set the ring in place. Once it clicked back into position, she felt access to her magic cut out nearly completely, and she let out a sigh of dejection at the loss of her power. Just as quickly, however, she felt Anon pat her wither.

"Now, how's about we continue that game of shot for shot? Last I checked, you still need to tell me about your mother a bit." Anon smiled.

Chrysalis couldn't help the blush that formed on her cheeks even if she tried, "Very well then, Prince-" She began.

"Anon. Please, just call me Anon. You've earned at least that much from me." Anon smiled.

Chrysalis felt herself reflexively returning the smile with one of her own, "Alright, Anon. Thank you."

They walked over to the exit where Javelin was waiting. Anon lightly tapped the stallion on the wither to get his attention, before nodding toward the door.

"All good?" Javelin asked, looking over at Chrysalis's new form.

"All good." Anon replied.

"Alright, Dusk and Echo for sure heard but Fancy is probably gonna be a little shocked." Javelin chuckled as he opened the door fully and led the way outside.

"I'm sure he'll be fine with it." Anon replied, following behind.

Unfortunately, the trio walked out just as a group of stallions were approaching, nearly all of them staring, aghast at the sight of Anon and Javelin leaving the stallion's restroom with a mare in tow. Nearly all of them gasped and covered their mouths with their hooves.

Anon held up a hand, "Now, listen, I know what this looks like-" He started, before the entire group bolted away.

"Oh my Faust! That mare just seduced Prince Anon and his guard!" One stallion exclaimed.

"They were totally bucking in the bathroom!" Another cried out.

"This is the juiciest gossip I've seen all year!" The last one happily cheered.

Anon let out a sigh as the stallions galloped off to gossip about what they'd seen.

"Well, it's not the worst rumor that's been spread about you." Javelin offered with a shrug.

Anon sighed, "No, not the worst. That one still goes to the mares that thought I had three penises." He replied with a chuckle.

"Imagine..." Javelin trailed off.

With that, the group made their way back to their table without incident. Javelin hopped into the booth first, followed by Anon, and finally Chrysalis. While Dusk and Echo simply regarded her with a nod of acknowledgement, Fancy stared at her with wide eyes until he spotted the inhibiter ring on her horn.

"Q-Queen Chrysalis?" Fancy questioned, tilting his head to the side.

"I'm glad you recognized me, Fancy," Chrysalis nodded, "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I-I'm just surprised... I didn't think you were going to be transforming while we were out tonight." Fancy replied.

"Well the goal of having her come out with us was to just get Canterlot used to seeing her out and about. We kinda already did that at the Silo, and there are a lot more ponies here than there were there. Baby steps, right? Besides, this way we all get to see Chrysalis's dance moves too." Anon smirked.

Chrysalis immediately turned on him, "Are you asking me to dance, Anon?" She asked, curiously.

"It's the rules, Chryssi. If you drink with us, you dance with us. Now come on, let's have some of those drinks to celebrate the fact that we all managed to actually get this weekend off to party." Anon announced, not seeing the excited look in Chrysalis's eyes.

Hnnnng... buck me, daddy...

"Here here." Dusk and Echo replied, raising their glasses.

"I'll drink to that." Javelin added, raising his glass as well.

"It's been ages since I've had a few drinks 'with the boys', as you would put it, Anon old chap." Fancy smiled, holding his glass up.

Anon looked down to Chrysalis, a supremely smug look on his face as he also held his glass up, "Well? What say you, my little changeling Queen?" He teased.

Despite herself, Chrysalis could not stop the instant blush that positively engulfed her entire face, ears, and chest. A deep, primal feeling welled in her hearts, shooting endorphins flooding through her brain and making her knees weak. She dryly swallowed and nervously grabbed her glass of sugar water as well, before holding it up alongside Anon's.

Buck's sake... when did I get this easily turned on? I want him inside me so bucking bad right now... She thought to herself, her pride only just barely overriding her shame.

With a determined look quickly forming on her muzzle, Chrysalis clinked her glass against Anon's, "I'll warn you, I'm a very good dancer... but you're still gonna need to get me really, truly love drunk to get me out on the dance floor with you." She announced.

Anon's grin only turned even more predatory, "Well lucky for you, I've got love to spare. Let's get this party really started."

With that, the group clinked their glasses together, a resounding cheer echoing from them before they downed their drinks, and flagged down the bartender for more.

Alright, so I know this might seem like backtracking to some of you, but I feel like this made a lot of sense. Having the entire night just be a slugfest of ponies freaking out at Chrysalis would get old rather quickly and create a ton of drama that I don't really want to write. I feel like this is going to work out better anyway. Regardless, I hope you liked the chapter. The next one is going to be a lot of fun. I hope you guys like it :)