//------------------------------//
// The Queen 
// Story: New Years Shipping Challenge:  Spike & Chrysalis 
// by Kaille 
//------------------------------//

	Well this is awkward.

It is an uncomfortable situation, when one finds them self standing above the near-dead form of someone who tried to hurt their family.  Only days after, too.  This is where I find myself.

Lying at my feet, two days after the events of the Royal Wedding of Captain Shining Armour and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, is Queen Chrysalis.  Not only that, but there is a puddle of blood beneath her, her wings are crushed, her chitin dull and cracked in a few places, and an eye obviously swollen shut.  Her chest is barely lifting, and she is limp as a rag doll.

Around her lay the already dead bodies of five of her changeling drones, in various states of dismemberment and disembowelment.  It is quite sickening really.

Hence why I am currently on my hands and knees with a puddle in front of me comprising of my last meal.

I am unsure how long I have been like this; the effects my stomach are having on me have caused time to blur.  But I do know why I am here.

Eight days ago, I was on my way to Zecora's hut in the Everfree forest to pick up a potion for Twilight.  On the way I noticed through the trees on the side of the path that a large swath of branches and bushes had been snapped and trampled, leaving a trail through the woods.  Despite the danger it posed, my curiosity snuffed the protests that the sensible part of my brain was spouting, and I followed the path.

I walked down the winding trail of destruction, and eventually it reached a clearing with two Timberwolves deeply sleeping around the carcass of an animal.  What said animal was, is up for debate; it was too mutilated to identify.  I hastily - but quietly - backtracked, wishing to escape the danger zone surrounding the carnivores.  As I followed the trail back, however, I discovered a large, odd-looking grey rock.  I examined it, and as I walked around it, I tripped over a root and landed on my belly in front of the stone.

Right in front of my face, was a black hole masked mostly by vines.

I stood back up and brushed myself off before brushing the vines aside, revealing a cave going downward.  Ever curious, I made it a goal to explore the cave as soon as possible.

So here I am, at the edge of the Everfree Forest, on the way to go explore said cave, and here I find the Queen of the Changelings.

I pick myself up, albeit shakily, and carefully step over to the queen.  I take the stick I have my lunch tied to, and gently prod her with one end of it before jumping back, ready for anything.

She groans and a hoof twitches.

I stand there, breathing heavily, ignoring the bodies around me, and finally muster up the courage to act.  I grab some of the vines from the trees around me, a large leaf, and a couple of large sticks, and fashion a hammock.  I carefully load her onto it, and drag her with me to the cave.

If she wakes up, I want some answers as to why she hurt my friends and family.





A couple of hours later and I am now sitting upon a small, flat rock inside the cave, with Chrysalis at the other end of the chamber, propped against the wall.  I rested her chin on a small outcropping from the wall, keeping her head up and throat unobstructed, allowing her to continue her ragged breathing.

I am eating a sandwich, watching her, waiting for her to do something.  I have my stick from before, and now, I also have a small pointed rock strapped to the end of it, fashioning it into a small spear - that's what they always do in the books, make a simple weapon - resting at my side within easy reaching distance.  I tried to recall what little I knew of her race.

They are insectoid, with the ability to shapeshift into other ponies - hence the name changeling - and feed off of emotions.  Ahh, yes, there's the important part.  They don't need to eat like other races, they suck in the emotions from the ponies around them for sustenance.  It would make sense, then, that she needs those emotions to heal as well, like how we use the nutrients we garner from eating to heal.

Come to think of it, that would explain why her condition hasn't improved at all.  Then again, it's also a miracle it hasn't gotten worse - she doesn't have access to anypony's emotions right now to feed.

Well, except my own.

But I highly doubt disgust and pity are very fulfilling for a meal.

I was brought out of my musings by a surprising display of life from the changeling queen; she groaned and shifted ever so slightly her position.  I stopped chewing my current bite of sandwich, and slowly leaned over, grabbing my spear.  I held it tipped towards her, and resumed eating.





I had finished eating with no more signs of life from the queen, and decided it was safe to go you use the bathroom.  I walked up to the mouth of the cave and quickly went about my business, and returned.  This is the interesting part.

Her eye is open now.  Glassy and dull, but she is semi-conscious.

She heard me coming back down, and I could tell she tried to leave, because her legs twitched a few times and she grimaced.  Then, realizing her plight, her eye widened and came into focus, darting about the room in panic.  She started to desperately try and get up, and a couple of the lacerations along her sides started to ooze again.

"Relax.  You're only goin to make things worse.  You're safe for now, changeling."

I could still see the fear in her eye, but now she was simply tensed up.  She let out a small whine, and her eye slowly slid over to look at me.

Wanting to keep an air of superiority, and feeling confident in her lack of mobility, I had walked right up to her, and was eye to eye with her.  As such, her vision was filled with draconian eyes only, making me seem larger to her.  Her pupil dilated, realizing she was alone in a cave with a dragon.

I smirked, having had my fun.  I stepped back and sat on my rock again so she could see the entirety of me; a baby dragon.  When I turned back, her expression was quite comical.  One eyebrow was raised, the other lowered, her pupil at a normal size, the corner of her mouth turned up, in the perfect 'wtf?' expression.  I couldn't help myself, and a few laughs escaped me, genuine mirth expressed.

"Okay, sorry, that was good."  I said after regaining my composure.  She looked at me, annoyed, and appeared to try to speak, but all that came out was a wheeze, followed by a wracking cough that threw up a bit of blood.  I stopped, and after a pause approached her.  She grew incredibly wary, tensing again.  I held up a bottle of water I had been nursing.  "Here.  You need some."  I held it to her mouth, and still distrustful but left with no other options, she opened up.  I slowly tipped the water back, just enough to wet her throat, and paused to allow her to swallow.  She pushed the water down with an expression of bliss across her features, and her mouth widened to beckon for more.  I obliged, and for a few minutes I slowly fed her the water.

There was already a noticable improvement in her demeanor; she could now afford the energy to maintain a constant scowl directed at me.  I bristled slightly.  "Well, you're welcome for saving your life.  Don't need to say thanks, oh no."  I scowled right back, and suddenly surprise donned her features.  I turned away and walked over to the supplies I had brought, and grabbed the book I brought with me.  I settled down to read and glanced at her just before starting, and this time, it was my turn to be surprised.

She had a look of sorrow, guilt, and regret, showcased across the chitin of her snout.  She was staring at the floor, frowning, and her limbs managed to appear even more limp and lifeless then before.  I raised an eyebrow at her, curious.  "What?"

Startling her out of her thoughts, her eye widened and she met my eyes.  Her pupil dilated again, attempting to mask her feelings, but having already gotten a glimpse of them, I could read through her mask.  "You can't hide your sadness from me.  If you can talk, you might as well spit it out."

She winced at the terse tone I used with her.  She looked back to the ground, and appeared to think for a few moments before she tried to speak.  She managed to squeeze out a single, raspy word;

"Sorry."





As one will expect, that is the last word I ever expected to hear come from her mouth.  I tried to ask her why, but she had expelled enough energy as it was; she fell right back asleep.  It had also started getting late as well, so I used some of the paper I brought to map out the cave and left her a note letting her know I had to return home and I would be back tomorrow, and sat it near enough for her to see it.  I assume she can read; she had to pose as a pony for most of her life anyway, and that would be a bit of a necessary skill to stay inconspicuous.

As I made the trek home, I lost all track of my surroundings and the time; I trusted my feet to take me where I needed to go.  I grew engrossed with my thoughts; Should I tell the others about her?  They would want to know, but. . .  They were hurt more directly by her, Twi especially.  They would want to turn her in.  But if they try that, she'll die.  So is it right for me to keep her a secret and nurse her back to health?

But if I do that, she could escape when shes strong enough and not answer for her crimes. . .  Gah, why did I have to find her?!  She is going to add a million complications to my life!  I sighed and looked up from my musings to find I was already at the library.  I grabbed the door handle and walked inside.  "Hey, Twi!  I'm back!"

"There you are!  You said you were going exploring, but never said where or for how long!  I was worried sick!"  She said, coming down the stairs with a book levitating in her grasp.

I chuckled.  "Yeah, I did."

She gave me a stern look.  "Now, Spike, don't lie!"

I gave her a flat stare.  "Encyclopedia on The Wild:  Tracking Edition."

She blinked.  "Huh?"

"You were pulling it down off the shelf when I said it.  You missed what I said, so I wrote it down and left a note in the kitchen."  I sighed, shaking my head.  "Have you even eaten today, Twilight?"

She blushed, chuckling nervously.  "Eh heh heh. . .  No?"

I groaned.  "I'll go make you something."

She grinned.  "Oh, thank you!"  She ruffled my spines with her hoof, much to my irritation, and I playfully pushed her hoof away, laughing.





The next day, I returned, but this time I had a backpack of supplies; first aid, food, rags for napkins, extra water, a pot and fire starting kit, more quills and paper, an inkwell, and a blanket.  I followed the trail through the brush again - it's starting to regrow, going to need to find a way to mark this area - and re-entered the cave.  The queen sat where I left her, examining the walls of the cave in boredom.  I stopped just out of her line of sight, watching her.  She attempted to move a hoof.  It quivered and slid out an inch, but thats about it.  She sighed dejectedly, and resumed her study of the rocks around her.

"I'm back."  I suddenly said, startling her, drawing out a surprised yelp.  I chuckled, shaking my head, and walked over to my rock from the day before.  I sat the backpack next to it and looked at her.  She looked right back at me, straight in the eyes, with an unreadable expression.  I grabbed the backpack and started speaking again.  "I brought more water, and some food as well.  I know you feed off emotion, but I imagine hard food can still keep you alive yes?"  I looked back at her, and her eye expressed irritation.  "Still can't talk properly?  If so, just grunt."

She grunted.

I smiled.  "Well, okay.  Back to the food; one grunt it will keep you alive, two grunts no.

She grunted.

I waited a few seconds, and after not receiving a second grunt, I nodded.  "Alright.  I also brought a first aid kit.  I don't know what I can use to help you, different body chemistry and all, so I will ask if something is safe.  One grunt yes, two no.  Okay?"

She seemed to be getting more and more surprised by the care I'm extending for her.  But, she grunted.

"Good."  I pulled out the kit and walked over to her, opening it up and laying it next to her against a rock.  I grabbed some bandages and held them up.

Grunt.

I paused, and then grabbed some ointment for burn care.

Grunt.

Again I paused, and grabbed antibacterial cream.

Grunt.  Grunt.

Nodding, I put that back in the kit.  Then, I grabbed alcohol.  "This would hurt, but I'll need to clean out your wounds.  The ointment is enchanted to clean on it's own, but this is our only option now."

She winced, but grunted once.

I nodded again, and bearing the supplies, I walked up to her.  I started with the burns, being easier to care for, and applied ointment.  Based on the way she just sighed, I'm going to assume it's working.  I then took the alcohol after taking care of the worst of the burns, and turned to her.  "Get ready."

She grunted, and then grimaced, preparing for the pain.  Just before applying though, I though of something.  "Hold that thought."  I stood up and returned to my bag, grabbing a rag and some water.  I walked up to her face and asked.  "You can still clench your jaw, cant you?"

She stared at me and grunted.

I rolled up the rag and poured a bit of water onto it.  I lifted it to her mouth and explained myself.  "We dont want you hurting your jaw or tongue, and you need to drink.  I'm going to put this in your mouth, so when you clench your mouth, it won't hurt you more, and you will get a drink.  Okay?"

She grunted again, gratitude visible in her eye.

She opened her mouth carefully, and I gently deposited the rag between her jaws.  She closed back down on it, and sucked a little water out right away, relaxing as it rolled down her throat.  I smirked and walked back over to the alcohol and her worst wounds.  "Okay, I'm starting now."  I opened the alcohol, and poured a small amount across the length of one of the worse cuts.  She made the closest noise she could to a scream in her condition, coming out more as a high pitched, crackly moan.  I dabbed it down with one bandage, and started rolling another around her body, gently picking her up to get it all the way around.  She whimpered and had her eye squeezed shut, tears rolling from it.  I continued to treat her wounds for a good hour, and after I finished the last major one, she appeared more white than black.

I returned to her head after, and she opened her eye to look at me, weary and in agony.  I grimaced.  "Sorry.  I had to."

She grunted once in agreement, so I sighed.  I grabbed the water again and removed the rag from her mouth, giving her a drink for the next few minutes.





Honestly, I'm not even sure why I am caring for her so much.

After I finished giving her the water I cooked a little bit of solid food for us, and went off to start exploring.  I'm using the inkwell and a quill to mark the walls behind me, allowing myself to find the way back, and I have been marking the general idea of the tunnels on a scroll as I go.  My draconic eye sight allows me to see enough in the dark to know where I'm going.

Anyway, back to the topic at hoof; I am baffling myself as to why I am helping this villain.  Perhaps, in her weakened state, I simply can't see any threat in her.  Maybe it's some sort of morbid curiosity to see how long she will survive.  Or maybe I am generally more compassionate and forgiving than I previously thought.  I don't know.  But one thing is for sure; I am trying to keep her alive as long as possible.  I started to descend down one of the passage ways, seeming to spiral my way downward.

She has definitely improved over time, and is regaining her strength.  Although even I can tell magic for her will be a long time coming.  She has been able to actually shuffle her hooves and wings a couple of inches every so often, so she is regaining mobility.  The tunnel stopped twisting and the incline lessened.

Perhaps she will be able to actually walk a short distance in a few days.  This is a cause of worry for me however; she might leave, and not properly answer for her crimes.  Well, one can argue nearly dying might be enough, but that doesn't mean she is sorry for her past wrongs.  The tunnel split in two directions now, one dropping down a pit, and the other elevating, with a stream of water flowing down.  I proceeded up, following the water to its source.

Maybe I can not only learn the justification for all she has done, but something about the changelings as a whole.  Maybe bring some information to Twilight.  I would have to be carfeul, though; she would get very suspicious if I just handed her notes on them.  The tunnel continued to ascend, but the sound of falling water grew, and I noticed a large opening ahead with light.  I trudged furthur.

I would have to drop hints; ask questions, and say things like opinions, not facts.  See how she receives it.  But then, my sudden interest in the changelings would cause suspicion.  I will need to find a way to make this work.  But I should focus on my exploration again; the end of the tunnel is just ahead.

When I reached it, my jaw dropped.  I found myself in a massive cavern, stalagmites and stalactites littering the ceiling and floor everywhere, massive pools of stagnant water, and off to the far right, a waterfall cascading from another tunnel opening high up in the wall.  The dominant structure to the cavern, though, was one stalactite hanging from the ceiling near the far wall.  It was large enough that if hollowed out near the top it could fit a full grown dragon.  Along the outside of the stone structure were dozens of holes large enough to comfortably fit four full grown Alicorns, and one hole roughly central in the pillar big enough for thirteen, as best I could tell from my lower vantage and the distance I was from it.

When I examined the surrounding cavern, I noticed a ledge around the walls near the ceiling, leading to a stone bridge connecting with the central pillar that seemed impossible to have been formed naturally.  My suspicions of this being a fabricated bridge seemed to have been well founded when my gaze followed from it, down the ledge, to a stone stairwell carved into the wall, proceeding down around halfway to the floor, and stopping at a cave mouth on a ledge overlooking one of the lakes.  Under the lake was a dark splotch with light deep within it.

As to the light allowing me to see the rest of the cavern. . .

The stalactites suspended form the ceiling had crystals of various hues protruding from them, charged with natural magical energy.  A few, however, followed ther path along the wall and seemed to be perfectly spherical, suspended by stalactites that met the stalagmites below them.  They were definitely manufactured, along with the path they illuminated.

I stood there, gawking at the enormity of it all.  It was breathtakingly beautiful in its own way, and I found myself having trouble tearing my sight away.  When I finally did, I looked at the closest lake to me.  It was also the lowest.  The stream ran next to it, leading away from the farthest lake from me at the base of the waterfall.  I approached the edge of the pool in the depression to look down at it.  I found myself curious as to what the water was like.  I walked around and down towards it to a shallow patch, and tentatively dipped a toe in it, seeing what the temperature was like.

Hot.

Hot springs hot.

It was only then that I noticed the steam hovering above the lake.  As I looked furthur into the lake, I noticed that this one wasn't lit with gemstones, but lava, underneath a thick layer of glass.  Not manufactured glass, but natural glass from when lava meets water under certain cirumstances.  The heat of the lava was going through the glass into the water, creating a natural hot spring.  I slowly lowered myself into it and sighed blissfully at the relaxing sensation.  All my worries drifted away, and I grew content.

Then I noticed a hissing sound.

I looked down at the quill I had been using to draw the map, and I had accidentally lowered it partially into the water.  It was dissolving.  Stunned by this, I lowered my head towards the water and sniffed.

It's not water.

It's acid, one I recognized from Twilight working on chemistry experiments once.  It has a sharp, bitter sort of smell, and smelled a little like burned food as well.

Thankfully my scales protected me from any damage, but now, with no method of mapping anymore, I lifted myself from the hot acid pool to return to the surface and Chrysalis.





When I arrived, Chrysalis was awake and had changed position.  She had rolled to her opposite side, leaning up against the rock I had propped the first aid kit next to.  Her forehooves were crossed, and she had her head resting on them, napping.

Surprised by the massive change in position, I walked over and and sat on my rock, staring at her.  Eventually, my stomach growled, reminding me I needed to eat.  It also served to rouse her from her sleep.

Her eyes opened - yes, the other one managed to open, so the swelling must have gone down - and she blinked, directing her gaze up at me.  Then she surprised me furthur.

"Well, hello again, dragon."

She must have really recovered fast while I was gone.  How, I have no idea.  But her voice has returned to her.  "Huh.  Hi."

She leveled a flat stare at me, unimpressed.  "How articulate."

My eyes narrowed.  "Excuse me for being surprised that you were able to move so much."  I deadpanned, turning to my bag and grabbing a sandwich.  I glanced up the tunnel entrance to see what time of day it was.  I could see the sun, meaning it is on it's descent towards nightfall.  A little time left.

I saw her tilt her head at me, a look of curiosity plastered plainly on her features.  "Why exactly is a baby dragon helping me anyway?"

I turned back to her, meeting her eyes.  "Honestly. . ?  No clue."

Curiosity morphed into confusion, and her head tilted the other way.  "What?"

I shrugged, chewing and swallowing a bite of the sandwich.  "Perhaps I want answers.  Maybe information about your race.  Maybe I want to watch you die as payment for the pain you caused my friends and family.  Or. . .  I care more than I thought.  I have no idea."

Her eyes narrowed.  "Hurt your family?  I am not stupid!  I have never crossed a dragon!  I-"

"Who said I was talking about dragons?"

She blinked, caught completely off guard.  "I- but- huh?"

I smirked.  "Now who's articulate?"  Her eyes narrowed.  "The ones I am talking about for my friends and family, are the ponies who raised me.  And what you did during the wedding hurt them.  Big time."

Her eyes grew bigger and more wary as I progressed.  "Who?"

I looked her dead in the eyes.  "Shining Armor.  Princess Cadance.  Princess Celestia.  Rainbow Dash.  Applejack.  Fluttershy.  Rarity.  Pinkie Pie.  And Twilight Sparkle."

With each name, her eyes grew wider, pupils got smaller, and her body trembled more and more.  Then, recognition.  "Y-You were there a-at the w-wedding!  Y-You're T-Twilight's-"

I cut her off.  "Assistant.  Close friend.  Adopted younger brother.  And most importantly, close family.  You hurt her.  Her friends.  Her mentor.  Her brother.  And her foalsitter, turned sister in law.  So, yeah.  You hurt the ponies closest to me."  I stood up and walked over to her, grabbing her muzzle in my claw, staring daggers from scant inches away.  "So that's why I'm confused why I am helping you.  Like I said though, a likely reason, is a method of revenge.  Don't expect forgiveness any time soon.  I plan to keep you here until I know what to do with you, though."  I turned back to the entrance to the cave, and found it was growing dark.

I looked back to the changeling I was nose to nose with, and I could see the unbridled fear in her eyes at now fully understanding my connections.  "I have to get back now.  I will be back tomorrow.  I warn you, though.  Don't try escaping or making loud noises over night; you're in the middle of the Everfree Forest."  The fear grew.  "I see you understand you can't do anything in your current state.  Good.  Now, goodnight.  Sleep well, changeling."  I spun on my heel, repacking my bag and setting off for home, leaving a quivering queen on the verge of tears in my wake.