Chapter 2
Chrysalis paced back and forth in her chamber, ocassionally flittering her wings in contemplation. Trace was quick, fierce, not always elegant, but effective. That added to his standard changeling powers, minus the ability to morph at will, he was probably the most dangerous of her children. And he knew he was different.
The queen needed to know exactly what he was capable of, especially in the event that, she loathed to think of it, he betrayed her. What was going on in the outside world that was big enough, or perhaps too big, for him to handle? She had no reason to go after the gryphons for anything more than keeping them from capturing her harvesters. The diamond dogs were pathetic, and would be boring playthings for Trace.
What of the ponies? Chrysalis lamented on her defeat in Canterlot, her humiliation in public against the princess of the crystal empire, and the unicorn that exposed her. How she wished to get revenge on that one, that Twilight Sparkle. The very name of the mare left a bad taste in her mouth.
Chrysalis spat at the taste of her own hatred. She sighed and stood silent for a moment, and then her eyes shot open. The dragons!
The ambassador of the dragon empire was meeting with Celestia to negotiate an exchange of territory so the dragons would have another resting place for their next migration. A smart move for Celestia, as it often took forever and a decade to get anything done with dragons. Better to settle things years in advance.
But suppose the treaty were never signed? Suppose the ambassador never returned? If all went well, it would raise tension between the two kingdoms, as well as add a thorn to the side of the dragons who were too large and powerful for her drones to mimic at full size. And if Trace should fail, well, different eye color could suggest another brood. She could brush him off as a member of another swarm. Who would have evidence otherwise?
Finalizing her plan, she summoned Trace.
The assassin bowed in reverence before looking upon his queen. "What does my mistress wish of me?"
"I have a mission for you, Trace," Chrysalis said, "You will be going to Equestria. You are to infiltrate Canterlot, and await the abassador of the dragons."
Trace's eyebrows raised at the mention of dragons.
"He must be eliminated before negotiations with Celestia can be completed. You are free to use any methods you choose, but you have two rules. One, you must not be seen by anypony."
Trace grinned. Easy enough.
"And there must be no collateral."
The assassin's grin was wiped off. "Mistress?" He looked at her with uncertainty.
Chrysalis grinned. "Don't believe you can do it?"
Trace lowered his gaze. "Of course I do, my queen. So you command, so shall it be done."
"Good." Chrysalis couldn't help give him a treat of the pride she held for him. "You will meet a nest south of the mountain where you can rest and restock. But do not linger. You have one month to reach Canterlot, find your way in, and kill the dragon."
Trace nodded and stood, awaiting further orders.
"You are dismissed," Chrysalis ordered.
Three weeks had passed. Trace was able to bypass the border patrol with the greatest of ease. They would have made fun target practice, had he permission to take out others. But orders were orders, and Trace's loyalty was absolute; he would rather die than return a failure.
As he journeyed, he wondered how best to kill a dragon? Dragon's bane leaf was hard to come by, even in a land that feared them. A dragon's scales were powerful, too strong for his favored laser spell. A shot to the eye, maybe. It was even trickier business with the parameters of his mission.
Equestria was large. Time was running out for him, and he had yet to reach the final nest. He hid himself in a bush and turned invisible, then projected his thoughts. The queen had the power to enter the minds of her subjects, and they had the power to communicate with each other over moderate distances. If any changelings were nearby, he would get their position from them with this.
No one answered his call. He was hungry, and exhausted from arduous travel. If he didn't find the nest, he would not have the strength to reach Canterlot at all.
After a few hours, he tried again. Is anyone there?
Identify.
At last, a connection! This is Trace, servant of the hive mother. I request your position and permission to join you for a brief respite.
Speak the words of our queen and enter.
To my children, I give thee my love that ye may live, and that ye might return thy love to me and live for the swarm.
Authorization confirmed. Welcome, Trace.
A green glow became visible in the distant shadows of the night. It was a wave form visible only to changelings that was used as a flare. In this case, it was the rondesvous point.
Trace reached the edge of the nest, disguised as a mining camp. Don't be alarmed. I am invisible.
The changelings around him nodded and motioned towards the mine shaft.
Inside, Trace was able to shed his cloak and relax. A pile of empathite stones lay to the side, casting warmth and light throughout the hidden chamber. Several changelings lay in their natural forms, depositing the emotions they'd collected into the stones. The assassin took a stone from the pile and tapped into its energies. The smell of spices and herbs flowed into his nostrils, indicating the pony it had come from may have owned an apothecary shop and had an affinity for such things.
Their special talent, signified by the things known as cutie marks. Trace couldn't care less that he would never wear such a mark; he didn't need one to know what he was best at.
A larger changeling, one of the soldier breed, approached him. "I am Captain Duo, steward of this camp. Why have you come, brother? Are you here to join our crew?"
"No," Trace said flatly, "I'm here to kill someone." The ice in his voice let the captain know he didn't need to hear any more than that.
"Right," Duo said, "Queen's affairs and all. I'll let you rest, then."
Trace said nothing, and hunkered down. He stared into the light of the empathite, reflecting on his mission. He still needed to find a way to kill the abassador.