High above the Everfree Forest, the moon was casting its final beams of light as it sank behind the horizon. The twinkling stars soon faded as the sun began its journey through the sky. All of Equestria was soon bathed in the ever warming embrace of the dawn. However, the thick foliage of the Everfree blocked out the sun. If it wasn’t for the chirping of waking birds, no creature in the Everfree would even be aware that morning had arrived.

Slowly Chrysalis opened her eyes, waking from her slumber. Her body felt stiff from laying on a limp, carefully she got to her hooves. Opening her wings for balance Chrysalis was about to stretch but stopped at the sound of a faint coo. Still drowsy, she merely turned her ears listening for the sound again. After a few seconds of nothing but chirping birds, Chrysalis went back to stretching.

First, she stretched her front legs along the branch as far as she could causing her body to resemble a descending incline. A couple of pops issued from her forelegs as she briefly held that pose. Next, she reversed her position, pulling her body forward with her front hooves. Her back legs gave a few relieving pops as Chrysalis again remained in that stance momentarily.

Once again a small coo could be heard as she returned to an upright posture, Getting annoyed, Chrysalis turned her head to the left but immediately froze as a small tap was felt against the right side of her neck. Whatever it was had gotten the drop on her but she wasn’t giving in so easily. Without warning she spun her head around, hissing menacingly at whatever cretin that dared to challenge her.

Her fully exposed fangs and flailing serpent-like tongue portrayed a terrifying visage. Yet with the absence of any sort of creature, Chrysalis discontinued her frightful tactic. It was quite the predicament, something had dared touched her neck yet nothing suggested that her immediate proximity had been breached. After another quick survey of the area, Chrysalis went to examine the area of her neck for bites or the like.

That’s when she felt it, a small bulge within her mane. Upon closer inspection, she spotted a tiny blue ball nestled within her hair. Chrysalis deadpanned as she recognized the furball as nothing more than a parasprite. Not wanting to waste any more time, she pelted the bug from her mane. It was flung, end-over-end, through the air before regaining its balance to fly away.

Using her wings to control her descent, Chrysalis glided to the ground below. As she landed, a trio of timber wolves leaped out from the surrounding shrubs. They stared at her with hallowed green eyes as they licked their wooden jaws with a branch of pine needles that served as their tongues. A sinister smile crept across her face, revealing her fangs once again.

Chrysalis stated in a mocking tone, "your funeral." The center wolf dashed forward with its jaws open, ready to gabble Chrysalis up. With a quick hop to the side, the timber wolf harmlessly rushed past her while receiving a karate-chop to the head. The lumbering beast staggered about for a second before falling to the ground.

Not allowing the other two wolves a chance to attack, Chrysalis charged at the far left wolf. As if accepting her challenge the wolf charged as well. Chrysalis began to channel magic into her horn as they quickly closed the distance. With only a foot separating the two combatants, Chrysalis leaped into the air. The timber wolf opened its jaws wide, savoring the meal to come.

A crazed grin spread across Chrysalis’s lips as she soared through the air. Double checking that her legs, wings, and shell was pulled close to her body as the wolf’s hot breath assaulted her nostrils. Her horn began to emit green sparks as she pointed it directly at the back of the predator’s throat. With a dull thwack, the timber wolf’s jaws slammed shut.

Instead of feeling content, a small pain began to agitate the back of its throat. It instinctively started to scratch at the irritation, as if trying to beat Chrysalis into submission. The third wolf whimpered, watching the aforementioned wolf’s eyes fade to black and its rear leg return to the ground. Soon its head fell to the ground with a thud, revealing a warped sort of circular hole burnt completely through its body.

Menacingly, Chrysalis turned to glare at the remaining wolf as the eviscerated corpse collapsed between them. A few magical flames continued to dance about her mane before dissipating. With a quick downward glance, she spotted what appeared to be the wolf’s femur bone. With a mere thought, the log rose from the ground and hovered in the air. Her eyes reflected a twisted joy as she moved toward the cowering timber wolf.

It attempted to make a hasty retreat but was brought to a halt when the log slammed hard against its back. Chrysalis lifted the log back into the air and brought it down again as the wolf tried to escape. With each consecutive strike, the timber wolf yelped in pain until it laid motionless on the ground. Stopping her assault, she strolled over to check if it was dead.

As she walked a small portion of the log wobbled precariously with each step. Holding her weapon at the ready she peered at her fallen foe. The force of her attacks had caused the timber wolf to sink slightly into the ground. A portion of its legs and torso were no longer visible, the branches that ran along its backside was pulverized into varying sized twigs.

The wolf’s head laid on the ground a few inches from its body. With a satisfied chuckle, Chrysalis chucked the log and returned her gaze to where she had incapacitated the first wolf. Noticing that it wasn’t there anymore, she quickly got into an attack posture. Her ears slowly rotated as they strained to hear any sort of noise while she methodically surveyed the area.

Only after she was convinced it was no longer in the vicinity did she relax. Apparently, that wolf had enough intelligence to flee while it could, Chrysalis thought to herself as she left the battlefield. She simultaneously thanked and cursed the wolves appearance. On one hoof the battle allowed her to banish the stiffness from her muscles. Yet not having fed for weeks, the exhibition of magical prowess had taxed her already meager amount of strength.

Although the Everfree provided an excellent hideout, the constant scrimmages were beginning to be problematic. She knew that she had to leave the forest, even without a formulated strategy for her enemies. After what felt like hours of walking, a bright wall of light shone against the thick edge of the forest.

As soon as she exited, Chrysalis shielded her eyes from the excessive amount of light. Although a slight sting could be felt as a result of being plunged into darkness for so long. Once her sight cleared up, Chrysalis looked about her new surroundings. The field that she found herself in was a luscious green, with the exception of a dirt pathway.

Looking along the path, she made out what appeared to be a small wagon pulled by a single pony. An idea popped into her mind as her body was engulfed in a flash of green magic. Once the magic dissipated, Chrysalis found herself staring at the numerous blades of the moderately grown grass. A brief sniff of the air allowed her to locate the traveling pony.

With her new form, Chrysalis could effectively stalk her pray without being detected. Navigating by smell, she hastily made her way to the edge of the road. The ever-growing sounds of rubbing wood and clop falls confirmed that she was closing in on her target. Meanwhile, an earth mare with a blue coat and dark magenta hair was pulling her wagon down the road.

A pair of thulian pink stripes ran the length of the upper portion of her mane. Her cutie mark appeared to be a bow with two arrows laying across it. The mare stopped trotting as she caught the sound of rustling grass. She turned her head toward the general direction of the disturbance. Depending on what might emerge would determine her next action. The rustling became more prominent as whatever creature was getting closer.

The mare tried to calm herself as she reassured herself that it was nothing to be afraid of. However, the road’s close proximity to the Everfree Forest kept her on edge. Her panic grew as another audible rustling sound was hear, closer this time. The mare nearly leaped out of her harness as a white and brown spotted rabbit leaped out of the tall grass.

The animal sniffed the air and hopped around while the startled pony attempted to catch her breath. After a few deep breaths, the pony remarked brusquely to the rabbit, “you nearly gave me a heart attack cutie.” It stopped and stared at the pony as its nose twitched occasionally. The mare gave a soft awww as the rabbit resumed hopping around.

Unhooking her harness, the mare sat down as she rested from her trip. “Come here little rabbit, I’m sorry that I scolded you earlier,” the pony spoke softly. The rabbit flicked its ears toward the pony as if listening to what she was saying. “Come on, I won’t hurt you,” she cooed. To the pony’s astonishment, the rabbit began to cautiously hop toward her.

Once the rabbit was about an inch away, the pony slowly extended a hoof out. It stopped and sniffed at the hoof before eventually rubbing the side of her head against it. The pony slowly moved her hoof to gently rub its back. For about fifteen minutes they enjoyed each others company. The mare petting the small woodland animal and the rabbit returning the affection with gusto.

However, the traveling mare reluctantly got to her hooves and turned to leave. The rabbit bounded toward her, nuzzling her fetlock in protest. Stopping momentarily, the mare turned and stared at the rabbit. “I’m sorry but I have to… t..” she trailed off as an unusual sensation dulled her senses. Her awareness slowly drained from her body, leaving a blank expressionless pony behind.

A fleeting sheen of green energy cascaded across her eyes to signify her absolute enthrallment. Surely you can stay a little longer, a seductive voice resonated within her mind. “Yes my queen, I can stay,” the pony droned as an audible whoosh was heard. Several green flames erupted underneath the rabbit’s feet. The mesmerized pony stared with its dead eyes as a form-fitting ring of flames traveled up the rabbit‘s form.

If not hypnotized, the pony would have fled in terror from witnessing Chrysalis’ transformation. As the fiery ring traveled skyward, the rabbit’s body constricted into a tiny filament milliseconds before passing through it. After her disguise was vaporized, the aforementioned filament then expanded below to reveal Chrysalis’s intimidating form.

The flames fizzled out of existence once her appearance was completely restored. Chrysalis strolled toward the enthralled mare and stroked her cheek with the underside of her hoof. “You've helped rejuvenate my strength so let me show you my appreciation,” Chrysalis spoke in a level-headed voice. She drew her magic into her horn and placed the tip of it against the pony’s head.

The entranced pony didn’t react to the contact nor from the visually transparent green tendrils that slithered on Chrysalis’ horn. The wispy tendrils of magic extended outward and encased the pony’s head. Beginning to seep into the cranium via the pores of the scalp. Saturating the entire brain, the organ began to slowly rot away. It gradually shifted through the darker shades of the spectrum as it shriveled up.

The pony fell to the ground as its brain was left a black and mushy shadow of its former being. Chrysalis looked down at the dead pony, “a quick death was the least I could do for your aid.” Lifting the now vacated body with telekinesis, she tossed it into the high grass. It made a soft thud against the ground and formed a pony-shaped impression in the grassy field.

With an about-face, Chrysalis walked toward the wagon and opened its door. The inside of the wagon was small and cluttered with several trinkets, porcelain kitchenware, refreshments, and knick-knacks. Chrysalis concluding that she might have confiscated a merchant’s wagon. In the back of the wagon was a small bed that ran the wagon’s width. Against both walls sat a shelf on the floor, both on and under the shelves where the previous owner kept their wares.

The right shelf was noticeably shorted to make room for a water basin stand and mirror combination next to the door. Nearly concealed by the random items in front of it was a window centered in the left wall. Surprisingly the middle of the wagon, although narrow, was relatively clear of any obstructions. It only took a few minutes to toss out everything she considered junk onto the roadside.

With that task done and a quick glance to make sure every non-essential thing was tossed. Chrysalis stepped in front of the mirror and closed her eyes as she tackled the next task. Within her mind, she visualized the body of a mare about eleven hooves tall from the ground to her back. Next, she began to change her carapace to blue coat. Visualizing a magenta mane with two pink thulian stripes down it along with a magenta tail.

Finally a bow with a couple of arrows as its cutie mark. Opening her eyes, she examined herself in the small mirror over the water basin. The image that stared back wasn’t Chrysalis but an exact replica of the traveling mare. Yet as she stared at her new appearance, Chrysalis couldn’t help but scrunch her nose in disgust. Looking at her newly acquired color scheme, she had to admit that it looked better from a distance. Closing her eyes again Chrysalis began to modify her appearance.

The first thing she did was change her coat from blue to alabaster white. While keeping the two stripes, she did change from thulian pink to dark teal. Next was her cutie mark, Chrysalis thought a mark of such a menial activity was beneath royalty. Instead, she changed it to a bass clef of cerulean and finally, she gave herself a unicorn horn. She thought about her magenta mane and tail but ultimately decided to keep them as they were.

Opening her eyes again, she studied her new look in the mirror. Satisfied with the changes Chrysalis walked outside, closing the door behind her. Spotting the pile of junk she’d previously tossed out through the corner of her peripheral she turned to face it. Not wanting to leave any reason for a pony to stop, Chrysalis fired a bolt of magic at it. Upon contact, the pile instantly turned into a mound of ash.

She eyed the harness with disdained but reluctantly put it on since she wanted to conserve her magical energy. With no idea of her location, she decided to continue in the direction the merchant was traveling. Normally she would have just ignored the wagon and teleported to a nearby safe house. However, since her defeat and loss of her hive, the safe houses were nonexistent.

It wouldn’t have been a big hassle to build and populate a new hive. Yet, it would have proven more of a hindrance than a boon in the long run. The years of training a new army were inconsequential to her, the real concern was the fact that the wretched equines knew how to convert her changelings. While the bolstered numbers would increase her chances of victory, it would also provide just as many potential traitors.

As she traveled down the road, she started to entertain potential plots to achieve her revenge. Unfortunately, only a few of her concocted ideas seemed plausible for actual application. A couple of times she unhooked herself from the wagon to rested her hooves and rehydrate. As she emerged out of the wagon from her second break, the sun was already halfway through its descent.

Once again, she hooked herself up to the wagon and started to climb a rather big hill. She grinned as the village known as Ponyville could be seen from its peak. She made her way toward the village with a new found vigor. Immediately she thought about several of her dismissed plans to systematically eliminate the element bearers. They all started with Twilight being the first to fall but after that, they varied.

One plan marked the blue pegasus as second, then the pink one, followed by the stuck-up one, then the bumpkin, ending with the timid pony. Another plan targeted them by classifications: alicorn, unicorn, pegasus, earth pony. By now Chrysalis was approaching the outskirts of Ponyville. The stretched shadows of trees and buildings accompanied by the red, orange, and violet streaks of color in the sky signaled the end of the day.

Unable to decide on a plan to exact her revenge, Chrysalis decided that a good night sleep might be the best course of action. Besides, a rested mind was much more preferable than a tired one. She started listing to the right until she was facing away from Ponyville. Then slowly backing up until the wagon was no longer on the road.

Chrysalis undid her harness and was about to retire for the night when an orange earth pony in a Stetson hat approached her. “Howdy there stranger, I don’t recall seeing ya round these parts,” came a deep feminine voice. As Chrysalis turned to face the pony, she mentally cursed her luck for running into one of the bearers so soon.

“Hello there, do you know if it would be alright to park my wagon here?” Chrysalis spoke in a kind voice.

“I reckon there’s no harm in it but why do ya have a wagon for?" She tried to get a good look at the mysterious pony but the approaching dark made it nearly impossible. "Ya not another travelin show pony are ya?” the pony inquired with the slightest bit of annoyance present in her voice.

Meanwhile, Chrysalis was quickly losing her patience and just wanted the annoying pony to leave. “I’m just a nomadic pony and was wondering if I could stay here for a while.” Chrysalis quickly fabricated. "If not, I'll simply be on my way," she quickly added.

“I reckon that won't be necessary, ev'rypony is welcome in Ponyville. I’m sure it’ll be fine to hunker down here for a while, so long as ya mind yer manners," the orange pony said with a small chuckle. However, seeing that Chrysalis didn't share her sense of humor, the laughter quickly faded. “Th’ name’s Applejack, what’s yours?” Applejack stated.

Not having thought of a name, Chrysalis quickly racked her brain for one. To buy a precious few seconds, she brought a hoof up to her mouth to cover a fake yawn. “Oh, pardon me it's been quite a day of traveling, my name is Sonorous Forte by the way, nice to meet you Applejack,” Chrysalis replied

“Likewise, well I best be headin' back home before it gets too late, see ya later Miss Forte.” Applejack called out before trotted down the road. Chrysalis turned, opened the door to her wagon, but didn’t immediately enter. Instead, she staring after the fading form of Applejack into the darkness, the thought of attacking her came to mind. Dismissed as a passing fit of rage since she knew ponies would come searching if she went missing. She needed an accident or a monster attack to dispose of the bearers while remaining under the radar.

Chrysalis entered the wagon, locked the door, and made sure the window was locked as well. Drawing the curtains closed, she didn’t want anypony to discover her true identity. Briefly sitting on the bed, she swung her rear legs to rest upon it. Laying her head onto the pillow, she soon drifted to sleep due to the combination of a soft bed and exhaustion.

Author's Note

A hoof is about 7 inches or 17.78 centimeters.