When seeking Death's Judgement one must always remember that it is not just the events of death that are settled, but the unfinished business of the deceased as well. All debts are settled, all the wrong made right. Balance Restored. All that chains the dead to the realm of the living resolved or broken.
Book 2 of the Assassin-verse Cycle the first timeline of the In-verse
Chrysalis looked up into the sky. Her ravaged body depleted. The guards upon her, she could not bring herself to rise. She had nothing left. All of her scheming had come to this failure. She heard them, they had picked up her trail. She smiled, hunger would no longer trouble her, her children no longer starve, or be stillborn. Thorax and his where no longer hers. They where something different now. The Race had evolved, it was time to die and pass to oblivion. She closed her eyes, waiting for the Guardponies to end her maddened, miserable existence.
Onyx cast his senses into the Aether for the one failiure of Twilight Sparkle. The one enemy never turned to a friend, nor defeated. He looked at the edge of life and death. He looked for an essence that had been run to ground. He looked for a broken pattern that he knew had to be close to total Soul Death, he could not allow that to happen. Twilight would not have wanted that. Then he caught her trail, the process of Soul Death grating against his senses.
"Found her," He paused, "Now to offer her a Deal”
Chrysalis felt a presence touch her mind, then speech, "So this is the great Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings. Where is the conviction? The defiance? Do not tell me you are reserved to death already?”
Opening her eyes she saw a thin stallion in a black suit, wearing the most ridiculously dirty, floppy hat upon his head. He had a Grey Mane and White Coat, his magenta eyes staring back at her mischievously. looking around the clearing she noticed that the trees in the grove weren’t moving, their was no sound, all things where still, "How.....?"
"We are talking telepathically, I just gave you a avatar to interface with. This conversation is at the speed of thought. So your perception has slowed as well. Don’t worry, we have some time. I have come to offer a Deal," Chrysalis could feel the capitalization. "I want you to work for me. In return I will heal all your wounds, protect you, and restore your royalty."
Chrysalis’ eyes narrowed, "What Kind of Work?"
The earth pony grinned, "Being one of my agents. You would have a constant direct line to me. As for what kind of work, you would be asissting in the apprehension of the murderers of Princess Twilight Sparkle."
Queen Chrysalis laughed. "You want me to find the ones who killed Sparkle? Why in Tartarus would I do that? Maybe I killed Sparkle, you ever consider that?"
The Stallion sighed, "You have fought the hunger a long time, haven't you soulstealer?" Chrysalisis Flinched.
"You never wanted anyone dead. You wanted your people safe. You wanted not to starve. You wanted to have nomore stillborn children."
Chrysalis recoiIed, “How was this Pony reading her?"
"As for your little act with Glimmer, slapping away her hand? Because they took your people? Heh, please don't try to game me. I know it for what it was. I am a King. I recognise a political move. Quickly, I need your answer, the royal guards approach, I must have your answer."
Chrysalis knew then who this one must be, "What is your name?"
"I am the Devil's Choice."
"Then we have a bargain, you who dwells in the night, yet eats at the table of the day, I will help find the murderer of Twilight Sparkle. I will be your agent in return for what has been promised. I, Queen Chrysalis do swear myself to your cause, Devil's Choice."
‘Devil's Choice’ smiled. "Then I heal thee and except thy service. Let neither break bond lest the other enact vengeance." He paused, "This may hurt a little."
Green mist sprang from Devil’s Choice enveloping the changling queen. She felt heat as runes burned into her carapace. She opened her mouth to scream, only to choke as the mist flowed down her throat, continuing the process. She silently screamed, her mind alive with pain, the mist penetrating her skull via her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. The runes smoldering as they where engraved via heat into her body, inside and out. The pain reached a final crescendo as the mist receded into her, the scent of burning flesh thick. Opening her eyes she felt energy flowing into her, she moaned, arching her back, her wounds healing, her hunger abating, the sickening pop and crackle of bones and long forgotten injuries healeding. Her hair cleansed itself, while muscle added to her frame and bones revitalized itself. She screamed her ecstacy again as her body filled out, her painfully thin figure vanishing into the almost amazonian built changling. She rose and grabbed the avatar, kissing the mental projection, drawing even more energy in, life beginning to die around the two as even this was pulled in to fill the void that had been Queen Chrysalis. Devil’s Choice intertwined his tounge with her, his body moving against her, as they both forgot that neither was in the same place as the other. The strength of the bond allowing the feeling of physical contact. She moaned into his mouth as in a final burst she reached her peak, excess energy scorching the ground as she balanced out. The two seperated as Chrysalis caught her breath then gave a wicked smile.
“Amazing! I have not felt this well in my life, my hunger is gone and I am now a part of this world, no longer seperated from it. Tell me Master, what is my first task?”
Choice smirked back, his face as flushed as hers. “I want you to procure employment with Mayor Mare as her secretary. The anti-changling precautions no longer apply. You can now byass them.” Here Devil chuckled, “Use the name Anne Mous”. With that her ‘Master’ faded from her vision, but she could feel her conection to him . Then, turning towards ponyvile, she became a raven, avoiding the gaurds that pursued her.
Anne Mous sat in the rear of a bar in Ponyville. The being that she served sat across from her. How he had attained a physical form or what his game was, still alluded her. She had been shocked, as she was gathering all of the direct evidence of Mayor Mare's involvement, out had walked a being that had previously only existed inside her head.
The stallion had winked at her, grabbed what files and evidence was left and said."Let's grab a drink."
He had then stalked out the door, forcing her to follow along. Anne kept going back and forth between being astonished at the size of the balls on this stallion and completely confused by his behavior. A smile formed on her lips, either way she was enjoying herself thoroughly.
He looked up from the file he had been reviewing. "I have your next assignment. It will require you to learn a new way travel though. Teleportation would be noticed and would be too energy wasteful anyway. Fortunately since you are directly connected to me you will be able to learn the ritual easily. So next stop is Canterlot.
Anne Mous held up her hand. "Hold on, I have some.... reservations, and would like some..... clarifications."
The one before her known as Devil's Choice tilted his head. "Trying to back out already? Here I thought I would have to wait a little longer before the backstab."
Chrysalis was the one who spoke next. "Don't be silly, dear. This is the most fun I have had in ages, as well as the most clear headed I have been. I really just want to know one thing. Why?"
Devil raised his eyebrow, then smiled. "Why what, Dear?"
Chrysalis shook her finger at him. "Don't be stupid, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Why me?"
Devil again smiled. "I am instituting the Judgment of the Dead, representing Twilight Sparkle, and you where her last unreformed, undefeated, enemy. It is my duty as the King on the Iron Throne to....."
They both heard music, Chrysalis smiled in victory as the next words forced their way from Devil's Choice unbidden.
You're Cold and You're Cruel and You Know How to Use It.
Devil's smile vanished. "What the Buck was that?"
Chrysalis continued to hear the music in the background rise. "Why that is a Heartsong, Dear."
"Well turn it off, I don't like this."
The next line was then sung with a wonderfully deep Baritone and Devil gave a villainous flourish at the end.
You have Just What I Need to Drive our Enemies to Ruin!
Chrysalis giggled as Devil groused. "Damn it! I have no wish to sound like a Disney Villain!!!!!"
"Just let it happen darling, you'll only hurt yourself trying to stop this."
Chrysalis' snickering giggle turned to a blush with the next couple of lines.
You Laugh at Their Screams But I Scream About Your Laughter Deranged though it seems You're the mare I'm After
Chrysalis sat shocked as the Heartsong took Devil's Choice, and in a smooth motion, he swept her up and out into the bar, the other ponies making room for their dance.
Because You're Such a Bitch You are a Complete Creep Yet I can't Help Myself I Don't Want Anymare Else
Devil spun her close as she felt herself being taken away by the song herself. A passive passenger to his heartsong, she flushed as she knew. This Stallion was no prince, he was a KING.
Again he sang out, this time with the entire bar singing backup, guitars sounding from nowhere, drums beating to her heart. As his song was to her, none other.
You're this Mystery You Only Deceive But I'l Always want more You're Just the Mare I'm Looking For You keep all Your Secrets Despite My Power You're Just 100% Homicidal Power
She struggled to free herself from the force of Devil's Heartsong, and just as she attained escape, his next words trapped her again.
And the More You Fight Me The More I Adore You What this is Now I'll Do Anything For You Cause You're Incomplete The Way You Stab at Me And I can't See Myself Going With Anyone Else
"He Actually does love me." She knew, this King, her King, would burn the world before he let her come to harm. Yet she was scared, scared of what this meant. Scared of how she would have to change. The next words silenced her doubts
You're this Mystery You're Just What I Need So I'll Keep Staying Around For More You're Just the Mare I'm Looking for The Way You See Through Me See What I see You Won't Wake Up Alone You'll Always Be My Home So You Won't Become My Pet Because Every Fight We'll Ever Have We'll Keep Ringing in my Head Always Ring in my Head You're Sadistic and Cruel And You Know Just What to Do So Our Enemies Are Ruined
Here she at last picked up the song and together they sang and finally two souls lost to loneliness and despair found the one that they could be lonely with.
Because We're Incomplete We are What We Need And We Can't Help Ourselves We Don't Want Anyone Else We're this Mystery We've Got History Oh, We'll Spill So Much Blood on the Floor Because, They Can't Compete We are the Elite And We Can't Help Ourselves We Can't Have Anyone Else There's No Mystery It's Plain To See We'll Leave them Laying Upon the Floor We'll Send Them Screaming For the Door
Again in their dance the faced one another, blind to the wreckage they had caused or the fact that they were now alone in the bar. At last the final lines were sung and the King had found his Queen and the Queen now had her King. So They sang the last line to each other, not caring of the consequences.
The heartsong fading, Chrysalis stared into the eyes of the Stallion that held her. She leaned in for a kiss and was spun into a chair.
The last thing she heard was, "Listen to the voice inside your head. Don't step off the path!"
She fumed for a moment, before a voice uttered, "Wow I am a complete putz, Huh? I mean, I know why he did that, still better ways to explain without anything away."
"What in Tartarus are you on about?" she snarled.
"Never mind, I have some knowledge to impart and I would hurry, the mess you two made has attracted attention. That you dropped your disguise when the two of you began the duet didn't help."
Chrysalis glanced at the mirror over the bar, Anne Mous was nowhere to be found, The Queen of the Changelings stared back instead, however, something was different. "Do I seem fatter to you?"
"I may be a mental reflection of a greater personality, but even I know there is no good answer to that."
Chrysalis glanced back at her personal hallucination and snorted, "Fine, I just meant that I have more curves then before," She glanced at herself. "Also, I've added height and my boobs and butt are bigger. Huh, I've more muscle then before too. What did you do to me, Devil?'
"Me, nothing, as to the being that I am just a seed of, ask him, I only know what I am supposed to know and direct you where he needs." Devil sighed. "And what you need to know is something I don't think he has ever shared.
"Tell me."
"With this ritual you will be able to enter into the Underworld at will. However, there are risks. No one in recorded history has entered the Equestrian Underworld and while the principles for getting there are known, I can't tell you the effects the trip will have. I can tell you this. There is no time in the Underworld, no matter how long you think the trip is, no time will have elapsed. There will be a path, it will be clear. The path is formed by the ritual and will take you the safest way possible. However safety in the realm of the dead is relative. The very material of the Underworld is Psychoreactive, so you will be walking through a very bad acid trip. I have no idea what you'll see or experience. Still want to continue?"
Chrysalis looked back at Devil, "He saved me, He gave me my mind back, He ended the eternal hunger. I'm part of this world at last because of him. Teach me what I need so I might return the favor and at the end stand next to him."
"You feel that strongly?"
"Oh yes, after what just happened I need to stare into his eyes when I stab him."
Devil's Choice chuckled, "Clear your mind, I will give it all to you. I want to see you staring into his eyes while clutching your dagger, I want to see what will happen. For the first, time not even he knows."
The Changeling Queen leaned back and the seed personality poured the knowledge into her brain. She comprehended in an instant, the shifts and turns of the symbols, the wards and the ways. Walking over to the door that lead to the back, she drew the symbols for the gate and intoned the number of opening. Pouring her energy through, she smelled an endless sea of poppies, the door opening to a leaden path, bordered by iron.
Stepping in, the door closed, and the trip began.
"Your a freak, nothing but a freak, Navar!"
Startled, she turned to see a young boy being shoved to the ground. His mane and eye coloration a dead give away. Her heart soared as a dark haired girl, stepped between "Navar" and the Bully.
"What did Micheal ever do to you, Nathan?"
"He exists." came Nathan's reply. "You must be as freakish as him, I thought you were Marcus's girl. One guy ain't enough for you, Freak."
Chrysalis watch as, unobserved, Micheal got to his feet, wrath in his eyes. She was glad, even as a child, Devil had fire.
The girl started to speak again, when the beast in front of her, punched her across the jaw. Chrysalis watched as the girl fell, she hardly saw Micheal move. Micheal just appeared and the other teen fell, his mouth obviously broken. This is when the teacher rounded the corner.
The girl was too shocked at what Micheal had done to defend him, so the teacher rounded on Micheal.
"I have enough of your acting out young man!" The male teacher began, but then Micheal spoke.
"Shut up. If you utter one more word I will ask why you only know decided to round the corner. You watched the whole thing. Your reflection was in the glass of the trophy case. Obviously, nothing is going to be done to help me, since you have shown what I can expect from the teacher's. Therefore, I have one option. I will be left alone. What few friends I have will be left alone. I do not wish to make more, nor do I have any interest in causing problems. However any that make a problem with me, or my friends, will find out how bad I can be. Incidentally, that color lipstick is way to immature for you."
The teacher sputtered, "Lipstick I don't have any lipstick on!" The teacher rubbed his lips, "See!"
"I didn't say it was on your lips, tell the Captain of the Cheerleaders that her grandmother says she needs to have a better self esteem, and that to check in the petunia's. Everything she wants will be there."
Micheal turned and held out his hand to help the dark haired girl, she only stared back in fear.
"Fine, guess I'm just on my own then," He turned and left, none of the three stopped him.
To Chrysalis's surprise a tune issued forth from her.
He is a fighter He can take them all He plays dirty He's Scum Scum Scum He spies, he Lies It's Undeniable He is a Tricky son of a gun gun gun gun I know this should make me stay away I know this makes him Just some dog Some stray. I see a Good Stallion with bloody wounds Hell, even I know not to start. But Damn, This makes me Love This Animal And this hurts more then is rational, into physical. I will not cry He will arise All reasons to deny I just can't supply Love this guy.
Again she moved forward and again a scene from the life of Devil's Choice. A woman sat in a living room, hands clasped in prayer, as invisible beings scratched her flesh. She sat, praying as Micheal walked in. The young man, tears in his eyes, himself carrying scratches from where the things that haunted them all had cut him, tried to rouse the woman.
"Mom?" the woman turned.
"Grandmere reached out to me. She wants us to come live with her, We can have a family, what we are doing is not working. The specters are getting worse. If you want to stay here fine, I'm going. I've had enough of phantom scratches and having my dreams invaded. Of not being able to keep a pet, because it either runs away or gets killed. I want to have some kind of childhood. They're coming to pick me up, please come with me. Be my mom again."
Micheal's Mother's eyes narrowed. "You've brought these spirits upon us. This was a test from god that we would not backslide into devil worship, a test that you have made us fail. I name thee, spawn of Satan, Antichrist, the one known as 666. But I know how to end the suffering of one that has embraced Lucifer."
His mother rose, and grabbing a pair of scissors, swung them. Micheal staggered back and it saved his life, as he tripped and fell out of reach of those blades. His mother lunged at him and he rolled out of the way, unto his feet. She swung the blades at him again, quickly coming up from the floor. It would have been his end but a man came behind Micheal's mother and took the scissors from her, hitting her hard in the back of the head. The deranged woman hit the ground, hard.
"Hello Micheal, my name is Antoine La Beau, but please just call me Uncle Legba. I have come to take you home."
He is a villian Hears the Devil's Call He is a Loner on the Run Run Run Run This Male's a Witch So Unpredictable He's been Cursed He's one one one All I see I should just go But no Because he's just a Boy With A Broken Heart And Hell I know Our Love's not smart But damn it I'm in love with this Criminal And Our Love it can't be Logical So Emotional So I won't Cry He's Mine by Right My reason to try I just won't deny I love this guy
Again she walked along the road and again she saw. He wore a lab coat, a Doctor? No a student. In his hands, a note, which he read aloud to a pale, thin creature of a woman. The creature never spoke above a whisper, and never interrupted Micheal, just let him finish, before moving to comfort him.
"Dear Micheal, I can no longer deny you have changed. You once sought to escape your fated purpose as the Crown Prince of Nothing, and your ultimate end as the King on the Iron Throne. You have now set on that path. I know that the necromancer was using his murder victims to commit crimes, but binding the necromancers soul to that stone and placing it deep in the necropolis of your ancestors, where it will remain unable to find ultimate resolution till it's Final Soul Death is beyond cruel. The one that I love would've never done such a thing. Therefore, I am leaving, you will never find me, so tell Little Rat not to bother looking. Julia."
The one known as Little Rat moved in and sat next to Micheal, whispering in his ear, she sought to comfort her king in a more carnal way.
And he's lost all love Healed to just a scar He's gone to far So it's okay That he's mine And all those that talk Try to get him to walk Keep us apart But he won't Hear He don't care Cause Damn it He needs Love This is so Criminal He needs the type of Love that's Irrational and Physical I will never cry He will arise Always on his side No cause to deny I love this guy
The final scene, Devil was running from a dark place. His schemes had come to naught as things of horror rushed after him. Running alongside was the one that had been Little Rat and now was Lady Midnight, still attending to her king. One of the monsters, unseen, rose to point a weapon at Devil, Midnight saw and stepping in between, took the blast, the wound, mortal. Devil turned, and seeing, pulled his own weapon. His first shot disabled the one that had Shot midnight, he then removed a barber's straight razor from his clothing and cut the monsters beating heart from its chest. Then picking up Midnight, he held her against his chest, walking out of that place as she breathed her last. Chrysalis knew what was about to happen, the vision ended and the door opened, stepping through she sang the last verse.
Damn, I'm in Love with the Terrible This love isn't Rational It's Brutal I have no need to Cry I will be alright Other's won't comply This I can't Hide I love this Guy
Chrysalis watched wearing the form of a Thestral, as Princess Luna ran to notify her sister of what had occurred. She took another breath to steady her nerves. Luna was the Princess she had always been afraid of. Dealing with Celestia was easy. Dealing with any being like her was easy. Celestia had enough power to scorch the world, but didn't want to. Therefore all one had to do is only confront her where she had to pull her punches. Then shift the scales towards where using more of that power would be unfeasible. Dealing with those type of beings was easy, for they where limited by the fragility of all the life around them. As long as Chrysalis knew exactly in the equation where Celestia would give, she could beat her anytime she wished. Luna however was actually scary. For an Alicorn she was relatively low powered. However, what Luna lacked in power she made up in something Chrysalis respected above all, skill in using what power she had. Chrysalis couldn't push Luna to a point where the equation worked, Luna would just change tactics. Her low power level and skill allowed her options that her big sister just didn't have.
"Not to mention her Thestral Guards are actually effective." Chrysalis snarked internally.
The Royal Guards of the day court where just there for show. They had not seen conflict in ages. Even Shining Armor, there strongest and most skilled, served more as a target to hit and remove then any actual deterrent. Luna's Thestrals though? The damn things where battle hardened from the day of birth. All Thestrals served for a time in Luna's Guard. All of them at least had basic Night Guard training. Their senses where acute, each one stronger and faster then most ponies. The damn things where silent and sneaky to boot.
"They'd have fine Changelings" Chrysalis mused.
Her breathing calmed, she turned to continue the deeds that Devil required, but a thought entered her mind. She didn't know what Devil's Choice had done to her. In her natural form she was filling out nicely, and she had yet to feel that familiar starvation that had been her greatest ally and biggest handicap. When she was starving it had kept her sharp, insane, but sharp. However when she became filled, the momentary Euphoria at simply being filled would drive her into a maniac state. That plus the idea that none of her children would ever be born still again contributed to her losses.
"Still they frankly had to depend on miracles to beat me, Glimmer was the only one that ever beat me on her own merits."
She snorted at the thought. now that her head was clear and she no longer had to worry about the constant starvation Chrysalis could admit to a grudging respect for the purple unicorn and a certain pride in Thorax. She just could not have taken that hand, not with those that had hated her most waiting to step in. Her people had needed a clean political break, and for once the changeling queen had had a clear enough head to see what had to be done. She had slapped Starlight's hoof away, broke ties with all her children, and sworn vengeance. Therefore the Ire of all would be drawn to her and her children would have the chance she had been denied, clean of anything she had done.
Reaching the end of the hallway she entered the doorway at the end. Here was one of the true legacies of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Relay stations, where scattered through out the castle. These relay stations could connect to any other station within their range. Sparkle had set up a few, after their proven worth Celestia had ordered more built and now they scattered Equestria. This was one of the ones that was in use for the military. The room was empty, the door unlocked. Chrysalis shook her head, how had she ever been defeated by these idiots?
Green Magic arced toward all of the code books and operational manuals within the small room. Soon Chrysalis had simply absorbed it all. The spell would have been impossible to cast for a Thestral, let alone without a horn, but she was no Thestral. Another side effect of no starvation is that she was able to focus more keenly, thus allowing her to maintain her disguise while also using the spell to gather all the info. Flipping on the switches she began to send her message.
"This is Nobody, Requesting Diamond Cold, with some gossip from Woonie, for Foalsitter and Guard."
She leaned back, the chair surprisingly comfy. She closed her eyes for a moment as she waited. Still in her Thestral disguise she did not have much of a worry about being found.
"This is Diamond Snow, Gossip Appreciated, Foalsitter replying." Chrysalis took a breath, she really did owe Shiny and Cady. They each deserved to punch her once in the Ovaries. Still, not today, she had a job to complete, debt payment would happen later.
"One has pulled a Ladybug, Woonie and Sunbutt to Tuesday's Event. Authourization 35e, One with Diamond. Cowgirl, Skittles, Poof, Canary, and Elder there as well. Gonna be a snooze, Request Presence of Foalsitter, Guard, Traitor, Tyrant, Drone, and Wizard. Bring Trouble as well."
Chrysalis had only a moment to wait. "All Inbound, will notify all required. Could use a Snooze. Will hit Mountain Crossroads first. Any Further Gossip?"
Chrysalis smiled. All the pieces were falling where devil wanted them, She took a breath so that the pink pony princess of love on the line wouldn't hear her laughter, then said.
"No Further Gossip, will watch for arrival, Nobody out."
She cut the connection. Devil had them all playing to his tune, even her. A blush fell over her, as she remembered their last interaction, followed by a snarl. She was going to stab him, then buck him so hard their children would be born concussed.
Chrysalis sat within the safety of the relay station. Eyes closed, sorting through the information from the code books. Any looking upon her would see a Thestral that had found an out of the way place for a daytime nap. They would see Nobody. Inside her head was a different story.
"You done moping?" Devil's Choice groused
"Shush Devil, I'm sorting."
"No, you are Moping, you have your orders. You know what he needs you to do. Why is it hard?"
Chrysalis snarled. "I am Queen Chrysalis, I am going along with your master because he fascinates me and because he has delivered on every promise so far!"
Unbowed and Unafraid Devil shot back, "So, answer the question, why is going to meet Cadance and crew such a deal? Is the Big Bad Queen Chrysalis guilty?"
"NO, Yes, I'm not sure. I owe her a debt. I owe her a wedding day. What I had to do I did for my species. I would do it a thousand times over." Chrysalis sighed. "I wanted things to be different. Amore and I used to be friends. Damn that Sombra when he broke her. I had a deal with her. The Changelings were her last ditch security, we guarded the Crystal Heart. That's why Sombra was able to take over. He did so from the inside. By the time I could do anything there was nothing to do."
"Did you try any other way with Cadence?"
"I'm able to sense emotions. The Poor Girl was raised on tales Celestia told her about the monster she trapped in an active volcano. Another case of ponies leaping in before asking any questions. The kidnapping was not planned, Cadance got scared, damn Amore for keeping our agreement secret, when I saw Cadance's fear and hatred, I watched all hope of my people vanish. We were starving, 10 years was the maximum. So I gave her a time out in the caves. Damn fool Princesses. It was why I knew nothing of Twilight's relation to any of it. I had to keep Armor wound up tight and weak or the whole thing would turn to dust, along with us. After that, the hatred all was on me, any peaceful solution was gone. Even Twilight wouldn't have given me a chance."
She smiled, "Then along came Spike and made a friend of Thorax. I let it happen. Thorax was a rouge, he couldn't be traced back to the hive. He no longer knew where it was. I could've killed him, but I wanted to see where it'd lead. I couldn't wait however, my next brood where on their way and I had to provide. This time I slipped to far into my starvation induced madness, and fell to mania upon it's relief. Thorax had already been claimed as king for the hive and then Glimmer made that naive offer. I almost took it. Then looking behind her, I saw, that of the rest, only Twilight would have been willing to accept any contrition. All the rest looked to me with revulsion. And you've already figured out the rest."
"Still haven't answered the Question, Your Majesty. Why's it so hard to meet Princess Cadance and her entourage?"
Rounding on Devil, Chrysalis snapped. "What'd you want me to say? That she looks so much like Amore that Cadence hating me hurts. She reminds me so much of Amore that her hatred actually burns against my skin. That after Starswirl accidental created me, Amore was the only one I was able to call a friend, even conditionally. That she reminds me so much of that amazing Mare that I want to crawl and die whenever she looks at me with those poisonously hateful eyes. That Princess Celestia ruined any chance I might've had with connecting to the ONLY PEICE OF AMORE I HAVE LEFT!!!!!" Chrysalis sank to the ground, sobbing. Devil wrapped his arms around the Changeling Queen holding her.
"There, you needed to get that out. I know I'm only a mental reflection of the King on the Iron Throne, but he wouldn't want you to poison yourself with that anymore. Trust in your King, he's more cunning then you'd ever know and he's been instituting the Judgement of the Dead a long time. He'll deliver as promised. Now, in order for the wrongs to be made right and what was divided by idiocy be brought together you have to go lie to a barely legal Alicorn, her husband, their two friends, the one friend's brother and the other friend's crazy marefriend, getting them to go to the Ponyville hospital."
Chrysalis laughed. "Yeah, Glimmer's nuts. But I like that about her."
With that Devil retreated back into her mind and a Thestral opened her eyes.
Lt. Nobody's Business rose and made her way to the arrival area. Her eyes glowing green for a second, she had two Pegasus prepare a chariot, destination Ponyvile Hospital. Soon, she saw the incoming chariot from the crystal empire. Within a moment the passengers disembarked and Lt Business intercepted them.
"Your Highnesses I took the liberty of preparing a chariot for all to be taken directly to Ponyville General. I wills see that your luggage is ready in your usual room and the other's luggage will be in the closest guest rooms, please this way."
"Thank you Lt. you have made the Night Guard proud." Cadance replied.
"Just doing my duty ma'am," Lt. Business said to the departing chariot, all rushing to the ailing Drake.
Turning, Nobody saw a Tall Unicorn, bearing a cane, walking unchallenged towards her, he looked familiar.
Bowing dramatically with his hand outstretched he introduced himself. "I am Onyx Nightshade, King on the Iron Throne, Bearer of the Barbed Wire Crown and Court of the Last Mortal Resolve and I was wondering, Queen Chrysalis, would you care to enslave an castle's worth of minds with me?"
Taking the Proffered hand, Chrysalis blushed and replied, "Why yes, I most assuredly would."
