Guilds, Food, and Villains
Discord appeared in Chrysalis lair and was surprised by the change of scenery.
A crude but perfectly functional palisade had been erected in the perimeter of the cave, and he could see the animated wooden changelings working arduously hauling rocks to a stonecutting station next to a furnace.
Chrysalis was in the middle of all, looking at some blueprints carved into a plank of wood.
“I see you are making some remodeling.” Chrysalis turned around when she heard his voice.
“Well, now that I have the workforce, I should put it to good use. A queen needs a proper castle.”
“And a god of chaos needs a little fun. I hope you have an idea in mind for this morning.”
Chrysalis gave a devious smile. “Of course, I have a little fun idea for the Crystal Empire.”
“Let’s get to work then.”
Shining Armor slowly opened his eyes as the morning sun started to pierce the gaps in the curtains, hitting him with pinpoint accuracy right in his eyes.
He turned around, finding his wife sleeping peacefully at his side. He took a couple moments to admire her beauty before planting a little kiss on her cheek, making her smile in her slumber.
He slowly got to the side of the bed and gave a little jump to the crystal floor to start the day… and immediately slipped and fell on his back.
Shining gave a heavy grunt of pain as he tried to lift himself up, but every time he tried to push his hooves against the floor, he would inevitably slip and fall again.
He looked at the floor, noting that the crystal had been polished to the point that there was no possible friction to be made while standing.
“What’s happening?” Cadence asked, awakened by her husband’s pain.
“We need to either fire our janitorial staff or give them a raise.” Was his response, as he tried to swim towards the door.
Cadence took flight and lifted her husband with her magic so they could exit their bedrooms.
When they opened the doors, they found out that the entire castle had been polished to ridiculous smoothness. The guards and service ponies where sliding along the halls in panic, unable to stop unless they bashed into one another.
Cadence managed to stop an earth pony maid that was carrying a tray with half spilled tea and some crumbling sandwiches.
“Here’s your breakfast princess.” She said with a nervous smile, but another maid crashed into her, sending the tray flying and covering Shining’s and Cadence’s faces with tea and sandwich pieces.
“Sorry.” Both maids said before a guard crashed into them, breaking Cadence’s hold on them and sending them sliding into the castle stairs.
The married couple returned to their bedroom and exited through a window, descending to the front of the castle.
From there they saw that the entire crystal ground of the crystal empire had been polished in the same way that of the castle, forcing the inhabitants to slide uncontrollably between the streets, causing all manner of accidents and minor injuries.
Cadence and Shining saw the mail pony sliding close to them with an unamused expression.
“Mail,” he simply said, throwing the pack of letters at their feet, which also started to slide on the floor, but the mail-pony continued sliding without looking back.
Sunburst, hooves clad in metal spikes to facilitate his walking on the slippery terrain, dodged the mail-pony and approached the couple.
“Do you have any idea what’s causing this?” Shining asked first.
“Well, no. To polish the empire to this level someone should have been working all night. Possibly with the use of magic.”
Suddenly, an orange figure fell from the sky right between them.
“Flash Sentry reporting. The clouds have also been polished.” The pained soldier informed.
“Well, they must have pegasus too. This probably involves a lot of ponies,” Sunburst deduced.
“Do you think this is a kind of protest from the janitor’s guild?” Asked Cadence.
“It’s a possibility.”
“Then we- look out!” Shining warned, and Sunburst barely managed to dodge three crystal ponies that crashed into Flash Sentry and continued their slide until the four of them collided with the crystal castle.
They bounced off it, but then the entire castle slowly started to also slide on the ground.
The unicorns and alicorn could only watch in shock as the castle crashed with the houses close by, reducing them to rubble.
Meanwhile, at the Janitor’s guild, everypony was panicking.
They had no idea why the empire had been polished to pure smoothness, but they were sure that they would be blamed for it, some had even tried to come to talk to them, but thankfully they slipped away before there was a real confrontation.
Suddenly, the doors of the guild opened, letting non-other than the princess of the empire and her husband inside, where they took a firm stance, only to fall flat on their flanks.
Old Brush, the elder leader of the guild, walked up to them, helped by some semi-competently crafted snowshoes.
He knew he had to speak for the whole guild, he knew that even if they weren’t at fault for the current situation, he would have to deal with the blame on them, maybe even-
“Is the current state of the empire a form of protests of your guild?” Asked Shining Armor, his voice hard and commanding.
Old Brush got a knot on his throat and tried to force it loose so he could respond.
“We are willing to hear your demands and negotiate.” Cadence added.
Old Brush still didn’t respond, his mind had flashbacked into his childhood, where his mother, Old Testament, berated him at his constant failures in the school of laws, of which he eventually would drop out to end up as an old janitor in the middle of a frozen empire.
But some lessons still remained in his old head.
He stood firm, arranged his dusty old clothes, and spoke loud and clear.
“The demands of the janitor’s guild will no longer be denied!”
The rest of the guild screamed in support.
“Oh, I hope this sparks a rebellion,” Chrysalis exclaimed while laughing.
“Oh, we may be able to tip the balance in that a little.” Their laughs were interrupted with a loud growl from Discord’s stomach. “Do you want to go get something to eat?”
Chrysalis thought about it for a few seconds.
She would prefer to stay hidden as much as possible, but she would also love to have something to eat that wasn’t fish and questionable fruits, nuts and mushrooms.
“Very well.” She changed her form to Polymer, and Discord teleported them with a snap of his fingers.
“Why did you have to choose Ponyville again?” Chrysalis complained.
“Well, it’s the town I know most of. Also, the ponies worried looks at my sigh are still amusing without having to worry about guards being called.”
“I have to agree that it’s amusing seeing the panic.” Chrysalis smiled as they walked through the market, the crowd of ponies opening to let them pass.
She felt like they were subjects showing them respect, acknowledging their superiority.
‘Maybe visiting from time to time isn’t that bad.’ she thought as they approached Sugar cube Corner.
The sight of the establishment alone felt like it would corrode her teeth. She never understood pony’s sense of architecture. They seem to prioritize ridiculous looks rather than actual functional structure.
They entered through the door and approached the counter, finding a familiar pink pony to receive them.
“Hi Discord, is this the new friend Twilight talked us about?”
Chrysalis was surprised at the calm tone the usually hyperactive mare showed, and noticed her hair wasn’t as ridiculous as always. Maybe almost being burned at the stake had affected her.
‘Perfect, it will save me some migraine.’
“It is, I present to you; Organic Polymer!” Discord pointed at her with both paws, making a light shine upon her and confetti exploded behind her.
Chrysalis made a pose that was between regal and commanding.
It was fun, but she would never admit it.
Pinkie jumped the counter, landing in front of her, and shook her hoof with enthusiasm.
“I’m so happy to meet you! I would normally make a ‘welcome to Ponyville’ party for you, but I’m currently forbidden from making parties or singing. But I will be allowed to do them in a week.”
Chrysalis smiled, internally, at the consequences of her plans. “I’m so sorry to hear that. It sounds horrible to have that kind of prohibition.”
Pinkie gave a sad smile. “Yeah, Its… a little unfair. But luckily it’s just temporary.”
Chrysalis put a hoof on her shoulder. “Well, I’m sure that when you get to do your parties again, you will make one so good they will never want to miss one again.”
Pinkie smiled, seeming a little bit brighter than before, and Chrysalis was suddenly pulled into a hug. “Thank you. Discord chose a very good friend.”
The changeling queen awkwardly returned the hug and felt something deep inside her with the sudden affection, but a big part of her mind quickly pushed it apart.
Pinkie broke the hug and have a little exited jump, her normal cheery mood returned. “What can I get you today!”
“You should give her some of your best cupcakes. I have a feeling she will love them.” Chrysalis looked at Discord, eyes full of suspicion.
“A fresh batch of cupcakes coming right up.” Pinkie jumped back behind the counter and went to the kitchen to prepare the order.
The two villains sat down in one of the tables to wait, and Discord looked at the changeling with a playful smile. “That was uncharacteristically kind of you. Are you feeling guilty perhaps?”
Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “Oh please, that was just acting the part. As I told you before, I’m an expert at espionage. And more importantly, how did you know I liked cupcakes?”
“You did? I just guessed. Everypony loves Pinkies cupcakes. Don’t know what she puts on them.”
“As long as it’s not friendship.”
“Are you implying she somehow bakes her friends?”
“That’s ridiculous. Although it would be interesting.” Chrysalis rubbed her chin in thought, thinking of a way to use it in her next pranks.
“Since when did you liked cupcakes?”
“I tried many of the pony’s dishes when I replaced Cadence.”
“I thought you despised everything they made.”
Chrysalis gave a sigh. “It’s not like I can’t enjoy good food regardless of who makes it. Also, dishes prepared with love have a particular taste for me. Think of it as a kind of exotic spice.”
A playful smile appeared in Discord's face. “Oh Really?”
Pinkie appeared and placed the batch of cupcakes between them. “Bon appetite!”
Chrysalis took one, and Discord looked intently as she took a bite out of it.
The changeling’s eyes seemed to get lost into the infinity, her body completely still except for her mouth savoring the sugary baking.
“Is she okay?” Pinkie wondered with a little worry, and then Chrysalis engulfed the rest of the cupcake in one bite, letting out a low hum as she chewed it.
“I think she just really likes it.” Discord smiled as he saw her partner devour another one of the cupcakes, the rest of the world forgotten to her. “I think we will need another batch.”
Pinkie smiled. “Coming right up!”
Chrysalis continued to enjoy the love-saturated cupcakes, her mind putting a note of always visiting the place any time she could.
‘Now I feel kind of bad for th-’ the thought almost got through, but her mind managed to silence it before making her think about it.
Chrysalis went for another cupcake but found the plate empty.
Discord found her little pout adorable. “Don’t worry, I already ordered more.”
The bell over the entranced ringed as another customer walked in.
“Oh, hi Discord!”
Chrysalis tensed up at the thought that Twilight had entered the building, but when she looked at the doors, she only saw the small form of Sparkle’s dragon.
“Hey Spike, how are you doing?”
“Not very well. We are still finishing the repairs to the castle, and Twilight is still kind of a mess. Luckily Starlight has been keeping things as calm as possible.”
Chrysalis grunted at the mere mention of their names, getting Spikes attention.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Spike, what’s your name?” he asked her.
“Call me Polymer.”
“She’s a friend of mine,” Discord explained.
“Well, whoever is a friend of Discord, they can be my friend too.” Spike offered Chrysalis his hand, and she accepted it while trying not to throw up.
Discord changed his amused expression to look at Spike. “Our game is cancelled I suppose, with everything that’s been going on.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it, everything will be fixed by our next session. We just need to play at Big Mac’s house.” He then looked at Chrysalis. “You could come too if you wanted.”
“What game are we talking about?”
“Ogres and Oubliettes. Have your heard about it?” Spike asked with a nervous smile.
“I have actually. I will think about it.”
“Great, you are always welcomed.”
Pinkie suddenly appeared with the new batch of cupcakes, placing it on the table. “Oh Spike. You came for your order?”
Chrysalis disconnected herself form the conversation, her attention fully on her new baked addiction.
Discord waited patiently until she finished with her food to ask a question; “How do you know about Ogres and Oubliettes?”
Chrysalis swallowed the last of her cupcakes. “I know many things about pony culture thanks to my spies. The game was one of the more tolerable ones, so I remember it.”
“Have you ever played it?”
“No, I had more important matters at the time.”
“Would you like to?” Discord waggled his eyebrows, a red dress, black cape, and scarecrow-decorated sorcerer’s hat, all with golden borders, appearing on Chrysalis, a wooden staff with a red gem falling beside her.
“No…” she looked at herself and made a motion to make the cape flap in the air. “…you may convince me of it.”
Discord gave the biggest, smuggest smile ever.
“Don’t push it,” she warned him.
“Okay okay.”
After paying Pinkie for the food, they returned to Chrysalis lair.
“So, what other malicious plan do you have for today?”
Chrysalis smiled with evil intent. “Have you heard about the alicorn amulet?”
Ponyville was once again in chaos.
Most of the population had either fled the town, tried to hide in their homes, or where simply laying on the ground, weakened and unable to move.
The castle of friendship was once again in ruins, and many of the building in Ponyville had been partially destroyed.
A red aura surrounded a home, tearing it off it’s foundations, revealing a cowering family of four.
The pony’s tried to flee, but a red ray of magic hit them, making them stay sill as their cutie marks where magically pried off them, leaving an equal sign in their place.
The cutie marks floated towards the cloud of stolen cutie marks that followed the cause of so much destruction; Starlight Glimmer, with the alicorn amulet shining with a red aura in her neck.
Twilight Sparkle, recently arrived from fixing the Crystal Empire, stood in her path.
“Starlight! You need to stop! This isn’t you!”
Starlight laughed at her words. “Save me the lecture ‘princess’. I no longer have any reason to hear your stupid lessons. I now have the power to do as I please.”
Twilight lighted up her horn. “Please, I don’t want to fight you.”
“Hahaha, you only say that because you know well that you will lose. I already matched you in magic prowess before, and now, with this amulet powering me, there’s no one in Equestria that can defeat me!”
Twilight took a step back, but her friends appeared beside her, giving her confidence.
“You may be more powerful than before, but together we will stop-”
Starlight lighted her horn, and all of Twilight’s friends disappeared in different flashes of magic. “You were saying?”
“What? Where did you sent them?”
Applejack was confused as she appeared in the middle of an elegant city house.
“Where am I?”
She was suddenly met with the happy looks of her aunt and uncle Orange. “Applejack dear, it has been so long since you last visited us!”
“Oh, yeah, I guess it has been some time,” she responded with a little embarrassment.
“Well, since you are here, we have to invite you for dinner.”
“Uhm, I actually need to-”
“Yeah, I can see it, you need a bath immediately. George, could you please take her to the bath?”
A huge earthpony butler appeared behind Applejack, and ‘gently’ pushed her towards the bathroom, giving her no time to explain.
Rarity was suddenly blinded by the bright shine of magic, but when her eyes recuperated, she found herself surrounded by precious gems.
“Oh Celestia! I have never seen this kind of gems before.”
She took a few with her magic, admiring the bright colors.
“Oh, I have to make a dress with this one. And this other one would be perfect for a- Uhh, this one is precious.”
She quickly lost herself in the gems, ignoring the fact that she was deep underground in unknown territory.
Pinkie appeared in the middle of Yakyakistan’s capital and got immediately surrounded by yaks.
“Honorary yak pony friend come visit us?” “Yaks and pony should celebrate!”
Pinkie looked at them, worried about disappointing the crowd. “Well, I never say no to a party bu-”
“Party for pony friend!”
The yaks quickly took Pinkie to the great hall, preparing a great celebration.
Rainbow suddenly found herself in a dark room, confused about how she got there.
Suddenly, an alarm started to sound, and the lights flickered on, revealing a large vault surrounded by a security cage, in which Rainbow now stood in alarm.
Royal guards entered the room, pointing crossbows at her.
“Freeze! Hooves in the air and wings closed!”
“Wait, I just got here-” she was interrupted as one of the guards tackled her to the floor, quickly putting her hooves and wings in metal cuff’s.
“Stop, you are making a mistak-” the guards silenced with a muzzle, and promptly took her away for processing.
“Is anypony there?” Fluttershy asked nervously, looking at the vast frozen wasteland that she had appeared into.
She tried to fly, but the strong frozen winds made her fall into the snow.
She stood up, shivering at the cold in her body.
“I guess if I just walk in a straight line, I will eventually find… something.”
With no other option, she unknowingly started to walk towards the north.
Twilight started to sweat nervously. Her options to face Starlight quickly dwindling to nothing.
“What’s happening?”
Twilight turned around, finding a very confused Trixie walking towards her. “Trixie! It’s the alicorn amulet, it corrupted Starlight and now she’s stealing everypony’s cutie mark!”
Trixie looked at Starlight with a disappointing look. “Starliiiight! We promised to turn evil together!”
“You what?!” Twilight excliamed.
Starlight laughed. “Sorry Trixie, but I don’t need you anymore. I don’t need anyone to achieve my goals!”
Trixie had a neutral expression. “Except the amulet.”
“Excuse me?”
“You wouldn’t even be doing all of this if it weren’t for that piece of metal in your neck. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s using you for its goals.”
“It’s not using me! and I’m perfectly capable of doing this without it.”
“Yeah, I totally believe you.” Trixie’s words where loaded with sarcasm. “Honestly Starlight, I thought better of you. This whole amulet idea is just so… beneath you. You can do better”
Starlight looked at her in anger. “I don’t need this thing!” She pulled the amulet form her neck. “See?!”
Starlight’s eyes turned back to normal as she snapped back to reality. “Wait what? Where am I? Why are you here? Where’s Nappa?”
“Do Trixie a favor and look behind you.”
“Why? What’s behind- Oh Celestia! That’s a lot of cutie marks.” She looked at the heavily disappointing expression in Trixie’s face. “Did I do villain stuff?”
“You did villain stuff.”
“Did I break our promise?”
“You did break our promise.”
Starlight lowered her head. “I’m sorry.”
Trixie nodded. “I’m being top tonight.”
“But I don’t like to bottom!” Starlight whined.
“Should have thought about that before you broke our promise.”
Starlight gave a sad sigh. “You are right.”
“Now, give back what you stole.”
“Okay.”
The cloud of cutie marks quickly dispersed while Starlight floated back to the ground.
Twilight approached the magician with an eye twitching. “Well Trixie, since I’m going to drink myself blind to forget all about your conversation, I will say that you did a great job saving Equestria.”
The magician had a smug smile. “Of course Trixie did. Celestia should gave her a well deserved reward.”
As she said this, a white glow started to surround her, getting brighter by the second.
“What’s happening?” Starlight asked as the light turned too bright to see Trixie, until it eventually faded.
Trixie opened her eyes. “What happened?”
She looked at Twilight… she looked down at Twilight. “Did Trixie get a growth spurt?”
She touched her horn, finding out that it had gotten longer, and when she looked back, she found two blue wings attached to her back.
Trixie smiled, her eyes full of stars, and she pushed her hooves against her cheeks while her new wings fluttered.
“Hey, that’s not fair,” Starlight complained. “Why don’t I have wings too? Twilight, how does this whole alicorn thing work?”
She looked towards the alicorn and found her on the ground in shock-induced catatonia.
“She’s an alicorn… she’s taller than me… she’s an alicorn… she’s taller than me… she’s an alicorn… she’s taller than me…” she repeated constantly.
“Uhm, what should we do with-” Starlight was interrupted as Trixie approached her with bedroom eyes.
“Trixie think’s we have better things to do,” She said wile caressing her friend with her wings.
Starlight swallowed a lump in her throat. “I’m going to be bottom for a long time, aren’t I?”
“Oh, you will love it.”
Chrysalis and Discord couldn’t stop laughing.
The lord of chaos was the first to be able to talk. “Oh, that only got better and better.”
“And I promise you, that boasting magician will give you more chaos with time.”
They slowly recomposed themselves, and Discord looked at his partner. “Same time next week?”
“Of course, I like this routine we have.”
“Very well. Think about the game.” As Discord disappeared, Chrysalis returned to her lair and got to bed, thinking about her day.
Things had been getting better and better for her. She was having fun, she had eaten the best food ever, she was even considering visiting Ponyville on her own some-
Once again, her mind pushed the thought back, and told her to rest so she would stop having weird ideas.
Today had been a good day.
Author's Note
I hope you liked the second installment of this little series, and there will be more to come someday.
Have a nice existence!
I will be watching you.
