//------------------------------// // What I've Done // Story: When Love Falls // by Quantum Solace //------------------------------// Chapter 4 Cloud Strife fell upon his nest in the hive, filled with with dread,. He massaged his temples as he looked around the bleak living quarters he called “home.” There was no furnishing, save a tall cabinet to his left, and a table in the center of the rather small room. As a member of his Queens royal guards, he lived in a special part of the hive, right next to the castle. That made it easier for Chrysalis to find him. She had just left, only after giving him one of the most difficult and emotionally challenging missions of his life... Cloud opened the door, to reveal a nervous looking Chrysalis. He blinked in surprise as Chrysalis hurried inside. “Is there something wrong my Queen?” he asked, as Chrysalis looked out a window a did a quick surveillance check. “Nothing.” she said, all too quickly. “I just do not wish for us to be overheard.” After being satisfied that she was safe from any microscopic dust specks that might try to listen in, she gave Cloud her full attention. “I have a special mission for you Cloud Strife.” she said. “A mission your majesty?” he asked in surprise. Chrysalis lifted her wing, and revealed a saddle bag that then floated over to him. Cloud peeked inside to see several files. He looked up at his queen, confusion in his eyes. Chrysalis cleared her throat. “Your are to imitate a dragon close to our prisoner, who goes by the name of Spike. Any and all data we have on him are in those files. You are then to be thrown in with our unicorn prisoner, and gain her trust.” Chrysalis began to pace. “Two days from now, the prisoner is going to ‘escape,’ and bring you with her. She will go back to Ponyville, where she will undoubtedly meet my daughter, the fake Rarity. After her cover is blown, Chryselia will flee Ponyville, and then to go into hiding. After convincing Rarity not to report her kidnaping, you are track down my daughter, and bring back to the hive. Use force if necessary.” The Changeling Queen stopped pacing and stared him in the eye. “If you fail, do not bother returning. For it will be very painful for you.” A small shiver moved down Clouds body, as he knew that the punishment from failing far exceeded a quick death. “Yes your majesty.” He said. “And why, may I ask, am I supposed to convince the unicorn not to speak?” Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “I thought you were smart!” she scoffed. “Incase you haven't noticed, my last encounter with the Equestrians did not go as well I had hoped. I do not want them getting any smart ideas along the lines of attacking us. Thats why I haven’t already sent an army in to retrieve her.” she returned to her pacing. “I only let them see my army in Manehatten so that they would not focus on Ponyville, meaning it should be easier to infiltrate. This must be taken care of quietly, and discreetly.” Cloud nodded. “Yes my Queen.” he had said. Any hint of disagreement on this matter could end in his death. It wasn't known to most that Chrysalis was a rather emotional Changeling, though her furry was quite well known. “Good.” Chrysalis said. “Study the files for two days, then report to me, so that I may test your knowledge.” his door handle glowed green, and she opened door. Right before she left, she turned back, and Cloud was surprised to see regret in her eyes. The hard kind that grows in ones heart, and is lodged there forever. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Then she turned, tight lipped, and left. Cloud stood up in “bed”. He knew why Chrysalis had shown regret in her eyes. She knew. Or rather, she remembered. And she finally regretted. Cloud walked to his simple little table. Reaching a hoof under it, he flipped a switch. Suddenly, the sides of the table sprung apart to reveal a secret compartment with a rolled up scroll in it. On the center was the Hive’s royal seal. He removed the letter, doing what he had been doing for that last few days since Chryselia had left the Hive. It was almost like a ritual now. Opening the Letter, he went back to his nest, sat, and began to read the letter aloud: “Hello, My only friend, I am leaving the Hive, once and for all. I can no longer stay here under any circumstances. I cannot live the rest of my life under the hooves of hundreds who wish to do me harm for no apparent reason. And my mother is too ignorant and busy to help me, or realize that I need her. I will be going far away, where no one can find me. I am sorry. You were like a brother to me; one who truly understood my feelings, and could relate to me. You were there when I needed you, until my mother found out. I guess she didn't want me to have any happy friendship. I remember when we first met. You appeared out of nowhere, and rescued me from those other Changelings. Spending time with you always made me happy. I had my own brother at last! But when my mother took me out of school, and put you in the royal guard, I knew those times where over. On the bright side, Chrysalis finally seemed to show some interest in me. It took her a rather long time though. And she still wasn’t able to listen too me. So, eventually, I was able get ahold of a book that explained routes from The Hive, under the mountain, and out to Ponyville. From there, I will go somewhere far. I’m sorry. I hope they do not blame you for any of this. Good bye. Your friend (hopefully), Princess Chryselia.” Cloud flipped the paper over, where there was a postscript written in heavy ink. “P.S., As you never told me your name, I assumed you didn’t have one. So I made you one. It took me a very long time to come up with a name that fit you well. Eventually, I came with the name Cloud Strife, because, like a cloud, you are soft and calm on the inside, but on the outside, you are a cold, hard, fighter, who will do anything to do what you think is right. I hope you don’t stray from that path Cloud Strife. Good bye brother.” Cloud’s eyes scrollled to the bottom of the paper. “P.P.S. I seriously mean it this time.” A little farther.... “P.P.P.S. No, really. Bai. “P.P.P.P.S. …. I'm going to break my quill now.” Below that was an enormous blob of ink where, apparently, Chryselia had tried to break her quill, but had sent her ink spilling all over the place. Cloud sighed and put the paper on his desk. Brother. Thats what he was to Chryselia. He had not assumed that she had felt anything more for him. Not like his feelings. He thought back to the rather fun loving, but depressed Changeling he had fallen in love with. But she was gone now; out of his reach unless he accepted his mission. But he, not unlike Chryselia, did feel guilt when attempting to manipulate others. He felt that it was wrong. Like he was... well, betraying someones trust. Cloud sat, undecided and confused, on the ground of his “home.” Why had Chryselia not just come to him, and ask him for help on his help? Why just run away? Some pieces of the bored weren't fitting. There were plenty of ways to deal with her problem without fleeing the hive. He began to ponder reasons. Maybe she was on a mission from Chrysalis? But then, why would she ask him to get her back? The mission had gone wrong? But that didn't sound right. Chrysalis wasn't one to fail. she always tried her best at everything, and succeeded at everything, unless it was makeing friends. that too, Cloud began to ponder. Why did Changelings hate the princess so much? Although he wasn't much for socializing either, he usually knew of important things that happened in the hive. But with Chryselia, he was always in the dark. Perhaps, he thought, Chrysalis knows. He glanced at the letter. And she deserves to know about this letter from her daughter at the least. Picking up the letter in his mouth, he pushed open his door, and walked out into the dark, humid, Hive. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It took him a few minutes to fly to Chrysalis’ private chambers. Nowadays, it was unguarded, due to some kind of mistrust with her guards. They had always seemed a bit sketchy, but recently, they seemed almost traitorous. And with Chryselia’s leave, things had only become worse. Cloud suddenly realized, that without Chryselia, there was no heir to the throne of the Changelings. Without an heir, there would be chaos and pandemonium when Chrysalis finally died. If at all, as Chrysalis had already far outlived previous queens by several hundred years. It was quite odd, but a headache of his was beginning to gather, so he quit thinking about it. Moment later, he was standing before two large black metal doors, with metallic green handles. The where ominously half open, revealing a small crack of light seeping in between them. Taking a deep breath, Cloud walked to the door, ready to push it open... and froze. Huh? Suddenly, he couldn't move. He was stuck, just outside Chrysalis’ door, Limbs frozen in place, unable to move a muscle. Just watch, he thought. Cloud frowned. Just watch? That didn't sound like a thought of his. Spying was another thing he disliked. But, unable to move, at the mercy of whatever was immobilizing him, he was forced to listen, as the sound of a distressed Chrysalis floated from inside the room. “Why did she leave? That arrogant little baby! Why? She was never so disobedient as a pupil!” Through the crack in the door, he watched Chrysalis pace in and out of view before a large, comfy looking bed. “She could have just told me what's wrong, instead of just up and vanishing! And leaving me with... this!” A letter was thrown across the room in anger. “A little letter, telling me something she could have told me in person! Why leave just to prove a point!? She stomped a hoof on the floor in anger. “ARGH!” A nearby table flew through an rage. Several other objects sailed around the room. “WHY!?” came a sobbing voice inside. “Why leave me so alone!?” slowly, the glowing green sheets, plates, knives, and various other assortments of household items “Why?” came a quiet dejected voice. “Why, why why?” There was slow clop of hooves as Chrysalis traveled into Clouds plane of view to pick up the letter from Chryselia. Through the door, he could see glowing, green, tears, leaking from her eyes, as she began to read the letter aloud. “Dear Chrysalis,” The Queen croaked. “Or mother, or whatever you wish for me to call you, I am leaving the Hive. If you were as good as a mother as you should have been, then you would have already known why. Considering that you weren't, I guess I’ll have to tell you. All those “silly,” prattle I’ve told you are true: the bullying, the abuse, and everything. But you were too busy to care, or that was your excuse. You never supported me when I needed you, and when I finally found someone who could, you ripped him away. Cloud Strife, the one who could be considered my brother, cared about me. He protected me; tried to keep me save. But then you had to butt in, and make everything miserable. You forced him into the royal army, and took me out of School, so you could “personally,” train me. Then all you did was teach me about your humiliating defeat, and how I was supposed to “avenge,” you. Well, thats not what I want. I’m going to live my own life, free, hidden as a Pony. Eventually, I’ll go out far to Manehatten, where there are so many ponies, there is no way you’ll be able to find me. Or maybe, even Canterlot. I hope you're happy now, daughterless and with enough time to rule your empire without some little burden you have to carry around. good luck with that. Former Princess Chryselia. By the time she was done reading, Chrysalis’ had burst into tears, flinging herself onto her bed. Cloud himself, couldn’t believe that Chryselia could be so cruel as to blame her own mother as the cause of her unhappiness. but almost nothing could prepare him for what happened next.. “I'm so sorry my daughter!” Chrysalis cried. “I thought I was helping you by moving that Changeling to the royal guard. I thought you would see him more. I took you out of school so you could have more free time! Why didn't you tell me?” she buried her head beneath a mountain of bedsheets. “But you did tell me! But I didn’t listen. If only I had made more time for you! If only I had listened! If only-” Chrysalis choked, and sobbed into her pillow. Cloud stared in astonishment. never had he seen a Changeling, save Chryselia, ever cry. It was unheard of, even for those who had a remote feeling of emotions. Cloud so much wanted wanted to go in and comfort her to reassure her that Chryselia would return. No you don't, [/i ]he thought, then blinked. That was an odd thought. She ruined everything for you. why would you reassure her? She deserves to feel this pain. He was right. Chrysalis was playing with him. She was a cruel, heartless creature. Why would she... he halted. What was he thinking? there was no way Chrysalis could know she was here. these thoughts were not his. Cloud’s mind was suddenly swamped with pain. Why would she care about some little Changeling? Even if it was her daughter? a dark voice whispered in his mind. Cloud, finally free to move, shook his head, trying to clear his... no, it’s thoughts, for there was no way they could be his. He turned, and the blinding pain in his head seemed to squeeze at his very consciousness. You should kill her. It thought. Take revenge, make her pay for all the heinous crimes she has committed. Cloud cringed, forcing his eyes to stay open. He glared at his reflection on the dark marble floor and reared back at what he saw. It was him, but twisted. He was taller, face a mask of insanity, wearing a dark twisted grin, eyes, both a chilling red, and his horn twisted in the same way Chrysalis’ and Chryselia’s were. Kill her. It thought. We want her blood spilling down the hive don’t we? All that marvelous red blood. The thrill of the kill. He stumbled away from Chrysalis’ chamber, head feeling as if it was a painfully beating heart. Kill, kill KILL!” [/i ]Cloud ran, agony melting all his thoughts, other than a sudden desire to kill. He must get away before he hurt someone. even more white hot pain seared his mind as he ran headlong into a wall. The malevolent spasms leaving him, only to be replaced by the felling of.. well, a head crashing into a marble wall. Dizziness swallowed him head first, and he felt a presence behind him. Lifting his head, he made out a blurry figure standing over him. Until next time. It thought, before Cloud Strife lost consciousness.