>Not long after Cadance's wedding
>Everyone is back in Ponyville
>The recent wedding had got Anon thinking
>Even with all of the friends he's made here, he still feels lonely
>Maybe he should finally try giving dating a shot
>Not like he can wait for another human, let alone a woman, to show up
>Rarity lets him down gently
>Fluttershy let out a squeak and hid in her cottage
>AJ said she was too busy to be fooling around with a coltfriend
>Dash told him no outright
>Pinkie Pie thought he was making a joke
>Twilight...
>She never gave him an answer
>And that's how he met her, sitting on a bench after walking away while Twilight stammered out random words, obviously trying to find a way to tell him no without hurting his feelings
>A mare with a minty green coat, sky blue mane, and piercing green eyes approached him, calling herself "Starlight Aria"
>She told him honeyed words to assuage his heartache
>They hit it off, and over the course of the year, fell in love
>The wedding was small, only Anon's friends- as Aria's family was apparently busy prepping their honeymoon
>After the "I-do"s, she revealed her true nature, Starlight Aria was really Queen Chrysalis in disguise
>Even with the truth out, and Twilight and her friends ready to blast Chrysalis away, Anon remembers that feeling of being alone and steps in between Chrysalis and the Six
>The look of shock of their faces and the cackle from Chrysalis shook his resolve slightly, but he stood firm
>He told Twilight that he was going with Chrysalis, and that was final
>The betrayal on her face broke his heart
>Chrysalis thought the love hex that she cast the day they met had been working this whole time
>He had been unaffected, and now, he was hoping that everything up until then wasn't a lie
>Or even if it was, that he could make it true
>Either way, there was no going back now, and only time would tell

...

>When they arrived they were met with the chittering cheers and joyous buzzes of her, well now their, subjects
>Anon stood next to Chrysalis on a cliff that overlooked a massive horde of changelings
>They fell silent with a stamp of her hoof that echoed throughout the walls and caverns of the hive
>"A new age is upon us, my children. My hex has managed to steal the man that that nuisance Twilight Sparkle loved, I have accomplished both acquiring a King for us and breaking her spirit. And my hex must have worked better than I had anticipated, for the Love I have received from my King is potent, as if it was actual True Love instead of a mere imitation of it. At this rate, I will gain enough strength to take back what is rightfully ours, claiming the Crystal Empire and the secrets of the lost King Sombra for ourselves to restore us to our true glory!"
>As the swarm below began cheering again, a flurry of emotions goes through Anon
>Hurt, at the thought that Chrysalis didn't love him like he loved her
>Worry, about the plans that Chrysalis apparently had in store for the world
>Confusion, at how she said that Twilight loved him
>If she did, why didn't she say anything? If she really felt that way she had over a year to say something to him, Chrysalis must have simply been mistaken
>He sighs, saying "What's done is done."
>Chrysalis' eyes flick over to Anon at his words and the sensation of his emotions, before she puts on a smile and bats her eyes at him, "Come, my dear King. Let's retreat to our chambers- we still have to celebrate our honeymoon, after all."
>Her words set his heart aflutter
>He hoped that she really did love him back
>He exhales sharply out of his nose
>Hope
>If she didn't, that's all he'd have now, isn't it?

...

>With a flutter of her wings Chrysalis lands on her bed
>She makes a circle with her hoof on the spot next to her and says, "Lie with me, my dear King."
>Anon sits next to her but doesn't lie down, instead idly rubbing his thumb against the band on his ring finger
>"Chrysalis..." he says
>She raises an eyebrow at his question
>"You know I love you, right?"
>She laughs, "Of course, you're under my spell, after all."
>"That's not what I'm talking about" he responds, taking her hoof in his hands, "Magic doesn't work on me; I fell in love with Starlight Aria, with you, and I want to know if any of what we were as Anon and Starlight Aria was genuine."
>A look of terror slowly took over her face with his words, she didn't know that he was immune to magic, that everything he said and did during her deception was authentic
>She felt something in the pit of her stomach, something foreign and unfamiliar
>Guilt
>"That can't be right," she thinks, "Changelings feel no remorse."
>The pleading look in Anon's eyes reminds her that he is waiting for an answer, "I'm...not sure..."
>He breathes a sigh of relief, it's better than no, he can build something from uncertainty

...

>An awkward air hangs between the two
>Chrysalis decides to speak up first
>"We still need to consummate, do we not?"
>Anon rubs the back of his neck, "I guess we do..."
>Chrysalis takes her forelegs and pushes Anon onto his back, "I should known you weren't hexed with how long you've been keeping me waiting for this."
>Anon puts his hands on her hips, "I told you we had to be joined in spirit before we could join in flesh, and now that we're wed, I can no longer deny you."
>His pants disappeared in a flash of green, and Chrysalis gave a toothy grin, "That's what I like to hear..."
>And so the two consummated
>Anon forgot about his fears temporarily as they entangled
>The ring on his finger seemed to thrum with energy, growing stronger with each thrust
>Chrysalis' face was bathed in an ethereal green light emanating from the ring around her horn
>The two were resonating, truly connecting their very souls
>In that moment, their thoughts, fears, and feelings became one
>Their passions multiplied on top of each other until they both reached a crescendo
>The glow from the rings stopped as the two of them collapsed next to each other, panting and sweating
>More foreign emotions invade Chrysalis' being
>She feels...full
>That ever-present hunger that was integral to Changelings could no longer be felt
>Also, there was a sudden weight in her abdomen
>As if, what was the phrase...
>As if something "took"
>She felt a smile creep onto her face at the idea
>Anon's loyalty and love to her weren't in question before, but there would be no chance now
>She lets out a sigh of contentment, another alien feeling, and nestles her head under his chin, careful not to poke him with her horn
>He reaches up and strokes the side of her face
>"Hmm..." she thinks, "Mayhaps some of it was real."

...

>Its been some time since that night
>Chrysalis has since given birth to a child
>When he was first told Anon was confused, as he thought they couldn't due to their different species
>Chrysalis simply tittered and said, "You still have much to learn about changelings, and I'll gladly be your teacher."
>Anon found himself tugging at his collar from her comment, but he was ecstatic that he was finally going to be a father
>However the whole time Anon was worried if the child would turn out alright or be born as some sort hybrid, like a satyr or centaur
>Chrysalis was more worried about her not feeling the need to consume love, especially since she should have been eating for two
>However when the time came, their daughter was healthy, and a changeling
>Her mane was a different shade of green than her mother's, and her eyes between the green of Chrysalis and Anon's
>When asked, Anon named their daughter Jade, after the color of her mane
>Due to the quirks of changeling biology she grew quickly, being about the size of a regular pony by the time of her first birthday
>She had problems transforming, finding herself unable to change her eye or coat color, but was otherwise able to mimic appearances and voices
>She also displayed the strange lack of hunger that her mother had been having recently
>Chrysalis buried herself in whatever she could find to try and figure out this new oddity to their physiology
>This left Jade often in the company of her father, leaving her as something of a daddy's girl as a result
>The days had begun to blur together a little when a changeling appeared before them in a flash of purple magic
>"A m-message for you, m-my king!" the changeling said, holding out a letter to Anon.
>Anon arched an eyebrow, he didn't often receive messages before, and he especially didn't now beyond reports if Chrysalis wasn't around
>He takes the envelope from the changeling, before turning it over in his hand, noticing the Canterlot Royal Seal pressed upon it
>"Who gave you this?" Anon asked.
>"The purple one, my king, Twilight Sparkle."

...

>"How did she know to send you to give me this?" Anon asked
>The changeling started to rub his foreleg with a hoof, "She must have seen through my disguise."
>Anon sighed, "Well I'll put in a good word for you so Chryssi doesn't punish you too harshly, you know how she is. What's your name?"
>"Exos, my king." he replied.
>Anon nods, "You're dismissed then."
>Exos leaves and Anon slides a knife out from his boot to break open the seal
>Tucking the knife back into his boot, he opens the letter contained within
>'Dear Anon, I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. A lot has happened since you left, but I send this letter with Chrysalis' spy to invite you to my upcoming induction ceremony. I would appreciate it if you were able to attend- we could catch up, and it would be nice to see your face again. Your Friend, Twilight Sparkle.'
>"Nice that she still considers me a friend." Anon chuckles
>"What's so funny, dad?" Jade asks as she enters the room
>"Nothing much, Princess," Anon says, pulling her into a hug, "Old friend sent me an invite to her ceremony."
>Her eyes light up, "Oh, oh, are you going? Can I go too?"
>"Perhaps, I'll have to talk with your mother about it." he replies
>The sounds of buzzing wings fills the room as Jade begins to prance around, "Can we ask her now, please?"
>Anon rises from his seat and pats her on the head, "Sure thing, Princess."

...

>Anon announces his presence with a rap of his knuckles on the door, "Hey Chryssi, there's something we need to discuss."
>Chrysalis tears her eyes away from the scrolls that she had her spies steal, "What?"
>The irritation at being interrupted was clear in her voice, and made Anon wince
>He recomposes himself before saying, "One of your infiltrators was sent here with a message addressed to me."
>"Which one? They will be punished accordingly for their failure."
>Knowing it wasn't wise to try and keep it from her, he says, "Exos, but do be kind to him, he is a good changeling."
>Chrysalis scoffs, "There is no such thing, we are made to conquer and consume, nothing more. Which is why I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with me- what YOU did to me."
>The tone she uses is accusatory, so he responds, "All I've ever done is love you, Chryssi."
>"Ever since the night we consummated I haven't felt the hunger, that curse laid upon us, and Jade knows nothing of it either- but that isn't what you’re here about, what is so important that you had to interrupt me?"
>He holds the letter up and it is wrenched from his grasp by a green aura, Chrysalis’ slitted eyes narrow further as she reads it, before erupting into green flames as a cackle rips through the air.
>Anon clears his throat, “I thought I would attend- perhaps seeing me ‘hale and hearty’, as it were, would ease any potential tension that might have bubbled up in the past year or so. Jade also showed interest in attending, I think it would be good for her to do so but since she’s OUR daughter it would be prudent for me to inform you.”
>Chrysalis rubs her chin with a hoof and begins muttering to herself as she turns away from Anon and towards the desk that was carved from the wall
>The scrolls are quickly rolled up and set aside while a fresh one is laid out, a quill scribbles something onto it before it disappears within a flicker of flame
>Turning back to him, she says, “Take Jade to the Weavers, the two of you will be fitted for regalia- when those pathetic ponies see you, they will know you are mine.”
>She cackles once more
>”Jade will be overjoyed at the news.” Anon says with a smile.
>”She will get to see the enemy face to face, experience what they think of us, their fear, anger, and hatred.”
>Anon nods and she turns back towards her desk, opening back up the scrolls she put away earlier, “The Praetorians will join you, have whatever you need ready tonight because you will head for Canterlot in the morning. Now go, I have work to do.”
>He sighs at being given the cold shoulder, but that gives him an idea
>Quietly walking up behind her, he runs his hand along her carapace from between her wings to the base of her neck, causing her to shudder, “C-cease! I-I’m not in the mood.” she stutters.
>”Are you certain?” Anon replies, punctuating his question by trailing his hand up her neck before letting the nail of his middle finger graze the back of one of her ears.
>”Y-yes.” she responds, the flicking of her tail and buzzing of her wings betraying her words.
>”Ah well,” he says, rubbing her ear in small circles with his index finger and thumb, “I merely thought that, given the nature of these royal ceremonies, that you might want something since Jade and I will be gone for almost a week. But since you’re not in the mood, I guess I’ll just take my leave…”
>He turns to exit, but the stone doors close with such speed and force that it causes him to stumble backwards.
>Turning to see the culprit, Chrysalis stands before him, eyes half-lidded and aglow, “You’re not leaving here until I’m satisfied.”
>With that declaration, Anon finds himself flung into their bed once again.