//------------------------------// // Chapter 30 // Story: Normal Life // by Hiver //------------------------------// The tunnels in the changeling hive always gave me the creeps. They were more or less natural as they had been dug. But the changelings had shored them up with that slightly green, glowing and rock hard slime they can spit up and shape with their magic. It also lit the tunnels up as well as making them safer. It also made them really, really creepy, filled with a faint green glow, just enough to see to walk. It gave off a very xenomorph vibe about the entire thing. The fact that it made the changelings seem like jet black, moving shapes didn't help either. What did help was the light I was giving off with my horn. I love magic. I let Scarab lead me down through the tunnels towards the central chamber where Queen Chrysalis had set up her throneroom. I had only been down here once before, when they were still setting up, less than two weeks after the peace deal. Back then things looked different. It was basically an abandoned crystal mine. Now? Now it seemed more like a village under ground. As we entered the central chamber that impression was reinforced. The chamber had been somewhat enlarged with minor burrows dug into the walls, thick pillars had been put up to reinforce the ceiling. Several green, glowing globes were hanging from the ceiling, lighting up the area brighter than the tunnels. They was the also the love storage. I had no idea how, but somehow they were turning love into a kind of... gel. Smaller globes of slightly different colors held other emotions. I'm not sure exactly how it's done. I am, however, quite sure that I don't WANT to know. Especially as I know how bees make honey. The center of the chamber, between four solid pillars, a great throne was raised off the floor, overseeing the entire chamber. That's where Queen Chrysalis was residing, overseeing the changelings moving around the chamber, doing some task or another or simply curled up, seemingly asleep in alcoves at the walls or even just resting against the pillars. “My Queen.” Scarab said as we came to a halt before the throne. “Lord Page wishes an audience.” Queen Chrysalis looked away from the changeling she had been observing across the chamber to look down at us. “Lord Blank Page. Why do you bother me?” I bowed briefly before I stood up, looking up at her. “I want an explanation as to why my guard has been changed. And I want my previous guard returned.” “Do you now?” She snorted. “And why would I agree to these... requests?” Wait. She knew this would get me down here. She planned this. “Because you want something from me.” I told her after a second, turning to seemingly inspect the closest of the glowing globes as I glanced around. Was this a trap? None of the changelings were looking like they were paying attention. This was stupid. I might be able to fight off a couple of them, but this many? No way. “Do I?” Chrysalis asked and slowly slipped down from her throne, slowly moving down the steps towards me. “Tell me, my little predator... why do you smell like fear?” Changelings. Fucking changelings. “Because there is a larger one right in front of me.” I said, forcing myself to keep my voice steady. Whatever you do... Do. Not. Run. She grinned at that, slowly circling me. “Indeed. And this time, I am not tied up.” “So you want something from me? It's not revenge or wanting to replace me or you would have done it already. So why am I here?” “The same reason to why I do all things. For the good of my swarm.” She answered and licked her lips. “I require your... willing assistance.” I refused to follow her with my eyes, instead looking at the closest pillar. “And why would I give that?” Her wing brushed against my back as she moved around to stand before me, looking down at me with a toothy grin. “Because you want to. Because it is in your nature to, my little predator.” “Where is Skitter?” “Reassigned. Her involvement with you clouded her priorities. She did not relay potentially vital information for the security of the hive because you told her to. For the good of the swarm, her talents are better used in waste management.” Chrysalis explained as she slowly climbed the steps back to her throne. Discord. She didn't warn the hive because I told her not to spread panic. “There is nothing you could have done with the information.” Chrysalis settled onto her throne, glaring down at me. “That was not for you nor her to decide!” Shaking my head, I took a slow, deep breath before I looked up at her. “What do you want? Specifically?” “I want to migrate my swarm to the Crystal Empire. You will make that possible.” “...What?” Chrysalis gave me a toothy smirk. “The Crystal Heart spread good emotions across the Crystal Empire. I can feel it even here. With sufficient proximity... the Heart could sustain the entire swarm's needs. We could flourish.” “The Princesses would never give it to you.” “They wouldn't need to. All we would need would be to settle within the borders of the city.” Chrysalis countered. “That would be plenty close enough... perhaps even too close depending on the power. Overfeeding the swarm is just as bad as starving it. The problem is the Princess of Food. She has been given the Crystal Empire to rule and she would never allow it.” “...Perhaps if you didn't call her the Princess of Food it would help.” I sighed before I shook my head. “What do you want me to do?” “If you can convince your mate and her sister that it is needed, they could overrule... Princess Cadance.” Chrysalis explained, sneering slightly at the name of the Princess of Foo... damn it, now I am doing it! I hesitated for a moment, scraping my hoof against the rock floor before I nodded. “I will discuss it with Princess Luna. That is all I can promise.” “I suppose that will have to suffice.” Sighing, I looked up at her. “You know, you could have just asked like a normal pony.” “I am neither normal nor a pony.” ...Point to the big bug queen. “And Skitter?” I asked, taking a step forward. “I still want her returned to her previous duties.” Queen Chrysalis waved her hoof. “Very well. She will be assigned back to her position as your guard.” Bitch.