52: The Once and Derper Queen
Queen Chrysalis’s green eyes peered through the darkness. “What are you—“
“I’m really not in the mood,” said Karyn. “I’m sick of everyone in Equestria trying to fit me into their little perceived boxes. I’m not a stunted buffalo or a phoenix about to burn and restore itself or anything else. I’m—“
“A human, and a particularly rude one for interrupting royalty. I was about to ask, ‘What are you doing here?’”
Karyn’s tongue was tied. “How do you know about humans?”
“That’s the second time you’ve spoken back to me instead of answering my question. I will ask a third time, but I will not ask a fourth. What are you doing here?”
The authoritative tone was one that Karyn heard frequently from her tenured professors, and when they used it, she was prepared to listen. But right then, an ornery streak built up in her. “Listen, Chrysalis. You may be the big cheese around here, but you’re not my queen. So I’ll answer however I like. If you’re asking why I’m here in Equestria, it’s because my good friend Derpy Hooves invited me. If you’re asking why I’m here in particular, look in the mirror, because I’m your prisoner!”
The cavern echoed every drop of water and fall of stone, but Chrysalis’s laughter reverberated, drowning out all the natural sounds. “Mine? Can you not see that I am imprisoned every bit as much as you are?”
“But you’re the queen. Why would you be brought here?”
“That is a long tale.”
Karyn looked around. “We’re not going anywhere.”
“A long time ago I had a plan to take over the throne of Equestria. I disguised myself as a princess of Equestria, known as Mi Amore Cadenza.”
Karyn wasn’t sure if the queen would still try to pull rank, but she interrupted anyway.
“I know that story.”
“You are strange, human. I desire to know how you have entered this realm and how it is that you know of changeling nature.”
“My friend Derpy tried to explain it to me once, but I really don’t understand it. Everything that happens here is told in my world as a story, but because ponies can do magic they were able to go into my world and fetch me back, just to be friends. And it’s always been fun and happiness, until your changelings started trouble. So keep explaining.”
Chrysalis looked askance at Karyn. “Then, since you know all about changelings, you’ll understand that on occasion a clutch of eggs will produce one beyond a worker, who has the potential to be queen. Naturally I have fended off many such rivals. In the last generation, one called Maxilla came about. She…bested me.”
Karyn didn’t want to admit how ignorant she was about changeling society, but something seemed obvious. “Then how are you still alive?”
“Well, as is tradition, she sent me down to the depths of the hive to starve, just as I did to the queen I deposed so long ago.”
A chill ran through Karyn. A creature who could talk so casually about starving to death was not something she had experience with.
“Our colony is much smaller than it was in those days,” Chrysalis continued. “I lost so many in our defeat to the ponies, which helped stave off a much slower and more painful shrinking. With no other options, I adopted a new policy. We no longer sought out one creature to gorge ourselves on at a time, but rather sipped and nibbled when we could. It was more work initially, but it was safer and kept us with a low profile.
“In past times, we had a cycle where we would find a target and feed well, then lay idle until the hunger grew again. Under the new way, we were never satisfied and never in danger. I instituted the change, but I didn’t believe in it, and so I kept reproduction to a minimum. That was my folly.”
Karyn swallowed a laugh. If you hadn’t taken time out to sing a reprise and turned your back, your initial plan might have worked. That was far more foolish than some decision on reproduction.
Aloud, she said, “But why bring me here? There were lots of ponies with me, but only I was captured.”
“I…do not know.” Chrysalis’s pause made Karyn suspect that she was not being truthful. The queen hastily continued her story.
“The younger changelings had never known the old way, and did not see anything wrong with it, but the older, more conservative elements were disgruntled and pressured me to choose a high-profile target. I saw no danger from them, since they had no queen. That they would recruit one from the younger generation was not something I foresaw.
“Maxilla is a ruthless queen, who had no hesitation in eliminating her rivals. She challenged me to single combat, as is the right of any born queen. Where she got her energy from, I didn’t know at the time. Now I do. Her plans are to invade your world and feed on the humans, who will have no magic to stop her.”
“So it must be this Max lady who impersonated me and is there now!”
“She managed a transformation into a creature she had never seen? Impressive.”
Karyn kicked at the ground. “She might have seen me. My friend Derpy takes me all over Equestria. Oh, Derpy. I miss her so much. I wonder what she’s doing now…”
***
When Derpy had seen the swarm of changelings recede, her next move was to the captain of the guard.
“We’ve got to go after them! We need to get her back now!”
“Listen, mare. My ponies were just slaughtered, and they could have been killed if the changelings had tried. We’ll go back for her, but we’re not going to accomplish anything by flying off like fruit bats. We’re going to go back to Canterlot, report to the princesses, and make a new plan.”
“But…” She turned away. The captain was already talking to somepony else. She didn’t want to go with the guard, and saw no reason to help them pack up. By the time the others were ready to leave, Derpy was halfway back.
She blurted out everything to Princess Celestia, and had to say it all a second time before she was understood, especially the part about the stallions wanting to retreat and regroup.
“They’re right, though, Derpy. It will take time for them to decide what’s the best move to make to save Karyn.”
“Not you too, Princess! Everypony’s sitting around twiddling their hooves while Karyn’s in danger! She must be frightened to death and nopony cares!” Tears blinded Derpy.
As she folded her wings and sank to the ground, she felt a strong hoof lifting her up and a soft wing caressing her back. Blinking to clear her eyes, she looked up and saw that Princess Celestia was crying too. “I understand, a little. I want to bring her back as much as you do. A long time ago I saw the first human enter Equestria, and I overreacted. I was afraid of the unknown, just as Karyn is afraid now. Over time, I learned to be calm and understand humans. We all have to be calm and rational now.”
Derpy sniffed. “All right.”
“Why don’t you go consult with Lyra, see how she’s coming along with her spell?”
Derpy remembered that not only Karyn, but all of Earth was in danger. “I’ll do that, thank you.”
Princess Celestia did not use the direct transportation spell that had brought Derpy to Canterlot, but she did have a train waiting for her at the station. She took the opportunity to calm down and think about what she would do to the changeling she would find on Earth.
Upon reaching Ponyville, she raced to Lyra’s house. She wanted to burst in the door and find Lyra, but had the courtesy to knock and wait. A familiar green face appeared.
“Ah, Derpy! Welcome back. I’ve got the spell all ready.”
“I knew you would come through. There’s no time to lose, so go ahead and use it.”
“Absolutely,” said Lyra. “Where’s Karyn?”
“That’s the thing! She was captured by the changelings. That’s why you’ve got to send me to Earth so I can catch the one who went there. That might give us a lead to getting her back.”
“Sorry, you want me to send you to Earth?”
Derpy stared at Lyra. “Yes! Right now!”
“But I can’t! If you remember correctly, you asked me to remember the spell that would send a human to Earth. Not a pony. That’s a whole different spell.”
“Lyra! That means we have to get Karyn back if we want to save Earth. Oh, poor Karyn. I miss her so much. I wonder what she’s doing now…”
***
Karyn had been trapped for several hours. She still had the pack that was given to her when she set out with the ponies. There were some dried fruits and bread, and a canteen of water. No one had been by with any sort of food for her, and she didn’t know how she would have to ration it out. Across the cave she heard the sound of water trickling into a pool. When she approached it, she smelled plant life. She tried not to think of some of the pictures she had seen of water under a microscope, and how many creatures lived there.
Sitting back against the wall, Karyn could no longer help herself. She tore off a three-inch piece of the bread and set the canteen next to her. The bread would, she hoped, soak up some of the butterflies in her stomach.
Queen Chrysalis looked at her eating. Even though it seemed a ridiculous gesture, Karyn tore the bread in half and extended one to the creature. The queen shook her head.
Karyn’s despair was growing again. “I can’t believe I’m going to starve here with a changeling. I always thought Equestria was so nice.”
“You never told me about the pony who brought you here.”
Karyn swallowed the last of the bread and leaned against the wall. “Derpy Hooves is a pegasus pony who delivers mail, likes muffins, and has a daughter named Dinky. That’s what everyone knows about her, but there’s so much that goes deeper.
“You’re a queen. You have all these changelings around you always, and they worship you. Derpy never had anyone to tell her that she was a normal pony, even though she really is. When you fade into the background, everypony may think that you have no problems. Or worse, that you can’t handle it and aren’t worth the help.
“But here’s the thing: every day she gets up and flies off to work to haul ponies’ letters to where they’re supposed to go. That’s it. Not raising the sun or saving Equestria. But for her, that’s her battle. That, and keeping house, and making sure her daughter is all right, and feeding the cat. But she does it every day. And that means something. Even if everypony takes her for granted, it means something.
“In her own way, she understood that. She couldn’t say it, or do anything about it, but she knew enough that no one in Equestria could be the friend she needed. So she found me. What she gave me is much more than what I could give her. Derpy taught me that magic was real, that running your own life is a challenge that everyone faces, and that growing up doesn’t mean that you stop being a child.”
Karyn sipped from the canteen, the long speech having made her thirsty. “And then you come along to ruin everything. What makes you so evil?!”
Queen Chrysalis rolled her hoof. “It is our nature. No creature thinks of itself as evil. We consume what we need just as other beasts feed on us when we die.”
Karyn didn’t want to think about that. “OK, forget that question. How do you stay standing up with your legs full of holes?”
“Magic, of course. You said that you were increasingly used to it. You see us as this great enemy because we are odd looking and different. But we see the same thing about you.”
“How does that work? You need us to survive. You’re nothing but parasites.”
Queen Chrysalis stood up, and the sickly green glow from her horn made Karyn tense herself for a blow. The horn reminded her of some of the pictures she had seen of Middle Eastern weapons, the curved and notched blades designed to decapitate from horseback. But the magic faded as Chrysalis took a breath, and spoke in her raspy voice. “You—or rather the ponies you consort with—have the power to starve all of us just by being aware of our nature. In what way does that not make you the enemy?”
Karyn, for the first time, looked directly at the large changeling. Although she was tall, and the horn gave her even more height, she was dreadfully thin. Emaciated. Her stringy mane looked nothing like the manes of the ponies. She remembered Derpy having her hair done on Earth, how much the stylist enjoyed working with the thick mane, even though she had to be veiled. A spark of pity grew inside Karyn, but was snuffed out as quickly when she thought of how Derpy must be reacting then.
***
Lyra did not relish being chewed out by Derpy for something that was nopony’s fault. Miscommunications happen all the time, even when the stakes were high. She had let Derpy vent for a while, hoping that she wouldn’t ask a certain question. Which she did.
“Wait, can’t we send your human back to Earth?”
“We could, but it wouldn’t be where on Earth we need someone. The spell returns the human to her point of origin, which in this case is Karyn’s dorm. For all we know, Karyn and my human could live hundreds of miles apart.”
“Then you’ve got to tweak the spell to let me go,” said Derpy. “I came from the same point of origin as Karyn, so sending me there should be possible.”
“I’ll work on it. I’ll get Twilight to help me, since she’s so much better with magic.”
“Good idea. Let’s head to the library.”
Derpy wanted to pick Lyra up and drag her there, but was pleased to see that she was running at full gallop anyway. It occurred to Derpy that Lyra had as much or more reason to want to see the changelings stopped. She was the first one to even know about humans. For Derpy, it was more personal.
The trip cleared Derpy’s head. When they reached the library, Lyra explained her failure, but Derpy stood between them.
“Listen, Twilight. Here’s what it comes down to. We have to save Earth, and I know that. But I have to save Karyn. So you and Lyra work on that spell, and when I have to go to Earth to help there, I will. But right now I want you to send me back to Canterlot. Princess Celestia was wrong. She should have never sent me back here. Until I can see Karyn’s face again, nothing else matters.”
Twilight and Lyra looked at each other. They had never seen Derpy so assertive. “All right,” said Twilight. “We’ll get you on the next train.”
“You teleported me before.”
“That’s something that princesses use when things are really important.”
Derpy scowled. “This is really important. And besides, wasn’t I a princess once, even if it was only a few minutes?”
Her anger melted and she fell to her knees. “Please, Twilight. I want to get there as soon as possible.”
Lyra looked down at Derpy. From deep in the back of her memory, an image came to her. She had once had the same emotional swing, from anger to begging, when she needed Princess Celestia to release her human from being turned to stone.
“You should send her, Twilight,” she said. “If a pony’s acting that way, it means that now is the time to use every advantage we have.”
Twilight nodded, and Derpy gave her a thankful smile as she flashed in the explosion of magic. Wasting no time, she flew for the highest tower of Canterlot Castle, only to find Princess Celestia waiting for her.
“Twilight let me know that you were coming. I still think you should wait.”
“Here’s the situation, your highness.” Derpy didn’t want to show disrespect, but she was sure of her course of action. “I’m going to go after Karyn. If you don’t help me, I’m going to go alone. If that happens, it likely won’t end well for anypony. That’s not going to stop me though. So I’m hoping you’ll do what you can.”
Celestia said nothing, and Derpy was afraid she’d insulted her anyway. But then the princess turned toward the side door and opened it. “I have not been idle in trying to find help for you. You are correct in one respect: in this hour we need to trust more to passion than to ability. And is there not one other who cares as much for Karyn as you do?”
Derpy didn’t even have time to be confused, as she recognized the pony entering from her hoofsteps. “Dinky!”
***
Karyn had lost all track of time. For all she knew, it could have been the dead of night or only an hour since her capture. From time to time, Chrysalis had engaged her in conversation, but each time it left her tired and depressed.
“The worst thing about it,” she said, “is that even if this ended right now. Even if Queen Max came back and let me go and didn’t invade Earth, everything’s different now. I’ve seen the dark underside of Equestria. I can’t go back.”
“Such things abound. I cannot tell you all of the misery I’ve seen throughout my life.”
“And I don’t want to hear about it. Don’t changelings ever have fun?”
Chrysalis looked at a distant point. “Sometimes, if a victim has proved particularly fecund, we hold a celebration after we have fed. It’s not an elaborate one, since we’re usually too bloated to move much. But we gather over the pony and thank it for providing for us.”
“What’s it like for somepony who you feed on? Do they die?”
“We’ve never paid attention to what happens to them long-term. They are alive when we finish.”
Karyn shuddered internally, thinking of what it would be like to have been drained by the changelings. Even if the victim were still alive, what would it be like to look at the ones they had loved and feel nothing anymore? Who would want to live after that?
Queen Chrysalis stood up to her full height, towering over Karyn. She stretched her hooves and her wings, and cracked her neck. “I think, though, that since we’ve had to stop taking all the love from any one pony, that they recover eventually. Perhaps you could tell me a little of what it feels like?”
“What do you mean?”
“I have to apologize. Well, no, I don’t, because I am the queen. But ever since you began talking about your friend, this Derpy pony, I have been feeding off you.”
Karyn skittered away backwards, and tried to stand up.
“Don’t bother. My power’s range is far larger than this cave. It was not my intent, but when I first sensed your love for her, my mouth watered. I haven’t fed in so long. You would have done the same.”
“I would not have! I don’t eat other people!”
Chrysalis cocked her head. “Do you not? Strange. In any case, I must thank you. You have enabled me to attempt what has never been done before. I am going to try to reconquer the hive.”
“That’s never happened?”
“Certainly not. When the deposed queen is sent into exile, she is never provided with food. But Queen Maxilla perhaps did not think of you as capable of love. Or, in her haste to attack your world, left only the workers to tend me. Workers who, in all fairness, are not known for foresight or intelligence. That being the case, there may yet be some who are loyal to me. With my power returned, I can demonstrate that I can provide for them, There may be civil war in the hive, but I have much experience in such things. Chrysalis shall rule again!”
Karyn recoiled at hearing the scratchy voice speak of conquest and ruling. She had to think quickly. She had only one chance to change things.
“And what then?”
“What?”
“What happens if you do take over again? Back to feeding off anypony who happens to fall into your traps? Back to lies and deceit as a daily way of life? Once more, everyone in Equestria hating and fearing you, and being enemies forever?”
“There is no other way!” said Chrysalis.
“Have you ever tried to find one?”
“How? We need the love of others to feed off. No one would give it willingly.”
Karyn made it to her feet. “Did you ever ask? You once had Princess Celestia bound in your cocoon. Did you never think of talking to her?”
Queen Chrysalis’s eyes narrowed. “You are strange, little human. In any case, this is all academic, since we are still trapped here until I can reach the entrance.” She pointed a hoof to a point of light high above the cave. “But my wings are growing stronger. Would you accompany me as I attempt my reconquest?”
“Why? Do you figure you’ll need a snack?”
“Perhaps. But I want to hear more about you as well. Do you have a name?”
Karyn realized that she had never told the queen her name. “I’m Karyn.” She extended a hand.
Chrysalis held out her hoof. They touched briefly. Then the queen flipped Karyn in the air, caught her on her back, and took off for the point of light.
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interesting twist there
Amazing!
Two Queens enter! One Queen leaves!
2548665 no you said it wrong it's andrewnstewart.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/what-a-twist.jpg?w=298
2551277 Still wrong, it's denver.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw2669-Smiling_Twist.jpg
xD
Cap'n! Sudden plot twist off the port bow!
Also, I knew that her having been usurped by a different queen was the reason for Chryssie being in the dungeon. And Karyn is right. Equestria has more than enough love for both itself and the Changelings, and most ponies would probably give it willingly, if asked nicely enough.
As for Queen Maxilla invading earth, I don't think that is a good idea. Sure, we may not have magic, but we have something that is can be just as, if not more destructive than magic: technology! If the Changelings really tried to invade earth, they would probably be nuked to hell and back quicker than you can say "Chimmiecherrychanga". At least, that is what I would do to deal with a Changeling invasion, even if it means sacrificing a few cities.
Ooh, political intrigue...
It seems Celestia has finally shed her "Humans are Bastards" stance.
2551352
Still wrong.
i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/6316846848/h09014248/
Also congrats... You made me run out of popcorn.
2558877
Hmmmm... Valid point.
Dragon
Now I'm enraptured by the story... I must see Chrysalis reconquer the hive!
(Sees 2548665>>2551277>>2551352>>2556305) How did y'all miss this one?
2571227
Half-way! Awesome story! trying to knock out a few chapters a day.
...holy crap.
Hmmm...
You would think that Karyn would be more hesitant about accepting help a changeling who was feeding off her.