A/N: Mature content warning!

Hours later, and the mare was still thinking about that conversation. She'd done her chores for the day and picked up her daughter from school. She stood in her bedroom with a sour look on her features as she truly considered her options.

Shining Armor was genuinely interested in making a life with her and she was interested in having him.

Returning to the mountain she'd grown up in would be a good way to slowly introduce her daughter to her heritage. If she involved Shining Armor in their lives, there was no way she could willingly keep that from her child. She wanted her to have that relationship with her sire.

With a heavy sigh, the Changeling Queen truly stared at herself in the mirror. It'd been a while since she stood so plainly. Since she stood as a changeling.

Willowy in stature and yet dangerous in her build, Chrysalis still looked the part of regality. Harlequin eyes glowed in the darkness as teal tresses framed her face. The luminescence of her mid-section added to her strangeness and Chrysalis imagined herself standing beside her cloud colored daughter.

True, her daughter favored her slightly, but there was no true sharpness to her looks, no fangs, no onyx chitin, no gossamer wings- nothing the least bit changeling. It made things much easier, and yet it still broke her heart. Her people had been resilient and beautiful in their darkness… and now she was the only 'true' one left.

In a land of ponies, and even her own offspring, she felt terribly out of place.

Shining Armor knew exactly who and what she was and he loved her for it. He loved her striking appearance, her attitude and her ambition. He was willing to leave all of this behind to be with her. It was a dream come true… and yet her daughter hated changelings.

She frowned.

She could pretend with the best of them, but she was tired of having her heart crushed. And Gemma shunning her would break her completely, Shining Armor or no.

Chrysalis cursed as she struck her bureau making it rattle as it tipped violently smacking the wall before righting itself. She froze hoping Gemma hadn't heard her. A moment passed before the mare relaxed. Perhaps she was still at the meadow. Wh-

"Mama?"

Chrysalis stiffened.

"Mama…" Or maybe she was home.

Chrysalis slowly turned only to feel her heart lurch.

Her daughter stood with a slack jaw and wide eyes.

The betrayal in their depths said more than any words.

Gemma didn't know where she was going, but she knew she couldn't stay in that house.

Not with that liar… Not with that thing- her mother.

She galloped as fast as her legs would take her not caring who saw when she leaped into the air letting her wings with their soft magenta and gold feathered tips lift her into the air as she beat them furiously.

She could hear her mother screaming for her to stop, wait, and let her explain. But all she could think of was the evil that had descended upon her nation's capital. A cruel queen who had locked away an innocent princess as she fed off her love like some kind of parasite.

The view from up high was glorious but the small filly could care less as her heart broke in her tiny chest. Wind with the faintest hints of rain rushed by her as she navigated the sky. Lush meadows filled with blooming flowers and towering cedars seemed insignificant when a person realized the person they loved most maybe never loved or trusted them at all. Maybe never really real to start with.

Gemma could feel herself tiring not used to such activity, but for once she didn't care. 'Let me break,' she thought angrily as she descended too quickly hitting the ground before tumbling over her own feet and smacking the ground. Moaning in discomfort, she opened her eyes to a clear night sky with scintillating light.

Laying in her pity, she only trusted the sky to see her tears at this moment.

'You can't trust a changeling,' she remembered Twilight Sparkle telling her as tears distorted her vision. 'Even if they're your mom,' Gemma thought brokenly.

It was such a cruel joke.

'Amber Stone' wasn't real. She was made up and somehow that hurt worst of all. "Changelings can't love," she whimpered curling into a ball. Why else would they need to steal it?

Cicadas chirped in the night turning her pain into a song that echoed, ruining the forest's silence.

But why had she lied… and to her?

Clouds had gathered and before she knew it, she was being beaten down by rain. Even the cicadas had abandoned her.

Trying to rein in her emotions, she shuffled to her feet with a coat matted with debris. Concentrating as much as she could, she was about to cast a spell her favorite knight had taught her when the sound of a voice rang through the clearing she'd crashed in. Blinking and looking around, Gemma hadn't even noticed the house some fifty yards away.

When Shining Armor saw her, he immediately rushed to her squinting in the rain. Guiding her to his home, the two sat on his front porch as he tried to figure out what was going on. Why was she here? Alone in the rain at night? When he'd heard something outside, he'd have never thought to see a soaking wet alicorn filly alone and muddy. Lest of all his filly.

Eyes that were usually bright and kind, were red rimmed from crying. Her coat was muddy with bits of leaves and twigs in her wet tangled mane. He could guess what was wrong, but he wanted to hear it from her. The porch swing they sat in could easily fit three ponies, but he sat close to her anyway.

She looked like she was ready to burst into tears again, Shining Armor thought as he waited for her to speak.

Moments had passed and still no words from her were spoken. Just sniffles and dry sobs.

"Jewels..."

"That's…. That's not even my name," she laughed humorlessly as her resolve broke and her emotions took over. "Am I even a real pony?"

"What…. What's wrong?" He slid a foreleg across trembling shoulders, as his concern rose sharply.

Gemma sobbed as she shook her head furiously. "I can't. I just can't."

"Please, talk to me. You're scaring me." She bit her lip and leveled her gaze on the ground despite the clear rivers rushing from her eyes. "Where's your mom?" He asked quietly.

"She's not my mom!" The girl exploded, violently shrugging out of his grasp. "She's a liar and a horrible, horrible pony!"

"Stop it!" He thundered causing her to jump. Apologizing, he continued in a much softer tone. "She loves you. She'd do anything for you." When his words lacked the desired effect, he changed his approach. "Where is all this coming from?" The filly refused to answer his questions as she attempted to burn a hole in the ground with her glare as she hugged her legs to her chest. "Bright Eyes, what happened?" He tried again, sinking down beside her. She felt her heart flutter at the nickname, but her anger was much stronger than his silly sentiment.

"How can you love her?" She muttered darkly, refusing to look him in the face still despite her cheeks flushing.

The stallion truly was taken aback. "What-"

"You can't lie to me!" She interrupted accusingly, glaring at him. "I know you love her, and she... she can't love anyone."

"Jewels…"

"She's a monster!" She cried, "and if I'm her daughter," her voice hitched as she tried much unsuccessfully to push through her feelings, "what does that make me?"

"Jewels..." He pulled her into as embrace as she fell apart crying inconsolably. "It's okay, Bright Eyes... It's okay. You're not… you're not a monster." His heart broke for his daughter and the mare whose worst fears seemed to be coming true.

They stayed that way until the filly had tired herself out.

"Are you okay?" He asked once she calmed.

She nodded sniffling.

"What happened?"

"I was walking by her room when I thought I heard something… I opened the door to ask if she was alright and I finally saw what she really was. A changeling. And even though she looked nothing like a normal pony, nothing like me, I knew that I was hers. That 'whatever' she was lived somewhere inside me too. I shouldn't be an alicorn. And yet here I am. I've never known who she really was and now… How could she keep that from me? How can she say that she loves me when she couldn't even show me what she really was?" He let her speak her mind, listening patiently as she vocalized her thoughts and feelings. "You should've seen the look on her face when I realized it was still her. She looked so scared and ashamed. She called to me, but I didn't stop to hear it."

"You ran away?"

She nodded, despite the look that said she was somewhere else. "She was so afraid… Why would she look like that?" She blinked as she turned to look at him waiting for something to explain it all away.

"Because she was afraid of you hating her. Your mother may have made mistakes in the past, but she's always loved you." Gemma scowled. Her mother had lied to her for years. Even after that stupid talk they had about being honest with each other. "It's true…" Was Shining Armor's soft words as he hugged her close. "You were her penance for a life she never chose. She was so worried about you not having someone to look after you, to love you despite who you came from. You were everything she wanted." He seemed lost in his own thoughts before looking to her again. The two were silent for a few a minutes. "She loves you."

"I know…" She whispered through the hurt.

"Do you?"

She nodded and the tears were back full force. "I love her too."

"Are you ready to go home?" He asked after a while. He knew the mare had to be out of her mind.

"Not just yet…" She breathed as she held to him still. "You'd be a good dad," She whispered. "It's like you always know what to do." She was silent. "I wish you were mine."

Luckily for the stallion, Gemma was still too caught up in her own feelings to truly register or realize his. Shining Armor squeezed her affectionately as his throat tightened with a number of emotions. "I'm glad you think so… I think I'd like very much to be your father."
She looked up at him and smiled.

The two cuddled together as the rain continued to fall looking for a break in intensity. Once they realized the shower would last all night, Shining Armor used a spell to transport them to the small cottage outside of town.

Amber Stone was standing on the porch looking out into the night, when a magenta sphere of magic materialized and popped to reveal father and daughter. The relief she felt was unexplainable as the two hurried out of the rain to stand with her on the porch.

"Mama?" The filly peaked up at her elder from under bangs. She felt so awkward after everything that had taken place. Her mother stood as Amber Stone, but Gemma now knew what was underneath her pony coat and mane.

"Gemma?" Chrysalis' voice was soft as her gaze took in the two.

Shining Armor cleared his throat and nudged the girl forward with an encouraging smile.

Taking a stumbling step forward, she cast one more glance at the stallion before directing all of her attention onto her mother. Swallowing and taking a deep breath, she moved forward, finally looking the mare in the eye when she was but a step away from her. She had so many questions and other things to resolve, but for now she had to make things right.

"Mama… I-"

Before she could finish, Chrysalis had wrenched the girl forward and held her tight as she buried her face in her mane. "Baby, I'm so sorry!"
At first, Gemma was reluctant to return the embrace, but moments later she was holding the other just as tightly as tears fell from her eyes. "Me too! I-I don't care what you are." She whispered heatedly. "I love you no matter what. I just… I didn't know you…"

"It's okay… No more secrets." Chrysalis breathed into her love.

"No more secrets."

Shining Armor watched the reunion with a soft smile. Chrysalis looked up from her daughter and mouthed a thank-you to the stallion. Lifting the small filly, who shifted onto her back, she vocalized her words shyly. "Would… would you like to stay for dinner?"

Gemma stared up at him with hope in her round orbs. "Say yes!" She urged.

The stallion's smile was gentle. "I'd love to." Besides, it was still raining out.

It really had been a nice night. Even with the quiet roar of rain pelting the land, the trio had enjoyed a fine meal and easy conversation. After dinner was over, the mare insisted he stay the night as the weather was not agreeable for walking. Thanking her for her hospitality, Shining Armor decided to shower while the other put the small filly to sleep.

After shutting the door to her daughter's room, Chrysalis leaned against the doorway as she let out a deep breath. The past few days had given her much to think on. She still cared deeply for the stallion and it was beyond obvious that he still cared for her. Not to mention Gemma's adoration of him. So, why should she continue to deny herself love? Why deny her daughter her father? No more secrets, she had promised despite keeping her daughter's paternity to herself.

Her biggest fear had already been conquered and it was all because of Shining Armor. Gemma loved him enough to confide all of her secrets in him. If that wasn't a sign, what was?

She now stood in front of the bathroom door, having gone to him without even realizing it. Shining Armor made her happy, and for once in her life she would meet that happiness head on instead of running away.

Staring at the bathroom door a bit longer, she took a deep breath and let herself in closing the door quietly behind herself. The room was hot and steamy as the shower ran. Throwing caution to the wind, she carefully slipped behind the shower curtain, marveling at the finely built pony soaking wet inside.

If he was surprised to see her, he certainly didn't act it. He stood tall and unreadable as their eyes locked. Swallowing, the mare spoke candidly as she slowly dropped her disguise, showing him her true self.

"Thank-you for bringing her back to me." Chrysalis whispered as she stepped forward, pressing her body close to his. Her chitin was still cool despite the heat from the water. It'd been a long time since he'd seen the smooth onyx colored matriarch. He was entranced by the sleek and dangerous elegance of the former queen.

"What're you doing?" He asked trying to keep his wits about him as the sight of her soaking wet made his member twitch. The low light and the brilliance of her pearlescent midsection made for an alluring image.

"Giving us a shot," she breathed against the shell of his ear before pressing soft kisses to his neck. Closing his eyes, Shining Armor tried to calm himself as the heat from the steam and his own emotions were making him lightheaded.

He felt her hooves stroking his coat, and bit his lip when she began to suckle his flesh with cool lips.

"Stop," he breathed gruffly, pulling away to look at her. "If we do this… there's no going back." He said with storm cloud eyes. "This is you choosing us."

She smiled dangerously at him and Shining Armor wasted no time laying claim to what should have been his years ago.

With her back pressed firmly against the shower's wall, the mare couldn't help the sounds that were coming from her mouth as the stallion took her heights she hadn't been to in a long time. Her long legs were wrapped around him as she desperately wanted him deeper if such a thing was even possible.

Gods, he was magnificent.

Shining Armor was in heaven as her body seemed to covet his, pulsing along his length as he moved inside of her. He wasn't carnal by nature, but seeing her so unhinged and on the precipice of rapture made his desire all the stronger.

"Say you're mine." He growled as he stared into lust filled eyes.

"Shining," she groaned almost petulantly despite the pleasure he gave her.

"Say it!" He slammed into her causing her gasp as she was seeing stars.

"Yours!" She managed yearning for the release he was sure to bring to her. "Only yours!"

He buried her face in her neck as he felt closer with each stroke, groaning when her walls tightened gloriously around his cock. The sound of his name wrapped in the velvet highs of her voice was enough to undo him as well.

Chrysalis was on fire as her body shuddered almost violently. It was the same for her lover as the two tumbled into the abyss, painfully aware of the other. Love had never felt so satisfying, she thought breathlessly as they sunk to the ground.

Afterwards they had managed to dry off and make it to her bed. Shining Armor held her tightly as they lay in postcoital glow.

"I want to tell her." He was saying as he calmly stroked her mane. The light from the moon bathed the two in soft beams of silver as it flooded through her bedroom window. Raindrops continued to pelt the panes distorting the light as their sounds calmed their hearts.

"She should hear it from you…" Chrysalis agreed quietly, her body sated and drunk from his lovemaking. Teal tresses spilled over his snow white coat as her head rested upon his chest.

"She's wondered about you, but she's never asked."

"I never stopped thinking of her…"

Chrysalis was thoughtful in her reminiscing. "She's so much like you…" A smile crept over her muzzle.

"Really?" He sounded surprised.

"Granted she's much smarter and more observant…" She trailed with a smile.

"Is that so?" He growled playfully as he rolled them over so he was on top of her.

She laughed as he tickled her before pinning her beneath his body as his attitude shifted. They locked eyes and Chrysalis couldn't help but flush under his scrutiny.

"I never stopped thinking of you either." She could feel her heartbeat quicken as her body was still abuzz with what happened in the shower not too long ago. Slowly, he lowered himself down onto her, careful not to crush her with his weight.

When his mouth descended upon hers in a deep kiss, Chrysalis found herself wondering why it had taken so long for her to accept him back into her life again.