The Black Knight

Chapter 6

Prisoners of War

The door to the cell Rarity was in opened as the lalafell and queen entered. Jurrita blinked to see a deadpan Rarity glaring daggers at Chrysalis as she hopped off the changeling queen to admire the work she did.

“Well, I can say that you did an okay job restraining her...though the cocoon might be a bit much.”

“It's not my fault she didn’t listen when I said stop resisting.” The lalafell simply rolled her eyes as she walked up to Rarity, unbuckled her greatsword from off her back, and quickly cut the seamstress down from the cocoon she was in. Once she was free, the lalafell changed her class from dark knight to white mage. Though unlike most white mages which robes are a mix of pure white and red, hers was a mix of black and grey. Normally this would be threatening to most people...or ponies...but given how she still has a set of bunny ears...it came off as cute.

“I’m sorry but that outfit is just so adorable on you! Especially with the bunny ears added in, nice touch on that by the way.” Rarity said as the lalafell quickly glared at Chrysalis after hearing her laughing as she quickly looked away from Jurrita.

“You...really like the way I look?”

“Well what pony wouldn’t? Though the color you have on your robe could be a different color, it doesn’t change the fact that it does look great on you, even though you are a child...I mean an….are you a child or an adult?”

“Adult, I can see why you might get my kind confused as a child given our height and what not.”

“You mean before you were a tall looking grim reaper or after?” Chrysalis asked in a snickering tone as the lalafell looked over at her and stuck her tongue out at her while glaring. Rarity raised an eyebrow at the two before asking.

“What does she mean by that?” She asked as Jurrita turned her attention to the unicorn and waved it off.

“Don’t mind her, she’s just being an ass. But before we get off topic about fashion. I would like to apologise for what Chrysalis did with the black eye you have. As a means of good faith, and some trust with me, I’ll patch that up for you.” The lalafell raised her staff as a greenish and aqua color aura burst from the unicorn’s body for a split second. Rarity felt the soreness in her eye vanish as she quickly pulled out a pocket mirror to see that the bruise mark on her eye was gone.

“I thank you for doing that. But that doesn’t change my opinion on you or Chrysalis. Especially after what we saw in the border station.”

“To be fair, they attacked me first and held the changelings' children captive in their base. I mean the state the children were in was pretty bad seeing how they were malnourished.”

“And you expected me to believe that? We saw the scene that you left from the station we were in. You can’t expect me to fall for your lies and tricks.”

“Again, they attacked me first and kidnapped the children of this kingdom. Something that I dislike, nor will show mercy to anyone that would do that.” Jurrita said as she snapped her fingers at Chrysalis. The changeling queen’s horn glowed as she presented a crystal ball in front of Rarity. “Here’s the visual recording of what’s been actually going on with the changelings all this time. You’re free to leave your cell and explore around the castle, but don’t expect to leave the kingdom. Because you along with your friends will be bargaining chips for when your ruler comes to negotiate terms.”

“You’re just going to let me go? Just like that?” Rarity asked as Chrysalis spoke.

“No, we’re letting you explore the castle. You will be watched by the changeling guards that won’t be entranced by your charms. Oh, and don’t try to teleport from out of the castle or use magic. The castle is made of a special material that can nullify magic that isn’t changeling magic...or whatever magic Jurrita’s is.”

“Eorzian magic...well to be accurate Ascian magic...but let’s just say it’s otherworldly magic for the time being.” Jurrita said before leaving the cell of the Element of Generosity. “For the time being, make yourself at home. We’ll try to make your time here as comfortable as possible.” she said as Chrysalis stared at Rarity for a moment before following after the lalafell. As the two left, Rarity pulled herself up, but stops when she looks over at the crystal ball they left behind. She reaches over to pick it up as she examines it a bit.

“...Could they be telling the truth?” She thought as she pulled herself up from the ground and placed the ball in her saddlebag. “I’ll have to look this over later.” She said before looking over herself and gags due to the remains of the cocoon she was wrapped in was still on her clothes. “Right now I need to get out of this dreadful place and clean myself off of this horrid gunk.”

[Changeling Empire, Medical Wing]

“So...that went better than I expected.” Chrysalis said while letting the lalafell ride on her shoulders.

“That’s a good sign. Meaning that there are ponies that aren’t stubborn idiots. Let us hope the other two will be just as if not more cooperative.” Jurrita said, only for her to notice a group of changelings standing outside of the medical room. “Which, I doubt they’ll be given the crowd standing outside.”

“You there, medical drone. What’s going on?” Chrysalis asked as one of the medical changelings turned their attention towards the queen and dark knight.

“Queen Chrysalis. Thank faust you’re here. We’re trying to see if the prisoners you brought here were okay or need to have their bandages change, but we’re having problems trying to check up on them.” he said as the two look over him to see a changeling flying out a nearby window.

“...Should I deal with them, or should you? Because I’m willing to use my magic on them.” Chrysalis said as she felt Jurrita hop off her shoulders and heads inside.

“I’ll deal with this.” Once inside, she noticed some of the changelings were hanging from the ceiling, flying outside due to being thrown out of said windows, or circling around the two while keeping their distance due to the two mares trying to swing at them if they got any closer. “Nice to see you two are up and about. Especially given what happened.”

“You!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she rushed towards the lalafell in an attempt to punch her in the face. Just as she was about to hit her in the face, the lalafell quickly changed from a cladded knight to a fast and agile fighter wearing loose clothing and gauntlets, quickly dodging the punch from the pegasus, and delivered a strong punch to her face causing her to tumble backwards from the pain.

While the pegasus recoils from the punch to her face, Applejack quickly rushes towards Jurrita in an attempt to grapple her into a headlock. The lalafell took notice of the apple farmer heading towards her as she quickly performs a backflip, causing the earth pony to stagger backward. While staggered, the lalafell quickly lunged toward the staggered earth pony and delivered a strong punch to her abdomen as it caused her to get the wind knocked out of her and fall to the ground.

“If you two are done fighting, I would like to talk with you both in a civil-” Before Jurrita could finish, she quickly dodged an oncoming flying kick from Rainbow Dash. As she moves to the side to dodge it, she quickly grabs her legs and slammed her onto the ground face first, then onto her back, and then her face again before letting go. Once Rainbow Dash was on the ground, she soon moved onto her and grabbed onto her wings.

“Wow, wasn’t expecting you to be this good at fighting...but why the sudden change in clothing?” Chrysalis asked while still noticing the bunny ears on her head as she snickers. Jurrita rolled her eyes before turning her attention to Rainbow Dash as she quickly breaks her wings. A loud sickening snap could be heard as it caused Chrysalis and the medical changelings to hiss and wince from the sound. The pegasus let out a loud scream of pain and began to flail around on the ground from the pain. Once she was done, the lalafell released her hold on her and moved over to Applejack and grabbed her legs.

“Listen well you two. Because I’m only going to say this once. Along with your unicorn friend, you all will be our bargain chips for when we negotiate with your Princess. During that time you three are free to walk around the castle and do as you please. But do not make any attempts on escaping. Because You will be met with severe punishment. Either by my hands or Chrysalis’s hands. And trust me, you do not want me to be the one to deliver the punishment upon you. Because just like how I broke the pegasus’s wings, I can break your arms or legs so you won’t be able to escape.”

“You think we’re going to believe a word you say?” Rainbow Dash asked as she glared at the lalafell. “Especially after what you did at the station outside?” She said before noticing a crystal appearing in front of her and Applejack thanks to Chrysalis using her magic to levitate them over to the two.

“These might change your attitude a bit. But it's up to you both whether you want to believe a word I say or not. All that matters is that you three will be here for a while. So do make yourselves comfortable, try not to cause trouble, and if possible. Help out around the place, because they really need help in recovering from your princess’s neglect.” After saying that, Jurrita releases her hold on Applejack’s legs as she goes over to Chrysalis and hops back onto her shoulders.

“Doctors, patch them up and treat the pegasus’s wings.” Chrysalis said as the medical changelings did as ordered and rushed over to the two mares to get to work. “Once you fix the pegasus’s wings, seal them up so she doesn’t try and use them to escape.” She said as the two make their way out of the room and off to a different section of the castle they’re in.

“I think that went well, don’t you think?” Jurrita asked as the changeling queen looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. “What? They’re not dead or anything.”

“True, but did you have to break the pegasus’s wings like that?”

“When it comes to those who prefer to fight their way out of situations like that, they need to be dealt with physically. Mainly to show that you mean business and are not taking shit from anyone or pony.”

“So come off as ruthless first, then compassionate second?” She asked as the lalafell nodded.

“There’s nothing wrong with showing how ruthless you can be, but you also need to show how compassionate you are so that your subjects won’t think you’re weak or to be feared. You just need to know when and how to show it.”

“Heh, ever thought of being a ruler someday?” Chrysalis asked as Jurrita busted out laughing.

“Seven hells no! I’m not a leader. I prefer to go on adventures, fight people and monsters that put up a good challenge, and get gil so I can save up for when I retire someday...which might take a while given how I am.“ She said as she felt her stomach growling causing her to blush a bit.

“Seems like somepony is hungry.” Chrysalis said as her stomach began to growl as well. “And it would seem I am as well. I’ll have the cook whip up something for us to eat, but I make no promises that it’ll be good.”

“I think I might be able to help out with that.” Jurrita said as Chrysalis reached for the lalafell to lift her up in front of her like a child’s doll. The lalafell smirked at the queen as her clothes quickly changed in a burst of light as she was now wearing chefs clothing “It’s time for you all to try some culinary cooking. Eorzea style~”