GRIM POV

I was in the midst of a good book when Chrysalis stormed into my throne room, eyes like fire, with her ~~personal boy-toy~~ king in tow. From the look in her eye, she seemed determined to get something out of me. There was no way she was mad at me. Beneath those eyes lied a desperation. "A FUCKING GALA!? We're detouring of our plans to go to a fucking waste of time for stuck up pricks we're supposed to want dead. I've put up with these absurd plans you have cooked up but this is where I draw the line! We're sticking to the plan!"

*FLIP*

"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING!?"

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

"...What?"

I showed her the book I was reading, Sun Tzu's The Art of War "This man truly knew how to sound like an insightful smartass, but had some really good points. Maybe if you read this you wouldn't have failed so fantastically at your own invasion." Chrysalis gritted her teeth while I got up from my throne "You seem to have grown more complacent in your role as my co-operator. You should know not confuse my services to your goal as a part of our deal, not kindness. You kill your hive, save for a few, and give me their bodies, and I give you, as well as your entire kind, a chance to be free in the new world. No more persecution, no need to steal love form others for survival, a utopia where you rule beside me." I met her gaze with one of my own, hushing the air and chilling everything around me. Chrysalis' determined look went out like dowsed flames, and was replaced by a kneeling, subservient pet, with a quivering king beside her, trying hi hardest to resist my power "When I attack, I attack not for the sake of it, but because I have something to gain. When I showed my face in Canterlot, it was reduce moral, to take the ponies' faith in their only hope. When I attacked Canterlot, I now know Noire just as much as he knows himself. A mere shadow of who I once was. When I sent you to Manehattan, I got supplies. When I went to the Dragonlands, we got a valuable test subject and an assessment of your king's abilities. So when I send you and Shining Armour to the gala- the first gala to be held at the Crystal Empire-" I hand them a photo "-I better see him with you when you return. I don't care what you think, or what you do. Just do what I say, and you get what you want. Are we clear?" I stared down at the two with withering patience.

"*pant* Yes, Grim *pant* I understand." Chrysalis got up with shaking legs and tried her best to leave with dignity, but it was too late for saving face. Shining followed suite, shooting me an icy glare before leaving.

"Slenda, please keep an eye on those two. This step is too important for them to screw this up." Slenda, who was hiding in the shadows, sunk into the darkness until I could no longer feel her presence. With an exhausting sigh, I sat back in my throne "If only I had her as my queen..."

CHRYSALIS POV

He was right. I was mad that he was right. I was mad that I even had to become a part of this life, but you don't get a lot of choices when you're faced with extinction. Most would tell me 'hold fast to your pride, Chrysalis! Don't fall to the dark side, Chrysalis!', yet no creature wants to admit that morality is nothing but a lie that gives us some sense of virtue as we burn our kin, that gives us a feeling of shame as we do the best we can. It seems like I am one of the only ones who has to bear this burden.

"Chryssy? Are you okay?" Shining Armour's voice pierced through my thoughts, waking me from my mourning state "Is it what Grim said? Believe me when I say I'm not particularly happy about returning to an old home. I'm here for you if you need anything." He was so devoted. I was mad that he was still so devoted. Like a lost puppy following the only creature to feed it. Like salvation. Like a drug.

"You may call me your lady, and I hope you have a better hold of your shapeshifting. I do not need the former captain making a scene at the Gala." I said, facing away from his face, which drooped with sorrow.

"Yes, my lady." That was okay for me then. Keeping him at a professional distance made his loyalty feel a little less like love (even if it never was), and cooled my rage somewhat. I was still mad. Mad that even though I was the one to reel him in, I am the one playing me. I still wonder if he saw my tears that afternoon.

SHINING POV

My lady. It worked with what our mission entailed, however, there was so... little in her voice, like she wasn't even there. I was still getting the hang of being able to read emotions, so at first, I thought the flurry of emotions around her was just me. As we exited the castle, the view of an eternal night was seen overhead. Another thing was the slendermare in a butler's clothes that always stood at the castle gate, leading into nothing. Chrysalis spoke, lacking all of her former arrogance and confidence instead with a cold "the Crystal Empire." The mare waved her hand over the gate and it lit up, revealing a portal to the furthest corners of the Empire, where nopony would notice our entry. The mare gave us passage, bowing before us as we passed through. When we were told of the gate's ability to take us to anyplace in Equestria, granted we had been there before, we were also told of the ensuing nausea that would envelop you due to the sensory overload if you had your eyes open. That would explain why she threw up when we passed through. Sensory overload. I went to check on her but she put a hand up, keeping me at a distance so she could steady herself.

"Are you okay?" I asked, again with no reply. Chrysalis simply transformed into a simple blue unicorn mare, and turned to me, issuing me to transform as well. I chose to turn into a green unicorn and I followed her into the streets. As we walked through my old home, I couldn't help but feel awkward. Before this, Chrysalis would have at least given me some love to sustain me, however, her body radiated this sickly feeling of anger, sorrow, confusion, and betrayal, all mixed up into one. To try to get something out of her instead of cold indifference, I tried to ask how we were getting into the gala. "Did Grim even give us a plan of how we were going to get in, much less how we are going to get this guy away from guards and out of the castle without suspicion?" I asked through our mindlink.

"Simple. This is the first gala ever held in the Crystal Empire. Every pony will be talking about it, and among them will be-"

"Do you see this? A ticket to the first gala in the Crystal Empire!" An overly excited mare with hair worn upward in a bun only a noble would dare leave the house in. We both stared at the mare with blank expressions.

"There's bound to be someone bragging about it. Each ticket includes a plus one, so that saves us the trouble of looking for another victim." I finished.

We proceeded with the infiltration, following that one blue mare across town until she was alone, which was hard seeing as she went through many shops with the intent to find 'the perfect outfit, that would fetch the eye of some accomplished knight'. WE frequently had to change our disguises, with one of us changing in some alley while the other kept watch. The mare, Azure Glide was her name, finally made her stop at her abode, allowing us to progress to the next step.

"Is she stopping anytime soon?" Chrysalis asked, joining me on a building roof. I used a 'see-through' spell to spy on her through the walls.

"Two guards outside her room. She's alone."

"Good. We'll go in and subdue her, then I'll ask for one of the guards to come in. That's when take him and take their places," Chrysalis said. She flew off towards the window where Azure Glide's room was, with me following in tow. Once we were at the window at her balcony, her blinds closed firmly, she gave me the signal to wait. She teleported inside, then silence, except the subtle sound of a body hitting the ground. She must have done this too many times for her to count. In a moment's notice, 'Azure Glide' welcomed me inside, dressed in a fancy, orange gown with green laurel leaves hanging from the waist. I quietly entered, and hid myself with a cloaking spell. As soon as I was properly concealed, she called for one of the guards "Excuse me! May one of you come help me with something!?" On cue, one of them walked inside, a tall, brown stallion appeared, dressed in a neat suit.

"Yes, Miss Glide. What do you require of me?" he asked. Chrysalis slowly walked over to the stallion, with a fake smile plastered on her face.

"I'm sorry, would you so kind as to tell me your name. It seems to have slipped my mind."

"Cobalt, ma'am" he responded anxiously. That was her pheromones, eroding his composure so what she would ask for, he would provide without question. She leaned into his ear and whispered.

"Would you like to join me?"

"At the Gala!? I thought Mr Linen would be accompanying you. Why bring one of your guards to such a high class event?" he asked. I made a slight glance at the wall, where a picture of 'me' with a distinguished stallion with black, gelled hair was hung.

"He could never satisfy me. Perhaps you could instead? Those stares you've been giving me made me feel like you felt the same way, or am I mistaken?" Words began to fail him as he slowly shook his head. 'Azure' smiled as she wrapped her hands around his head, moving it closer towards her own, "Great, now let 'us' become one," before sending a small jolt of magic through it, rendering him unconscious. She dragged him into a closet, where the real Azure Glide was hidden in one of her pods, and threw him inside along with her before closing the pod and closet. I dispelled the cloak and took the stallion's form. I hated that. I knew this was probably just routine for her, but to hear her flirt with that stallion like I wasn't in the room? Maybe I read too much into it, but it felt like she said everything she said because I was in the room. 'Azure Glide' and 'Cobalt' strolled out of the room, down the stairs, and to the front door where a carriage awaited us (It had been a while since I had partaken in the luxuries of high society living). By then, the sky had already begun to turn and bright orange, while the moon began to rise from overhead. We entered our transportation and we were off to the castle. The plan was coming along incredibly well. If only Chryssy was happy about it.

CHRYSALIS POV

As we flew above the city, I felt 'Cobalt's hand graze my own like nails on a chalkboard. I swiftly moved my hand away "When is he going to get it? He's just a pawn, not a lover. I'm tricking him for my own selfish gain, nothing more." I wanted him to stop loving me. For him to stop treating me like I'm some perfect mare, but he was still looking at me. He was at least disappointed. His feelings of rejection were like a knife to the heart, but I didn't know why "Do I actually care about how he feels? No, it's just him potentially running out of love. He has used a few spells today, and isn't as used to remaining in his disguise for long periods of time. He might expose me. That's why. Yes." As I pondered on these confusing feelings, I felt a tap on my shoulder. 'Cobalt' was looking at me lovingly.

"The night looks lovely tonight doesn't it?"

"..." I fondly remember begging Faust to save me from this lovesick stallion.

After that goddess-awful carriage ride, we were at the Crystal Empire's castle. It was the same as the last time, except for the crystalline flowers that littered the way to the entrance, and the massive amount of ponies that came for the event. I would have said that this Grand Galloping Gala was going to be the same as all the others I've ~~infiltrated~~ heard of, if it wasn't for the element of the mission that made it almost impossible to accomplish. Several others made their own entry. Dragons, yaks, minotaur, and griffin royalty were all making their entrance, landing from the sky or walking with an entire entourage of guards. However, most of these people didn't matter that much to me. The threatening words of Grim echoed in my head as I stole a glance at tonight's target. Richter Gillahaut, sovereign ruler of the Griffin Empire. Over his white and gold-trimmed suit, he was adorned in silver armour. From what I had heard of him, it would be difficult to lure him away in pony form. He saw them as weak-willed and ignorant to the ways of true hardship and struggle, something that I wholeheartedly agreed with "We need to grab his attention without exposing ourselves. Perhaps a minor mind control spell. A simple command. I just need to make contact with him" Shining tapped me on my shoulder, alerting me that everycreature was going inside. I needed to forget about Gillahaut. I needed to figure out how to get past Cadance and Noire without them figuring us out. They were welcoming all of the attendees, especially the foreign royalty with plastered smiles on their faces, and we were about to be next. As we drew closer, I cast a spell to conceal our presence, allowing our identities to remain unknown as we said our greetings and went inside. I remember sighing heavily as I past them "Since when have I been afraid of those two?"

The hall was finely decorated and well suited to each races tastes without becoming offensive. The had a separate section for the carnivores, composing of fish and cockatrice wings, as well as an area of very fragile furnishings with a sign saying 'Smashable items here'. They were placed in a way that didn't have argument over eating habits starting but didn't categorise the races either. They really wanted this to go well. It was a shame they didn't show this level of compassion to us sooner, or there wouldn't be a need for what I had to do. I kept my eyes firmly on Gillahaut all night, while I mindlinked Shining my plan.

"I'm going dancing. Stay here unless things get dicey." I went off into the crowd while Shining waited at the booths. I felt the sting of my neglect hit him like a knife, but to console myself, I kept my eyes on the mission. However...

"Azure!" I heard a voice call out to me. I turned to meet a well-dressed unicorn stallion with slicked back, black hair and alabaster fur

"Goddess-fuckin'-dammit Hello, darling, how are you?" I said, gritting my teeth as I embraced and pecked him on the lips.

"I had arrived at your house to meet with you, as we planned, but you, along with our carriage had already left."

"Oh, I was so excited to see all the royalty that were attending, I rushed off early. I am SO sorry, Linen. I should have waited for you like you always have with me," I said, placing my hands on his chest. He blushed at my touch, and reciprocated by wrapping his hands around my waist. I was disgusted by his touch for some odd reason.

"Don't worry about it, honey. This is a monumental event, after all. Royals from other regions coming over to our event? Who would want to miss that. I am slightly jealous that I missed it." I laughed on cue gave him another kiss. I could hear a glass shattering in the distance, but I paid that no mind as I lured him closer to the Griffin royals. "If you are so keen on accompanying me, Mr. Linen, then you shall be my partner in crime. Get me close to Gillahaut for just a moment, and I'll be all yours tonight. A win-win." I didn't even feel the tap on my shoulder, but could still feel the presence of Shining getting even more annoying than before.

"It would be best that I stay by your side, my lady. For protection." I barely nodded and moved towards the griffins. As soon as we managed to get within earshot of their conversation, we were stopped by a pair of guards blocking our path. However, they were dismissed by a hand from the king himself.

"Let them through. This is an international event. We should be accepting of others, especially in their own territory." They stood aside and let us pass. Gillahaut stood by the meat buffet and took a sip of his wine "Now, what has brought you to me this evening? I doubt it is to partake in the food," he said casually. I took a silent breath before responding. I had to play it safe with him.

"I was just here to talk amongst the other races. It is not everyday that almost every race in Equus is seen in one room, and not tearing at each others throats." Gillahaut gave a hearty laugh before taking another sip of his wine.

"Hah! Well, there is more to this event than just a simple get-together. We have to show our power. Look at Ignia over there." I stared at the other end of the table, where Ignia, Torch, and Ember were talking with Celestia and Luna "She hasn't shown her face in public in decades, and with the news of this 'Grim' fellow, she's gone and crumbled before those weaklings. The yaks will most likely follow. The minotaur, possibly, and we don't need to talk about the seaponies and changelings!" he laughed as he took another sip. I had a quarter of a mind to break that glass and shove the shards down his throat, but I withheld my emotions and continued conversing with the king. Linen was also able to make some decent conversation with him as well, but mostly kept to the side, terrified of the mighty king. Soon, the orchestral music began to play and I made my move.

"Well, would you like to show me your power on the dance floor?" I asked. Gillahaut took my hand and we positioned ourselves in the middle of the dance floor. Unfortunately, there were ears everywhere. Powerful magic users at every side, practically cornering us in the centre like a pair of caged rats. However, Gillahaut and I glided across the dance floor, leaving the stallions accompanying me in a state of disbelief and envy. I almost enjoyed this attention. It was what I was used to.

"So, is the lady impressed?" the king said teasingly. I fake giggled and leaned into him.

"Very~. In fact, I'm so impressed that she would like to see you after the gala, if you would tell her where your going to be tonight~." As my mind compelling magic took effect, Gillahaut's eyes turned a slight green. Cadance almost took notice, but to obscure her view of him, I pulled his head down, bringing it to my level.

"I'll be staying in the Crystalfly Hotel. Room 509."

"Then I'll see you there~" As the music came to a close, I removed myself from his arms and backed away into the crowd of ponies. As I returned to Linen and Shining, I could see the look of jealousy written on their faces.

"You were radiant out there. Although, I wish you had danced with me first," Linen said, kissing me on the forehead.

"Well, they're about to begin the next song, so how about you show me how well you can move." I took Linen's hand and we took to the dance floor once again, leaving Shining in a fit of rage. "Good."

The night went on longer than expected, and pandering to Linen's almost suffocating treatment felt like I had two loyal dogs at my feet, leaving me in a state. However, instead of feeling elated, like a true evil queen should, all it did was make me feel worse. Once it was time for all the common ponies to leave and all of the royalty had left the room (what they were doing, I honestly didn't care about) I had finally gotten rid of Linen, telling him I was going my own way. I was about to head out when my eye caught something, threatening to bring me to my knees. With an alabaster unicorn was a changeling. I hadn't seen her in the party, so she must have waited until they had all left. I casted an invisibility spell leaving Shining confused, and walked closer to catch their conversation.

"You look beautiful, my queen~" the unicorn mare said teasingly.

"I thought I told you not to call me that. I'm not a queen of anything," the changeling said with a timid voice I recalled from long ago. It was Ayra. The rest of the voices faded away as I stared into her beautiful form. She was almost as tall as me now, dwarfing the mare with her height and curvy figure. I felt like dropping to my knees as they danced to nothing. She was a queen. I was flattened by a bombardment of questions rushing into my mind, and left with words as I tried to figure out how I even felt. My race was supposed to be gone. Just Shining and I. I found myself asking the same question I asked myself when a hooded man came to my aid, when I was tired and hungry on the streets of Las Pegasus, unable to speak or move.

"Does my race have a chance?"

I was pulled out of my daze by Shining, who instantly teleported us out of the hall, and into the alleyway where we arrived.
My spell came undone, and Shining bore witness to my tear-filled eyes. "What happened back there?" he asked as he kneeled before me, reaching his hand to my face. Everything came loose when I slapped him right across the face.

"Faust! Why do you keep caring about me you buffoon!?" Before he could answer, I slapped him again, the loud crack sounding across the alley "I'm supposed to be your captor, a evil queen who wants the world to burn. Hell, I killed my entire hive just to get into a psycho's good graces. So why do you care about me! I'm horrible! A disgrace to my mother's legacy! A psycho bitch!" I went for another slap, but couldn't muster the strength to lift my arms. I hadn't absorbed any love since I left and used spell after spell until my reserves were dry "Why am I doubting everything now?"

"Because you're not as evil as you want everypony to believe." Shining took my hand and I felt his magic flow into me. It wasn't much, but enough to help me stand. "You're doing what the only thing any creature can do in your situation, anything they can."

"Don't give me that inspirational bullshit. You're only with me because-"

"You tortured and brainwashed me I know. However, what else can I do? By the time I could think rationally, I was already in too deep. Defecting now would only lead to my demise. Tirek should be a good example of what happens to traitors." I had never thought of Shining like this. I thought he was only my prisoner, but forgot he was Grim's prisoner even more "I stopped being your slave a long time ago, Chryssy. You made stupid mistake and now we're both just a pair of reluctant confidants in Grim's grand scheme to remake everything. So, can you stop trying to annoy me and just let me help you get through this with as little emotional baggage as possible?"

"...When did you grow a pair?"

"You kinda have to when your queen doubles as a psycho bitch when her boss is around."

"So does this mean you love me or hate me?" I asked curiously.

"I love you so much that I hate you."

I laughed. I laughed and just kept laughing as tears ran down my face. They weren't happy tears. I was still in so much pain, but I had so much hope that by the end of this, whether I lived or died, that I did something right.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this chapter on the antagonists as the next one will feature them as the focus as well. I'll be honest that when I started as a silly amateur, I didn't have the best vision of the antagonists, and that did shine in the early chapters. Hopefully now, I've improved on their characterisation. For now, I'll use the free week I've been given to make progress on the next one.

Stay dizzy. Wuzzy out.