//------------------------------// // 56: Claiming Her Prize // Story: Death of a Queen, V2. // by Arkane12 //------------------------------// “Apologies, Princess, but would you mind repeating that?” Twilight grimaced. “I s-said that I want you to lock me in the cell with h-her.” “Twilight, what do you think you’re doing?” Chrysalis asked. “I want to stay with you tonight,” Twilight said over her shoulder. “And if you’re not allowed to leave that cell, then . . . then I want to be in there with you.” Chrysalis staggered back from her cell’s bars. Twilight felt her wings close tight around her sides as she turned back to the inquisitor. “So, what do you say? Will you grant my request?”  Flare looked past Twilight. “Do you have any objections to this?”  Chrysalis sat on the edge of her bed, staring down at the stone beneath her hooves. “If that is what the princess wishes, far be it from me to stop her.”  “And you, Princess.” Flare returned her focus to Twilight. “You do realize that these cells are built to contain magic. You won’t be able to just teleport out from there.” The alicorn nodded. “Very well, then.”  Flare fished her key back out.  “Are you sure about this, Twilight?” Chrysalis whispered.  “Yes,” Twilight said.  “Miss Chrysalis, I’m going to need you to stand against the far wall.” Flare waited until Chrysalis was in position before sliding her key into the lock. As it turned and the cell door swung open, she didn’t take her eyes off the changeling. Not until the door was shut and locked again. “Get comfortable, you two. It’s going to be a long night.”  With a final bow, Flare made her exit, leaving Twilight and Chrysalis alone. In silence, Twilight made her way to Chrysalis before taking a seat beside her. She wrapped her hooves against Chrysalis’.  Chrysalis instead turned toward the far wall. “Why did you do that?”  “I believe my exact words were: By your side. Right?” Twilight brushed her cheek against the changeling’s shoulder. “I can’t exactly do that from outside the cell, could I?”  “You also could have let it go for one night.”  “I’m not the kind of girl that breaks promises.” To Twilight’s surprise, Chrysalis started to laugh. The sound made Twilight’s cheeks pink. “Don’t make fun of me. It’s true.”  “I think I finally get it, Twilight. I think I finally understand.”  “About time.” Twilight squeezed her partner’s confiscated leg. “What was it?”  “Why I could never defeat you.”  Twilight loosened her grip. “You did beat me. You captured me and locked me up in your hive.”  “Yeah, and that day ended with me being overthrown. I wouldn’t exactly call that a victory.”  “That wasn’t my fault,” Twilight cried.  “You were the one who saved Starlight.” Chrysalis shifted her weight, but still refused to meet Twilight’s gaze. “I hadn’t expected the two of you to be close enough for her to realize something was off.” She shook her head. “And even if she did, I never would have thought she could do what she did.”  Twilight arched an eyebrow. “You’re blaming me for what Starlight did?”  “I’m saying that I can’t predict you, Twilight. You’re a wild card.”  “Oh.” Twilight cleared her throat. “Is that . . . is that good?”  “It’s infuriating,” she said calmly. “Oh.” Twilight hung her head. “Sorry?” “Don’t be.” Chrysalis maneuvered herself into a comfortable position on the bed, dragging Twilight down on top of her. “You’re like a puzzle to me. Every time I think I have you figured out, you find some way to pull the rug out from under me. You’re one of the smartest ponies in the kingdom, but you make some of the stupidest decisions I’ve ever witnessed.”   “You really feel that way about me?” Twilight asked, frowning. Her grip on Chrysalis’ hoof loosened, allowing the changeling to pull herself free.  “I do.” Twilight’s stomach turned. “I’m sor–.”  “I think that’s why you remind me so much of Blue.” Chrysalis’ newly freed limb curled around Twilight’s waist, pulling the two of them closer. “I’ve spent my whole life plotting and scheming. I always made sure I was two steps ahead of everypony else.”  “Chrysalis?” Twilight put a hoof to Chrysalis’ cheek, but the changeling continued.  “Then he showed up. And suddenly, I felt like a child again.” She closed her eyes. “He used to do the strangest things for the strangest reasons. I mean, locking himself in a prison cell with me is absolutely something he would have done.” “Chrysalis?” Twilight asked again, louder this time.  “My world turned upside down. It changed me in a way I never thought possible.”  “Chrysalis?” Twilight nearly shouted this time.  The increased volume did the trick and broke Chrysalis out of her trance.  “I’m not Blue,” Twilight said.  “Obviously.”  Twilight’s eyes wandered from Chrysalis’ face. “Whenever we get close, you always end up talking about Blue. You keep comparing me to him.” She reached across her chest and rubbed her shoulder. “But I’m not him. I’m not just a replacement.”  “What?” Chrysalis tilted her head slightly. “I’m sorry, Twilight. I didn’t mean to insinuate that.” She kissed Twilight’s cheek. “I promise that you’re not just a replacement. You and Blue are quite different in many ways.” The changeling took ahold of Twilight’s chin, lining her up for another kiss. “But you’re both the same where it matters. Both of you took my perception of the world and flipped it on it’s head. Both of you have taught me, more than anything, about myself. About who I am. About who I want to be.”  Twilight’s lip quivered.  “But most importantly, you showed me that the world isn’t as horrible a place as I thought. And I will always be thankful for that.” Twilight’s breath caught in her throat as Chrysalis pulled her in and kissed her. At that moment, Twilight forgot where she was or why she was there. Those were unimportant details. She was with Chrysalis. And that was all that mattered.  “Twilight?” Chrysalis asked breathily.  Her warm breath on Twilight’s neck made her wing flutter. “Yeah?”  “I am glad you decided to stay with me tonight.” Chrysalis started to rise from the bed. But not to climb out. Instead, she positioned herself over Twilight, pinning the breathless pony to the bed.  “What are you doing?” Twilight asked, her voice trembling.  “There’s something special I would like to share with you tonight, Twilight,” Chrysalis said, tucking a loose strand of her mane behind her ear. Twilight’s cheeks burned. “You . . . what?”  “I would like to share something with you,” Chrysalis repeated. She knelt down, trapping Twilight’s hips with her own, and kept her wings flat with her hooves.  All Twilight could do was tremble in anticipation.  “Would you like me to share something with you?” Chrysalis asked, her voice quiet and breathy. “Y-y-yes!” Twilight shouted.  “Close your eyes,” Chrysalis whispered. Twilight obeyed. She could feel Chrysalis’ body press against her own. She felt the changeling’s sweet-scented breath against her neck and crawling up toward her ear ever so slowly.  “Twilight?” Chrysalis asked as she continued upward.  “Y-yes?”  “Do you want to be mine?”  “Y-Yours?” Twilight swallowed hard. “Yes. Please.”  “Very well.”  Twilight’s skin grew a touch colder as Chrysalis pulled away. She started to open her eyes, but Chrysalis stopped her.  “No peeking,” She sang. “Now, I have to warn you, Twilight, this may hurt, but I will be here with you the whole time. I’m giving you one last chance to change your mind.”  “I won’t,” Twilight said. She heard Chrysalis chuckle.  “That’s a good girl. Now . . .” The weight on Twilight’s body shifted as Chrysalis leaned closer once again. “Remember this well, Twilight:  “You belong to me.”  Twilight’s whole body shivered.  Chrysalis’ fangs dragged across the flushed skin of Twilight’s throat. She twisted her head, granting her lover permission. Chrysalis’ fangs pulled back for only a moment, allowing Twilight to brace herself for what was about to happen.  And then it happened. Chrysalis bit down gently, sinking her fangs into the side of Twilight’s neck.  The pony gasped at the sharp jolt that reverberated through her. But as the pain started to fade, Twilight’s gasps turned to shaky breaths.  The room started to spin around her as her vision darkened.  Eventually, everything went black.  Except that Twilight could still hear her own ragged breathing, could feel Chrysalis’ teeth in her soft skin. She tried to warn Chrysalis that something was wrong, but her mouth could do little more than release an incoherent string of gibberish.  Then, Chrysalis’ hoof ran through Twilight’s mane.  Just knowing that Chrysalis was there watching over helped chase off her fear.  But Twilight’s senses continued to fail her. Her breathing sounded distant and garbled. And before she knew what was happening, everything was silent. She could feel her chest heave with each breath, and could feel Chrysalis’ body against hers.  This time, Twilight focused on trying to keep calm.  In a strange sort of way, being blinded and deafened brought Twilight a sort of serenity. She could feel everything happening to her. And she could picture it perfectly in her mind’s eye. That is, until her sense of touch began to wane as well.  Her extremities went numb first, crawling up her legs like a slow freeze. The last thing she felt was Chrysalis’ fangs sliding out of her neck. Blood trickled from the wound, which Twilight felt in the form of warmth soaking into her fur. Chrysalis returned to the site with a kiss. Her fangs nibbled at Twilight’s skin, but did not pierce it. She could feel Chrysalis’ tongue slide over the wound, licking it clean.  And then nothing.  Twilight was alone, trapped inside her own mind. And with this internal retrospection, she noticed something else. A feeling that a life of academic fervor and isolation had unintentionally pushed deep down into Twilight’s soul. A flame at her core that burned whenever Chrysalis was near. Suddenly, she had a name to put to it.  Desire.  She wanted Chrysalis more than anything else in the world right now. Images of the changeling consumed her thoughts. Countless scenarios played out side-by-side in Twilight’s head, showing her all the things she thought Chrysalis would do to her while under her spell.  No. They were the things she wanted Chrysalis to do to her.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “You hungry, Violet?”  Violet snapped out of her daze. She had been staring at a market stall on the side of the road. The black-clad changeling behind the counter was busy trying to convince a pony that his produce was the best in town. He didn’t seem to be buying it.  “Are you offering?”  Violet and Blue stood in the center of a bustling sandstone street. Tall buildings were clustered together to either side, built from the same material and braced with large lumber rafters. Beyond them, stone walls rose up into a domed ceiling. Chunks of crystal poked through the rock here and there, shimmering bright enough to light the whole city.  “Violet!”  She snapped out of her second daze.  “What?”  “I said I don’t mind paying if you want something.” The stallion, Blue, pointed to the fruitcart she’d been staring at.  “Oh. You meant actual food.” Violet cleared her throat. “I was thinking we might try something a little more . . . intense.”  “In the middle of the street?” He laughed, his bat-like wings stretching out behind him as he did. “Weren’t you supposed to be keeping a low profile? I don’t think going full exhibitionist would help with that.”  Violet sighed. “A mare can dream.”  “How about this,” Blue said. “That merchant’s a good friend of mine. We can go there for lunch and I’ll introduce the two of you. And then, once we get back to your place, I’m yours. All night long.” He spoke through a far-too-eager grin.  “All night?” Violet raised an eyebrow. “Alright. Deal.”  “Then what are we just standing around here for?” Blue reached forward and took her hoof. Violet tried to keep up, but mostly ended up being dragged behind him over to the wooden stall. They waited at the end of the bar for the merchant to finish up with his current customer. He sent the pony off with a bag of fresh produce and turned to the next customers waiting for him.  “Hey, DG,” Blue said, leaning up against the counter.  “Blue,” DG said back with a humorless chuckle.  “Is that how you greet an old friend?” Blue snatched one of the fruits from a box. He bounced the spiky red orb in his hoof, testing the weight.  The shopkeep scratched his head. “Sorry, Blue. Been a long day. And I get the feeling it’s going to just keep getting longer.” Violet cleared her throat, causing the changeling to finally take notice of her. “And who is this lovely thing? She with you?”  “She is. Her name’s Violet.”  DG snorted. “Seriously?”  “Is there something wrong with that?” Violet asked, sneering.  DG glanced at Violet, then down at her fur, then to Blue, then down at his fur. “That can’t be a coincidence. Violet’s violet and Blue’s blue. Those names are made up, right? Or are your parents really just that unoriginal?”  “You’re one to talk about names,” Blue said, reaching over to ruffle the changeling’s green frills. DG smacked his hoof away, causing both of them to laugh.  “I suppose you have a point,” DG said once he’d calmed down. “So, you need something, Blue, or are you just here to sell me a comedy bit?”  “Thought I’d buy my lady something for lunch.” “Your lady, huh?” DG nodded. “Well, if you’re looking for something to eat, I’ve got plenty of fresh fruit for sale. Get a new shipment every other day.” He motioned for them to step closer, glancing back and forth as he whispered. “I’ve also got some . . . premium cuts, if that’s more your thing.”  “You sell meat?” Violet asked. “Shhhh.” DG waved his hoof at her. “Don’t say it so loud.” He scanned the nearest market patrons, searching their faces to see if they’d heard her. “It may not be illegal anymore, but there’s still certain connotations that go with it. But, if that’s your thing, you don’t have to worry, I’m discrete about it.”  Violet looked at Blue, but he just shrugged.  “Alright,” Violet continued. “Two sandfruits.”  “Popular choice. Take your pick.” He pointed to the fruit baskets around the stall.  “I’ve got mine. You pick whatever one you think looks good,” Blue said.  Violet pursed her lips as she perused. She plucked a few from the bunch, inspected them, and put them back down. After six or seven, she found one that met her standards and held it up to show the shopkeep. “Right. That’s two shards.” DG opened a pouch he wore around his neck.  “Two shards?” Blue scoffed. “What ever happened to the friend and family discount?”  “Consider it the payment for the last one you stole,” DG said, staring down Blue and daring him to challenge it. The pony shrugged and tossed two slivers of crystal onto the counter.  “Do you charge extra to crack them?” Blue asked, waving his fruit around. DG swept the shards off his counter and motioned for them to set their purchase down. After a few stretches, he reared up and slammed his hoof down on the counter, cracking the hard outer shells of the fruit right down the middle and exposing the fleshy pink center. He repeated the process for the second one. “Thanks, DG,” Blue whistled.  “Don’t mention it.” DG wiped his hoof on his apron, smearing it with a bit of fruit juice. “So, when do I get to hear the story behind this?” he asked, pointing at both Blue and Violet.  “It’s kind of a recent thing. Don’t worry. I’ll tell you all about over drinks this weekend.”  “Then we’re still on?” DG smiled.  “Of course. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”  “And her?”  “Don’t worry, she’s not a drinker. Just me and you.”  DG cheered. That ended quickly when he noticed Violet frowning. “Oh. Sorry. Nothing against you, Miss. I’ve just had a lot of friends ditch me for their girls. Blue’s kind of the only one left.” “I suppose I shouldn’t take offense to it, then,” Violet said, rolling her eyes and taking a bite of her lunch.  The simple action made DG’s brow furrow. “Have we met before?”  Violet took her time chewing before swallowing. From the corner of her eye, she could see the slightest hint of worry on Blue’s face, though DG thankfully didn’t notice. “You’re not the first pony to ask me that. I guess I must just have one of those faces,” she said, shrugging.  “Hmm.” DG sniffed and wrinkled his muzzle. “Apologies, then.”  Violet waved him off. “It’s no big deal.”  “Well, don’t let this old shopkeep keep you two lovebirds from your date,” DG said, tipping an invisible hat as he bowed his head. “I’ll see you this weekend, Blue. And I hope to see more of you around as well, Miss Violet.”  “Catch you later, DG,” Blue shouted as he stepped away.  “Farewell . . . DG. It was a pleasure.” Violet returned his partial bow before hurrying off after Blue. She could feel the changeling’s gaze on the back of her neck as she walked.  “Are you all good?” Blue asked, taking a bite of his fruit. A small bead of red juice dripped down his chin. “I mean, I didn’t even think about the fact that he was . . . you know.”  “My son?” Violet said, cocking a brow.  Blue looked away. “Yeah. That.”  “It’s fine. I’m sure he’ll get used to this version of me soon enough.” She sighed. “Speaking of which. DG?”  “Yeah.” Blue grinned. “DG. D-G.”  “Do you not know his name?”  “I do. But DG is a lot easier than D-Six-Whatever.” Blue waved his hoof nonchalantly. “Besides, ‘G’ kind of looks like a six.”  “You’re lucky you’re cute, Blue, or I might think you were an idiot,” Violet lamented, shaking her head. Blue snickered at the sight. Violet and Blue ate as they walked. At the end of the street, the stone angled upward, ramping up to a raised platform that held the largest structure in the city. The castle stood tall and proud, much like its queen. “So, meet me up in my room in say . . . fifteen minutes?” Violet asked.  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Blue promised.  The two of them parted on the ramp. Blue turned back toward town, vanishing down one of the many thin alleyways that formed the city’s veins. Violet, meanwhile, strode up to the main gate like she owned it. She only stopped when the two guards at the gate blocked her way.  “Apologies, Ma’am, but the castle is off-limits to the lowborn.”  Violet scoffed. “Where are the two guards that were posted here this morning?”  “That’s proprietary information, Ma’am,” the second guard said.  “Fine. Then go fetch D-Seven-One-Three. He should be able to vouch for me.” The two guards shared a glance, but neither moved. Violet stamped a hoof, kicking up a cloud of dust from the sandstone. Her eyes flashed a fiery green. “I could also have you thrown in the dungeon for stalling me. Do you not recognize your queen?”  The guards’ visages twisted in horror as they recognized that glare.  “M-My Queen?”  “Apologies, My Queen. W-We did not recognize you in that form.”  The two guards stepped aside quickly, granting her access to the castle courtyard. Violet sighed and continued forward. As she strode through the hoof-built oasis, an older changeling approached.  “I thought the idea of the disguise was that nopony recognized you?” he asked.  “Calm down, Seven-One-Three.” Violet stopped, shuddering as green flames burned away her outer layer. “Did anything important happen while I was away?”  “There was a note sent for you, Queen Chrysalis.” Seven-One-Three steadied himself. “It’s from your mother. She has been visiting the Kingblossom.” He lowered his gaze. “She is asking you to be ready in case she must invoke the Ritual of Rejuvenation.”  “Shit.” Chrysalis pressed a hoof against her forehead. “I’m sure Pselli was thrilled to hear that.”  “Queen Pselli has also said that she wishes to speak with you. Shall I take you to her?”  “No.” Chrysalis pushed her way past her steward. “I will deal with that once I’ve had a bit of rest. Seven-One-Three, please ensure that my rest is not interrupted. You know how much I hate to be woken early.”  “Of course, Queen Chrysalis.”  She entered through the castle’s front door. Ahead, through an ornate, gemstone-riddled archway, she could see the throne room. From this distance, Pselli and her nobles looked about the size of children. None of them noticed Chrysalis as she slipped by, their noses buried in whatever legislature they had on the docket.  Shutting the hallway door behind her, Chrysalis continued through the winding hallways until she ended up at her door. She flicked the crystal sconce beside her door, knocking the key loose from its hiding place. Once the lock was undone, she floated it back into place. Her room was darker than the rest of the castle, exactly how she preferred it. She passed by the bathroom and into the main section of the room. A bed sat in the center, more than big enough for two. A wardrobe and vanity table were tucked away in the corner displaying elaborate jewelry made from valuable metals and precious silks. A full-body mirror sat beside them, tilted slightly upward. The three windows on the far wall had their curtains shut, leaving the only light to come in through the door to her balcony.  Chrysalis summoned her magic. With it, she turned the lock and opened the outer door, letting in a bit more light and opening up her room to the balcony beyond. But she did not step out. Instead, she made her way to the mirror. She stood proudly before it, staring at her emerald eyes in her reflection. Inch by inch, her gaze swept over her body. Frowning, she turned sideways, exposing her flank to the mirror’s scrutiny. Her search stalled, lingering on her stomach. She prodded it softly.  She’d grown a bit.  “There you are. Still as sexy as the day we met.”  Chrysalis looked over to the balcony door. Blue was leaning against the doorway, grinning wide enough that he was forced to close his eyes. Seeing him there, arrayed against the light pouring in behind him, Chrysalis smiled.  “Is that so?” she asked. Humming a dissonant tune, she climbed into her bed. She made herself comfortable, biting her lip as she watched the thestral take a step closer. “Why don’t you come over here and prove it.”  Blue’s eyes lit up.  “Of course, My Queen.”  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Smoke filled the cavern, choking out the light from the above. Instead, the world was tinted red with flame. Her vision flickered as she crawled through the blood.  “Blue?”  “I . . . I’m here.”  How had things come to this? How had she allowed this to happen?  “I’m so sorry, Blue.”  “Listen to me, Chryssy, this isn’t your fault. You know that, right?” “Don’t try to speak. Just hold on. I’ll . . . I’ll find help.”  “We . . . We both know that’s not . . . not gonna happen.”  He was right. Even now, she could hear hooves beating against distant stone.  “I’m not going to leave you here.”  Blue chuckled, but his laughter was interrupted with coughing as he spit up a spatter of blood. It dripped down his chin, staining his fur. “We both know I’m not making it out of here.”  “I . . . I can use the Ritual,” Chrysalis said. “I can fix this.”  “No.” Blue’s body felt cold. “Don’t be stupid, Chryssy. Even if you had time to pull it off, I’d only be around a few more decades at most. Your life is more valuable than that.”  The already blurred images melted together behind tears. “What am I supposed to do?” she asked. “Where am I supposed to go?” “Listen to me, Chryssy. I love you. Both of you. More than anything else in the world. But I can’t go with you. You have to go on without me. For both of your sakes.” She felt his hoof, still slick with blood, against her flank. “I . . .” Chrysalis whimpered. “I c-can’t.”  “Yes you can, Darlin’. You’re tougher than you know.” He took a pained, wheezing breath. “Don’t cry, Chryssy. You did . . . everything you could. More . . . more than anypony else.” His eyelids were growing heavy. “Just promise me this, Love. Promise me you’ll live your life to the fullest. See the world, make some friends, find a new love.”  “I don’t want a new love.”  “Promise me, Chryssy.” His head lulled to the side. “Promise me.”  “I . . . I can’t . . .” She grit her teeth, wiping her tears away with a crimson hoof. “Fine. I-I promise that I’ll do the best I can. And I’ll never forget you, Blue.”  “That’s my girl.” The hoofbeats were drawing near. “Now, you need to go. Get out of here. Before they find you.”  “Goodbye, Blue. I’ll always love you.”  “Me too, Darlin’. And don’t worry, I’ll be looking down on you from wherever I end up.”  She forced herself to stand. Forced her legs to move, one in front of the other. She staggered toward the distant tunnel leading out of the city. Behind her, she could hear Blue’s voice, screaming to the heavens.  “Hey? Can you hear me? Whoever you are, whoever she finds, know this: She is my greatest treasure. You’d better . . . take damn good care of her!”