I don't know how to start stories like this... But i guess I should start with 'Once upon a time'
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful golden egg. It gleamed and stood at full attention on a pedestal waiting.
One day, a crack appeared in the egg. The creatures all gathered buzzing with excitement. More cracks appeared and then the top popped off. A black holed hoof reached out but no one dared to move. It was a ritual that everyone knew... If the foal could not break the egg on its own then it does not deserve to live. Eventually it will suffocate and die from the sticky green fluid.
Suddenly, tiny black hooves burst through the stiff material and a tiny foal rolled out. That foal was me, Queen Chrysalis of the North Equestrian Hive. I was a cocky grub straight from the egg, spitting acid at my maids, associating myself with ponies, and going on adventures in the garden.
And when I grew up with a philosophy shoved into my head...
That I needed to do everything in my power to protect them... Protect my hive...
I...did some things that I regret...
------
Sombra stood in front of her with a withering smile over the candlelit dinner. "I thought for sure your name was Crystal-is, my dear" He muttered under his breath.
Chrysalis mentally rolled her eyes "No" She sighed "Chrysalis. Like the cocoon of a bug"
Sombra chuckled "My apologies, It is just that... Your name is so unique and exquisite" He purred making Chrysalis mentally gag. "This marriage is temporary, Sombra" She gritted the name out "I don't expect much to come from it. Other than the freedom of my subjects"
"Our subjects" He corrected raising a hoof in opposition before sliding it up her arm.
Chrysalis rolled her eyes and looked out the window. Luna's moon admitted a soft glow which swallowed the crystals making them twinkle like fallen stars. Sombra stood behind Chrysalis with a lustful smile "I think it is time that you feed..." He whispered in a sweet husky voice as he trailed up her back with his lips "How about you...?"
Chrysalis shivered as her long hair was gently pulled by his hoof giving her a gentle guidance towards the bed. Chrysalis did not want to bed this stallion in the slightest but her subjects required this alliance to survive.
And as a Queen, She would always provide...
He trailed warm slobby kisses up her neck as she stood her ground. She was a Queen but He was not her King. It was an unrequited love from the beginning, only a political marriage.
Yet...She gave herself over for the good of her subjects.
For when, she did reject his love. He shunned her people and slowly went completely insane. Her first failure...
-----
Nobody knew of King Sombra before young Radiant Hope told the 2 pony sisters. But I did the worst damage, taking away his only way to cope... Taking myself away...
And he destroyed us both...
He destroyed my subjects...
Then he erased his kingdom...
-------
Sombra ran up to Chysalis similar to a puppy "Chrysalis! I got the slaves to make us edible crystals like in the Crystal Fair. I never got to try them bu-" Chrysalis ran away from him with a disgusted shiver as his fur grazed hers.
Sombra was struck with confusion "Chrysalis?" He called out running to her side. Chrysalis ran in front of him blocking him from going any further. "I can't pretend like this anymore Sombra." She said with a grim expression.
"I don't love you... I just pretended so that my subjects could get food... Now there's no food because your 'slaves' can no longer feel love" She explained "I'm tired of being a replacement for 'her'. Changing into her is degrading to myself and my people"
Sombra froze. If you didn't see his slowly moving chest, you'd think he was a statue.
-----
Chrysalis wasn't the kind of pony to sugar-coat things. She knew that she used him and he had used her but did her subjects, Her children, give her a good reason for playing and breaking his heart like a toy.
"It is a question, I still ask to this day... Is this not what I signed up for from birth..." A voice asked the darkness.
-------
Chrysalis slowly woke up on the cold ground of her empty room. "Where.... What happened here?" She questioned into the silence. The only thing that answered was her echo that whispered "Here. Here. Here" throughout the tunnels.
She rose to her hooves and grazed her bed with her fore-hoof. From her position she could see the night sky. It was brimming with stars. Stars that looked like they would fall into her hooves like the winter snow at any moment.
Her body reluctantly relaxed under the calming moonlight as she remembered what happened to her hive. They starved... All of them. She was alone.
She could hear the clanging hoofsteps of some animal making their way in. She rose to attention baring her fangs which gleamed in the moonlight. When the hoofsteps stopped, an alicorn stood in front of her with her face in a deep scowl. Raven black wings settled on her sides and slitted turquoise eyes stared into her emerald green orbs.
She was once strong enough to beat Celestia but, this alicorn's aura was much stronger. Almost suffocating her into submission. Chrysalis' hissing ceased immediately and was replaced with a apprehensive curiousity. The changeling queen wandered backed away and taking in her body.
She was like Princess Luna but her build was similar to Princess Celestia. Her muscles were quite intimidating up close. The queen assumed from earth pony magic. The alicorn watched her silently with her eyes but never moved.
Chrysalis, unfortunately, couldn't smell or taste any emotion from the mare that could sate her hunger. "Who are you?" She asked cautiously perking her ears in challenge. The alicorn didn't answer but instead pinned the changeling on her back which was surprisingly gentle showing her dominance. Chrysalis scowled as her horn glowed with a sickly green magic before connecting itself to the alicorn's horn.
The alicorn stared at her as she began writhing in pain from the attempt. Chrysalis felt like she was burning alive as the alicorn's mental barrier pushed magical backlash through her horn. "I expected better of you then to try and mind control me..." The alicorn sighed disappointedly.
Chrysalis let out a low whimper scampering from underneath the alicorn's legs like a foal. After a few seconds, the changeling queen reappeared with a bitter scowl on her face "You are stronger than I originally thought..." She sighed shaking her head.
"You may call me, Nightmare..." The alicorn yawned stretching as she made herself comfortable in the changeling's rather large bed. Chrysalis nodded slowly narrowing her eyes at this new acquaintance of hers. "Why are you here?" She questioned aggressively. Nightmare sighed "I should have known this question would come sooner or later..." She groans "I'm guessing you haven't seen the magical chains"
Chrysalis raised an eyebrow "Magical-" then she saw it. The long almost invisible chain connecting her and the alicorn. Chrysalis stared at it in dismay "What did you do?!" She spat. Nightmare stared at her unmoving "All I remember is being blasted by the elements, then waking up in the castle of the two sisters bleeding from my eyes. I had no injuries so I searched for a solution and found this" She motioned towards the chain.
Chrysalis went silent for a moment "So the elements created this." She muttered solemnly frowning. Nightmare gave her a quick nuzzle to cheer her up. Chrysalis, within that quick moment of contact, felt and absorbed many emotions.
"Better?" Nightmare asked looking at the changeling. Chrysalis nodded slowly trying to make sense of the mixed emotions. The black alicorn looked to the night sky with a longing look. Chrysalis watched silently thinking about the chain.
"What are we doing, now?" Chrysalis questioned Nightmare.
"We cannot stay here... Next moon rise, we shall go and seek out shelter with a friend of mine."
Chrysalis seemed mildly content with the answer as she curled up on the opposite side of the bed glaring at the alicorn. Nightmare quickly fell into a dreamless slumber ignoring Chrysalis. The changeling queen laid awake as the
moon seemed to glare at her. She couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Eventually, exhaustion caught up to her and she fell peacefully into the dreamscape.
-----
Nightmare was the first to awaken. Her eyes slowly opened from the darkness and was filled with golden light from the sunset. The alicorn hissed and covered her eyes with a hoof. After a few awkward moments, her eyes eventually adapted to the change in lighting.
Her eyes eventually drifted to the lump of chitin and fur that was calmly resting. Her mind flicked towards the 'window' and saw the sun slowly going down. 'A few more minutes' She thought to herself.
----
After a few minutes, the moon began its path across the sky. "Queen of Changelings, it is time to awaken." The alicorn called nudging her with a hoof. Chrysalis' left ear twitched slightly, her right leg following suit before she let out a groan. Her jade colored eyes opened slightly as she rolled onto her hooves.
"Good Morning..." She whispered tumbling over into the wall before letting out a series of curses. Nightmare flinched as she fell to the floor with a dull thud. "Good afternoon, Queen of Changelings" She replied. Chrysalis stood up quickly as the last bits of sleep exited her body.
"I'm not a morning pony" Chrysalis grumbled.
"But... It isn't morning"
"Tomato, Patato"
Nightmare opened her mouth to correct her but closed it with a solemn shake of her head. Chrysalis walked out of the tunnels followed by the alicorn. The trees were aligned with silver moonlight giving the forest a mystical vibe.
"Where are we heading" Chrysalis questioned distrustingly.
Nightmare however, was busy with her muzzle to the ground as she nibbled at the grass.
"Come on, what are you a horse..." Chrysalis paused for a second remembering something "On second thought, don't answer that"
Nightmare looked at her smugly "No but we all carry similar ancestors" She lectured giving her a smile.
"And she answered anyway" Chrysalis moaned dramatically.
Nightmare chuckled before walking in front of Chrysalis "Follow me..." she then began into the forest. Chrysalis followed silently by her side allowing her lavender colored mane to catch her attention.
"Why don't you have a ethereal flowing mane like all powerful Princess Celestia?" Chrysalis questioned with a slightly mocking tone.
Nightmare thought for a second "I assume I'm just low on magic power" She replied allowing the mocking to roll of her chest. Chrysalis nodded hesitantly glaring, she still didn't trust this mysterious alicorn that claimed to be her ally.
"So this friend of yours... Are they an alicorn?"
Nightmare shook her head "Zebra-Unicorn hybrid"
Chrysalis raised an eyebrow "Those exist?"
"Rare but yes they do. They are also great potion makers"
Chrysalis didn't question anymore as the path grew steeper. The changeling quickly slipped on the smooth rocks and fell. The queen froze up preparing for an impact that never came. Her eyes slowly opened to see that she was floating just slightly above the ground surrounded by a silver-cerulean aura.
She unclenched and let her hooves steady themselves of the ground as the aura disappeared. "Thank you" She muttered looking away from the alicorn. The winged unicorn just gave a soft hum in response continuing her journey. Chrysalis ran to keep up with her. The last thing she needed was to die because she got too far away from her. She could remember what she read about magical chains in her textbook.
~Magical chains
A shared magic link between two beings that grows stronger as time goes on. If the beings wander too far from each other, they can experience bleeding, pain, and eventually death from magical deprivation. Their souls are connected on a magical level and the chains are extremely difficult to break without a powerful mage~
Chrysalis sighed as she focused on following this alicorn through the Everfree. The moon was high in the sky as the two stumbled upon on cave. Nightmare boldly walked in and checked around "It's safe" She announced after a few minutes. Chrysalis quickly sat down inside the cave as Nightmare started a magical fire.
"How much longer"
"It didn't take me that long to get to your hive. But you are weak and starving. Perhaps... you would like a fish?"
Chrysalis growled curling up along the side of the cave "Shut up. I don't need anything, just stay away from me"
Nightmare fell silent curling up by her magical blue flames. There was a long pause. "You don't have to pretend that you are fine..." She commented.
Chrysalis ignored her and closed her eyes willing herself to fall asleep.
-----
The next moon rise, the two mares crawled out of cave well rested. Chrysalis followed Nightmare silently for hours watching as the moon was covered by dark clouds before starting to pour rain. The changeling swore that the world had something against her as her mane got soaked.
Suddenly, the raindrops stopped completely making the changeling look up to see black feathers with a membranous tip sheltering her from the raging storm. The alicorn's lavender mane was soaked and stucked her face as she shielded herself with her free wing.
It didn't help with the wind that nipped at both of them. Chrysalis shivered unconsciously walking cover to the furry mare. They stopped and sat by a tree as the rain showed no signs of letting up.
Nightmare wrapped a wing around Chrysalis. The changeling attempted to move away but was held in place by the strong appendage. "Why?"
"I don't need you getting sick. You're obviously cold and your teeth are chattering"
Chrysalis cursed her body for the unconscious instinct as she was forced to relax in the alicorn's feathery wing.
There was then a pregnant pause that gave birth to many small pauses.
Lightning crackled within the clouds as the thunder boomed.
"Thank you..." Chrysalis whispered more warmly snuggling into the wing. Nightmare gave her a small barely noticeable smile.
----
After the final raindrops hit the ground, Nightmare looked to the sleeping changeling in her wing. Nightmare watched Chrysalis protectively as the changeling's soft almost innocent breathes grazed her ears. She felt guilty having to interrupt her slumber. The alicorn began to nudge her with her free wing and muzzle.
"Hmmm" Chrysalis grumbled and began to open her eyes. The changeling then shot up making the alicorn jump in surprise.
"Oh... It's you" The changeling gasped.
Nightmare nodded and the two mares resumed their journey eventually taking a break in an open clearing. The lake water was crystal clear reflecting sunlight back at them. The dark alicorn walked ahead of companion seeming to be waiting for something.
The overbearing build. The horn. The wings. It reminded Chrysalis of that moment...
----
Light flashed from behind her behind her. A mix of pink and blue merging into a bright purple before all she felt was weightlessness.
Then came the pain....
Hundreds of lives gone in an instant...and that was just the beginning
---
She leaned her head on the side of the tree and began to bawl as quietly as she could allowing grief to consume her.
Nightmare rose to attention walking towards the changeling. Her stance was apprehensive which confused the changeling then she realized. Her entire body was shaking violently and her cheeks were freezing.
"I'm sorry... I just-"
Nightmare shook her head with the slight caress of her wing breaking down the changeling queen's walls.
Only slightly....
"Nightmare.... Is that you?"