"Are You Not Afraid Of Me?"

I walked through the heart of our colony and noticed that many of my subjects had stopped their activities such as fighting or digging and paused in awe to see me taking an outsider into our home. I expected such a reception, however I was Queen and if my plan succeeded then our colony’s recovery to launch another invasion on Equestria would rapidly increase. From a group of Changelings, one approached me curiously.

“Excuse me my Queen, but what is an outsider doing here?” he asked in Changeling. I was wondering when one of them would get brave.

“I have a plan my subject and you must obey me if it is to work. If I’m correct then our food supply will grow immensely, unless you have a problem with that?” I emphasized the last statement, as I wanted to remind him that I could easily overpower him.

“No my Queen,” the Changeling said and backed into the crowd. I did not think so, I thought to myself.

“Is there something the matter Queen Chrysalis?” Terra asked nervously.

“Of course not my dear, my subjects are just not use to having outsiders here that is all.” I said putting on a fake smile.

“Oh, okay then.” She said remaining quite the rest of the way to my resting area. Even though I am Queen of the Changelings, I have no lavished set throne, or my own building to slumber. The closest thing is a small hut I created by my magic that was compiled of dried sticks and branches of trees that barely protected from the suns piercing rays. The palace and soft bed was one thing I missed about being disguised as the Princess.

The royalty in Canterlot did not truly know how blessed they were to have such commodities-well I might be mistaken. Princess Cadence might know as she spent many a nights on the cold hard ground of the underground caves. I chuckled at the thought of her being trapped there, being able to feel what I had felt for so many years.

“As a guest you may sleep close to my quarters.” I told Terra as I used magic to gather sticks and hay together to make some sort of bed next to my hut.

“Oh, that’s very kind of you Queen Chrysalis, but may I ask you a question?” I stopped and turned around to face her.

“What is it?”

“Where do all the other Changelings sleep?”

For some reason this question actually surprised me and I knew my face showed it. I had actually never given that much thought over the years, yet I responded,

“Wherever they can find. This whole barren landscape is free for all territory among us. A Changeling can have anything they are willing to fight for.”

“I know that feeling” Terra muttered, but again it caught me by surprise.

“I’m sorry?”

“Oh it’s nothing, this is really nice of you.” The pony walked over and put her bag on the straw laid out for her. She pulled out a blanket from her backpack and wrapped herself in it.

“It is going to be dark soon, I think you should also get ready for bed Queen Chrysalis.”

“I shall child, I must take care of a few things before that. Yet do not hesitate to go to sleep before me.” The filly smiled and rolled over.

“Then goodnight Queen Chrysalis.”

“Goodnight pony.” I said. I walked away until I was sure I had put a good bit of distance between her and I. I watched as the sun was setting over the far distance edge of the world; Princess Luna would be raising the moon any minute now.

This would be very interesting. It is going to be a challenge to try and get this pony’s friendship, but if I do. The rewards will be astronomical and I am sure I shall have near the power of Shining Armors love. Even if it fails, in the very least I might be able to get some mild entertainment from her. My subjects are going to have a new plaything to abuse.

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Morning came and I made sure to wake up early so I would be there to greet the pony and assure she did not wonder off somewhere without me. After watching the sunrise, I heard the bed of straw stir and Terra letting out a groan while stretching.

“Wow that was probably one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had in awhile.” Terra said as she got up and walked over to my side.

“Sleep comfortably?” I asked in almost in a mocking tone. The word comfortable hardly existed here in our land.

“You betcha!” Terra replied happily. This caught me off guard and my attention snapped her.

“I’m sorry?”

“I slept fine, that straw is much more comfortable then…well then what I’m use to.”

“Oh, well I’m glad you think so.”

“So what’s for breakfast?”

“I beg your pardon?” I asked.

“You know, do you have a meal planned or anything.”

“Oh young filly you do not understand, we Changelings do not require sustenance as often as you do. There is no food here for you to eat.”

“Oh I see, well that’s okay I brought some food anyways so no big deal.” Terra walked over to her bag and moved a few things around until she revealed a roll of bread.

I watched as a few Changelings started to gather around my quarters, becoming curious at our new guest. Just before Terra started to eat the bread she paused and saw one of the Changelings gazing at the piece of bread. She looked at the roll then tore a piece off and held it out.

“Go ahead, you look hungry too,” she said.

The Changeling sniffed the loaf for a moment and then quickly bit the bread and swallowed it. The Changeling then looked at her again and grabbed the rest of the roll with its mouth then ran away. Terra looked down at her now empty hoof in disappointment, and watched as the other Changelings chased after the one with the roll. I chuckled slightly at this, however the pony simply walked over to me with a smile.

“I was really low on food and supplies anyways, I need to make a stop somewhere to get more. Do you know of any villages nearby?”

“I do as it so happens, you may follow me.” I started to walk off, however a Changeling was signaling me from afar to go to him.

“I will join you shortly, just continue walking that direction.” I told her motioning toward the exit of the wasteland. Terra nodded her head and continued walking; I flew over to the Changeling that was waving his hooves.

“This had better be important, you are interrupting my business,” I growled.

“My Queen I must ask, if you going to the village with the outsider; will you feed before your scheduled time?”

“I know that I stressed the importance of order to you, but yes I am. However it is not to feed, the pony needs supplies and I am simply accompanying her. It is all apart of my plan, you do not need to question my motives!”

“We are just curious my Queen, what is your plan? We might not be so quickly to question if we had some understanding of your intentions.”

“You need to simply go about your business as usual, this pony will offer us a great resource if all goes well,” I said starting my way back to Terra.

“As you wish my Queen,” the Changeling said after me.