//------------------------------// // Chapter 26: Remnants of the Legion of Doom, Part 2, The Madness of Queen Chrysalis // Story: One Thousand Years Ago // by Scroll //------------------------------//     The decision to confront Queen Chrysalis alone was Cozy's idea, and she never forgot that.     However, when she trots alone in those dark tunnels and hears the former changeling queen's sometimes monstrous grunt of a voice echo through the tunnels as she rants and raves like a lunatic, Cozy's primitive prey instincts start to kick in. She finds those feelings strange because, at one time, while she was in the middle of betraying “Grogar”, he asked them why they were doing this, and she proudly replied, “Because we're villains. Duh!”     That declaration was an acknowledgment that part of her is a monster too, and it was true to a point, but the real reason she said that was to fit in with the other two. If she hadn't said that or acted that way, they might have turned on her as well.     That is key; knowing that these individuals are not just dangerous, but treacherous. They have the means and the motive to do great harm.     As the screams and growls of hatred continue to echo around Cozy, she finds herself forced to question if her shared history with the former changeling queen really is enough to halt Chrysalis's hostilities. Before she stood in these tunnels, Cozy had faith that the answer is yes. However, after just a short while of listening to that voice, Cozy realizes that, without Chrysalis's sanity, she can't really control herself. As such, she has become far less predictable. She sounds like a wild predator that will sink her teeth into whoever happens to get within reach and savagely wiggle her victim back and forth.     She used to have some common ground with this monster, so what changed? Why does she feel afraid of her now?     Maybe it's the sheer idea that something like this could have happened to her, too. After all, the Legion of Doom attacked Equestria together. Logic dictates that they should have shared the same fate afterwards, and at first, they did. However, following their freedom from the incarceration of their stone prison, somehow their destinies have strayed.     Now it feels like Cozy has something to lose rather than power to gain. By once being at the bottom of the barrel, there was nowhere to go but up. Their mutual circumstance had once united them, but now Cozy might appear to simply be part of the equation and system that they were originally trying to fight.     Cozy knows that all Chrysalis would have to see to judge the little mare harshly is to simply stand on the other side of the bars. By having freedom compared to a being who does not, the line of distinction is already drawn.     Along her way down the tunnels, Cozy gives some serious thought into what separated her from her former dark comrades. Part of her mind keeps slipping back to this idea that the real reason she's become an adopted princess rather than a monster behind bars and thrown scraps out of mockery and pity is simply that she's a pony. Ponies are, of course, more socially accepted in a society that is largely populated by their kind. Maybe the ponies of this society took one look at Cozy and decided to give her a cupcake instead of a bomb because she simply looks cute and innocent. On the other hoof, with one glance at Chrysalis's true form, most ponies instinctively back off and say, “No thank you! Keep her away from me.”     The story Cozy has been told over and over again was that Cozy was simply more willing to be redeemed. They claimed that the same effort was attempted towards her other two companions but their rebuff has been more suborn. They claim that these two are still locked up because they are far more inclined to use their dark powers to continue their evil ways; thus, locking them up has simply become a matter of security and necessity.     Their claims might be right, too. Cozy recalls when Chrysalis fiercely warned her allies that friendship is a disease. She was disgusted at the mere idea of it. Upon hearing that, Cozy remembered being secretly disappointed at that reaction because, had they not rejected the principle that strongly, it would have given Cozy a means to manipulate her former companions. Plus, there is something comforting about the idea of having loyal companions watch her back. It simply makes her feel safer. Since they rejected it, however, it made Cozy feel nervous instead. It made her feel like she had to remain constantly on edge because the treachery they were planning against “Grogar” might only be the beginning if Cozy had shown any sign of weakness.     Tactics like this were familiar to Cozy. It may not be comforting, but Cozy knew she could hoofle it. After all, her situation used to be nearly identical back when she was a slave. Revealing any weakness back then invited disaster as well. She also had to be very cunning and observant of other creature’s attitudes. That information was necessary to manipulate them at least enough to prevent herself from becoming a victim again.     Upon arrival, it is eerie to Cozy to see nothing but darkness in Chrysalis's cell other than a slight glint of metal chains. Of Chrysalis herself, however, Cozy can see nothing at first. Instead of that, she can hear the former changeling queen. It is disbursing to notice that the sound of the queen has recently changed. Just a few moments ago she was screaming in pain and rage, but now she's much quieter as if studying her new visitor from within the darkness.     Cozy fights hard to restrain and hide her startled jolt when green glowing eyes suddenly flare open in the darkness. As if that isn't bad enough, those eyes suddenly rush forward two seconds later and nearly collide with the thick wooden door that has a one-foot iron bar window towards the head of the door. Something stops Chrysalis, however, and it does not sound like it is of her own volition. Instead of that, Cozy hears the sound of chains being yanked tot as if that is the only reason the changeling queen stopped.     That, and the door itself.     Cozy gives her former companion an impassive look, but inwardly she is shaking. She feels like she needs to rely on her acting and bluffing skills to help maneuver herself into a favorable position with this encounter, or at least avoid dangerous hostilities.     Cozy remains quiet as she stares, seemingly fearlessly, into Chrysalis's glowing green eyes. She decides to let Chrysalis make the first move. In a way she already did, but Chrysalis did not speak yet. Cozy wants to hear that first in order to gather information about this encounter. She will decide her next move based on that feedback.     This feels like playing chess, in a way, and Cozy decides to let Chrysalis ironically be the white army because they always make the first move. After that, however, Cozy is determined to counter and outmaneuver every move the changeling queen makes. So, for Cozy, this is not a battle of action but rather reaction.     After a long staring contest, Chrysalis's first true move is to laugh maniacally. Shortly after that, Cozy joins Chrysalis in that same type of laughter as if to reveal, “That's right. I'm still one of you.”     “Well . . . well . . . well!” Chrysalis coos with an evil tone. “Isn't this interesting. One little pony all by herself. How ab-solutely delicious!” Chrysalis finishes in a tone of grunting, vicious excitement. She shows her sharp teeth upon declaring that last word.     “Well . . . you know me,” Cozy replies with a wicked grin.     “Of course I do,” Chrysalis says back. “Despite your puny and pathetic little pony form, I know one of my drones when I see one.”     “Ah . . .” That statement briefly catches Cozy off guard, but she adapts quickly by bowing to Chrysalis as she says, “As expected of my mighty majesty. Surely you, of all changelings, cannot be fooled by my disguise.”     “But of course not,” Chrysalis agrees with a haughty and supreme arrogance to her tone. “Do you think I would be fooled by the disguise of any of my drones? HA! I can smell this disguise a mile away.     “Now report!” Chrysalis demands.     Many paths branch out in Cozy's mind for a brief second. She looks across them all and ultimately decides to keep playing the defensive for now. She needs to gather information right now, not give it.     “All is going according to your master plan, my queen,” Cozy informs with a sinister grin. “I have replaced this disgusting pony as per your orders. Because of that, I am now in a key position to observe your nemesis's every move. The princess shall not even be able to sneeze anymore without my notice.”     “Ex-cellent!” Chrysalis cheers with evil glee. “You have done well, my loyal minion. Soon . . . every lowly earth pony, unicorn, and pegasus will all bow to ME! We'll drain these pathetic little ponies of their disgusting affection for each other and strip them of all the rest!”     “That is why I have come to you, my queen,” Cozy says with another bow. “Now that I am in a position, I come to receive further orders.”     “Play your hoof carefully, dear Zexizmel,” Chrysalis cautions.     Okay. Note to self; my name is Zexizmel for the duration of this encounter. Got it.     That is interesting to note. Not only does she see me as one of her loyal changeling drones, but a very specific one. I wonder if Zexizmel is one of the changelings that got reformed, or if it's a drone that she thinks is still out there and loyal to her. If the latter is true, then this may indeed be juicy information.     “The minions and spies of the princess are everywhere,” Chrysalis continues with a paranoid look around her, then locks eyes back on Cozy. “Trust nopony, my loyal minion. They cannot become aware that we are secretly undermining them.”     “Well of course I'd trust no pony, my queen,” Cozy assures with another wicked grin. “For they are not one of us. Ponies are food, not friends.”     “Exactly!” Chrysalis fiercely agrees. “Now tell me . . . what have you done with the pony you replaced?”     “I have her locked up in the trot-in closet that belongs to this form, my queen,” Cozy lies. “She is properly cocooned in slime so she won't be bothering us anytime soon. As an extra precaution, I have her buried under a pile of useless pony clothes. I have even forbidden any maids and servants from venturing into that closet. Since I'm wearing the form of the adopted princess of this castle, the stupid fools will obey.”     “That will do,” Chrysalis accepts. “You perform your job well, my loyal minion.”     “I was trained by the best,” Cozy reminds while secretly hoping she did not overplay her role. Acting while blind to the history of her “character” is a very tricky business.     “But of course,” Chrysalis arrogantly accepts. “Why else would I trust you with this mission?”     “I still await your instructions, my queen,” Cozy reminds.     “For now, lie low,” Chrysalis commands in a cautious tone. “We need to keep gathering information. In the meantime, I'll assign my other agents to replace others in key positions.”     “What is the code phrase to help me identify them, my queen?” Cozy checks.        Chrysalis shakes her head as she says, “It does not matter for now, for each of you will work individually as separate cells. That way, if any one of you gets compromised . . .”     Since Chrysalis trails off, Cozy assumes she's supposed to finish that sentence. Almost as if that is the code phrase.     “. . . then none of them can rat on another,” Cozy finishes. “Great thinking, my queen!”     “Of course it's great thinking!” Chrysalis agrees fiercely. “That is why I am the Queen and you are the lowly servant drone.”     “As it should be, my queen,” Cozy also agrees with another bow of deference. “That is why you will always be the most superior among us.”     Cozy looks back at Chrysalis and decides to test the waters a bit by asking, “And what of the traitors of our hive that have changed? What shall we do with them?”     Cozy asks this because she wants to know where their place is in Chrysalis's grand delusion. Does the former changeling queen even remember them?     Chrysalis responds with a sharp hiss, then demands, “Don't EVER mention those traitors in my presence again! They shall be dealt with soon enough.”     Okay, so most of the changelings have still reformed in Chrysalis's mind, at least for the moment. That calls Zexizmel's roll into question again. Is he, or she, still an active agent for Chrysalis somewhere out there?     Huh. That theory might not be confirmed, but it is good to know nonetheless.     Even if the answer is no, there still exists a possibility of other rouge changelings out there that, like Chrysalis, still haven't reformed yet. The scary thing about that is that they could be anywhere, for they can disguise themselves and anyone or anything. Only their hunger is the best giveaway as to their true identity. Either that, or the presence of slime cocooned victims which indicates a changeling may be in the vicinity somewhere.     “Of course, my queen!” Cozy proclaims as she bows to placate the changeling. “Forgive me. I only ask because I'm so frustrated at their treachery. Many times I've felt impatient for them to be dealt with already. I just wanted some assurances that you have a plan against them.”     “Of course I have a plan!” Chrysalis spits in disgust. “Do you think I wouldn't? Do you think that I would ever forget or forgive what they have done? Preposterous!”     “The other reason I asked is to make sure you are aware of the resources of our mutual enemy,” Cozy brings up. “The fools hardly change their forms anymore. It's as if they find their natural forms sacred or something, but nonetheless, they remain capable of changing. The unforgivable traitors have allied themselves with our enemies. That, in turn, means that the ponies have access to allies who could potentially impersonate s any one of us. As such, I thought it is important that we know a code phrase to help distinguish those of us who remain loyal to you. All the better to separate the rest as the traitorous enemies that they are!”     “Hmm.” Chrysalis suddenly looks thoughtful. “You may have a point, my loyal minion,” she acknowledges.     Oh come on! Really? You haven't thought of that?     I admire your abilities, Miss Former Queen of the Changelings, but by bucking pony feathers, you sure are stupid! By Celestia, if only I had your abilities! I could have ruled the world with such ease. With my strategic genius mixed with shape-shifting abilities, I'd turn this whole nation upside-down. By the time I'd be through with them, all pony kind wouldn't even be able to trust themselves let alone anypony else!     Golly! Equestria sure is lucky that one of their most dangerous villains doesn't have a brain in her head.     Huh. Maybe that is why we lost.     “Very well, loyal Zexizmel. You convinced me,” Chrysalis concedes. “The code phrase shall be, 'Would you like a strawberry cupcake', to which the proper answer shall be, 'No, I'd prefer a plain one.'”     This time, when Cozy flashes a cunning evil grin, it's from the heart. After which she bows to Queen Chrysalis as she promises, “As you bid, my queen. I shall remember your phrase and engrave it in my heart.”     “I expect nothing less from you,” Chrysalis replies indifferently.     “If you will indulge me, your wickedness, I have a question for you.”     In response, Chrysalis merely tilts her head with a look of curiosity. That is the first time she looks absolutely casual instead of stock-raving mad.     “After the mission, what is to be done with Cozy Glow, the one I've replaced?” Cozy checks. “Wasn't she once one of your former companions? Maybe she can be convinced to join our cause again.”     Chrysalis scoffs as she shakes her head, then says, “While I will admit the little runt surprisingly had her uses for such a little filly, but I'm afraid the time of our alliance is spent. We will no longer require her as we move forward. That also means we don't have to share the spoils of our conquest with her.” She looks off to her side. “Besides, that little brat kept trying to insist that she was in charge. HA! As if I would ever bow to some lowly and pathetic little pretty pony princess? Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!”     “But our allies are few in number, my queen,” Cozy reminds. “Since we are this surrounded, I figured we could use every resource we can get. Besides, by your own admission, she was useful. If that is the case, couldn't we use a pony like that on our side?     “Think about it! Cozy was a strategist, and now she is in a key tactical position as well. Maybe we can trick a pony like that into being loyal to us. That way her plans and strategies might cover for any unforeseen weaknesses in our attacks.”     “Hmm. That's another good point,” Chrysalis concedes again. “Very well, you convinced me . . . on one condition; Cozy Glow must be absolutely loyal to us. She must accept me as her undisputed queen and must obey me without question.”     Yeah right! Like that will ever happen! You should know me better than that.     Emphasis on “should”, but since I'm now aware that you're actually a blasted moron, I can instead pull your strings by simply pretending to be loyal.     Easy, peezy, cheesey.     “She shall obey us . . . or diiiiiie, my queen!” Cozy promises darkly.     “Excellent!” Chrysalis accepts with a smile. “Oh, and one more thing; tell the blasted little filly that if she does remain loyal and obedient to me . . . that I shall transform her into a changeling.” Her evil smile widens. “After that, she shall truly be one of us!”     It is very hard for Cozy to restrain herself from widening her eyes. To hide it, she looks down and coughs for a few seconds.     Wait . . . is that possible? Does Chrysalis have the means to transform others into changelings? I thought the race was only born as them.     This information is certainly interesting. That makes me wonder what her origin story happens to be.     Of course, there is always a chance that the changeling queen’s offer is merely a bluff. She’d be willing to say anything to manipulate others to do her bidding.     “As you command,” Cozy replies when she regathers her composure. “I shall pass on the message. But, until she demonstrates some loyalty to us, I shall not fill her in on the other details of our plan. Instead, she must prove her own worth by giving us some noteworthy victory, even if it's subtle.”     “Of course,” Chrysalis accepts. “Now leave me! You must not be caught speaking with me. Obey my commands, and you shall be amply rewarded.”     Cozy's evil grin returns as she says, “I look forward to our impending victory, my queen. Until then, I shall take my leave of you.”     Without another word, Cozy makes her way to her next cell to pay her final former comrade a visit.