Chapter 17 - a trip to the badlands to meet a bug queen

--------------------*Frank and Talion pov*------------------

As the human and small band of changelings moved there the forest, The sounds of both the human's shoes hitting the ground against the sound of hoof steps. Along with the armor and weapons they carried as frank looked at the strange changelings he asked talion 'Talion why do they keep calling me a dark one?' he asked as they moved threw brushes and other small types of plant life.

'Well because of the ring Frank its origin is bathed in dark magic let alone it was a ring that bound the wearer's will to it if there wasn't a wraith to counteract it the person would turn into nothing more than a hollow shell.' Talion stated rather neutrally this time. "I'm taking the main brunt of the corruption of the ring your only getting a third of it"

Was he opening up to frank? Or was he in a good mood? 'So what do you think these changelings think? Do they see us as a threat like the ponies? Or something to avoid fighting?' Frank asked not realizing the group stopped as he proceeded to bump into one of the changelings.

The changeling he had bumped into was one without armor as its head whipped around and hissed at him as the bug pony threw insults at the human for not minding his step before the armored changeling heard what was going on and made its way over.

The leader of the small squad didn't look happy as they spoke "Mind your tongue drone if the Queen finds out you were being rude to a guest she would feed you to the Maulwurf's" after that release of information the drone instantly went quiet fearing the oversized monster.

Which triggered frank to ask what that was "what is a Maulwurf exactly?" He asked as the blue-eyed armored changling looked over at him "don't worry about that dark one I just wanted to inform you we have arrived at our destination which is a far range teleport crystal it will be only useful for two jumps" the bug said before frank nodded.

"Just tell me what to do," Frank said simply as talion stays silent watching was this going to be like what he and celebrimbor had done.

"Just stand over there dark one and I will take care of the rest," said the changeling while hissing and clicking and chirping away as everyone had gotten into position.

And as frank looked it had been dark out as the small group had been walking threw the forest for quite some time maybe around three hours or so but with a green flash and the sudden loss of all crickets and life wasn't a good size as frank tried to look around to see where they were but couldn't see anything.

"Just where the hell are we?" Frank asked unnerved and confused as a new voice came into play "my hive~ you must be the dark entity that has the ponies running away from fear~" said the unknown bug-sounding voice as frank looked around in the dark before it answered.

"In front of you~ here let me make it so you can see," said the unknown person? Pony whatever at this point frank was starting to believe he was the only human here now.

That's when small crystals around the seemingly small cave room as frank watched by one each crystal light up the more frank could see the current Occupants of the room the changelings he had traveled with had moved off to the sides of the room as they were staying out of the way of someone.

Before frank could do anything he would feel a soft breath against his ear to catch his attention. "My my aren't you an interesting creature~" frank whipped around as she continued to speak. "

I can see how you were able to defeat the nightmare moon with all that magic you have...how are you able to surpass my throne's ruin magic?" She asked as frank looked her up and down "what do you mean?" He asked as she hissed.

"You have magic here? And you're not even a changeling? What are you some kind of old magic do you possess?"
The caution and anger were in her voice as frank began to sweat trying to think of an explanation

'You can't just tell her it's a ring because if she finds out she will kill us or eat me!' Frank was freaking out as the big bug queen grew more impatient with him. "Well?" She said her voice getting more and Irritated about the lack of answers

'Frank before you get us killed or with less chance of making any friends here just make something up' talion said as frank had gotten an idea but his mouth had spoken before his brain could stop it. "It's the ring." 'Frank you're a fool...' Said talion as frank could hear the disappointment in his voice

This caused the queen to raise an eyebrow at this but she more or less accepted the answer "very well I'll leave you and your Secrets alone, for now, let's move to a more favorable location shall we there we can do formalities properly" as she began to trout away.

As two of her changelings went in front of frank as one spoke "dark one we will accompany you so if you are lost or lose sight of the queen we can get you back to her" one of the two said before going behind him to follow.

"Um thank you?" Frank said while catching up to the bug queen "now can I at least have your name? I don't think you would like being called a bug queen do you?" the human had asked there came a soft giggle from the queen.

"You do have a point dark one my name is chrysalis but with my title, my full name is queen chrysalis of the Chang Kings and high queen of the badlands~," Chrysalis said with a slight hint of pride.

"And if you help me when I need your aid I will reward your loyalty to the changelings~," she said as they traveled threw the dark corridors "I told you my name how about you tell me yours now? Seems like a fair trade."

Soon the light from the sun was visible as frank picked up the pace "would you mind going over details?" frank asked before she spoke up again "No~ your name first I doubt your name is dark one" Frank was about to speak when talion spoke up 'you can't be serious? Are you going to just take her word on this?".

'Well if you would shut up so I can listen to her we can find out! Plus all she wants is my name, right? What harm is in that?' Frank snapped as chrysalis fluttered her bug wings to catch his attention.

"Is this normal for your kind to zone out or to inspect the back of a queen?" Chrysalis asked slightly mocking him but keeping it slightly playful as she didn't want to upset her guest.

"Oh my apologies queen Chrysalis I was talking with someone." frank said as the bug queen tilted her head as this confused her where is there more like this being? Could they help enact her revenge only time would tell as she didn't press the matter " I would still like to know your name or would you prefer I call you a hairless monkey?"

"It's frank your Majesty." he said as she smiled softly "quite an interesting name for a creature now does it have any meaning like the ponies? Or is it just a name?" She asked as they entered a very large room what seemed like a simple chamber with pillows on the ground as she made her way over to one and sat down.

"Not quiet we just name ourselves anything really and what is this place?" Frank asked as he followed her footsteps or hoof steps in this case to the table and sat down thinking a chair was there only to fall and for a pillow to catch his fall.

"Interesting~ I must say now to be clear with you frank I know what the ponies have done to you they have alienated you because of your power while also attacking you for looking hostile. It's a real shame but they always did that to every species" chrysalis said while using her hoof to stroke the rough table in front of her "would you like something to eat or drink maybe?" She asked looking across to him as frank should his head.

"No I am alright and I do appreciate not being on the move constantly but you said something about rewards if I was loyal to your kind what would I get exactly?" He asked as she softly ticked her long tongue.

"Well~ I can't give you alll~ the details currently but rewards I can. You would be given land to oversee as a lord~ as well as subjects to manage while also receiving a medium-sized platoon. Of my changeling royal guards to protect you, it is also your choice to increase their ranks or not as well as prisoners to use as either simple feed for my changelings or slaves to how should I say? Bulk up your industry. I think you have a rough idea I'm offering you."

Frank had leaned back as he couldn't believe how much she just laid out for him. Without even bothering to ask talion he spoke "what would I need to do?" He asked as she grinned evilly as she spoke her response.
"You seem to have a unique ability to resist the elements of harmony if I was informed correctly so I ask from you when we invade the pony lands YOU will aid the side of changelings."

"And how do I know that this isn't a lie? For all I know you could be backstabbing me the moment you win" he asked as the queen drew a serious face

"I would have you know I keep my allies closer than my enemies so if you need me to swear that all I've said would happen to you and more then I will. I will even crown you a lord myself if needed. Which hasn't been done in my hive for thousands of years" she would sit up as she rested on the table slightly.

"Now here's my reverse ask what have the ponies offered you? Besides nothing but harm!" She said while sitting back down on her hooves as frank began talking with talion.

'Look what she is offering is pretty good you would be a minor lord if anything but still deemed as a lord nonetheless so I'm leaving this in your hands, Frank, not mine but she did bring up a good point about those ponies'

"I'll think about it just give me time," Frank said sharply as he didn't know what to say at the current moment as she just simply nodded.

"I understand that this is a hard choice to make so I'll give you time to sit on it as long as needed this plan needs time anyway so here," she said as her twisted horn lit up as her sickly magic grabbed a strange rock as she placed it in front of the human "when you made your mind up press on this and a changing patrol will come and get you."

She said while smiling gentle "I do hope you make the right call frank I need more allies and you might be the one to trump them all" she complimented as she gave a soft wink " if you wish to stay here you may just tell me so I can get you proper arrangements."

Frank nodded "thank you, queen, but I believed that I overstayed my welcome and I shall be taking my leave however I will think about your offer " he stated as two changelings entered the room.

"Very well these two will help you get back don't lose that stone now," she said as he left the room a green blush filled her face 'H-his power it's so~ Overwelming~ and yet so untouchable' she thought with disdain at the loss of a light snack 'whatever the case is he will be back sooner or later~' she thought giggling to herself Evily

Author's Note

Holy cow guys! I have to cover this but the sky is the limit! At this point and yes I'm aware grammar is still the biggest problem if you guys are willing to help out please pm me the area that needs fixing! And what should go where in the place of the incorrect word or symbol!! Plus we are still going strong which is a good thing! Thank you all for the support both positive and negative it all helps so much