Darkness Awakens 2: Chrysalis’ Dutyby Tyler-the-BronyChaptersChapter 1: The Starving MassesChapter 2: Initial InfiltrationChapter 3: Priming the PrincessChapter 4: Inbound ThreatsChapter 5: PositionsChapter 6: Wishing for StarvationPreview 2: The Fires of the PastChapter 1: The Starving MassesChrysalis feared her subjects. True, she alone was stronger than any one Changeling, or even a single large group of the creatures. Faced against her entire race though, Chrysalis knew she could not win. And her fear of that occurrence grew stronger each and every day. The Changelings were starving. Not a single area of them or a select type of Changeling either. The race as a whole was suffering from the lack of their preferred nourishment; love. The Changelings had long since abandoned Dragons as a viable source for love, and the homeland of the Zebras, Zebrika, had fared no better for them. Chrysalis too felt the hunger, but she also felt its collective hold on her soldiers, her race, and her family. If Chrysalis could not save the Changelings from starving soon, they would become beasts like no other. They could no longer be called Changelings at that point. They would become shadowy creatures which stalked the lands far and wide, looking for anything to stop their now un-removable hunger, until their bodies would move no more, and their spirits would ascend from them. Chrysalis had heard these legends from the Changelings previous leader, her father, Cocoon, shortly before he decayed and left the throne to her. She had thought then that such a thing could never occur under her reign. How narrow minded she had been back then. At this moment in her thoughts, Chrysalis keeled over forward, her legs no longer able to support her after so long without rest or a meal. It was also at this moment that Chrysalis began to cry. She screamed all around her; above, below, and even at herself, begging for an answer that could save her race. Just as Chrysalis conceded defeat to her godly pleading, a voice whispered about her. “I can help you Chrysalis.” The voice whispered, as comforting as snide to the Changeling Queen before him. “What? Who’s there?” Chrysalis panicked, fear blotting out the voice’s exact words for a moment. “I am the one who will tell you of a place where you and your Changelings may live forever in gluttony.” The voice tantalized Chrysalis, certain he was but moments away from gaining her for his needs. “Can such a wonderous place truly exist?” Chrysalis blindly beseeched the voice, tears and admiration both glistening in her eyes. Though unable to be seen by Chrysalis, the being to whom the voice belonged smiled at her words. “Yes it can Chrysalis, Greatest Queen of the mighty and fearsome Changelings. Far away from your land lies a land where love abounds as easily as air.” The voice answered Chrysalis, knowing he must weave his words with great care now. “What is this land called? Where exactly is it? How may I get there?” Chrysalis excitedly begged the voice for answers now, all doubt in its words gone forever from her mind for the moment. “The land’s name….is Equestria.” The voice paused momentarily so a deeper grin could abound on its user. “As for its exact location and such related details, I shall pass those to you directly now.” Chrysalis heard a single heavy exhale from the voice, and suddenly darkness enveloped her eyes for a moment as she breathed in, gaining all necessary knowledge of Equestria in the process. Chrysalis lay breathing heavily for a few moments afterwards, but when she rose to her hooves again, a new dark gleam lay deep inside her eyes, and new power filled her body as she prepared to inform her subjects of her new discovery, and of her new plan to get them their necessary nutrition, and more. ** “Are you certain of this my Queen? It all seems so sudden, I can’t help but suspect an element of foul play ahoof.” Gremiar, one of the Changelings top tacticians and personal advisor to Chrysalis, questioned Chrysalis as she readied herself to lead her troops out of their home, Farana, and towards the land known as Equestria. “We have no choice but to take this chance Gremiar. Our race is dying. If we cannot find nourishment soon, we’ll be no more. I have confidence in my knowledge, and faith in the one who gave it to me, though I can’t seem to remember many details about that.” Chrysalis pondered for a moment, only mildly suspicious of her hazy memories of who exactly had told her about Equestria and how to infiltrate it. “That there seems suspicious as well. I trust you entirely, but I fear the holder of the original knowledge may not be so deserving of my trust.” Hajk, second of Chrysalis’ three advisors and tacticians spoke up, hoof on his chin. “In any case, I was told that merely being in the vicinity of Equestria will allow us to live better, and we must find a way to improve our health, no matter how temporary the initial boost in it may be.” Chrysalis interjected, eager to be done with these arguments. “Very well then my Queen. I shall follow you, and so shall the Changelings below. But how are we to infiltrate Equestria so thoroughly for our plan of conquest to be successful?” Praid, last of the Changeling advisors, spoke as he stood up upon his hooves. Chrysalis’ eyes flashed deathly green for a moment as a smile spread across her face at Praid’s question. Though mostly un-noticed by those before her, the odd change in her demeanour made the advisors worry mildly about their Queen’s personal health. “Allow me to take care of the details. The less the majority of our forces are involved at the beginning of this all, the far better our chances of succeeding fare.” Chrysalis smiled as she adjusted the last strap on her saddlebags, which contained many bits, the currency of Equestria, a map of the area about and of Equestria, a picture of the upcoming Alicorn bride to be, and a list of the ponies to avoid at all costs. Chrysalis took to the air a moment later, and flew out and above her subjects below her in the Hive, her advisors only a short distance behind. Chrysalis smiled anew as she led her race towards what could be their greatest victory. Chapter 2: Initial InfiltrationChrysalis was not tired after her journey. She was more invigorated than anything, but she knew her troops would feel the fatigue of the distance between Farana and the small mountains which lay just below the capital city of Equestria, Canterlot. So Chrysalis made sure to direct each and every Changeling into the hollow mountain that would be their current Hive. Chrysalis could sense the change in her Changelings, as well as in herself. The air here truly did seem to be laced easily with the love that abounded. The Changelings could do more than simply survive here. They could thrive. As Chrysalis settled the last newborn Changeling into place in the mountain, she prepared to address the masses as well as set out alone to begin her plan. “My Changelings. I know that you can sense what I do above us. A feast unlike any we have ever had or heard of before. I know that it will be hard to restrain yourselves, but I must ask you to do that while I assure our victory above. If revealed in our only mildly rejuvenated state now, we could be overpowered by these ponies. So please rest here. Rest, and wait for my signal. Once I have sent it, we will be ready to take Equestria for our own!” Chrysalis cheered out over her Changelings, all of who echoed her enthusiasm back and added their own on top of it. Chrysalis smiled and let but a couple tears fall as her race cheered her forward, giving the entirety of their futures to their Queen. Chrysalis quickly squared her face and set out for Canterlot above them. Chrysalis again carried her saddlebags, though they felt much heavier to her now because of their current importance. Chrysalis flew outside the visible barriers of Canterlot, certain she must not be seen in this form at all. Once she was beyond the last watchtower, she settled in to wait for a pony to appear. Chrysalis had been told to take the form and daily life of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza once she was safely within Canterlot without detection, but she could not simply disguise herself as the blushing bride of an Alicorn and come sauntering out of the woods so easily. She would be found out far too soon. And so Chrysalis resigned to wait until a pony would leave Canterlot for a time, and take their place in order to enter the city. If suspicions were raised, Chrysalis had the bits to swat them away. Chrysalis waited for nearly 6 hours outside the city before the pony she needed revealed herself. The blue coated, silver-maned mare walked quite defeated out of the City and boarded the train, looking as though she desired no more than to never see the city again. The Great and Powerful Trixie now had another city which hated her it seemed. Shortly after the train had left the sight line of Canterlot, with the real Trixie on board, Chrysalis shivered momentarily as she warped into the mare’s form. The cape and hat were beyond gaudy for her tastes, but they were necessary for the illusion. Since Chrysalis had not born witness to Trixie speaking, she would simply have to do her best to imitate the mare for the time being. The fake Trixie galloped forward, a look of distress on her features and tears in her eyes, as Chrysalis were certain that chivalry must still exist in Canterlot of all places. “Oh! I forgot my luggage up at my suite! I can’t leave without it, but it doesn’t look like I can just saunter back into Canterlot like that….” Chrysalis softly carried her voice over the ears of the station’s guards, smiling inward as she saw them turn grief stricken to one another, and then gallop forward to her location. “It’s not regulation to let ponies just walk into Canterlot like this, but we did just see you board the train a short while ago with nothing, so we’ll make an exception for such a grief stricken mare.” The guard on the right told Chrysalis as she swatted away her fake tears with a hoof as she looked up ‘shocked’ into his face. “Really? Oh thank you. Please take some bits for your trouble. They’re all I have and all I can offer to two such chivalrous guards.” Chrysalis slid two considerable stacks of coins out of her saddlebags with her magic, and passed one to each guard, who looked shocked yet happy for a moment before pocketing the bits, and guiding ‘Trixie’ forward without another thought. ** Chrysalis nearly danced in giddiness once she was free of the guard’s sight, not truly believing just how easy it had been to sneak into Canterlot undetected. Chrysalis restrained herself, but only just barely. She continued forward, certain she must scope out locations and ponies before heading after Mi Amore Cadenza. As Chrysalis flitted about Canterlot though, she came to see how unoriginal a city it was. Though it was quite refined, it was all different shades of the same thing. Chrysalis might indeed have a hard time preventing the ponies that could stop her plan from involving themselves. As it so happened, Chrysalis came across a group of 3 mares, one green, one blue, and one rose coloured, outside a café very close to the castle. As she came within their sight, Chrysalis saw both mockery and disgust in their smiles. Clearly the pony she was impersonating had not made a decent impression on these ponies. This was the first step to her plan succeeding, perfecting the illusion of her disguise to those who might see through it, so Chrysalis made her way over to the mares. “Lovely day for a drink isn’t it?” Chrysalis spoke up from Trixie’s form, causing laughter to erupt easily from the 3 mares as they believed it was truly a small talking Trixie before them. The laughter could not continue. It could draw much too unwanted attention. And so, Chrysalis released her magic on the 3 mares before her. For a moment, each looked scared and shocked, but then a face of clear thoughtlessness came over them. Chrysalis flared her eyes green again as she fed from the mares and prepared to instil instructions in them. “You will never laugh at my actions or words. You will never contradict me, or I will increase the despair you feel beneath your surface tenfold. When Princess Mi Amore Cadenza comes to you to make you her bridesmaids, you will agree wholeheartedly. You will do everything she asks of you at all times, or you will be removed. Am I clear?” Chrysalis taunted, her true voice coming out of Trixie’s form silently now. “Yes.” All three mares echoed as Chrysalis released her initial spell on them. Chrysalis continued forward from the mares, a sneer on her face now and a link to the mares forged in the back of her consciousness. She had to hurry and take over the Princess now. That encounter had proven to Chrysalis that no matter how she looked or acted, her disguises could not fool everypony, and so she must now hide behind the power and fear of authority to complete that illusion entirely. Chapter 3: Priming the PrincessChrysalis had taken a new form now since meeting the 3 mares, who she had only shortly after learned were named Lyra, Minuette, and Twinkleshine thanks to her feeding from them, and had continued forward to Canterlot Castle, certain she had to get to Cadenza as soon as possible now. Chrysalis had gleamed the Royal Guards before now, but they were far less impressive than the pictures of them implied. All one had to do was been in Canterlot with the right kind of face, and they could go anywhere or do anything that didn’t leave a beacon in the sky above. The form Chrysalis took now originally belonged to a pony by the name of Amber Shine, whom Chrysalis had observed entering and exiting the Castle numerous times, as well as interacting with the Royalty she directly sought, with no trouble whatsoever. As she trotted forward beyond the first pair of guards, she mentally smiled as they did no more than fleetingly glance and nod at her before refocusing on the rest of Canterlot. Chrysalis would have skipped across the Castle’s grounds if she could. As it was, she contented herself with identifying the two ponies she sought more than any other. Identifying the Princess Cadenza would be simple enough, due to her species, but if her betrothed was not with her when she initially glimpsed him, it could cause problems later on. ** Chrysalis was fortunate enough to come across Shining Armor and Mi Amore Cadenza while they were eating at the top of one of Canterlot Castle’s highest peaks. Chrysalis hid and observed them carefully for a time to confirm their identities, but she did not have to wait long for a sign. When Shining Armor took the Princess’ hoof in his own, Chrysalis tasted such an overpowering form of love it nearly made her faint then and there. Her information had told her of the love she would sense between these two, but still Chrysalis could not believe it. As the pair of ponies descended the stairs, Chrysalis had a flash of inspiration on how to separate the Princess from the Captain of the Royal Guard. Chrysalis had viewed Amber Shine carrying multiple sewing tools and materials, as well as twice carrying a full dress around the Princess, which could only mean that she had been christened with the duty of making the Alicorn brides wedding dress. In a spur of the moment as the couple descended a few more flights of stairs, Chrysalis, still disguised as Amber Shine, leapt out and hurried after the couple, hoping she could bluff well enough to part them for long enough. “Princess! Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!” Chrysalis jokingly spoke with fake emotion through Amber’s voice as she galloped up behind the extremely happy couple. “Oh! Amber Shine. I told you that you can just call me Cadence yesterday.” Cadence smiled at what she believed was her real dress maker before her. Chrysalis put on her most sickly sweet smile as she answered ‘Cadence’. “Of course Princess. It will take a bit of time to adjust to that new name for me is all.” Chrysalis smiled even more brightly for a moment before continuing. “I was wondering whether you could come with me. I’m afraid I made a grievous mistake in measuring for your wedding dress the other day. I forgot to include your wings as a measurement.” Chrysalis hoped that forgetfulness was a natural thing for this particular disguise of a pony, as it would again let her save energy. Chrysalis continued to smile while Cadence looked at Shining Armor, clearing deciding whether she should go or not. Chrysalis again felt the love between them, but she could not let its effect show on her now. Cadence turned back towards Chrysalis and smiled at her. “Oh Amber. You worry too much about the dress. You always have lovely work. If you’re that worried about it though, I can go with you for a while.” Cadence told the pony she though was Amber, just as a genuine sigh of relief escaped her and a genuine smile spread across her face. “Thank you Princes……Cadence.” The name grated in Chrysalis’ throat, but she had to maintain the disguise for now. Cadence nuzzled and quickly kissed Shining Armor as he continued along his way, and Cadence stepped forward to follow Amber. Chrysalis stared after Shining Armor for a moment after he began to trot away, eliciting a giggle from Cadence, and a retort from Shining Armor just as he rounded a corner. “You’re more worried about the wedding than we are Amber.” Shining Armor chuckled as he yelled back at Chrysalis, eliciting a dark smile on her face for less than a second. Chrysalis again resumed her disguise’s demeanour as she sauntered around the grounds of the Castle, Cadence behind her. “Did you move your work back to your shop? I thought we might be able to stay inside the Castle Grounds.” Cadence worriedly asked Chrysalis, eliciting a somewhat halted step from her. Chrysalis had to answer quickly, or all her luck and work would be worthless. She pivoted around to face Cadence as she answered. “We’ll be back at the Castle before my work is done, but I have to pick up some materials, and I’d very much like your opinion on them Princess.” Chrysalis loosely smiled at Cadence, hoping she could continue to rely on luck. Cadence smiled and nodded at Chrysalis, allowing Chrysalis to sigh in relief again once she turned around. Chrysalis’ eyes flared dark green for second again as she led the Princess of Love as far away from her normal protection as she could. ** Cadence lay heavily injured on the clay-like ground before the now transformed Chrysalis, who lightly laughed and pranced about the Princess as she felt the energy she had just now taken from Cadence flood her body. “My my Cadence dear. You certainly do feel strongly about Shining Armor don’t you?” Chrysalis taunted the defeated alicorn before her, causing Cadence to attempt to rise to her hooves again, only to have Chrysalis’ magic lash her again. “Leave…him out of this….” Cadence breathed heavily, all her energy spent. Chrysalis laughed louder at Cadence’s order, issuing a sneer from her. Chrysalis leaned down and lifted up Cadence’s face with her hooves. “Oh, but he’s the key to my plan. When I take control of the love you two share, nopony will be able to stop me. Then me and my Changeling’s can feed forever.” Chrysalis felt immense happiness at her words, but she kept it bottled inside her, not wanting Cadence to try to gain any of her strength back. Cadence tried to respond to Chrysalis, but the Changeling Queen dropped her, and then began to trot away, morphing into Cadence’s form as she did. Cadence’s eyes widened as she saw this, and she felt tears begin to form as Chrysalis engulfed herself in green fire to free herself from the caves directly underneath Canterlot Castle. “As Cadence weeps here, Mi Amore Cadenza will make Canterlot her own. Niyahahahaha!” Chrysalis made her reflection appear on the walls of the cave to torment Cadence more as the young alicorn finally broke down and cried about what she now knew was coming, but what she was now powerless to stop. Chapter 4: Inbound ThreatsChrysalis exhaled as she finished refreshing the spell she used to keep Shining Armor under her full control, taking a seat on the nearby couch not long after. As Chrysalis watched Amber Shine’s dress burn in the fireplace, she cursed that merely dismissing all of Cadenza’s current wedding staff had not been enough to ensure her full control over the entirety of the ceremony. Hissing as she remembered the injustice she had heard of earlier in the day, Chrysalis massaged her temples as she made an earnest effort to suppress the rage that had sprouted within her. Once she found out that the Princess Celestia of all ponies, the ruler of Canterlot herself, had long ago volunteered to send out all the invitations and keep backups on file for the catering, dress, entertainment, music, and wedding planner, she had nearly revealed her true form in anger. As Shining Armor laid down in the bed a ways away, Chrysalis did feel lucky that he’d been so easy to control, and even easy to manipulate in public. His will was strong, and he was certain to break free if he ever learned of Cadence’s actual location, but Chrysalis knew she wouldn’t be that careless. Realizing she had only days to correct the oversight Celestia had thrown into her plans, Chrysalis flared her eyes green and trotter forward to the portal she had just created a distance away. ** Cadence feebly raised a hoof at Chrysalis as she appeared near her in a burst of green fire within the cave system that was her prison. “Save your strength for the important things Princess. I’m not here for you right now anyway.” Chrysalis sneered down at the once proud alicorn, who was now malnourished and dehydrated from her imprisonment. Chrysalis trotted away from Cadence, dissolving back into her original form as she did, and proceed to pass through another portal that she created at the cave’s far wall. Emerging a moment later on the other side, Chrysalis found herself once again standing on the platform she had addressed her subjects a mere 11 days ago. Many of the Changelings below her were fast asleep, but as Chrysalis hoofsteps echoed within the cave, a select few raised their heads up. Nodding at each in turn, the conscious Changelings quickly gathered at Chrysalis’ side. “I am glad you are awake my councillors, and you as well Migyaf and Nro. It saves me precious time away from the illusion I’ve managed to create in Canterlot by not having to search for you.” Chrysalis quietly addressed her subject, all of whom bowed at her acknowledgment. “What is it you need my Queen? Shall we attack at dawn?” Gremiar asked Chrysalis, eagerly flapping his wings as he did. “We shall not attack until the day of the wedding, which remains 5 days away. It is integral to the plan’s success.” Chrysalis explained, hoping her absence above would not be noticed for a while longer. “What may we do for you in the meantime your Highness?” Hajk spoke up, an inquisitive look visible even on his indistinct features. “I need you all to issue a vague threat against Canterlot. It will tighten security and further allow me to control who resides within the city and what they do. There is too much free will for me to manipulate as is.” Chrysalis explained, looking at Praid and Migyaf in particular. “Of course my Queen. I shall send the message at dawn’s end tomorrow. What would you like it to entail?” Praid questioned Chrysalis, eager to put his particular skills to use. In response, Chrysalis looked to Migyaf, a direct descendant of Bijoryan, last of the Changeling Titans, the greatest of Warriors that Chrysalis’ Great-Grandmother, Silekn, had squandered in a futile attack on the dragons long ago. Even though her Titan blood was diluted, her form was larger and bulkier than any other Changeling, and her roar could instill pure fear itself. “I would like you to ensnare a roar from Migyaf and send it with a threat of invasion written in Fadklanm.” Chrysalis explained, knowing her councillors knew well how to ensnare both words and sounds within the ancient Changeling language of ‘fire blood.’ Migyaf inhaled deeply and nodded at Chrysalis, who took that as her agreement. “It shall be done Queen Chrysalis. If you have no objections, my blood will personally be the catalyst to properly convey the reality of the threat.” Nro spoke up, offering his full service as the last of the Adaman Bloods, a race of Changelings whose blood was the most potent for using the ancient Changeling arts, including Fadklanm. “I would very much appreciate that Nro. Simply do not use too much of your blood. It is too valuable to not have with us during the attack.” Chrysalis thanked Nro, offering him a gentle smile as well. The Changelings showed minor shock at Chryalis differentiation from her normal demeanour, but each hid it not long after and flew off, intent to perform their latest task well for their queen. Chapter 5: PositionsChrysalis stared down at the courtyard below, watching as Twilight Sparkle galloped quickly across it, a look of intense determination on her face. Chrysalis chanced glaring down at the mare for a moment and was able to conceal its presence as Princess Luna addressed Twilight herself. “Try how she might to foil me, one mare can do nothing alone. Making her friends my new bridesmaids was a good decision. My old ones would’ve broken soon anyway. They work so much better as Prison Guards. Wouldn’t you agree dear?” Chrysalis cooed to Shining Armor, who stood stock still in the corner, his eyes entirely glazed over green. Chrysalis giggled for a moment at her fake fiancé before enveloping herself in fire and travelling to the caverns below again. ** “My Queen…” Lyra, Twinkleshine, and Minuette all bowed in Unison as Chrysalis appeared before them, their eyes as heavily glazed as Shining Armors above. “Be on guard Girls. You’ll have another one to watch come tomorrow.” Chrysalis explained as she trotted past them, eliciting a nod from the mares before the raised their heads up and set off on patrol yet again, not that Cadence required much watching with as weak as she had become though. Chrysalis passed into the cavern where her subjects lay, and flitted her wings as her eyes pulsed green, indicating the Hive Mind Message to ‘Rise’ that she had just issued. Within minutes of Chrysalis stopping her steps, the entirety of the Changelings had gathered below her, her Councillors, Migyaf and Nro at the head of the gathering. Chrysalis lifted her head high and stared into the eyes of each Changeling. “Tonight you will at last have your freedom from this cave. Tomorrow is the rehearsal for the Wedding, and the actual ceremony shall be the next day. I wish for you all to station yourselves strategically about the perimeter. Do not be afraid to use Hive Mind. It will be a great asset in the coming battle. And you must battle. But do not worry my subjects. Fear has made the ponies above weak, and their love has made us strong. We will be victorious. I will now assign Commanders.” Chrysalis explained, as excited whispers swept through her mind as the Changelings practiced their Hive Mind. “Praid. You and your Legion will attack a short ways outside of the nearby town of Cloudsdale. This is certain to draw away the younger of the 2 Alicorn Queens, Luna.” Chrysalis mentally assigned 2 and a half dozen of the smartest Changelings to follow Praid’s every word as she addressed him. “We’ll draw her all the way to Galloping Gorge My Queen.” Praid saluted and took off, his Legion following him carefully, eager to plan. “Gremiar. You will attack the West Side of Canterlot. Hajk, you shall take the East. Combine your forces as soon as you can and restrain as many guards as possible.” Chrysalis nodded towards a third of the Changelings below, indicating that they would each lead half for a time in the Invasion. Gremiar hissed loudly and spiralled into the air, waving a hoof at his forces as he lead them out of the Cave and off into the sewers of Canterlot, where they could wait and hide in equal ease. Hajk nodded and puffed out his chest as he took off, his Legion directly behind him as they climbed into the Cloud layers high above Canterlot, where they could easily observe everything and everypony until they were needed. “Migyaf. Take all but a dozen of our Warriors and occupy the building where The Elements of Harmony are held. Without them, Canterlot is immensely easier to conquer. I leave this to you, the Last of our Titans.” Chrysalis mentally transmitted an image of the building to Migyaf’s mind, and felt her acknowledge and memorize it within moments. Migyaf roared as she took to the air, a vast majority of the remaining Changelings swarming behind her, eager to taste the magic the Elements exuded naturally. Only a scant hundred Changelings remained below, and only 20 were able to battle. “To those with young; It is your duty to preserve our newest numbers. I trust you with this. If the Invasion fails, fly to the town of Appleloosa. Love overflows there, and it will nourish our young immensely. To those who are veterans of our last war; I salute your readiness to battle, but I must ask you to remain behind and protect those who cannot fight for themselves. Understand?” Chrysalis sincerely asked each of her remaining subjects, issuing a gentle nod and a mental promise from each. As the Changeling civilians departed, Nro and the remaining warriors took to the air, ready for the Queen’s final order. “Nro. You and your warriors are to cloak yourselves with a Adaman Enhanced Disguise and accompany me personally to the Wedding. Your duty there will be to restrain the masses of the Chapel. I will handle Celestia and those pesky Bearers.” Chrysalis explained, issuing a few shocked gasps, and a solid salute from each Changeling, and even a few tears of pride from Nro himself. Chrysalis too felt tears bead in her eyes as a smile spread across her face. She was now truly ready to believe this invasion really could save her race and restore her to the Glory she had once held amongst the masses. As Nro and his warriors flew off and Chrysalis returned to the castle, a strange dark laughed echoed through the walls of the cavern, sounding as eager for the invasion to begin as any Changeling was. Chapter 6: Wishing for StarvationChrysalis screamed, tears clouding her eyes, as she and her Changelings were blasted far from Canterlot’s borders. Each Changelings tears mixed with Chrysalis’ own as the fear of starvation pervaded their minds yet again. As Chrysalis screamed anew, she began to feel a few of her Changelings presences vanish entirely from her perception. Opening her eyes in shock, Chrysalis heard a voice echo through her mind, stronger than the Hive whisper of any Changeling. “You failed Chrysalis. I do not enjoy failure.” The voice resounded with composed anger around Chrysalis. Chrysalis felt her eyes widen in fear and as she readied yet another scream, all light, sound, and sensation was taken from her as she came to an abrupt stop within an area of complete darkness. “Why must my plans continue to fail before those ignorant Alicorns? True, with each Creator I may free a larger portion of my power from this place, but it is far from frequent and never as much as I imagine. At least the Changelings have instilled a primal fear in Equestria. That will have to be enough for now.” The voice echoed through Chrysalis now, and an odd form appeared to outline itself within the darkness, and began an odd pacing pattern for a few moments. “What are you saying? Do you mean that you used me for your own devices? Me and my starving subjects?! Was any of what you said true?!” Chrysalis demanded of the voice, feeling a cold grasp slam her muzzle shut a moment later. “You are a part of my plan, but your failure is not the same as mine Chrysalis. My Will gave you power, enough to defeat even Celestia. That meddlesome couple has shifted my plans thanks to you, but it is of no true consequence. All I do is to free myself from the Discarded Realm, and I will not be denied forever.” The voice held irritation within it, though it faded away with its next words. “With the fear of the Changelings permeating Equestria, I have managed to cast a haze just above Celestia and Luna’s sky, and with it there, they won’t be able to anticipate or stop my next plan so easily. For the fear to remain with them though, I’m afraid you’ll need to take an extended absence from Equestria my dear Chrysalis.” The voice laughed at Chrysalis as she screamed and began to struggle as parts of her body faded into the ambient darkness. Chrysalis’ eyes widened with fear for a moment as her body completely entered the ambient darkness, before passing into unconsciousness just as the voice sounded an echo over the frozen north of Equestria. “Rise King Sombra. The crystal ponies have not forgotten your tyranny, but many others have. Remind them all of the power you wield and the fear you instil. Your time has come anew your Majesty.” The voice laughed maniacally as a tremendous crack appeared in the ice and a shimmering city slowly came into view a ways away. Preview 2: The Fires of the Past“This can’t be happening….” He spoke aloud, as if telling the world its mistake could somehow make it right itself. The world was gone. Destroyed entirely in atomic fire. Mankind had reached the end of its existence, and had sought to destroy itself in a flare and not a whimper. This had caused the launch of missiles, both ballistic and atomic, across every settlement mankind called its own. The world had burned quickly after the first few fell. Now all that was left were the screams of those not fortunate enough to vanish with the first impacts, and the remains of what had once been a mighty species. As the only unharmed Human left in North America screamed at the Heaven’s for justice and broke down, the fires blended around him, and began to erode the Earth itself. In the very last moment before the fires reached him though, the Man vanished, seemingly in a beam of light. What waited on the other side of this light was not death for the man however. In a few words, the Man was able to call this new place ‘Heaven’.
Chapter 1: The Starving MassesChrysalis feared her subjects. True, she alone was stronger than any one Changeling, or even a single large group of the creatures. Faced against her entire race though, Chrysalis knew she could not win. And her fear of that occurrence grew stronger each and every day. The Changelings were starving. Not a single area of them or a select type of Changeling either. The race as a whole was suffering from the lack of their preferred nourishment; love. The Changelings had long since abandoned Dragons as a viable source for love, and the homeland of the Zebras, Zebrika, had fared no better for them. Chrysalis too felt the hunger, but she also felt its collective hold on her soldiers, her race, and her family. If Chrysalis could not save the Changelings from starving soon, they would become beasts like no other. They could no longer be called Changelings at that point. They would become shadowy creatures which stalked the lands far and wide, looking for anything to stop their now un-removable hunger, until their bodies would move no more, and their spirits would ascend from them. Chrysalis had heard these legends from the Changelings previous leader, her father, Cocoon, shortly before he decayed and left the throne to her. She had thought then that such a thing could never occur under her reign. How narrow minded she had been back then. At this moment in her thoughts, Chrysalis keeled over forward, her legs no longer able to support her after so long without rest or a meal. It was also at this moment that Chrysalis began to cry. She screamed all around her; above, below, and even at herself, begging for an answer that could save her race. Just as Chrysalis conceded defeat to her godly pleading, a voice whispered about her. “I can help you Chrysalis.” The voice whispered, as comforting as snide to the Changeling Queen before him. “What? Who’s there?” Chrysalis panicked, fear blotting out the voice’s exact words for a moment. “I am the one who will tell you of a place where you and your Changelings may live forever in gluttony.” The voice tantalized Chrysalis, certain he was but moments away from gaining her for his needs. “Can such a wonderous place truly exist?” Chrysalis blindly beseeched the voice, tears and admiration both glistening in her eyes. Though unable to be seen by Chrysalis, the being to whom the voice belonged smiled at her words. “Yes it can Chrysalis, Greatest Queen of the mighty and fearsome Changelings. Far away from your land lies a land where love abounds as easily as air.” The voice answered Chrysalis, knowing he must weave his words with great care now. “What is this land called? Where exactly is it? How may I get there?” Chrysalis excitedly begged the voice for answers now, all doubt in its words gone forever from her mind for the moment. “The land’s name….is Equestria.” The voice paused momentarily so a deeper grin could abound on its user. “As for its exact location and such related details, I shall pass those to you directly now.” Chrysalis heard a single heavy exhale from the voice, and suddenly darkness enveloped her eyes for a moment as she breathed in, gaining all necessary knowledge of Equestria in the process. Chrysalis lay breathing heavily for a few moments afterwards, but when she rose to her hooves again, a new dark gleam lay deep inside her eyes, and new power filled her body as she prepared to inform her subjects of her new discovery, and of her new plan to get them their necessary nutrition, and more. ** “Are you certain of this my Queen? It all seems so sudden, I can’t help but suspect an element of foul play ahoof.” Gremiar, one of the Changelings top tacticians and personal advisor to Chrysalis, questioned Chrysalis as she readied herself to lead her troops out of their home, Farana, and towards the land known as Equestria. “We have no choice but to take this chance Gremiar. Our race is dying. If we cannot find nourishment soon, we’ll be no more. I have confidence in my knowledge, and faith in the one who gave it to me, though I can’t seem to remember many details about that.” Chrysalis pondered for a moment, only mildly suspicious of her hazy memories of who exactly had told her about Equestria and how to infiltrate it. “That there seems suspicious as well. I trust you entirely, but I fear the holder of the original knowledge may not be so deserving of my trust.” Hajk, second of Chrysalis’ three advisors and tacticians spoke up, hoof on his chin. “In any case, I was told that merely being in the vicinity of Equestria will allow us to live better, and we must find a way to improve our health, no matter how temporary the initial boost in it may be.” Chrysalis interjected, eager to be done with these arguments. “Very well then my Queen. I shall follow you, and so shall the Changelings below. But how are we to infiltrate Equestria so thoroughly for our plan of conquest to be successful?” Praid, last of the Changeling advisors, spoke as he stood up upon his hooves. Chrysalis’ eyes flashed deathly green for a moment as a smile spread across her face at Praid’s question. Though mostly un-noticed by those before her, the odd change in her demeanour made the advisors worry mildly about their Queen’s personal health. “Allow me to take care of the details. The less the majority of our forces are involved at the beginning of this all, the far better our chances of succeeding fare.” Chrysalis smiled as she adjusted the last strap on her saddlebags, which contained many bits, the currency of Equestria, a map of the area about and of Equestria, a picture of the upcoming Alicorn bride to be, and a list of the ponies to avoid at all costs. Chrysalis took to the air a moment later, and flew out and above her subjects below her in the Hive, her advisors only a short distance behind. Chrysalis smiled anew as she led her race towards what could be their greatest victory.
Chapter 2: Initial InfiltrationChrysalis was not tired after her journey. She was more invigorated than anything, but she knew her troops would feel the fatigue of the distance between Farana and the small mountains which lay just below the capital city of Equestria, Canterlot. So Chrysalis made sure to direct each and every Changeling into the hollow mountain that would be their current Hive. Chrysalis could sense the change in her Changelings, as well as in herself. The air here truly did seem to be laced easily with the love that abounded. The Changelings could do more than simply survive here. They could thrive. As Chrysalis settled the last newborn Changeling into place in the mountain, she prepared to address the masses as well as set out alone to begin her plan. “My Changelings. I know that you can sense what I do above us. A feast unlike any we have ever had or heard of before. I know that it will be hard to restrain yourselves, but I must ask you to do that while I assure our victory above. If revealed in our only mildly rejuvenated state now, we could be overpowered by these ponies. So please rest here. Rest, and wait for my signal. Once I have sent it, we will be ready to take Equestria for our own!” Chrysalis cheered out over her Changelings, all of who echoed her enthusiasm back and added their own on top of it. Chrysalis smiled and let but a couple tears fall as her race cheered her forward, giving the entirety of their futures to their Queen. Chrysalis quickly squared her face and set out for Canterlot above them. Chrysalis again carried her saddlebags, though they felt much heavier to her now because of their current importance. Chrysalis flew outside the visible barriers of Canterlot, certain she must not be seen in this form at all. Once she was beyond the last watchtower, she settled in to wait for a pony to appear. Chrysalis had been told to take the form and daily life of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza once she was safely within Canterlot without detection, but she could not simply disguise herself as the blushing bride of an Alicorn and come sauntering out of the woods so easily. She would be found out far too soon. And so Chrysalis resigned to wait until a pony would leave Canterlot for a time, and take their place in order to enter the city. If suspicions were raised, Chrysalis had the bits to swat them away. Chrysalis waited for nearly 6 hours outside the city before the pony she needed revealed herself. The blue coated, silver-maned mare walked quite defeated out of the City and boarded the train, looking as though she desired no more than to never see the city again. The Great and Powerful Trixie now had another city which hated her it seemed. Shortly after the train had left the sight line of Canterlot, with the real Trixie on board, Chrysalis shivered momentarily as she warped into the mare’s form. The cape and hat were beyond gaudy for her tastes, but they were necessary for the illusion. Since Chrysalis had not born witness to Trixie speaking, she would simply have to do her best to imitate the mare for the time being. The fake Trixie galloped forward, a look of distress on her features and tears in her eyes, as Chrysalis were certain that chivalry must still exist in Canterlot of all places. “Oh! I forgot my luggage up at my suite! I can’t leave without it, but it doesn’t look like I can just saunter back into Canterlot like that….” Chrysalis softly carried her voice over the ears of the station’s guards, smiling inward as she saw them turn grief stricken to one another, and then gallop forward to her location. “It’s not regulation to let ponies just walk into Canterlot like this, but we did just see you board the train a short while ago with nothing, so we’ll make an exception for such a grief stricken mare.” The guard on the right told Chrysalis as she swatted away her fake tears with a hoof as she looked up ‘shocked’ into his face. “Really? Oh thank you. Please take some bits for your trouble. They’re all I have and all I can offer to two such chivalrous guards.” Chrysalis slid two considerable stacks of coins out of her saddlebags with her magic, and passed one to each guard, who looked shocked yet happy for a moment before pocketing the bits, and guiding ‘Trixie’ forward without another thought. ** Chrysalis nearly danced in giddiness once she was free of the guard’s sight, not truly believing just how easy it had been to sneak into Canterlot undetected. Chrysalis restrained herself, but only just barely. She continued forward, certain she must scope out locations and ponies before heading after Mi Amore Cadenza. As Chrysalis flitted about Canterlot though, she came to see how unoriginal a city it was. Though it was quite refined, it was all different shades of the same thing. Chrysalis might indeed have a hard time preventing the ponies that could stop her plan from involving themselves. As it so happened, Chrysalis came across a group of 3 mares, one green, one blue, and one rose coloured, outside a café very close to the castle. As she came within their sight, Chrysalis saw both mockery and disgust in their smiles. Clearly the pony she was impersonating had not made a decent impression on these ponies. This was the first step to her plan succeeding, perfecting the illusion of her disguise to those who might see through it, so Chrysalis made her way over to the mares. “Lovely day for a drink isn’t it?” Chrysalis spoke up from Trixie’s form, causing laughter to erupt easily from the 3 mares as they believed it was truly a small talking Trixie before them. The laughter could not continue. It could draw much too unwanted attention. And so, Chrysalis released her magic on the 3 mares before her. For a moment, each looked scared and shocked, but then a face of clear thoughtlessness came over them. Chrysalis flared her eyes green again as she fed from the mares and prepared to instil instructions in them. “You will never laugh at my actions or words. You will never contradict me, or I will increase the despair you feel beneath your surface tenfold. When Princess Mi Amore Cadenza comes to you to make you her bridesmaids, you will agree wholeheartedly. You will do everything she asks of you at all times, or you will be removed. Am I clear?” Chrysalis taunted, her true voice coming out of Trixie’s form silently now. “Yes.” All three mares echoed as Chrysalis released her initial spell on them. Chrysalis continued forward from the mares, a sneer on her face now and a link to the mares forged in the back of her consciousness. She had to hurry and take over the Princess now. That encounter had proven to Chrysalis that no matter how she looked or acted, her disguises could not fool everypony, and so she must now hide behind the power and fear of authority to complete that illusion entirely.
Chapter 3: Priming the PrincessChrysalis had taken a new form now since meeting the 3 mares, who she had only shortly after learned were named Lyra, Minuette, and Twinkleshine thanks to her feeding from them, and had continued forward to Canterlot Castle, certain she had to get to Cadenza as soon as possible now. Chrysalis had gleamed the Royal Guards before now, but they were far less impressive than the pictures of them implied. All one had to do was been in Canterlot with the right kind of face, and they could go anywhere or do anything that didn’t leave a beacon in the sky above. The form Chrysalis took now originally belonged to a pony by the name of Amber Shine, whom Chrysalis had observed entering and exiting the Castle numerous times, as well as interacting with the Royalty she directly sought, with no trouble whatsoever. As she trotted forward beyond the first pair of guards, she mentally smiled as they did no more than fleetingly glance and nod at her before refocusing on the rest of Canterlot. Chrysalis would have skipped across the Castle’s grounds if she could. As it was, she contented herself with identifying the two ponies she sought more than any other. Identifying the Princess Cadenza would be simple enough, due to her species, but if her betrothed was not with her when she initially glimpsed him, it could cause problems later on. ** Chrysalis was fortunate enough to come across Shining Armor and Mi Amore Cadenza while they were eating at the top of one of Canterlot Castle’s highest peaks. Chrysalis hid and observed them carefully for a time to confirm their identities, but she did not have to wait long for a sign. When Shining Armor took the Princess’ hoof in his own, Chrysalis tasted such an overpowering form of love it nearly made her faint then and there. Her information had told her of the love she would sense between these two, but still Chrysalis could not believe it. As the pair of ponies descended the stairs, Chrysalis had a flash of inspiration on how to separate the Princess from the Captain of the Royal Guard. Chrysalis had viewed Amber Shine carrying multiple sewing tools and materials, as well as twice carrying a full dress around the Princess, which could only mean that she had been christened with the duty of making the Alicorn brides wedding dress. In a spur of the moment as the couple descended a few more flights of stairs, Chrysalis, still disguised as Amber Shine, leapt out and hurried after the couple, hoping she could bluff well enough to part them for long enough. “Princess! Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!” Chrysalis jokingly spoke with fake emotion through Amber’s voice as she galloped up behind the extremely happy couple. “Oh! Amber Shine. I told you that you can just call me Cadence yesterday.” Cadence smiled at what she believed was her real dress maker before her. Chrysalis put on her most sickly sweet smile as she answered ‘Cadence’. “Of course Princess. It will take a bit of time to adjust to that new name for me is all.” Chrysalis smiled even more brightly for a moment before continuing. “I was wondering whether you could come with me. I’m afraid I made a grievous mistake in measuring for your wedding dress the other day. I forgot to include your wings as a measurement.” Chrysalis hoped that forgetfulness was a natural thing for this particular disguise of a pony, as it would again let her save energy. Chrysalis continued to smile while Cadence looked at Shining Armor, clearing deciding whether she should go or not. Chrysalis again felt the love between them, but she could not let its effect show on her now. Cadence turned back towards Chrysalis and smiled at her. “Oh Amber. You worry too much about the dress. You always have lovely work. If you’re that worried about it though, I can go with you for a while.” Cadence told the pony she though was Amber, just as a genuine sigh of relief escaped her and a genuine smile spread across her face. “Thank you Princes……Cadence.” The name grated in Chrysalis’ throat, but she had to maintain the disguise for now. Cadence nuzzled and quickly kissed Shining Armor as he continued along his way, and Cadence stepped forward to follow Amber. Chrysalis stared after Shining Armor for a moment after he began to trot away, eliciting a giggle from Cadence, and a retort from Shining Armor just as he rounded a corner. “You’re more worried about the wedding than we are Amber.” Shining Armor chuckled as he yelled back at Chrysalis, eliciting a dark smile on her face for less than a second. Chrysalis again resumed her disguise’s demeanour as she sauntered around the grounds of the Castle, Cadence behind her. “Did you move your work back to your shop? I thought we might be able to stay inside the Castle Grounds.” Cadence worriedly asked Chrysalis, eliciting a somewhat halted step from her. Chrysalis had to answer quickly, or all her luck and work would be worthless. She pivoted around to face Cadence as she answered. “We’ll be back at the Castle before my work is done, but I have to pick up some materials, and I’d very much like your opinion on them Princess.” Chrysalis loosely smiled at Cadence, hoping she could continue to rely on luck. Cadence smiled and nodded at Chrysalis, allowing Chrysalis to sigh in relief again once she turned around. Chrysalis’ eyes flared dark green for second again as she led the Princess of Love as far away from her normal protection as she could. ** Cadence lay heavily injured on the clay-like ground before the now transformed Chrysalis, who lightly laughed and pranced about the Princess as she felt the energy she had just now taken from Cadence flood her body. “My my Cadence dear. You certainly do feel strongly about Shining Armor don’t you?” Chrysalis taunted the defeated alicorn before her, causing Cadence to attempt to rise to her hooves again, only to have Chrysalis’ magic lash her again. “Leave…him out of this….” Cadence breathed heavily, all her energy spent. Chrysalis laughed louder at Cadence’s order, issuing a sneer from her. Chrysalis leaned down and lifted up Cadence’s face with her hooves. “Oh, but he’s the key to my plan. When I take control of the love you two share, nopony will be able to stop me. Then me and my Changeling’s can feed forever.” Chrysalis felt immense happiness at her words, but she kept it bottled inside her, not wanting Cadence to try to gain any of her strength back. Cadence tried to respond to Chrysalis, but the Changeling Queen dropped her, and then began to trot away, morphing into Cadence’s form as she did. Cadence’s eyes widened as she saw this, and she felt tears begin to form as Chrysalis engulfed herself in green fire to free herself from the caves directly underneath Canterlot Castle. “As Cadence weeps here, Mi Amore Cadenza will make Canterlot her own. Niyahahahaha!” Chrysalis made her reflection appear on the walls of the cave to torment Cadence more as the young alicorn finally broke down and cried about what she now knew was coming, but what she was now powerless to stop.
Chapter 4: Inbound ThreatsChrysalis exhaled as she finished refreshing the spell she used to keep Shining Armor under her full control, taking a seat on the nearby couch not long after. As Chrysalis watched Amber Shine’s dress burn in the fireplace, she cursed that merely dismissing all of Cadenza’s current wedding staff had not been enough to ensure her full control over the entirety of the ceremony. Hissing as she remembered the injustice she had heard of earlier in the day, Chrysalis massaged her temples as she made an earnest effort to suppress the rage that had sprouted within her. Once she found out that the Princess Celestia of all ponies, the ruler of Canterlot herself, had long ago volunteered to send out all the invitations and keep backups on file for the catering, dress, entertainment, music, and wedding planner, she had nearly revealed her true form in anger. As Shining Armor laid down in the bed a ways away, Chrysalis did feel lucky that he’d been so easy to control, and even easy to manipulate in public. His will was strong, and he was certain to break free if he ever learned of Cadence’s actual location, but Chrysalis knew she wouldn’t be that careless. Realizing she had only days to correct the oversight Celestia had thrown into her plans, Chrysalis flared her eyes green and trotter forward to the portal she had just created a distance away. ** Cadence feebly raised a hoof at Chrysalis as she appeared near her in a burst of green fire within the cave system that was her prison. “Save your strength for the important things Princess. I’m not here for you right now anyway.” Chrysalis sneered down at the once proud alicorn, who was now malnourished and dehydrated from her imprisonment. Chrysalis trotted away from Cadence, dissolving back into her original form as she did, and proceed to pass through another portal that she created at the cave’s far wall. Emerging a moment later on the other side, Chrysalis found herself once again standing on the platform she had addressed her subjects a mere 11 days ago. Many of the Changelings below her were fast asleep, but as Chrysalis hoofsteps echoed within the cave, a select few raised their heads up. Nodding at each in turn, the conscious Changelings quickly gathered at Chrysalis’ side. “I am glad you are awake my councillors, and you as well Migyaf and Nro. It saves me precious time away from the illusion I’ve managed to create in Canterlot by not having to search for you.” Chrysalis quietly addressed her subject, all of whom bowed at her acknowledgment. “What is it you need my Queen? Shall we attack at dawn?” Gremiar asked Chrysalis, eagerly flapping his wings as he did. “We shall not attack until the day of the wedding, which remains 5 days away. It is integral to the plan’s success.” Chrysalis explained, hoping her absence above would not be noticed for a while longer. “What may we do for you in the meantime your Highness?” Hajk spoke up, an inquisitive look visible even on his indistinct features. “I need you all to issue a vague threat against Canterlot. It will tighten security and further allow me to control who resides within the city and what they do. There is too much free will for me to manipulate as is.” Chrysalis explained, looking at Praid and Migyaf in particular. “Of course my Queen. I shall send the message at dawn’s end tomorrow. What would you like it to entail?” Praid questioned Chrysalis, eager to put his particular skills to use. In response, Chrysalis looked to Migyaf, a direct descendant of Bijoryan, last of the Changeling Titans, the greatest of Warriors that Chrysalis’ Great-Grandmother, Silekn, had squandered in a futile attack on the dragons long ago. Even though her Titan blood was diluted, her form was larger and bulkier than any other Changeling, and her roar could instill pure fear itself. “I would like you to ensnare a roar from Migyaf and send it with a threat of invasion written in Fadklanm.” Chrysalis explained, knowing her councillors knew well how to ensnare both words and sounds within the ancient Changeling language of ‘fire blood.’ Migyaf inhaled deeply and nodded at Chrysalis, who took that as her agreement. “It shall be done Queen Chrysalis. If you have no objections, my blood will personally be the catalyst to properly convey the reality of the threat.” Nro spoke up, offering his full service as the last of the Adaman Bloods, a race of Changelings whose blood was the most potent for using the ancient Changeling arts, including Fadklanm. “I would very much appreciate that Nro. Simply do not use too much of your blood. It is too valuable to not have with us during the attack.” Chrysalis thanked Nro, offering him a gentle smile as well. The Changelings showed minor shock at Chryalis differentiation from her normal demeanour, but each hid it not long after and flew off, intent to perform their latest task well for their queen.
Chapter 5: PositionsChrysalis stared down at the courtyard below, watching as Twilight Sparkle galloped quickly across it, a look of intense determination on her face. Chrysalis chanced glaring down at the mare for a moment and was able to conceal its presence as Princess Luna addressed Twilight herself. “Try how she might to foil me, one mare can do nothing alone. Making her friends my new bridesmaids was a good decision. My old ones would’ve broken soon anyway. They work so much better as Prison Guards. Wouldn’t you agree dear?” Chrysalis cooed to Shining Armor, who stood stock still in the corner, his eyes entirely glazed over green. Chrysalis giggled for a moment at her fake fiancé before enveloping herself in fire and travelling to the caverns below again. ** “My Queen…” Lyra, Twinkleshine, and Minuette all bowed in Unison as Chrysalis appeared before them, their eyes as heavily glazed as Shining Armors above. “Be on guard Girls. You’ll have another one to watch come tomorrow.” Chrysalis explained as she trotted past them, eliciting a nod from the mares before the raised their heads up and set off on patrol yet again, not that Cadence required much watching with as weak as she had become though. Chrysalis passed into the cavern where her subjects lay, and flitted her wings as her eyes pulsed green, indicating the Hive Mind Message to ‘Rise’ that she had just issued. Within minutes of Chrysalis stopping her steps, the entirety of the Changelings had gathered below her, her Councillors, Migyaf and Nro at the head of the gathering. Chrysalis lifted her head high and stared into the eyes of each Changeling. “Tonight you will at last have your freedom from this cave. Tomorrow is the rehearsal for the Wedding, and the actual ceremony shall be the next day. I wish for you all to station yourselves strategically about the perimeter. Do not be afraid to use Hive Mind. It will be a great asset in the coming battle. And you must battle. But do not worry my subjects. Fear has made the ponies above weak, and their love has made us strong. We will be victorious. I will now assign Commanders.” Chrysalis explained, as excited whispers swept through her mind as the Changelings practiced their Hive Mind. “Praid. You and your Legion will attack a short ways outside of the nearby town of Cloudsdale. This is certain to draw away the younger of the 2 Alicorn Queens, Luna.” Chrysalis mentally assigned 2 and a half dozen of the smartest Changelings to follow Praid’s every word as she addressed him. “We’ll draw her all the way to Galloping Gorge My Queen.” Praid saluted and took off, his Legion following him carefully, eager to plan. “Gremiar. You will attack the West Side of Canterlot. Hajk, you shall take the East. Combine your forces as soon as you can and restrain as many guards as possible.” Chrysalis nodded towards a third of the Changelings below, indicating that they would each lead half for a time in the Invasion. Gremiar hissed loudly and spiralled into the air, waving a hoof at his forces as he lead them out of the Cave and off into the sewers of Canterlot, where they could wait and hide in equal ease. Hajk nodded and puffed out his chest as he took off, his Legion directly behind him as they climbed into the Cloud layers high above Canterlot, where they could easily observe everything and everypony until they were needed. “Migyaf. Take all but a dozen of our Warriors and occupy the building where The Elements of Harmony are held. Without them, Canterlot is immensely easier to conquer. I leave this to you, the Last of our Titans.” Chrysalis mentally transmitted an image of the building to Migyaf’s mind, and felt her acknowledge and memorize it within moments. Migyaf roared as she took to the air, a vast majority of the remaining Changelings swarming behind her, eager to taste the magic the Elements exuded naturally. Only a scant hundred Changelings remained below, and only 20 were able to battle. “To those with young; It is your duty to preserve our newest numbers. I trust you with this. If the Invasion fails, fly to the town of Appleloosa. Love overflows there, and it will nourish our young immensely. To those who are veterans of our last war; I salute your readiness to battle, but I must ask you to remain behind and protect those who cannot fight for themselves. Understand?” Chrysalis sincerely asked each of her remaining subjects, issuing a gentle nod and a mental promise from each. As the Changeling civilians departed, Nro and the remaining warriors took to the air, ready for the Queen’s final order. “Nro. You and your warriors are to cloak yourselves with a Adaman Enhanced Disguise and accompany me personally to the Wedding. Your duty there will be to restrain the masses of the Chapel. I will handle Celestia and those pesky Bearers.” Chrysalis explained, issuing a few shocked gasps, and a solid salute from each Changeling, and even a few tears of pride from Nro himself. Chrysalis too felt tears bead in her eyes as a smile spread across her face. She was now truly ready to believe this invasion really could save her race and restore her to the Glory she had once held amongst the masses. As Nro and his warriors flew off and Chrysalis returned to the castle, a strange dark laughed echoed through the walls of the cavern, sounding as eager for the invasion to begin as any Changeling was.
Chapter 6: Wishing for StarvationChrysalis screamed, tears clouding her eyes, as she and her Changelings were blasted far from Canterlot’s borders. Each Changelings tears mixed with Chrysalis’ own as the fear of starvation pervaded their minds yet again. As Chrysalis screamed anew, she began to feel a few of her Changelings presences vanish entirely from her perception. Opening her eyes in shock, Chrysalis heard a voice echo through her mind, stronger than the Hive whisper of any Changeling. “You failed Chrysalis. I do not enjoy failure.” The voice resounded with composed anger around Chrysalis. Chrysalis felt her eyes widen in fear and as she readied yet another scream, all light, sound, and sensation was taken from her as she came to an abrupt stop within an area of complete darkness. “Why must my plans continue to fail before those ignorant Alicorns? True, with each Creator I may free a larger portion of my power from this place, but it is far from frequent and never as much as I imagine. At least the Changelings have instilled a primal fear in Equestria. That will have to be enough for now.” The voice echoed through Chrysalis now, and an odd form appeared to outline itself within the darkness, and began an odd pacing pattern for a few moments. “What are you saying? Do you mean that you used me for your own devices? Me and my starving subjects?! Was any of what you said true?!” Chrysalis demanded of the voice, feeling a cold grasp slam her muzzle shut a moment later. “You are a part of my plan, but your failure is not the same as mine Chrysalis. My Will gave you power, enough to defeat even Celestia. That meddlesome couple has shifted my plans thanks to you, but it is of no true consequence. All I do is to free myself from the Discarded Realm, and I will not be denied forever.” The voice held irritation within it, though it faded away with its next words. “With the fear of the Changelings permeating Equestria, I have managed to cast a haze just above Celestia and Luna’s sky, and with it there, they won’t be able to anticipate or stop my next plan so easily. For the fear to remain with them though, I’m afraid you’ll need to take an extended absence from Equestria my dear Chrysalis.” The voice laughed at Chrysalis as she screamed and began to struggle as parts of her body faded into the ambient darkness. Chrysalis’ eyes widened with fear for a moment as her body completely entered the ambient darkness, before passing into unconsciousness just as the voice sounded an echo over the frozen north of Equestria. “Rise King Sombra. The crystal ponies have not forgotten your tyranny, but many others have. Remind them all of the power you wield and the fear you instil. Your time has come anew your Majesty.” The voice laughed maniacally as a tremendous crack appeared in the ice and a shimmering city slowly came into view a ways away.
Preview 2: The Fires of the Past“This can’t be happening….” He spoke aloud, as if telling the world its mistake could somehow make it right itself. The world was gone. Destroyed entirely in atomic fire. Mankind had reached the end of its existence, and had sought to destroy itself in a flare and not a whimper. This had caused the launch of missiles, both ballistic and atomic, across every settlement mankind called its own. The world had burned quickly after the first few fell. Now all that was left were the screams of those not fortunate enough to vanish with the first impacts, and the remains of what had once been a mighty species. As the only unharmed Human left in North America screamed at the Heaven’s for justice and broke down, the fires blended around him, and began to erode the Earth itself. In the very last moment before the fires reached him though, the Man vanished, seemingly in a beam of light. What waited on the other side of this light was not death for the man however. In a few words, the Man was able to call this new place ‘Heaven’.
