The Art of Subterfuge

"As you requested, Princess, the entrance into the Crystal Caverns has been rebuilt and fortified from the dilapidated state it was in when you scaled it with Princess Cadence two years ago." The architect said, leading Twilight, Chrysalis, and the visiting Luna through the halls of the palace.

"We used mahogany planks for the stairway, and - after a great deal of research which I'm sure you will appreciate - were able to enchant said planks with period accurate runes, such that the newly made stairs are virtually indistinguishable from stairs that would've been placed in the original construction. In fact, the effort was made to ensure the proper weathering was laid into the stairs, as if they had been enchanted a millennium ago."

Chrysalis scoffed. "And why was all that effort necessary?" She said, with a snide smirk. "I'd think enchanting stone stairs would be better for the budget, not to mention many ponies might feel safer." The architect cast a glance at Chrysalis and sighed in exasperation.

"Because, Chrysalis," he said with an unexpected amount of venom, "when you, Tirek, and Cozy Glow decided to demolish the castle, this tower was in one of the areas spared the unnecessary oblivion. As such, it falls under the care of laws imposed on historic or heritage architectural sites.

"The original stairs that the two princess' clambered up were constructed of a splendid, long-lasting timber which has since, unfortunately, gone extinct. The fact the thousand year-old stairs didn't break until a piece of the ceiling fell free during the explosion is a testament to its durability and why they hadn't been enchanted. Considering, as I had said, the wood is no longer available, a sufficiently period accurate substitute would be enchanted mahogany.

"Now, if you happen to have any more foalish questions for me, I'd love to attend them until you blow the castle up again, but the princess asked me to guide her to the stairs and stairway which I was contracted to reconstruct." The architect snipped. Chrysalis was almost impressed.

"Dear sir," Twilight began, diplomatic as always, "though I understand the stress of your position, you ought be kinder to Chrysalis. Not only was she with the two who caused such harm to the castle under duress, she is also an honored guest and a friend of mine.

"Beyond even that, I believe her questions were within the realm of understandable questions based on the fact she comes from a culture whose architecture is very minimalistic and utilitarian. The concept of restoring a building to any condition beyond the most minimal for function is something that a born and bred changeling is not used to."

The architect shook his head about, as if accepting the comments yet declining their validity all at once, for a few seconds before rolling his eyes in acceptance while bowing his head. "Very well, princess. I suppose I was a bit harsh with the changeling that tried to ruin your brother's wedding." He said, no little amount of sarcasm in his voice.

"I am kind," Twilight cautioned, "not dumb." The architect simply raised himself back up before leading them on once more without a word. Chrysalis couldn't help but smile at that. She also couldn't help but imagine what wonderful things she might do to the pony if a closet presented itself to her at just the right moment.

Eventually they stopped before the doorway, which, to Chrysalis, look no different than most any other door in the palace. It looked a tad newer for sure, but that was to be expected with how it had only just been put in. It was just a door, and yet it held so many possibilities just beyond its threshold.

"With this project complete, Canterlot once again has access to her Crystal Caverns; though - by the sounds of it - you aren't intending to make it the most public attraction?" The architect said, looking to Twilight for conformation.

"Not as of yet, no." Twilight nodded. "I have a special project in mind for the caverns. Maybe one day we will make an attraction of sorts out of it, but for now the access to the caverns will be restricted to authorized ponies only." The architect nodded to this.

"Well, it is technically crown land, so I doubt anypony will try and contest that. Not to mention that even if you did reopen it that there'd be far too many hazards in my opinion for it to become much more than a curiosity for the truly avid spelunker or geologist." The architect pony said as he looked to the door. "Probably for the best it remains closed off for now." He confirmed, though likely more for his own benefit than for anypony else.

"Well, your highness...-es," he correct as his eyes flittered past Luna who had been quiet through the entire conversation, "I must be off. Prince Blueblood has arranged for a meeting with me on some business regarding his estate's pagoda needing repairs or some such. At your leave." He said, giving a bow.

"Do be safe, and thank you for your excellent work." Twilight replied with a smile. The pony stood up, and a nod later, trotted off in a way that obviously didn't want to be called 'trotting'.

"I suppose there's a reason why he isn't being dealt with like the insolent whelp he is?" Chrysalis muttered to Twilight.

"He's the only pony in Canterlot who is qualified for historical architecture remodeling who doesn't drain the country's coffers for a nail." Twilight replied. "He makes you pay in other ways for his work, however - much as you encountered."

"With patience then?" Chrysalis mused.

"If he tried any other form of alternative payment he would be tried for treason." Twilight confirmed with a smile before turning to the door. "Now we have this to attend to."

"Shall we?" Chrysalis asked, pointing a hoof to the door. Twilight sighed and gave a nod, opening the door with a wave of her magic.

It surprised Chrysalis how much the door even sounded authentically old despite not looking it.

The door opened, revealing the stairs beyond with their dimly lit corridor. It quickly spiraled out of view, but there it stood - the way down to the selfsame caverns that had housed Cadence during Chrysalis' plan to take Shining Armor for herself. Now? Now there were plans in place.

Taking the long stairs, the three of them eventually arrived at the bottom of the flight that let out to the larger main cavern. The view was splendid, with distant crystals gleaming in the light of the arcane lights that filled the cave. What made it all the more beautiful was what was planned for the chamber in the depths of the changeling's mind.

"I was thinking of setting the main hive towards the back." Twilight noted. "Decent ways away, and restricts access effectively to just pegasi - who are unlikely to come this far underground - or sufficiently skilled unicorns - who are few and far between." Chrysalis nodded to this with a smile.

"It will be wonderful." She said in a distant whisper, only to turn to Twilight. "Why are you still in that form, Twilight?" She asked, genuinely curious.

"Just trying to give them enough time to charge down the stairs." Twilight chuckled. Suddenly, a wash of green magical energy flowed over the young alicorn, and a moment later she stood there in her black splendor. Chrysalis smiled, leaning her head against the crown of the shorter mare's head.

"Much better, Twilight." She murmured. Twilight leaned into the affection, smiling herself. Chrysalis sighed, lifting her head to look out over the mighty chasm that lay before them. "How many?"

"Oh, I believe I counted roughly thirty in the first clutch." Twilight replied, looking off into the distance. "I'm unsure, but the next batch does feel heavier." She mused.

"You're quite the overachiever, my little brood mare." Chrysalis purred. "Perhaps a more fitting title is in order than the humble 'brood mare'?" She hummed, her wings unfurling before she took flight. Twilight and Luna followed right behind her, ducking between the many pillars of crystal and weaving through the many tunnels.

Eventually they landed at the epicenter of it all. There, in a secluded corner behind a small assemblage of crystals that had been made to grow a tad taller through ingeniously applied magic, hid a patch of greenish-black material that shone in an oily refraction of the light that glowed about it.

Chrysalis looked on it with pride - the heart of a new hive. It thrummed with the beat of life, filled with the many eggs that would grow into full hatchlings. Soon, oh so soon, there'd be true changelings in the world again. It filled Chrysalis with such hope and pride that she could hardly take it. Her people were recovering, despite all the damage that had been done.

"Aren't they beautiful," Twilight asked, slithering up beside Chrysalis, "my Empress?" She whispered into the older changeling's ear. Chrysalis smiled at that.

"Yes, my Brood Queen." She said before turning her head to look at the smaller changeling. Twilight grinned at that, nestling up to her Empress. "Now, make sure Luna is well stocked on love - we must have a proper meal for our first hatchlings." Twilight nodded to this, a smile across her features as she looked to the silent ex-princess.

"Stay here, Slut, until the little ones come out of their shells. Protect them and feed them." Twilight ordered Luna, who simply bowed her head. "We ought to be along shortly afterwards. No later than a few weeks after I'd say." Twilight chuckled with a hint of cruelty she had never had before. The change was delicious to Chrysalis.

"Likely sooner." Chrysalis mused, looking down on her Brood Queen. "You have another clutch growing inside of you," She pointed out, "they'll likely pop into the world a short while after the first ones hatch."

"I suppose." Twilight conceded. "Though I might just have them 'discovered' by some maids so that they can be... brought to my attention." She offered. "Allow me to take care of them properly. I'd never turn away a harmless creature in need of help, after all."

"Most certainly not." Chrysalis concurred with a smile, reflecting on it all.

The world was now hers - a world that had banished her on multiple occasions since that time she had been expelled from the wedding was now hers for the taking. And who knew? With the way things were going, maybe one day in the future she'd pay those two up north a visit. Wouldn't that just be a bundle fun!

~ÞE END~