Author's Note
I don't normally write descriptive writing of this nature, so this is a first for me to be writing a story. Also, seen as this is fanfiction, I'm trying to keep it in character. Also, when it came to Sombra and Chrysalis’ comments on the shining crystal ponies/colouring that Thorax and the other Changelings received, this is in no way indicative of my own thoughts on the colour changes – I personally really like the new designs the reformed Changelings have – just to clear that up.
One last thing to note - as I wrote this chapter originally, the most recent episode of Friendship is Magic that I had seen was ‘To Where And Back Again’, so I was not aware of what had happened in Season 7 and 8 at the time I uploaded this story on DeviantArt originally. The next chapters will take place after differing events in the series.
The Crystal Hive
The foreboding, horrifying structure appeared to have drained the land for miles around of its life and vigour. The neighbouring lands used to be prosperous and bountiful.... but ever since this construct materialised, their inhabitants had no choice but to flee for safety. Appearing to be some horrifying metamorphosis of shadowy black crystalline shards and a giant insectoid hive, no pony in their right mind would dare venture anywhere near the titanic construction of black magic.
However, inside the crystalline hive, two lone creatures of dark intent, the two who were responsible for the creation of the horrific lair, could think of no better place to reside. And indeed - their natures suited the confines perfectly.
Two former royals, banished from their former kingdoms for years now by their former subjects - one, Sombra, a shadowy stallion who lived off of terror and tyranny, and the other, Chrysalis, a changeling who could take the form of anyone and drain their love from her victims. The former had been mostly destroyed by the magic of the Crystal Heart and the denizens of the Crystal Empire, but a part of his body, his blood red horn, remained intact, and he had regenerated himself from this shard. The latter had been forced to flee from her former kingdom after being overthrown by a benevolent and kindhearted Changeling whose friendship with a small purple dragon and a pink pony with a purple and blue mane had allowed him and his fellow changelings to undergo a fantastic metamorphosis… Chrysalis was the only one who rejected that change.
Two of the most evil creatures in the whole of Equestria….and yet, it seemed that the two of them weren’t completely devoid of affection or love…. As long as it was for something as sinister and scheming as they were – as in, each other.
Sombra and Chrysalis were in the middle of what could very generously be considered some kind of throne room, lying together in romantic embrace.
'It's almost frightening how much I love you, my beautiful temptress.' Sombra growled softly in affection, playfully nipping at Chrysalis’ wings gently.
'And your love could sustain me for a lifetime, my black diamond.‘ Chrysalis hissed happily, her forked tongue running along her lips as she rested her head in Sombra’s mane. ‘It tastes so succulent….’
‘What was it you told me about that metamorphosis those treacherous subjects of yours underwent when that pony convinced them to share their love?’ Sombra raised an eyebrow, turning his head to look Chrysalis in the eye. ‘The description you gave made me feel sick just listening to it…. It sounds almost as repulsive as when my crystal slaves became illuminated by the Crystal Heart…’ Sombra gritted his teeth in a combination of disgust and anger at the memory of his defeat.
‘Hmph, well, it depends on who you’re sharing your love with – and with you for company, dear, I don’t think I’ll be changing into that gaudy colouring any time soon. I prefer my looks at the moment, anyway!‘ Chrysalis gave a slight chuckle in jest…. But upon laughing, her voice slowly faltered, and her expression wared into a furious snarl. ‘And that only gives me more reason to take revenge on those treacherous cretins and…. Those ponies who dared to fill their heads with that sappy drivel….’
‘You and I both, love….’ Sombra gazed out of the makeshift windows that they had created in their lair towards the sky outside. He knew that the distance between them and their foes was far, but when it came to vengeance for their humiliation, no distance was too far for them. The memories of their former defeats filled the two black hearted equine creatures with a deep burning rage, and it only made their ultimate desires all the more palpable. Those ponies, changelings and dragon who had wronged them would all pay for what they had done. But especially one – one alicorn princess who was responsible for it all – the one who had unified them together into a far greater force than they could have expected.
Twilight. Sparkle.
The very mention of the name brought numerous others to mind that brought forth their deep-rooted rage and tasted like poison on their lips just by uttering their names.
Celestia. Luna. Spike. Starlight Glimmer. Thorax. Cadence. Shining Armour. They and their companions. More disgusting than the foulest pestilence to mention.
Sombra felt like he was going to be sick when he heard from Chrysalis that Celestia’s prized pupil had become an alicorn and had been dubbed the repugnant title of ‘Princess of Friendship’ – as if she was continuing to insult them even after their defeat. Sombra had told Chrysalis of the small purple dragon child who had assisted Twilight Sparkle and delivered the Crystal Heart to his former slaves, and he was slightly embarrassed to admit he had been bested by a dragon child, but Chrysalis had reluctantly confessed herself that some second rate student of Twilight who she had never even considered a threat was the one who convinced her subjects to share their love. But upon hearing about the purple dragon, memories came to her of a purple dragon who had been captured by her former swarm. Before he was confined into a cocoon for feeding, the small dragon was calling for Thorax, tears running down his face as he was imprisoned. At that moment, she knew the dragon was one of those responsible for sowing the seeds of treachery in the mind of one of her Changelings, and had to resist the urge to snuff out the dragon brat’s life right there and then.
But the dragon was raised by Twilight Sparkle. A quick death was too generous for her and her close companions. Through their wrath, Sombra and Chrysalis knew that they would take the sweet time to make their revenge as delicious as possible.
When they first met, Sombra had demonstrated his powers to Chrysalis, and while she was at first horrified at what she saw when he showed her her greatest fear, her fear changed into sinister intrigue, as she knew what power his manipulation of the shadows, crystals and a pony’s deepest fears could hold. A door that exposed a pony to their greatest fears, with the possibility of keeping them enveloped in their fears for all eternity, as a security device, and dark magic that trapped someone who tried to secure the Crystal Heart? The Changeling admired his cunning, and could see the possibilities such magic held.
Chrysalis had shown Sombra her abilities in turn. Sombra had heard of the Changelings and their powers, but nonetheless, he had heard rumours about her invasion of Canterlot during the royal wedding, and it wasn’t easy to fool an entire kingdom to the point of draining the love from the groom and almost taking over the whole domain, not to mention replacing so many important figures with imposters during her second plan. The former king was impressed - and took further delight when Chrysalis told him about her magic draining throne, already dreaming of the possibilities it could hold if it were to be crafted again on a grander scale...
Both of them were so close to achieving their ultimate goals, and if they came so close separately, if they were together…. They would be unstoppable. With each other’s help, they had started to regain their former strength, and it wouldn’t be long before they were back to their former glory.
‘I think we were just imagining the same scenario, my dear.’ Sombra gave a sly grin as he looked back at Chrysalis, who had the same expression of dark anticipation on her face. ‘You’re dreaming up a plan to make our vengeance as glorious as possible, aren’t you?’
Chrysalis turned her head around to rest her twisted horn against Sombra’s. It still surprised Sombra she could turn her neck a full 180 degrees like that…. But of course, what would horrify others only excited him. Chrysalis gave Sombra a gentle kiss on the muzzle, hissing gently. ‘Sombra, you know me too well. But yes, with us together, they’ll soon know how wrong they were to think we wouldn’t come back.‘
Gently licking Chrysalis on the cheek, Sombra gave a low growl as Chrysalis gave out a small purr. ‘They shall soon learn just how foolish they were to think they could have defeated us forever, and Equestria shall fall under our rule…’ Sombra laughed ominously. ‘Our strength shall soon fully return to us. Shall we begin our preparations?’
'In a moment, Sombra dear… I’ve only just got comfortable.’ Chrysalis turned her head back around nuzzled Sombra gently with her cheek, moving her left leg over his back to stroke him some more.
‘As you wish, my queen….’ Sombra gave a deep chuckle as he intertwined his front leg with hers. It seems that even those with hearts as black as theirs, they needed some quiet refuge every now and then.
I Brought You Hearth's Warming Dinner, Dear
Author's Note
This chapter takes place after the Season 8 episode The Mean Six, so there will be some references and Season 8 spoilers here. As always comments and constructive criticism is welcome.
I Brought You Hearth's Warming Dinner, Dear
Wintry winds whipped and whirled around the land. A blanket of snow had completely covered the region, giving the land a serene sense of winter beauty. Undisturbed, pristine and wonderous.
All save for a single dark bodied construct of black magic, standing out among the arctic landscape like a drop of creeping oil in a body of water – choking the land of its life and colour. Even with the snow covering everything, this den of evil was like a sore on the land and would not allow itself to be held down by the laws of nature – as if rebelling against the ways of the land itself.
Drawing ever closer to the structure was, like the construct itself, a creature who stood out in the white snowfall laden sky, and one of the black hearted architects of this nightmarish lair. Skin dark and rough like charcoal, a sickly green glow emanating from her eyes, insectoid wings and a mangled and tattered dark blue mane being swept up in the wind. A monster with an appearance unsettling and unwelcoming as the nature of her black heart…
Her tattered translucent wings flittering about her in frustration, the creature prepared for landing on a balcony near the top of the crystalline hive. As her hooves landed on the ground, the creature gave out a wide exhausted yawn, her vampiric maw inhaling the wintry air. Closing her mouth, she gazed up at the sky, sneering. The journey had not been kind to her – as if the thought of her experiences in Ponyville wasn’t embarrassing enough for the former queen, the snowfall just had to start up when she was on her way back. Some creatures have all the bad luck….
Her old lair, the Changeling Hive, was not often susceptible to snowfall, so she still wasn’t used to this frozen weather. Her temper had managed to partially distract her from the cold on her journey home, but now she had returned and was calming herself, both to collect her thoughts and to make a better entrance for her partner waiting inside, a shiver passed through her body.
But with her calmer state of mind, a malicious grin came to her face. Today may not have gone as smoothly as she was hoping, but at the very least, she had gained some juicy tidbits of information that she knew that the shadowy stallion waiting for her would find most interesting indeed.
Inside the crystalline hive, the second architect of the monstrous lair, a grey stallion with a jet black mane and a blood red unicorn horn stretched his legs out as he yawned, stiffening his back until a satisfying crack was heard. Breathing in through his nostrils slowly, then giving a low growl as he breathed out, he looked up at the snowstorm through the porous walls, gazing outward in contemplation, as he shuffled his cape about his strong shoulders.
Today had been busy for him. His beloved had been travelling to far away lands for her own purposes, but he had also been hard at work – his duties for the day had left even someone as determined as him drained. He was used to this cold weather, true, but with his strength not quite restored, he wasn’t completely able to maintain his shadowy form for as long as he used to and couldn’t make as much progress as he would have hoped. However, despite his exhaustion, he was able to not only conquer a few small towns that were foolish enough not to flee when he and his partner constructed their abode, but he managed to bring some…. Souvenirs from his travels that he knew a certain changeling would like….
‘You brought this on yourselves – but don’t worry, you’ll be serving a greater purpose than your foolish little rebellion soon enough.‘ The former monarch chuckled darkly as he thought to what he had lying in secret downstairs.
His ears flicked as he heard a slow echo throughout the chasm, and his attention turned towards the makeshift staircase leading to the balcony outside. He gave a small smile as he saw black hole covered hooves coming down the stairs, their owner shaking her tattered mane about in an attempt to remove the excess snow. Lifting her head upward, and giving a slightly flirtatious smile, eyes half closed, she spoke as she looked towards her partner. Even with her energy drained, she still knew how to greet her king.
‘I’ve returned at last, Sombra.’
Sombra slowly trotted over to his fellow former monarch, and, looking at the snowy crystals still encrusted in her mane, gently used his hoof to sweep out the rest of white powder, before nuzzling her muzzle with his own, growling softly.
‘My apologies for the snow, Chrysalis – but I hope that the journey wasn’t TOO troublesome for you, my queen….’ Sombra grinned gently as he tried to comfort the monstrous insect horse – he didn’t have the changeling’s ability to sense and feed off of strong emotions, but even he could tell that she wasn’t in the best state of mind. He could simply tell by her shivering body that she wasn’t the best accustomed to the cold. When building their new lair, they tried to keep the elements in mind, but as powerful as both of them were, neither of them were completely immune to Mother Nature. When he attempted to regain control of the Crystal Empire, Sombra knew that he had to keep the Crystal Heart intact – it was no use having an empire under his command if a mighty blizzard were to destroy it, after all!
Giving a gentle smile, Sombra knew exactly what to do to keep his queen warm. He whipped off his crimson regal cape and wrapped it around Chrysalis’ body. Chrysalis couldn’t help but blush slightly at the caring gesture and breathed in slowly as she rested her cheek against Sombra’s. Sensing the love from the stallion, she felt her energy start to return as she literally tasted his affection for her. Closing her eyes, she slowly licked her lips as she hummed quietly and happily. ‘Still tastes as sweet as ever…’
Sombra couldn’t help but chuckle as they embraced. Despite his dark intentions, he still harboured concern for Chrysalis – raising his eyebrow as he looked back at her as he gently tousled her mane in his hoof. ‘How was your time among the foolish ponies, my sweet? You seemed exhausted when you came in – something befall you?’
Chrysalis slowly moved her head away and looked Sombra in the eye, as the memories of the day came back to her. She had almost lost herself in their loving embrace, but she knew that some events of the day would be of interest to him…. But some others would be rather… embarrassing. She couldn’t help but grit her sharp fangs and grown slowly as she rolled her eyes. This would be a tale for the ages…
‘The…. Grngh… PRINCESS of Friendship and her insufferable cronies have built the most repulsive establishment I’ve ever heard of. You won’t believe this – they call it the SCHOOL OF FRIENDSHIP. Have you ever heard something so laughable?‘ Chrysalis hissed in disgust, almost like she was struggling not to gag at the thought.
‘A SCHOOL. Of Friendship? Of all of the ludicrous concepts they could have come up with…. Of all of the educational establishments they could have built, they choose to teach something as foolish as that? Repulsive…’ Sombra placed his hoof on his forehead and shook his head.
‘They’re gathering creatures from all over Equestria to spread their…. Pfft, ‘teachings’ to them. The same kind of poison that turned my former subjects away from me – it’s all like they’re mocking us with its very existence. Speaking of which….. that disgusting Thorax had the nerve to enrol one of my former subjects there….’ Chrysalis shared in Sombra’s disgust. ‘But, I did discover something that would actually have some use to US – tell me, love, have you heard of the Elements of Harmony?’
Sombra’s attention perked up. ‘You mentioned in the past that Celestia told those servants of hers to retrieve them to try and attack you, but you prevented them from reaching them in time. They must possess unparalleled power if Celestia believed they could vanquish you. They used the elements to defeat Nightmare Moon and return her to her former self, petrify that chaotic draconequus and even drain that centaur of his power and banish him to Tartarus…. Curious weapons indeed. Who knew what they could be capable of if we were to wield them….’ Chrysalis noticed that Sombra’s voice became quieter and slower as he finished his thoughts, and judging by his wide demonic grin, she knew that he was plotting something sinister indeed. Chrysalis couldn’t help but chuckle when observing his sadistic expression – great minds truly think alike.
‘I was having similar fantasies you’re no doubt having when I heard of them during my reconnaissance in the Everfree Forest. And even better – and I know you’ll love this – I know their exact whereabouts…… And those poor simple fools don’t even know that I am in possession of this knowledge.’ Chrysalis’ eyes glinted with the familiar sickly green glow as she couldn’t help but give a light chuckle. Her glee only escalated when she saw Sombra’s eyes catch fire, the shadowy former king having an expression of elation on his face, as he drew closer to Chrysalis and stroked her cheek affectionately. Chrysalis leaned into his hoof and purred as she placed her own black hoof on his.
‘Who else but someone as cunning and devious as you could be able to find them without giving away your presence? You did come close to taking over Equestria twice, after all, you magnificent hellion…’ Sombra purred as he gave Chrysalis a light kiss on her forehead, smiling as she hissed with delight.
‘Hmmhmm, such a charmer.’ Chrysalis laughed, but then her expression fell into a frown. ‘But there were some…. Complications in trying to secure them for our own purposes. I came up with a scheme to gather them for myself, but there was one big problem that ruined my plans. Or, to put it more accurately…’ Chrysalis took a ragged breath and blew her mane out of her face as she felt a fire brewing up in her stomach at the memory. ‘….SIX big problems.’
‘The princess and her lackeys?’ Sombra enquired.
‘……In a manner of speaking. I came up with a ritual to create clones of them to find and use the elements. I figured that if they had their exact likeness, they could the elements in the exact same way. I… acted rashly, I can admit that now.’ As cruel as she was, Chrysalis couldn’t help but feel slightly embarrassed as she told Sombra about her failed plan.
‘Clones of them? It must have been very advanced witchcraft for you to do so!’ Sombra sounded impressed, something which made Chrysalis perk up slightly. ‘But… I take it that the clones didn’t exactly work out as you planned?’
‘Uuuuuuunggh…’ Chrysalis rubbed her temples. ‘They were hopeless… a disgrace to the forces of evil… Not only were they even harder to keep under my control than my old hive, but the clone of Twilight I made tried to challenge my leadership. I was able to create beings with the power of Twilight and her lackeys, but as for controlling them… let’s just say that they were more… unpredictable than the changelings were. However…. I have taken some comfort in the fact that they paid for their insolence. The Elements of Harmony destroyed them… I just wish that I could have killed them myself…‘
Chrysalis had venom in her voice as she thought back to the time that the clone of Twilight attacked her with her magical energy, and to Chrysalis’ surprise, was able to put up quite an impressive fight against her. She felt it served them right for betraying her when the Elements of Harmony robbed those treacherous clones of their life. As bitter as the taste left in her mouth by that experience was, she couldn’t help but have some sadistic glee in remembering them melt away and be transformed into sticks of wood by the Elements of Harmony…… sticks that she made sure to burn up with her magic slowly.
‘It may not have gone exactly as you planned, my dear, but you managed to pull off such an impressive feat of magic, and you’ve come away with more knowledge about the ways the Elements of Harmony can protect themselves, so it wasn’t a complete loss….‘ Sombra gave a small smile as he stroked Chrysalis’ back. ‘And from the sounds of it, it felt like those traitors suffered a rather fitting demise for betraying you. I just wish I could have seen it myself.’
‘There’s one more piece of information I have for you, Sombra, dear. It’s peculiar, but I have a suspicion that there’s a rather dark presence inside that accursed school. While I was spying on the students, I witnessed a rather…. Sickeningly sweet looking little pegasus filly flying about. I think I heard someone name her…. Cozy Glow, was it?‘ Chrysalis reminisced – the pink filly with the blue mane had caught her attention. ‘But despite her appearance, I didn’t detect a single shred of love from the child. Fillies of that age are usually so disgustingly carefree and whimsical, but with her…. I didn’t sense any love in the slightest I could feed off of. If I tried to capture her and feast on her, I’d most likely starve….. But to be honest, it’s surprising no-one is noticing – I think the child’s trying too HARD to come across as sweet and kind, personally. I’d praise her cunning if she wasn’t so transparent.’
‘A child devoid of any love or caring whatsoever. Most curious indeed…’ Sombra responded with genuine curiosity. ‘She’s one to look out for. But those ponies are much too foolish and trusting to not notice the danger right in front of them. But let the child have her fun… she won’t be having fun for long when we regain our power.’
Chrysalis had a sense of excitement in her voice as she stood up, wrapping her lovers’ cape around her and rested her hoof on Sombra’s back, gently flicking her tail across his chin. She let her voice take on a more playful tone. ‘But I think I’ve shared all of the information about my time away – how did your day fare, dear? Did you at least have fun today?’
Sombra gave a slight blush as he looked back at Chrysalis, a grin creeping across his face. ‘Well, you say that you had something that I would enjoy…. You’re not the only one who’s discovered something special.’
Sombra led Chrysalis down a small staircase down into a cavern deeper into their lair, a slight smile on Sombra’s face. Chrysalis could sense his anticipation for her reaction to whatever lay at the bottom of the stairs.
‘I wasn’t able to make quite as much progress today in conquering the nearby lands as I would have hoped, my love. I don’t think I’m quite ready to attack them with my full strength yet, but I was able to vanquish some foolish towns that dared to oppose us and refused to leave….. Oh, I wish you could have seen the panic on their faces when I attacked.’ Sombra laughed sinisterly.
‘I take that you brought back some… spoils of war?’ Chrysalis smirked. ‘I do know that you enjoy gathering the armour and weapons of the fallen for your collection…’
‘Oh…. You COULD say that.’ Sombra looked back in amusement. ‘While I don’t care much for those festivities those ponies celebrate, I do think you deserve a present, and I found something I think you’ll love.’
Chrysalis’ eyebrows rose in interest. And when they entered the cavern, Chrysalis’ interest rose into excitement at the sight that lay before her.
In the middle of the cavern were a group of crystalline trees covered in ice, coated with those signature dark crystals that Sombra could create. But Chrysalis looked at what else was trapped in the ice, and a delectable scent filled her nostrils. She sniffed deeply as she sensed love coming from them – there were ponies trapped inside the dark prisons that Sombra had created, and Chrysalis felt her mouth watering at the feast that lay before her.
‘The denizens of Hollow Vale were filled with love and affection for each other that they believed could help them through any disaster or misery that came their way…… but I thought that all that affection could be put to much better use… And I do believe that the kind of affection they share is a rare delicacy that you’ll surely love.‘ Sombra gazed at Chrysalis and felt elation at her reaction. The loving embrace that the two had shared earlier had merely whet her appetite, but she was still quite famished. But now she had this five star meal in front of her, and she couldn’t help but drool. Licking her lips with her forked tongue, she looked over at Sombra, who motioned over to the trapped victims inside the crystal as if to say ‘help yourself’. Chrysalis walked over to the crystalline trees and slowly opened her mouth as wide as it could go, her tongue hanging out as the pink cloud of love energy began flowing out of the trapped ponies and into her starving maw.
After the monstrous changeling was finished with her meal, Chrysalis closed her mouth, licking her lips and hissing in delight, feeling the energy return to her veins. Looking back at Sombra, she noticed the look on his face – a sly smirk on his lips as he watched his queen’s spirits return.
‘By Tartarus I love you…’ Chrysalis happily stated. As she walked back over to Sombra, Chrysalis rested her hoof in his jet black mane, stroking his head slowly. Sombra melted into Chrysalis’ touch and growled slightly – even with the holes in her hooves, Sombra found it to be the most comforting touch he had ever felt.
‘Seriously, though – I don’t know how to thank you for this, Sombra, dear. You really are the most chivalrous monster to have ever lived, you do know that, don’t you? Going out and enslaving foolish ponies just for me – you shouldn’t have.‘ Chrysalis licked Sombra gently on the cheek, smirking as she felt Sombra shiver at the touch.
‘Well, you do deserve something to show my appreciation for the company you’ve provided, my lovely demon.’ Sombra shot her a flirty look as he stroked her under the chin. ‘If I’m to make Equestria burn… I’d want to do it with someone as black hearted and beautiful as you.’
Chrysalis couldn’t help but blush again as she sported a bashful laugh. ‘Oh, cease and desist, you… I’ll have to think about something to get you return, you know.‘
Sombra looked her in the eyes and chuckled. ‘No matter what you get for me, my dear, I’m sure it will be lovely. But nowhere near as lovely as you.’
‘There is SOMETHING I could do to thank you this second, you know…’ Chrysalis flashed a wide, playful grin towards Sombra. Before Sombra could even react or think of an answer, Chrysalis pulled him into a deep kiss. Sombra couldn’t help but open his eyes wide in shock at how sudden it was - not that he didn’t mind it…
Moving her head back for a second, Chrysalis purred as she stroked Sombra’s head again. ‘Happy Hearth’s Warming, black diamond.’
‘You too, my mistress of evil.’ Sombra grinned.
The two closed their eyes and they leaned into a deep loving kiss. In the back of her mind, Chrysalis was beginning to think of what she could get Sombra in return for the dark love he had given her. Perhaps if she was the one to enslave a nearby town next time and bring something back…. But for now, the embrace that they had was something he valued enough…..
