Chapter 14: In the Den of Beasts
Once the pinnacle of beauty and majesty, Canterlot was now nothing but a pile of rubble at the base of Canterlot mountain, destroyed as a message to the rest of the world. In it's place stood a dark citadel that served as the seat of power for a tyrant. Its spires piercing the sky as if in an attempt to murder the heavens. Where Canterlot Castle had stained glass windows, archer slits littered the walls, mounted beam rifles ready to kill. The moat, once a decorative feature, was filled with magically heated molten lava, casting an eerie glow upon the obsidian structure. Even the drawbridge was adorned with long spikes ready to fall upon unwanted guests.
It was within these halls that a defeated shadow priest awaited the call of his lord. Within the audience chamber, Nakara paced back and forth. The room was entirely unadorned save a half-dozen doors and the white throne that once belonged to a goddess.
“Did the snack get a booboo?” mocked a deep, rumbling voice.
“I did not, Kru,” Nakara replied emotionlessly to the direwolf that seemed to melt out of the shadows. “All I lost was a void serpent.”
“So, what was he like?” Kru asked, taking a seat on the floor near his fellow general.
Nakara scoffed, “Nothing like the puppet that bred him. He is like a frightened foal, certainly not a warrior. The only thing that saved him was luck and knowledge of magic.”
“Really? The Beast's cub is a weakling?”
“Not at all,” replied the shadow priest. “He has much strength. He merely lacks conviction to use it.”
“Then he's a coward?” Kru couldn't keep the mirth from his voice. “How amusing. I can't wait to taste his flesh.”
“In due time, Kru,” sang out a voice that radiated power and kindness.
The zebra and direwolf fell into a deep bow as a tall alicorn descended to the floor before them. His brilliant white coat shimmered, almost reflecting the bright, fiery yellow mane that flowed in a nonexistent breeze. His soft blue eyes gave him the look of a benevolent soul, but Nakara and Kru knew better.
Behind the angelic appearance was a soul as black as the depths of Tartarus. This was the tyrant of Equestria, the butcher of ten thousand, Emperor Solaris.
“Now, Nakara,” the melodic voice of the emperor sang, “why don't you tell me what happened.”
“Earlier this morning, one of my demons spotted a strange airship...” The zebra began, telling in detail, the story of tracking the ship, encountering the son of The Beast and the pony raised changeling, and of his defeat.
Solaris closed his eyes and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. “So the enemy has a Piece of Sol. That is unfortunate. Your defeat was understandable,” the emperor opened his eyes again and looked at his general with a stern gaze, “but I will not tolerate further failure. You underestimated them and dropped your guard.
“As bad as that is, however, I must take into account the involvement of Kataya. I was afraid it was her that assaulted my dear Shiro, the poor boy. I had honestly hoped the resistance developed some new weapon. It would be preferable to her still being alive.”
“Um,” Kru stepped forward, “Sir? How would the resistance having a weapon that can do that to The Beast, be better?”
Solaris laughed and put a wing around the direwolf. “Oh, Kru. You are adorably naïve sometimes. If it were a weapon, it would only be a matter of time until we get our hooves on one and make our own. Kataya, however, is a true threat. She's unpredictable, powerful, and always has a plan. If you ever meet her, she has likely already seen everything that will happen and is playing you like a fiddle. If any living being is a threat to my empire, it's her.”
Kru looked at his lord. “Is she really that dangerous?”
“More so,” Solaris answered. “Now go. I have much to think about.”
“Yes, your majesty,” Nakara and Kru said and bowed simultaneously.
They remained in that submissive posture until a flash of light signaled their ruler's departure.
“Well, that was fun,” Kru said as he got to his paws, “but I'm hungry. I'll be in the dungeon if anyone needs me.”
With that, the direwolf departed to feast on some poor soul. Nakara watched with disgust as the cocky wolf strutted away. So caught up in his thoughts, though, he didn't notice the shadow beside him move.
“Nakara,” said an icy voice.
The zebra twisted around, ready to kill whoever was stupid enough to attack him, but relaxed when he saw the familiar tall, twisted form of the shapeshifter.
“Hello, Chrysalis. You were eavesdropping.” It wasn't a question.
“It's my job,” the former queen defended. “ I am spymaster, afterall.”
“Very well, spymaster,” Nakara asked venomously. “What is it you want?”
“The creature the cat's spawn was with, was it a changeling?”
Nakara regarded his fellow general with curious suspicion. “Yes. She changed her wings. Why?”
The zebra nearly shuddered at the joyful gleam that filled Chrysalis' eyes. “Oh, what wonderful news! She's alive as well!” The ancient parasite danced in joy.
“You know the changeling, then?”
Chrysalis turned back to her comrade and smiled. “Oh, I know her. She's the one responsible for my subjects leaving me. She's the one who took everything I had. And now, I can finally break her.”
A fire seemed to ignite in her as a giddy feeling washed over her. “Oh, I'm going to enjoy making her suffer.”