Chrysalis stared at the recently hatched broodling, with only slight contempt. She ran her a hoof through its blue-streaked hair, which was reminiscent of a certain unicorn stallion. “Well…isn’t this an…interesting predicament.”
 
The little grub beamed up at her, smiling and giggling so joyfully that it was hard for Chrysalis to believe that he was a changeling at all. There went her plan of calling him Fang or some other fierce changeling name…
 
“Such an…adorable expression of love and protection, I’ll call you Philia Agape Armet.” She kissed his forehead, more of a ceremonial act than out of love.
 
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%~
 
Cadence put her own little angel in her lap to read a bedtime story, with her husband Shining Armor seated right by her side
 
“Mommy! Daddy! Tell me the story of how you defeated the evil changeling queen!” Flurry begged with wonder and excitement in her eyes.
 
“Aw, haven’t we told you that story before?” Shining Armor protested in good nature.
 
“Pleeeeeease?” His daughter gazed up at him with the best puppy-dog eyes she could muster.
 
“Fine,” he chuckled. “Cadence, would you like to do the honors?”
 
Cadence giggled and gently kissed Flurry on the head. She had so much love for her it was hard to not snuggle her all day. “So it all started with a-”
 
BANG! Flurry squealed and hid from the noise, which was coming from the castle entrance.
 
“I’ll get it!” Shining Armor trotted to the door, wondering who could be making such a racket at this hour. Trying to convince himself not to go into “royal guard mode” at the visitor, he took a deep breath before answering it. However, he froze with increasing panic at what he saw.
 
“Honey, who is it?” Cadence uttered softly.
 
Suddenly, Chrysalis stormed past, having to duck slightly because of her height. “Hello Princess~ I’d like you to meet my and Shining’s son.”
 
Phil flashed his teeth and hissed, wanting no part of these pathetic ponies and their “love”.
 
“Mommy, is that the evil changeling queen? Is she gonna take me away?” Flurry shivered and cowered behind Cadence’s leg. Meanwhile, Shining Armor was heard having a panic attack in the other room.
 
“I want nothing to do with you; crayon box vomit isn’t appealing to me.” Chrysalis let Phil down on the floor and bent down at eye level with Flurry.
 
Cadence sputtered and unfurled her wings. “Step back! I don’t know whose foal this is. But I will not have you insult my filly or hurt my family!”
 
Flurry backed up, tears forming in her eyes as she stared up at the tall, menacing figure from her nightmares. Suddenly, she bumped into something behind her…the changeling foal. He hissed and spit at Flurry as she began sobbing.
 
“Halt! Who goes there!” A group of royal guards rushed into the room, with weapons in hoof and their captain Shining Armor at the lead. They zeroed in on the changeling queen and prepared to attack.
 
Chrysalis picked up her foal and threw him in front of the lead guard. “Now now, you wouldn’t hurt a poor defenseless colt! Look at the poor thing, he’s starving. Your son is starving Shining Armor.”
 
Cadence scowled. “Don’t hurt…him. Shining, she keeps saying this creature is your son!”
 
“H-honey I can explain!” Shining Armor stuttered. His panicky expression quickly grew stern. “But these two must leave. Queen Chrysalis and her allies have no place in our society. Not after…” he shuddered. “Now leave or we’ll use force!”
 
“Allies? And you call ME a monster? He’s only a foal Shining.” Chrysalis stood tall, using her magic to trap his guards in bubble-like structure and push Phil closer.
 
Flurry continued to cower under her mother’s protection. Cadence stood tall as well, feeling a little conflicted. “I…I understand your feelings Shining, but…hes a foal. There must be something we can do!”
 
Shining Armor looked into the eyes of the foal and cringed. It wasn’t that he didn’t care…the child just looked so much like her. He couldn’t live with the constant reminder of what she did to him. “Chrysalis, you had your chance to redeem yourself and you didn’t take it. I can see right through your evil schemes. Now take that thing and go back where you came from.” He pointed towards the door.
 
Philia could only glare at the stallion before him. He was no father to him and never would be. This only confirmed his suspicions that ponies were a cruel, unforgiving race under the facade of love and joy. He would have nothing to do with them.
 
Cadence was heartbroken. She doesn’t know the full story so all she saw was a misunderstood colt. But she also saw a conniving villain with a ruthless agenda. “Shining…Please…”
 
Flurry started whining “Get these mean bug monsters out Daddy!”
 
Chrysalis shook her head, sighing as she walked towards the door with Phil in tow. “It’s alright Cadenza, I understand how you ponies work now. You brag about harmony and acceptance; though I no longer urge you to accept me, you turn away a colt. None understand why I did what I did; the changelings who I used any means to feed and shelter turned against me.”
 
She walked out of the door, towering over the three royals. Making eye contact with Flurry as she flew into the night, her voice boomed. “Grow with this question filly. Who IS the monster?”