The moonlight dominated the skies of Griffenheim, the birthday of the heir to the royal house was already coming to an end after the blowing of candles and the cutting of the cake with the claws of the birthday boy.
The guests had already left, many having already managed to reform their political alliances or start new ones, making some agreements or simply socializing with long-time relatives, the party was a discreet and legitimate way for many of the most important figures of the Empire to get together and do their machinations right under the Emperor's nose without creating suspicion.
Or so they believed. Not thinking that the priests and their 'purity' would care about politics or that many of the nobles participating in these alliances and agreements were double agents.
Gabriela and Eros were on constant watch, their agents keen to defend the throne against corruption and betrayal, many of those caught being blacklisted for possible future imprisonment or blackmail. But Grover didn't know that, the only thing he did know was that he'd had one of the best days of his entire little life. The day he spent with Chrysalis was a lot of fun. He'd learned so much from the changeling queen that he could barely handle so much information, spending hours and hours just talking to her.
She was like Gabriela and Eros merged into one person, she was smart, calm, and very friendly. While he was talking to her, there were times when he talked above her in excitement, or talked too much and even accidentally fell into her huge (and very soft and comfortable) tail. But she didn't mind either moment. Even when some of her guards turned out to be okay… Protectors on many occasions, she came to Grover's defense quickly.
She was the best, just like many of the Changelings in the palace talked about her and more. She was admired by those who obeyed her, she was affectionate with her actions and kind with her words. Worse still, even with so much time talking to her and making the most of the day's conversation, they hadn't even gotten to half of what Grover wanted to discuss with her.
Now he was exhausted and wanted to go to bed, that was exactly what he had asked for, but Chrysalis surprised him when she picked him up and placed him on her back, squeezed and protected between her enormous wings.
He insisted and insisted that he go alone, not wanting to bother Chrysalis anymore who had not only spent the entire party alone with him but was now kind enough to take him to his room.
"Chryssy.... I appreciate it, but you don't have to-"
"How many times do I have to repeat Grovy? For you. I don't mind at all." She cut the small one on her back with an affectionate tone and a smile.
"I already told you to stop calling me that!" He snorted his cheeks adorably, the changeling queen only chuckling in response.
"Only if you stop calling me Chryssy!"
"What if I don't, hmm? What are you going to do about it??" He challenged her playfully. She just rolled her eyes.
"So you'll still be my little Grovy!~" She laughed out loud as Grover crossed his arms and looked away sullenly.
"I don't like it! You're so evil Chryssy!" He whined
She let out an exaggerated, dramatic gasp." I can't believe it! You don't like me?? How can I live like this?" As she threw her head back with the back of her hand against her forehead. "I thought you were my friend! How can you betray me like that?? I think i might pass out!"
Grover not realizing the obvious acting and fake drama dropped his petty sulk to one of complete concern. "C-Chryssy?? S-sorry!! I didn't think-! I... No-" He would be answered with Chrysalis laughing in his face again.
"Oh my god! You're so easy to tease!" She was still laughing hard to the frustration of the little one on her back.
"Chryssy!! You're really, really mean!"
He didn't know why, but he felt an enormous familiarity with her, even though he spent very little time compared to many of her family members he felt he could trust her.
The walk through the halls followed in comfortable silence after Chrysalis's laughter subsided.
He smiled as he looked at the back of Chrysalis, he was sad that she wouldn't be with him, but she was a monarch also just like his father. She must have had a lot of people to take care of, and he understood why. But it was still frustrating that she had to go.
His dad couldn't talk or play with him on his birthday, he was sad about it, but at least she was there to stay with him while dad was busy.
He didn't blame his father for not having time to do as many things as he wanted. But it still frustrated him. It was his birthday! He should give at least an hour of his time to talk to him.
he was exhausted. And he just wanted to go to sleep.
Fortunately, he could already see the door halfway down the hall. That when opening it would take him to the destination he so desired. His wonderful bed.
"Okay, you can drop me here. I can get in-"
"No no! I insist!" She laughed over the top as she opened the door, her wings lifting and blocking Grover from leaving, who was a little stunned by her action.
Some of the griffon guards following them stiffened from the action, but Grover lifted one of his claws to indicate that everything was fine. Letting her carry him into her room.
As she closed the door behind her, Grover's childish smile faded. "Chryssy..."
"Yes dear?"
"Why lie to me?"
Her eyes widened at this. Feeling her back lighten as Grover leapt to the ground. Him walking slowly to her bed and not turning to face her or waiting for an answer.
"Lie to you Grovy? I would never-"
"You did it again." He cut her again, this time turning his body to face her.
On the outside she didn't show but her curiosity shot up to see his eyes meet hers. Cold and curious.
"You say one thing and your body screams the opposite." He had turned completely to face her. "When something irritates you, I see your pupils narrow." He emphasized what he was saying as he pointed one of his claws at his own eye. The little griffon jumped onto its back and sat on the bed, crossing its paws. "When you say something that isn't what you truly mean it, your body stiffens for a second and a half. Not to mention your smile fails too."
'Incredible.' He was three years old, and he could see through her mask in less than a day. Hundreds of years and multitude of emotional manipulations and dominations, and one child managed to discover it? 'hehe, I'm getting rusty.'
"Please Chryssy. If you want something, you can tell me." He let out an affectionate smile, even though he kept those cold eyes. "I don't know about you, but I like to keep my promises."
She just kept silent, her surprise no longer able to be contained on her face. But surprise of her fading as quickly as it came. "I... You're right Grovy... I did want something from you...." He turned his head to the side in curiosity in an adorable way as she approached him. "Your love."
"My love?" He raised an eyebrow at that.
"Yes, your love. It was one of the best I've tasted in a long time. So sweet, so familiar.... So... Tasty...." She described as she took his claws in hers and squeezed. He looked at that action and then returned his eyes to hers. "Please... Give me more..."
"Sure, no problem."
She blinked a few times in surprise, again.
"Just like that? You aren't gonna ask why i am asking for it or how-"
"Chryssy-" He cut her off again. This time with an expression of annoyance. "I'm sleepy, do you want my love or not?"
She looked at him in surprise as he lifted his head and closed his eyes in anticipation. He hadn't even hesitated to give her his love.
'If all ponies were like this... How many problems would have been solved already.' She thought with a sigh. Her body would be overpowered by an explosion of green fire.
Gone was the beautiful and slender Griffon, now she stood in front of Grover was the queen of the changelings in her true form, the pony-like creature with a twisted unicorn horn, a pair of tattered insectoid wings, and stands as tall as the biggest diamond empire dogs. If the little emperor was small before, now he was a dwarf in comparison. In addition, she has a sharp pair of fangs and dark green eyes with elongated oval pupils with teal mane and tail, blue-green chitinous plating over her midsection.
Lowering her head, she pressed her horn to Grover's chest. Upon contact, his entire body would glow in a strong pink aura, which shone like a huge lantern. 'So much love, all mine!' She thought with a maniacal smile. Then with a hickey, all that aura would be sucked into her mouth and would eat up all the love with enormous satisfaction.
By sucking all the boy's aura, she would belch and put a hoof in her mouth in shame. She was absolutely bloated, even with her reserves being monumental compared to any regular drone, she was full. How can such a small child carry so much love?
Grover then practically collapsed on the bed, Chrysalis having to hold the boy up so he wouldn't hit his head on the edge. Putting him on the bed slowly and pulling the covers over him.
'This boy... He gave me enough love to support me for the next 5 months... That shouldn't be possible...' She looked at the little griffon who was passed out in a deep sleep. 'And he gave without questioning, without worrying or hesitating.. He trusted me...'
This was rare, racism against Changelings was prevalent even in Griffonia due to their completely alien nature and way of feeding. Taking someone's love was like ripping a limb from the person, taking something invisible but absolutely vital to every living being. Forcing them to adapt to a way of life of deception and constant betrayals, bringing even more prejudice and fear.
Even so, even though he was constantly manipulated and lied to.... He still gave her love....
"Why…? What made you give something so important for so little?"
"This is something an abomination like you doesn't deserve and never will." A voice interfered with her thoughts. "Friendship."
She looked at the door in surprise at the new voice and came across someone she hadn't expected to cross paths with.
"Emperor Grover." The Changeling Queen exclaimed in a low but still curious tone. "I didn't expect you here...."
"Did you expect me to leave my son alone with a parasite like you? Fat chance." He growled at the queen who only raised an eyebrow at the insults.
He slowly walked towards the bed, while she started to walk towards the door. All the way, none taking their eyes off each other.
They started walking in a circle, one following the other but never getting too close.
"I have no malicious intentions with your son, I assure you." She tried to use diplomacy, her face betraying her words as she showed a smirk with her fangs.
"Cut your empty words, they won't work for me." He rejected her attempt with contempt, making her just roll her eyes. "I saw what you did to my son, do you think you'll get away with stealing one of the most valuable things I have?"
She raised an eyebrow, her smile changing to a mocking "Stealing? Honey, that was a gift from me." Their dance had stopped, with one facing each other now with a tiny distance separating them. None accepting back down. "And he'll give me more...."
"More? I've seen how much you've taken from him and I know the consequences of those your love is sucked out of." He looked at his son with concern, returning to Chrysalis in hatred. "You and your kind are not going to take the only valuable thing I have in this empire"
"Please the few who suffer side effects-"
"I. Don't. Care." He cut in with a tone of finality. "You will turn around now to leave this room, and you will never set foot in this palace again."
Grover was giving no room for argument or explanation by the queen. He didn't care about her reasons or her species plight, he saw only a threat to his son.
And threats were eliminated without mercy.
The Emperor had watched them since the beginning of the party, Chrysalis never acted like that. The Queen of Changelings was imposing, she was cold and intolerant. Any mistakes, no matter how small in her presence or failure to properly address her, were punished brutally.
But there she was, accepting a nickname his son had given her, something she would consider one of the greatest forms of desecration.
It was there that he knew immediately that she was somehow interested in his son, whether romantic or materialistic. The father didn't know which of the two would worry him more.
But now he had the answer he'd suspected. And he stood between her and his son.
"I see you won't listen anyway. But I'm patient, and I'll be back in no time." She gave the emperor a toothy grin, indirectly defying him.
He narrowed his eyes at her in return, grinding his beak in hatred. "Do you really think I'll allow it?"
She just widened her smile in response. "Not when you're in your grave." She cackled as she saw the shock on the Emperor's face, realizing in the words finally sunk in the Emperor. "You don't have much more time little birdie."
She was turning on him, and he inadvertently began to sweat with tension, feeling himself now prey to a gigantic monster that surrounded him, his expectant eyes gleaming in the darkness of the room.
"I noticed it, your son too. Even now you struggle to stay still without shaking, I notice that you feel pain and discomfort constantly." Her snake tongue danced before his sneering face. "Poor little bird that can't fly, what do you have? Two? Three more years?"
"More than enough." He tried to keep a tough face, but that only caused more debauched laughter.
"Poor thing! No time left, while I... I have all the time in the world." He tried to ignore her taunts, but she wasn't wrong. He was dying, no good lie he or the doctors came could hide that fact. "And when you die, your poor little son will be alone..."
She circled Grover who had his eyes fixed on the floor.
"Everyone close to him, Eros, Gabriela and Gerlach. They'll be too busy killing each other for power. Backstabbing, bribbing and exterminating everyone for the regency and not paying attention to the most important thing." She stopped behind Grover, maintaining her snake-like smile. "How deep will he go down, I wonder?"
His claws dug into the wooden floor, unable to contain his anger.
"Maybe he'll run to me, his dear friend Chryssy~"
Grover snapped.
Consequences be damned, alliances be damned. In total fury, he threw himself at the Changeling Queen, who only had time to widen her eyes in complete surprise. Being thrown at the wall and pinned by the furious Emperor's arm letting out a yelp of pain as she hit her back against the wall.
"Nhaaa.... Y-you are pretty straightfoward~" She ran her serpentine tongue across her mouth seductively at the furious griffon, who only reciprocated by pressing harder.
He hated it, this feeling of weakness and hopelessness, knowing the future he awaited for his son and not being able to do anything about it. Seeing this hideous creature taking advantage of the situation to turn his son into a mere puppet.
That mere action had nearly knocked him unconscious from the monumental effort from his weak and decaying body of slamming the creature into the wall, but he fought to stand his ground in the face of this predator. For showing weakness meant giving her more ammunition and determination to touch his most precious possession.
But the tranquility on her face made him furious.
All of this was a game to her. And even trapped in the wall, she still felt in control of the situation.
She didn't feel threatened.
"Hehe, you really care about the little one huh?" He did not answer. Just silently staring at her.
Letting out a long breath he released her from the wall, pulling his claws out and turning and walking towards his son's bed. Ignoring the huge smile that Chrysalis was shooting him the entire time.
"What's the problem big guy? Threw me against the wall and didn't even have the courage to kiss me?~"
He just let out a frustrated sigh as he stroked his son's head feathers affectionately. "Get out."
She left while cackling evilly, already content after playing with the Emperor's feelings who was too physically and mentally exhausted to care.
'So many problems.... My empress... My love... What do I do...?' He thought in frustration, his claws gripping his son's blanket. 'My child in danger... Being used...'
Tears of hate threatened to run down his face. 'And i not being able to do ANYTHING ABOUT IT!'
'Why??? How can i be such a bad father?' He thought in absolute hatred, not for the nobles who tried to take advantage. Not from the Changeling Queen. But of himself.
Of how much his son deserved better, how much he neglected the little boy just to pass one useless legislation after another. To please one ambitious and greedy noble after another.
'Why am I so useless to even get around with this pathetic body of mine??'
Grover hated himself. He hated not being able to work properly, to having to walk with help, to not being able to play with his son.
'Why... I'm so... Weak...?' He buried his face between the blankets of his son, who was sleeping peacefully beside him. Anger turned to hate, and from hate to sadness all in the span of 50 seconds. His tears could no longer be contained and ran down his feathers like a waterfall and staining the entire blanket.
'What do I do?? What do I do??' The Father thought in utter despair, being lost and absolutely hopeless. Feeling he doomed his son to a lone future threatened by enemies all around him.
Poor Emperor, you can't help but feel for him. And that stress is NOT gonna help with his life span issues either....
i wonder if chrisalis will develope actual love for the little emperor
Watching your empire crumble around you, and knowing you won't be around long enough to keep your child safe when everything comes crumbling down.
Poor Grover...
So the Bug Queen shows her true colors once again! As far as I can see, if Chrysalis gets her hooves on little Grover, he’s not going to be in for a happy time.
The moment of Papa Grover’s passing is nigh at hand it seems, and our protagonist will be at the mercy of others who will seek to guide, or destroy him. The board is set and the pieces are moving. It will soon be time for Grover to show his worth in the days to come.
Good chapter
So I'm assuming that similarish to the show. Love given willingly is much more potent for changelings and doesn't hurt the "victim" so maybe we see an outcome where Chrissy realizes this and becomes more of a benevolent ruler.... or at least not a total maniac. Possibly even negotiations with Equestria?
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I can see the development of a fraternal love. But I romantic love is still there.
Age eventually get us all in one way or another.
Looking forward to the next chapter.
I wonder of Chrysalis plans to make the Griffons Vassals or if she shares her Empires future success with Grover. After all, she is eternal, Grover unfortunately not...
This story is so interesting, keep up the good work.
Chrysalis has to suspect the nature of this kind of love. Love given willingly, not taken forcefully. She has already seen the potency of this love energy, she now only has to see how it became so.
Groover dodged a bullet there if that hate turned to suffering he would have fell to the dark side
Dont worry Emperor, something tells me your son will grow into an Emperor who'd put Augustus Caesar to shame.
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Yeah this must feel really painful to know that when you are eventually gone, everything around you will grumble, while you live everyone in the mercy of others, especially the ones you love & there is nothing you could do to stop it.
This is why I love those first chapters of this story! It gives personality to a person that you see him for only a couple of seconds just because you play speed 5 waiting for him to die just so you can unlock your focus tree.
Thanks again TT for another amazing chapter. Like the previous chapters, I really loved the dialog and interactions between Grover and Chrissy. It was entertaining seeing Grover show his intelligence and great perception by calling Chrissy out on her lieing. It was also heartwarming to see him give her his love anyway despite the lies and Chrissy's thoughts on his selfless giving. I really would love to see more interaction between them in the future. It was also a bit heartbreaking seeing Grovers father falling into a bit of despair there due to his inability to protect his son in the near future due to his failing health. I'm sure this will lead to some interesting things in the near future. Thanks again for all the time and hard work you do to bring us this story and I eagerly await your next installment of this tale. Cheers!
Now that was just low and deliciously evil😈 one of the best representations of Chrysalis I've ever seen. But in all seriousness I love the fact that the emperor is not afraid of dying he is worried what's going to happen to his son after his died and the fact that he had the stones to attack chrysalis best dad of the year right there
I am loving this
I enjoy how this is going. The only thing Grover can do at this point is to try and instill the Friendship values, love and care for his people and full understanding of those who have good and bad intentions.
The game of politics is one that can never quite be mastered a mortal timespan, so here's hoping Grover knows what decisions to make and to carefully consider allegiances not just to him, but to his son, and make them soon.
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As long as a certain General doesn't decide to perform a military coup Grove VI should be fine...
I hope that this will be the catalyst for Grover V to start to do something and implement some reforms before it’s too late.
Preferably, I want him to shoot the traitorous Dawnclaw first.
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XD completely understandable.
Very good chapter! Some grammatical errors here and there but nothing my imagination can't fix!
I'm very excited to see the reaction of the major powers when little groovy somehow united the empire after its fall!
Be it by blood or Groovy charming charisma and big brain.
I think you meant for the Emperor to be angry not the Queen.
I'm starting to wonder why this is an isekai story. The kid has so little left of his former life in him, it's practically pointless now.
Might as well have simply been an unusually precocious griffon from the start.
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Sorry if this bothers you, but it is and I will keep it as an 'isekai' story because I have plans for it to manifest in the future. He is three years old, he can barely understand the memories he receives and what to do with them. To him, these are just bizarre dreams he has, but that will become clear in the future.
11383862 Well, we're 8 chapters in, and it's fairly irrelevant to the story. The small references since the intro to his 'human-self' are so slight they could be excised completely and replaced with equally small paragraphs or lines of a simply savant-level griffon chick, and nothing else would change.
You basically have an Unfired Chekov's Gun all this time.
Now, him not understanding his own memories is odd. It almost then feels like the memories were simply grafted into a griffon chick with none of the pre-existing personality.
That would actually be a novel concept: a FAILED isekai. Aqua screwed up worse than usual! Dude's memories get patched into the brain, but nothing else. So the actually-is-a-griffon would have all these weird alien memories and no idea what they mean.
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I agree, but if i already dropped the bomb on the first chapters it would ruin what i had planned for he future and build up i am making. It would just be another 'Human becomes (blank) in Equestria.'
I don't know you, but i find this boring and not very creative. I want to build up the world, shape his personality and give small hints of his build up all the while not treating my readers as dumb and not able to interpret moments in the story as what they are.
But i understand, if you think i am dragging this too long i will find a way to speed things up if this bother many of my readers. I write this for your enjoyment afterall, and if people are bothered by something i have no problems on changing the pace.
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Your doing great
i hope the 2 personalitys will clash if your creating aa new personality then itt chuold clash aand the humna andgriffon wuold kindof become to 2 people in the saame body?
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Are you really complaining about it unfired checkoff's gun in the beginning of act 1 of a play? Check off gun means that what is shown in act 1 will come to fruition in act 3. This would be a very bad story if we are anywhere near act 3 at this point.
Patience.
11389580 The issue is that it's a Chekov's Gun that's literally hanging in front of the stage in the audience's faces CONSTANTLY, begging the question in every chapter "When is this very obvious thing going to be used?"
It becomes distracting, as we all know this interdimensional transplant SHOULD have all the knowledge required to seriously affect the course of history, but for some reason can't do it. For some reason isn't really even the person.
And then lump on top of that the usual issues with HiE stories, and isekai stories in general. Everyone should at least be familiar with some of those issues, so I won't bother making a big honking list.... especially since plenty of Youtubers and anime/manga sites have already made their 'Top 10 Plot Holes in Isekai', or a similar-themed list, in far more exhaustive detail than I would bother going into (unless I got paid to do it.)
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1) he was not born with his memories instead his memories come back to him in these NIGHTMARES.
2) even if he regains all of his memories he lacks the frame of reference needed to comprehend them in his current life. (explain what an airplane is to a caveman. Even if it is his memories, the caveman would still be terrified.) In fact his memories could be viewed as Blasphemous by the other Griffins and end up costing him his life.
3) you are right, he SHOULD have all of his KNOWLEDGE but does he have the MATURITY? His mind may be old but his body is still an energetic youth. This is something that Queen Chrysalis noticed and essentially dismissed because "he is still a child."
Right now he has more of a passive role of childhood within his Empire. The moment his father dies he'll have to take on and more active role in which case those memories may play a part.
Again. Patience, we are in Act 1. I wouldn't be surprised if this story runs for more than 20 or 30 chapters.
HTH DID I MISS THIS!
Actual comment:
Well damn, I think I might change my bet, I no longer see this marriage possible as "good".
I'm going against my original idea. 100 bits that the marriage is of subordination.
The pot is now 250 bits for "marriage" and 100 bits for subordination.
{There is still time to bet}
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(this is for context.
you'll have to find the other comments to make sense of the betting pool.)
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OK, I assume English is not your native/first language? I mean, I'm Russian, but those things are just too big to ignore. I have English lessons each Sunday, if you allow I can go over your story with my tutor, to see what is wrong, and why.
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If you want it, I would be very grateful as that would be a help me a ton. But I don't want to impose, just helping me a little by pointing out a little mistake was already a lot of help.
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Dude, if this is "bad" to you, you've been living in a dreamworld.
In the future, I'd very highly suggest you allow yourself to cool off a bit before slinging comments like "You need editors" and condescending, caps lock-infested grammar Nazism.
I adore this story its so fascinating to read! hope you can update it soon so i can keep enjoying it some more!
I think it would be very interesting in future chapters to explore who Little Grover VI’s mother was, since eaw never explored that topic.
Finally got my self to actually read these updates and I really like this and I'm happy it's not dead
Any word on chapter 9?
So uh, still here?
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Just got back
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Welcome back to the fold.
Time to see how Chrysalis' investment in Grover The Sixth plays out. Secret changeling bodyguards? A puppeted régime? The upstart princeling seizing the day? Conducting reforms to placate the working class? Or everyone just makes friends, disarms, and goes home?
I can makes guesses all day—but one truth will always remain: Griffonia forever prospers!
I guess I missed this chapter. I hope Chrysalis still wants to ally with the kid
The dad probably couldn't tell if she was being honest
I do hope we see a lot more of Chrysalis
Just found this story and I love it! I eagerly await more.
You have my attention and I do wonder will there be romantic relations between chrysalis and grover once he gets older and into his role as a ruler a bit more.
In game the changeling gave grover the VI a tiger, yes you hear me they gifted him a tiger I and he drove it around and killed a number of peasants
Man, if only Grover V didn't interrupt that soon. I was kinda wishing for Chrissy to slowly come to the realization herself that that's what friendship is like. That would've been such a powerful scene.
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The lack of capitalization might make this not as obvious to those unfamiliar with WW2. Tiger I, or known as the Panzer 6 Tiger I, is the fearsome German tank you see often in media and movies like Fury, with that boxy rectangular appearance and huge, long, imposing gun.