//------------------------------// // 347. No Second Prances - Epilogue // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// Though Twilight and Midnight were over the moon with this most joyous of news, they received another message from Sombra, assuring them that mother and child were well and resting, but requested that they remain in Ponyville for the time being. Much there was to be done, to prepare for the celebration that would introduce Equestria and everypony in it to the Son of the Sun. However... This news had already reached unsavory ears, thanks to a certain queen having a set of ears meticulously planted among the staff of Canterlot Castle, and after hearing of this development from Queen Chrysalais's proxy, Catrina was pacing in her lair, Sunset, Destrier, Tirek, Chrysalis's proxy, and Paraoh Phetlock watching her every step. "So... our old teacher has at long last birthed that which she had always sought in the students she took under her wing," she said in a soft yet sinister demeanor while she took her cigarette holder to take a long and calming inhale of burning witchweed. Though it did not abate the spite burning within her breast, for anything that brought her former teacher joy rubbed the witch's fur the wrong way. "Oh-hoh-ho... what I wouldn't give to see the look on her face as I strangled that whelp in my bare hands," Tirek snarled wickedly, which honestly disturbed Sunset and Phetlock while Destrier remained as impassive as sculpted marble. "I think not! That child would be the perfect tool for my children to feed upon Celestia's love," protested Chrysalis's proxy, serving as her mother-queen's mouthpiece. "No..." All eyes turned to Catrina as she stood the full of her height with an imperious look in her narrowed eyes, "We must continue to increase our ranks, consolidate power and remain vigilant to any and all opportunities. Speaking of which, Sunset, have you located the source of conflict that has been spreading along the lower east coast?" "Not just yet," sunset reported, "but the ponies I've spoken to, while difficult and ornery, all of them mentioned one thing in common - Prior to their giving into their negative feelings, they always heard some kind of singing. The most recent incident occurred in Horseshoe Bay." "Excellent..." purred Catrina, genuinely pleased this time, "which means we may have some new members joining us very soon." "Why are we wasting time like this?!" demanded Chrysalis, "My drones could have infiltrated Canterlot and replaced every figure of authority ten times over by now without any of those ponies the wiser! My hive is starving, Catrina, far more severely as of late, and what's more Thorax and his young sister Elytra are harbored under the roof of Shining Armor and Cadance! Who knows how many changeling secrets that traitor has revealed?!" "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with this parasite," Tirek grumbled, "As far as I know, you haven't even conspired any real plans or strategized any sort of offensive against Equestria! We should- AAUGHH!!!" Tirek's mystech prosthetic arm suddenly jerked and twisted around, Tirek grinding his teeth in pain as he felt the artificial limb bend in a way that arms weren't supposed to bend, thanks to the thaumaturgical implants connecting to his nervous system. All eyes turned to Tirek as he came down to his knees, grunting and groaning in pain as he bowed his head submissively and those eyes turned to Catrina, whose left arm was glowing as she willed the arm she had provided Tirek to punish him. "Let me say this in a way even a rabid brute such as yourself can comprehend, Tirek," stated Catrina in a silk-soft voice before her eyes glowed with intense cruelty and her ginger hair seemed to flow and undulate as if it were underwater as she bore her fangs while her magic flowed around her in the form of green and black flames. "I have many plans. Plans within plans, and all of them with one aim. Equestria will be mine. I will topple the foundations of the ponies' society, I will shatter the illusion that is their precious harmony, I will right the wrong their precursors committed against my ancient ancestors before this miserable speck floating in the cosmos ever came into existence! And when the time comes, I will see the alicorns extinct as they should have been before this world first turned, starting with Midnight, with Celestia, and especially her newborn brat!! Is. That. CLEAR?!" Tirek nodded and even began to whimper as Catrina released her sway over him and he feebly began to rub his hurting shoulder while Catrina looked upon the others. "And let this be a reminder to you all the fragility of this coalition of ours. It is important not to lose sight of what drives us: Love, recognition, vengeance... but the moment you put your desires before my own... they will be lost to you." She turned to walk back to her fainting couch, "This isn't a threat. It is simply the truth. The path to your desires can only be found," she turned to glare at them from the corner of her right eye, "through me." But instead of taking a load off, her form glowed a poisonous green before dispersing into acrid smoke that faded away, leaving the villains to stand there in stricken silence for a long moment... before Sunset, Phetlock, and Destrier went one way and Tirek the other. Chrysalis's proxy however stood there, mirroring her mother's emotions and offended sensibilities as she looked through her daughter's eyes upon that mangy cat's chair. She dares to order a queen...? seethed Chrysalis's thoughts in her daughter's head, A brazen inferior creature like her?! Should I... do away with her, Your Grace? asked the thoughts of Chrysalis's proxy. ...No. At least not yet, Chrysalis narrowed her eyes shrewdly back upon her throne, where she lounged safely in the comforts of hive. The only reason I deigned to enter this alliance with her was the fact she could wield magic in the area of my throne's effect. I'd hoped to learn how, so as to insure it could not happen again. Alas, her passive schemes and secrets and lack of action is starting to wear even my patience thin... No, daughter. I'd say it's high-time we formulated a scheme of our own. One that will insure the total and absolute victory of the Changeling Hive and the ponies of Equestria will never even know it!