Chapter 2
Chrysalis , Queen of the Changelings, stood threateningly over one of her subjects. The Changeling guard had a passive look on its face. Chrysalis stomped her hoof loudly on the marble floor “WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER!” she roared at her guard, green eyes burning with rage. This time, the Changeling flinched a bit, but then attempted to compose itself.
“W-We are unsure as of now.” he stuttered. “But I will order more search parties as soon as-” Chrysalis slammed her foot against the floor again.
“I DON’T CARE ABOUT SEARCH PARTIES!” She raged. “I WANT MY LITTLE BABY BACK!” she moved threateningly upon the guard, who was now cowering in fear. “All I get is a little letter, saying that my daughter has fled the Swarm, after being raped by three of my own personal guards! And look,” she said, motioning out the window, where the carcresses of two Changelings hung, spike driven through their heads, long dried blood drenching the wood, as crows and other scavengers ate the soft tissue in the mouth, and pecked at the creatures eyeballs. “THERE’S TWO OF THEM NOW! I WONDER WHERE THE THIRD IS?!” She was now towering over the terrified guard.
The guard gulped and look bravely into the eyes of his queen. “My queen, he began, “I'm incredibly sorry. But she was so young, and kind, and innocent! I could resist but to show her my loyalt-” there was sickening snap as the Changeling’s head was snapped around, so he was staring at his hindquarters. Levitating to body, Chrysalis snarled in disgusted, and tossed the body through the open window. She clopped towards the exit of her throne room, oblivious the sound of crows and vultures screech as they sped down after the body
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Queen Chrysalis walked out down a dark corridor. The only light that was to be seen was the faint glow of her horn as her hoof beats echoed in the tight passage. This was her special dungeon for those who she did not want to hear from. And this mare was definitely one she did not want to hear. It had to be her. The single most annoying pony in all of Equestria. Ahead of her she could see the illumination of a torch. A Changeling guard was there, standing tall, eyes showing no emotion. Sometimes, she preferred them like this. The Changeling bowed as she approached. “My Queen,” The guard said, “The prisoner seems to have decided to stop complaining...” He was interrupted from a high pitched voice of annoyance from behind the door he was guarding.
“Well maybe I wouldn't be complaining if you ruffians would let me go!” said a very annoyed Rarity.
The guard sighed. “Here she goes...” he said in annoyance.
“And that's another thing: what's slop you keep giving me? I am lady, and I deserve to be treated as such. And why does it smell so bad here? And there's a pony skeleton on the wall! Why haven't you bothered to clean up in here? Its so -”
“SILENCE!” Chrysalis roared. Rarity’s voice diminished to a whimper. Chrysalis sighed. “What happened to the Interrogational Changelings I ordered down here?” she asked.
The Changeling raised an eyebrow. “I was forced to remove them from the room. The interrogation got a little... out of hand.” he coughed a bit.
Chrysalis was slightly impressed that at least one Changeling had some sort of decency. “Do you have a name?” She asked. The majority of changelings would answer, “I have no name,” then idly ignore you; however, there were a select few who indeed had names. They were usually the rejects of the hive; against many things that was routine such as kidnapping ponies and the such like. Chrysalis enjoyed debating with these changelings. A spark of individuality was often necessary for her government to flow properly. But, as always, it could lead to power struggles. More than once had she had another Changeling rise up, gathering a small band of followers, and trying to seize control from her. The last rebellion had weeded out most of the changelings with individuality, which had left Chrysalis rather bored until her daughter came along.
So she was surprised when the Changeling responded, “Yes my queen. Some call me Cloud Strife.”
Chrysalis blinked. That name sounds vaguely familiar, she thought. Suddenly, a horrible memory struck her. One she had hoped she could’ve forgotten years ago. She stumbled a bit, and Cloud Strife eyed her passively.
“Is there something wrong my liege?” he asked, a hint of sharpness in his voice. Chrysalis flinched internally, but she forced down the bile rising in her throat.
“No.” she managed to gasp. “Nothing. You are relieved of your duties. Return in twenty minutes.” The Changeling eyed her, before giving her a low bow, and retreating down the hall.
Turning, chrysalis placed a hoof on the heavy metal door. It glowed green before clicking open, the smell of ozone in the air. Rarity was lying in the center. A rank smell hit Chrysalis’s nostrils as she looked about the room, noticing the long dead bodies of ponies chained to the wall, butchered beyond their own reality before being mercifully killed. The Queen relished the thought of doing that to this impossible unicorn. Rarity had already been beaten badly: one eye black, a hoof caked in dried blood and tears, cuts and bruises running up her body; but the eternally annoying mare seemed to only be interested in crying and complaining. She was half tempted just to let her go so the Celestia damned thing would shut up!
“Finally.” Rarity huffed. “Some... creature who can finally be rid of this awful stench. I think its coming from over there, so please, clear it out.”
Chrysalis’s eye twitched. “That stench,” she said, grinding her teeth, “is the smell of hundreds of ponies who have died, and left to rot in here.” Chrysalis grinned nastily. “And unless you decide to stop complaining, and cooperate, you will join them. Is that clear?” Rarity glared at Chrysalis, but said nothing. “Good.” she said. “Now, I have an entire regiment of Changelings ready to attack Manehattan, one of most populated, and worst protected cities in all of Equestria.” Rarity’s eyes widened. “We will murder them all, and then move on to Ponyville and the other cities, until no place but Canterlot that remains standing. If you do not tell me what has become of my daughter, I will order the attack.” She lowered her head so she could stare into Rarity’s eyes. “Is that not clear?”
Rarity gulped, but pulled a brave face. “Obviously, you know nothing of an interrogation.” she said. “Usually, they send the good cop in first.” She flicked her mane. “I hear you're looking for this, ‘daughter,’ of yours.” Chrysalis rolled her eyes, “But honestly, what's going to happen is that you’ll kill me after i'm done talking.”
Chrysalis’ eye twitched. “That would be an absolutely horrible tactical error on my part.” she huffed. “It won’t take too long for your ponies to figure that you are not, well, you. I just want my daughter back. She’s,” her voice suddenly cracked, “she’s the most precious thing I have in this world.”
Rarity’s ears perked. The Changeling was hovering over the brink. Emotionally, and probably mentally unstable. If she could tip her over the edge...
“Rarity sneered the best sneer she could. “So the love thief has a love after all.” she said, making Chrysalis glare at her. “What did you do, scare her off? Or maybe, you just a bad parent. beat her too much?” Chrysalis began to growl.
“If you dare say one more word-”
“What, you’ll kill me?” Rarity laughed and empty heartless laugh. “No you won’t because then, you’ll never see you vile little offspring again! Nit that you even deserve her. All you probably did was abuse her over and over. Let your guards get at her a few times maybe? No wonder she left you. You're a terrible mother!”
At this point, The queen of the Changelings snapped. Green magic flowed from her horn, and surrounded Rarity. Rarity had just enough time to think, oops, before she was thrown against the opposite wall. Chrysalis advanced upon her, eyes blazing with a green flame. “If you will not tell me the information I require,” she said coldly as Rarity struggled feebly, “Then I shall take it from you.” Touching the tip of her horn with Rarity’s, Chrysalis dove into her thoughts. She tore through her memories, throwing around old ones that were useless to her.
Suddenly, she was Rarity, looking out across a field. She was kneading the ground, searching for something. The moon shone high above the sky, surrounded by glittering clouds in the cold, night sky. Suddenly, something slammed into her. It was dark and fast, like an invisible slice of lightning. Rarity looked at whatever had crashed into her, and her eyes widened in surprise as she was looking at a perfect imitation of herself, with glowing green eyes. The fake-Rarity said something incomprehensible to her. She opened her mouth to responded, when suddenly, hooves grabbed her fore-hooves, and dragged her skywards. she flailed and kicked at her kidnappers, until a sudden pain erupted in the back of her mind, and her world went black.
Thats when Rarity began to fight back. It was like struggling through a moat of molasses that enjoyed fighting back. All Chrysalis could see was thousands upon thousands of memory’s of Spike. Spike this, Spike that, there was too much Spike. Chrysalis could see something glittering in her memories. Curious, she pushed towards it... and was shoved back.
Concentration breaking, Chrysalis was thrown across the room. She crashed into the opposite wall, sharp pain shooting up her back. Dazed, she looked up, in time to see Rarity dive for the door. Chrysalis’ horn glowed, and Rarity was thrown across the room. There was a sharp crack as Rarity’s foreleg as it met the wall. Rarity screamed in pain, and fell upon the floor sobbing. Chrysalis staggered to her feet. “That was not a smart move.” she hissed, glaring at Rarity through hazy eyes. Rarity was crying quietly, cradling her broken foreleg. Chrysalis spun around and headed towards the door. “Behave, or join you rotting brethren.” Chrysalis snarled as she walked out the door.
The Changeling Queen thought hard over what she had learned. Her daughter was disguised as Rarity. Meaning she knew exactly where she was. However, she could not go collect her herself, so soon after her failed invasion. No, she would have to try something different. What about this little dragon, Spike? Yes. she could send a Changeling in, and it could disguise itself as Spike. Then Rarity would “escape,” with the fake Spike, and head back to Ponyville, where her daughter would be. Her daughter would be found out, and then be forced to return to her home in hive. To her. Her heart lifted at thought. Now all she needed was a good Changeling that wouldn't blow its cover as soon as it was alone with Rarity. A Changeling with some sense of morals would be nice. And one who had a decent amount of respect.
Cloud Strife clopped past her. “Your majesty.” he said as he walked pass her, dipping his head. Chrysalis grunted in response, then froze, another idea forming in her head.
“Cloud.”” she called. “I need a favor...”