Opening my eyes, I found myself looking up into slightly luminous green slitted eyes about a hoof away from mine.
It was only from years of dealing with ‘lings that I didn’t hit Chrysalis in the face.
Instead I looked up at her sleepily. You do not act hastily around a predator like Chrysalis. She was standing over me, head lowered to peer into my face from way too close.
“Morning Chryssie,” I said and suppressed a yawn, “What time is it?”
“You were injured,” Chrysalis said, sounding disgusted.
I raised an eyebrow at her, “It happens.”
“It seems like sharp weapons work even on alicorns.”
I raised my fully mobile foreleg and touched her cheek where my cutting spell had distracted her once with my hoof, “So they do on most things.”
Chrysalis looked amused before stepping over me, slipping off the bed and walking over to look out the open balcony doors.
The sky outside was blue but I couldn’t see the sun which meant it was late afternoon at least. Chrysalis didn’t say anything, just looking out over Canterlot.
Ugh.
It’s way too early to deal with Chrysalis right now. Why the hell is she even here? Skitter is usually the one to wake me and haul me down to the hive.
Chrysalis had never been here before. That I knew of anyway, ‘lings were sneaky.
Well, she was clearly being dramatic again and wasn’t going to say what she wanted until I played along.
So I carefully rolled onto my hooves and slipped off the bed before walking up next to her, doing my best to ignore the spike of pain through my side every time my right hoof set down on the floor.
Showing pain was a bad idea, limping was worse.
I walked up to sit down next to her, lifting my right hoof just off the floor as I looked out over the castle.
Chrysalis glanced at me with a small scowl but didn’t speak. I just sighed, “How’s Skitter?”
“Not in Canterlot, she has visited the Princess of Food and will return in a couple of days,” Chrysalis said without looking at me again, turning to look out over the castle.
I’m not caffeinated enough for this.
“What is it you want, Chrysalis?” I finally asked.
“You were injured.”
“Were you worried?” I asked, raising an eyebrow again.
Chrysalis glowered at me, “You were injured, which caused reactions from the Princesses, which disrupted your hives which may put my hive in danger!”
Ah.
“...Yeah, I don’t see how any of that is my fault,” I finally answered, looking up at her.
She glared at me like I was being especially dumb, “A Queen's first responsibility is their hive and to keep their hive under control. Your hive is unruly.”
Oh for…
“Not my hive, go yell at Celestia,” I told her and carefully raised my right hoof to rub my eyes only for Chrysalis magic to catch it and force it back down,
“Stop that! You are straining your injury!” she ordered, “And as far as the effects of your injury, it is your hive. Stop being a dumb pony!”
I lowered my hoof and glared back up at her, “I didn’t choose to be shot with a crossbow!”
“You gave them the chance,” she sneered, “I thought you were smarter than that, pony. You know you have enemies and you go walking around with three guards in public? No other defenses? None of them were even an unicorn!”
Scowling, I looked away.
I really bucking hate it when Chrysalis has a point. I just never thought a pony of all species would try something like it.
“I am assigning another of my changelings to your protection,” Chrysalis said in a tone that didn’t bear any argument.
“It was not Ambers fault,” I told her firmly.
Chrysalis smirked, “Never said it was. I said I’m assigning another changeling to your protection. As in, In addition of.”
“Oh.”
I glanced back behind me. Amber was sitting by the bed, looking like somepony had been yelling at her. Next to her was another changeling that I actually recognized. Thorax was one of those usually assigned to hive security so it wasn’t an unsurprising choice that he had been reassigned to this.
“Nocturnis already has as many ‘lings as it can support,” I told Chrysalis.
“I’m sure you can feed one more,” She said a bit dryly, “It has been decided. Unless you would like to explain why you declined more security to the Princess of the Night and the Princess of Magic.”
Sighing, I then nodded, “...Fine.”
I know when I’m defeated.
Chrysalis nodded and stood up, turning to leave through the door before she paused and looked at me, “And I approve of your consolidation of power with the Princess of Fire. This will improve the security and food generation of my hive. Well done, my little predator.”
I glared after her as she left.
Then I sighed as the door closed and I blinked at the bed. It was the middle of the day, but Luna was missing.
“Amber, where’s Luna?” I asked as I limped back towards the bed, “And hello, Thorax. Welcome to the team.”
“Thank you, sir,” he said with a nod.
“The Princess of Night was woken up by one of the night guards two hours ago,” Amber said with a small buzz of her wings,” she left quickly. I was too far away to hear what was said.”
Nice
Oh hi thorax good to see you.
Now get under the bed and let us ship you with Amber.
Luna's disappearance is probably due to finding out more about who tried to kill her husband. Nice to see Chrysalis showing up Page once in awhile, And now Thorax has joined the crew! Hopefully things will become more illuminated soon. Otherwise Murphy will poke his head in and stir things up again...
Huh, Chrysalis is being Chrysalis. I thought that apart of Thorax we would see a cocoon with the assassin siting in the corner. It would show nice synergy. Equestria is economic, political and military powerhouse with changelings serving as a intelligence/counterintelligence agency
Perfect example of Lings being absent, Skitter is Love shopping and Chrysalis was busy in the Hive.
Thorax? This could be interesting.
Did Spike and Thorax ever become friends?
Did they even met yet?
Yeah figured queenie would be upset considering she never admit that part of her cares for him and is happy that he is happy. And the wives aren't happy he not going to be happy.
11641382
That was during the beam clash in the Season 2 finale, so none of the other changeling-centered episodes happened. I keep bringing it up as "a glorified fruit knife" but I think this is the first time they've brought up the specifics of the incident since it happened.
Wonder if the news reached Cadance and Skitter about Blank Page pin cushion act.
11641387
Until little Predator didn't provide a larve or 10, he will only be a asset of the Hive. After it he will be part of the Hive. Than I can see Chrysalis going absolutely Shakespeare on anyone threatening her Hive king ~♡
11641374
Indeed, I made them exactly that in one if my stories ♡
11641364
Theory who it could be?
11641342
Finally Chrysalis is back, time to hunt the assassin and suck him dry ~♤
11641349
Somehow I can ship Amber with Pharynx...
But below Page should be enough space for one Changeling more indeed
11641399
In more ways than one
Chrysalis is hovering over future Larve providing little Predator marking him in pheromones.
In a closet hanging is a stupid pony, thinking it can hurt her Hives future larve daddy in his sleep.
Queen Chrysalis would get little predators Hive in order, even if it would be the last thing she managed!
Oh hey, there's the absentee changelings. Nice to know we'll see Thorax now.
11641401
Nice
11641409
Kevin from canon that existed in FIMfiction first would be the more funny choice.
Grumpy Snugglebug Pharynx would be the most entertaining pick...
great chapter
11641399
Yes but thanks to him her people are safe and fed . He done more for their kind than anyone including getting her new subject and ending another hive by making hers.
11641364
Probably one of the nobles like neighsay. He certainly has over inflated case of self importance. He doesn't go for change.
Chrysalis:
"This incident clearly shows that we need to pull all stops out...
The X-Pony initiative needs to be activated!"
11641349
So him sharing “love” with Amber, will get us colorful cuddlebugs?
I can get behind this.
You do a really good Chrysalis and I look forward to her appearances in your stories. You've made her a favorite character of mine. She retains her dangerousness yet her devotion to her 'lings makes her sympathetic. I really liked seeing her other version in the other book. The comparison was really cool.
11641480
What do we name the ship? Amberax? Thorber?
Thanks for the chapter!
Have a great day!
Just recall one 'ling from Nocturnis.
Anyone else noticing how clingy Chrysalis has been lately?
Nice to see Chryssy knows when the posturing is funny, and when it's counter productive
they found the shooter then
...HOURS EARLIER...
Chrysalis: Change in security of the Predator. Thorax will be joining you on your duties. He'll be arriving in a few minutes.
Amber: But I don't nee--
Chrysalis: ENOUGH. I am NOT risking the Beloved Seed Provider for the pride you decided to grow while in the jungle! Do I make myself clear?
Amber: Yes my Queen...but may I ask why Thorax? They are more qualified drones available.
Chrysalis: Simple. Out of all our Hive, Thorax is the most pony-like. I want to test if this more Page's...type to further our alliance.
Amber: Wait...wut?? My queen! Uhh I don't think that will work!
Chrysalis: Well Skitter AND you haven't worked out so far--
Amber: HEY!
Chrysalis: So maybe the silly pony will be into male drones..who knows! Might work.
Amber: Maybe we should leave the ship planning to the Princess of Food?
Chrysalis: HUSH! It'll be fine!
Amber:
Discovered, read, and greatly enjoyed everything in this series in the last 2 days. Hope you have a great week and please write more for the years to come.
its murdering time boys YEEEEHAAwwwww
11641472
Considering how many rookie deaths XCOM implies, I hope not.
11642166
Not everyone plays X-Com on the highest difficulty with Swarm tactics.
11641472
not seeing much hi-ex tossing
11641834
God I hope not, the minute Page turns gay I'm out.
wings. "She left quickly. I was too far away to hear what was said."