Dragon Bait
“If you don’t mind me asking, how is it you speak such good English?”
Mark paused looking over the documents that the latest businessperson had brought in and smiled. “The same way I hear you speaking such good Equish, Ms. Callahan.”
The woman blinked. “I… don’t?”
Mark laughed and tapped the necklace he was wearing. “Translation device. Everyone I talk with hears me in their native tongue. I had a representative from an Indian company here earlier and he heard me in perfect Hindi.”
“That’s truly remarkable. It explains why you have an Australian accent like mine.”
“And that’s how I learned I sound like an Aussie rather than an American,” Mark told his family later.
“At least to Australian-born humans,” corrected Allura.
“True, but I had not realized even the local accents were emulated as well. It’s a good thing because it means that people won’t wonder why an alien pony speaks with an American accent.”
“So, Callahan was the first to point it out?” Trixie asked.
“Yep. Several others mentioned the language before but never that.”
“Trixie is pleased to hear that news. Her Great and Awesome shows are best enjoyed when her audience hears and understands her clearly.”
“I think you’ll be even more pleased to hear that I’ve finished everything needing my personal touch. Smolder has been given full responsibility in partnership with the Martines to handle business from now on. She will only need to consult with us occasionally on matters of policy and such.”
Chrysalis smirked. “That will be unlikely, husband. I believe she is more well-versed in the task than even you. She is truly in her element now.”
“Oh, there are going to be some shitstorms ahead as we upset some businesses. I’m betting on the diamond and gemstone industries being the first. However, as long as Smolder sticks to my guidelines, she has my full confidence.”
“Then we finally have our stallion back, darling?” Rarity asked.
Mark chuckled. “Just one more task to accomplish. Today, Ivana Kalchik is going to get her wish.”
Ivana exited the fashion store with another couple of bags of clothes that she probably would wear only once. Still, the trip was a success because it resulted in more selfie videos that would soon turn into the latest HauteIvana YouTube upload and likely two or three workable TikTok shorts. Her walk turned into stomps. While the videos from this latest editor had a much higher production quality, channel growth didn’t match her expectations. Being “good” just wasn’t good enough. This month’s goal was to break into the top eighty fashion YouTubers. If this editor couldn’t do it, she’d find someone who would.
Ivana made her way to the parking garage and opened the passenger side door of her orange supercar. She gently set her purse and the bags onto the seat. The latter were still needed for “around the pad” shots, even if it happened to be her dad’s pad. That was just a formality. She was his only child and would someday inherit everything. After closing the door, she saw a beige-skinned, black-haired woman staring at her from the other side of the car. The blue jacket made Ivana groan internally. “Fucking again?” she thought.
She dashed around the car. “Get lost, rent-a-cop! My handicap tag is good because—”
“Ivana Kalchik,” she interrupted, “how would you like to get your Equestrian pearl back?”
Ivana blinked and gaped. “How… how do you know about that?”
The woman inclined her head. “Come with me and we’ll talk.”
The two walked deeper into the parking lot and the strange woman resumed the conversation.
“I’m an employee of Harmonic Composites and I’ve learned many things the rest of the world doesn’t know – some things the bosses didn’t like me finding out, so I’m on thin ice. I want to get out while I can before they mess with me.”
This was exactly what Ivana needed on the Martines, so she was hooked already. “And how does that get me my pearl?”
“I know a way that guarantees you getting it back. In return, I want you to tell your father to give me a job at his company at twice the pay I’m getting now. Hell, for a bonus, I’ll even tell him everything he wants to know about Harmonic Composites.”
Ivana well understood self-interest – it made more sense to her than people doing things out of the goodness of their hearts. “Okay, we can go see Daddy right now.”
The woman shook her head. “Nope. Gotta go get the pearl right now. This may be our only opportunity before I get booted out.”
“But… alright. What’s the plan?”
“We go back to your car and I’ll tell you where to drive.”
Ivana frowned at the woman. “This sounds more like an elaborate kidnapping to me.”
The woman rolled her eyes. “Girl, kidnapping you would be both easier and stupider than what I plan to do. I’ve heard rumors about your father and I’m not about to mess with him. I’m not that greedy.”
Ivana had heard more than rumors and knew the woman had cause for concern. Even so, she wanted more reassurance. “Show me some proof you’re not lying.”
The woman sighed and pulled out a badge from her pocket. She handed it to Ivana. “There. That’s who I am and that’s where I work, at least for now.”
Ivana examined the badge. It identified the woman as Monika Falsch, an acquisitions agent for Harmonic Composites. Satisfied, she passed it back. “Okay, I’m convinced. Let’s go!”
The two made their way back to the front of the mall where they climbed into Ivana’s car. Ivana piled the bags onto the woman’s lap which didn’t provoke any backtalk. Monika directed her to drive on a route that Ivana knew was in the general direction of Harmonic Composites’ facility, but was a little confused when she was instructed to turn off the main road into a housing estate under construction.
“Why are we going here?”
“You don’t think we’re getting past HarCo’s security with you driving up in your car, do you? We’re swapping into mine which I left here. I didn’t want it seen at the mall.”
“How did you get there then?”
“Uber. Told the driver my car broke down.”
They pulled up behind a grey Ram 1500 pickup truck and got out of the sports car.
“Leave your stuff in your vehicle,” Monika instructed before she unlocked the pickup and pulled out a couple of jackets with the Harmonic Composites logo on them. She handed one to Ivana. “Put that on and get in the truck.”
Ivana held up her cell phone. “I’m keeping this.”
“Why? You won’t have reception soon after you exit the gateway.”
The young woman opened the camera app and switched to video mode. A two-second selfie verified that feature still worked fine. She then locked the phone before stuffing it into a jacket pocket. “My own protection. Proof of where we’re going. Whatever. I’m taking it with. Period.”
Monika shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
Ivana did so and Monika got in the driver’s seat. As she started the engine, she said, “Next stop – Harmonic Composites. When we get there, make sure the logo on your jacket is clearly visible to the gate guard, but keep your face turned away. I’ll be pretending you’re carpooling with me. Got it?”
“Of course. Think I’m an idiot?”
Monika did not answer that but drove off instead.
Not long afterward, the Ram pickup pulled up at Harmonic Composites and Monika wound down her window to show her badge. The gate guard looked at it, glanced at the passenger, and nodded. “Go ahead,” he said.
Monika drove to the staff parking lot and the two exited the vehicle.
“What now?” Ivana asked.
“My job takes me through the portal to Equestria on occasion, and sometimes I need to take along a helper. You’re going to be that helper. Just keep your mouth shut and follow my lead.”
They entered the foyer and Monika nodded to the receptionist before using her badge to get through the security door. As soon as Ivana followed her through and the door closed behind them, the receptionist tapped the intercom. When acknowledged, she said, “They’re here.”
“Understood,” came the reply.
Monika led Ivana to an office where the woman reached into a desk drawer. She pulled out a retractable badge clip reel with a green badge attached. In large black letters, the badge read CLEARED VISITOR. “This will get you into the portal room along with me. Put it on and don’t say anything to the guard when we get there.”
Ivana nodded, both nervous and excited at getting this far. She followed Monika to the window of the security office where the woman showed the guard her badge.
“Me and my helper need to go to Acquisitions.”
The guard gestured for Ivana to step forward. “Let me see your badge.”
Her hands shaking a bit, Ivana showed it to him and almost collapsed with relief when the man nodded. He pressed a button and a buzzer sounded. Monika pushed open the door next to the window and Ivana followed.
“One moment while I activate the portal,” the guard said as he led them around a corner that completely concealed the trans-dimensional gateway.
As soon as Ivana saw the mirror, she knew what was coming. She had to pretend that she was familiar with it, so as soon as Monika stepped through the silvery surface, she confidently followed. The moment she passed through, she looked at her arm – bronze scales and talons. All her clothes were gone which was reinforced when she heard her cell phone and badge clatter onto the ground, but she just didn’t care. She was a fucking dragon again! She started grinning before she looked up and her smile faded. Facing her were several beings who, despite the years since she had been in Equestria, were very familiar to her. Among them were a batpony mare, a blue male griffon, and a green alicorn stallion that she hated to the core.
“Did you really think you could sneak back into Equestria without us knowing, Ivana Kalchik?”
Ivana sneered. “I got here, didn’t I, Prince Mark Wells!”
“Ah, yes. Sneaky of you to use a traitorous employee to get access. That was very naughty of you, Monika.”
“Sorry, Your Highness. It won’t happen again,” the woman said before green flames engulfed her, revealing Queen Chrysalis. “Because we won’t need to use that ruse once more,” she added with a smirk.
Ivana’s eyes opened wide and her jaw dropped. Then she shook herself and snarled. “So, this is a kidnapping after all.”
“By no means, youngling,” Chrysalis said. “I promised you a way of getting your pearl back. What you do afterward will be up to you, even allowed to go back home.”
The dragoness eyed her suspiciously. “What’s the catch?”
“Ah, yes, the catch. I’ll let our guest explain that. Ember – care to elucidate her?”
A blue dragoness twice Ivana’s height stepped into view, carrying her staff of office. Upon recognizing her, the human-turned-dragon quailed before whirling around and diving for the portal.
“Halt, Ivana Kalchik!” Dragonlord Ember commanded, the bloodstone scepter flaring its magic.
Ivana froze, rooted to the spot.
“Turn around and face me, child.”
Ivana did so, her body trembling.
Ember held out her hand and opened her talons, revealing a huge pearl. “Is this what you have been seeking?”
The pearls she, Yolanda, and Latisha had been gifted were all of differing hues, but she could never forget the predominantly yellow one. It was definitely hers. Ivana’s trembling lessened and she nodded.
“Speak up, child!” Ember commanded.
“Yes! Yes, that’s mine! Queen Novo gave it to me. Prince Wells had no right to take what’s mine!”
“I understand he merely forbade you to take it out of Equestria. Is that not the truth, Your Highness?”
Mark stepped forward. “Yes, Dragonlord. Queen Novo’s gift was an unexpected generous gesture and one for which I was not prepared. I could not allow such priceless items to be taken back to Earth because their presence couldn’t be explained away, and that would put the entire Martine family at risk. Nevertheless, Ivana, just like the other two girls, would have been free to retake possession of it at any time she visited Equestria. However, she not only disobeyed that order but also stole her friends’ pearls. As punishment, she was banished from this world and her pearl put into safekeeping, which is how it came into your possession.”
Ember turned back to Ivana. “Prince Mark Wells acted rightfully, but the pearl is yours to take back – under one condition.”
Ivana gulped. “And that is?”
“You will remain in the Dragonlands until you learn self-control and humility to my satisfaction.”
“What?! You can’t keep me here!”
Ember smirked. “I won’t have to – that is your choice to make.” She stepped closer, holding the pearl right in front of the smaller dragon’s face. “If you choose to stay, this will be only the barest beginning of your hoard.”
Ivana licked her lips nervously, her eyes fixated on the pearl, the urge to grab it rising. “But… how can I… what about my dad?”
Mark said, “We will deal with that. He won’t even know you’re gone.”
Ivana scarcely heard him as the pearl’s shine stoked her desire to possess it. Her willpower and intransigence warred against Ember’s promise of even more treasure – treasure to make her beautiful pearl seem insignificant. With a snarl, Ivana snatched it from Ember’s talons and clutched it to her chest.
Ember stepped back and her scepter flared. “The decision is made! Ivana Kalchik – you will come with me to the Dragonlands and stay there until you are granted permission to leave.” She then turned and headed for the door.
“Yes, Dragonlord,” Ivana said in a monotonous tone as she hastened to follow.
When they were gone, Gallus took off his Royal Guard helmet and said, “What if Ivana had chosen to go home, Dad?”
Mark chuckled. “There was never a chance she would knock back the pearl. She’s a dragon through and through. Her greed was strong enough to disobey me and steal the other pearls, and that has not changed one bit in the years since.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. So – what have you arranged to cover her absence?”
Chrysalis levitated Ivana’s cell phone and badge to herself. “One of my agents has been studying her for a long time and can emulate her more than satisfactorily for the few days before ‘Ivana’ decides to move out of Daddy’s house. He’s been trying to get her to do so for a while, so her absence won’t be missed. I will be taking my agent back to Ivana’s car shortly. I quite enjoy driving my Ram truck.”
Mark grumbled, “You couldn’t have settled for something a bit more inconspicuous, O Mistress of Subtlety?”
Chrysalis held a hoof to her chest. “Surely you’re not suggesting that your Queen deserves anything less?”
The alicorn sighed. “Try not to get pulled over by the cops and come back in one piece.”
Penumbra added, “You don’t want to jeopardize the whole charade either. After all, it was played out for the benefit of any security cameras outside the shopping center. Ivana will be seen leaving with ‘Monika’ and then returning not long afterward. There are no cameras in the housing estate where they swapped vehicles, and Ivana was concealing herself at Harmonic Composites, so there’s no record of her ever being there.”
Gallus rolled his eyes. “These mind games are too much. Give me the straightforward duties of a Royal Guard any day.”
Mark grinned. “Wait until you see what we have in mind for Mr. Kalchik!”
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Mark and company certainly came up with a very clever way to get Ivana out of the way of trying to get back into Equestria, I'm already looking forward to just how they'll handle her father.
Keep up the good work.
Chrysalis on Earth can make like one of those golden oldie Merry Melodie cartoons where Discord hasnt just chaosed everything, but kept the chaos going, entities shapes changing as theyre walkinbg along as watching reflections in Hall Of Crazy Mirrors.
Subtle psychic hinting as well can get Kalchik to hallucinate everything and nothing.
I mean, how often have the average male left the bathroom without doing their fly back up?
Damn...I love this story already ♡
Not a singel story here that Goldfur posted that didn't make my days better
Thanks for the effort and the recently rapidly coming updates ♡
What if they are recorded speaking? Do the recording shows them speaking the unencrypted voice?
- Ponies neighing and snorting.
- Griffons birb and chirp with occational meowing.
- Diamond Dogs barking and growling.
- Dragon hissing and roaring.
- Zebras giving epic verbal rap battles in German...
Monika wrong/untrue... Clever!
That was well played Mark. Ivana's greed and lust for the pearl and the Dragonlord's Right of Rule will bound her till she can learn self-control of said Greed. Shall be interesting to see what they plan to do to her dad.
I had a feeling that her greed would overwhelm her. I wonder how long it might take her to learn some self-control? Now I just wonder what they will do about dear old dad?
I mean, you're falling for this so
Oh ho ho hooo, playing on her barely understood draconic greed to get her to want to stay
Harmonic Composites will eventually be coming under fire, either because of Kalchik or rivals trying to pull a stunt. Wonder if someone is stupid enough to try a hostage situation.
Did anyone know how far reaching the Changeling spy network is yet?
They lived for millenia unknown to anyone in Equestria, if Mark Wells and Chrysalis are playing it smart than I can see them work the system from within.
If I would be Chrysalis, i might suggest going against organisations like the Mafia, Electronic Arts or the CIA.
Robbing them blind or sabotage would benefit greatly things like for example Earth stability in the long run.
11792193
Intriguing is also something I had not considered yet... aging!
She is still young and has probably 5-6 decades in her human form before her, BUT as a dragoness ?!
Can't she theoretical stay I Equestria and life for centuries or longer? She has been changed to a real dragon, shown when she bit into a rare stone that Spike offered and got to experience dragon taste buds and digestion.
Hm... maybe Spike can score herself a dragoness and reform the spoiled greedy dragoness?
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A) Financial ruine him.
B) Financial benefit him enough to let his greed win over his pride.
C)
Murder him in cold bloodD) Changeling replacment
E) Pretend to befriend his daughter and use her against him.
F) Trick him with a magical Geas, it worked with the employees that turned against them when their 'religious views' got challenged.
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You're welcome, but don't hold your breath for the next one. I have been on holiday and I go back to work on Monday.
Oh, so close. Try moniker false.
"You're mentally handicapped?"
Thanks for another Great and Enjoyable chapter!
Clever mark
I have to admit this solution to the problem never occurred to me, full praise and high marks for an interesting solution.
Though I wonder if this may lead to her being a problem for a longer period of time as dragons I believe have a long lifespan, verses if they left her a human. I can somehow see her being a problem later on in life by perhaps publishing some tell all book of events from her perspective that may bring the Triarches some headaches at some point down the line.
It's nice to see Chrysalis with something that makes her so happy...
I don't have the heart to tell her that Ford makes the engine...
I wonder... if Ivana became a dragon, what would her father be like if he comes through to Equestria?
11792934
Probably Sludges twin brother?
Ah.. turns out most australian volcanos are classed as extinct even thoughsome lava flowed within the last few thousand years.
Smolder could ask Mark about a Spa out on one of Australias isolated South Pacific islands that happens to be an active vocano? She likes pranks, so how could she pass up the chance to say she wants to ride Big Ben?
Yes Victoria, there are Volcanos.
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Will probably be pretty awesome to see a dragon literally bathing in lava
Or maybe they get to see a Kirin changing to a living inferno when turning absolutely livid as a Nirik.
Dragon indeed, they can be slothful and greedy, very prideful and at time thicker than the rocks they eat.
11792934
Dragon or a Yeti, perhaps a Yak? Can't see him being anything else... unless perhaps a Breeze with a 'God complex'?
11792800
100 years later...
Ivana:
-"What do you mean I spend 100 years to learn to be a half decent dragon?"
-"Wait my father died and the gavourment confiscated everything because I was nowhere to be found?"
-"Why am I declared dead only because I would have lifed out my natural human lifespan in america?"
-"O my God, they deleted my social media account?!"
-"My car rusted to unusable trash and all my stuff is gone in the human world in america?"
-"My citizenship is nullified in america?... screw it i have a horde in the Dragonlands!"
11792724
Just wait for the father resolution, it will most likely be just as hilarious
11792390
Mentally handicapped... that would explain a lot, though she might just be retarded do to a missing proper upbringing.
11793163
Plenty in Indonesia and in the Pacific Island groups, like Tonga and Fiji.
I wonder what the bidding war would be like to be able to host a dragon spa?
The first mare cycle is going to be fun.
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An ass.
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Chrysalis versus EA or ActiBlizz would be genuinely amazing to witness.
Mark Wells dealings with undesirable individuals is very creative, but how will he go after the different Mafias on the world? The illegal and legal ones...
The american IRS and german GEMA for example.
Or the actual Mexican Mafia Cartels etc...
Though I think the solution is starting with 'Change', followed by 'Lings'
camo.fimfiction.net/wzgF1pl2OtznlED2Hg22Eqlp34segOQbS-TV5iNmX1E?url=https%3A%2F%2Fderpicdn.net%2Fimg%2F2015%2F2%2F4%2F821097%2Fthumb.gif
Just like one of those '60s Mission: Impossible episodes--make the target think the whole plot was their own idea and not the IMF's--that is at least until the trip wire sets off the trap.
Into a cage she could not resist putting herself into. But it is not a torturous captivity.
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When three-letter people learn about changelings, they will lay a collective brick of size of Everest.