Triple B News! | Spark From Within - Chapter 1 Preview · 11:55am Mar 9th, 2023
Chapter 1 is still a work in progress. The goal I have for this story is to have at least eighteen chapters out on the day of its release. In the mean time, here’s a little preview of what’s in store. It ain’t much but hey, it’s something.
CHAPTER 1: RESPONSE IN KIND
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PREVIEW
Queen Chrysalis’s eyes shot open. She sat up, breathing heavily and clutching her chest. Her hooves were still on top of the blanket she had been wrapped in when the nightmare hit. A few tears escaped, leaving trails through the dirt and grime that was stuck to her face and arms from sleeping too long. Her heart rapidly beating out of her rib cage as if she hadn’t slept at all. Her breath hiccupped slightly, trying to calm herself down but failing miserably as it became more shallow with each laboured inhale.
She paused, her muscles twitching as her chest rises and falls quickly. She could feel her heart pounding wild against her ribcage, beating as though she was still living through the last waking moment, even though she vaguely became aware she was no longer in danger. Fresh adrenaline coursed through her veins - eager and waiting for something that would happen, which it already had. Not only was her body motivated to be alert thanks to said adrenaline, but it also sharpened her other senses.
Like a lioness stalking its prey after a night spent hunting. She breathed deeply, feeling her ribs expand and deflate rhythmically as she did so.
A few minutes passed while she took stock of the situation - she wasn’t certain how much time had gone by - her mind slowly coming back into focus as she did so. Slowly, she felt herself calm down. Her pulse gradually returning to normal speed as she realized the nightmare was over. That everything she experienced just now is simply a dream.
It’s strange how easily one can fall under those kinds of delusions. Especially if they are based off a true nightmare. But then again, maybe not; maybe this was all merely an illusion. Maybe she didn’t have any real experience dealing with nightmares. In fact, she probably never had one before. How many times has she witnessed nightmares? How many times have she woken from them, only to find herself alone in her room?
Chrysalis sighed loudly, sitting back down and placing her head in her hooves as she let her legs drop from their bed roll position onto the floor, the blanket falling off and tumbling to the ground with a thump. She closed her eyes and focused, concentrating on her breathing, listening to the sounds around her. Nothing else existed besides the steady drumming of her heartbeat in her ears. It reminded her of the sound of waterfalls or waves crashing onto some nearby rocks. The sound brought her comfort. Something to take her back to reality without having to go somewhere new, where she had yet to set hoof.
The sound of her own heartbeat calmed her slightly. Even the sound of the wind rustling through the naked trees outside and inside the colony was oddly comforting. The sound of the forest being alive with activity. It helped bring her peace. The tranquillity of the silence surrounding her made sense to her; why she would choose such an isolating place like the cave, where no one would hear her.
But the fact remained that she was here; safe and sound, despite her loss against those pesky ponies. Chrysalis gritted her teeth - she hated that she allowed such thoughts to form. If she allowed herself to become weak, she won’t be able to complete her goal. And she needed all the energy and clarity she could get to deal with things. To make Cadance, Celestia, and all her ponies friends pay. Then and only then she could sit upon the throne of canterlot and enjoy the fruits of her labour, rather than worrying about what comes next. Because in the end, what came next would always come first. Even if it meant ridding off anyone that dared stand in her way.
2023
Coming soon….
Art Credits goes to JetXPegasus
Looks awesome!