Project: Chrysalis

8. Caballiulus

A second time, a group of trapped ponies endeavored to reach an exit, before a cruel and unfeeling monster shut them in. Her power however was weak, enough to be overcome by a bullet, or a pulse of magic. This assessment crushed Applejack's fear, which had now been replaced with an ardent desire for revenge.

Her breaths intensified, her teeth gnashed together in rage, and she shook under the boiling force of anger. The shadows did not deter her steps as she led the group deeper into the complex.

Trailing behind were the broken and sad remains of four mares whose lives were once enriched by the musings of that pink pony. Each held a guilty heart, replaying in their heads the agonizing question, "What could I have done?"

Perhaps there was no right answer, or perhaps they betrayed the best friendship supposedly shared between them. Perhaps they failed Pinkie Pie, creating a soul lamenting the severed bonds of their relationship. Fluttershy in particular, so kind and gentle, nearly collapsed under this prospect; that the ultimate act of malice is treason; abandonment.

Celestia did her best to hide the sorrow she too experienced, but with limited success. The fruit of HER sins had claimed too many. Regret overtook the alicorn. Few situations compelled to her to reevaluate whether she should be wearing that crown or not. Fewer still made her seriously consider abdication.

The suffering grew to be too much for Dr. Antlion. He had watched two ponies die today, and already the group was stretched to their tolerance limits. He understood why Applejack was moving forward, and the doctor knew it probably wasn't ideal to interrupt a mare on a mission. It required him to summon all his courage and audacity to say something.

"Applejack! Stop!" He wanted to take it back as soon as the farmpony turned around, her ire directed at him for the moment. "I...I don't think it's wise."

"That what's wise?" She asked, approaching Antlion in an intimidating manner.

"To proceed to the next exit."

"What? Why not? Do you not want us to get outta here!?" She yelled.

"No! I mean of course I want to leave...but...there's must be some other way."

"Ya mean another exit?" She snatched the map from Vixen and looked over it. "This way's the closest one! AND the only remaining one after that is on the other side o' the lab! Ah ain't gonna risk putting my friends in anymore danger! Now y’all’re welcome to go that way, Doc, but Ah'm going this way!"

"Don't you see? That’s where she wants us to go!"

"Are you sayin' that Chrysy ain't no mindless killer? 'Cause ya got a lot of evidence stacked against you."

"She smashed the main entrance. Over back where we just came from she broke that one too! Her actions are deliberate. She KNEW we would go this way, because it's the closest!"

"She ain't plannin'. She's just hungry, like an animal! She'd eat us all if we didn't scare her off!" Applejack was growing quite tired of listening to this stallion defend the changeling

"No, she's waiting. Chrysalis could've killed us all if she wanted to. But she doesn't. She's biding her time. We're just pawns in her scheme. I don't know why she's doing all this, but I know when we get to the third exit, she'll be right there, and destroy the door, probably killing some of us in the process! I don't want anypony else to die! You must listen!"

"What I'm hearin', Doctor, is a lot of speculation."

"I know it seems that way...but...she must be..." Antlion slowed his speech, thinking for a few seconds. "...feeding on emotion! That's it! Twilight! You said she claimed to feed on love, right?"

"Uh-huh. I thought it gave the changelings strength." The lavender mare replied.

"Yeah! So what if not only love, but all emotions, could sustain her?"

"Ya'll ain't givin' me any reason to care. In case ya haven't noticed, Ah'm not one to wish to understand the mind of a monster. I'd rather just shoot it."

"Ok ok hold on. Hey scientists!" He called over the three surviving doctors. "Did you see if Chrysalis gained say... magical energy from emotion?"

They all thought for a bit. The female one responded. "Now that you mention it...I think we did a study on that. A lot of us were scared of her."

"So I think that fear gave her power. That's why she's waiting; she wants to gather up power."

"Alright Ah see your point. But what does she need the power for?"

Antlion's shroud of confidence disappeared. "I have no idea."

"Well ya tried. NOW YOU'RE TRAPPED! Ah want to run into her again, and put a bullet straight into her skull. Is that ok?"

"We should go to the other exit."

"Fuck that! This way's closer."

"But she knows we're going that way!"

"Alright let's put it to a vote. Everypony who thinks we should go into the long halls of this lab, on the idea that Chrysalis might not be waitin', or followin' us, and spendin' more time in this hellhole, raise y’all’s hooves!"

Only Antlion raised his hoof. Celestia would have, but her status as a pariah would only be worsened.

"And anypony who trusts in me, The Element of Honesty, to get us the shorter way, in one piece, raise y’all’s hooves now."

The rest of the group voted for Applejacks proposal. Twilight gave Antlion a look of sympathy.

"Looks like we go this way. Anypony who don't wanna come can go wherever the hell they want!"

Nopony objected, though the Doctor did grumble, readying his rifle. He could at least make peace with Applejack and offer to help anyway.

The party moved through the remaining corridors, always alert and suspicious of sounds. But to their relief, nothing. About ten yards away was a door marked "Specimen Containment." As Applejack came to it, she noticed it was locked. Rolling her eyes, she turned around and bucked the door off its hinges, causing the metal slab to fly a few feet behind the doorframe.

Chairpony Vixen took this as an opportunity to explain their whereabouts. "This is the specimen Containment center. It's actually one of the larger sections of the compound. The exit should be further up ahead, to the left, and to the right."

"Good to know." Applejack replied. The opening area of the center was full of tables, computers, microscopes and other lab equipment. There were blood stains on some of the objects, and the whole room radiated an uneasy vibe. Nevertheless, the group of eleven ponies continued.

The black creature sat on her haunches, hanging over the cold, lifeless body of a pink mare. She ran her hoof down the pony's length, caressing her curls and examining the haphazard nature of her mane. The balloons on her flank almost filled Chrysalis with a sense of joy...or the closest thing she could ever experience. Every pony the changeling queen had consumed, she loathed her actions. She was a prisoner of her bestial mind, forced to devour the innocent to sustain her putrid form.

But this time was different. The pink filly was harmless, gentle, serene. She heard about this one's exploits while in Canterlot disguised as that loving alicorn. "Pinkie Pie" always brought joy and laughter to the ponies she met. That being wanted nothing more than to make somepony smile.

And Chrysalis removed her from the world.

Such an innocent creature, snatched from life for a petty purpose, the shelled monster could find no outlet for the grief and torment that stabbed her heart other than to weep tears of true, eternal sincerity. Chrysalis hated life, and the ponies responsible for her state, but she hated nothing more in the entire play of existence than her own self.

As saline drops soaked the corpse, the changeling levitated it towards her mouth, and began ripping away flesh. The meat tasted so good...but was drenched in guilt. When the dark deed was complete, Chrysalis' horn flashed. Her form changed as the cells of her body shifted and changed, making her smaller. A final ring of green fire dissipated as the magical veil was cast.

In this form, Chrysalis felt...normal. The shape felt right somehow. Often when she was overcome with guilt and loneliness, the changeling would assume this guise and cry herself to sleep. Her "children" could never understand why or even what she was doing, and the pain only became worse. This time was no different, and in the specimen containment center, the Queen of a race now dead wailed, waiting for the right time to commit her final act, and then exit the stage.

Perhaps hellfires would keep her warm.

Deeper and deeper into the containment area, the group walked slowly, ever vigilant for any signs of movement. So far nothing had caught their attention. Medical tools and desks were all that filled the halls. Another corner came, and this time something interesting came up.

A large, white room, with a very sterile atmosphere, had signs of dried blood along the walls. Applejack leading, the party proceeded inside, clutching their weapons like the life-savers they were.

At first there were no indications of where there the blood came from, presumably from a pony unfortunate enough to be trapped here. However, Twilight noticed a small object on the other side of the room. She stepped closer, Applejack following close behind.

The studious mare then saw a shattered glass vessel....almost like the tanks housing the caballiuli. Looking closer, she gasped at what lay inside the tank:

A small, almost pony-like body, very VERY similar to the caballiuli...but this one was clearer outside of the suspension. It possessed several dark shapes inside its body, like organs of some kind. There were visible cuts, likely from the broken glass, and blood leaked out. Twilight poked it with the end of her axe, and its soft skin dented inwards.

Applejack became equally inspective of it, and finally raised her head. Turning to face Twilight she asked, "Is that what I think it is, Twi?"

Ominously, the lavender unicorn took a deep breath and replied, "I think so."

Rarity noticed the two looking at something. "What is it? What did you find?"

Twilight turned to Rarity's direction. "It's....a fetus."

"W...what?"

"A fetus. A baby pony. Or rather, it would have been."

Celestia began to step back, a futile attempt to avoid notice.

"Surely it's not! I mean...they use those magic things here...right?"

"No. It's clearly a fetus. Right! Celestia! What the fuck is this doing in here??"

This time Dr. Antlion spoke up. "Because 'Chrysalis' ate all the others, and left one...so we'd discover what the 'caballiuli' really are."

"Why are you using actually ponies for your...perverted experiments?!" Celestia closed her eyes and bowed her head. "Dammit answer me!" The element of magic's horn was glowing, threatening the Princess.

"Because..."

"BECAUSE WHY?!" Twilight's horn grew brighter and brighter.

Celestia finally snapped. "You can't bring magic to life! It doesn't work! We tried long ago, but magic can only animate things! They have no life! We NEEDED to use...fetuses! We were going to cure all diseases and create a world without weakness! You disapprove, Twilight." The Ruler of the Sun's eyes began to glow a fiery white. "YOUR SHORTSIGHTED MINDS CANNOT ACCEPT THE NECESSITY OF SACRIFICE!!"

"Sacrifice?? Using unborn ponies to create a weapon, a biological weapon? Forcing a living creature to become a tool of destruction?? Is this the sacrifice you speak of??" Dr. Antlion shouted.

"Where'd did y’all get these fetuses?" Applejack demanded, pointing her gun at Celestia.

The Princess calmed down, her surge of power leaving. She knelt down and began to cry. "I'm so sorry...you're right. There was nothing ethical or justified about my or anypony else's actions...we took them from clinics. It is a dark truth. I realize now though...Twilight...nothing is worth this. All my actions have done is create a monster...that has killed so many..." She swung her hoof and knocked of her crown. "I deserve not the throne...I have caused my ponies far too much harm. Your animosity is understood, and I hope you never forgive me..."

Applejack was shaking, and rage filled her voice. "You're damn right Ah'll never forgive ya. This little experiment of yours done took Pinkie Pie. Ah say fuck you, Princess." Cocking her shotgun, she slightly relaxed her angry expression. "But we ain't gonna survive here if we don't work together. There'll be time enough for pointin’ hooves after the changeling is dead. Now get up, and everypony come on! The exits just ahead!"

The Princess did as she was told, but was forced to get up again after Applejack knocked her down with a hoof. Picking up the crown, the orange filly remarked, "Ah reckon the gold in this here crown will be enough for Granny Smith's hip replacement." A smug smile, reeking malice, was flashed at the penitent alicorn.

A few minutes later, the party was caught off guard by the sound of...crying? Everypony tensed up and crept forward, prepared to faced whatever was there. The voice sounded like a pony...but maybe that's what Chrysalis wanted them to believe.

Slowly stepping towards another hall, a shadow was visible, laying on its backside, head hunched over, and forelimbs up at its face. Behind the shape was the door, or what was left of it. It was broken, just like the other previous two. “Dammit”, Applejack thought, silently stomping her hooves.

Nevertheless, they moved closer to whatever was there. It didn't seem to notice them...as if indifferent to the world. It just sat there, weeping. Then suddenly, as if something stirred its interest, it stopped, perked its head up, and glared straight at Twilight. It came closer towards them, and stopped in the light of an overhead lamp.

The creature standing before the eleven ponies was a tall, slender mare, with white, almost pure fur. Her mane was pink, as was her tail. The two large eyes staring at them were magenta. Her flank was devoid of a cutie mark, but it was hard to discern from the large wings folded against her back. Curiously though, a long, white horn jutted from her forehead.

She was clearly an alicorn, and that fact alone aroused suspicion. Dr. Antlion first threatened the pony.

"Get back Chrysalis! I know it's you!"

The alicorn blinked, and then smiled. Then for the first time during the whole ordeal, Chrysalis replied. "You see through my disguise. I commend you."

"Skip the bullshit. Ready everypony?"

He counted to three and at once the guns were fired and the melee weapons were swung. But before anything hit, a green bubble flashed, causing the objects to stopped dead in their tracks. Unsure as to what was going on, Rainbow Dash swung her metal pipe again. Still the same result. Again, the pipe met the green magic.

"I'm afraid you cannot harm me...everypony except Celestia."

Celestia couldn't use her magic however, because she was too distracted by the alicorn she saw before her. It seemed so familiar...and she felt...uneasy about hurting it.

"Your trance is expected."

"Why can't we hurt you?" A flustered Rainbow cried out.

"I have summoned a force-field. Only the most powerful of magic can dissipate it, and not even the lavender one can muster the strength."

Applejack gritted her teeth and lashed out at Chrysalis, banging on the bubble. "Why are you killin' everypony? You took Pinkie Pie! You better hope that 'force-field' don't break, 'cause Ah'm gonna tear you limb from limb, you monster!"

"Why do you lament me killing ponies for sustenance, while you kill my offspring simply because the existed? The spilled blood of changelings could drown all those I have taken, but nopony cares. Never have, never will. But I understand. And now my brood has died; there are none left." She faced the doctor. "You. I remember you."

"We've never met."

"We have. You found two of my babies, before they died of hunger. Meat was scarce, and there was no emotion to grant them power. I saw all the swarm saw. I was everywhere they were. I was the swarm."

Twilight was tired of listening to whatever ramblings the disguised beast was spouting. "Enough! I'm sorry ponies killed your kids, but that doesn't mean you take out your anger on innocent ponies!"

"I kill because I must. I came to Canterlot to stop the ruthless slaughter of my hive. For nearly twenty years I have endured this. I felt every year the fire consume them, the bladed cutting them, the pain and suffering. I wanted to stop it. But such goals are unnecessary now. The swarm is gone. And soon I shall be too. I am dying. The proteins that grant me my abilities are now unstable, an unforeseen event. I am decaying."

Green fire formed around her body. A large, tall black creature, with large insect-like wings, gnarled horn and teal webbing mane stood, her back covered in an iridescent carapace. She held up a perforated hoof, tattered and cracking, with strings of flesh falling off. "My entire body will soon fall apart, and I will be powerless to stop it. But meat can keep me alive long enough." Her voice was noticeably different, now having an echo, as if multiple ponies were speaking at once.

"L...long enough for what?" Rarity struggled to say.

She smiled, bearing her fangs, and looked at Celestia. "I'm afraid that will have to wait."

Her force-field began flashing, and was lowering. Chrysalis noticed this, and quickly leaped into action. Her carapace split open at two points, and a tentacle came from each hole. They grabbed two ponies, one an old scientist, and the other the white unicorn with a purple mane. Lightning fast, Chrysalis galloped as quickly as she could down the hall, dragging away the two screaming pones.

Before she was lost in the darkness, Applejack was able to blast of her hind leg. The group of nine ran as fast as they could as well to try and catch them. The screaming of Rarity empowered Rainbow Dash to fly under the influence of adrenaline.

A voice called out. The cyan pegasus instantly recognized it as Rarity. Under a lamp in the hall, the white mare was laying on the floor, with what look like a broken leg. Rainbow Dash picked her up and gave her a deep embraced. The rest followed, as tears of joy sprinkled the grated floor.

"Are you ok, sugarcube?" Asked Applejack.

"Yes...I'm fine...just...a...OW...sprained leg."

"I'll fix you up." Fluttershy opened up her first aid kit, and wrapped the leg as best she could. "Where's the...stallion?"

"I'm afraid...he didn't make it...I managed to wriggle myself free but...we wasn't so lucky. Chrysalis has gone deeper into the lab."

"Dammit we had her." Cursed an angry Twilight.

"Looks like we have no choice but to use the last exit." Applejack conceded.

"It's this way." Said Chairpony Vixen.

"Yes just let me..." Rarity tried limping along, and was propped up by Fluttershy. "Thank you darling."

The yellow pegasus smiled. She then glanced at Rarity and noticed something...off. Her skin wasn't as warm or soft...and the fur wasn't quite as it should have felt...

But Fluttershy didn't think much of it, and decided it was more important to help her friend through the halls as they made their way out.

The group now continued down the new corridor, stretching far down to the other side of complex. Somewhere through twists and turns, Chrysalis would be hunting them, and that's exactly what they wanted.