//------------------------------// // Ire // Story: Resurgence // by DouglasTrotter //------------------------------// A gentle wind swept across the barren field of snow. Brilliant light from the moon and stars reflected off the snow capped mountains in the distant horizon. The once silent moment broke with the sound of misshapen entities that trudged through the deep snow. Wisps of frozen breath escaped their open mouths, their pearl white fangs glinting in the reflected light off the snow beneath them. The creatures sat down as they entered a snow covered forest. One looked up and tugged on a tree limb. Though its magic waned, the misshapen entity broke off a piece of wood, and then another. Several limbs were tossed into the middle of a small pit dug into the frozen ground, and a beam of green condensed magic shot towards the pile of kindling. Shadows danced around the trees while the creatures shivered near the fire, holding out their ebony colored hooves towards it. Teeth chattered. They shivered. Wind swept through the trees. Several bits of snow fell to the ground and turned to steam before hitting fire. Three sets of ears perked up. The changelings' eyes darted about, and then focused. A small dot appeared in the distance. It pulsed in a red light. The three changelings grinned at each other before they crept closer and closer towards the dot. Several clicks and hisses escaped their open mouths while the red light from the object reflected off their fangs. With the object levitated by the three, they charged towards their comrades. A resounding set of clicks, almost the sound of maniacal laughter, echoed throughout the forest. The group stopped at the edge of the forest. They turned to one another, and then the leader of the group. The changelings lowered their heads to the oncoming blizzard. Several more pieces of fresh kindling were broken from the trees near them, placed onto the fire. *** *** *** "Where are they?!" A voice snarled, it's harsh tone reverberating throughout the dark palace. Light from bioluminescent sconces reflected off the resin coated walls. An army of misshapen creatures bowed to a dark throne. A silhouette rose up. The tall dark shadow stood above the army in the chamber with its eyes glowing in a fierce green light, "I sent those little idiots out a day ago. Can those brainless whelps not accomplish one task!" Queen Chrysalis stood over her army of changeling warriors. Her eyes continued to glow in a ferocious green light. The glow faded, and her temperament settled. She looked behind her throne and watched the sun set in the horizon, a quick "make that two days ago" escaping her clenched teeth. The queen sat on her throne and glared at her army. Her eyes skimmed over each changeling soldier present. "You," she pointed at a changeling who soon pointed at himself, "yes. You will find those idiots and tell them --" The doors to the dark palace flung opened. Three frozen changelings slid inside with another three coming behind. The unfrozen changelings bowed to their ruler, a frosty breath escaping their chattering teeth. One moved forward, the misshapen creature panting in a heavy breath. Queen Chrysalis stood up. Her eyes widened. She darted toward the changeling, shoving the frozen minions aside. "This. Is. It." she said. Her voice went silent. Red light reflected off her green eyes. Queen Chrysalis levitated the object in front of her. "Now, if I can get the second piece." The doors flung open a second time. Seven injured changelings crept inside, and then collapsed. A strange box fell to the floor, once held in a soldier's magical grasp. The box slide away from the group. "...," the changeling ruler cackled in a soft voice before she faced her army, "what exists before us is the tool of our retribution." Queen Chrysalis said to the sound of cheers in the form of hisses and clicks. She trotted back to her throne with a happy stride. The two objects shook in her magical grasp. She licked her fangs. A sinister smile crept across her face. Queen Chrysalis opened the box, removed the object, and tossed the ornate wooden container to the side. "Even I have heard of your legendary power, Alicorn Amulet. If I were a unicorn, I would wield you without remorse, yet there is one who is better suited to your power. Isn't that right," Queen Chrysalis looked at the other object in her magical grasp, "King Sombra. You will be my instrument, my sword to wield against those 'ponies' who call Equestria home." Time slowed. The Alicorn Amulet levitated near the horn of King Sombra. It's red eye flashed in an ominous light, the gem at the center beginning to glow. Closer-and-closer the amulet neared the horn of the deposed, vanquished king. Rose colored light flooded the dark palace. Changelings shielded their eyes. Queen Chrysalis gazed on to see the horn turn into a darkened mass. Four hooves protruded from it, and then a head. A slit grew near the mouth with a set of teeth forming. The body collapsed to the floor, and the changeling army lowered their misshapen hooves. Queen Chrysalis crept towards the unicorn that lay before her. "..." "What?" Queen Chrysalis said. She leapt out of the way. "Do you realize how long it took my drones to make that throne!" "I don't care." King Sombra said in a guttural tone. He latched onto the queen of the changelings with his magic. His wicked grin reflected off Queen Chrysalis's eyes, the changeling ruler tugging at the coalesced collar of ethereal magic around her neck. "I. Owe. You. Nothing!" Queen Chrysalis dropped to the floor. She gasped for air. The army surrounded her. Beneath King Sombra, dark tendrils rocketed forth from his shadow. The black, ethereal vines strangled the changelings. One-by-one the soldiers flew away from their ruler and hit the walls. King Sombra's eyes widened. He collapsed to the ground and clutched his chest. The unicorn glared at Queen Chrysalis who towered above him. "I will not have a loose cannon roaming my kingdom. I brought you back, and I can easily dispatch you." Queen Chrysalis said. "Prove it." King Sombra said. Queen Chrysalis sneered at the unicorn, "Calling my bluff? That's the wrong answer. I've fed for three days solid to await your return. There's more than enough power within me to deal with you." "I can feel it. I can feel the power you put into me. It rivals your own, insignificant spec of abilities." King Sombra said, wheezing. The changeling army crept closer. Queen Chrysalis raised her hoof. The army stood at attention. "What do you desire, anomaly?" King Sombra said. "Such cruelty to one who can provide you with love and affection." Queen Chrysalis said, shifting into the shape of a beautiful tall mare. She leapt away and shifted back into her regular form, "You're quite the wise unicorn." "My body may have been destroyed, but not my mind. State your desire you half-pony freak." He said. Queen Chrysalis stood firm. She glared at the unicorn stallion who lay collapsed beneath her misshapen hooves. "What I desire is revenge. The ruination of Equestria. They will witness despair, and those ponies will know what it means to see loss as I feed off their love until they are nothing more than husks, shells of their former selves." King Sombra nodded. Helped to his hooves by Queen Chrysalis, a red glow enveloped his horn. "How dare you!" Queen Chrysalis said. "I trust no pony. You're just angry you didn't think of it first." King Sombra said. He winced, shook his head, and then turned towards the changelings in front of him. "Your queen is now mine. Do as I say or she will be reduced to ash." Several hisses and clicks echoed in the room. Rows of changelings got on their knees, however, two rows remained defiant. A small platoon of changelings flew towards Queen Chrysalis. The platoon of sixteen changelings stood their ground, but soon cowered. They turned to each other. They illuminated their horns, firing off blasts of magical energy. A dark, fluid, liquid shadow reflected off their eyes with King Sombra flashing a wicked grin towards them. "I do not tolerate insubordination." King Sombra said as he coalesced back into his original form. Sixteen, changeling shaped statues surrounded Queen Chrysalis. A red glow enveloped the unicorn's horn. He shook his head and placed the stone statue back onto the ground. "On this day of my resurgence, mercy shall be shown. Hear my words and heed them well. Failure. Disobedience. Subterfuge. None of these will be tolerated. Understood?!" Misshapen hooves rose into the air with cheering hisses and clicks following. Queen Chrysalis's eyes widened at the sight of the changelings that shifted into the shape of pegasi, unicorn, and earth ponies. Her mouth dropped open, and she collapsed to the ground. "What have I done?" Queen Chrysalis said in a whispered voice. She clutched the collar around her neck, "What... what is... happening?" King Sombra marched towards the changeling queen. He peered down at the creature near his hooves. "As stated, disobedience, including disobedient thoughts, will be met with swift punishment. Now, take me to 'my' chambers." Queen Chrysalis stood up. Her white fangs glistened in the bioluminescent light as she bit down on her lower lip before she looked at the unicorn in front of her. In a cold, emotionless tone she said, "As... you wish." *** *** *** The unicorn stallion walked along the resin coated hallway with Bioluminescent orbs hanging from the ceiling, illuminating his pathway. His eyes remained glued towards the path in front of him. Changeling soldiers flew by, saluting their new ruler. The king sneered at them, causing the soldiers to lower their heads and shiver. At King Sombra's side crept the deposed ruler of the changelings. She glanced at her fellow changelings ever so often, and hung her head. Queen Chrysalis winced for the third time as the collar around her neck tightened. The deposed changeling ruler guided the unicorn stallion towards her former chambers. "Trash," King Sombra muttered under a heavy breath when the doors opened. He winced. He rubbed his forehead. Under a quiet breath he said, "Ridiculous Amulet. I rule you, not the other way." Queen Chrysalis pulled down the covers of the bed. She sighed. Her wings twitched at her side before she drew a bath. A disturbing clock ticked on in the corner with crooked hands moving forward. The clock turned to ash after a red beam of light shot towards it. King Sombra glanced at the clock's remains before he motioned towards Queen Chrysalis, watching her leave the chambers. He examined at his surroundings. His eyes locked onto a torn painting. Three sets of hooves reflected off King Sombra's eyes as he gazed intently at the painting. The piece disintegrated before him. The unicorn stallion furrowed his brow, his horn aglow in a reddish light. He gave a sinister grin to the empty room in front of him. A small ethereal fragment floated in the air in front of him. With the spiked orb of magic reflecting off his eyes, King Sombra said, "Go. Sow the seeds of what I desire." The magical creation vanished. "Chrysalis!" King Sombra said in a bellowing tone. "Yes?" Queen Chrysalis said. King Sombra got out of the tub and materialized a towel around himself. "I think it's time the Crystal Kingdom -- no. I know it is time that EQUESTRIA learned of its rightful ruler's return." The deposed changeling ruler's wings quivered as she gazed on. A dark shadow enveloped the room with two eyes glowing in a fierce green light.