The chambers of Queen Chrysalis were the only chambers with windows to the outside. The rest of the mountain stronghold where The Hive resided was in darkness, other than what illumination they themselves furnished with fires or magic.
In the years since the defeat of the Changeling’s attempt to take Canterlot and thus Equestria, Queen Chrysalis had brooded on ways to exact her revenge.
‘There shouldn't have been any way that a hoofful of primitive Mono-Shape Ponies could’ve defeated the mighty Changeling Hive!’ the queen would tell herself day after day. So much so that even she was getting tired of hearing it.
This thought festered in the queen’s mind. Her hate and desire for retribution grew incrementally every day. It had driven out almost every other emotion, and her subjects suffered due to this.
She’d been a good queen, as far as the standards of The Hive went. In the past, she’d led them to rich and bountiful feeding grounds all over the world.
But with the defeat in Equestria, and the catastrophe leading up to the failed takeover, the queen now had only one thing in mind.
Before this humiliating defeat, and at the cost of many of their lives, advisors had warned the queen the entire plan was doomed to begin with. That there were too many disasters which had happened during the scouting phase of the operation. Too much conflicting intelligence and too many costly losses.
Probably because of these losses, Chrysalis pushed ahead with her plans just so she could extract revenge for said losses. And perhaps this blinded her to the practically of the action. She understood this now, but what was done, was done.
But if Chrysalis had known beforehoof the attempt would’ve fail so miserably, she probably, just on a whim, would’ve still executed her advisors for speaking out against her.
Now she’d sit on her haunches, looking out the window to the north toward Equestria. Plotting, conspiring, imagining her vengeance on the six ponies that’d cost her so much.
Yes, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Captain Shining Armor had done the actual vanquishing, and they’d pay with their lives determined the queen.
But it was Twilight Sparkle who’d seen right through her deception and then with her five associates, stopped her at the cusp of victory. Therefore, they were the ponies who were the real reason for the disgrace. They were the ponies who had to pay. And they’d pay dearly for her humiliation and for the unforgivable loss she personally suffered in the time leading up to the invasion.
Twilight Sparkle especially.
Oh, she still had designs on the overthrow of Celestia and Equestria. But the greatest threat should be removed first. With the six removed, she’d have a greater chance to succeed. But with that tactical reason aside...
It was still personal.
And their smart-flanks leader should be made an example to anypony who might ever consider resisting her in the future.
As the immortal, all-powerful leader of The Hive, her advisors suggested she just wait out time and attack when the six ponies were either dead or so decrepit they couldn’t be of any threat.
But that’d be too long to wait, even for an immortal. She wanted to break Twilight and make her suffer for years. Perhaps she’d find a way to make Twilight immortal, that way she’d suffer forever, how delicious.
Queen Chrysalis had already picked out the small, confining, almost airless room adjoining her chambers where she’d chain Twilight Sparkle. Twilight’s horn would be mutilated so she couldn’t do any magic. There Twilight would be forced to live in her own filth, a drink of water once a day and fed only once a week and then only enough to keep alive, barely.
Twilight would then be brought before her and forced to watch as Chrysalis would personally drain her friends slowly over weeks at a time, so completely the body would eventually die.
The Changeling Queen was not only able to absorb love from a victim as her underlings could, but she had the power to drain the very essence of their life-force as well. The cries of agony from the victims along with Twilight’s pleas for mercy for her friends and Twilight’s tears would be music for the queen to dine to.
Then the carcasses of her friends would be placed in Twilight’s little room. There Twilight would be forced to live among the rotting corpses of her friends.
No, there won’t be enough room. Perhaps just their heads will do. That’d really unnerve Twilight. All those dead eyes looking out at her.
Then as the last of Twilight’s friends, the one who irked her the most during her masquerade, that annoying pink imbecile was drained to the point of death, Chrysalis would then turn her attention to Twilight.
She’d drain Twilight...
But not to death.
She’d be allowed enough essence to live as a mindless automaton. Her inner mind still intact, aware of everything but with no way to exert any will of her own. Twilight would wear a collar with a chain attached, like some kind of dog.
Twilight then would be forced to serve Chrysalis fore and hind hoof.
And for amusement, Chrysalis would allow her male underlings to use Twilight’s body for their ‘pleasure’, two or three at a time.
Chrysalis would watch the demeaning spectacle, knowing the inner mind of Twilight would be aware and so utterly shamed, humiliated and crushed.
She so hoped Twilight would still be able to cry!
Chrysalis then started thinking of the ultimate humiliation for Twilight. She could see Twilight, in her mind’s eye, between her hind legs, the hated pony’s tongue deep inside the royal marehood. Knowing how much that’d crush Twilight, was making her wet!
What a gratifying little pet Twilight will make.
Her delicious plotting was disturbed by voices outside her chambers.
“Lady Chamberlain,” said the scout, “I just wanted to give the information to somepony, I need to get back to my post. I don’t think I’m worthy enough to come before the queen.”
“You sniveling little coward!” Said the Chamberlain, “you just don’t want to face the queen’s wrath if she doesn’t take it well. You know it’s your duty to report what you’ve found. And with what you’ve told me, this needs to be presented to the queen herself.”
Truth was that the Chamberlain didn’t want to present any disturbing news to her queen as well. It was the reason she’d risen to this post. Her first official action was to clear away the mutilated body of her predecessor.
The discussion was cut short by the queen’s magic opening the doors. Chrysalis was looking intently from her window seat.
“What’s so bloody important you have to disturb me!” demanded Chrysalis. “Get in here before I dine on your essences!”
The two Changelings looked at each other and swallowed hard and then entered. Stopping at a respectful distance (out of hoof’s reach) they bowed until the queen spoke.
“Well? What’s the meaning of this Chamberlain?” asked the queen.
“Your Greatness!” said the Chamberlain, “this scout has some information that you need to know.”
The queen looked intently at the scout. The scout was already feeling as if his essence was being drained.
“Most Beloved and Rightly To Be Feared Queen!” said the scout, “I’ve discovered something which could change everything!”
“What can be so important you leave your post just to annoy me?”
“I’ve discovered a Changeling living outside The Hive!” said the scout cringing.
The queen looked stunned. How was this possible? There were no other known tribes of Changelings living anywhere now. All tribes had been consolidated centuries ago under her merciless leadership into The Hive.
“Where?” demanded Chrysalis, her voice dripping with threat.
“Ponyville, oh Ruler Of The World!” said the scout.
“A Changeling…
In Ponyville?” said the queen, not quite to anypony. “This could change everything!”
The two underlings stood there trembling, waiting for the ‘axe to fall’.
But then the queen, her fierce countenance noticeably softened, looked at the scout.
“Very good, my faithful subject,” said the queen sounding more pleased than she’d sounded in years, “give full details to the Chamberlain and return to your post. Keep me apprised of everything.”
“As you command, Most Beloved Ruler,” replied the scout, glad to be alive.
The queen merely motioned with her hoof for the ponies to leave.
The Chamberlain and scout bowed as they backed to the door. They turned to leave, when the queen called out;
“Chamberlain, this scout is to be advanced two steps in rank. See to it before he leaves for his post.”
“Very good oh Magnanimous One,” said the Chamberlain.
“Many thanks, Wise and Powerful Queen Chrysalis,” said the scout.
The queen closed the door with her magic. Her head was spinning. An unknown Changeling, living in Ponyville. Was it possible there was a readymade agent she could call upon to start the wheels of her vendetta?
She’d soon find out.
She abandoned her window seat and reclined on the pile of cushions that served as her bed.
Then it hit her harder than if the mountain had crumbled in on her. Was there another possible explanation? Did she dare to think it? Was there really a chance? It was almost too hard to consider, it hurt to have hope after all this time.
For the first time in years, her heart felt joy. She needed to express it.
Queen Chrysalis reached out with her magic and opened her chamber doors again.
At that moment two Changelings, a mare and a stallion were walking past going in different directions. They were keeping their attention ahead. None dared to look into the queen’s chambers unless they were invited.
“You two!” called out the queen.
They stopped, fearing the worse.
“Come in here,” said the queen.
“Yes Highness,” they replied.
The queen lay sprawled on her pile of cushions. The two Changelings entered and bowed.
“Rise and face me,” said the queen.
The two looked at her in fear.
But what they saw surprised them, the Changelings hadn’t seen their queen looking this happy in a very long time. The queen leisurely rolled onto her back, her head elevated and letting her hind legs spread, one fore hoof lightly rubbing her nipples.
“Pleasure me, and if I’m pleased, then your queen will pleasure you.”
The doors closed.
Several minutes later the Chamberlain returned to make a report. But she dared not to disturb her queen.
It’d been years since the cries heard through the closed doors were not of torment but of ecstasy.
“Thank the Maker,” said the Chamberlain under her voice.
It was hours before the queen’s doors opened and two Changelings left the chambers. It was the first time in years that the Chamberlain had seen ponies leave the queen’s chambers both alive and in good spirits.
“Lady Chamberlain,” said the mare seeing the official pony, “the queen asked to have you enter if we saw you.”
‘Asked?’ thought the Chamberlain.
“Thank you,” replied the Chamberlain as the two ponies went about their business, laughing.
As the Chamberlain entered the open doors, Chrysalis was still lounging on her cushions. The queen saw her and called out.
“Ah, Chamberlain,” said the queen smiling. “Please, come in here and give me your report.”
‘Please?’ thought the Chamberlain. ‘I didn’t think Chrysalis knew that word.’
After the report the Chamberlain stood and waited for her queen to think about what was said.
“So the Changeling, a mare you say? Actually walks among the Mono-Ponies undisguised without changing appearance?” asked the queen.
“Yes your Majesty,” replied the Chamberlain, “plus it’s reported if the Changeling wants to change she’ll change appearance in front of anypony around. Not to hide or camouflage themselves, it’s more like a game between the Changeling and some of the foals. A kind of ‘hide and seek!”
“So this one’s ‘gone native’.” Said the queen. “That could be an issue.”
“Perhaps,” replied the Chamberlain, “or perhaps she’s had to do this to survive. That’s supposing she was separated from The Hive during the scouting expedition. Or it’s possible they come from a tribe unknown to us.”
“I’ve thought of that last one,” said the queen, “but I discount it. We would’ve at least heard some rumor of it, if true.”
The queen sat silent for a moment then continued;
“How many of our people were lost on that ill-fated scouting expedition?”
“Twenty-five, Highness.”
“Isn’t it true not all were recovered or confirmed dead,” said the queen.
“Yes Highness, there were five who never returned or were not counted among the dead.
Four stallions and the only female was...”
“Don’t say it!” said the queen, her face flashing back to the grim look she’d worn for the last twenty-something years, but she let out a cleansing breath, her face softened. “This news has given me more hope than I’ve had for years. But I want nothing to be said which might get my hope up beyond all hope.”
“Understood, Greatness,” said the Chamberlain. “The Hive still mourns as well.”
The queen paused;
“Has the scout left to return to his post yet?”
“No Highness,” said the Chamberlain, “I thought it best to let him rest for a night before the trip back to Ponyville.”
“Good,” said the queen, “let him know with his advance in rank comes more responsibilities, along with more risk.
Tell him it’s Our wish he risk mingling among the Mono-Ponies of Ponyville. And if he thinks it’s practical and safe, make contact with the Changeling. To use his discretion on how much is to be revealed to this unknown Changeling, for now. And if possible and safe, return with this Changeling to be welcomed back among The Hive.”
“Yes, Highness, at once,” said the Chamberlain turning to leave.
The door to the queen’s chambers closed before the Chamberlain reached them. The Chamberlain turned and saw her queen smiling a very odd smile and she was patting her cushion, next to herself.
“Before you go,” said the queen, “I don’t think we’ve ever got to really know each other.”
The queen’s horn glowed and the Chamberlin was drawn to the cushions, Chrysalis gently embraced the Chamberlin and kissed her deeply.
“Alone,” whispered the queen, “you can call me Chrysie…”
“Spectra,” said the Chamberlin.
“Spectra,” said the queen with a smile.
She continued the kiss as she reached out to the Chamberlin’s marehood. The Chamberlin did the same.
‘Beats being mutilated and killed.’ The Chamberlain smiled and thought. As she made love with a pony she never expected to.
Queen Chrysalis sat upon Celestia’s throne, Celestia’s tiara on her head in place of her usual crown. By the throne, on her haunches, sat Twilight Sparkle. Twilight’s horn had been removed, she sat there like a dog. And like a dog, she wore a collar with a chain attached to the throne. It was as much symbolic as it was practical. There was a blank look on her face, but deep sorrow could still be detected in her eyes, which stared out as if not focused on anything.
The queen would nonchalantly reach out a hoof and pet Twilight, as she did Twilight would close her eyes. Nopony could tell if it was the contentment of a mindless pet or the shame of a defeated soul.
Behind the throne, mounted on the wall were the heads of Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Apple. On the other side of Twilight stood a very unhappy looking Changeling.
In the throne room was gathered a crowd of selected ponies and Changelings to observe the coming spectacle.
“Bring out the prisoners!” called out the queen.
In the middle of the once magnificent throne room of Canterlot Castle, a gallows had been constructed. Four nooses were waiting empty.
From a side door there was led Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Prince Shining Armor. They all had had their horns brutally smashed, the Alicorns had had their flight feathers pulled out so there was no chance to fly off. The crowd reacted differently, the Earth Ponies, Unicorns and Pegasi were all crying. The Changelings were laughing and catcalling.
Up the platform they went and were stopped in front of the nooses.
The queen was smiling harder than anypony could remember. Chrysalis looked at the Changeling beside her pet and spoke.
“No My Sweet, not that form. They need to remember you as you were.”
The Changeling lowered her head in shame and changed to Pinkie Pie.
Then the queen addressed the prisoners.
“You’ve been found guilty of high treason against a superior authority and are sentenced to hang by the neck until you are dead! Dead! DEAD!” said the queen, almost in a rant.
Cadence couldn’t take it anymore and broke down, her knees buckled, she cried out and had to be held up. Shining pulled loose from those restraining him and rushed to embrace his wife. The Changelings went to pull them apart.
“Let them have their last tender moment,” said the queen in mock compassion.
“It’s okay Sweetie, we’re together,” said Shining, embracing his wife, “I’m right here beside you, I’ll not leave you.”
“Thank you My Love,” said Cadence as she kissed Shining Armor for the last time this side of life.
“That’s enough,” said the queen. “Anypony else have any last words?”
“Be brave, my friends,” said Luna.
Pinkie could tell the words were aimed at her and Twilight, not those on the gallows with her.
Then Celestia, as bravely as she could, called out to the queen;
“Let’s get this mockery of justice over with! You’re starting to annoy me!”
“As you wish, Your Highness,” said the queen with a mock bow of her head.
“Proceed!”
Celestia looked out at Pinkie and Twilight, she could tell despite Twilight being in an almost zombie like state, she could see the sorrow on her still adorable face. Pinkie put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. Twilight looked up at Pinkie then back to Celestia. Pinkie was trying to be brave, perhaps to help Twilight by her example.
Then came the black hood over her head. All was black, then she felt the noose being put over her head and around her neck. The wait was unnerving, Celestia was having a hard time keeping it together. She was almost glad her face was covered so nopony could see the flood of tears.
Then the floor opened under her, she fell...
And she fell...
And she fell...
It was all darkness, she couldn’t hold back anymore, she screamed! At the same time she could hear another scream.
Celestia opened her eyes, she and Luna were in their inner sanctum where both had been sleeping. But now they were sitting up. Celestia quit screaming and got control of her nerves. She grabbed Luna in a tight embrace, her sister was still screaming and crying.
“Lu My Love,” said Celestia, still shaking from the dream. “Luna my Darling sister, I’m here. It was but a dream, it’s okay.”
Luna tightened her grip on Celestia. Luna had the same fear on her face as Celestia had in her heart, tears were still pouring from both ponies eyes.
“Tia, it wasn’t a dream,” said Luna, “it was a vision of the future.”
Luna’s realm included dreams, she was acutely aware of what dream was what.
“I know, My Love,” said Celestia. “But remember, the future is never fixed. We can consider it a warning. We’ll need to do something to stop it from happening.”
“I know,” said Luna, still clinging to her sister, “but can we wait until morning? I’m still so frightened.”
“We can wait,” said Celestia speaking in a voice to calm her sister, Celestia also stroked Luna’s mane.
Celestia tightened her embrace on her sister. Then they kiss the kiss of two souls who’d faced death and lived to appreciate all that life had to offer. They made love more intensely than they had done in a long time.