The Curse Of Chrysalis

Chapter 9

Pinkie Pie had gotten everyone together at Twilight’s to try and talk to them. “I’m telling you guys, I really truly believe Kris and Cory are good.” She stated firmly.

“And just how do you know this?” Rarity asked.

“For one, it’s like I said. I know smiles and hugs. And the ones I got from Kris were one hundred percent genuine. Besides, just because we don’t know anything about them shouldn’t automatically mean they’re bad.”

“Well, she’s got a point there.” Applejack relented.

“PLUS! There could be something else we don’t know going on that’s keeping them with the changelings. There might be something they have that’s making sure the humans can’t or won’t try an escape on their own.” Pinkie then stated.

“You...do seem to have a point there.” Twilight replied. “Okay, so if the humans ARE being held against their will there, then we should try to find a way to help them.”

“It does seem like the right thing to do.” Fluttershy added.

“And think of all the neat stuff we might be able to learn from another world.” Twilight then said with a smile. “I wonder what their world is like? What are humans like?”

“And there she goes.” Rainbow said with a roll of her eyes.

“Don’t you think we should first think on HOW to save them?” Spike stated.

“Right, save them first.” Twilight said.

“So how do we do that?” Rainbow asked. “We have no idea where the changeling hive is and we’re talking about an army of changelings. We BARELY managed to beat them last time thanks to Shining and Cadence.”

“That is going to be a problem. Seems for this mission, we might need stealth.” Twilight said. “Though we also need to figure out where the hive is first.”

“And just where are we supposed ta look?” Applejack asked.

Twilight made like she was about to say something but stopped. “I...have no idea.”

“I know where it is!” Pinkie cheered.

“You do?!” The girls asked in unison.

“Yep, It’s how I got to meet Kris and Cory a second time.” Pinkie stated.

“Pinkie, how did you find them the second time?” Twilight asked.

“I just followed my nose!” Pinkie cheered jokingly with a giggle mimicking a commercial. This caused a few raised eyebrows.

“Let’s just chalk it up to Pinkie being Pinkie.” Rarity stated.

“Right. Okay, so Pinkie, you know where the hive is and where the humans are. Then we can get to work on some way to rescue them.” Twilight stated.

“Then let’s get ta plannin.” Applejack said.

At the hive, it was another day off for the two, as they were doing well with their work, Chrysalis gave them a weekly day off. During a casual stroll, they had been accosted by a group of child changelings who were asking a million questions. They were surrounded by about seven of them. There were two marelings who were supervising them and trying to get the kids to calm down to no avail. “How did we get into this mess?” Kris asked as he had a changeling kid about seven years old climbing on his head.

Cory had a flat look. “I’ll get back to you when I figure that out.” He said as one changeling child hung from his neck and another climbed up his back.

“I’m so sorry about this.” One of the marelings said bowing. “Rictor! Get off that right now!” She then exclaimed as another had made its way to Kris’s arm and started swinging from it.

“Wee!” The youngling cheered.

“Scooter! Not there!” The second mareling cried out as another youngling was climbing up Cory’s leg. Essentially, the two humans were being treated as a jungle gym for the younglings.

Cory felt a few veins in his head pulse. He loved babies, he adored toddlers, but the ankle biters like these ones drove him to drink. Now he was craving hard liquor. He then roared. “Come here!! I’m gonna munch on some bratlings!!” He started chasing the kids.

The kids squealed as they ran acting like it was a game.

The two marelings groaned holding their heads like they were getting headaches.

“Get in ma belly!” Kris said starting to do the same.

It took some time, but finally the two were able to wear the changeling kids out. Cory panted heavily before falling on his back. “So…..exhausted.”

“You….and me….both.” Kris panted, groaning.

The two marelings bowed their heads once they had the younglings gathered. “We’re so sorry for the trouble.” The first who called herself Satire said.

Cory waved it off. “Don’t…..worry about it. Kids….will be….kids. Just have to….help them get...rid of all...that energy.”

“Even so, we’re sorry for having troubled you.” The second mareling said who had identified herself as Merla. “Is there some way we can make it up to you?”

“Nah. It's fine.” Kris said waving it off.

“Could we play some more tomorrow?” One of the kids asked nicely. “We promise to be good.” The others agreed in unison.

Cory chuckled as he sat up. “If we have time, sure. We’ll be busy for most of the day, but we might be able to spare an hour or two for you all.”

“Yay!” The younglings cheered together.

“Honestly, I like kids. Sure they can be a handful like these guys, but come on, they’re cute.” Kris stated. “How can anyone say no to those beady eyes.”

Cory grinned. “You can’t.”

“Thank you for your time. We need to get this group back to their sector now.” Satire said.

“Take care then.” Kris said before waving as the group began taking their leave. “Phew, well, I guess that wasn’t so bad.”

“Yeah, though now I wish I had some whiskey.” Cory said with a groan as he stood up.

“Ugh, honestly I’ll never understand how ANYONE can stand the taste of that stuff, let alone the smell. I tried it once and oh my god was it gross.”

“Then you haven’t tried Vodka, I did once, ONLY once, and I thought I had swallowed a red hot poker it burned so bad. Whiskey is more of an acquired taste, but it’s much more smooth than most liquors. Plus, add in honey or soda, and it really gets good.” Cory sighed. “Great, now I’m really craving it.”

“Whisky, vodka, beer, wine. I just stay away from any of that stuff. Not only because I don’t think it smells or tastes good, but it’s been the cause of so many accidents and deaths because people can’t control themselves. It’s even been the cause of deaths of teens. So many young lives ended early because someone couldn’t drink responsibly. I honestly think the world would be better off without alcohol. It’s just another drink.”

Cory shrugged. “To each their own I say. Anyway, I’m getting hungry, how about you?”

“Totally.” Kris replied. “Oh, I actually had an idea. I’ve REALLY been missing Jerky. Think we might be able to figure out how it’s made and make it ourselves?”

“Oh, I already know how to make it. What flavor would you prefer?” Cory said.

Kris got teary eyed with a smile. “My hero.” He then hugged Cory tightly.

Cory had a flat look. “I swear you can get like Pinkie sometimes.”

“I guess that’s partly why she’s my favorite.” Kris said letting go of Cory. “That isn’t to say I don’t like the others. I do very much. Just...Pinkie a bit more. ANYWAY! I usually like to get teriyaki jerky. It’s SOOOO good.”

Cory nodded. “On that we agree. I’ll see what we can scrounge up to see if I can’t make the sauce. Now, just to let you know, Jerky takes a long time to prepare. So it won’t be done within the day.”

“I figured and I am prepared to wait however long it takes. Is there anything I can do to help with making it?”

“Just make sure the meat is in strips. It’ll take a steady hand for everything else.”

Kris saluted. “Ay ay mon capitan.”

Cory shook his head with a smile and the two went to the kitchen where the other chefs were. It took some convincing, but Cory was able to convince the chefs to help them make the jerky. They were able to get the meat set into strips, not all of it, but enough to last some time. Cory was able to find everything and got started making the teriyaki sauce. He had some help from the chefs, but overall he was able to show them how to make it for future dishes. Once the sauce was made, Cory took a cooking brush and slathered the meat strips in the sauce while they hung over a low fire to slowly cook. He managed to get all forty strips coated in the sauce before it ran out. Cory then looked at the chefs helping him. “Now then, this won’t be ready until at LEAST twenty four hours have passed. That’s the minimum. Some let it sit for two days cooking like this, but twenty four hours will do for now. Make sure to add more sauce every six hours, so the flavor will REALLY set in.”

“As you say sir.” The male changeling chef said. “And this sauce is sure to spice up a few dishes.”

Kris’s mouth watered at the mere thought of the jerky and seeing the prep work done. “Oh man, I cannot WAIT to try it….okay...I can a little.” He then added.

Cory chuckled. “Same here. And try using the sauce on various dishes, like when frying or cooking vegetables, you can add the sauce right in as it’s cooking. Same to most meats. I’ll come by and see if I can’t make other sauces to help out.” Cory said to the chef.

“Thank you, sir Cory.” The head chef said.

Cory smiled. “Anytime.” He then looked at Kris. “Alright, for now, let’s get something to eat.”

“I figured as much so some of my assistants have been busy making something for the two of you.” The head chef said before a couple other changeling chefs came in with dishes for the two. Well prepared steaks with lettuce and mashed potatoes.

Cory’s mouth watered before his mind was made up. “Yep, next sauce I’m making is Steak Sauce.”

“Ooh, I like that.” Kris said.

“Steak sauce?” The head chef asked.

“It’s a special sauce you serve with steak to help enhance the flavor.” Kris stated.

“And while other meats can go with it, it’s best used for steaks. And the more tender the steak, the better the sauce makes it.” Cory added.

“I remember having a steak once that practically melted in your mouth with a delicious bit of spice to it and had pepper. Ooooh, it was so good.” Kris said as he nearly started drooling just at the memory.

Cory grinned. “Alright now, let’s actually eat the food in front of us before we starve ourselves thinking about other food.” Cory said before accepting his meal with a nod of thanks.

Kris gave thanks and took his own food.

Meanwhile, in Chrysalis’s throne room, Silk was speaking with Chrysalis. “My queen, I feel the two humans may be a bit of a problem.”

Chrysalis raised a brow. “How so do you think that?”

“They...well, they caused the nurses in the nursery wing to fall behind Schedule by two hours.”

“Yet the nurses made up for that working extra hard after willingly.” Chrysalis stated.

“Well….true, but they could cause further delays in the normal day to day activities through the hive.”

“Morale seems to be up, no complaints have been made. They have done nothing wrong.” Chrysalis stated. “Do not forget I was the one that called them here to HELP us. And that is exactly what they are doing.”

Silk bowed. “Yes, your majesty. Forgive me. I was merely concerned.”

“It is appreciated, but do not let your judgment be clouded by whatever grief you may have with them.” Chrysalis stated.

“I have no grief, my queen.” Silk stated. “I was just worried when they caused that delay in the nursery, is all.”

“Enough. Unless they actively try to harm one of my subjects or cause trouble that sets us back too much, I don’t want to hear it. Understood?”

“Yes, my queen.” Silk said bowing. “I shall return to my duties then.” Silk buzzed her wings and flew off.

Chrysalis sighed leaning back in her throne. She then looked to one of her guards. “Go fetch Cory and Kris and bring them before me.”

The guard bowed. “Yes, my queen.” He buzzed off to look for the two.

It didn’t take long for him to find them as he flew to them. “Sir Cory! Sir Kris!”

Cory turned with Kris. “Yes?” Cory asked.

“What’s up ma dude?” Kris asked.

“The queen has requested your presence. Please come with me to the throne room.”

“Is something wrong?” Kris asked.

“All I know is she requested your presence.” The guard stated.

Cory nodded. “Very well, lead the way.”

The guard led Cory and Kris back to the throne room. “My queen, I have brought them as requested.” He bowed.

Kris and Cory bowed as well.

“Thank you both for coming. I know I gave you two free time today but there is a small matter I need to discuss with you.” Chrysalis said.

Cory raised his head. “And what might that be your highness?”

“I understand you two paid a visit to the nursery the other day and...mated with some of the nurses. While that in itself is not a problem, it’s the fact you held them up for two hours. They did make up for that by working harder and managed to care for the infants. And I realize they came onto you. But should this happen again when someone is supposed to be focusing on their duty, I would ask you to refuse them and discuss a time that would be more appropriate. Understood?”

Kris bowed his head. “Of course, my queen.”

Cory bowed as well. “As you wish, your majesty.”

“It is not exactly a big issue but I can’t have my guards complaining about schedule’s being messed up. That is all. You may go now.” Chrysalis waved them off.

The two bowed again before taking their leave.

“Whew, I had a feeling for a moment we were in serious trouble there.” Kris sighed.

Cory nodded. “Yeah, but thankfully it wasn’t too bad.”

“I’ll bet Silk snitched on us, that tattle tale.” Kris said jokingly.

Cory rolled his eyes with a smile. “Now now, cut her some slack. She’s just doing her job. If it was serious and she didn’t report it, that would look bad on her.”

“I know. Just joking around is all.” Kris stated, holding his hands behind his head. “So, what should we do now?”

Cory crossed his arms before having a thought. “Well, I’m not sure how well this will go, but we could have a good old spar with magic involved. See where we both stand.”

“Not a bad idea. Though we would need plenty of space to do it where we wouldn’t risk hurting anyone or damaging the hive.” Kris stated.

“How about the training ground? It’s rather big and we can have any changelings training watch while some make a barrier around us. This way, we can go all out, as long as you don’t rip up the earth again, and they can see just how a real fight looks.” Cory offered.

Kris shrugged. “Eh, might as well. Let’s do it.”

The two then made their way to the training grounds where Kris trained the Changelings. They saw many changelings training how Kris taught them when he wasn’t around to instruct them.

Kris got their attention. “Attention!” He called and they all stopped to look at Kris standing at attention. “Soldiers! Myself and Cory are going to be having a little sparring match. I ask some of you to form a barrier around the area in case we get a bit out of hand and you all be careful and safe.”

Cory continued. “Meanwhile, those of you not forming the barrier may watch if you wish. Training by doing is good, but sometimes seeing something can be just as useful. Watch closely if you want, you just might learn something.”

“SIR YES SIR!” The changelings chanted and spread out to begin forming the barrier. The barrier began forming by a few making a dome shape with a green tint to it.

“Wow, are we really going to see the heroes of the hive spar with each other?” One changeling asked.

“This oughta be good.” Another said.

“I bet Kris is going to win this.” One guard said.

“No way, it’s gotta be Cory.” Another said. “We all saw how he delivered the final blow to that Maulwurf.”

“True, but we also saw how Kris handled the Maulwurf letting Cory charge up to deliver the final blow.” Another stated.The all started going on with each other as the ring was being set up over who they think would win. It seemed split evenly, half betting on Cory, the other half betting on Kris.

Cory smirked as he heard some of the betting going on before speaking to Kris. “Sounds like bets are going around. In that case, no holding back. Let’s really give them a good show.” He said as he cracked his knuckles.

Kris cracked his neck. “All right, sure. No holding back. They’ll see just how good we really are.” Kris replied before standing with his knees bent. His body turned towards Cory with his right hand held out and palm outstretched while his left formed a fist next to his head. “Bring it on boyo. I’ll show you how a martial arts master really fights.”

Cory grinned while taking his stance. He moved his left foot forward with the knee bent slightly, his right foot planted behind him. His hands were fists with the right near his face and the other at shoulder level and held directly over his left foot. “No hard feelings after I kick your ass.”

“No, there won’t be, because it’s your ass that’s gonna get kicked. Ready?” Kris said with a grin.

“Set.” Cory replied.

Then, almost at the exact same time, they both charged at each other while both yelling.

“GO!”