//------------------------------//
// Prolougue 
// Story: The Four 
// by Squarks 
//------------------------------//

   The changeling queen squinted towards the distant horizon, trying to see past the painful glare of the ice-covered landscape. Wind howled around her, drowning out her heavy footsteps. The further she ventured out into the vast tundra, the further the temperature plummeted.  As her frail body trembled, she silently cursed the harsh conditions around her. However, her mission was too important, her prize too great. She had to endure.

On her master’s orders, a detachment of the changeling army had been stationed here for the last few days, searching the tundra. Though her advisors had protested, Queen Chrysalis had insisted on joining them. Her trust in her subjects was unwavering, but this was too important to not oversee personally. She also reveled in the opportunity to fight alongside her army.

An unnatural chill crept Chrysalis’s spine, one not caused by the cold. It was the crude detection spell she had cast upon herself, designed to alert her to any beings that got too near her. As the effects of the spell passed, she whirled around, ready to defend herself. Although her power had diminished greatly since her defeat at Canterlot, she was more than capable of fighting off whatever strange creatures might inhabit the northern ice fields.

Her horn charged with ethereal green light. She concentrated, drawing on the positive emotional power she had stored from her infiltration of Canterlot. As the power of ponies’ love was transferred to magical energy, she started to formulate a spell. Nothing fancy, just enough to quickly kill whatever dared approach her.

A sudden sound from behind Chrysalis alerted her. She hissed and whirled around, ready for battle. However, what she saw stayed her horn. 

Before her was the general of her royal army. He was large for a changeling drone, though his queen still towered above him.  He was clad as she was, in a white cloak to defend against the biting cold. As he approached, Chrysalis let the energy in her horn slowly dissipate, storing the valuable resource for later use. 

The drone noticed this, and a look of concern crossed his narrow face.

“My queen, you need to let my men guard you. The ice fields are dangerous, even for one as powerful as you.”

Chrysalis sighed. They both knew that she was far from the god-like being she once was. Still, she had waived her personal guard. She was not helpless, and she had to keep an air of confidence and control among her subjects. Her children.

“What news do you bring, general Chorion?” Chrysalis asked.

“My Queen, we have found it.” Chorion said, bowing his head.

Chrysalis’s large eyes widened. She hadn’t expected such good news so quickly. With any luck, her mission was complete and she could leave this wretched place. Her master would be pleased. Very pleased indeed.

Death shall ride across Equestria once more.