Just (Be)Cause - Chapter 9

10

 

>The elderly ponies look at each other in suspense.

>Celestia hangs her head low, looking over the map table.

>”Is it… To be done?”

>Celestia looks up to the pony, before erecting herself once again.

>”We either achieve peace through a treaty-“

>”Or their defeat.”

>”Only possible option now is obvious.”

>Celestia nods.

>”Do it.”

 

>Luna looks out of her new castle, eyeing the moon.

>She still had vivid dreams about Anonymous’ death.

>The way her sister stabbed him-

>She shudders, looking out once again.

>A lone guard approaches her, and whispers something.

>Her ears perk up in surprise.

>”Is this true?”

>The guard nods.

>”Ready the ponies. We are going to war.”

>The guard nods, and disappears.

>Luna stares onto the direction of Canterlot.

>She stands defiant, she will make her sister pay.

 

>Celestia stares into the horizon, from her open balcony.

>The small speck in the Everfree…

>Luna, you will thoroughly regret this…

 

>Meanwhile, Anonymous, you, are in your own blissful world, with your newly found companion, Christie.

>You really know the world, don’t you.

>The two of you sigh, and lie on the bedding.

>She looks to you with the ever present smile of hers.

>You smile back, before giving her another kiss.

>She pokes her tongue out playfully.

>The two of you snuggle closer, keeping each other warm.

>Christie was… something.

>She was something good that you rarely come across.

>She cared for you, and you did so too.

>”That was… very flavorsome, Anon.” She puts her arms around you.

>You have no idea how to reply to this statement.

>You couldn’t give two shits about the world outside.

>It was cold.

>You liked being with another human,

>A human who cared for you, to add.

>You were happy.

 

>But- something- something deep inside keeps on tugging at you.

>Something that flashes the image of Ponyville every sleep, something that whispers a familiar voice- something, that reminds you that you are heartless.

 

>Once again, you drag your sorry ass outside, only to be stopped by Christie.

>”Don’t you love me, Anon?” She asks your unthankful ass.

>You always say yes, and return back to the cave, you owed her after all.

>Third time this week.

>Tonight, you cannot hold it any more.

>You start off again, into the worsening blizzard of Equestria.

>She comes to you again, holding your hand and not letting you go.

>Don’t you love me? She echoes the words again and again.

>Normally, you would given in and go back.

>Not today.

>You are afraid this something inside you will kill you.

>It is.

>Slowly and surely, it creeps to your sanity.

>You have to go.

 

>”I’m sorry, Christie, but I have to do this.”

>You swear you saw her green eye glow.

>”No you don’t have to do this.” She whispers.

>”I don’t have t- No! I will do this!”

>You walk out, undefeated.

>Suddenly, you are yanked back into the cave, by –what else- magic.

>You turn to see the entrance blocked by a certain magical aura.

>Christie was no longer there.

 

>Her figure burned away in a green flame, revealing-

>What the fuck was that?

>It seemed like a pony, like the princesses, but covered in black carapace.

>It had long, sea green mane that ran through its head and neck.

>It retained Christie’s green eyes, except it turned into a slit.

>It had holes on its supposed hooves, not sure why.

>There were decrepit insect wings on her back, as well as a tube of green chitin.

>On its head, there is a jagged horn, now glowing in an eerie green glow.

 

>Seriously, what the fuck is this?

 

>”What?” The creature asks you, noticing your dumbstruck stare.

>”What. The. Hell. Are. You.”

>”I am Chrysalis, the queen of the Changelings. Or WERE the queen of the Changelings.”

>She hangs her head down.

>Well, at least her voice is the same.

>”So uhm- you’re Christie?”

>You nervously point.

>”Yes, yes I am.”

>”You can shape-shift?”

>”Of course, I am a changeling.”

>What the fuck is a ‘changeling’?

>”So uhm, why aren’t you letting me go?”

>She sighs.

>”I need you with me, Anonymous.”

>”And why is that?” You ask again, slowly settling down on the opposite wall.

>”I need to feed.”

>Woah, woah- you know where this is going.

>She’s a bloody vampire!

>”As a changeling-“ She cuts your trail of thought.

>”I need to feed on emotions.”

>If she is going anywhere your-

>Wait, wut?

>Emotions?

 

>”Emotions?” You ask.

>”Yes, I feed on emotions. Primarily on love.”

>You pause and ponder.

>”Is that why you were- Christie?”

>Well, no shite Sherlock.

>”So uhm- when we did that back there-“

>”Yes.”

>”Oh, wow.”

>You sit there idly, trying to take in the situation.

>You had to get out, and she was not going to let you.

>”I assume you’ll not let me go?”

>She stares at you like you’re an idiot.

>”Oh, right.”

>You huddle up to your corner.

>Let’s see who can play the waiting game longest.

 

>It’s been a few hours.

>And the neither of you is going to give up.

>You try to face away from her, not giving any emotions.

>If you’re going to starve, she will too.

>You feel a light breeze in the cave.

>You turn to see one pony you thought you’ll never see.

>The soft, flowing mane-

>Celestia.

>”Missed me, Anon?” She asks, slowly coming to you.

>You stand up, facing the great princess to whom you admitted you loved her.

>”Yes, you do love her, Anon.” Her venomous voice erupts.

>Shit.

>That’s the moment you realize.

>You loved her.

>It was in the past.

>You don’t even know your heart beats any more.

>You are dead.

 

>”Celestia- I mean Chrysalis, am I dead?” You ask.

>’Celestia’ frowns at you, and dissipates back to the Changeling.

>She looks around nervously, before opening her mouth.

>”Yes. You are dead, Anon.”

>You feel your heart sink- Actually, you don’t.

>You don’t feel anything.

>You sit on your corner again, the cold now claiming the empty hole in your mind.

>You don’t feel dead, though.

>That’s just your denial speaking.

>But you needed to get out of here.

>And if she is not going to let you out, so be it.

>It has been few days after you realized who Christie was.

>The two of you are facing away from each other, not letting out a word.

>You feel her magic is slowly weakening; your freedom will come soon.

>But damn, what you wouldn’t give for a slice of bacon now.

>You turn to face the queen, who is shivering in the corner.

>You can’t help to feel a pang of pity on her.

>And once that happens, you feel the magic getting stronger again.

>Goddamn, she works fast.

>Before she can face you, you return to face the wall.

>She’s not getting more of this.

>Another day has passed.

>You started to look around the tent, searching for food.

>All you’ve found was some fruits and berries.

>They will have to do.

>You down your food, and quickly rouse yourself to sleep.

>Next morning, you are unusually cold.

>You face is starting to feel numb.

>You open your eyes to see the open world again.

>There was Canterlot in the distance, and the mountains.

>The barrier ran out.

>You gladly stand, ready to head out.

>”You won’t- you can’t leave…” She whispers, weakened as you are.

>You ignore her, and walk outside.

>You feel the snow on your shoes again, the free air and-

>You suddenly stop, and fall to your knees.

>You gasp for air, before falling face first to the snow.

>When you wake, you can’t feel your face.

>You feel a weight on your back, and a tingle of warmth.

>You feel a light brush on your neck.

>You turn around to see Chrysalis sprawled on you.

>”I-I told you. You can’t leave.”

>She gives a weak grin.

>”My magic- is what keeps you alive.”

>You slowly turn around; making sure Chrysalis won’t fall off.

>You are now facing her, her smile already weakening.

>You feel another pang of guilt and pity on her.

>To have lost her title- her hopes- and now- her life.

>”Chrysalis-“ You mutter. “T-thank you.” You smile.

>You cup your hands on her hard cheeks, and look into her fluttering eyes.

>You take a deep breath- and lean closer.

>The kiss you give is enough to get her back on her feet.

>After all, she did save your life.

>Who knows, she might be a great Changeling.

>She immediately jumps up, blushing.

>You didn’t even know bugs could blush.

>You can feel your breathing getting stronger, it’s working.

>You feel an immense sense of relief washing over, soon replaced by the feeling of you did something stupid.

>”Anonymous, I-“

>”Shhh.” You shush her.

>Ah dude, what the fuck.

>”I’m sorry, Chrysalis.”

>She looks at you, puzzled.

>”No one ever thanked me before…” She trails off.

>”Well, you don’t get to save lives often.” You smile to her.

>”Anon, there was one thing…”

>Her eyes dart around, before she looks to your confused face.

>She leans down for another long kiss, now to your surprise.

>Then as you were getting used to it, you feel a surge of energy.

>Chrysalis glows in a brilliant glow, almost blinding.

>Then, her form melts, coming to your mouth.

>Her entire form disappears into your mouth, the feeling disappearing into your body.

 

>There.

>Chrysalis?

>Yes, Anon.

>Are you inside me?

>Yes, you could say that.

>Dayum boy.

>What?

>Nothing.

 

>You stand, snow falling softly to you face.

>You breathe deeply again, only to get no response from your body.

>Snow lands freely on your head.

>Let me get that for you.

>A dark cape materializes around you, perfectly covering your sorry form.

>You tug the cape around you, snuggling inside it.

>You sniff the new fabric smell.

>”Cool.” You say, ready to start the new day.