It was a glorious evening in Canterlot, the coolness of an eastern breeze carried itself softly through the city, luring the ponies out of their homes to enjoy the sweet summer afternoon. Near the castle is where the richest of ponies resided, but even with their posh lifestyles the ponies still liked to occasionally indulge in the open air, birds still chirped and the sun still shone, Princess Luna had not yet brought up the moon and stars, but the weather told the many ponies in Canterlot that the night was coming soon.
Nice evenings like this where very popular. Two fillies named Topaz Trickle and Moonstone where frolicking happily about, playing games such as tag, catch and hide and seek. Moonstone giggled and laughed as her friend uncovered her from her hiding place.
However their happy faces where distorted with confusion as a young colt with a light purple coat and snowy white mane approached them. Topaz instantly recognized him as a colt who was in the same class as her, but when the colt gave a timid smile, she offered him to join their game. And so they three foals played cheerfully as the minuets ticked by, however, the mother of the fillies soon called them in, but Topaz paused before she ran back to her home, and looked to the colt, and she trotted over to him shyly. The colt was not phased, he stood there, as if he expected something, and the filly hugged him, her arms wrapping around him in a friendly embrace, a thank you with no words spoken.
Topaz, though was stricken with surprise as a bright white light shone in her face, she staggered back, squeaking. It lasted only a second, but she was so close to the light that it hurt, she rubbed her eyes and looked to the colt. She froze, but a sudden warmness relaxed her, she understood now, a creature the size of a pegasus mare smiled down at her, its head tilted and a smile on its face. Its silver blue coat shimmered in the sun, a short gray mane that shot strait up like a zebras trembled in the breeze that continued. Large and pupil less blue eyes stared into her. Topaz smiled, a changeling! The thing waited, its fly-like wings buzzing, the filly walked up to it, and raised her head as high as she could. The changelings little horn glowed with a light green aura, it opened its mouth as a few green strands arose from the filly, it swirled around a bit and then rested into the things mouth, it swallowed the green stuff, and Topaz blinked, staggering a bit. The filly soon regained her balance, smiled at the changeling, and then trotted away happily to her family.
The changeling, whose name was Da-Roh, felt content after his long day of feeding, he scratched and itch that was on his leg, relishing in his fullness, and yawned. Through his eyes, most things had a green tint, the filly was more lime green, and the arguing ponies by the restaurant where an unpleasant gray, he cringed at the bad aura, and trotted off to a rotted wooden door on the side of the castle. Another changeling joined him, Da-Fik, he buzzed a hello and entered the castle with him.
A tall figure overlooked the scene atop a small balcony, she smiled warmly, proud that all was going well for her subjects, she watched as the sun set, the wondrous colors of orange, pink, and yellow and the moon rose elegantly, the stars glimmering in the dark, a cool wind blew over her long and silky light aqua mane. Her gleaming silver coat shimmered in the dark, her huge green-blue eyes stared into the distance, seeing her changelings scamper around, feeding on the sweet dreams of the ponies of Canterlot. The plan is working perfectly. She thought. Her butterfly wings flapped, airing them out. She took a deep breath, enjoying the night.
“Princess Chrysalis, I must ask you a question.” a voice asked from behind her. She looked to see Princess Celestia staring down at the changelings feeding, green auras drifting through the streets. The princesses pink mane floating in an imaginary wind. “Why green?” she said, looking to Chrysalis calmly. Chrysalis looked back to her feeding subjects and said
“Love is white, friendship is purple, happiness is yellow, kindness is pink, the list goes on. When my subjects feed, they collect a variety of feelings, not just love, for some reason the mix always results in a shade of green. Because love is white and hate is black, the darker the aura, the more negative feelings are mixed in, the more love, the lighter. I know not why they are these colors, they just are. Oh, and I must comment, the plan is working gloriously, it was quite ingenious of you to come up with it.” Celestia blushed slightly, flattered.
“You paid a great role in it too, giving Luna the job to cleanse the ponies dreams of nightmares as to keep them happy in the morning, keeping your kind happy too.”
“What princess wouldn't want their subjects to be eating well?”
“You also where the one who found those crystal caverns where your kingdom lives, that is a mighty feat.”
“Ha, I cannot deny I have done much, but the magnificent plan of having my kingdom reside in yours, the changelings eating small amounts from each pony to keep them well too, you truly are a great ruler.” Chrysalis said shyly, Celestia bowed her head in respect, acknowledging the fine complement. Chrysalis looked up to see a small changeling fly up to her, keeping his head low and his tail between his legs. It was Ni-Krah, one of Chrysalis's most faithful subject.
“My Princessssss...I am here for the nightly progress report, all is well...”
“Can't you see that I am in the middle of speaking with Princess Celestia Ni-Krah? Go back to the hive!” Chrysalis snapped at the little changeling, he squeaked and buzzed away as quickly as fast as possible. Celestia coughed, implying that that was a bit harsh. The princess then turned towards Chrysalis, and said grimly,
“I am afraid to say that we are soon going to have to turn to phase two.” Chrysalis turned her head sideways, curious,
“How soon?”
“A few days, a week at most.”
“So soon?” Chrysalis gasped, her kingdom has only lived here for a few years!
“I am afraid so, my subjects are already becoming a bit weak, our tactic is effective, but it cannot go on forever. My subjects seem weary, and your numbers are growing, soon, my subjects will not be able to live under the constant feeding of your kind.” Celestias voice morphed from concern to bitterness, and Chrysalis, who was very sensitive, felt offended when she spat out the last sentence. Chrysalis, however, swallowed her negative thoughts.
“Than what is this phase two, all I know is that we will move to another location.”
“Well, your kingdom will have to move to the Crystal Empire, you see, and there you will stay in the castle, and your subjects will reside in a similar cavern under the castle. Your assistance is needed there anyway, for there is only a few ponies there with any kind of authority, I cannot be there because I need to stay in Canterlot, and my sister...well...she isn't feeling to well. You will be able to have the highest authority there, if it is not too much for you to handle with your changelings.”
“Not at all, my subjects are extremely easy to handle, we have a vague telepathy system, I am sure I can handle the crystal ponies just fine-but why do you need me to look after them anyway?”
“Well...you see there have been a number of reports of the ponies becoming...sick, sorta, they are becoming...you'll see it when you get there, it's hard to explain.” Celestias head turned away from Chrysalis, and looked upon the shared kingdom. There was an awkward silence, but it was broken by Chrysalis.
“I ought to go to the Crystal Caverns to rest, it is getting late.” she said and elegantly flew off, her wings reflecting many colors in the moonlight. Celestia turned around to see her sister, Luna, her short blue mane emanating her youth. Celestia smiled and walked side by side with her sister through the castle.
“Lost again?”
“I'm not yet used to this castle, sister.”
“The other one was far from Canterlot.”
“Could we take a vacation there sometime?”
“Sure, it can become our relaxation spot.”
Meanwhile Chrysalis was floating down to the wooden door, currently the only entrance to the Crystal Caverns however she planned to change that. The alicorn swiftly opened the door, a fairy green aura around the knob as she opened it. A wave of warm air flooded her, just right for my changelings she thought, oh how perfect the caverns where when she found them! The door led to a dark corridor, as to ward off any curious ponies. She stepped in and closed the door, darkness engulfed her, but she could see just fine when the torched lit by themselves. The musky sent calmed her, and there was a distant drone of buzzing wings of her kind.
Chrysalis trotted through the hall, and proceeded to walk down a long flight of stairs going down, the torches reflected the crystals that where embedded in to the wall. At the end of the stairs was another corridor, the walls where completely made of crystal now, shining brightly, there was no longer a need for torches. Yet another door, this one was iron, and it had a single hole in the middle. Chrysalis bent her head and placed her horn inside the hole, the door glowed magically, and it opened gracefully.
The princess raised her head high, her stature firm, the crystal caverns where revealed in all their glory. The huge expanse was bustling with art collected from the species's travel, the crystals where carved sharp and smooth to allow light to bounce freely through the entire underground haven. Changelings bustled about, but once seeing their ruler quickly bowed, their noses touching the floor. Chrysalis silently walked through her temporary kingdom, each step graceful and with purpose, her subjects scooted out of the way, still bowing, as she walked by.
She walked through multiple rooms, each of which went silent in her glorious presence. She made her way to the central area, the biggest room of them all. On one side of the room was a stage with a large podium atop it. She carefully glided up the small set of stairs to the stage, and up to the podium. She was about to speak, but she then saw a particular changeling that went by the name of Hi-Soph. He stared at her with great intensity, and a message from him popped in to her mind; Important. He spoke through her mind, she nodded her head towards him, and then spoke to the bowing crowd through telepathy,
Go on with your regular schedule. So the changelings went on with their nightly routine, and the bustle of talk and wings buzzing filled the caverns once again. Hi-Soph stood once more, and trotted up the stairs to the Princess who stood rigid, not looking to the changeling. Hi-Soph, his shiny blue coat shimmered with all the other changelings in the crystals light. His gray mane and tail where longer than the others, showing his authority.
“What could possible be more important than my announcement, Hi-Soph?” she said coldly, she truly hated it when her subjects interrupted her.
“M-my apologies, Princess...y-you see, I have to discuss something of great importance that was brought up in the latest High Meeting, you told me to inform you about it, am I not correct Your Highness?” he stuttered, but he made a good point.
“Ah yes, what is this important topic you wish to tell me?” Chrysalis replied, still not facing him, it was tradition that the princess/queen would not face her subjects unless it was necessary.
“Foals, Your Highness.”
“What about them? I thought we had enough females to go around.”
“Foals as in...heirs to the throne.” he said nervously. Chrysalis's eyes widened for a second, but soon she relaxed.
“Why would I need an heir? I am an alicorn.”
“Y-yes, you are, but you are not immortal..you have a very large lifespan, but you can die of sickness, battle ect....”
“Indeed, but under the protection of the celestial sisters I am truly unstoppable.” she hissed, her eyes narrowing, Hi-Soph was taken aback by her sudden harshness.
“Y-yes you are i-indeed...b-but that might not always be the case.”
“Hm, I will think about, it, now be on your way.” she snapped.
“B-but..”
“SCRAM!” she yelled, snapping her head toward Hi-Soph, forcing him into eye contact, he screeched as a telepathic punishment scorched his mind, and he ran away as fast as his little legs could take him, tears forming in his eyes. Chrysalis scowled at him from afar, he was always the weak one, a trait that was not favored, but he was good at politics. A searing headache started to throb, and the changelings started to complain when they felt it too, the connection between Chrysalis and her subjects was far too much in her opinion, they could feel her pain, and she could feel theirs occasionally. Some started to rub their heads and sit down. Chrysalis didn't care though, it was time for a meeting, and she didn't feel like communicating to them telepathically.
“MEETING IN THE CENTER CAVERN!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, some of the changelings screamed when their headaches clashed with the loud message as it echoed through the caverns. The changelings rushed to the center cavern, waves of them flooded in, hundreds of them.
Once the blue and gray creatures all where in the same room, fly wings fluttering and buzzing, some where very annoyed at her disturbing call and the headache they where all feeling. However Princess Chrysalis didn't give a damn and continued to speak in the royal Canterlot voice she learned from the celestial sisters to the crowd.
“Subjects, I must inform you that in a few short days, we will be moving to the Crystal Empire in a few short days for phase two of the plan we arranged.” she said regally, the crowd mumbled, complaints, probably. Chrysalis flicked a strand of aqua mane from her face, and continued,
“You should probably all start packing up now, take only what you need, the rest will be burned at our departure, I don't want to hear any complaints, the celestial sisters have been extremely kind to us and you should feel grateful that we have a home at all.” Chrysalis stated curtly, lifting her head higher, the crowd was silent now.
“You may now disperse.” she grumbled, and the changelings scattered. Chrysalis let out the breath she had been holding, that went better than expected. She thought. The Princess turned to the door on the wall behind the podium. She sighed and opened the silver door that led to her quarters. The elegant bed with silk sheets, the finest painting, soft carpet and sweet smelling candles where all nice, but did not soothe her tenseness. She grabbed a small mirror and pressed the button on its golden frame. Her face was now broadcast on every crystal in the caverns. She smiled sweetly.
“Goodnight my changelings.” she cooed, she pushed the button once more and set the mirror down. Chrysalis collapsed on the soft bed. Her smiles and soothing voice was only a mask for the anxiousness she felt. It's only because we're moving, once we get to our new home, I bet the days will go by very quickly. She thought, wrapping up in soft blankets when she heard her guards stop at her door. The darkness closing around her, drifting into a peaceful sleep.
Today is the day. The entire hive of changelings where bustling about, they have been spending the last few days stuffing themselves to gather their strength, collecting some things that they would like to bring to the Crystal Empire, paintings, bedding, and some solid food if they needed it when they were there. The female changelings where rounding up the larvae and doing miscellaneous work like crafting. Everypony was in running and flying, triple-checking they didn't leave anything behind to burn. Princess Chrysalis didn't need to pack, she wasn't bringing anything, she had already returned the bed and other things to Princess Celestia. However she did carry one thing in a small saddlebag, the mirror. She had no idea why she wanted to bring it, it's useless if nopony is in the Crystal Caverns, but it was very pretty, and it was a gift, it would be a shame to burn it. Her green eyes scanned the area, the blue blurs constantly running about gave her a headache, she remembered the advice Luna gave her and rubbed her horn, the pain dulled, but it was still annoying. Chrysalis flicked her ear, she was becoming impatient, the sooner they got to the Crystal Empire the better.
“THIRTY MINUTES UNTIL TAKE OFF, HEAD TO IVORY CLIFF!” she screamed, some of her changelings jumped in surprise, and so, approximately 400 changelings where running to Ivory Cliff at the same time. Even though her subjects didn't like it, yelling was an excellent stress reliever.
Ivory Cliff wasn't very popular due to the many sharp rocks that could easily be stepped on, however because so few ponies ever went there is was perfect for the changelings to departure to their new home. The sky was clear and the air was warm for a fall day, so it was chosen that today was the day that they left. Many ponies gathered to the streets of Canterlot to say goodbye to their changeling friends as they journeyed to the cliff. The noise was deafening, so many changelings flying all at once was enough to drive a pony mad. Not to mention the chit chat of the creatures was quite loud. Princess Chrysalis was in the lead, head high as usual, her eyes darting back and forth, she never really liked the ponies, the celebrated everything! She took a deep breath, they where exiting Canterlot now, the ponies voices dimming finally.
It was a short walk, and when they arrived, they saw Princess Celestia and Starswirl the Bearded standing at the cliff, waiting for them. Chrysalis stopped at Celestia,
“Where's your sister?” she asked,
“Not feeling well, I'm afraid.”
“Sick?”
“I...I'm not sure, to be honest.”
“Keep and eye on her, I like her, you know.” she said, and nodded to Starswirl, he was the quiet type, always writing down something. He eyed Chrysalis, and spoke to the two princesses surprise
“I wish you good luck on your journey.” he said
“Thank you.” Chrysalis replied, walking forward, the changelings where silent now, their hoofsteps the only sound they made along with the occasional whisper. The changeling princess eyed all of her subjects saddlebags and worried that they will weigh them down. Chrysalis gulped, said farewell to Celestia, and stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out upon the terrain in front of them, far in the distance she could see the Crystal Mountains with snowy tops. The changelings weren’t a huge fan of cold, but they could handle when underground. Finally, Chrysalis opened her butterfly wings and rose in to the air, as did the rest of her hive.
She floated off the cliff, and started moving forward, her neck leaned forward as she picked up speed. Her subjects a few yards behind her, buzzing loudly with their much smaller wings. She looked down below her, seeing a wide expanse of open hills and fields, some farmer ponies looking up in awe of hundreds of changelings and their leader migrating. A strong wind from behind blew them faster through the countryside. They where following a wild churning river north, staying at a high altitude to avoid being noticed, but who wouldn't notice a noisy black cloud flying across the countryside? Only a couple of hours later, Chrysalis was surprised of how soon the air started to chill, some of the changelings where already complaining, how could they survive the north if they couldn't even handle this.
“Shush now! We aren't even halfway there and you're already complaining?” she yelled to the others, shutting them up. The princess rubbed her eyes, did they have bags under them? She could look at her mirror but that would slow them down. The noise of her subjects was really getting on er nerves now, so she flattened her ears down to the side of her head, making the noise less loud to her. She sighed, how long would it take to get there? She never really liked traveling.
After many long hours they where all witnessing the natural beauty of Neighagra Falls, the creator of the river they where following. The awe inspired whispers of her kind flooded her ears as she continued to go onward, a young changeling buzzed towards her, head low and not looking at her princess,
“P-princess...do you think...that maybe...?” she squeaked, keeping her tail between her legs.
“No.” she replied, there was no time for sightseeing, we have one purpose on this journey, and that is to get to their new home, and nothing will get in her way! When Chrysalis had her mind set on something, nothing would stop her from doing it. The little changeling then flew back to her mother who whispered something in her ear. The bright sun that shone high in the sky hit her usually bland clear wings, but the light made them gleam in all the colors of the rainbow, then passing through them and resting on the ground below. Chrysalis closed her eyes, enjoying the warm sun and the roar of the falls, and as time went on, it became distant, a sweet memory of tranquility on this stressful journey. The wind was gone now, the changelings now had only their own wings to guide them through their migration. Celestias sun went strait through her, the air was dry and chilling, the most unpleasant climate a changeling can be in. How will they cope in the great Crystal Mountains? A cold wind hit the front, nipping them.
The mountains where close now, pine forests dotted the landscape, a thin layer of snow was visible. A shiver ran down her spine, and she began to see her breath in front of her. A dark cloud loomed ahead, a snowstorm.
“Just great, those damn crystal ponies just had too cook up a storm, didn't they? It isn't even supposed to be snowy up here!” she scowled, grumbling too herself, her changlings quiet as they went on. They only sound was of the changelings wings and the wind that was pushing against them, straining them. The princess's breaths where shudders, the freezing air flowing through her with every breath she took. The clouds where almost upon the now, the mountains were in full view, how long has the journey been now? Seven hours? Her mind was blurry, she couldn't tell. The dark clouds where here now, looming above them, threatening to turn their lives into hell. Deep breaths, deep breaths where the answer. Let all of the stresses of today slip away as the gentle snowflakes start to fall...
Then changelings started to drop from the sky.
Chrysalis's head whipped to the side when she heard the screams of her ponies, two young changelings fell, their bodies limp as they plummeted into the sharp rocks below. Chrysalis gasped, how could that have happened?! She felt a twinge of pain in her side that came from the young ponies being skewered. Chrysalis cringed, natural selection, that's all it is, she reassured herself. Sometimes she felt that she was being a bad princess, and this was definitely one of those moments, she sighed. This was no time to dwell over petty insecurities, we had to get to the kingdom before the storm became a serious problem.
“ONWARD!” she yelled, going as fast a she could through the steady snow, her subjects closely following. They where in the mountains now, the city was visible. It was magnificent! Crystals shone through the snowfall, elegant structures and a humungous castle that erupted from the ground, crystal ponies shimmering, they seemed to be celebrating their arrival! This made Chrysalis quite happy, it was good that their soon-to-be food source was willing. The Canterlot ponies took a few months to get used to the changelings residing in their kingdom, causing some misunderstandings. Chrysalis could tell that this would be much easier to handle. Yes, the cold was annoying, but at least it was beautiful. A row of illuminating unicorn horns guided their path down to the ground to the city. Cheers of the changelings where clearly heard as they reached their destination, Chrysalis let out a breath in relief, only two changelings where lost, it will be alright. The changeling princess dipped downward towards the pathway of unicorn lights. The ponies shimmered in the light reflecting from the snow, their heads held high even though they where shivering. It's not like it was a very heavy snow, it was very calm and steady. However it seemed that the ponies seemed disturbed by the slightest touch of the icy precipitation, as if it was hurting them, Chrysalis smirked at the thought of tiny ice daggers falling from the sky.
She glided down the ground, her wings slowing the fall, the buzz of her subjects wings came to a stop as they all landed. The newly fallen snow crunched under her hooves, only about seven inches of it. The unicorns bowed, their horns still luminous, and their chins brushing the cold ground. The crystal ponies where lined up on both sides of the princess, making a road that led to the city. Chrysalis trotted silently forward without even looking at the crystal ponies. Her changelings were chattering behind her nervously. Even though it was not night, the sky was...dark. Usually a snowstorm was bright, but the heavy clouds above seemed to drain the light.
Barely visible through the darkness sort of gate that led to the city stood before them. Two guards stood at either side of it. What puzzled Chrysalis was that there was no walls, and this was the only place where there was guards. She brushed the thought aside as she looked onward to the Empire that stood before her. It was enormous, houses and streets that seemed to go on forever filled her view. The castle rose up in its center, a beacon in the shadows of the storm that was slowly growing in force. The princess stood in front of the gate, and peered through it, the city didn't seem...right. Where were the ponies? Why weren’t the houses and streets covered with snow? She cocked her head the right in confusion.
“You may enter, Your Majesty.” a guard said quickly, gulping when Chrysalis peered at him curiously. Looking away, she stepped forward only to stop when she felt something strange on her hoof. Bright colors spread from where her hoof touched the thing, a force field. She raised and eyebrow. Why would an isolated place such need a force field? She nervously stepped through it, and her jaw dropped. No longer was there snow, cold, and wind, warmth spread through her as sunshine found her coat. Of course when the changelings saw their awe-stricken princess the didn't hesitate to push and shove through the gate to understand what she was so surprised at. The creatures jumped for joy as they saw the green grass and heard the chirp of birds singing happy songs. Many collapsed on the ground from exhaustion, and others immediately started to talk with their friends about the joyful place.
“Oh, it's so sunny! How do they do it?”
“I can't wait to see the ponies, do you think they have lots of love?”
“I hear they have a crystal heart!” However Chrysalis did not speak, she looked onward, to the city where bustling ponies and shimmering buildings were almost glowing in the sweet sunlight. She had never heard and much less seen a force field that can keep weather in or out. There must be a strong magical source to do that...was the crystal heart that powerful? Maybe, she let out a deep breath, and relaxed her body, the stress was overwhelming. She turned to the general direction of her subjects, and they all immediately turned to her.
“We must move to the castle now, I do not know where you will live, but for now, you all will reside in the castle with me.” Chrysalis said, the changelings were surprised, they were going to live in the same place as their princess? It was unheard of! Murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd, and Chrysalis turned around to face the crystal empire. She began to walk forwards, the long soft grass cushioning her hoof. Her many subjects clumped together, each group holding around fifty changelings. Oh how the population has grown from its once meager numbers! The princess thought for a moment, and concluded that there were about one hundred changelings when she first arrived in Canterlot. The crystal caverns seemed more that enough then, and she realized that if they had stayed in Canterlot for much longer than there would be no more space for her changelings to live! Chrysalis hoped that there would be a place for her kingdom to stay in other than the castle. More and more questions and thoughts buzzed in her head wildly, her stress levels skyrocketing. Her legs felt weak as she approached the buildings. The ponies were scampering to get a glimpse of her, and to welcome her to her new home, the Crystal Empire.
