//------------------------------// // Opportunity // Story: Conquest: Prologues // by pretty-pegasus-wings //------------------------------// Hearts pounded, breaths raced, wings beat against the air with fierce determination. She drew closer, they could sense her; trees and bushes could only slow the force that rampaged through the thick, woody forest. The bat pony to the right looked to his partner, eyes fear stricken, he felt it too. Both saw the same look of mistakes made, far too much to count and no time to think. They had to get out of here towards civilization, it’s the only way. Howls rang out, each flinched at her wolves’ cries. The one to the left took a sharp glance behind him. He swore he saw those dark shadows whip through the bramble. “Damn it all!” He pumped his wings harder. “I don’t want to die!” The bat pony to the right pulled in his hooves and narrowed his eyes trying to prevent his tears from flowing. “Keep your eyes on the prize, we're almost there!” As if trying to deny their confidence, that dreaded sound rang. “It’s over… we’re going to die… we’re going to die!” The one on the left bit his lip, fangs nearly piercing his skin. “Hey, come closer to me, I have an idea.” Desperately, his friend glided over, eyes filled with tears. It happened in a split second. A shooting pain lit in the frightened bat pony’s side as his once friend slammed into his body. “AH!” He tucked his wings in as his body plummeted into the ground. It had to be done, he needed to get out alive. So close now, so close, he could see the end. “GAH!” Teeth sunk into his wing, pain crippled his being. A massive weight dragged him to the ground with a crack, claws dug through the membrane of his wings. The hot breath of a fierce hunter panted against his neck, he could feel its teeth hovering over impatiently. If only… if only…. “Well done, my beautiful boys.” The voice of their pursuer trilled in his ears, her victorious steps drew near. “Bring the other over.” On her command, the shadowy wolf dragged his former partner next to him. His head turned upward, fear replaced with sheer hatred as his eyes stared into his. He didn’t think much of it, there was no point, not now. All he could recall were the events that led to this moment, moments one remembers before facing death. Cutting him from his thoughts was the sight of dark grey hooves. He kept his eyes at the ground, how could he dare look at her? How could he look knowing what waited for him was pain and suffering? “Does your cowardliness know no bounds? You would not give yourselves the dignity to stare me in the eye and face what you have reaped? The fact you got as far as you did is laughable.” Even at the end, she still coos them on, infuriating as this all is. Regretfully, he lifted his eyes, moving them upward to meet hers; a sharp purple that cut deep. “My quee-” She slammed her hoof into his cheek. “How dare you after what you have done.” He refused to whimper, to give any sound, however slight. “Though, I expected no less from you two. Did you think you could get far, that I could never catch you? Were the many stories of my hunt deaf against your ears?” She leaned her head between their ears. “You could have faced it like real stallions, yet here we are, exactly where you should be.” “Please, let me go, I’ll tell you everything!” The bat pony now betrayed stretched his head out, eyes pleading. “You had your chance hours ago.” She sneered, looking upon them with disgust. “If I truly cared about the details, I would have had it raked out of you, layer by layer, as the flesh on your backs was torn. I told you that was your moment of redemption, to mend any damage your actions caused for your kind. Be thankful they were only hurt, otherwise you would be rotting away in the dungeons, dying in the most painful way I could imagine.” Slowly, she removed the hoof from the traitorous pony’s face. “I will not give you another moment of leeway, but I will give both of you a gift, not knowing when you will die because when you get back, your eyes will be raked out and eardrums pierced until all you can hear is a deafening ring.” The betrayed bat pony simpered, burying his face into the hard earth as his body heaved. She sneered at him with disgust and turned to her dark, ethereal wolves. “Take them and follow.” Her wolves picked the two bat ponies in their mouths, each with the look of hopelessness plastered across their faces. * * * The journey back to the kingdom wasn’t too long nor was dealing with the prisoners now laying in their cells blinded and deaf. She made her way through the halls, hoof steps heavy yet head held high. Only a little longer, she spoke repeatedly in her mind as she turned the corner and stood before the door. She straightened herself up, pushed back loose strands of purple and lavender hair and knocked on the door before poking her head inside the room. “Now is not a bad time, is it?” She looked to the group of bat ponies surrounding a bed in which a dark blue one lay, the poor mare had bruises and cuts that ran across her whole body, now treated. All those around her smiled warmly at the queen. “No, please come in!” The stallion who held the bedridden mare’s hoof waved her over. His body also appeared beaten, but not nearly as much as the mare. Happily, the queen made her way, the others stepped aside so she could stand by the wounded mare. Weakly, she lifted her head off the pillow. “It’s an honor to have you visit, my queen.” “There is no need for formalities, call me Nira.” The mare gave a gentle smile as her head rested back on the pillow. “I heard there were no life-threatening injuries.” “All thanks to you.” The stallion reached a hoof out to Nira’s, taking it firmly in his. “If you didn’t act as fast as you did… we would have… we would have….” His words choked out, small gaps of air spaced his phrases. Nira grasped his hoof tightly as his grip lessened. “I am thankful I received word in time. If only I had known what they were up to….” The mare slowly shook her head. “You couldn’t have known….” “No, but I should have been more careful, ensured those I assigned would not turn. Those hunters are getting too brazen, bribing my guards.” She gritted her teeth. “Will mommy come back with us soon?” The younger of the two piped up, stretching his neck out as if she could hear him from where he stood. Nira moved her free hoof toward the young bat pony, stroking the top of his head comfortingly, careful to avoid the purple mark at the top of his forehead. “The doctors will let you know, but I am sure she will be back on her hooves in no time.” The little one smiled, the fear slowly melting away. “Is there anything more I can do for you?” The concerned stallion firmly shook his head. “You’ve already done so much.” Before Nira could respond, there was a knock on the door. Peering in was a bat pony dressed in armor. “My queen, a message has arrived.” Nira glared at the guard with annoyance and frustration. “From who?” “A queen by the name of Chrysalis.” Her ears perked in attention. “Please excuse me.” Silently, she slipped out of the room and pulled the guard to a private section of the hallway. “What queen sent this message?” “The messenger explained she is the queen of a race called changelings.” He pulled a letter from under his armor and gave it to her. Nira took it and flipped it over to find a seal. Clearly, a royal crest was displayed that appeared to have an insect inspired design. “He said her name was Queen Chrysalis.” “Your dagger.” She held a hoof out. He took the dagger from his belt and gave it to her. With care as to not damage its contents, she slid its edge under the envelope’s flap and cut it open. She pulled the letter out and read it silently to herself. “How curious…. Seems I have been invited to a meeting.” “Will you need an escort?” Nira slipped the letter back in the envelope. “That will not be necessary, there will be more than myself there. I doubt she would want to pull anything in front of several leaders, at least, more are implied to be there. And if she did, I can take care of myself.” She gave him a confident grin and held the letter out to him. “Take this to my room.” “Yes, ma’am!” He took the envelop and ran off leaving Nira to her thoughts. A queen calling me to some meeting… of all the beings in Equestria…. She smirked as she considered the offer. I cannot wait to find out why.