//------------------------------// // Chapter 53 // Story: Hostile History // by Jest //------------------------------// “Should we release you from the stasis, or?” Twilight offered. “Give me a moment,” Chrysalis replied. “I will absorb what I can and construct a form more resilient to this world’s influences.” The small group stepped back and watched as the changeling queen inhaled all the purple mana within the sphere. Once consumed, she stood upright as best she could, and built energy at the tip of her horn. After it had grown to the point that it was nearly blinding, it was unleashed in a wave of deep emerald fire. The flames cascaded down her form in a roiling wave, popping and sparking all the while. Sunset Shimmer wasn't sure what the spell was supposed to look like, but she had a feeling this wasn't it. The confused gasp that followed further drove this home, and when the group looked to the changeling what they found baffled most of them. “Oh, are we getting naked now?” Pinkie Pie asked. “No,” Twilight interjected, grabbing Pinkie Pie’s hand before it could remove her top. “Daw,” Pinkie Pie muttered dejectedly. “What, why am I… whatever you are?” Chrysalis asked. The changeling queen grasped at her nude form in confusion. Her skin was a shade of black so dark that it looked strange to be on what appeared to be a human, at least at first glance. For even though she was humanoid, she also had a long jagged black horn, insectoid wings, and inhuman-slitted eyes. “Something tells me you weren't trying to look like us,” Applejack remarked. “And we’re humans by the way.” “N-no! I most certainly was not,” Chrysalis exclaimed, grabbing her midsection with both arms. “Why am I so c-c-cold all of a sudden.” “Twilight, release the dear at once,” Rarity ordered. “Oh, right,” Twilight muttered. The magic sphere blinked out of existence. The changeling fell a few short inches before falling into a conjured gem chair. “We humans don't wear clothes for mere fashion, as we lack the natural fur to allow us to exist comfortably in these climates,” Rarity explained. “Thankfully I always keep a spare for just such a fashion emergency like this one.” “What do-” Chrysalis muttered. Her question was cut off when Rarity pulled a set of clothes from seemingly nowhere and began to dress the queen against her will. She barely had the chance to fight back before she found herself wearing an entirely new wardrobe. Loose-fitting black sweatpants covered her bottom half, while an equally baggy sweatshirt covered her torso and arms. “Not the most flattering of outfit, I’m afraid but you should be warm at least,” Rarity declared. “I… uh,” Chrysalis looked down at herself. “Thank you?” “It was no trouble at all darling, now I do believe we have an important mission to attend to,” Rarity offered. “R-right,” Chrysalis stuttered, pausing to clear her throat. “Onwards.” The squad assembled and departed as usual, jogging back to the site of the battle at a relatively quick pace. Sunset Shimmer fell in next to Chrysalis, one hand resting on the butt of her pistol while the other hung loose at her side. “You got used to feet pretty quickly. It took me hours to get the hang of the whole bipedal thing,” Sunset Shimmer remarked. “You…” Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. “You came from Equestria.” “Yeah. Unlike you I wasn't exiled by Celestia, rather I did that to myself,” Sunset answered. “Why are you telling me all this?” Chrysalis asked incredulously. “Because we are going to need to trust one another at least a little if we are going to make it out of this in one piece,” Sunset Shimmer replied. Chrysalis looked off into the distance, her gaze unfocused. After several quiet seconds where the only sound was the distant noise of combat and the crunch of their booted feet on the gravel road, Chrysalis spoke once more. “I spent some time infiltrating a minotaur settlement in my younger years,” Chrysalis answered. “They are rather brutish but I appreciated their honesty and code of chivalry. It made my task far more difficult, but it did make me respect them, if only begrudgingly so.” Sunset Shimmer released the grip she had on her weapon. “Well I can tell you humans are much the same, at least the brutish and violent part,” Sunset offered. “They are also just… more, for lack of a better word.” “More?” Chrysalis asked. “They feel more intensely, they hold their ideals much closer to their hearts and will trade their very lives away for something as distant as ideology,” Sunset Shimmer replied. Chrysalis hummed thoughtfully. “Their emotions certainly are powerful. Mere pity and compassion alone would not be enough to fuel me back on Equestria but here I already feel rejuvenated after so little.” “Just don't get them angry. You think a minotaur can hold a grudge? Wait until you meet a pissed-off human parent,” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed. “I appreciate your candor. Perhaps if we are victorious I could…” Chrysalis stumbled to a stop. Sunset Shimmer turned to where she saw Chrysalis staring but found that nothing was out of the ordinary. Or at least not at first glance, however, as the battlefield was still just as chaotic as when they had left. Hordes of changelings rained down from above while groups of those same shapeshifters assaulted the beleaguered human defenders. The perimeter was holding out, but large, semi-organized groups of changelings were attacking the weaker points. While some attempted to break out, most assaulted Perfect Tempo’s holdouts, dying in droves to the human auxiliaries, and Perfect’s associates. Though an awful sight, nothing seemed that out of the ordinary until Sunset followed Chrysalis’ gaze more closely. For beneath the frozen golem was what looked like a pulsing black and red egg the size of an armored personal carrier. Around it were around a dozen larger-than-average changelings arrayed in a rough defensive perimeter. “How could this happen so fast? Unless they were already creating a new queen before I was even disconnected and in my madness, I hadn't even noticed,” Chrysalis muttered to herself. “Hold up everyone,” Sunset Shimmer ordered. “What is it?” Asked Twilight. “Chrysalis needs a moment,” Sunset Shimmer replied. The group walked back over to Sunset, and the cringing, horror-struck changeling queen standing next to her. Around them lay the destroyed remnants of the perimeter defense group stationed on the side road. In the distance, a radio crackled, and a voice emerged but it was too distant to be audible. “I… This is beyond my experience,” Chrysalis murmured. “This world is anathema to changelings and yet we’ve adapted.” “Too bad they couldn't adapt as well as you did,” Rainbow Dash remarked. Chrysalis snarled. “They are insane, they not what they do!” “Hey I wasn't talking down or anything, it just sucks ya know,” Rainbow Dash replied, her hands raised defensively. “Hey guys, I think you should come listen to this!” Pinkie Pie shouted from somewhere nearby. “You girls stay here, Twilight and I will go find out what Pinkie Pie found,” Sunset ordered. “As you say, darling,” Rarity replied. Sunset nodded and motioned for Twilight to follow her. The other girl did so immediately, falling in next to her partner. For a moment they were quiet, but that changed when they were no longer in earshot of Chrysalis. “Are you sure we can trust her?” Twilight whispered. “Her? No. Her desire to save her children, yes,” Sunset Shimmer answered. “If what Celestia said was true then she is a spiteful schemer who would trade everything to save her skin. However, we both saw her reaction back there.” “She was terrified,” Twilight murmured. “She was horrified,” Sunset corrected. Twilight hummed thoughtfully. “And you fear that should we fail her species may be wiped out?” Sunset nodded. “Celestia has long claimed that changelings were a parasitic race. I wouldn't put it past her to consider wiping them out completely.” “This is grim Sunset. We have to help her,” Twilight declared. “I’m glad to hear you’re on board,” Sunset offered. The pair rounded the still smoldering heap of metal that had been an A.P.C at one point. There crouched near what looked like a more advanced radio setup was Pinkie Pie. The girl was inspecting the device, searching for a microphone but giving up after she found no way to actually use the thing as anything but a receiver. “Quick, listen to this,” urged the pink-haired girl. Sunset Shimmer jogged over to her friend and crouched down, Twilight following dutifully after her. Chrysalis appeared a moment later, though the changeling stayed back, still too lost in her thoughts. “Come in-” a burst of static drowned out what sounded like the voice of one of Perfect Tempo’s aides. “-you copy? Forget about the queen. We’re abandoning Foxtrot’s base. Fast movers are inbound and intel has confirmed that the National Guard is enroute. Repeat, we are pulling out. Give us a diversion if possible and if not go to ground immediately.” “Come in-” “It repeats like that,” Pinkie Pie explained. Sunset Shimmer rose back to her full height, knees creaking as she stood. “It doesn't look like we have much time.” “You’re just going to leave?” Chrysalis spat, stepping forward. “If they find us out here we won't just be fighting so crazed bugs, we’ll be up against the whole goddamn army!” Sunset shouted. Twilight stepped between the pair. “Look, Chrysalis. Is there any way we could save the other changelings in a timely fashion?” “I…” Chrysalis frowned. “As much as it pains me to say this, it's too late for them. They’ve closed themselves off from me completely.” “Which means?” Twilight prompted. “There's nothing we can do for them,” Chrysalis replied. “Then we retreat, immediately,” Sunset Shimmer stated. “No, you can't,” Chrysalis exclaimed, her usually confident voice marred with desperation. “If this new queen were able to escape it would devastate this country, and possibly this world.” Sunset Shimmer recoiled. “Surely it wouldn't be capable of that something like that.” “Changelings when pressed can turn into a sort of locust phase,” Chrysalis explained. “We lose our sapience but become incredibly difficult to kill. Able to reproduce from only a single individual, this maddened swarm will infest as much of the land as possible, stripping it bare of life.” “What can we do?” Twilight asked. “Strike down this new queen and the process will be slowed significantly,” Chrysalis pressed. “If not, then they will spread like a plague, devouring everything for hundreds of miles. Only once this process is complete will they enter a stasis period, and regain their faculties.” “We definitely can't wait for that to happen,” Sunset Shimmer muttered. “What about… no, that wouldn't work,” Twilight murmured absently. “What, what is it?” Sunset Shimmer pressed. “The golem,” Twilight replied, gesturing to the iceberg sticking straight up into the sky. “If we unthawed it, it would still attack anything that moved, including the queen’s egg!” “That thing is a golem?” Chrysalis murmured. Sunset ignored the changeling’s comment. “You’re right and I know a spell that would unthaw it almost instantly!” “Sunset you’re a genius!” Twilight exclaimed. “No, you’re the genius,” Sunset retorted. The pair leaned forward and shared a brief but passionate kiss. “Augh, puppy love,” Chrysalis muttered in disgust. “How vile.” “Hush, you. We’re going to help,” Sunset retorted. “Let us do so quickly. The gestation period is short and I can already feel the hum of a rival queen,” Chrysalis shot back. “Right. Twilight, get the others, explain the plan, and meet me here. I need to talk to Chrysalis for a second,” Sunset Shimmer ordered. “Got it,” Twilight replied before dashing off. “What do you have to say to-” Chrysalis began, only to be interrupted. Sunset Shimmer grabbed the queen’s shoulder and shot the changeling a death glare. “Here's what's going to happen,” Sunset Shimmer whispered in a low, menacing tone. “You are under my command, and will follow my orders to the letter immediately and without hesitation, got it?” “If you think I am just going to roll over and do what some exiled pony commands then you are deluded,” Chrysalis muttered. “You don't seem to understand the dynamics here,” Sunset Shimmer began again, her eyes glowing like twin embers. “You are going to do as I say or you will die alone. There is no room for argument, or intimidation, or whatever form of bluster you prefer.” Chrysalis stood quietly in one spot, mouth agape. “My squad lives because we trust one another,” Sunset continued. “And though we do not have time to create that trust with you, blind obedience will be a fine replacement.” “Fine,” Chrysalis snarled, shrugging off the human’s hand. “But don't think I will forget your little tantrum anytime soon.” “I don't care. My squad’s survival is all that matters. You’re entire damnable race can burn for all I care,” Sunset Shimmer dismissed. Taking a step back, Sunset took a deep breath, exhaling a plume of embers and smoke as she did so. A moment after she straightened her posture, and put on a brave face, her squad rejoined them. “Yo, you alright boss?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Did Bug Butt here give ya some grief?” “No. We just had to come to an understanding,” Sunset Shimmer replied. “Well we’re about ready to roll out but I don't think we are going to be able to take on all those shapeshifters,” Applejack remarked. “That full heal did wonders, but it wasn't no miracle cure.” “Don't worry, we can handle things from behind the golem,” Sunset Shimmer declared. “Well that's nice,” Fluttershy murmured. “Because I really didn't want to have to fight any more of those scary changelings. Um, no offense.” “None taken,” Chrysalis dismissed. “If we’re going right around them, why don't we deploy smoke bombs and avoid them altogether?” Rarity offered. Sunset Shimmer glanced at the lone changeling present. “Would that work? I thought changelings could detect emotions.” “Not when they are like this,” Chrysalis replied, a snarl creeping across her lips. “Without higher reasoning, they are little more than beasts relying on their more instinctual senses like sight or touch.” “Wanna repeat our previous opening?” Sunset asked Fluttershy. The shy girl smiled. “Most definitely.” A minute later the group was off, moving in the same formation as usual, only now with Sunset Shimmer and Chrysalis taking up the rear. Though the hard ground hurt Chrysalis’ strange, fleshy feet, she made no complaints, nor did she slow down. Ahead of them flew several large owls with smoke grenades clutched in their talons. Amidst the buildings, vehicles, and piles of rubble, they moved, dropping one of their packages wherever there was an opening. Dark black smoke soon filled the gaps between cover, allowing the small eight-person squad to move unhindered to their target. The only times they had to slow their march was when a changeling flew overhead, or one of the beasts blundered through the smoke. Each time this happened they were either ignored or taken out with a well-placed shot. In the end, the horde was not alerted, and the group was crouched low near the backside of the frozen golem. High up on the lip of the quarry, they gathered in the shadow of the stone creature, a perimeter already formed. “Alright, what's the plan?” Rainbow Dash whispered. “I’ll cast the spell, then we retreat, blow the wall, and make a run for town,” Sunset replied. Chrysalis was visibly annoyed but had the good sense not to do anything but sit quietly, simmering in her rage. “Defensive perimeter then got it,” Applejack added, gesturing to the others. “Ya’ll know what to do.” Sunset Shimmer knelt low, pulled off one of her gloves, and placed a hand on the ice only to wince. Unnaturally cold, it nearly gave the girl frostbite, and it wasn't only because Sunset channeled a bit of fire magic through her digits. Once she no longer had to worry about losing her fingers, the girl extended her freshly renewed magical senses. “This is going to take a bit of extra juice,” Sunset Shimmer replied. “Twilight, you remember the stress-sharing technique we learned, right?” Twilight knelt down next to her partner and extended a hand. “I do, and I’m ready when you are.” The pair interlocked their fingers and gripped one another tightly. Sunset closed her eyes and lowered her head while Twilight grit her teeth and opened herself to the other girl. The connection they created was deep, with bright purple lines of mana flowing down Twilight's arm and into the glowing orange veins of Sunset Shimmer. “How do you hope to melt so much?” Chrysalis whispered, her tone sharp but inquisitive rather than accusatory. “The iceburn spell,” Sunset replied. Chrysalis scoffed. “That would never work.” “Everything is perfect,” Sunset Shimmer shot back. “The wind is non-existent, the target won't fight back and most importantly this ice isn't mundane, it's magical.” “Which gives you more fuel for the fire,” Chrysalis murmured. Sunset Shimmer didn't open her eyes to check but she was fairly certain Chrysalis was in agreement now. Either way, it didn't matter, as she still had to create the spell, adapting a matrix she knew intimately as a pony but had never attempted as a human. As she worked she continued to draw on Twilight's strength no matter how much she wished she didn't have to. Around them, the others had fanned out and were crouching low, one knee on the ground. With weapons drawn or spells at the ready, they watched either side of the enormous golem. Overshadowed by the colossus next to them, it was difficult to even hear the sound of fighting. Though dark shapes occasionally whizzed far overhead, they were too distant to discern any details of. Minutes passed like this, with hope slowly turning to confidence as they continued to remain undetected. “Stay low and don't move,” Chrysalis hissed suddenly. No one had a chance to ask why before a large shape rounded the right side of the golem. The twisted shape of one of the changeling royal guards appeared and stopped only a dozen meters away. Sporting a dozen eyes each from some strange magical or mundane animal twitched, and scanned the area. Each one of Sunset’s squad did as ordered, remaining completely still as the twitching, multilimbed horror stared at them. Rainbow Dash’s trigger finger started to itch, and the urge for Applejack to grow larger in preparation for a fight was becoming overwhelming. Twilight considered splitting her focus to cast a spell at the changeling but held off when Sunset Shimmer squeezed her hand. Twilight looked at her partner to see that she wore a confident but grim expression. The signal was clear, she trusted Chrysalis’ word. In turn, the other members of her squad all glanced at Twilight, waiting for her to make the first move. She did not, however, attack or even move a muscle until the changeling royal guard turned abruptly. The monstrous creature returned back the way it came, stomping its way around the corner and out of sight. Only when it had left view completely did the small group release a collective sigh of relief. “Almost there. Ready the smoke grenades, and prepare to blow this popsicle stand,” Sunset Shimmer whispered. The other seven girls all nodded, even Chrysalis. After several more quiet moments of concentration, Sunset Shimmer completed the spell. With a pulse of magic, she released the final restraint, starting a small blood-red fire at the base of the golem. It didn't look like it was going to last long, but then it suddenly took root and spread in all directions. Feeding on the ice as if it were the most potent tinder imaginable, the flames rocketed across the surface, burning white hot in the process. “Go go go!” Sunset Shimmer shouted. The group turned and ran towards the base wall, smoke grenades already detonating behind them to cover their retreat. As they ran, Sunset Shimmer felt the urge to turn, to check to see if it had worked but she chose not to. She trusted in her magic and kept a tight hold on Twilight's hand even as they ran towards the distant tree line. Behind them, a great crack was heard, followed by what sounded like an avalanche played in reverse. The ground shook, and a horrifying, unearthly battle cry was screamed. Sunset Shimmer assumed the fight had begun though she dared not check. She just continued to run, dashing up the gem ramp constructed by Rarity and down over the other side of the wall. There they found that the perimeter defense group had already departed, ditching whatever equipment they could in the process. No vehicles were present save for a single armored personnel carrier parked at the edge of the forest. The back was open, and inside a familiar human waved. They were going home.