//------------------------------// // The Cocoon of Chrysalis Cracks // Story: Foal Necromancer // by Kytranis //------------------------------// So I've got a riddle for you. What do you do when you're steadily being given a migraine by what's basically a pixie, and a small child. Both of which seem to be nothing short of smitten with you, are completely convinced that you are their 'bestest friend ever', and get hyper off of the air itself. What you have at your disposal are vast necromantic powers, the ability to jump out of your body and into another dimension. What you have moving against you is a cold that will not go away, a building headache and a severe limitation on any non-necromantic magic and you're not allowed to kill anything without loosing much much more than you can afford. If you're answer is to fake how severe the cold is and complain about missing lunch then congratulations, we think alike. Most would suggest a nice comfortable hemp necktie that goes backwards, and invite you to be the man of honour at a public event. Do not fall for it. “Were those two really so bad?” Luna asks me and I nod. “I doubt that, now finish your lunch, and don't start complaining that it's stale it was you who insisted to... come with... me...” Luna states trying to tease me but failing as I blast the fruit with some necromantic energy to put the crispness back into it. My lunch is now the living dead. “Are you sure that's wise?” she asks and I grin. “Yes, I used to do it all the time to preserve my food. Or turn something rotten into something I can eat. Although, I over did it once and my food tried to turn the tables... luckily I can take away energy too at close range.” I state and Luna's giving me a look I cannot decipher. “What?” “You're very blase about such things. It's... refreshing, yet endlessly startling.” Luna notes and I groan. “What?” “There wasn't more than a few hours at the absolute most between the first changeling transformation and my changing Chrysalis. We need to be ready for her to come out.” I say and Luna nods and looks sideways. “Well... she must have been more complicated than a normal changeling right?” Luna asks and I nod. “Then we should have a bit more time than that.” Luna says and I nod. “Hopefully we'll have the time to tell Celly when she comes back tomorrow. Cadence and Shining Armour are also due back then as well.” Luna says and I blink. “It could also be a bad thing. If Chrysalis wakes up surrounded by those she see's as enemies she's going to freak out, and with good reason too.” I say and Luna sighs, but I think she's agreeing with me. “And what exactly are you proposing? We need to take control of this from the moment she emerges or she could take this so badly that we'll end up with the Flutter-Ponies waging war on Equestria rather than the Changelings.” Luna says and I can only agree. “We need to make sure she's not overwhelmed and comfortable enough not to run.” I say and Luna gives me a look. Why can I never decipher what her facial expressions are? “She's a disguise expert that has lost that talent, I doubt she could run if we had to... dispose of her...” Luna suggests and I nod. “Reasonable, but... you don't survive as the 'bad guy' for over a century without being very good at running away. From what I understand she's been at it longer.” I say and Luna nods and sighs. “Is it you that's bringing this sheer amount of complication into my life?” Luna asks and I snort. “Most of it seems local, but probably. If things go wrong, it's usually me.” I admit with a grin as I quickly eat my lunch. “Well if you've finished inhaling your lunch, I must ask, do you have any plans?” Luna asks me and I shrug before thinking a little. “Actually, if I can get my hands on a book of divination magic I'd appreciate it.” I say and she nods before gesturing back to my bed. I sigh before climbing onto it and getting myself comfortable. I turn back to the book of myths and legends and find myself very bored... History is basically in the making in this country and I'm reading about it instead. “Restless?” Luna asks as I fidget. “What tipped you off?” I ask a little acidly. “Many things, mostly that I'm getting to know you.” Luna states and I blink. “There's also the fact that all the action you're familiar with just isn't going to arrive from Equestria.” she says and I sigh and nod. “Also it's been a very, very long time since I was last sick, so this disease is really, really annoying.” I say with a sniff before I force down a cough. It's like something is wriggling in my throat and I have to choke it up, but it's not coming. I roll over onto my back after a bit. The book just isn't as interesting anymore now that I know for a fact my day to day life would likely be in it. I just stare up at the ceiling and try to organize my thoughts, I ignore the scratching of the quill and shuffling of papers from where Luna is. I take stock of the past few days again and the sheer change still boggles me. Not so much as before, but that's probably because I'm adapting. That and every time I showed Luna a little bit of trust it's only turned out well. It's just so... unusual... and I really have to stop dwelling on it. I wrench my train of thought away from that direction and find myself in circles again. There's nothing I can really do but wait now, and trust that something supposedly infinitely older and wiser than me will act the part. That still leaves me with nothing to do and in house arrest. Now that I honestly think about it it's actually kind of sweet. A goddess who has to take care of an entire species, has singled me out to personally care for. It's nice... but kind of dull at the moment. Oh gods I'm bored! What the hell is the matter with me, why am I so anxious? Nothing is happening till later, so why do I want to scream? I let out a huge suffering sigh, and in the corner of my eye I can see Luna giving me a strange look. So boring... So bored! What in the hell is wrong with me?! I'm a hundred and seventy six years old! What the hell does a few hours mean to the likes of me? A ton of irritation and impatience it would seem. I can't stop squirming and wanting to rush around. “Is something wrong?” Luna asks and I sigh explosively. “My childhood is getting to me. I'm bored out of my skull. Where's that book I've asked for? Did you not have it sent for?” I ask and she sighs. “No, it's been five minutes.” Luna says and I blink. “It's felt like a half hour at least.” I remark and she starts laughing softly. “No, just five minutes. In another five I'll be finished. We'll grab the book then.” Luna says and I nod. After what feels like an eternity later I find myself on my back and staring at the ceiling again, and wondering when this will ever end. I just squirm around a bit trying to get comfortable I feel around my body for necromantic energy and can sense all sorts of... tiny things inside me. Oh that's unnerving. I try and focus them up towards my throat so I can spit them out but it's like they grew into massive needles! I jump in pain and shake myself. Luna's staring at me but I ignore her. This is personal now. I focus on each of the little things inside me and there are so many it's mind boggling, but I focus regardless. Then I pull at the necromantic energy empowering them. It's slippery and hard work. The corpses don't want to give up their energy and I have to focus on each one in turn. Uhg... this is a pain. “Night-Shade...” Luna says through my focus. “In a moment.” I reply, I need to finish this. I already feel a little better and I'm about a quarter done. “Night-Shade...” Luna says again and I frown. “Just a moment, I'm stealing the life of the sicknesses!” I say and I soon find myself three fourths finished. That's when I feel a huge burst of spiritual energy. Oh what now honestly? Oh wait... the Flutter-Ponies... oh shit! Chrysalis! My eyes snap open the sickness forgotten as I jump up and look around. Luna is gone and there is a book titled 'The Beginner's Guide to Divination' in front of me. How long was I focusing like that? No time to think, I need to get to the dungeons before Chrysalis is fully hatched! But I can't move that fast, not physically at least. Not... physically, but maybe spiritually... I close my eyes and focus. I feel a cluster of diamonds in the distance. I quickly look for the largest and find it with ease, there is another infinitely huge soul nearby it. Luna... I wrap my body in my own aura and pull it into the aether before shooting forwards as a lance of spirit energy. “Charon!!” Luna says in shock as the cocoon cracks further. I shake my head to try and clear the feeling of vertigo fading into and out of the aether so quickly can do to someone. “I thought you were killing your sickness...” she says and I shrug. “I'm almost done, besides, this is far more important than my sniffles.” I tell Luna and she chuckles a little. At that moment something collided with the back of my head! “Night-Shade!” Wind-Song called out happily and just as she does so there is a massive rush of spiritual energy as every single changeling cocoon cracks open. “Wow!” she exclaims happily. “Are they my family?” She asks excitedly as numerous Flutters shoot out of their cocoons. “Yes they are, why don't you tell them everything you know and help them find names?” I ask and the tiny pony shoots off towards the growing swarm. There's another crack from Chrysalis's cocoon, and I realize that with so many nearby that the first thing I call her is likely what they're going to try and name her. Okay think fast... think faster she's pushing her way out... Her fur is now the colour her hair used to be and she has deep blue hair. What's interesting is that she's my size, so does that mean she's a child again or is that as big as she'll get? Well... I suppose only observation will tell at this point. My eyes widen when her wings light up and now look like sunlight in the shape of wings rather than wings themselves and she flutters up into the air. Then turns. “Morning Sweetheart, how are you?” I ask in a friendly tone before anyone can say anything, and in the seconds of silence that follow she is then bombarded with Flutter-Ponies. “Momma Sweet-Heart!” All fifty of the bombardiers shout. I can't help but notice that several hundred look like they want to bombard her themselves and there are several thousand more all watching with interest. “Wh-wh-what!? You! You're all alright!” Chrysalis exclaims in both confusion and joy as she and her living swarm of hugs and kisses practically lifts her up. At this the few hundred that were holding back charge and increase the swarm. A lot of them are giggling so I back up from the overly happy flying pile. “Uhm... she's crying is this a good or bad thing?” I ask Luna who smiles at me. “Tears of joy, I hope.” Luna states and Chrysalis/Momma Sweat-Heart looks to the both of us with disbelief. “He did it?” Luna sort of asks sort of accuses while gesturing towards me. “Well... yes she's right. I did.” I say plainly and I cannot read her expression. I really need to get used to ponies. “Are you going to do something about it?” I challenge her and she blinks before glancing to the huge swarm watching from behind me. “Why?” she asks in a child-like voice and I shrug. “Well... I'm trying to change so... why not?” I ask in return, she just keeps staring at me. This is getting uncomfortable. There is an amazing silence in this dungeon. “Is there something on my face?! Say something!” I say after the silence goes on for too long for my comfort. At this Chrysalis's face turns into a scowl and she gestures to the next cell over. “Right... this way please.” I say extending my aura into the next cell which is empty. I walk over to the former Changeling Queen and simply touch her nose before yanking us both over there. “Keep your voice down. Now, what do you want?” I ask her and she gawks at me for a moment. “Why?!” she demands and I frown. “You're going to have to be more specific than that.” I say and she scowls at me. “Why did you do this to me... no. HOW DARE YOU do this to me!?” She demands screaming into my face and I lean back a little. I think she spit on me a bit. “I'm sorry, is the willing monster, mass-murderess and deceiver trying to lecture me about morality?” I ask plainly sticking my face right into hers. We're eye to eye, they're almost touching. My goodness we have enormous eyes. “That... I never went so far as to forcibly alter someone!” She says clearly grasping at straws. “No, you just stuffed innocent civilians into dark cramped tombs to starve and suffocate and scream in the darkness.” I snarl at her before snorting. “Not that I'm much better though. I'd wager I've killed more people and or ponies than you.” I say casually, and I pull back and let the hostility fall of my features. “What? What are you, really?” she asks and I sigh. “Really? I'm a necromancer that's getting close to his second century. I've spent at least a century and a half as the mortal enemy of society. I've died time after time. I've killed thousands, if not hundred of thousands of people who came after me for either a bounty on my head or for revenge.” I tell her and she sits down. “As a master deceiver yourself, you can probably tell if someone's lying. You know I'm being honest.” I say and she nods dumbly. “Now, on to the why. I have somehow stumbled on a true second chance. This is so... unexpected that it's taken a lot for me to believe it. However, since second chances are so in... well in season. I decided to see what would happen if you got one.” I say and she's now staring at me. “So I'm just some experiment? Is that it? Just a speck of pity and curiosity?” she hisses at me and I shake my head. “No. I just figured it was better than killing you. Am I wrong?” I ask and she takes a nervous step back. “I'll take that as a no.” “That still doesn't give you the right to do such a thing...” she hisses at me regaining her courage. “You're right, it doesn't.” I say and she looks completely stunned that I'm agreeing with her. “Still, would you like to hear about your new options? Because I'm sure you're resourceful enough, and that your children are loyal enough to go through with a you changing yourself and all of them back into changelings.” I say and she blinks. “To put it simply, you have a fresh start. No more need for harvesting love, no more need for murder, or deception, or even hostility. A peaceful, joyful, almost risk free life for you and your children.” I explain and her eyes widen, then narrow. “Almost?” She asks biting on the word. “Nothing is ever truly without risk, Sweet-Heart.” I say reinforcing her new name and she blinks. “But think of it this way.” I continue now walking around her. “Chrysalis the changeling queen was a loathed enemy of all sentient life. Hated by everyone for her deceitful and murderous ways. However, Sweet-Heart, the all mother of the Flutter-Ponies is something new. Something attached to a race of loving and helpful little ponies. You tell me which life sounds better. The enemy of all? Or the bringer of a joy?” I ask and she's frozen. “It's a clean break.” I take a few steps away and sit down across from her, just waiting for an answer. She seems paralysed with indecision. “Wait here a minute.” I say before covering myself with my aura and quickly using it to jaunt back to Luna. “How's it going?” Luna asks and I sigh. “She can't make up her mind. I think she's mostly in the place I was, the deal is too good. The offering is so sweet that it has to be bait for a trap.” I say and Luna sighs at this. “Is Momma Sweet-Heart going to be alright?” A flutter-pony I don't know asks me and I shrug. “I don't know, she's not hurt... but... she thinks she will be. She... is more scared than anything. Help her.” I tell the little creature and it's gone, and probably nuzzling and comforting Chrysalis. “She needs time, which we might not be able to give to her.” Luna says with a sigh as she walks out of the cell with the fragments of the cocoon in it and to the next one with the former changeling queen gently cuddling a Flutter-Pony. She get's a look of terror when she opens the cell door. “Come on then, if you want out of here it's best you come now.” she says gently and Chrysalis backs up nervously. “Maybe I should escort her... where do you want her to be?” I ask Luna and she gives me a look. “You are still in trouble young stallion! I said it once and I'll say it again, until I can trust you not to get into more trouble I'm keeping an eye on you at all times! Understand?!” Luna barks at me and I back off. I can see Chrysalis is staring at me... and Luna throws me a wink... What? Is she trying to make me seem more... weak or approachable or... something... all I can tell is that that display was to take down some of Chrysalis's defences. Well if it works, it works I guess. “Mom please? I... I don't think she'll feel safe with both of us here meaning we will have to separate.” I say trying to sound as reasonable as possible. If I've guessed things correctly this is where she wants to go with this... “Very well, there is much that needs attending too, however, there will be a guard with the two of you at all times.” Luna states calmly and I nod. “Fair enough.” I state sounding resigned and Luna turns into a purple cloud with stars in it that shoots away into the distance. “So uhm... care to follow me?” I ask and she stares at me. “Please? Momma Sweet-Heart please? He's really nice...” Wind-Song says landing on my head. I must presume she's giving the puppy dog eyes because Chrysalis's resolve seems to be breaking. “I want you to swear that you will do all in your power to assure no harm comes to me.” she says and I walk up to her until there's only a small space between us. “I swear by Shurrok on Bytopia, by Death, and by my very soul that I will do all in my power to assure that no harm comes to you.” I say earnestly, honestly I doubt I'll have to do much. Ponies don't seem to have the stomach for hard core combat. Especially with that cultural taboo on violence. “Oh... oh my...” she says her cheeks turning pink. Wait, what? Is she blushing?! My jaw drops and she coughs into a hoof. “That came across rather gallantly.” she says and my jaw closes. I guess... maybe truth to her and not who she's impersonating means a lot to this... woman? Girl? Or rather mare or filly... “Hey! Both of their faces are turning pink! Why are you two looking up? Is something on the ceiling?” Wind-Song asks before devoting her whole body to looking upwards while hovering between us. A minute passes in awkward silence. “That didn't happen.” She says eventually, I nod. “What didn't happen?” Wind-Song asks curiously. “Exactly.” I say, could this get any more awkward? Actually yes, Luna could have been here. “So, shall we get out of here?” “To where?” she asks pointedly and I frown. “Do you want to stay in the dungeon?” I ask just as pointedly. “No.” she quickly replies. “Then follow me.” I tell her and she sighs, but complies. “I'm not completely sure what's about to happen but I can assume you're going to be living in the castle from here on out. I trust you know it better than I do.” I say and she nods in my peripheral vision. “You don't have to lag behind you know, we're not heading to an execution or anything.” I say and the second it's out of my mouth I know I screwed up. She's gone. There's a cloud of dust where she was standing and she's outright teleported to the far end of the hallway. “Oh for the love of... this is going to be a long day.” I say to myself walking down to where she is. “Come on, am I going to have to drag you out of here?” I ask and mentally kick myself as once again I'm as blunt as a mace. “You swore to keep me safe!” she protests quickly looking one way to another. “You're just panicking. A new body has new chemicals, so you'll be overreacting for a while.” I say trying to be reasonable. I duck under a thrown brick. How did she get a brick loose? “Stop that.” “Swear it again! Swear that you'll keep me safe!” She shouts at me and the whole Flutter-Pony swarm seems to be agitated. “If it comes to such things, I will jump in front of an arrow for you.” I tell her and she pauses before her face starts glowing pink. This... this is embarrassing. I scratch the back of my neck and look away. As I do so I spot a widely grinning Luna watching from behind us. “How long have you been there?” “Long enough to wish I brought a camera!” Luna exclaims happily. “Those... instant portrait machines right?” I ask in a bit of confusion and I can make out Sweet-Heart's jaw dropping. “Exactly where are you from again?” Sweet-Heart asks and I sigh. “I uh... kinda got knocked here from another world.” I admit as I turn back to her and she's staring at me. “I was kicked out... they really hated me there.” “If you two love birds are finished...” Luna says and I jump away to my left as if an arrow had been coming for me. “Lovebirds!? Are you insane?! He's a... a monster! I don't think he's even a pony!” Sweet-Heart says pointing a hoof at me. I'm a little offended. “Is that what you think?” I ask her pointedly. “Is what, what I think!?” she demands hotly, now she's angry... I wasn't like this was I? Wait it hasn't been that long. If I started like this then... well I am still basically starting out here... “Please tell me I'm not like this.” I say towards Luna who just smiles. I really hate it when she does that. “Besides, I'm positive she's too old for me. By a couple centuries at least.” I remark towards Sweet-Heart who glares at me. “And you're nothing but a brat who thinks that having power gives you the right to use it! How old are you!? Twenty? Thirty maybe?!” Sweet-Heart demands and I grin. “A hundred and seventy six...” I say and her jaw drops. “From your reaction I can trust I don't look a day over thirty.” I say ironically pushing my voice up into the tones of an even younger child. Sometimes irony can be oh so delicious, and that expression of hers! Just perfect. “Are you purring?” She demands after a moment and I look down and spot Bones hiding in my shadow. He fixes a glare at me. “No, but Bones was making his presence known.” I say before the cat climbs rather than jumps onto my back. He uses his claws. “And he's clearly upset with me. I'm thinking the purring was sarcastic.” I note and the cat stands on my head before nodding solemnly. “REOW!” The kitten shouts in my ear and I flinch. “Okay! I get it, you're hungry and I'm sorry. Sweet-Heart, care to go to the kitchens with me? The fuzz-ball here is hungry.” I offer and she stares at the kitten in absolute horror for a bit. “He has an attitude problem, but Bones is mostly a guardian beast. If nothing is trying to attack me or something he likes he's pretty much just a cat. One that I can understand at least.” I explain and she nods. “Oh fine, I can see where this is going.” I say and Luna coughs in her hoof. “Bones, I want you to protect Sweet-Heart as well until she feels safe. Understand?” I order the cat and he locks eyes with me before nodding. “So he... eep!” Sweet-Heart starts before Bones jumps off my head and approaches her. “Is he going to hurt me?” she asks her voice quivering. “No, he's getting close so he can intercept anything after you. If he likes you then there is nothing to fear, period. You should know from experience how unholy strong he is.” I say and she nods warily. “Uhm... nice kitty?” Sweet-Heart tries and flinches when bones jumps up onto her head and sits down comfortably. He let's out a quiet mew but is just looking around otherwise. “What?” she asks. “Apparently your head is more comfortable than mine.” I say in a bone dry tone. She blinks before trying to fight down a snicker. Luna coughs into her hoof again. “Did you catch my cold? Has it mutated into some sort of plague?” I ask and she shakes her head. “I just wanted to say that Celly, Cadance and Shining Armour will be back tomorrow in time for lunch. I want you to start thinking about how you want to face the future and your plans.” She says pointing at Sweet-Heart and I blink. “And you and I need to figure out how to break the news of everything that's happened to the three of them.” she says gesturing to me now and I nod. “Now play nice you two.” she says and I nod. Then she's gone. Just gone. Again, no rush of power, no hint of teleportation. Just gone. “How did she do that?” Sweet-Heart asks sounding a little shocked. “I don't know. Still... let's get to it. I'm not exactly comfortable in a dungeon.” I say and she nods and finally follows me. Wait... is this what Luna wanted to do? How much of this is planned by her and how much is just good luck?