//------------------------------//
// Chapter One: Prometheus 
// Story: Darklight 
// by snoninja7 
//------------------------------//

Queen Chrysalis was in a very good mood.  She did have her reputation to protect, so it took a practiced eye to spot the signs.  Her minions could see it in the whole extra second she gave them to get out of her way before she shot them with a horn blast to the hindquarters.  There was also the way she shortened her daily diatribes by a few colorful expletives before she slammed the throne room door.  Changeling drones were not known for their intelligence, but it didn't take much to know that the Queen was excited about the arrival of her guest.
Unfortunately, he was late.  This particular guest was known for a great many things, the least of which was his impeccable punctuality.  It was clear to Chrysalis what was going on, even sequestered in her throne room in the depths of her cavern lair she could hear the door knock followed by the long silence.  Ever since that day, months ago at the wedding in Canterlot, the Changelings had craved an opportunity to show their ferocity, to prove their strength and courage to their Queen, and they at last found an opportunity with her guest. "The fools deserve what is coming to them," she chuckled to herself. 
She stretched lazily on the mountain of pillows that constituted her throne and took out a mirror and a hairbrush.  Beauty, like any weapon, must be cared for, and Chrysalis lost herself in the process.  She ignored the slow crescendo of explosions and unearthly shrieks and continued to brush her mane.  She paid no attention to the sounds of her own minions being driven back in droves by the magic attacks of an unknown assailant.  There was no sign of interest in her face even as the sounds of battle reached an apex and abruptly stopped.  The only sound that diverted her attention from herself was a polite knock at her throne room doors.
She placed the brush and mirror back in their hiding places. "Enter," Chrysalis commanded. "And step forward."
The massive doors swung open.  A pony stood in the darkness of the outer corridor, illuminated only by the blue bolts of electricity that arched and crackled around his body.  A hundred changelings surrounded him in a wide arc, hissing defiantly and bearing razor-sharp teeth in one final, yet hollow, show of strength.  The pony started to walk confidently into the throne room, with the changelings following at a safe distance.
Focused bioluminescent light illuminated a spot at the center of the room.  As the pony entered the light, a remarkable transformation took place.  The bursts of electricity and threatening demure melted away, leaving a unicorn pony who was the picture of respect and refinement.  His rich, honey colored coat and pitch-black mane were meticulously groomed.  He was fashionably dressed, with a long black cape that covered his hindquarters and concealed a great many things.  He looked as though he belonged in the royal court of Canterlot (an observation that was not far off), but not in a way that would make him stand out too much among his peers.  Although proud and haughty, there was real substance in his bravado, and his carefully crafted image only made him all the more dangerous.
Chrysalis cleared the room of her minions with a threatening look, and the door closed behind them. "I wish to know," she began "Why you were so bold as to seek an audience with me.  I must warn you that your longevity depends very much on how well I like your response.  You may speak."
The pony gave a low, practiced bow. "I thank you most heartedly, Your Majesty, for allowing me the honor of speaking to you today about matters that are of the highest importance.  I, as your Majesty is already aware of, am Prometheus, the Lightning Duke of Canterlot.  But before I bring to your attention the details of a potential collaboration that I know will be of interest to Your Majesty, please grant me the privilege of offering my heartfelt congratulations on your successful acquisition of my former homeland.” 
Chrysalis was not amused.  She made reference to the dilapidated antique furniture scattered around the cave as her as her anger built into a raging torrent. "Are you mocking me?  Does this look like Canterlot to you?!  Does any of this mildewed, antiquated GARBAGE remind you of the grandeur of Equestria?!!" Her eyes flared, her horn charged with mana for a powerful attack spell, "You have ten seconds to explain yourself before I blow a hole through your heart!"
Prometheus had no reason to fear for himself. Ignitus was a full three minutes, he thought disdainfully, This disgusting creature would be no more than two.  Still, he knew how to use charm to mask his real opinions. "Oh, forgive me Your Majesty," he said over-apologetically, "I'm afraid that I wasn't clear.  It matters little to me the length of your rule.  After all, the great geniuses of world history have often been undermined by unfortunate circumstances beyond any pony's control.  What really matters is that it was yours—you were the rightful sovereign ruler of the Kingdom of Equestria, and I am here to tell you that it can be yours again."
The fire in Chrysalis’ eyes cooled, and she calmly settled back onto her pillows with a restrained look of growing interest. "I'm listening."
Prometheus continued "You see, the key to bringing down any great machine, Equestria included, is knowing where to find the weak points, or linchpins if you will.  In the case of Equestria, I would argue that there are two.  I am sure that Your Majesty is familiar with the first linchpin as this was that 'unfortunate circumstance' that led to the loss of your acquisition.  The second linchpin is not so well known, but arguably would have a much more devastating effect when pulled.  It is already under my control and has been for some time.  The first, through a simple collaboration with Your Majesty, can also be brought under our mutual control.  Once these two pins are pulled, the governing body of the Kingdom of Equestria will fall, and be replaced by Your Majesty's own superior leadership."
"So what do you get out of this ‘collaboration’," interrupted the Queen. "As a rule I don't trust anyone, but I trust ponies who are not honest about their own goals least of all."
"As you should, Your Majesty.  For me, this would be the culmination of a lifelong quest for justice.  I also promised Princess Celestia that I would make three separate visits following my unlawful expulsion, and the time is fast approaching that I must keep my final engagement."
"Final engagement?" Chrysalis again interrupted. "It is common knowledge that you have only made one visit since your banishment."
"Oh, but Your Majesty, I assure you that I am being completely honest.  I will have much to tell you about this later, but I will say that this knowledge can potentially be very valuable to someone such as yourself who takes nourishment from strong emotions such as love.  Would you also be interested if I told you that you would be able to harvest these emotions from Princess Celestia herself?"
The Queen began to salivate at this welcome news.
"Of course," said Prometheus, "My plans would also include retribution for the wrongs Your Majesty suffered at the hooves of certain ponies that I'm sure you are familiar with.  Unfortunately, I cannot go into further details about my extensive preparations and planning, as I am sure Your Majesty understands from the sensitive nature of this information, to anypony who is not a committed part of the collaboration.  So my question for you now is: do we have a deal?"
Chrysalis did not trust Prometheus or his flattery, but she had to admit that it was a very lucrative opportunity.  It would last as long as she could get what she wanted, and end at a time of her own choosing. "I accept."
"Excellent, shall we get started?" In his younger years, it would have been unthinkable for Prometheus to offer the rule of Equestria to anypony other than himself.  Though the years had greatly multiplied his knowledge and talents, it had simplified his goals.  He no longer cared who ruled Equestria; he just wanted to smash it to pieces.