Approaching Apotheosis

Sandfly knocked on the sturdy wooden door. The metal bands across its boards were emblazoned with small pictures of flagons, causing Sandfly to snort in disgust.

‘We’ve got too much of everything now, except what matters.’

The slot at eye level pulled open and a pair of cyan eyes looked out at him.

“Green Cistern’s closed tonight,” a rough voice came from the other side of the door.

“I am invited,” Sandfly said confidently.

The drone behind the door narrowed his eyes, “Don’t know ya.”

“I am invited,” Sandfly insisted.

“Who you with?” The eyes scrutinized Sandfly, as if there was more to the drone than his chitin.

“The Hammers.”

A low bark of laugh accompanied the shake of the bouncer’s head, “You don’t look like a Hammer!”

Sandfly grinned, “You wanna step back and watch me prove it?”

“... No,” the bouncer changed his mind. “One second.”

The slot slammed closed and muffled voices yelled at each other, leaving Sandfly looking around in boredom. The Fifth Hive’s main rooms were bustling with the evening’s goings on. Even here in the far corner, space was already becoming a premium. Boxes were stacked high, drones opened makeshift stalls and barked prices at passersby, and many surfaces were still being smoothed out, replaced with greenery, or machinery. It was a chaotic mess.

It was home.

When the slot opened again, another drone was peeking one eye out.

“Ey? Who’s it?”

“Sandfly.”

The new changeling scoffed, “Sandfly?! You oughta be dead and in a ditch!”

Sandfly winked, “Many have tried, and that many are dead.”

“Hahaha, well what are you waiting for, get in here!”

With several clicks, the heavy door swung outwards, emitting a low cloud of smoke and the sound of conversation and clinking glasses. The drone in the door motioned Sandfly to enter, and all but pulled him inside, shutting it behind the two.

Sandfly found himself in a large tavern, with real wooden floorboards, tables from wall to wall filled with drones, chandeliers dripping with stacks of candles, and a far wall lined with bottles of wine behind a stocked bar. To the left, a stage had been fixed with a large radio sitting on the edge, with a sizable crowd sitting around it. To the right, drones were fixated on a large wooden table topped with green fuzz, thrusting wooden poles at balls clattering against each other.

“You look like you’ve never been in a speakeasy, Sandfly,” the older drone elbowed him.

“I haven’t,” Sandfly said from the corner of his mouth.

He grunted in surprise when the older changeling threw a hoof around his shoulders and shook him, “It’s great, ain’t it?! Sparky and some of his friends from the Fourth Legion got it together. Apparently, he got stuck on this side of the frontline and found his way into the Fifth Hive before the war ended. They got while the getting was good.”

“Bullshit!” Sandfly chuckled. “Sparky building something rather than burning it down? Try something more believable, Captain.”

The older changeling extended out a hoof, and Sandfly bumped it with his own, giving a sharp nod to his superior officer. With a nod, Tetragnath led them through the busy tavern, skirting around tables and dancing around drones with plates full of mugs of foamy beer in their telekinetic grips.

“Where've you been, Sandfly? We thought you were lost with your brother. Were you intentionally hiding that ugly mug from us?”

“No, Captain Tetragnath.” Sandfly nodded towards his right foreleg, extending it out for inspection, “Flame spill hit me on the perimeter wall. Hive’s Finest had me podded for two weeks, the flames got me that bad. By the time I was out, we were well on our way to the Fourth. Then I got assigned to ‘carry this, fetch that,’ duty. Had me hauling shit and patrolling tunnels till two weeks ago.”

The two walked up two steps to an elevated area, making for an occupied booth. Three drones looked up at their arrival, scooting aside as the Captain sat down.

“Boys and girls, this here’s Sandfly from Beta Squad. Turns out, he’s not dead after all.” Tetragnath introduced him.

Sandfly bumped hooves with each of his fellow Legionaries as one asked, “You’re Weevil’s brother, right? I heard you both ate it in the Palace.”

“Never made it past Canterlot’s outer wall,” Sandfly corrected. “Until today, technically.”

Sandfly found himself repeating his short and miserable story to the three drones.

“Say, Captain,” he turned to Tetragnath, “what’s up with the locked door, anyways? This some kind of officer’s club we’re in?”

Captain Tetragnath chuckled, “Nah. Any drone is welcome here, but tonight it’s a private party. Several of the Lodges are celebrating– and with the news, we’d rather not risk some Loyalists caving in our tunnel.”

Ah. Politics. Something which escaped Sandfly’s understanding.

“Why would they cause trouble? Don’t tell me the Tyrant’s hooflickers somehow support the Prohibition?”

One of the other drones, Smoke, laughed, “Haha! No! They’re gonna be pissed about the other news!”

Sandfly frowned, “Other news? What’s going on?”

Captain Tetragnath motioned a waitress over and snagged a beer, sliding it over.

“It’s Sprout!” he smiled. “Tastes like beetleshit, tastes like home!”

Sandfly grabbed the mug and took a swig, suppressing a shudder, “Y-yep! That’s… ugh. What’s the news, Captain?”

Tetragnath nursed his own mug, “The old Queen’s getting the noose.”

Sandfly nearly spat out his drink as he slammed it on the table, “What?!”

“No, not the noose,” another drone by the name of Thunder said. “Banishment!”

“I’ve got fifty bits on cutting her tongue out,” Smoke cheered.

“It’s the noose,” Tetragnath insisted. “The King’s not that barbaric, Smoke, and there ain’t no way he’d let her out of his sight by banishing her!”

“He did it with that traitor from the First Fang,” Thunder shrugged.

“So… something’s happening to her today?” Sandfly pieced together.

Smoke nodded, “Mhmm! After the ponies repeal the ban on alcohol, we should be hearing the surprise news over the radio. They’re gonna switch it from music over to live broadcast when the King passes the sentence.”

“Holy shit,” Sandfly gasped. “It’s happening? It’s actually happening?!”

Tetragnath raised his glass, “Tonight, justice will be served for every brother, sister, friend, and lover lost to the acid vats! Justice will be served for squandering our Hive’s chance at victory! Tonight, the King will reign triumphant, once and for all!”

Sandfly and the other drones cheered and banged their mugs together, and many nearby changelings hollered in excitement.

‘Finally! Those bastards are finally getting what’s coming to them! King Phasma better kill the rest of those Praetorian bastards!’

“For Weevil,” he cheered, smiling as his eyes watered.

“For Oest!” Tetragnath toasted.

“For old Lice and Stegasta!” Smoke raised his glass.

“For Tunnel Crew Twenty-One!” Thunder said, shaking her head.

The five tipped their mugs back and drank their foul Sprout, coughing and hacking as they finished their glasses.

“It’s on!” Someling called out from the crowd. “Quick, switch ‘em all over to the news!”

“Three hundred and twenty-two yays, fifty-six nays, and fourteen abstains! The motion passes!”

A quiet chorus of polite applause echoed through the grand chamber as the ponies stomped their approval. The gathered three hundred ninety-two members of the Parliament of Equestria congratulated each other or stared across the space in quiet stewing anger as the Prohibition was officially ended.

Lord Speaker Daisy called out, “The motion shall be presented to the Crown for final signing. Congratulations to Lord Fancy on your bill passing.”

The few members of the press allowed in snapped their pictures from the far walls of the Parliament’s ornate main chamber, with several more jotting down notes and holding microphones up to capture the momentous occasion. Lord Speaker Daisy flipped over her stack of papers, examining the next one in the pile.

“... Marquess Deep Pockets has motioned for the floor for the proposal of bill Seven-Nine-Five, The Bill Against Foreign Influence…” Daisy trailed off. Slowly, she lifted her head from her desk, “Marquess? What is the meaning of this?”

Marquess Deep Pockets stalked from the rear of the chamber’s raised rows, several members of the New Harmony Coalition straightening up as she passed them. The pink-coated mare shimmered in the afternoon sunlight cast from the tall windows as it caught the many diamonds on her gold dress.

“We have motioned for immediate consideration of The Bill Against Foreign Influence,” she announced as she approached the Lord Speaker’s podium in the center of the room. “You will find the adequate number of votes to begin consideration.”

Lord Speaker Daisy flipped through the pages, “This was not scheduled, Marquess. You had filed for time to speak about your Bill for Las Pegasus’s expansion, not this.”

“Priorities have changed,” Marquess smiled, “and we must put Equestria’s safety at the forefront of our attention. The motion is seconded, Lord Speaker. Unless you are refusing your duty?”

Daisy leaned back, almost shrinking in her chair, “Not at all, Marquess. You… have the floor.”

Deep Pockets nodded and swiftly took the center podium, looking out over the gathered stallions and mares.

“Esteemed members of this great chamber, we have long since dictated and inscribed the will of the Princesses as we guided this great Princedom for generations uncounted. We have, in our wisdom, sought to understand the Crown’s desire for peace and prosperity, and have made it our lives’ goals to embody it. The health of our great nation is the health of our own mind and souls; the two cannot be untwined. This past year has been the most difficult we have seen in our lifetime, and indeed it may yet be the most catastrophic this great land has ever seen! War! Invasion! Occupation! Destruction and death! Plagues of woe that had never before held purchase over our towns and hills were forced upon us all, separating families and destroying livelihoods.

“Now, evil is taking root within our fair city, in the Palace we swore to protect! Those who we have looked up to our entire lives have fallen victim, and it falls to us to take their shield and continue the fight! The changeling threat is not over, and is more dangerous than it has ever been! We are not at peace! We are, as we have been for the past half year, in a state of war! Our way of living is being threatened! Our Princesses are being controlled! Our Kingdom is in danger! We must seize the reins and protect the Crown from doing any further harm to itself. While the changelings infest the Palace, the Princesses must be safeguarded from outside influence!

“It is with a heavy heart and no small amount of trepidation that the New Harmony Coalition officially puts forth The Bill Against Foreign Influence. In order to ensure the security and continued stability, we officially call for a Vote of No Confidence in Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance of Equestria! This great chamber has guided Equestria for centuries. The time has come for us to assume full responsibility for its health. For the good of the Kingdom, and for the good of the Princesses, I implore all of you to stand with me against the insidious threat that is already all around us!”

The chamber was split down the middle between applause and outrage. Ponies stamped and clapped in approval as the press took a flurry of photos, casting the Marquess in near-constant white light from the flashes.

‘Two hundred and ninety-five votes and the Prince of Terror and the Tyrant Queen’s malice will finally be over.’

I nodded to Bray Call, who stepped back towards my side. Luna was looking at me for confirmation, and I gave her a slow nod, which she passed along to Celestia.

‘It’s time.’

Celestia tapped the armrest of her throne three times. Cadance’s ear flicked back at the sound, and I faintly sensed fear coming from her direction.

‘C’mon, Cadance, harden your heart and steel your nerves.’

“I believe we have heard enough,” Cadance said, rising from her judge’s stand and motioning for Coxa and Sanguine to join her. “You may take your seat,” she dismissed the changeling witness that was telling a tale of Chrysalis’s tyranny over food rations. “Court is adjourned for ten minutes, after which we will return from a short deliberation with the final verdict and sentencing.”

Many ponies were slouching from the grueling day of sitting down and listening to war crimes. Not that I blamed them, this was hardly fascinating stuff after the first five hours of testimony. Now, weeks in, this was the first new news that had been spoken in the throne room. But boy, did it get people moving. Ponies frantically confirmed with each other about what they just heard. Final verdict. This trial would come to a swift close and Chrysalis' future would be writ in stone.

The three judges filed out of the room, leaving Celestia, Luna, and I standing before the ponies. Chrysalis looked up at me from her little podium. Her calm expression betrayed how she felt. She was not smug, nor was she gloating, as she did not know what was going to happen next.

Chrysalis was worried about the…

No. That's not right. Chrysalis was not worried. She doesn't worry about anything, ever. Concerned. She was concerned about the potential punishment. Death was out of the question, of course. Not even Phasma would go against The Great Weaver's judgment, no matter his independent streak. There were many fates worse than death. Many things.

In fact, that exact topic had been the matter of discussion for many of these pointless trial days. The worst cases were also of no concern to Chrysalis; the ponies were involved in the decision-making process, and would no doubt lack the stomach for the more brutal choices. No, Chrysalis was not concerned about being maimed.

But Phasma is a creative Prince, and he would have the loudest voice in deciding her fate.

She had hoped the divine intervention would alleviate the greatest pressure of his grudge against her. Instead, it merely opened the gate a crack. He still blamed her for Ascending the Princes and Princesses of the Fourth Hive. The crux of her arguments had been that the process was necessary.

And that he would do the same, if given no choice.

They both knew the truth. He was a killer, and was willing to plunge his hooves into the chest cavity of whatever cadaver he would have to in order to protect his kingdom. She admired that quality, and was proud that he learned it from her.

Now was a moment between storms. A calm before a battle. Six thrones lay empty before her. Six souls were deciding her fate. Officially, of course, as she knew they had drawn up plans long before this day.

If Chrysalis was being honest, she admires the plan. Holding onto her and keeping her fate up in the air until her doom would be of service to the ponies and the changelings. It was devious. She would have even found Celestia downright attractive for being the mind who orchestrated it all, if not one for one tiny, itty bitty detail.

It was her fate up in the air.

“Prissy little Princess,” Chrysalis cursed under her breath, resisting the innate urge to grind her teeth together. “Should've killed her when I had the chance.”

What's done is done. No matter what, she was determined to weather the storm.

Chrysalis rose up to her hooves seconds before the six of her executioners returned. The doors swung open and all rose to attention as the most powerful living beings on the planet entered the room. Followed by Celestia.

When they took their places, Cadance called for everyling to sit, but the six remained standing. Chrysalis guessed they wanted her standing, too.

“Chrysalis of the Hive Eternal,” the Princess of Food began. “We have labored long to tally the crimes you have committed. You have hurt ponies and changelings alike. The evidence of your wrongdoings eclipses the good you have brought to our world.”

“Circumstances included,” Coxa said next, “We find you guilty of tyranny, murder, breaching the peace between kingdoms, and conspiracy to end Equestrian society.”

‘Nothing about mutilation or mistreatment of my offspring? Have my arguments… had a point? They listened to me?’

The final judge, Sanguine, looked down her nose at the former-queen, “We have come to a collective decision regarding your fate.”

The old bat’s harsh voice grated Chrysalis's ears. She really hated when that thing spoke.

For the first time, Phasma spoke officially from his leftmost-seat of the three on the raised dais.

“For your crimes against our people,” he said, “you are forbidden from ever holding power within the Hive Eternal. Never again shall you order anyling, save for any personally assigned to you by me and me alone. You will never be Queen, nor will you ever be a Princess. You hold the rank of citizen, equal to that of any other drone.”

Chrysalis’s lips pulled back in a snarl. She growled out a threat, baring her fangs, “A drone?! You d-”

Luna cut her off, voice loudly echoing off the walls like a great bell, “For your crimes against Equestria, you owe a great debt to be repaid. You shall work every day to repay that debt for two hundred years, taking any task your superior gives you.”

Chrysalis's eye twitched, “Superior-?”

Luna continued, “Good behavior shall be rewarded, and delinquency will be harshly stamped out. You shall be assigned to a task force under the Crown to hunt down any threats to society and good company. These members will be hoof-picked by King Phasmatodea, but make no mistake: all three Princesses of Equestria hold rank over you now.”

The insect queen felt rage flow through her whole body. Honestly, this was exactly what she had expected from all of this. In fact, it would be far better than imprisonment. But that didn't make it Sting any less- oh no, the thought of taking orders from Princesses, let alone mortal ponies, was infuriating!

Finally, the last in line of the three leaders of the world gave her sentencing. Celestia looked down at Chrysalis with pity. With pity.

“Your heart overflows with hatred. It pours out like a waterfall, washing away any decency still within you. King Phasma was eased from the path you set him on, but it is clear that there will be no easing for you. You must be dragged kicking and screaming to redemption. You will learn the core tenets of kindness, generosity, laughter, honesty, and loyalty- the core values of friendship. Until that point, your freedom to use your magical gifts will be greatly restricted.”

For a second there, Chrysalis was w- concerned that-

“Furthermore,” the alabaster annoyance continued, “the evil rotting in your heart must be expunged. It is not enough to learn friendship; you must unlearn hatred. As such, your own freedom of language will be strictly monitored. You shall never curse, threaten, or mock anypony ever again.”

Chrysalis's eyebrow twitched, “You're going to police what I say, now?”

“Finally,” Celestia sighed, “Your own identity must change. You have built up a personality of cruelty around yourself, hiding behind it like a fort's walls. To facilitate this change, this new horizon being granted to you, you will be known as North Star. May you find your redemption in time.”

‘That's a pony name. A pony name. Not a changeling name, not a royal name, and not my name. Not my name.’

The former-queen stood there, mouth still frozen open in a half-formed protest as she gripped with the thought. It was ridiculous. It was stupid. Her name was Chrysalis, no matter what this milk-drinking, daisy-licking tree fuckers ever said.

“I am Queen Chrysalis-”

Cadance stamped her hoof. The metal boot changed against the floor through the carpet, magically amplified, and for a moment Chrysalis only heard her breathing and heartbeat.

“This trial is adjourned. The cases of your subordinates will be handled by the Fifth Hive's courts. You will be assigned a special agent for further instructions. Guards!”

“I am Queen Chrysalis!” She hissed, spittle flying. “I am chosen by the Goddess! You do not get to tell me who I am!”

Royal Guards seized her by the shoulders. She pushed them back, easily overpowering the stallions.

“I am the voice of the Goddess, I am the Hive made manifest! Your petty words are hollow, Princess! You mean nothing to me!”

It was not Celestia who descended from her throne, but Cadance. The pink pony princess strode down to meet Chrysalis, stopping before the shackled royalty. Chrysalis drew in a breath to bestow a curse upon the upstart imbecile when Cadance whipped her head forward and fired a beam of teal magic at Chrysalis. The bright beam struck Chrysalis in the eye, and the world fell out from under her.

Down she plunged, chains clinking as Her Majesty smashed muzzle-first onto her podium, pain radiating from her teeth as she slid off. The red carpet welcomed her royal visage with indifference, and the Queen's jaw lay ajar. Her tongue dropped onto the carpet, forcing her to taste its fuzz. She tried to recoil, but struggled to even blink.

“Oh, I am sorry!” Her attacker said, peering down from the podium to her. “Guards, please carry North Star to her new chambers. We are finished here.”

‘We are not finished here, you miserable morsel! When I am done with you, you buffet of morons, I will bury you in an unmarked grave, high in the mountains where nothing grows! Your frozen corpse will lay there for a thousand years! Your name will fall from memory– all of yours–’.

Magic levitated Chrysalis up off the floor, her own protective aura subdued by the inhibitor around her horn. Her face still dragged against the floor, leaving an undignified trail of saliva.

‘– and I will take everything from you, you and Celestia both! You will watch it all burn! You will beg for death for those you love, just to spare them! Then, and only then, will I turn my knives onto you! For you hear me, Princesses?! I will devour you while–’

Her captors dragged her away, and Chrysalis got one last glimpse at those bastards.

Celestia, with not a thought between her ears, failing to hide her smile. Cadance, looking on with feigned concern and no small amount of hidden amusement. Luna, the utterly unremarkable shadow of Daybreaker. And Phasma, who had already turned his back to leave.

Chrysalis didn't know whether she hated that he didn't even keep his attention on her- that he had already dismissed her existence- or a tiny, almost imperceptible amount of relief that her son and heir was not witnessing the disgraceful display.

‘This is not the end. I am Chrysalis, I am Queen, I am Authority! This is not the end, you fools!’