"They're as terrible as always," Chrysalis hissed, her teeth clenched as she scrunched her nose. She forced herself to relax, then stood tall. "I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise. Those traitors were too overjoyed at my defeat, and their love was far too potent for my tastes." She gagged and stuck her tongue out. "Never thought I'd see the day."
Chrysalis sighed and looked behind her shoulder. On the horizon was a mountain-like castle, the Changeling Hive that she once ruled. Bright lights shone from the distant hive. She growled, then averted her gaze from the hive and resumed making her way through a densely packed forest.
Twigs snapped beneath the weight of Chrysalis's hooves. A nearby river's gentle flow reached her ears, which were joined by whistling birds. Her stomach then purred. The last time she enjoyed another being's love was months ago, but as she noticed a few berries that grew from a nearby vine, she squinted at their texture and pursed her lips.
Unfortunately, red and purple berries covered much of the forest's shrubs. Chrysalis shuddered, and the taste of bile tickled her mouth. "Never again," she muttered. "This is never going to work. I'd rather starve to death than submit to that pest's disgustingly saccharine rule." She stroked her chin, and memories of when she surveyed neighboring lands as Queen of the Changelings rushed back into her mind. A few seconds later, she nodded. "That's right, the southern lands were charted ages ago, but almost no one ever visits them. It's the perfect place to orchestrate my next plan."
The changeling hopped over a narrow river, landed on all fours, and spread her wings. After a few dozen steps, the ground suddenly became firmer, and the temperature rose after each minute. It was like walking into an oven, and the sizzling sounds that polluted the air were reminiscent of cooked eggs. Her ears wiggled as clacks echoed throughout the forest. Indistinct chatter followed suit.
Chrysalis's lips curled into a devilish grin, and her heart skipped a beat. "That cannot be my imagination," she muttered, then licked her lips as she widened her grin. "This mustn't be a trick. Please don't let it be a trick!" She stood tall and resumed making her way toward the supposed village. However, she stopped on a dime seconds later and arched an eyebrow. "Wait, they'll recognize me. Who wouldn't recognize my beautiful but frightening form?"
No one around would've noticed this time. Chrysalis took a deep breath, and her horn became enveloped by a green aura. A similarly colored flame erupted around her, consuming the changeling, and a small pony with a pink coat and strawberry mane took her place. However, the green tint in the fake pony's eyes was a giveaway.
"Not too shabby, but I'm out of practice," Chrysalis whispered under her breath. She donned a slight smile, then tightened her cheeks. "Haven't tried a good disguise in ages." Chrysalis sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Who's going to notice? Whoever is nearby certainly won't bat an eye."
The disguised changeling galloped through the forest, then hopped over thick roots that protruded above the soil and the occasional pile of rocks that littered the landscape. Oddly, the forest suddenly ended without any warning. The ground quickly transitioned to a beige-like color as the temperature skyrocketed. Chrysalis's ears twitched, and she stroked her chin. Her mouth was agape, fangs bared as she narrowed her eyes.
A shabbily constructed village at the bottom of a small hill demanded attention, probably because no roads or anything that suggested trade connected the town to distant communities. A collection of Diamond Dogs and lizard-like creatures populated the area. All of them wore hideous grins, and flies whirled around them as a visible odor emanated from their bodies. Some of these creatures clenched pocket knives or, in the case of one poorly dressed individual, a severed horn.
Chrysalis rubbed her eyes, quickly shedding her disguise as she stared at the town. "I guess disguises won't be necessary," she whispered under her breath. She stifled a giggle, and her grin widened until it tugged at her cheeks. "They couldn't care less about me."
The changeling flapped her wings and descended the hill. Seconds later, she reached the bottom and made her way into the town's busy roads. No one batted an eye as the slender, bug-like creature strolled through town, but the holes in her legs and wings sometimes earned a curious glance or two from passersby.
The entire town smelled like a mountain of unwashed socks, and the food on display at the various markets were either undercooked or covered in a green paste. Chrysalis's nostrils itched, and the changeling swiftly plugged her own nose with some magic. "What kind of moron would eat this stuff?"
Rustles pierced the air.
"Hold it!" a nasally voice exclaimed.
A pale, open paw appeared before Chrysalis. In response, the changeling scowled at the Diamond Dog, bared her fangs, and focused on the stranger's beady eyes. The stranger stepped back for a moment and rubbed his left shoulder, but otherwise stood tall.
The Diamond Dog wore a brown, tattered coat covered in dust. His other paw clenched a cane decorated entirely in bronze, its surface covered with grime and light scratches. He fiddled with the cane and leaned closer to Chrysalis, then waggled his brow as though he planned on courting the changeling.
Chrysalis gnashed her teeth, yet the stranger refused to budge. "Who are you, and why are you in my way?" she asked. The changeling shook her wings, then pressed them against her sides. "If you're looking to sell, I'm not interested. Scram or face the consequences."
"Aren't you a feisty one!" the stranger replied. He chortled for a few seconds, touched his round belly, and sported a wide grin. His chipped, yellow teeth and spotted tongue caused Chrysalis to have tilted her head and arched an eyebrow. The stranger's smile widened, and the tiny insect that scuttled across his cheek was anything but expected. "Are you from here, or is it just your time—"
Chrysalis lunged at the stranger, and a green aura enveloped her jagged horn. "Get out of the way!"
The stranger took another few steps back. He maintained that goofy smile of his and chuckled. "I guess that about confirms things. Alright, I'll get out of your way, but I wanna ask you some things first." He cleared his throat, dusted off his lap, and then slouched. "First of all, I wanna introduce myself. My name is Pyrite, and I'm what the locals refer to as the 'King of Deals'. I haven't seen you four-leggers around, so tell me a bit about yourself."
A sigh escaped Chrysalis's mouth, and she rolled her eyes. "My name is Chrysalis," the changeling replied, then pressed her hooves into the ground. She spread her wings and approached Pyrite until they were inches apart. "I'm what's known as a changeling, but my kind has never visited these parts. Where exactly are we right now?"
"We're in Biome Town, Miss Chrysalis!" Pyrite replied. "Between us is Equestria and a desert that'll turn you bone dry. Don't think about going there unless you really, really wanna die!" He wrapped an arm around the latter's shoulders, then pointed at a dust-covered shack that seemed ready to collapse at any moment. "That's where me and my friends do business. We—" the Diamond Dog snickered "—don't exactly do things by the book. Don't know what your little hometown's like, but friendship and all that sugary stuff ain't happening here."
Chrysalis's lips curled into a faint smile. "That's not too different from my home—at first. Things are different nowadays, but I much prefer the old way of life." She paused for a moment and stifled a giggle. "How about you show me around the place, and maybe I'll consider joining your business."
"The boss is always looking for new partners." Pyrite walked toward the shack with a jubilant stride. A mischievous grin ran across his face. "Don't come crying to me if they spook you. They ain't above breaking a few bones to get what they want, okay?"
Chrysalis nodded. "You're speaking my language."
"Then it's settled!" Pyrite clapped his paws together, then rubbed them like he was trying to start a campfire. "Most of my associates are Diamond Dogs, but we've got a few mole rats helping out. Come meet some of the crew, and we'll go from there!"
As Chrysalis followed the Diamond Dog toward the decrepit shack, she studied her acquaintance's every step, eyes focused on the sheets of paper poking out of his pocket as she leaned closer to them. There were actual sentences on the papers, and each one was just legible enough to have read.
With her magic, Chrysalis willed a sheet of paper from Pyrite's pocket and toward her chest, then subtly clenched the paper between her wing and side once it was within reach. She glanced at the stolen paper, and while the words were more noticeable, she quickly brought her gaze back to Pyrite and caught up to the Diamond Dog. The latter merely gave a smile and nod as he noticed Chrysalis close behind.
Pyrite dragged what masqueraded as a door across the ground. "Sorry about the crummy door," the Diamond Dog said as he looked back at Chrysalis. He placed his paws behind his back and slouched. "Luxury doesn't exactly show up in our town, so you're gonna have to deal with it."
"I expected nothing less," Chrysalis deadpanned, then furrowed her brow and glared at Pyrite. "One look at this town tells me you don't bump into the rich and famous that often. Funding must be a nightmare, though you could always try getting money through—" she waved her hoof in a circle "—shady means."
In a flash, Pyrite's eyes lit up like fireflies. "You have no idea how right you are, ma'am."
Chrysalis's nostrils twitched as she stepped inside the shack. Dust particles were scattered everywhere, and a putrid stench of alcohol polluted the room. Furniture that must've looked amazing when new had lost much of its color or were torn to shreds. The hastily constructed bookshelves, most of which were empty and dilapidated, seemed like a waste of space.
A few trinkets caught the changeling's attention. Old cameras rested on the floor or against the shack's walls, and various hats and cloaks rested atop some cardboard boxes. A notepad, some writing utensils, tweezers, and empty jars completed most of the picture.
"Maybe they'll be useful one day," Chrysalis muttered to herself. She narrowed her eyes and sighed. "Doubtful."
However, the massive table was the room's centerpiece, its green top reminiscent of the ones found in casinos. A few Diamond Dogs and a mole rat surrounded the table, holding playing cards and twiddling poker chips in between their claws. Most of them sported puffy cheeks and round bellies, but one of the Diamond Dog's limbs looked thinner than sticks.
"These are your comrades?" Chrysalis hissed as she flicked her tail and groaned. She then scowled at Pyrite. "I doubt any of you could run a pawn shop, let alone something impressive. None of you look like you could cause much trouble outside of a fashion contest. What's your deal?"
"Deal?" one of the Diamond Dogs replied. He was the burliest of the group, though something about his saggy yet blank expression complemented his dopey tone. "I mean, I'm not gonna call your bluff! There's no way you've got a losing hand, and that stupid grin from earlier proves it!"
"Too late!" the mole rat exclaimed as he pointed at the ceiling. He slammed his fist against the table. Chips and cards alike jumped out of the way as a thunderous crack echoed around the room. "Gimme all that money! This game's mine, and don't think about weaseling your way outta this one!"
"I was talking about the visitor, you dingus!" The Diamond Dog tossed some of his poker chips at the mole rat, and the latter cackled as he collected his winnings and gave the cards back to the dealer. As the rest of the group followed suit with their cards, the Diamond Dog stared at Chrysalis and muttered, "Who the heck are you? Better not be associated with those darn pirates."
"Piracy is not in my nature," Chrysalis said as she touched her chest and bowed. She sported a crooked smile. "My name is Chrysalis, and let's leave it at that. Spare me the introductions because there are far more important things than names. Are you going to tell me what your deal is or not?"
"We're getting there!" the mole rat shouted. His cheeks became paler, and he twiddled his thumbs for a moment. "Anyway, my name's Flubar, and I'm the one who's running this shindig. Rover, Fido, and Spot are these three idiots." Flubar pointed at the three Diamond Dogs, their scowls more noticeable than before. The former smirked and bit down on his lip, then said, "If you wanna get anywhere, how 'bout you treat us superiors with respect."
Chrysalis shook her head. "You clearly don't know my immense powers. Unless you want a horn through your clogged hearts, I suggest learning how lucky you are that I bothered showing up in the first place." She took a deep breath, then stretched her wings. "I'll ask you one last time." As she lurched closer to the group, Flubar shrank away and gulped, which earned a slight chuckle from Chrysalis. "What is your purpose? Spill it!"
"Smuggling goods!" Flubar dug into his coat. He withdrew a cigarette and bit on its tip. He kept searching his pockets for another few seconds while Chrysalis bared her fangs, and the mole rat eventually grabbed a lighter. "We're selling all kinds of junk to Equestria and Abyssinia, all of which aren't stuff you'd find at your usual market. Don't know what it's like at the Changeling Hive. You lot never let us smugglers inside."
"Gee, I wonder why?" Chrysalis muttered, but it was just loud enough to have been audible. She trudged closer to the Diamond Dogs, then froze in place as she noticed Pyrite huddled alongside them as they twiddled their claws. "Maybe it's because your methods often cause more trouble than it's worth. My fellow changelings are—" Chrysalis swallowed some saliva "—were ruthless and powerful, but that doesn't excuse scams. You're among the first to die under strict rulers." Chrysalis turned around in a huff. She flicked her tail against the floor and slowly approached the exit. "The fact you're not already dead shows how seriously I'm taking a partnership."
"Wait!" Pyrite shrieked. He skipped past Chrysalis and stopped in front of the changeling. The latter scowled, yet the Diamond Dog stood tall and took a deep breath. "Are you sure about leaving? We'll help you with anything as long as you agree to pay us back!"
A soft giggle passed through Chrysalis's lips. "That's the kind of answer I was expecting." She patted the top of Pyrite's head, but seconds later, the changeling shoved her acquaintance toward the others. "For a bunch of con artists and cheats, you're terrible at pinning your opponents until they submit to your demands."
Spot rubbed his paws together. "You've obviously never met Boss Neptune," he said. The Diamond Dog suppressed a laugh. "He's the baddest of the bad, and the guy's so caught up with looking cool that he doesn't even go by his usual name. Unfortunately, a little power struggle between him and his assistant threw a wrench into his get-rich-quick scheme. Ended before it even began."
"That plan is similar to yours, right?" Chrysalis arched an eyebrow and tilted her head. She'd never heard of Boss Neptune, but power struggles between a ruler and their supposed allies weren't uncommon. "Why do you bring him up? Is he the idiot who got you into this mess?"
"That's easy, Cheese Legs!" Rover shrugged and wore a cheeky smile. "Basically, his story means that we mustn't screw up! The moment we start bickering with each other and try to get each other killed, our mission goes to Tartarus! You don't want that!"
Chrysalis rubbed her chin. However, she held back some laughter and licked her lips. "That's adorable, but I cannot be surprised his plans hit a snag." She took a deep breath and leaned against a nearby wall, then crossed her forelegs. "For want of a nail, the battle was lost before it even started. Maybe there's a universe where his plan worked with aplomb."
"And a universe where we're already rich!" Flubar exclaimed as he pumped his fist into the air.
In an instant, Chrysalis shook her head and scrunched her nose. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves!" She pressed her hoof against the dilapidated wall and tapped it a few times. Suddenly, her hoof went through what felt like wet cardboard, and a crack pierced the air. She wriggled her foreleg a little, and her hoof broke free from the hole in the wall. "Alright, tell me what today's plan involves. Make it something I won't regret."
Flubar twiddled his fingers. "Today's plan shouldn't be too hard," he said with a grin. He adjusted his spectacles and gazed at Chrysalis's horn. "We'll be loading some magic powder onto a wagon, which then delivers the goods to Abyssinia's black market. The locals can't get enough of the stuff." He took a deep breath and sniffled. Snot dripped from his nostrils, but he rubbed it away moments later. "After all they've been through, it's only natural they'd want to see rainbows and feel weightless. I'm still not over the first time it got me high."
Chrysalis nudged closer to the group. "This is the first time I've heard about magic powder," she said with an arched eyebrow. "Illicit substances aren't mysteries in the Changeling Hive or Equestria, however." She looked down at Flubar and company. "I'm not helping you make it. Not everyone's a renowned chemist." A faint purr echoed throughout the room, and her stomach felt tingly for a second. "Get someone whose magic isn't depleted if you need help. Otherwise, get lost."
Pyrite shook his head in an instant. He stretched his arms forward, then widened his eyes to the size of dinner plates. "Not at all, Miss Chrysalis!" he shouted. "It's just loading the stuff onto those carts, but even though we'll be in the shack's backyard, you've gotta be real sneaky! Everyone knows crime's rampant around these parts, but you can't just do anything in broad daylight!"
"I hope you don't see me as an idiot." With her magic, Chrysalis dragged Pyrite's chair toward her, the Diamond Dog within range for a good slap if necessary. As Pyrite squirmed like a bug trapped in a spider's web, she cracked a devilish smirk and cackled. "At least I'm not the coward! You're going to treat me with some amount of respect, or I'll do more than just smuggle drugs. Understand?"
"Yes, Miss Chrysalis!" Pyrite gulped. His cheeks turned pale, but they regained a little of their color as he took a few deep breaths. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Does this mean you'll help us? We could use someone tough and scary like you."
"Whoever said I would blindly help you?" Chrysalis waved her hoof and turned away from Pyrite and the others. A green glow wrapped around her horn as she stifled a laugh. "I'll play your little game, but you must promise me something in return."
Pyrite tilted his head and blinked. "What do you want?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Chrysalis shook her wings, but she ensured the stolen page wasn't noticeable or visible from where she stood. "I want you to get me into Canterlot by any means necessary. While changing my form is obviously an option, they're much better at detecting rogue changelings than before."
"Didn't Equestria cancel something important because a hairy guy tripped an alarm?" Flubar asked. He shrugged, then stood up and placed his hands behind his back. "Yeah, I'm totally sure that happened a while back. They were supposed to meet in Canterlot, but a thief—"
"That's none of my concern." Chrysalis touched her chest and stood tall. She then marched toward the shack's exit and opened the door with her magic. "I'll meet you at the backyard, and if you refuse to meet my end of the deal, you'll become a husk."
No words reached Chrysalis's ears as she left the dilapidated shack. She took in the air that smelt of burnt coal and ash, then hastily brought the stolen paper in front of her eyes. After she unfurled the message, the changeling tried deciphering the text, the intended recipient's name a smeared puddle of ink. Some of the message was legible, and despite having looked like a random series of doodles at first, she'd seen worse.
"Alright, let's see what you've got," Chrysalis muttered under her breath. Her mouth began salivating. "Oh, I hope this is a love letter or some kind of ransom note. Just thinking about it makes me want to drink some love for just a little bit, and turmoil is always fun!"
S**** *e***ne *X,
I'm sorry your initial plans were upended by incompetence. Luckily, we've got a few excellent ideas that'll please you. We'll continue smuggling magic dust, and as for the storage facilities, those will remain untouched as long as we've got enough guards. Get more of 'em to the facilities in the desert towns, and don't screw us over again. Seriously, get control over your assistants.
Anyway, we'll have your share of the profit in about two weeks, so sit tight and don't act like an idiot. The last time you did something before your payment came through, the yaks caught wind of your plans and made us look especially stupid. Do you want lost sales or not? I hope for everyone's sake that you choose the second one, because my boss is growing really impatient.
Also, we'll need another horn or two for making another batch of magic powder. The two we stumbled across only lasted a month, and that purple one we found a while back that lasted for years is close to running dry, so we'll need to regroup or get our customers hooked on something else. Don't disappoint me now, boss.
From,
Pyrite
Chrysalis's chest tightened as she crushed the letter into a crumpled ball with her magic. She tossed the letter aside, then marched down the road with heavy steps. "Monsters!" she hissed, then felt her blood boil. Her cheeks turned red as she muttered a few curse words under her breath. "They're going to mess with me?" Her wings twitched. A thought suddenly reached her mind, and she stood tall and hummed. "That cannot happen, but maybe. . ."
Chrysalis released a soft giggle, a greenish aura enveloped her horn, and her muscles loosened a little. She then stretched her wings and continued, "This day is going to be perfect, and all it requires is playing a little game with some idiots. You'll be seeing me again soon enough, princesses."
Not all games were fun, especially if they involved monotonous labor for the first hour or two. Back in the day, any monarch would've ordered a few drones around while those in power sipped on some iced tea and watched as buildings arose from stone. It was the way things were done in the Changeling Hive for hundreds of years, but it was surely different nowadays.
"Stupid thieves," Chrysalis hissed. She growled, though it felt like the boxes she handled weighed less than a feather. Nevertheless, her blood boiled. "Those ponies and traitors might be worse. Actually, they're definitely worse." Despite such anger, her muscles never ached, and no beads of sweat ever dripped down her forehead. Chrysalis merely wore a blank visage as she scowled and grumbled from time to time.
A faint smile ran across the changeling's face. "It's hard not to be impressed with what my drones once went through for the good of the hive," she continued. "There's nothing like some hard labor to strengthen a hive, after all." She shuddered, and chills coursed through her spine. "It's normal to think like that, right? I haven't devoured too many poisonous berries or shrooms."
Chrysalis scrunched her nose as she resumed stuffing the wagons. She lifted boxes and sacks stuffed with magic dust with her magic, but caressed one of the boxes with her hoof. Its surface was rough, though no splinters dug into her flesh, and she squinted at some gaps. "Maybe a sniff or two will suffice for later. They'd notice if something happened to their supplies."
Only two boxes remained, both of which would've snugly fit into the wagon's last empty spaces. Chrysalis studied her surroundings for any sign of her adversaries, yet all five of them were conspicuously absent. The only denizens making their way through town were the other locals, all of them covered in grime.
Chrysalis stroked her chin. "They're much lazier than expected," she whispered under her breath. She flew onto the wagon and perched like an eagle. "I suppose you're still inside the shack and wondering how you'll get my horn. Of course, you could be panicking over that lost letter of yours."
Suddenly, her eyes widened and her heart skipped a beat. She eyed a nearby trash bin, noticed the letter from before atop some other garbage, and then brought the crumpled piece of paper toward her via magic. Chrysalis unfurled it and reexamined the letter she read a couple of minutes ago. The changeling touched her chest, then whispered, "Those idiots have no idea what's coming."
Chrysalis's horn emitted a green glow, and she transformed into a tan-colored unicorn in the blink of an eye. Her body was shorter and slightly plumper than before, and the brown mane made the disguise a little cute. "They cannot resist a cute mare," she continued. "They're certainly lecherous enough for such a trap."
Chrysalis hopped down from the wagon and made her way to the shack. She pressed the crumpled letter against her chest. "Don't act suspicious, and use your charm to bring them far away from the town. Use some discrete magic if necessary. They're dumb enough to hypnotize."
The disguised changeling arrived at the shack's front door and knocked on it. Upon hearing the thieves' steps, she clenched the letter even closer to her chest and made sure the fake frown looked as genuine as possible. However, it was hard not to stifle a giggle as she awaited her next victims.
The door opened, and the wooden frame then collapsed onto the ground as the five ne'er-do-wells looked down at the visitor. Flubar stood in front of the disguised changeling. His eyes twinkled the moment he spotted what looked like a little pony, and his mouth began salivating as though he'd discovered a gourmet meal.
"Excuse me, but you've dropped this," Chrysalis muttered. Much to her displeasure, the cutesy voice that left her mouth felt like chewing arsenic. She brought the letter closer to Flubar with her magic. "If you'd like, I can show you a place with lots of horns and magical artifacts."
"Is that so?" Flubar exclaimed. He swiped the letter away from Chrysalis, then stuffed it into his vest's pocket and stepped outside. The four Diamond Dogs followed suit, and Flubar slapped his belly and chortled. "But why should we trust you? Where's that crazy bug?"
Chrysalis stepped away from the group. She began casting a spell on them, and as expected, their suspicious expressions transformed into bright smiles. Drool dripped from their mouths, though only for a few seconds, and they quickly regained their composure as if nothing happened.
"I don't know who you're talking about, but don't you want to help a sad little filly?" Chrysalis asked as she then smacked her lips. "I'll give you a discount if neither of you ask questions. My shop's out of the way, but we could use the support. The cancellation of that festival chewed into our income."
"Sounds like a deal to me," Fido muttered. He tilted his head, cheeks tightened as he kept staring into Chrysalis's eyes. "Everything's telling me this kid's legit, and it's not like we'd get into trouble if her shop's just across the border! Besides, she's a cute little pony."
Rover rubbed his paws together and wore a bright grin. "Yeah, she's the ticket to a lot of riches!" He inched closer to the supposed pony, then stroked his chin while his smile brightened. "Guess we aren't gonna need Cheese Legs. Then again, something about this kid looks familiar."
"What gives you that idea?" Chrysalis retorted. "You've seen a pony before?"
Spot nodded in an instant. He shuddered and twiddled his claws. "Only once, but never again!" he shrieked at the top of his lungs. The Diamond Dog stomped the ground, growling as tiny clouds of dust formed around him. "That whiny mare was a special kind of torture! I wouldn't wish that fate on my worst enemies!"
The disguised Chrysalis donned a warm smile and leaned closer to the criminals. "I promise to not make a scene," she said in a saccharine voice. She pouted, stepped closer to the group, and continued, "Promise me you won't do anything tricky, and I won't whine!"
Pyrite clenched his ears as though he expected a nearby explosion. "Deal!" he shrieked. He wiped his forehead and took a deep breath. "Just don't whine, and we'll be good!"
Nodding, the disguised Chrysalis turned around and jogged away from the group with a skip in her step. A smug grin ran across her face as Flubar, Pyrite, and their fellow allies as they waved back. "That's right, follow me and don't stray too far behind!"
Chrysalis ascended the sandy slope and soon entered the forest with her future victims close behind. The temperature steadily dropped, and the familiar sensations from before she discovered the strange village returned in a flash. The village's chatter, among other cacophonous sounds, quietened a little with every step she took. Eventually, the only noise that persisted were the thieves' breaths and some monotonous rustles.
A soft breeze swirled past the group. Chrysalis stifled a giggle as her coat felt a little ticklish. It was soft enough to where no one else heard, but after an extra thousand yards between the group and the town, even bloodcurdling shrieks weren't a potential problem.
The mole rat and four Diamond Dogs were all wearing crooked smirks and eyed what they assumed was a unicorn's horn like it was a sacred treasure. Two of the Diamond Dogs reached their arms out, but stopped themselves well short of touching the horn. The rest of them gazed at the same horn with widened eyes and nervous grins. None of them ever blinked as they followed the disguised changeling.
"We're here!" Chrysalis cheered. She then stopped on a dime and raised her head. Her lips puckered for a brief moment and she felt like a bar of soap for her mouth was necessary. She turned around and faced the prey, then muttered, "My shop's not easy to spot, but don't worry."
Flubar stuck his claws into his vest's pockets. "Yeah, it's just a bunch of trees, woodland critters, and manure," he said. The mole rat lowered his head and stared into Chrysalis's eyes as he fidgeted for a moment. His eyes narrowed, and he gnashed his teeth. "Where's the goods, tiny horse? C'mon, I'm not gonna sit around and wait for something to happen!"
Chrysalis chuckled. "It's simpler than you think," she said in her usual tone. A drop of sweat cascaded down her forehead, but as she noticed that Flubar, Pyrite, and the others hadn't budged an inch, she regained her composure. "I'll need you to turn around and close your eyes. Getting to my supplies requires a specific password."
"Like swordfish?" Fido shouted as he began salivating. The other bandits followed suit, each of them static like statues. "Oh, we've gotta perform a little dance, right? One of those castles we robbed needed a crazy dance to get into a secret room!"
"It's kind of like that." Chrysalis crept toward the thieves with short, soft steps. Taking a deep breath, she froze in place and touched her chest. "Just keep still and follow my instructions. Looking back and opening your eyes means you need to start over."
"Got it!" Pyrite exclaimed.
"Let's begin with the first step." Chrysalis reverted back to her original form. Green light swirled around her like a tornado, but disappeared the moment she lowered her head. "It'll take some practice, but it's not too hard. Just follow my commands." Her heart skipped a beat upon noticing Rover's twitchy ears, then began preparing another disguise in case the Diamond Dog glanced back.
However, nothing happened during those couple of seconds. Chrysalis ceased casting her spell, and she resumed inching closer to the thieves until she was breathing down their necks. A soft giggle escaped her mouth, and her muscles loosened as she bared her fangs.
Flubar fidgeted for a few seconds. "What's the first step?"
"It's simple," Chrysalis murmured. She touched Flubar's shoulders. A forked tongue stuck out of her mouth as she placed it inches from the mole rat's cheek. "The first step is pain. You'll need to experience a living nightmare unlike any other before proceeding."
Flubar shivered as though a blizzard swirled past. He swallowed a lump, then opened his eyes and turned to face the changeling. The Diamond Dogs followed suit, and their teeth clacked together as they gazed at Chrysalis's fiery eyes. Gasps left their mouths simultaneously.
Flubar twiddled his claws. "What are you—"
Chrysalis cast her spell. In the blink of an eye, streams of green light exited the victims' bodies. The mole rat and his Diamond Dog associates knelt down and shrieked like banshees, sounds that resembled thunderclaps following suit. Their bodies spasmed and then collapsed onto the earth.
Chrysalis cackled maniacally as a bitter flavor overwhelmed her taste buds. Tingly sensations pricked her coat. The changeling stretched her wings and pressed her hooves against the victims. "Give me all your love!" she bellowed. "I've waited for this moment, and you shall not deny me a single drop!" Her laughter resumed and intensified by the second. "If only this could last forever!"
The taste became less noticeable after a minute, at which point the changeling stopped draining love and slithered from her prey. She looked down at the mole rat and four Diamond Dogs, whimpering and shaking as they looked at the changeling. Chrysalis stroked her chin and wore a smug grin, warmth bundling in her chest as the victims stayed petrified.
"Why?" Flubar weakly murmured. He hacked up some mucus. His pupils shrank, eyes lacking color and shedding tears. "Why w-would you d-d-do this to us? You want the entire cut?"
"This was never about getting a cut of the profit," Chrysalis scolded as she turned away from her victims. "This was about exacting my revenge." A sigh left her lips, eyes half-lidded. "You want to know how I figured out your game? I stole your letter shortly after meeting Pyrite, and upon reading its contents, trusting you would be absurd. It's a good thing you're as dumb as you look." She flicked her tail and began retracing her steps toward the town. A few chortles passed through her lips. "Alliances based on crimes are fragile at best. You'll survive, but don't try outsmarting a changeling. You should know that playing fair and making friends is the stuff of incomprehensible idealism."
Chrysalis received no reply from her victims. They were still conscious, but their gaping mouths made it seem as though they saw a ghost. She chortled and touched her lips, then pressed her wings against her barrel. All she gave them as a parting gift was a toothy grin.
"What comes next?" Chrysalis asked herself as she walked toward the town. "Exacting my revenge against Starlight Glimmer and Twilight Sparkle comes first, but how am I going to emerge victorious without a clear plan?" She raised her head and bit her lip. "Perhaps getting them to squirm would work." She giggled. "That's always a bonus, but that's as productive as just crossing the desert."
Chrysalis's eyes shifted toward the shack's approximate location. Her smile grew wider than ever before.
"I just need their cameras and some other equipment." Chrysalis cackled once more, and her wings flapped as though she was preparing to fly away. "Those ponies recently vanquished a shadowy monster, right? If that's true, the script practically writes itself!"
Today was perfect, and maybe everything fell into place at last.