Maximus had been waiting for this for a while. The last time they chrysalized wasn't fun, so it was mostly just them hyping themselves up to actually hunker down and do it.

And, of course, taking care of their piglet.

"There's food, water, and toys for you to play with while I'm gone," they said, rearranging everything around where they planned to chrysalize, having gathered up furs and mosses to make a soft bed, "I'll be back in around two weeks, alright?"

They'd mutated before, albeit due to Master Vargas doing it for them, but they'd heard stories of others growing mutations out of the blue for no discernable reason. Surely if they thought about it hard enough, they'd be able to mutate too.

Max looked down at the child they'd adopted, expression soft. There was no expression of disdain or exhaustion from explaining, but they knew Porkchop would never understand their reasoning. Not really.

"I may not be purple but... I can't help but look at myself in my reflection and see his eyes on my face," they said softly, looking away, "I must admit that this is mostly selfish. I don't want to be a monster anymore, I want to feel like myself."

They looked on in amusement as Porkchop danced around the bed, so proud of his little piglet. Of course he'd protect them and take care of everything. They had no doubt in his abilities.

"I trust you," they said, lowering themselves to all fours in order to bump their soft nose against his head affectionately.

After a moment they sat on their haunches and prepared their magic, humming an affirmative at his request. Of course they'd summon his favorite bananas! There wouldn't be a day they wouldn't- or couldn't.

A small yellow fruit materialized in their hand, long and curved as a banana should be, albeit a little smaller than normal. But that was magic, misbehaving when you didn't want it to.

"Here you go," they said, "I'll make a couple, but you have to promise me not to pick fights. Not real ones, anyway, even I like to have a good scuffle now and again for fun. But no blood should be spilled if you can help it... and make some friends, Porkchop. I don't want you to only have me to talk to."

Concern laced their expression as they reached out to touch their son with a hand, ears falling. After a moment they turned to their familiar, who faithfully waited next to them, black eyes looking up at them with curiosity.

"Make sure he isn't lonely without me, would you?", Max asked the windhopper, petting his back affectionately, "Nibbles will play with you if you ask, just make sure you aren't too rough. He's a little more delicate than the hares around here."

Maximus summoned another banana, this one bigger. He set it down for the piglet and went to curl up in the nest they'd made, circling around once, twice, then sitting down.

"Alright... have fun, Porkchop," they said softly, offering one last loving nuzzle, "I love you."

Nibbles sniffed in Max's direction before turning to Porkchop, standing on his hind legs to sniff at the other before springing away and looking back at the piglet. He wanted to play!

"Go on," Max encouraged, setting his head down and yawning, "See you later, dears."

Nibbles hopped towards the mouth of the cave, looking back to make sure Porkchop was following. He stared at Max for a moment, nose twitching before turning away, unconcerned. They would be fine.

Max watched them go, ears perked forward. They waited until Porkchop had disappeared fully before pressing knife-like claws against their own throat. It would be swift, but not painless. Max was used to pain, though.

They hesitated, their pulse throbbing against their fingers, reluctant to harm themselves even though they knew that it would be temporary, that this pain would be worth the transformation. They closed their eyes and breathed slow, ears pinning.

In... out... in... out...

Maximus inhaled sharply and pressed their claws to their neck again, heart pounding in their ears. One cut was all it would take, then oblivion.

Finally they did it, one quick movement and then toxic green blood splattered beneath them. They choked and bleated in pain, but it had worked. As they lost consciousness their chrysalis rose around them, the stinging scent of their blood the only thing left as they were engulfed.