//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 - Embittered // Story: A Queen Imprisoned // by FakeWolf //------------------------------// Fluttershy’s second visit was a pleasant experience despite the nastiness that drenched her previous venture into my abode. A reprieve from the blurred hours that repeated and gathered within my cell like flies to a corpse. Fluttershy had said nothing on what her friends thought of her visiting the Changeling Queen, a refusal to answer that was only tolerated due to her… unique position amongst the remnants of the Changeling Hive. Perhaps it was the heavy lethargy that was beginning to overtake me, but I could not put in the effort to more thoroughly question Little Lamb. She was nervous, and scared of sharing the opinions of those dear to her, especially when those opinions were of a negative disposition. Little Lamb was a kind soul, and the fire inside her burned brightly. I could not find it within me to wish harm upon her despite her blood and tainted allegiances. A morose, humourless chuckle wracked through my body. Truly, maybe the Pony’s belief in the redemption of others was not too far fetched when they had souls such as Little Lamb among them, a being so pure in their beliefs that I found myself wondering what beasts that kindness could tame. Could she calm the Beast of Tartarus? Could her fire burn better ways for the forgotten Siren’s of old? Could her song calm the madness of Discord? A special kind of fire that was bound to kindness. There was little chance a more fitting bearer could not have been found. But it was not her brand of kindness that could save me, she would raise no spear against darkness. She had instead chosen the path of the healer, to care for the sickly and injured, her nature bound her to her duties, more than inspiring words or wealth could ever sway her. Just as she had chained herself to her course, I was chained to my own, and there would be no going back. No freedom from this action. Merely regrets for mistakes both present and past.  The sound of hooves rhythmically striking stone stirred me from my sleep-like daze. My mind returned to the damp and dank cell in which I had dwelt for the last day and a half, so far away from where my hazed and blurred thoughts had taken me. But it seemed I had a visitor, something that required my full attention. No opportunities would go wasted, not when so few of them grew in these twilight hours. My groaning, protesting body straightened out into a more regal stance, ignoring the gnawing ache in my stomach that was far more prominent than I was comfortable with. Another signal of my dimming flame and failing body. I had to distract myself before the need to feed became too consuming. My body moved in motions that were familiar, movements and actions I had practiced and assumed for near countless years upon the Changeling Throne. I sat and stared with all the regal might and splendor I could muster at the impetuous Pony that dared step into my domain. The echoing hoofsteps revealed themselves to be owned by an elegant Pony possessing a coiffed amethyst mane and gleaming white coat, both groomed to perfection. I offered no greeting to the previous holder of Generosity, who cautiously stepped through the room beyond my cell like the dust on the floor would give rise and attack her if she misstepped into the dreaded stuff. Our gaze met with sneers on both sides, although of differing intensities. The mare that stood before me flinched and sneered at the very sight of me, her emotions taking control of her whole body as fear and fury and disgust poured into her like an onrushing wave. A smile tugged at my lips as I did my best to disguise my own sneer of contempt as a simple frown. Hunger. “It seems that I am honoured with another guest, how might I help you, Pony?” I lazily drawlled, spitting that last word with all of the disgust and rage that filled my empty stomach. The fashionista still glared at me in something I’m sure would have been intimidating had I not once been the Queen of all Changelings and her a mere Pony. She spoke slowly, her voice crystal clear and carrying a careful eloquence that must have been the envy of the pitiable Canterlot elites, despite this her voice was high with the emotions of a creature desperately fighting for control of themselves. “I have come seeking answers, and I will not be turned away.” “Don’t you all? You little Ponies crawling through the woodwork like roaches, seeking an answer for one thing or another.” A raised and incredulous eyebrow met my words, it was a practiced motion, describing a haughty and judgemental curiosity. “I was not aware you had any visitors aside from dear Fluttershy.” “I have not,” If she thought the admission would hurt for whatever strange reason then she was sorely mistaken, what reason would I have to seek the company of Ponies beside nourishment? “but you Ponies are all the same. You all follow the herd no matter where it goes. You may preach the idea that everyone is unique, but you turn and scorn those that go against the grain. I expect I will see many more visitors during my time here, all convincing themselves their reasons are noble and not merely a faint veneer of self-imposed delusion while you gloat over your defeated foes. You two are but the first to arrive and talk with the monster currently chained in your dungeons.” A pause in the conversation as the pathetic Pony gathered her bearings. It seemed this conversation had already gone awry for her, differing from whatever picturesque fantasy she had assumed would take place in the way reality differs from a dream. With abrupt and apathetic harshness. I took the pause and the opportunity the disorientated mare had given me to mock, if she was so intent on having words with me she will find regrets in her chosen course. I gave her a wide smile made of far too many sharp fangs to make a Pony comfortable, something I had once practiced in the mirror many, many years ago - partly out of vanity and partly to practice how to intimidate my chosen prey when it came down to it. “I don’t bite little Pony, feel free to venture into my parlor. I’m sure whatever it is you desire we can come to an… agreement… that suits us both.” It was delightful watching how this mare shivered, like a cold breeze through a crystal chandelier. Cold and dainty, the epitome of what the Canterlot lady was supposed to be I supposed. Graceful and carefully structured even at her weakest. Fragile all the same. “I…” she spoke, her voice hesitant as she spoke. “I came here to talk to you, monster.” Nothing I had not expected to hear so far, and this one was not so daft to lie to me about her thoughts, “I do not believe it to be very lady-like for me to do such a thing, but I came here to vent. I suppose,” “... You suppose?” “Well, I certainly cannot back out now that I’m here, can I?” An exaggerated roll of the eyes paired with a light scoff to hide her nervousness and fear behind a charade of casualness. I took a moment to look over this mare, from her horn to her hooves my eyes roamed. Taking in how she portrayed herself and what she hid, how her emotions mixed and flared and rolled in a rhythmic dance of nerves. Slowly, I answered her. “... No, I don’t believe you can.” she had already made her decision, she was bound to it now. As we all were. The Pony takes a deep breath, I recognise the motions of a beginning preparing themselves to monologue. “You were a monster for interrupting a wedding, as you were for bringing all your Changelings with you. You brought war to peaceful Ponies. We had done nothing to you, and you struck us all the same. Kidnapping and killing innocent Ponies to feed your greed. You are truly the worst creature I have had to suffer through meeting. You're cruel, you care nothing of the countless Changelings you send off to war, nor for the homes and Ponies you destroy with your pointless aggression, not to mention how absolutely horrid you look. Normally, I would ask forgiveness before speaking with such harshness, but I find you to be an arrogant, greedy, cow!” “... Is that all you have to say, Pony?” I answer, slowly, quietly, doing my best to seem unperturbed by her words and her ignorance. If this was the ground she had chosen to fight on then keeping her off balance would be ideal, “calling me a monster for whatever action I take because it interrupted your pathetic perfect Pony lives? Your lot is as self-centered as it has always been. You know not what you speak when you talk of suffering. You are not a ruler, you are not a Changeling, the greatest suffering you have ever experienced is far less than the life that was lived by many of my drones throughout the eons of starvation we have struggled through. All while you Ponies sit in the very lap of luxury and dare to scorn us for whatever desperate measures we use to extend our lives. I may call myself a monster, and I have made many mistakes in my long life, have no doubt, but you Ponies are far worse than I.” The Pony reeled ever-so-slightly, but swiftly brought down a mask of haughty, self-assured ego, the mask of the 'elite' as it were. “Well, darling, if what you claim is true- and I highly doubt such is possible, at least I can be thankful that I do not live under your rule, nor will anypony or anyone else for that matter.” She raised an air of ‘polite’ superiority. The aura that the nobles and elites of Canterlot spent their entire life learning how to control, maintain, and manipulate. An air that I crushed with a glare, she may have been a part of the high society of Canterlot but I was a Queen. She had trespassed into my domain, she had no power here. “Your words only show how small minded you are, could you even imagine how you would fair as a Changeling? If your bubble of Pony interests allows you to be capable of such an accomplishment that is, and your tyrants do not brainwash you with more propaganda before you finish the thought.” “How dare you! Princess Celestia is far kinder than you could ever be, she is surely no tyrant!” “What is she then, a mother to your nation? Is that what she is to you?” I gave her no time to answer, I did not care for the idiotic opinions of this mare. “Well hear this Pony, my actions may have led to the death and suffering of my kind, but many still insisted on my title as Mother and Grand Matriarch. Perhaps some still live and call me such things as they speak my name along with that of the Mother Tree.” The mare continued her glare in my direction, her jaw clenched as she stared me down. “I would appreciate it if at the very least you could call me by my name, Chrysalis.” “You do not deserve the honour, Pony.” “Honour?! I hardly believe it could be described as an honour for the monster who caused a war to learn my name!” “I know your name, Pony,” I hissed, “I know who you are and what you have done. I know you once held the Element of Generosity as I also know that you have lost it. You have no fire within you. You are not a creature worthy of my respect.” Sapphire eyes narrowed at me as rage boiled and bubbled inside her. “Whatever do you mean by ‘lost it’? The Elements may no longer all have bearers but I do believe I still embody the spirit of Generosity.” “Is that so, Pony? And would you describe scheming with nobles, the rich, and all those of influence in your pitiful nation, all to support a war you apparently scorn me for starting, is that an act of generosity to you? Is that what you called your pretty words and dresses as you climbed ever higher up Canterlot’s social ladder?” The mare released an irritated huff, as if she were having to explain something simple to a child for the thirteenth time, but the emotional pain still stung deep. She may be able to deceive a Pony but she could not deceive an empath. “There is more to generosity than you could possibly ever know.” a scowl and a scoff as she began to rant, “It is about making the time to see and help my friends! It is about offering the hoof of friendship to anypony I come across! “I admit I may not have been a paragon of generosity...” she says as if it is some awful truth, her voice losing the angry energy of her rant as a calm coldness takes over, “but as Princess Celestia explained to my friends and I many moons ago, the Elements chose us for our potential, not for what was already there. I possessed a bud of true generosity in me, and that bud is something I am proud to have nurtured and shared!” Her glared sharpened, “Unlike you and your greed. You Changelings never wanted peace, you wanted Equestria and everypony in it. If you had your way I have no doubt Equestria would resemble something truly apocalyptic long before you were done.” Her words caused me pause. Although I did not want to admit it… she had a point, whether I wanted to admit it aloud or not. Unfortunately, you did not have to be right to argue. “‘Offering the hoof of friendship to anypony you come across’, how very Pony of you. Your words say one thing but I see little action behind them, where was the generosity of Equestria when Changelings starved for hundreds of years? Nowhere.” I glared at the defiant Pony, “You horde all you can get your filthy Pony hooves on, land, gems, magic, your nation has even forced nature to bend to its will for greed, blinding yourself in the belief that it is the natural order of things. ‘Ponies keep the world turning’ your school teachers no doubt say.” “I fail to see what you mean, Ponies share all the time. Had you Changelings merely asked for our assistance maybe such a fate would not have fallen upon your subjects.” “Your words reveal your own failure, you believe the entire world centres around you. Have you ever left Equestria, Pony, do you know anyone who has?” “Travel outside of Equestria is quite uncommon, I’m aware. Off the top of my head I can only recall two or three who have ever had their own travels outside of Equestria, although I fail to see where you are going with this nonsense.” “It is because Equestria hordes and claims everything you Ponies find for themselves no matter who was there first, leaving nothing for other nations while you flourish in abundance. Changelings met with Ponies long before that fateful wedding, and you were as greedy then as you were no. If perhaps less delusional.” “And this is no doubt something you have experience with? Equestria whisking away the love of victims you kidnapped or something equally despicable we put a stop to.” “No, Pony, it was not love you stole from us.” I starred, painful memories working their way through me. It was only during the act of me opening my eyes when I realised they were clenched shut “The Badlands was once a lucious with growth, it held little water but what water it had was enough and far more than what it has now. Then along came you Ponies,” the word was a curse on my mouth ”your Pegasi and your Unicorns. You drained our watering holes, our rivers ran dry of their sources, our plants and unique wildlife disappeared with you as well, you took everything for yourselves and left nothing to spare for whatever ‘monsters’ you claimed lived in those lands.” A scoff from the idiotic mare, “That is simply prepostorous! We Ponies and our Princesses are kind, we have stolen from no one! It was you Ch-” “Bunyips. You called us Bunyips then, if my memory does not fail me,” I mused aloud, “shape changers that dwelt in the water and attacked Ponies foolish enough to approach and take from our territory.” Her lips twitched into a frown. “Why should I believe you? All Changelings are liars and you are no exception. Bunyips are only fairytales anyway, to warn foals not to play too close to rivers and lakes so they don’t drown.” Hungry. “Changelings were thought to be fairytales, were they not? Was not your dear Princess Luna once a fairytale as well? Did not the witch Celestia lie to her very own trusted student that her sister was nothing but a fable? Changelings may use deception to survive, but it is your Equestria and your witch Celestia that drenches itself in lies and deception.” My head tilted slightly, as if to study the mare before me from a new angle. “Is it so hard then to believe Ponies once knew us by another name before our re-emergence?” Her momentary silence betrayed the fact she agreed with the possibility. That she could doubt Equestria and her chosen Princesses. And what could hold doubt could be subverted. “Your rulers want me to remain here. No doubt to give me a chance to repent and change my ways.” I began, focusing a razor glare onto my audience. “But I can promise you I will not repent. You Ponies have been the death of my Changelings, I will not accept any friendship from you. I and whatever remains of my Changelings will pledge our lives to destroying Equestria, and once my freedom is obtained it will become very difficult to stop us.” My words were smug, as smug and as self-assured as I could possibly make them. I needed her to believe that I believed I could topple Equestria and escape this cell, after all. The mare drew herself inwards, skeptical of my words no doubt, her mind weighing what to believe as her emotions ran wild inside her. “... Why are you telling me this? I hardly see what advantage you gain over telling me your plan.” “Because, Rarity, it is already in motion. My spies are amongst your Palace already, replacing trusted faces with nothing but lies. How long do you think it would take for me to escape this prison and disappear?” I had no spies in the Palace, to my knowledge at least. Perhaps some foolish drone had taken it upon themselves to sneak in, but it was unlikely they’d meet with any success. She didn’t need to know that however, and a paranoid Pony was almost as useful as an Infiltrator. With how the mare’s emotions tumbled with suspicion, fear, and dread I could congratulate myself on a job well-done. I had myself an agent, if one in need of a little guidance- No. Her emotions had shifted. The paranoia that was slowly forming within her sliced cleanly down the middle, cutting away the emotional rot from her core. The Pony took a slow breath, her eyes closed, peace returning to her mind. She spoke a single word. “No.” I stared at her, keeping my expression firm. Weakness could not be afforded now, anything that gave away- “I believe you are lying to me Chrysalis. Trying to rile me up and get me to do something foolish.” My thoughts were still for a second, trying to work out what had gone wrong. Then the first rule of deceit returned to me; Those unaware of your manipulation are the easiest to manipulate. That meant the reverse was true as well, Those aware of your manipulations are the most difficult to manipulate. The Pony had been careful of my words from the very beginning! Idiot! Why was I so foolish as to fan those flames? “I don’t think you actually have any Changelings in Canterlot.” No! No no no no no! My expression was betraying me- I wasn’t responding to her words. Save face and give an arrogant laugh? No she’s firm in this belief, unless I could give her solid evidence of infiltrators, but I had no infiltrators. The Pony spoke more, but I wasn’t listening, my lack of answer had already given me away. I had already failed. I had let the opportunity escape me.  I had failed. Again. I barely stopped a tired sigh from leaving my body. “What does it matter anyway? If you were to ask your Princesses or their bookish puppy on my words you would accept whatever white lie they tell you. The Changelings are no more. You’ve won. I have nothing. Do you feel the rush of victory in your body, little Pony? Did whatever foolish wish you held come true? Did coming here sate your twisted cravings?” The Pony had nothing to say. We watched each other for a while longer. There were… similarities. Discontent seeped into the air like mould on bread.  “Did you get what you wanted out of this chat, Pony?” A silence preceded the admission. “I don’t know.” A chuckle bubbled in the base of my body. Humourless and dry. What a fucking joke this was. “I don’t know either.” “... I beg your pardon?” I don’t think I heard her, “It all went wrong, but where? The wedding? Before that? I don’t know.” “I’m…” “Perhaps it was when I climbed out of the Mother Tree.” Another chuckle. I could feel my chest tighten around itself, as if it was harmed by the brutal truth of my words. Things would have been so much easier. My Changelings would never have suffered. We would have stayed safe in her embrace instead, in a dreamless unborn sleep. But that was not the case here. The Mother Tree was torn open and we Changelings were born into suffering and a world not meant for us. I looked up to find the Pony was still staring at me, she held no answer. But what could I expect from a foolish, idiot, Pony? But perhaps she held a solution. These bars were enchanted to prevent my escape, but they did nothing to prevent anything from entering this cell. Most Ponies and most other creatures would consider using magic to combat magic. Changelings were no ‘most creatures’. Emotions would be my tool here. They had pushed bread through my bars before. Food I could not eat, but food nonetheless. And I was so very hungry. My second mouth locked onto the prey that sat in front of me. Perhaps she felt it, the ways her eyes widened, the metaphysical jaw that clamped around her heart. Her emotions were drawn into me. Not all of it, I had no use for her fear. She held no love for me, either, so that could not be taken. Most Changelings wouldn’t even try to do what I was about to. It was a desperate and properly idiotic thing to do. Her rage, her fury, that was my meal. I devoured them. Her emotions were mine, I would have my take. No one could stop me. Nothing but fear would be left. It was rotten, it provided no nourishment, it would not extend my life. I had felt ill just biting into the rotten emotions. But it left me full. Full. Of. Rage.  What was I doing in this cage? Wallowing in self-pity? I AM QUEEN! What need does a Queen have for pity?! I disgust myself sometimes. They think they have beaten me? They have beaten NO ONE! They could not squash my pride, no matter how hard they tried. WHAt ArE yOu WaiTiNG fOR?! Magic sizzled over my horn as the Unicorn before me stood petrified with fright. Attack! Kill! EAT! I stood on shaking legs. Even if our body fails, we are still mighty! Teach them! I lowered my horn. VICTORY ETERNAL SHALL BE OURS! I flew straight into the enchanted bars before me, ramming my body into it. Distantly, I felt my body ragdoll across the room as the magic of the bars discharged with a thunderous crack. I was standing once more before I knew what I was doing. I could hear something screaming as I charged the bars once more. The bars repulsed me all the same, I heard myself hiss in pain as I once more rose to stand. Magic discharged, my body flew into the opposite wall. Somewhere, deep in my mind, I noted the walls must have been enchanted too, else they would have cracked by now. I hadn’t thought to check earlier. I was already charging when that thought finished. Pain flashed through my body as one of my legs almost gave out beneath me when I tried to stand again. Pain is weakness! I charged again. Magic discharged. I stood up. Pain. Charge. Magic. Pain. Stand. Charge. Pain. Stand. I made the mistake of trying to breathe. PainPainPainPainPAIN- The world turned black.