Author's Note
So this is something I found when I was perusing my old files. I am just posting this after buffing it up from the draftiness it was to see what happens. Maybe you will enjoy it, maybe you won't. But I would like to at least see how much traction this idea could have and if it is worth pursuing. Especially since my life is growing increasingly busier. So please, read, rate, and comment, for I find criticism and fun comments help me keep my story processes going!
With all that said, enjoy the show!
Prolonging Passion
The Canterlot Gardens were lovely this time of night. Most visitors would probably prefer seeing them in the day, when they were open to the public. In that situation, they would be spruced up by the most prominent of gardeners, caretakers, and other artisans to ensure that they were the picturesque example of splendor. Every blade of grass perfectly aligned; every flower simultaneously in bloom. Every critter would be melodiously tame and even tempered. No statue would stand unpolished. All of that placed under Celestia’s risen Sun; pure brilliance!
That was not to say that nighttime smeared their elegance. When Celestia’s sun went down, it was to allow Luna’s moon to rise! Dazzling up above the florae and shrubberies were the stars. Each shone brighter than a pearl in the ocean. Yet, they also gave the right amount of light to set an exquisite mood to the setting. The hedges were trimmed to the perfect edge that you could swear were actually carved from emeralds, and not gathered leaves on branches. Each flower stood at attention like a beautiful soldier of natural exquisiteness. And the statues looked like slumbering gentlecolts and mares set up in a realm of dreams.
There was one element that seemed to subtly clash with this fine-looking scenery. If anyone would gaze down upon the gardens they would find a lone figure walking discreetly along the statues. This figure stood tall in armor that shone with the hint of golden metalwork due to the late hour. She walked purposely of her four hooves as she occasionally took stalk of her surroundings. Other than her spiraled horn sticking out from her helmet, and her solid black coat and mane, there did not seem to be much else to report unusual about this equine. She may have been a bit taller and broader than the average civilian of the city, but that was norm of any mare that was enlisted into the royal guard. Anyone would know that there should be nothing wrong with seeing a guardspony doing rounds in the Canterlot Gardens. However, it could be said three individuals would find it odd to see her there this night. After all, this mare was also currently enjoying an all-expense paid dinner with her husband and daughter at a restaurant some blocks away. To be here at the same time was impossibility.
That is, were it not for the true nature of this character; not just biologically, but mentally. Sadly this nearby splendor was spoiled to the associations that rose up in the mind of the garden’s current unexpected visitor. She didn’t come here and pose as another guard for a simple nightly stroll. No, her reason for coming here was a major stride in a long-term goal in which she hoped her gain would out way the risks in coming here alone.
To come here would be a desperate act in itself. Strike that, it was essentially suicide. Yet after centuries of searching, she had found the lead to her hearts’ desire. To think that the key to obtaining it was here and not buried in some ruin or locked up in the Canterlot archives drove a spike into her heart that was heated red hot due to her anger and the disrespect the location implied.
“I’ve scoured Equestria from all corners. I had spies waiting to bring me any glimmer or whisper of a hint in nearly every species’ gatherings. All this time I’ve made sacrifices and power plays expecting him to be sealed in a vault with an elaborate lock and key, and he was right here, at your feet.” She muttered angrily as she came across the statue that stood out the most.
Unlike the others that had poses that suggested victory or honor, this one was carved into an expression of defeat. A multitude of creatures, from mammals, reptiles, dragons, avian, and feline clashed together to create a perfect organism of chaos. In times past, she knew this being to be a god in all but behavior, and now she hoped that he was still awake despite his reinstated status of stone.
The mare called upon her magic in a greenish hue as she tried to establish a mental link with the imprisoned entity. “Discord! Are you-”
“Well, if it isn’t the Changeling Queen herself!” a voice echoed obnoxiously into her mental ear. “Good eve, your majesty! I’d tip my hat to you, but alas, I’ve lost it as well as my ability to move.”
“So sorry to hear that.” She mentally muttered with her eyes rolled in annoyance.
“I’m sure you are. For if I could move, then you could ask me to get out of the way for someone who has been waiting a long time for you.”
Her head perked up at that bit of news. “Is he-?”
A great deal of laughter echoed forth from the mental link as Discord went on to confirm her hopes held true. “I suppose there’s no point in making you wait any more than you have. He’s quieter tonight. Even more than usual! But considering that all he has had for company these past ages is moi, I think he’s been struck mute by the first pretty bug that he’s seen in a long time!”
A great buzzing sounded off in the link. To any other it might have been white noise, but to them, it was clearly understandable. It was enough to make the Queen of the Changelings shed tears and the frozen Lord of Chaos sigh in refutation.
“Alright! I’ll take it back! But your sweetheart is of the Arthopod persuasion, just saying!” At this point, it sounded like he was struggling with something; possibly trying to shrug without being able to move his shoulders. “But what would I know? I am Chaos incarnate and nothing more, right?”
The buzzing continued with a pattern similar to a rebuttal. Yet Discord understood it perfectly as an snide remark.
“Hmmph, well see if I am willing to trade jokes with you the next time you find yourself sealed up tight for a few centuries.” Discord murmured. “Now, Chryssie, if you would-”
In less time that it took to finish that thought, the Draconequuis statue was rising into the air by the power of a greenish glow.
“Hey now! I’m more than willing to get out of the way! No need to toss me like some useless paperweight!”
With the statue no longer on its base, it was child’s play for the hidden queen to use magic to reveal a seal that was hidden on the pedestal. With it broken, it opened up and revealed something that eluded her for centuries: a box.
“I swear; no respect!” Discord chided as he was set back down on the pedestal. The queen ignored him, for her full attention was on this object that she now had in her possession.
The box was blacker than night and etched with emerald hued symbols that were probably lost to time. Whatever lock they provided made no difference, for Chrysalis broke them with her magic like a child discovering the whimsy of a crowbar. Opening it and viewing the contents inside lifted a massive weight from her heart, as well as reminding her that she in fact did possess one despite what others may say.
“Discord…” Chrysalis stopped in place before walking up to the stoned god of chaos. She placed a hoof down on his base in a caring manner as she let the tears drop at last. “Thank you! Were it not for your latest seal being freshly cast from the Elements of Harmony, I would free you as a meager token of my appreciation!”
“…Hmph! I don’t see what for. I only took advantage of possible source of entertainment after all.”
She laughed at that, finally feeling a reason to truly be happy after such a long time. “Then don’t you worry. These next coming days will bring you the most entertainment you’ve seen in a while.”
“Sounds intriguing!” The sealed God of Chaos laughed as the mental link faded away. “Now why don’t you kids get out of here? Remember; don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! Because I’ve already done it and got bored with it!”
“Oh we’ll be sure to enjoy ourselves when he’s composed himself once more!” She gazed lovingly at the contents of the box once more as they glimmered in agreement. “Now then, to get started on the preparations to complete a perfect day!”
After all, it takes a lot to prepare a wedding, and she was more than willing to perform her duties as a bride once again!
{>¥<}
Many months later, the Canterlot Gardens had another unexpected meeting. Only instead of two being of odd species and circumstances, it was a pair of young mares. One was a purple unicorn, while the other was a more regal looking alicorn of different hues of pink.
The unicorn in question was was Twilight Sparkle, who was not having as good a day as she hoped. She started off with determination to have a wonderful picnic with her best friends after finding enough time to set aside her daily workload and scheduled projects. Only, her plans to enjoy good food and company were tossed aside like a crumpled script with a letter addressed to her and her friends. In it, she found that Princess Celestia had come to ask them to help facilitate a wedding: Her very own brother’s wedding!
Oh, she was certainly furious and unnerved at the stallion who despite their occasional correspondences to one another, seemed to neglect to mention that he was in a relationship; let alone getting married tomorrow! Oh, she still planned to hold this one against him for a good favor or two, but found herself more concerned with his beloved bride-to-be: Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.
Twilight knew her as Cadance, her favorite foal-sitter who became as close to her as her own flesh-and-blood. Yet she couldn’t help but to feel that this mare she once saw as a sister had become somepony she would never consider her sister-in-law. Yes, she probably should have expected Cadance to not join her in a recital of ‘ladybugs awake’ being a full-fledged member of royalty now, but the way she had treated her friends and their attempts at helping to prepare the wedding today made her wonder just what had become of the foal-sitter she once danced and played with.
“So what matter do you need to take care of here, Cadance?” Twilight asked with a noticable lack of enthusiasm. They had already gone over the food, the dress, and quite recently the reception. All of which received criticism of the apparent perfectionist that was the bride-to-be.
The princess trotted along calmly, with her wings folded back, and her horn held high, before giving the purple unicorn a critical eye. “You.”
That certainly shook Twilight out of her bad mood. “Err, what do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.” The princess walked back towards her smoothly with a calculated ease. Her horn glimmered green for a moment as her wings shifted into a pointed angle. The unicorn was reminded of the imposing difference between herself and an alicorn. It was like comparing a stream to a torrential waterful; you never wanted to feel the almighty force of the latter.
“Well…,” Twilight tried to remain calmly in place, but it seemed her instincts were whispering at her to turn around and run for it. “I don’t think-”
“You noticed how off I’ve been today.” Cadenza finally reached her, matching eyeball for eyeball. The proximity was impalpable. Twilight crouched into a sitting position and readied herself to submit. Yet the first to falter was Cadenza, who moved herself closer to briefly nuzzle the unicorn into a hug as she replied, “So I must apologize. I’d just been so upset lately by this whole situation.”
“Huh?” Twilight felt there was a shift in the air as Cadenza let out a sigh as she further clarified herself.
“Auntie Celestia means well, but you and your friends planning my wedding was more than an afterthought than anything. It’s all part of her idea that you should be treated as being separate from your status as the Elements of Harmony, yet having all of you present for the festivities.”
Now that was news to Twilight. The princess’ tone was something she never thought could be directed at her beloved mentor, so she had to ask. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean this whole situation stinks of one of her ‘chess master’ schemes.” She rolled her eyes as she explained further. “There is a new threat that is upon Canterlot. Somehow whoever they are heard that Princess Mi Amore Cadenza was engaged to Captain Shinning Armor. Rather than postpone the wedding further, she has us move up the date to draw them out into the open like flies to honey.”
“So you didn’t ask to have the wedding set for tomorrow?” Twilight asked. The alicorn scoffed at that question before going into a tirade.
“Twilight, I asked for a lot of things.” Cadenza puffed out a bang from her eye. “I asked for chocolate cake and deserts, but all we could get was a chef who specializes in apple hors d'oeuvres because that avoids so many allergic restrictions. Except for me, because I can only eat so much of it before it makes me ill.”
‘So that’s why she threw those treats away.’ Twilight thought as she recalled how the meetup with Applejack went.
“I had a dress planned out that was perfect, but of course it would take too long for it to arrive. So I have to settle for a seamstress who can only do so much with the time allotted; no offense.” The princess sighed as she continued with the next matter she went over with the unicorn. “At least it’s better than a party planner who specializes in more youthful audiences for her parties and not a gaggle of formal mares and gentlecolts who couldn’t dance the hokey-pokey because it’s too undignified.”
Much as she liked to, Twilight felt her previous indignation seem to melt away the more the princess explained herself. “I guess that is pretty disappointing. My friends worked so hard, though.”
“I can see that, but still they are unfortunately pawns in a chess game they have no idea they are even a part of.” Cadenza glared out at the sky as her ire built up. “And that’s not even the worse thing! All this is because I have to get married tomorrow! The sudden date being used as a diversion is one thing, but to have the reason hidden from the public is another!”
Twilight instinctively cast a shield spell because of how worried she felt at the alicorn’s current state of mind. At this point, Cadenza definitely looked more than a bit infuriated. Her magic started to coagulate about her in near greenish flames as she went on to blow her fuse. Yet it seemed she was able to calm herself in time when she remembered just who was the audience watching her.
With a few calming breathes, Cadenza concluded her rant. “I mean, when the rumor-mill is alive with whispers of it being moved up because Shiny knocked me up, or that I am in a hurry to obtain my new royal bed warmer, can you blame me for being a bridezilla?”
“Well I wouldn’t say bridezilla.” Twilight blanched, while ignoring the scortchmarks that were in the grass where the alicorn stood a moment ago. She made a mental note to tell the groundskeepers to take care of the problem, so that others may not join them in changing the scenery.
“Don’t lie, Twilight.” The royal tilted her head with a huff. “I get enough lies just looking at the mirror every morning I wake up.”
“Well, then why go through this act like you don’t love Shiny?” Twilight put her hooves to her mouth as she felt that it just released something she couldn’t take back. The question had been hitting her today, but she never believed she would actually just up and say it to her face.
“Because I don’t want to marry your brother.” Seeing that choice of phrase shake the young unicorn into a stupor, she clarified and reworded her statement. “Not like this, with all of this royal hoopla bearing down on me like a coarse and heavy saddle. For what he’s done for me, your brother deserves a happy ending. Were the situation different, then all these obstacles wouldn’t be here to make everything so difficult.”
Cadenza seemed almost solemn at that admittance.
“Then why…?”
“Because when you are a royal, you come to discover just what you can take for yourself before others take the rest for themselves. It applies for power, wealth, sustenance, and love.” She imparted to the unicorn with a fervent eye. “When it comes down to it all things are driven by greed and desire. You just choose how much you’re willing to go towards getting what you want.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow at that lesson. “That doesn’t sound like something that the Princess of Love should say.”
“Well maybe you aren’t talking to the Princess of Love right now.” Again she caught her slip of the tongue and rectified her statement. “I mean, maybe you are just talking to another mare who is finding herself getting annoyed at how much things are being pushed around her just to keep up appearances. The game of facades is one that tramples on hearts and wishes of better beings.”
For an instance, it seemed that twilight was looking not at the grown up version of her foal-sitter, but upon a being as old as Celestia. At least, she recognized the weary look that she saw a few times on her mentor’s face after a rough day of court meetings. It seemed that she too was in fact an immortal burdened with witnessing another face of the world. It was something she never thought she would see on the face of someone she would hold dear.
“Candance.” She wanted to apologize for her behavior, but found herself being put aside by the alicorn princess’ retreating steps.
“I’m sorry, Twilight. But if I’m appearing a bit differently than you remember, then perhaps it’s because I am not the mare you remember.” She replied without a glance back. “I’ll see you later. Right now, there is somewhere I have to be alone.”
“I guess so.” Twilight lowered her head sadly, as she thought hard about the words imparted to her. Perhaps the once sisterly foal-sitter she knew was caged up in the game of Royal facades, and was gone for good.
Little did she know that perhaps she was in more literal clutches than the metaphorical ones Cadenza seemed to suggest.
{>¥<}
Elsewhere and a few moments more, there was another discussion going on. A rather loud one based on the clatter of utensils and dishes shattering on the floor. Despite the opulence of the crystalline structures that made up the walls, it was clear this was a prison. For what else would it be with how simply it was furnished with a cot, and a few blankets?
What made it most intriguing was the parties that were involved. Both were alicorns with pink fur and mixed locks in their manes. One was dressed in royal regalia of gold, while the other looked dirty, haggard, and weakened from imprisonment. The latter was also wearing bangles on her hooves that seemed to be etched in patterns of insect-like depictions. It was as if a mirror was placed between them, and upon its reflection there was a divide over which was the royal and the pauper.
“Please, eat!” said the royal appearing Cadenza, who looked more annoyed at another mess she would have to clean up. It was not the first instance of broken dishes, but it was irritating nonetheless. This was a cavern of crystal they were in, and yet this guest seemed to ruin it with every crack and stain she made with every dish thrown about.
“I refuse!” Shouted a royal voice that came from the haggard alicorn. “If you think I will fall for such underhanded tactics, then you’ve got another thing coming.”
“Must you do this every time we meet, Candy?” The doppleganger sighed. “I assure you I have done nothing to this dish, unlike when we first met, so your fear of being poisoned or drugged is irrational.”
That only gave Candance more determination to be defiant against this creature that dressed in her form. “Oh, so it’s rational to just accept it and the fact I’ve been imprisoned by a bug queen who not only takes my identity, but is going to take my fiancé on what should have been my wedding day!?”
‘Cadenza’ seemed to take that insult in stride, for she merely shrugged. “Well, when you put it like that, I suppose I can understand your paranoia.”
“Paranoia?! I smell HIS SCENT ON YOU!!” The burst of anger set her into a coughing fit. A wave of lightheadedness inflicted upon her. It seemed that her efforts to avoid eating the provided meals had become even too much for her alicorn physiology to withstand. Thus the blackness long held at bay was on its way to meet her.
She suddenly felt a bit of her strength return to her. The source of her relief was the glow from the healing spell her nemesis was casting.
‘Cadenza’ scoffed like an adult chastising a child giving a poor-hearted tantrum. Likewise, she also held her up like a newborn foal walking for the first time as she led her to the cot. “Here. You should rest better now. You have a big day tomorrow.”
“Huh?” Candance didn’t understand why this creature was treating her in such a way. Perhaps it was the eeriness of how nonchalant this villainess was acting, but she found herself not willing to do anything, but allow herself to be wrapped up in blankets and laid upon the cot like being tucked into bed.
“Let’s just say, this day is going to be…perfect!” She patted the true princess on the head.
Cadance didn’t respond. As she felt the thing stroke her mane, she remembered the wide gap between their powers that allowed her to be imprisoned to begin with. The glowering look reminded her that this was in actuality a monster that could be cruel as well as it played this kindly persona.
“But I am not cruel. Well, I can be. I am well known for it after all. However, I have a good idea how you feel. I too would feel the same if I felt his scent on a mare other than me.” She didn’t say who, but Cadence got the feeling that the male she mentioned was not Shining Armor. “I know it is too much to ask for you to forgive me for appearing to overstep a line that not even I would dare to cross.”
At that, Cadance huffed with her eyes rolled at that. “As if even you would dare think that.”
“Too true! Thus, you should take to heart tonight for I think this might make some amends.” She stepped aside as another figure trotted into the chamber. “I will let you spend time with your beloved. So long as you do nothing foolish, I will allow you to enjoy your time.”
Cadance’s eyes widened as she rose up from her cot. For there in front of her was a proud, white, blue maned unicorn stallion; one in which she loved with all her heart and would love to spend eternity with. It was none other than her beloved Shining Armor.
“Shining! What have you done to him?” She asked.
“Nothing that you are probably thinking, oh Princess of Love!” ‘Cadenza’ smirked as she stood in the entryway of the chamber. “As much of a specimen of fine taste you have chosen as your mate, I wouldn’t dare stoop so low as to sink my fangs into him. Now remember, no funny business, lest I take him back and put him away.”
With that, ‘Cadenza’ gave out a laugh that betrayed her voice for it did not sound at all like the Princess of Love she was impersonating. There was a burst of greenish flames, and not only was she gone, but so was the door to the crystalline chamber that imprisoned the two reunited lovers.
The fortunate instance of the situation was that green glow of Shinning Armor’s eyes faded as he shook himself into a more aware state. “Where am I-?”
“Shiny!” Cadance immediately hugged her fiancé and snuggled deeply into his chest. Getting a whiff of his scent, she was able to assure herself that it was in fact him and no substitute.
“Cadence!” Shinning took notice of how weary and worn-down she appeared. “Are you alright?!”
“I’m fine, just tired.” She tried to laugh off, but gave a brief cough towards the end.
He held her with a serious gaze. “Did they torture you?”
“No! I mean, besides imprisoning me here, and placing these limiters on me, they have done nothing else.” Cadance admitted. “I have been limiting myself on the rations they give me in case they laced them, but it seems now that it only made me hurt myself more than thwart their plans.”
“Their plans?” He then asked. “Do you know why they are doing this?”
‘He doesn’t know?’ Cadance wondered how he wouldn’t, but then realized she had no knowledge on it either. “I don’t know. But I know it’s going to get better now that your here.”
At first they tried to break free, but found different things that kept them from escaping. Whether it was the weakness of Cadance in her condition, or Shining Armor getting migraines whenever he tried to conjure magic beyond a basic degree neither was successful in their endeavors. So all they could do was talk about the time they spent apart and what each discovered in their forms of imprisonment. Eventually, the two lovers spent that night in each other’s embrace dreaming of possibilities that might come from their union had things turned out as they wished.
Neither of which knew that even now they were being watched as the day would come and enforce their parts to play.
{>¥<}
By morning, a new day would arrive with a number of new events in place. And as Twilight Sparkle hastened to make sure every tidbit and details was perfect, she would find that once again her plans would be set aside.
She had hoped to catch her future sister-in-law as she prepared for the ceremony. Maybe they could start afresh with her giving a warm hug and her blessing for her brother’s hoof. Carefully, she approached the door to her chamber, and was ready to knock and ask if she could see her.
This day is going to be perfect
The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small
Everypony will gather 'round
Say I look lovely in my gown
What they don't know is that I have fooled them all!
Twilight stopped her immediately actions. She certainly did not expect to hear Cadance’s voice on the other side of the door singing a most disturbing aria.
I could care less about the dress
I won't partake in any cake
Vows, well I'll be lying when I say
That through any kind of weather
I'll want us to be together
The truth is I don't care for him at all
“WHAT!?” Twilight yelled out, before clamping her front hooves over her mouth. Yet the song continued uninterrupted.
No I do not love the groom
In my heart there is no room
And I still want Him to be all mine
Twilight could barely comprehend what she was hearing. This whole time Cadance was a heartless wench who didn’t love her brother at all!
Soon that moment will arrive
So you better go and get your bride
So distracted by the thoughts that raced through her mind, the unicorn didn’t notice the circle of greenish flames building rotations around her hooves.
Oh, the wedding you must make
Or he'll end up marrying a fake
Yet today will still be...
“CADANCE!!” Twilight shouted in fear and anger as she vanished into the floor coated in flames.
“…mine, all mine!”
And with that, Twilight was gone. Fortunately, she wasn’t being disposed of. Rather, she was in fact being directed by a much better actor than she gave credit for!
“Too easy!” ‘Cadenza’ grinned by the mirror as she finished the final details of her ‘costume’. She was ready for the performance of a lifetime. “Now hopefully she’ll get her as we are about to trade ‘I do’s! Otherwise the drama will not be up to par, and who wants that?”
She blew herself a kiss into the mirror as she finally felt she had prepared enough to enter the grand stage of a wedding in Canterlot.
{>¥<}
The ceremony was going surprisingly well. There was a bit of panic in the beginning with Twilight not being present, but Princess Cadenza conjured a note saying that she was busy making last minute reparations that seemed to spring up. Fortunately, Twilight seemed to hastily arrive at her Brother’s side at the alter and immediately began to spout off apologies to her BBFF and Mentor as she straightened out her dress and headpiece. Her five friends seemed to be at ease at how calm she appeared to be now that the ceremony was to take place.
Princess Cadenza, arrived soon after the organ performed the wedding march. She strolled elegantly down the aisle, while giving a cool nod to her flower fillies and their eager petal scattering, and a slight smirk at her future in-laws as she passed them by. She gave a grin at the replacement bridesmaids at the altar, and a come hither stare at her future groom. However, for a moment, it seemed there was a falter as she looked upon Princess Celestia as she began officiating over the ceremony.
There were no distractions or disruptions during the proceedings. It was the perfect example of a royal wedding in elegant display. It would have concluded in a similar vein to complete the picturesque event were it not for the unsettling characters that burst into the chamber when Celestia asked the gathered audience if there was any that considered these two ponies to not wed.
“STOP!!”
For what made them so unsettling were the dirtied and unkempt forms of Twilight Sparkle and Princess Cadance.
“I-I don’t understand. How can there be two of ‘em?” Applejack asked in surprise as she looked back and forth between the two mares at the doorway and the ones standing not more than a few feet from them.
“She's a changeling. She takes the form of somepony you love and gains power by feeding off your love for them.” Cadance explained as she stared defiantly at her imposter. The ‘other’ Cadance stared back with no change of expression.
“And she has my brother under her spell.” Twilight added with a glare of her own, as she prepared to charge up a spell to take down these creatures. Seeing the spell charge up, the ‘other’ Twilight readied her own greenish spell as she took up a more defensive stance next to the ‘other’ alicorn.
“Heh-heh…”
The ‘other’ twilight seemed to stop, before giving a bow and leaving in a burst of green flames. The gathered mares at the alter all took a few steps back as the fake princess shook in place. Each of them ready in their own ways against a possible strike from this doppelganger.
“Hahahahahaha!” ‘Cadenza’ laughed madly in a much deeper voice as she burst into flames. It was a haunting sight for it seemed Princess Cadance was burning alive, before shifting into a much more creepy-crawly form of being. No longer did she possess a pink coat and purple and periwinkle hued mane. No longer were her wings an elegant collection of feathers and her horn beautifully swirled. She now possessed a body of black chitin with the occasional hole pierced through her leg. Her wings were insectoid and her horn was long, jagged and sharpened like a spear.
All eyes were gathered on the now revealed being. Rather than being scared, or upset at her reveal, this creature was laughing as if she had heard a most wonderful joke.
“Right you are, Princess. And as queen of the changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects. Equestria has more love than any place I've ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of!” She decreed with a spreed of her limbs as she hovered in flight. “And that is just one benefit of my grand scheme.”
“They'll never get the chance! Shining Armor's protection spell will keep them from ever even reaching us!” Cadance cried out.
“Oh, I doubt that. Isn't that right, dear?” She fluttered near the stallion, whose eyes were beginning to glow green with power.
“Mm-hmm” Shining nodded simply.
“No. You won't. You may have made it impossible for Shining Armor to perform his spell, but now that you have so foolishly revealed your true self, I can protect my subjects from you!” Celestia exclaimed as she had heard enough.
The Princess of the Sun charged into combat against this bug-like queen and immediately clashed horns with her. While the dark mare’s was undoubtedly designed for combat, it was going against a horn that could summon the power of the sun. With that, she was ready to end this bout and cast a beam of energy that should undoubtedly be enough to remove this threat to her ponies.
The changeling queen responded accordingly with an energy blast of her own. It was strong enough to leave the two mares at a stalemate. Yet, it could be seen that Celestia had the upper hand in this game of magical tug-of-war. The royal alicorn was ready to give a final push to finish off her opponent once and for all.
But then she faltered as she felt a massive shock explode into her side. A massive current of green lightning was launched at her with enough force to evaporate a lesser pony. Any other day, perhaps she could have dodged it, or shook off the pain. As she was not expecting it, she could do nothing to defend herself. This in turn led her to fall to Chrysalis’ magical onslaught and ultimately she fell.
With a clatter of her crown upon the ground, the Princess of the Sun crashed into the floor, leaving an audience horrified at this turn of events.
“Princess Celestia!” Twilight gasped as she ran to her mentor’s side. She tried her best to help her up, but could not help herself from feeling distraught at what she just witnessed.
The second attack came from none other than Shining Armor, whose eyes glowed green as he grinned at the attack he just unleashed.
“Let him go!” Twilight screamed as she held back tears at seeing her brother like this. This was not the way her BBFF would act, even in her worst dreams!
“Go?” The changeling queen teasingly asked. “But how can I when his actions are but his own?”
“Shining would never attack Auntie!” Cadance yelled as she too was infuriated at this changeling’s humor at the situation.
“What did you do to him, Chrysalis?” Celestia weakly asked. She risked drawing attention upon the fact that she knew this creature by name, but she had to know how her captain of the guard was able to cast that attack and with such fervency.
“What did I…? Now you’re just being foolish!” Queen Chrysalis chortled as she leaned her head again Shinning’s shoulder. “Why would I waste my entire plan on the chance of the Guard Captain being discovered under the influence of a spell, when I needed him to be the catalyst of my greatest desire?”
“Which is what?”
“Why, the return of my mate of course!” She crisscrossed her jagged horn against the stallion’s, as both glowed in unison. “After all, every good Queen could use a strong King to stand behind them.”
“I would like to think of it as standing side-by-side, hand-in-hand, and maybe if we are feeling like showing off, with you sitting in my lap.” The stallion replied. Yet the voice was not his own. It was more forcefully self-assured, hot-headed, and had a tone of a much older presence. “Especially if you would consider making that so-called ‘patron of the sun’ a footstool.”
Celestia’s eyes widened as she immediately recognized that voice that spoke through her captain of the guard. “No! It can’t be!”
“Shiny?/BBFF?” The mares asked this thing in Shining Armor’s skin.
The unicorn just gave a sigh as he swept his mane back as he gave a coy simper at the young mare.
“I’m sorry, Twilight was it? But your brother is preoccupied right now. I can assure you that his thoughts go out to you.” His grin seemed to grow cheekier as he clarified. “I know because I can hear his screaming as we speak. Honestly, it’s not like I’m doing anything uncouth with his body, only using it as a medium to prepare for my own.”
“Who are you?” Cadance asked plainly, but was trying not to grimace at seeing her special somepony give off such a villainous vibe with every action.
“I’m surprised you haven’t come to a proper conclusion yourself, ‘Princess of Love’ and ‘Student of Celestia’. Surely your princess should have told you about her past exploits. I can’t be that obscure, right?”
“Sadly, it does appear that way.” Queen Chysalis dramatically sighed. “I spent quite some time in the archives—being in the guise of a princess gives you some leeway past restriction—and I was amazed to find not one mention of our names. Nor was there any sign of that day being mentioned once in their histories!!”
This seemed to infuriate the stallion. “Not one mention of the day in which Celestia can crashing on our door?”
“None! As far as pony history is concerned, neither of us exist!” She hissed out with anger, before seeing how her apparent companion was forming a contemplative expression.
“So it appears that we’ll have to teach you again about us.” He held a hoof to his mouth as if posing with a thumb he did not possess. “Isn’t that right, Celestia?”
Celestia did not like that expression one bit. “Please, don’t-”
“Then allow me to start by introducing ourselves.” He tilted toward the insect-like mare next to him. “This is Chrysalis. A being that is probably the closest to coming to understanding my desire than any other in your world.”
She preened at his words as he stroked her mane with them, much to the displeasure of those witnessing it.
“As for me…” Green electricity ran down the white stallion’s horn as he announced himself to the world.
For this is a world in which a being of hunger met a being of pure greed.
“I am Uva. And I have returned!”
Perhaps it is the end of the story. So let us begin at the start and answer how we reached this point altogether.
[TO BE CONTINUED…?]
Apprehending Avariciousness
“Could you stop lurking around and make your move? This is what you want, correct?”
“You had it!? That makes nine…” “It’s been 800 years…MY real power…”
“He’s the only remaining Greeed I can use as a vessel…”
“So this is a complete resurrection? I guess you picked a wrong time to come back.”
“Hmmph! You don’t stand a chance against my full power.” “I’ll send you all to Hell together.”
“Insects.” “Garbage…I can’t believe I actually had trouble fighting you two.”
“This World should be brought to an end.”
“You’re wrong! This stilted, stagnant World will be reinvigorated by desire. Evolution through desire will lead the World to greater heights than ever.”
“As long as there is desire there is potential for change and creation. It is desire that turns today into tomorrow.”
“Happy Birthday!”
“Stop it…please stop! Somebody help me…!”
“To a fitting end.”
“Is that what happens if the vessel goes out of control…?!”
“I know that right now I have enough power to defeat you!”
“[PTERADON]! [TRICERATOPS]! [TYRANOSAURUS]! [PTERADON]! [TRICERATOPS]! [TYRANOSAURUS]! GIGA SCAN!!!”
“So this is my end…I am now complete.”
These were words that were spoken in the rush of a final battle in which the fate of a world was at stake. Words that would echo into the annuls of history in which with the help of one young man and his amazing desire would ensure that there would be a tomorrow long after the threat was defeated. Yet despite their significance there, these words have little meaning to the ponies here. They had no idea of this final battle that took place long ago in a world beyond their own. Only two individuals knew the details of the events that transpired: The Changeling Queen named Chrysalis and the one who told her what occurred and was actually there, the Greed named Uva. Both of whom at this current moment were busy enacting a plot of vengeance and retribution for what the Solar Monarch Celestia did to them so long ago. Yet even these events were ripples compared to the large stone thrown that was the arrival of Uva in Equestria.
To understand the how and why the faux wedding was an act of retaliation, we must first traverse the when and where of Uva entering this world. To do so we must go back until we reach the point where it all begin for his new life. Long before this ersatz wedding, before those present were even born, to even a point before there was a place where Canterlot would even be placed, there was a time when the realm of ponies was still a fledgling kingdom. However, far away from this place was another land that to this day remains harsh and near hospitable even to those who dare to survive it: The Badlands. That is what it is known as today and that is surprisingly what it was known as then as well.
Uva himself would have little recollection of what occurred to bring him to Equus. Before that point, he could barely recall the betrayal at the hands of Dr. Maki. For that bastard of emptiness shoved core medal after core medal into his body until he could no longer contain himself. Instead he had been made to become the container of a much more terrible power and transmogrified into the vessel of ultimate desire. Such almighty dominance radiated from the new shell that had been his body at which anything within its presence converted into intrinsic worth. Plants, automobiles, even skyscrapers became nothing more than coins known as cell medals before his blackhole-like existence. That and the combination of feeling every core medal orbiting alongside his own set made him feel akin to a god! Or it would, were it not for his own identity being swallowed up as well!
Yet once Uva began to regain proper consciousness and regain his individuality, he could no longer feel any of that. He felt cut off from that connection to a power that reached out to all things living and inanimate. Nor could he feel the voracity of knowing what a life was worth in such a literal sense. To him that was not as bothersome as a return to that lingering feeling of incompleteness that he thought he lost when he regained his core medals. He couldn’t sense what was felt when one experienced the liberation of wholeness when a Greed succeeded in having all their medals in their body-
Now that he thought about it, he couldn’t feel his legs! In fact, he couldn’t feel much of anything beyond what the fingers in his right hand could touch!
“No…No! No, no, no, NO!!” He quickly discovered the reason he couldn’t feel the rest of his body: It wasn’t THERE!! All that remained of himself was his right arm to the elbow! “What the hell happened to me!?”
It was thanks to the advantages of Uva’s kind that he still held a semblance of life despite being little more than a forearm. A rather badass one with green and black insect like qualities and two long dagger length blades extended, but a forearm nevertheless. The fact he was capable of speech despite a lack of a mouth was only one of the fascinating questions of his current state alongside the apparent ability to levitate. However even they were punched to the side once his screaming was blasted out by the shrieks of another.
His surroundings were not much to look at beyond a most dismal and barren looking wasteland of rocky earth beyond the eyes (or lack of!) could see. Yet he realized he was at the edge of a cliff and the sounds came from below him. With nothing else to lose, he began his decent, taking note of the source of the screams and what he could gain from the situation developing around them.
“My Mother will not stand for this-”
“You mother can die in a ditch for all we care, ‘your majesty’!” One of the attackers said with a sneer. The voice was male, and mixed with a vibrating undertone. He was some form of quadruped with black chitin coating it, a ridge-like mane, and a reddish shell upon its back. His eyes were large red lenses and possessed a malicious compound gleam. Overall, he and the creatures nearby looked to be some cross between an insect with transparent red wings and some sort of horned equine.
“In fact, that might not be a bad idea for what you can do after we’ve had our fill!” Said another will an eagerness in their tone. He was a near exact duplicate of the one that previously spoke and the four others that stood nearby. It made the one who stood out from their numbers stick out even more.
This one with their back to the cliff was clearly feminine in their appearance, so it must have been a female. She was slightly shorter
than the others, which might have indicated a younger age as well. The differences went beyond that however. She hair a longer main or aqua blue hair, a longer and slightly more jagged horn, blue translucent wings, and a small developing crown-like crest on her head. To Uva though, the most noticeable difference were her eyes. It wasn’t that they were not large lenses like the ones ahead of her. It wasn’t that they were a green that made him think of his electric attacks. It was that despite being injured to the point of having one eye closed, and facing odds that looked to be leading to her end, she still held a sense of defiance in front of them.
He knew that look well. She knew what it meant to be a survivor. So before he knew it, he was floating ahead of her and facing the squad of her attackers, much to the surprise of all.
“What magic is this?”
“Is that a paw?”
“Seriously!? This is the best you can conjure up with!?.”
Uva gave them a hand sign that he personally referred to as ‘The Bugger’. He refused to call it ‘The Bird’ on account he would fight over tooth and nail with Ahnk over who invented it to this very day!
“I’m not one to help out others, and I certainly don’t do it for free.” He spoke out, widening the eyes of everyone to hear a voice coming from a floating forearm. “So if you want to live, you better make it worth my while.”
“W-what?” The injured female stuttered, unsure of what this being was.
“I just said I’ll help you out of this jam, but you better give me something good for it!” Honestly, was it that hard to understand? “So tell me, Princess…Do you want to live? Or die?”
She was quiet for a good moment before softly speaking, “I want to live.”
“What was that?” Uva made a ‘Come here’ gesture as he saw these other creatures were about to attack as they were having none of this further hindrance to whatever they’re plans were.
“I want to live!” She cried out with determination.
“Good! Because so do I!” And with that he flew. Only it was towards the female, and not any of the others! Before anything could be done, he transformed into a pile of coins and reformed himself on her right front leg. A green aura covered her being, until it settled down with her eyes being the last to simmer down. When the process completed, the female stood proud, despite her injuries, and now sport greener streaks in her mane. As if indifferent to now having a forearm with fingers, she used it to slick and smooth her mane back a bit more to be less in front of her face.
“On all fours like a beast…least it's not a cat like that bastard, Kizari.” The ‘female’ said in a voice that sounded a bit rougher coming from her mouth. She grimaced as if the questionable forearm wiped dust off her form. “Still, I don’t know what’s worse. That this body is a beast…or a female!”
The other creatures where charging their horns with glowing energy as they readied a combined strike to finish her. The one in the lead shouted out, “Enough fooling around! It doesn’t matter what disguise you put on! Your life ends here!”
She ignored them for the most part, unconcerned with what they were doing. Then ‘she’ broke out into a grin as a greenish charge of energy began to glow brightly on her own horn. “But how lucky for me. It seems like it’s not that different from my own!”
With that, he unleashed a terrific trail of greenish lightning that separated to target all those ahead of ‘her’. It was not only ‘shocking’ to them (pun intended), but it seemed to be doing a great deal of damage. In fact, as the attack was being cast, the creature possessed by Uva was finding itself amazingly refreshed with each second of energy it was unleashing. As the previous wounds on their person were starting to fade, the amazing conclusion was reached! This attack wasn’t just unleashing torrents of energy to these insect like equines, but simultaneously draining them of whatever energy they had!
“Power drain as well? This gets better and…better?” The female stopped ‘her’ attack as ‘she’ reached for ‘her’ head as if a massive headache was thrashing ‘her’ mind. The crown-like crest upon it was glowing intensely until her strange forearm erupted into coins, and flew off her. It reformed into the gauntlet of Uva. As for the previous host, her injuries were healed and whatever transformation she had undergone was cancelled out. She still felt winded as if she flew and ran a great distance for a long session of time.
“What was that?” She panted in anger as she stared at the floating arm before her.
“That was just a taste of what I am capable of…Chrysalis?” He answered as he floated near the bodies of the…changelings nearby.
She perked up, knowing that she did not mention her name in his presence. “How do you-?”
“I picked up a few things while I was in your head.” He curtly answered. They were all dead for the most part, or at least the ones he inspected so far. This one however still had the faintest signs of a pulse.
“No way I’m going to remain a mere piece of myself for all time.” He sounded out a sigh as he lowered himself onto it. “Looks like this one will do.”
She didn’t like how he was approaching that one. “What are you-!?”
He transformed into a pile of coins, only this time he entered the body instead of just covering it like he did with her. The body convulsed as it seemed coins were starting to enshroud its body, until finally it completed its forced metamorphosis. No longer was it some mere ‘Blank slate’ type of drone. Instead, it was a strong looking male drone with green aspects instead of the previous red ones. He had black chitin coat, green compound eyes, a slicked black mane with green mixed in, a green shell on his back, and translucent green wings. What stood out the most besides the pronged armor on his right front hoof, was that instead of one horn, he had two that stood up on his head like antennae and had spike on them in a similar fashion to a stag beetle.
“There. That’s better. Still a quadruped, but at least it’s the same gender. Something that makes it less unbearable.” He lifted his right hoof, noting the lack of fingers. Yet it wasn’t long until he discovered that his new powers did in fact include a smoother form of shapeshifting and began toying with making them reappear and disappear again. “Now we’re getting somewhere!”
Chrysalis couldn’t do much but stare at this other being in surprise. She had an inkling of it being something dangerous, and yet it saved her life. She was divided between thanking it, and running away with hope that it couldn’t keep up the pursuit of her. It didn’t help that he chose a form that looked…rather appealing. She mentally smacked herself for admitting such a thing considering not long ago it tried to take over her own body for its purposes and admitted for searching through her mind for information.
Fortunately, a rising sound of buzzing alerted the two of them of incoming company. Giving them a glance, Chrysalis found herself immediately grateful seeing that she knew the objects flying towards her. It was a contingent of her hive, finally here to bring her home!
They were changeling drones of many different sizes. Their detailed features were blue in a manner like Chrysalis. They all possessed armor of a deep cobalt color and shine. However, leading them alongside a more ornately armored changeling drone was a figure that looked like an older and more experienced version of the changeling princess. In moments, they surrounded them, with most taking to the air, while a few landed nearby with spears at the ready orbiting them in glowing telekinetic grips.
“On your feet scum!” Shouted the ornately armored figure leading the others who must have been the captain. He had a series of spears floating around him, and all were ready to fly and gore this unknown threat to the crown he served. He looked toward his Queen, ready to unleash the barrage at her command.
Seeing her mother about to send the signal, she reflexively fluttered in front of the Pseudo-changeling drone.
“Captain! Mother!” Chrysalis hurried to stand carefully between Uva and the members of her hive. “Is this how you intend to treat my rescuer?”
That bit of news seemed to lower the hostilities towards the mysterious changeling. The Queen signaled the captain to halt his troops, to which they all immediately complied.
She was taller than his current form, but that made little difference to Uva having faced bigger opponents before. Sure, he could take her, but he felt that it might better his chances if he stuck to a polite manner with this apparent queen. He noted how her mane was a deeper and acidic green than her daughter’s aquamarine strands. A name popped into his mind as he recalled some of the knowledge he obtained from Chrysalis: Queen Cocoona.
“What’s your name, drone?” She asked simply. She had a stern countenance that indicated that she was not one to be trifled with. Uva was tempted to answer with his usual snarkiness, but considering his odd situation, he figured it would be best to not make enemies just yet.
“Uva.” He answered calmly, figuring that it wouldn’t hurt to have a bit of name recognition as it were. It’s not like they would recognize the name for the Greeed he was. He gave a slight head nod. “Just Uva…your majesty.”
“Uva. You have done a great service beyond the call of your hive.” She replied noting his lack of a full bow. Since his eyes were looking at the armed guards at the ready, she let it go on account he probably was expecting her to still order a strike. She had more pressing concerns than some slight lack of reverence as she trotted to face her daughter. At her, the stern face lessoned a bit as she seemed to look her over and insured she had no wounds that needed treatment. “And he was the one to protect you, my daughter?”
“Yes, mother. He came at my cries for help, and struck these curs dead.” She answered.
“Really now?” The queen raised an eyebrow finding a suspicious tone in the words coming from her daughter. “Even though they were able to overpower you, one of our bloodline and who comes from such prime stock as myself.”
“It was a combined effort, your majesty.” Uva quickly answered. “It just so happened to be nearby, and seeing how she was outnumbered, thought to even the odds. If anything, it was barely a workout due to the damage she already inflicted upon them despite their numbers.”
“Really? Just happened to be passing through.” The Queen had a suspicious undertone in her words especially as she went on to ask, “To which hive did you say you serve, Uva?”
“None.” He curtly answered. His newly acquired knowledge would have been enough to bluff his way into a hive, but considering the politics of different Hives it wasn’t worth it.
“None?” She inquired, not believing him. Her armed guards readied themselves as they too found this to be a possible lie spoken to their Queen with disrespectful contempt.
“Yes, none.” He shrugged with a sigh as he gave as forlorn an expression as he could despite his lack of emotional experience both as a Greed, and as a being with entirely different facial features). “I couldn’t tell you if I have one, for I’ve wandered on my own for what seems like forever. Now apparently, I save princesses.”
“‘Apparently’? So you expect me to believe you did not know that my daughter was of Royal blood, and that saving her would not at the very least get you some form of reward?” Queen Cocoona scoffed. “Or an opportunity for a rank of power or even…the possibility of more she could offer you?”
Uva would have scoffed, but she was right in some ways. He was a Greeed with his own self-interests. However, all that she implied he did it for was not the case. He especially had not done it for whatever implication that would cause her daughter to blush at the near mention of it. He however could sense that her concerns were not just out of suspicion for a so-called fortunate savior saving her throne’s heir, but her own daughter. It was an interesting combination of being scrutinized by a royal and mother’s concerns. It was more interesting that he realized he could sense emotions in undertones at all in his new form. Still he had to avoid distraction, so he answered as quickly as he could to keep his façade going along.
“All I knew was that she was the first…ling that looked like me and not like those who are almost copies of each other. She couldn’t tell me what I wanted if she was dead and desecrated, so I thought to prevent that.” He gave a slight smirk. “Admittedly, I don’t work for free, so I’m sure she would have to figure out a way to repay me. Preferably with something more substantial…maybe gems?”
The other changelings from Royal to drone raised eyebrows at this. One guard changeling asked out, “Just gems?”
“Well, I assume she must have had something shiny and valuable to have these other drones gang up on her.” He nudged a dead red drone with a hoof. “The Red drones I know are pillagers, and raid other settlements for valuables.”
“But nothing else?” Another guard asked.
“Well, that was then. Admittedly the terms seem to have changed.” Uva replied as he spoke his new request plainly. “I saved your princess. I’m not a saint, and I don’t work for free, so I expect to be rewarded for what I’ve done. To avoid this becoming a bigger mess that these corpses on the ground, I’ll settle on two things for now: a place to dwell when I need to rest, and the freedom to move about without having to worry about dealing with any of you. I don’t give a damn if I have all you lings sneak around and watch me even when I go take a piss. I just care about making sure you understand I’m not just someone you can push around without ending up like this pile of trash.”
To emphasize his point, he kicked the carcass of the dead changelings with an audible crack. A few guards and Chrysalis winced at the action. Yet the rest seemed to be impressed for it was spoken and done with the emphasis of a Changeling who could give the presence of a powerful Royal.
The changelings pondered this request carefully as they thought about its implications. Uva was essentially asking to be able to traverse their lands and hive without fear of attack, while also being allowed to leave as he pleased. It was a dangerous prospect to allow should he turn out to be a spy for another hive! Yet he was but one drone who would undoubtedly be swarmed and smite upon should he reveal hostile intent. The Queen herself would have flat out refused such a request were it not for her observations of Uva.
He was clearly a mercenary-like figure in how he ‘didn’t work for free’. It was a policy that suited a drone and lone wanderer of the Badlands. Yet that was also a key feature in revealing himself. The fact he said, “someone” instead of “someling”.
“I thought you appeared to be a bit like a royal-descended changeling.” The Queen appraised, noting Uva’s features. He certainly has more uniqueness in them, which implied royal blood mixed into his form. Adding that to his apparent wandering nature, and the clear flaws in his etiquette (as in the nearly complete lack of them) that perhaps he was a drone born from a Royal’s tryst that was castoff to die at a young age? It wouldn’t be the first time such a thing occurred.
“Am I? I wouldn’t know.” He tilted his head. “Like I’ve said, I’ve been on my own for some time as it were.”
“Then perhaps I may make a request to up your reward then?” Queen Cocoona inquired as an idea began to formulate in her mind.
“How so?”
“You are strong, clever, and ambitious. All traits that if left unchecked would possibly be disastrous if from an enemy. Yet, if it came from the form of an ally, now that would be a much more…gratifying consequences. So as you said, you do not work for free. However, what if I were to offer you a way to achieve your desires…” She nudged her. “As the bodyguard to Princess Chrysalis?”
“WHAT?!” said princess cried out in alarm. The nearby changelings surrounding her looked all kinds of worried at the notion of this stranger possibly obtaining a position close to the throne. “Mother, have your sense left you comple-“
“Watch your tongue, daughter of mine!” Queen Cocoona growled with royal decorum. “I do not take me for an imbecile! I know when to properly reward loyalty as well as to punish betrayal.”
And with that she directed her words at Uva again, with a notable lack of sweetness. “Nor am I foolish enough to ever consider you lack any secrets of your own. Still, heed my words Uva. You have saved my daughter from death, or a possibly worse fate and for that I reward you a position that has great influence and potential for more, but even still it is not without its consequences. Free as you wish to remain, it shall be my banner, MY HIVE, in which you shall consider first above the rest! And so, if so much as an whisper of anything that is a threat to it or my daughter reaches me…”
She got up right into his face and emphasized every syllable as she declared. “I shall have you scattered in so many pieces that they will be considered the top soil of the Badlands of which we tread! Understood?”
“Yes.” He nodded, impressed at such a threat. If he were a lesser being he may have even soiled himself at their emotional impact.
“Yes…what?” She asked with a knowing titter. It was one that Uva was begrudging to do, but knew he must if he were to get into the position he wanted.
‘Ahnk, I swear if you're still out there in the universe you better not hear a peep of this.’ He thought as he made a bow and tried not to sound like he was choking out the words. “Yes…your majesty.”
“Good!” Queen Cocoona smiled as she motioned for her daughter to come over. “Now, Chrysalis, it’s a long flight home and I’m sure to find your tale as to how you escaped the hive this time…most intriguing. I’m sure Uva will be finding himself getting acquainted with his future peers. So Captain, let us be off!”
Up she flew, followed closely by her captain and some of his guards. Yet Chrysalis stood still, looking carefully at Uva, as if trying to solve a riddle he spoke out.
“Is there something wrong?” one guard near the disguised Greeed asked.
“…No, just be certain to keep an eye on this one.” She finally said. As she took off, she made sure to shout out. “And be certain he can fight properly when we return. My bodyguard must not be unrefined if he is to suit me after all!”
The remaining changelings chortled at this immensely. They would be certain to give this upstart hell the coming days. Yet perhaps the greater ring he would find himself would be from the princess herself. They all knew how flighty and dismissive of her entourages she was as shown by this example of her being out of the Hive’s boundaries.
Uva seemed to be a surprisingly good sport about their ribbing and jokes. When asked why, he replied with a hoof slicking back his antennae as he prepared himself to fly.
“It seems a waste of time considering I doubt she’ll get to leave again.” He swiftly moved after the Royals as he shouted to them below in a chiding edge. “Then again, I do wonder how it was that she got out with such upstanding guards such as yourselves, hmm?”
The other drones looked at one another in surprise. Whatever jokes they had died when they realized that there was still the issue of the princess getting into danger in the first place to address.
Yet still, no one realized that from that day forward, their Princess’ fate would alter further off course in the coming days ahead.
[TO BE CONTINUED…]
Author's Note
Well, I know it's been a long time since this story has gotten any attention. I apologize for that as it hasn't received my priority. Life an other things keep coming first and foremost as well as other things I work on. Hopefully this tale will get some more traction with this gathering of words I have added to it. Still, I hope to those who have been reading it if they wouldn't mind throwing so comments for it my way. It really helps me to get feedback from readers as it keeps the idea generator for a particular story running. Otherwise, I tend to put my effort into other things that my busy life allows, such as other stories. Already one story has gotten quite the drive to it at nearly a couple hundred people reading and commenting on it. Who says this story can't reach a higher level with some more love?
So welcome back readers, to another chapter of The Greedy Queen's Beloved Revival!
Hope this chapter meets your expectations! If not, then let me know how I can improve it and I shall! Take care all!
