She sat there.

Black.

Cold.

Terrifying.

Queen Chrysalis sat quietly in her throne room. Her hooves were steepled together and she peered into the empty abyss in front of her. A perfect plan. The perfect ruse. The perfect trap, the perfect bait, the perfect plan, so why didn't it work?! It was eternal and endless in her mind; a spinning record on infinite loop in her brain. Why Why why why why why WHY?! WHY didn't it work?! It should have worked! Siphoning the love from a starry eyed couple should have empowered her over all. It should have torn down the barriers, erased the drawn lines like chalk from a board! It should have worked! It should have given her and her army the upper hoof. It would have let her invade the Crystal Empire and put her into position to attack the Diamond Dogs. It should have been a shining testament to the world whom was dealt the best hand and it should have meant food for eternity for her family. It should have been a lot of things, but most importantly it should, have, WORKED!

She was at it again. Lost in a world of obstinate hatred and alcohol soaked regret. Screaming wildly over the voices in her own head, arguing over who's fault it was. Sullen and defeated, she had crawled up onto her throne like a cat. Graceful and far more nimble than what her appearance would otherwise say. And that's where she sat down and stared into the darkness.

For six. Straight. Hours.

Dars'xxl swallowed quietly as he entered the Queen's chambers. She hadn't moved from that spot since she'd retaken the throne after their defeat. He swallowed quietly again at the persistent lump in his throat that robbed him of his ability to speak. As advisory to the crown, he was well aware of the risks and dangers of her Highness in murder mode. A bad mood for sure. Normally, he of all Changelings would know better than to get within direct line of sight when she was like this, but the issues he held onto at the moment were extremely important and sadly could not wait until the queen was in a better place mentally.

Quietly he approached the front of the throne. Now that he was closer, he could hear the the royalty whispering something. Muttering things under her breath like some sort of mantra. What was she saying? Dars'xxl perked and ear and leaned in closer.

Shouldhaveworkedshouldhaveworkedshouldhaveworkedshouldhaveworkedshouldhaveworked... She snarled. Over and over and over again, and she only stopped when a lighting fast hoof struck out, and grasped Dars'xxl by the neck. Slowly, the little changeling was lifted into the air, dangling helplessly in the mad queen's grasp, her magic wisping from her horn...

"Oh baby...mommy's so sorry...that should have worked...really, it should have." She cooed, her voice pouring from her lips like honey. Dars'xxl swallowed a lump in his throat again. If he got through this day alive, it would be a miracle. For now, though, he simply settled for not being choked to death. Chrysalis rose up to a reclining position , holding out her arm, where she watched her servant squirm. He was going to squish....so...good...

"You caught mommy in a bad mood. You see, I recently lost a war. Thats enough to shake anyone's day, but my troops, were also my family. My kids. My...legacy. Trained for combat, and all cut down by the power of love in a single afternoon. HA! They will recant, in their books and texts, the battle of Canterlot. Like it were some long lost fairy tale. But for us...for me...this is my history. A blow I will forever remember...caused by the defeat of my troops...over the advice.......... of.....my.......adviser." She said quietly, her glowing green eyes rolling about in her skull until they landed on Dars'xxl. Shit.

"Y-Your Highness, I must r-remind you that m-my calculations were sound. We were THAT close to victory! We had a seven percent margin of error, and if we jusssssaack." Dars'xxl squeaked and croaked as the grip around his neck tightened, and tightened still. She was going to kill him. She was going to end him by her own hoof if he didn't use his last valuable seconds to think of something. ANYTHING.

"Please! You can't! GGAACck....Kill me, and we'll be one less! You need everyone you can get! Dia....mond....dogs.....here...." Was the last thing Dars'xxl managed to choke out, before he dropped to the ground, gasping for the sweet, sweet stench of the hive's recirculated air. The Queen could have ended him, if she so choose. While she possessed a deep seated loyalty to her brood, she rarely cared for one or so. The needs of the many over the needs of the few, and she didn't need Changlings that gave her bad advice.

Ironically, it was the Diamond Dog standing at the entrance to her chambers that saved his life. What little of a life he might have left, once the queen was through with him. But for now, he was given a respite, as the canid creature made it's way into the main hall. He, unlike other Diamond Dogs, had well groomed, well maintained fur. A strong back and muscular fore arms. He was clad in a bright white looking tunic and a bright blue cape, made of fine silk. His fur was black as pitch and he stood there with glittering brown eyes. A Black Labrador in bright white clothes, with a silver short sword clinging to his belt. Chryaslis snarled.

"Prince Maximus...Max...Your highness. Yooooooou've caught me at a bad time. What do you want, mutt?" She asked coldly, peering over her shoulder at the waiting canid, who moved the rest a paw quietly on the hilt of his sword. She keep a hoof firmly down on Dars'xxl's tail, and her back turned to the young canine in the room. He wasn't worth acknowledging.

Regardless of the Queen's blatant disrespect, Prince Max of the Diamond Dogs gave her a warm bow when she called him by name, and glanced around the hollowed halls of a once thriving hive.

"Chrysalis. My father sends tidings. We have heard you assaulted Canterlot Castle...I see things have not quite gone according to plan. My father simply wishes to remind you, of the truce we have between our people. It would go terribly for you, if you were to.....forget this tiny notion." Max said curtly, keeping his eyes narrowed on the frighting guise of the queen in front of him. For a moment, the queen simply regarded him as if he'd lost his mind. Indeed, they were at a tentative peace, even if she'd been directing some of her army to encroach more and more onto Diamond Dog territory. Yet another brilliant 'calculated risk' from adviser Dars'xxl. Now she regretted it of course. Now she was under some significant duress. If the Diamond Dogs choose to attack, they wouldn't have a snowballs chance in Tartarus to defend themselves. The wretched canines could take everything. The Diamond Dog King did not enjoy her company, but the only reason he tolerated them was due to the sheer over whelming numbers she had on her side. Now that the number had been culled...

"Oh of course. We never forget the truce between our people. Never, would I ever, imagine any of my brood would. Your highness. " Chrysalis hissed through grit fangs, turning to regard the canine. Her mind was a frightening place of darkness, and every moment the queen laid eyes on this canine in HER chambers, she had to resist the urge to pounce him and devour his soul. No, an open attack now might do well to improve her mood, but in the long run, it would only serve to hasten her ultimate defeat. The Diamond Dogs would attack them, sooner or later. She was sure of it- and the only way to defend themselves...

"As you can see, Max. I am very busy. I trust you can see yourself out?" Chrysalis hissed quietly, smacking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. The Labrador stood quietly in the throne room for a long, lingering few seconds, before he turned sharply on his paws and made his way out of the room, and back into the hall way. Outside, a few straggling Changelings warily watched him as he returned through the hive. Disgusting creatures. They'd all be dead soon enough when Father gave the command. They'd never try to mount an assault against them in such a dire situation and as long as they played a tentative game of truce , father was able to take his time, preparing the army. It was a full proof plan, the insects would soon bow down to the Diamond Dogs, and the best part was once they were wiped clean from the planet, this pitiful piece of a subterranean hollow would become his personal kingdom to do with as he pleased. As soon as Father gave the word...All he had to do was wait...

Chrysalis slithered back onto her throne and furrowed her brow. Of all the changelings she had left, Dars'xxl was the one she hated the most. And she needed him. That was the real kicker. The real horrible truth. God, how she needed a vacation. But the clash of crowns waited for no one and she gave an annoyed sigh.

"Dars'xxl. Join me in the war room." She said quietly, forcing the little Changling laying on the floor to perk his ears in curiosity. For a second, he was afraid it was there where he would meet his ultimate demise, but then, why wouldn't she just murder him now- if she were planning on doing that.

"Your...highness? The war room?" He asked tentatively. She gave a grim nod and stood up.

"Oh yes. We're going to start a war."

Author's Note

I ...guess this is sort of inspired by House of Cards/Game of Thrones. Some political intrigue and a complex web of lies within lives. The major players are the Diamond Dogs, the Gryphon Empire, the Crystal Empire, the Cervine Kingdom (?) And of course, the mane six in Equestria as Celestia's most powerful tool.

I'll edit this in the morning. It's late, and Lady Rarity needs to get some chores done.