Inevitable Fate

After stopping in the center of the floor, she let go of Sonorous' hoof and started dancing. Octavia swayed on her hooves to the music. Occasionally rearing on her hind legs to jab at the air. Sonorous quickly looked for an escape route but sighed when none was discovered. Reluctantly, along with some prodding, she started to awkwardly dance.

Octavia soon took notice and stopped, putting a hoof on Sonorous' withers to stop her as well. Giving a slight giggle, she lead back to the bar. "I guess you weren't kidding when you said you couldn't dance," Octavia said finally cotaining her laughter. Sonorous gave Octavia an exasperated sigh, "I told you that I couldn't dance."

Octavia spoke, "Oh don't worry Sonorous, I doubt anypony even noticed, besides we're here to have fun." "Easy for you to say Octavia, you've had more practice," Sonorous retorted with a smirk. They both shared a laugh before ordering a couple of ciders. Vinyl's had dropped the snare drum and replaced it with a mix of synthesized sound effects and maracas.

The music's pace had actually increased in tempo, while the electric guitar filled the music full of high pitched rhythm. Sonorous had difficulty placing the reason for the sound effects though. Shrugging, she took a sip from her mug, relaxed, and just listened to the music. Early the next morning, the party finally dispersed.

Vinyl headed to the bar for a cider and pulled up a stool next to Sonorous. "So how did you enjoy my type of music?" she inquired. "I thought it was very interesting, it's definitely a beat you could dance to." "If one could dance," Sonorous confessed. Vinyl let out a chuckle as she recalled Sonorous' awkward dancing.

Sonorous felt a slight fluster at Vinyl's laughter. "Don't feel to bad, during The Galloping Gala, Octavia pulled me to the dance floor," Vinyl stated. "It was a travesty, I still believe that a new born foal could have danced better,"the mare chuckled.

Sonorous felt a smile creep upon her lips, imagining a stumbling, dancing Vinyl. "What's so funny?" Octavia asked as she joined the two at the bar. Sonorous retold Vinyl's attempt to dance at the gala. Octavia started to protest but Vinyl interrupted by expressing how hilarious it was to watch Sonorous dancing.

By now Octavia was blushing from embarrassment, "pardon me for trying to add a little entertainment to your lives," she protested in a jiving tone. They all fell silent, before bursting out in laughter. After a while they stop as Octavia clearing her throat before speaking again. "Well I was wondering if we'd take this opportunity to introduce our newest acquaintance to Canterlot,"

She threw a hoof over Sonorous' back. A quizzical grin came across her face, which was noticed by both mares. However Vinyl drooped her head a little at the prospect. "I know that you felt left out last time, so maybe you could join the performance" Octavia chimed. Vinyl's ears perked back up at this, both mares now looked at Sonorous.

Their eyes grew wide, as if pleading, Sonorous brought a hoof to her chin as if thinking. Finally, after a moment, she nodding in agreement, especially since that meant she would have more time for scouting out the city. Octavia and Vinyl began discussing about the preparations for the next performance.

Another thought crossed her mind that warmed her like the sun. If the high attendance from Vinyl's party was any indication. The ponies that would attend this event would be enormous, it would be a very delicious meal. Sonorous let out a very satisfying sigh, eyes glazed over in bliss.

The thought of all the love that would be permeating through the room, nearly made her drool. She was snapped out of her daydream by both mares staring blankly at her. Sonorous looked inquiringly at their blank stares. Starting to feel uncomfortable, she asked if there was something wrong. Vinyl broke the silence with a chuckle, "I've never seen a pony sleep sitting up."

"Vinyl be sensible, she's obviously tired," Octavia scolded her. Sonorous silently thanked Octavia for the plausible excuse. Since explaining her previous thoughts would no doubt cause problems for her. "I guess we better go find a hotel and get some sleep," Octavia droned as exhaustion crept upon her.

Letting out a yarn, Vinyl began to rub her eyes. The three mares trotted out the door and up the street looking for a place to stay. Sonorous trotting a couple of paces behind, slightly concerned that she might be exposed. She knew that she couldn't maintain her disguise while she slept.

Teleporting away was out of the question considering they might wake up and notice her gone. She couldn't hope that the hotel would have a separate room to hide out in. Sonorous would just have to stay awake all night. Octavia and Vinyl noticing that she was trailing behind. Vinyl turned her head to shout over her shoulder.

"Shake a hoof, we'll find a place soon." Picking up her pace, Sonorous caught up with them. My situation just keeps getting better and better, she thought sarcastically. After an hour of trotting, Octavia, Sonorous, and Vinyl exited the Gentle Hoof Inn, with a key levitating above Vinyl. Octavia was now dragging her hooves, fighting against exhaustion.

Vinyl was still pretty hyped, but compared to her normal levels, she was wearing thin. Sonorous was the most aware of the three, even if she was tired, she had to stay awake. Vinyl opened the door, Octavia stumbled into the room and plopped onto the bed. Vinyl spoke drowsily, "I hope you don't mind sharing a room, this was all they had left."

"At least we were lucky enough they had a room with three beds," Sonorous replied. "Nah, we'd only be in trouble if there was only one bed," Vinyl spoke sheepishly. Sonorous sighed as she trotted over to a bed and pretended to sleep. Soon Vinyl could be heard laying down as well. This was going to be a very long night, Sonorous thought as she sat back up.

An hour turned to two, then four, the blue unicorn with the dark magenta mane was gone. In her place was Chrysalis, conserving her energy, she let the disguise fade. Bored out of her mind, she began levitating random objects in the room. She could leave at anytime but the risk of detection was something she wanted to avoid. Even if she wasn't discovered, teleportation would drain her meager magic reserves.

All she could do was slowly toll away until Octavia and Vinyl woke up. Chrysalis tried everything to pass, what seems like an eternity. She finally resigned to laying on the bed and waiting it out. Her eye lids began to droop, despite her efforts, sleep slowly claimed her. She was back at her hive, standing in front of several platoons of drones.

Her briefing to the troops was suddenly interrupted as two drones in the front row began to stutter in horror. Her vision began to blur into a mixture of color, suddenly Chrysalis' eyes popped open. BUCK I FELL ASLEEP, Chrysalis yelled in her head, as she quickly tried to shape shift. The sudden gasps from Octavia and Vinyl informed Chrysalis that it was to late.

Chrysalis leaped from her bed to see a terrified Octavia and Vinyl, trying desperately to escape. Running over to stand behind them, "You need to stop and listen," She demanded. Immediately rapping the two mares in magic to muffle their panicked voices. Both ponies began screaming within their prison.

Back at Ponyville, Pinkie Pie was at Applejack's cart purchasing apples. Both ponies immediately pause as Pinkie Pie started to shudder and bounce around uncontrollable. This unintentional action subsided after a few seconds, leaving a gasping Pinkie Pie. "My Pinkie senses are tingling," she muttered before rocketing off to find Twilight. The lavender alicorn had asked Pinkie Pie to relay any indications of any doozy events that her senses may indicate.

Twilight was in her library, organizing a new shipment of books that just came in. The Ponyville library was a huge tree house that was converted into an actual house when Twilight Sparkle began living in Ponyville. Without warning, Pinkie Pie rushed through the door with the force of a typhoon. The library door was now swinging off a damaged hinge.

Pinkie Pie stopped in front of Twilight and began to speak sporadic gibberish. Twilight looked from her busted door to the crazed party pony. She put a hoof to Pinkie Pie's muzzle, which seemed to calm her down. "Now tell me what's so important," she inquired. Pinkie Pie took a deep breath before rambling a mile a minute.

"Well I was just taking a stroll down the road, I was thinking about making apple cupcakes." "So I went to Applejack's cart to buy some apples.""Then in the middle of buying some apples, my Pinkie Sense went all crazy like." "Then I rushed over here and now here I am," finishing her rant before gasping for air.

Twilight's ears perked up at the mention of her Pinkie's senses going off. Twilight replied, "when your entire body shudders and shakes," pausing briefly as she remembered its relevance."That means a doozy has happened right?" She finished, Pinkie Pie nodded her head furiously in agreement.

I wonder what has happened? she mused pacing around the library. Pinkie Pie contemplated this as well however she quickly got bored and bounced off. Back in Canterlot, Sonorous along with Octavia and Vinyl trotted back to the party flat. Vinyl's equipment was still set up from the night before, exactly as it was when they left.

Vinyl stepped behind the table with a puzzled look at them. "How are we going to practice when I'm the only pony that can practice" Vinyl queried. "Don't worry about that, we'll just match your performance," Octavia answered. Vinyl began to select the rhythm, beat, and tone that she thought would be a good match.

The two ponies, with their ears honed to Vinyl, listening to her rehearsal. The rest of the day past by uneventful, save for the occasional pony wondering in to listen. After a late lunch and a few helpful suggestions from Octavia and Sonorous, they returned to the warehouse. Sonorous and Octavia listened intently while she continued her rehearsal.

After a couple more hours Vinyl stopped, confident that she had perfected her musical piece. Both ponies clopped their hooves together as Vinyl descended the stage. Octavia gasped with surprise, "That was marvelous, I didn't think you could play classical that well!"

"You're truly talented to be able to compose in a style that is foreign to you," Sonorous spoke with a grin. Vinyl couldn't help but blush at such compliments. She felt that anymore practice wouldn't offer much improvement. So instead she asked when they should schedule their performance.

Octavia informed them that she might have mentioned it to Good Fortune earlier that morning before their departure. The other two mares snapped their necks to look at Octavia in surprise. She just smiled slyly, "it was the reason I suggested this practice for Vinyl." It was just a coincidence that it also provided a distraction from the unexpected surprise we encountered when we woke up, she thought to herself.

"Well if you feel ready Vinyl, we could drop by Good Fortune's house later," Octavia mentioned, excitement building in her voice. Vinyl gave a nod, "well let's go and set it all up," Sonorous spoke. The three ponies left the warehouse, with Sonorous trotting ahead of them.

Octavia leaned in close to Vinyl as she whispered "Do you think we can trust her, she is the changeling queen after all." Trotting down the street with no clear destination, the three were just strolling along. Vinyl turned her head slightly to see the concern on Octavia's face, she shared that concern.

Replying in a low voice, "I know we told her that we'd cooperate but I don't really know." "If she was to do something, wouldn't she have done so already?" Vinyl muttered with an uncertain tone. "I guess we'll just have to play it by ear," Octavia started before catching a glimpse of Sonorous' ear twitch from her peripheral vision.

Sonorous could feel her anger flare up again. Not that she completely trusted their word but thought they at least had an agreement. Stifling her anger, she turned her head to ask if either of them knew where Good Fortune could be found. Octavia thought for a moment while the three continued to walk down the street.

"I believe that he said he was staying at the Econo Fore-lough," replied the mare. Sonorous stopped, allowing Vinyl and Octavia to lead. "If we follow this way then take a left turn, we should be close," Octavia explained. The three ponies made their way to Good Fortune's apartment.

Several hours of silence was broken when Good Fortune welcomed them in to discuss the details of their performance. It was almost nightfall when everything was set and Good Fortune waved off the musicians. With bellies growling, they headed toward a bar and grill. Octavia and Vinyl was enjoying the good food and drink they had ordered from the menu.

Sonorous had a couple mugs of cider, her transformed body could digest food, but she'd never acquired a taste for it. A crescent moon shone down upon them as they opened the door to their room. Vinyl went in to relax, Octavia was about to follow but stopped. Sonorous had started to walk away in search of a place to spend the night.

"Where are you going?" Octavia asked. Sonorous narrowed her eyes at her, thinking the reason should be obvious. "Hey are you two gonna stay out there all night," Vinyl yelled from inside. Octavia nudged her head toward the room before trotting inside. While Sonorous, wondering what they wanted, followed behind.

When she entered the room, there sat both ponies on the edge of a bed. Closing the door, Sonorous turned to see what they had to say. Octavia began by asking again why she was about to leave. Sonorous spoke in a definite tone, "After you discovered my true identity, it was either leave or kill you both."

They both gasped at her candor, unsure if their fate was sealed when Sonorous followed them in. Several tense moments past before Octavia gathered her courage to speak, still paler then usual. "A.. are you going to kill us," she stuttered, a shrug of her shoulders was Octavia's only response. Sonorous watched them with interest, against their fear, curiosity won out.

Sitting on her haunches, she decided that they at least deserved some answers, especially after today. Octavia continued, "could you drop your disguise first, we might as well get use to your true form." Well if they insisted, who was she to argue and besides no energy drain would be great.

In a flash, Sonorous disappeared, revealing Chrysalis in her place. Octavia and Vinyl wrenched slight at the queen's visage, not use to seeing a changeling this close. Chrysalis smirked, her interest rising, even her form didn't scare them like it did before. It was Vinyl's turn to ask a question, "why did you stay and travel with us to Canterlot?"

Chrysalis gave a small smile, a gesture that looked a little disturbing with the exposure of her fangs. She replied, "I continued to stick around because distracted ponies make easy meals." Both of their faces twisted in horror at her statement.

Chrysalis, not wanting another panic added, "I only devoured enough love to satisfy my appetite." "Besides if you recall, there wasn't any injured ponies afterward."
The other two mares seemed to settle down a little, recalling that Chrysalis had been correct.

"So what exactly happens when you eat their love?" Vinyl continued. Eyes narrowed as she answered, "nothing if only a little love is consumed however the more consumption, the worse the effects become." A sigh of relief issued from them, they recalled that everypony didn't seem to have suffered any severe side effects.

Chrysalis suspected that there was a point Vinyl was dancing around. Vinyl began to speak but was interrupted by Chrysalis, who bluntly asked if there was a point. With a deep sigh, she asked the question that was on her mind since this morning,"have you ever fed upon us?" Without hesitation, Chrysalis pointed a hoof to Vinyl and replied, "yes but it was only you."

Octavia gasped while Vinyl wore a more puzzled expression. "You fed on my love, when did it happen?"she pried. Not quite sure if it was nervousness or curiosity that carried upon her voice. "It was when I first met you," Chrysalis stated. Octavia's shock turn into a stern look, anger danced in her eyes at hearing the confession.

Chrysalis stared right back at Octavia, with an indifferent expression. Vinyl just sat in thought, she tried to recall the experience of having been fed upon. Several minutes passed before the silence was broken by a low growling sound. Octavia and Vinyl look at Chrysalis, as the source of the noise. Chrysalis scoffed at their accusing looks, while trying to keep her stomach silent.

Vinyl hopped off the bed and trotted toward her, another grumbling sounded again. "Why didn't you say you were hungry?" Vinyl asked softly. Both the question and the softness of the speaker were very unusual. Chrysalis stared hard at Vinyl, as she hissed, "Why would either of you remotely care."

Octavia, now on her hooves, strolled over to sit next to Vinyl. She sighed before speaking, "Personally, I wouldn't care except you seem like you don't want to cause any harm." "Also whether you meant to or not, you've actually did help the citizens of Ponyville"

"Finally, you're actually talking to us about it, instead of the alternative." Octavia said that last part with a relieved chuckle. Chrysalis couldn't believe this, she was being pitied by ponies. Even if she was beginning to respect them, being pitied was a very insulting feeling for the changeling queen.

She mentally took a double take at her last thought, when did she start respecting them. They were prey, her food and nothing more, they didn't deserve respect. Yet her she was, having a conversation instead of depositing their corpses into the nearest sewer. "Then what do you propose we do," Chrysalis muttered.

"Well as you've mentioned before that side effects varied depending on how much you feed upon a pony," Vinyl stated. Octavia's eyes grew wide as she realized where she was heading this conversation to. "You may feed upon my love," Vinyl blurted out.

Chrysalis, having caught on at what Vinyl was suggesting, was still shocked at this declaration. In all her life, she had never seen a pony that offered their love willingly. Chrysalis approached her, until they were nose to nose. "What you say is true however since I haven't fed for a couple of days, the side effects would be more severe."

Octavia stomped her hoof down, speaking sharply, "although very admirable, you're very foalish to think that I'd allow that!" They both turned to look at her which made her shy back a little. Octavia spoke in a shaky voice, "well I can't have her being all droopy or unconscious."

Octavia swallowed hard before continuing, "news of a changeling attack would be horrible. "The two mares tilted their heads at her, causing her to avoid their gaze. Octavia shut her eyes tight and squeaked, "you can have some of my love as well." Vinyl's jaw dropped yet Chrysalis only looked at her with curiosity.

"Why would you offer such a thing, you obviously don't like me now that the cat is out of the bag,"she grunted. There was no reply which caused Chrysalis to rolled her eyes."If I'm to understand this, you're willing to exchange your love in order to lessen the effects on Vinyl." Octavia nodded her head, still holding her eyes shut. "As you wish," Chrysalis spoke in a calm tone.

Chrysalis' horn began to glow a bright emerald, reaching out to sheer away love from the two mares. Vinyl just sat on her haunches however Octavia began to shake as a light chill washed over her. A few seconds passed, to Octavia in felt longer, until a hoof nudged her left cheek. She precariously opened an eye, then the other.

Across from her sat Chrysalis, her eyes closed, savoring the meal. Octavia looked toward Vinyl, confusion written on her face. Vinyl had her hooves over her muzzle, stifling a giggle. Looking back to Chrysalis, who was now smiling, Octavia was completely at a loss for words. "Was that it?" Octavia finally asked, Chrysalis slowly nodded.

"Why did I feel cold,"she pressed on, feeling her body slowly warming back up. Chrysalis informed them that when changelings devoured love, it leaves a cold, empty space within. Although the smaller love consumed, the smaller that void would be. Since love was siphoned from both of you, neither of you had to bear the full blunt of its effects.

A rigid breath exhaled from Octavia's mouth, Chrysalis stood up and trotted toward her bed. Pulling back the covers, she turned to Octavia and Vinyl. With a slight hesitation and uneasiness Chrysalis spoke, "I... umm.. well.." Chrysalis trailed off, never having to thank any creature for devouring their love before.

"It was to defuse a rather unusual situation," Octavia chimed in, once again avoiding her gaze. "Well despite the reason, I still appreciate it," Chrysalis replied. "If all your questions have been answered, then I suggest we get some sleep," she spoke dismissively. "Chrysalis, could you stay awake a little while longer, this talk has been full of surprises but quite informative," Octavia prompted.

Chrysalis gave a confused look but agreed just the same. The three ponies continued to talk well into the morning. Until Octavia and Vinyl gave a yawn before laying down on their beds. Apparently they were satisfied with the answers she provided or exhaustion over took them. Chrysalis laid down, still mulling over rather these two were truely trustworthy.