//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: A Queen's Lament // by lollipopchica //------------------------------// The streets of Canterlot were bustling with life as ponies went about their daily business. Despite its old world charm, the city was very modern and its colonial style architecture only added to its sophistication. Crème colored buildings topped with steeples of lavender and gold paid homage to Equestira's leaders of sun and moon. It truly was a beautiful city with its cultured looks and denizens. "Ah wonder what all the fuss is about..." A champagne colored Earth pony mused as she sipped at her drink while hooving through a newspaper. She and her sister sat in one of Canterlot's many shops casually drinking tea and eating dessert. A local newspaper rested on the table between the two as they passed the time. The paper had made mention of a royal announcement that would be taking place today outside the castle's gates. Princess Celestia's niece would be the pony of the hour announcing the news. The Earth pony stared at the mare across from her when she failed to respond. "Honey Pie?" Her sister questioned with an amused expression on her face. "People can see ya, ya know." Her sister continued to tongue her square of chocolate with something akin to fondness. Maroon eyes looked up from their labor of love with a twinkle of mischief. "Let 'em... Chocolate has a way of makin' a mare feel special. N' Ah, for one, deserve to feel special." "Right..." The mare known as Sweet Pea drawled with a roll of her eyes. The two mares were identical from their freckle sprayed noses to their white spotted hips. The only reason one could tell the two apart was because their auburn hair was styled different. Sweet Pea wore a short pixie cut, while Honey Pie's long mane was secured away from her face with a maroon colored bow. Finally the younger of the two took the chocolate treat between her lips making an even bigger show of savoring the taste before chewing and swallowing. Sobering before her older twin could scold her, Honey Pie adopted a more serious tone despite her lingering chocolate high. "Well, if we wanna find out Ah suggest we get going Sweet Stuff." "Agreed." Maroon eyes flashed an icy shade of blue. "Let's make tracks." The two changelings had been casually observing the inhabitants of the city blending in with relative ease for the past week. Even though the Queen rarely went out to infiltrate, she was actually very good at it. It wasn't that past monarchs had been bad at it, but in order for the love changelings harvested to last and be truly effective the Queen had to process the emotion. After Discord's cryptic words and unassuming suggestion, Chrysalis and her healer had come to the city expecting to have their work cut out for them. Imagine their surprise when they found out the sun sovereign's niece was an alicorn of love. When Chrysalis and Odonata had finally made it to the mouth of the sol alicorn's castle, there was already a sizable crowd gathered. There was a spark of excitement in the air as Celestia's announcement had inspired all sorts of gossip. Every pony the two had come across was babbling about the unknown news. "I wonder what the news is..." "I heard that Blueblood has been caught with the Earl of Redcoat's wife…" "I heard Luna had a relapse." "Perhaps Celestia has found a husband… 2,000 years is a long time to be alone…" Despite her genteel nature, the changeling mare had a bit of weakness for gossip. With the type of connection she had with her subjects it served as a great distraction when things became too hectic. Nevertheless, Chrysalis still took in her surroundings with an air of curiousness that reinforced her innocent expression. Odonata was much the same and no pony was the wiser about either's true identity. Mentally, the two regarded their fellow brethren with something less than innocent. Ponies were a haughty bunch of frivolous equines. Changelings were reviled by the species and for that the Queen had little respect for them. Mentally frowning at the creatures she was pressed shoulder-to shoulder with, her mental commentary was automatic. Everything about them reeked of privilege and vanity, and yet the changeling queen wished all of her subjects had such carefree luxuries. Of course not all changelings were expected to be experts of subterfuge, but there were no illusions about what their kind did to survive. Their Emerald Sapped City was actually quite breathtaking and everyone did what was necessary to keep it that way. "Hey, Ah think it's about to start," Sweet Pea gushed to her sister pulling Honey Pie from her thoughts. "Look!" Sure enough the crowd went quiet only to erupt in cheers and smiles when a romantic looking mare of royalty stepped out onto the balcony accompanied by two high ranking guards. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza was a beautiful alicorn with a coat the color of pale cerise. Her voluminous mane was violet with streaks of rose and gold. The citizens of Canterlot stared upon their princess with reverence and love. She was the epitome of nobility with her demure confidence and sweet-temperament. The two changelings exchanged glances before following the lead of the crowd with as much dignity as they could. Cadance smiled at her reception. She loved Canterlot and the ponies that lived there. Her violet eyes swept over the crowd as she waved dutifully. "Thank you," She called with just the right amount of humility. "I know you're all as curious as I am excited by my aunt's announcement." Ponies quieted down as the love alicorn's pleasant tone fell over them. "As you all know, Captain Lockhart has served Canterlot for the past twenty years as Captain of the Royal Guard." At the mention of the name a stoic Pegasi stepped forward with eyes as sharp as steel. Even with his age, there was nothing soft or frail about the frosty colored pony. Cadance smiled at him warmly before continuing. "Regardless of my heavy heart, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate him as today our iron willed protector has finally decided to retire and live out his days in unadulterated bliss!" The crowd broke out into applause as the now-retired pegasi was presented with medal after medal for his service and dedication. Throughout all of this, Chrysalis found her gaze studying the other guard who was staring dutifully ahead. There was something familiar about the unicorn and the changeling queen was beside herself as suspicions arose in her mind. While no one else thought twice about the anxiousness shining in maroon eyes, Sweet Pea was not fooled. "Honey Pie?" Her sister vocalized with a hint of concern displayed on her equine features. Chrysalis ignored her healer as Cadance continued on with the announcement. "While General Lockhart will greatly be missed, one of Canterlot's very own has been chosen to fill his shoes." The younger stallion stepped forward with a spark of pride in his brilliant blue eyes. The love alicorn's eyes flashed with affection as she named one of the city's most well-liked and respected stallion's. "Mares and gentlecolts, I present to you your new Captain of the Guard, and my coltfriend," Cadance winked before showcasing a teasing smile, "Shining Armor!" Chrysalis felt her mind go blank as the ponies around her erupted into approbation. She was faintly aware of Odonata trying to get her attention, but the only thing she could comprehend was Princess Cadance kissing the new Captain's cheek as the retired Lockhart presented him with his new rank. She wanted to assure her healer that everything was okay, that she was okay, but for whatever reason her heart refused to comply as it beat fiercely in surprise. The changeling Queen did not have long to process this information as the love princess decided to bless her city's citizens with a taste of her magic. The crowd swooned with admiration as the candy-eyed alicorn allowed her love to envelope them in a warm cocoon of pleasant emotion. "For Shining Armor and Captain Lockhart! And to all of you, with love and dedication anything is possible!" Bright eyes went wide and Chrysalis had to grab her 'sister' to keep her from bouncing all over the place. She grimaced as the alicorn's magic washed over her form. The emotive magic felt foreign and nauseous. She couldn't help but narrow her eyes at the princess' pleasant display as Sweet Pea's gaze was pink with hearts as she bounced in her grasp. No one else seemed to be sickened by the magic's effects, a response that made her curious. Turning her attention back to the enthusiastic pony in her grasp, Chrysalis realized she had to do something as ponies were beginning to stare. "Let's go Sweet Pea," Honey Pie grunted dragging her twin through the crowd and away from the alicorn's saccharine abilities and the stallion she remembered a lifetime ago. While changelings could digest and draw nutrients from raw love, it wasn't nearly as satisfying or nourishing as it could be once the Queen amplified certain nuances and removed the more impassioned parts of the emotion. Changelings by nature were greedy, but raw love energy when ingested in large amounts was very capable of driving a changeling into love lust- something that was to be avoided at all costs. A changeling drunk on love was one thing, a changeling lusting for love was completely different. Honey Pie had managed to drag her sister back to their room. Once she shut the door, she turned her attention to the beaming pony behind her. "Sugar Pie, she's simply irresistible! Can we take her home? Oh please, please, please! Tell me we can bag her up and steal her away!" Sweet Pea was a thousand words per minute as she went on and on about the love alicorn. Honey Pie couldn't help but grimace as thoughts of the cerise colored princess made her teeth hurt. Shuddering, she allowed the green flames of her magic to engulf her body licking away her false skin. Gone was the champagne coat and auburn locks of the Earth pony Honey Pie. Left in their stead was the twisted and polished regal-ness associated with the changeling Queen Chrysalis. The Changeling Queen stared at her subject with exasperation. 'Sweet Pea' continued to bounce around the room with hearts in her eyes as she gushed about their encounter. She couldn't leave the healer alone in such a state and only time could sober the inebriated changeling. How Odonata was even able to stomach the princess' love, Chrysalis would never understand. It made her sick to her stomach. She would simply have to wait. A past time she'd never been fond of. It gave her mind license to wander down roads better left un-traveled. *L*O*V*E*M*E Odonata moaned as she fell from her love high. "Great maker, what happened?" She was back in the room that had been rented by Sweet Pea and Honey Pie lying on a couch. Confused by how she'd gotten there as well the time of day, she was about to search for her monarch when she noticed a familiar pair of incandescent eyes watching her through the darkness that filled the room. "Chrysalis…" She sat up on the couch only to have her stomach mock her by lurching in a fit of nausea. The Changeling Queen's laugh was low. "Feeling better?" she drawled lazily. Any other pony would be freaked out by the changeling's multi-tonal voice, but changelings liked that sort of thing. It was soothing and maternal to the senses. "What happened?" "Pretty in pink…" she mused as she got up from her spot to flick on a light switch. The healer nodded as understanding flashed in her icy eyes. Cadance was an Alicorn who specialized in love magic. She hadn't known that the Princess would do that. Now that she knew Cadance used her magic so casually, she would not make the same mistake twice. Inebriated changelings were sloppy and could cause problems if an opportunity presented itself. As Odonata took a moment to ground herself and process everything that happened, Chrysalis cast a spell to help her be rid of the nausea and weakness that always followed that kind of lovesickness. A sigh of appreciation was her reward as icy eyes shined brighter and the healer lowered herself back onto the couch to rest. It was silent before the healer voiced what both knew was on her mind. "I saw him too, My Queen." Despite her tiredness, Odonata was still in tune with her ruler's emotions. She didn't have to see the other changeling to know that she had tensed. "It's fine, Odonata. This doesn't change anything." If only Chrysalis had seen herself as the healer saw her all those years ago. The changeling princess Odonata had been charged with returning ten years ago had forged her self a new life she had not wanted to leave. "Chrysalis-" "I can handle it!" She assured the older mare with narrowed eyes. "He isn't mine anymore… He never really was." "Good. That's all I needed to hear." Chrysalis' smile was forced as she changed the subject to more pressing matters. While her healer had been incapacitated, Chrysalis had been using the hive mind to converse with two of her top generals who were also inside the city gates. "The life of a Princess is never easy, but with Luna in charge of the military and Celestia running the political scene that doesn't leave much work for Cadance. I doubt there's much, if anything, expected from her aside from social appearances. Interview everyone you can about this city and its rulers. I want to know how she interacts with her people, who she's often seen with, where she goes and why. Jadzia and Kirai will be joining you in the 'interview' process." A changeling's interview involved an invasive type of magic that left its victims in a drone-like state allowing the spell's caster to pick through memories and ask the incapacitated questions without them being aware. The only side effects of such magic were headache and confusion, afterwards, however, the beguiled were never the wiser. Odonata nodded. "What about you?" "I'll search my previous lives' memories for anything. Circe was most intrigued by pony affairs, perhaps she knew more of Canterlot's intimate secrets. I only lived here for about a year." "Good luck then…" "You keep it." Her tone was genial despite confident expression on her face. "I will do this, and we will be successful."