//------------------------------// // The Ties That Bind // Story: There is a Season // by ArdanBlade //------------------------------// Chapter 12 The Ties That Bind Chrysalis walked slowly into the dark confines of the stone chamber where the Dream Taker dwelt, her eyes piercing the gloom in search of the old grey pony. For several moments, she looked about, wondering where he could have gone. "Looking for something?" The soft old voice seemed to creep up her back, it's power unabated despite his gentle tone. "Uh…" For a moment, the Queen of the changelings lost herself. The crawling fear brought about by the Dream Taker's voice seemed to eat at her will. Cringing inside for her display of weakness, Chrysalis tried to recover herself. "Yes! I wished to inform you that the Walking Stone has awakened, and that the army on the eastern side of the Mountain of Misery has been completely routed." "Good, I am glad to hear your minions did something right." There was spite in his otherwise dulcet voice, giving the Queen even deeper chills. "They have done well! You should not be so critical!" Indignation flooded over fear, compelling Chrysalis to give the old pony a piece of her mind. "They did well because I told them what to do!" The old pony roared, his eyes flaring! The entire chamber seemed to quake with his rage, the rock crying out as it was assaulted with some otherworldly darkness! Chrysalis cringed, backing herself against a cold, stony wall, watching the Dream Taker in terror! As quickly as his wrath began, it subsided. He looked back at her with a smile that made her stomach roll. "Please forgive my outburst. I should not let such petty things bother me." She could form no other response than to merely nod dumbly. "Come." He commanded, and began exiting the room. Rising from her humbled position, the changeling Queen followed timidly, cursing herself for not standing up to her companion. Every time she tried to resist his will, he merely dominated her again. It was humiliating, yet she couldn't seem to break free of his power! As they proceeded down into the depths under the earth, Chrysalis began to wonder if the Dream Taker would not simply discard her as soon as he felt she had outlived her usefulness. A drop of water plodded down on the end of her nose, bringing her back to reality. Looking about, she noticed that the rock was covered in water, and that even the stones below were under shallow pools. They were underneath the lake! Her fear of the grey pony was swiftly replaced with the cold dread that any moment, the tunnel might collapse and snuff out her life instantly. "Don't worry so much." The Dream Taker whispered kindly. "These tunnels are still enchanted with powerful magic. They will not break so easily." "I-I wasn't worried." She stuttered. Could he simply read her mind!? Was she that vulnerable to him!? Trying to turn the subject, she decided to take the upper hoof and demand answers. Her voice came out like a curious young foal's. "Where are we going anyway?" "An excellent question, my dear." The grandfatherly tone nearly sent Chrysalis into a fit. "Long ago, well before even the birth of the vaunted Princesses or the founding of Equestria, unicorns used these tunnels to hide their darkest secrets. It was here that they tortured and ruined their own kind, tampered with forbidden forces that should have been forgotten forever, committed atrocities that the common pony would never hear of, and created creatures of such sinister nature that they have remained here, in hopes that they would someday die, and erase the blight of their masters. It was here that I was truly born." Stepping into the deep, dank chambers, Chrysalis witnessed the vast seemingly endless caverns for the first time. Cruel cages dangled alongside causeways and ramps that leapt out into space, only to touch the opposite walls over the enormous space. All about, there were ponies, some withered souls lying helpless in their eternal living slumbers, while others were frozen in stone, trapped in great crystals, or covered in sheets of unmelting ice. Strange, mournful dirges and wild cries would occasionally echo out across the vast, empty space, giving the entire dark chamber an otherworldly quality that terrified the young Queen. Part of her wanted to simply collapse, curl up on herself and hide from the total despair that filled every crack and crevice like an unending nightmare. Her pride would never allow for it however, and she held onto her nerve, doing her best to show apathy before her host. When she looked back to him, revulsion flooded her anew. He was smiling. How could anypony be so proud of something so terrible!? He was like a predator that delights in toying with it's prey before killing it, but worse. The suffering being inflicted upon others was like living ecstasy to him, feeding him, making him stronger in some unwholesome way. Even as vile as she had ever managed to become, Chrysalis feared this horrible pony, for he was something darker and more sinister than anything she had ever imagined… Looking over at the quivering Queen with a heartless smile, the old grey pony's eyes seemed to laugh mockingly at her weakness. "I have something to show you, my little Queen. I think you will find it… most delightful." She had a sinking feeling she would not. * * * The Everfree Forest was quiet. Within it's far expanding reaches, a pony staggered, lost, alone, his body battered and bleeding. The murderous blade he'd been carrying had been lost when he was struck by a powerful spell, his right foreleg broken in the same blow. He had no idea how long he'd been stumbling, nor how many times he had merely crumpled up in a ragged heap, unable to go any further. Weariness was slowly claiming him yet again, and he longed for sleep, though his mind warned that every time he fell, he was that much less likely to awaken. A trickle of blood began crawling from his lips, making it's path down to his neck as he collapsed heavily into a massive oak, eliciting a desperate cry of pain from the broken pony. "S-so, th- *cough* this is how it ends…" He whispered to himself, coughing out a long thread of saliva and blood. "…alone again…" Distant memories flitted through his feverish mind, happy memories of a little colt, of family, of friends, of days long gone… of a life stolen… of pain and lonely misery… of being forgotten… "I wanted… to make them pay… so- *cough* so why do I feel so empty..? Why… why am I still alone..?" Peering up at the leaves, the assassin caught a glimpse of sunlight peeking through the trees. Even amidst his pain and the fading world around him, the light was beautiful. He desperately wanted to go to it, to feel it's warm embrace one… last… time… Reaching a quaking hoof up, the delusional pony tried fruitlessly to grasp at the light, yet it refused to be captured. Tears rose in the assassin's eyes, and he slowly slumped back against the tree, his coat blending him in against the bark as he disappeared… almost… * * * Something had caught her eye, something out of place in the strange, dreadful forest. She knew she didn't have time to stop and look, but she did anyway. Plodding slowly closer, the mare stared at the strange tree, something about her simple, earth pony eyes seeing what a brash pegasus or proud unicorn might have missed. Drawing closer, she let out a gasp at the sight of the assassin. His body was all but broken, his right foreleg twisted in an unnatural way, pulled close to his body with a brown belt. He had still bleeding wounds from a terrible fight, his oddly fading brown-grey coat hiding him neatly against the trunk of the forest giant. A glow of compassion filled the earth pony, and she approached him. Seeing that this stranger was no threat to her, she lowered her strong shoulders down, tugging the mortally wounded pony gently up onto her back. The assassin gasped in an unconscious spasm, his body shifting involuntarily from the pain. The mare carefully ensured that he would not slip from her back, then began the long journey home, only stopping for a moment to stare worriedly back into the woodland. Though she was concerned for the safety of another, this poor pony needed help soon. Silently she swore to return, determined to finish her search. * * * Twilight Sparkle felt a gentle nudging on her neck, slowly rousing her from her slumbers. Peering up she saw the smiling face of Boldheart, looking back down at her. She felt herself blush, realizing his hoof was rubbing her neck. The Guard pony seemed to realize what he was doing, and in a fluster quickly drew his hoof away, looking awkward. "Sorry, I didn't want to touch your shoulder." He apologized, eliciting a giggle from Twilight. "It's quite alright." She answered. "I understand." "Zecora said we should get you up for some food." Boldheart said. "You must be hungry." At the mention of food, Twilight's stomach began growling loudly, making the lavender unicorn blush even brighter. "Ah! Yes please." She started to rise, only to stumble as the stabbing pain returned. Boldheart swept forward, catching her before she fell. "Are you okay?" "I- I'm fine. It just hurts a little, that's all." Twilight stuttered, biting back the pain. "Here, let me help you." Boldheart escorted her slowly over to a low table where large bowls of grass and daisies with oats sprinkled over the top sat, looking positively scrumptious. Twilight fought back the urge to shove her face into the bowl like Pinkie Pie, sitting herself down slowly and starting on the delicious meal. Boldheart circled the table to another bowl, and sat himself down to the food, stealing a glance at his friend. Ever since he'd first seen her, the blue unicorn had felt his heart flutter a bit. She was simple, yet graceful, like a golden sunset for which she had been named. For a moment, he let himself imagine that she might… Shaking his head at the though, he chided himself mentally for even daring. What was he thinking!? He knew that Lieutenant Thundercloud had set his eyes on her, not to mention that she was Captain Shining Armor's sister! To think that a blank flanked unicorn who couldn't even perform the most basic spell could ever think of her like that! He huffed out a disappointed breath as he glared at his salad. Glancing up, he realized he'd made a bit more of a show than he'd intended. Twilight was staring at him, a look of curiosity on her face, her mouth still chewing slowly. Though she didn't speak, her eyes asked the question for her. "Ahahaha." Boldheart gave an insincere laugh, trying to hide his embarrassment behind a grin. "I'm fine! I was just… uh… shooing a fly away, that's all!" Apple Bloom chose that moment to step into the room, looking back and forth between the two unicorns. "Did ah miss somethin'?" Then, with a big grin, she started staring at the pair intently. Twilight looked at Apple Bloom, then back at Boldheart, confusion written on her face. "Um… yes?" She asked the attentive filly, feeling quite awkward. "Did you two become each other's very special somepony behind mah back?" Apple Bloom asked cheerfully. Boldheart and Twilight's eyes met almost instantly, each of them turning red at the thought. Boldheart suddenly wanted to be anywhere but under Twilight's gaze. He quickly rose from where he was sitting. "Ah… I think Zecora could use some help with something… outside." Twilight watched the blue Guard pony retreat out the door, then looked back at the yellow filly. "Uh, I think you have the wrong idea. We're just friends, that's all." She explained. It was true that she'd never said anything about feelings for her new friend. Not like that anyway. Apple Bloom looked disappointed at the announcement. "Ah'm sorry, Twilight. I jus' thought, since you two were starin' an' all, that you might be fallin' in love or somethin'." "Oh no, we're just…" Glancing out the window at the dejected looking Boldheart who was slowly walking away from the dwelling, suddenly feeling lonely. "…just friends." * * * Thundercloud watched in silence as the train pulled into Ponyville station, his expression flat and emotionless as he watched Royal Guard ponies exit the cars in droves, many wounded, others being carried out by their fellows, grievous injuries very much in evidence. Ponies from all about the town flooded up to help the wounded, whether by magic, medical attention, or simple helping hooves. A yellow mare with a flaring mane in a blue flight suit hobbled out of the train after several others wearing similar garments, most of them riding on stretchers. She whispered a few words to a companion before leaving her friends. Approaching Thundercloud, she did her best to return his swift salute. "Captain Spitfire… I assume you have taken command of the Guard?" Thundercloud asked, a frown on his face. "Thankfully no." She replied, though the pain in her voice was clear. "Shining Armor is made of sterner stuff than that. He is out of commission though, and so am I for that matter…" She looked back at her wing, which was in a splint. "What happened?" The large white stallion couldn't help but ask. "We were hit hard, really hard." She answered wearily. "Some kind of enormous stone monster came down from the mountainside and wrecked the entire camp just as night was falling. We barely even got a warning before it was crashing through our defenses like a thunderstorm through a picnic. We didn't stand a chance." "If it hadn't been for Shining Armor's defensive spell, I doubt most of us would have made it. He held it off long enough for us to evacuate, but the thing broke through and slapped him before my team could get him out of there. Most of them paid a heavy price for it." Spitfire looked over at the Wonderbolts, who were being tended to by a small host of ponies. "I'm sorry to hear that. Do you think the… creature was a weapon of the changelings?" Thundercloud asked. "I don't know. It didn't seem like it, but we can't be certain. All we know for sure is magic was next to useless, and our weapons even worse. We might as well have been attacking the mountain itself. If there's a spell in all of Equestria powerful enough to stop it, I'll eat my flight suit." "I wouldn't hold that one up to you, ma'am." Thundercloud looked off to the train. "Will he be remaining aboard, or is he going to stop here in Ponyville?" "He'll be continuing on to Canterlot. We can't risk leaving him here when his health could deteriorate too quickly, which brings me to my next point. Thundercloud, due to circumstances, you are being temporarily promoted to Captain of the Royal Guard, effective immediately. We need an officer in the field, and you're it." "I understand, ma'am." He saluted again, which she returned. "I wish you the best of luck, we're all gonna need it." * * * "Magnificent, isn't it." The old pony declared, his face beaming at the sight. Chrysalis' eyes roved about endlessly, taking in the fearsome room she had followed the Dream Taker into. Across every surface, over every inch of the chamber, symbols had been carved in long, running lines divided by smaller lines, also formed of interweaving sigils. The entire chamber was full of meaning upon meaning, word within word, until it formed one vast mark throughout the entire chamber. Looking back at the awestruck Queen, the Dream Taker smiled. "This chamber was the magnum opus of the long forgotten Magus the Thinker. Within this chamber's walls, it is said that any spell can be made possible, if one simply knows how to find the sigils and bind them together. Magus was a pony who believed magic was an end that justified any means, no matter how great the cost. It was this thought that made him a gelding, and why this room was made to be not only his prison, but his tomb as well." Chrysalis began pacing the room slowly, fixing her eyes on statues that had been set all about the room. Each stone pony was twisted in some form of pain, each a gelded unicorn. Realization slowly dawned upon the changeling as she came to understand what she was witnessing. "That's right. These are my children." The old pony laughed softly. "Each one kidnapped, gelded, and fed memories of the horrors visited upon them by unicorns, and all of ponykind. Soon enough, they will become bitter servants, willing to do anything to destroy Equestria, and wipe out those who visited this terrible cruelty upon them." Tears seeped into Chrysalis' eyes, but she hid them, shoving back her dread. Showing weakness now might earn her a similar fate to those trapped here. She faced the Dream Taker again, watching as he walked slowly about the room, placing his stunted horn against various symbols. As he concentrated, the symbol would begin to glow with an eerie light. Soon a dozen sigils were illuminated about the room. Stepping up upon a large, impossibly intricate mark upon the stone floor, the grey pony closed his eyes in concentration. All about them the walls seemed to shift and change, becoming a mirror image of the train station in Ponyville. There they saw Thundercloud, leaving behind the countless wounded. "There he is." The Dream Taker announced, eyeing Chrysalis. "Within this pony's heart, I have found the ambition and selfishness necessary for my plan." "Huh, what can one worthless pegasus do?" She asked, doing her best to sound indifferent. The smile on the old one's face told her that she was wrong again. "You are such a superficial creature, my dear. It's almost endearing. I have been watching this one for some time, and now I am certain of it. He craves power, so much so that he will abandon anypony as it suits him, and give up anything if it will feed his addiction. He hungers for that heady rush of holding life and death in his hooves, and now, thanks to my design, he is Captain of the Royal Guard!" "You mean you control him!? You have the Captain in your power!?" Chrysalis could hardly believe what she was hearing. Sure she had done it once, but never had she envisioned something like this. "No, not like that, but I don't want him to be mine as you think. Were I to invite him in, make him mine, I would make myself vulnerable to his foalish ambition. I am nopony's fool." He explained patiently. "His purpose will serve me even greater." "I don't see how. What good is a servant who does not know his master's hand?" She asked, trying not to sound foalish herself. "It is simple, as always. We convince him to destroy the Royal Sisters himself. They have just handed him complete control over their military. Even the suggestion of a coup will slowly eat away at his resolve. Ambition rules his heart, he will take the opportunity, and when he does…" "…We destroy him!" Chrysalis' eyes glittered. Vengeance would be sweet indeed. She did not see the master's smile…