//------------------------------// // Chapter Four- Queen of the Changelings // Story: Becoming A Nightmare // by thefulkboy1 //------------------------------// Chapter Four... Queen of the Changelings Luna turned a corner, hopelessly lost. The tavern hadn’t been where Discord said it was. No, just a huge, gaping hole between two towering buildings that were filled to the brim with all sorts of hideous creatures. Luna felt Nightmare Moon stir. “You caused a scene, you stupid mare! Now everyone will be suspicious!” “Shut up, will you?!” Luna snapped. “No one will be suspicious of anything! We did nothing wrong except get directions.” “From a Draconequus, of all creatures,” Nightmare Moon snarled. “You should have known he was deceiving you, they always do that. Especially Discord. That freak probably doesn’t even know who Chrysalis is!” Luna tilted her head. “So, Chrysalis is a who? That’s not just the name of the tavern?” Nightmare Moon said nothing, so Luna snorted and continued the search through the mazelike city. “Turn left,” Nightmare Moon suddenly said. “It’s right there.” Sure enough, there was a small, black building that appeared to be made of some hard material. It sat between two grimy towers, a couple of the tallest in Uthrubael. There were different creatures constantly entering and leaving, and there was the constant chatter of small talk. “Remember,” Nightmare Moon hissed. “Stay low and find the bartender.” Luna nodded quickly and entered the tavern. ---- The Draconequus stared down into the darkness beyond the Cliffs of Aliona. Just minutes ago he had been exiting Uthrubael, but Tetranova had noticed him and gave him a lift to the edge of the world. Things really were going his way today. “Oh, Kolocto Wai!” Discord called into the darkness. I’ve come to ask for some help!” Silence. Discord watched the darkness with unblinking yellow eyes for a couple of minutes, then shrugged and turned away. ...Chaos... my friend... Discord turned to face the cliffs again. There floated one of the most beautiful yet terrifying creatures he had ever seen. It had the long, dark brown body of a serpent, yet a feminine face and long, flowing hair. Its arms were long and slim, and each arm had a hand with three clawed fingers. It also had black, curtain-like wings that seemed transparent against the darkness. “Kolocto Wai,” Discord sighed, relieved. She had heard him after all. What is it you need, Chaos...? Kolocto Wai hissed softly, raising a thin hand. Discord touched a palm to one of Kolocto Wai’s fingers and transported his thoughts to her. She smiled.… Chaos... Kolocto Wai chuckled.You amuse me. “Sadly, this is no simple joke,” Discord said. “I must return to the Upperworlds and return to my throne.” He smiled. “But, I would also enjoy being a Nightmare.” Kolocto Wai tilted her head slightly.Chaos, you cannot be a Nightmare... she stated. Discord stared at her, then realized that he was seeing her true face, not his greatest fear. Unless... “Kolocto Wai, could you show me something?” Discord asked suddenly. Kolocto Wai nodded and stretched a hand out again. When they finished communicating, Kolocto Wai’s dark eyes began to glow brightly, and a figure appeared. This new appearance floated for a few seconds, just long enough for Discord to get a good look at it, then disappeared. Discord glanced at Kolocto Wai’s face. He did have a soft spot for beauty... ---- Chrysalis Tavern seemed to be the place to go. There were dozens of creatures in the building, and Luna couldn’t even walk two inches without running into another strange beast. Some ignored her, some growled and hissed at her, and Luna could swear she heard at least one bark in her direction. And she felt it didn’t come from a normal dog. The building itself was dimly lit, with small green lights hanging from the ceiling. Some smaller creatures swung from these light, eliciting growls and jeers. It seemed larger than the outside would have suggested. “Keep going straight,” Nightmare Moon commanded. “We’re almost there.” After a few more moments of running into strange creatures, Luna finally reached the main bar. This spot was mostly bare, save for a few beasts who were drinking some type of liquid from large mugs. Luna banged a hoof against the bar table, and... a pony fluttered over to her. This pony had black fur and a dark turquoise mane. She had a long horn that seemed to twist and bend at random angles. She also had wings, but they weren’t any type of wings that Luna had seen before. “May I help you, Alicorn?” the strange pony asked, snapping Luna from her reverie. “Oh, yes...” She stared at the bar table, unable to think of what to say. “We’re looking for the Cloakmaster.” The room suddenly fell silent, and every face turned to look at Luna. The pony kicked the wall behind her, and the lights shook. One of the creatures fell from it’s perch, and the entire bar burst into laughter. “Follow me,” the pony said through the din. Luna nodded and weaved her way throught the crowd until she was outside. The pony turned to face her. “So, do you have a death sentence or something?” “We don’t-” “Because no one ever goes searching for the Cloakmaster unless they want to die. But I don’t blame you.” She nodded back to the tavern. “My people and I, we hate living here. But we’ve started up something good here, and we’re managing.” “Wait, you’re people?” Luna glanced back at the building. “Those things in there?” “No, stupid mare!” the strange pony growled. “Those... beasts aren’t my people. They live underground, right below the tavern. They move the building when we think it’s time to move.” Luna looked quizzically at her and asked, “... Who are you?” The pony stood proudly. “I am Chrysalis, queen of the Changelings!” Luna watched as she delivered her title, and afterward she bowed and said, “Hello, Chrysalis. We are Luna, Princess of the Night in Equestria.” Chrysalis stared at her. “Equestria? Isn’t that one of the Upperworlds? The one that Chaos once ruled?” “Chaos? Oh, you mean Discord. Yes, Discord once ruled Equestria, but my sister and I overthrew him and turned him to stone. But apparently, half of him escaped.” “Yes...” Chrysalis began pacing in front of Luna. “So... this place... how peaceful is it?” Luna shrugged. “I don’t know how it’s been for the past fifty years, but when I left, It was... nice.” “Full of love?” Luna tilted her head, wondering why Chrysalis wanted to know this. And what were Changelings? “Yes...” Chrysalis smiled. It was a strange smile. “Hmm... yes... The Cloakmaster resides five buildings away from here, at the tallest tower in Uthrubael.” Luna thanked her, and Chrysalis returned to the Tavern, chuckling to herself. As Luna walked away, she couldn’t help but think she had done something wrong.