Shining's Return to the Brood 2

Up in the Frozen North of Equestria, the newly-revived and thriving city of the Crystal Empire stood out like a beacon of hope in comparison to the elements outside. Despite its controversial past, and the secondary attacks the Empire may have faced since defeating King Sombra years ago, there was no denying how tranquil and beautiful the city really was. Whether it was by its crystal architecture, the shimmering roadways that always remained sparkly clean, or the grand monument of the Crystal Heart that towered before the city as a symbol of unity, it was hard to deny how significant the Crystal Empire’s presence had been following its reclamation.

Even though the city was largely populated by the Crystal Ponies who lived over a millennium ago, it quickly became one of the most advanced as its citizens flourished in the wonders of Modern-Day Equestria. Because of that, not many ponies batted an eye as their leader, Prince Shining Armor, took a casual stroll through town with several guards walking alongside him. The white unicorn may have been Royalty, but it became clear very shortly after his marriage that he wasn’t the kind of Prince to remain cooped-up in his castle all day long. Instead, Shining was comfortable enough to trot down the empty street with a content smile on his muzzle, and the pegasus Flash Sentry walking alongside him; behind the two, a couple of identical-looking Crystal Guards followed in tow with more neutral expressions.

After giving a kindly wave towards a couple of ponies who trotted past his group, Shining took notice of the pale orange pegasus’ stare back at him. Flash carried a smirk on his muzzle that showed a look of intrigue on his young face. Even though Shining was aware that the soldier was always one to look up to him as a mentor, he knew that the stallion’s smile at that particular moment wasn’t because of that. Instead, the Lieutenant said with a particularly coy tilt of his head, “I gotta say, Prince Shining, you seem pretty excited if I say so myself.”

Shining may have been the head of the Royal Guard, but he couldn’t help breaking his composure the tiniest bit as he shrugged with a giddier-looking smile. “Well, ummm… Can you really blame me?” he asked Flash while carrying an optimistic, albeit slightly bashful-looking expression on his face. Even though the pegasus himself wasn’t questioning his superior’s behavior, it was clear that Shining wasn’t acting as stern as he usually did around his cadets. Regardless, neither Flash or the Guards behind them seemed to mind the Prince’s blushed smile as he added in a meeker tone, “I mean… I know it’s only been a couple days and all, but… Well, it’s… it’s nice to see you around again...”

Shining’s blush grew a little heavier across his cheeks, but Flash Sentry didn’t say anything about it while the Prince looked at him with an oddly timid expression. In fact, the Guard’s smirk widened a little upon seeing how sheepish Shining was looking. “Oh, really?” he asked while raising a brow back towards his Superior. “Because if I recall, Shining… You and I used to be fairly harsh enemies towards each other before then, weren’t we?~”

Shining couldn’t keep himself from huffing audibly in embarrassment, and he looked away from Flash while his smile clenched inward. The Prince’s reaction didn’t seem to faze Flash in the slightest, but the Guards behind them had to withhold some devilish-sounding snickers. Regardless of how he may have been seen by the soldiers, Shining maintained his composure enough to lift his head back up and admit with a sheepish shrug, “W-Well, I… I suppose we have had a bit of conflict in the past, haven’t we? Although, ummm… I hope you don’t blame me for how I used to feel towards you...”

Flash Sentry didn’t say anything for a second, and just narrowed his eyes on Shining as his cheeks grew a deeper shade of crimson. While the Guard carried a slier-looking grin, he waited a moment before saying in a suspiciously cheeky tone of voice, “Oh, don’t worry about how you and I may have acted, Shining Armor. I already apologized to you for my past digressions, just like you apologized for your actions towards me. We’ve both made mistakes in the past, but now we’re working together for a better future~”

Flash’s eyes gleamed suspiciously as he said those last two words with such an odd inflection, and eyed Shining Armor with a precarious-looking grin on his face. Meanwhile, the Prince nodded as he kept his optimistic smile, and replied with a cheerful, “Th-That’s right. I mean… we are working together now, which is still pretty crazy to think about, all things considered. Heh heh heh… B-But still, I… I really want to thank you for giving me this chance.”

“It’s really not a problem at all,” the pegasus said reassuringly while nodding to Shining’s statement. “Considering what I have planned, it’s nice to have a… mutually beneficial relationship with such a highly-esteemed pony as yourself. You have something very important for me, and I have something very important to you. Isn’t that right?~”

It was fortunate that no Crystal Ponies were within close proximity to Shining or his Guards, otherwise there may have been some suspicious reactions to how heavily the Prince’s cheeks were blushing. But regardless of how he may have looked, or how audibly Flash and the stallions behind him chuckled in response to it, Shining maintained his poise strongly enough to give a brief sigh and nod his head. “Ummm… Y-Yeah,” he replied with a wrinkled smile while trying not to stare too bashfully back towards the pegasus. “I… I really can’t deny that~”

Even though the Prince was trying his hardest to maintain his regal demeanor while outdoors, it was flimsy enough to make Flash narrow his eyes back at him and giggle teasingly. “Myyyy, goodness~” he said with a notably mocking jeer in his smirk, almost as if he wasn’t talking directly to his Superior Officer. However, considering how confident he and his fellow Guards looked in comparison to the Prince trotting alongside them, it should’ve been clear to anypony watching that something was deeply amiss. But with the four on their own as they walked along the crystal street, nopony was present to hear the young stallion as he leaned in close to Shining’s ear, and made him shudder silently.

“You can tell me the truth, my little ‘Prince’... You really missed serving me again, didn’t you?~”

Shining tried his hardest not to succumb to those teasing words while out in public, but a strong shiver still swept across his body as he trembled with a bit lip. It was unclear if it was because of Flash’s taunting demeanor, or the fact that the Prince was too far away from any civilians to be overheard; but whichever reason it was, Shining’s pause only lasted a second or two before he exhaled sharply to give a reply. “I, ummm… Y-Yes. I… I missed it a lot~”

Upon seeing that alarmingly sheepish smile behind Shining’s heavy blush, Flash and the other two Guards stopped in their tracks. The Prince did the same as a glimpse of worry shot across his face for a split second. However, the pegasus’ widening grin didn’t show any disappointment back at Shining; instead, Flash’s expression carried a malicious look of unbridled glee, almost akin to a predatory beast toying with it’s prey. “You missed doing what, Shining Armor~” he purred in a dominantly confident growl, which sounded nothing like Flash Sentry himself. “And address me properly~”

Shining Armor may have been the leader of the Empire they were in, but it seemed as if he knew there could be a change in power very soon. He looked visibly nervous for a second as he looked around, but the group were still distant enough from any eavesdroppers to keep him from responding to the younger stallion. Since no ponies were able to overhear him, the Prince gave a very faint bow of his head as he closed his eyes and said, “I… I missed serving you… My Queen~”

Flash Sentry -- or more accurately, the Changeling Queen disguised as Flash Sentry -- grinned widely in delight while seeing how quickly Shining responded to such a demeaning order. Of course, despite how heavy the Prince’s blush may have grown from embarrassment, he still had a hopeful smile on his face when he pulled his head back up to stare back at his new Mistress. The Queen didn’t change from her pegasus form, but she did give a quick flash of the glowing green magic across her eyes while smirking evilly. “Oh, Shining… You have no idea how much I enjoy seeing you like this~”

The two “Guards” behind Shining and Chrysalis snickered more mischievously, with their lecherous smiles growing a little too wide to make their disguises seem legit. However, the group was quick to resume their mission as they went back to walking, with the dopplegangers all keeping their appearances withheld and believable. All the while, Shining Armor tried his hardest to keep an upright stance as he trotted beside “Flash,” and not look too intimidated by the Queen he was now serving; of course, the faintest blush remained across his cheeks as he made a brief, split-second glance back at Chrysalis’ torso.

The fake pegasus smirked the tiniest bit upon noticing that look, and only waited a second before saying casually, “I know what you’re staring at, Shining. But I already told you, this mission is meant to indoctrinate somepony else, remember?”

Shining couldn’t help wincing guiltily as he looked away from her, and his ears lowered in embarrassment. “I-I’m sorry, my Queen,” he said in a rather pathetic-sounding mutter. From the way his head was struggling not to lower in submission, it was shocking to think that he used to be the confident leader of the Crystal Empire. But now, it was obvious how significantly the Changeling was able to change his demeanor as he added sheepishly, “I… I know that you need to assimilate more ponies to strengthen your brood. A-And… And I promise you that you will have the Crystal Empire with my help…”

Even though it was clear how genuine the Prince’s assurance may have sounded, Chrysalis could still see the briefest hint of shame in Shining’s expression behind his blush. Of course, despite how badly he may have been brainwashed by her since their previous encounter, she wouldn’t have been too surprised if there was a glimpse of his composure that remained beyond her magical grasp. His mind may have been effectively broken by her with relative ease back in those caverns, but she wasn’t one to underestimate these ponies a third time. Fortunately, the Queen had to keep from smiling in Flash’s form when she heard Shining take a hesitant breath, and then continue speaking.

“It… It’s just that…” Shining’s words began to falter before they could leave his muzzle, and he had to close his eyes to take a couple breaths in preparation. Chrysalis narrowed her eyes on him slyly, seemingly knowing what it is he might say next. But alas, the Queen remained silent as she let her pawn settle down, and reopen his mouth to talk less shakily. “... If you don’t mind me asking, my Queen, I was… I was kinda hoping that after I take you to him, that I… I could, ummm… m-maybe…”

Shining Armor winced more painfully as his muzzle tightened shut, clearly showing difficulty in what he was wanting to request. Luckily for him, Chrysalis looked around to make sure they weren’t being watched, and then leaned in close to the Prince’s ear to whisper in a tantalizing hiss:

“... that maybe... you want to be privileged to receive my Ovipositor again?~”

Shining froze up and shuddered hard from that question, which would’ve been as good as any audible answer towards his Queen. However, Chrysalis still smiled wickedly wide when she saw Shining regain his composure enough to sigh sharply, and then nod his head with a very deep blush. “Y… Yes, my Queen. I-If it’s alright, of course...”

Due to how miserably weak Shining was acting alongside the disguised Changelings, it took everything from the Guards behind him and Chrysalis to keep from cackling in sadistic glee. But for the Queen herself, all that she did was sigh with a more content grin while walking in Flash Sentry’s identity. Shining looked back ahead of the group as they walked, and had his muzzle tightly bitten shut in trepidation. After the “pegasus” made a brief chuckle to herself, Chrysalis glanced back at him to say as a reminder, “You know, Shining… When it comes to ponies I choose to become my Brood-Stallions, it’s not necessarily politeness that I seek. What I want from them is obedience, and dedication to the cause.”

“Y-Yes, absolutely!” blurted Shining with a very quick nod of his head, and his expression growing more fretful by the second. Chrysalis could see a couple beads of sweat emerging underneath Shining’s blue mane, and his legs becoming more fidgety with each step. Even though Shining was effectively brainwashed, the Queen was grateful that the Changeling pheromones coursing through his system were able to keep him in line. Since those pheromones carried an addictive quality more potent than most opiates, it was clear he was growing desperate as he added with another nod, “I-I understand completely, my Queen. A-And I… And that’s why I chose this stallion to help you conquer the Crystal Empire.”

Ever since Shining returned to the city with his mind effectively warped, Chrysalis was hopeful that the Prince had a good-enough plan to help her with this invasion. Despite having defeated him more than once, she also knew that it would be foolish to dismiss the options of a high-ranking military official from the inside. And due to how diligently he was walking her and her drones through the Crystal Empire for his first mission, the Queen felt compelled to ask out of curiosity, “So… What is it about this… Sun-Burster that makes you vouch for him as a worthy candidate?”

“Ummm… H-His name is Sunburst, my Queen,” replied Shining as he took another deep breath, and tried to focus on his response to ignore his physical ticks. “Y-You see, I… I actually have a few reasons why I think he’d be the best choice to help us. F-For starters, he… He’s very close friends with Starlight Glimmer and my sister Twilight.”

“Aaaahhhhh, I see~” purred the Flash mimic as she let a more sinister grin grow across his muzzle for a second. “So, he convinces them to come by, and we strike them next, correct?~”

Shining’s muzzle pursed tightly for a second, but Chrysalis couldn’t tell if that was because she brought up his sister too soon during his brainwashing. Fortunately, Shining was able to counteract her point after making a brief exhale. “W-Well, ummm… Actually, I… I was going to say that it would be a smart move to convert him before he tries to communicate any Changeling warnings to Twily and the Elements. If you want to invade a city, it’s best to do it covertly and cut communication like you had your second attempt. I mean… the only reason you failed that time was because of Thorax escaping the Crystal Empire to inform Starlight. And… and that was because of Sunburst.”

Chrysalis blinked a couple times while staring at the Prince with a look of surprise. Despite knowing that Shining wasn’t an idiot when it came to strategy, she didn’t expect him to make a point that concise to explain his choice for a second Brood-Stallion. After a couple seconds of thought, she gave an impressed shrug before replying, “I must say… that’s actually a fair point.”

Shining gave a bashful smile as he nodded back at the disguised pegasus with a blush. “Th-Thank you, my Queen,” he said with a sincerely thankful tone that matched his corrupted demeanor. However, his submission wasn’t enough to keep him from adding a cheekier-sounding, “I mean… It’s not like I became Head of the Royal Guard for nothing, right?~”

Due to the Prince’s current state, Chrysalis was quick to send a quip right back to keep him in his place. “Well, considering how willing you were to swear your allegiance to me, you probably shouldn’t claim it was for your Loyalty, hmmm?~”

That remark shut Shining right up, and he lowered his head with a look shame as they kept walking. Chrysalis was sure that she hit a small nerve in the deeper recesses of his mind that she hadn’t compromised just yet, but she was doubtful he felt too guilty about his traitorous alliance with her. To prove that theory, the fake Flash leaned in close to his ear and said in an evilly teasing tone, “Oh, don’t act so mopey about that, Shining. It was just a joke, and you know that this arrangement will be more beneficial for you in the end, don’t you?~”

After breathing out pertly, Shining brought his head back up and nodded back at her. “A-Absolutely,” he replied with a weak smile beneath his blush. “I… I know that I can trust you to help me see this through, my Queen~”

The copy of Flash shot the stallion a warm and sympathetic smile, which seemed to quell the Prince’s worries despite how fake it was. She then looked around before giving Shining a small pat on the head with her hoof, and continued to walk as she said, “Now then, how about you tell me the other reasons you want me to induct Sunburst like I have you?~”

Shining smiled a little wider as he nodded a second time, and looked back ahead to continue his assessment. “Okay, well… Since he’s a Royal Crystaller, he has clearance for most of the Crystal Castle. Because of that, we could use him to induct a lot of higher-ranking staff himself. He could also help with suggesting strategy for you, and hopefully help organize things when I get to my Guards myself.”

“That all sounds very promising, Shining~” she said with a wide and lecherous grin, which only lasted for a second before she hid it behind her facade. Shining grew a more grateful smile from hearing his Queen’s praise, but tried not to look too antsy in case it wasn’t enough to give him what he desired. Just as they were about to round the corner of the street that leads directly to Sunburst’s home, Chrysalis decided to ask, “So, is there anything else that prompted you to select him for me?~”

Shining Armor seemed pleased that his points were convincing her so well, but he couldn’t help but look a little embarrassed as he tried to answer the Changeling. “W-Well, uhhh… It’s a little silly to bring it up now, but…”

Despite his hesitance, Shining sighed before he said in a more reluctant tone, “Well, ummm… I also know for a fact that Sunburst is gay, so… I dunno, I was thinking... maybe he’d be less resistant to it?”

“Pbbt!~” Chrysalis scoffed sharply enough to justify Shining’s apprehension about telling her that unnecessary detail. “Oh, please!” said the disguised Queen with a roll of her eyes and a coy smirk towards him. “I think the fact that you’re aligning with me is more than enough proof that orientation doesn’t matter. Especially since you’re doing it behind your wife’s back~”

While the Guards behind them giggled in agreement to their Queen’s point, Shining lowered his head and took a remorseful breath. Chrysalis made sure to study Shining’s expression intently following that mention, hopeful that the reminder of Princess Cadance wasn’t a step too far. However, even though it seemed evident that he looked shameful about his betrayal towards the mother of his foal, he was able to say towards Chrysalis, “Y… You’re right, my Queen… I apologize…”

Chrysalis’ Guards didn’t seem too worried about Shining following his answer, but the Queen herself wasn’t too convinced. Right as Sunburst’s house came up within sight, the fake Flash motioned for the other three to follow them towards a nearby alleyway. Shining looked a little confused as he followed his Queen’s new direction, but her Guards quickly followed suit like they had done it a million times before. While one of the drones morphed into a brick wall in front of the alley with a flash of green flame, the other took form of an oversized dumpster that covered the other end. Because of that, Shining and Chrysalis were left “alone” with each other in the secluded space.

Chrysalis didn’t morph out of her Flash Sentry appearance, but she did speak more openly as she graced her hoof against the side of Shining’s face. “Just so you know,” she said with a calm and insistent tone while petting the blushing Prince, “if there’s any issues you may have with my plans, I won’t be upset if you tell me, alright?”

Shining looked rather nervous while standing alone with his Queen, but he was able to nod his head the instant she asked that question. “O-Of course,” he said with an insistent, albeit slightly flustered tone of voice. “A-And, I… I promise I won’t let you down, my Queen. I swore my loyalty to you, and I’m not going to fall back on that.”

Chrysalis kept her hoof against the side of Shining’s face as she leaned in, and narrowed her eyes while staring into his. Even though the Queen knew she could just brainwash him again, she instead decided to say with a wide and leering grin, “That’s good to hear… because if you show enough loyalty to my plans today, I just might indulge you with my brood again~”

Shining let out a soft gasp as his eyes shot wide open, and his face lit up like a Hearth’s Warming tree. “R-Really?!” he said in an overly excited voice, not seeming to show any sign of his earlier guilt as soon as Chrysalis brought up her eggs again. “Y-You really mean that?”

Chrysalis chuckled in delight as she began to pet the Prince’s mane like a dog’s, and smiled while seeing Shining lowering his head for her convenience. “Well, of course I mean that~” she purred in sadistic glee, looking rather pleased at how tightly Shining was being wrapped around her hoof. “I don’t think any Brood-Stallions I induct should be doubtful of my intentions, should they?~”

“N-N-No! No, of course not!” Shining quickly lowered himself to bow before his Queen, not caring in the slightest about how precarious their hiding spot may have been. With the promise of her Ovipositor dangling before his mind like a carrot on a string, Shining Armor wasn’t above sacrificing his dignity for the sake of pleasing his former enemy. “P-Please forgive me, my Queen! A thousand pardons for doubting you, I swear I’ll remain loyal to your grace, Queen Chrysalis~”

If it wasn’t for the sound-barrier spells her drones were trained to put up while in their inanimate forms, Chrysalis would’ve been a little worried about the Crystal Empire’s Prince groveling to her in a public alleyway. But since she couldn’t hear any ponies from outside the Guards’ barriers, she was confident enough to grin down at her pawn and stroke the top of his head. “Ohhhhh, Shining~ It really is nice to see you showing your dedication to me in such a profound way. But alas… I need to ensure that you won’t question my motives when the time comes to conquer this Empire as my own~”

“I-I won’t!” cried out the stallion pathetically as he pushed his head down to the grimy street before Chrysalis’ hooves. His hind-legs were quivering in dire need to sate his egg addiction, and it took everything in him not to break down as he pleaded profusely. “Chrysalis, I promise I won’t question you! An… Any plans you have for the Crystal Empire will be acted out, I swear to you! I… I’ll do anything it takes to prove that as your Brood-Stallion, my Queen!”

The maniacal grin that Chrysalis carried across Flash Sentry’s face may have looked downright disturbing, but it didn’t seem to bother the Prince groveling so badly before her form. Even while keeping their inanimate shapes, Chrysalis could hear her drones snickering to the sight of Shining Armor acting so pathetically needy at her hooves. She knew that he might need a few more fillings of her pheromone-laced eggs to keep him in check, but she was rather delighted to see how far Shining had fallen already. Nonetheless, the Queen still needed to make sure he wouldn’t fall back to sobriety as she gripped the back of his mane with her hoof, and pulled his head up harshly enough to make him wince in pain.

Chrysalis then leaned in close to Shining’s face, and gave an intense stare as she asked with a widening grin, “... Even if that means choosing my eggs over Cadance?~”

Shining’s eyes widened sharply, and Chrysalis was able to see the clear glimpse of conflict that was still in the Prince’s mind. Even with all the brainwashing and pheromone-addiction he already had, it seemed that his love for Cadance was just as deep as it was during their wedding. If she wasn’t trying to induct him as her pawn, Chrysalis would’ve been impressed by his level of dedication towards that Princess. But during that momentary pause, the Queen couldn’t say she was entirely satisfied by the time he finally opened his muzzle.

“... I… I, ummm…” Shining didn’t try to pause for too long to show his hesitance, but he still closed his eyes before finishing his answer with a deep breath. “I… I want to be your Brood-Stallion, Queen Chrysalis. And I… I’ll do whatever it takes…”
Chrysalis narrowed her eyes on him with a dissatisfied look for a moment, but complied with a huff before letting go of his hair. Even though she wasn’t too happy with his non-answer, she wasn’t upset enough to keep him from continuing their current task. As she stood back up, Chrysalis wiped her hoof against her chest before saying, “Well… I’ll accept that answer for now, Shining Armor…”

Shining sheepishly got back on his hooves, but still kept his head lowered submissively before his disguised Queen. However, before either of her drones could morph back into their Guard mimics, Chrysalis got in close to Shining’s face and said in a more intense tone of voice, “But just remember this, my little Slave… The time will come when I take this Empire from you, and I promise that Cadance won’t be there for you when that happens. So the next time I ask you to choose, I demand a clear answer. Just think about which option you’re more comfortable in giving up, and make your choice. Got it?”

Despite how scared and uncomfortable he looked -- especially when the top of his mane and forehead were slightly scuffed from how hard he was groveling for Chrysalis a minute ago -- Shining Armor was able to give a small nod of his head while staring back at her obediently. “I… I understand completely, my Queen…”

Chrysalis then gave the Prince a natural-looking smile, and pulled a rag from beneath Flash’s armor to help clean up Shining’s mane. “Alright then~” she said in a sympathetic tone, which was disturbingly different to how she sounded just a moment ago. “I didn’t mean to sound intimidating to you, Shining. And I’m sorry if I acted that way. I just want you to think about how much you care about your new role, as well as what I’m willing to provide you. Cadance might not understand your needs, but you know that I will~”

After she finished cleaning Shining up, Chrysalis turned back around while the Prince was left too flustered to speak. The two drones morphed back to their Guard shapes when the coast was clear, and were quick to push Shining back in line to walk alongside the fake Flash Sentry. When no Crystal Ponies were seen in too close in proximity, the four headed back towards Sunburst’s home after that brief detour. Shining still seemed a little nervous, but he was able to walk diligently alongside Chrysalis without much hesitance. The Queen didn’t say anything as she followed her pawn, but was hopeful that he was able to think correctly while his mind was corrupted with her influence.

Thaaaaaaaat’s right, my little puppet~ Chrysalis thought to herself in maniacal pleasure, as she stared at the Prince’s blank and thoughtful gaze towards Sunburst’s house. You think loooooooong and hard about what you really want~