To Love the Changeling Queen

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Epilogue: What happened after, Part 1
Epilogue: What happened after, Part 2
Chapter 6

Chapter 1

Streams of sweat rolled down Lock On’s face. His eyelashes did nothing to perform their duty of keeping the salty liquid from his eyes. Soon another liquid began to flow, tears filling the eye sockets in response to the foreign invasion that was taking place. Blinking did not help and merely served to mix the two liquids into a much worse amalgamation, which in turn forced more involuntary spasms from the eye in response. He lifted his right hoof, discovering that it was covered with sand particles of various sizes. They stuck to his fur like metals to a magnet, tightly wedged like parasites clinging to their host. It was absurd to even think about sweeping his eye with it.

Another drop trickled down from his forehead; a sure proof of the body's perspiration process combating against the desert heat that attacked him relentlessly. Ever since he had set a hoof on this forsaken land, the Sun Princess’ boon had become a bit too much for him to take. His tongue darted inside his mouth, desperately searching for a source of fluid other than that of his own. But even the saliva he would have eagerly collected and swallowed, which, of course, had long gone extinct from his mouth, evaporated in the boiling air that his nostrils kept sucking in, despite his attempts to stop. He felt like the wind coming at him was from the deepest depths of a volcano, heat at the extremity to incinerate any being that came into contact, or at least threaten to do so.

The signs were obvious, too obvious. He simply could not take it. A pony's body was not built to be resistant to this arid climate. Still he ignored them all, expecting ample discipline from his body like the good, worthy Guard Pony (the official title was 'Royal Guard,' but almost everypony preferred the term 'Guard Pony') he was. When presented an order, he simply followed without a doubt and obeyed the command. That was how he acted, and he had yet to find much fault with it. It was hardly going to be any different in the future. He was to make sure of that. Some were born to lead, some were born to follow; it was as simple as that, and since he belonged to latter, he had already resolved to perform this role ever since he became a Guard Pony.

The first task he had performed when he was accepted into the rank had been to dye his fur grey, and his mane and tail white. He was to be a Guard Pony before he was Lock On. His status had changed, and he himself had changed as well; at least his external self. His body was now accustomed to endure more than the normal unicorn would be able to do, to resist external influence much more, as befitting the title of the Guard pony.

The glaring rays of sunlight, however, were affecting his appearance. His dyed gray fur was bleaching fast and taking a dingy yellowish hue. It was so long ago, he had forgotten what the original color of his fur was. He resolved to look up his childhood photo later, when he would be finished going through this ordeal.

Still, it was his role to follow the command and focus on what was given to him. Lock On knew he could overwork himself. His declining strength was replaced by his firm resolve, locked on to the mission he was supposed to accomplish. Despite all odds, he was going to cross the desert because there was an order to do so, which was what he was doing right now.

Though, eventually the moment came when his body could no longer endure the harsh command he had received. He was not quite apt to handle the situation, whatever his initial resolution was. Never before were the orders this harsh, making him to trudge through this inferno.

Suddenly Lock On found himself standing still, unable to move at all despite standing above the heated surface that was nearly burning his hooves. The automated movement processes commanding his muscles were on the verge of breakdown, and now everything had to be done manually, his mind trying to register every step he took and order relevant parts of his body to be moved. His legs were constantly being dragged down, slowing his advance, and in turn putting more pressure on his already tired body. The large, broad hat he wore could not prevent the blazing heat from assaulting his head, and it made him feel dizzy. Or perhaps it was doing as best as it could, barely holding against the inevitable tide which threatened to consume everything in its path.

So hot. It took a lot before he could say the obvious words that accurately described this place. The high temperature was having a strange effect on him, slowing down his mental process. The machinery of his mind signaled the warning sign he could no longer put aside. The prospect of being roasted alive no longer seemed to be an improbable possibility, his brain taking the aspect quite seriously despite the sheer absurdity of the thought.

But no, it was not. The chances were very real. Lock On perceived the land he was standing on to be the domain of the fiery spirit, whom pledged no allegiance to Equestrian land and operated independently.

Really hot. He was only able to think that very specific phrase now.

Yet so cold later in the day when the night's dark veil came from the West, gradually covering the sky. Lock On’s body involuntarily shuddered at the thought, remembering how bitter the last night's sleep was. Actually, it had hardly been sleep at all, but rather a constant losing battle to keep the fire alive with his magic while his body felt numb and his teeth clattered on their own in reaction to the lack of warmth, which only a few hours ago had choked him to death. Lock On thanked his body for being a unicorn and thus able to use magic without exerting great strength; though, it was a shame he could never understand how cooling spells worked, resulting in the very uncomfortable situation he was in right now. Maybe he ought to read the Basic Magic book more closely about the subject after this.

Yes, when this was all over; so much more an immediate issue he now faced of which he somehow had to resolve, one way or another. Of course, he particularly favored a method that retained his body and mind in one sound piece.

So what could be the order so important that made him come all the way here? Lock On tried to think. Concentrate. He did not get his name, Lock On, and his cutie mark, a crosshair, for nothing. Focusing was his special talent, if he could attach onto a target he thought worthy of pursuing, like obeying a command from the Captain of the Royal Guard.

Whatever it was, he knew there had to be a reason for him to venture into this land, trudging through the burning sand; the land where even the Sun Princess’ warm benevolence became twisted into all-consuming flame like those found in the deepest pits of Tartarus. And of course, the Moon Princess’ grace fared no better, reminding him more of the Mare of the Night with her cold, icy snicker than the beloved Princess Luna's warm smile. The land lacked their proper care; perhaps it was because it was situated outside Equestria. Or more importantly, because this land belonged to the Changelings. At least that was what others had said about this place.

Changelings. The accursed name should have infuriated him, made him feel righteous, to grow angry and swear to banish them all! They were, after all, ponykind’s enemy, infiltrating the very capital city Canterlot and choosing to defile what should have been the most glorious and happiest day since Princess Luna’s return. The Royal Wedding was set to be perfect, and the day was indeed going to be spectacular; only to be ruined by the unexpected appearance of the Queen of the Changelings, proclaiming herself as Chrysalis and declaring to take Canterlot by force.

Yes, Chrysalis… Lock On’s mind tingled slightly, and in his focused state he did not miss the sign. To be exact, he could not. Chrysalis. How could he? Chrysalis.

Chrysalis, Chrysalis. Lock On kept uttering the word, not caring that his mouth became much drier every time he said something. Chrysalis. Why was he speaking the name of the enemy who all of Equestria feared?

Because he loved her, that was why. He was going to meet her. There was no doubt; he was in love with the Changeling Queen, and he wanted to meet her and confess his love. His mind was completely locked on to this very sole purpose. The order came not from himself, no, but from the natural law that allowed a pony to feel, to think...yes, it was that.

There could be no other explanations; he was caught red-hoofed. From the moment he saw her, his fate was sealed, allowing no other alternatives but the one he was following at the moment. It did not matter that the Changelings were believed to spawn beyond the Equestrian border, in the burning desert where nothing lived except their kind. The order was to seek her and confess his love, let her have him; thus gaining the Queen's love in the process.

“Chrysalis,” Lock On muttered, savoring the pleasurable feeling of pronouncing the very word. He was supposed to say it with disgust, but did not. How could he not indulge towards her? It was as they say, love at first sight. The Queen, the beautiful Queen, was lovingly alluring. Her large eyes, emerald green pupils burning with malice and spite, did not deter him at all, but only made his decision to meet her firmer. He saw the gem in her reptilian eyes, waiting to be mined by the brave, lying deep inside the treacherous cave which denied entrance to many. But he was coming to take it, to be the exception to the rule. The grotesque holes in her legs... No matter, he said to himself. It was the emptiness he was meant to fulfill for her; it had to be. Every feature of her body he found superb, just for his liking…

“Chrys-a-lis.” He was never trained in the art of linguistics, but he thought he could recognize the beauty of the word he spoke a moment ago; her very special form transferred to it. First there was the ch sound, the sharp sound like a fatal, yet enticing, thorny rose that greatly roused his interest. The hissing sound of the letter s felt dangerous; a challenge that he felt he needed to take, and in turn he would ultimately be rewarded accordingly. At the end was the syllable lis, which, after the alluring aspect of doom, offered a softer side, like the tender flesh inside the hard chitinous shell.

Her deadly cadence he should have feared; yet only the lovely melody he heard.

Every breath he inhaled came with the stifling dry air, but it was not going to stop him. Lock On kept walking. Even the bone remains of an unknown creature he found on the way could not dampen his mood, for he was going to meet Chrysalis, whom he dearly loved and couldn't bear not to find. He was locked on to finish his mission successfully, and nothing could stop him. His body, now heavier than ever, still moved under the firm command.

So hot, so cold, no matter; Lock On would bear all the extremities that the land threw at him.

Chapter 2

Unfortunately, Lock On’s newfound resolve was not to last long. His breathing became heavier and more desperate as he struggled to walk forward. It was a miracle when he caught a glimpse of a large boulder from the distance, its shade big enough for him to rest.

His legs had just enough strength for him to reach the rock. Upon arriving, Lock On immediately lied down, ignoring the heated ground scorching his flank and back legs. The condition was not much different from the outside; the shade offered hardly any sense of coolness, and his nose inhaled the same parched air.

Still, it was better than staying out in the open. He took off his hat and put down the bag he had been carrying along. He magically lifted his water bottle up to his mouth, drinking only a small portion of the water. Making sure that the now lukewarm liquid moistened every part of his mouth, Lock On drank very slowly.

Most importantly, in this temporary shelter Lock On had some time to contemplate about the Changeling Queen once again. It was certain that his love for her was absolute and infinite; it had to be that very specific feeling, linking and directing his every thought towards Queen Chrysalis. He wished to be with her, to devote his entire life to her, and to serve her as best as he could.

"Chrysalis... I love her," Lock On whispered. He fell for her. The barely audible sound boomed inside his mind, creating innumerable echoes that came back to him like a giant tsunami. But saying her name was just the beginning. When he uttered the name, the image came to life, the form of the Changeling Queen constructed inside his head at lightning speed.

That was it; the switch inside him had been triggered, his mind quick to respond. With the image was the relevant memory attached to it. He had to be reminded of that moment once again, of how he came upon the most beautiful lady he had ever met, Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings...

After the Bearers of the Elements had left the hall to retrieve the Elements, it was up to Royal Guards to protect the ponies inside the room. It was not long, however, before the sheer number of Changelings, pouring down from the sky like a torrential rain, crushed the few guards who tried to aid the fallen Princess. Lock On kept on fighting as those in front of him fell down one by one, until a dozen Changelings all rushed at him, ending his failed attempt to be a hero and save the day for good.

He gradually recovered from the pain, but not without a cost. His body felt numb. He swayed on his hooves, having to regain his balance after taking a few steps, careful not to collapse on the floor. His horn would not respond to his call, the energy dissipating into thin air whenever he tried to cast a spell. As if knowing that he had ceased to be a threat, not even a potential one, the Changelings simply beckoned him to join the other ponies, who at this point looked terrified at the sudden turn of events.

The prospect of hearing the buzzing sound of the Changelings’ insect-like wings was not a pleasant one, though Lock On figured it was unwise to voice his opinion, seeing how his Captain was still enchanted by the Queen Changeling’s spell and Her Highness now entombed inside a cocoon dangling from the ceiling. Through the translucent green walls, the Sun Princess’ long limbs were visible, but he decided it was best not to stare at it for too long, dismissing his curiosity imagining what it would be like to be trapped inside the Celestia-knows-what slime of mass.

But when Chrysalis walked towards him, Lock On forgot all about the slime. Actually, he forgot about everything else except for the sight of the magnificent creature looking at him.

That short moment when Chrysalis’ gaze was upon him, he dared not to blink, not to breathe at all. “Tsk tsk... you thought your Captain’s shield was enough, did you?”

Lock On nodded without thinking. Her voice rang inside his head, the only sound he recognized, his senses shutting off all the frightened murmurs and chattering of the Changelings in the background.

Chrysalis smiled. “Good, very good...” Quickly losing interest, she walked away from him.

He was not crazy. He was fine. It was okay to think of her in such a way.

“You won't get away with this!” yelled Princess Cadence. It was what he, as a Royal Guard, was supposed to say. But how could he?

“Of course I won't. I don’t intend to, at least for the time being. So much love is overflowing in this city, and I plan to make full use of the vast resources it offers. Your husband’s misguided affection was sweet...taking it from you was extremely delightful. But sadly, it’s not enough... I must have more! Luckily, this city is practically a buffet for us Changelings, don’t you think so? Mhmm, I wonder how others’ love would taste like,” Chrysalis laughed.

That smile. That smile. She's beautiful, so beautiful. Attractive. Lovable. Adorable.

“That will not happen,” Undaunted, Princess Cadence was quick to retort. “Even as you speak, the Bearers are on their way to find the Elements of Harmony.”

“Oh, you mean Twilight and her lackeys?” Chrysalis said, giggling. “Oh yes... they had escaped, I remember. But really, do you think what you call these “Elements of Harmony” will be enough to stop me? The mighty Changeling Queen who bested your precious Princess Celestia?”

Seductive. Enchanting. Bewitching. Irresistible.

“We’ll see about that.” Princess Cadence stared at Chrysalis.

“Hoho, if we can see, that is.”

“What do you mean?” She kept her posture, but it was clear to everypony that Princess Cadence was becoming less sure of herself.

“Not so sure, are you?” Chrysalis moved closer to Princess Cadence, hissing right before her face. “I won’t spoil the surprise, my dear Princess.” She turned away, ignoring Cadence’s angry glare. “Just wait a few minutes, and you’ll soon find out.”

He had not been prepared for this. Changeling invasion, now that was hardly surprising. The Royal Guard knew it beforehand. He and others were told countless times starting from the last week’s roll call about how to detect Changelings who might have already infiltrated into Canterlot.

But it ceased to be any importance to him. The irony that the Captain of the Royal Guard could not recognize his own soon-to-be-wife no longer mattered to Lock On, because what caught him at this very moment was the fact of how lovely Chrysalis was. He was definitely not expecting the Changeling Queen to look like this. She was the Goddess of Beauty, her radiance even brighter than that of Princess Celestia. He could assure it was no charm magic that made him think so. No, it was something that was above magic, its power greater than those possessed by the two Celestial Princesses. It was perfectly natural that he was attracted to her.

Nothing wrong at all, even when she could potentially suck the very essence of life from him. In fact, that sounded no longer dreadful but actually desirable, to benefit the Queen, and this in turn would have made him happy. A worthy, noble act. Lock On found himself seriously contemplating the possibility.

But who could blame him? The very being who stood so proudly before the terror-struck ponies deserved to be admired, to be worshiped, having such a fine image. So she needed love? I am here, Lock On wanted to shout. I can give my love to you. You can have me as much as you want to. I would not mind, I would certainly not.

What if she was evil and intending to take over Canterlot? Did it matter?

No, no, no, not at all. He needed to concentrate, to get rid of any unnecessary details that only served to bother him. Love was the most important thing; there was the Princess of Love in the first place! For him naturally his love was the most significant.

Significant enough to deny your order, Lock On? Changelings had to be defeated. They are enemies of Equestria.

But there is a new order now. An order that nopony can ever reject. It is the fundamental principle that governs a pony’s every course of action. And it tells me to love Queen Chrysalis and nothing else.

Lock On sighed happily at the thought, savoring every moment, remembering every line Queen Chrysalis spoke, of how her lips made the smile so fatally charming. The way her body moved as she walked... Lock On could visualize every motion from his memory.

He stood up, feeling completely rejuvenated. He smiled. He laughed. He laughed so hard that the echoes came back at him. Nothing else mattered to him besides meeting Queen Chrysalis. He began to walk again. He had an order to follow.

Chapter 3

Quite frankly, he did not have a solid plan. He didn't need to have one. If their hive was invaded, then the Changelings were bound to respond in some way, especially after what happened in Canterlot.

Lock On had received their banishment with great grief, though he could not blame his Captain and the Royal Princess for doing so. He just felt a bitter resentment for the very situation that made the Changelings want to attack Canterlot.

If only their Queen knew that there was a pony who would have gladly offered the love she needed. If only. Lock On sighed. No matter, he thought. He was in their territory now. All he had to do was to keep walking until he came to them, or they came to him.

And he was not wrong.

As soon as he heard the buzzing sounds, Lock On darted towards the direction it came from. When they saw Lock On running towards them, the Changelings were quick to react, and soon he was crushed under the weight of several Changelings almost suffocating him to death.

But as his consciousness began to slip away, Lock On grinned joyfully. He knew that he was not going to be killed, at least for the time being, but instead would be taken to their place.

Just as planned.

It was a few hours later when Lock On regained consciousness. The air had certainly changed, from that of a hot and arid desert atmosphere to a damp and cool one.

Yes. Yes... It was that familiar feeling of opening many boxes of presents, just for him, on the Hearth’s Warming Eve. His heart beating wildly with anticipation, he would open all of them, one by one, taking a prolonged amount of time to examine and appreciate each to the fullest. This time it was even better, because he knew what he was going to find beforehand.

When he opened his eyes, it was not the all-pervading darkness that he expected to see. He was in the dominion of the Changeling Hive. The bright green light from the malachite-colored orbs on the ceilings forced him to shut his eyes until he could become more used to the luminosity.

His other senses also needed time to adjust. His nose was bombarded with the influx of a cool, sweet fragrance that became a part of the air. The smell dazed him like a very strong perfume worn by the wealthiest Canterlot residents.

But then there were the Changelings and their fascination with all things slimy, promptly ending his admiration for the heavenly bouquet. The floor was coated with a wide patch of verdant mosses, those particular species which thrived on an especially damp environment. He frantically searched for a drier spot, but eventually he had to give up, his hooves making an unpleasant contact with the wet ground.

Though the oil coated surface was nothing compared to the gluey mucus attached to his body. It stuck like the most powerful adhesive he knew; he would have much preferred to roll in a pit filled with tar sands. He shook his body, hoping to get it off for good. He had no desire to be covered with it any longer.

Recovering from the temporary dizziness, Lock On continued his inspection. The location he was currently being held in looked like a cell of some kind. The light from the orbs extended only up to a certain point; beyond it, his eyes could not pierce the blackness. It contrasted strikingly from the radiance he was used to.

Of course, a lack of light did not certainly mean a lack of any presence. His horn, while it had yet to recover from what he suffered when the Changelings attacked, could detect a clear life signal directly in front of him.

When he stepped closer, he heard a voice.

“Finally awake? Good. We shall begin.”

He could now see a hulking shape in the distance. Lock On froze. Something was wrong. The voice was coarse and rough, very different from the lovely hissings that Queen Chrysalis made.

But if he was afraid of what could be awaiting him, then there was no chance for him to have an audience with the Changeling Queen. His love was eternal; it had to be. It gave him strength and courage. Clearing his throat, Lock On spoke. “You are not Queen Chrysalis.”

“And why would you think our queen would want to meet you?”

With the condition of his horn, casting a light spell was out of the question. Instead, he decided it was best to resort to more basic methods. He sensed a faint magical energy that was much like that of a unicorn. The changeling before him was probably powerful enough to cast their kind of magic.

“Because I transgressed onto your land?” Lock On stared at the shape, trying to get a clearer view. If only his horn could cast the light spell right now! He was left puzzled. He was supposed to be transported directly to the Changeling Queen herself. Apparently, he was not. “And that those who wandered into the deeper parts of the desert are caught by the Changeling drones to be taken to the Changeling Queen to meet the most unfortunate fate one can imagine?”

The figure in the shadow laughed harshly. “You are mad, pony. Knowing it so well, why would you want to throw away your life so recklessly?”

“So it is true that intruders are taken to Queen Chrysalis!" Lock On shouted, barely suppressing his excitement.

The Changeling did not reply.

“I mean, I should have met the Queen of the Changelings by now, yet...”

The eerie silence continued.

“She IS here, right? Near? Answer me!”

He had to meet her. By any means necessary. He had to reach what he desired the most.

“Alright, since you do not say anything, I will start walking around this hive in the hopes of meeting Queen Chrysalis. It would be good if I meet some Changelings on the way. Unlike you, they would lose no time to take me to the Queen."

The figure in the shadow growled, signaling that it was still there and clearly not approving of what he just said.

“Then take me to your Queen, right now.”

“You are crazy.”

“Maybe. But that is not important right now. I have to meet Queen Chrysalis.”

“And why would a pony want to do that? I am not a fool; I know you cannot even take the weakest Changeling in this hive. You are not a threat, and that narrows down the possibility. I cannot but repeat what I said before: you are crazy.”

“And I will repeat myself again as well. What if I really am crazy? Would it not be good that your Queen gets a treat she will not regret?”

The Changeling chuckled. “What is this? Perhaps you are a master of disguise and employ our own method, attempting to fool me by saying such words? Perhaps you are hiding your intention, changing it only at the very last minute. But to me, you do not seem to be such an extraordinary kind; all I see is a unicorn who is quite out of his mind, begging for his end. There are less painful ways to do so...why would you choose the hardest, the most painful method?”

Lock On stared into the darkness, believing that the Changeling was looking directly at him. “It is not the end,” said Lock On, fixing his posture upright. “If I can meet Queen Chrysalis, that is. It is only the beginning.”

The sound of laughing the Changeling made echoed against the wall. “This is just priceless! I have never seen more of a fool than you. What, are you going to say that you love our Queen? The facade she wears is truly a cunning one, yes. Do you even know what she truly is, beneath the mask of which she often applies? Will you be able to take it?”

It was his turn to laugh back, louder and harder. “Yes,” said Lock On. “I know what she really is, and I love her still. It is only her Changeling form that I truly desire. I love Queen Chrysalis. Now you Changelings need love, right? I shall gladly offer myself. What is a stallion without his love? To win the heart of my beloved, I am ready to do anything, including offering myself.”

Scarcely after finishing his words, Lock On charged forward. He was not sure what kind of Changeling it was exactly, but he simply could not spare any more time talking with this strange creature who stood in the way between him and the Queen Chrysalis.

“A most extreme degree of insanity I have ever seen; marvelous, I should say. I should have known that your nods were quite sincere back then. Or maybe you still expect me to believe in your lies... I cannot be so sure of myself.”

His body reflexively froze. That voice. He could see the change. It happened so fast, so naturally, as if what stood
before him had been her the whole time. He saw the two green eyes staring at him. He could not move. It was hardly any different from the first time he met her.

“Now tell me: can you say you love Queen Chrysalis? Do you really love me?”

Without hesitation, Lock On nodded.

Hearing your voice, I cannot say but yes.

Chapter 4

It was certainly strange. The more Chrysalis thought, the more she failed to understand the current situation she was facing.

A few hours ago, her scouts had confirmed that a single unicorn had arrived upon their land. There was hardly any doubt; he was bound to be a mighty warrior intent on avenging Celestia’s defeat. After what had happened that day, it was most natural that the ponies return the favor.

She had originally resolved to greet the lone warrior with all the courtesy she could muster. She may have been defeated, but she was still Queen of the Changelings, and thus was expected to properly receive whatever Equestria had sent to her.

But this… Chrysalis thought, staring at the unicorn in front of her. Could this creature possibly be the champion of Celestia? Were the ponies mocking her?

The unicorn was smiling. Not just any kind of smile, but one that expressed pure joy and bliss. Out of focus, enchanted, mouth drooling, and lost in thoughts, his expression reminded Chrysalis of Shining Armor under her influence.

Of course, once her spell was broken, his enamored gaze had quickly changed into a look of disgust, like every other creature who had witnessed her true form. To others, she was a terrifying monster who was to be feared and abhorred. Not that Chrysalis particularly cared. If she and her broods were to take love away from others to feed, the scarier the better. Others had to be afraid of her.

That was not the case for this unicorn. He did not show any signs of detest or horror, and if he was showing anything, he seemed delighted to see her in her current form. She had to make sure that this unicorn ‘confessing’ his love to her was not a Changeling who was too much into the mask he wore and forgot who he really was. But no, this was a pony, a unicorn, not one of her minions. That only served to complicate the problem, though.

It was important that she did not reveal how baffled she was. Being the Changeling Queen, a certain degree of power and authority was always required. For the past few days, her broods had been whispering of her failure, and it was absolutely necessary to show them how the Changeling Queen handled the situation, and ultimately, why she was still their Queen—regardless of the recent invasion ending in complete disaster.

She glanced across the unicorn again, from his horn to the hooves. He was not a warrior, at least from his looks. Even the dumb Changeling drones could have told her that. He was average… sort of. There were no particular signs to take notice of, except for his complete insanity. But extremity made everything dangerous, something that could not be taken lightly.

Perhaps he was indeed a skilled fighter, able to hide his true self and reveal it at the most unexpected moment, like what she had done at the wedding. If that was the case, Celestia could not have chosen a better champion.

“Not many have said such words,” Chrysalis said, keeping her voice menacingly low to reaffirm her superior position. “But who are you? You look familiar, but I may be mistaken.” Even showing her curiosity had to be done in an impressive manner, giving the impression that it was she who had everything under her control.

“Yes. It never tires to say that I love you. Not without a doubt. Absolutely. Undeniably…” The unicorn’s voice trembled. “For the second question, that is not so important. What am I? It is nothing compared to the question of who you are. Now that is the question worth answering for. You are Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings. For those saying you are not beautiful, they are worse than the blind, really, for your magnificence goes beyond your appearance. The blind can hear your voice; the deaf can intake the sweet fragrance that heralds your presence; the one that has been deprived of all of his five senses would still be able to feel you, I am sure. Ignorant are those who say you are not beautiful.”

Chrysalis wished he would realize how much of an idiot he sounded like; it was shameful to hear his jabbering. He made embarrassment contagious.

Seeing her slightly annoyed look, he quickly added, “But since you granted me the honor of saying my name, I will speak. I am Lock On, whom you have granted the honor to gaze at you and hear your voice. After that fateful moment, I had to look out for you.”

Oh, that fool. Chrysalis shortly frowned.

Her short inspection told that his pupils did not have the multi-colored rings. It was clear that he was not under the effect of the Love Poison. There were no others signs at all that he was affected by other charms, either. Her own enchantment needed some time before it began to show its effect, and yet, the unicorn acted as if he was under her influence forever. Usually her prey managed to show some degree of resistance, but this one seemed to be an exception to the case.

She sighed. Remember what happened at Canterlot. You made a fool of yourself. Never underestimate in any situation. Who knows, he might be more than what he looks to me right now.

“Why?” Chrysalis asked, although almost snapping at him. She knew her tone implied her interest, but she could not ignore it. There was something special about this pathetic creature.

Perhaps he was not so pathetic at all; the thoughts kept coming back to her mind. He might be one those who could change at their will like her own kind did, sometimes even better. The most unlikely could, in fact, turn out to be the most likely.

The unicorn dumbly stared at her. Seemingly short of breath, he coughed few times, not before heavily panting to inhale some air.

She forced her body not to cringe at the sight. “Do I have to make myself clear? Explain; why you do love me?” Chrysalis walked towards him and hissed, like she had to Princess Cadence.

In a matter of seconds, green flames sprouted from the floor and surrounded him, flickering, responding to his every movement. He looked very startled, like a drunkard who had just came to his senses after committing horrendous acts under the influence.

She grinned widely. “Seeing your kind again has put me in quite a sore mood. Walking right into the Changeling’s land, eh? Oh, well you should actually feel honored to receive this ‘treat.’ I only reserve it for the most worthy foe, the hardest to break. Should your words be at odds with your thoughts… to say you will get burnt would be a gross understatement.” Chrysalis waited before resuming her speech, making sure the unicorn fully understood the implications. “Now, I will ask you again. Do you love me?”

The flames were just for the dramatic effect. Her real ‘treat’ required her to use a significant amount of magical energy to cast, and Chrysalis had no intention of using it on this poor, maddened soul. A mere show was enough. She dearly wished to do this to Cadence and Shining Armor, to watch their terrified faces while she laughed at them. But for now, she was content playing around with this fool.

“Yes. I love you,” the unicorn said. His face showed the look of an adamant soldier.

The flame did not react, not even the slightest flicker towards LockOn. It kept circling around him, but the light from it grew weaker, until nothing surrounded the unicorn.

“Hmph. Quite skilled, I should say. Not easily broken, are you?” She tilted her head. How was this possible? She raised her eyebrow, beginning to feel a little uneasy. The spell was not working.

“No, my lady,” said the unicorn. She found his sugary voice very disturbing. Regardless of her look, he continued to speak. “I am already broken, for that happened the moment I saw you.”

…What?

“But seeing you, I feel I can be whole again, to be repaired from my shattered state. Of course, if you wish, I can be broken again. If you wish, that is. I merely await your command.” The unicorn stared at him.

Indeed, extremity made everything dangerous, but could one go that far? Was the word ‘crazy’ not enough for him? She was about to say no, but his unchanging look of pure satisfaction forced her to think otherwise. Did he really love her? She suddenly found herself plunged into the real world where her faultless logic again failed her, just like the last time; so much for her perfectness.

“This is the only reason I came for you, as you can see right now.” The unicorn smiled. “It is because I love you. I cannot do anything but love you. I just cannot help it.”

Chrysalis covered her face with her hoof. Really, I mean really?

Perhaps, this was what Equestria chose as a means of returning the favor. And it was working really well. They knew it already. She did not think it was possible, but circumstances surely told her it was the case. They knew how Changelings operated; ponies were cleverer than she had previously thought.

Lock On’s heart leapt. For a while, he really was afraid that he would never be able to meet the Changeling Queen, but be defeated by one of her bigger minions. That would have made a great tragedy, but as much as forbidden love greatly amused Lock On, he did not at all desire to be its protagonist. His love had to be a different sort, a happy ending where he and Chrysalis could both achieve their desires.

Even her flustered face was stunningly alluring. “And the reason I love you, my Queen,” he hesitated for a second, searching for an adequate word to properly explain his feeling. If he could impress her, there was better chance of her accepting his unbound love. “Is because I was captivated by you and everything that consists of you. Your look, your voice, the way you walk, and the way you blink your eyes; I can go on, if you grant me to do so. You have charmed me.”

There was a prolonged silence.

“Will you accept my love, my Queen? You can have as much of it as you want. My love is not for others. It is for you only. I sincerely do not think there would be any reason for you to object my offering.”

Lock On thought his heart was going to burst. Chrysalis, Chrysalis… He uttered the name with extra care. What a lovely name; Chrysalis. Every part of you I equally love.

She was going to say yes. She had to. He gets her, she gets his love. She wanted love, and he wanted her. A complete win-win. It was an offer she could not refuse.

“No,” Chrysalis said in a clear, loud voice. “Ponies these days… now they are making fun of me. So what did Celestia promise you? If her intention was to mock me, well, good for her! Kudos for your Princess! I am Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings, fool! How dare you insult me!”

Even her anger Lock On could take with supreme delight. So cruel, yet so graceful; he was willing to take it all. Every piece of her emotions deserved to be worshiped, like everything else that made her. It was alright; it was expected that she would be so hostile towards him. He could hardly blame her. If only he had stood up back at Canterlot, if only… He was determined not to be intimidated by the sudden change of her mood.

“You do not understand,” Lock On said, trying to be as apologetic as possible. “I do not follow our Princesses’ orders… at least not for the moment. I just love you based on my own feelings. That is all.”

“No, it is you who doesn't understand,” Chrysalis said coolly. “I honestly never thought I would say this to a pony, but I suppose to a fool gold is hardly any worth.”

“I will not say any word of protest when you take my love. I will not scream. I will not yell. I will shut myself off, to be silent as the night without any stars and the Moon. If you want me to be quiet, I WILL—”

“That’s the problem,” Chrysalis growled quietly, but it was enough for Lock On to become silent. “I need to take love away from you. You DO NOT give love to Changelings.” She chuckled. “A willing victim is no longer a prey. It becomes a predator. You want me to want you. That just doesn't happen.”

Chapter 5

“Take away from… me?”

Lock On thought his voice was beginning to sound funny. No, no, no. He had to stay calm, not blunder in front of the Changeling Queen whom he loved dearly. But how, he could not answer. Of all the possibilities, he had never thought of the Changeling Queen denying his request.

How, just how? His mind kept telling him that it was not possible at all. Changelings needed love. He was going to give it to them. Why would she ever want to refuse a treat? Why?

“Yes,” Chrysalis replied curtly, no longer hesitant to show her annoyance. “I am sure it has never occurred in your simple, fixated mind… but you don’t expect food offering itself to you? Do you?”

No. His voice echoed inside Lock On’s head, the returning imaginary sound hitting him harshly.

But this is different, Lock On wanted to protest. His love had to be different. It was love in its purest form, directed only towards Chrysalis. For the Changeling Queen he could give up anything, including himself. In fact, mesmerized by her brilliance, it was what he desired. Her radiance surpassed that of all three Equestrian Princesses combined, and it greatly attracted him, like a bright burning light to a wandering moth.

His love was far from the base carnal desires he used to have in the past for short durations. No. This time his love was entirely that of worship; what kind of love could possibly be more divine? If love was a food, his was an exquisite feast.

“A simple food it is, love.” As if knowing what he was thinking, Chrysalis snorted, interrupting his thoughts. “At least for us Changelings, that is. We do not treat love as your kind does.”

Lock On sat down, not saying a word. The wet surface made an unpleasant contact with his body, but it no longer mattered to him. It was such a delight to witness the piercing stare of the Changeling Queen, which he'd been gleefully savoring ever since he came to the hive and met her. Nevertheless, he could no longer ignore the fact that the odds of him achieving his goal were now heavily against him with Chrysalis maintaining that look. Something was definitely wrong; she should not have treated him like this.

Any other way would have been fine. Changelings had to have love. Love was a universal feeling, a very specific emotion that made one devote himself entirely to his beloved. One could sacrifice everything to acquire his love. One wished, desired, and craved for it. In a way it was a terrible disease really, forcing one to change his behavior and attitude solely for the feeling of love. Once contracted, the only cure was the illness itself; only by indulging it more could one be truly free of it.

Love conquered all. Well, maybe not in some cases, but it had surely succeeded in conquering Lock On himself. He needed to have more, to shamelessly indulge it, and taste the sweet nectar it offered. It was what made him to come this far in the first place. She too, the Changeling Queen, required it. What could go wrong?

“Right.” Lock On took a deep breath. “Yes, you may treat love differently. But I can adjust. It is just a mere setback. Love as a food. Got it. Now I know, and it will cease to be a problem at all. I can change. I can adapt. See, I offer my love to you. Think of me as a cook—your own personal cook, serving no one but you, catering to your hunger, responding to your need in every imaginable way.”

Chrysalis’ look remained unchanged. “You wish me to treat you as my own brood? Tsk. A valiant effort, but foolish nonetheless. Are you sure you are not really a Changeling?”

I wish. The idea now seemed very appealing. So much for Changelings being evil creatures; if he could worship and serve Chrysalis the title lost its meaning. Lock On looked around. Or maybe I am. Loyalty. It could change. True, as a pony he was to serve under Equestrian Princesses; but that principle did not take into account such a dangerously charming, lovable creature which made resistance absolutely futile.

The moss beneath his belly felt strangely comfortable now. The cool humid air tasted deliciously sweet. The dark cave was meant to be his home, right? Maybe he was a Changeling who'd forgotten who he really was. If not, how could he possibly love the Changeling Queen?

“In case you didn’t get it, my last statement was only sarcasm. You are just a pony, trust me,” Chrysalis said, casting a cold glance at him. “Which is strange, I should say. That reminds me, you still haven’t told me the reason you love me. Of all the creatures I have met, none have ‘loved’ me as a Changeling, except for my own minions serving me. It doesn’t seem right, don’t you think so?”

Keeping his breath to a steady pace was becoming harder for Lock On. He thought the air was getting thinner; of course, it was only his imagination, but he felt his respiratory process was steadily failing, not performing its role of inhaling the air he needed to breathe.

She's spoken to me. She is giving me a chance, right?

Lock On coughed again, making sure to clear all the imaginary clots that had clung to his throat. His hooves tingled, but it was not mere excitement that sent an electrical jolt to his body; he felt nervous. His heart—which had been gradually slowing down as time passed—became alert once again, responding to his roused senses, beating furiously.

If I say it well, maybe she will accept my love. She WILL.

“Well? I sincerely think it would be unwise to keep the Changeling Queen waiting,” Chrysalis chuckled.

She is willing to listen. She must be interested in me. She MUST…

“Because…” His voice became almost a whisper. Because what? Why do I love her? How to express it?

“Speak louder.”

His love for her was a formless emotion, yet it felt very real for him. It guided his action and became his new master, giving him orders to follow.

What made Chrysalis unbearably lovable, enough to completely override his allegiance to the Equestrian princesses and abandon his honorable position as a Royal Guard? He knew the answer; he just had to find an appropriate way to explain to the Changeling Queen.

“Well?”

That sultry voice. It was enough to make Lock On’s head spin. Of course! There was a reason, and it was right in front of him. It could not have been more obvious.

“I love you because of you.” Lock On summoned all of his strength to control his tone. It was hard but he could manage it, for if he could impress her, he could achieve his aim of making the Changeling Queen accept his love. “Your very self has bound me to loving you.”

“Oh?”

“Some were born to lead, some were born to follow,” Lock On put on his most innocent smile as possible, looking at Queen Chrysalis. “I always knew I had belonged to the latter group. Even now, I obey the orders given to me, which are like the principle that governs the world I live in, the natural law that allows us ponies to live. It says to love you but nothing else, and to devote myself entirely to you.”

“You used to serve your precious princesses. Were they not enough for you? How greedy… I guess loving them was not enough for you.” Chrysalis laughed, her tone consistent with her fairly condescending look.

“I used to,” Lock On said, noticing her irritated expression, but still continuing to smile nonetheless. All he had to do was to explain. Every look of hers he could eagerly take, but it was her happy, smiling face that brought him the most joy. “But seeing you, I had to serve you.”

“A traitor; how amusing. I thought you had fought rather well, trying to save your Princess. Fallen you are.”

“Fallen, yes, in order to follow the most natural principle that ponies and everything else follow. I gladly accept the fact.”

“Natural in what sense?” Chrysalis raised her voice a little, making Lock On flinch. “A pony loving the Changeling Queen is the most unnatural phenomenon I’ve ever heard of.”

“It is a natural tendency to follow one’s own desires.” Lock On gulped.

He wanted Chrysalis. And that was love, right? It made sense. He served under the title Royal Guard because he had loved Princess Celestia, Luna, and Cadence, and therefore he was loyal to Equestria.

But when his love found another target, despite the prospect being nearly impossible, his loyalty had to be adjusted accordingly. He was not betraying his own yearning. Rather, he was always faithful to it. He had to quench his thirst. Everyone had to, from ponies to Changelings.

Completely justifiable, Lock On mused. He could not help it. He was powerless to resist once he saw Chrysalis.

Or rather, he made himself powerless, because he wanted her. He chose to follow, he enchanted himself. He was never crazy, nor was he tainted by her evilness.

Lock On thought he could finally understand why Shadowbolts chose to serve Nightmare Moon; those ancient apparitions were never corrupted to begin with. They merely followed whoever their desires chose, and it was Nightmare Moon. To Lock On, Chrysalis was his own mare of the Eternal Night to follow.

“You want love. I want you. We all desire. It is not a bad thing, my lady.” Lock On made a weak smile. This cannot go wrong. In the end, love conquers, and then prevails.

“Wanton lust.”

“No,” Lock On said firmly. For this very special occasion, he had to commit the terrible crime of denying Chrysalis’ words. He had to show how pure his emotion was. “It is a purest love. It is an undivided attention given only to you. It is my will free at your disposal, completely at your mercy. It is my—”

“Enough.”

Whether it was her forceful voice or his body no longer able to contain his elated self, Lock On immediately stopped, looking fearfully at her. Had it worked? Would Chrysalis finally receive him, and let him satisfy his ravenous hunger which brought benefits to both him and her?

Chrysalis sighed. “Your ‘love,’ it has a name.”

Lock On could barely contain the squeal that escaped from his mouth. Yes. YES. She knew it. She understood. She is willing to take it.

“And it is called obsession. The fact that you want every part of me is very evident, even without the aid of a mind reading spell. You are a pony with a Changeling heart and mind, it seems. You desire me as much as we Changelings crave love. You want to take me, just like we Changelings dearly wish to take love away from others. So your ‘love’ is a Changeling one; it brings me none of the benefits to accept your kind of love, a hollow one that never satisfies anyone. Leave this place. While I am in a relatively bad mood, I'm still merciful enough to grant a delusional being another day to live. You found your way here; you will know the way to return to your land.”

Ignoring Lock On’s confused, flustered face, Chrysalis turned away. “Take him away, my minions. Make sure he survives till he reaches Equestria. I do not want those pesky ponies coming here looking for this delusional freak.”

Why? It was the last word Lock On’s mind registered before it became blank, the automated process of his basic instinct taking place, guiding his movement.

Epilogue: What happened after, Part 1

Chrysalis momentarily winced, feeling a slight pain in the head. Her telepathic link that connected to all of her minions had been disturbed for a second. The Brutes, the most elite among the Changelings, chosen by Chrysalis to guard the Changeling Queen’s chamber, looked back at her with concerned expressions on their insect-like faces, green eyes glowing in the dark.

“Is something wrong, Your Majesty?” One of the Brutes spoke, much bigger and more muscular than its peers, covered in thick chitinous scale, its size almost matching that of the Changeling Queen. Any sensible being could instantly recognize that this beast was ranked second to Chrysalis in the Hive, overseeing all the tasks that were unfit for the queen to take care of herself.

“You all sensed it too, didn’t you?” Chrysalis reverted back to her normal serious look, while inside she searched for the source of the disturbance which alerted her. There was a familiar pattern to it which she'd encountered not too long ago. If she could summon the right fragment of her memory, she would be able to find out what had really happened without having to receive tons of signals from her minions, an instance she was not too keen on facing. “My minions are already sending a number of signals via the link. Rather hard to miss, I reckon.”

“The Hive has been infiltrated,” the Brute replied. “The Brood is quick to react. However…”

“They’re not enough, I take it?” Chrysalis said casually. It did not seem to be a significant threat to her. The signal was more like a minor electrical jolt rather than the series of stingy shocks she received when the Hive was in grave danger.

“I can strengthen the signal to reach all of your minions, Your Majesty. What they lack in strength, they make up for in number.” The Brute bowed down. “If Your Majesty allows it, I will carry it out right away.”

“No.” Chrysalis placed her hoof on her head. If she could only recall what seemed near, ready to be picked up by her memory… “There is something… familiar about this incident.”

The jigsaw puzzle pieces were beginning to align so that Chrysalis could perceive the grand picture. Her minions continued to send the signals, but they were still weak; like the first one that had startled her momentarily. Most likely, the number of invaders was not much, perhaps even one. But then it raised another issue: who in his sane mind would ever dare to attack the Hive on his own?

The unseen threat, whoever—or whatever—it was, quite daring. Her usual scouting minions that regularly patrolled the area failed to perceive this threat, and by the distance the signal had traveled for her to notice it, it was most probable that the potential foe suddenly ‘appeared’ near the Hive, bypassing all the eyes she planted along the desert and managing to infiltrate to her domain without much difficulty.

It happened before, didn’t it? I should have known.

The switch clicked inside Chrysalis’ head. One pony coming into her domain was definitely a rare event, and when it had happened before, the event stuck to her head more so than other parts of her memory, more so because it took place fairly recently. Her logic worked out the conclusions, telling herself that it was ridiculous, but Chrysalis knew from experience one could never ignore all of the infinite possibilities that could very well happen, despite the sheer odds going against them.
Besides, one could also never underestimate the fools; sometimes, their dogmatic adherence to their passion proved to be very disturbing.

It has to be him… although I don’t want to admit it. No one in their sane mind could do this but him.

“The signal, does it not remind you of the recent events? Think, as you all are bestowed with this gift while the most of the Brood are not.” Wrapping up her thoughts, Chrysalis stood up from her sitting spot. She glanced towards her guards. “Like when I told you to stay in the dark… and myself as well. I was anticipating a feast, but then something happened that I didn’t expect.”

“Your Majesty?” The Brute’s voice trailed off.

“Listen closely, my most prized minion,” Chrysalis waved her holed hoof, signaling her Brutes to be quieter than usual. Their wings stopped buzzing and fixated in their place. “The disturbance does not carry much impact, don’t you think so? Our visitor is quite well-mannered. A proper reception would be needed.”

The Brute nodded. “Could it be those damned Equestrian princesses sending a group of envoys to demand compensation for the ‘damages’ we have caused? I find it most likely.”

“Several months have passed since our ‘invasion’; it would be very awkward to demand ‘compensation’ now,” Chrysalis replied, her inner self busy trying to confirm if her conjecture was true. “Besides, why would they ever bother with the antique codes that no one adheres to? Remember, to them we are nothing but evil monsters. A group of envoy you say? Rather it would be most likely an army marching to the Hive to take us out once and for all.”

“It won’t happen, your Majesty.”

Chrysalis laughed. “Of course not. The Hive wouldn’t fall to just one pony. But I sincerely appreciate your concern for the Hive’s safety. Your effort I always deeply recognize.”

“I am honored, Your Majesty. May this humble one inquire your thoughts on this matter? A single pony may still prove to be a great nuisance to the Hive.” The Brute’s dark green eyes glowed even stronger than usual. “If Your Majesty will grant me the honor of defeating this lone invader, then I shall gladly obey. He must be a formidable foe to be able to sneak up to your land uncontested.”

“That may be good. However,” Chrysalis paused, contemplating whether her plan had any hidden flaw that she failed to notice. “I strongly suspect that I shall have to deal with this matter personally… and you will find it hard to disagree.”

“Understood,” the Brute said, not revealing any sign of surprise if he had one. “We follow Your Majesty’s command; that is all.” Speaking those words, he retreated into the shadow, where the light from the green fluorescent orbs dangling from the ceiling found it hard to reach. Others followed suit, and there was barely any movement after that. It was almost impossible to notice any of their presence.

“Good. Signal the minions. Make way for this guest.” Chrysalis moved to the boundary of where the shadow started, making her shape barely recognizable as well. Just like last time, the Changeling Queen thought. Buzzing her wings for one last time, Chrysalis stood motionless, and all sound ceased to exist, except for the occasional drop of water from the ceiling, and one could easily pass the room as being completely empty of life.

Lock On could be versatile if necessary, adapting to all situations he might encounter. The desert could no longer bother him and his quest. He learned how to follow the signs in the sky, where to tread in the land, and which direction to listen out for the silent sound of the sands being blown away in the dry wind.

By following several distinct signs, he had reached his destination, and without hesitation he set his hooves forward, stepping on the Changeling country once again. This time he could appreciate the damp air which smelled faintly of the Changeling Queen’s scent. He would have stood there and inhaled it for an extended time, had it not been for the Changelings nearby immediately responding to his presence.

It was most painful to divert from his fantasy and assess his current situation. After admiring the view of a giant cave that was too large and strange to be a natural structure, the Changelings appeared like a group of bees swarming, two dozen or so. A few of them went down quickly, but still a great number remained trying to crush him by their numbers, an outdated tactic that he quickly learned to cope with.

For his love he could change, and he actually had. He was different now, a changed pony, he could easily shrug off the Changelings' mindless charge at him. Once he'd struggled to fight even one, but now a group of them were nothing more than a pesky little nuisance that stood in the way of him completing his mission.

Lock On’s horn glowed, summoning a purple orb which crackled with raw energy. With ease, he directed it towards the rushing insect creatures. The loud bang and the sight of them flying away greatly amused him. It was certainly a good idea to ask Ms. Sparkle on how to perform magic bolts effectively; none could have guessed Princess Celestia’s faithful student being so proficient at destructive spells, but as it turned out, she was quite an expert on that particular branch of magic, teaching him additional spells to defend his own self in case things got out of hoof.

Leaving the affected Changelings groaning, Lock On entered the giant structure which was sure to be the Changeling Hive, knowing for certain his mind could decide which way to take inside the maze-like tunnels stretching out as far as his eyes could see.

Strolling through the passages covered with wet mosses, Lock On felt like humming. The fallen creatures were going to have a hard time recovering, leaving him to happily achieve his quest. His senses told him he was heading the right way. He was getting close; the heavenly fragrance was getting noticeably thicker. When he stopped, he was standing in front of a large hole, covered with overgrown moss patches sprouting from the walls.

The sweet scent engraved in the very place formed an invisible silk veil which seemed an inviting sign for Lock On. Peering inside the richly decorated entrance, he caught a glimpse of wide open space weakly illuminated with emerald green light. This must be it, Lock On thought, as he entered the place, struggling to keep his heart from exploding due to over-pumping itself.

“Chrysalis, I have come for you.” Lock On looked around, searching for the Changeling Queen’s shape in the all-pervading darkness where the lights could not reach. The area was certainly noticeable. “This reminds me of the last time, I know you are here somewhere and listening to me. Chrysalis, this time I will not fail you, as I bring you the love you can properly digest. Please show yourself, change yourself so I can love this dream pony of mine, and you can happily indulge in your pleasure.”

In the distance there was a growl, low enough to make a pony’s fur stand to an end. Unaffected, Lock On walked closer to the boundary of the green light, shouting, “Chrysalis, your food has arrived. Take my love. Take it.”

“As I suspected, it was you. Tsk. When will you ever learn?” The voice which he so longed to hear came like a lovely melody tuned to a fine cadence.

Hearing the Changeling Queen’s voice again was enough blessing for Lock On. For this moment he had prepared himself, dutifully attending Princess Cadence’s love lessons (of which some Royal Guards, including his quarter-mates, mistook for him having an illicit affair with the Princess) and mastering every bit of information related to Changelings in the Royal Canterlot Library. He'd planned and practiced for a long time; he simply could not disappoint his lover.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Chrysalis.” Lock On could glimpse a distinctive shape in the distance that told his target was indeed there, listening to him. “But your servants I have encountered would not hear my words.”
“The disturbances were quite minimal, I’ll appreciate that.”

“I assure you, they will be back up sooner or later. I only came as your captured prize, a feast for you to feed love upon.” Lock On closed his eyes. Hiding herself in the shadow was not needed; if he could not see, he could smell and hear, and if not, he could feel her. He could hardly doubt that love had enhanced his senses.

“From your point of view, that might be valid.” The Changeling Queen’s voice held a marked irritation that was hard to miss in the formality she managed to hold. “Or has a miracle happened, and you learned to love differently?”

“Miracles do happen, for the sake of love.”

“Not for the fools.”

“I am not a fool,” Lock On spoke with confidence, his voice much smoother this time. “Salvation comes for those who strive. Now I know and can suit your needs. I can even tell you this: ‘For the Changeling race to take love from their captured prey, they try to imitate their victims’ loved ones, their innate ability to sense love making it possible to do so. Once the prey falls for the false images of the Changelings, then all is done, for the vile insectoids will capture their enamored victims and feed off their love.’” He grinned widely. She will appreciate my effort, she will…

“I must say I’m very impressed,” Chrysalis said dryly. “Equestria allows even the crazed one to learn. Impressed indeed.”

“Not crazed, but fallen in love. Therefore I am the victim, my lady, taken by you, deathly afraid of what consequences befall me, waiting for it to happen. You will see the image of a pony I love, and you will take that shape. Feed upon my love; now I can give my love to you.” Lock On felt a tingling in his fur, making it very itchy. He could not dismiss this anxiety messing with him entirely. He could barely contain his excitement. He felt hot, not because of the temperature, but his own body heat reacting to his emotional instability. It was being disrupted fast, despite his effort to maintain it.

“You are willing. Has your simple mind failed to look back upon itself? Willing will not get you anywhere. Not with your love, anyway.”

“But I follow the general rules, and I believe that will be enough,” Lock On moved nearer to the darkness. “You pretend to be my lover; I pretend to resist. We all pretend, and it will hardly matter, for what we really desire we cannot change, nor can we hide.”

“You may pretend, but for us Changelings it is very real. Your insanity makes me feel pity for you, had it not been for your audacity which continues to insult me. Pretend? Do you truly think this is a little filly’s play? Are you stupid enough to ignore the fact those who are empty of love are no better than the dead? Should I put it in simpler terms? Those captured by the Changelings, they die.” Her voice, while not particularly loud, held a cold atmosphere that made Lock On flinch, but not before instantly returning to his previous confident smile.

“But they are not dead,” Lock On spoke calmly. He knew what to say. “Those who are sucked out of love by the Changelings… they become Changelings themselves.”

“So you know. But does that make a difference? If becoming a mindless drone is not equivalent to being dead, then what is? I shall not aid some dumb creature trying to take away its own life. Wander in the desert, and collapse on the burning sand as your throat runs dry, tasting of dirt. That will still be less painful than to become the Changeling.” Her tone unchanged, Chrysalis spoke. There was not even the slightest tremor in her voice, remaining unaffected by his revelation.

“But at least they are connected to you, my dear love,” Lock On said, pretending to ignore the loud buzzing sound which obviously signified a warning shot. “Chrysalis, if I could entangle myself with you more, then becoming mindless would be the least of my worries. If I cannot love you, then I am no better than the dead. But if I can love you, I will take any means necessary,” Lock On said, smiling.

He continued, hardly stopping for his breath. “A willing victim is a predator; the words you spoke. I have spent great time consuming all of their wisdom, and I have finally come to the conclusion that I must love you as a Changeling. My real love as a pony must have looked like a joke to you; then it is simple. I shall love you as a Changeling, the hollow love I offer becoming real love for you, of which you shall gladly accept as a nutrient. From the Good, I willingly choose the Evil, and by this my ‘obsession’ shall become love. By choosing to be broken as a being already broken, I shall be mended. Taint and corrupt me, so that I can ascend and become blessed. I want to become a Changeling, because then I can love you.”

Among those who were born to follow, some willingly chose to do so. Some went halfway and then turned back. Some went till the end, regardless of the consequences they met. Lock On knew where he belonged. For Chrysalis, the Changeling Queen, he could choose to be Evil.

Epilogue: What happened after, Part 2

Lock On felt as if a thousand iron anvils were weighing down upon him. His initial confidence melted like the last patch of winter ice fading away with the contact of the warm spring sun. He felt so weak facing the Changeling Queen.

But love was never complete without imbuing one with great hopes and desires; at a certain point the disease became the cure, which in turn brought more of the illness. Loving her, he was afraid to speak, yet he had the courage to do so.

“You know, I actually tried to love somepony. A pony just like me…” It was truly a splendid love, and he could hardly believe his luck by thinking of the idea in the first place. Nopony could have come up with a better plan.

“How nice. That is a promising start,” Chrysalis sneered, her voice containing every aspect of sarcasm.

“…so that you could impersonate the pony I love, and be able to feed on the sweet love I offer.”

“Loving me and another? Ha! At least you prove to be entertaining in that aspect. But a fool will always be a fool, never realizing his stupidity.”

“But what if the fool wishes to stay a fool? If I truly am a fool, then I will willingly choose to remain in this state if I can love you. What state I am in, or what I am, does not matter. Loving you, on the other hoof, is a serious issue that needs to be confronted right away.” Lock On perched his ears high, eagerly waiting for the Changeling Queen to respond to his brilliant, flawless speech that she was bound to fall for.

“Are you actually serious, to say you will love someone else to love me? Would you think such foolery is even possible?”

“To love you? Yes. Undoubtedly.” Lock On rubbed his forehead. He felt like he was back in the desert again, the imaginary heat plastering his body despite the cool air steadily flowing in the Hive. He was not entirely oblivious to the Changeling Queen’s mocking remarks.

“Hopeless idiot! Pretending to love?” To say Chrysalis was chuckling was the nicest way of putting it. “Amusing. But that is all. A Royal Guard now nothing more than a debased clown begging for what he cannot achieve, loving someone to love someone else. Oh, I implore you to write a comedy on that subject. You shall play the lead actor, so naturally talented to fool others with your meager wits, pretending to be a sage.”

“Like what the Changelings do.” Growls that were too harsh and low for such a lovely creature as Chrysalis could be heard echoing from the distant blackness that contained whatever Changelings powerful enough to guard the Queen herself. “They pretend to love.”

“Explain your logic.” Chrysalis’ voice had a subdued interest that would have been undetectable for Lock On, had he not been paying great attention listening to her words and devouring them intently to satisfy his appetite.

It was working. Lock On could have squealed in delight and jumped around the chamber like a certain purple-colored, talented mare he knew (he'd witnessed the scene on several occasions and found it absolutely hilarious, though now he could hardly find a reason to find it ever being funny), but that would have spoiled the mood. He had to be much more sincere and romantic in demeanor.

“Changelings. They have to take away love.”

“In case you didn’t know, we can also change shapes. We are called the CHANGElings, after all.” Chrysalis covered her face with her hoof, sighing. “I should be ashamed of myself, defeated by a bunch of fools who hardly know anything about us. Mea culpa, behold the Changeling Queen fallen in shame.”

“And that is why I learned about your kind, dear Chrysalis.” Lock On bowed triumphantly like a great magician before the spectators amazed at his trick. “Please forgive me for my ignorance, but I have learned so much now, and was able to come up with a perfect plan.”

“Perfect? Ridiculously banal; this amuses me not. What plan?” The Changeling Queen’s voice held the typical indifference from those who thought they were wasting their time listening to a madpony’s gibberish.

“You were able to take my captain’s love. Surely you could take mine as well.”

“Because he loved Cadence.” The Changeling Queen’s reply was swift.

“Exactly. If I love somepony— ”

“But you don’t.” Before he could speak further, Chrysalis had cut him off. “You’ve said it yourself. You should be greatly thankful for the Changeling Queen to put up with your insolence. Now you fail to amuse me. I expected you to entertain me more, but sadly, you aren't.”

“My lady, I have not yet finished my words.” Lock On fought hard to keep his voice calm. The Queen has shown interest, it only meant one thing: she liked him. It was going smooth, all according to his plan. His rising pulse could wait. He had an important mission to accomplish. “If I love somepony, and you change your shape, then all is settled. You feed off my love, and I will become a Changeling. Simple, yet effective,” Lock On solemnly proclaimed, hoping her attitude would soon change.

“Only one problem though,” Chrysalis said, her voice sounding very unimpressed, despite Lock On's effort. “If you love me so much, then I will simply remain as my own shape, because I alter my form into the pony that you love the most. If you love somepony else so much, then there is no reason for you to come here in the first place, as you’ll be too busy engaged to whomever you love.”

“But I love you, and that is what matters.”

“I love you, I love you. Your parroting begins to tire me.” Chrysalis waved her holed hoof dismissively. “Do you realize you speak like a street magician who knows only cheap tricks and base theatrics? Time is running out, and your entertainment grows blander every second.” Walking towards the lighted area where Lock On sat down, Chrysalis scoffed. “Let’s see, shall we? What does your love look like? Me, of course.”

Chrysalis’ intimidating size easily towered over Lock On’s unicorn body, and he was not known to be small statured. There had to be some magic involved, probably designed to inspire awe and fear into whoever saw her majestic feature. For Lock On, the former was definitely true, her image engraved into his brain as he appreciated the Queen’s features from such a close distance.

Her eyes possessed the verdant greenness that reminded Lock On of a precious jewel so pure in its natural form, not tainted by any jeweler. To cut this precious object rendered it as a lackluster stone in a ring. It was a crime. She could not be tamed; she was not meant to be. Hence, it was Lock On who had to be tamed, offering himself as a gift fitting for the Changeling Queen to take.

“A fool never learns, and comes back to be humiliated again. And I have to take part in this farce. A great act of comedy. Where are the audiences watching the show?” Chrysalis spread her wings wide, their positions impressively alarming; enough to silence those who did not know when to shut up and keep the clichéd jokes to themselves. “For an idiot, you were surprisingly able, managing to march right through and reach the heart of the Hive. But it ends now. See how futile your dream is, and perhaps only despair will teach you a lesson. You shall finally learn how blind you were.”

“It ends here, of course.” Lock On stayed where he was, despite being suddenly and momentarily terrified at the Queen showing her wrath to a relatively mild degree. “Because I will become a Changeling.” And reach your heart, he whispered.

“We shall see.”

The green flames enveloped the Changeling Queen’s body. Before Lock On could even blink and appreciate the change, Chrysalis had already changed, exactly as he desired.

The Changeling Queen must have noticed it too. The charismatic aura that usually surrounded her was gone for a moment. If she could ever be dumbfounded (though Lock On’s captain told how he saw the Changeling Queen’s flustered face, Lock On could hardly believe him), then she was at this point, her face suspiciously scanning over her new form.

“Surprising.” Chrysalis raised her right front hoof for a closer inspection, which was now turned into a smooth pony leg, covered fully with fur gleaming of dark green. “Once in a thousand times, a buffoon may devise a clever trick.”

Her legs were not the only thing that had changed. The insect-like wings, made of chitin scales and transparent membranes, were replaced with immaculately angelic wings. The only thing missing was their color, which was pure, thick blue instead. Her ragged horn was now straight and cone-shaped, reflecting the light from the ceiling and glowing darkly. Her disheveled mane and tail had undergone total transformations too, their threads thoroughly groomed, waving gently whenever there was a sudden breeze while retaining the original hue of the Changeling Queen.

Chrysalis stood before Lock On, taking the form of a powerful alicorn whose graceful features drove him breathless and speechless. Only his unyielding love for the Changeling Queen managed to keep his heart beating.

“You imagined me,” Chrysalis smirked, her amazement finally beginning to show.

“As a pony. A perfect picture ponified version of you. Technically, I love a pony who greatly resembles you. You would take away my love directed towards her. You will be able to feel my love this way, and take it.”

“An elaborate ruse.” A great satisfaction appeared in Chrysalis’ face. “I wouldn’t mind a treat, now it’s here…”

“A perfect plan.” Lock On returned with his own blissful expression, trying his best to imitate that of the Changeling Queen’s.

“Yes, I can feel your love,” Chrysalis answered as a matter-of-factly, but not without a little hint of fascination flashing in her face. “I can take it, if I want to.”

Then take it. Lock On was about to shout, but kept it to himself. “I eagerly await you to make that decision.”

“Why should I?” Chrysalis asked somewhat playfully. It was good sign that that could be hardly missed.

“Because you need love.” Lock On was now closer to the Changeling Queen. He did not mind at all. It was his own will to be close with Chrysalis. Soon, the distance would cease to matter; he could be with her forever once he became a Changeling.

“That is true.”

Lock On advanced further. The growls from the darkness became disturbingly noticeable, but he had ceased to care about the source of the sound some time ago. “This love I offer will be so great, it will aid you tremendously. Last time you rejected me, but now I come as a changed being, and am ready to be changed further. Accept me, deprive me so that I can complete this ‘farce’ as you call it, so that our true love can begin. I fall, in order to ascend. I change, so that I stay. If my love as a pony was an obsession, then my love as a Changeling will be a sweet, pure love.”

“From a loyal Guard Pony to a rambling lunatic. Your pony princesses would be so proud of you.” Malicious, sadistic green flames danced within Chrysalis’ eyes.

“Loyal to the natural law of which all creatures obey. I follow my desire. It directed me towards a new deity for me to serve.”

“Excuses.” Chrysalis seemed to be occupied with herself for a second, and the admonishing buzz resonating behind her stopped. “Though, if you do have love I can use, I would hardly refuse a treat.”

“We all need to adapt when things change. I am glad you decided to change your mind.”

“And you will too, once I grant you the death sentence you foolishly crave.”

Lock On shook his head. “My decision stays firm. I must be a Changeling. That is the only way to win your heart, and I must choose to do so.” And it would be my life sentence, finally having the chance to truly love the Queen.

“In your ephemeral fantasy which shall be swiftly vanished.” Chrysalis’ imposingly breathtaking body completely shadowed Lock On. “But still I desist, knowing to take your love I must participate in the silly play you’ve designed. So, was this your plan? To lure the Queen with petty bait, thinking you could outsmart the Changeling Queen?”

“No, it is I who has been lured, walking right into a trap knowing it can bring me to ruin,” Lock On answered, his body now shaking uncontrollably upon seeing his beloved one so near him. “But I choose to be fallen; I am the moth that rushes willingly to the flaming light, dazed by its burning luminosity.”

Chrysalis howled with laughter. “I hardly expected our second meeting to be like this. Well, so be it then. I can adapt to all situations, including talking to the most delirious creature I've ever met and taking away his love.”

“That you shall do, my Queen.”

“Depriving ponies of their love is certainly pleasant, but breaking their fantasy is fine as well.” Chrysalis’ horn glowed, producing vile rays of dark green. Lock On felt his body levitating upwards, bound to the Changeling Queen’s will. “Are you sure? Do you absolutely want to? This is my final mercy to you for delivering me so great a silly entertainment. I can be generous if I want to… and you wouldn't want to miss it.”

Lock On blissfully relished the Changeling Queen’s predatory glare like all of the other features she displayed. All he had to do was nod. Sweat rolled down his forehead to his face, leaving a salty trail as it touched his lips. His internal self, which usually raised voice of doubts whenever he was about to make a very dubious choice he would soon regret, remained silent.

Where did his loyalty lie? To his self, obviously. He served Equestria because he relished in the warmth of the Sun and the grace of the Moon. But the Changeling Queen’s dark radiance surpassed that of the two celestial bodies, and he naturally chose whichever his heart led to.

His mind and body in whole accord, Lock On nodded. “I am very sure. Grant me this gift to serve you better.”

“I shall enjoy this greatly, breaking you so thoroughly while I feed off your love,” Chrysalis’ voice boomed inside Lock On’s head. It was the only sound he could register at the moment.

How I longed to be broken and changed by you, Chrysalis. Now it happens. Regret I shall ever not. Lock On sighed happily, and closed his eyes as the Changeling Queen’s magic began to modify his body, to render him a mindless slave belonging to the Hive. Vile arcane tendrils sprouted from thin air, and soon firmly attached to his body. It was just like when he was getting a shot, except without the sharp pain that inevitably followed, but something had been definitely injected inside him, making the process irreversible.

“Even now I can stop, and you will be allowed to leave.” Chrysalis casually turned around, the magic surrounding Lock On remaining on the same intensity nevertheless.

“Should I say you to stop, then you will decline. You shall take delight in breaking my hope. Either way I will be a Changeling. My fate is sealed.” Lock On moved his bound body around, more of a means of trying to get into a more comfortable position rather than a meaningless struggle to break free from the ‘prison’ that confined him. “I pretend to be the victim and therefore I am the victim, whose vain attempt to escape has failed, and he must now face his final moments. I gladly take the gift you bestow. I am terrified to meet my end. My non-existent reason screams at me for my foolishness. My own mind cherishes my tactfulness. I am broken only to be fixed. My obsession you shall take, your love I will receive.”

“Looks like your condition has worsened,” Chrysalis clicked her tongue.

“Loving you, it was bound to happen.” Lock On grinned.

The magical chains were working the roles they were supposed to serve as they held Lock On fast while transparent green masses began to form around him. At first, their shape resembled that of a solid rectangular glass, but then they morphed into pulsating lumps, then conglomerated themselves to create a giant cocoon which was big enough to hold a full-grown pony.

Lock On knew it too, because it was he who was inside that magical chrysalis. Slime-like substances which bordered between solid and liquid began to drip from the inner wall, slowly filling the space. When the globs touched his hooves they involuntarily shuddered, but soon calmed down. He was going to have to get used to it, and the sooner the better.

When the half-liquid, half-solid murkiness reached to his mouth, Lock On did not hesitate to stick out his tongue and swallow. It would have been too good if what was now filling the small space he was inside tasted of sweet candies and soft cakes; it was as if he took a bite out of swamp mud. But whether it was the Changeling magic ‘corrupting’ his mind or his love affecting him, it started to tasted somewhat like fruit jelly, his throat eagerly absorbing it and wanting more. At this point he could tell for certain his body fur had been completely replaced with slick Changeling scales. There were two things twitching behind his back, which must have been his new wings sprouting from his back. His new horn had ceased to have magical unicorn capabilities long ago; instead, it was made to receive Changeling signals and use Changeling magic.

He should have been terrified. The slime now completely filled his chrysalis. His head ached. The books he'd read did not contain detailed description of the exact conversion process, presumably because the affected prey was usually unconscious, and then the magic altered the ‘unfortunate’ victim’s mind to that of a Changeling, depriving them of their cognitive abilities.

Not for Lock On. He definitely felt his love slipping away as empty holes appeared in his mind. Their sizes increased, but he did not perceive the typical hollowness and ravenous hunger that all Changelings were supposed to be subject to (at least according to the sources, anyway). What he felt was that his imaginary and actual holes were being filled with love for his new master, the Changeling Queen, and the desire to dutifully serve her as a good solider, such as he used to be. The voice he easily recognized as that of Chrysalis echoed inside his head.

Serve Chrysalis. Serve the Changeling Queen. Serve me, my minion.

Yes. I have to love her. Serve, and then love. I live for her, and she will live for me…

The chorus with a divine cadence sang, and Lock On listened attentively, his mind not resisting the Changeling magic invading his mind and ‘corrupting’ him. He felt no pain, only bliss. He was changed, the ‘damage’ was already done, as the book might have described him. Nothing remained in his body or mind that would ever give him even a thought that he was once a unicorn called Lock On, who was once a Guard Pony serving the Equestrian princesses. It was a Changeling who replaced him.

Only one thing remained in the beast; he, or the Changeling who was once a pony, still loved the Changeling Queen. That fact had been unchanged.

Inside his chrysalis, the newly converted Changeling heard his new master’s signal and began to struggle. With its sharp fangs, it easily tore free of its container and burst out. The Changeling Queen greeted him and watched this completed work of hers with a devilish delight.

“There goes the fool. What did you expect? To become my personal lover? Imbecile. Look at you, now no better than a simpleton following my orders. You asked for it, and I gave it to you.”

“Yes, Chrysalis. Now I follow you.” The Changeling spoke, and his tone was too familiar for Chrysalis to miss. “I am mindless, and thus rely on you. I am connected to you now… how wonderful. Now I can love you more, this time properly, as a Changeling.”

“If you think you can surprise the Changeling Queen, then you’ve failed. But it is impressive nonetheless; I don’t remember my lowly minions saying they love me.” Chrysalis stood quiet.

The Changeling was quick to adjust to it's new body, and flew over towards her, understanding the signal she had sent to him. “Consider me as an exception. Or if your Majesty would like, I can return to my original self.” With a puff there stood a pony with a horn. “I, Lock On, who is now a Changeling, pledge my loyalty to you.”

“This I never expected.” Chrysalis raised her eyebrow a little. “And yet, I should have known. The fool may outwit the wise for once.”

“Love conquers all.” The Changeling had changed his shape again. “I hear your voice. I feel your anger and happiness. Your inconvenience I receive as well, and I shall do my best to relieve its source. You are inside me, my lady. Being a Changeling, I could not be happier.”

“All of my minions listen to me and your will shall hardly matter.”

“My will is whatever you command it to be. After all, I am in your total control, doing whatever you please.” The Changeling blushed as he tried to bow down and kiss Chrysalis’ hoof. To his evident surprise, the Changeling Queen did not show any expression of disgust, but seemed to actively encourage him to do so, which he obliged.

“So you are commanding me.” Chrysalis watched with interest as the newborn Changeling daringly touched the body of the Queen.

“Yes. I command you to command me.” His eyes, which should have been blank and featureless like every other minion Chrysalis had under her control, stared directly at her, gleaming full of excitement that belied its rank and place, unlike other drones.

“Interesting. My minions are not usually known for talking back to their ruler.”

“Exceptions can prove to be refreshing, my lady. I am sure the Hive can adapt to its newest member. I too, will learn to adapt.”

“Well then.” Inside her head Chrysalis activated the telepathic link, which made the Changeling before her stand upright and salute to her. “Since you so willingly desire me to direct you… I will have to order you around, as I am your master.”

The Changeling nodded. “It is your role to subject me under your control. Whatever you say, I shall accept it.”

Chrysalis smirked. The new Changeling was certainly unconventional, but that did not mean she could not use this fool. He could still turn back to its former self, a talent other Changelings did not possess. It was just what she needed to get back at Equestria for the humiliation she faced there.

Meanwhile, the Changeling could sense his master’s thoughts. He could vaguely tell that she was planning to use him as her pawn, as her huge eyes playfully rolled around admiring the creation she had made, probably judging its value.

The feeling of the Changeling Queen taking full grip over him was wonderful, as the Changeling heard the voice inside his head telling him what to do. Its mind sensed a higher being watching over it, reading its mind to the deepest parts. And the new Changeling shamelessly revealed it all, gave it all to the Chrysalis, the firm connection between him and her forever unbroken.

Yes, command me more, use me more. The Changeling thought. She had paid attention to him.

“So, my minion,” Chrysalis looked at the bizarre Changeling she had just created. Oh well, she thought. If she could use him, then it hardly mattered whether he loved her or not. A Changeling had to love the Hive Queen, after all.

“Yes, Chrysalis.” Lock On, now as a Changeling, shied away, feeling the Changeling Queen scanning over his deepest thoughts.

“As your Queen I command you this: return to Equestria.”

“Yes, Chrysalis.”

“You shall feign yourself as Lock On, a faithful Guard Pony.”

“Yes, Chrysalis.”

“You shall watch over the Princesses you pretend to serve, and tell me all of their actions. You shall explore Canterlot and reveal how we should attack. You shall tell me how to deal with the Bearers, and that pesky Cadence and Shining Armor.” Chrysalis sighed. “But first, I will have to teach you personally… you shall learn how best to use your abilities, and how to steal love and give it to me.”

“Yes, Chrysalis.” Her speech as well as her signal Lock On hungrily devoured. Changelings were holed creatures, some said, literally and figuratively. Only with love they could fill their holes and satisfy their hunger. So they had to take love. But it did not matter to him, for he loved the Changeling Queen, and loving her alone could his emptiness be sated.
Moreover, the Changeling Queen had taken possession of him. It was good, because in order to do so, she had to take him. She was inside him, but he was inside her as well. He loved, worshiped, and served her.

Lock On bowed down and kissed the Changeling Queen’s hooves again.

“Glad you know your place.” Waiting for him to finish, Chrysalis turned around. “You will follow me.”

Lock On kept his position low, his mind busy with trying to use the signal most effectively.

Chrysalis, Chrysalis. You can hear me, do you not? Say whatever you want, and I will take it all. Chrysalis, so lovely, so beautiful. Now my senses will always register your presence. Your voice, your smell, your texture and all other things about you; I shall keep them.

I listen only when I want to, servant.

So you want to listen to me. Oh, you will want to, my love. I will do my best. I will return to Equestria to complete my mission, but I shall still know that you are always there for me.

Say what you will, you are but a Changeling.

A Changeling who loves you, Chrysalis.

Lock On accepted the signal that stung him quite hard, an obvious sign for him to shut up and stop sending signals from him. Oh the sweet pain, coming from my beloved. The penance she hammered down upon him was dangerously addictive, much like everything else the Queen offered to her minions.

Love surely conquered all, even if it did so in the most twisted way imaginable.

Chapter 6

Lock On knew very well there were fates worse than death, but he never realized he would face one himself. Chrysalis had nearly succeeded in completely shattering him. His body still functioned, allowing himself to survive with his mind broken, but what was the use of servants without any master to reign over them? It was almost a miracle for Lock On to recover to his current state.

Return to your land. Her last four words stabbed him like a sharp dagger, until he could no longer suffer the psychological pain and felt his mind slipping away.

Nevertheless, the Changeling Queen was also capable of saving him from falling deep into the abyss, whether she liked it or not. She was both his bane and miracle. On the brink of descending into the nothingness that made darkness bright as daylight, Lock On’s mind clung to the name of the Changeling Queen.

Chrysalis, Chrysalis. You rejected me, but saying your name still brings me joy and comfort. The hollow voice echoed inside his empty mind, until a piece of his shattered mind instinctively responded to the call.

He had been cast into oblivion. At least that was how he felt, his mind unable to accept the fact that his near-perfect plan was ruined, ending with the Changeling Queen basically kicking him out of her domain.

But it was definitely an improvement now that he was able to think properly, the process of rebuilding himself having already begun. Climbing the cliff from the bottommost point was an onerous task indeed; knowing he was once at the top standing proudly made it worse, and Lock On still had to remind himself that it was Chrysalis, the one whom he dearly loved, that had effectively kicked him off the cliff, grinning evilly as she saw his downfall.

Love still conquered all, making it possible for Lock On to restore his broken self, to become himself once again. Each mental step he took, each imaginary sweat he toiled, he thought of Chrysalis. It was a psychological process but for him it felt very real, as a broken being often did, failing to realize the boundary between reality and fantasy, drifting hopelessly between the two worlds until one got hold of himself. Failing that, one would be cast into a distorted realm, which was often abound in insanity.

The fact he was still himself convinced Lock On that he was not crazy at all. He was a normal unicorn who just happened to love the Changeling Queen. Completely natural, for following the natural tendency to love could hardly go wrong as the principle governed not only ponies, but Changelings and other races as well.

It took some time, but Lock On eventually opened his eyes again, once more in control of his body. He was able to recognize where he was right now; the same unforgiving desert he had crossed to complete his mission. He had failed miserably. Of that there was no doubt.

He found his hat and bag, as well as a water bottle that was nearly full. That only solved one problem though; finding himself back with all his belongings was never his intention. The bottle was supposed to be empty. He only filled it to an amount that would enable him to cross the desert and reach the Changeling Hive. She would take him, so there should have been no need to worry about returning. But now…

The memories of the last few moments flooded into his fractured mind, reminding him of his failure like a stubborn scar: the Changelings had thrown him at the desert. “Our Queen’s mercy,” they had said, chuckling, before leaving him in the heated sand, disappearing from sight.

It was an unpleasant memory. Many tears were supposed to be shed. It was tragic; the Changeling Queen had declined his offering, ordering her drones to drag him out. What was left for him to do?

For a while, Lock On lay down on the ground, not moving at all, not minding the burning ground nearly searing his fur off. He did not fear the Changelings coming back. That he would have greatly welcomed, as it would only mean one thing: the Changeling Queen was going to take him, which in turn was him taking her, at least from his perspective.

But they were not coming back, and he was on his own.

Chrysalis.

Saying the name still made him feel euphoric, even though she had rejected him for good. According to her, his love was useless, not even fit for her to feast upon. Changelings fed on specific type of love. Had his love been different, the Changeling Queen might have taken him.

For the love of his Lady, his Queen, Lock On took it for granted that he could change. He was ready to shift his love, if the situation required him to do so. Love differently so that Chrysalis can take it, his mind whispered to him, and he faithfully took the advice, ready to carry out the order.

But how? He asked himself. Nopony could teach him how to love in a way that Changelings could digest it. This wasn't a problem for others, but for him it was. The only love he had was ‘obsession,’ as Chrysalis had called it.

It was not like somepony could teach Lock On on different types of love. As far as he could remember, nopony in Equestria had a cutie mark that was directly involved in love. His cutie mark, for instance, told him that his specialty was to target something and be entirely focused upon that. To the newest Royal Guard recruits, he could lecture on how to concentrate effectively (and it was actually part of his job being in the Guard). But there was nopony whose specialty was that on love, and even if one existed, he had no hope of ever reaching that pony.

Well, except one.

The idea shined in the distance, and it was a miracle that he could take it and make as his own. Miracles bestow upon those who fervently follow their dream, Lock On thought. He was given one, and he was not going to miss the opportunity.

How could he have missed it till now? Never mind that; now knowing what he had to do, there was no reason for him to contemplate on his misery. From his half-inanimate state, Lock On sprung to life and began to walk, recovered from his stupor.

Deciding not to love Chrysalis was out of the question, even after considering what had happened. Lock On had no intention of forfeiting his target. The orders were already given to him, and he would not take no for an answer. As the good soldier he was, Lock On knew what he had to do. Die trying—and since he was not dead yet, he was going to keep trying.

Love conquers all, and thus it helps those who fervently seek its embrace.

There was a solution after all. It took time, but he finally had a plan worked out. It was risky, he acknowledged that, but to earn the Changeling Queen’s affection, he was prepared to do anything.

Mi Amore Cadenza, the Princess of Love. She could teach him all about the love he needed to earn Chrysalis’ endearing affection.

Lock On grinned. Perfect.

Sweat began to form in his forehead, but he did not mind. Lock On walked forward, his now rejuvenated brain remembering the way and telling him which trail to follow, urging him to reach Equestria and its Capital City as soon as possible.

“That… is an interesting request.” Shining Armor frowned for a moment.

Being in Shining Armor’s personal quarters always made Lock On feel a bit uncomfortable. Whenever he entered his captain’s room, he couldn't help noticing various medals bestowed to the captain by Princess Celestia herself, each one decorated with a frame and hung throughout all four walls surrounding the place. The captain’s shiny armors and helmets hung beside the proudly displayed badges did little to abate the tense air that a visitor was bound to feel.

Lock On grinned nervously. “Well, I am the only one in my unit who does not have a special somepony… I think I am very bad at this.”

“But my wif- *ahem* -I mean, Princess Cadence can’t suddenly make your wish come true,” Shining Armor said, keeping a straight face which was riddled with confusion and astonishment. “She is Princess of Love, but that doesn’t mean she will instantly provide somepony you love.”

“Yes sir, I acknowledge that.” Lock On forced himself to give a harmless smile. Come on. Please. Just say yes, and I will not bother you, my captain.

“Glad you know. Now I think you’ll understand why I will have to—”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary.”

Shining Amor and Lock On both turned their heads toward the direction the voice came from. At the door stood just who Lock On was looking for, the Princess of Love, Cadence.

“Cadence?” Shining Armor rhetorically asked, informing Lock On that it was indeed the alicorn princess who had just spoken.

Princess Cadence smiled rather mischievously. “It won’t do, darling, turning down a pony who wants to know what love is. I’ve always envied my aunts who could perform their special duty in front of ponies. How wonderful it must be, everypony watching them as they move the Sun and the Moon across the sky, giving others a chance to experience how wonderful both the day and night is.”

“Equestria needs both the Sun and the Moon,” Shining Armor said, fixing his armor lace at the neck, which Lock On thought was quite unnecessary and looked as if he was bidding his time in front of his fiancé. “Besides, how can you perform love? That’s just ridiculous.”

“Oh, ponies need love too. And performing love? Don’t you remember? We already did!” Princess Cadence winked at Shining Armor, instantly making him cough. “And it wouldn’t do well if you chose not to appreciate his effort; as a Royal Guard he did manage to take a number of Changelings when they attacked Canterlot.”

Lock On quietly nodded. Truly, as a Princess of Love, Princess Cadence understood his concern. Love was indeed important.

“But that was for—,” Shining Armor started to protest, but instead shrugged. “Uh, I guess you’re right.” Sighing, he turned to Lock On. “Consider your request granted, soldier. Meet her at her room tomorrow at the same time.”

“Thank you, sir!” Lock On shouted with all the sincerity he had.

“How nice of you! It's always good to help a pony with his or her love problems. See you soon, honey!” Princess Cadence kissed Shining Armor on the cheek, making him blush, taking the most vibrant reddish hue Lock on had ever saw, which was quite a sight to watch.

“See, love is a good feeling to have,” Princess Cadence added. Before leaving the room, she winked at Shining Armor.

“Yes, yes. Very well. Ahem. You are dismissed, Lock On.” Asserting now non-existent authority as the Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor almost pushed Lock On out with his stern glare.

How he suddenly found himself in Princess Cadence’s reception chamber, Lock On could not quite understand, at least not with his dazed state. He had merely followed the call, probably telling himself that it was essential that he locate Princess Cadence’s room immediately.

When he entered the room, the first thing he noticed was the sweet aroma filling the place. While not as heavenly as the scent Chrysalis used, the smell was soothing, calming his agitated mind. The room was an adequate size, enough to hold four to five ponies without leaving a significant amount of empty space. At the center of the room was Princess Cadence, along with several comfy cushions.

“Lock On, right?” Princess Cadence said, seated on one cushion. Her benevolent gaze also had a soothing effect on Lock On, making him feel relaxed. “Please, have a seat. Today you come as my guest, and it’s my duty to greet my guests with all the amenities I can provide.”

“Thank you, your highness.” Accepting the cushion, Lock On nodded, her caring tone continuing to lift his dampened spirit.

Still, he did not forget Chrysalis’ malicious grin. It was what made him come here in the first place. Princess Cadence’s smile was by no means not divine, lifting up the weariest spirit, but it was nothing compared to that of the Changeling Queen.

“So… you love somepony, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Before we begin, let me remind you that I can’t just make that special somepony like you. Please, disregard those who say I brainwash ponies to fall in love just for fun. Love has to be a mutual feeling. It’s not meant to be tempered with magic. What I do is helping others to express their feeling, so that they can love better.”

“Of course.”

“Shall we begin? First, who is this pony you love?”

Lock On fidgeted his hooves, thinking how to best proceed. “The pony I love… is the most exquisite being I have ever seen. Saying she is beautiful is not enough. She is like, I mean, she is a goddess.” Saying that he loved the Changeling Queen in front of Princess Cadence was probably not a prudent action, especially after what she had done to her.

Princess Cadence held a surprised expression. “Oh? A goddess?”

“Not a real one, but that is how I feel. Looking at her, I feel I have to worship her,” he quickly replied. It was true, however; she was the Changing Queen after all. Changelings were blessed beings, having the honor to serve under her. To them, she was their goddess. “But I am afraid my love will not do. You see, I actually talked to her…”

“What did she say?”

“She said my love was… an obsession.” Lock On sighed. Of this part, he had to tell the truth. He had to learn from his mistake, and he had to acknowledge that he had failed. It did not mean the end of the world, but it meant that he needed to better prepare himself.

“Obsession?”

“Yes.” So far, so good. Lock On’s heart was practically pounding now. “I really do not understand… I just really want her. And that is good, right? I wish to give myself entirely to her… What is wrong with that?”

After some time, Princess Cadence spoke., “For one thing, you will scare her.” Her horn glowed as she picked up another cushion with her magic. “Let’s suppose I really love you and want you to take a seat by giving you this cushion. Nothing wrong, right?”

“Right.”

“But what if you don’t want to? Maybe you have a really important appointment. Should I still force you to stay and take a seat? Is that right?”

“I guess… not?” Lock On answered cautiously, scanning the princess’ expression. “Because I might not like it?”
Princess Cadence smiled. “Exactly. Which is why you should think of your loved one’s feelings when you express your love. Affection can turn into a dangerous emotion if not tended properly. You will have to remember that this pony whom you are loving is not an object, but a pony like you who does not necessarily act as you expect her to.”

Lock On again nodded.

“Therefore, it may help that you consider your special somepony’s feelings. That applies to all other things as well, but in love it is especially important. Loving can be done by one, but love has to be achieved by two.”

“So… is that the reason why Changelings cannot love as we ponies do?” Lock On asked, wondering if his sudden question would rouse the Princess’ suspicion. I have to take some risk, Lock On reminded himself.

As expected, Cadence’s look faltered a little. “Hmm… yes. It's sad, really, those creatures having to feed upon others’ love. As a result, they need to change their shape to confuse their victims, which was what Chrysalis did to my dear Shining. When I first heard these Changelings needed love, I never expected them to be like that. But why do you ask such a question?”

Lock On maintained his innocent smiling expression. “Um, the more the better. I want to learn what exactly love is so that I can find my special somepony. I know it sounds funny, but…”

“Of course not!” To his relief the Princess did not immediately burst out laughing or look confused like most of his colleagues and superiors had when he first told the plan to them. “Love is not like a mathematical formula, but it certainly helps to have the right attitude. Ponies shouldn’t ever feel ashamed if they don’t know how to love. They need to learn, that’s all.” Princess Cadence’s eyes beamed. “And being the Princess of Love, I can become your teacher. That’s why you came here in the first place, right?”

“Without a doubt.”

“Good. If you don’t mind, shall we begin our next step immediately?”

“Next step?”

Princess Cadence grinned. “Yes. Next step. I'll help you achieve your goal. It’s my pleasure to make others experience the wonderful feeling of love.”

“Thank you again, your highness.” Lock On bowed down, this time in full earnest rather than from learned behavior.

“So, where were we?” Princess Cadence said, as she placed her hoof on her forehead. “Let me think… hmm… just a second, Lock On.”

This is it, Lock On thought. He could learn how to love, as his captivator had justly demanded of him. The plan was simple: learn to love, love somepony, and then go to the Changeling Queen once again so that she could change into the pony he loved, and then profit for both him and the Changeling Queen.

Some could question him, saying ‘but how can you love Chrysalis and then your special somepony?’

They had obviously never met Chrysalis, Lock On told himself. For her, I could love another for the sake of loving her, because for her I could do anything.

Chrysalis, Chrysalis, I still hold your name in veneration, because I cannot help it.

You said my love was obsession. I can change. I WILL change. Just wait.

I will come back, and give my love. You will give yours in return. You WILL.

Because the story of my love was never a tragedy to begin with; I will make sure of that.

I am firmly locked on to you, and there is no way that this lock between you and I will ever be broken.

You rejected me; even that I take gladly, because I know I WILL devise another way to get back to you, until you accept me.

I love you, Chrysalis, and you WILL do the same.