//------------------------------// // Nineteenth Chapter // Story: Horse of Cards // by Midnight Ice Cream //------------------------------// Nineteenth Chapter An impossible stalemate Four hours following the previous chapter Captain Sunshine Eartheart of Her Majesty Princess Celestia’s Royal Guards A lone changeling walks out of the Crystal Empire’s warm bubble carrying a white flag. Above him is an army of pegasi ready to tear him to shreds at my command. In front of him is the entire army's worth of ground troops, and all four Alicorn Princesses. Yet he walks towards my banners alone, without any fear at all. When he reaches me, he bows politely. “I am a messenger on behalf of Queen Chrysalis. I wish to parley.” “You may speak changeling,” Says Celestia. “Your Majesty, Highnesses, Captain. My Queen wishes to inform you, that all she wishes is to feed her people. She asks simply to use the Crystal Heart to feed, and to leave peacefully.” “The Empire was attacked! Are we supposed to allow you all just to leave?” Princess Cadence scoffs. “My Queen says yes. She wishes for you to allow her to leave peacefully, however should you attack we have the entire city as hostages in the castle. Including your husband Shining Armor.” He states this very frankly without emotion. “My Queen would also like to convey that we get stronger every moment from the love that is found in your city. If you attack, you are not guaranteed a victory, all that is certain is that a lot of blood shall be spilt. So what message should I relay to My Queen?” Celestia looks at the changeling, and in a dignified tone says. “We will have you guarded until we come to our decision. Soldier!” She shouts towards a soldier. “Please, organise a guard for this changeling.” “Yes Your Majesty.” “He is not to hear our discussions.” “Yes Ma’am.” “What is there to discuss!?” Luna is not at all happy with this. “We must attack now! Or they’ll only get stronger.” Cadence looks towards Luna with a face of pure hate. “We cannot just sacrifice all of these ponies! We should let them go. I hate to say this, but there’s nothing we can do!” “And let them repeat that again!” Twilight Sparkle butts in. “Maybe there’s a better way around this. They might have a weakness we can exploit.” “I understand that is it not my place to speak,” I say, the wind blows straight through my coat into my bones. I shiver. “But have we considered negotiation as an option?” Celestia nods at me. “Nopony likes this situation. However, I’d hardly call it hopeless. Both sides have a lot of leverage against the other. Both sides also have a lot to gain from each other. Perhaps to avoid conflict there is some sort of reasonable deal we can make.” “What kind of deal?” Asks Twilight. “I might not look it, but I believe in friendship. Queen Chrysalis is only looking out for her people, if we were to find a compromise, then we might not even need to be hostile.” I suggest. Twilight Sparkle smiles. “I like it!” “Good, then I shall go to speak to their queen.” “Are you sure?” Asks Twilight. “Yes. I am by far the most expendable. If push comes to shove, we will need force. My officers are capable, and ready for combat. I believe I am highly ranked enough for her to take seriously. But not high ranked enough to be a decisive hostage.” “I agree with Earthheart.” Says Celestia. “In any case, she might even send him back.” “Then it is decided. I shall go.” Luna looks annoyed. “No! We can’t put the head of the army at such risk.” I turn towards her. “Princess Luna, you are an incredibly capable commander. As are all of you. My officers are capable commanders. To put you at risk would be far worse than I, and to send anyone lower ranking than me would be a waste.” Luna looks down. “Can’t we send this messenger with a diplomatic response?” “We can’t be too slow. The more time we waste, the stronger they get. If we are to negotiate, we should do so in a position of strength.” Cadence nods. “I agree with Earthheart. I will not just let my subjects die.” “Good. Now, if that is all.” I look towards Luna, she shrugs defeated. Celestia addresses the soldiers guarding the changeling. “Changeling, escort Captain Earthheart to Queen Chrysalis.” The changeling merely nods, and gestures for me to follow him. I follow silently, the snow biting at my fur. I can’t wait to get into the warm embrace of the city. It does not take long for the changeling and I to get out of earshot. “Captain Earthheart, might I offer my congratulations. You’ve really done well for yourself.” “Why thank you.” “Do you remember me? I suppose we all look the same don’t we? Froth Overwood.” “How could I forget. I never had the chance to thank you for returning Wellbridge.” “Oh it was nothing. You helped us a lot more than we ever helped you. I’ve got to commend you, you really have played your cards right.” He chuckles viciously “But, that’s not to say you’re not capable of being dumb.” “Oh?” “Blueberry Hill.” He states simply. “I returned the original pony with my memories of being him of course. But in the brief time that I took his role, you revealed everything. ” I am silent. “Oh don’t be so harsh on yourself. You’ve had a good run, one of the best ponies I’ve seen. The Hive has a great deal respect for you.” “Why thank you.” “The Queen has not forgotten you. She’d be happy to see you. She respects a pony as clever as you.” “The feeling is mutual. Might I confirm that this meeting will be confidential?” “Of course. We don’t want to damage your career.” We continue to walk in silence until we reach the field surrounding The Empire. The wind and the cold do not make it easy to make conversation. Finally we walk through the protective field, and everything is warm. “Might I ask an irrelevant question?” “Shoot.” “Do changelings feel cold?” “Nope.” The city is absolutely covered with changelings. There isn’t a single pony in sight. Everywhere I look there are changelings barricading buildings, erecting crude defences to block off streets, and digging holes to hide under. There is no sound of talking, only the sound of tools and magic. “You’re going to make it quite the fight.” “This is not the time to take a break.” Silently I watch the changelings going about their business. They all know why I’m here, Overwood would have telepathically communicated it. They don’t give me a second glance. I am marched towards the castle. As the castle approaches, there are less changelings but more defences. My they move fast. There are a few dedicated towards erecting defences, but nothing like the amount that there are at the entrance of the city. When we finally enter the castle, I can see for the first time the true influence of the changelings. Seemingly everywhere, there are cocoons filled with the citizens of The Empire. “We thought it appropriate to hold the ponies here. They won’t be harmed of course. In fact, they might actually enjoy this. These cocoons give them positive, admittedly fake experiences that allow us to harvest their love. We can release them at any time of course.” “Do you have any who are, not in such things?” “You’re the only pony who’s awake in this place.” Changelings are plastering the wall with a green goo. “What are they doing?” “We predict a long siege, may as well make it nice for us. Basically we’re creating a hive where we can sleep, feed eccetera. If it’s at the centre of the city, it’s more defensible, don’t you think?” “I do, very wise.” “Thank you.” Within five minutes, I am in the throne room. It has scarcely been eight hours, yet the jagged crystal edges that defined the throne room are gone, replaced with the organic changeling green. Queen Chrysalis sits on the throne awaiting me. “Captain Sunshine Earthheart. Welcome.” “You’ve redecorated Your Majesty. I’m impressed.” “As am I with you.” “Why thank you.” “So why is such a clever pony as yourself risking his life, and his career by meeting me? Surely you have something to gain here.” “So do you.” Chrysalis smiles. “I’ve sent you my terms. I didn’t expect negotiation.” “You can thank me for that. I’m sure your hive will be grateful for the extra time I’ve given them to prepare.” “Isn’t that silly? I thought as a soldier you wanted to exploit every advantage you had?” “In this case, the army is not my greatest advantage. It merely acts as leverage in these negotiations.” “What is there to negotiate? Like I’ve said, I’ve sent my terms.” “I can offer you something better. For everyone involved.” “Go on.” “As you know, I’ve been a busy little bee these past few months. In my time, I have talked to Princess Celestia. As you know, she’s rather incompetent.” “You said it, not me.” “Oh not to worry, I’ve told her that myself.” Chrysalis chuckles. “I’d love to hear what you have been doing.” “Maybe another time. Regardless.” I turn around to see if any changeling is still there. “I trust what I’m saying is confidential?” “Of course.” “Even among changelings?” “Even among changelings. Anyway, they hardly have individual agency. Honestly said, if you’d wanted to talk to me, you could have always used other changelings. But my presence is only there for regal affect.” “That makes a lot of sense.” I smile. “It did not take long for me to discover that Blueberry Hill was an infiltrator. I gave him the information regarding the Empire’s weakness. I’m sure you were very happy to gain such an opportunity.” Chrysalis simply stares at me, speechless. “I don’t believe you. You’re just telling me this to sound impressive, Overwood told you everything.” “Do you know what happens when a disguised changeling collapses of malnutrition?” Chrysalis gulps. “You really were desperate, and being given such a golden opportunity, who were you to refuse? And now you are trapped in a giant castle made of crystal. There is an army ready to pounce upon you. You know that even if you are able to win, your hive will be in tatters. Hence your insistence to negotiate. It would have been preferable for you to attempt a loot and leave strategy, but I’m guessing we arrived too quickly for that.” “Well played.” She’s grinding her teeth. “This is where I offer you a way out Your Majesty.” “What?” She asks angrily. “Do you not think Equestria is poorly run?” “It’s patently obvious.” “Exactly. Would you not agree that the Princesses do a terrible job?” “I would. Your system is incredibly inefficient!” “Finally, do you think Equestria is fair to you? A monarch only searching for some love to feed her subjects?” “There’s a reason we have to invade you for it.” “Then why not change that? How does Princess Chrysalis sound to you? What I suggest is a new idea. A council of Princesses. Instead of wasting time on every single issue on a case by case basis, we can create laws to help everypony and changeling in Equestria. Instead of not even knowing what’s going on across the realm, we can establish a government to make sure that all are treated fairly. And you! Queen Chrysalis of the changelings can be a part of it! With all the other princesses, you can make the decisions that will affect us all. What say you to that?”