Tirek and Sombra

Deep in the desserts of the badlands, there was a single mountain. It didn't look like much from the outside, but what lied underneath the surface was what mattered. This mountain possessed a cavity on it's tip. The cavity was the changeling hive nest, and as such, it's walls were painted with green slime, and ringed with holes, forming catacombs.

At the bottom, laid Queen Chrysalis, resting on her throne. 'Why did we fail?' was all Queen Chrysalis asked herself, ever since the wedding. She needed the love of Equestria for both herself and her changelings. She had the perfect plan; capture the princess of love, take on her appearance, feed off of Shinings love for her, end the wedding, lower the shield, let her changelings walk right into Canterlot in disguise, gain enough love to take over Canterlot from within. Of course the Princess's would be an obstacle. Maybe she'd of leaked some of her agenda to the public so as to spread paranoia so as to better manipulate them into doing what she wants. She didn't know exactly how it'd work, but she would have found a way for both Princess's to be out of the way for good. With Shining Armor being her protector; magically against her enemies, and emotionally against his loved ones. It was the perfect plan, yet she failed.

Ever since, Chrysalis and her changelings had hid away. She sent scouts to Equestria for any updates. One changeling spy, Cuddle Bug, flew down towards her throne. Upon landing, she bowed before the Queen of the Changelings. She was known for being glutenous when it came to feeding, due to her being overly affectionate. Yet their was something different about Cuddle Bug when she flew down. She was shivering, despite the blazing desert outside. She hissed ''M-My Queen, I've returned from gathering intel. There's been a discovery of great significance.''

The Changeling Queen demanded ''What is it!''

''An empire has appeared, north of Equestria. It was originally full of love. More so then Equestria.''

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow, her interest rising ''Originally full of love?''

She nodded ''It's now under the control of a unicorn king, named Sombra. From what I've heard, he's exceedingly cruel, frighteningly intelligent, and universally dreaded with the intent to enslave all life.''

The Queen rolled her eyes ''And why should this concern us? He's just another gullible pony waiting to be manipulated.''

Cuddle Bug added ''Because my Queen, he possesses something called the 'Crystal Heart'. Apparently, it contains all the love of these 'crystal ponies' he's enslaved. Also, love happens to be his weakness.''

Chrysalis's eyes widened in shock. The Crystal Empire? She heard about it from her mother. It was a legendary empire that spread love and hope throughout the land. It was told that for the changelings, love as literally in the air. Sadly, it vanished! Depriving her kind of finally having plenty of food, forever. It was like discovering an endless supply of food, only to have it disappear. It was every changelings dream. A dream that was all but crushed, for reasons unknown. Now, thousands of years later, it was merely a children's fairy tale for the changelings.

She peered into her subjects mind. She wasn't making it up. Despite how ridiculous the idea of an empire rich in love simply popping into existence seemed, she wasn't making it up. More concerning then that, was this immense fear she felt in her little changeling. When she linked her mind to her changelings, that fear carried over to her. She felt a chill run down her spine, as if she was somehow in grave danger. She remained composed, and ended the mental link.

Changelings had a natural hive mind, so Queen Chrysalis could connect her mind with her subjects to form a telepathic network. However, Chrysalis had standards. She cared for her changelings. They were her children, and as such, had the rite to individuality. It's only what they deserve, what with living a life full of false identities. As their mother, Chrysalis didn't want to strip them of their one chance to have their own genuine identity. To have a name, a face, and an opinion. Just like herself.

Cuddle Bug asked, hesitantly ''Um, my Queen?''

''Yes?''

Cuddle Bug rubbed her hoof across the floor ''Forgive me but, may I hug you?''

Normally, Chrysalis would lecture her subjects on respect, both to their queen and to themselves. But after feeling that sudden rush of impending doom. That feeling that everyone and everything she knew and loved would be taken away from her. The queen pitied her child. What Cuddle Bug felt, made the loving mother in Chrysalis surface. She smiled ''Of course you may!''

Cuddle Bug grinned and flew up to her Queen. She wrapped her front hooves around Chrysalis's neck and nuzzled her queen.
Chrysalis simply petted her scouts back, reassuringly ''Everything will be alright, my little changeling.''

After that, Cuddle Bug flew off into one of the thousands of catacombs. Chrysalis's smile faded as she laid there on the throne. Ancient Empire suddenly reappears? The most powerful source of love since ever? Ruled by a dreadful though brilliant King? She wasn't certain what to make of it all.

She needed advice. No! What she needed was a plan b. She needed backup. Assistance. She had a passing thought 'Maybe Equestria? No, never! They wouldn't trust us, and more to the point, we shouldn't trust them!'

Then her eyes widened 'Of course! My sisters!' before returning to her skeptical expression. ''My sisters!'' She stopped, realizing she unintentionally spoke that thought.

This world was plagued with lies. As a changeling, there was nothing more comforting then to mask yourself from the enemy. As a changeling, there was nothing more refreshing then being honest with your family. Changelings couldn't trust anypony who wasn't a fellow changeling. Sadly, even changelings have lied to their own kind. It was an unspoken rule that creatures of deceit would always be honest with eachother. It was familial trust, and yet, some changelings took advantage of that trust. Her trust, specifically!

She pondered 'Perhaps I'm being too critical. We're family, whether some like it or not. As a respectful queen, I refuse to sink to the lows of a fellow queen!'

Queen Chrysalis stood up from her throne, and walked towards her chambers. She summoned ''Spitsting!''

Soon a drone-changeling with a scar running down his left eye came flying in. His wings had a lower, more distinct buzzing sound to it. Different then any other changeling in her hive.

Male changelings were drone-caste, thus their duty was to please their queen. Females were separated into two castes; worker-caste, who build, gather resources, and raise young, and soldier-caste, who're warriors, spies and scouts, love collectors, etc.

Spitsting saluted ''Yes, my Queen!''

''Schedule an audience with my royal sisters!'' spat Chrysalis.

''Which ones?'' asked the drone, who immediately regretted it upon seeing Chrysalis's glare.

The Queen stated, venomously ''All of them!''

Spitsting nodded ''Very well.''

''You may leave now.''

''You seem tense, my Queen,'' he eyed her with half lidded eyes ''May I finally fulfill my duty to you?''

Chrysalis giggled ''No, not yet.''

Spitsting signed ''Some day, my Queen?''

She confirmed ''Someday.''

The drone then left her to begin his mission.

With that, she retreated to her bed chambers.

Three days have passed since then. Today was the day. Queen Chrysalis had her proposal for her sisters all planned, and ready. She walked out to the main hole where her throne laid. The hives cavity was cleared out for the day, with all the workers, soldiers, and drones being servants who tend to the needs of her sisters. She wanted to be a good host for her extended family, and make them feel welcome. Chrysalis crafted each of them their own throne from each of the catacombs using green slime. It was only for the meeting, though.

As time passed, more and more queens showed up. Hundreds of them came to her meeting, whether for negotiation or to catch up on lost time or to exploit. They were only three of the many kinds of motives and intents that her many sisters could have. However, she made a point to remind everychangeling to speak honestly, for they are family. Changeling Queens had similar tall figure, but with different color schemes, with herself having a green hue. Aside from color, all changelings the world over shared the same jet black chitin with holes.

Soon the entire cavity was filled with Changeling Queens from around the world. Some chat, trading information. Others kept to themselves, sipping their drinks. Occasionally, there was a Queen or two who planned, but for what, Chrysalis didn't know. She noticed some of the thrones were occupied by what looked like average changelings with none of her sisters minding. Probably, just representatives for Queens who are too busy to leave their hive unattended.

After a half hour passed, Chrysalis sat down on her throne in the center of her surrounding sisters. She cleared her throat, echoing throughout the hive, getting her sisters attention.

Queen Chrysalis greeted ''Welcome, my fine sisters. I've requested you here today for assistance.''

She waited for interruption, yet none came. Good. She continued ''My spies have discovered a treasure unlike any or kind have seen in over a thousand years. My sisters, the Crystal Empire has returned!'' She got up and walked around her throne, gazing at her many equals. They all had a variety of expressions Some were shocked, others looked skeptical, and a few even put a hoof to their mouth to keep themselves from laughing. Yet, most of them took this news seriously, with their interests showing. She smirked ''The time has come to rise out of hiding, and seize our greatest means of survival. No longer will we hide in the shadows. Now's the time to act!''

One changeling queen spoke up, with a raspy voice ''Why should we trust you?''

Chrysalis looked to the sister who spoke. It was Queen Maxilla. Like Chrysalis, she was lean, but with crimson red hue. Her hair was a bit shorter, with small strands curving outwards as spikes, and one side of her face was covered by a wide strand of her hair which hanged down. With pink eyes, she glared down at her sister. She was rude and aggressive, not caring about much outside her hive. Still, she was definitely one of the more open-minded ones. Not caring about manipulation or trickery, only hiding and feeding.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, and answered ''Why not? Aren't we family?''

Maxilla stood up, spatting ''Family? The hell do you know about family?!''

Chrysalis was surprised by Maxilla's hostility ''I'm sorry, but is something the matter?''

Maxilla exploded at her ''You have nerve talking to us about family, for somechangeling who thought it'd be a good idea to expose her people to Equestria, which resulted in the exposure of of our entire race, thus endangering us!!

Chrysalis stepped back ''I ...didn't know.''

''Calm yourself, Maxilla. We've all made mistakes in the past. And all of us-OK most of us, had come to their aid. Right now, is no different,'' Chrysalis looked to whichever sister came to her defense. It was one of the representative changelings. This blue changeling enveloped herself in blue fire, taking on the appearance of Queen Tibia. She was a sapphire blue changeling who wore a dress made of cotton. Her blue hair formed a bun with spider-like design. She looked down to her sister, with light blue, sympathetic eyes. She was more introverted and gentle then most. Tibia finished, with a serene smile and soft voice ''After all, we're family.''

Chrysalis couldn't help but wonder. Was she Tibia who took the form of a changeling, or was she a changeling taking her form and serving as a medium. Considering the unspoken rule about honesty among changelings, as well as Tibia's preference for pacifism, it was likely the later.

Tibia acknowledged ''Apologies, my sisters. But I'm busy at the moment, so I'm forced to send in a representative.''

Some queens nodded to that, but Maxilla scoffed ''Yeah, OK. Let's just ignore the fact that this is Chrysalis's fault.''

''Enough, Maxilla!''

Every queens eyes turned to the source of the voice. A violet changeling queen with a long wavy mane and tail stood from her throne. She was Queen Abdomen. Strict and serious, was how she was described. She gazed at all the other queens before her eyes landed on Chrysalis. Abdomen flew off of her throne and descended down to Chrysalis.

Once she landed, she trotted up to her and spoke elegantly ''Queen Chrysalis! You've exposed our entire race to the outside world. Though the damage isn't too bad, it's still unacceptable.'' She walked passed her and continued ''However, the Crystal Empire could prove to be your chance to make up for that failure.'' She walked towards her throne ''I only speak for myself when I say this, but I believe you should do this alone. Think of it as a second chance of sorts.'' Abdomen flew up to her throne.

''Objection!''

Again, all changeling eyes shifted to yet another queen. Her name was Queen Thorax. She was an unusually large queen, who possessed a orange puffy mane and tail. Her equally orange eyes formed a scowl, as she spoke with a low voice ''How can you let her do this by herself. This is the Crystal Empire, were talking about here. She's already shown to not care about us, so who's to say she wont betray us for her own selfish ambitions? Leave this to a sister who's not only trust worthy, but competent. Like me!''

Abdomen retorted, plainly ''Familial Trust!''

Thorax's eyes narrowed ''If that's how it is, then I'll go with her.'' then shot a glare at Chrysalis ''After all, somechangeling needs to make sure she doesn't fail.''

Abdomen facehoofed ''Thorax! If she fails, then we can take her as a warning of what not to do. If she succeeds then everychangeling wins. Besides, I know Chrysalis. She's the honorable type.''

It was true. Chrysalis was proud of both herself and her changelings, but was more proud of the familial moral she held for both her hive and her sisters. As much as it wounded her pride, she couldn't deny her responsibility for the failed invasion. She needed to make up for her failure. Chrysalis nodded ''Well spoken, Abdomen!'' then faced her sisters and announced ''For the sake of redemption, I shall go in alone. If I'm to fail, you'll lose a sister. However, if I'm victorious, you'll all be rewarded with an new supply of food.''

''That's not very reassuring!''

''You've got to be kidding me!''

''Are you serious? The outcome of this plan will effect us all?''

''I'm not letting her take all the spoils.''

Many of the changeling queens began talking amongst themselves. By now, Chrysalis didn't care if she was getting help or not, nether did she care if she was trusted or not. All that mattered to her was acquiring the Crystal Heart. For her changelings, her sisters, and her species in general.