//------------------------------// // Your Majesty // Story: Two-Sided Prequel II: Who You Work For // by FerociousCreation //------------------------------// PUMBUTUMPUM! The carriage made a loud crashing sound as it bounced on the dirt trail. Fang attempted to make a softer landing, but the dirt path was covered in rocks. The last thing he wanted to do was trip and get hurt. Coming to a complete stop, Fang looked at the Canterlot Castle, his heart burning with anger. He knew that the princess who caused his queen such pain and misery lived behind those walls of white stone. But Fang did not let his anger get to him and remembered what he was doing: assisting Queen Chrysalis and Coco Pommel with the day's shopping. I hope Coco isn't angry with my landing, the changeling grinned. Removing the saddle that strapped him to the carriage, he went over to the door and opened it. “Alright everychangeling, we are almost there.” Fang was expecting Coco to be bombarding Chrysalis and Sea More with endless questions. Instead, everyone looked at him with blank stares. Sea More was sitting to the left of the cabin by himself and Chrysalis and Coco were close to each other on the right. Coco was looking a bit upset as she bunched herself close against the queen. “Is everything alright?” he asked as he looked at Coco. “Just... a little frightened...” Her eyes shied away from the changeling as he asked his question. Turning to his queen, Fang spoke, “Why does she look so scared?” Chrysalis answered with a calm voice, “She wanted to know what it was like to have love sucked out of her.” “Y-you did what?!” His outburst did not please the queen. “Do not yell at me,” Chrysalis answered with a blunt tone. It surprised the guard that she did not yell back at him, considering his volume was uncalled for. “She is fine now. All she needs for the moment is comfort. If you like, you may see to her.” Back to her friend, Chrysalis looked down at her. “In fact, since you two get along, you may walk with him if you like.” Coco liked the idea. “Yeah, a nice walk will do me some good.” Removing herself from her seat, the pony got up and took a quick glance at Chrysalis before moving toward the door. The sack of gold was not in her way, so getting out of the wagon was not too difficult. “I do hope you feel better once we get into the walls of the castle,” said the queen from behind. Coco took a gander at Chrysalis and smiled at her, “Thanks.” “Make haste, Fang,” Chrysalis spoke in her usual serious tone. “We do not have all day and cannot afford time to be wasted. “Yes, my queen,” Fang replied with a nod. Gingerly, he closed the door to the carriage. With Coco all alone with him, he looked at her with concern. “Are you feeling any better, Coco?” “I guess...” Staring down at the ground, Coco's eyes danced around counting the stones at her hooves. “I just want to forget the experience is all.” Fang's heart fluttered, knowing what he had to do in order to keep his friend calm. “T-then forget what just happened and remember this.” Fang made a quick advancement at Coco and embraced her. In response, her cheek and snout brushed against his neck. Whether her affectionate act was intentional or not, Fang inhaled and took in the love she presented. “Are you feeling better now?” Fang asked as he carefully pulled away from his friend. To Fang's surprise, Coco looked a lot happier. “A hug from you is just enough to make me smile.” “Do I always have the answer to your problems?” Fang joked. A giggle escaped the mare. “Maybe.” Both pony and changeling looked at each other for a moment without speaking. “So shall we be going?” “Yes. If we stand out here any longer, I believe the queen will throw a fit.” “I HEARD THAT!” Both startled by Chrysalis' outburst, the two of them ran to the front of the carriage. Fang quickly adjusted the saddle onto his back and began to pull the wagon. *** Coco and Fang walked in silence as they approached the castle walls. It was a surprise to Fang that the mare was not asking any questions. But he knew why she was quiet as well. Fang was no longer in his changeling self, but disguised as his unicorn form. His mane was glimmering like a stained glass window as the sun shined down on him. Every once in a while, Coco would glance at his red colored hair, amazed by it. In fact, she was beginning to get a few ideas for a dress line up because of his choice of mane. Coco also got a glance at his cutie mark, not that it mattered what it looked like, considering Fang was a changeling. It was a simple ember that engulfed a sharp fang. So if anypony were to try and guess his name, most would get half of it right. The sun was up in the air, shining down on the land of Equestria. If Coco were to have guessed, it was still early morning and that there was plenty of time to have things accomplished. Soon, they were walking into the kingdom of Canterlot. “Here we are,” Fang replied quietly. Coco heard him and looked to the changeling. He smiled at her as she looked at him. “I hope you are feeling better.” “I am. I'm still a bit shaken up...” Coco was still shaken up by the events that had happened in the carriage. However, knowing that the day had just begun, Coco knew that there was plenty of time to forget the morning's incident. “Understandable,” Fang replied. Fang knew the effects of a changeling sucking the love out of a pony. He could remember the first pony he had to take love by force. It was during the Canterlot invasion. A mother was standing over her child as she shivered in the corner of a back alleyway. Fang slowly came to her as the mother helplessly watched him come to her. As soon as he got close enough, Fang shot a green beam at the mare's head and began to sap the love out of her. The child began to scream and hit Fang, trying to free her mother from the changeling's spell. When Fang felt full, he stopped his spell. The mother collapsed onto the floor and shivered. Fang watched the mare look at him with despair and hopelessness. In a burst of courage, the child stood in front of her mother, pointing her horn at Fang. The filly's horn sparked with magic as she attempted to conjure a spell that will make the changeling go away. With all of her strength she had, the girl yelled, “You stay away from my mother!” Before he knew it, a magical force shoved him into the air. As he flew through the air, Fang noticed other changelings, including his queen, were being repelled away from Canterlot. Fang was later informed that the force that pushed everychangeling into the sky was the combined power of Cadence and Shining Armor. Even though the raid was a failure, the hive was satisfied with the amount of love that was obtained, so the invasion was not a total loss. The memory of the mother who Fang had sucked the love out was burned into his mind. For some reason, it didn't haunt him; however, he still felt bad for the child he scarred. Whenever the thought began to bother the changeling, he kept telling himself, “I had no choice. I did it for my queen and the survival of my race. It's your princess' fault that causes us to create harm.” Shaking his head to remove a past memory, Fang looked at Coco again and saw she was smiling. The mare was turning her head left and right, wondering which store would be the best one to start at. She was beginning to forget the incident in the carriage quite quickly and effectively. “I'm starting to get excited,” Coco said to Fang. “How so?” he asked. Coco giggled and looked forward. “I've... never really had friends who would go shopping with me.” Fang frowned, “Why would nopony want to attend your company while you shop?” “They just never had the time I guess,” Coco shrugged. “It is very nice to have Chrysalis invite me. Which reminds me...” The changeling saw gears working as Coco brought a hoof to her chin. “Do you have a question to ask?” Coco gave a half smirk. “Am I that easy to read?” “I just know what to expect from you.” Rolling her eyes, she answered, “Yes, I do have a question. Not for you, but for Chrysalis.” “Then go ask her. I'm sure she would not mind her friend speaking to her.” “Alright.” In a slow retreat, Coco went over to the carriage door. Fang came to a complete stop so that the mare can open the door without running the risk of being injured by the wagon wheels. There were very few ponies in the street so stopping was not going to harm anypony. Coco felt the need to be polite and knocked on the door. “Are we safe to come out?” Chrysalis asked. Coco looked back at Fang and was about to ask him if it was safe for the queen to come out. But Fang gave a nod without any words. He knew if they acted suspiciously, the Canterlot guards will be on their tails in no time. “Yes, it is,” Coco replied. “But I just wanted to ask you a question.” Queen Chrysalis opened the door with ease and looked down at her friend. “I thought I said no questions when we get to Canterlot.” Coco was in awe. She looked up at the now disguised changeling, almost jealous of her beauty. Chrysalis was no more her black-skinned self, but a lovely white unicorn with a beautiful flow of blonde hair. The cutie mark on her flank was a saber with a blue pommel. The blade was bent like a waxing crescent and had a yellow glimmer near the tip of the sword. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Chrysalis asked, uncomfortable by the way the pony was looking up at her. “You look beautiful. Like... wow.” Chrysalis' ego inflated. “And I thought I couldn't get any more beautiful.” She brought her hoof to her mane and flicked her wrist into the air. Her hair danced in the breeze as it slowly went up and then back down onto her shoulders. Chrysalis' voice was also different. It was very feminine and beautiful to the ear. “So, what is it that you wish to ask me?” “Oh! Right... umm” Coco had to collect her thoughts again, trying not to admire the queen's facade. “How come you wanted me to come shopping with you? Sure you could have just paid me and sent me home. But instead, here we are in Canterlot, ready to buy clothes. I asked this question before and you didn't answer.” What happened next surprised the pony. Chrysalis' cheeks began to radiate blush. “Well, the thing is...” Ugh, must she always ask stupid questions that fluster me?! “I- I- wish to have you accompany me for just a little longer.” “Hmm?” Coco hummed as she turned her head. “How come?” “Well... I've never had a pony friend and... the love you give is... tasty.” The word “tasty” made Coco feel slightly uncomfortable and Chrysalis saw that. “You also, again, have accepted me without judging me or my kind bitterly. You have listened to my story and understand the pain that I have endured. You truly are a very caring and generous pony.” “And I thank you for being my friend as well.” The two mares smiled at each other before Chrysalis removed herself from the carriage. I also wish to be your friend for a while longer before we have to part ways, Chrysalis thought as she came down. She did not want to say that to her friend, considering it may upset the pony and make her think that she was being used just as a food source. Sea More was now making his way out of the wagon and was now a pegasus. He had a turquoise body color and his mane was a dark blue-green. His cutie mark was a palm tree that settled in sand and a sun hovered to the right of the plant. “It was about time you moved, my queen.” A harsh blow came to Sea More's chest as Chrysalis bucked her right leg into his gut. The stallion cringed downward, the wind knocked out of him, and crumpled to the ground, kicking up dust as he fell with a thump. When Sea More tried to inhale, he sounded like he was trying to suck in his voice box. Chrysalis turned to Sea More and looked down at him. “Get up.” Sea More could not respond because he could not catch his breath. “I barely touched you. My daughter received worse punishment when she disobeyed me and she didn't overreact like you are right now. She knew how to tough it out.” Still, Sea More could not answer. “You want me to strike you for real?” Chrysalis asked with a raise of her brow. “Because I can. And this time, I will use magic.” Not wanting her to do any more harm to himself, Sea More staggered up and tried to remain still. “I thought so,” Chrysalis turned, facing Coco. “Sea More, pull the carriage so Fang can rest and walk among myself and Coco.” Coco looked at Sea More unable to help him. Limping over to Fang, Sea More saw his friend smirking, trying to hold in a laugh. “Shut up,” Sea More spoke bluntly, despite Fang not saying anything. Fang removed himself from the front and made way for the pegasus. It took a few moments before Sea More got the harness on correctly. Must she inflict pain on me? A shock of electricity struck him in the flank and looked back. He noticed smoke was drifting off his burnt skin. He also noticed his queen was right beside him. “Walk!” she ordered. In fear of angering Queen Chrysalis, Sea More moved forward with haste. Turning to Coco, the disguised queen gave her a smile and said, “Shall we begin our shopping?” The pony looked unsure about the question. “May I ask just... one more thing before we shop?” Chrysalis let out a sarcastic sigh. “What is it? You wish to know the day I was born? When was the hive formed? What?” “I would like to eat something, please. I didn't have breakfast and would like something in my stomach before we begin.” Coco's eyes stared into Chrysalis' with innocence. Chrysalis felt slightly bad for assuming her friend was trying to ask another question about herself of the hive. “Of course,” the queen replied. “Choose any place you wish to dine at.” *** It was a small and innocent looking cafe, which is why Coco chose it. Coco, Chrysalis, and Fang were sitting at a booth that had comfortable cushions and a small lantern that dangled above the table by a wire. Fang sat next to his queen on the outside of the booth while Coco was by herself. Sea More was left outside to stand by the carriage to keep eye on the treasure that lay within it. In front of the pony was a plate that had a toasted panini that had spinach and melted cheese inside it. She had taken a bite out of one half and held it in her hoof. Coco smiled as she ate, knowing that warm cheese made it so much more enjoyable to taste and eat. While she sat there, Coco watched the two disguised changelings sit in front of her in silence, staring at her, making the pony feel slightly awkward. Coco looked around the cafe as she took another bite to see that it was quite busy, considering breakfast hours were still in effect. She remembered her job back in Manehattan and how crazy the morning rush can be. Coco also remembered something else: she was with two changelings; one of them being the queen. If she said Chrysalis' name aloud, others might think she was either crazy, or it may blow their cover. The pony has already gained their trust and Coco was not willing to lose it over a simple phrase, such as, “So Chrysalis, how was your morning?” There was a small piece of paper that rested behind the salt and pepper shakers that said in bold: How was your service? There were lines that indicated that that was the place to write. A small pencil was held in a spiral wire beside the paper. Placing down her sandwich, Coco grabbed the pencil and paper, turning it on its blank side. Writing quickly, the mare wrote down: What shall I call you since you are disguised as somepony else? As she was writing, Fang and Chrysalis looked at each other, wondering what the pony was up to. When Coco finished, she then slid the paper over to Chrysalis in silence. Lowering her head to see the small hoofwriting, the queen read the note. She looked elsewhere as she thought of a name. Then it came to her. Chrysalis used her magic of levitation to take the pencil off the table and quickly wrote on it. Coco noticed that the queen had a smug grin as she hoofed the paper over. As the pony took it, she read the answer. Coco giggled quietly as she read: Call me Your Majesty. “Say, Your Majesty,” Coco chuckled a bit before continuing. “...today has been a lovely day, hasn't it.” “Just saying my name makes the day even better,” Chrysalis replied as she raised her head proudly. Fang had no interjection or say on his queen's statement. He knows she can inflate her ego and prefers that she does so anyway. “You are just not very talkative when out in public, are you Your Majesty?” “Just... not much to talk about,” Chrysalis shrugged. She looked at Fang and asked, “What can we talk about?” “Well Your Majesty,” Fang answered, “I do think we should discuss how we are going to shop here in Canterlot.” “I think so as well,” Chrysalis answered. Placing her elbows on the table, the queen bent her left wrist and rested her chin on it and looked at Coco. “Do you remember how many dresses we need?” “Eleven,” Coco answered. “And what about outfits for the stallions?” “Nine.” “You sure do remember a lot.” “Well, you did tell me what you needed last night, so it was not hard to remember.” Chrysalis shrugged, “Point taken.” She was relieved to know that her friend was on top of what was needed to get done and didn't have to explain herself again. Chrysalis hated explaining herself twice. “Considering we are in Canterlot, it should not be too difficult to find a shop that has what we need.” “Are there any particular dresses or outfits you are looking out for? A theme perhaps?” Coco asked as she took another bite out of her sandwich. “I... never considered that.” Chrysalis gave the pony's question some thought. The dress that Coco made for me was blue and white, whereas the outfit for Fang was Red and Black. “If we are going for a theme, I would say the mares should be dressed in blue and the stallions in red.” “Alright. I really like the idea,” Coco added with a smile. The queen smirked, “And here I thought you were going to ask another question.” Fang could not help himself and let out a small “pfft” as he heard the queen's comment. Looking at Fang, Coco asked, “Did Your Majesty give you permission to make an input?” “Yes,” Chrysalis replied to the question and turned her attention toward him. “Did I give you permission to make any remark?” Both mares laughed amongst themselves as Fang felt singled out as they teamed up on him with a quip. “Don't worry, Fang,” Coco spoke with a smile. “I'm just teasing you.” “I bet you are,” Fang smirked. As they looked at each other, Coco admired her friend Inferno Fang. He was the first friend that had ever stood up for her. She remembered how he stood against her former boss with an unbreakable attitude and Coco wanted to make it up to him. “Say, Your Majesty,” Coco asked with a bit of uncertainty in her voice. “Can I request something?” “Anything for the questionmare.” The queen looked at Fang who was struggling to hold in a laugh. “You can make an input if you like now.” With permission, Fang let out a chuckle as Chrysalis laughed along with him. Ignoring the joke made toward her, Coco asked, “I was wondering, once we are done with shopping if Fang and I can just walk around Canterlot for a short while. Just the two of us.” All laughter stopped.