Two-Sided Prequel II: Who You Work For

Who you Work for

Ch2

Even though the darkness swallowed the mare whole, Coco knew she looked ridiculous as she lied on the floor. But as she was on the cold ground, she looked up and saw two pairs of eyes; one that rested high in the blackness, and the other was lower and a bit to the side.

Then voice cut the silence. “Lights!” A bright yellow light shined brightly and blinded Coco and made her wince her eyes. “TOO BRIGHT,” yelled the voice again.

“F-forgive me my queen...,” said another voice but in a panic. Coco blinked and the darkness made another return.

Speaking again, the feminine, yet aggressive voice spoke, “Light the room with your green flame, guard. It makes me feel more assertive.” Instead of being blinded by a harsh light, two torch stands that towered over Coco plumed a light green flame in each one. The light didn't reveal what the hollowed room looked like, but it did reveal something more dark than the blackness that covered the room moments ago.

Sitting at a jagged looking throne was a larger looking changeling. Coco didn't need to question who it was. It was the queen; Queen Chrysalis. To her side was a familiar looking changeling. It had a large fang bared out of its mouth and was clothed in armor.

It's Fang! To her surprise, Coco was smiling. It was nice to see a familiar face and it made the darkness seem nonexistent.

But her smile was short lived when the queen spoke, “Hello my dear.” Coco sucked her lips in and shivered in fear.

“H-hello C-Chrysalis.”

“Queen Chrysalis,” Fang corrected. For whatever reason, he felt the need to correct the mare, even though he knew what was going to happen next.

“Keep quiet!” Chrysalis boomed at the guard. Levitating a small rock, the queen chucked it at her guardpony and it made a hollow “tong” sound as it hit the helmet. “When you stand beside me, you do not speak.” Instead of saying something, Fang nodded. Looking back at Coco, the queen smiled. But it was not a sinister smile that would invoke fear. The smile was a relieved one, like a weight was taken off of the wearer's shoulder.

Speaking, Chrysalis said, “Thank you for taking my offer, dear. You have no idea what you are about to do will change a lot of things.”

“W... what do you mean?” Coco was confused on what the queen was trying to explain.

Standing up and taking a few steps forward, the changeling continued, “As you may have guessed, my personal guard here was on a quest to find me a pony worthy of designing me a dress.” She gestured to Fang as she mentioned him. “And lucky for you, you will be that one to design that dress for me.” Walking closer, Chrysalis reached out her arm and put her hoof under Coco's chin. As soon as she touched the earth pony, Coco began to shiver more violently. “Don't be afraid, my dear. We won't bring any harm to you.”

“B-but why...? Why do you need me? Or in fact, why do you need anypony to help you- I MEAN, NO OFFENCE! But... don't you have any other changelings that can make you a dress?”

“Let me show you.” Turning away from Coco, the queen walked into the darkness. It was a few moments before a crash was heard; the sound of a vase breaking. “Who put this blasted vase in my Hall of Power!?”

Replying, Fang said, “Umm, you did my queen.” An object made a quick “zup” through the air and pelted the guard in the head. It was another rock, but larger than the last one.

“Didn't I tell you to keep quiet?”

“Yes, but you said “to keep quiet” as long as I stood beside you.” Something large rushed through the air and collapsed on top of Fang. It was, yet again a rock; but some would say it was a bolder. Nevertheless, the large thing rested on him and only his head poked out of the bottom of the rock. Fang's expression was him grunting from the crushing weight of the large rock that sat above him.

Coco was about to walk over to him and help, but the queen's voice came from behind the mare. “Such arrogance...” Turning her head, Coco saw Chrysalis. But she looked different. She looked unique. She looked... beautiful.

The queen was dressed in a lovely outfit. A light blue-green fabric covered her torso and rear as it draped over her body. The fabric went all the way up to the mid section of the queen's neck. Where the fabric cut off was a golden necklace that had a sapphire gem that held the piece together. What made the dress even more stunning was the detail. Around the rim of the dress was a white fur outline, giving it that royalty cloak look. And there was a transparent silky vale that covered the green-blue fabric, creating a hidden beauty feel.

To her suprise, Coco Pommel found herself looking at the dress. She circled Chrysalis several times, taking in every bit of detail of who made this. “I have never seen anything like it,” Coco spoke in haste and excitement. “The silky fabric. The fur outline. And this gem! Such a lovely complement of royalty and mystery.” Chrysalis looked a bit embarrassed as this common folk pony walked around her, touching her dress. As Coco finished looking at the lovely designed dress, she asked, “You have such a lovely dress. Why do you need me to help you?”

But the queen didn't answer. She only walked toward her throne and levitated the large stone off of Fang. He grunted as he stood up and stretched a bit to get the kink out of his back. Sitting down in her seat, Chrysalis decided to answer. “I need a dress for the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“But how come you need... wait! Did you just say-”

“Yes I did. THE Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Wow! It must be an honor to be invited to-”

“I WAS NOT INVITED!” The outburst from the queen caused Coco to jump back and shiver in fear again.

“Please don't yell...,” Coco begged.

“WHY NOT?! I AM THE QUEEN OF CHANGELINGS! YOU DO NOT INSTRUCT ME!” Something had set off the changeling. Her eye's bled a green aura as it began to wisp through the air.

“My queen!” Fang barked in the midst of Chrysalis' outburst. Before she had a chance to yell again, the guard spoke again, “Please maintain your composure. You know you do not want the others to see their queen erupt in a fit of rage. We understand your pain, my queen.”

Pain? What is he talking about? And why did she yell like that?

Taking in a big sigh, Chrysalis continued where she last left off. “I was not invited...”

It took Coco a bit of strength to swallow the lump in her throat that prevented her to speak. “But how will you be able to get in?”

“I had one of my guards infiltrate the castle and steal a few tickets.”

I could have guessed. “But that still does not answer why you need me.”

“Simple: To make a dress.”

“But be more specific.”

“Must you question everything?” Chrysalis was growing impatient as Coco was becoming more curious.

“I... just want to know...” The mare, despite her uncomfortable position, just wanted an answer. A complete one that is.

Chrysalis huffed out of her nostrils in frustration, but gave in to the request. “Fine, I will tell you.” She glanced over to Fang before looking back at Coco. Taking her time, the queen thought of how to say it to the pony. Then she spoke. “As you may know, we feed off of love.” The changeling's horn began to glow and a painting floated out of the darkness. Turning the portrait to Coco, she could see a painting of a lovely waterfall. “Love comes in many forms. Cute and colorful, romance, love and care, and... art.” Pointing her hole ridden horn at the painting, Chrysalis shot a beam of green energy at the lovely picture. As she continued to eject magic, the once beautiful art was now turning black and lifeless. After a few moments, the picture was nothing more than a black, indescribable faded image.

Licking her lips, the queen smiled. “What a tasty treat,” she said aloud. Placing the portrait down, Chrysalis resumed from her last sentence. “This is just one way of obtaining love.” The earth pony opened her mouth slightly only to have Chyrisalis hold her arm up to keep the mare from talking. “We can suck the love out of objects that had some form of effort put into them, such as the painting you just saw. Another example on how we absorb love is from your food. Depending on the amount of effort put into said food would give us that amount of love.”

So that's why Fang wanted me to put extra love in his coffee. That also explains the green glow from his horn when he sucked the love from it.

“And lastly...,” said the queen. “The last way for a changeling to obtain love is through gained affection.”

“Is this where I come in?” Coco began to catch on.

“Correct. You are to design a dress for the Grand Galloping Gala so that I may disguise myself and be admired by others.”

It was all beginning to make sense! Queen Chrysalis needed somepony to make a dress for her so that others can look at her and “love” her dress. That way, she can receive love. But still... A few questioned remained in Coco's mind. “Umm... I still have a few more questions...”

The queen gave an irritated sigh. “What?”

“I mean... I don't mean to say that you will, but... will you be invading Canterlot on the night of the Grand Galloping Gala?” Her voice grew higher as she asked the question. That was a stupid redundant question!

“No.” To her surprise, Chrysalis gave a calm reply.

Coco's knees gave in. Oh thank goodness.

“You needn’t worry. I do not plan on harming anypony... not this time...” Chrysalis' eyes began to burn again, when her eyes met Fang's. She clenched her lids shut and asked, “What else do you want to say?”

“OH! Yes! Right... let's see... umm... Why don't you have your own designers create something for you? Sure, you have me, but you have them.”

“Two things: One, it is the theme of the Gala; The princess and her...” Chrysalis paused. “...S-shining armor.” As she said it, the sentence burned her voice box. “The theme is centered around Princess Cadence and her lovely husband.”

“What is the problem with that?”

“Well, aside from my personal hatred for the two, I don't think my dress will pass everything but princess worthy.”

“Why do you Cadence and Shining Armor?”

“That's not important!” Turning her head, Chrysalis was fighting back her emotions.

Why is she acting like this? I thought she would be more controlling and full of meanness... but-

The mare's thoughts were interrupted by the queen's voice. “Anyways, number two. This dress you see here is made from spider webbing and spider silk.”

“WHAT?!” Coco's outburst almost surprised Chrysalis, but it did surprise Fang. “That's impossible!”

“It's not for us.”

“Spider webbing is delicate as it is strong. Many designers have spent years trying to make a fabric out of spider webs, but have all failed. Some of us know that spider webs can grab hold almost anything and is extremely difficult to move through. That is why some designers thought they could make something out of it. But... well, I just told you.”

“That is exactly why I need a designer such as yourself. Again, this dress is made of spider web and silk. That also makes it very delicate.”

“Fair enough. Now one more question.”

“Do you ever stop talking?”

“N-no... I just need to know things... I just got here after all...”

“Fine, but ONE MORE! It's late and I am tired.”

“Alright...” Coco felt sorry for her question storm, but all she wanted was an understanding of things. “So, how come your fashion designers can't create other works, like using cotton or wool.”

“Just as you said with your kind not being able to handle spider webbing, it is the same with us when it comes to any other type of fabric. It is not that it is too fragile, but it sticks to us. Think of it this way. We are like insects with little hairs on our bodies that help us stick to surfaces.” Getting up from her seat, Chrysalis walked behind her throne and up to the wall. To Coco's amazement, she saw the queen walk up the wall horizontally. “See what I mean?”

“Uhh huhh...”

Chrysalis buzzed her wings and hopped off the wall, back down to the ground. “Because of these hairs, fabric tends to stick to us. The smaller it is, the more sticky it can get. You can imagine what it is like to be a changeling and try to hold a thin line of silk would be like.” Coco couldn't speak but nod. “How we handle webbing is different. We also have a bit of a layer of oil that covers our body and causes spider web to slip off.”

“Wow. That sure is something.”

Holding her head high, Chrysalis said, “We are a unique type of creature and are proud to be what we are.” Even Fang held his head high and even puffed his chest out.

Smiling, Coco said, “At least you have a good sense of pride.”

“We need it. Without it, there would be no will to survive.”

Even though her question limit has been reached, Coco asked, “One more thing.”

“NO! No more questions!”

But something in Coco's heart caused her to speak. “Who gave you this idea to go to the Grand Galloping Gala?”

Instead of an assertive answer, the queen was quiet, her face was still. Then she replied, “No more questions.”

“Sea Moor gave her the idea,” Fang blurted out. In an instant, the large bolder found itself on top of the guard once more.

“Do not answer for me.”

“Uugghh!”

“He just never learns.” Chrysalis shook her head.

Coco looked at the queen and asked, “Is Sea Moor that combat instructor?”

“Silence! I said no more questions.”

From behind the queen, Fang spoke again, “Yeah, he is.” The rock lifted slightly off the ground and fell right back onto the changeling. “AH! I think you broke something.”

“Anyways...” Chrysalis turned away. “I am off to my quarters to go and get some rest. SEA MOOR!”

Both doors swung open. “Yes my queen!” Light bled into the the throne room.

“Have you and Inferno Fang take our lovely designer to her estate.” Being kind, Chrysalis lifted the large thing off of Fang.

“Thank you my queen.” The large fanged changeling bowed in respect.

Without acknowledging him, Chrysalis began to walk into the dark. Before disappearing, she said, “Tomorrow you will begin making my dress. Think well and hard on what you need to do. Do not disappoint me...” Then she vanished.

“Come!” Sea Moor's voice echoed in the large room as he spoke.

Coco almost ran to the changeling. “Your queen kind of scares me...”

“Don't worry, she won't hurt you.”

“Really?”

“Well,you are a valuable resource to her. I don't think she would try to harm the one trying to help her.”

“If only she didn't throw rocks at me,” Fang rebelled as he limped forward.

“That's because you don't shut up. And I thought I dismissed you.”

“You did. However, that does not stop me from protecting the queen.”

“Good point. Anyways...” Sea Moor looked to Coco. “Shall we?”

“Y-eah.” There were still questions to be asked, but the mare decided to keep her mouth shut. As she walked ahead, Sea Moor was pulling the doors close with his magic as Fang stood behind him.

Just as the doors were about to be sealed, Sea Moor said to Fang, “It's about time the queen pulled the cobweb out of her ears and listened to me for once.”

He saw it come out of the dark. A large rock, about the size of about four inches in diameter, flew out of the blackness and at Sea Moor. He ducked and evaded the large thing. Unfortunately, Fang didn't see it coming. It struck him in the cheek and made him stumble and fall onto his side. Coco quickly ran over to him to see if he was alright as several guards let out an “ooo.”

“Are you alright?!”

But Fang replied with another question, “...why me...?”

***

“So this is where I will be staying?”

“Correct. All of your baggage is already inside.”

Coco looked into the dark room and saw a bed; a very tarnished one. It was hard to see what else was inside, but it was too dark. Looking behind her was Sea Moor and the swollen face of Inferno Fang. She felt bad for him and his misfortune, even though he wasn't listening to the queen.

Trying to make haste, Sea Moor said, “Well good night to you Mrs. Pommel and you have a good night's rest.”

“W-wait!” Coco needed to do something first. “Umm... Fang?”

“Hmm?”

She moved quick and embarrassed Fang. Coco held him close. “Thank you...” Embarrassed, she ran into the room and jumped onto the bed. To her surprise, it was soft and more comfortable than she would have thought. If only it didn't smell strange.

“Goodnight,” Sea Moor called. He then shut the door. The changeling looked at his friend and noticed that Fang's swollen face was no more. “I can see you used the love she gave you to heal yourself.”

Fang was quiet.

Inside of the room lay Coco. It was dark, but at least the light of the moon poked out of the corner of a window. Laying on her chest, she tried to think about what she was going to do the next day, but her hidden exhaustion crept up on her and took over.

At last, she slept. She too, was quiet.