SHINING ARMOR POV, BEFORE THE CLASH OF CODES

"Shining, you will remain here while I complete my mission in Manehattan," my love ordered me as I followed her through the halls of Grim's palace "Our master wants you to remain here to finish your transformation," During my stay at Grim's palace, I had never disobeyed Chrysalis' orders. Not once. However, when that order left her lips, I felt the urge to defy her. As if my former self was still alive in my heart. That remnant, be it my past or present, was squashed.

"Yes, my love," She turned to give me a kiss goodbye before teleporting away. At that point, being away from Chrysalis for extended periods of time was taxing for me mentally, physically and especially emotionally as my transformation was, while powerful, dependent on my love link to Chrysalis. She paid no mind to this as she was normally away for a day, maybe even less. This was enough to tell myself that I would be okay. For now.

I made my way to Grim's lab, where he normally was, inventing some new way to get the one-up on Noire and his little squad. During our meetings, I would attempt to tell him all the weak points of both the Crystal Empire and Canterlot. However, he would simply bat me away ad tell me he would find our war much more fun if he discovered their weaknesses out by himself, much to my annoyance. "If you don't want my knowledge and have weapons much stronger than me, why did you even have brought here?" I would always find myself asking and always gritting my teeth in frustration when he treated my love like a plaything, a toy, a means to an end. Long story short: I did not like him but I would be forced to work under him until the end. That sickened me more than words can express "This better go well or else, Goddess forbid, I may actually think of punching him in his delusional face," I heard myself mutter before I found myself in the courtyard.

It was scary how similar it looked to Canterlot's courtyard. The bushes were laid out exactly the same, creating a small forest. The flowers were of a different colour, with black and red roses decorating the place. The whole arrangement felt like he was trying to impress somepony or like a party was about to be hosted. Strange seeing as the only ones to even see them were himself, Chrysalis, I and the monsters that stood, guarding the castle. "Quite a lovely garden, I know" that disgusting voice sent shivers down my spine "Shame it will have to get a little roughed up. Training never crossed my mind when designing this place," That was the last thing he said before I was shot my a magic blast, sending me through most of the bushes before landing in the fountain. When I climbed out, I saw who had attacked me. A slendermare.

Grim had many of them around, as his personal spies. I never saw them often but one time was enough to discover how terrifying they were. From thin walls, I had heard of just one defeating an Eques Gigas. I had not seen one but it was said to put every alicorn's physical strength combined to shame. I took a battle-ready stance, drawing my claymore from my back, and charged at the slendermare at full force. However, as I tried to take a downward slice at her legs, she managed to leap over me and throw me back once again. She did not give me an opportunity to breathe as her arms extended, grabbing me by my legs and threw me in the other direction. I crashed into the wall of the castle and felt some of my bones crack from the impact. I looked down from my position, embedded in the wall to see the Grim, standing behind the slendermare, with a shit-eating grin on his face. I snarled in anger as I teleported back down to face Grim. I tried attacking him but a kick from the slendermare to the head had me falling to the floor, panting wildly. I roared at the top of my lungs, but with no direction.

"What an impressive power I sense from you. If Chryssy was here, you might be wiping the floor with Slendy here. However, that cannot be the case all the time and we cannot have my only fully conscious soldier be as animalistic as a timberwolf on fire every time his mate is not a meter away from him," 'Slendy' pinned me to the ground with her foot, forcing me to taste the gravel. I couldn't care less as I tried to escape, but teleporting wasn't working "Don't bother using magic. Slendermares are proficient in blocking magic by striking vital nerves in the neck. They are such a vital role when it comes to stealth and recon missions,"

"And what about me? What purpose do I have in your grand scheme? ANSWER ME, YOU BASTARD!" Grim seemed to ponder on that for a second before responding.

"Defeat Slendy and find out, little flag boy" His teasing had struck a nerve nopony had ever stepped on before. I swore to myself that I would cut his limbs off once I was finished with his bitch. I channelled every bit of magic I could muster into my sword, levitating it into the air and whacking the slendermare away. I soon found my full magic return to me, but it felt much stronger than before. I felt my wounds heal and my armour melt around me, becoming one with my flesh.

"When I finish off your bitch, you're going to give me a decent enough answer, scumbag," I said, not even turning to the man in question as I gripped my blade and charge at the slendermare once again. I was much faster than before so she was forced to dodge but I had her beaten already. I created a barrier around her feet, trapping her in place. In a panic, she summoned several miniature blades and throw them at me. I created a barrier in front of me as I charged, absorbing the hits. Once I was in striking distance, I sliced her chest open. I heard a horrific scream ring from the slendermare before she collapsed, dead. "Now," I said, turning to Grim, who was smiling with glee "Answer me: What is my part in your scheme?"

"Simply to be the new ruler of Equestria."

"Don't fuck with me, Grim, or so help you, I'll-"

Grim put his hands up in mock fear "Honest. I know that my "evil" presence may be a concern to some, making some doubt my leadership. However, the former captain of the royal guard, former lover to Princess Cadance and Prince Consort of the Crystal Empire? That sounds like a much better resume," He walked over to me and put his arms on my shoulder like my father would when he wanted to inspire me "You have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with but your monarchs, your sister and a fledgeling code avatar to outshine you; in power, politics and even your domestic life. I requested Chrysalis to 'recruit' you as we both were aware of how you were wronged and wish to correct this,"

"He is correct, my love," I heard Chrysalis say from behind me. I turned to find Chrysalis in her beautiful form. She looked and felt even more powerful than before "This 'metamorphosis' into a changeling king is only the first step to correcting this crooked world."

"'Changeling King'? Wait, why are you here? I thought you were on a mission," I asked. Chrysalis merely chuckled.

"Grim made me stay away from you to test whether you were capable of acting independently without losing control. Most changelings I tried to turn into kings couldn't control the power they were granted and went insane, forcing me to put them out of their misery. However, you seem to have a grasp over your emotions now," The past month and a half began to make sense. When I looked to Grim, I no longer felt the same hatred. Maybe I felt such hate due to him being so similar to Noire. Nevertheless, I was complete now.

"So, now that you have confirmed my potential..." I asked, "What comes next?" We all smiled. We all could see the joy one would find in the conquest

"The dragon lands. Our legion must and will grow," Grim said sinisterly. At that moment, another slendermare entered the scene from the shadow of a bush. She looked at us, huddled together like villains from a pantomime, and a slendermares corpse "Oh! Hello, my darling Slenda. What graces me with your presence?" 'Slenda' crossed her arms and her non-existent brow furrowed in frustration "I'm sleeping on the throne tonight, aren't I?" Slenda turned away and walked back into the shadows.

That army felt like home now.

Author's Note

We all needed another villain chapter, however, short it may be. I also needed to bring Shining back into the mix as he was just too absent (Plus, I need him for another plot point that I'm not telling you) so here he is as a changeling king! Noire vs Shining Round 2 is going to be so much... pain to write but definitely worth it.

Stay dizzy. Wuzzy out.