The Curse Of Chrysalis

Chapter 16

Kris stood before Umbra holding up what looked like a french maid outfit. “So, what do you think?” He asked with a smile.

Umbra glared an armory’s worth of blades at Kris and the uniform. “I THINK you’re an idiot.”

Cory sighed. “Told you.” He told Kris the uniform would only earn the guy an insult.

“Worth a shot.” Kris replied before putting it away. “I just figured you might like a change of clothes is all.”

“And the first thing you thought of was THAT?” Umbra growled out.

“No, the first thing I thought of was this.” He pulled out another dress, this one was mostly black with red fringe and a red bow along the collar and a red stripe going down the middle to the waist and circled it completely and two more lines coming down the sides to the skirt that went half way down the thighs where another red line went around the bottom of said skirt. “How ‘bout this one?”

Umbra snarled. “What is your obsession with making my legs in full view of all eyes?”

“Well first of all, it’s not an obsession. Second, you got some nice legs, girl. You shouldn’t be afraid to show them off. And third, honestly I’m not really all that smart when it comes to fashion, but I do know what I like. I just thought you might look good in this.” Kris replied.

“I may be a mare, but I am a warrior before that. I would rather keep what I have if that’s your idea of looking good.” Umbra turned her head.

Cory rubbed his eyes. “Well, good thing I asked Rarity to make clothes for a tomboy, or in this case, tomcolt.”

“Could you at least give it a chance? Please?” Kris said to Umbra. “It could at least be something you wear for some special occasion.”

“And WHAT, pray tell, would that occasion possibly be? I have two countries willing to claim my head, locked down to where I can’t even use my magic, and all would sooner launch me to the deepest parts of the ocean before welcoming me to attend ANY event.” Umbra all but demanded.

“PInkie would.” Kris stated simply. “And Equestria is all about giving second chances. Once they see you’ve changed, then so too will the animosity anyone may have for you. I am VERY determined to make that happen so no one will want you dead anymore. I promise, I won’t let anything like that happen.”

Umbra snorted. “The words and efforts of one creature mean nothing to the masses.”

Cory groaned. “Okay, that’s it. I understand you not changing overnight, I understand you wanting to cling to what little dignity you want to keep, but you are REALLY beginning to push my trigger button with this. So then, either try the dress on, or I will force that maid uniform on you and use my own magic to fuse it to your skin!”

Umbra glared at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

“Cory...it’s fine.” Kris stated before putting the dress away. It was a dumb idea anyway. Should have known better she wasn’t the type for dresses like that. I’m sorry Umbra. I just figured if you looked more like an approachable mare, it would help others see you in a different light. We’re not going to force you to wear something you don’t like. I’m sorry.” Kris bowed facing her.

Umbra was silent for a good while, almost a couple of minutes, before she huffed. “Fine.”

“Fine? Fine what?” Kris asked with a raised brow.

“Give me the damn dress!” Umbra said with a growl.

Kris gave a light smile before picking up the dress again and handed it to Umbra.

Umbra took it and went behind a cover that was given to change behind. After a few moments, she came back out, blushing from embarrassment.

“You look gorgeous. Not that you don’t always look gorgeous but I think it looks nice on you.” Kris stated. “What do you think, Cory?”

Cory nodded. “I will admit, for a guy who doesn’t know fashion all that well, you picked a good one to go with her.”

Umbra snarled. “I would appreciate it if you two didn’t patronize me.”

Cory shook his head. “We’re not. We genuinely mean it.”

“Seriously Umbra. You have a lovely figure and that dress shows it off nicely. You shouldn’t be ashamed to wear something that shows off your goods.” Kris said.

“Granted, I think something dark would suit her better, light dark red or even midnight purple.” Cory added.

Umbra groaned. “Can you stop talking about fashion for me?”

“Sorry. You can change back now if you want. We’ll see about getting some fresh clothes more to YOUR liking so you won’t be stuck wearing the same thing.” Kris stated.

“Something easy to move and fight in and lets air through is good enough. And by the Daemon, it better not be PINK or I will strangle you both with it.” Umbra glared hotly.

“Just tell us what color YOU want and a basic look and we’ll do what we can.” Kris said.

Cory rubbed his chin. “I’m thinking something between what Applejack and Rainbow Dash wear. Can take a beating, but isn’t too girly.”

“That sounds good to me.” Umbra said from behind the cover as she changed again.

“You got it then.” Kris said. “We’ll chat with Rarity about it. She is an expert after all.” Ever since the peace treaty, Kris and Cory have been free to come and go to Ponyville as they pleased and got to be friends with Twilight, Rainbow, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rarity, but still spend their time at the hive mostly.

“Fine. Then I will be here waiting.” Umbra said before coming from behind the cover, dressed in the clothes she wore when captured. Her armor was taken to the armory where Cory worked on it in his spare time.

“Well, I was thinking you could come with us. That way Rarity could get your measurements for certain and make something that fits perfectly.” Kris stated. “I’m sure you’d like to get out and about at least rather than being cooped up here for so long.”

Umbra stared at Kris for a moment before sighing. “Fine.”

“All right then. We can go tomorrow.” Kris stated. “And don’t worry, if any pony does try anything against you, which I doubt, we’ll be right there to keep you safe. On my life, no harm will come to you.”

Umbra scoffed. “I may not have my magic, but I can still kill a pony. If anything you better stop them for their own sakes.”

“Your safety is my first priority.” Kris stated.

Umbra shook her head in exasperation. “Whatever.”

Cory nudged Kris. “Come on, let’s go before your persistence makes her change her mind.”

“Right. Well, see you tomorrow my dark beauty.” Kris said with a bow before taking his leave with Cory right behind him.

Umbra sighed before relaxing in her room, which was given to her after she left her cell.

“I think she’s starting to warm up to me.” Kris said with a grin.

“More like she’s seeing how pointless it is to argue with you without feeling the urge to kill you.” Cory countered.

“Warming up, urge to kill, same diff.” Kris replied brushing the comment aside. “Point is we do seem to be making progress right?”

“Well, if her being guilt tripped into wearing the dress counts, then yes.”

Kris’s smile faded some. “I never really meant to guilt trip her. I didn’t think she could be guilt tripped into anything.”

“Kris, you’re the ONLY one who is completely relaxed around her and treats her like a normal woman. And I’m not exaggerating. Even I feel the need to keep a spell ready to use around her. You looked like a kicked puppy when you relented about the dress.” Cory enforced his point.

“It’s not like I meant to. But I guess I think if she is to be given a chance and shown there is more to life, then someone needs to treat her as just a regular mare. Otherwise...she’ll just remain a tyrant. Besides, I still feel guilty for inciting the fear I did when I lost control back then when I thought you were dead. I...I tried to kill her man.” Kris said with a frown.

Cory frowned before grabbing Kris’ shoulder. “Even pacifists have a limit. Even Gandi wasn’t above killing to protect. And I’m pretty sure Budda had to kick some ass now and then too.”

Kris smiled and chuckled at that. “Heh heh, now I have an image of a fat cheerful man beating up baddies. Hah!”

Cory smirked. “We already have one of those. They call him Santa.”

“Heh heh.” Kris giggled more. “Well, we got the rest of the day free, what should we do?”

Cory grinned. “We never did finish our spar from before. What do you say we have a rematch, no magic this time.”

“One, as I recall, our queen had ordered us not to fight between ourselves. Two, if we did start, we would more than likely attract attention, thus getting Chrysalis’s attention and get her mad at us.”

“And what made you think I meant here? We have an entire wasteland as well as the Everfree Forest. We have plenty of places to spar away from prying eyes.”

Kris sighed. “I was hoping to make a few rounds round the hive spreading a bit more ‘love’ if you know what I mean, even though they don’t need to feed on love anymore, but I guess we can spar instead.”

“Dude, we’ve been going at it like rabbits since the change happened. We need something to NOT make us feel like we spent ten weeks in the desert.”

“Hot, sweaty, tired, pretty sure sparring would do that too.” Kris replied.

“Let me rephrase that, we need something that doesn’t require us to have crutches to walk afterwards.”

“Fine, I get it. So let’s go find a spot away from the hive where we can let loose in a more violent way.” Kris relented.

“To the Everfree then.” Cory took the lead with Kris following. They used a teleport pad that was made for the hive to get close to Ponyville before heading to the forest.

Kris did a few stretches along the way.

The two entered the forest and went in deep, looking for a good spot before they found a large clearing that was surrounded by trees. Cory nodded. “This looked like a good spot, about the same size as the training ground at the hive.” He said as he began popping his joints to loosen up.

“All right then. A couple more stretches and let’s get to it.” Kris said stretching his legs a bit. He didn’t take long before he finished and stood firm ready to fight. “All right, let’s do this.”

Cory grinned before spreading his legs apart, his hands at his sides, both open like they were clawing at something. “Ready?”

Kris held a fist at his side and another close to his face with legs apart, his right leg being prominent. “Ready.” He tensed his leg muscles and launched himself at Cory with a yell. “HAAAAAAAAH!”

Cory answered with a charge of his own and ducked under Kris’ strike before slamming a fist into Kris’ side, pushing him a good distance away.

Kris grunted from the hit but recovered, sliding back before charging again. He stopped short in front of Cory and slammed his fist into the ground, sending rocks flying at him.

Cory guarded while jumping back. “HEY! I said NO magic! I KNOW you’re not strong enough to do that otherwise!”

“Maybe I’ve been working out real hard to pull it off!” Kris replied.

“Oooh, gonna be that way huh? Alright, you asked for it!” Cory slammed a foot down and a pillar of earth was uprooted, like someone pressing down on a tettertotter. He then grabbed the pillar and swung it at Kris.

Kris braced himself and flexed his arm and leg muscles and grabbed the pillar as it struck him. “Hph...gonna...have to do...better than that!” He exclaimed before crushing the pillar with his arms and charged at Cory to deliver a punch.

Cory grinned before swinging his head and headbutted Kris’ fist. To Kris, it was like punching iron while Cory felt like a hammer struck his head.

The counter caused Kris’s fist to bounce back, knocking him off balance onto one foot. “Gah!”

Cory pushed through the pain and swung a leg out, kicking Kris’ only leg out from under him and then punched Kris' gut, slamming him into the ground.

“Gah! Damnit!” Kris grunted. He rolled away and stood up panting some. “All right, guess I’m a little rusty here.”

Cory chuckled as he too was panting. “Well, that’s why I want us to do these spars. Better to be able to defend at a moment’s notice.”

“Good point. Let’s see you defend against this!” Kris charged again. This time though just before reaching Cory, he flipped over and landed behind Cory immediately kicking his right leg back to hit Cory in his back.

Cory cried out before he was sent forward. He caught himself and flipped over with his hands before landing on his feet. “Had I not braced at the last second, you would have snapped my spine in two.”

“Now I wouldn’t have used THAT much force if I didn’t think you’d be able to guard against it somehow.” Kris stated.

Cory grinned. “I know, that’s why I love sparring with you. I don’t have to hold back!” He stomped the ground again, this time a large rock the size of his own torso was shot up, before he spartan kicked it at Kris.

Kris waited till the last second and jumped up, curling his body with the curve of the rock just an inch away spinning in mid air before landing on his feet and leapt into a flying kick. However, all he achieved was a fist to the face, as Cory was running behind the rock, waiting for Kris to make a move. Kris was knocked back from the hit and rolled on the ground. “Damn….tricky tricky.” Kris grunted starting to look a bit banged up. “All right, no more rocks, just fists and feet.” Kris stated before running up to Cory and engaged him in fisticuffs like a martial artist.

Cory’s military training matched, countered, and was countered by Kris’ traditional training. Both took hits, both blocked or deflected blows, both were matched in terms of skill. However, this is where the fine print started coming into play. Despite being so matched, Kris didn’t have the stamina or endurance that Cory had due to being trained to go days at a time. Kris was starting to lose ground.

Kris did have incredible stamina of his own, but it had been a long time since he kept up with his stamina training so he was starting to lose. “I think...it’s...clear who’s...going to win now.” Kris stated through his grunts and pants as they continued trading blows.

“Indeed….gonna….yield?” Cory asked through his own grunts.

“A master...must know...when he is...defeated.” Kris panted. He quickly jumped back breaking the close combat. “I...yield.” He bowed before Cory from the waist with his hands together.

Cory bowed as well, doing the same. “Don’t worry, once we get you back on that training, you’ll be putting me in my place soon enough.”

“We’ll see.” Kris replied with a smile before offering his hand held up for a bro handshake.

Cory smirked and grabbed Kris’ hand. “So, what say we heal up and get cleaned before someone at the hive questions what we’ve been doing?”

“Definitely. Plus, I worked up an appetite after that. Let’s grab something to eat after all that too.” Kris stated.

“Right, good thing we got some bits thanks to my little side job of being a blacksmith.” Cory smiled.

“All right then. Let’s get going.” Kris said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse…...um….scratch that.” Cory chuckled before they took their leave for Ponyville.