Forgotten Power: The Crystal Empire and Changeling Queendom Compromise

On the outskirts of the Crystal Empire, away from even the most sparsely populated towns, all was quiet and the landscape nothing but a flat grassy plain slightly damped with morning dew. It was early in the morning, many ponies in Equestria were just waking up to start their day. The wind blew softly across the plain, grass swaying in the wind, skies clear with the raised sun in sky.

Then with no warning there was a violent gust that erupted from a point on the plains, the grass blowing outwards from it. It was then the area where the gust was emanating from started to heat up, the grass quickly drying and even burning as a small dot appeared slightly elevated from the ground. It then expanded into a flat eclipse, large enough so that if some pony decided they could jump into it. But instead a figure burst from the portal, landing shakily on all four legs as the portal, as suddenly as it appeared, vanished leaving the area it had originated from a small patch of dry dirt and burnt grass.

The figure that emerged was having trouble gaining its balance, but soon found itself standing confidently. Distinctively pony shaped it seemed to not be used to this form and began walking back and forth, rather clumsily trying to adjust to its form. Once figuring it had a good enough grasp on the concept of walking it looked to the landscape to survey the surroundings. Flat and barren, the pony looked around for anything that looked like a settlement, but saw nothing. Grimacing the pony had hoped to appear unseen, but with no towns in sight it was at a loss as to where to go next.

But good fortune seemed to favor this one, as it stared to the sky and saw a carriage fly towards a direction, the carriage very ornate and certainly fitting one of a high class status. Smiling the pony began to walk in the direction the carriage had gone, hoping that it was heading towards the Crystal Empire.

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza had been in Ponyville again, visiting her sister-in-law Twilight Sparkle some weeks after Twilight had been living in her new residence after the defeat of Tirek. It was nothing formal, just a friendly visit to catch up and enjoy time with one of her dearest friends, especially since last time she had meet her Discord decided to make their plans.

While the visit was enjoyable the trip back was plagued with difficulties. The railroad that lead to Ponyville from the Crystal Empire was damaged and the train was unable to make rounds. That left her to use her carriage and while it wasn't any less efficient than the railroads, she still wished to use the train to save her guards the trouble of having to fly to and from destinations.

Looking out of her carriage she saw the towering crystalline structures that marked the Crystal Empire. Smiling she couldn't wait to arrive back to her home where her husband, Prince Shining Armor, was no doubt busy with some reports on the doings within the city and surrounding area. Before she had left she had heard that outlining towns and certain areas had received damage from attacks and ambushes from none other than those black and green bug like creatures, the changelings. Thinking of such creatures had brought back painful memories of her wedding day and how the queen of the changelings, Queen Chrysalis, had imprisoned her beneath Canterlot Castle and tried to take her place in an effort to take over Equestria.

Shaking her head of such thoughts she made herself comfortable and levitated a scroll over to herself and unraveled it. Reading the text it was more news on the damages inflicted upon her subjects by the changelings. Budget estimates on repairs to damaged property, dates and times for talks with local residents and higher ups to prevent such occurrences from happening, and notes on their movements and activities within the Crystal Empire were outlined in the document. Princess Cadance sighed to herself, although was thankful that no matter how many reports she got none mentioned of any casualties from clashes with the changelings. Indeed it seemed like the changelings were resigned to a hit and run strategy, destroying as much property and doing their best to disrupt trading routes and other such matters to cause problems for the Crystal Empire.

Jotting some numbers down and making some notes, she continued to work wondering exactly what Shining Armor was up to and how he was handling the changeling's presence.

It was a nuisance.

Shining Armor clutched his head as he read the notes from his crystal guards. Each one stated that a town had reported changeling activities and in response the guards had traveled over, only to be meet with the after math and no changelings in sight. From there the guards checked on any wounded, however found none as the worst injuries suffered by some ponies was being encased in some changeling goo. These ponies were a bit shaken up, but would make a full recover in no time.

Bringing his hooves to his temples, Shining Armor massaged them thinking what would be best. The number of settlements far exceeded the number of available soldiers he had, and thinning his ranks amongst the countryside could leave the Empire itself in danger. There were no strategic points as he couldn't figure out where the changelings were coming in from, and the Changelings themselves seem to want to be more of an annoyance than a fighting force, making a dent in the Empires budget for repairs and safety.

Sighing the captain of the royal guards got up from his desk and walked over to a large circular table in the center of the room. On it was a topographical map, with some areas having different colored flags and figurines. Looking over them he saw the green flags that showcased all sightings of changelings were out around the boundary Crystal Empire, far away from the center of the city. The pony figurines each representing either unicorn, pegasus, or earth guards spread apart but close enough together to regroup quickly in case a full on Changeling invasion occurred.

Thinking to himself Shining Armor knew there was always another option, that is to go on the offensive. However where the changelings call home was still a mystery. He knew his sister had a while back come into contact with the changeling queen again in an area that Chrysalis and some of her troops whom where with her during the Canterlot invasion converted into a temporary base. However from what he read Twilight had sealed the queen and her troops inside a castle of many halls and doors, rendering Chrysalis incapable of leaving anytime soon.

As he thought more about Changelings and their queen, bitter memories had resurfaced from the time he was under the queen's influence. He still had a hard time remembering exactly what went on between him and that love sucking bug woman, however he still had not forgiven himself for his negligence. He should have known that the woman with whom he had been spending his time with, talking to, and even sharing the same bed with was not his sweet and caring Cadence but some sort of evil succubus.

Clenching his teeth he turned away from the map and pushed those unsavory memories to the back of his mind. Since then he had kept up an invisible shield around the empire specifically designed to warn him when the magic used by changelings to transform crossed over. He would know when and where those creatures were and would be able to intercept them quickly. Walking over to a small rack with his armor on it he levitated it onto him and tightened the straps. Once secured he lifted his helmet and made way to the doors of his office. Being cooped up was something he did not enjoy and was more of a field soldier, therefore he thought he would treat himself and wander around the empire checking in with his troops and seeing if anything had happened in the past hour or so, maybe one of his scout groups had managed to follow some changelings back to their home base.

How long had she been imprisoned in this castle? Chrysalis strained her mind trying to recollect the date, but she could not form a solid time. Ever since she had been forcefully ejected from Canterlot thanks to those two love birds and their power of love, she had once again tried to exact revenge on the one pony who saw past her disguise, Twilight Sparkle. However even she, with the help of a cosmic body that strengthened her powers, was no match for that purple unicorn. Now she laid here, with some of her troops, in a castle full of doorways that seem to lead nowhere out.

Her troops who were once viscous, vigilant, and more than anything else quiet had drop their defenses. Talking and joking, they did everything they could do to pass the time while still trying to retain a high moral. Indeed the queen was getting tired of their prattling  however tolerated it for deep down she knew they were just trying to keep themselves from going insane. While they were soldiers, they were also fathers and sons with children, spouses and parents in their homeland. They could have fled, retreated back to their homes and greet their families and friends when they were ejected that dreadful day, however they chose instead to stay with her, and this is the least she could let them do.

Sighing she wondered if she made a blunder in trying to overtake Equestria. Perhaps had she come to Celestia with diplomacy rather than force she could have found ways to feed her subjects without the need of a battle. However all other interactions with other creatures had always resulted in war, so why would engaging with ponies be any different? She pondered on the idea not daring to tell anyone, even her closest friends and guards, as she munched on some chocolate candies that one guard found in one of the many rooms with which this castle held.

The changeling anatomy and physiology was something that only they knew, all other species had only a rudimentary idea of the complex mechanisms of a changeling. Indeed it seemed the only thing that other species knew is that they were beings that fed off the love of other creatures, draining them to either the point of complete exhaustion, into brainwashed followers, or corpses. And really what more can be said, that was what they did. This feeding not only fueled their stomachs, but also their magic. Sure while they could have eaten food like any other creature, love was the most delicious and most nutritious for their kind. It also brought unimaginable power to them, since unlike most magical creatures they did not have a way to restore magic a natural way. Instead it seemed they had a large pool of magic, one that could rise in unimaginable strength the more love they were able to feed themselves. It was also selective. Many changelings knew what love felt like, however a changeling could not feed of the love of another changeling. That was the reason why they sought out other creatures, whether the reason be that changelings love was immune to their draining magic, or if there was a subconscious desire to not harm those who they loved was a mystery to them.

Chrysalis could only reminisce on the power she once had that rivaled that of the ruler of all Equestria. While at first she thought she would lose to Celestia, the magic she had gain from feeding off that foolish captain of the guards love for his oh so precious princess had given her power to overcome the sun goddess, a power she dearly missed. Was that the power of true love? She herself has never felt love, not even for another changeling. She had no suitors, and had no desire to seek out one.

Thinking of those two brought a scowl to her face. Princess Cadence, that little pink annoyance was suppose to rot away in her prison while Chysalis was left to take over. And Shining Armor, how she despised that white stallion. She had suck away the love of many species and beings but he was the only whom she had not drain to death. Not because she had any special feelings for him, no, she needed him to stay alive for her plans to work. She cared not for how that idiotic stallion would dote on her while she was disguised as Cadence. Or how he would make corny and cliched  romantic poems. Or when they slept together he would hold her in his sleep and radiate a feeling of warmth and protection. Or that thing he did with his tongue when they-

Chysalis furiously shook her head, cheeks flushed a crimson red as she snatched some sweet chocolate candy and shoved the sugar coated goodies into her mouth and chomped away at them. The violent chewing calmed her somewhat and had push those rather odd thoughts back into her head, where they would hopefully remain. She cursed at that white stallion, the continuous feeding from him must have done something weird to her and she would not stand for it. If she ever got out of this prison she swore she would not hesitate to find both Princess Cadance and Shining armor and end their lives with her own hoofs. A quiet yet menacing giggle escaped her throat as she thought of all the devious ways she could kill those two, munching away at the rest of the candy. Soon or later she and her troops would flee from here, and then there would be hell to pay.