It was a lovely day in Canterlot. Well, as lovely as it could get. There were still the many, whiny nobles that came in, broadcasting their...interesting concerns, but that was a given in the capital. All and all, it was a pretty standard day for the white mare on the throne.

Princess Celestia. One of the two main rulers of the land, alongside her sister, Princess Luna. She handled the day court and the rising of the sun and her sister handled the night court (despite it not having many occupants, due to most of them still fearing her sister for her past) as best as she could while also raising the moon and making sure everypony's dreams were all in order. Yes, her sister could go inside the realm of dreams. A power that Celestia always wanted for herself, but could never master.

She was currently listening to one of the aforementioned nobles yapping on like they usually did. Don't get her wrong, she loved her little ponies, but some of them could be somewhat...annoying, to say the least.

"So you see, princess, a lot of the pear stands are filthy and not becoming of..."

Before she could even attempt to be bothered to listen anymore to his ramblings while adorning her ever so well known royal smile, she sensed something. Something unnatural. Something unknown. It wasn't close. Not at all. But she could sense it. And it scared her. It felt...evil and chaotic. She snapped out of her thoughts and looked down to the noble, giving him a fake nod and the same smile.

"I will be sure to look into it, my little pony. But something dire has suddenly arrisen that I must take care of immediately."

Before the noble could even make a retort, the guards saw him out, his protests being heard by the princess as he walked out. She walked to her sister's room. She would still be asleep, but she needed to tell her about this as soon as possible. She saw that her sister's night guards, who were called Threstral's, a pony with bat like features, were standing outside her sister's door on guard. She nodded to them and they nodded back, moving out of the way.

"Our highness is still sleeping, princess. Be careful. She may be a bit...grumpy."

She nodded in appreciation and gave them a smile. She walked in, slowly opening and closing the door, trying to not make too much noise. Regardless, her sister tossed and turned before sitting up, rubbing her eyes with her hooves, her mane disheveled. She opened her eyes and glared at her, bags underneath them.

"Sister...what time is it? Why did you wake me?"

Celestia sat down on the side of the bed, sporting a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry, dear sister. I wouldn't have come if it wasn't serious. A few moments ago, during one of our noble's typical rambles...I felt something. An unknown sensation. Something chaotic and evil. And even though I do not know what it was, I could feel something else alongside it too. Something that I know all too familiar."

Luna looked up at her with a now serious but curious look on her face. "Familiar? What do you think it is, sister?"

Celestia stood up, looking towards the window, causing Luna to raise an eyebrow. "Chrysalis." This caused Luna's eyes to widen and her face to sour, giving her an angry expression. She, apparently having gained the energy out of nowhere, jumped out of her bed, causing Celestia to spin around to face her.

"That monster? I thought she was defeated at Cadance's wedding?"

Celestia nodded. "So did I, but apparently not. But it was also the unknown sensation I got. It was from something else, but it was tied to her. Almost as if something was near her. Something incredibly powerful and dangerous. Possibly even more dangerous than her."

That made Luna wince a bit. She knew Chrysalis was powerful and Luna herself was never one to back down from a fight, but something more powerful? Her and her sister couldn't catch a break. She used a spell to straighten out her mane and give it its usual flowing effect, walked up to the window alongside her sister and stared outside with her.

"I see. Then we must inform Twilight Sparkle and the elements. We might need their assistance if it is as powerful as you say. Do you have any idea as to where she and whatever else may be currently?"

Celestia nodded, still sporting a serious stare, causing some of the ponies outside to notice the two royal sisters in the window. They waved, but they were ignored. This was too important.

"I can track what I picked up on, yes. But we will alert Twilight and her friends first. Whatever involves a being like Chrysalis is never a good thing."

Luna nodded in agreement, walking towards the door. "I shall inform Twilight Sparkle and her friends. You stay for your morning court until I get back. I don't think we should let anypony else know what's going on just yet. Considering how much of a toll Chrysalis's attack during the wedding took on some of our subjects, I do not wish to scare them and make them assume things. I am sure you do not want that either, sister."

Celestia smiled in appreciation. "Of course. Thank you, sister. I shall be waiting for your return."

Luna smiled, waving as she walked out. When she had finally left, Celestia took on a serious look again, walking back towards her morning court. "Whatever that feeling was, it was incredibly powerful and unknown. And that scares me."

"So...let me get this straight...this planet is called Equis, the place you want to take over is Equestria and this place is your hive." Mercer was currently standing next to the being he now knew as Chrysalis. She was currently sitting in her throne, him standing right in front of her. She nodded, getting irritated already by the creature that she now knew as Alex Mercer, playing 20 quesions with her. She agreed to give him information, yes, but that was partially a lie. She didn't actually expect him to drone on and on. She sighed in boredom.

"Yes."

He nodded, noting her tone. "Right. But this still doesn't help me get back."

She scoffed. "You don't say? We will find a way if you help me take over Equestria. The princesses are holding some secrets, I know it. And considering you don't remember how you even got here, I can almost gurantee that it had something to do with either Twilight sparkle..." She nearly cringed saying that name. "...or the princesses. So, you will no doubt find your answers there."

Mercer was reluctant to believe a thing that she said, but what other choice did he have? Again, he could consume her, but it may make more trouble than he really needed right now. If she became a problem to his journey back, however, he'd have absolutely no issues sucking her memories dry. For the meantime, if this thing could help him, then so be it.

"I see. And where do I fit into all this? The taking over Equestria, I mean. What's stopping me from just walking in there and asking?"

Chrysalis snarled at Mercer's further questioning, but then she realised something. "Wait...I could use this to my advantage. If I can convince this creature that the ponies will stop him from getting back to his home...he may be more inclined to join our cause." She shook her head and now sporting an evil looking grin, once again showing off her teeth. "Mercer, isn't it?"

He nodded.

"Well, Mercer, the reason as to why I want to take over Equestria is to have a safe haven for all of my changelings. We have never been accepted, never been given a chance. We feed on love. It is our food source. If we don't get any for a while, we whither away and die. I want to make the world a better place for my people. The ponies shun out any creature that isn't like them. So what do you think will happen if you, a completely unknown and very dangerous new creature, come into their kingdom?"

The realisation of what this thing was saying hit him hard. She could be lying about the whole safe haven thing for her people and she probably was. But, when he arrived here, he could tell that it wasn't these things that had summoned him. They were too shocked and they acted out with aggression, the same way humans would if a new species showed up on their doorstep. And that means that she may actually be telling the truth. Maybe the other equines were responsible for his arrival or at least know how he can get back. Regardless of her intentions, he needed to get back home. If she became a problem down the line, he'd do what he'd have to do. But for now, he had to see where this thing was going with this. He looked towards her.

"You may have a point. But what's stopping me from just consuming you and taking your memories?"

This made Chrysalis pale slightly. "Con...consume? Excuse me?"

He scoffed, grinning. "Oh, I didn't tell you. I also need a food source to survive. DNA. Other being's, to be precise. Anything biological. Now, I was planning to consume you when we were fighting so I could gain the info that I need, but I figured I may as well hear you out first. I don't know what would happen if I consume an alien's DNA. You may actually be able to help me more if you're alive. Because at the very slim chance that you are telling the truth about these ponies, you may be able to assist me in getting back home."

Even though this thing basically just threatened her life, she smirked. Regardless of Mercer's intentions, she was slowly starting to like his way about words. He was very...upfront and strong. She respected that. And it could come in handy in her plans.

"I can assure you, if you kill me, you won't get anything from it. You need my support if you want to get in there. You may be strong, but do not understimate them. I do not hold the knowledge to send you back home on my own. As I already stated, the ponies are probably the culprits behind your mysterious appearance here. And if that's the case..."

Mercer tapped his chin, humming to himself in thought. She might be right there. He was strong, but he wasn't stupid. Anything but. He would need to see what these things can do with his own eyes before he assumes how strong they are. He already made that fatal mistake with Captain Robert Cross and then because of said mistake, he ended up with a parasite inside of him that he needed outside help to get rid of. Maybe this is another situation that he needs outside help. He sighed.

"As much as I hate to admit it, you may be right. Alright then, it's settled. I don't really care what you do when you take over the place, your intentions for this planet are not my concern. My only concern is getting back home and if you can help me with that, then I'll help you. But I warn you, if you try to use me for your own gain and do not deliver your promise to help, I won't hesistate to deal with you. Got it?"

Chrysalis nodded, secretly grinning to herself. "I must admit, I like his way around things. Reminds me of how I'd make a deal. Regardless, if this thing can actually help me take over Equestria, I'll be glad to get rid of it and send it back home. If not, it isn't my concern. He shall be dealt with if he tries anything"

"Alright, Mercer. You've got yourself a deal. Now, I want you to go and gain as much information as you can on their status. How many troops they have, any weakpoints that the city of Canterlot may hold.."

He scoffed. "Canterlot? Really?"

She nodded. "The capital. It is the main point of our attack. We tried before but it failed."

He thought for a second. "Hang on, if it already failed, why not try somewhere else that isn't as heavily fortified?"

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "There is nowhere el..."

Then an idea hit her. Her scoff went from a sly smirk. "Hang on...you may be onto something there, Mercer. There is a small town called Ponyville. It is home to the elements of harmony. The things that we discussed earlier."

He nodded, remembering. "Right. The elements of Harmony. The supernatural artifacts that are worn by the element bearers."

She nodded. "Exactly. There are 6 ponies who each wield a single piece. But the main one is a pony called Twilight Sparkle. She was the one who thrwated my plans the last time. And might no doubt be the main culprite behind your arrival here. If we break her, the others will be like candy."

Mercer nodded. He really didn't care if this thing was evil or not, all he cared about was getting back home. If it was really this Twilight Sparkle who could have brought him here, his beef was with her, not this thing. And if this thing was being true about being able to help, he'd take it. He still had his doubts on Chrysalis, but he washed them aside for now. More important things were at stake. Getting home was all that mattered to him. What happened to the residents of this place or this planet wasn't his concern.

"Right. Again, whatever happens to the inhabitants of this planet or the planet itself is none of my concern. My main task is getting back home to make sure that my sister is safe."

That hit Chrysalis somewhat hard. "You...have a sister?"

He nodded. "She's the only thing that I care about. And I need to get back to her."

It reminded her of her brood sister. She was the only one that she ever felt any emotion for. And after her death, well...this is the first time that Chrysalis could actually relate to any creature. She nodded.

"I understand. I too had a sister. I won't go into detail, but I lost her as well. Regardless, do what I have asked of you and I will help you, creature. You have my word. We will take your suggestion and take over Ponyville first. Go there. See what you can find."

He nodded. "If you say so. I'll report back here when I'm done. But one question. How do I get there and back?"

She grinned. "That is simple. I can teleport you near the village. You can take some of my drones with you. They will alert me telapathically when you need to get back. These are some of my best soldiers."

She pointed towards the door behind him, that had just opened. He spun around to now be faced with 3 smaller changelings. One was clearly a female, a more slimmer and curvy figure. The other two were bulkier. Males. They all saluted towards Chrysalis and then turned to look at Mercer, a skeptical look on their faces.

"Watch their back and they will watch yours. Try not to cause any suspicion. We are simply gaining information. The attack comes later."

He turned back around and nodded to her. "Gotcha."

She grinned. "Excellent. Now, be on your way and don't fail me, otherwise you can kiss your way home goodbye."

He was angered at the way she spoke to him, but he didn't show it. There was no need to start another fight. Before he could make a retort, he was suddenly enveloped by a green aura. A few seconds later, the hive disappeared and a green, vast forest replaced it. He looked behind him, staring at the 3 drones who had come with him. They walked past him, the female turning around and ushering him to follow.

"This way, creature. Ponyville is just a mile north of here."

He didn't even nod, he just followed. He scoffed. "Never thought I'd need anyone's help again to get myself out of a situation, let alone these fucking things. Regardless, I've got to play it safe. For now. I'm coming, Dana. I will get home to you. I promise. By any means necassary."

Author's Note

2nd chapter is here, booyah.