//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Return // Story: Martin: The Endgame // by CrypticMetaphor //------------------------------// All of the changelings stood in front of an abandoned mansion as the door handle began to jiggle. Each changeling looked at each other with fear as the door burst open in an explosion of green fire. Out of the flames stepped a woman with flawless tan skin and dark cerulean waist length hair. Her eyes were a moderate harlequin in colour as she gazed at her subjects with curiousness. She wore black and lime green robes with tattered trim and a black crown sat on her head. Queen Chrysalis looked at her new form in a window and admired her new curves, “Truly exotic,” she then looked at her motherly chest, “Although I see no reason for these…additions.” The changelings kneeled as a whole as Chrysalis examined her sharp black fingernails, “Rise.” Chuck approached her, “My Queen you look positively radiant.” Chrysalis regarded him with a half look but grinned smugly, “Was there ever any doubt?” Chuck was about to speak until Chrysalis glared at him, “You failed me drone.” Chuck groveled, “Forgive me my queen. I will make it up to you I swear.” Chrysalis thought for a moment, “I would be inclined to believe you if you hadn’t done this for the second time.” Chuck remembered back to when he smashed down in Canterot and almost stopped the pony known as Pinkie Pie. But she was more happy with his shape shifting abilities then afraid of him so he shifted into her at Pinkie’s request just to humour her only to be blasted by the unicorn magic of Twilight Sparkle. Chuck blinked, “I don’t suppose you could give me a mulligan on this?” Chrysalis responded by booting him in the face and into a tree, “Does that answer your question?” * Martin looked over at Lupe who was gazing straight ahead. Martin on the other hand was looking around frantically trying to figure out exactly what happened. He had enough of the driving, “Lupe pull over.” Lupe nodded as she stopped the car, “Okay ask away.” Martin looked at her, “How are you even here?” Lupe shut her eyes at the question. * Sortitus looked at Lupe as the bridge shut behind Martin, “I will return you to Earth so you can keep an eye on Martin.” Lupe stared at Sortitus, “What about you?” Sortitus sighed, “I will remain here with Spike and conceal my presence as to keep Ponyville from falling into complete darkness.” Lupe nodded only for Sortitus to stop her, “There’s something…different about you.” Lupe looked at Sortitus, “Back in Canterlot I experienced a moment where I started hearing voices in my head.” Sortitus nodded, “I see. I will deal with that later, when you get to Earth stay out of sight and don’t reveal yourself to Martin until the time’s right.” Lupe made the okay sign, “Roger that.” * Martin stared at Lupe who was slightly embarrassed, “You were here the whole time?” Lupe nodded, “Yeah.” Martin smiled, “It’s a good thing you were.” Lupe nodded but then held her head in pain as she began to hear more voices causing Martin to grab her hand, “Lupe! You okay?” Lupe winced as the chorus of voices died down, “Yeah I’m fine.” Martin looked at her curiously, “Also, how is it you can use your abilities on Earth?” Lupe looked at her hand, “I’m about as surprised as you are.” Martin looked down the road, “We need to warn everypony back at home.” Lupe looked ahead with a steeled resolved, “Agreed.” * Chrysalis walked downtown with her changelings shifted into human form searching uptown. As she passed by a bar a man cat called in her direction causing her to stop in mid step. The man approached her with a drunken smile, “I think I’m dead because I’m staring at an angel.” Chrysalis put a hand to her mouth as she giggled, “Oh stop.” The man then invited her into a nearby alley to get better acquainted, “So baby what’s with the clothes.” Chrysalis crossed her arms under her and leaned forward causing her chest to heave a bit, “I’m a queen of course.” The man stared at her more prominent features, “I can tell.” Chrysalis gave a sultry grin, “Perhaps you want to be my king?” The man smiled, “oh yeah!” Chrysalis gave a com hither wag of her finger, “Close your eyes. I like to start things with a kiss.” The man’s eyes shut as he leaned forward with Chrysalis doing the same. Right as their lips were about touch, Chrysalis grasped the man’s jaw in a vice grip and pinned him against the wall. Chrysalis’s pupils turned to slits, “Alright human, tell me what I want to know and I might let you live.” The man squirmed in her grasp as she levitated him, “What do you want?!” Chrysalis stared into his eyes, “What’s your profession?” The man desperately spoke, “I’m…an accountant. Please don’t hurt me I have a daughter!” Chrysalis tilted her head, “One who manages money. Have you ever done a transaction with a person known as Martin Fairbridges?” The man stared at her, “I can’t tell you that.” Chrysalis scratched his face, “ANSWER ME!” The man yelled in pain, “YES! YES I HAVE!” Chrysalis smiled, “Good was that so hard? What’s his home address?” The man sighed, “That I don’t know.” Chrysalis lowered him down, “To bad. Here’s a kiss goodnight.” Chrysalis then forcibly planted her lips on the guys as her irises glowed a dark emerald green. The man’s skin paled and he went limp as Chrysalis dropped him. Chrysalis spat on the ground, “Yuck! Tasted like mud!” The changeling queen exited the alleyway and walked down the street. She saw two boys about 19 standing in front of a Starbucks. When she got closer she saw one was of the Goth persuasion and the other was reading a book. The Goth Kid wore a shirt depicting a laughing Chrysalis and a caption, “Long live the Queen!” The Goth kid looked up and his eyes widened in surprise as Chrysalis raised an eyebrow at the shirt. Chrysalis asked the boy since he was of age, “Do you know Martin Fairbridges?” The Goth kid slowly nodded, “I know he lives on Hemsfield Dr.” Chrysalis gave him a quick smooch on the cheek, “Thank you humble worshiper, your contribution will not be forgotten.” The Goth Kid placed his hand on his cheek as Chrysalis waved her hand, “Carry on.” The Goth Kid fainted in happiness. * At home Martin had explained the overall situation to the ponies…and they were not taking it well. Rarity was on the couch sobbing in fear, “OF ALL THE WORST THINGS TO HAPPEN THIS IS THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!” Alan nodded, “Amen to that. This is actually a good move on their part.” Twilight was aghast, “What!?” Martin nodded, “He has a point, and there are over a thousand people in this city and many more in the world. It’s the perfect place for a changeling to hunt for us.” Celestia nodded, “We wouldn’t be able to see them coming.” Scootaloo cried out annoyed, “So what! Are we supposed to hide and hope they all go away or something?” Martin shook his head, “no, we just have to be careful and lay low.” Bon bon looked at Fleur, “That might be a little hard for her.” Fleur gave her an irritated look, “very funny.” Pinkie dropped like a sack of potatoes as her legs wave around like wet noodles, “uh oh.” Rainbow looked worried, “Uh Oh…what uh oh!” Pinkie Pie looked at all the gathered individuals, “When my legs feel like wet noodles it means that a villain is scheming to attack us.” * Within the abandoned mansion Chrysalis was lost in thought as she stared into a hand mirror as her squad slept. The old couch she lounged upon was cleaned to a certain point that she thought was tolerable. As she glanced in the mirror she remembered the man Alan from the wedding. He may have been coupled with Rainbow Dash but she sensed deep down that he held her in admiration of some form. She had many ponies in her lifetime but now she wanted something that no other royal had a human consort. She laughed deviously as she sat in the mansion and began to think of ways to make Washington belong to her. “Chrysalis.” Chrysalis turned around and fell out of her seat with a yelp as Jinx stared at her, “I trust I’m not…interrupting.” Chrysalis looked around embarrassed, “Uhm…no.” Jinx knocked on her head, “Thinking about the Washington boy eh?” Chrysalis smacked his hand away, “Stop that! You’re worse than Discord.” Jinx laughed, “Oh please,” his tone then was as cold as ice, “I’m twenty times worse than him.” Chrysalis cringed slightly as Jinx took on a thoughtful expression, “Hmmm…he could prove useful.” Chrysalis looked curiously at him, “What do you mean?” Jinx smiled devilishly, “You’ll find out. But rest assured he’ll be yours.” Jinx started walking away before looking over his shoulder, “Change of plans, The Princess and the Washington boy only. And do not keep me waiting.” Jinx then vanished as Chrysalis exhaled in relief, “I HATE it when he does that.” * Martin and the ponies were all at the mall staying separate but close enough so that they could keep tabs on each other better. AJ and Rarity had taken the CMC to Toys R Us to look around whereas the rest of the girls were shopping somewhere as Martin and Alan ate in the food court with the Princesses. In good spirits they got vegetarian food and were currently talking about a couple of stories with Luna and Celestia. After a while they all left for the Fairbridges home and were greeted with a curious sight. Martin’s front door was ajar which aroused much suspicion from the party as they slowly approached and entered. The house was empty and there was no one inside until they entered the living room. “Impressive home you have here mister Fairbridges.” Chrysalis was grinning ear to ear revealing fangs for canine teeth, “We were expecting you.” Before Martin could react he was knocked down by something hard causing him to drop like a stone. This entire moment was soon accompanied by screams as Martin looked up at a smiling Chrysalis who planted her boot firmly in his face causing his lights to be figuratively and literally knocked out. * Martin awoke several hours later in a daze. He looked around his house and saw that there was a sign of a massive struggle before whatever happened concluded. I all then came back to him when he saw the six, Fleur, The CMC, Lyra, and Bon Bon awakening from being knocked out as well. Twilight was frantic when she noticed three individuals missing, “Oh no…” Martin looked and also noticed that Alan and the princesses were indeed gone. Martin clenched his fists, “That’s it.” Martin walked upstairs and grabbed some clothes as he came back down stairs, “Were going back.” Applejack looked at Martin with worry as he pulled out the key, “But Sortitus said…” Martin pressed the key to the door, “I couldn’t save all the guests…I lost them. I am NOT losing my friend and the princesses to!” The door opened as they all appeared in Twilights library. Twilight smiled at the familiar interior, “It’s good to be home.” Martin nodded solemnly, “you won’t say that when you see outside.” Martin started ascending the stair case leading to Twilight’s room to change, “I’m putting on some new clothes and then we are going to-“ *GONG!* Martin fell to the ground in a heap as a surprised Spike stood behind him with a frying pan. Everypony including Sortitus who came in the front door all yelled at the same time, “SPIKE!!” * Alan awoke and saw that he was strapped down to a chair in a dark room as Jinx, Discord, and Chrysalis appeared from the darkness. Electricity crackled along Alan’s body as he writhed in his bonds, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE PRINCESSES!” Jinx smiled, “I turned them into foals for what you call shits and giggles.” Discord smiled, “But that’s nothing compared to what we have planned for you.” Chrysalis ran a hoof along Alan’s face, “don’t worry though. It won’t hurt…you.”