Broken Knowlage

The Rain

Now I had once had a hangover that made waking up quite a hassle, Thanks to Applejack's namesake beverage. Once I became an Alicorn I never had to worry about them again thanks to my physiology. Once I had rejoined the waking world, I was reintroduced to the concept and found myself facing 'the big one' as Rainbow once put it after missing a few days of life. My brain and horn ached fiercely and I was drained of mana. My fore-hoof was healed by this point, looking at the sun just beginning to set, I could see why. The last of my strength, I use to bind you to this land. It's strength shall be your own. The voice whispered tiredly. It's strength finely that of the wind through the barren wastes.

Knowledge bloomed in my mind, every inch of every mile became known to me. All the way from the sulfur bog to the sire mountain, the barrens to the tall columns. As well as every creature that made its home here. The ramshackle town of Kludgtown I would have to visit soon enough see how Tempest is doing. The knolls I was surprise about, Equestria had no knowledge of their presence. A smattering of small groups roamed the wastes following herds of some mindless reptiles. A nomadic culture I would guess. One larger grouping not to far from me really. should let them know I'm in the neighborhood. One or two others all by their own. Then to the south in the many caves and crevices of the Tall columns, where hundreds of changelings, all surrounding and protecting her.

Chrysalis, I see you've built some numbers back up. What am I to do with you?The thought passed through my head as I feel the connection gaining strength. as barren as the land was even the smallest bit feeding itself into me and passing back out, All the while slowly depositing a minute amount of power. I think to myself as I reacquaint my self with controlling my bearings. Perhaps I muse as my strength slowly returns, quicker then ever before. I should go ask her

Feeling the land, knowing it. I finally figure out how an earth pony like people seem to teleport to and fro. The Jaunt, when an earth pony knows a spot of land better then they know themselves they can move anywhere in that spot. That is why only older earth ponies seem to be able to do it, the are normally the only ones who know the land to that extent, save Pinkie of course. With a fond thought of the pink mare, I pop over to a different bit of land within my spot.

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Stepping out from behind the tall backed black thrown I see The equally as tall black queen and the five others as expected. What was unexpected was that the five others where all small grubs. A very pale grey color covered their bodies save for the face which was a darker grey nearly the black of adult hood. The queen herself was singing a soft tune to the nearly asleep grubs. Her disharmonious voice lending an odd ethereal quality that I find I quite enjoyed.

"She left her baby lying there,
lying there,
lying there beneath the tree,
off to gather blueberries.
Along I came and what did I see,
But a baby lying there
lying there beneath the tree.
oh but a wonderful opportunity.
With a hush I slip away with the baby.
Shy left her baby lying there
lying there beneath the tree.
And what did she see.
But a baby beneath the tree.
I left my baby lying there,
lying there beneath the tree.
I left my baby lying there
lying there, waiting for its prey."

As the last grub slips into slumber she stands and turns. The instant she sees me and freezes. Stark terror written across her face "Hello Chrysalis" I great softly "You have a lovely singing voice by the way." Still terrified she slowly walked over putting her self between me and the grubs. "Are you here to kill me?" she asked her voice just as quiet. I look down at her as she steps in front of me, The chitin covering her lithe form stretched and worn looking. I ignore her question and instead ask one myself. "when was the last time you ate?"

A look of confusion pushed aside her terror and she tilted her head slightly before replying "I can no longer feed in Equestria, so while I try to find another feeding ground I do not." I raise an eyebrow at that and slowly start to circle her "Be still" I mutter when she began to move. Rigidity returned to her as her terror did. Her ribs jutted out starkly, and her hair fell in stringy clumps. even the bands across her middle were drawn in. Turning to look at the grubs I see the signs of a slight amount of undernourishment.

A slight whimper brought my eyes back to the queen. "Not my children, I cant lose them all again." She begged. Pulling up all the fond and loving memories of my friends, I gently grab her and puller into a hug. Ignoring her shriek of fear I push the accumulated emotions into her and release her. As she fell over from the overload I say "Never once did you kill any of my people Chrysalis. I will not kill you and yours so long as that one rule is followed."

Her body shivered and shuddered as it processed the large influx of emotional energy. I watched as the energy filled out her once more, her chitin becoming a bit less stretched and somewhat glossy. Her hair again falling silkily down her shoulders "I have claimed the badlands and all within it. So long as you keep to the rules I have no problem with you and yours staying." I look down to the shivering grubs before softly lying down by them radiating the same love that Fluttershy had for all animals. "I'm no threat to you little ones" I say warmly, softly laying my wing over them. They quickly calm and wiggle closer to lean against me, enjoying the meal.

" you have claimed the badlands?" Came the low question, piercing the silence that had sprung up. "More they have claimed me." I reply and take in the thrown room slash nursery. Soft green light played off of soft tan rock. A long tapestry adorning one wall the only decoration. "My Queen!" Came a shout as a lone changeling barreled through the door. Upon seeing me the ling froze and dropped to the ground and moved no further. At my quizzical expression The royal ling said "The world itself reels from your actions Dusk, It waits with baited breath for your next move. I thought my children that it was useless to try and fight you. Apparently that means to play dead." I think on that for a long moment before saying "The badlands are mine, less they raise another army against Equestria, here I will stay."