White light, a screaming pain, then darkness... So this is what death is? My mind is obviously still working so I might just be dreaming.
Hmm? Who are you?
Why do you not answer? I command you to address me, you... cloaked...
...Oh...
I guess I really am dead after all. Oh well, I suppose there's nothing much I can do about that is there?
... You know, ponies might like you better if you talked to them!
Oh well, I guess I'll at least tell you how I got here. Not much of a story, but I suppose many have said that before.
I had awoken to the creaking of door hinges and the sound of hoofsteps approaching my cell. Opening an eye as I heard the sharp sound of steel against stone stop, I saw six of Celestia's guards. All wore the same stoic expression, but I could feel their spite and hatred, as well as a sense of satisfaction that didn't bode well for me.
As I opened my other eye and sat up, the shackle and chain that attached to my neck clinked, reminding me just how powerless I truly was at that point.
Perhaps I am being rude, not that I can't afford to be now. My name is Chrysalis. Formerly Queen Chrysalis, but that changed rather... recently. After my failed assault on Canterlot, which Im sure you've heard about, what remained of my hive turned against me. I was stripped of my title, my throne, and my authority. I was replaced within a day. The new queen, I don't remember what she called herself, came up with a way to rid the hive of me and gain something at the same time. They decided to use me as a bargaining chip. A hostage of sorts, so they could make peace with the princesses and Equestria.
Fools.
Thus, there I was, about to be led by six guards to whatever fate awaits me. My "trial" had been held three days ago, something of a triviality I think, as I'd no doubt they intended to kill me from the start. I had thought on what had taken them so long to decide my fate. Perhaps they merely needed time to decide which method would be slow and painful enough? Perhaps they sought to summon an audience? Or better yet, they may just have been planning to turn me over to the citizens of Canterlot, creators only know what they would do to me in order to exact their revenge since I know many ponies died during the invasion. I now know that's not the case, but that's what passed through my mind.
Buck them all.
"It's time, Changeling." One of the guards had said, his deep voice echoing through the chambers.
I hissed at him, reminding him that I was a queen and would be addressed as such. It had absolutely no effect on him. He didn't so much as flinch. Perhaps that should have been a warning for me?
Rolling my eyes, I stood up and walked over to the door, tilting my horn forward so they could put that accursed magical restraint on me. The shackle around my neck did the same thing when I was in my cell, but when they took me out, they put that damn thing on my beautiful horn. To be honest, it was rather draining, considering the magic I have... Had... You know what I mean.
Anyways, they led me out of the dungeon into one of the corridors heading to the outside. I remember that it was lined with guards. Each and every one of them was armed. The unicorns has spells, probably lethal ones, ready. The pegasi had wing blades and the earth ponies had helmets with horns on them. It was actually easy to pick them out of the unicorns because of how big they were. That... And their horns weren't glowing. Oh well, regardless, I knew there wasn't any escaping but creators be damned if I was going to let them see me break!
I'm still Queen Chrysalis! I am still...
...Dead.
Right... I forget that I'm talking to the reaper. To be honest, I'm surprised you DON'T have the scythe you always get portrayed with.
My punishment? Pretty simply put, they hung me. I heard the crowd as I walked out the doors, pretty well thought they were just going to hand me over to them, but no. I looked over and saw the gallows, and apparently, I wasn't to be hung alone.
Several of my officers were already there, nooses on their necks. I remember how sad they looked when they saw me... No doubt that traitorous wretch of a new queen sold them out when they spoke against my being handed over to the princesses instead of merely banishing me. They had all been my leading infiltrators during the invasion. The best of the best. I only hope you were able to give them the chance to unwind a bit too... Death is a very stressful thing, you know. When I got next to them, I slipped the noose on myself... I didn't fear death. I know that's probably weird to say since I'm sitting next to death incarnated, but I didn't fear my end.
Anyways, they went through the usual "pleasantries" of a hanging. Last rights and words, all of that. They all said the same thing though... They said it had been an honor to serve me and they hoped the creators smiled on them for their loyalty. Eventually though, they got to me. Like I said, I'll be damned if I was going to let them see me break, so I told them the truth.
"I have only one regret." I told them. "I only regret that I failed my subjects. I do not regret attacking Canterlot, nor do I regret fighting as I did. I only regret that by my actions, so many of my changelings died."
That's about it really. Looked around, saw all the princesses. Well... Save one, she was probably busy off in Las Pegasus shagging her husband until neither of them could see straight. I will admit, they loved each other purely and dearly... But that Shining Armor... He's got some lust for that mare! I'll bet she's pregnant within three months! Plus, wasn't able to bed him but I CAN tell you he was HUNG.
Too much?
... I'll take that as a yes...
Now where was I? Oh yea, those six "element bearers" were there too. The yellow one was shaking and crying like she didn't want to see us die. I would say I know what he was feeling, but she was too far away for me to tell. The rest of them, especially that Twilight mare... She had this hard set look, lot of hatred in her eyes. She wanted to see us swing.
And swing we did.
Got the last acknowledgement from Celestia and Luna... Annoying old nags, then, the lever got pulled and here I am.
My only question is... Now what? Where do I go from here? I wasn't all too religious or anything while I was alive, but I- what are you looking at?
That way? I need to go that way? Well what's over...
Oh... I see...
Well... Thank you for listening, I guess.
You know... You're not so bad after all.
Bye.