//------------------------------//
// Chrysalis' Story  Chapter 13: My What Green Eyes You have. 
// Story: Emblem of Harmony: The Blazing Sword 
// by icebraker 
//------------------------------//

All was serene in the Silverbeak forest as the animals went about their daily lives. The squirrels and chipmunks gathering nuts early for the winter, birds chirping in melodic songs, and the bumblebees buzzing while they gathered nectar from flowers along the ground. All was as it should be.

This process was interrupted however as an explosive burst of light and sound rocked high in the sky, causing complete and utter chaos to reign whilst the innocent animals ran back to their homes in fright. The forest was then eerily silent except for a small noise that seemed to be getting progressively louder.

"YYYYYAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!” Mark shouted as he and Crystal crashed through the branches of a tall tree. Their fall was halted when the broken branches and leaves caught on an even larger branch, making a somewhat stable platform.

'Status report.'
'Leaves cushioned our fall and it looks like you're both unharmed but covered in twigs, bark, and leaves. Also your ears are ringing.'
'Good. Let's hope that's the last time I have to ask Discord for something like this.'
'You're the one who didn't want a conventional and (probably) safer travel method.'
'I know, I know, my mistake.'

With a turn of his head, he looked to where he had last seen his friend, happy and a little embarrassed that she was still there. “ARE YOU OK, CRYSTAL?”

Said pegasus, was currently holding onto Mark in a vice as she shivered from fright and shock at what just happened. The last time she was blazing through the air like that, she was in her natural form with a carapace to absorb the impact and both wings able to provide lift or direct her crash. Seeing the look from Mark, she slowly nodded,  he believed that Discord wouldn’t let them splatter into a bloody mess on the ground, unfortunately, she didn’t share his faith.

Seeing that she was fine, he immediately began looking around the tree for his saddlebag.

Crystal released Mark, and held a hoof over her heart, taking deep breaths to lower her heart rate and stop her shivering. After deeming that she was still alive, she gave Mark an irritated look, “What the hell was that! Are you trying to kill us!?”, She seethed, her voice hoarse from screaming earlier.

She didn't get a response from Mark who was still looking around for his saddle bag. Only when she tapped his shoulder and repeated herself did he acknowledge her. “WHAT?! SPEAK UP.”

“You’re crazy!” Crystal shouted, though it came out raspy and weak.

Mark rubbed his ears harder, “YOU WANT A DAISY? THERE MIGHT BE SOME ON THE GROUND.”

The pegasus almost facehoofed so hard that she would have fallen out of the tree.

‘Um, I think you’re hearing’s damaged.’
‘What gives you that idea?’
‘The fact that you can’t hear what she’s saying.’
‘She’s the one speaking so quietly.’
‘She was also the one screaming loudly into your ears when we were flying through the air.’
‘There was that and the explosion.’

Mark continued rubbing his ears deciding to make a few noises to test Brain's theory, “LALAlalalala, MAAH! Mmaah!” It seems that he was indeed deafened.

‘Well this just sucks. I can barely hear a damn thing.’
‘Give it some time. It’ll probably get better.’

“CRY-erm...” Mark cleared his throat before talking again in what he thought was his normal volume, “Crystal is this better?”

Crystal gave him a cross look but nodded, “Yes. Now stop joking around for once and-” Seeing him tilt his head in confusion, Crystal grit her teeth, “Mark?”

Mark gave her an apologetic look after only hearing a 'Wubbing' sound whenever she spoke. “Crystal, I can’t hear a thing you're saying. Also you’re probably the loudest screamer I’ve ever heard.”

Crystal looked dubious of Mark’s claim but decided to test it to be sure. “Mark you should have been born a mare like that, in fact you probably look better. I’m sure that you also had sex with just about every stallion out there.” She said, rather loudly.

“Can you repeat that? I’m still not that great at reading lips, so all I got was ‘mark’, ‘hair’, and ‘rascallion’. Also, have you seen my saddle bag?” He asked, looking at the higher branches that they crashed through for his bag.

Frustrated, she walked along the "platform", towards the end. “My brother betrays me, I lose my hive, I’m stuck in some unknown location, in a tree, covered in leaves and sap, with the only pony I don't dislike-” She said, increasing in volume when something rustled in the leaves overhead and landed on her snout.

“-and have a lizard on my face.” She finished flatly, glaring at the baby basilisk 

Not liking the look it was getting, Lizzy jumped off and crawl along the "platform" before hopping into it's favorite pocket in Mark's saddlebag, which hung on a slightly hidden branch at the end. Mark however noticed the movement and smiled as Lizzy popped her head back out of the pocket.

“Oh there you are Lizzy. Good job finding the bag.” Mark chuckled, his horn alight as he carefully lifted the saddlebags and placed it on him, strapping it on and making sure it was snug this time around. 

Crystal let out a heavy sigh. After everything that's happened, it could have turned out a lot worse than it did. Even though they were outnumbered, her personal guard, the loyalest and best trained of the hive, were waiting near the planned meeting spot. She wasn't dead from changelings or other reasons. Then there was the fact that she was with the only pony she ever lov- liked as a friend.

"Fine. I can do this. Just stay the optimistic queen and nothing will bring me down!" 

Finishing his inspection of his cloak and saddlebag, Mark turned to Crystal again, “Alright, let’s find a way down. Once there, I have a few maps and I should be able to figure out where Discord launched us exactly.” 

He looked down at the expanse of branches and leaves below them. “Now how to get down.” He pondered, frowning at seeing just how high in the tree they were.  Hooves weren’t ideal for climbing.

'Wish I had hands.'

Out of habit, he began tapping his hoof against the the platform while he thought. Crystal who had looking around at another end quickly turned her head towards Mark when she heard a loud and unmistakable crack.

Noticing her sudden movement in his peripherals Mark looked to the pegasus with a worried expression, “Crystal, are you sure you're alright? Your turning pale.”

Several more cracks emanated from the platform underneath.

"You're turning even more pale. Are you feeling alright?" Mark took a step towards her, “Here let me-” 

With a snap, the platform gave away.


===About an hour later===


“Are you still not talking to me?” Mark asked, increasing his pace so that he caught up to Crystal, who had walked ahead.

Crystal still didn’t respond as they continued walking. 

‘At least I can hear again... And we're still alive. Do you think she's mad?’
'Probably.'
'And time wise, it's getting into evening. It's a good thing I brought a sleeping mat and a blanket.'
‘You should have waited a day before having Discord send us here.’
‘I know. Then I could have had time to interrogate those changelings.’
'And maybe packed a mat for yourself.'
'Grass is fine for me, but Crystal might prefer not chancing a bug biting her while she sleeps. Besides it's not like I'd sleep peacefully anyways with my recent dreams. Better just to wait it out until I fall unconscious or something.'
'We both know that's unhealthy.'
'And we both know that it's not your decision to make.' Mark thought dismissively.

After a few more minutes with only their hoofsteps making a noise, he decided that it was time to reconcile their method of travel and it's subsequent arrival. “Look, I’m sorry that I had Discord launch us using a giant rocket, that it forced us to jump off before it exploded, that I was a little deaf for awhile, and that my carelessness made the branch we were on, fall. Are we good?”

The pegasus still didn't reply.

‘...You know, saying it out loud I can see why she’s mad.’

“Come on Crystal, lighten up. I got us going in the right direction and even the basilisk doesn’t hold a grudge!” Mark said, gesturing to Lizzy who was sleeping in his saddlebag. Crystal looked to the yellow unicorn who had adopted a puppy eyed pout.

"Mark. I'm not mad at you. The next time I see Discord, I'll strangle him, but you? No. I'm over what happened earlier." Crystal finally said, breaking the long silence.

The unicorn tilted his head in confusion, "Then why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"I was resting my voice and planning ahead. My screaming hurt both your ears and my throat, so I needed some time to remain quiet." She replied, not mentioning that it had also hurt her pride.

Curious, Mark continued, "What were you planning?"

"My next move." She responded simply, not wanting to reveal more than necessary.

Mark paused, noticing how his friend was purposely keeping something hidden again. "......Which is?"

"To keep some things to myself." Crystal huffed in annoyance. "Are we close to the meeting spot yet?"

The yellow unicorn let out a sigh, “Yes. We only landed approximately 7 miles east where you wanted to go and we’ve been walking westward for a bit so we’re getting close to your friends.”

'Why does she keep pushing you away?'
'Why not? She's obviously moved on and matured.'
'You're only saying that because you keep looking at her ass.'
'Shut up! I'm serious! Besides I'm only curious as to what her cutie mark means.'
'Are you really gonna try lying to me? After all we've been through? I might just cry a river.'

Mark groaned in defeat.

'Fine, she's pushing me away. But like I just said, she's obviously moved on. Probably to one of the 'friends' she's here to meet.'
'And she's hiding something.'
'Yes, yes. We both agreed that she was hiding something before we left.'

Crystal stopped walking and turned to the tactician who upon seeing her looking at him, quickly turned his head away, a light blush on his features. "Mark. Thank you. I can't think of any other pony who would do what you did to help." 'Like ask that bastard, Discord.' She thought bitterly.

“Y-Your welcome.” Mark said with a smile, cheering up. It was always rare when Crystal apologized, but when she did, it was worth noting. "So who are these friends we’re meeting anyways.”

Crystal took a moment to choose her words carefully as she started walking again, “Friends that can help me fix a mistake.”

‘S-Seriously?!’
‘We’re here because of-’ 

“A mistake? Does it have to do with the changelings after you?” He asked, curious, confused and even more worried about Crystal’s situation.

‘What kind of mistake requires you to travel about halfway across Equestria?’
‘A big one.’
‘How big are we talking?’
‘I don't know, but at least we know more than before.'

“Yes. And I’m meeting my ‘friends’ on my own. I want you to wait here until I get back. Set up a camp, or get some sleep.” Crystal ordered, letting the saddlebag Mark lent her drop. She then began walking eastward again.

The tactician for a moment had a feeling of panic when he remembered the last time she had left him. He was able to hide it behind his classic smirk however, as he too dropped his bags (though more carefully for Lizzy's sake) and cloak, before catching up to his friend. “You should know me well enough to know I’m not going to leave you alone in an unknown forest.” 

Crystal to stopped in her tracks, glancing at the pony in thought. Judging from the arrogant smirk plastered on his face, she could tell that he was still planning on going. Whether it was consensual or not. Unfortunately, short of killing him, it looked like she didn’t have a choice but to do that.

Then again, it was always more fun flustering ponies anyways. "Are you sure?"

“Yup. I’m going with, whether you- Crystal what are you doing?” Mark replied as the pegasus began circling him. 

Mark's eyes began to widen as he watched her flank sway and the way she looked at him in an almost predatory fashion. “I’m sorry Mark. It’s just that you look so stressed and tired from being such a big help. I just thought you might want to stay behind an get some rest. It's been such a long day after all.”

“W-well, I’m fine just-” He shivered in delight as Crystal brushed her tail along his side when she passed by. Swaying it back and forth. 

With a gulp he shut his eyes tight. 
‘Don’t look at her naughty bits. (Do it.) Don’t look at her naughty bits. (Do it.) Don’t look at her naughty-’

“If you’re not tired though,  I think I know a reward fitting for all your help...Don't be shy now, open your eyes.” She said, her voice smooth as silk.

“I-I-Um-Crystal-you-uh-! Mark stuttered, his face notably redder and his heart beating like a jackhammer. He didn’t hear her circling him anymore so he opened his eyes again only to find her in front of him and within his personal bubble.

"Maybe a kiss...or maybe something a little more....physical. Don't think I didn't notice you staring at me earlier." She said, drawing her face close. Mark unconsciously shivered in anticipation and Crystal's eyes began glowing brightly green, drawing him in.

‘This isn’t a dream right? I don’t want...to wake up to a.....fucking alarm.’
‘I don’t think so. Something’s...wrong, you need to.....Go for it.’
‘W-What?!...huh?’
‘You heard me. She’s beautiful and she wants you. Go get her.’
‘So...beautiful...’ Mark couldn’t defog his mind as it became groggier while his gaze lingered. Locked with Crystal’s glowing green eyes.

Her pupils suddenly narrowed into slits, similar to a dragon’s as her eyes flashed even brighter one last time before returning to normal. Mark’s eyelids slowly lowered until they were half-lidded, a small dopey smile on his face while his eyes glowed an unnatural green.

Crystal grazed a hoof along Mark’s face, brushing some of his mane behind his ear, “Sleep.” She purred gently. The gender-bent stallion complied as his body slumped limply, with the pegasus catching him and gently setting him onto the ground next his things.

“I'm sorry for that Mark. But really, thank you for your help....and for the meal.” Crystal said sincerely before she started draining love from the sleeping pony. As tempting and tasty as it would be to drain as much as she could from him, she made sure to restrain herself so that it didn't affect his health.

Covering him with his cloak, she then placed a few leaves and branches over him into a crude shelter. It wouldn’t protect him against the weather, but it should be enough to mask him from sight until she got back.

Satisfied with her work she wore a smug smile before a pillar of green flame consumed her and she finally released her disguise.


===One walk later===


Chrysalis took a deep and refreshing breath, letting the fresh air invade her improved senses. Things were finally starting to go her way and not only was the clearing in sight but, releasing the magic that held up a disguise always made her feel more energized. 

Even better was that Mark was out of the way for now. Especially since she was once again faced with the dilemma from years before: What if he found out what she was? She quickly killed the thought, it didn’t matter now since he’d never find out with the planning she did earlier.

Once she met with Lieutenant Razor and Captain Edge of her personal guard, they’d lead her to the rest of the troops they escaped with. From there she’d leave an unconscious, but safe, Mark in some nearby town, and finally take back her hive in a carefully planned, decisive strike. She may need to make revisions later, however, there didn't seem to be anything to worry about.

Upon entering the clearing she smiled at her luck and sped up to a trot upon seeing the small pond. It wouldn’t do to reunite with her loyal subjects covered in any sap, bark, and leaves that she failed to clean earlier. 

Looking at her reflection in the water her smile changed to a scowl. Not being at full strength and disconnected from the hive had left her lithe form shorter than it normally was, making her the size of an average pony mare. On the bright side she couldn’t see any previously unnoticed bits of tree stuck to her carapace.

Finding her appearance satisfactory, her jagged horn glowed green and she began reestablishing a hivemind with her soldiers who would be waiting in a nearby location. She reached around the area surrounding the clearing and smiled when she felt a familiar link and connected with it.

‘Lieutenant Razor, I’m here at the meeting spot.’ She spoke through the hivemind.

The response took a little time, however it was definitely there and she felt link begin moving closer, ‘...M-my queen? You’re alive....thank the heavens...’ Razor replied weakly.

Chrysalis didn't bother hiding her worry. ‘You sound weak. Are you low on love?’

‘Yes but-’  The queen didn't let her finish as Chrysalis immediately channeled some of the love she drained from Mark earlier through the link. She could feel the changeling on the other end begin moving even faster.

‘Tell the other soldiers I’m here as well. I don’t want to overextend my reach.’ Chrysalis ordered, smiling at how everything was falling into place.

There was a long silence and Chrysalis felt the other side of the link stop moving for a moment before continuing, ‘Your highness...I’m sorry but the plan’s a failure. I take full responsibility.’

Chrysalis felt her heart skip a beat in shock, ‘What are you talking about?! What happened?’

‘After we distracted most of Morphos’ troops for your escape we repelled the attackers and broke through, but not without suffering casualties and wounded. The ones with the worst wounds volunteered to stay behind to keep them at bay and so they didn’t slow us down. This happened twice.’

Chrysalis swallowed this new information bitterly but kept her composure, ‘Then let us regroup whoever’s left and reorganize. I know we can find an opportunity to strike with a smaller force.’

“Except I’m the only one left.” Razor said aloud as she landed in the clearing. She then walked to her queen, a limp in her step, before .

Chrysalis’ throat clenched. “S-so everyone...”

Razor refused making eye contact with her queen, choosing instead to look at the grass beneath her.

It took several shaky breaths before Chrysalis felt she would be safe enough to reply without losing her composure. Looking at the her lone changeling guard she looked to the cut in her holed leg. The green blood dried and scabbed. “You’re hurt.”

Razor bowed her head in shame, “My queen, I’m not worth the effort.”

“Fool. I still have a duty to my subjects. Now hold still.” She scolded, placing her hoof on Razor’s wounded hind leg.

Slowly a green slime-like substance oozed out of the holes in her hoof and saturated the large cut. Her jagged horn then lit up causing the substance to glow as well before hardening and sealing the wound.

Razor gazed at Chrysalis, ashamed of herself for making her queen do such a thing. Especially since it required love to use changeling jelly like that. She smacked her hoof across any of the remaining, hardened slime, and watched it crumble away, leaving her leg as if it was never wounded.

Though afraid of the answer she expected to receive, Razor needed to ask it. “Your highness...What do we do now?”

Chrysalis closed her eyes as she took a moment to think. Razor was right, her original plan had failed and now if there were any future plans to regain her hive, they would be suicide missions most likely. Her thoughts wandered to the dead and fallen changelings, and to the ones who would live under her brother's rule. At the very least she could fulfill one part of her failed plan. “East of here is a pony. We’ll get him and leave him at the closest town.”

Razor was confused on why they would waste time on a pony but knew better than to question orders. He was probably just a mobile source for her queen anyways. “And after the pony is taken care of?”

Chrysalis struggled to find an appropriate answer. “I don’t know Razor. There’s nothing we can do now to stop my brother or save the hive. The troops that you and Edge had were the only chance we have and now only your alive.”

Razor looked to her queen, unsure if what she was about to say was the right thing to say. “My queen...It’s...Edge and the troops that stayed with him might not be dead. One of our abandoned outposts was located near where they made their stand. I-I think that Captain Edge might have set up a defense there or if our troops were captured that they’d be taken there.”

The changeling queen inhaled sharply at this new information. Her spirits lifting. “Your absolutely sure?”

“Not absolutely my queen. Our best hope is just to survive now. Somehow.” The changeling soldier said with the shake of her head. This caused Chrysalis to deflate ever so slightly.

Despite that though, she took all this in. And mainly the fact that there was still a chance. A slim one, but the best one she had. She knew what she had to do. She took a deep breath before replying with conviction, “No matter how dangerous it is, my duty is to my people and that outpost is our last hope if what you said is true. As such, getting to that outpost is our priority, understood?”

“Yes my queen.” Razor said with a swift bow of her head.


===Returning to Mark===


“I thought you said it was a him.” Razor commented when she saw the yellow mare sleeping soundly with a small lizard curled up on her face.

“He’s currently going through an identity crisis so to speak.” Chrysalis responded grinning slightly. Green flames surrounded her briefly before she was Crystal, again. “And when I’m in this form, call me Crystal.”

“Yes your highne-” Crystal cleared her throat. “Yes, Crystal.” 

Following her leader’s example, green flames surrounded Razor briefly and replaced the changeling with a beige earth pony with a very light pink mane and a lollipop cutie mark.

Poking Mark gently in the side, Crystal began trying to awaken him. “Mark, it’s time to wake up.”

The yellow pony stirred slightly but didn’t wake up, lightly swatting and missing the offending hoof.

Crystal looked in thought for a moment before remembering an important detail from her youth, “If I remember correctly he’s ticklish right...”

With a sharp poke in his side, slightly beneath the ribcage, Mark jumped awake, giggling and with a surprised Lizzy clinging onto him.

“What the-! What was that for?” Mark asked, setting Lizzy down and immediately bringing a hoof to his head when a sharp pain shot through it. “Damn, and why is my head filled with needles?”

“I’m sorry, I must have woken you up too fast. You were feeling tired and fell asleep when you reviewed your maps again.” Crystal lied. “While you slept we were close enough to the meeting place that I went up ahead to meet my friends.”

“That’s right, your friends.” Mark said, wincing as the pain sharpened for a second. “Did you find them?”

The disguised Razor walked into Mark's view with a friendly expression, “I’m here. My name is Sugar Smarts. Nice to meet you...” The beige pony said, waiting for an answer.

“Mark or Deviance works for me right now. Nice to meet you too.” Mark said, giving Sugar’s hoof a brief shake and taking a glance around. He looked around more intently but knew an important detail was missing. “Wasn’t it friends, as in plural?”

Crystal and Sugar shared a look. 

“Yes, but they’re waiting in a town somewhat close to here called Hoofington.” Sugar said, friendly as ever.

“Then I can guess that it’s our next destination.” Mark said, as he picked himself up and went to grab one of the maps in his saddle bag. Another throb of pain shot through his head again, causing him to stumble and bring a hoof back up to it.

“Here let me help.” Crystal said as she placed her hooves on Mark’s head and started massaging it.

Mark stiffened for a moment before relaxing under the ministrations. “Have you done this before? You’re rea~lly good.” He moaned as the pain began subsiding.

Crystal smiled, of course she had practice when she was disguised as that annoying Princess Cadenza. Shining Armor would get the same massages every so often after the effects of a mind controlling spell. “Nope. I’m just naturally gifted I guess.”

Noticing the map poking out of his saddlebag, Sugar reached in and grabbed it with her mouth before spreading it on the ground in front of everypony.

She examined the map very closely, noting down the landmarks to remember, however after awhile realized that there were certain figures and markings that weren't on normal maps. “This...This is a military map!” She exclaimed in surprise, looking from the map to the yellow unicorn.

“Uh huh.” Mark said absently, his eyes closed in relaxation as Crystal continued massaging.

“Only officer ranked royal guards are allowed to have these outside Canterlot.” Sugar emphasized, waiting for the pony to react. 

Only, he didn't except for another brief reply. “Uh huh.”

Sugar looked back and forth between the map and the pony, “Who are you exactly?”

“If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.” Mark said with a grin which soon turned to pitiful puppy pout as Crystal immediately stopped massaging is head. “Why’d you stop?”

Crystal smirked triumphantly, “If you can be a smart-ass then I think that means you’re better. Now how far is Hoofington exactly?” She asked, giving Sugar a 'Watch this' look.

Bringing his full attention to the map, Mark only took a few moments to do what he was trained. “We need to head south, but with these changelings after you, we should stick close to the forests here-” He pointed to a spot on the map and dragged it along until it reached a small house looking symbol. “-for concealment and strategic advantage. I estimate that it would take a day and a half to get to Hoofington if we walked from where we are right now and along this route.”

Sugar looked to the tactician, even more curious as to his identity while Crystal just bumped her flank against Mark’s playfully, “Then we better get going.”

Mark chuckled at her attitude. "Alright, gimme a sec."

'I don't have to point out that something doesn't add up, right?'
'Nope, not at all Brain....Not. At. All.'