//------------------------------// // RotDK Chapter 3: A Queen's Torment // Story: Rise of the Dragonking // by Scarheart //------------------------------// Queen Chrysalis watched the world from beneath the strands of her spiderweb mane, her large harlequin eyes flickering as her dark and slender form drifted through the throng of her agitated changelings. She appeared as a dark Alicorn, her single horn as crooked and twisted as her heart. If there was warmth still within it, she hid it well. Chitinous armor covered her back. At her shoulders were gossamer wings like those of a dragonfly instead of the lovely wings of a Pegasus. All four of her legs bore holes in them near the hooves. Just behind her horn and tilting off to one side was a tall and narrow black crown topped with four blue and round gems. Her home was a castle of stone built not by changeling hooves, but by some other race long ago in another age. At some point, the changelings simply moved in and took control. Over the years, changeling architecture and techniques had slowly altered the original shape of the fortress until it had the twisted appearance of a wasp nest with great stone turrets jutting out of them. The great walls were still solid and largely untouched by time. It was a massive structure, perhaps one of the largest standing ruins left in the world and it was the heart of the Emerald Kingdom. It was not a place an outsider would willing want to visit as it loomed as a squat ugly place with no room for cheer even between the great stones it was built of. No sane army would dare attempt to lay siege. Tens of thousands of changelings could comfortably live within, though currently their numbers were only a third of what they had once been. Since the discovery of the ruins so long ago, other cities and towns had sprung up throughout the kingdom, each one overseen by a powerful matriarch who pledged her house to the sitting queen. Her dark majesty was unquestioned among her children, those of whom were the only beings she felt any responsibility for. Chrysalis saw them as her children as they were her subjects - blue blooded or of common stock - having not yet borne a heir to the throne herself. It would be a daughter and she was already eyeing the prospective father to provide for her the means to produce such a child. Ever since her humiliation in Canterlot defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory. She had reassessed the needs of her changelings and had sought out softer targets. She bade the matriarchs of the other houses to go forth with their armies and seek out easier targets of opportunity. Now the kingdom was abuzz as something ancient had hummed to life deep within the bowels of the changeling kingdom's navel. It had nearly been forgotten, but Chrysalis somehow knew exactly what it was. It was first heard as a dull buzz, at first brushed off as an annoyance by the queen. Over the course of hours since it first became noticed, at first a few, then more, then all of the changelings could hear the buzzing sound. All activity in castle ground to a halt as changelings bumped into each other, confused, calling out to Chrysalis. They simply could not do their assigned tasks, stayed in one place and buzzed their wings. The confusion was profound as they asked each other what that strange noise was. Worse of all was the paralysis incurred upon them from the buzzing noise. Rather, it was the vibration resonating throughout the grounds of keep and castle and great stone walls. She responded, first by examining one of her changelings, an noble she knew as one of the finance ministers then moving among them and noticing the correlation between the buzzing sound and its affect on the hive. His eyes were frozen wide with fear as he confirmed her inquiries of his frozen body, apologizing at his inability to move at all. Other changelings were simply standing, frozen in whatever task or movement they were in the middle of. Some were clutching their heads, others simply lay on the ground pathetically. They could still speak and many cries went out to the Queen as she appeared unaffected by this accursed buzzing! Chrysalis found it difficult to concentrate as the buzzing was also affecting her, though to a much smaller degree. For one thing, she could still move freely. It was almost too late when she shook herself of the sound, steeling her mind from it, and using her magic to form a sound proof barrier around her ears. Once she had control of her facilities, she was able to think clearly and suddenly knew what was causing the noise. The twisting corridors created by the minions of queens past, largely forgotten by all save the standing ruler of the changelings. Certain secrets of the Royal Family passed down generation to generation spoke of hidden tunnels and chambers deep beneath the castle. An unusual sense of worry and fear, alien emotions to Chrysalis prevailed within her, yet she could not stop moving towards the buzzing sound. The catacombs made by ancient changelings sloped sharply downward, with sharp angles and slippery footing. Deeper and deeper into the darkness she dwelled, her horn glowing green and lighting the way before her. The air became stagnant, humid, and heavy. Sweat began to glisten on her coat as her hooves echoed into the darkness. After what felt an eternity, Chrysalis could finally make out a soft amber glow. Mother? She clearly heard a tiny voice call out as the corridor widened into a wide room with a low ceiling. Mother, why did you leave me? Why am I alone? Mother? Was it coming from within her? "Who is there?" demanded Chrysalis, her magic flaring within her. Her eyes scanned the room, quickly drawn to the source of the glow at the center of the room. They narrowed as she tried to make out the glowing object, hesitating hoof steps drawing her nearer and nearer to the focus of her attention. She realized it was some sort of orange crystal, a little smaller than herself with something moving slightly in its center. As she drew nearer, but buzzing died down, to be replaced by the unmistakable sound of a beating heart. The changeling queen tilted her head first to one side, then the other, curious and wary of the thing calling to her. Before she knew it, Chrysalis stood within a few feet of it, her magic at the ready should some threat emerge. It was a relic of a forgotten age, a legacy left here for changelings to guard. Though they had spread over a vast kingdom over time, contracted, expanded again and lately contracted, this fortress had been a constant, the center of the kingdom. The nobility sent their sons and daughters to the castle yearly to receive a blessing from the Queen. Over time, the creator had been forgotten until the dragon Flamespyre had stumbled across this amber crystal and used it to gift to the changelings the ability to mimic almost any creature they came across. Some of the history was obscure, so there was no certainty Flamespyre was indeed responsible despite his power. There was much he had done, some of them being twisting natural things with forced use of magic had created ancient abominations even Chrysalis shuddered to think of. Yet here it was, no longer forgotten and apparently very much alive. Just above the amber object appeared a black cloud. Within it grew a red slit eye glowing with malevolence. Chrysalis lept back with a gasp, startled with the sudden appearance of the eye, her wings flaring out. Her mane slipped, covering one of her eyes. She did not bother to move it out of the way, peering through the strands with narrow and dangerous eyes blazing with fury at this intrusion. The eye found her and focused. A terrible voice dripping with evil beneath its honey fell upon the queen's ears. "Know you who I am, Queen of the Changelings?" came the question. She could feel her very soul shrivel with every syllable he uttered. Chrysalis felt small, weak, and utterly powerless. The queen faltered for a moment as frantic thoughts sought out the answer to the question. Old recollections from queens long past began to fill her memory until she saw a dark form of a one-eyed black dragon standing upon the embers of destruction. Shivering, she nodded, struggling to find the words. "I know of what you once were, Flamespyre Battlesinger," she replied, finding strength in her voice. Chrysalis straightened, defiant in the face of a being that had once terrorized a world. "I know you have but a fraction of the power you once held." The queen focused her gaze on that eye and immediately regretted it. Once locked with the baleful orb, she felt shock waves of fear and terror course through her body, driving her to her knees. "Very true, o wise and beautiful majesty!" The laugh was pleasant, even conversational as the pain buffeting Chrysalis increased. "But as you can see, I have more than enough to deal with the likes of you." To prove a point, the next wave of energy set every nerve ending within Chrysalis on fire. She screamed, throwing her head back and writhing in uncontrollable agony. For several agonizing seconds the assault was relentless, unwavering, and unforgiving. "Please!" Chrysalis begged through her tears, feeling more humiliated than remorseful. Already she wanted vengeance, to strike back at this monster. How dare he? She grit her teeth, her fangs glinting. Then the pain was gone. "That's better," said the voice happily. "Now, I'm sure you're eager to know exactly what is in this little legacy crystal, aren't you?" The eye turned down and gazed at the still glowing object. "The thing inside needs to be delivered to the Everfree forest at a point I will designate. Night has fallen and your minions must make haste." Chrysalis looked at the obscured object within the crystal. It was moving. Was the heartbeat coming from it? It had to be. Other than herself and the damnable eye, there was nothing else in the room. On top of that, the crystal was starting to pulsate its glow to match the beating of the mysterious heart. "What is it?" she asked curiously, not able to help herself. "A reset. The last incarnation was not to my taste. Perhaps it will fill a useful purpose in another way." The voice shifted, focusing on the queen squarely. "All you have to do is watch over it for a few days, let it finish growing. Further instructions will follow from there." Mother, please answer me! I'm scared. It's dark. Mother! Why did you leave me? Chrysalis felt a lurch in her chest, slight and barely noticeable. Her expression was unreadable as she continued to stare at the thing in the amber. It appeared to be vaguely pony-like in appearance. Great magic seemed hidden within. "Oh, that voice will drive me insane. I'll be glad when its memory is erased and I can start again with it. Far too much work and effort to simply cast it aside," sighed the eye as it glared at the amber. To Chrysalis it turned and said, "Do as I ask and your changelings will be rewarded with your righful place in this world at my side." "And if I fail?" she asked in a forced voice and through clenched teeth. Chrysalis dared not look directly at the eye again, having figured out her first mistake. "I do not give second chances," warned the voice of the eye. "I took the liberty of examining your memories, Chrys. Most interesting." It whispered phantom like into the queen's ear. "Tell me what you know of the Alicorn known as Celestia. I have already felt your hatred towards her, but I want to hear it from your tongue how much you despise her and why." "Hatred?" Chrysalis was surprised. "Of course I hate her. I had her in my hooves." She stamped angrily nearly looking at the eye until she caught herself. Seething more at her near mistake, she said, "I had no one to blame for the failure than myself. I made the mistake of underestimating the power of love. I intend not to repeat the same mistake." She chuckled in spite of herself. "It was that accursed Cadence and that Shining Armor who defeated us." "Explain," demanded the voice, taking a flat tone. "I have no intention of rising against Celestia again anytime soon," Chrysalis sniffed. "I lost most of my changelings in my last attempt. I will risk another debacle!" "But you will do as I order you." Howling in anger, she reared, buzzing her wings and stomped hard on the floor. His hold on her mind tightened. Chrysalis tried to battle back, her mind being her own. The vice upon her free thoughts tightened, twisted, and tore at her. The Queen of the Changelings fought as hard as she could, her denial repeating over and over. She gathered her will and retaliated, only to be laughed at, scorned, and mocked. "Little foal. Ceaseless nag. You try to match your feeble mind to that of the Dragonking?" The laughter echoing through the room was drunk from the pleasure at seeing another suffer. "Please, entertain me with your struggles!" "But I am not looking at you! How-!" she forced out the words through clenched teeth, determined to make sense of this. "Impossible!" "One glance is all it takes for me to have you," crooned the voice like a tender lover. "One brush of a tip to your thoughts and you are mine. Perhaps one day you might even learn the secret of how it works, if you have the intelligence for it. But I doubt it, as you are but a single minded creature, driven by your greed." And yet, something blocked the full assault meant to break the queen's mind. The feeling in her heart swelled, a sensation she barely remembered and thought little of other than as a source of nourishment. Mother, I won't let the monster get you! She felt herself drawn into herself, sensing the presence of somepony else trying to protect her, though feebly. Chrysalis found herself pushing against two foes, one bent on crushing her mind and the other wanting to smother her with protective affection. Mother? Are you there? Where did you go? MOTHER!? Then, she was alone, laying on her side and panting heavily at the base of the amber crystal. The eye was gone and she was alone. Yet she could feel something reaching for her. Opening her eyes, the queen sat up, her head throbbing with nauseating pain. Clamping both hooves to the sides of her head, she waited a few moments for the throbbing to subside. She could feel it, something else. Chrysalis could feel the warmth from this new thing, knowing it came from within the crystal and was searching for her blindly, like a stumbling foal in the dark. Chrysalis felt the power and marveled at the magic behind it. This emotion she felt was pure and untainted, innocent and eager. She was unprepared for it. The eye was gone, its voice still echoing in her mind. He had made his point. There was no reason for Flamespyre to continue. He needed Chrysalis and her full facilities for reasons he chose not to reveal at this time. She would do as she was told. The taint was upon her and would be so for the foreseeable future. The queen felt violated and angry. I can take it away. "What?" she snipped, not in the mood for games. The bad stuff in your head. I can take it away. I have to hurry or else I'll forget everything when I go to sleep. I can feel it coming. I know what will happen. Can you help me find my mother? She promised she would always be there for me. Then she went away. It was a terrified little voice speaking quickly not into her mind, but into her heart. Chrysalis felt a lurch. It was worse than the pain caused by Flamespyre's mind. The confusion darted here and there, untrackable and random. Her irritation was replaced with curiosity. "Who are you?" she asked. I'm not sure anymore. Father says I have to be something else now. I made him mad and now I'm being punished. He touched you. Can I take that away? It won't be much trouble, I promise. Mother would have wanted me to set things right. Your mind isn't right. Can I fix it? Please? Chrysalis reeled, both mentally and physically away from the amber crystal. "Don't you go in my mind! Stay out!" she cried furiously. The little voice in her heart was suddenly sad. If I don't do it, it will kill you. Another lurch to her heart. The pang made the queen wobble on uncertain feet. Forward she stumbled until a hoof came up and braced her against falling down. "I don't believe you," she hissed, glaring at the form within the amber. Instinctively, for reasons forever to be a mystery to her, Chrysalis inadvertently began feeding on this emotion coming from the thing whose shape was distorted by the cloudy color of the petrified resin. It was the sweetest emotion she had ever tasted, forcing her to tremble. She had tasted something like it before and it reminded her of a certain failure. Slowly, she stopped feeding, aware the presence was beginning to weaken. "Your love of life is powerful," she remarked in a trembling voice. Please let me help you. There is not much time. Will you help me find my mother? Chrysalis shook her head, her voice gentle and almost kindly. "I do not know your mother, child." Was it a child to which she was having this strange conversation with? "I find I also do not believe you wish to help me. This love of yours convinces me." She was simply too afraid of Flamespyre, the Dragonking. She felt weeping. It was not her. Sharply her eyes darted towards the form. As you wish. There may not...be another chance to save you. The sleep comes...it...is...getting...dark... The amber crystal dimmed in radiance until it was like the light of a dying fire. Its pulsing slowed, like a heartbeat going into a deep rest. For what seemed like hours, Chrysalis stood and watched the thing in the amber, listening to its heart and wondering. Soon her changelings guards found her, having followed the corridor that had appeared as an entrance in the back of the throne room. They fanned out, seeking a threat. "Majesty, are you hurt?" She pondered this, her eyes drifting down to the light solid blue eyes of one of her minions, a creation of her magic as they all were. The eyes were pleased to see her safe and unharmed. Perhaps one day it would understand what it meant to be loved. Chrysalis found the questioned wondered in regards to herself once she gave it a little more thought. Without thinking, she realized she was gently rubbing the changeling on top of its head with a hoof, an unusually gentle smile on her fanged mouth. "I'm fine," she told the guard. Only when she looked at him did she see it was her hulking Captain of the Guard, Myzanum. He appeared as the other changelings, only he was massive, bearing scars from many battles before his valor in the field earned him a spot as the Queen's Champion, or simply the Captain of the Guard. Relieved she was all right and even more relieved she was not angry, he stepped back and awaited orders. Catching herself smiling, the Queen of the Changelings shook her head and stamped an imperious hoof, casting a glare at the living creature within the amber crystal. "Don't you dare!" she warned. Do not dare to do what? Disgusted, she flicked an irritating strand of her hair from her eyes. "Watch this," she waved a hoof at it as she commanded Captain Myzanum, faltering in her words as she struggled for a word to describe it. "Thing. Notify me if it changes. I want it monitored at all times. Guard it as you would guard me." "Yes, your Majesty!" replied the captain. Chrysalis turned and started up the tunnel back to her throne room with her royal escorts trailing in her wake. She had much on her mind, most of it troubling as the feeling in her heart hardened as it had been before speaking with the thing back there. She could feel a dark presence in the corner of her mind, lurking there like a leech impossible to get at. It felt unclean, invasive, and controlling. "Is the castle returning to normal?" she asked, not addressing either directly. "Yes, your Majesty. Reports are coming in changelings are returning to their duties. No ill effects. It appears those outside of the castle were unaffected. They are terribly frightened, of course." One of the guards spoke after a nudge from his partner. It will kill you. The words came unbidden as the memory echoed like a forgotten song. Chrysalis shivered, continued to walk in her silence, her head high and proud, yet tilted forward with a sense of grim determination. She sensed she was not going to like what was going to happen. She finally stepped into her throne room, coming to a complete stop as she eyed the throne that served as her seat of power. There would eternally be a dislike for Celestia, Alicorns, Equestria, and ponies in general, but that was a moot point. To her, they were a source of food. Changelings fed on the emotions of others. Equestria was a buffet guarded by the most protective of protectors who could easily do just that. Was Flamespyre going to kill her? Was Celestia his ultimate goal? More importantly, would he discard her as soon as the Alicorn was no longer a threat? "Yes," she found herself murmuring as she bypassed her throne and made her way to her private chambers. "I am not to be disturbed the rest of the day," she informed her startled chamberlain as he held a stack of papers for the day's work ahead. He was an old changeling, wearing a powdered wig and dressed in gray robes. A conical hat was nestled firmly if comically on his head. There was murmuring from the group of changelings who had assembled for the meeting that had been oddly interrupted by the strange event. They were discussing what happened and had expected something from the Queen, but not a complete dismissal. For a moment, she wished she had someone to discuss this with who had enough intelligence to provide thought provoking conversation. She could not trust her advisers as of late. They were always keeping things from her. Chrysalis had always acted on her own thinking without planning from a secondary voice or voices to offer their opinion. She issued orders to her changelings and they obeyed. Of course, she did have generals and advisers who had enough intelligence to speak with a hint of ingenuity, but they were not much for debating beyond the needs of the hive. It was sadly a close-minded society. "How are my changelings, Phil? They appear to have returned to normal," she said, knowing her old chamberlain would hurry after her. Her gaze shifted towards the sounds of the castle, drifting towards the ceiling until she simply closed her eyes and listened with contentment. "They should be normal now." "They are, my queen," came the reply from Phillip. He looked just like the other nobles, though the arrogance and sense of self importance was largely absent. Her mind wandered again. Flamespyre had returned. He was imposing his will. The ancient dragon was assuming the fear he inflicted with his mind manipulations would be enough for him. If there was a war to begin, it was not going to go well for either side, no matter what reassurances or confidence the dragon had promised. Changeling soldiers would no doubt be the fodder for his war machine. Is that all he considered her and her changelings to be? Just something to throw at his enemies while he maneuvered from elsewhere? Now his will had a place in her thoughts. She was fully aware of the presence, minute as it was at the moment, capable of tapping her thoughts at any given time and giving Flamespyre an insight as to what she was thinking. She entered her chambers after a while, ignoring the servants who bowed as she passed. Motioning for Phillip to follow, she went in and flopped on her over sized couch with a weary resignation the day was completely ruined. A dozen hoofmaidens awaited her patiently, sensing her mood was less than approachable. The weak little thing had tried to reach out to her, seemingly insignificant. It could remove the touch of the dragon from her mind if she had just let it. It had begged to save her, pleaded in a voice tugging at the heart strings. Her! Queen of the Changelings! Offered amnesty by the likes of a tiny little spirit of a creature most likely created by Flamespyre for some nefarious scheme was a poor joke indeed. Oh, no, there would be none of that! Still there was the calls out to its mother, whoever she was. Perhaps the thing down there had one at some point in its existence, but it was none of Chrysalis' concern. What was a mother to a creature who had never known her own? It had felt out with its emotions, using no touch, no sight, no sense of smell. It was like the thing within the crystal was some sort of spirit. She could not explain it, but her accrued memory told it the history of changelings was tied into it somewhere. "To blazes with him!" she suddenly shouted, rolling on her back and staring at the ceiling. Bringing her forehooves to her chest, they dangled above her in cat like fashion, hanging limply as she slowly began to clap them together. She was thinking, rolling her eyes in the back of her head as she exhaled slowly, forcing herself to be calm. Chrysalis could not allow herself to crumble like this. She would not allow it. "To blazes with-!" Her voice was less forced, more annoyed, perhaps a hint of desperation. It died before the last word could escape from her lips. It will kill you. The small voice echoed one more time, sad. Chrysalis clapped her hooves over her ears, inhaled deeply and held her breath, squeezing her eyes tightly. She would not listen. Forcibly she removed the tiny voice from her thoughts. Though she and her kind primarily fed on emotions, they still could eat more conventional foods. Why else would they have mouths and stomachs? Emotions fed their magic and made them stronger in it. Normal food served the same purpose as it did for other creatures. A platter of whole fruit was brought to her by one of the hoofmaidens. Languidly she reached out with her magic, lifting one, then another and so on until she found a pear meeting her fancy. The queen let it hover over her chest, slowly spinning as she considered it, not really hungry but wanting something to focus on. As she observed the fruit and studied every inch of imperfection upon its skin, she wondered how such a short matter of time could have disrupted everything in such a fashion as to leave her a shivering mass of confusion. As much as she knew Flamespyre was truly a fiend and had effectively placed her life in his claw, the smaller voice had gone for her heart. She had not expected that. Chrysalis slowly rolled over until her legs were folded neatly under her body. She touched the tip of her tongue to the tips of her upper fangs. No. "No!" she cried out, angry and frustrated. "My mind is my own, my changelings are not tools for another to use!" All present in the room cringed, one or two ladies in waiting whimpered. Phillip cleared his throat delicately. "My queen?" He was a bit disturbed her Majesty was talking to herself more than usual. The maniacal laughter he was used to, even joining in from time to time whenever Queen Chrysalis was scheming. But this? Was he supposed to agree with her or simply remain silent? Her mind was usually easy to understand, but this sudden change made Phillip pause. "Is there something wrong?" She was suddenly glaring at him. "Mind your place!" The pear was hurled at him, pinging of his blackened steel helmet with a dull clang. Half of it splattered, sending bits and juices flying in all sorts of directions. The other half skipped off and disappeared off into a corner somewhere. Her crooked horn flared again and the old stallion found himself bodily lifted by the scruff of his mangy old neck. His hooves flailed pitifully in the air as she regarded him in pent up anger. Those harlequin eyes flickered green with her magic until they matched the intensity of her horn and the outlining surrounding the chamberlain's body. "My apologies, Majesty!" he cried, cringing as he could manage while hovering in midair, at the mercy of his furious and at that moment confusing queen. Forcing herself calm, she released him, unceremoniously dropping the poor changeling to the ground and thankfully upon the plush carpeting beneath. "Leave me," she snapped, rolling over until she had her back to him. It was going to be one of those days. What did that thing deep beneath the castle do to her? Perhaps it was better not to ask. When he looked up, Chrysalis was no longer paying attention to him. She lounged on her royal couch and staring at the floor in front of it. She lay there for several hours, motionless while the rest of the castle buzzed as normalcy slowly returned. The angry queen seethed in silence.