>You’re walking through the castle in the early morning.
>Accompanied by two golden-clad pony guards.
>You are, at long last, being escorted to the second meeting with the Royal Sisters.
>Making your way through wide corridors and spacious halls, getting a few opportunities to briefly admire the castle’s colourful tapestries, glittering chandeliers, and stained-glass windows.
>Until you arrive at a certain chamber.
>The two guards lead you inside, to the awaiting princesses at the lone, round table.
>And Twilight Sparkle.
>The guards quietly bow and leave you behind as they exit.
>”Good morning.”
>Celestia greets you with a smile.
“Good morning.”
>You sit down on the only available chair and rest your arms in your lap.
>Not on the table, it’s a little lower than you’d like.
>The chair is nice, though.
>Twilight magically summons a stack of parchment and a quill.
>Looks like she’s going to be the meeting’s secretary again.
>”Before we start…”
>Luna also summons a single piece of parchment as she talks.
>”… I’d like to say a few things about the state of security.”
>Well, okay.
>She reads whatever’s written on the parchment for a moment.
>”We have lost no guardponies or other members of staff…”
>Twilight watches the blue princess intently and Celestia just nods.
>”… and so far our funds add up and we may continue this way for… quite some time.”
>The parchment rolls itself together in Luna’s blue magic and settles on the table.
“Okay…”
>That’s it?
>”Merely a reassurance. Everything is fine and we’ve encountered nothing suspicious as of yet.”
>She gives you a confident smile.
>Cool.
“That’s good.”
>”Indeed.”
>Celestia looks at Twilight.
>”So…”
>Twilight makes her quill hover above the first piece of parchment, and Celestia turns her head towards you.
>”We are ready to begin.”
>Alrighty.
“So this time I’m to explain how Chrysalis is?”
>You look at Twilight.
>The Royal Sisters look a little surprised.
>”I suppose that would be relevant.”
>Celestia seems to ponder.
>You look at Luna.
“Did you tell her what I told you last night?”
>The dark princess stares at you.
>”… Last night?”
>Celestia raises an eyebrow at her sister.
>”You went to him last night?”
>Luna’s expression goes from blank to bewildered.
>”I did no such thing! Why would I pay him a personal visit when he comes here?”
>Celestia narrows her eyes.
>And then smiles teasingly.
>”Well, I suppose even my sister can become… lonely.”
>Luna’s glare is worthy of legend.
>”Most. Certainly. Not.”
>But Celestia only laughs.
>”Alright, calm down. I’m merely teasing you.”
>Luna only calms down a little.
>Her glare doesn’t quite go away.
>”Good. I was not with him last night.”
>Her eyes turn to you.
>”… and that is troubling.”
>Celestia’s amused expression fades too.
>Her purple eyes focus on you too.
>”You’re sure you met?”
>You don’t answer immediately.
>You did meet.
>You talked and you were tired and she left.
“Yes.”
>Celestia and Luna look at each other.
>Obviously worrying.
>Twilight hasn’t written anything down yet and doesn’t look like she’s about to.
>A chill trickles down your spine.
>This can only mean one thing.
“Oh shit…”
>Luna glances at you.
>”Crass language. But understandable.”
>Celestia looks at Twilight again, who starts scribbling wildly, before looking back at you.
>”This is very troubling news. We didn’t have any signs of changelings infiltrating the castle or any other facilities.”
>Her hoof taps gently against her chin as she thinks.
>”If she did manage to sneak in without our noticing…”
>Goddammit.
“It happened once before. Didn’t you learn anything?”
>That makes Celestia look a little hurt and Luna look irritated.
>Celestia gives you an apologetic look.
>”We’ve been trying, but for all our attempts Chrysalis is a slippery foe. It’s not easy to combat somepony who can copy any appearance.”
>Then Luna butts in.
>”Not to mention that what finally defeated her the last time was Cadance and Shining Armour.”
>Right. You remember that.
>A flashy mix of love and magical power.
>But you haven’t seen either of them since you returned.
“But they’re not here now, are they?”
>”No. They’re both north, in the Crystal Empire.”
>Well, fuck.
>Better hang on tight to those Friendship elements, then.
>You look at Twilight.
>She seems you read you and turns towards Celestia.
>”But the Elements are all here.”
>Celestia nods.
>”Yes. They will have to be our trump card in the time to come.”
>You feel a little uneasy about it, remembering how useless they were last time.
>Then again, they never even got to use them back then. This time they should be ready, right?
>”Also…”
>Luna leans forward and looks at you.
>”Just what did my… copy ask you about?”
“Well…”
>It was pretty simple stuff.
“Mostly about Chrysalis. What I had learned and thought of her.”
>”Nothing about Canterlot? Ponies? Us?”
>Luna looks surprised.
>Celestia looks curious too.
”No. Nothing about that, just Chrysalis.”
>It would’ve been odd for “Luna” to ask about those things anyway, wouldn’t it?
>Both Luna and Celestia spend a moment in quiet contemplation.
>You, however, aren’t so surprised.
“She was just playing with me.”
>The two princesses look up.
“She does that.”
>Luna tilts her head.
>”Interesting.”
>Celestia looks thoughtful for a moment.
>Then she turns to you.
>”Can you help us predict her?”
>Interesting request. Can you help?
>... no, probably not.
>As much as you might like to help keep that creepy stalker out of the castle, you’re not really sure how.
“Pretty sure I can’t. I mean, I just know a few things about her. I can’t tell how she handles infiltrations and all that.”
>The sun princess looks just a little unhappy with that.
>”I see.”
>Sorry to disappoint.
>Luna turns to Celestia.
>”Perhaps we should cut this meeting short. I believe this unexpected revelation demands immediate action.”
>Celestia nods at her sister.
>”Yes, of course. We have to do something about this as soon as possible.”
>The white alicorn then turns to her purple student, who pays attention immediately.
>”Twilight, I want you to gather all the others. We need to discuss a plan of action and how to keep the Elements out of Chrysalis’ reach.”
>Twilight dismisses her notes in a flash of magic and jumps off her seat, running out the door and disappearing from view.
>You follow the hasty unicorn with your eyes before looking back to Celestia.
>”I’m sorry our meeting has become so brief, but thank you for mentioning the visit. This has been incredibly important.”
>Obviously.
“You’re welcome.”
>Now that you think about it, it could’ve been amusingly disastrous if you hadn’t bothered to mention it.
>You stand up.
>Time for the princesses to do their planning and whatnot, you assume.
>”Rest assured, we will keep you up to speed on our work.”
>Luna gives you a reassuring smile.
“Thanks. Then I’ll take my leave.”
>”Of course. We will summon you at another time.”
>Alrighty.
>You exit the chamber and start making your way back to your room.
>So you had a changeling visitor? Great.
>You’re not actually sure it was Chrysalis herself, but the odds of that seem pretty good.
>You suspect she’d prefer to make that kind of appearance herself.
>Making your way back through the castle, you can’t resist looking around.
>All you see is the usual picturesque scenery of a pretty castle.
>A vague sense of paranoia creeps into your head.
>Right now everything seems empty.
>But there are changelings here somewhere.
>… No, stop!
>Chrysalis would just love it if you freaked out.
>She’s being confusing, though.
>Is she here to kidnap you again?
>Or, since she hasn’t snatched you yet, is she planning something else?
>You reach your guest room.
>… and there’s a surprise waiting for you.
>Outside your door are two guardponies.
>Standing on either side of it and otherwise being as statuesque as those stallions usually are.
>Approaching, the guard closest to you nods his head.
>”The princess is waiting for you inside.”
>What?
“… which?”
>”Princess Celestia.”
>That’s… surprising.
>And strange.
>Stepping forward, you take the cold metal door handle and open the door.
>You look inside the room, feeling cautious.
>Celestia is in fact standing in the centre of it, with her back (or butt) turned towards you.
>You stay where you are.
>She doesn’t move, besides her magical mane that never stops making waves.
>What the fuck is she doing here?
>She turns towards your bed, only to notice you in the door.
>”Oh. There you are.”
>She smiles and turns towards you instead.
>”I’m glad I managed to find you.”
>She keeps smiling.
>You stand still.
>Then she tilts her head.
>”Aren’t you going to come in? I shouldn’t have to invite you, you’re the one residing here.”
>You step into the room.
>Slowly.
>Unease is mixing pretty badly with the confusion.
>This is really fucking suspicious.
>You hear the door being shut behind you.
>But you don’t take your eyes off Celestia.
>She just smiles pleasantly at you.
>”Is there something wrong?”
>Kind of?
“What are you doing here?”
>Also, how did you get here so damn fast?!
>The princess looks towards the ceiling and thinks for a moment.
>Her expression loses the smile and becomes more serious.
>”I forgot to tell you something important when we last spoke.”
>Like, five minutes ago?
>Your immediate response is to frown.
>She giggles
>”Don’t look like that. I didn’t come here to upset you.”
>You ignore her comment and wonder.
>Is it really…?
“You sure about that?”
>That makes her frown.
>But her purple eyes remain friendly.
>”What’s wrong?”
>You look momentarily back at the closed door behind you.
>And remember the two guards on the other side.
>Uh oh…
“Are those two out there changelings too?”
>There’s a moment of silence.
>Celestia’s face is blank.
>… Did you just embarrass yourself?
>But then she starts giggling.
>The giggle grows louder.
>She laughs.
>A wicked cackle entirely unfit for the pristine princess of the sun.
>You reflexively take a small step backwards at the display.
>Celestia’s horn glows green for a brief moment and you hear the door lock behind you.
>Goddammit, you were right!
>Celestia smiles at you, her smile being sinister and devoid of the earlier friendliness.
>Suddenly, green magic engulfs her.
>And the black queen Chrysalis takes her place.
>”I was hoping you’d figure it out.”
>She still smiles sinisterly.
>You sigh.
>This makes for an unsettling reunion, but you don’t let yourself freak out.
“What the hell…?”
>Chrysalis tilts her head, still looking amused.
>”What’s the matter? Not happy to see me?”
>Uh, no?
>Of course she’d come after you, though.
“Maybe not.”
>She only giggles, her distorted voice making the sound a lot different than Celestia’s.
>”And I came all this way just to see you. What a cold welcome.”
>Oh shut up.
“What’s to prevent me from screaming and alarming the castle?”
>That makes her look less amused.
>Her eyes look downright dangerous.
>”What’s to prevent me from snatching you and, say, escaping out the window?”
>You mull that over for a moment.
>Well, she does have both magic and flight…
>”Don’t be silly. If any guards come running, they’ll only see Celestia and her guest who has become a nervous wreck.”
“So those two outside-“
>”Yes, they’re mine.”
>Great.
>Fucking fantastic.
“Then are you about to drag be back to your own place?”
>She looks at you.
>Doesn’t answer immediately.
>… that’s a little odd.
>”Well, I had planned that. At first.”
>What?
“Uh…?”
>”I changed my mind.”
“What?”
>”Don’t be so dumbfounded.”
>She gives you an annoyed glare.
>You still can’t help but be surprised, though.
“But…”
>You have several questions, but you’re not sure how to start.
>Chrysalis rolls her eyes and sighs loudly.
>”I remember perfectly well how you used to constantly complain about my care.”
>That shuts you up.
>A pretty interesting thing to hear.
“So… you want to be nice?”
>Her eyes latch onto you again.
>Coldly.
>”… Yes.”
>But then…
“Then what are you doing here?”
>She smiles again.
>”Well, I couldn’t just let you roam here without letting you know I haven’t forgotten you.”
>Right.
>Surprise, surprise.
“So you’re going to stalk me?”
>Figures she’d make for a natural stalker.
>She just continues to smile in her usual diabolical way.
>”I’ll be paying attention to you, yes. But I may have better things to do every once in a while.”
>Again, you’re a little surprised.
>Chrysalis seems to read your expression, and her smiles turns into a grin.
>”Since I’m in Canterlot I might as well take notes of how things work here.”
>That sounds bad.
“What do you plan on doing?”
>She tilts her head and smiles with mock-innocence.
>”Nothing special. Simply research.”
>Then her smile shrinks and she looks towards the floor.
>”… I was hasty and I left behind the bulk of my army. I didn’t think about the opportunity to invade again.”
>Well, thank goodness.
“The ponies have been worried about that, actually.”
>That makes her snicker.
>”Of course. I did make an impact.”
>Then her face stiffens.
>Something hits her.
>And her sinister eyes latch onto you again.
>Intensely.
>”And you told them about me.”
>Uh…
>Duh?
“Why wouldn’t I?”
>Her glare remains fierce.
>”Not just their interrogation. I’ll admit I didn’t think they’d do that-“
“Interrogation? We’ve just been having meetings.”
>”The ponies can call it whatever they like! But you also told them about my letter.”
>Oh. That.
>Didn’t exactly seem like something you should’ve kept to yourself.
“You didn’t think I would?”
>The rage in her expression fades somewhat, although she still looks bothered.
>”I had hoped you wouldn’t.”
>Odd.
“I wasn’t going to help you get in here.”
>”I know. But the letter was rather personal.”
“Not my fault you decided to kiss it.”
>Is that was this is about?
>”Maybe. But you weren’t around to kiss.”
>That makes you snicker.
“As if you’d kiss me.”
>Cheeky changeling.
>… and suddenly you wonder if she really would.
>Looking at Chrysalis, you see her smirking back at you.
>Being in the middle of a bright, well-lit room, she’s not quite as intimidating as usual.
>Her sharp fangs stick out beneath her upper lip as little points.
>Getting a kiss from her seems kind of risky.
>”And now we’ll never know. What a pity.”
>Yes. Pity.
>Her head turns and she looks around, inspecting your room.
>”This is very luxurious.”
>She looks at your desk, out your window, and then focuses on your bed.
>”Those two princesses spoil you.”
“I also haven’t complained or tried to run away.”
>She glances at you.
>An annoyed look.
>Maybe you should be a little more careful with your remarks.
>She can still steal you away and imprison you forever.
>”Am I supposed to learn from this?”
>Her voice is hard.
>You hesitate.
“… You could.”
>She’s quiet for a moment while she’s still looking at your bed.
>It makes you feel tenser than you’d like.
>Then she turns towards you, a grin on her face.
>”Maybe I like it when you struggle.”
>Oh you bitch…
>Suddenly, someone knocks on your door.
>Or somepony, since you can tell it’s a hoof.
>Chrysalis calmly walks over and unlocks it with a quick spell.
>Enveloping the handle with her green magic, she opens it.
>The two white guardponies are still on the other side, completely unaffected by the sight of the dark changeling.
>So they really are changelings in disguise.
>Chrysalis gives them both an inquisitive look.
>”Your Highness, there was a guard.”
>Chrysalis looks over the speaking minion, outside of your view, and her horn glows.
>She lifts an unconscious body into the room.
>A white guardpony still in his golden armour.
>What the hell?
>Was there a fight?
>Chrysalis sighs.
>”This will have to be dealt with.”
>With the guard still hovering in her magic, she simultaneously opens your window.
>The two fake guards trot into your room, and Chrysalis places the unconscious stallion across the back of one of them.
>They proceed to leap out your window without a second thought.
>Chrysalis closes the door as they disappear out the other “exit”.
>She then looks out the window, but remains standing.
>”Well, that’s a nuisance.”
>You feel a tinge of dread.
>Poor bastard.
“What are you going to do with him?”
>She looks at you.
>Smiling evilly.
>”Well, I can’t have him around now that he knows something he shouldn’t.”
>Fucking indirect answers.
“So… what? You’ll kill him?”
>Her smile grows into a grin.
>She doesn’t answer.
>Goddammit, stop being so menacing.
>Not being frightened, you give her a questioning glare.
>Her grin shrinks.
>”You have such poor expectations of me.”
>She sighs dramatically.
>”Whatever did I do to give you such an impression?”
>… and smirks.
>You just look at her.
>In a way you hope conveys ‘you know damn well what’.
>It makes her giggle.
>”Don’t worry, I won’t kill him. I’ll just have to make sure he doesn’t tell anypony about the visitor you had today.”
>Is that even going to be more merciful?
“That’s better?”
>She stops looking amused and frowns.
>”Yes. Yes it is.”
>She starts glaring.
>”I CAN be more than a horrible monster if you would let me.”
>Uh oh.
“Okay, okay. Just making sure.”
>Her glare lessens.
>Although she still looks irritated.
>”That reminds me, you won’t be telling anypony about this either.”
>You don’t say anything.
>Figures you’d have to keep quiet about this.
>She steps closer.
>”Just to make sure you understand, if you tell anypony about my coming here I’ll take you away from your friends again.”
>That honestly scares you a bit.
>And, on some level, irritates you.
“You’re always so threatening.”
>… wait, should you have said that out loud?
>Chrysalis blinks.
>It seems to take her by surprise.
>Then she frowns.
>”Well, I can’t have you babbling about where I come and go.”
>Fair enough.
>Except…
“Everybody already knows you’re here.”
>”Yes, and I don’t need them to try to find me even harder.”
>She still looks unimpressed.
>Then she shakes her head.
>”Can I trust you?”
>That takes YOU by surprise.
“What?”
>She looks at you in an unusually serious manner.
>”Can I trust you?”
>You feel a little confused.
“About what?”
>”Don’t tell anypony I was here.”
>Oh.
“… I guess.”
>Are you fraternizing with an enemy of Equestria now?
>That would be bad.
>Chrysalis smiles at you.
>Then, pretty quickly, leans towards you.
>Before you can do anything, she places a kiss on your cheek.
>You rear back in surprise, albeit too late, and she smiles again.
>”You’re a sweetheart.”
>She trots over to the window and spreads her insect wings.
>In a flash of green she becomes a tall, white pegasus and dives out your window.
>You stand alone.
>Feeling odd.
>You touch your cheek where you can still feel some remnant of her contact.
>Her lips were pleasantly soft.
>Pulling your fingers away again, you see she wasn’t wearing any lipstick.
>Good. A mark might incite questions.
>Now you just have to wonder if you’re doing something stupid.