Prologue - A Profane Ritual

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The sky is split by a cruel, twisted Spire that stretched upwards from an intimidating, dark-brick Castle, jutting upwards and emerging from the swirling, thick fog that had settled, marking the presence and border of the Twin Queens. Eternal dusk, long shadows and the chill of night were a constant in their realm, wrenched from Equestria's grasp, and kept secured with their cruel magics; a thick smog swirls around the base, seeping through the Everfree that surrounds it. It guards their own soldiers from the Everfrees dangers, and does nothing but make traversal near impossible, Thestrals and Changelings crawling through its mists to prey on whatever wanders through.

Deep in the stoney bowels of the rebuilt Castle of the Two Sisters, now redubbed the Castle of the Twin Queens, a most profane and abhorrent ritual was underway far underground.

The armored hoof-steps of Nightmare Moon carry through the dimly lit, dire halls. With a deep-blue coat and a mane like midnight, she bore menacing armament of cold, cobalt-blue steel that announced her stature long before her thundering voice could. Even with the refitting of their castle, this deep, the tunnels ran thick with wear and tear. The odd Thestral guard stands at attention, saluting as she passes. A dismissive huff escapes the Eminence of Nightmares, as the path finally opens into the large, cave-like bowel that their ritual resides within.

Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings, mutters strange and arcane whispers in a misbegotten tongue. Of gnarled black chitin and pulsing green insectoid flesh, her eyes glow a dim green underneath her sea-green mane, fully solid, her damaged horn wisping streaks of glowing magic. In front of her, a circle carved into the stone in a language that bore a distant similarity to Equestrian. Stolen relics lined points of this desecration, each wisping off their own stored magics, sacrifices for the penultimate; the focus.

Nightmare Moon joins Chrysalis' side, softly nuzzling her neck. When the Nightmare was expunged from Princess Luna, it had been given form; but it was weakened, alone, trapped in a hostile realm and in hiding. On the retreat, it found solace in another Queen who held a distaste for the Equestrian Ponies and their Princesses, left reeling from a defeat of their own. The two had grown quite close in the following years, as they drew upon their machinations together. Thestral and Changeling found common cause, and a symbiotic relationship, and the Queens found a trait in each-other rare for their breed; trust.

The last of the whispers are uttered by Chrysalis, whose eyes refocus and gain their pupils. She grins, returning the affection with a soft lick to Nightmare Moons snout, her thin tongue tracing her face.

"Is it prepared, Chryssi?" Nightmare Moon asks softly, her azure gaze flitting over the preparations. While Chrysalis' horn no longer glowed, the artifacts they had positioned continued to seep their magic. Medallions, weapons, books of arcane knowledge, trinkets... all to be given up, for the Bones arrayed in the center of the circle, as closely to the diagram as translation could allow. The magic slowly curved downwards from its upward draft, sinking down into the pale, odd bones. It was no skull or structure she had ever recognized, and a morbid curiosity wondered what the beast would look like, returned to life. It was tall, likely, perhaps as tall as them. To ensure its Duty, they had procured a most... valuable trinket.

The rich, deep blue magic of Nightmare Moon floats the sparkling gem out of the pouch she'd been carrying, as its embraced by Chrysalis' sickly, radiant green glow surrounded it, softly placing it into the ribcage of the skeletal remains.

A wicked, fanged smile takes Chrysalis' face, giving a half-lidded glance to her other.
"Of course, my Deepest Night. All proceeds well -- and the Element of Loyalty will both deny it from the wretched Sisters, and bind the beast to our will, tainted by the magic that summons it." Chrysalis drones, excitement trilling in her throat.

Both share an excited, disturbing laugh, their cackles rising and echoing through the large structure, heads thrown back in glee. This was the culmination of years of deceit, conniving and devious planning. A brutal assault on Canterlot, the greatest theft from the Royal Armory since Equestria's inception, and a crippling blow that left their forces reeling, unable to react in time; namely, the injuring of their 'Rainbow Dash', and the following theft of the Element of Loyalty.

They stand side by side, Nightmare Moons wings draping overtop of Chrysalis, watching as the magics begin to seep into the blue gem of Loyalty. It's a slow, creeping corruption, the edges of the gem trickling with sludge-black veins that run deeper, piercing the glinting form -- until the gem itself is as black as Chrysalis' Chitin. Their fanged smiles widen as the magic begins to twirl, violently rising in place as it obscures the circle. Each of the artefacts begin to drain in color as the last of their magics are funneled free, pouring into the center.

A distant, wretched roar can be heard as the magic grows brighter, and fiercer; Nightmare Moon lifts her other wing to shield them both, the wind whipping past fast enough to kick up rocks and debris. The guards in the room have difficulty standing, falling low to keep their footing or sliding back against their will. Culminating, building, churning, swirling --

Until all the built energy finally swirls inward, and in a brief moment of quiet, the magic bursts outward, casting the entire cavern in a brilliant blue-green light.

Where the circle was once carved, where the artefacts had once lay, there was a scar of abhorrent magic seared on the stone, flickering deep-green sparks that twisted into nothingness. In its center, slowly standing, was a man. It matched the depictions in the tomes, but... it seemed a bit short, to what the books claimed. Hardly a titan.

Nonetheless, he was a full head taller than either of the Queens once it stood fully; and completely naked. That wasn't odd for most Ponies or Changelings, but... it felt weird, looking at this creature completely bare. No sheathe, just hanging bare... In all the depictions, it was adorned in armor; vambraces, greaves, a helmet at least. Weapons. This one? Nothing. The only thing of note was the slightest hint of a dull glow in its chest, likely where the Gem of Loyalty resided. No matter; they would have it fitted, armed and a force to be reckoned with in due time.

His full, sculpted chest was on display, a wide array of scars, marks and burns settled across it. His legs, toned, with hair that matched the spurt of it that was on its head on each limb, and its chest. Evidently, the ritual had not born it anew, but... returned it to a prior state. It stood like a minotaur, but lacked hooves. It's hands seemed more... dexterous. Perhaps best equipped with a weapon. Its flesh looked... squishy. Hardly protective.

Nightmare Moon stands proud, head raised and tilted to look down her snout at it, judgement on full display. Chrysalis, tail flicking to tap Moons side, begins to slowly circle around it, eyes darting over its form as she stalks it, like a hunter to prey, cautiously creeping around the still-burning magic sear on the ground.

The man looks down to its hands, flexing them. Its face shows little emotion beyond confusion, as its eyes settle on flicking between the two Queens.

"Creature." Nightmare Moon announces with a spit, her full threatening voice on display. Her voice booms through the caverns, getting a raised eyebrow from Chrysalis. She liked when her other was commanding. Which was often. As were her speeches. "We are Queen Nightmare Moon. You serve us, as you will serve Queen Chrysalis in equal capacity. In place of your heart, we have placed..."

It's like the world unfurls itself before his eyes, a breath he never expected to take again filling his lungs. He could remember nothing. Only a name. His name. Anontios' eyes flicker open, squinting. A cavern, held aloft with sickly stone pillars, a still-burning sear under his feet that he couldn't feel. Anything further was still blurry... hard to focus.

Something spoke. Loudly. Something inside him compelled him to listen. He could sense something stalking behind him, the way the hairs on his neck tingled. But his urges demanded he raise his gaze from his hand, to...

It was some kind of... horse-like creature. With a deep, rich coat and a flickering mane that reminded him of the prettiest skies on the darkest nights. An almost regal horn emerged from her head, with massive, feathery wings jutting out from her back. Her image... it tickled recognition in his mind, but nothing came. Instead, Anontios realized just how... brilliant, her eyes were. A glowing emerald. He wasn't sure when he figured it was a Mare, but... there was this fiery heat growing in his chest. Whatever words she was saying... he couldn't hear them right now. He was watching her mouth, her lips... her fangs. But he could feel her words. The intent behind them. He takes a long, slow breath, staring.

"...and thou will serve us, the Twin Queens, until Equestria itself crumbles! Understand, beast?!" She huffs valiantly, stomping her foot. Chrysalis gives a little trill of approval, as she finishes her stalking, rounding the creature and rejoining Nightmare Moon, now stood on her other side.

"Well spoken, my Night Sky. This one... it radiates with a power, though it is not one that we expected..." Chrysalis starts to speak, but her soft gaze towards Moon, slowly changes to a look of confusion, gazing instead at the man.

The one that had been circling him comes into his view, standing beside one as deeply rich as the warmest midnight.

Comparatively, she was some kind of insect-horse mix, standing just as tall, but bearing regality in a whole other fashion. A sultry, sea-green mane... chitin that glinted softly off the lightest of reflections. It was broken up by fleshier, almost gel-like parts that gave visage to her insides, her wings more comparable to that of a... beetle, or a dragonfly. Her fangs... compared to the first ones heftier, sharper teeth, this one beheld snake-like fangs, and a thin tongue that flickered overtop of them when she spoke. There was a wicked intelligence in her eyes that commanded obedience, in comparison to the authority that the other radiated. He could stare at them for hours.

Nightmare Moon flicks a concerned gaze to Chrysalis.
"Chryssi--you assured us that the creature would be controlled. Contained. Why do you falter?"

Chrysalis tilts her head, looking over the creature again. She was an Emotivore; while her kind fed primarily on Love, they were faintly aware of other emotions, especially ones adjacent to Love, in their target.
"Worry not, Moonie. Control will not be an issue." Chrysalis assures Moon, giving her a sly smile. She was feeling... emotions from this creature that she had not been expecting. The Love-Poison she had weaved into her magic during the ritual, similar to that she had used on Shining, was working. She hadn't been sure just how magically resistant the creature was, so she may have... laid in on heavy.

This could be an interesting development. She expected... a brute, basically. Rage. Anger. Short-sightedness. Something dumb to guide around with loose promises or a short leash.

What she found, was... desire. There was no illusion taking its eyes, no stagger to its stance.

A quick glance to its loins settled that it wasn't lust, which was confusing. Such direct desire towards a creature usually, if not always, was from lust. Was this from their meddling with the Element of Loyalty? Had it impeded its senses?

Chrysalis made a soft hum. She'd have to experiment with that, later. For now... she had an idea for a little test.

Nightmare Moon still stared at her expectantly.
"Oh, hush Moonie. I simply find that it's... different, then I had expected. And more naked, though I suppose that's on us for assuming it would resurrect armed." Chrysalis continues, nudging Moon with her hip. Nightmare Moon rolls her eyes.

The man continues to stare, looking between them both. It pays almost no mind to its surroundings.

Nightmare Moon tilts her head expectantly.
"Beast. Come." She commands firmly, disgust clear in her tone.

It stares at her. Blinking, as if its in a daze. Then, Chrysalis hums softly.
"Oh... hm." She muses quietly. There wasn't so much as a hint of aggression in its feelings. But the moment Moonie spoke, there was a spike in its Desire.

"You know that we do not appreciate when you connive quietly, Chryssi. Include us?" Moon snorts, huffing air in her face.

"You'll see." Chrysalis returns, smiling.

"What do you mean, we'll--" Moon starts, before realizing the creature has taken a step forward. Ah, good. It listens. She had no doubt that Chryssi could handle the ritual, of course, but--

"You can stop there, creature." Moon commands firmly as it nears. It continues to walk. Nightmare Moon glances to Chrysalis, but that same smug smile sits on the bug-queens face. What game was she playing?

"Creature. Halt. We are commanding you--" Nightmare Moon goes to raise her voice--she delayed it as long as she can, but she moves to take a step back from its approach; until she realizes that Chrysalis has shifted in a way to block her from retreating.

"Chryssi?! What in Tartarus are you-?!" Nightmare Moon hisses, her only answer that same smug smile, before her gaze flicks back to the beast.

It's stopped directly in front of her, forcing Moon to look up at it. To be forced to look up was demeaning! It should be knelt! To be rooted in place, blocked from moving -- what was this game, this betrayal?! Wretched Changeling!

Before she can stew any further -- one of the creatures hands softly cups her cheek. Her eyes widen, with their new proximity, its scent fills her nostrils. She tries to refocus, to regain her demeanor -- as the creature leans slightly, and their lips meet, pressing together. Nightmare Moons wings shoot out in surprise, a deep blue blush taking her face as her eyes widen, darting back and forth.

Chrysalis lets out a slow chuckle, watching Nightmare Moons face with bemusement. She felt not a lick of hostility from the man... and was curious to see how this overwhelming desire would play out. Plus, she enjoyed putting Nightmare Moon on the backfoot. She made the cutest face when flustered.

It seemed loyalty wouldn't be an issue, if it was obsessed with them. She could work with that... and could make sure Moonie would open up to the idea. A loyal beast was one thing... but a loyal consort, equally as capable? For now, Chrysalis continues to watch. A Changling rarely turns down a source of Love.

His hand softly runs along her face, fingers creasing her neck as they start to part her mane. The other hand carefully grabs her chin, and surprisingly forcefully, parts their lips. A string of saliva drapes between the two, Nightmare Moon practically panting from a mixture of fluster, shock and surprise.

"...I am yours, my Queen, in body and soul. I am Anontios. Wield me how you see fit." He whispers, holding her gaze.

This was the last thing Nightmare Moon had expected, and the furthest thing from what the tomes predicted. She blinks several times, entirely at a loss for words, as Chrysalis slowly steps closer.

"Anontios. You would not ignore one of your Queens, would you?" Chrysalis purrs, stepping back around Nightmare Moon to her side again. He was quite gentle with Moonie... but as his hand slowly shifted to cup under her chin, she felt a shift in the Desire that he radiated. It was still just as fiercely present, but it was like... it shifted to match her. Just how in tune was he with them? He had been returned through their magic, so there should be some...

It was answered shortly as his other hand firmly grasped the base of her horn.

"Oh--" Chrysalis makes a small noise, surprised -- before she's pulled towards him, her barrel pressing against his bare stomach, head tilted upwards as their lips meet with a forceful push. With her, he's rougher; his tongue slides over her fangs, pushing into her mouth. Unlike Nightmare Moon, she doesn't stay shocked, meeting his tongue with her own, and pushing against him in equal measure. Normally, she would feed off of Nightmare Moon... but this creature was handing it to her in heapfuls, and she couldn't help but accept.

Nightmare Moon watches with a slack jaw, as the two practically slobber over each other, Chrysalis all for it with how she returned its affections.
"Chryssi. What in Tartarus have you done?" She mutters.

Chrysalis taps her hoof against Anontios' chest, and he releases her instantly. Hrm. Good. She liked that. Forceful, but obedient; and didn't waste his words, simply staring into her eyes when he interacted with her. Her tongue rolls over her lips, before turning and pressing her nose against Moons.
"Truthfully? Nothing. This creature -- our now dear Anontios, as he has titled himself, desires us deeply with the same fervor he desires to serve. I think... this will prove a much more bountiful boon than either of us expected." She whispers, kissing Nightmare Moon. This was a much more familiar act, but Moon was still severely on the back-foot from being so heavily ambushed.

"Think of it as my gift to you. Everything we had discussed... and more." Chrysalis purrs as she pulls away, before fixing her posture. "He is remarkably in tune with our magical states, and seems to be able to shift appropriately to what we each want. Sometimes I forget how gentle you prefer it." Chrysalis teases the still silent Nightmare Moon, who suffers from an abhorrent blush and a loss for words.

"I'll give you some time to... recover, my Regent of Darkness. Let me handle getting him settled." Chrysalis assures, before nodding for Anontios to follow, the sly grin ever present on her face. "Come along, Champion. We will get you armed, and will see if you're worthy of the efforts it took to bore you. But if you prove able... perhaps we can find suitable... rewards, for your continued service."

Within a moment, Anontios is already matching her pace, walking by her side as Chrysalis leads him towards the exit of the caverns. The Guards, still recovering from both the magical burst of the creatures arrival, and the unusually public display of relations, struggle to properly salute as they make way.

Nightmare Moon stands alone, heart pounding in her chest.

That, was a lot. And it left a lot of roiling feelings in her chest.

And she didn't exactly hate it -- but she hated being messed with. Or demeaned. Her and Chrysalis had always been... playful. If she intends to bring in a toy, fine. But it would fall into line, and their plans would continue. She would not let Chrysalis get... distracted, with this new oddity.

Her usual scowl quickly finds its way back to her face, stamping the stone floor, sending the guards scrambling into proper positions.

Chapter 1 - The Arena

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Rampant cheers and hisses, shouts and yells carry from the hive and stone-carved Coliseum seats, echoing throughout the ring. A more recent addition to the Castle, an outside section had been dedicated to creating a form of sadistic tribute to the Twin Queens image. Stone walls and archways gave way to a two-story structure; the second floor a wide ring of seats, hosting a variety of Thestrals and Changelings baying for blood. Whispers and calls of challenge wormed through the seats, questioning the strange creature.
"This, is why we raid Canterlot?" One hisses.
"This was their efforts? It must be proven!" Another shouts.
"Blood! Blood! Blood!" The crowd begins to chant.

With an open ceiling, the crisp dusk air holds above; while Nightmare Moon might wish for the Moon to greet her, hanging above, their control was limited until they could wrench the power from the Sisters. Until then, the bleakness of their fogged dusk would be what little comfort it could. The first floor was a simple, wide-open pit, grass cleared to offer only dirt under hoof. Two imposing, stone-braced metal grate 'gates' were the only form of entrance into the pit.

Positioned above one of the entrances, is the overhang for the Queens. Impressive, plush 'thrones' befit with blankets, pillows and ever-awaiting servants grant them an admirable, comfortable view of the crowd. And more importantly, the show below.

Typically, shows were either Thestrals or Changelings pitted against something, like local beasts captured from the Everfree, Prisoners, or each other. A measure of morale and, and a crueler measure of training. Today, however, they would test the mettle of their investment.

Standing below in the dirt-floor of the center 'stage', was Anontios.

The roar of the crowd... the full exposure to an entire ring of souls waiting for blood to spill. It tickled his memories. The dirt was stained in a familiar way... the smell in the air. The expectations. The demands. The stakes. This is what he knew. But he didn't remember why.

A long, slow breath winds into him. They'd given him a loincloth, simple spear, and a worn shield. Nothing more. The Bug Queen had granted these to him under the expectation of a stellar performance. He would not disappoint.

Why this felt so familiar, why he was here, why did he desire to serve; all questions that couldn't drift into his mind, warded by the magics imbedded in him through the rituals. He remembered so little, like there was a fog in his mind. The heat in his chest thrums, instead. Reminding him of those he serves. Those he is to dedicate this performance to.

Instead, he raises his spear, his gaze rising to the Twin Queens as they watch from their heightened emplacement, higher than any of the crowd. The distant roars of the expectant watchers meant nothing to him, now. Only them. That is the answer to his questions. Only them.

The Bug Queen watches him closely, as she usually did, leaning forward and resting head on hooves. He was proud to be subject to her attentions. She was interested in him, and he would do what he must to ensure he never falls from her sight, her favor.

The Moon Queen held her head high, her gaze only flicking to him for a moment, before she looked away and over the crowd again. He must prove himself to earn her gaze; she was mighty, and regal. Both had expectations of him, but she demanded a champion. His chest thrums softly, like a pulse of energy seeping through his flesh, renewing his confidence, his vigor. She would get one.

It felt like there was a fire roaring in his chest; but he felt no pain. He felt nothing at all, but a need for their approval.

"I've never seen you so disinterested in one of the Arena bouts, My Cruelest Night." Chrysalis hums, as a Changling drone pours wine into a flask. Changelings could eat things that were not love, but they weren't nearly as nutritional. Love was mandatory, everything else could, at the most, temporarily mute the hunger. In times before she met Moon, Chrysalis was a hard pusher of sticking to the essentials; which meant no time spent on frivolities. Every moment must be spent in the pursuit of Love, to feed her innumerable Drones.

Now, however; basking in their numerous victories, she could not help but treat herself. They had love to spare, stolen from Canterlot and symbiotically fed to them through the Thestrals. The Hive hadn't been this fortuitous in decades.

Alcohol couldn't get her drunk, anyway. She simply enjoyed trying the various tastes, to spite their previous owners.

Nightmare Moon sighs, rolling her eyes. She usually enjoyed such fare... combat and battle were one of her personal favorites, be it a close duel between equals or a one-sided slaughter, or any mix. But today, she wasn't quite in the mood, thanks to Chrysalis' little stunt. It had soured her opinion of the creature. What was to be a veritable, mighty beast that would surge their plans of eternal night forward... was a small, naked minotaur twisted by thoughts intended to pervert its masters. Compared to the legends, this thing... well, it couldn't disappoint more than it already had. Even if it was a good kisser. Her lips curl at the thought, wholly rejecting that thought path.

When Chrysalis gets no response, she pouts, letting out a long sigh. Moonie could get... Moody. And when she did, she got cold. It was cute. Sometimes. She adored her twisted midnight, but she needed to learn to loosen up. She flashes a glare at the drone, and they're quickly left alone on their balcony view, lounging upon their pillows. Below, the gate across the Arena slowly begins to shutter open.

Anontios turns, facing the noise. Slowly, lumbering, with chains bound around its neck and limbs, prodded by spears and guided by several armored Changelings and Thestrals -- is a Manticore. The snarling beast lumbers into the Arena, as gasps and shouts take the crowd. A brutish, solid lion-esque body with a growling head digs its claws into the dirt, whipping its poisonous scorpion-tail at its surroundings. Its wings are clipped, keeping it from flying out of the Arena. The Guards are quick to retreat once its inside, the gate slamming shut and kicking up a plume of dust.

His grip tightens, the wooden handle of the spear creaking. He had no idea what it was... but it was flesh. And flesh could bleed.

It was something they'd caught recently, that Chrysalis intended to reveal to Moon as a little gift; a suitable, if quite difficult challenge for their new toy. Chrysalis' eyes flicker over expectantly.

Nightmare Moon barely offers it a glance, before scoffing, and looking away again. Chrysalis frowns.

The Manticore roars loudly, a bellowing throat-rumble that makes the crowd fall silent. With slow, heavy steps, it starts to circle Anontios. He, in turn, begins circling it; he's taken a wider stance, braced behind the shield, spear held aloft as he traces the dirt with slow steps, matching the beasts speed.

Well, this would be no fun if her dearest Moonie wasn't enjoying it. Most of her enjoyment of the spectacle came from watching her reactions, after all.

"...Or are you simply upset that it kissed me in a way you haven't?" Chrysalis whispers, toying with her more openly now that they were alone.

Nightmare Moon stiffens, somehow looking further away, a frown that soon turned to a scowl settling on her visage. At this point, she was practically turned away from the Arena entirely, looking more at a wall then the spectacle.
"We don't know what you mean." Moon grumbles sourly.

In the Pit, the battle continues; though for the Twin Queens, its no longer their focus, just a background distraction.

^{The beast roars again, launching forward. It's wings flap, uselessly, as it tries to take to the air. Anontios, silently, matches its charge; with several quick paces, he rears back, and throttles the spear through the air towards it.}

"It is a tool, Dearest. A weapon. A toy of no equal. Our. Reward. We replaced its heart with an Element; that of Loyalty. Corrupted by our magics, it is obsessed with us." Chrysalis starts, before floating her cup of wine to herself to take a sip, the red liquid staining her teeth.

^{The spear slams into the creatures shoulder, burying into its Mane; with enough force that its charge is stumbled. Anontios picks up speed, before slamming into the creature himself, hand grasping its fur. Shield braced between the two, its pushed back by several feet, carving through the dirt as they begin to wrestle.}

"Truly, deeply in tune with us, as if it were an extension of our very own magics, culminated and twisted together. And since we are both significantly magical creatures... do you know what that means?" Chrysalis continues, pausing for a response from Moon. Moon, still avoiding eye contact, does not return one.

^{The Manticore gnashes its teeth downwards, biting at Anontios; it catches a mouthful of shield, creaking with strain as the beast tries to crush through it. Anontios shifts, and slams the jutting spear with his foot, wrenching open the stab-wound into a gushing cut, the spear tumbling to the ground as the beast growls in pain, crushing the shield between its jaws, splinters flying.}

By this point, neither Queens are paying any attention to the battle, too deeply involved in their own conversation. The roars of the crowd are nothing to them as they speak.

A slow, teasing smile splays across Chrysalis' lips.
"It did nothing to you, or to me, that we did not desire it to do."

"W-WHAT?!" Nightmare Moon hisses, twisting to face her insectoid other. "What are you--"

"Truthfully, I had no plans to... well, get tongued by the thing." Chrysalis giggles, her tongue snaking out as she remembers how forceful it was. "But how could I not, when the first thing it does, upon becoming in tune with your own desires, is kiss you? And oh. So. Tenderly. Even a profession to be your Champion? I've always loved that soft little side of yours. I could hardly contain myself."

"You speak lies. Slander, to betwixt our mind. Unsteady us, with your games." Nightmare Moon spits firmly, finally turning to face Chrysalis with a scowl.

Chrysalis giggles, covering her mouth with a hoof.
"Please, my Opulent Oligarch. If even now you find trouble believing my words, then let my actions speak instead."

Nightmare Moon squints, leaning close to Chrysalis, curling her lip.
"And just how might you do that?"

Chrysalis glances towards the Arena. Then, back to Nightmare Moon. A wide, wicked smile takes her lips as she gestures towards the pit.

Nightmare Moons scowl follows, looking down into the Arena.

Anontios stands atop the slain beast, which lays in a pool of its own growing puddle of crimson that seeps into the dirt. The shield is in splinters, and the spear is broken, half of it buried into the Manticores eye. He's staring up towards their balcony. It's only once he has both of their gazes, that he raises a closed, bloodied fist. The crowd erupts, cheering, hissing and shouting at the now finished burst of bloodlust. Anontios himself bears several deep claw marks, blood seeping down himself. But he doesn't stagger, or fall to a knee.

He has never felt so... muted. His heart does not thud with the spike of adrenaline from battle. There is no relief in victory, no fear from injury. No pain.

Only a fiery pride that thrums from his chest, knowing he has done as they asked.

Nightmare Moon can feel him stare directly at her, with nothing else on his mind. His fist lowers, pointing in her direction; and he kneels. He dedicates this kill, this display, soley to her.

Her heart flutters, and she's deeply offended by it.

Chrysalis, however, leans into view, that same smile sat on her face.
"A most potent toy, hmm? I'd be hard pressed to find a Changeling that could slaughter a Manticore so fiercely... and I'd bet the same of your Thestrals."

Nightmare Moon doesn't like that last comment... but she's hard pressed to agree. Especially without armor or magic. He had faced it in physicality only, and bested it. Despite her mixed feelings, she had to acknowledge that this... she would not call it a toy, as Chrysalis decided to. This would be her Weapon.

She slowly stands, wings unfurling as she raises her head. And slowly, nods.

The man lowers his arm, remaining knelt.

Well... at least it knew its place. The smug look on Chrysalis told her that she figured out the thing was growing on her.
"...We shall leave it to you to ensure it doesn't bleed out, if it even needs such attention."

Nightmare Moon goes to turn, but pauses. She nuzzles Chrysalis' neck, for but a moment.
"We still are not quite happy with you, Chryssi." Nightmare Moon warns, before slowly sauntering out of the balcony, into the depths of the Castle. Chrysalis watches her, staring after her even once she's gone into the dark halls.

Chrysalis hums softly, looking down into the pit again. Anontios has climbed down off the beast, and now waits in the center of the pit, staring at the balcony. There would be more fights tonight, but none so showy. Mostly drones, training.

She nods for Anontios to approach the exit, beginning to turn herself. Chrysalis had expected its hide to be a bit thicker, though it was... surprisingly squishy when she put her hoof on it. Perhaps it still required armor, being weaker to physical assault. They'd have to test its magic resistance... a cockatrice would do, but she would lose a few Drones capturing it.

A thought for later. She licks her lips. For now, she had a toy that needed tending. Perhaps some punishment, for dedicating its kill to one Queen? Or perhaps forgiveness, since it made Moonie feel better. She'd figure it out.

Watching them leave, Anontios slides off the back of the Manticore, watching as several of his Queens denizens surround the corpse, preparing to haul it. They pause, staring at him with wide eyes.

He feels nothing, and turns to meet his Queen.

Chapter 2 - Punishment

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Chrysalis finds Anontios patiently waiting for her in the dreary halls that lead to the Arena. A couple of the mixed guards stand around him, oggling, curiously poking, or actually doing their job and standing guard. He watches them curiously, leaning to poke one back on its snout.

A loud huff from the Bug-Queen sets them straight, quickly scattering back to their posts. Anontios turns, meeting her gaze, shifting to an attentive stance.

She pauses very close to him, tilting her head slightly as they gaze into each-others eyes. The desire he radiates, when he looks at her... it's a different type then when he looks at Nightmare Moon. Similar, but not quite. She had a few guesses as to why... because she lead the ritual? Or perhaps, a more carnal simplicity of not being quite so attracted to her form? Though he'd been so easily forceful before...

Chrysalis hums softly, letting her curiosity simmer for a moment, and her sight flicker over his injuries. The Manticore had raked its claws across him during their combat, evidently. His torso, and one of his arms, idly bled down his own form... yet he didn't react, only watching her. A show of resilience for her, or did this man have muted pain?

He also didn't seem to talk as much when he was dealing with her. Only spoke when it mattered? Or perhaps, her desires were for those that could keep their mouth shut, and he provided in kind.

She liked that answer.

"Come along, Anontios. Your injuries should be tended before you stain my floors." She playfully huffs, starting to trot back up the halls. She angles her gaze at one of the nearby Changeling guards. "Gather some of the Nurses, and have them brought to my room." She commands, her tone sharply shifting from toying, to firm. The guard salutes, before bolting down the corridor, its wings buzzing into the distance as it turns a corner.

Anontios quickly falls into step, walking beside Queen Chrysalis. Head held high, she stalks the halls with sturdy hoofsteps, escorting her new, proven deadly prize. The culmination of their efforts, a significant cost of their magics, and of the stolen artefacts. Obedient. Strong. Resilient. She would enjoy testing his limits. And, not just in the Arena...

She feels a hand rest on her back, between her wings. Chrysalis keeps her pace, but slowly looks to Anontios, raising an eyebrow. He stares forward, still.

Hm.

A reaction directly on cue with her thoughts, like something instinctive. This connection between them was starting to intrigue... was this from their twisted Element of Loyalty? An ill excitement tingles the twisted Queen, knowing she had much to discover with this new toy of theirs.

Sat upon her proper Throne, one of two, Nightmare Moon sits with head proudly raised, her mane and tail idly twisting through the air from under her sturdy, nightmarish armor.

The Castle of the Twin Queens had been refit to properly tribute both of their unique rules; gone were the works that depicted the Sisters, long torn down and demolished. The rooms decor partially split between the designs of the chitinous, black-tinged Changelings hives, and the more Vampiric, pointed and winged style of the Thestrals. Brilliant green tapestries spun by the Changelings, suits and swords forged by the Thestrals mantled along the walls. And a point of pride; the collection of stolen Canterlot Castle goods that had been added, that now lined the thrones hall; a constant reminder of the devastating blow they had pushed upon the Sisters.

The sight always brought a cruel, sharp smile to her lips. At the far end of the hall, the solid metal doors slowly groan open, as she begins her court duties. Reports on the border and of Canterlots faltering reaction would need to be heard. Concerns of their mixed dusk-bound citizens; though they'd merged well, there was still some cultural schism that needed to be managed between Changeling and Thestral. Relationships were encouraged, to promote balance and ensure the Changelings were fed.

The first of this Courts topics approached, an armored Changeling and Thestral pair holding several bundled scrolls. Likely the first of the reports from their tentative border with Ponyville.

As the first concerns were being heard, the Thestral bowing and approaching as it unfurls the report, Nightmare Moons mind... begins to wander. Deeply unusual. Moon is abhorantly efficient about her station. Normally, she could dutifully focus on the task, listening to report after report, concerns after questions; but Chrysalis and the Weapon keep wriggling into her mind. She was curious just what Chryssi was up to... without her. Likely unsupervised with the thing.

Probably something related to tongues.

She tsks, startling the Thestral mid report -- it drops the scroll, and starts to fervently apologize, scrambling to pick it up. Something about increased patrols.

She pays it little mind, leaning on the hoofrest of her throne, gaze idly drifting out the stained-glass windows, now refitted to boast her and Chryssi's debilitating images.

They'd never taken something into their relationship like this, before. The idea of introducing one of their subjects was far beneath them... and no creatures of equal, if there had even been any, would likely have caught their eye.

Well, until they resurrected this 'Anontios'. Chrysalis seemed far too excited to have the thing curled around her hoof... though, it had professed to Moon, first. Her chest puffs slightly in pride, until she remembers what exactly it had professed; promptly after kissing her. It kissed... very differently than Chrysalis. She preferred teasing, holding out... temptation. The Man... it was gentle. Perhaps some... odd leftover desire, imprinted from the Princess she'd been torn from. A thousand years meant the two had quite some time to mingle... and more of her behaviors had been twisted than the devious Nightmare Moon would care to admit.

Her proud chest-puff fizzles into a wistful, droning sigh.

This only seems to exasperate the poor Thestral, who now stutters horribly, on the verge of tears. Their Changeling counterpart winces, looking away.

She should wrap this Court up early today, she muses. Might need to remind Chryssi it isn't only her toy. Er -- weapon. Yes, weapon, Moon reassures herself.

To state that their room was oppulent would be an understatement. Located on the highest floor of the sharp spire that jutted into the sky, the Twin Queens shared a room with an impressive view.

High enough to look above the thick fog that hung over their land, in full sight of their forceful eternal dusk, a sizable circular room with a fully encircling balcony sat at its highest point. Stairs were hardly an issue, the winding spiral staircase leading up the spiral was made large enough for multiple creatures to fly up, or down its center; and since every Changeling and Thestral, Queens Included, bore wings, only one creature for use for the steps now.

Chrysalis watches with some bemusement, her insectid wings buzzing as she hovers in place. Anontios jogs up the staircase, taking several steps at a time, seeming to find no end to his stamina. Already a dozen stories up, and no sign of losing pace.

Originally, Queen Chrysalis had intended to float him up to their room, as tempting as making him walk would be... but realized she had immense difficulty grasping him with her magics. The magically-resistant tales of his hide were true, evidently; it was as if he absorbed her magics when they came into contact, getting a grasp on him like trying to tightly clench a wet bar of soap. So walking it was. Not that he seemed to mind.

She buzzes above, easily clearing several stories, landing softly as her hooves clacking on cold stone at the top of the staircase. Horn softly glowing, she pushes the solid wooden doors of her room open.

A truly massive bed, covered in a variety of blankets and pillows, most plundered, sat directly in the center, slightly raised off the ground. Thriving black-roots constitute most of it instead of a mattress, the hive-construction merging with the floor, as well as several pillars.

An impressive array of armaments and trophies lined the walls; as did several paintings done by Nightmare Moon, mostly depicting the night sky and night; though Chryssi's favorite sat directly behind the bed, a work of the Twin Queens standing atop a ruined Canterlot.

A tall, rounded ceiling grants it an impressively regal air, while several stone arches, braced with ornate wooden doors, lead to the outside balcony that fully rings around its structure, offering a Queens view.

Chrysalis hums softly, stopping beside the entrance. Each side of the door had its own mantle, dedicated to each Queen; her crown is gently floated off her own head, placed on the mantle. She wore much less regality than her other, Nightmare Moon, who bore full armor often. In recent weeks, though, she'd been going with less... perhaps getting comfortable. She did dress up for their ritual though, so perhaps she'd see that cozy side of her Moonie again soon.

As Anontios finally steps into the room, the collective buzzing of another three Changelings hover past, landing and trotting into a line, standing with heads bowed. Unlike the other Changelings who matched Chrysalis' Black and Green colors, their green fleshy bits bore a soft Gold, designating them as Nurse Drones, whose oral excretions had suitably potent regenerative properties. Considering Anontios' resilience to magic, non-magical means of tending his injures may be better. Though, if he had been deeply injured, they did have the underground recovery pods... though if he had been, it would not have bode well for his usefulness.

"Remove the covers, and attend to him on the bed." Queen Chrysalis commands. The drones quickly buzz into action, one carefully clearing the assorted blankets and pillows, revealing the darkened, black structure of the mattress, revealed to be some kind of hive construction. It was sturdy, but lightly spongy. More importantly, it cleaned easily.

"You." Chrysalis turns, placing a hoof against Anontios still-bleeding chest. "Lay down. While you are attended to... I will enact your punishment. You denoted your kill to but a single Queen; such insubordination will not be tolerated." She whispers, lips curling to reveal her fangs.

She shoves him with her hoof, to move him to the bed. He doesn't budge; its like pushing a wall made of firm meat.

Anontios leans, taking her hoof, still bloodied with his own blood, gingerly kissing it.
"As you wish, my Queen." He whispers; he places the hoof against himself again, but this time, steps back as pressure is applied.

Chrysalis' face is a mixture of several things. Did he just show off, then submit? That was --
Shit, that was kind of hot.

She pushes him onto the bed, climbing up after him as the Nurse Drones encircle.

Nightmare Moon slowly stalks towards the spire, to return to her room. The Court had gone quickly, most of the messengers on the verge of breakdown in fear of disappointing one of their Twin Queens. Beyond an increase in patrols along the border, their spies reported that recovery was a slow process for Canterlot, with their morale at an all-time low. The crippling of their Rainbow Dash and the theft of the Element of Loyalty had dispared the Elements, leaving them useless. And no return strike could be sent, busy repairing and recovering from their raid. By the time Canterlot was even standing back on one hoof, the Twin Queens would be ready to crush them for good, and bring about their eternal night -- and capitulation of Equestria. Her people were armed, fed, happy. Things were good.

She reaches the base of the spire, feathery wings spreading wide; she braces, launching upwards in a torrentous swoop, clearing numerous stories in an instant.

Her hooves clack as she meets the top floor, wings furling in again. Before she even reaches the door, she's begun undressing, the deep blue glow of her magics unceasing armor, sliding off her helmet, removing shoes mid-step.

She pushes the doors open, hovering her items onto her own mantle, eyeing that Chryssi's crown was on hers.

"You will be pleased to know that Canterlot still reels. We are in our prime element, Chryssi; we need only snap the fraying rope that Canterlot desperately clings... to..." Nightmare Moom starts, turning. She trails off to a confused silence, as she sees Chrysalis, the Man, and three Drones on their bed.

And the Humans dick in her girlfriends mouth.

"What the BUCK, CHRYSSI?!" Nightmare shouts, proud demeanor slipped away in a moment.

Anontios lay flat on his back, head supported by one of the Nurse Drones, being used like a pillow. The other two Nurse Drones were slowly working over his injuries, vomiting a gelatinous, Golden gel-like substance that they would then spread over the wounds.

More concerningly for Nightmare, however, was how Chrysalis was curled up between the Man's legs, her tongue idly snaking along his sizable length as she gingerly sucks on the tip. At Nightmares loud exclamation, there's a pop as Chryssi releases it; she kisses the tip, a long strand of saliva trailing between, before its licked away by Chrysalis' tongue, turning her head to look at Nightmare.

"My Cruelest Evening. Just some... rehabilitation." Queen Chrysalis purrs, giving her a playful look from behind her mane, obscuring one of her vivid, half-closed green eyes. The Nurse Drones had startled at the shout, but resumed their work after a short pause, assured they were not to be obliterated for some unforseen transgression. Most of Anontios injuries had coagulated, but now a fair amount of him looked like he'd been rubbed down in a red-stained honey.

The one being used as a pillow might be asleep, actually. It buzzes softly, eyes closed.

Nightmare Moon approaches the bed, the scowl still resting on her face, clearly expecting a good explanation.

Chrysalis softly pats a spot on the bed beside herself, though Nightmare pauses at the beds edge, still looking incredulously.

"After his... bout, with the Manticore, he dedicated the kill to you. And only you, my Darkest Night. I could hardly let such a slander to our conjoined rule go unpunished..." She starts, voice haughty.

"So you sucked his cock." Moon states bluntly. She sniffs the air -- and she's hit with a wave of potent scent that seeps through her nostrils.

"I see you figured out why another type of punishment wasn't distributed." Chrysalis hums, patting the bed again.

This time, Nightmare Moon finds herself climbing onto the chitinous, spongy mattress, laying beside Chrysalis. The Mans member twitches as she nears.

"I believe our attempt to... corrupt, the Element of Loyalty, was... flawed. We may have acted too quickly." Chrysalis continues, leaning to plant another kiss on the Mans tip.

Nightmare watches... glancing between Anontios and Chryssi. She wasn't as bothered as she thought she'd be. Why?
"...What do you mean? And why are your Drones..." She trails off, staring at the closest one.

Chrysalis giggles.
"I believe that, while he was made in tune with our desires, practically ingrained to our magics... something similar happened in turn to us, when he was bound. The Drones are as sensitive to smell as any Pony, any Thestral... and yet..."

Chrysalis slowly drags her tongue up the length of Anontios' dick, flicking the tip and watching it twitch in turn.
"Completely unaffected. You and I, however? Our bodies are as accepting to him as we are to each-other. I tried to get one of the Nurse Drones to service him, actually, as a test -- and he refused." She denotes, giving the Man a coy glare.

Nightmare Moon follows her gaze -- and finds Anontios watching her carefully. A soft, tender expression is on his face when he sees their eyes meet.
"...What? We don't understand. You're saying our rite backfired? He refuses our orders?"

"He is wholly, entirely, devoted to us. No other. He respects our denizens because they are ours. He has no attraction to any that is not us. I would not say our ritual failed, so to speak, my Moonie. More... we have accidentally tethered ourselves to a third, that would make no action against us." Chrysalis explains. That's about what she's figured in this short time, anyway -- no other explanation currently held ground on why she felt the need to treat this creature differently. Not quite a failure, but something they'd have to navigate carefully.

Nightmare Moon groans, her face hitting the mattress.
"Chryssi, are you telling us that we bound what is borderline an Incubus, but only to us, that can refuse our orders, if it believes it would not serve our greatest benefit?"

"...You know what? That is an apt description, Moonie. We may have bitten off more than we can chew with this one." Chrysalis whispers, leaning close to the still-hard member throbbed quietly. She traces its largest vein with a tongue, before kissing the tip.

Nightmare Moon sighs. She wanted to argue, to be upset at Chrysalis for messing up the Ritual, at this Man for drifting so far from what the scriptures had explained... until she found herself stepping over his leg, to lay down at his side. One of the Nurse Drones scuttles to get out of her way, continuing its work on his other side.

She felt one of his hands slowly trace along her neck, sending a shiver up Nightmares spine. The hand gently brushed the side of her face, his thumb stroking back and forth.

"...Very well." She tsks. Nightmare would tolerate this creature for the time being. Not like they had much of a choice, at the moment. He'd been a significant investment, and still had a part to play in the conquering of Equestria.

She leans down, hovering her lips near his ear.
"You are not to fuck Queen Chrysalis until I give the say so." She whispers -- loud enough that Chrysalis' eyes snap over, frowning. Nightmare grins. A bit of a leap, but better to put her hoof down before it has a chance.

"Of course, My Queen; the honor of first is reserved for you." Anontios whispers back, turning to gently kiss her snout.

Chrysalis giggles as Nightmares eyes shoot open wide in surprise, a blush taking her face.

Chapter 3 - Undisturbed

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"Anontios; keep Chrysalis from bothering us. We have duties that need attending." Nightmare Moon chirps, raising from her throne with a stretch. The attending guards are slowly clearing out.

Another day, another Court. Reports were still looking good, but whispers of a Cockatrice were bothering some of their denizens near the border of the fog. Most other beasts could be captured for the Arena, but a Cockatrice was an annoyance. Hadn't Chrysalis mentioned something about wanting one? Hm.

Chrysalis huffs from her own throne, giving Nightmare a playful glare.
"My most Monstrous Mistress. Are you still upset that I didn't share when he fin--"

Chrysalis finds herself stopped short, as a firm hand grips the base of her horn.

Anontios, healed, and re-armed in more fitting, Thestral-Esque armored fittings, now bore Bracers, Vambraces -- and still just a loincloth. The Queens liked to keep him a little skimpy, while proper armor was being forged. The Nurse Drone that served as his pillow sat beside him, attending his long-term recovery and health. She watches curiously.

His usual position was standing between their thrones at attention. They had yet to figure a proper, decisive tasking for him. This is what Nightmare intended to narrow down tonight, growing weary of sitting idle.

They'd garnered a bad habit of whenever all three of them were alone together... things tended to take a very distracted course of action. So, tonight, Nightmare would part, and spend the time to plan herself. Without distraction.

She found that Anontios promise to her seeming to supercede Chrysalis' more... playful orders, so Nightmare knew Chrysalis couldn't get up to much.

"Of course, My Queen." Anontios nods, holding Chrysalis' horn firm.

"...Anontios. Our dearest Champion, Sword of Nightmares and Shield of the Hive. Release your Queen?" Chrysalis playfully purrs, glancing up to him.

Anontios leans close, his lips to her ear.
"You are to behave, your Majesty. Lest you upset your other."

When Nightmare Moon learned that Anontios could willingly disobey orders, she started a playful war with Chrysalis; the two constantly trying to pit Anontios against the other, seeing whose orders he would supercede on whose behalf. With his innate connection with their desires, it was typically whoever got their first order in, would be the winner; and he would never break or commit to an order if it would upset the other.

Chrysalis pouts. Anontios does, however, plant a small kiss behind her ear, before standing straight and releasing her. Her ears flick, content.

Chrysalis had tried experimenting with transformation, following when she learned he cared not for any other Thestral or Drone. She tried a few various forms, species -- even a male, attempting to entice him; instead, she discovered that Anontios had figured a very particular spot to massage her that would force her to lose composure, and lose focus on her shape-shift, reverting to normal. He seemed to only prefer her as her true, Queenly form.

She was flattered, of course, but a touch huffy that her machinations were not panning out.

Chrysalis finds another small kiss planted upon her, this time on her cheek; from Nightmare.
"We will not be long. Perhaps you and Anontios can relieve our citizens of this Cockatrice concern? I doubt either of us desire more statues for the garden."

"...Very well, Moonie. Inform me of your battle plans when they are completed. I am certain they will strike terror into hearts and minds, just like they always do."
Chrysalis sighs, nuzzling her other.

This is the part where Nightmare Moon would depart.

To leave and begin her diabolical planning.

Why is she still standing here?

She's not sure. Something is missing.

She feels a hand gently take her chin, turning her head. She permits it?

Anontios tenderly places a kiss on her lips, before releasing her.

Did he --?

...No. She was waiting for that.

A troubling development.

More then just Tactics on her mind, now, she departs, a slow canter taking her out of the throne room.

Chrysalis and Anontios are left; the former slowly rising from her own throne, throwing a playful glance to Anontios. Seeing him in action against such a creature would be a good test for his supposedly magically-resilient hide... and maybe she could find a few ways to sneak around Nightmares orders.

Before stepping off her own seat, she looks to Anontios, huffing.
"Carry me." She states simply, upturning her nose and looking away.

She'd been expecting a long pause, or nothing at all. Instead, almost immediately, firm arms scoop underneath her as she's lifted off her hooves, swept into a bridal carry.

Oh.

"Where to, your Eminence?" Anontios questions, his tone a soft whisper.

Was he being playful?

She kind of liked this.

Chrysalis recovers from her fluster, letting her usual devious sneer take her face as she holds a hoof forward, awkwardly directly her new mount through the halls. Commanding a creature larger than her had it's benefits, and she would boast this prize. This behavior gathered a few strange stares, the Thestrals thoroughly confused, while the Changelings watched in admiration, some even cheering.

The little Nurse Drone toddled after them, hot on Anontios' heels.

Hours are spent in Nightmare Moons private study, slowly sprawling defensive and offensive battle plans. Reviewing their mixed patrols, accounting for logistics, numbers, their reach... they could hardly afford a true offensive across Equestria. It would need to be something concise. Deceisive. Crushing, in one swift move.

She browses the reports from the spy network. Chryssi's Changelings were an invaluable source of information, and Equestria hardly had a way to discover the spies. Nightmare didn't administrate them, however. She left them to Chryssi. Managing the proper Twin Queens army was her forte.

...She finds herself distracted, thinking about Chryssi. Leaning on her hoof, she sighs. Due time for a break, anyway. A servant is quick to provide her with a drink, encapsulated by its soft glow.

Nightmare wondered what they were up to.

Turns out, Nightmare Moon didn't have to wonder for very long.

She's compiled most of her plans; Equestria would, inevitably, try to counter-attack. The Sun Princess held a certain proclivity towards protecting her little ponies; which meant she would shy away from a numbers assault, despite having the troop count advantage. Instead, she would likely try to send some smaller task force to retrieve the Element of Loyalty, or, would find some suitable replacement before performing a similar strike.

Celestia had a bad habit of pulling useful items out of her flank, Nightmare Moon had found, and wasn't willing to be caught off guard again. Most of her plans involved laying down fortifications and traps, ensuring any path they take would be heavily bogged down. Air patrols to counter any attempts to fly over the fog, ground patrols to ambush any stupid enough to try a ground approach, and a defensive line on the Everfree side in case they tried to snake around.

That would be enough for today. Now, she's relaxing with a glass of wine, sitting idly beside the roaring fire, enjoying the quiet end to an extremely productive evening.

There's a brisk, attentive knock at the study door.

She lowers the glass of wine, looking over her shoulder.
"Enter." Moon commands. The door creaks open.

One of her Thestrals flaps into her study, stopping beside her and bowing.
"My Queen. Queen Chrysalis and the creature have returned, bearing the Cockatrice's head." It reports, using its wings to accentuate the servile bow.

"...Hm." She grunts. Not unexpected, but she would like to see it.
"And where are they now?"

"Awaiting you in the throne room, to dedicate the beasts slaughter to both Queens, whole." It answers, lowering the bow.

"...Take our finished orders, and distribute them to the various Commanders." Moon deigns, floating the small pile of tied and sealed scrolls towards the Thestral. He dutifully takes them, before quickly whisking away out of sight.

Slowly, Moon rises -- and wobbles slightly.

She may have had more wine than anticipated. Two bottles sat empty beside her now-drained glass.

...No, she was fine. She was of Nightmares, of course. The Nightmare Moon did not get... tipsy.

A firm scowl takes her face, securing her demeanor as she exits the study.

Nightmare Moon enters the the Throne Room to find a... she wouldn't say peculiar, but an odd sight.

Chrysalis is directing some of her Changelings, as they buzz about several feet off the ground, trying to balanced a recently-mantled Cockatrice's head, to secure it to the wall. Chrysalis doesn't seem able to decide just how high, or to the left, it should be to fit in with the other decorations.

She glances over to see Anontios' casually sat on the steps leading up to the throne. That same Nurse Drone is currently slathing their regenerative golden sludge across his leg, patting it in.

Anontios meets her gaze.

It may be the wine, but she gives a dismissive huff. Her head tilts back, chest puffed as she steps beside him, looking down at him.
"...Welcome back, Human." She growls.

Anontios shifts in place, the Nurse Drone backing up as he takes a knee, lowering his head to her.

Hm.

Good.

A cruel sneer takes her lips, and she shoos the Drone away.

"...You have performed efficiently. Await in my chambers for... your reward. Move briskly." She commands. Anontios dips his head lower, before rising and jogging out of the Throne Room.

She looks to Chrysalis, who yet remains absorbed in directing her Changelings.
"Left... no, higher. Not that high. Lower. Oh, you meager fools! You dropped it too low! Higher. Now to the right. MY right." Moon can hear Chrysalis command.

With a vindictive grin, Moon leaves Chrysalis to her workings, stalking back into the halls. The wine had fueled a terrible desire to get her back for how Moon had found her, following Anontios night in the Arena. It was time for comeuppance.

"Leave us."

The simple command sends the Changeling and Thestral pair that had been guarding the doorway to her room, flapping down the spiral staircase.

Anontios stands at attention partway into the room, staring forward.

The doors slowly shut, handles glowing in a deep-blue hue. Nightmare Moon walks past her usual mantle, instead, seating herself directly at the foot of her and Chrysalis' bed.

She tilts her head back, throwing Anontios a glare.
"Disrobe your Queen." She states firmly; her tone still harsh, but not as loud.

She closes her eyes as the helmet is slowly lifted from her head, placed tenderly on the steps beside her.

She could get used to this.

A hand slowly traces along her cheek -- before sliding down her neck, to unclasp the peytral and its connecting neck-plates.

The plate that protects her barrel and back is slowly unclasped, and carefully lifted. Gingerly, he guides her wings through each of the slotted holes, gently stroking them with each motion as they unfurl, released.

A haughty, deep purr escapes Nightmare Moon as her head tilts back, eyes shut, enjoying the attention.

This mixture of a tender massage and a disrobement continues until Nightmare Moon sits in the buff, enjoying a gentle neck-stroke.

She finally stirs, growling. She turns, planting a hoof against Anontios before shoving him backwards, sprawled across their mattress. This time, cushioned by hefty blankets and pillows.

She follows him, stepping up as she stalks overtop to loom above, positioning herself to bring her height over his, for once. Nightmare Moon stares down at him from a tilted, dominant gaze, flicking her attention over the mans form.

Definitely tipsy. But also, definitely enjoying this.

"...How might I serve you, my Queen?" Anontios asks softly from underneath her. His hand gently strokes her foreleg.

She blinks heavily, wobbling slightly. Might be more than tipsy.

A contemplative huff escapes her, and she lowers herself directly down with a muffled thump, half curled atop of him, half onto the bed.
"...Comfort your Queen." She mumbles, still gruff -- though it soon slips into a soft, quiet whinny as he embraces her, slowly stroking her. A hand tracing her neck, her chin -- rubbing over her ears. The other, cupping her cheek, stroking a thumb through her dark fur.

Chrysalis had a feeling she'd know exactly what she was going to find. Anontios had slipped away, his ever-attentive Nurse Drone sitting quietly where she had told him to wait. She'd been so enraptured in the afterglow of watching Anontios, her prized toy, simply ignore the effects of the Cockatrice and slay the creature, that she had hyper-focused on mantling her new prize. She had a feeling a particularly midnight-flavored Queen was responsible for his disappearance.

Checking her dear Moonies study revealed only that she had spent the evening drinking. Not unusual for her, but two entire bottles was new. Someoje had trouble focusing, she knickers quietly to herself. Chrysalis glances over the requests Moon had left out for the spy network; she'd review them later.

With a saucy saunter to her step, Chrysalis trots into their bedroom, floating the crown from her head, expecting that she'd taken up the promise she had Anontios make.

Color her surprised when she finds them gingerly cuddling on the bed, asleep.

Somehow, that made her more jealous than if she'd walked in on Moonie getting railed.

Chrysalis stands by the side of the bed, staring down at the pair. Nightmare Moon is nestled against Anontios, one of his hands still idly stroking her cheek.

She purses her lips, debating. She had the two unaware, perfectly vulnerable.

Cruel, devious thoughts.

Diabolical, even.

Or... she could lay down on his other side.

It did look... comfortable.

With a haughty eye-roll, Chrysalis steps onto the mattress, curling up against Anontios' free side. As soon as she's settled, Chrysalis finds Anontios' free arm draping overtop of her, fingers slowly brushing through her mane.

...She would complain about Moonie stealing Anontios' away tomorrow.

The room falls silent, graced only by light snores, the ever-present dusk sky offering only the most dim of pale-yellow light through the open windows.

The Nurse Bug appears between the crack in the door, before it sits outside of it, buzzing quietly.

Chapter 4 - Concerns

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Luna, Princess of the Moon, sits at the end of the battle rooms table. Once the dining hall, following the cataclysmic raid against the castle, it had been converted to a headquarters. Battle damage can still be seen on the walls and floors, but now supplies stack the edges, weapon racks, Guards, Commanders -- the Elements of Harmony, her Sister, dignitaries from their allies... this room had been abuzz for days, and her sleep schedule was a wreck because of it.

One of the Elements, Rainbow Dash, was still in recovery. She'd been brutalized in a One-On-One against Nightmare Moon, her Element being stolen from her. A terrible guilt sat in Luna's chest about the grim matter.

Using their sudden battle as a distraction, Chrysalis had lead her Changelings deep into the castle, plundering the Royal Armory of many of its artefacts and bounties and slipping away before the Sisters could realize, their focus on Nightmare Moon. Though now it made more sense why she was so readily willing to retreat.

Luna didn't know what they had planned to do with them, but she was assured nothing about it was good.

She feels anothers familiar snout nuzzle her neck, leaning into it.

Celestia, Princess of the Sun, sits beside her sister at the end of the long, now map and tool covered table. Nearby, several of her guard commanders discuss an action plan regarding the tense, ever shifting border near the Everfree.

For the moment, she simply nuzzles into her Sister, seeking a rare comfort her Sister returns it in kind.

"Has there been any word?" Luna asks quietly.

"There has been. But it's nothing good, I'm afraid. Rainbow Dash is still recovering, unlikely to fly for some time. The other Elements are buckled by her injury; though they try to remain resolute, for all our sakes." Celestia sighs, fearing for her little ponies futures. She appreciated Twilight and her friends resolve in this trying time, though she so badly wished she didn't need to rely upon them like this.

Luna stares downward in guilt, lip trembling.
"If... if I had used my time in the Moon to learn to control Nightmare, and not..." she trails off, before Celestia pulls her from her self-destructive thoughts, hugging her close.

"Do not blame yourself for the sickness that was purged from you, Sister. It is not your fault. You know this." Celestia affirms harshly, staring at Luna.

Luna sighs, nodding, remaining close to her sister. Guilt tormented her about the situation. How she could do nothing as Nightmare Moon was torn from her, and became an entity of its own, so similar to herself in so many ways. Not to mention her dear Thestrals, so many of them twisted to follow Nightmares commands, believing themselves safer under Nightmares rule. She considered that a deeply personal failure.

Twilight, escorted by a particularly decorated general, storms into the room. Pushing past several salutes, the pair directly approach the Princesses.
"Princess Celestia -- Princess Luna. We have news." Twilight says grimly, the alicorn pair tensing.

"Our top Unicorns have felt for the magical essence of the stolen artefacts. They got through the fog wards that had been placed, but..." Twilight trails off.

"They're gone." The General cuts in.

A gravely concerned face takes Celestias' expression by the simple statement.
"What do you mean?"

"Instead of numerous, different auras, representing the Artefacts from the armory as we'd expected to find... there's only one, and it pulses as strongly as the Queens own magic." Twilight explains. She looks ragged, tired from pushing herself, to assist the Princesses, and to keep her friends spirits up in this grim time. "It... it feels almost like the Element of Loyalty."

The General nods.
"They have likely taken the next step in their battle plan, your Highnesses. Our experts suggest they may have... merged the Artefacts, or drained their magic for some ulterior purpose. We may very well be dealing with a third villain, now." The General explains.

Celestia raises her head, clearing her throat.
"Danger again looms over our fair lands, and we must not stand idle. Gather a detachment of the best; from the Wonderbolts, the Elements... even our allies. We must discover their intent before they have a chance to push it into action. We have seen how far both Chrysalis and Nightmare Moon are willing to go. We must take no chances." Celestia commands, garnering several salutes, yes ma'ams, and a new wave of activity across the already busy war room.

She turns her attention downward to the Purple Pony; her steadfast rock in this tough times. She could never find the words for how deeply she appreciated Twilight.

"Twilight, my dearest student. It pains me to ask more of you then I already do... but would you lead this reconnaissance? There are few I trust as much as you and Luna, for a task this critical." Celestia speaks softly, with immense endearment.

Twilight bristles at the praise, nodding furiously.
"Of course, Princess! Don't worry; we'll handle this."

Twilight races off to secure her own allies, ever-eager to prove herself to her mentor, leaving the still-recovering Alicorns to their worries, Luna leaning against Celestia. Both had been worn ragged in the raid, ambushed by the Queens.

What morbid, cruel, devious machinations did the Twin Queens plan? What have they done... and why do they not yet act, during Canterlots weakness?

"Get some rest, Luna. I will keep an eye on things." Celestia whispers, nudging her sister. Luna nods, slowly rising to trail to her bed for the day.

Silently, across the room, one of the Royal Guards steps away from their group, slinking into the halls after Twilight.

Nightmare Moon stirs softly, stifling a yawn. There was a dull pulse in the back of her skull, urging a displeased grumble from her throat. She blinks heavily several times, enjoying the unusually radiant warmth of their bed. There was something different about this morning. Chrysalis felt fleshier then she usually does. Was she transformed again?

She lifts her head slightly, eyes opening as she actually wakes up. Oh. It was not her other -- the Human is in their bed. Not the first time he's physically been on it, mind, but the first time he's directly slept with them, through the entire night without being relinquished to his own, adjacent guest room. Her light hangover urges her more grim thoughts, and has her mulling whether he needs to be punished for this brash broach into their domain. She squints to her other -- finding only that Chrysalis is as nestled up against the human, on his other side, as she currently is.

A low, irritated growl escapes her.

It's a comfortable scene; not one she expected to ever find herself in, buried under blankets and sharing it, and her other, with this oddity. How did this even occur? Was this his own devious plot, or had she -- forbid the thought -- made a misstep?

She remembers the two bottles of wine -- and last night. How she had him disrobe her... and join her, to worship her for the night. His tender embrace, and attentive care.

Her cruel judgement of his looming punishment falters, leaning down to huff at his face. He had performed as requested. As much as it irked her to have... faltered in her ever-important demeanor, Anontios would be spared, this one time.

...And that was, she was willing to forfeit to herself -- one of the better rests that she's had in some time.

Her gaze flickers to Chrysalis, who snores softly, chittering in her sleep. Chrysalis seemed content, too -- though she had no memory of when they joined her. She leans overtop of Anontion, gently nuzzling her others' snout. Chrysalis' buzzes softly in response to the stimuli, still asleep.

"Hm." She hums softly. Perhaps... she didn't need to rise, just yet. She would like to... perhaps, enjoy this for but a small time longer.

She's reaffirmed by a hand slowly brushing along her side, Anontios softly breathing.

Even in his sleep, he seeks to please. Devious thing; it was worming its way into her good graces.

She huffs softly, returning to the comfortable fold and nestling against his neck.

Her nose bumps against a chitinous flank.

She opens her eyes again, squinting. The only butt of a bug she deigned to touch with her snout was asleep across from her. What was...?

The same Nurse Drone is under Anontios head again, serving as a pillow. It buzzes softly, dead asleep.

She glares at it. Several thoughts of how to crush the little bug float through her mind... but it was one of Chrysalis' precious Nurse Drones. And it seemed Anontios was fond of it. Not that she cared about the latter, but to enact proper judgement now would shatter this gently constructed moment, and irk her other.

No, that was not a pang of jealousy she felt. Nightmare Moon already knew she would make the superior pillow.

As long as he was more fond of herself, Nightmare Moon would let this transgression slide. For now. Truly, she was a most merciful monarch this day.

She shifts slightly, adjusting on the bed so she may lay her face across Anontios neck without touching his impromptu pillow.

She huffs, appeased as Anontios gently strokes a hand through her mane.

Chapter 5 - Thoughts of Home

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Rolling, golden fields of wheat under a soft blue sky gently kissed with clouds, as far as the eye can see. Stretching far into the distance beyond what a mere man can see, crossing grassy hills, parted only by simple dirt roads, burgeoning forests and monumental mountains on the fields furthest edges.

A younger Anontios stands amidst the ever so gently swaying crop, in naut but a simple cloth garb and his sandals. His bare hand brushes its breezing edges, tickled softly as he stares out.

There is a warm, familiar smell. It's like it gently cups his face, turning him around.

A small hovel, nestled in the middle of these never-ending fields. Thatch roofing, simple stone and wood support, and a nearby well. A single, sizable tree, where a swing gently sways with the same breeze that coats the wheat.

The smell of fresh bread. The smell of home.

"Who are you?" A voice -- soft spoken, concerned.

A rustling to his side slowly turns Anontios gaze, as he sees...

Luna stares at the strange biped, so deeply immersed in its own memories. Few so fiercely dreamed of something so simple. She doesn't know what any of this is, but she knows it is not Equestria. The air feels... calm. There is no magic here.

She doesn't know how she got into his dreams. The lands of Dusk that the Twin Queens rule, wards outside magic with Ancient, Changeling rites. But this creature sat absolved from it, from within the heart of the mists.

She calls out to it, asking who it is. Slowly, it turns to look at her.

It doesn't speak. It's as if it looks through her.

She stares at him, only a dozen or so feet away, immersed in the roiling wheat. But she is... familiar. Like an aspect of Nightmare Moon, some distant reflection. Smaller. Both bear symbolism of the Moon; but this ones fur is a softer blue, its Mane that of the stars, not the deepest night.

No words are shared, as their gazes both slowly return to the hovel.

It is aflame, crumbling to dust as the wheat around it alights, brilliant flames flowing outward and flashing across the fields as it all goes up in smoke, crackling in a roaring flame.

Luna watches in horror as hovel bursts into flame, crumbling. The pleasant smell of freshly baked bread slowly twists in her nostrils, to a horribly unpleasant smell of... burnt, cooking flesh.

She turns to look at the creature again, but finds him different.

Gone are the simple clothes, and the feeling of peace. Taller, older; chest bare, covered in partial armor and scars. A spear gripped tightly in its hands as it watches the fire from underneath a glinting helmet, face now hidden. The only thing she feels from the creature is sorrow.

It reaches out towards the crumbling hovel, its grip loosening on the spear -- then its chest pulses softly, with the faintest blue hue, before fading.

It turns, grip tightening and crossing the field away from the smoldering ruins. The wheat shrivels behind it, leaving only a wake of grey ash that blows away in the wind; twisting shades of deep-blue and sickly green swirling around it, until the creature is fully obscured.

Lunas' eyes flash open, heart thumping in her chest. She's quick to throw herself from bed, blankets left tossed about; the doors to her room slam open, remaining askew as the Princess thunders down the hall, earning several concerned glances from the day-staff.

She must tell her Sister as soon as possible.

Anontios blinks awake, lulled from... This wasn't one of his usual nights, where he dreams of nothing. That much he knows. He remembers... the smell of fresh bread, and little else. His memories -- It's like trying to breach a wall of solid fog, a flickering mirage that's quickly fading, receding to nothingness. Even the smell of...

The smell of what?

A warm breath by his ear, its owner sighing softly as her near pitch-black fur softly brushes against his bare torso, ethereal mane wisping quietly, subdued in her rest.

The smell of her. That is what he remembers. His Queen, nestled against him with her head lain across his chest, head beside his, holds a crisp, frigid scent; not far from mint. His hand gently strokes the side of her face, eliciting a small purr as she gets comfortable.

Anontios' other arm is out of commission, currently pinned underneath his other Queen; in contrast, her chitinous body, though sturdy... has a little squish to it, almost spongelike in nature. Her mane does not swirl in an everpresent wind, but simply drapes alongside her; perhaps its magic is rather how it always seems to partially cover her eyes, no matter how its strewn about. Maybe with her lack of fur, she preferred the simple act of physical contact itself.

The door to the Twin Queens bedroom echoes a knock, before silence resumes in the room.

"Mm..." Nightmare Moon stirs softly. "Execute that miscreant, would you Anontios?" She mutters. There's an audible 'Eep' behind the door.

When Anontios does not rise and brutally maim the poor creature in her cruel name, and another, much more tentative knock echoes, a sigh escapes her. Perhaps she put off the day for too long. Shifting in the comfortable sheets, Nightmare Moon moves from nestling against and across Anontios, to leaning against him so she could 'sit up' somewhat.

Mood now soured from being forced to exit her most comfortable reprise, she clears her throat. If she had to be miserable now, so did their subjects. A rough, magical flick of the little Nurse-Drone startles it awake, wide bug-eyes trying to process the sudden and forceful emergence to late-morning.

"Enter. And you, out." She firmly growls, before flicking her scowl to the pseudo-pillow.

One of the two massive double-doors to the Queens room slowly creaks open, a Thestral Guard of darker palette peering in nervously -- and flinching back as a scuttling, panicked Nurse-Drone bolts out from the bed, between the crack in the door, and out of sight. The confused Thestral, stepping aside as the drone rips past it, audibly gulps; stepping into the room and quickly snapping to attention, a bead of sweat rolls down his temple.

Anontios grunts quietly as his buggy pillow beats a hasty retreat, having overstayed its welcome. Slowly trying to look up, a forceful swirl of deep-blue magic pushes back down against his forehead, and he relents to remain laying, staring up.

Though one of his hands does begin to stroke along Nightmare Moons toned back, tracing the edges of her feathery wings.

A low hum emanates from the Nightmarish eminence, wings twitching in instinctual response; this sole act of affection from Anontios may have been what grants the Thestral Messenger mercy for interrupting her comfortable morning.

Nightmare Moon was a little surprised of how quickly she came to value this... bedroom situation. Perhaps she needed to shift her schedule around so she could sleep in, more. It's not like the time of day ever changed; Eternal Dusk. And when she and Chrysalis had her grand and total victory -- Eternal Night.

"My Queen, word has --" He starts, but his eyes snap to movement in the bed. Chrysalis' head slowly lifts up and into view, throwing a generous glare in the Thestrals direction.

Nightmare Moon snorts to herself -- Chrissy was always quick to remind their mixed denizens the equality of their standing, which included plural referrals whenever they shared a room. Moon was pretty sure she enjoyed being a little petty about it, which she understood entirely.

The Thestral quickly kneels, swallowing hard.
"M-my apologies. My Queens --" He pauses, glancing up expectantly. "There is news, from our spy in Canterlot."

Chrysalis stares for a moment, tongue flickering like a snake. She huffs, muttering "Better." before laying her head down again -- now occupying the spot on Anontios' chest that Nightmare Moon had been.

As Nightmare addresses the messenger, their conversation fades into ambience -- Chrysalis is distracted from a return to rest, as Anontios shifts his head; his nose presses into her mane, and she feels him take a slow smell, his breath hot on her neck. A confused eyebrow raises from her, humming softly.

"...Whatever are you up to, our Champion?" She whispers.

"Your smell." He returns, muffled under the surprisingly silky sea-green hair. That earns an interested huff from the Chitinous Overlord.

"My scent." She corrects, tilting her head to flash her fangs. "Do not tell your Queen she has a smell."

"My sincerest apologies." Anontios relents.

"Good heat source." She hums, laying her head down again, nuzzling into his chest.

Unlike Nightmares Mint-Like scent, Chrysalis smelt of... it was almost floral? There was another scent underlaying it. A pheromone, likely from part of how she communicates her rank to her Changelings, that had some kind of spice to it. For such a pair of fierce creatures, both were simply... pleasant. In visual, in scent, in feel. To smell Queen Nightmare Moon was to be reveled in her tender, crisp aura -- to smell Queen Chrysalis was to surprise you for daring to get so close, teasing the nostrils with a fragrant but punchy feel.

Another paced huff of hot breath splays across Chrysalis back, sending a tingle down her spine.

"And what might I, Queen of the Changelings, hold the scent of?" She asks playfully, eyes shut. Anontios finds the words he begins to mull over unneeded, as they are ripped from their little moment by an expectant cough from their third.

"Will you two cut it out?" Nightmare Moon chides, snorting at them loudly.

Both blink, looking to Moon. The Thestral has already gone, the door shut, the trio alone again -- properly, without a certain Nurse Bug.

Nightmare Moon rises, giving her wings a stretch as they unfurl to their full length.

"Our predictions were correct. The Princesses intend to form a quality-based squad of insurgents, keen on investigating; lead by their Element of Magic. They know we have done something to the artefacts, but not what." She informs the ill-attentive pair, making the report compact.

With a new, looming challenge to their rule, Chrysalis' face slowly contorts into a devious, twisted smile. She too, rises, wings creaking out to length before buzzing furiously, sweeping her from the bed. That was all she needed to hear, for her comfortable demeanor to slip away.
"Then I suppose preparations are to be made, my most Vicious Valkyrie? I shall assemble a counter-squad of my infiltrators, to be prepared to cause havoc in Ponyville, lest we need the distraction." Chrysalis offers, landing beside her designated mantle. Her crown is gently raised with her magics, placed upon her head.

Unlike Nightmare Moon, who bore fur and feathers, Chrysalis needed little in way of morning routine. Chitin did not get matted laying in bed, and her mane was not the same kind of hair that Ponies like Moon beheld to their scalp.

"Most devious, Chryssi. We shall lay shadow-bound patrols of our own Thestral Knights to await, opening a predictable but subtle path in our patrols, to lure them to a place of our preference. If handled well... hostages, or heads, could prove another crippling blow to Canterlot; one that would buckle them for good." Nightmare Moon relents, holding her head high.

Like two twisted, cruel creatures deeply in tune; this is why their partnership worked so well. Two sides to the same coin, the Brutal Regent, face of the Kingdom, and the Cunning Spymaster, forming foundation in the shadows. The bedroom is soon filled with a most vile, evil laughter as the Twin Queens thoroughly enjoy things so easily falling into place. Not born of coincidence, chance or mishap -- but through cooperation, tactics, and efficiency.

With the chance to cripple another of the Elements, their excitement was abound. Chrysalis threw open the door, buzzing down the spire to relay her commands. A harsh, deep-blue glow enraptured Nightmare Moon, surrounding her -- before she disappeared in a burst of raw energy, intent on the Royal Baths to prepare.

Anontios, still laid back and covered in the blankets, rested his hands on his stomach, fingers interlinked. A cold silence filled the room; in their excitement, he had been given no orders. He simply had no part to play in preparation; his role was in the ensuing action. So, he would wait.

Sleep does not take him, as his slow, quiet breathes continue, looking up to the dome-shaped ceiling, tracing its intricacies with his eyes.

Until there's a quiet shifting, distant in the corner of the room.

Slowly, Anontios head tilts, only partially -- just enough so his eyes can wander towards the sound. Buried in blankets and pillows, he holds a hidden position.

One of the curtains, draped partially over one of the several arches in the wall that leads outwards to the encircling balcony that traces the entire circumference of the spire, rustles quietly. Then a hoof slowly emerges. It is no Thestral, nor a Changeling. It bears not their pointed ears, fangs, or bat-like wings. It is dressed in a simple, fur-concealing bodysuit, with goggles over its eyes. The back is split open, allowing for small, feathery wings to emerge from.

It's a Pegasi, with a yellow-tinted fur, and a hint of red mane peeking out of their hood. Both its mane, and its tail have been cropped short. It silently creeps out from behind the thickly-woven curtains, creeping through the bedroom. How long he's been inside for is unknown -- but their conversation, and morning rest, had not been private. The Queens were not the only ones playing the spy game.

Another sound tickles Anontios' ear, this time towards the door to the bedroom. The unknown Pegasi has crept towards it, and knocks softly. Once. Twice. Then, a three-tap in quick succession.

After a short pause, It creaks open, the quiet sound of careful hooves stepping inside -- with the sound some something dragging, buzzing weakly. Anontios can't see from this angle, the blankets blocking his view; and to lift his head might be to expose himself.

The door carefully clicks shut, and the large room is quiet for a moment. Who ever they are, they're listening.

Anontios paces his breathing, patient. Waiting.

Then, a whispered hush, the intruders softly discussing something. Anontios strains his ear, eavesdropping.

Chapter 6 - Spies

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"Is it clear, Haze?" Cherry Twinkle asks, her soft-red magic wisping away from her horn as it drops the Changeling to the ground.

Mountain Haze and Cherry Twinkle. Mountain Haze, one of the younger Wonderbolts, better tasked at quiet-flying rather than outright speed, was assigned to this secret mission alongside Cherry Twinkle; one of Canterlot Universities most promising Unicorns, skilled in Levitation and Invisibility. Spy on the Queens, get what they can, get out; another, better equipped team would follow their findings after.

"Yeah, Cherry. They both left. The bug-one flew off, and the one that looks like Luna teleported, I think." Mountain Haze nods, looking at what the off-white, pinkish-maned Unicorn had brought in with her. She's dressed similarly to him; a Night-variant of an appropriation of the Wonderbolts outfit, goggles, and a hood, instead of a mask. "Said something about 'you two', but I remember seeing one of Chrysalis bugs bolt out of the room -- looked like this one, actually. We should be alone now."

Taking another glance around the eerily quiet bedroom, Haze can't help but marvel at the grandiosity of it. It's like a coarse mixture of the Changeling hives, and older-than-Canterlot stone construction. Stonework is imbibed by black hiveworks, intermingling the two. Paintings, trophies, statues, banners, curtains -- this place was the works. Not to mention the massive bed in the middle of the room.
"...Could fit like a dozen ponies on that thing." He mutters -- a soft red glow on his cheek pulls his attention back to Cherry.

"What did you hear, Haze? The only thing I was able to find was this weird Drone, waiting around outside the door. Once that Batpony left, I had to knock it around -- it was fast, almost got away." Cherry says quietly, giving the weird bug on the floor a nudge. It was small for a Changeling Drone, and had a weird, jello-like belly that contrasted their usual green and black, with an odd gold. It coughs, buzzing weakly, curling up -- several bruises cover its chitin, as well as a few cracks. Cherry was pretty potent with her telekinesis. "Won't speak, either."

Haze shakes his head at the bug. Weird, but not important. "They know. About the Plan, even that Twilight is leading it. They have a spy in the ranks, still -- I thought that new spell that Twilight and the Princesses cooked up was enough, but I guess not. They're already moving to make a trap, to try to lure them in." He whispers harshly, taking another cautious glance around.

Haze had kept a firm eye on the room. He knew he details. Chrysalis and Nightmare Moon; though he didn't expect them to be that close. Nightmare always spoke weird, in plurals or whatever, but it was just them, this weird bug -- he assumed Chrysalis liked to treat her Changelings in weird ways, since this looked like the one he saw bolt out of the room earlier. The Messenger left, the Evil Queens left... why was the fur on the back of his spine standing up?

"That's... oh, buck, Haze, that's really, really bad. We need to get back to Canterlot and warn them, now." Cherry says, glancing back at the Bedroom door. Still quiet. "Can we get out through the balcony, like we got in?"

Haze nods. "Yeah. You invisible us, I carry you -- but I can't carry two." He warns.

Cherry glances at him, confused, before he nods to the bug. She bites her lip. Buck. They were supposed to be entirely unseen, but the bug just wouldn't leave the door alone. She had to. And now...?

"We can't just leave it here." Cherry states. Haze agrees, nodding.

"But we can't take it, either. It'll slow us down -- and what we know is more important than a Changeling Drone as a prisoner. They never talk, anyway." Haze adds, two contemplating.

"...Do... we...?" Cherry trails off, the topic taking a morbid turn. "We can't just let it tell them we were here. Canterlot needs the counter-surprise, especially. If we can work around their trap..."

Haze sighs, a grim look taking his expression. "It's... just a Changeling. And this opportunity could turn the war, before it has a chance to break out again."

The two share a long look, Cherry's softly-pink eyes wide, looking to Haze for the answer. Innocent. Naive. That's why he liked her so much. After this, he should say something.
"I'll do it." Haze finally mutters, putting a hoof down. "We can stash it in behind something in here. Should buy enough time. I don't think they come here very often, anyway."

"Are you sure, Haze?" Cherry asks quietly. "...I won't say anything about it. We were in, we were out. Right?"

"Yeah. Just, uh... go wait by the curtains, and prepare the invisibility spell. I'll try to be quick, then we'll get out of here." He whispers, nodding solemnly. A guilty gaze flits to the Changeling, huddled in on itself, shivering. This was a last resort, but... it was just a Changeling. Nobody had to know.

Cherry sighs, the tension that had been building in her chest gone, relief clear on her face. She nods.
"Right... thank you, Haze. I--"

There's a rustle in the middle of the room. Before either can react, one of the frilly pillows from the bed pelts into Cherry's face with such force that it bursts on contact. Feathers and fluff explode into the air, Cheery shouting in shock, startled as she stumbles back, spitting feathers out of her mouth, hooves pawing at her face.

Hazes eyes flash open in panic, twisting to look at the mattress -- Buck. He should've listened to his gut. He knew he felt something wasn't right.

There's some kind of creature sitting up on the bed, emerged from the pile of blankets and pillows. Wait, there was another?! Haze swears under his breath, twisting around, stance widening, wings flaring out. He had to protect Cherry. It's his fault -- he only noticed the Queens and that Drone, not this... what the buck was it? How long had it been here?!

It rose slowly from the bed; it was tall. Taller than the Queens, or the Princesses. Haze feels a pit form in his stomach. He needs to get Cherry out, now. But how? He was the one that could fly. She could hover herself with telekinesis, but she'd be a sitting duck to the airborne patrols.

He glances to Cherry, whose still sputtering out feathers, dazed; panic thick in his voice. "Quick, to the window, now--"

Hazes' eyes snap back to the creature as he sees movement in his peripheral; only to find the creature already closed in on him. Haze hadn't correlated its height to its speed, he'd been too worried about Cherry. He tries to tense, to crouch low and launch towards the weird bipeds legs; if he can topple him, he can buy Cherry and him time to get out of there. Buck the Invisibility, they just need to go!

With a guttural roar, Haze steels his nerves and launches at the biped, aiming low.

His eyes widen as it steps to the side as soon as his wings take him off the ground, one of its legs rearing back.

"Cher--"

Anontios' foot rears back, before he drives it into the midsection of the charging Pegasi, sidestepping its obvious tell. Inexperienced, probably. It tries to shout something, but his limb meets it before it can utter anything fully, and the connection takes the wind out of its lungs. There's a heavy, meaty crunch on impact -- the Pegasus flies back, hitting the floor and sliding across it, before slamming against the wall, knocking over one of the Queens busts from its pedestal, cracking on the floor.

The Pegasus groans, one of its wings bent the wrong way. That should keep it down.

His gaze turns to the other -- now he's got a good look at it. A Unicorn, dressed similarly, though off-white with a pinkish mane sticking out of its hood. It's sputtering feathers and trying to use its magic to paw off the burst pillowcase.

In the meantime, he looks down at the third. The Nurse Drone. Taking a knee and carefully scooping it off the floor, ensuring he moves slowly as he slides his hands underneath it. It chitters in concern at first, but recognizes him quickly, pressing into his protective hold. Carried with one arm, leaving the other free, hand tensing into a closed fist. It wouldn't be good if his Queens Drone faced an ill end.

The Unicorn finally yanks the pillowcase off of itself, throwing it aside -- and it's eyes widen as it sees Anontios, knelt only a foot away, now holding the Changeling. She quickly glances around, taking a step back -- seeing the Pegasus on the ground, injured. The Unicorn chokes down a scream, biting her lip, instead coming out more as a worried yelp, face twisting back around to look at him.

Anontios slowly rises to his feet, watching the Unicorn, trying to decide how to handle the situation.

His lack of action only seems to panic it further -- it tries to slowly backpedal towards the Pegasus, horn glowing.

An idea tickles his mind; born not of his head, but of the throbbing in his chest. Thoughts linger to his Queens words only moments prior. They wanted to lay a trap for the coming spies... perhaps a few hostages would be good bait. Anontios hums to himself in affirmation.

This would please them. The Unicorns eyes widen as he approaches, his face turning to a decided, cold expression. The magic around the Unicorn's horn begins to glow brightly, light scattering across the room.

There's another heavy crunch; a chunk of its horn tumbling across the floor, sputtering red sparks as the Unicorn slumps over, crying out in pain.

The main hall of the Castle of the Twin Queens is busier than usual. Mostly, it's the assembled Guard awaiting new orders, as their Queens quietly discuss the intricacies of their plan, translating them into orders.

Queen Nightmare Moon sits upon her Opulent, Regal Throne, enhancing her Royal Image. In her excitement, she'd gone from the Bath, to the Throne; well, she didn't need her armor right now. An urgent reaction to the news of an impending, attempted infiltration demanded just as swift of a response.

She glares down, a detachment of Thestral Guards, armed fiercely to match the Bat-accentuating armor they're donned in, kneel before her. A dozen; eleven Warriors, and a Leader; this one had bands of Blue streaked overtop its silver armor, the same hue as her own, to signify rank.

Moon glances beside, to her other, her most Cunning Compatriot.

Queen Chrysalis, sat upon her own Throne, styled unlike her old one in the Changeling Hives, and now a more pronounced, credible chair that matched a closer aesthetic to Nightmare Moons. In front of her; twenty Changelings, with one of them bearing a deep purple fin that ran down its head, signifying its elite status.

Chrysalis glances to her, and the two share a slow grin. Their forces were better than they'd ever been. Well fed, well trained, well armed. They could almost taste victory already.

The doors to the Throne Room, from deeper inside the Castle, slam open; several heads lift from their kneel, concerned, as the two Queens look behind their thrones, curious who would have the gall to slam a door in their presence.

It's Anontios. Beside him, limps the Nurse Drone. And he has unusual company, though they don't seem willing.

In each of his hands, a Pony dangles, his fists roughly clenching their Manes as anchors as he half-drags, half-carries them into the grand room. Both are dressed in full, near-black uniforms, one with a mask and one with a hood.

The Pegasus suffers a broken wing, blinking hard as it flits in and out of what is likely a concussion, judging by the dribble of red that runs down its forehead. Its words slur, unable to form cohesive thought.

The Unicorn has a broken horn, staring at the ground with distant, defeated eyes, simply hanging limp, hooves dragging on the floor. To shatter a Unicorns horn was akin to shatter their very spirit, a deeply depressive air having grasped the little pony.

The Queens, the Guards, and the attending Warriors watch as Anontios steps between their thrones, down the steps, positioning between the two kneeled squads, and turning to face the Queens. He gives both Queens a polite nod, before dropping both of the Ponies to the floor, taking an attentive stance and clasping his hands behind his back. The Nurse Drone slides beside Chrysalis' throne, sitting down and licking a hoof, smearing gold slime on itself with its tongue.

The Pegasus slumps fully to the floor, groaning and wincing. The Unicorn nearly does the same, but slowly pushes itself to sit properly on its haunches, its gaze locked downwards, avoiding eye contact.

Nightmare Moon glares suspiciously at the two, choosing a moment of silence first as she inspects them. Harsh, vibrant eyes take in their uniforms, their condition... their very presence in her castle. What joyous, devious excitement she'd been sharing with Chrysalis was gone in a mere moment, as her weapon deposits two runts in front of her with naut but a nod.

Chrysalis, however, leans in her throne, propping her head on her hoof. Her tongue slowly flicks out, tracing her lips, as a most cruel smile settles on her face. What a pity neither was in a condition to tremble in fear. One was already fighting for consciousness, and the other had already been broken.

A slow, long smell of the air tickles Chrysalis' excitement even more. Panic, fear, the usual -- but there was a hint of love between these two. Oh, how positively juicy. Her feral grin widens.

The two assembled groups of Soldiers shift to make space for the sudden arrival, looking to the Queens expectantly.

"Anontios. What have you brought us?" Nightmare Moon asks dryly.

"...A gift." Chrysalis answers in his stead, gaining Nightmare Moons attention. "How very sweet of you, our Champion, to think of your Queens so dearly." She chitters, bemused.

Nightmare Moon, at first irritant at the interruption, clues in to Chrysalis' mood. She only gets like this when something is truly intriguing to her; and that's usually either something sadistic, or cunning. Moon tsks, tilting her head back and staring down the length of her snout. Very well, she'd let Chrysalis lead this one. She didn't get this way often, and she had tried to gift Moon with the Manticore fight. She would return the favor.

"Lurking in your chambers, revealed once you had departed." Anontios says simply, holding his stance. "Overheard your plans, and wished to inform your enemies."

Chrysalis excited smile, soon a feral grin, somehow stretches even wider with sadistic glee. This aura seems to feed the other Changelings, who begin sharing cruel smiles between each-other.

Nightmare Moon, on the other hand, finds her mood positively soured, radiating a hateful, sour aura. Several of her Thestrals shy away, glancing to each-other.

"So you have gifted us with captured Spies, dear Champion. But what of my poor Nurse Drone? For what reason does she bear injury? They did not... harm her, did they?" Chrysalis teases out, already fully aware of the answer. She wanted to make this as excruciating as possible. The Unicorn thought herself broken already? The Queen of the Changelings would show her the soul-shattering truth of just how much deeper she could fall.

With the Drone being referenced and referred to as a 'her', it seems to 'Ponyize' the Changeling to the Unicorn, who glares a quick, corner-of-the-eye glances towards the Drone, before looking back to the floor.

"They intended to silence her, permanently, to hide any trace of their presence. I intervened." Anontios states simply.

"Did they now? Celestias little Ponies?" Chrysalis hums, feigning shock and rocking a hoof back and forth. She tilts her head towards Nightmare Moon. "Dearest, Darkest Night -- do you think our plan would benefit from... Bait?" Chrysalis teases, flicking her tongue.

Nightmare Moon slowly glances over, the foulness of her mood practically radiating. She did not explode when she was angry. Not right away. Right now, it was bubbling. Broiling. Her Castle had been penetrated, her plans about to be leaked. It was only from their Weapons actions, that they did not find themselves in the distantly-familiar pits of failure. This deeply, deeply bothered Nightmare. All this success? All this work? For patrols to be circumvented, plans to be aired?

Never again.

"Assuredly, Queen Chrysalis. Their kind can't help but throw themselves into danger, lest a 'friend' be left wanting." She speaks firmly, quickly, harshly. There's no playfulness to her tone, like there is with Chryssi's.

"Hm. Glad we can agree. Oh, but -- eye for an eye, and all that. After all, we only need one bait. Anontios, dear? Kill the..." She trails off, pointing between each with a hoof. The Unicorns eyes go wide, but she continues to stare at the floor. "...Mm... The Pegasus. A young, sweet Unicorn-Mares screams will be much more luring."

Anontios turns, planting his foot against the barrel of the Pegasus. From the way the Pegasus grunts in reaction, he probably had a few busted ribs. Anontios begins to put pressure, pushing down on the injured Pony, who starts to groan louder in pain, hooves clawing at the floor.

"NO!" The Unicorn suddenly shouts, tears welled in her eyes.

Anontios glances to Chrysalis, who nods once. Anontios lifts his foot off, resuming his attentive stand.

Chrysalis is practically beaming. Perfect. Utterly, absolutely, devoutly, perfect. The emotions that were roiling off this Unicorn -- oh, the poor thing was far, far from broken. Yet.

"What's the matter, little Pony? Can't stand to see your colt-friend die for your sake?" She teases, pointedly. The Unicorn doesn't respond, shivering, anxious, heart pounding. "You know... I am a Changeling. The Queen Changeling. An Emotivore. We sense emotions, feed off them. Particularly... Love." Chrysalis whispers out slowly, the Unicorn flinching at the word. "Which means, I know. Just how much he desperately cares for you."

The Unicorn slowly looks up, eyes trailing from the floor. "H-he... he?"

"Oh, so, so much. It seeps off him... not at all like it does you, for him. What a shame." Chrysalis hums, looking away towards one of the windows."

The Unicorn glances around in confusion. "W-What?"

"Anontios, kill the Unicorn. We can string the Pegasus up later." She states offhandedly, as if bored. Anontios nods, turning to the Unicorn. Her eyes widen, locking on the biped.

"N--no, NO! PLEASE!" She cries, stumbling back.

Chrysalis hums, letting her gaze flit back over to the pitiful thing.
"Well? What's it to be? We only need one of you, Pony. You, or the Pegasus?"

She stutters, glancing back between the Pegasus, Chrysalis, unable to answer.

"If he was the conscious one, he wouldn't hesitate to offer himself. Sad, isn't it? To love so fiercely, but not be loved in turn? Oh, but what do I know -- I only feed on the stuff." Chrysalis sighs, letting her head loll to a side dramatically.

"Decide, Queen Chrysalis. Before we smear them both across the floor. We tire of this." Nightmare Moon chimes in gruffly.

The Unicorn swallows, hard, visibly shaking, tears running down her face. "N-No, I... I love him, I wouldn't do that t-to him. B-but, I don't w-want to... I have a s-sister, she... I can't leave her..." She trails off, hyperventilating, settling deeper than it had.

Chrysalis smiles widely.

Time for the kill.

Slowly, the Insectid Matriarch saunters off her Throne, stepping down towards the Unicorn, who flinches back as Chrysalis starts to curl around her, like a snake, strangling its prey.
"Really? Well, my poor, sweet thing... perhaps something can... be arranged. I know of a fairly... popular, pair of commodities around here. The first? Information. The second? Compliance."

The Unicorn stares at Chrysalis' twisted grin, her off-white fur somehow paler. "I...I could never! I--"

Chrysalis tsks dismissively, nodding at Anontios. He turns, planting his foot against the Pegasus again. Hard. The Pegasus lets out a startled shout, writhing in pain under Anontios' foot, ribs threatening to splinter.

Chrysalis turns to look at the Unicorn. And every one of her expectations are beautifully met. It's like watching a whole world shatter in front of her eyes, an entire moral code, an entire personal mantra -- the entire wrappings of what it was to be, this little, white-and-pinkish pony. And it all. Crumbles. Apart.

She breaks. The light in her eyes practically turns dull, and the voice that follows it is but a hoarse whisper.

"Please. P-please, stop. I'll do it. A-anything. Don't h-hurt him." The Unicorn mumbles, face raw with tears.

But Chrysalis' face, staring down at this shattered mare?

Euphoria.

"No, Cherry... d-don't... let me... don't do this." The Pegasus suddenly mumbles out, eyes trying to open as the bipeds foot is taken off his torso.

And Chrysalis can practically taste when his heart breaks, eyes finding the state the Unicorn has fallen into.

Broken Horn. Broken Spirit. Broken Will. A shell to be used, nothing more.

Nightmare Moon sours slightly that she won't get to punish them further... but, emotional and mental anguish was Chrysalis' forte, while hers was physical. And physical pain, at this point, would do little but dull the severity of what Chrysalis had just forced that little mare to endure.

She'd have to settle for how Anontios crippled them, and how Chrissy broken them. A fractured horn was no light punishment for a unicorn, after all.

Chrysalis slowly climbs back to her Throne, placing her hindquarters gently on its seat as she joins her others side oncemore, her twisted game finished.

"Prepare a Cell for them in the Dungeons, and hold them there. Have one of our Thestral healers ensure they will not die, and nothing more. This... 'Cherry' and her willing cooperation will decide the severity of their fates.

Several Thestrals and Changeling guards split off to escort the new prisoners, dragging them into the depths of the Twin Queens castle. The Pegasus weakly protests, but the Unicorn trudges along willingly, staring far, far into the distance, even as the Pegasus tries to call her name.

The rest of the gathered Soldiers break off to perform their tasked duties. Preparation for the Canterlot infiltration attempt -- now renewed with prime bait. The flight patrols above the fog, and the path through the castle to the dungeon, would be lightly guarded. Then, trapped in the bowels of the stoney spire... they would find themselves unable to leave.

"A remarkable gift you have given us, our Champion. Such a... tumultuous treat. A hostile act warded. One of my prized Nurse Drones, saved. And both culprits, brought to me. To us." Chrysalis hums, borderline sing-song. Her gaze flits to Nightmare Moon, a playful smile taking her face. Moon stares back, but eventually a slow, dry chuckle escapes her. There was still plenty of reason to be upset... but once again, the scales of balance swerve in their favor.

"You served us dutifully, Anontios. We did not order you to do anything, and you acted in our best interests nonetheless. You handled this... quite, quite well. We only wish we'd had a chance to break them ourselves, but... Chrysalis had that covered, once you had softened them up." Nightmare Moon notes, snorting softly. "Return to your station. Court is to begin, and we can find a... suitable reward, for your services, later."

This gets a teasing grin from Chrysalis, but an eye-roll from Nightmare Moon. "Not what we meant, Chryssi."

"Oh, for how long, our Terrifying Tyrant? We both know how that thought process will go." Chrysalis teases back, which Nightmare Moon ignores.

Anontios slowly scales the steps again, taking his place between their Thrones. The Nurse Bug shifts slightly, scooting to sit against his foot, unnoticed by either Queen.

Chrysalis rode a Euphoric high for the next several hours; while her kind feeds on love, she was a sadistic, conniving sort, and to so brutally shatter a young, innocent will? It showed she was in true, perfect form, and that their Champion -- Moons Weapon, her Toy -- while not exactly what was advertised in ancient scripture, was already proving worthwhile.

Nightmare Moon flitted between annoyance that she wasn't able to handle it herself, and a muted pleasure from knowing that her and her others investment already worked to serve them, even beyond their orders. Protection of their plans, their people; dutiful, perfect servitude. She hums, spending most of court musing on what 'Reward' she might supply.

Anontios feels nothing. No excitement at the prospect of reward, no sadistic glee at inflicting pain, no ambition for the plans of the unfolding future. He is empty.

The dull, fiery pulsing in his chest, where his heart should be; the only thing he can feel. It tells him to feel Pride. His Queens are pleased with him. He has served them. He has been loyal.

The pulsing stings, like daring to touch an open flame. His lip twitches.

He feels the Nurse Bug nestle against his leg, still smearing golden goop on its own hoof with its tongue. His sight over the Throne Room, and his cold, hard stance, falters for a moment as he looks down.

It stares up at him, with its big, emerald, pupiless eyes. Appreciation.

The stinging in his chest begins to fade.

Both Queens lean over the side of their Thrones, resting their shoulders and necks against each side of his torso. The soft fur of Nightmare Moon on his left, the chitinous flesh of Chrysalid on his right, both their heads leaning against his shoulders. Their unique warmths, their scents. Their affections, that he had earned.

The stinging in his chest disappears.

The doors to the front of the Throne Room open, pushed open by dutiful Changelings, as a mixture of Batpony and Bug enter the hall. The Twin Queens shift to properly rest upon their royal seats, flicking Anontios, and each-other, a knowing glance, as Court is slated to begin.

Their Desires. His Will. As it shall always be. For what else is one to do, for the creatures they love?

Chapter 7 - Fittings to Feelings

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Haze, and Cherry. The names of their new prisoners. Not that it meant much to Anontios.

Haze remains in their Cell, in the dungeon below, under constant guard. Depending on Cherry's behavior, his treatment and access to sustenance varies. For the moment, his injuries are bound; as are his limbs. He's still light-headed, and mumbles for Cherry when he's awake. Suit removed, his cutie mark of a foggy mountain range is clear, sat on almost mustard-yellow fur, his mane a stark red compared to Cherry's pink.

Cherry, now stripped of her uniform, fully reveals her off-whitish fur, matted pinkish mane and tail, and a cutie mark in the style of a pair of cherries, surrounded by a sparkle of deep red. A harsh, metal collar sits on her neck, denoting her new position; no magic reducer sits on her horn, for there is little point. It's now a broken fragment of a once-full horn, sputtering red sparks weakly; while a Unicorns horn can be healed, it's a dicey process, and requires the fragments to be carefully re-assembled to the base of the horn. Of which, Chrysalis has hidden, using it as motivation.

Motivation, for her compliance, and her information. Chrysalis primarily enjoys teasing both out of the broken Mare, as she's escorted around the Castle, kept close to Queen Chrysalis as a twisted Advisor of sorts. Constantly guarded by a pair of Changeling Guard, for the moment, Queen Chrysalis was keeping herself busy manipulating her plans around what she extracted from the Pony, leaving Anontios to accompany Nightmare Moon.

The Nurse Drone assigned to Anontios long-term health has made a sufficient recovery, and returned to following him. At a distance, thanks to a possessive glare from Nightmare Moon.

The rhythmic hammering of the Castles Forge denoting its workers currently hard at work, clanking, whirring and bellows blowing. Nightmare Moon stands a stern watch over them, as a mixture of both Changeling and Thestral forge a specific request. Nightmare Moon had figured her reward; and while she enjoyed the view, she wanted her Weapon to be armed appropriately. So he was to be forged and clad in proper armor, and granted sufficient steel to bear.

Stood by the window, Anontios catches a rare glimpse of outside the Twin Queens Castle; the last time he saw it, he'd been with Queen Chrysalis, hunting a Cockatrice. A small distance from the castle, the fog swirls gently in the distance. An 'Eye of the Storm' situation, the roiling the mist that guarded the Twin Queens land stopped as it neared the castle, allowing for a small settlement of Thestrals and Changelings to form around its exterior. Outside, it's far more akin to an actual town or village, a variety of the two species going about their day-to-day, conversing and working under the eternal dusk that has permanently gripped their lands; something that both the Thestrals and the Changelings seem partial to, preferring to shy away from the day.

The forge is lead by a short, but burly Thestral with a deeply rich chocolate coat, and a splatter of a short black mane, a pair of crossed hammers on his flank. Aided by several assistants, mostly Thestrals, though a Changeling is among their rank, they mix the tasks between working the metal, measuring Anontios, and taking directions from Queen Nightmare. She's very involved in the process.

Currently, the burly Thestral is trying to decipher the dusty, worn tome that Queen Nightmare Moon has placed in front of it. It was one of the few sources that spoke of his still unknown origins; but such was not her concern at the time.

"Pallid Pauldron. As you can see, it's depictions clearly show Pauldrons, Vambraces, a proper Helmet..." Nightmare Moon explains, pointing to a... very primitive drawing of Anontios.

"And not much else." The Thestral, 'Pallid Pauldron', tsks."...My Queen, should we not fit it with a Breastplate? If this is to be your personal Right-Hand Weapon, enactor of your will..."

Nightmare Moon huffs. As head Forgemaster, Pallid was afforded a very slight allowance in demeanor towards her Queen. Primarily, because Pallid did such good work, and had a real head for these things. However, so did Nightmare Moon.

"We do not see the need for such." Nightmare Moon protests. Normally, that would be the end of it. But, Pallid, pushed by the oddness of just who the armor was for, makes a final nudge.

"What if we asked... it, your Majesty? What might it prefer?" Pallid offers, expecting a scolding.

Instead, Nightmare Moon's eyes crawl over the Forge, settling on Anontios. Back facing her, hands clasped, watching their little dusk-ruled world from the window.

"... Very well. Anontios. Explain why you would dress the way you did, in these depictions. How did you normally arm yourself?" She prods, both Nightmare and Pallid looking to the Human. "How did your armies march on your foe?"

Softly taken from his pleasant watch over the quiet town that surrounded the Twin Queens Castle, he turns to face them; and his memories trickle. The question allows him answers, momentarily.

A dusty, sand-ridden arena. Small. Stonework surrounds, a much more meager version of the one the Twin Queens had built. Anontios wears little, and is armed with little; a pauldron scavenged from one of the other contestants, a blade bloody with its masters innards.
"I had no Armies, nor fought in one. I fought in the Pits, armed with whatever the fallen could offer. Grant me whatever you see fit, and it will be used. The less I wear, the harder it is for Magic to grasp me; but the more I wear, the more mistakes I can make." Anontios states simply.

Nightmare and Pallid share a glance. Nightmare takes a few, curious steps towards Anontios.
"No Armies? What did you fight?"

"Man. Beast. Slave. Gladiators. Anything in the Pit." Anontios answers quickly. There's a dull pulsing in his skull, like a headache is forming. Answers flow, but their sources do not. Only meager glimpses of the Arena's he's seen, the people he's fought. They're already fading away.

Nightmare Moon is close now, tilting her head. She's inches away, looking over his face with half-lidded eyes.
"...And why did you fight? What for? What drove you to... tear apart your enemies, to carve your path forward?"

"Freedom." He states simply; his gaze twisting from the distant, at-attention stare, to a piercing gaze that met Nightmare Moons eyes. The irony is a blunt, dull stab into the fun Nightmare had been having with her Weapon, and she takes a step back. Anontios is just as quick to break the gaze, and returns to idly staring at the wall.

She had been foolish. This was a creature bound by Magic alone, tied to their Desires from accident. A snarl slowly settles on her face.
"You have served another, in this Capacity?" She tests, expecting nothing good.

"...No." Anontios mumbles. The headache is throbbing, making him squint.
"My treatment in my prior life is... incomparable. I have no reason to waste this granted life with anything but gratitude, and servitude."

"And do you say that in an attempt to appease us?" She snarls. Pallid takes a generous step back.

Anontios, however, takes a generous step forward, closing the distance between himself and Nightmare Moon. She looks at him with surprise; there's but a singular moment granted. A moment, where she is too surprised to lash out -- and a moment, where the headache... fades, as he gazes into her eyes. But, so do the memories.

His hand cups her cheek, and he kisses her.

Pallid, and the Apprentices, watch slack-jawed as their most cruel and evil Regent is... lovingly kissed, and caressed across the cheek by his thumb.

No tongue. No force. The hand does not hold her in place, it merely offers a warm comfort, his lips pressed to hers; a tender testament.

Nightmare Moon is frozen, staring at him. Processing. She finds herself still returning the kiss -- something she chastises herself for as he pulls away.

"I serve you, because the Magic in my heart thrums with the demand that I do." Anontios whispers. "But I obey it, more than willingly, because it is for you that it demands I serve."

"What, you obey because we treat you better than your prior Master?" Nightmare scoffs -- but she does not pull away from the hand. A testing poke, from the depths of her own heart.

"Much better. I've never shared my Master's bed before." He leans close, and whispers in her ear -- the borderline raunchy answer, compared to his usual subservient, loyalty-spouting answers throws Nightmare for a loop, and then some.

Pallid and the apprentices watch as the near-pitch-black Nightmare Moon's face glows into a deeply-set blue blush.

Still, she does not pull away.

Maybe she was foolish. But... perhaps, with him, she was allowed to be?

Chapter 8 - Preparations

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Twilight paces, nervously, back and forth in front of her gathered troupe, at Celestia's request. They'd been leant one of the Guest Rooms for their planning; the spacious bedroom refitted with a table, map, and the supplies they'd need.

She'd gathered a team. Three Wonderbolts, two Unicorns from the Canterlot University, a Griffon Mercenary, a Royal Guard volunteer, and a Bat-Pony volunteer.

Twilight wishes she could have involved more of the Elements, like Dash... but Dash was still recovering. Physically, and Mentally.

One of the Castles guards slowly trots past the rooms open doors, on Patrol.
"Any word back yet?" Twilight asks aloud, the guard pausing. He shakes his head. Twilight sighs, dejected.

She'd sent two of her troupe, Mountain Haze and Cherry Twinkle, a Wonderbolt and a University Unicorn, ahead to scout. One was skilled in Silent Flying, the other in, Invisibility with a minor in Telekinesis. While they were both fresher faces, they were only to sweep in above the fog, listen along the outskirts of the Castle, pick up what information they could, and return.

They'd been gone two days past deadline, and Twilight was worried.

What had her really, really worried, was Princess Luna. Yesterday, she came charging into the Throne Room in the middle of the day -- interrupted a meeting between some of the royal Advisors, demanding to speak to Princess Celestia, privately. Twilight still hadn't been briefed on what, but it had something to do with dreams, Twilight was sure.

She stops in front of the table, leaning on it, sighing. The rest of the troupe, who'd been idly preparing, look at her expectantly. Twilights eyes slowly trail over whose left. A shiver runs up her spine when she thinks those words.

The remaining two Wonderbolts. Chocolate Rain and Dizzy Spires; a full-brunette and chocolate-chip cookie colored pair. The former a Stallion, the latter a Mare. Laid-back and fun having, high-strung and petty, respectfully.

The one Unicorn, Sahila Sage. A turbulent mix of pink and blue, with a cocky air. Undeniably skilled at Offensive-style Magics.

Their Guard volunteer, Shameless Steel. Stout, quiet type, dependable. He's been making sure their weapons were sharp. Twilight hoped they wouldn't need them, but...

Their Griffon Mercenary, Gruffle -- light-brown feathers with golden tips. As long as he's paid, he'll do what he's asked to, no questions. And on a Canterlot payroll, he's more than willing.

And their Bat-Pony volunteer, Sleek Sulfur. Ashy-grey fur, black mane, little fangs, big smile. Chipper, eager to help.

"I... think we need to assume the worst, and that Haze and Cherry have been captured." Twilight says aloud, gaining their full attention. There's a collective mumbling; not a great start for morale.

"Or worse." Shameless Steel adds, dropping a sharpened blade on the table, startling several.

"Let's try not to think like that--" Twilight tries to cut in, but Shameless shakes his head.

"This is war in all but name, Miss Sparkle.

"Haze is tough; he'll keep that Unicorn safe." Chocolate puffs, stepping up to butt in.

As does the University Unicorn. "Cherry is more than capable. Do not doubt our stock."

"Right. So -- we need to move forward with the plan. We'll need to see if we can find them... but, here." Twilight says, unravelling and laying out a map. The others move closer, curious.

"When did we get this?" The Bat-Pony Sulfur chimes in.

"We had some high-fliers sketch out a general layout, higher than the fog goes. It's difficult to see, but we've hopefully got a better layout than Haze or Cherry were working with. Now..." Twilight begins to point on the map with her hoof, tracing out a path.

"Those with wings will high, using the clouds. Dusk is permanent around the Castle; so it doesn't matter what time of day we go.

"You gonna be able to keep up, Gruffy boy?" The other Wonderbolt, Dizzy chirps.

Gruffle flexes a claw, inspecting one of his talons silently. Dizzy purses her lips, shaking her head.

"Sleek; the population around the Castle is Thestral, and Changeling. We're going to send you, and Sage together; you in a disguise, and Sage masquerading as a Changeling in disguise, using traces of their magic."

"Sure, sounds easy! Just gotta be a mean ol' Thestral." Sleek grins, trotting in place.

Sage huffs. "Is there a difference between Thestrals and Bat Ponies?"

Sleek shrugs. "Those who like Nightmare Moon and want her to rule lean on Thestral. Those who like Harmony or want to push to move on go by Bat-Pony, for solidarity."

"Right. And finally, Shameless and Myself will use an advanced Invisibility spell, and sneak in through another side entrance."

Shameless is silent, but nods in affirmation.

Twilight glances around to the assembled troupe. They look about as ready as they'll ever be.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sit silently in the study, door locked shut, guards posted. Celestia looks... distant.

"We have given you the day, as you requested, Sister. Please." Luna pleads, nuzzling her sister. When she'd informed Celestia of what she had seen in her dreams... Celestia was oddly quiet, and asked for a day to answer her why.

"...A thousand years, Luna. Do you want to know for how many of them I have been a good Princess?" Celestia speaks aloud, not looking to her sister.

Luna tilts her head expectantly.

"...Perhaps, four hundred years. The rest, I have had history buried. Equestria is larger than you remember it, right?" Celestia continues.

Luna nods. Expansion was obvious, for a growing nation.

"I could not... handle, losing you. I didn't even make it a hundred years. Ninety-Nine years after your banishment... I became Daybreaker. The stress mounted, the pressure to pave a road forward for m--Our, Little Ponies. So... I paved our way south. Through force. Into occupied lands." Celestia sighs, looking distantly away, remembering.

"Sister... we hardly held ourselves to the standard we hold ourselves now, and we are proud of your progress." Luna insists.

"There was an entire race of people, Luna. Humans. Like the one you described. Bipedal, similar to Minotaurs, but no fur. No horns. Thin, dexterous fingers. And I know almost nothing about them... because when my forces rolled over their border, when they would not surrender... Daybreaker... no, I burnt them. I burnt them all to the ground, Luna. I wiped their people from their own lands, and buried what happened over generations. Now, only the Dragons remember who the Humans were... and they aren't the kind to much care." Celestia speaks, though her tone is hollow, guilt apparent.

"By Faust, Tia. An entire species?" Luna mumbles, shocked. Her eyes grow wider as her sister recounts the harsh tale.

"As advanced as us, back then." Celestia nods.

"...And what of the Bones, that were taken?" Luna prods.

"I don't know. My own campaign to bury them was so effective, even I do not remember if they were someone notable." Tia sighs. Luna's description, unfortunately, did not ring any bells.

"Then why keep them at all?" Luna asks.

"I found them... long, after the fact. Nearly two hundred years ago, by accident. A... reminder, of the Mare I refuse to become again." Tia relents.

"This creature... they have resurrected it, then. It's dreams are filled with grief. It remembers it's home, and how it burned. I did not see you, Sister; but I did see the Queens meddling." Luna recounts.

"I pray that Twilight brings a positive result to her mission... I am unsure of what else we can do, here. We're still rebuilding... re-arming is slow. And if they have a vengeful, cruel Human, bolstered by the artefacts? I shudder to think of what may happen next." Celestia groans, rubbing her temples. Luna is quick to lean against her sister for comfort.

"Did you find out it's name?" Celestia asks weakly.

"...No. I will try to find out more, when it rests next." Luna offers, steeling herself.

"Please, be careful Sister. I know not the dangers that this creature offers." Celestia softly protests.

The two share a long hug, before parting to resume their days tasks. If there was anyone who would have her Sisters back, it was Luna; no matter what she did. Celestia meant well, now, and that's what mattered.

Chapter 9 - Thoughts

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Luna slowly walks the halls, to return to her chambers for her rest. Her Sisters words and revelations hang heavily over her head, her memory trying to recall.

A thousand years on the Moon... was a traumatic experience. Enough time to not only drive one to Madness, alone, stranded; but to loop back around to some twisted grasp of Sanity. It was something that Luna worked through, with her Sister; especially now that Nightmare was no longer part of her.

Nightmare Moon was born of the corrupt influences of the Evil that naturally rests on the Moon; something they didn't know until now.

Once separated, Luna was shocked to find it had become a twisted copy of her. The likeness was undeniable, though they were presented to the other for only a short moment. A thousand years of intermingling, stewing, scheming; every possible emotion was felt, every moment shared.

And now, that Nightmare sought to use a dark shadow from her Sisters past to crush them. How did they know about it? Did... Luna, know about it, and forget?

The halls are softly bustling with activity, repairs underway, guards patrolling, staff servicing. Day Court has been closed since the attack Canterlot recovers. But Luna pays little attention to the world around her, trying to recall her own memory, of the time before her Banishment.

It was... hazy, and terrible times that she buried down to become a better Pony. Like most things from a thousand years ago, she remembered little; especially another neighboring nation, when they were so focused on trying to unite the Tribes, and hold back that horrid, frigid winter.

Daybreaker... Luna had never seen her Sisters worst form, shared to her in secrecy and trust. To have expanded Equestria in her absence with an Imperial fist, and to have done so in such a brutal fashion, that she felt the need to bury Equestria's own history, so it might not hinder Harmonies development...

A long sigh escapes Luna. She could not imagine what her Sister went through in her absence. So quickly after becoming Alicorns, they had lost so much. It was horrible, but it was not her position to judge what her Sister had done. Not yet.

Luna needed to speak with the creature. To hear what it had to say. What it felt. How it felt. The pain was still, clearly set deep in it's heart... but Luna believed that, yet again, Alicorns toyed with Humanity.

Her Sister burned their very nation, their people, to the ground. Now Nightmare and Chrysalis revive its remains, to serve them.

Do they deserve rest? Do they deserve a chance to return? Who was the one in the right to decide? What did the Human think?

Luna's mind is so busy, she doesn't even notice Twilight and her team trot by, suited up for their mission.

Celestia sits alone in the Study, mind heavy. Plagued, by swirling doubt and thought.

She had gotten so used to being able to push away the cruel, harsh memories of the past. To enjoy the simple, stagnant, Harmonic life. Simple Day Court. Solve ponies problems, handle evil.

The fireplace across the Study begins to flicker embers, despite no tinder. No fire.

She had done so much to forget. And now, she pushes her Sister away -- out of shame. She had slandered her sister -- Nightmare Night, a day to remember how villainous her Sister had been. Had she truly changed?

The embers brighten, a small flame catching on the logs.

Such an Evil act, her Sisters, to demand an equal share of their peoples love, and a place for her favored kin, the Bat-Pony.

The fire brightens, splashing its brilliant light across the room. Celestia spirals deeper, chest heavy with panicked breaths.

"After all, what is a Sibling Dispute to a Genocide?" A most wicked voice teases.

The cruel, taunting voice makes Celestia flinch -- eyes wide in panic as they look to the Fireplace. Slowly, crawling out of the looming, crackling flame that threatens to spill from its hearth... herself. Cruel. Fanged. Grinning. Aflame.

Daybreaker.

Her slow laugh fills the room, heavy and haughty. Celestia steps back, panic settling in her chest.

"I got rid of you. For good. Never again." Celestia defiantly ~~exclaims~~ mutters, like a pitiable welp.

"Yes, we remember how we tried so, so hard to forget. Nearly Lobotomizing ourself with that shameful attempt at a memory alteration spell. Leave it to Starswirl the FOOL to muck up yet another spell." Daybreaker cackles, shaking her head at the weak refraction of herself, stood in front of her. Cowering.

"I tried to remove YOU!" Celestia shouts, stamping her hoof. "WE ARE NOT ONE! I REFUSE YOU!" Tears begin to well in the corner of her eyes, heart pounding. Daybreaker is bored by such a visage of weakness.

"And so we continue to tell ourselves, time and time again. An excuse, that everything we have done, to be here, where we are now... was not our fault. It never is, is it, 'Tia'?" Daybreaker spits, disgusted by the weakness of such a lackluster nickname.

True Queen Daybreaker's flaming hooves burn slow holes in the carpet, the fire dredging upwards from the fireplace, catching on the walls, the bookcases, the banners. The room glows, far brighter than before. Of course it does. We are here. Such is the will of any room that bears the honor of our presence.

"Luna was able to have the Nightmare be removed from herself. And I, Faust willing, will--" Celestia starts, an adorable attempt at defiance -- it's broken instantly, Daybreaker throwing her head back and laughing.

"HAHAHA! FAUST?! Oh, we are far worse off than we thought. Perhaps we should start to refer to ourselves in the singular -- it is beginning to pain me to be related to you in any sense of the form." Daybreaker cuts Celestia off, laughing in her face and disregarding her. "Faust is who made us, who we ARE! Luna, oh, don't me started. We did worse to her than we ever did to ourself." She sneers.

"What? I never caused any harm to Luna! I never --" Stop lying to us, Celestia. Do not bark at the mirror and expect it to be convinced that it sees anything but itself.

Celestia trails off, her back legs faltering. She lands on her haunches, as Daybreaker looms, the ever-glorious horizon. The flames in the study are raging, threatening to consume the entire room.

"Look at Luna, our dear Sister, and tell her she's not half the Mare she once was. We refuted her disgusting Bat-Kin, banished her to a thousand years of naut but her own thoughts... slandered her with the crimes of our own, pinning the very people she wanted the love and affection of against her." Daybreaker continues, her sweetly sinister voice hovering just beside Celestia's ear.

Celestia stares at the floor, face twisted in ~~horror~~ shame, for what a weak, pitiable Mare she has become.

"And when we brought her back? Oh, it's the only reason we still talk with ourself. We still have it in us. To split her, her very soul, in twain with the Elements? HA! We were surprised by your cruel creativity, 'Tia'. Now, we parade her around as a pitiable prize, as she degrades herself for our affection. Smaller. Weaker. Relegated to her lonesome night where she belongs. Her Bat-Ponies still on the fringes, where they deserve to be. And Nightmare Night? Still in full swing? OH, We. Are. Devious! We even have her thinking it's a good thing!" Daybreaker carries on, waving a hoof about, watching ~~Celestia~~ Her Weakest Form crawl deeper and deeper inside herself.

"I... I won't..." Celestia tries to retort, on the last stretch of her own sanity, lip trembling.

Daybreaker leans close, nose touching Celestia's ear. A cold shiver runs down Celestia's spine. The heat is unbearable.

"Just because you split your Sisters soul in half, does not mean you yourself are two different entities. It's disgusting how firmly you lie to yourself, and how easily you harm those around you to reaffirm them." Celestia mutters to herself.

The study doors burst open -- Celestia blinks, snapping her head up.

The study is quiet, dark. Light now only spills in from the opened door, a worried Twilight glancing around as she finds Celestia, sitting pitiably in a puddle of her own sweat and tears.

No flames, no damage. The Fireplace is still, and quiet. The Study as it was.

"Princess! I heard you were in the study, and got worried when you didn't answer! Are you..." Twilight speaks up, trotting inside to join her mentor. The rest of her little team wait outside the doors.

She pauses as she gets close, seeing the state Celestia is in, worry twisting onto her face.
"...Princess? Is everything alright? Did something happen?"

Celestia's traumatized face slowly turns to her ~~student~~ Victim. One of many.

"...Of course, Twilight. A... moment of weakness, following a good talk with our other. We will be alright." Celestia assures, placing a calming hoof on Twilights shoulder.

Twilight smiles, reassured. "I'm glad you and Luna were able to figure some things out. I wanted to inform you, we're heading out now to..." Twilight continues to explain the basics of their plan, and how they plan to leave now.

Yes, Luna...

Twilight finds Celestia is warmer than usual; her eyes bearing a faint, orange tint as she listens to her student speak. She thinks little of it, trusting in her Mentor completely.

Chapter 10 - Bug Buddy

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Nightmare Moon, after having Anontios properly measured and fitted, has dismissed him for the rest of the day, sending him to Chrysalis. Herself, she had taken multiple bottles of Wine from the stores, and locked herself in her Study, not to be disturbed.

Queen Chrysalis is still drawing information from Cherry -- and Anontios presence disrupts it, putting her in a panic whenever he's near. He the one responsible for breaking her horn, after all.

Anontios stands in one of the many nondescript hallways of the Castle, his only company the little Nurse Drone -- with Nightmare gone, it now stands dutifully at his leg. The thing barely comes up to his knee, legs a blur as it scuttles after him to keep up.

Since he'd caught the Spies, they'd placed a hefty trust onto him, no longer needing to accompany him throughout the Castle.

Though, they often still would. It was a good look, having your Prized Weapon posted at attention, trailing you around, guarding you dutifully.

Now... Anontios had 'Free Time'.

His chest pulses a dull, quiet blue. It catches the attention of the Nurse Drone, who tilts her head, staring up at him.

He leans down, picking up the little bug and settling it into the nook of his elbow, carrying it.

Without the Queens... what did he Desire?

His chest pulses again, his lip curling. Pain.

What did he Desire?

The Queens.

Without the Queens?

A pulse. Pain.

... When did he become aware of this?

Anontios' hand roams to his chest, palm meeting the dull, soft-blue glow that occasionally pulses through his scarred skin. There is no heartbeat.

A passing pair of Thestral and Changeling guard pauses on their patrol, looking at him. They glance between each-other -- of course they recognized the Queens Personal Guard.

"...Everything alright, Sir?" The Thestral speaks up -- getting a smack on the shoulder from the Changeling.
"Do not question it! That is treason! Of course it--"

"I don't think so." Anontios speaks. It's not the same voice that speaks to Nightmare, or Chrysalis. It burns his throat, chest pulsing.

The Thestral and Changeling fall silent, glancing between each other.
"Any... thing we can do to help?"

The Changeling Guard keeps glancing at the Drone, now curious.

"Where is somewhere I can go to think?" Anontios asks. Again, his throat stings.

It's like his body... punishes his own choices if they do not relate to the Queens?

That revelation sends a searing pulse of pain in the back of his skull. Anontios flinches, hand reaching up to hold his neck. His thoughts, too.

The two Guards glance between each-other, concerned.
"Uh... I'd recommend the Bathhouse. Good soak in some warm water should help, Sir... Are you sure you're alright?"

Anontios doesn't respond, teeth gritting as he starts forward.

Outside the Castle. That would be a good start.

The frontal Gate to the Castle itself is guarded by several Thestrals and Changelings, who stand at attention as he passes through. There's hushed whispers, but they recognize his position.

As he walked through the halls, the Nurse Drone began slathering chest with it's... goop, sensing his discomfort.

Surprisingly, it helped. The pulsing in his chest was quieter.

The main road, leading from the castle, looks to be a recently laid cobble-road. Every other path is dirt; since their lands sit firmly between Ponyville and the Everfree, there's some natural overlap, especially on the side closest to the Everfree.

While Guards do roam, there's a significant amount of non-combatants. Thestrals and Changelings; with the permanent Dusk, both feel comfortable. Thestrals, in a psuedo-night setting that is 'Close Enough' to the Night they desire, and Changelings, who do not feel exposed by the Day, allowing them to form more open-ended Hive constructs.

Old-Equestria style housing and infrastructure intermingles with Hive tunnels, formed constructs and fortifications. Everything has a darker, harsher edge to it, as befitting of The Twin Queens, but... their people live in peace.

While their cruelty is 'Outdated' to the rest of the world, it is undeniable that they are still Queens. And while they demand loyalty, they offer safety in return. Changelings openly feed on willing Thestrals, their populations heavily intermingled. There's even a few outliers, mostly Ponies, likely either the few that a Harmonic Equestria does not agree with, those jaded and sent away, or those who relate closer to the struggles and rule of the Twin Queens. Having found brethren to weather the Harmonic storm with, the town that surrounds the Twin Castle is... peaceful. Guards chat with the Civilians. Shops are open, as well as several market stalls propped up around the various roads. The streets are clean. Foals, Thestral and Changeling alike, run through the streets -- the little Changelings bursting into various other creatures, as the Thestrals flap around, in the air as much as they are on the ground.

This brings Anontios... peace. The Arena made his heart thrum with... distant, foggy pulses of Prideful Glory.

This?

He could sit and watch this for hours.

The Bathhouse finally comes into view, pointed out with a soft chitter from the Nurse Drone under his arm; notable from its very open structure, large pillars, and heavy inclusion of water in it's design. Several soaked Thestrals and Changelings meander from its depths.

He passes a Thestral and another one of those Outliers, a Unicorn, as he slowly climbs the steps, heading inside.

Sleek Sulfur and Sahila Sage pause on the road, as the biped described to them by Twilight, from Luna's report, passes them. They share a quick glance, pausing.

"Is that...?" Sleek whispers, trying to look casual. She, like Sahila, are dressed for blending in the open, which means no sneaking gear for them. Just one of the many Thestrals. For Sahila, he's disguised as another Pony entirely, bearing practically opposite colors to himself, pegasus wings, and lightly coated with a tinge of Changeling Magic traces; to sell the idea that he's a transformed Changeling. It wasn't a disguise spell or Changeling magic itself, but an illusion spell that altered what anyone who viewed him would see. It was draining, but very powerful.

"He radiates the very energy we've been looking for. For the sake of the mission, we must tail him; I hope Twilight can handle the delay." Sahila returns, also whispering. "Keep your distance. Remember, he is as potent as the Queens, based on Magic Presence alone."

Sleek nods; they wanted to follow orders, but an opportunity like this can't go wasted.
"Let's try to be quick."

The two glance around, before trailing after the strange Biped, entering the Bathhouse after it.

The Twin Queens Consort

by scrungusbungus

Prologue - A Profane Ritual

Chapter 1 - The Arena

Chapter 2 - Punishment

Chapter 3 - Undisturbed

Chapter 4 - Concerns

Chapter 5 - Thoughts of Home

Chapter 6 - Spies

Chapter 7 - Fittings to Feelings

Chapter 8 - Preparations

Chapter 9 - Thoughts

Chapter 10 - Bug Buddy