"What a lovely but absolutely ridiculous sentiment!" Those were the last words Chrysalis had uttered before she and her army of loyal changelings were blasted out of Canterlot, the very city they had hoped to conquer and subjugate. And if not for a particularly nosy unicorn, or a certain pink princess who refused to be a good little prisoner and stay quiet, maybe the invasion would've ended differently. As it was, Chrysalis and her subjects were knocked backwards by a wave of love so powerful that they couldn't hope to absorb it!
The wave didn't stop at the borders of Canterlot, though. It propelled the changelings halfway across Equestria! And even once it had faded, it was a long way down for the changelings, who had little power with which to try and escape.
Suddenly, Chrysalis thought she saw something approaching at high speed! Before she had a chance to react though, the queen collided with the object (a tree) head first! Her ears started ringing and her head started to feel funny, then it was suddenly as if her whole world had gone dark as she shut her eyes. The evil queen hit the ground but a few seconds later with a rather sickening thud!
The impact drew several nearby changelings to its source. They were immediately stricken with dread when they noticed that their queen didn't appear to be moving! One even shouted! "Wake up, your majesty! Please! Don't leave us! We need your leadership now more than ever!"
Chrysalis slowly stumbled awake. But something was off. The way she looked about her surroundings seemed... different. She appeared to be even more confused than her fellow changelings and was showing visible signs of something they had never seen in their queen until now: Fear. "Where am I?" She asked in a low tone of voice that sounded more like a whimper. "This doesn't look like the hive."
"Don't you remember, your majesty?" A changeling asked her. "We're in Equestria."
Chrysalis blinked, she didn't seem to recognize the word. "What do you mean? Are we not in the hive? I'm not supposed to leave the hive, the queen won't like it."
Another changeling blinked back in confusion. "Did you hit your head or something, your majesty? You are the queen. We take our orders from you."
But Chrysalis stuttered, whimpered and even looked like she was about to bawl. "No no no! There's no way I'm the queen! I'm not ready yet! I'm just the hatchling, Chrysy. I'm barely above the age of a grub."
"No you're not! You're our queen, Chrysalis!" The first changeling insisted. "We came to Equestria because you told us we were going to invade Canterlot. We would feed off of the love of the prince, and take over. Surely you remember that."
"Chrysy" shook her head and stumbled back as her body shook! "No way! There must be some mistake! I would never do something like that! The queen says we're to avoid contact with the outside world at all costs. Oh, if she finds out I was part of an invasion she'll force me back into my cocoon! I don't wanna go back in there! It's dark, and cold, and smelly and I can't move around at all!"
The other changelings just looked around. They didn't know what to do or what to say. It seemed that somehow, their queen had forgotten who she really was. True, all changelings started out as hatchlings, and Chrysalis was not their first queen. But none of them knew anything about "Chrysy". As far as any of them could remember, Chrysalis had been their queen. A cold hearted ruler who had overseen many successful invasions of weaker nations, allowing them to feed.
"What are we gonna do now?" A changeling asked the others. "Without Chrysalis, we have no clear chain of command. And if she ever goes back to her old queeny self, she'll really have it out for whoever takes her place without her permission."
"Let's just get her back to the hive. Our best doctors should be able to figure out what's wrong with her and how to fix her." Another changeling suggested.
A third changeling hissed. "We don't even know where we are in Equestria, let alone how many of us survived the assault on Canterlot! There's at least those two broodmates: Pharynx and his stupid brother. We need to find Pharynx if he's still out there, with Chrysalis out of commission he's the closest we have to leadership."
"And what do you propose we do in the meantime?" A fourth changeling questioned with narrowed eyes. "Some of us haven't had any love to feed on for days now. And you know what happens to changelings who go too long without feeding."
"Can we even feed with Equestria surely looking for us as we speak?" A fifth changeling pointed out. "I say we just lay low, get whatever we can to survive on, and wait for the heat to die down. Those ponies will give up looking for us soon."
Chrysalis just watched the argument unfold with anxiety. She understood just enough of the conversation to know that she was stranded in a strange world far from home, with no way to get back and no way to "feed". She really didn't want to bring up how she didn't like "feeding" off of love. The more she fed the hungrier she always seemed to become, it just never seemed to satisfy her the way it did other changelings. The queen said that made her special and wanted Chrysalis to focus on that, and Chrysalis had reluctantly done so since the queen's orders were to be obeyed.
But what could she do in a situation like this? She was away from the hive, the queen was nowhere to be seen, and none of her fellow changelings seemed to know what was the best way to proceed. And as if all of that weren't bad enough, now apparently the citizens of Equestria were on the lookout for her because of something she'd done. Something she currently had no recollection of.
The first changeling reluctantly sighed. "We'll lay low, for now. Some of us will go look for Pharynx and Thorax, some of us will try to find food and the rest of us will stay here and grubsit our queen. She's probably still recovering from how quickly the invasion unraveled. With a little luck, she'll be back to normal and ready to lead us within a day or two." The other changelings all nodded in agreement.
Chrysalis was led by her fellow changelings to a shady, cramped alley. And there they set up a small camp, with various changelings serving as guards. Strangely enough, she didn't feel hungry even though she could hear several other changelings complain that they were. Was this too a part of what the queen said made her special? Perhaps she had been sent to Equestria to put that special talent to use?
The silence of the changeling who didn't seem to know she was queen did not go unnoticed by her subjects. They still believed she would return to normal before long, once the shock of having an invasion foiled wore off.
In the meantime, other urgent matters were tended to as a changeling entered the camp to give a report. "No signs of Pharynx or Thorax within the city. Best estimates are that they're still stranded within Canterlot," The changeling told the others. "I'd estimate our current location to be somewhere in the greater Manehattan area, well to the east of Equestria's capital and much further from the hive than when we were in Canterlot proper."
"And what is the status of security around these parts?" Another changeling sternly inquired.
The changeling cleared his throat. "Word's already gotten out about the invasion. The citizens don't seem to be overly panicking, but word is that royal guards are on their way. They're going to be deployed at every exit to the city to ensure that no one gets in or out without being inspected. And since some of us haven't had any love to feed off of, keeping a disguise long enough to fool them is gonna be difficult."
"So we're gonna just keep laying low and try to feed?" The other changeling questioned in a noticeably angry tone. "I say we just bolt and run now, and stay that way until we get back to the hive! It's not our fault those broodmates aren't back yet. Most likely, Thorax chickened out and Pharynx is looking for him. If they're smart enough not to get caught or blab, they can figure out a way to get back to the hive."
Chrysalis, however, immediately protested. "No! We can't abandon them! I don't need the queen to get suspicious if she finds any of our troop are missing," And she pleaded. "Please, can we stay here until we know where they are? Maybe they're closer than they think?"
"Your majesty, have you lost your mind?!" The changeling snapped as he stormed over to Chrysalis! "I don't know what's gotten into you, but it ends now! We need you to go back to your old queenie self."
But Chrysalis only whimpered. "I told you, I'm not the queen. I'm Chrysy. I don't even know how I got mixed up in all of this. And trying to think about it makes my head hurt. I don't want anything bad to happen to other changelings because of me."
"But... but..." The changeling stuttered in protest and confusion.
The first changeling just sighed as he put a hoof around the other. "Just forget it. It's no worth arguing with Chr... her majesty," He quickly corrected himself. "Besides, if we try to run for it now we're sure to be caught. Let's focus on regrouping, resting up and feeding, and then we can talk about where we'll go next."
And like that, the argument faded away and was settled. The ragtag group of survivors would stay where they were, for now.
Another day came and went without any real developments. Pharynx and Thorax did not come back, and just as the one changeling had reported royal guards were pouring into the city to establish security checkpoints.
About the only thing the changelings could really afford to do at this point, was carefully disguise themselves as various ponies and drain love from unsuspecting victims slowly. If they drained too much too fast, their victims would display noticeable symptoms that would draw unwanted attention.
Chrysalis (who continued to insist on going by her hatchling name of Chrysy) was hesitant to embrace feeding again. Just as it always seemed to be in her case, no matter how much love she drained or how she chose to consume it she always ended up feeling more empty after her meals than she had before them.
She even tried asking about this to another changeling when they were alone. "Why can I never be satisfied? Why do I always hunger for more love?"
The changeling just replied in an unconcerned tone. "You were always different from us, queenie. I guess you became our queen for that reason. So we could all feed you and keep you satisfied. I'm pretty sure that's why you planned and led the invasion of Canterlot. The prince's love made you more powerful than you'd ever been before."
Chrysalis stumbled back and barely resisted the urge to gasp as her fellow changeling's statements sank in. "The invasion was my fault? But... but it can't be! I would never plan something like that without the queen! Invasions were supposed to be a last resort."
"I'm telling you, you suggested it and made it clear that we all had to follow your decision if we didn't wanna be kicked out of the hive," The changeling replied. "You must have hit your head harder than we thought if you don't remember that."
"Is that why my head always feels funny?" Chrysalis pondered aloud. "It feels like the more I try to remember, the harder it becomes. It's like trying to put a puzzle back together when the pieces are constantly changing."
The changeling only nudged Chrysalis in the side. "Don't worry. We just need to feed for another day or two, and then we can work on getting back to the hive. We've got the best doctors known to changeling kind. They'll have you back to your old self in no time."
Chrysalis said nothing further on the subject, but in her mind she was thinking. "I don't know if I like who I am as the queen, if that's what I really am. But looking at myself now, I feel like I'm having an out of body experience. Like some stranger is taking over me. Am I really meant to lead them all and use their love for me to sustain myself?"
Try as she might not to dwell on such matters, they nevertheless consumed every waking hour of Chrysalis' time as more days passed.
It was at the end of the second day following Chrysalis' question that a new development occurred for the still on the run changelings. Two changelings: One looking rough and gruff, the other looking considerably meek and guilty, arrived at the alley camp that had been set up. The gruff changeling immediately rushed over to Chrysalis and almost hugged her! "Queenie! Oh, thank the stars you're okay! I thought for sure those nasty ponies would've gotten to you by now, but I knew you were made of sterner stuff."
The other changeling just whimpered and stood at a distance. "You're not mad at us for not joining you sooner, are you? My brother and I got separated before the big invasion, and then the love wave tossed us out of Canterlot."
The gruff changeling confessed. "Looking for my brother took longer than I thought. Turns out he had the 'brilliant' idea to hide in plain sight in Canterlot, even when it was crawling with guards."
"I couldn't help it! I was so hungry!" The other changeling protested. "I was careful not to take too much love, I don't think anypony even knew I was there," And then he added. "In any case, we're here now. We're ready to help you however we can, your majesty."
But Chrysalis meekly asked the two. "Who are you again? I don't remember ever meeting you two before."
"What are you talking about? Don't you remember the names of your own subjects?" The frightened changeling questioned Chrysalis. "I'm Thorax. And this is my older brother Pharynx. You know, the one who serves as your enforcer?"
"How can you not remember us?" Pharynx questioned as he stomped a hoof down. "Is this some kind of joke? I know it's you, queenie. You're not fooling anyone, so stop fooling around!"
Another changeling just stepped forward and pulled the two brothers aside. "I'm sorry. Chrysalis hasn't been herself since the invasion failed. We think she must have hit her head or something. She thinks she's a hatchling called Chrysy, and she's acting like she has no memory of anything she did as queen."
"Then we need to get out of here and get her back to the hive!" Pharynx strongly suggested! "We need our queen back!"
Thorax, however, whimpered and murmured. "But how are we gonna do that? Every entrance and exit in the city has royal guards stationed there. And I think ponies are starting to get suspicious," He groaned. "Oh, I knew this invasion was a bad idea! Why did I agree to go along with it?!"
"Shut up, Thorax!" Pharynx snapped! "I've been in tougher situations than this and survived just fine! Those royal guards think they're so smart, but I know how easy it'll be to fool them. And believe it or not, 'Chrysy' over there is gonna be a part of it."
When "Chrysy" was briefed on the escape plan and the role she would play in it, she was anything but pleased. "No! There must be some other way!" She protested on the verge of tears! "I don't wanna give the changelings more of a bad reputation! I'll already be in so much trouble for this, I might never come out of my cocoon again. The queen will surely reconsider her decision to make me her successor. Please, I don't wanna change form!"
"But don't you see?" Pharynx explained to her. "It's the only way we can get out of this city, unless you'd rather those nasty ponies catch us and have their way with us. No one will bother to come and rescue us."
"Chrysy" couldn't argue with that, even if she really wanted to. "Oh, alright. I suppose I don't have much of a choice. But it's only for the sake of the hive."
Pharynx smiled. "See? I knew you'd come around to the idea, 'Chrysy'. You just play your part, and the rest of us will do our part. And if all goes according to plan, as it will, we'll be out of this city and safely on our way back to the hive by this time tomorrow. Maybe even sooner."
So it was that the very next day, the changelings all adopted disguises similar to the ones they had been using to drain love from ponies. Chrysalis, however, assumed an identity that was both high profile and also foreign to her. She was a unicorn mare with a pristine white coat. Her eyes were a lovely pale, light grayish violet that sparkled not unlike jewels. Her mane and tail were long but not flowing, in their lovely locks of light magenta gray and almost pure white. And her cutie mark were three strange symbols that were tied into her disguise's name: Fleur de Lis.
"Hello boys." "Fleur" greeted the guards that stood watch outside Manehattan Central Station.
The guards blinked in surprise as they approached Fleur. "Fleur de Lis? What are you doing in Manehattan? Aren't you supposed to be in Canterlot, doing your supermodel work?"
"Fleur" only grinned, flicking her mane and feigning ignorance. "I was here to pick up a special present for my darling Fancy Pants. Surely you've heard of him, he's one of the finest nobles in all of Canterlot. Perhaps all of Equestria," She then commented. "My trip here was to be a surprise. Our anniversary is coming up, you know. And I hear Manehattan has only the finest shops known to pony kind."
As "Fleur" spoke, the guards didn't seem to notice other ponies slipping past them and onto a train that was soon to depart from the city.
"Fleur" kept up her distraction, chatting with the guards and flicking her mane and tail to just the right angles. "Just need to keep it up for a little bit longer." She thought to herself, even as it was hard for her to maintain her disguise under the pressure. It didn't help that she was feeling the need to feed once again, and it was growing stronger despite her best efforts to suppress it.
"Last call for the six o'clock train to Dodge Junction!" A conductor pony cried out from the station platform! "Passengers please board now! All aboard!"
"Fleur" suddenly became frantic! "Oh no! My apologies, good stallions, but I simply must be going!"
One guard, however, lunged at the mare. "There's no way Fleur de Lis would be going to Dodge Junction," He spoke up. "This is a set up! Guards, spread out and search the area! I think we have changelings on the loose!"
The guards did so, and "Fleur"'s disguise faded away, exposing her as Queen Chrysalis. "Please let me go!" "Chrysy" pleaded. "It wasn't my idea!"
"Likely story, Chrysalis," The guard snapped and coldly hissed. "There's a lot of ponies who'd love to have a word with you. No way are you getting out of my sight now!"
"But I'm not Chrysalis! I'm Chrysy!" "Chrysy" whimpered in protest. "I don't know why everyone thinks I'm Chrysalis. Somehow, I got tangled up in something I wasn't supposed to be involved in. I'm just trying to get back safely to my hive before my queen finds out I'm missing."
From a distance, the voice of another guard called out. "I can't find any changelings! They must've all flown the coop, probably scared 'em off! We're gonna have to conduct a city wide sweep to find 'em!"
The other guard, meanwhile, looked deep into Chrysalis' eyes. And what he saw seemed to stir at something deep inside him. These were not the eyes of a vicious, evil queen that had launched the first invasion of a city of Equestria in its known history. These looked more like the eyes of a scared child, a creature who had wandered far from home when she wasn't supposed to. There was a chance that it could all be a trick, but something deep inside him told him that wasn't the case.
So the guard "accidentally" let Chrysalis go. Of course to his fellow guards he would tell a different story, claiming that he had been overwhelmed by the changelings as they demanded the release of their queen.
"Chrysy" was now free to rush to the platform as she hastily assumed her disguise again. Now she would need to just keep it up until she was safely back in the hive. Yet, for some reason, using the disguise and fooling the guards had felt... natural for lack of a better term.
Well, once she was safely back in the hive she could sort it all out. For now though, she would need to continue to focus on laying low.