//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: A Queen's Lament // by lollipopchica //------------------------------// “Any word on Zendaya?” Kirai asked as she scrubbed at a spot on white marble floors. With a dusty lavender coat and braided black mane, Kirai’s assumed identity looked as disciplined as she was in real life. Her golden eyes looked up to study her companion. Jadzia continued to dust various trinkets and vases that lined the large corridor way. Her false skin had a champagne coat with a thick mane of dark umber. “No… but my brood is strong and I have no doubt that she’ll pull herself through.” There was no bitterness in her voice, but her verdant eyes were bright. The two had been incognito with their ruler assuming false identities as new maids. Chrysalis could handle herself, but three changelings were better than one. Deep within enemy territory was not a place to learn your limits. The day had been rather uneventful and the two ponies were certain that no other pony was about on the west hall. The changeling disguised maid went back to her work. “Do you think she can do it?” Kirai asked with her eyes downcast. Jadzia halted her movements as she thought back to the filly she’d grown up with. Proud, rebellious, and too smart for her own good were all the things she associated with her Queen. Chrysalis had always been difficult… However, as she grew older and fully accepted her position, it’d become one of her greatest strengths. She hoped that ambition of hers would be enough to pull them through. “She has no choice.” Jadzia said after a while and continued on with her work. Kirai did not ask any more questions. *-*3333*-* Harlequin eyes were narrowed as they locked onto the pony slumbering inside a chrysalis pod. Chrysalis flinched at the enormity of her situation as she let the whispers of the hive mind wash over her. Her changelings were fighting against their lot and that made her proud. But just as some fought, others surrendered fleeing this plane and returning from whence they came. Those chipped away at her hope and fed her anger. Swallowing down the bitterness that was her responsibility, she set out to do what she came here for before anypony could think to miss her. Whispering an ancient spell, she felt her gnarled horn come alive with power as she urged the magic to embrace the pod the slumbering Cadance rested inside. Shining Armor stared at Cadance with nothing but love in his cerulean eyes. “I love you,” he grinned goofily, lost in her beauty. “I love you too,” She returned earnestly. “I’ve always wanted you.” She confessed shyly. “You’re so beautiful…” The two were in a grand bedroom lit only by the soft light of a fire. The warm light painted the perfect atmosphere as it danced on the walls and themselves adding to the atmosphere. Gathering her courage, the Princess leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her companion’s cheek. “I think you’re wonderful,” was her timid reply. Before she could pull back, the stallion took charge and seized her lips with his own. It was absolute heaven and Princess Cadenza felt as if her heart would burst from a mixture of nerves and joy. Her eyes fluttered shut and she gave as much as she received. If she were dreaming, she hoped to never wake up. Chrysalis’ smirk didn’t quite reach her eyes as she watched Cadance respond to her suggestion. The pink mare trembled and moaned, muttering lightly as the spell manipulated her into thinking her fantasy was real. Harvesting the emotion was easy enough, and before long Chrysalis had accumulated a few days’ worth of love. After processing the energy into something transferable, she used an even older spell transferring the energy back to her homeland. By the time Chrysalis was done, she was exhausted. The first time she had done this she’d passed out. But having such a constant supply of emotion was making her stronger. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza truly was beloved by her people and Chrysalis blatantly took advantage. After about an hour of rest, she’d be well enough to return to the castle and fool them all some more. *-*3333*-* The next few weeks went by amazingly well and Shining Armor was learning more and more about the mare he thought he knew. If he had any doubts about being in a relationship with her before, they were starting to dissipate. Behind closed doors with himself, Cadance was something akin to wildfire. She was passionate with dark wit and sensual charm. He’d always viewed her as the prim and proper mare who’d stand by her mate’s side doing all that was expected and accepted- a mare dictated by tradition and polite society and not necessarily her own agenda. The perfect princess for the perfect soldier. But now he knew that was not the case. He was with her because he wanted to be and not because he was supposed to be. The mare Shining Armor found himself falling for challenged him daily, pushing him to consider different avenues and ideas. Yet whatever he decided she supported him with intensity encouraging him to do his best even if his best disagreed with her beloved aunt. Cadance was teaching him, that no matter what you always had a choice. Even if it was an unpopular choice. At times she was bossy and unsympathetic, but her feelings for him spoke for themselves. Like ‘the look’ she’d give him after a particularly grueling study session. They’d always end up in the gardens stealing kisses in the shadows or just admiring the idyllic sanctuary. Or how she always knew when he needed a break after a long day of briefings and meetings. She’d brighten his thoughts with sweets and gentle touches. Thinking about her lately made his chest swell. Everypony thought of her as a delicate flower to cherish and protect and everyday he found out just how fierce she could be. Speaking of said mare, he was en route to her room in hopes of grabbing a quick a lunch. When he arrived at her room however, she looked as if she was already planning to leave. “Cadance?” “Oh, hey Shining!” “What’re you up to?” He asked with a tilt of his head. “Galen promised me a tour before he left, remember?” She was in the process of tidying her room. Piling various books and scrolls on her vanity as she quickly flipped through them to assure herself of certain findings. “You… were serious?” “About that part,” she chuckled, “yes I was.” “You’re seriously going to go? Even though you know I hate it.” He followed her moving form to where she stopped at her bed to pick through the scrolls and notes she had lying there. “Cadance,” he groaned waving his forelegs wanting her attention. “I don’t trust this guy. He has no respect for mares or rules.” Deciding to take pity on him, she swiped her scrolls off the bed pushed him down onto her comforter. It all happened so fast Shining Armor didn’t know how to respond. One minute he was standing, the next he was laying down on his side with his marefriend pressed atop of him. Placing butterfly kisses along his jaw and cheeks Cadance stilled her mouth near his ear and whispered sultrily in his ear as she stroked his stomach in a slow suggestive manner. Cerulean eyes widened as fair features flushed red. Heat pooled into his stomach as her touch and whispers took the intended effect. “There could be no other pony but you.” She concluded lowly after she was sure he’d caught her meaning. Cadance looked down on him with a twinkle of mischief in her expression after ceasing her movements. She placed a chaste kiss on his lips. “You have nothing to worry about,” She smiled brightly as if she hadn’t whispered salacious secrets in his ear and in a voice that was liquid amber. Hopping up and off the bed, she continued gathering her things humming lightly to herself. Shining Armor swallowed as he watched her. “You can’t go! I forbid it!” He stuttered out still recovering from her earlier actions. The cerise colored mare halted in her steps and slowly turned her head to give him a look that spoke of fire and brimstone. Her entire frame had tensed and sparks of magic crackled at the tip of her horn. “Excuse me,” came the hard tone of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. “But did you just try to forbid me from doing something?” Violet eyes were cold. The white stallion flushed as he realized his outburst. “That came out wrong,” Was his nervous reply as he scratched the back of his head with a hoof. If looks could kill all of Canterlot would be dead. “Cadance… I didn’t-“ Ten minutes later Cadance was gone, and Shining Armor was still reeling from the tongue lashing he received from her. Fierce indeed. *-*3333*-* Chrysalis stood outside of Galen Hoover’s Canterlot home. It was a very nice dwelling situated in an uptown neighborhood. Though it was obviously not as extravagant as the Earl’s Chateau, it took the look of some of the city’s more historical buildings. Walking up to the solid oak door, she knocked three times and waited to be received. Shining Armor was daft if he thought he could stop her from talking to whomever she pleased. Changeling safety didn’t even have to apply. She ended up cursing him out in three different languages. Prench and Germane included. Moments later a stallion of pure black opened the door to stare at her through a pair of googles. He pushed a hoof through his wild mane to un-obstruct his vision. Grey eyes regarded her with lightly veiled skepticism. “Can I help you?” Came his nasally voice. “I’m here to see Galen’s library,” she said squaring her shoulders and raising her head self-importantly. The stallion retained his look of boredom. “Am I supposed to care? You’re like the fifth mare to show up today.” If Chrysalis was offended she didn’t show it. “You must be Shade…” She deadpanned. Grey eyes narrowed as he truly studied the mare before him. “Have I seen you somewhere?” Chrysalis rolled her eyes and folded her forelegs across her chest waiting for it to hit him. “No way… Princess Cadance?” He sounded so surprised. “You’re the mare Galen said to give a tour to?” “A princess can’t be an academic? What is this 650 B.C?” “Oh… you’re one of those…” There was that bored tone again. “Right this way.” She followed the dark stallion into the playboy’s stylish home. “Galen asked me to apologize to you for his absence. He had to leave town early for a last-minute panel in Manehattan.” “Fine by me,” was her breezy response as she followed the stallion deeper into the home. Galen’s private library was definitely impressive. Chrysalis didn’t think anypony could one-up Celestia’s library but Hoover’s collection was proving to be just as impressive if not more so. Dressed with mahogany furniture and old tapestries, the artifacts that graced his shelves were truly priceless. The shelves that lined the room extended to the ceiling covering whole walls. And Shade, his mouthy assistant, was just as smart as the stallion had boasted. “So what is it that you wanted to know about, Princess?” He asked after showing her around. You could hear the pride in his voice as it was obvious he took his job very serious. She was still studying the tomes that lined the walls when he asked her what she wanted to know. “Tell me about the Namaste Chalice.” “The chalice?” Shade blinked a couple of times caught off-guard by her request. “It’s an ancient talisman said to hold the secrets of time. No pony is really sure where it came from, just that it has been since the start of … well everything. It’s said to hold-” “Cosmic powers of relativity existing within the context of the past, present and future all simultaneously. Tell me something I don’t know…” Chrysalis said over her shoulder with a smirk. Shade’s dark features were thoughtful. Galen said this one was special. Perhaps he’d misjudged the love princess. “What if I showed you?” Was his cautious reply. He had her undivided attention now. “You’re bluffing…” Chrysalis turned and took a step forward. “Or am I?” He challenged. He moved to stand beside her and twisted a mini statuette of a dragon that rested on a shelf a half circle clockwise and then a whole circle counter clockwise. Chrysalis raised a brow as she listened to the tumblers of some obscure mechanism taking effect. Just as she was about to speak, Shade pulled a lever disguised as another dragon statue two shelves up revealing a secret passage that split open the whole book shelf. Violet eyes were wide with surprise as she stared down the dark stairway. “Follow me and find out for yourself.” Moments later, Chrysalis could not believe she was looking at what could be the answer to all her problems. Despite its age, the Namaste Chalice shone with a radiance that demanded attention. There was an ominous air about the item and it called to the changeling queen. Her magic especially. “So this is it?” Hoover had a special place within his home where he placed items such as this. An underground laboratory complete with a magical seal meant to contain items much like the chalice. “Yep…” The two stared at the object in reverence. “Would you like to see what else he found at the ruins he extracted it from?” She nodded, still in disbelief at being so close to such an artifact. “I’ll be back. Don’t touch anything,” Shade reprimanded before turning to locate a set a strolls. Chrysalis’ ears twitched nervously as she continued to stare at the object. Moving forward till she was right on top of the chalice, candy colored eyes stared deeply into the beguiling liquid resting inside the timeless cup. Odd… Eyes the color of plum stared back at her. What was this and why did she feel such a connection despite a lack of familiarity? Part of her was wary of the call even as she responded drowning inside the cosmic liquid longing to connect with whatever hailed her. Chrysalis was absently aware of Shade’s voice calling out for her to stop, but his warnings were faint in comparison to the rich voice that whispered to her. The laboratory was fading as she brought the cup closer following the mysterious gaze to the other side. She didn’t even remember touching it. Ambitions, hopes, and dreams all began to rot away as the changeling queen crossed the spiritual barrier to wherever the chalice took her. The sentiments fell like leaves from a tree leaving her bare with the simplest of essence as celestial bodies surrounded her. Cosmic dust the color of gold, turquoise, and magenta swirled and mingled shielding and exposing constellations and star systems. Chrysalis’ consciousness began to expand and she realized that this infinite plane was pulsing. The rhythm was slow and steady. She could barely feel the action itself, but she felt its repercussions. There was life with each palpitation. Death too, but it always gave way to life. This heavenly plane was cocooned in a darkness that was tightly compressed into a pulsing muscle. Nothing could cloud her perception in this state and Chrysalis knew without a shadow of doubt that this was her heart. Everything that she ever was and could be resided in this place. The giant organ was black with glass-like facets. Colors reflected within its faces reminded her of hornet’s obsidian. It watched her with those plum colored eyes making her remember her reasoning for falling over to such a place.Without warning, Chrysalis felt her consciousness implode upon itself until everything slowed to a still. Her senses had fallen away and the changeling queen found that she simply was. Then those eyes spoke to her. “Changeling Queen… What is it that your heart desires?” The voice wrapped itself around her like a blanket assuring her she was safe and this was alright. Could she even answer in this state? And it laughed because she could with no inhibitions. Surely Chrysalis knew she couldn’t lie to herself. “I seek knowledge of my past….” “Knowledge… Or does your heart desire something else?” The voice was knowing despite the question in its depths. “I… “ Knowledge was the purpose of all she’d done wasn’t it? Or had her wants changed with the time she spent pretending to be something she wasn’t but desperately wanted? Was knowledge her true desire? Or was it… freedom? Freedom from her crown, freedom to be her own mare or have a connection to somepony all of her own. “I wish to save my species…” The voice was amused. “Liar… Come now… If not me… then who can you be honest? If not yourself, than whom can you trust?” Chrysalis was hesitant before expressing her greatest fear. “I… desire freedom.” The voice seemed thoughtful. “Freedom comes from liberation, and liberation is a gift only bestowed through knowledge of one’s self. Know who you used to be so you may be who you choose to be. Only through the liberation of your people can you liberate yourself.” The words spoken felt like cashmere to her being. Soft and warm. The world inside of herself passed away in an expulsion of magic and star dust leaving her with the sentiments she’d striped and the form her soul resided in. She saw what was behind those mesmeric eyes and an odd sense of Deja vu washed over her. *-*3333*-* Shade stared down at the unconscious mare with wide eyes. The Chalice was volatile, but never had he seen it react so strongly to a pony without provocation. He tilted his head as he tapped a hoof against her jaw hoping for some kind of response. Galen would kill him. At the time showing her didn’t seem like such a bad idea. The look in her eyes when she talked about it let him know she was no groupie. For once a mare was genuinely interested in the work of Hoover instead of his… er, other stuff. “Princess…” He called at the muttering mare. “Princess?” He leaned forward until they were about a breathe a part. He hoped she’d awake soon as he checked pulse. Just as he was about to retrieve a doctor or somepony else. Violet eyes flew open, and Cadance’s pink head snapped forward soundly colliding with his. “Maker!” “…” Shade stumbled back from the force of her accidental head butt, cursing as he fell onto his aft. Cadance moaned as she fell back, hooves coming to rest at her temples as she was not expecting such a rude awakening. “Shade? What happened?” She groaned. “I don’t know,” he muttered, “you tell me?” He stared at her through narrowed eyes as he nursed his aching cranium. “I … I’m not sure…” The Changeling Queen was still trying to gather her thoughts as she sought to process what she’d just experienced. It was disconcerting. “I think… I think it called to me,” She winced as she sat up mirroring Shade’s position. “Who?” He asked fixing his googles. The dark colored stallion made a note to take an aspirin later. “Who what?” He rolled his eyes. “Who was calling to you before you decided to smash your face into mine?” Chrysalis shot a glare at the young anthropologist as she thought back on her experience. “Elytra…” The name rolled off her tongue with such ease. “Who is that?” “I’m not sure… Do you have any ideas?” She asked raking her brain for anything about the mysterious name. Shade’s dark features were pensive as he finally stood and walked towards the place where Hoover kept his rare and unusual tomes. She watched as he searched and searched until he found a dark maroon colored tome with gold etching and frayed leather edges. He blew the dust off the ancient seeming item and read the title aloud. “Antiqua Equus…” He flipped through the volume and nodded to himself confirming what he already knew. “Elytra is an olden name,” he said over his shoulder. “If we have anything about it, it’d be in here.’” “The Olden language… May I borrow it?” Chrysalis could feel her heart skip a beat. She was close. This book had to have answers. If what Shade spoke was the truth, and it was likely that he did, then ‘Antiqua Equus’ would answer many questions in regards to the draconequus’ claims. “You can read it?” Chrysalis’ eyes were glued to the book in the poindexter’s hooves. “I’m sure I can manage.” She spoke licking her lips. “Whatever the lady wants,” He smirked at the hunger in violet eyes. “But you’ll have to come back to tell me what happened with you and the chalice.” She nodded as he presented her the object of her desire.