Tartarus Hath Frozen Over

Zembani knew that once Chrysalis made a decision it was pointless to contest it. He heard the wall behind him open with a sucking sound. Zembani turned to leave, mildly surprised to see a changeling he’d nicknamed Chelsie, waiting on the other side. Chelsie stood at attention, her unusual orange eyes were the only thing that told her apart from the rest of the swarm.

“Good afternoon Zembani,“ Chelsie spoke in a duel-toned feminine voice. “I’m not in the mood,“ Zembani growled as he stormed past her and down the corridor. Violently scraping his claws against the floor with each step. Chelsie followed a few steps behind Zembani. Completely unfazed by the dragon’s impetuous action.

The haunting sound of claws resonated throughout the hallway. Effectively warning any changeling to give Zembani a wide berth. After several minutes of walking, Zembani suddenly stopped. Chelsie walked past him without a word and began to manipulate the hive wall. Reacting to her presence, the wall quivered as a vertical fissure began to form.

With a sucking sound, the fissure retracted itself until a door shaped hole was formed. Zembani strolled into his quarters and plopped himself upon a mound of treasure. Chelsie promptly followed Zembani and spoke up once the wall resealed itself. “Are you finished with your tantrum yet.” Chelsie dryly asked. Zembani craned his neck to glare at the bold changeling.

Assuming a sitting position, Chelsie returned his glare with a nonchalant look. Staring intently into his eyes, noting the metaphorical maelstrom of rage and hurt within. Silently accepting her challenge, Zembani stood up as he redoubled his glare’s intensity. The air was deathly still as they tried to stare down the other. However, Chelsie knew how to end this stalemate as she stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes.

Chelsie’s ploy effectively broke Zembani’s concentration as the dragon couldn’t help but laugh. “I thought I had you that time,” Zembani smirked. Chelsie spoke with a grin, “I could easily tell that you were merely venting.” “Speaking of, what are you venting about,“ she inquired. The light-hearted atmosphere shifted to one of trepidation.

With an exasperated sigh, Zembani collapsed, spewing bits and jewels everywhere as he landed. “It feels like mother still treats me like a hatchling,” Zembani sighed. The dejected dragon grabbed a claw full of bits and toss them down the pile. “I’m still young but I can handle more than reconnaissance,” Zembani droned.

“Perhaps she doesn’t want to place you in danger,“ Chelsie interjected. “Are you saying that a single dragon outweighs the potential deaths of countless changelings,“ Zembani retorted. He plucked a sapphire that was partially buried, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed indignantly. Chelsie rose to her hooves, withdrew her wings from under her shell, and gracefully fluttered up toward Zembani.

A soft buzzing emitted from her wings as Chelsie came eye to eye with Zembani. He tried to turn away but his snout was caught between two chitin hooves. Now trapped, Zembani was forced to stare at Chelsie’s blank expression. “Your accusation is partially right yet the conviction of which you speak is wrong,” Chelsie bluntly replied.

Chelsie took a deep breath before explaining her statement. “Chrysalis gives us life and purpose in return we’d give our life in her service.” “Death in the hive is the equivalent of a scar upon the flesh, the injury will heal,” Chelsie finished. Zembani just stared at her, unwilling to believe that she just belittled her and every changeling’s existence.

“How can you just dismiss the lives of your entire race so easily,“ Zembani demanded. “Your concern is admirable but it doesn’t change the fact that changelings are expendable,” Chelsie calmly stated. “When a changeling hatches, the queen establishes a mental connection with the fledgling.” “Essentially making every changeling a part of herself and vice versa.”

“You may not know this but when we hatch we’re nothing more than a wild beast until the link is established.” “When a changeling dies their essence returns to the construct of the queen’s mind.” “Through this process, we live on while our corporeal bodies die,” Chelsie finished. Zembani just stared blankly at her, his mind struggled to interpret when he’d heard.

Chelsie patiently hovered, knowing that it was a lot to take in, waiting for his response. Several moments passed with nothing but the soft fluttering of her wings to fill the otherwise silent room. Zembani finally spoke again, “if every changeling is a part of mother’s psyche then why don’t you all act like her?” Impressed at Zembani’s swift cognitive ability, Chelsie replies.

“That’s how it used to be before the destruction of the badland hive.” “While it is a decent approach at first, it quickly becomes exhausting as the hive grows.” “Manipulating the actions of every changeling taxed Chrysalis’ mind and diminished her mental capacity when it came to strategizing.” “Which lead to a string of defeats as well as the usurper known as Thorax,” Chelsie concluded.

“How did Thorax defy mother when she had complete control over him,“ Zembani anxiously inquired. “I know that you want to hear all about it but that’ll have to wait,” Chelsie said. Zembani stuck out his lower lip as he silently pleaded for her to continue. “You can put those puppy dog eyes away, it's getting late and you need to sleep,” Chelsie playfully scolded.

Zembani’s pout immediately switched to an expression of confusion. “How do you know th… you heard the time through the hive mind didn’t you,” Zembani deadpanned. Chelsie grinned as she nodded her head in agreement. “The perimeter guards switch out at moon rise and they communicate through the hive mind,” Chelsie stated.

“Fine, if nothing else it’ll end this day,” Zembani groaned. “What do you mean did something happen,” Chelsie asked concern etched in her voice. Zembani was dumbfounded at Chelsie’s reaction, it was his assumption that all information was share throughout the hive. The fact that his mother would withhold this was unusual.

After a brief silence, he decided that she was indeed ignorant of their conversation. “It’s what mother told me before I left her chambers,” Zembani began. Chelsie immediately put a hoof to his mouth as if to silence him. “The conversations that you have with Chrysalis should remain between you two.” Chelsie stoically replied.

Slightly miffed, Zembani spoke in a low growl, “Did she forbid me from discussing our conversations?” “Not really, its something that we changelings decided,” Chelsie confessed. “Do you remember how I mentioned that changelings are essentially one being.” “Well when we communicate it’s the equivalent of talking to oneself,” Chelsie conveyed with a hint despondency in her tone.

“However, Chrysalis actually has to learn about you instead of knowing everything at once.” “This simple interaction that’s taken for granted throughout the world, has given Chrysalis immeasurable contentment.” “Although the queen would never admit it she cherishes those times. “We simply don’t want to intrude,” Chelsie finished.

Zembani’s expression softened as he realized that the lack of knowledge was not of selfishness but of respect for Chrysalis. “Ok I understand your reasoning but I’d still like your advice,” Zembani stated. Chelsie felt an uneasiness settle in the pit of her stomach. “Mother wants me to befriend a group of ponies and return with them to a place called Ponyville,” Zembani droned.

Chelsie’s face immediately lit up as she surmised the ponies that Chrysalis implied. With a deep sigh and a couple moments to gather her thoughts Chelsie spoke. “Perhaps she wants you to learn more about the enemy, for your benefit as well as ours.” Zembani just gave an exasperating glance at her as he spoke. “I’ve asked her and now I pose you the same question.”

“If this is a simple spying mission why send me instead of a changeling?” “Surely they would blend in better than a strange dragon,” Zembani vocalized. Not breaking eye contact with Zembani, Chelsie fluttered to the ground to rest her weary wings. “Mother said that I was the only one she could trust with this mission.”

Chelsie pondered on Zembani’s last statement, attempting to guess the meaning of Chrysalis’ words. With uncertainty in her voice, Chelsie replied, “maybe she meant that you won’t have to pretend as changelings do when we assume an identity.” “Besides that, you'll be immune to the spells that can reverse our transformation,” Chelsie finished.

I’m beginning to understand now, Zembani mused to himself. Mother wasn’t underestimating her swarm's capabilities rather she was utilizing an alternative avenue. Unfortunately understanding a decision didn’t change the fact that he’d still have to leave the hive eventually. Zembani returned his gaze toward Chelsie, “thank you for your advice.”

“I’m glad I could help ease your mind, even if only a little, ”Chelsie genially declared. “If you don’t have any other concerns, might I suggest some sleep,” Chelsie hinted. Zembani gave a sharp smirk at the changeling. “You win I’m heading to bed,” Zembani began to walk down the mound that he was perch upon. Once he was on the floor Zembani halted before looking at Chelsie.

In a blink of an eye, a surprised Chelsie found herself on the receiving end of a preemptive hug. Recovering from the initial shock, Chelsie returned the hug. “I enjoy our talks, you always have a way of putting things into perspective,” Zembani complimented. Breaking their embrace Zembani gave a last smile before retiring to his bedchambers.

I enjoy our friendship as well, Chelsie thought to herself. She turned to leave as Zembani’s tail slinked around the doorway and from her view. With a familiar sucking sound, the wall split into a door shaped hole. Chelsie walked out of the cavity and made her way down the hallway of the hive.