A Portal of Possibilities
This was the moment that Queen Chrysalis had been waiting for. "Princess Twilight" and her "friends" were out of town on some sort of friendship mission or something. She never really thought much of ponies, and had thought a little more of Twilight after her being the only one to see through Chrysalis's disguise as Cadenza, but that had dropped drastically upon learning that the pony that had caused her first defeat at the hooves of ponies now took orders from a magic table. What kind of crazy idiot allowed a piece of furniture to boss them around? Still, it had gotten the six of them out of town.
That left the annoying lizard and that pain in the shell unicorn to deal with. Fortunately, she did not have to deal with them, even if she would love to do some very horrible and unspeakable things to mare that had turned her entire hive against her. Today was a school day, and the two were busy with the school of friendship (Chrysalis felt the urge to gag at the very thought, and a burning anger that one of her nymphs had been sent by that traitorous usurper), meaning they were out of the castle as well. On top of that, even after all that had happened, Twilight had stupidly never created a guard to protect the castle or herself.
The place was completely and totally empty.
Taking on the guise of the klutzy mail mare, Chrysalis made her way toward the castle. No pony would give her a second look, figuring it was just the mare doing her job, and none would think twice about her "accidentally crashing" through one of the castle's windows.
Once inside and well away from the windows, she dropped her disguise, reverting back to her majestic and beautiful black form. It was a bit of a risk in the unlikely event that any creature suddenly shows up unexpectedly, but she should have enough warning to change back before actually being seen. Besides, having her eyes looking in two different directions at the same time was giving her a massive headache. Felt like a grub was chewing on her optic nerve.
It was not long until she found what she was looking for. In one of the libraries (the place had like six of them) was a mirror that was a portal to another world. A strange mix of magic and machinery had been jury-rigged and attached to it, supposedly allowing it to be used at any time instead of its natural pre-set time frame. As much as she hated to admit it, it was quite a brilliant piece of work. Nearly genius.
Best part, it was very "user friendly." Practically any half-witted creature could easily turn on and use the machine. And once again, the foolishly trusting ponies had not bothered to create any sort of security measures to keep it from being used by some creature that had wicked ideas.
Some creature like her.
A hum of energy filled the air as the portal was activated. The mirror flickered and shimmered with energy, a pastel rainbow swirling across the surface before returning to the normal, reflective surface. A touch caused the previously solid surface to ripple, letting the curious hoof sink in easily.
Queen Chrysalis smirked.
A whole other world for her to explore and conquer.
With a laugh, Chrysalis leaped through the portal.
The transformation from the dimensional travel felt different than her normal methods. When she used her changeling magic, a green flame would engulf her, and that was a fairly accurate description of the sensation as well. It did not actually hurt to do so, but it did feel like passing through flame: a feeling of too much warmth traveling across the body, leaving a tingling sensation behind as it faded.
The portal, however, felt different. It also did not hurt, but it felt more like she was a piece of clay in the hooves of a foal who did not know what they wanted to make. She could feel herself being pulled, squished, and twisted. She could feel parts of her being pushed in, pulled out, or reshaped. There were even times when it felt like one piece of her was pulled off while another was slapped on.
It all happened in the span of a second, if not less. For most, it would have all been to quick for it to register. It was only because of her own prior experience with transformation that she even noticed.
On the other side, she landed on all fours, taking a second to recover from the change and collect herself. She then took stock of her new form. Her new forelimbs were not as long as her back. They also ended in five small appendages, each with a series of joints that allowed them to fold and unfold. It looked similar to the claw of of a griffon or dragon, but covered in a soft skin. On the back of each of the little appendages as a hard surface like her chitin or a pony's hoof, with hers being decorated with some sort of green paint.
One of the (many, in her opinion) advantages of being a changeling was a quick adaptability. Being natural shapeshifters, they needed to be able to adapt to changes in their forms nearly immediately. Whether it was using magic through a horn or being able to fly, they had to mimic the abilities and actions of the creatures they were mimicking. As such, a quick glance around and what she had gathered of her new form had given her one vital piece of information already.
Pushing herself upright, Queen Chrysalis stood up on two limbs. After making certain she could balance herself, she took a step forward. The another. A third. Soon, she was able to walk, taking step after step as she made her way from the portal and out into the new world.
A whole new world, ready for her to take over.
To do that, she was going to have to learn about the world, and get some minions to do her bidding. For the former, she would figure it out later. For the latter, however, she already had a place to start. She just had to find them.
A wicked grin formed on her mouth as she walked down the sidewalk at toward the road.
Aria Blaze flopped into her seat, letting her head fall back against the headrest of the couch and closing her eyes. She let out a massive sigh before yawning. It had been a long, boring, and annoying shift at the convenience store, and she was glad to be home. Now, she just wanted to have a nice quiet moment to relax before dealing with anything else.
"You want to know what I think?" Sonata asked.
Aria found herself suddenly doubting that she was going to get that moment. She bit her tongue to keep from retorting with an insult. If she did, Sonata Dusk would more likely ignore the comment, but take her response as an invitation to continue this conversation that Aria could already tell was going to be stupid. Instead, she was going to try and keep quiet, and hope that Sonata would either take the hint (doubtful), or simply keep the conversation as short as possible.
"Miss Piggy should totally make a fortune by selling pork products."
Don't say anything, Aria told herself. Just ignore it. Don't ask any questions.
"Miss Piggy is a pig, though," Adagio pointed out.
Aria groaned out in annoyance. She would have thrown her head back if not for the fact it was already as far back as it could go.
"Don't encourage her," she growled out.
"But she's talking about having a pig sell the slaughtered remains of other pigs," Adagio replied.
Aria opened her eyes and turned to glare at the haystack of curly orange hair with a human attached that was Adagio Dazzle.
"Exactly," Sonata cried out, a grin on her pale blue face, and raspberry eyes glistening with excitement. "Just imagine the smiling, happy face of Miss Piggy on packages of bacon, sausage, and pork chops. Seeing a friendly face will totally draw people's attention and interest, getting them to buy it." The smile vanished as her eyes narrowed, lips pursing together. "Besides, if she's going to kill other pigs, she might as well make a profit off it."
Aria knew she should not ask. If she asked, it would keep this inane conversation going. She should not ask. If she asked, she was going to get an answer. And she did not want an answer. The idea of understanding the strange mental processes that was Sonata Dusk was on the very long list of things that she never, ever, in her entire life wanted to do.
But she could not help herself.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, raising one purple eyebrow.
Sonata turned to face her, raising a blue eyebrow of her own.
"What do you think happened to the other pigs she used to perform with?"
She then made series of oinking noises as she brought a finger up to her throat, then let out a wet noise as she drew the digit across in a slow slicing motion.
Aria and Adagio stared quietly at Sonata, processing what she seemed to be implying.
"Gotta walk a fine line when working for the piggy prima donna," Sonata stated. "If you don't do your job well enough, or you do too good a job, and you end up as bacon." Her eyes glassed over. "Tasty, tasty, bacon."
As expected, Aria regretted asking. This was not a conversation she had wanted to begin with, and definitely not one she wanted to be a part of.
So the sound of someone knocking at the door was a relief, giving her an excuse to escape this insanity before it grew.
"I'll get it!" she announced, probably louder than she should, as she stood. While not a noticeable rush, she did make her way for the door faster than she normally did. Although, while she was grateful, there was also a part of her that was wary. The did not get many visitors, and they had not ordered dinner yet, so they were not really expecting anyone as far as she knew.
Reminding herself that it was no longer appropriate for her to immediately punch anyone that showed up unexpectedly, Aria opened the door.
There stood a woman with nearly black skin, smirking as her green eyes flicked over Aria.
Aria scowled, body tensing. She was pretty sure she was being measured, that the woman was figuring out how much of a threat she could be. One hand clenched into a fist.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Aria asked.
The green gaze flicked up to look Aria eye to eye. The woman's smile widened, taking on a predatory look.
"That is not a conversation you want to be having in the hall where everyone can hear." She then leaned closer and whispered, "Siren." The woman then straightened up, placed one delicate hand on Aria's shoulder, and pushed on it to force her aside.
Instead, Aria planted herself in place, bracing herself. Her scowl deepened as she glared at the new arrival. She did not know who this woman though she was, or cared how sexy she was, Aria was not just going to let some random person simply push their way into their home.
"Aria," Adagio called out. "It's fine. Let her in." It was not in her actual, normal voice, though. She was speaking with the tone of her mastermind leader persona. The Adagio that was calm, cool, and collected, taking in the information about people, analyzing them, figuring out what they wanted, and calculating the best way to get them to do what she wanted.
Aria turned to look back, double-checking. The leader of The Dazzlings sat in her chair, looking more like a queen upon a very plush throne, even in her leggings and tank top shirt. Her hands resting against each other, fingers steepled. She looked back at Aria and the new arrival with a passive, unemotional expression, her gaze looking bored but Aria knew they were taking in as much information as possible.
Adagio Dazzle looked at her and gave the barest of nods.
Returning the motion, Aria moved aside to let the woman in, shutting the door. She watched her sashay further into the room, hips swaying back and forth with each step. Aria could not help but note how nice and shapely that backside was. It practically begged to be spanked and played with.
The woman came to a stop, standing in the center of the room. One hand moved to rest on her jutted out hip as the other ran through her long ocean green hair.
"I am Chrysalis," she announced. "Queen of the changelings." Her eyes narrowed. "From Equestria."
Aria tensed at what she heard. She had heard a few stories of changelings from before their banishment, and they were not friendly. The queen must have been their leader.
This could not be good.
Sonata must have had similar thoughts. Her eyes were wide as she stared up at the supposed changeling, looking her up and down. She then looked from her to Adagio, and back.
As for Adagio, she was looking at Chrysalis with an impassive expression, which was being returned in full. Neither of them moved. Aria was not even sure if they were breathing. It was like looking at a statue of gold and another of onyx were staring at each other, and she was waiting to see which one would blink first.
"What do you want?" Adagio asked, her tone flat and bored.
Chrysalis frowned slightly before putting on a smile. She took a step forward and leaned over.
"Why to offer you a proposition of course." A new predatory grin appeared. "One that I am certain will benefit us both."
Adagio's eyes narrowed as she smirked.
"My, my," she purred out. "Coming all the way from another dimension to proposition me? A very romantic gesture." She tilted her head, fluttering her lashes. "Although, shouldn't you have brought a gift? Some flowers or candy?"
The grin faded as Chrysalis's brow furrowed, a look of puzzlement on her face. She then gave a shake of her head, rolling her eyes.
"Very amusing," she said, straightening up and crossing her arms over her chest. "Not that type of proposition. As I'm sure you very well know." Lifting her hand, she looked at her fingernails. "You see, I have heard of what happened to you. Of your being defeated by --" she let out a chuckle "-- a teenage rock band."
Aria bristled at the reminder, taking a step forward as her hands clenched into fists. She did not care who this woman was supposed to be in the other world, she was not going to let someone talk that way to one of them like that and get away with it.
Adagio Dazzle held up a finger, signaling her to stop. Aria gave a glare and scowled, but did as she was told. She took a step back, crossing her own arms.
"It wasn't quite that simple," Sonata blurted out. "They had a car that was able to transform into a giant sound system, and they had Equestrian magic with blasted us with a big beam of rainbow harmony power."
Adagio held up a hand toward Sonata, but never let her gaze leave Chrysalis.
"An action and result I'm sure you're more than familiar with," she stated in a flat tone.
Chrysalis took a step back, eyes wide and mouth hanging open, looking like she had been physically slapped. Aria took a bit of pleasure at the sight before Chrysalis managed to recover, looking as calm and cool as before.
"Regardless," she said, "my point is that we can help each other. I help you get revenge against the girls that defeated you, and in return, we return to Equestria and you help me do the same. Once that is done, you can keep Equestria as yours to rule, and I get to take control of this world. That way, we each have our place to rule, and neither has to worry about the other trying to take it away since we will be realities apart." She tilted her head and smiled, raising an eyebrow. "Intrigued?"
Adagio stood up slowly, straightening her shoulders. Her eyes gave a quick glance up and down as she took a step forward. Her legs shifted to shoulder-width, as she squared her hips.
Adagio Dazzle then threw two punches. One was to Chrysalis's sternum, knocking the air from her lungs and causing her to double over. The next was to her face, knocking the woman off her feet and onto her back. She then walked up, reaching out with a foot to push Chrysalis on her back before resting it against her chest.
"Two things," Adagio stated. She held up a finger. "First, we are no one's minions. Yes, Aria and Sonata follow me, but that is because we refuse to bend to anyone else. Do not think for one second that just because you have some pompous, overblown title in Equestria that we are going to get on our knees, bow to you, and kiss your over-sized royal posterior." She then held up another finger. "Second, don't think us stupid. If you actually were capable of conquering a world, you wouldn't be here looking for someone from a whole other world to work for you."
Chrysalis looked up, trying to glare at the woman above her. The effect was far less effective as she was also gasping for air, and pinned on the floor on her back.
Adagio leaned down more, putting more of her weight on Chrysalis's chest.
"If you ever try this with us again, I will let Sonata teach you anatomy by cutting you open and showing you your own organs while you're still alive."
Adagio Dazzle took a step back, running a hand through her hair.
"Sonata, please show our guest out."
Sonata gave a nod as she got up from the couch and walked over. Bending down, she reached out and grabbed a handful of the dark blue-green hair. She gave it a yank, causing Chrysalis to cry out as she tried to get to her feet. She then dragged the woman toward the door, Aria opening it as they approached.
Chrysalis was physically thrown out, hitting the opposite wall and dropping to the floor.
Aria slammed the door, locking it.
In the hall, alone, Chrysalis let a growl emanate from her throat. Using one arm against the wall, she slowly pushed herself up to her feet. Her other hand rested on her stomach, pressing against the painful spot where she had been sucker-punched by that no good, bottom-dwelling, scum-sucking fish.
This was not the end of things. She would teach them. They would pay for this humiliation. Once this world was hers, she would make examples out of them. If she had known what sushi was, she would have been planning to turn them into it.
Still, that would have to wait. The Dazzlings had simply been her first choice in minions for this world. There were other possibilities. People who had suffered to one extent or another at the hands of this worlds heroes. Ones that would be aching for revenge. She would find them. She would entice them. She would build an army. Then she would deal with those heroes, leaving this world perfectly ripe for the taking.
Then she would take it.
And with that done, she would go back and deal with Equestria.
She was Chrysalis, queen of the changelings. And one day, soon, she would be the queen of two worlds.
