//------------------------------// // Prologue: Holes // Story: Diseased // by Billblok //------------------------------// Pain. There's so much pain. It hurts to even think. My forehead stings. I can barely breathe. My ribs hurt so much. I try to lift myself from the ground. Pain shoots up my front right leg. None of that hurts as much as the sickening pain of defeat. I tasted the love Shining Armor had for his wife, and got drunk in it. I lost all judgement. I thought I was truly going to defeat an entire country, and therefore let my guard slip, ultimately exposing me and... ...I can't really remember much after that. Celestia must have escaped and struck me in the back. Dirty, sneaky little brat. It takes some time before I realize somepony is waiting in front of me. I crane my neck to gaze into the blue eyes of an alicorn I don't even know exists. She's just sitting in front of me, as if this were a common occurrence. "...What do you want?" "So you're awake. I was hoping I wouldn't have to bury you." That miserable-- How dare she taunt me?! I speak through labored breaths. "Do you... even know who... I am?" "Chrysalis, queen of the changelings, and your title does very little to impress me. Especially considering what you did to my niece, and her extended family, including the majority of the population." Oh, you should be impressed. I could suck you dry if you showed me even the slightest hint of affection... I struggle to stand up. My ribs feel like they are on fire. She's still watching me. "...I fail to see how such a thing as being able to torture or kill will earn you respect. Do you not find it curious, Chrysalis?" She's walking closer. Why are you coming closer? She's sitting right next to me, eye to eye. It's a good thing she bothered to keep her breath clean... "All this careful planning, months on end of infiltration to weaken our defenses... There were bound to be casualties, yet none of our soldiers were even wounded." That's it. Time to show her exactly how I feel. I don't need to attack... a well-aimed shot of saliva in her eye should do. She flinches, but she never hits me. It's relieving, but disappointing at the same time. Others would get mad. She didn't. Why didn't she? She continues on, as if I never did anything to her in the first place. "I knew weeks ago that this would happen. It is after all my duty to watch over the dreams of ponies, and changelings alike." "Where does Celestia think you are then?" The pony gazed at the sun, which was currently setting. "My sister thinks I'm still resting in preparation for the next night. We both agree that it is not really her place to know what I do behind the scenes." She turns back to me, and for some reason her gaze softens. "But I think it's time I told you what I'm here for. You must face your fears." My ears fall flat against my skull. Don't you dare talk about that, you monster! "You're diseased, Chrysalis; you and every one of your changelings." No, we are NOT! Stop saying that!! "It's quite clear to me and anypony who has ever glimpsed you. I know those holes aren't just how you look." "Shut up..." "You need help, and quickly." "SHUT UP!!" She stops for a moment, and then she still continues! "Chrysalis, I have no power to fix this. Only the elements of harmony could possibly help you. However, most ponies think you and your kind are cruel, self-centered, cheating, greedy, and cynical." "SHUT UP!!" I scream. I shiver uncontrollably as my hooves clamp over my ears, trying to drown out whatever horrible words she's saying. How dare she?! Who is she to come to me, queen of the changelings, call me these things, and dare say that I need anyone?! That blue wretch!! I've had enough!! I've had enough of this...! Stop... Please... My body suddenly feels warm. I stare in shock. Is she hugging me?! No, I had to get out. I struggle for a few moments, then pain shoots up my leg again. My head's rested under her chin. Am I crying? I feel exposed... Her hoof gently rubs my back. Her words fill my ears once more, but more in a whisper than anything else. I make no more effort to drown out the voice. What's the point? "Do not despair," She soothes. "You can always prove them wrong. Aside from that, there is one pony I know personally that does not care what you did, and I'm sure there are plenty of others." My words come out as if I'm a scared little nymph who had came to see the queen for the first time. "H-how do I f-find that pony...?" She chuckles a little. "There's no need to find her, Chrysalis; she has already found you. You've been in a coma for the past week, and she's about to wake you up." I gasp as I feel her lips touch my forehead with all the tenderness of a mother to her newborn. "Good luck," she whispers, smiling. The world flashes white, and my eyes slowly and agonizingly open. I hear crying. Who's crying? My eyes focus, and there's a pegasus mare next to me. She must have been crying for a while. What's the matter? Did her rabbit die or something? "N-n-no... Don't die on me... You have to be alright, you have to; I gave you f-first aid, P-please open your eyes!!" I tried to move. My body burned. I whimper in pain. Then I see her face. I lay there, stunned as she cries with overjoyed relief. A spirit of harmony wants me to live? Why? There must be some other motivation, Ponies don't just weep over a nearly dead changeling...