A set of hooves left the train upon its arrival in Canterlot.
Green eyes looked about, hardly giving an interest to the ponies around her. The mare walked with an air of elegance, earning the attraction of nearby ponies who would stop to catch a glance at her, and she loved every bit of it, especially the waft of infatuation coming from these ponies. Like a mix of lightning and lavender, it struck her nose with an overwhelmingly pleasant sensation.
It was too bad that Chrysalis wasn’t here for pleasure.
She kept an eye out in the crowd of ponies.More than once, she had to maneuver around a Canterlot snob, a spoiled rich brat who flaunted his wealth. She had no trouble taking their love and found it even more satisfying to reject their advances after toying with their little hearts. The disheartened looks on their faces were priceless.
However, she paid the most attention to the sound of little foals. Children were accompanied by their parents. Sometimes, a filly would cry out to her parents about something trivial, or a mother would scold her child for misbehaving. A mare gently calmed her baby with soft cooing and a rock of her hooves and was rewarded with a nuzzle to the crook of her neck.
Chrysalis’ face was unreadable as she watched. It made her feel…not good. Whatever the reason, it also made her feel very hungry. Distracted by her thoughts, she bumped shoulders with a passing pink mare wearing a white sun hat and dress.
“Sorry,” the mare apologized.
Chrysalis mumbled a half-hearted apology under her breath and continued on without looking back. “Stupid ponies...”
At the same time, being around so many ponies was aggravating. She may have the appearance of one, but that didn’t mean she had to get friendly with the locals. Friendship means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Ponies were sources of food, and there wasn’t any point in being friends with food.
A strange sadness washed over her. As her mind drifted towards those ponies she hated, a single image stood out—the smiling face of a little filly. Chrysalis shook her head of that thought.
No, I am not going to love them. I am not growing soft!
She needed to find a way inside the castle. She had already given orders for her changelings to infiltrate Canterlot. By now, they were probably trickling in by the dozens. More planning went into this than the fews days she had during the royal wedding. With all the distrust among the citizens of Canterlot, it was even easier to sneak in, ironically. Ponies were quick to blame, and the guards couldn't arrest every pony based on mere suspicion. No one could tell who was a changeling, and it made for the best cover.
The castle where the two sisters resided, however, was where she needed to be. The thought of Princess Celestia on her immaculate throne, smiling down on her little ponies with that mockingly condescending grin—she clenched her jaw at the image of the princess. A poor bystander was unfortunate enough to stand in her path and receive a forceful shove into a fountain as she passed by.
Ahead, there was a cafe with tables outside where she could rest while keeping an eye out. When left alone with her thoughts, Chrysalis couldn't help but think about the little filly, who grew up raised by changelings. Where did she go? What has she learned? More importantly, who will she betray?
Children are so easily influenced. The thought of Celestia filling Nymph’s head with useless things like “friendship” and other pony garbage made her want to wring someone's neck.
“Excuse me, miss?”
“What?!” Chrysalis shouted, only to see a shaken mare holding a notepad. Clearing her throat, she made sure to add some sweetness to her words. “I'm terribly sorry. What did you say?”
The waitress collected herself, trying to act nonchalant about it. “W-what would you like to order?”
Chrysalis quickly glanced at her menu. Nothing in particular caught her eye—pony food was always unappealing—so she settled with something random. “Tea.”
“What kind?” asked the waitress.
Chrysalis stared at the young mare. There’s more than one?
“What tea is good?” she asked.
“Well, we have black teas, green teas, herbal teas…” the mare listed on.
Chrysalis couldn't care what she drank, unless love was involved. “Whatever you recommend,” she answered.
She jotted down the order. “Alright, one order of chai tea and will that be all today?” the mare asked, maneuvering the pencil in her mouth.
Chrysalis felt a headache growing from talking to this mare. She just wanted this pony gone. “Yes…” she said, trying to keep up a smile. If there was no one around, she would have already drained the mare of most of her emotions.
When the waitress left, Chrysalis slumped her head on the table and sighed. “All this work for a lifetime of never going hungry,” she groaned. “The things I do for love…” Her eyes drifted to the street outside and studied the passing ponies, particularly young couples. So carefree and so happy—they wouldn't last a second in a changeling’s shoes.
While sitting in outside, she overheard something particularly interesting.
“I always thought working in a castle would be exciting,” said a stallion.
Chrysalis sat straighter, perking her ears towards the seat behind hers.
“It isn't,” a mare answered. “I’ve only seen the princesses a few times. Most of the time it’s just tidying up the rooms of the castle.”
“At least you get to see the castle, Sundance.”
Chrysalis barely registered the waitress leaving a lidded paper cup and a few sugar packets in front of her as she eavesdropped on the two ponies. She opened the lid of her cup and began idly stirring in sugar with a spoon to let out the steam. A visible grin crept onto her face as she sneaked peeks behind at the mare and stallion.
“I guess,” the mare, Sundance, said. “Working for the princesses is a lot of pressure. I still get nervous whenever I meet them, especially Princess Luna.”
“Too intimidating?” the stallion asked.
The mare shook her head. “Not exactly. It’s just scary how fast she caught up to a thousand years of history. Years ago, she didn’t know how to use a modern shower, and all of a sudden, she knows how to make her own coffee. Did you know she has her own espresso machine now?”
Listening to the two ponies laughing, an idea hatched in her head. It was like a ticket into the castle was presented to her on a silver platter.
A maid from the castle? What luck! Chrysalis thought. So, she waited, listening to every detail about this mare’s life, making notes on her speech and her habits, her friends and her enemies—everything.
When it looked like their conversation was winding down, it was time to act. Chrysalis brushed a hoof through her beautiful mane, ran a few lines in her head, and got up from her seat, carrying her untouched cup of tea. Just as she passed the mare, her hooves just so happened to “trip”.
Tea spilled everywhere, particularly on the mare who had given a startled yelp as she stood up, dripping from head to hoof.
Darn, lukewarm… Chrysalis thought to herself.
Feigning a flustered look, Chrysalis scrambled back onto her hooves. “Oh my goodness, I am so sorry!” She wasn't. If she could do it again, she would. “Are you alright?”
The mare tried to shake off the liquid, spraying most of it everywhere. “It’s not that bad. At least it wasn't hot coffee.”
Grabbing a wad of napkins, Chrysalis attempted to clean up the mess. “Here, why don't you go clean yourself in the restroom?”
The mare nodded and left the table. As Chrysalis watched her leave, she turned to the stallion. “I better go make sure she’s alright. Don’t go anywhere, handsome.”
The stallion gave her a strange look. “Yeah…sure,” he replied.
Leaving, she chuckled quietly to herself, and her smile took on a twisted look. If someone had been looking closely at her, they would've noticed a glimmer of fangs in her grin.
The mare was using paper towels to dry herself when Chrysalis entered. Upon noticing Chrysalis, the mare grinned. “I'm just about dry now.”
Chrysalis tried to look apologetic. “I am just awfully sorry to have tripped like that.”
“No worries. No one got hurt,” she said.
Chrysalis nodded as she took a step closer, glancing between the door and the mare. “So, how long have you two known each other.”
The mare smiled. “Since university. U of Fillydelphia. We’ve dated for a while now.”
“Oh? Has he popped the question yet?” Another step.
A heavy blush covered the mare’s face. “No, but I think he might soon.” She fiddled with a lock of her hair. “I'm just so excited and nervous. What if he wants to start family? I mean, we’ve talked about it. You know, hypothetically. But then I’d have to quit my job to raise a foal.”
Chrysalis nodded in agreement. “Of course. Raising a child demands sacrifice. You have to think about their future and yours. But, it is up to you to decide whether to pursue your career or raise a family.”
The mare eyed her curiously. “Do you have a foal? You hardly look like you had a child. I mean, your figure looks amazing.”
Chrysalis let out a chuckle. “No. I am a career mare. There are too many important things going on in my life,” she said, falling into a somber quietness. The changeling queen trotted closer until she stood behind the mare. “But if I did, I'd do anything for her, even if it means changing the world for her sake.”
“Sounds a little extreme, don't you think?” the mare in the mirror asked.
Chrysalis’s eyes fell on the mare’s reflection. “To you, I suppose, but not for a changeling, no.”
“What do you mean a change—”
Then she noticed Chrysalis’s vibrant green eyes in the mirror. Her own eyes flashed green before she subsequently collapsed on the floor.
“Now just take a little nap,” she whispered into her ear. She dragged the unconscious body to one of the empty stalls and took the saddlebags. One look inside revealed a cleaned and pressed uniform, a badge with the mare’s picture and ID, and a bag of bits.
What did this pony know about raising a child? She didn't know the sacrifice one had to go through. All those years playing the role as Mommy while planning Equestria’s downfall. All those times Nymph asked for her, crying after a bad dream or falling down. All the “I love you’s” she has ever uttered without realizing what she was saying it to.
She was a fool for even trying.
No, a fool is someone who lets their heart sway their thoughts and their emotions cloud their judgment.
She closed her eyes and breathed through her nose, feeling the magic transform her body. When she came out, she was an earth pony mare, completely dry of any spilled liquids. She brushed a hoof through her mane before sauntering to the table with her saddlebags.
“Everything alright, Sundance?” the stallion asked.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she answered. “I just remembered that I forgot something at work. You don't mind if I go grab it, right?”
The stallion raised a brow. “Really? Right now? I was really hoping we’d do something together.” His hoof drew circles on the table. “I kinda had this thing planned out.”
Her hoof fell over his. “So sorry about this. How about dinner and a movie tonight?”
A smile lightened his face. “That sounds great, Sundance.”
He moved in to nuzzle her, but she moved in quick to place a kiss on his cheek, catching him by surprise.
“Thank you for being so understanding,” she said. “Though, I apologize if I may seem tired when I come back. Just don't go asking any questions.”
“Right… Understanding,” he mumbled holding his hoof to his cheek. A dumb smile was plastered on his face when the mare left the shop.
Her tongue brushed against her lips as she licked the last tastes of her meal. She giggled to herself, feeling better than she ever did in the past decade. This was going exceptionally well. What luck finding one of the princess’s servants! What stupid, careless ponies did Celestia have!
As long as things went her way, she wouldn't need a defenseless, little filly to help with negotiations. Who needs the love of one filly if she can have everything she wanted by force?
She adjusted her saddlebags and trotted leisurely towards the castle. “Ponies… Ha! Gullible—every last one of them.” In a quieter voice, she repeated, “Every last one of them.”
There were many ponies walking around in front of the castle. Fortunately, many of them weren't ponies in the first place. She could feel their gaze as she walked. It wasn’t as if she was drawing attention. No, they were merely getting ready and looking for a sign, patiently waiting for things to come to fruition as they have done so all these years.
Each stride towards the castle fanned the flames of her hatred, building up into an inferno centered on the one pony she had once triumphed over. She remembered it clearly—the sight of these ponies’ beloved princess lying helplessly on the floor. Their mighty ruler of Equestria, nothing more than a pathetic and weak mare. Victory should have been hers then. But why wasn’t it? Victors were awarded, and losers were punished. Wasn't that how it worked?
No matter. What happened was in the past. She needed to focus on the present and her future.
When she reached the castle gates, she squelched her anger under a false smile as she approached the guard posted. It was a unicorn. Her eyes lingered on the stallion, who imperceptibly stiffened at seeing her.
The unicorn barred her entry with a spear. “Halt,” he said.
Chrysalis stood in front of him. Tch, security check. But no problem.
She flashed a disarming smile. “My name is Sundance. I work as a maid in the castle.” She presented her badge, hoping it would be enough to grant entry. Of course, it never is.
The guard scrutinized the ID and then looked at her. “Hold still, miss. Just going to do a routine check for any concealed items.”
“Can never be too careful, right?” She laughed.
The changelings she had roaming nearby tightened their circle around the castle, creating a wall of bodies from outside glances.
A unicorn guard pointed his horn towards her, slowly going from her head to her hooves before stopping at the bag of bits kept in her bag.
“Is that the only metal you brought?” he asked as he pulled the coins out.
“Yes,” she answered.
He put the bits back. “And one last question for your clearance.” The guard eyed her, gauging her reaction. “What blend of tea does Celestia like?”
The edges of her smile almost faltered. Almost. Of course, there were measures put in place for the castle’s security. A simple question requiring a specific passphrase. Then again, such a simple measure is only a trivial obstacle. She calmly looked into his eyes, meeting his gaze.
“I'm afraid I don't care much about what that idiotic princess drinks,” she said, holding her gaze on the stallion.
The guard jolted in place as if about to move, but remained standing as he was. His eyes cast a dull gaze once a green shimmer overtook them. The guard hadn't noticed his surroundings nor the feeling of her magic already working into him.
Chrysalis stepped up to the pony and leaned in to whisper, her lips almost brushing against his ear. “Now,” she said, “will you let me inside?”
His head nodded lazily, and he stepped aside, keeping his weapon at rest.
She smiled as she trotted by. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”
Things were going to be much different this time around. She was much stronger now and more prepared than before.
“And one more thing,” she said, a dark look surfaced underneath her smile. “I want you to attack the first guard you meet. Just make sure you get everyone‘s attention. For me, please?”
The guard nodded dumbly. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Excellent,” she said as she passed through the gates.
Just inside, she will be meeting her fated enemy. There will be no distractions. No royal wedding. No Element Bearers or dragon or Shining Armor or Mi Amore Cadenza. There will only be her and Celestia in the same room, and once she has done what she needs to do, she will quietly slip into the life of an Equestrian princess, pulling the strings to help her changelings.
It was about time Celestia and her ponies deserved their rightful punishment.