Chapter 15
Not everything a changeling did required the drone like effect brought on by changeling magic. There was a reason Odonata was entrusted with such a mission. She was sharp and quick witted. Traits that served her well as she found herself sitting in front of the remorseful Coal Ember.
Convincing the town she was a reporter was easy enough. Convincing the sheriff the town should hear Coal's story not so much. But eventually the sentiment of closure won out. Never had something so horrible happened in their town.
Delilah, regarded the sick looking colt with cool professionalism. She could taste his anguish and anger and it made her uncomfortable. The sooner she got this over with, the better.
"Can you tell me why you're here?" She began.
"I did something bad," He forced out rather pitifully.
"Like what?"
"I hurt someone."
"Who?"
"Ivy... Ivy May."
"Now why would you do such a thing to such a pretty sounding mare?"
"I don't know..."
"I think you do."
"Talking 'bout it won't get me out of here.."
"No, it won't but maybe you really want to. What do you have to lose?"
He muttered something making the mare lean forward. "What?"
"Ivy was leaving... and I was going to end up staying in this po'dunk town." His anger spiked as he spat the words. "I was so angry, ya know... Ivy was always one to break rules and at one point of time I think I loved that about her... but now..."
Delilah stared on unflinchingly. He was volatile but she did not fear him. "If you loved her why'd you kill her, Coal?"
"She told me there was somepony else," his laugh was scathing. "That she wanted more than some stupid earth pony who's only aspiration was to take over his grandfather's farm."
"You were jealous. " She rationalized. " She was leaving you behind."
"I had dreams too but family is supposed to mean something and to her it didn't." He slammed his hooves down on the table as he gritted his teeth. "That bitch always thought she was better than everypony else and that night she told me just how much better she was."
"So you hit her."
"I only wanted her to stop talking." Regret. "I didn't mean... I didn't." He sounded sick.
"And then you beat her..." Odonata had seen the pictures of the body and read the medical examiner's report. "You cracked her skull and crushed her windpipe." The miserable creature in front of her began to shake as he dropped his head and tears fell from his eyes. Doleful mutters came from his figure and the changeling couldn't help but fill her morbid curiosity. "When did you see her again?"
"A few months after I buried her. She was walking around town running errands for Pa Herbert. It was about a year ago." He sobbed before violently shaking his head. "At first I thought I was hallucinating, but she waved and winked at me as if she hadn't called me trash a whie before." He looked up and through her as if lost in a memory. "Like I never hit her... It was like it never happened."
"That must've been hard for you... Seeing her everyday after you brutalized her like that. It must've drove you mad seeing 'that bitch' knowing what you knew." She mentally smiled with satisfaction when that seemed to drag him from his reverie.
"It was horrible at first and I thought I was losing my mind... but then I checked and she was still there." Coal dropped his head on the steel table speaking into the object. "Every time I saw her. I had to check... She looked like Ivy... she spoke like her and she even acted like her." He picked up his head and locked eyes with her. "It got to the point where I couldn't bear it. I confessed to Pa Herbert... I told him everything and I begged him to make her stop. I've never seen the old timer so messed up... He kicked me out and later I heard he had a heart attack. He died three nights later and she left shortly afterwards."
"Why did you turn yourself in? You pretty much got away with murder."
"I needed somepony to confirm that I wasn't crazy and Ivy was dead."
"You couldn't live with the guilt." Delilah's voice was light.
"I killed the only mare I've ever loved and her grandfather... Ivy was right... I am pathetic." His laugh was hysterical and that was how she left him. She'd heard enough to make a decision.
Odonata was not one to believe in coincidence, but perhaps superstition did have a play in the timing. Ghosts were one thing, changelings another. As she walked out of the town's place of prison, she was leaning more towards the latter rather than the former.
What else would she find in the town of Ponyville.
* 1111 *
The next morning Shining Armor awoke in a tangle of limbs. He turned to see the mare that had crashed into his life and turned everything upside down. Last night had been emotionally painful... but it had been necessary. He still didn't think he deserved to be here, but Chrystal had a way of making him see things her way. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he studied her sleeping features.
Slowly, harlequin eyes marked with sleep stared back into his own. "Good morning," he murmured in the space between them.
"Good morning," She repeated with half lidded eyes.
The White Tail Woods were alive with the sound of birds and the warm rays of the sun. It was a beautiful morning and neither pony was in a rush to leave the tranquil setting. However, they both knew they had to.
About an hour later the two took their time trekking into town.
Ponyville was just as she remembered it. Quiet with a down home feel.
"Ready?" Chrysalis asked her contemplative partner.
He nodded. "Let's go."
The two made it to the train station just in time to catch a midday trip.
Chrysalis stood off to the side as Shining Armor purchased tickets. While she waited she couldn't shake the feeling that some pony was watching her. She glanced around to see if anything seemed out of place only to find nothing of particular interest amongst the crowds. She heard Shining Armor call her name and moved to join his side only to bump into another mare.
She grumbled as the other stiff shouldered her knocking her on her aft. "Look much?" Was her sarcastic response as she stared up into a pair of surprised eyes. The light colored mare with a thick mahogany mane looked like a gaping fish as she stared down at her.
She narrowed her eyes as she waited for some kind of acknowledgment from the stunned pony who towered over her. Chrysalis noticed a badge hanging around the other equine's neck that signified her title as some kind of reporter. She opened her mouth to speak only for Shining Armor to pop up beside her.
"Chryssie, what're you doing down there?" Came his puzzled tone.
The sound of his voice not only accosted her attention, but it also sparked some kind of life into the other mare as she blinked and slowly backed away before quickly disappearing in the crowd.
The Changeling Princess made a face before picking herself up.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yea, let's go." She shrugged away his inquiry wanting to find their train instead.
* 1111 *
Safely tucked away around a corner, Odonata took a deep breath as she replayed the past few moments.
While it was odd that her Princess did not recognize her, the charcoal colored mare she'd just run into looked almost exactly like Princess Chrysalis in pony form of course. A changeling could recognize its own, and changeling royalty had a very distinct signature. That pony was her monarch's flesh. While it was odd the other did not recognize her magical signature, it wasn't uncommon for a magically exhausted creature.
It would seem that Odonata had literally run into her mark. A development that seemed almost too easy.
What were the odds of finally finding Chrysalis in plain sight looking to board the same train as herself? Ironically enough, Odonata had purchased the same ticket. Behemoths and resurrected ponies were odd occurrences in too close of an area for her to bypass. And now she knew why.
The thing that truly stood out to the healer, was the other's relationship with her companion. Most who were chosen to infiltrate were superb at what they did, but the way their auras mingled spoke of a deeper intimacy.
Had the younger exposed herself to a pony? The idle passion she sensed ran both ways. The healer sighed as she realized that her mission had become even more convoluted. Shirking responsibility was one thing, willingly exposing yourself was quite another.
With calm hooves, she accessed her messenger's bag and retrieved a smooth stone of jade her Queen had entrusted. The stone was set in the center of a golden neck cuff. However, unlike jade, it sparkled in a way one could only associate with magic. The jewelry itself was beautiful, but Odonata did not equip the precious piece for aesthetic reasons.
It was time for Delilah to board her train.
* 1111 *
"Attention passengers, the train will now be leaving the station. Thank you for choosing Pocket Pony Express, please enjoy your trip."
The two sat across from each other in an empty booth. Not too many ponies had boarded their car giving the couple some semblance of privacy.
Silence fell over the two as the train departed.
"Chrystal?"
She hummed her acknowledgement as her head rested against the glass. Her magic was weak as was her body. Simply put, Chrysalis was tired. The previous night was draining to say the least.
"About last night-"
"You don't have to say anything," she murmured with closed eyes still leaning against the cool surface of the window pane.
"I want to," he said with some determination. "Thank you."
She looked at him through half lidded eyes and smiled. It felt nice knowing she could help somepony. Maybe... maybe it was time she actually started doing that. Without even realizing it, her thoughts had shifted from him to home. The two ideas were beginning to run together.
Before she could fall deeper in her thoughts, Shining Armor pulled her out of her seat and into his embrace kissing her deeply. Being in his arms always made her feel better.
"I love you" He mumbled into her mouth.
"I know..." Chrysalis hummed in acknowledgement savoring his affection. Nothing compared to his brand of ardor.
"Then say it," was his soft command as he continued to explore her mouth with his own. He took his time conveying his gratitude as well as his want for a much more physical closeness.
"I-" His kisses were intoxicating. "Shining," the way she moaned his name set his blood ablaze and he needed to hear her say it.
But before she could vocalize anything at all, the train was jarred so roughly the couple was cruelly ripped from their moment as they were thrown forward by a quaking disturbance. Marked by screeching metal and frightened screams, Shining Armor wasn't sure what was happening as his body was painfully introduced to the interior of the car over and over.
He shouted for Chrystal as he heard her yell over the commotion only to be silenced just before everything came to a shuddering halt. It wouldn't be till much later that he'd find out his train had jumped the track and rolled alongside the mountain..
* 1111 *
The healer watched with morbid fascination as the train continued to slam into the mountainside before coming to a creaking halt in the valley below. She hovered above the mountain laid tracks finally in her true form.
Her horn smoked from the spell cast as the jade jewelry glowed brightly from use.
The emotion she felt as she watched her Princess respond so zealously to that stallion's ministrations was something completely foreign. She was shocked, but she also felt an undeniable rage as she thought back on the senseless chaos back home.
Is this why Chrysalis had stayed away for so long? Why so much misfortune continued to fall upon the changeling race?
Icy eyes flashed white as the healer began her descent to the wreckage.
* 1111 *
Shining Armor groaned as his head ached miserably.
His body was sore and he found himself awkwardly slumped over a chair.
"What happened," he rumbled as he tried to push through the fog that had settled over his thoughts. "Chryssie..." He rasped after trying to gather his physical bearing. Forcing himself off his awkward perch, he wrenched his body to the right and rolled off the seat hitting the ground with a yelp as he felt something crack from his impact.
Biting back a cry as a sharp pain flared through his mid section, the stallion took a moment to catch his breath before standing.
"Chryssie," he winced squinting around the garbled wreckage. Where was she? The part of him that was heavily invested in the mare wanted to rage in panic. However, it was his military training that won out and helped him remain in control of his swirling emotions.
Despite the pain he felt with every step, he pushed himself to search for his lover.
"Chrystal..." A dark form lay in the corner of the wrecked car and Shining Armor navigated his ruined surroundings as fast as he could to get closer. Moments later, he had managed to pull the unconscious mare closer to what could be an exit from the mangled car.
Much to his relief, the mare was breathing and none of her cuts or bruises pointed to anything life threatening.
"Chryssie? Chryssie..."
Despite the urgency in his tone the dark colored mare did not respond. With a curse, Shining Armor continued to reassess her state of health. Pulse: Check. Breathing: check. Blood: Minor. With a sigh the stallion fell back onto his haunches when he realized she had no life threatening injuries.
Had anypony else survived he wondered as he took the time to gear himself for searching for survivors. Shining Armor made to move when he heard what sounded like crying from another part of the wrecked train. The wounded soldier moved as fast as his condition allowed magically throwing debris out of his way while tugging away at the smaller pieces of wreckage.
"Hey! I got you!" He assured the small sounding creature. "Just hold on!" The crying got louder as he was finally able to uncover a trembling pony the same shade as his marefriend.
"Hey, you alright?" Shining Armor asked as he reached out to coax the small thing from its fetal position. But as soon as he did so, he was met with an electric pair of eyes and the sharpest fangs he'd ever seen. He didn't even have time to yell before the creature was upon him.
*1111*
When Chrysalis finally came to, she awoke to the sound of snarling and insults. Her bleary gaze eventually settled upon two figures of snow and onyx struggling against each other. As her senses sharpened and her condition made itself known to her, she couldn't help but scream as she watched her coltfriend and one of her own savagely attack each other. At the sound of her voice Shining Armor dropped his guard long enough to let the changeling healer get in a shot that sent him to his knees.
Odonata's cold eyes cut to the princess who stared on with wide green eyes.
"Your family needs you. your mother can no longer handle her responsibilities! It's time for you to come home. It's time for you to take your place as Queen."
Chrysalis blinked. Was this really happening? And now of all times? Maybe their train's derailment hadn't been an accident. "You... You did this!" She realized as anger took hold displacing her shock. "You could've killed us!"
"Maybe him... But not you, Princess."
"Princess..." She had hoped he'd never hear this, this way. "Chryssie?" Shining Armor was hurt and confused. She could feel his eyes boring into her as she kept her attention on the changeling in front of him.
"He doesn't know anything! Just stop!"
"Say goodbye to him Chrysalis... If not for your people then do it for yourself. Could you live on knowing your inaction led to the death of an entire species... your species?"
"I can't... I don't know how..." She confessed rather pitifully.
"You have to complete your rite of passage. All you need to know, you will know afterwards. You must come home, Princess. We'll die without you. If not from starvation then from your mother."
"My... mother..."
"Her psychosis. She's a danger to herself and our kind. If he knew what you really were, what you were capable of, do you think he'd still love you?"
"I...." She didn't know.
"Chrystal Emerald is a lie... an illusion you created to flee the weight of your responsibility. He'd never pick you over his own flesh and blood, so why would you damn your own in such a way? The Princess I remember was never a coward. You can still fix this. The only way to save your mother is to do what must be done."
The healer watched as the younger's indecision played out across her features. Everybody needed help sometimes. And it looked as if her Princess needed help now.
"Let me make it easier for you Princess..." Her glowing eyes narrowed ever so slightly before refocusing on the obviously weakened stallion. She would end this once and for all.
"Don't!" Chrysalis had no idea what the other was planning on doing but she knew it wasn't good. She could tell by the energy she felt the older drawing. She tried to stand only to clumsily crash back to the ground as her body refused to obey her commands.
It wasn't the way she dreaded in her dreams, but it was horrible nonetheless. Black magic sent the Canterlot solider twisting and flying into a boulder splintering the solid element upon contact. He didn't move after that and in that moment the Princess' mind was made up. Her body shone faintly with the effects of a spell she couldn't remember using.
Somewhere she didn't know existed Chrysalis attacked her own with a desperation that surprised both creatures. Stunned by the physicality of the magic filled attack, Odonata found herself pinned beneath the younger who was obviously winded.
"So you really are a traitor to your race?" The healer winced in pain. " You'd kill me to save this stallion and yet you wouldn't lift a hoof to help your own family, your species?" The accusatory tone of the older mare made the younger flinch.
Chrysalis didn't have an answer for that so she did the next best thing and smashed her head against Odonata's knocking her out cold.
*1111*
The rescue that followed was but a blur to Chrysalis. A group of pegasi had witnessed the accident and immediately went for help was what she'd been told. When she heard the rescuers approach, she recalled hiding the body of the mare who would later become her mentor in some brush some fifty yards away from the accident. With the last bit of magic she could manage, the princess remembered casting a camouflage spell on the incapacitated changeling.
The day's events as well as her own injuries eventually caught up with her and she was found about 50 feet away from the unconscious stallion barely conscious herself.
After the doctors had made sure she was okay, she stood outside the stallion's hospital room with a worried expression on her maw. With a deep breath, she pushed into the room and stared at the pony who owned her heart.
What happened next was something she'd never forget.
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Closing quotation.
In an earlier chapter it was stated that a changeling could recognize another changeling if they were close. Why didn't Chryssie notice Ono?
Another good chapter. I like that there's no clear good and bad side here, the changelings are desperate and Chryssie is being selfish, but, on the other hand, is it fair to crush the need if one because of the need of many?
Cya
Raziel-chan
Oh really? That could be a way out for Chrysie.
Go on.
"Opened herself up" shall we say.
Pocket Pony Express. Available for $44.99 at your nearest Toys-R-Us.
Oh no, I know where this is going. He's going to be frozen in carbonite now, isn't he?
Uhb-Uh-Ewwhat?
She left, and she's not the same Princess anymore either. She's incapable of that now.
Then how is putting her mind in an
other body going to solve anything? Also, he's a sucker for Chrysie, so yes.
As I recall, Emerald Chrystal is as selfish as Chrysalis, so he already has.
6690190 That's the way our world is. Most often there are multiple shades of bad choices, and very human motivations for everything we all can relate too: pride, greed, fear...