//------------------------------//
// Process of Induction 
// Story: The Problems with Changeling Royalty 
// by Snorlaxkid 
//------------------------------//

Thorax and Pharynx were in flight now. They had a heading and a theory. They just needed to figure out where all the tassels were pointing. As fast as possible, preferably. 

"So how did you figure out that scrying spell was working like this?" Thorax asked, as he double checked that the scroll was securely strapped to his back. 

"I didn't until I had it in the air. I just recognized something was up after the first tassel stopped pointing anywhere. On the way this far I tried to think of other places that would be significant to Chrysalis, and it kept coming back to Canterlot. Once I went up far enough, all the tassels were pointing at a downward slope. Except one."

"Because Canterlot is built in the side of a mountain!" Thorax exclaimed, "Of course! You're brilliant Pharynx!"

Pharynx chuckled. "I have my moments."

"Do you have any more ideas as to where places Chrysalis would consider significant?"

Pharynx thought for a moment. "Well, not places exactly, but there is a pony I imagine she considers significant. One she swore vengeance on in fact."

"Starlight..."

"Yeah..." Pharynx looked down at the ground below. "Let's land here, outside of Ponyville, and check the scroll." 

The two changeling brothers landed, with Thorax carefully removing the scroll and holding it upright. Sure enough one of the remaining tassels was now visibly pointed directly at Canterlot. Two of the remainder were pointed at Ponyville, and the last one, the tassel representing Chrysalis' horn, was pointed directly at the nearby forest. The Everfree.

"...Figures she'd hide in the most ominous place she could think. She always did have a flair for the dramatic." Pharynx commented, shaking his head. 

"Couldn't have found her without you Pharynx."

Pharynx grinned. "Oh you would have thought of something. Or she would have found you. Either way we'd have reached this point before long."


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Some months earlier...

Chrysalis gritted her teeth as she looked through the pair of binoculars at the unicorn flying a kite in the distance. Starlight Glimmer had certainly taken her sweet time to go do something alone. And of course it was still some place too public for her to do anything to her alone. This would over already if she still had the swarm.

"Hey."

Chrysalis dropped her binoculars as she her thoughts were interrupted by a monotone voice. She briefly panicked until she remembered she was currently in disguise. A unicorn. Minuette. 

"Yes?" She asked as she turned to look at the pony she was being interrupted by. A grey earth pony with a purple mane and blue-green eyes stood next to her. Chrysalis recognized this pony. She'd been with Starlight recently. Chrysalis racked her brain. The name Maud Pie came up. Yes, Maud, a sister to that pink earth pony. 

"Do you know Starlight Glimmer?" Maud asked. The question was very flat, like everything Maud seemed to say.

"...I... Guess you could say that?" Chrysalis conceded, trying to keep her cool. There was no reason to suspect the earth pony knew anything.

"Have you seen her?"

"She's at the park flying her kite." Chrysalis pointed toward the park, before immediately regretting it. Stupid, why would you reveal you'd seen her?

"Thanks."

Chrysalis practically sighed with relief as the earth pony started to walk away, only for the tension to reappear when they stopped and glanced back.

"You should invest in a camera."

"Wha- Why?" 

"For your bird-watching. Most ponies who take up bird-watching like to bring a camera. Pictures last longer." Maud said simply before continuing to walk toward the park.

Red flags were going up all over the place in Chrysalis' mind. She knew. She couldn't know, but she knew. 

"No no, you're just being paranoid Chrysalis." She told herself, picking up her binoculars. "You should get some rest. She was just giving you friendly advice."

She tucked the binoculars into a saddlebag and started to walk back towards the edge of town. ...She could use a camera, now that she thought about it. Actually, a camera might turn out quite useful.