Incognito - The Chrysalis Chronicles

by Naughty_Ranko

Rating: mature
Tags: Sex, Queen Chrysalis, Fleur de Lis, Princess Celestia, Anthro, Applejack, Mrs. Cake, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Romance
Length: 17033

Queen Chrysalis goes undercover into pony society in order to find out what's normal.

After the Hive's defeat during A Canterlot Wedding Queen Chrysalis has lost a lot of political clout in the Changeling Senate. In order to get permission for a new campaign, she infiltrates pony society to learn what is considered 'normal' behaviour in pony love and thus make her agents more effective.

But will she really be reduced to doing the Senate's dirty work or are the wheels already turning in her devious mind to take revenge not only against Celestia, but also her political opponents at home?

Trigger Warning: Clop and Anthro!

Part of a Story Trade with Overlord-Flinx. Give some love to his part of it as well: Making the Grade.

Published 2013-09-29 19:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-10-27 13:45:16 UTC

Prologue: Fillybuster

Prologue: Fillybuster

The Changeling Senate, a place of history, victories and prestige for Chrysalis' family. It was here that her great-grandmother had led the Griffon King in chains after his defeat at Hook-Beak Pass. Here her grandmother had been proclaimed Queen after ending the Changeling Civil War, which of course none of the other races knew about. It was in these hallowed halls that her mother had pushed through the military reforms that made the Changeling Nation the most feared fighting force in the known world.

And if things continued as they stood, Chrysalis' contribution to its rich history would be to burn the whole damn place to the ground along with its pompous senators.

The whole morning had been spent painstakingly analyzing the recent failure. It all came down to one slight miscalculation. Canterlot had been in her grasp. She was on the verge of becoming the greatest queen the Hive had ever known, conquering Equestria, effectively doubling the state's property and claiming a near inexhaustable feeding ground for her people.

It was all hers, if it hadn't been for that meddling student of Celestia's and her old foal sitter. Instead of celebrating a triumphant return, she was forced to listen to ancient politicians picking her every decision apart.

“Senators,” she said, standing up from her throne and interrupting the speaker. Her annoyance was only barely concealed. “Yes there has been a mistake in the recent campaign. A hindrance that could not be foreseen. But the fact remains that we conquered Canterlot once and can do it again. Let me take out the army and we will take our revenge.”

There was murmuring among the 600 senators at her bold statement, but the speaker, a positively ancient Changeling with a long, grey beard frowned at her. “The alicorns will be more vigilant than ever, especially now. And let's not forget how well your last 'revenge' went.”

Chrysalis grimaced. Her preoccupation with Twilight Sparkle had led her to another defeat, which she was trying to repress. But in politics every loss could be turned into a victory. “That is exactly why a military solution is required. We cannot defeat the ponies with magical power alone.”

The elderly statesman by the name of Cator sneered. “Your mother led us on the wrong path with her reforms. We Changelings have always been the masters of subterfuge, a department you are sorely lacking in, your majesty. The defeat at Canterlot proves it without a doubt.”

The Queen bared her fangs at the senator. “I fooled everypony except one mare.”

“And that was enough to make all your armies useless. The Senate will not give you leave to mount another pointless attack, Queen or not.”

Chrysalis' eyes narrowed darkly beneath that stray strand of hair that always seemed to fall into her face. “You can't block me. The General Staff answers to me and me alone. My mother saw to that.”

A sly grin crossed Cator's lined face. “Perhaps so, but the Senate signs their pay checks and we haven't voted on next quarter's financials yet. Let's see how far your soldiers will follow you without pay.”

“You can't do this to me,” Chrysalis growled menacingly.

“I've got two words for you, your majesty: Fillybuster!” He turned towards the rest of the assembled sticks in the mud, completely ignoring his queen. “Dear Senators. Furthermore I am of the opinion that Bearthargo needs to be destroyed. Let me present my arguments in excruciating detail once more.”

“You'll regret this, you old fool!” Chrysalis screamed. When nopony reacted to her outburst, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the Senate, two royal guards falling in behind her in quick step. “And fillybuster is one word, you jackass!” she added over her shoulder.

* * *

Back in her royal apartments, Chrysalis was in dire need of some pampering. She unceremoniously threw off her state robes, which landed in the corner of the room in a crumpled heap and slipped into her favourite green gown.

She sat down in a comfortable chair and immediately one servant scrambled to place a bowl of hot water for a hoof bath in front of her, while another began massaging her stiff shoulders.

Chrysalis sighed and relaxed visibly as she dipped her hooves into the warm water and began to moan lightly as her muscles were kneaded. She waved away another servant who was getting ready to file her horn.

“What do we do now, your majesty?” one of the two guards, who had taken up position at the door, asked.

“I don't know. Maybe it's time we all took a vacation.”

“Funny, I was just about to suggest that,” a new voice chirped in.

Both of the guards immediately pointed their spears at the lean, young Changeling at the door. He was wearing a red sash that identified him as a senator. “This is the Queen's private quarters. State your business.”

With an oily grin he spread his hands to show that he was no threat. “Your faithful service to our queen does you honour, good sirs. I, myself, was outraged at the Senate's lack of respect. That is why I left the proceedings to come here with a proposition for her majesty.”

The guard gave Chrysalis a questioning look. She shrugged. Sometimes opportunities came in the most unlikely forms. “Let him in.” She mustered the man with a penetrating glance. “I don't think we've met.”

He nodded. “The name's Seianor, your majesty. I took over my father's place in the Senate after his unexpected death last spring. Senator Scipior.”

Chrysalis nodded. “Scipior was one of my mother's most trusted supporters. He helped her reforms tremendously.” Then she raised an eyebrow. “I also know for a fact that he had no son.”

“You're very astute, my Queen,” Seianor said, bowing and rubbing his hands. “I am his adopted son. Nonetheless I am looking to continue the family tradition. I can help you deal with the Senate.”

Chrysalis didn't like the man. He was one of those crawlers, who had nothing but their own standing in mind by kissing the flanks of actually important people. But since she herself was at a loss, there was no harm in at least hearing him out. “I'm listening.”

“You see, at the moment the senators are under the wrongful impression that our agents don't know enough about the enemy to do their duty. If you were to supply a comprehensive study about pony society, it would pull the rug out from under Cator's hooves.”

Chrysalis rubbed her chin in thought. “So what you're saying is that they won't go to war with an unknown quantity. And I suppose you'll want to present my findings to the Senate?”

She had been spot on as Seianor flinched at her perceptiveness. “Well, of course if you were present such a study yourself, Cator will cry foul play immediately. I on the other hand am impartial right now, so I can further your cause.”

“As well as further your bid to become praetor. You are the most junior applicant on the list for next month's vote,” the Queen pointed out without missing a beat.

Seianor bowed so deeply that his muzzle was almost scraping the floor. “You are as wise as you are beautiful, my Queen. But just think of all the possibilities that I could open up for you in exchange for this small favour. I am your humble servant in all things.”

Chrysalis resisted the urge to gag and instead gave him a charming smile. “Very well, I can see the merit in your plan. You can expect some mail from me soon. You have our permission to withdraw.” That was a phrase she had learned from her mother. Translation: Get lost.

Still bowing, Seianor backed out of the room. Maybe he thought that in this position Chrysalis wouldn't notice the sly grin on his face.

The Queen of the Changelings turned to her two guards. “Pack my things, bare essentials only. I'm leaving for Equestria today.”

“Do you require an escort, your majesty?” the guard asked.

“Only as far as the border. I don't want to draw any unwanted attention. It's better for me to go alone.” As the wheels began to turn in her head for a political coup de grâce, she said to her servants: “Mop up in here while I'm gone. I don't want anyone to slip and fall on the slime trail that sycophant left.”

Chapter 1: Baked Goods

Chapter 1: Baked Goods

“You shouldn't have any problems handling the counter,” Mr. Cake said as he was getting ready to make a delivery. “The lunch rush is over, so I don't expect many customers. If you do have any questions, my wife will be in the kitchen.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Cake,” Chrysalis said brightly with her most sincere fake smile. “Leave everything to me.” She had donned the disguise of a green earth pony mare upon her arrival in Ponyville. The image was completed by a golden mane tied into two pigtails and a set of freckles across her cheeks.

For all the world she looked like a young mare, who had nothing more sinister in mind than getting a part-time job, which she had easily acquired at Sugarcube Corner. “Well,” Mr. Cake said, taking hold of the delivery cart. “Thanks again for your help. We always need the extra help, when Pinkie leaves on one of her adventures with Twilight.”

Chrysalis gritted her teeth. “Gosh, I'd love to meet her sometime. It must be amazing to be one of the Elements of Harmony.”

He nodded. “Probably, but it's a headache for us. Never know when your assistant/foal sitter will be unavailable. Take care, Sun Flower.”

The name had been derived from her fake cutie mark. Two guesses as to what it was. Coming up with names and cutie marks for fictional disguises was always harder than just assuming an existing identity. Her smile faded immediately, when the baker's head was turned. At least he was taking the two insufferable brats with him, which were now riding in the basket on their father's back and blowing raspberries at the Changeling Queen.

Chrysalis stood behind the counter of the empty sales floor and slammed her head down on on it. “Why do I have to deal with this?” she moaned. “Celestia can simply snap her fingers to get what she wants and the Griffon parliament is a joke since the recent voting reforms. Why am I the only one who has to deal with the likes of Cator and Seianor?”

Ponyville had seemed like a good way to start on her quest. Canterlot was probably still on high alert, while a newcomer in the rural town hardly raised any eyebrows. But it was so boring! To think that she, the illustrious and radiantly beautiful Queen of the Changelings, was reduced to sell sweets to the backwater inhabitants of this dump made her want to scream.

“Excuse me,” the voice of a young colt said. “Can I have two Cherry Sugar Milkshakes please?”

'Sun Flower' looked up from her exercise in self-pity. Her first customer of the day had a brown coat and was wearing a ridiculous propeller hat. “Coming right up,” she mumbled and prepared the drinks. Topping each off with a cherry, she put them down on the counter. “Two bits.”

“I think you forgot the straws,” the colt said, cocking his head.

Chrysalis fished two fresh drinking straws, still wrapped in plastic, from the box on the counter and laid them down. “Two bits,” she repeated, getting annoyed. The kid could have gotten his own bloody straws, after all.

He finally put the money down on the counter. “And can I have some extra chocolate sprinkles for one? It's for my girlfriend, Sweetie Belle.”

“That'll be another bit, then.”

“But Pinkie Pie always put them on free of charge.”

Chrysalis grimaced. “Do I look like a giggling, pink fool? You want sprinkles, you cough up the money.”

“But I don't have any more on me,” the colt wailed.

“Then get a job, kid.”

“I'm only eight years old,” he protested. “Besides I used up my allowance to buy video games.”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “That's the problem with you foals these days. You want everything for free.” Seeing that the boy was close to tears, she leaned down and whispered in a soothing voice. “Aww, it's okay. Look, I can give you something else for free.”

His eyes sparkled. “Really? What is it?”

She bared her fangs at him and for a moment her green, reptilian eyes flashed menacingly. “A kick in the teeth! That way you can eat through a straw for months and your mom will buy you all the milkshakes you could want.”

The colt's eyes grew wide. Then tears fell and finally he turned and ran out of the store. “MOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!”

Chrysalis chuckled darkly. “Still got it,” she complimented herself, putting the two bits in her own apron pocket and unwrapping a straw. Then she got to work, slurping one of the two milkshakes. No point in letting them go to waste. It was sickeningly sweet, but it matched her mood. Dealing with the Senate had given her little chance to smile for the last few months.

Unfortunately she was now all alone again and the boredom quickly began to nag at her once more. Then a thought came to her. Considering the brat's volume, it seemed strange that Mrs. Cake hadn't at least stuck her ever-curious head out of the kitchen to see what was going on.

Shrugging, Chrysalis stood up and made her way over to the double doors that led to the kitchen, but stopped just short of actually opening them. Peering over the rim, she raised an eyebrow. “Now that is interesting.”

She had expected to see Mrs. Cup Cake hard at work, but the image that unfolded before her was one more of fun than work. A brown pegasus stallion with a 5 o'clock shadow was kissing the married mare and fondling her breasts over her clothes. But it didn't end there. A unicorn stallion with a beige coat was standing behind her and nibbling at her collar bone. Chrysalis had poured over the dossiers of every known pony in preparation for her mission and could identify the two stallions as Crafty Crate, the boss of a small delivery company, and Doughnut Joe, another baker from Canterlot.

“Is this what passes for catering service around here?” she wondered and looked on with interest, slurping some more of the milkshake.

The sound made the unicorn's ears perk up and he looked in her direction. “Is there somepony there?”

Ooops, Chrysalis thought and ducked around the corner, so she was out of sight. She was fairly sure that he hadn't seen her.

Luckily Mrs. Cake herself defused the situation. “Don't worry,” she said, breaking the kiss with the pegasus. “My husband's out for at least an hour and he took the kids. The only one here is that temp girl.”

“Wouldn't it be bad, if she walked in on us?” Chrysalis reasoned that the new voice belonged to Crafty Crate.

The baker chuckled. “Don't worry. As soon as Pinkie Pie gets back, I'm gonna fire her anyway. I'll hide some cash and accuse her of stealing it. No severance package and nopony's gonna believe the word of a thief.”

“Well, that's nice to know,” Chrysalis grumbled. Still on some twisted level she had to admire the blue mare's cunning and business sense. She'd have made a good agent for the Hive, if she had been a Changeling. Suddenly her ears perked up. “My MILF-sense is tingling.”

Sure enough a mare with a brownish coat and mane stormed into the store. She looked livid with rage. “I demand an explanation about my son!” she shouted.

“Well,” Chrysalis began, leisurely resting her elbows on the counter. “You see, it's like this. When a mommy pony and a daddy pony love each other very much...”

“Not that! My son Button Mash was in here a moment ago. What did you do to him?”

“Oh, the brat. I just educated him a bit about the realities of business, that's all.” Her eyes wandered from the mare's face to her ample chest. Chrysalis hated mares with such giant jugs. Changelings were naturally flat-chested and while she couldn't be totally sure about it, she had always had the theory that this very fact lay at the foundation of the eternal rivalry between the two matriarchal societies.

“I think an apology is in order!” Button's mom said hotly.

Chrysalis waved her off. “Not necessary. I enjoyed sending him crying,” she said, deliberately misunderstanding her. “But to show you that there's no ill will, have a milkshake on the house.” With a grin she picked up the remaining shake and spilled it over the mare's chest, not even bothering to pretend that it was an accident.

“Eeek! You did that on purpose!”

For some reason seeing the nipples of those D-Cups peek through the wet dress ticked the Changeling Queen off even more. “Duuuuuuh! You're not too bright, are you? Now run back to that brat of yours. I'm sure he'll be happy to lap the milk up from those ugly udders, you milk cow.”

“Gah … ghuh … tsk … The Cakes are gonna hear about this and so will the Mayor!” With that empty threat completed, Button's mom turned on her heels and walked out. One could almost see the steam rising from her ears.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “Good luck getting a hold of 'Sun Flower' after today. Now, let's get back to the show.” After a moment's thought she decided that peeking over the door was too risky. But since nopony was around, she was free to use her magic. Firing up her horn, which was hidden underneath her earth pony disguise, she cast a swirling, green spot of magic at the wall, which acted as a one-way-window.

Perfect. This way she could watch to her heart's content and the three ponies on the other side were none the wiser. “Damn, missed a good part.”

The trio had used the fact that they were in a cake shop to the best of their ability. Mrs. Cake was lying on the kitchen table. Her chest was covered in whipped cream, which the pegasus stallion was eagerly lapping up and on each of her nipples rested a perfect cherry.

A little further down the unicorn was levitating a jug of honey above the married mare's privates, angling it slightly, so a steady stream of the sweet substance was flowing onto her labia. With slurping noises he lapped up the combined mixture of honey and love juices.

“This is getting good,” Chrysalis said to herself, getting a little more comfortable on her stool and feeling around for her milkshake. Not wanting to take her eyes off the spectacle, it took her a few seconds, but when her fingers bumped into the glass, she took the drink and leaned back.

Crafty Crate took one of the cherries in his mouth. After chewing for a bit, he gave Cup Cake a deep kiss. His hand moved around the mare's now exposed breast and pinched her nipple. When their lips parted Mrs. Cake spit out the cherry core with a smile and the pegasus took the stem out from his mouth, which he had apparently knotted with his tongue during the kiss.

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. “I would say that was 'crafty', but cheesy is more like it.”

Mrs. Cake did not have an opportunity to comment on that skill. She was moaning loudly, when Joe started sucking on her clitoris. His head came up with a grin. “Looks like you're ready. Mind if I dip my corn dog into your honey pot?”

“Go for it,” Cup Cake encourage him. The unicorn stood up and pulled down his pants in one fell swoop. He picked up her legs and thrust into her with his massive stallionhood.

“No fair,” Crafty complained. “I was supposed to get first dibs today.”

“No need to go hungry,” Mrs. Cake said, pressing her breasts together and rubbing the cream all over her coat. “You can have a sandwich for an appetizer.”

Chrysalis groaned. Why did ponies have this strange fascination with puns? All the food metaphors gave her a headache, not to mention making her hungry. Looking around, she spotted the popcorn machine. With a shrug she filled herself a bag and began to munch absentmindedly on the snack, while keeping her eyes on the trio.

In a pretty amazing display the pegasus had removed his pants in mid-air, landed on the mare's stomach and pressed his hard member between her boobs. “Bon appetite,” he grunted and began to grind his hips.

Despite being rocked by the two stallions' thrusting motions, Mrs. Cake managed to stick out her tongue and let it flick across Crafty's tip every now and then. Whether she did it to increase the pleasure for him or to get some of the whipped cream or possibly both, remained her secret.

Either way it seemed to excite the pegasus. Each time tongue and cock connected, he shuddered slightly and in response pinched her nipples. That in turn made the mare tense up and clamp down even harder on Joe's member, who grunted in return. It was a rather interesting chain reaction to watch for Chrysalis.

“Oh, buck!” Crafty moaned, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. “Feels like your tits have gotten even bigger, since you gave birth to the twins.”

Cup Cake giggled. “They have and if you keep playing with them every day, they'll stay that way.”

“It's unbelievable that Carrot hasn't caught on to us yet,” Joe panted. “I mean, great-grandfather a unicorn and second cousin twice removed or whatever a pegasus? How stupid can you be?”

“Oh, come now. He's just keeping up appearances, because he enjoys being a father, even if they aren't his.” Cup Cake looked away. Was this guilt in her voice? “And he's a good father. If he ever does work up the courage to confront me about it, would you mind if I invited him to join us sometime?”

“Doesn't matter to me,” Crafty said. He slid forward a few inches, taking her head in both his hands and pushed himself into her mouth, where he continued his bucking. “You've proven in the past that you can handle more than one hole being filled at a time.”

“Exactly,” Joe agreed. To prove his point, he pulled out, raised Cup Cake's hips a little further and buried himself in her ass with a groan.

Chrysalis cocked her head as the buck fest on the other side of the wall continued with slightly different aim. “Somehow I doubt that honey makes such a great lubricant.” Speaking of honey, without realizing it she had emptied the whole bag of popcorn. She got herself a refill and took a few more slurps from her milkshake, then turned her attention back to the three ponies.

Cup Cake started getting into the blowjob, Crafty had seemingly forced on her. Her head was clearly going back and forth and from the corners of her mouth Chrysalis could see her tongue moving in a circular motion. “Looks like they've done this before,” the Queen mused.

It really was quite obvious. They were all perfectly synched. Three ponies going at it together for the first time, there was bound to be some awkwardness. But there was none of that here. Mrs. Cake's moans could be heard despite the large cock in her mouth and the glistening fluid from her sex was flowing freely, coating the spot where she and Joe were connected.

“If you're going for the back entrance,” Crafty asked over his shoulder, “mind if I take the front now?”

“Go for it.” With his magic the unicorn stallion lifted Cup Cake easily into the air and turned her around. His dick still buried in her ass, he was now holding her up by her legs.

Crafty licked his lips at the sight of the exposed mare. Unconsciously Chrysalis did the same, sharing the magnificent view. He took his stallionhood in one hand and aimed it straight at her. As he plunged into her, the mare screamed in ecstasy, both her holes now filled to the brim.

“Oy, keep it down,” the pegasus said. “What if there's customers outside?”

“I don't care!” Mrs. Cake said, her tongue lolling out to the side. “I love being filled with cocks. Let them hear it.”

“Don't worry, mate,” Joe said with a wink. Firing up his horn again, he levitated a crumpled pair of panties up from the floor and put them in Cup Cake's mouth. “There,” he said, kissing her neck. “Now you can scream all you want. Go wild, honey.”

They both started moving in perfect unison and the improvised gag kept the mare's cries of ecstasy muffled as she slung her arms around the pegasus' neck. Crafty took hold of her legs and began sucking on her nipples.

Not having to bear the whole load anymore, Joe swung his arm and brought it down on her flank hard. Mrs. Cake arched her back with each slap. Was she perhaps a masochist, Chrysalis wondered.

Crafty took her chin between to fingers and grinned at her. “Look at you. Bucking two stallions in the shop while your husband is away with the kids and the part-timer is just next door.”

“I think she likes it that way,” Joe grunted. He was obviously getting close.

“Oh, I know she likes it, judging by how she's getting tighter around my cock. Let's go crazy inside of her.”

The unicorn nodded. “Shaken and stirred, coming right up.”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. Again with puns! Bad wordplay aside, the two stallions really did go crazy, speeding up their thrusts to the point where she was amazed that they kept their precarious balance. Mrs. Cake's screams of pleasure could clearly be heard even on the sales floor. The only thing that was even louder was the wet slapping noise their private parts made, when they came together.

Chrysalis gulped. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene. Finally Mrs. Cake arched her back and cried through the fabric, shuddering in an intense orgasm.

“Whoops, almost came myself,” Crafty muttered as the two stallions gently lowered her to the floor. “Even Carrot can't be dense enough not to catch on, if another pegasus foal suddenly joined the family.”

Joe removed the panties from Cup Cake's mouth and kissed her, then he stood up straight and wiggled his still hard member in front of her face. Chrysalis knew what would be coming next. “Time to put the icing on the cake.”

Even though she had anticipated it, Chrysalis could feel herself slightly dying inside. The duo of grinning stallions obviously thought it was rather clever as they high-fived each other. Mrs. Cake didn't comment. She simply took each in one hand and began jerking them off for the finale. Every now and then, she gave them a few licks, but it really wasn't necessary. They were both at breaking point.

With deep grunts they both unleashed their thick seed simultaneously. Mrs. Cake stuck out her tongue to try and catch some of it. The rest sprayed across her flushed cheeks and slowly dripped down onto her exposed breasts.

Joe chuckled lightly. “And what do we say after we're done eating?”

Mrs. Cake scooped up some of the cum with her finger and licked it off happily. She went on to lick the two cocks in front of her clean of the last few drops and then swallowed visibly. She looked up with a satisfied smile. “Thank you for the treat, it was very sweet!”

Chrysalis had seen enough and she couldn't stomach any more food puns, so she waved her magic peephole out of existence and turned toward the counter. The three of them would probably need some time to clean up, so she had ample time to draft a letter addressed to the Changeling Senate.

Special Report #1

Through careful observations I have learned that in small-town pony society love does go through the proverbial stomach. This behaviour even takes precedence over existing relationships. In the future smearing a potential love interest with different kinds of food, mainly fruit and sweets, should be considered the first step towards initiating intimate contact. A cake to the face may prove most effective towards that purpose. Personally I have found a milkshake to the chest rather enlightening on several different levels of intelligence gathering.

I recommend that from now on all our agents should be equipped with a field-kit consisting of ripe cherries, whipped cream and assorted flavours of honey.

Using her magic, she sent the letter off to Seianor. “Time to move on,” she declared. As she was getting ready to leave, she happened to glance at the cash register. She shrugged, remembering Mrs. Cake's earlier remark about how she planned to get rid of her. “Don't let it be said that I made a liar out of you, Mrs. Cake.”

With a new disguise and a purse that was considerably more heavy than it had been in the morning, Queen Chrysalis left Sugarcube Corner and set her sights on her next target: Sweet Apple Acres.

Chapter 2: Apples Together

Chapter 2: Apples Together

(Warning! This chapter contains Incest!)

Chrysalis stretched and yawned while lounging on a high-up branch in the Apples' West Orchard. It felt so much better to be able to use at least part of her natural abilities openly again. This time she had adopted the disguise of a grey pegasus mare with a pale, blue mane. Flying had always been one of her favourite hobbies. Well, that and suddenly swooping down from the sky to scare the living daylights out of unsuspecting fools.

Her cutie mark was the stylized head of a mouse, which was supposed to represent her special talent for the time being: pest control. It was a good disguise. Most ponies didn't like to think about people with such a vocation, unless they had a serious infestation. So it was easy to keep your head down and not attract much attention. It was also a convenient excuse to enter homes and checking every nook and cranny on the pretense of pest control.

Naturally a farm such as this had to deal with critters 24/7 to keep the apple trees, which were their very livelihood, safe from sharp teeth and bugs alike. As such the Apple Family had hired 'Critter Fright' almost as soon as she had presented them with her fake resume.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew something in Chrysalis' face. She grabbed the piece of paper and glared at it. But when she saw what the breeze had brought her, she couldn't help but grin. Underneath a rude sketch of her previous disguise the following lines could be read:

Wanted!

For theft, verbal abuse of a minor, assault and sexual harassment any information that can lead to the apprehension of the mare called Sun Flower will be rewarded with the sum of 500 bits. Please direct any information concerning her whereabouts to the Mayor's Office or contact the proprietors of Sugarcube Corner. Do not attempt to make contact! Sun Flower is considered armed and dangerous, when in the presence of milkshakes.

Chrysalis laughed out loud. “Ah, these ponies are so droll.” She carefully folded the wanted poster and put it in the back pocket of the jeans she was wearing. This would look wonderful framed and hanging in her state office back home.

From the corner of her eye she could make out movement. Sitting up straight on the branch and then staying still, she surveyed the area with the eyes of a predator. There! A beaver was flitting around between the trees.

A short burst of magic told her that nopony else was around, so she could let loose with her magic abilities without blowing her cover. The beaver had stopped in front of a particularly strong-looking tree and was about to sink his teeth into the wood.

Ziiiing!

The animal jumped almost two feet in the air as a green bolt of magic energy singed its tail. He looked around in confusion, his extremity still smoking. Then he spotted the grinning Changeling Queen up in her tree. He shook his small fist at her and unleashed a string of insults in the clicking beaver tongue.

“Hmph, you wanna play rough, do ya?” Chrysalis summoned magic into her right index and middle finger and aimed at the animal as if she was a gunslinger from some old western. “Let's see how beavers dance!”

Pew! Pew! Pew!

With an evil laugh she unleashed volley after volley of green energy projectiles at the poor creature's feet, which made it hop up and down frantically to avoid getting blasted.

When she finally stopped the assault, the beaver fled with even more curses on his lips directed at Chrysalis. Although she couldn't really understand what he was saying, she couldn't just leave it unanswered. “Yeah, you too, buddy!” she called after him. “And be sure to let your friends know. There's a new sheriff in this here orchard!”

With a smile she blew the excess energy from her fingers. This was so much more fun than dealing with politics! “I should do this more often,” she mused and then yawned again. “Well, that's enough work for one morning. Time for some well-earned rest.” She pulled the stetson she had received as part of her work outfit over her eyes and leaned back into the tall branch.

* * *

“Critter Fright! Hey, Critter Fright!”

Chrysalis grumbled as she stirred in her sleep. Some ponies! Couldn't this mare see that she was sleeping here? She wished that this Critter Fright would just answer and shut her up, so she could get back to sleep.

Bang!

Suddenly the tree she was in shook violently and Chrysalis awoke with a start. “Are we under attack?” She was still half asleep. “Sound the alarm! Deploy the troops! Where are our scouts? Report!”

“Stop goofing around up there, Critter Fright!” an orange mare with a blonde mane called angrily from down below. Evidently her finely honed apple-bucking ability had shaken the tree to the core.

Then Chrysalis remembered. She herself was Critter Fright at the moment. She looked unperturbed at the farm pony. “Sorry, boss. I was just taking a little break.”

Applejack shook her head. “Yer work ethic is deplorable, but ah can't really argue with yer results. The farm is practically critter-free.”

Chrysalis jumped down from the tree and landed softly in front of the mare with a stroke of her wings. She stuck out her chest and jabbed a thumb at it. “That's because I'm the best!”

Applejack had a peculiar mixture of admiration and loathing on her honest face. “Uh-huh. Between the constant napping and the boasting, ya sure yer not related to a pegasus named Rainbow Dash?”

“Blergh! Me related to an Element of Harmony? That'll be the day!” was what she would have liked to say. But to keep her cover intact she simply shrugged.

It had been a dangerous move to infiltrate the home and workplace of one of the Element-Bearers while they were around, but it was a calculated risk. Certainly she couldn't approach Twilight Sparkle or even Rarity. The unicorns of the group would have certainly seen through her disguise, having fought her twice before. Applejack on the other hand was a simple earth pony with no way to detect magic and honest to a fault. As long as Chrysalis played her cards right, there was no way that she would be discovered.

On top of all of that, the Apple family was famous for their hospitality. In addition to lodgings in the barn and three free meals per day, she had even been given a set of work clothes that matched Applejack's to a T, tight-fitting jeans, a red-and-white-checkered shirt and a brown stetson hat. From afar they could have been mistaken for sisters dressed like this.

Despite everything Chrysalis found that she liked this hard-working mare and she was almost feeling bad about deceiving her like this. Almost. Perhaps it was because she didn't have as ridiculously large breasts as most ponies. At a firm and perky B they were stiller bigger than hers, but the difference wasn't as bad. Perhaps it was the years of manual labour that had developed muscles instead of fat.

“If yer done napping, ah need ya to take a look at the gazebo. Big Mac just repaired it, but Granny Smith still thinks there's something wrong with it. Might be termites.”

“Sure, I can have a look,” Chrysalis said, scratching her head. “Anything else, boss?”

“Nah, just keep doing whatcha doing to keep the critters at bay. How are ya doing that, anyway?”

The Queen of the Changelings gave her an evil smile. “Do you really wanna know?”

Applejack gulped. “On second thought, don't tell me. Ever. If ah knew, ah might not be able to look Fluttershy in the eye anymore.”

* * *

“Termites my plot,” Chrysalis muttered while walking across the farm yard. The only problem with that gazebo was that it was positively ancient, almost as ancient as the Apple family matron's senile mind.

In effect she had just wasted an entire afternoon examining rotten wood. Speaking of wood, she hadn't seen Big Mac the whole day. “Now that's a stallion that was made for loving,” she mused, licking her lips. Perhaps she ought to make him an offer to come back to the Hive with her.

Deals like that had been done in the past as mutually beneficial arrangements. Virile stallions would come to the Hive and get allocated several female Changelings. Since they could change to the taste of the stallion, it was essentially the harem of his dreams for him. In exchange he would let the Changelings feast off his love.

Unfortunately relations between the Hive and Equestria had decayed to such a point over the past centuries that even the bravest/horniest stallions wouldn't make such a deal, because they were too afraid.

Chrysalis sighed. She knew from her history lessons that ponies and Changelings had once lived in a much more symbiotic relationship. But something had changed along the way. She wasn't really sure what, since all evidence from that time were sealed in the archives of the Senate that even the Queen couldn't access, but it had led to a severe population decline in the Hive through food shortage. Had it been a singular event or had it been a process, in which fear of their abilities had naturally led the ponies to distrust Changelings?

The Queen shook her head. There was no point in worrying about what was said and done centuries ago. She had her own problems to face and strangely enough, they were far more troublesome at home than in enemy country. “Still, I bet Celestia would know what happened back then. I wonder what she would say, if I asked her.”

She tucked that thought away in her mind. Maybe the opportunity would arise in the future, but for now she needed to get on with her mission. She couldn't stay at Sweet Apple Acres forever.

Chrysalis frowned. “Well, the Apples were strict employers, but always fair. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to end things on good terms.” Besides, as fun as they were to look at, she didn't need any more wanted posters of her alter egos floating around. It made an otherwise effective disguise useless, after all.

With the resolve to formally quit her job before moving on, she went in search of Applejack. Chrysalis went around the yard in vain for a few minutes. Odd, she thought. AJ wasn't in the fields, because her good work boots, the ones she used for apple-bucking, were still at the front door of the main house.

Just then she heard something rattle inside the barn. Sounded like a rake or something similar hitting the floor. Was somepony in there? Since she was on the far side, instead of heading to the front gate, she brought her face close to the wood planks. There was enough space between them to peek through.

Inside Applejack was pinning her brother to the wall with an angry expression. As always Big Macintosh wasn't wearing a shirt underneath his dungaress, so his muscular chest was plainly visible. “Ah just thought I'd give Critter a hand with the gazebo, is all. Ah built the damn thing, after all.”

AJ was still frowning. “And ah said that ah didn't want t' see ya near her. She's been looking at ya funny. What if she tries anything?”

Chrysalis' lips tightened. Had she been found out, after all? But something was strange about this situation. Applejack was blushing.

Big Mac smiled disarmingly. “Ya worry too much, sis. Nothing's gonna happen. Besides ah only got eyes for y'all, you know that.” Suddenly he grabbed Applejack's breasts and rolled them around with his palms.

A cute moan escaped the mare's lips. Chrysalis was gob-smacked to put it lightly. The image of her strict boss and the word cute did not compute together in her brain. Moreover weren't they siblings?

AJ slung her arm around the stallion's muscular shoulders. “Yer really telling the truth?”

“Eyup,” Big Mac responded and then proceeded to kiss his sister. Far from being disgusted, she seemed to have been waiting for this and relaxed visibly while returning the kiss. His hands were still fondling her chest.

“Woah,” Chrysalis mumbled. This was unexpected. To think the Apple Family was hiding such a secret.

“Watcha looking at, Critter?”

“Gugh,” Chrysalis jumped at the voice behind her. She turned around to see the little red-headed devil standing there. This was bad. “N-nothing, Apple Bloom. Just thought I'd heard something.”

But the filly's eyes were already sparkling with realization. “Oh my gosh, are mah brother and sister in there doing naughty things again? I wanna see!”

“Oy,” Chrysalis tried to keep the curious Cutie Mark Crusader away, but she was already pressed against another opening in the side of the barn and watching intently. “You really shouldn't be watching this, kid.”

“Relax,” Apple Bloom responded. “Ah've seen 'em do it tons of times before.” She made a face. “Damn, should have brought my camera. The colts in my class would pay good bits for this.”

Chrysalis was dumb-founded. She knew that AJ's younger sister had a knack for getting in trouble, but this was beyond even her expectations. “You sell pictures of your brother and sister making out to your classmates?”

“Yep,” the filly replied, still watching through the hole. “Thought I'd get mah cutie mark in nude photography.”

“Did you?”

“Nope, but it's good money. Water skies and sky-diving lessons aren't cheap, you know. Mah brother and sister have been funding the Crusaders without realizing it for the past six months or so.”

Chrysalis blinked, then her eyes widened and finally she hugged Apple Bloom, laughing. “You are a filly after my own taste. You'll go far in this world!”

“Uh, thanks?” Apple Bloom said embarrassed. “Can we get back to watching now?”

“Sure,” Chrysalis said with a grin.

Big Mac had moved on with his groping and pulled down Applejack's pants. She was wearing white, laced panties underneath. Somehow that didn't seem to fit her image, but the red stallion obviously enjoyed the sensation as he rubbed her through the fabric.

“Lay down,” AJ whispered. “I wanna try something new today.”

Big Mac readily lowered himself onto the straw and laid flat on his back. Applejack grabbed onto his trousers and with a grin jerked them once and only once. But that was enough to completely remove them. This mare sure had some insane strength.

“Whoa,” Chrysalis said. “He's huge. Why doesn't he have a regular marefriend?”

“They're both bad with relationships,” Apple Bloom said sadly as Applejack was climbing on top of her brother and began gingerly rubbing his stallionhood. “Big brother is too shy to talk to other mares, but he's at ease with Applejack.”

AJ gazed at the half-erect cock before her with misty eyes. “Ya know what I love about ya, big brother?” she asked and then gave the tip a kiss, which made the stallion shudder. “Yer body is always honest with me.” With a wet slurp she put it in her mouth and began to suck.

A thought occurred to Chrysalis, so she asked Apple Bloom. “Why did you say they 'both' were bad with relationships? I would have thought your sister had to beat the suitors off with a stick.”

The filly sighed. “Ya'd think. She's had a few coltfriends, but all of them left after a short time. Said they couldn't handle being told the truth all the time.”

Chrysalis mulled that one over in her mind. Certainly compulsive honesty could put a strain on any relationship, especially when it came from the Element of Honesty herself. Some truths were simply better left unsaid. She was an expert on that, after all Chrysalis thought of herself as a good liar.

Turning her attention back to the scene before her, she could see that Applejack was now seriously sucking off her brother. Big Mac himself had silently shifted her panties and was rubbing her crevice directly now.

AJ let go off the cock and looked over her shoulder. “Oww, come on, stop teasing, big brother.” She said that while wiggling her hips a little.

He smiled at her. “Ah can't help it. Yer just too cute, when yer slightly miffed.” But to make up for it, he planted a wet kiss on her marehood. Applejack shuddered in delight and got to work on the cock in front of her again.

Chrysalis was silently watching. For all she knew about pony society, this was a taboo and she should have been disgusted by it. But she could feel the love permeating the air. Yes, to a Changeling like her, who gained power from love, it was clear as day. There was no falseness about it, nothing dirty, just absolute honesty with each other. Most normal couples she had met didn't share a love this pure.

Applejack moaned around her brother's cock as he presumably entered her with his hot tongue. She was now rubbing her entire body up and down in this 69 position, which meant that her breasts were rubbing the base of his shaft, while she was sucking on the tip. Moreover her hands expertly played with his balls.

It seemed like Mac's enormous size got even bigger still from the intense stimulation all over his body. Panting, he pulled his face from her crotch. “Sis, can ya do the thing that ya do?”

Applejack grinned at him. “Do what?”

“Ya know … “

“Ah don't, if ya won't tell me.” Compared to earlier they had switched roles. Now Applejack was being the tease, playing on her brother's soft-spokenness.

He gave a little thrust with his hips, before answering. “Ah want ya to ride it.”

“See? That wasn't so hard, was it? The truth will set you free.” She slid forward and positioned her hips over the throbbing cock in a reverse cowgirl position. Chrysalis smiled. It seemed so fitting for these two and they didn't seem to feel the need to make bad puns about it.

“Giddyup, cowgirl,” Big Mac said with a smile as she rubbed her moist spot against the tip of his towering pride.

Bang!

“What in tarnation?” Applejack asked, bewildered at the bump that could just be heard.

“Something wrong, Critter?” Apple Bloom asked Chrysalis, who had banged her head into the wall.

“Nothing,” Chrysalis mumbled. “Just resting my face.” She shouldn't have thought about the puns. She should have been aware that irony was by now her constant companion, ever since that unnecessary comment about 'ridiculous sentiments' at the Canterlot Wedding it came back to bite her every opportunity it got.

Luckily the two siblings didn't seem to have thought about the noise any further as Applejack slowly lowered herself. She gasped as his massive size parted her lips and slowly filled her up to the brim.

She smiled then. “I can feel ya all the way inside. Let's start this rodeo.” Moving her hips in a circular motion, she threw her head back and moaned.

Big Mac was also panting from the pleasure and used his hands to grab onto his sister's ass. After kneading the firm butt for a while, an idea occurred to him. “Mah little sis is being naughty. Ah think she needs a little spanking.” He pulled back his large hand and brought the flat of it down on her cheek with a resounding smack.

“Ahnnn! Yes, ah'm a bad girl. Ah'm riding my big brother's cock and ah love it. Punish me more!” AJ seemed to enjoy the peculiar mixture of pleasure and pain. Chrysalis understood. What they were doing was wrong, but that was exactly what made it so exciting. Forbidden fruit was the tastiest. Mrs. Cake a few days ago had been the same.

Big Mac continued to spank her, but it was clear that he was controlling his enormous strength precisely. Even though her cheeks were burning red, the mare wasn't really in pain. She kept brushing her tail across her brother's bare chest while her hips moved faster and faster.

The stallion caught the swishing tail between his jaws and pulled. Applejack seemed to be a bit of a masochist, because she screamed in delight at the sudden pulling. She cupped her breasts with her hands and began pulling on her nipples. “Ahh! Ah'm cumming! Cumming on mah big brother's cock! Ahhhhh!”

Her scream pierced the heavens and a fountain of crystal-clear liquid sprayed out from where they were connected. Applejack was catching her ragged breath, staring off into space emptily.

But Big Mac wasn't done yet. With a jerk of his lower body he rolled the both of them onto their sides, making sure to put his left arm under Applejack's torso, so she landed softly. In this position Chrysalis could now clearly see their privates. The stallion began to pump vigorously with only one thing on his mind.

“Wait,” AJ pleaded. “Ah'm still sensitive, if you do it so soon, I'll … I'll ….”

But her protests were cut short, when he took her chin in one hand and turned her head slightly. The siblings passionately kissed, each of their tongues fighting to get on top of the other.

He lifted up one of her legs to get a better angle and continued to pump. “AJ, is it alright if ah cum inside today?”

She nodded with tears in her eyes. “It's alright. It's one of mah safe days.”

An animalistic glint could be seen inside the stallion's green eyes. After those words there was no holding back and he slammed into her like a jackhammer.

“Ahhh, wait, if ya do it like that, … gasp … Ah'm gonna break. Mah pussy's gonna break.” Her tongue was hanging out of her mouth and her eyes were rolled back. With the crimson flush underneath her freckles, the face she was making looked incredibly erotic to Chrysalis. “Ah'm cumming agaaaaiiiiiinnnnn!!!”

When Applejack's body jerked, that was the final push for Big Mac as well. With a low grunt he came and pumped his seed deep inside of his sister.

“Hot!” Applejack screamed. “It's so hot! Mah big brother's cum is filling me up and burning my insides!”

There was so much that after the third spurt the milky substance could be seen overflowing from Applejack's pussy. Two more spurts from Big Mac and a small pool of their mixed juices had formed under the spot where they were connected.

They both needed a minute to catch their breaths. Eventually Big Mac wrapped his sister up in his arms and snuggled up to her. “Ah love ya, sis. Let's stay together forever.”

AJ smiled at the heart-felt words of her big brother. “Eyup,” she said and closed her eyes. Still naked and one with each other, they drifted off to a happy sleep.

“Awww,” Apple Bloom sighed at their love confessions.

Even Chrysalis couldn't help but get a little mushy at this forbidden, yet pure love. She could practically taste it on her lips. She gently patted Apple Bloom's head. “Take good care of them, kid.”

“Huh?” The filly looked at her with inquisitive eyes. “Whatcha mean by that?”

Chrysalis blushed and scratched her cheek. “Uhm, well … They are your best source of income right?” Then a thought hit her. “If I were you, I'd look to invest in a video camera.”

The red-maned filly's eyes grew wider and wider. Had she said something wrong? Then Apple Bloom gasped. “Oh my gosh! Critter, you're a genius!” Then she was off, presumably to find her two fellow Crusaders. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADER CLOP DIRECTORS! YAY!”

Chrysalis could only stand there and stare dumbly at the dust cloud, the little whirlwind had kicked up. Nonetheless she chuckled and pulled out quill and parchment.

Special Report #2

Sibling bonds in rural Equestria are far more powerful than previously assumed. With the proper care and further study this discovery could potentially lead to a new, vast and as yet untapped food source.

Preliminary studies indicate that the fondling of breasts by an older sibling can release a more powerful and pure form of love over time. All our agents impersonating older brothers should therefore perfect their massaging techniques. It might be possible to utilize younger siblings, who are not yet old enough to actively participate in such activities, for the acquisition of further intelligence. Film and camera are the suggested media here.

After sending the report, Chrysalis crossed her hands behind her head and walked casually to the farm gate, whistling a little tune as she went. She had done all she could here in Ponyville. Now it was onward to Canterlot!

Chapter 3: Cutting Loose

Chapter 3: Cutting Loose

What a snooze fest! Those were Chrysalis' honest thoughts as she stood off to the side of the giant banquet hall of Canterlot Castle during the annual Day of Harmony Gala. Day of Harmony had been established originally a thousand years ago to celebrate the defeat of Discord and the ascension of Celestia and Luna to the throne.

However, the meaning had been lost to the point that it was just another opportunity for Canterlot's rich and famous to show off their wealth and sophistication. Few ponies even remembered Discord up until he escaped for a while the previous year. Even Celestia didn't bother to show up for this gala. Chrysalis knew her rival well enough to hazard a guess as to why that was. Celestia never relished in defeating a strong opponent like she did, instead expressing sorrow at the fact that it had to come to violence in the first place.

Furthermore what should have been the joint throne jubilee for the two alicorn sisters, had been for most of the time a hurtful reminder that Luna was banished to the moon. Even thought she was now back, Day of Harmony remained a day of quiet contemplation for Celestia.

Of course thoughts of such a deep nature were wasted on the superficial Canterlotians at this social gathering. Chrysalis had intended to find out more about Canterlot High Society, but there was simply nothing to see here.

To all intents and purposes these ponies put on better masks than any Changeling could hope to. Everypony had a smile on their face, neither of which reached their eyes. Compliments were paid to the jewelry the other was wearing, only to draw attention to the fact that their own precious stones had cost a few thousand bits more than that.

A hot topic was always when they had last talked to the Princess. “Well, I spoke to her highness just the other day and … “ That was how almost half the conversations got started. It was like some sort of twisted game and the winner was determined by who had chewed her ear off the most recent, even if they had just talked about the weather.

As much as she would never acknowledge it publicly, at some level Chrysalis respected Celestia. As a rival, as a fellow monarch or simply as a mare. And it was moments like these, in which she sympathized with the Princess of the Sun. The Queen of the Changelings had dealt with her own share of boot-lickers over the years, Seianor simply being the latest in a string of such people. She shuddered inwardly at the thought of having to deal with that for over a millennium.

“Well, at least the booze is good,” Chrysalis muttered, taking another sip from her glass of Trottingham Red. Even though she had given a lot of attention to detail to her latest disguise, she was probably the least dressed up mare in the room. If anything 'Ruby Heart', a unicorn mare with a white coat and red mane that was falling across one of her shoulders in a simple braid, stood out due to her natural beauty as opposed to the gussied up trophy wives, who were wearing enough make-up to need a jackhammer at the end of the evening to remove it.

She wasn't wearing any jewelry, no heavy gems on gold chains dangling from her neck, no glistening tiara, not even a bracelet. The dress she had picked up at Hoity Toity's boutique this afternoon was also rather simple. It was beautiful of course, but tastefully understated. A long, red dress with a single halter opposite from her braid. As a result the cleavage dipped to one side, neither revealing too much nor too little of the ample chest she had given herself for this disguise. Small glass pearls reflecting the light were woven into the fabric. It wasn't a feature to show off wealth, but rather to give the impression of a brilliant sunset to the onlooker, all while making sure not to overshadow the wearer's figure, which was accentuated neatly by the tight fit.

Only after the purchase had Chrysalis found out that this was actually one of Rarity's designs. She smiled bitterly, irony tweaking her nose yet again. Yes, the Queen of the Changelings was attending a Canterlot gala while wearing a dress made by none other than the Element of Generosity.

“That is a magnificent dress,” someone commented from the side.

Chrysalis turned with an insincere smile and almost balked. Anyone but him! But she maintained her facade and curtsied. “My, Prince Blueblood. What an honour. Thank you for the compliment.”

“Yes indeed,” the blonde stallion said in that insufferably superior tone of his. “The honour is all yours. Tell me, young lady. You must be new here?”

It had been the prudent course of action to produce a new identity for the fake invitation. Any known name with an unknown face would have led to detection. “You are correct, your highness. This is my first time at the Day of Harmony Gala. I hadn't expected royalty.”

“Yes, well. Aunt Celestia doesn't attend this event, so it falls to me to represent the royal family.”

Chrysalis was seriously considering something. This was a high-up ballroom in the castle. Blueblood was only a few steps away from the window. It wouldn't take much magic to …

“So, let's dispense with the pleasantries,” he said in a business-like manner. “Do you charge by the hour?”

Chrysalis blinked. “Pardon?”

“Anypony can tell by your bearing that you are not of noble birth,” he told the Queen of the Changelings while scrutinizing her whole body with his gaze. “So you must be an escort. How much do you charge? My previous companion has left me for some reason.”

Her eyebrow twitched. Outta the window it was with him, but suddenly a thought stopped her. Getting rid of him would probably make Celestia happy to no end, even though she would never admit that. Chrysalis didn't want to do her rival any favours by taking care of one of her problems for her, so she opted for a more in-character approach.

She drew closer and gave him some doe eyes. “To be chosen by royalty, you'll get a special bargain of course.” He grinned like an idiot as she trailed a line with one white finger from his chest down to his nether regions, where it hovered for a moment.

“So you're saying special service is included.” He sighed. “Such is my fate. I'm just too handsome. Please don't cry, when we part inevitably in the morning.”

Chrysalis grinned. “Oh, I won't need until morning. You see, the first hour is free of charge, … if you can last that long.” With a single flash of movement she had grasped his balls, which were nothing to speak of by the way, and was squeezing them like ripe oranges.

“Owowowow!” the Prince yelled in pain, tears standing in his eyes. “What are you doing?”

Chrysalis was chuckling, too caught up in the moment. Just then a hand fell on her shoulder. She realized that assaulting this dolt probably hadn't been one of her brightest ideas. Oh well, as long as none of the alicorns were here, she was fairly confident that she could fight her way out, if push came to shove. She released the little prince.

“What seems to be the problem here?” Shockingly it wasn't a royal guard, who had entered the picture. Instead it was a rather elegant looking gentlecolt with a thin mustache and a monocle in one eye.

“Is she with you, Fancy Pants?” Blueblood demanded angrily, pointing a finger at Chrysalis while shielding his wounded pride with the other hand.

The stallion took a look at her and then back at the Prince. “What if she were?”

“She assaulted the royal … person. I'll have her arrested.”

Fancy Pants calmly took out his monocle and began wiping it with a tissue. “Now, there's no need to be so dramatic. What's the point in upsetting this wonderful party?” He put the monocle back in his left eye and gave him a death glare. “Of course you're free to disturb your aunt in her contemplation and explain to her what she has done and why you deserved it in the first place. I'd be happy to give testimony as well, since I witnessed the whole exchange.”

Blueblood flinched, clear indication to Chrysalis that this stallion's word carried weight at court. “Guh, … just keep her away from me.”

“Gladly,” Fancy Pants said with a smile that was almost smug and draped an arm around Chrysalis' shoulders, leading her away in the direction of the dance floor. “Come along, dear.”

Chrysalis didn't object, only giving one last glance to the prince as she looked back over her shoulder. “See ya, Prince Blue Balls!”

Either he hadn't heard her or he had chosen to ignore the insult as he shuffled away in a slightly cross-legged gait.

The Queen could feel herself blush a little as her rescuer drew her into his arms and they began to dance. They glided over the floor effortlessly, both proficient in the steps. As she studied his face, she took in his features. He looked mature, though his eyes spoke of a youthful disposition. What little wrinkles he had, showed him to be a stallion who liked to smile and his manners were impeccable. Was this the kind of stallion little fillies dreamed of meeting at a place like this? To be rescued and swept away by his personality? It was almost like he had an aura made of pure charisma, much more of a fairy tale prince than Blueblood could ever hope to be.

“You really ought to be more careful,” he said with a warm smile. “A mare in your 'profession' can't be seen badly by her customers, though I did enjoy seeing that particular one squirm.”

And just like that the fairy tale was over, destroyed by his pronunciation of the word 'profession'. Seriously!? He thinks I'm a hooker, too? Someone needs to have words with the Element of Generosity about what kind of message her dresses are sending, she thought angrily.

Still, this could work to her advantage. Perhaps this would give her even better opportunities than pretending to be a noble. “I'm new to Canterlot. You seem to be knowledgeable. Are there many escorts working this event?”

Fancy Pants grinned. “Sure are.” He used a dance move to twirl her around and they faced another couple on the dance floor, a middle-aged stallion and a much younger mare. “Do you think that's his wife the Mayor of Stalliongrad is dancing with? You'd be wrong.”

Chrysalis stowed that information away in her mind. “Does his wife know?”

“Probably.” Another twirl and they both were facing the horsd’œuvre table, where a well-muscled stallion was necking a mare, who was wearing a multi-coloured dress and hung with jewels like a Hearth's Warming Eve tree. “She brought her own companionship.”

As Fancy Pants drew her closer and embraced her tightly under the pretense of a slow dance, she looked into his deep, blue eyes. “You really do know your stuff.”

He grinned at her. “That's because most of these appointments are booked through me. I employ just about half the ponies in here.”

“Ah,” the Queen said in understanding. “That's how you spotted a freelancer like me so quickly. Didn't mean to intrude on your business.”

“Not at all,” he forgave her with a charming wink. “It gave me the excuse to get to know you, Ms. … “

“Ruby. Ruby Heart.”

“What a lovely name.” He leaned in closer, so he could whisper into her ear. “Tell me, Ruby. How far do you go?”

“As far as I need to, to get ahead in life,” she breathed back at him.

His eyes sparkled. “Wanna join a few friends of mine for a real party then?”

“Let's get outta here.”

* * *

The next thing she knew, Chrysalis was being led through the dark and winding corridors of Canterlot Castle by her mysterious, new friend. He seemed to know exactly where he was going, even though all the halls looked the same to her. This one could definitely become an intelligence asset in the future. He had connections at court, knew the dirty secrets of the high society and knew his way around the castle. For that she was prepared to play along for now.

“Is that the guard station?” Chrysalis asked with a raised eyebrow, when they had left the castle and made their way across the courtyard.

“Hm, you know your way around. It used to be that none of the guards wanted to be on guard duty during these social events, because the old Captain was rather strict and it was pretty boring.”

She could hear what was going on in the small station, even before Fancy Pants had opened the door. The sight that greeted her was that of a unicorn mare being bucked by two royal guards, who were only recognizable as such because their discarded armour lay in the corner of the room.

The mare was stunningly beautiful. Pristine white coat, slim waist, pretty pink mane. Hang on, Chrysalis recognized her from the magazine covers! That cutie mark, there was no doubt about it. “Isn't that Fleur de Lis? The model?”

Fancy Pants nodded. “The same. Now you know why the gossip columnists were speculating that I was dating her.”

So such a thing had been going on. Fleur was an icon to a lot of ponies and here she was, on her knees and being bucked by a grey pegasus guard from behind in a doggy-style position while sucking on a white unicorn stallion's dick in front of her. Her eyes seemed glazed over and a puddle had formed under her. Was she that far gone in the pleasure?

Fancy Pants put one arm around Chrysalis' shoulders and his fingers playfully wiggled his way into her cleavage. She wasn't wearing a bra due to the cut of the dress. “She's a total nymphomaniac. That's why she got into modeling, but I was the one who discovered her true talent. I have an eye for talent.” As he said that, his hand cupped her mound and he began rubbing it. “Isn't that right, Captain?”

“That's right.” Out of the shadows another bare-chested stallion appeared and Chrysalis recognized him, too! It was the new Captain of the Royal Guard. Or the old one, depending on how you looked at it. Mighty Lance had been Captain before Shining Armor, but had retired due to his age. Now that Shining Armor had left for the Crystal Empire, he had been reactivated as temporary Captain until a replacement could be found. He was a big, muscular pegasus stallion and didn't show many signs of his age, except for a few wrinkles. His brown coat was well groomed and he had the most spectacular military mustache.

He came closer and lifted Chrysalis' chin up, as if inspecting a slab of meat. “The boys and I were starting to get tired of that one,” he said, inclining his head towards Fleur. “Not that she isn't good. So, sweetie. What is your special talent?”

Chrysalis had a mad glint in her eye. This was the perfect opportunity! She was in a secluded place near the palace. The Captain of the Royal Guard, a high society stallion and a top model. If she could capture these three, the Senate would kiss her hooves. All of Canterlot's secrets revealed, agents could be put in their places and if nothing else, the ransom for Fleur and Fancy Pants alone would be astronomical!

None of the guards were armed at the moment. She could jump them and be off before anyone even knew what was happening. “My special talent,” she said with an evil grin, “is creative roleplay!”

With her fangs gleaming in the green light, the magical aura enveloped her body and revealed her true self. With a chilling laugh that would fill the hearts of any who heard it with sheer terror, she stood before them, the Queen of the Changelings in all her glory. “Ahahahaha! And now you are mine! Prepare yourselves.”

Everypony in the room was shocked into speechlessness at this turn of events. Fancy Pants had stopped fondling her breast, Mighty Lance looked at her with huge eyes and the two guards had stopped humping Fleur.

It was so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. And then the voice of one of the two guards broke the silence. “Awesome! Fancy Pants found a Chrysalis Cosplayer!!!”

The Changeling Queen blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

Fancy Pants chuckled. “That is quite some special talent. You did your homework well before coming here.”

“You fools! Do you know who I am?” she demanded angrily.

The Captain nodded eagerly. “You're the best looking Chrysalis ever.” He looked over her appreciatively, nodding and stroking his mustache. “Well, the wings aren't quite right and your horn isn't curved right. But other than that it's the best Chrysalis costume I've seen to date.”

That was a novel way for somepony to react to her transformation. She was used to fear, confusion, anger. But this? What the hay was going on here?

“Zis is really well made,” Fleur de Lis said in admiration. The two guards had left her to stare at Chrysalis, so she was free to speak for the first time. “A lot of my customers have requested zis outfit from me before. But I never could make it work like zat.” She jiggled her breasts. “Zey are just too big to make it believable.”

Chrysalis was about to cry. She could hear a scream echo in the deepest reaches of her soul. That was her ego dying a painful death. Once the mere mention of her name had struck fear in her opponents. Now she was reduced to a fetish for the royal guard? “How did this come about?”

“Well,” Fancy Pants explained. “It was after the invasion. It turns out that many of the guards who were captured and caught a glimpse of the Changeling Queen standing at the window of the castle were really turned on.”

“That's right,” one of the guards said, clenching his fist and weeping openly. “She looked so hot with those mean eyes. I wanted her to punish me.”

Mighty Lance nodded. “And that beautiful figure. I can't stand the sight of those highborn well-stacked mares, who won't give us guards the time of day. Flat chests are the best!” He yelled that out in absolute sincerity.

Even Chrysalis couldn't help but get a little embarrassed at that, all will to fight evaporating. “You like my breasts?” she asked, scratching her cheek.

The Captain nodded vigorously. “Not just that. Your ass, your waist, your long legs. It's almost as if you were the real Queen Chrysalis.” His words were backed up by the other two, who were nodding with dumb grins on their faces.

Chrysalis sighed. She was no longer in the mood for a fight. But there was something about this situation. A sweet taste hung in the air and she tasted it eagerly. These stallions had a genuine adoration for her. She wasn't used to that, receiving a form of love, or at least lust, that was directed at herself rather than a pony she was impersonating. Well, nothing wrong with a little snack, she told herself. Let me taste them a little.

Might Lance grabbed her waist and pulled her into a deep kiss. The sensation of his mustache brushing against her upper lip wasn't altogether unpleasant and she eagerly let her own tongue play with his as they swapped saliva back and forth. He grinned, a string of spit still connecting them after separating. “I'm gonna have fun with you tonight.”

She curled her lips into a smile that was both cruel and playful at the same time. “I think you have that backwards.” With a burst of magic from her horn, she knocked the surprised pegasus stallion off his feet and onto his butt. She gave him a scathing look. “This is not how you speak to your Queen. I will need to punish you now.”

A look of happiness crossed his face and he nodded. “Yes, please punish me, my Queen. I've been a bad colt!”

She came closer and put a hoof on his chest, pressing him down onto his back. She stood over him with a look of superiority. “Looks like I stepped into something disgusting. Lick it clean, will you, slave?”

Without missing a beat, he began to move his tongue up and down her calves. Perhaps having the Captain of the Royal Guard lick her hooves was even better than capturing him.

She looked at Fleur and beckoned her over. The mare came obediently and Chrysalis gave her a soft kiss as a reward. “You'll be my maid for the evening.”

“It will be my honour, your majesty,” she said, lowering her eyes. Everypony was really getting into this.

Chrysalis conjured up an empty wine glass with her magic. “Your queen is thirsty. Get me something fresh, will you.” She nodded meaningfully at the two guards.

Fleur understood immediately, took the glass from her and knelt down in front of the two stallions, who were already standing at full attention. She moved her tongue in a circular motion over the glans of the unicorn's member and began rubbing the pegasus' shaft with her hand.

Fancy Pants had once again come up from behind and blew in the Queen's ear. “What would you have me do then, your majesty?” he asked playfully.

She smiled over her shoulder. “Your noble birth puts you a cut above the others here, but you are still not worthy to be on the same level as me.”

“I understand,” he replied with a grin and went down to his knees. He lifted up her tail and began rubbing her ass, every now and then planting a kiss on her cheeks.

Chrysalis shivered in delight. “Hm, that's good.” The Senate could learn a lot from these guys on how to treat a queen properly. She looked down at the Captain and pulled her hoof back, hooking his pants with it. “Let's see that 'mighty lance' of yours then.”

Having his stallionhood exposed and pointing skyward, he smiled. He had all reason to be proud of it. “Impressed? I get that a lot.”

Chrysalis frowned and kicked his balls with a cruel expression on her face. “Don't get cocky. Remember who you're talking to.

He winced, but he was clearly getting pleasure out of it. “Forgive me, my Queen.”

“Hm,” she said, putting a finger on her chin, pretending to think. “Oh well, I'm feeling merciful today, so I won't have it cut off. It would be a waste.” She rubbed the length of the shaft with the rough underside of her hoof and again Mighty Lance seemed to enjoy the pain that went along with it. It looked like the current Captain of the Guard was a true masochist.

Chrysalis, who was of course a true sadist, thrived on seeing that. Crossing her arms in front of her, she raised her tail up high and brought it down whipping on Fancy Pants' back with a resounding smack. “What, did you fall asleep back there? Work that tongue.”

The stallion complied wordlessly with her demand, planting a kiss on her wet marehood and screwing in his tongue.

“Uoohhh!” Chrysalis turned her head to see where the animalistic cry had come from. The pegasus guard had grabbed Fleur's head and was facefucking her furiously. But his eyes were fixed on the real object of his obsession, Chrysalis.

The Queen clicked her tongue. “How unsightly. That's why you're just a grunt. If you break her, you buy her, you know.”

The stallion grunted, shoving his dick deeper inside the mare's throat at the insult and cumming violently. Fleur gagged at the thick seed entering her mouth, but managed not to spill any. When he finally withdrew, she held the glass under her chin and let the cum flow into it.

Chrysalis gasped, when she felt something prod her ass. Fancy Pants, either by accident or on purpose his horn had found the entrance to her anus. She reached her hand back and grabbed his mane. But instead of pushing him away, she kept him in place.

She then realized the throbbing underneath her hoof. Mighty Lance was gritting his teeth. “Oh no, you don't,” she said cruelly and ground her heel down hard, preventing him from cumming. She magically made a piece of string appear and tied it around the base of his cock. “No release without royal permission.”

She enjoyed the pained look on his face for a moment and then squatted down. “I'll have you attend to your Queen properly first.” Taking his shaft in one hand and spreading her dripping hole with the other, she lowered her hips onto him.

He hissed, throwing his head back. “Oh, fuck. You're so tight. I'm in heaven.”

“Well, we can't have that,” she said, digging her nails into his chest and drawing some blood, which made him shudder. She laughed. “How pathetic! What would your princesses say, if they could see you like this?”

“I don't care. My body is yours to do with as you please, my Queen.” He was enjoying the sensation of his large member hitting her all the way to the end despite the pain, or perhaps even more because of it.

Just then Fleur de Lis knelt down beside her. “Your refreshment, my Queen,” she said, holding out the glass that was filled with a milky-white substance.

Chrysalis glanced at the two guards, who were lying on their backs a few feet away, trying to catch their breaths. “Very good. You're a good little cum-slut,” she said approvingly, taking the glass. She put it to her lips and slowly drank. “Mhmmm.” Moving the cum around in her mouth, she sampled it like a good wine, savoring the feelings of the stallions who had poured it out, before gulping it down. “Delicious,” she purred, smacking her lips.

“I'm glad you approve,” Fleur said happily. She was rubbing her pussy. “May I join you?”

Chrysalis looked at her, panting and fingering herself. Fancy Pants was right. She was a nymphomaniac. “Very well,” she said. “I'll put that pussy to good use then. The Captain talks too much, anyway.”

Picking up on her meaning immediately, Fleur positioned herself opposite Chrysalis and lowered her rump down on Mighty Lance's face. “Ahnn!” A cute moan escaped her lips as his hot breath came in contact with her marehood.

At the same time Fancy Pants slung his arms around Chrysalis from behind, gently cupping her breasts. “I'm not worthy enough to pass through the magnificent royal gates to your palace,” he said, his stallionhood pressing against her ass. “May I use the servant's entrance?”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. Again with the puns! “Fine,” she said shortly. “You may put your dirty cock in. It's all you're good for.”

With a chuckle he buried himself into her ass to the base. Chrysalis arched her back, as he began to thrust in and out of her. She picked up his rhythm and began to move her hips. She could feel the two members rubbing against each other through the thin walls, giving her pleasure in several places at once. She could get addicted to this feeling. No wonder Mrs. Cake had enjoyed this so much.

“Ah!” A scream from Fleur brought her attention around to the front again. Mighty Lance was grabbing onto her ass and was screwing her thoroughly with his tongue now. Both mares were bouncing up and down, but there were two other things bouncing on Fleur's side.

“Tsk.” Chrysalis angrily grabbed one of her breasts. “You have some nerve, having bigger tits than your Queen.”

“I'm sorry,” Fleur apologized.

“You will be,” Chrysalis said quietly, her voice dripping with malicious intent. She pinched Fleur's nipple with two fingers and pulled at it.

“Ah! Please don't,” the mare pleaded with tears in her eyes. “I'm sensitive there.”

Ignoring the words, she leaned forward and put the other nipple in her mouth. Licking it, she realized that it was hard as a rock. Fleur was actually being turned on by the abuse, which she still perceived as part of the play. Chrysalis clenched her teeth, biting the soft flesh and leaving a mark.

Fleur shuddered with tears in her eyes, but she was clearly going wild now. “Yes, please punish me more.” Her panting grew erratic. “I can't hold it … any longer … Cumminnnggg!”

Then Fancy Pants leaned forward and kissed Chrysalis' neck lovingly. “Don't be angry with her, your majesty. It's not her fault she was born with such a defect. Not everypony can have such perfect breasts as yourself.” To stress that point he played with her nipples.

“Hm, perhaps you're right,” the Queen conceded, looking with pity at the panting mare in front of her. “You are dismissed,” she said in an off-hand manner.

Fleur nodded and began to get up, but paused to give Chrysalis a gentle kiss with a smile. “You are very good at zis,” she said with a wink. “I better step up my game, if I have to compete with you for customers in ze future.” Then she withdrew to the side.

That made Chrysalis a little conflicted. She hadn't actually been playing a role, after all. Just being herself. Was it alright to be happy about a compliment like that?

Fancy Pants grunted. His hip thrusts had been getting more and more vigorous. “My Queen, where do you want it?” he asked.

An actual smile crossed her face. He had been helpful tonight in more ways than one, so he deserved a treat. “Come over here. Show me how much you appreciate the royal bosom.” Now she was doing it as well! Damn those ponies and their infectious puns, she thought.

Fancy Pants grinned and moved around to the front. Wordlessly he began jerking off his cock and aiming it at her chest.

“Come,” she said simply. “That's a royal command.”

“Ugh, yes my Queen,” he said, increasing his speed. “For the glory of the Hive!” Now that was a statement she hadn't expected to hear tonight. But he was sincere, if the thick strands of cum that came flying towards her were any indication.

She laughed as the hot load splattered against her chest, gleefully rubbing it into her skin. The magical energies seemed to sizzle as they were absorbed through it. Fancy Pants sat down on the floor with a satisfied smile on his face.

Now the only one left was Mighty Lance. Chrysalis was still grinding her hips against him. “Painful?” she asked.

His face had gone blue, since the string still prevented him from his sweet relief. “Please, let me cum.”

“Not until I'm satisfied, Captain. Is this the best Celestia's Finest have to offer?”

“Uooohhhh!” With a bellow he surged forward, pinning Chrysalis underneath him. “Here I go!”

Chrysalis screamed as he pounded into her. “Now that's more like it!”

Mighty Lance earned his name by hitting her all the way in the back. In an inspired move he even used his pegasus wings to give his thrusts yet more momentum. The wet slapping sounds of their intense rutting echoed throughout the small guard station.

Fleur, Fancy Pants and the two guards were all watching intently and for some reason that turned Chrysalis on even more. She was used to getting attention, but this was altogether different. There were no politics here, just lust.

She drew in her breath sharply. “That's it, stud. Come on, make your Queen climax.”

He grabbed her mane and leaned forward, pushing his tongue into her mouth forcefully. Thought ceased to exist as he desperately craved only physical release and the Queen's body responded in kind. She slung her legs around his waist, drawing him in deeper and moved her hand down. She untied the string and his head came up sharply.

“Guh! Ahhh!” His mouth hung agape as he released an enormous amount of thick seed deep inside of her.

“YEEEESSSSSS!” Chrysalis screamed in ecstasy, cumming herself and slinging her arms across Lance's back. She could feel the warm blood under her nails as she scratched over his flexing muscles.

He was still cumming, releasing all he had pent up over the last half hour or so. The cum was overflowing from her pussy. Mighty Lance collapsed down on her, resting his head on her chest with a satisfied smile.

Chrysalis stroked his mane gently, basking in the afterglow herself. She looked over at the rest of her 'court.' “That was a royal reception, if I ever had one.” To Tartarus with it, she decided. Ponies don't have a monopoly on bad word-plays, after all.

Then a devious smile crossed her lips. “Two questions: Who is up for round two and where do you keep the whips around here?”

* * *

Special Report #3

My investigation of Canterlot's High Society has yielded interesting results. It is uncommon for them to attend social functions with their spouses. To find a suitable companion, stallions should ask “How much for the night?” while mares should remember the phrase “Looking for a good time, honey?”

Royal guard stations can be overcome by submitting to a breast inspection. Strangely bigger is not necessarily better in this case. Willingness to inflict pain will also go a long way towards passing into the better secured areas of the palace.

Chrysalis sent the report off and breathed in the cool night air. She had withdrawn to the Canterlot Statue Garden to gather her thoughts. This was probably enough. She couldn't help but feel that she would actually miss Equestria, when she returned. Fancy Pants had even made her a generous offer to come work for him.

She smiled, looking at the bag of bits and the gilded helmet of Captain Mighty Lance lying at her feet. The former was her payment, the latter would get a place of honour in her trophy case.

She looked up at the statue of Discord that was looming over her. “Nice meeting you. Pay me a visit, if you ever get out again.”

“How about you join him in a stone prison?” a gentle yet firm voice said from the darkness.

Chrysalis sighed. “I should have known you would pick up on my presence. How do you do, Celestia?”

It was indeed the Princess of the Sun who stepped out of the shadows and bathed the air in the golden light of her horn. “Uneasy, now that I know you're here. What are you up to, Chrysalis?”

The Queen grinned. “Nothing much, Celly. When this is done, you might actually thank me.”

Celestia chuckled mirthlessly. “I'll believe that when I see it.”

“Why so cynical? At any rate, you can't stop me from leaving right now.” Her little romp at the guard station had fueled her up with love, both magically and physically.

Even Celestia could feel it. At best she could match her rival at the moment, but not defeat her. So she silently glared at her.

“I didn't come here to pick a fight. Trust me, the next time I try to conquer Equestria, you'll see me coming.”

“You are here right now, though. I could call in the guards and my sister. That should be enough to capture you, even without Cadence or the Element-Bearers.”

Chrysalis laughed heartily. “Your guards would have to pull up their pants first.” She gleefully showed off her trophy. “Do you really want to publicly admit the embarrassment of me seducing your Captain of the Guard on the possibility of catching me?”

Celestia sighed. “Looks like I can't do anything here. I'll let you go this time. But you must leave Canterlot at once.”

The Queen shrugged. “I was on my way out, anyway. I have business to attend to at home.” She winked at the Princess. “You'll see my little presents surfacing soon.” With a cocky grin she spread her wings and was off into the night.

Celestia was left standing in the dark, deep in thought. If the Changelings were up to something, she needed to prepare. Looking at the statue of Discord, she muttered: “I could certainly use your help. Maybe Fluttershy could … “ She shook her head. “This needs some planning.”

Author's Note

So in case you were wondering where exactly this story fits into continuity, now you know. Somewhere in Season 3, but before the Reformation of Discord. Fear of the Changelings is as good an explanation as any why Celestia wanted him reformed. At least until Season 4 proves me wrong.

Sorry again for the long time it took me to write this chapter. I hope it was worth the wait for you. Stay tuned for the epilogue!

Epilogue: What You Leave Behind

Epilogue: What You Leave Behind

Chrysalis swept into the Senate with an air of confidence, her state robes fluttering out behind her, and sat in her accustomed place. “What did I miss?” she asked her two guards, who had been watching the proceedings for her.

“Well,” one of them said uncomfortably. “It looks like old man Cator's head is about to explode. He's been shouting thunder and glaring lightning for about five minutes, but I think he's coming around to the meat of the issue.”

The Queen let her gaze wander over the floor. Indeed Cator was standing in the speaker's spot and before him a white-faced Seianor looked like he wanted nothing more than to flee and hide out in the farthest reaches of Zebraca. Even the rest of the senators looked like they were scared for their lives.

“But Praetor,” Seianor pleaded with his hands spread, that same subservient posture he had used to try and mollify Chrysalis not so long ago. “The information I provided, …”

“Was rubbish!” Cator shouted with a red face. “Two of our best agents have been arrested after starting a food fight in the streets of Manehatten! Years of infiltration wasted, when our man inside the United Oats Corporation groped the breasts of the chairmare's daughter, the sister of his cover identity I might add, during a board meeting!”

“But, …” Seianor still tried to intercede, but Cator went on relentlessly.

“And the spy ring we had in the Canterlot Royal Guard was completely exposed, when they asked the Duchess of Trottingham how much she wanted for the night!”

Seianor was almost crying at this point. When Cator spoke at full volume, there was little any politician could do against him. “I … I received some bad reports … The person you should be blaming …”

Cator slammed his fist onto the stand before him. “I don't care if your informant was Princess Celestia herself! You should have checked those reports before presenting them to the Senate! This is your responsibility!”

One of the guards bent down to Chrysalis and whispered in her ear. “You knew all along that he was gonna try and take the full credit, didn't you, my Queen?”

Chrysalis smiled faintly. “Of course. I also knew that he was so full of his own cleverness that he wouldn't notice how I set him up for his fall. Even if he did try to shift the blame on me now, he'd only make it look like he was covering his own ass.”

The guard shivered. “You are truly terrifying, your majesty.”

She said nothing, but flashed him a vicious grin.

Cator went on to have Seianor removed from the Senate floor, deaf to his pleas. At one point, while being dragged away by the guards, he shot a pleading glance at Chrysalis. She simply smiled and waved at him.

The old statesman at the speaker's desk had calmed down and looked at Chrysalis. “Your majesty. Ninety percent of our agents have either been captured or exposed. Celestia will not let this stand. I'm afraid Equestria will declare war on us any day now.”

Chrysalis stood up and looked over the Senate majestically. Time for the sucker punch. “I'm afraid you are right, Praetor. Now that it has come to this, we only have one choice. Strike at Equestria before they can strike at us. My mother and grandmother had the highest respect for this noble Senate and would no doubt seek your wise counsel.” She made a pregnant pause to let that sink in, then she put on a carefully selected face of sheer disgust. “I on the other hand am not above saying: I bucking told you so, you old fools!”

There was murmuring among the senators. Even though some of them seemed angry, none of them seemed to have the guts to respond to her bold declaration. After all, the only thing that could safe them now was the Royal Army that was commanded by the Queen alone. Even Cator lowered his head. “What would you have us do, your majesty?”

“What needs to be done,” she stated plainly. “I am the only one who can resolve this crisis. We must show strength and unity in the face of the Equestrian threat. I can not do that, if I have to run back to the Senate for approval for every decision I make. It'll make us look weak in the face of the enemy. I therefore ask this Senate to confer unto me all political rights concerning foreign afairs, internal security and budget allocation until this situation is resolved.”

Now some of the walking corpses cried out, trying to keep their political power intact, but remarkably Cator held up his hands for silence. “Fellow members of the Senate. You know me well and that I have seldom seen eye to eye with the Queen. However in this situation I must support her request. A vote will be held to grant her majesty emergency powers to resolve this war.”

A smile played around Chrysalis' lips. Her biggest opponent had just given her a free pass. Now it was only a matter of time. “I shall await the Senate's decision in my quarters,” she said and strode out of the room.

* * *

Just like always after a Senate hearing, Chrysalis had retired to her apartments, where the servants tended to her every need. She was receiving a massage, when Cator entered the room. “That was quick, Praetor,” she greeted him neutrally.

“There was no need to draw out the discussions,” he responded just as calmly. “The Senate has voted you unlimited emergency powers to deal with Equestria, though with only a slight majority.”

Chrysalis smiled. “I couldn't care less how slim the margin was. The important thing is, I'm not gonna have them interfere with my business for a while.”

One of guards stepped forward and knelt before his Queen. “Should I assemble the General Staff, your majesty?”

But she raised one hand and shook her head. “Just send them up to the border and have them do some exercises. They are not to invade without my express permission.”

The guard blinked. “Your majesty?”

Chrysalis glared at him. “Did you not hear my order? Now begone, I must speak with the Praetor in private.”

“Yes, your majesty,” he replied, still a little befuddled and left the room. Then Chrysalis summarily dismissed the rest of her servants until only she and Cator were left in the room.

No longer having to keep up appearances, the elder statesman relaxed his shoulders visibly and spoke with a smile. “So you're not attacking Equestria?”

The Queen grinned. “Not yet, anyway. Equestria can wait. It'll still be there. I want some time to strengthen my power. While the senators still think there's gonna be a war, I can deal with them one by one. The Senate is finished. They don't know Celestia like I do. Even with our agents exposed and our armies marching up and down the border, she's never gonna make the first move unless we actually invade.”

Cator chuckled. “Brilliant. You used Seianor to get rid of the Senate and now your rule is absolute. I daresay future generations of historians will call this strategem the 'Chrysalis Gambit', sacrificing your agents abroad to strengthen your power at home.”

Chrysalis stretched her hands above her head. “I am horrible, aren't I? What are the lives of a few of my agents compared to getting rid of those meddlesome fools in the Senate?” Then she cast a sly, side-long glance at the Praetor. “History will also not forget that it was the humble Praetor's plan in the first place, even though he did a magnificent job of playing the Queen's greatest political adversary.”

He bowed mockingly. “Your servant in everything, my Queen. I'm too old to care how history will judge me. I just have one question. Will I see the invasion of Equestria in my lifetime?”

She pondered that for a moment. “I'm not sure. I told Celestia she'd see me coming. But that might be with a diplomatic corps at my back rather than a battalion.”

Cator raised an eyebrow. “Oh? That would be one for the history books.”

“Hm, perhaps. But they say 'Make love, not war.' The ponies certainly have enough of it to spread it around, as I've witnessed. I'm gonna need access to the senatorial archives, before I make my decision.”

“Ah.” He nodded his head slowly as her plan dawned on him. “I see. You're planning to bring about a second 'Golden Age' by forging a pact with the ponies like in the old days.” He sounded only slightly sarcastic.

“Would that be so wrong?” she asked honestly.

“Not at all,” he admitted. “I've studied the matter myself and it does sound like paradise, a beneficial trade for both ponies and Changelings.” Cator paused, stroking his long beard thoughtfully. “And yet a lasting peace with Equestria doesn't sound like you, Chrysalis.”

She closed her eyes, imagining a future only she could see at the moment. “True. But I didn't arrive where I'm at today by being predictable.” Opening her eyes, there was a fire behind them that seemed to be able to take on destiny itself. “The Hive's future starts now.”

“And Celestia? I would think she'd have a hard time trusting you.”

Chrysalis took a deep breath and then began to laugh. “It doesn't matter what she wants.” With an amused look and her voice dripping with malice she went on. “Either by treaty or strength of arms, I'm gonna make Celestia my bitch. And she's gonna like it, when I slowly fuck her up the ass.”

Cator chuckled, although he wasn't quite sure whether his Queen was speaking figuratively or literally. Either one or both were possible with her, after all. “Now I'm relieved. For a moment there I had thought you had gone soft on me.”

She feigned a shocked outrage. “Me?” Then she flashed her fangs at him. “Never.”

The End.

Author's Note

Alright. Bring on the M. Night Shyamalan jokes. I know you wanna!

A big thanks once more to Overlord-Flinx for coming up with the initial premise! And thank you, dear readers, for your support, up-votes and comments!