//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Your Royal Highness // Story: Equestria’s Changeling Queen and the Abyssal Empress // by vren55 //------------------------------// Alternia’s Coronation Day, Canterlot…         “Regalia?” asked Twilight.         I tapped my chestpiece with my shoes. I had had it made similar to the one I wore as Celestia, but instead of the single large fleuron on Celestia’s shoes, mine had a three-pronged design. Also, mine were silver instead of gold, with emerald gems.           Besides that, some rather noticeable alterations had been made to the chestpiece. Silver like the rest of my regalia, the chestpiece was composed of not just one, but several overlapping plates that provided extra protection, and covered up the prosthetic section of my carapace. “Snugly fitted.” I smiled. “And how are my Banner Maids?” Twilight looked over her eager friends briefly, before turning back to me. “Ready and awaiting, Alternia.” She and each of them were wearing one of Rarity’s custom-made ensembles that were all themed in green and silver, though each of the dresses were styled, and accentuated in a way that would reflect on the personality of every Element bearer. Apparently the fashion-minded mare had insisted on making these clothes just for the occasion, and while I wasn’t sure I approved spending so much time and material on clothing that might only be used for one day, I couldn’t deny that the effect was beautiful. Nodding, I faced Cyndra, who was in a radiant, light green silk gown. “The Royal Escorts?” Cyndra glanced at the six changeling chevaliers my sisters had lent me in rarely-seen dark blue armor and six Royal Guards, who saluted smartly. “At the ready, Aunt Alternia,” said my niece. Nodding, I finally let my eyes point forward, looking at the golden doors of the Royal Hall of Canterlot. I knew exactly what was on the other side, and I knew what was going to happen next, but that didn’t help at all with the anticipation, and fear that now filled me. Raven darted over to our group, her simple red tie and collar replaced by a crimson silk dress. “Showtime in fifteen seconds, your Highness,” said my assistant. I took a deep breath and exhaled, slowly. Only fifteen seconds left. There was no turning back now. Twilight, her companions, Cyndra, and my escort had taken up their positions behind me. “Ten,” said Raven, glancing at the watch on her hoof. This is really happening, isn’t it? That was when I suddenly heard Chrysalis’s voice in my head. Yes it is happening, Alternia. I flinched. Chrysalis? I screamed into my mind. This time I heard Belladona’s voice. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about the mental link we established a few months ago between us? She has been making history, Donna. I wouldn’t be surprised that Alternia forgot in all of the hassle. Simulacris had nailed it. I had actually forgotten that shortly after I recovered from my injuries, my sisters and I established a mental link to contact each other if we got close enough. This link was based on the one that had bound us when we were part of mother’s hive, and relief now filled me as I realized my sisters were with me, in a fashion. “Five seconds.” Oh mother, strengthen me. Could I really do this? “One. Showtime.” I was supposed to start walking forward at this point, but I didn’t, and as the guards swung the golden doors forward, I didn’t move. I couldn’t, even as I saw the red carpet stretch out in front of me from between the still swinging doors. All that ran through my mind were frantic, desperate prayers to my mother. Stop praying to mother and get a move on, Alternia!         I swallowed and did as she said.         The Royal Hall was filled with ponies, and dignitaries of all species. Every one of their eyes were on me as I fell into long-time habits and walked sedately down the carpet.         It was a close thing, though. Every part of me wanted to stop and tremble. I mean, many ponies had seen me without my disguise before, but they were all from a distance, when I had made my first speech as Alternia from the top of a balcony. This situation, where everybody was so close to me that I could hear their whispers and feel their excitement, was completely different.         But then I spotted my sister, Chrysalis, her daughter Lamia, and my younger sisters Simulacris and Belladonna close to the dais, with their changelings. I drew on their encouraging smiles and found Blueblood, and Cadance, who were on the dais as well. Cadance was dressed in a light blue chiffon dress studded with purple crystals. Blueblood was in his smart white suit and looking dapper. They couldn’t wave, as they were on the dais, but I could feel their love emanating from them in support.         My confidence returning, I trotted up the dais. A chorus was singing accompanied by a small orchestra playing to the side of the hall, but I didn’t catch most of what they were saying. I simply ascended to meet my co-rulers.         Celestia and Luna once had coronation dresses, but they had been designed so long ago those yellow, red, and purple garments would look ridiculous if they wore them today. Instead, Celestia wore her regalia and a flame-colored dress that billowed over her flanks like a wave. As for Luna, she had a sparkling midnight obsidian dress, which she wore with her normal regalia.         Upon reaching the dais, I bowed to Celestia and Luna, my head nearly touching the floor.         “Alternia,” said Celestia, her regal voice filling the hall.  “When we first appointed thee as our regent, we could never have conceived that thou wouldst bring Equestria to an era of such prosperity and peace.”         Luna then stepped up beside her sister, her wings flared imperiously. “It is for this reason that we call upon you to a greater task, to rule Equestria with us not as a regent, but as an equal, a princess.”         “Alternia, daughter of Queen Chamelia, dost thou swear to protect Equestria from all threats?”         I closed my eyes. “I swear.”         “Do you promise to rule Equestria with fairness, prudence and all the fortitude you can muster?” asked Luna.         “I promise.”         “Dost thou resolve to serve Equestria to the end of thine days?” asked Celestia.         I nodded. “By my mother’s name, I swear.”         Smiling, Celestia nodded and turned to Spike, who was standing beside her. From the velvet cushion that Spike was holding up, Celestia levitated my tiara. It had been made similar to hers and Luna’s, but with the same sheen of silver that I wore on my chest, and inset with the same emeralds. Glinting in the morning sun, it hovered in the air, held by Celestia and Luna’s combined magic.         “Do you accept the crown of a Princess of Equestria, and all the responsibilities of this position?” asked Luna.         I raised my head a bit, but remained kneeling at the dais. I could see the crown hovering a few feet away from me. I could refuse it.         But I did not want to.         “Yes.”         Celestia’s smile widened a bit as she lowered the tiara to my head. “Then by the power invested in myself, Princess Celestia of Equestria, daughter of Faust, Guardian of the Sun, and Princess Luna of Equestria, daughter of Faust, Guardian of the Moon and Dreams, we crown thee, Alternia, Daughter of Chamelia, as a Princess of Equestria, and Guardian of all Mortals.”         With that I felt the cool touch of the silver circlet against my brow, and rose to my hooves. As the occupants of the hall thundered in applause, I turned around to face them and the emotions they hid beneath their own masks. I could see uncertainty in some of their faces, but more important were the beaming smiles of my family and my friends, some of whom, Belladonna and Hanna Belle in particular, had no reservations about cheering loudly.         “Time for the speech, Alternia. Are you ready?” whispered Luna.         I swallowed. “Lead the way.”         Luna chuckled, and, with Celestia, led me to one of the balconies overlooking the main courtyard of the castle. It was packed with ponies.         When I first revealed myself to my ponies, I had been terrified, but now, with the comforting weight of the tiara on my head, and the presence of my co-rulers at my side, the fluttering in my chest was stilled.         Taking a deep breath, I smiled and began:         “Good morning, my little ponies. I hope you have been enjoying this wonderful day so far. “I am quite aware that despite the reassurances myself and my fellow rulers have given, there are those out there who are quite uncertain about who I am, and what my intentions for Equestria are. “I do not begrudge you for doubting me. “In the past few years Equestria has moved into an age of great change, of great wonder, but also of great trial. I am committed, as I always have been, to guiding you all through every tribulation and challenge to maintaining peace, justice and harmony throughout all of Equestria. All I ask of you is to trust me. Nothing else. Simply remember that I am not a strange changeling queen come to lord over you all. I am an old friend, who stopped pretending to be someone she wasn’t, and took off her mask. If you can do this, then I swear that I will do as I always have done and preserve harmony and encourage the bonds of friendship for all those that dwell in Equestria.         “Thank you for listening. I wish you a sunny afternoon.”         To my relief, my speech was greeted with enthusiastic applause and I could feel the hearts of many soften to my words. Celestia and Luna also appeared to think so, as they smiled just a bit wider at me while I trotted to thank the ambassadors of various nations that had attended the coronation and see them off. I first told Twilight and her friends to meet me later at Donut Joe’s, though, as I did not want a repeat of the Grand Galloping Gala, as enjoyable as that had been. This was a far more tedious task than I expected. While the endless line of congratulations from various dignitaries of Equestria’s various allied nations like the Minotaurs, the Maretonians, and the Saddle Arabians seemed perfectly respectful, I could easily read the emotions of wariness that they gave off. After some time though, the line ended with the four changelings I had been waiting to meet.         “That was a speech worthy of a Princess, Alternia,” said Chrysalis as she walked up to shake my hoof. In response, I wrapped her in my hooves in the tightest embrace I could muster. I hadn’t had the chance to see my sister for a week, and hence, I had a strong urge to hug a family member. “I love you too, Alternia, but your chest piece is squishing me,” Chrysalis croaked. My eyes wide, I released my older sister, who sucked in large gulps of air. “Oh I am so sorry! It’s been a long few weeks and I really well…” “Needed to commit sororicide?” asked Belladonna in a wry voice. I turned to Simulacris and Belladonna, my younger sisters, and chuckled. “You know I love you all too much for that, even if you do give me headaches.” I lifted a hoof. “Hug?” Simulacris gladly embraced me, but Belladonna stood away, coughing into her hoof. “I don’t do hugs,” Belladonna said in a gruff tone. I took my chin off Simulacris’s shoulder for a moment to grin at Belladonna. “Your acting skills still need work, Donna.” Belladonna resisted the temptation to glomp for a second longer, until she mock-groaned and seized both me and Simulacris in her hooves. “I’m starting to understand Chrysalis’s frustration with you, Alternia,” grumbled Belladonna. Chrysalis blinked. “Frustration with what?” Fixing Chrysalis with half-lidded eyes, Belladonna said in an utterly deadpan voice: “The unnerving fact that Alternia has a habit of turning out to be right all along.” I’m not sure if it was I or Chrysalis who started first. We were seized in a fit of giggling for a few good seconds. That was until Belladonna coughed and composed herself. Simulacris did the same, and oddly enough, walked away from me to take a place beside the group of changelings that had accompanied them. Chrysalis nudged me. “Alternia, now that you are Princess of Equestria, we thought it prudent to give you a coronation gift.” My first reaction was to shake my head and tell my sisters they didn’t have to be so kind, but I stopped myself. For all of them to collaborate on a single project, it must have taken quite a degree of work. To refuse their gift would be churlish. “Chrysalis, Simulacris, and Belladonna, that you are here to support me is enough of a gift,” I said sincerely. “For you perhaps, but we think our sister and newest Princess of Equestria deserves more than that,” said Simulacris. She pointed to the changelings, who snapped to attention in perfect unison. “Thus, we’d like to grant the service of these changelings to you.” I blinked. What? “You’re giving me some of your changelings? But they’re part of your hives, and sworn to serve you!” I exclaimed. Belladonna snorted. “Each of these forty changelings has agreed out of their own volition to serve you and your heirs till their dying day, should you choose to accept their loyalty. You can be assured we didn’t force them.” I inhaled, and exhaled to compose myself. “But why your changelings? Judging by their discipline, these are clearly valued members of your hive!” Chrysalis’s head dropped a bit as she grimaced. “It was my idea, Alternia.” Sighing, she turned to face me. “A thousand years ago, I prevented you from becoming queen of your own hive, and you have never had the opportunity since then, until now.” She gestured to the changelings. “I—well, we—wanted to give you the opportunity to start your own hive.” My throat choked. “Chrysalis…” I swallowed, forcing myself to look the awaiting changelings in the eye. They all stood in rapt attention, stoically watching us four queens discuss their fate. It was hardly a difficult decision to make. I needed more staff, and a new guard to assist with my duties and protect me. Besides, having a hive of my own… it was a dream that I had not been able to let go of throughout the years, no matter how hard I tried.  “Sisters, I accept your generous gift.” I nuzzled Chrysalis, moving onto Simulacris and finally Belladonna, who this time, stepped forward to brush her nose against mine. “Thank you.” Turning back to the group of changelings, I coughed. “And I thank you, you brave forty, for accepting my leadership, and for being willing to leave your homes. Should you continue to serve me loyally, I promise you only the greatest of rewards.” A few smiles burst upon the changelings. One of them, an infiltrator from the looks of it, even stepped forward and bowed gallantly. “Your generosity is unparalleled, your highness.” I smiled and turned to the corner of the room. “Raven? Cyndra?” I asked. My loyal assistant and niece quickly ran over, Raven from chatting with Marenitz, and Cyndra from her conversation with Lamia. They blinked as they took in the new arrivals. “As of this moment, these changelings have joined my staff and guard detail. Please secure appropriate lodgings and sustenance for them,” I instructed. Nodding,  and after a brief smile to her mother, Cyndra  quickly walked with Raven up to the forty changelings and began talking to them. Meanwhile, I turned to my sisters. “Chryssy, Simul, Donna, let us go to my chambers. It has been too long.” “So will you perform the mind-linking ceremony, and ascend?” asked Chrysalis as we trotted to my rooms. I shook my head. “I’ll have to get to know those changelings better.” I glanced at my sisters. “Perhaps you can tell me a bit about them, and especially why in the world they wanted to serve me in the first place.” Belladonna started laughing so hard and so raucously we had to stop as she cackled. Needless to say, I was very confused, especially as Chrysalis and Simulacris were also grinning. “Oh dear, Alternia, you are really as pure and innocent as we remember,” gasped Belladonna, once she had caught her breath. I was about to retort, but Simulacris spoke first. “Did you notice anything about the changelings, Alternia?” she asked in a cheeky tone. I frowned. “Well…” I thought back to the brief look I had of the newest members of my staff. “They were mostly male.” Chrysalis nodded sagely. “Precisely.” I blinked, and my jaw dropped open. “Oh no.” My hoof slapped against my forehead. I didn’t care that my shoe banged against my carapace. My sisters had really torn it this time. “You did not seriously insinuate what I am thinking you insinuated,” I said. Belladonna snickered. “Be a little more specific, Alternia.” I groaned. “You suggested to those changelings that they might have a chance at becoming my consort.”         Changeling queens take consorts, usually male, in order to hopefully produce new queens, but also simply out of companionship and intimacy. The consort of a queen not only enjoys her affection, but also becomes her most trusted companion, gaining a large degree of power and influence within the hive structure.         Not to mention, changeling queens are typically regarded as the most attractive figures of our species. I turned to Simulacris and Chrysalis, hoping they weren’t that deeply in on what I feared was Belladonna’s scheme. Their widening grins only confirmed my suspicions. Chrysalis even trotted up and draped her hoof around my shoulders. “Seriously, Alternia, how long has it been since you have lain in bed with a lover?” Chrysalis asked. Oh by the great mothers, Chrysalis did not seriously just inquire into my romantic history. This could not be happening! “Fifty-four years,” I replied automatically. My last lover had been an artist who had often been hired to paint my portrait. He got to know… Celestia? Me? Okay, I know exactly what I do not want to mention to Celestia ever. Anyway, regardless of whom he got to know so well, we shared many nights together, until he finally decided to settle down, and we parted on good terms. Suddenly realizing what I had admitted, I snapped my mouth shut. I answered that, didn’t I?         Simulacris, I swear on my mother’s name, whistled. “Wow, that’s a really long time, Alternia.” “I can’t exactly just pick a random guard and bed them!” I snapped back. Immediately afterwards  I clamped a hoof over my mouth and watched as my sisters’ grins grew so wide, they began to turn into leers. Belladonna started giggling again. “Ohohoho, I should have let more of my female changelings know about your preferences. I didn’t realize you liked the same sex as well.” My sisters were now circling me like hungry sharks around a liferaft, and I was in the liferaft, and not feeling very comfortable right now. “I prefer males! Now can we just stop with the questions!” I begged. Chrysalis shook her head, unable to resist cackling. “Not before you tell us how long it has been since you’ve had a handsome changeling to polish your carapace.” I shut my eyes. Oh I could try to lie my way out of this, but I was already so embarrassed, it wouldn’t work. Oh I hate telling the truth sometimes. I whispered the answer so softly, my sisters all missed it. “Can you say that again?” asked Simulacris. If changelings could blush, and they couldn’t, I would be steaming. As bright as a hot iron from head to toe. “Never! I’ve never been in bed with another changeling!” My sisters didn’t laugh as I expected though. “Wait, never?” Belladonna asked, her voice filled with shock. I opened my eyes. My sisters were all staring at me, with looks of utter incredulity on their faces. “Didn’t you have even a single lover back when we were still in the Everfree hive?” asked Simulacris. I shook my head. “I had many friends, but no. None that I saw as a lover.” I sighed. “I saw no reason to rush in getting one, but as we all know, things never go quite to plan.” I didn’t need to look at Chrysalis to feel her guilt rolling off her shoulders. “But that means… have you never bedded anyone without your disguise on?” Belladonna asked. “You’ve never experienced true intimacy?” Chrysalis whispered. I nodded. “Well, yes.” Changelings, likely due to our powers of disguise, value intimacy without any disguises highly. To the point that to engage in romantic acts with one’s wedded mate while disguised, without the mate’s consent, is taboo.   Unfortunately, due to the circumstances of my position and disguise, I had never experienced that kind of intimacy without a disguise on. Now that my sisters knew about this, they were particularly disturbed, especially Chrysalis. I was about to say something to comfort them, but Simulacris took a deep breath and grimaced. “Well then, we have no time to lose! We must get you laid as soon as possible!” Did my normally solemn sister just say what I think she said? Belladonna nodded, with mirth returning to her features, though to my horror, her eyes were deadly serious. “Exactly. Come along, Alternia, we must tell you which changelings we recommend!” I shook my head desperately as Belladonna and Simulacris sandwiched me and started ushering me along to my room.  “Chrysalis! Please, say something,” I pleaded. But my eldest sister’s eyes were full of fiery determination, and I could sense the guilt-fueled resolve of her emotions. Her horn glowing, Chrysalis lifted me bodily into the air and charged toward my room, Belladonna and Simulacris hot on her heels. “It’s my fault you never got a changeling lover, so we’r—” Chrysalis’s declaration was cut off as she noticed two ponies walking into view, startling her into quickly putting me down. At the same time, Belladonna and Simulacris stopped pushing me and stood beside me as if we had simply been chatting. “Well, we’re going to make sure you get one,” whispered Chrysalis, a completely natural smile on her features. I wanted to grimace, but to do so would have drawn too much attention, so I shook my head, my well-practiced Celestia smile stuck to my face. “Oh no, not you too!” In the Middle of the Eastern Sea…         Matte Hoop had seen quite a lot of weird stuff in his life as an oceanographer and shark specialist. Sharks had once nearly sunk his little boat, the Orca, and another time had almost had him and his captain, Flint, for breakfast after a storm...         Come to think of it, a lot of their adventures seem to involve them nearly being eaten by sharks. It had come to the point where their friend Sheriff Buddy had seriously asked them to reconsider their career options. They had said “Aw hell no!” back then.         At the moment, though, Hoop was wondering if maybe Buddy was right. A few hours ago the pair had picked up a radio call from a cargo freighter that had reported seeing the “weirdest storm of the century”. Their curiosity piqued, the pair had changed course to have a look themselves.         After two hours or so of sailing, they were beginning to regret that decision. Gigantic water spouts tore through the rolling waves. Writhing in the rain-filled air, they sucked countless gallons of water into the black-clouded sky. Explosions of thunder pounded the seafarers’ ears, as odd rainbow-colored forks of lightning danced and crackled along the water spouts like deadly ballet dancers. The atmosphere itself felt charged and dense, even within the confines of the cabin, and to make matters truly terrifying, sudden, inexplicable geysers of steam and white frothing water shot up into the sky every now and then at random.         “Hoop, mate, whatever the heck this thing is, I think we might be in over our heads this time. I’m getting the heck out of here, so get what readings ye can,” Flint said as he gripped the steering wheel of the Orca tighter.         Matte Hoop nodded and grabbed his thaumascope, a device used by ponies to judge the concentration of magic in the air. Whatever was out there was not natural ocean weather, and Hoop wanted to know what was causing it. One glance at the instrument’s reading, though, only confused Hoop further.         “What in Equestria?” Hoop said in a quiet voice.         “What’s yer fancy doohicky tellin ya, Hoop?” Flint asked.         Hoop shook his head. “According to this, the air is quite literally saturated with magic. That could be what’s making the weather so weird, but…”         “Spit it out mate!” Flint said as he threw his weight against the wheel.         “Magical concentration alone shouldn’t make the seas so rough! There’s gotta be someone casting a spell, maybe multiple spells!” explained Hoop.         Flint frowned and grunted as he turned the Orca into another wave. “From where, though? It’s open ocean here until Venecia, which is miles away! From where can you cast spells that turn the ocean into this?”         “I don’t know. Wait…” Hoop’s eyes widened as the storm clouds suddenly started to dissipate, and the sleet of heavy rain gave way to a light shower. The thunder stopped crashing, and the flashes of lightning halted. His jaws gaped as the water spouts collapsed upon themselves in a spray of water, and the sudden, sporadic geysers were no more.         Within minutes, the terrifying storm the pair had sailed into was now no more than a normal, sunny day on the Eastern Sea. Any evidence from the wicked storm they had encountered vanished except for the slightly higher than normal waves.         “W-Where did the storm go?” Flint gasped.         Hoop didn’t have an answer, and couldn’t have given one anyway as the Orca gave a sudden jolt. It came so suddenly that Hoop was thrown off his hooves and landed on the deck, where Flint joined him.         “Now what?” groaned Hoop, expecting the worst. When he got to his feet, though, all he could see was what looked like a rather large wave, rolling away from them like a single ripple in a pond.         Yet that sight froze Hoop where he was.         “That’s... odd. You have any idea what that is?” asked Flint.         Hoop nodded slowly. His face paling, he turned to Flint. “Yes, and if I’m right, we need to raise Venecia on the radio and alert them immediately!”