The Meaning of Chrysalis

Chrysalis landed upon the clifftop with a thud. She was panting, and her face was filled with unnerve. It was just her assistant standing on the ledge, now, the scouts having left it seemed.

"Copycat, we need to leave: NOW!" Chrysalis shouted.

"W-What? What's going on? Are they really here to invade?"

"Worse," Chrysalis growled. "They're going to try to starve us to death until we hand over five thousand changelings to them for slaving!"

Copycat's eyes widened. "Five thousand?! That's- that's insane!"

"And they want them to be soldiers. That's a whole regiment! If we do that we might as well just hand them the whole hive."

"And Dagger thinks we'd fall for something that stupid? I'm somewhat personally offended by that!" Copycat growled.

"We might not be given a choice. We have to get to the U.N. to gain support. And I still need to go myself. I don't think it'll work unless I give a personal apology for my attack on Canterlot. The High Council and our generals can handle things here."

"So wait- are we going like... now now? What about our stuff?"

"Forget it. We'll have to wing it," Chrysalis panted.

"Great..."

Suddenly, there was another plop on the clifftop. Chrysalis and Copycat twirled about, their eyes widening.

"Dagger spoke the truth when he said I only speak when I'm about to strike. And that time is now," Tassadar snarled.

"What the hell are you doing this for?!" Chrysalis cried. "I know the church has always hated my kind, but why are you working with Dagger?! Do you know who he his?! If corruption ever existed in pony form, he would be it! Open your damned eyes!"

"Oh, my eyes are wide open," Tassadar grunted. "And the reasons of my brothers are my own, but I know why I'm here."

He took a step forward, unsheathing a brilliant, shimmering long-sword.

Both Chrysalis and her assistant lit their horns.

"One hundred years ago, Chrysalis, my father was a simple farmer. A simple farmer who wanted no trouble from anyone. But you, yes you alone, decided that you needed the land that he worked upon. Your people came. Your people forced us to leave. And my father, being a peaceful man offered no resistance. Yet... one of your soldiers still cut him down, simply because the soldier thought the pitchfork he was wielding could be used as a weapon."

"Those soldiers were tried for war crimes!" Chrysalis shouted.

"But they were never found guilty, were they? In the end, it came down to their word versus griffin witnesses. And guess who the winning side cared about?"

The soldier took another step.

"The soldiers who took my father from me are long dead, but you... you are not. You were responsible for those attacks. And you just happen to be immortal, or something close. I can't avenge him completely, but I can take away some of the pain. Prepare for the end of your long life!"

Chrysalis closed her eyes, her horn still glowing.

"You have the right for vengeance. You really do, and I'm sorry. But I have to help my people first. Allow me to leave for now, and I will duel you to the death later."

The griffin gave a hearty laugh. "Part of the reason I want you dead is so your people will be running around like headless chickens! Though I want vengeance, you're all still affronts to my gods, and if you ever become powerful again: you'd be a significant threat to the world just like before. I'm not going to allow that to happen."

"Then let's get this over with," Chrysalis said, narrowing her eyes.

"With pleasure."

With a tremendous roar, the griffin charged, his footfalls thundering across the ground. He flapped his wings as if he were flying through a storm, and them combined with his powerful legs gave him the speed of a bullet.

Chrysalis gasped. She tried to calm herself enough to prepared a defensive spell.

The griffin struck downward, aiming a sword-hit at her neck.

CLANNNNNNNNNNNNG!.!.!

It was blocked by a small green shield summoned by her horn. However, the griffin was not finished yet. He continued a barrage of sword hits against Chrysalis' head-area while slowly rising from the ground. Finally, when he was in the position he needed-

"RAUUUUUUUGH!"

He kicked outward with his two hind legs, sending Chrysalis flying backward and into the wall of the mountain.

"OOF!"

Groaning, Chrysalis sagged to the ground, though the griffin was not going to give her a chance to recover. He charged forward like an angry bull, kicking up dirt as he galloped.

"MY QUEEN!"

It was at that instant when Copycat finished charging a beam spell. A green lash of light cascaded forward from her horn, striking the griffin's side... though it did no damage. It didn't even seem to put him at pause.

"W-Wah?!" Copycat gasped.

"Anti-magic armor," the griffin growled. "Made specifically to deflect a changeling's. Now, say goodbye to your queen."

She was lying on her back, her eyes widened in horror as the lion-like creature loomed over her.

"May the golden gates judge you properly, Queen Chrysalis," he hissed.

Thinking quickly, Copycat did the one thing she could possibly do in this situation to augment her Queen. Though she couldn't generate her own love... she was still full from earlier. She concentrated, and began sending her over a trickle of it.

Suddenly, Chrysalis felt rejuvinated, and just before the sword hit-

CLIIIIINNNNNNNNG!

She summoned yet another shield. The griffin began to hammer down upon it, though Chrysalis now felt the strength to rise to her hooves.

"ENOUGH!" a new voice suddenly cried.

Suddenly, the group was surrounded by changeling soldiers, each armed with spears and swords. They closed towards the griffin, snarling at his sight. The griffin gave a growl, though he seemed to know he couldn't fight all of them at once. He backed away from Chrysalis, holding his sword defensively.

The group of changelings closed in. The griffin seemed to be examining his options.

"Another day, Chrysalis," he finally said. "Another day."

And with a great flap of his wings, he took off into the night.

Chrysalis took a deep breath.

"We felt you in distress via the link, my queen," one of the changelings announced. "Sorry we didn't get here sooner."

"It's alright," Chrysalis panted. "I'm glad you're here, though. We're going to need your help to punch through the blockade."

"What? Where are you going?" one of them cried.

"To the U.N. I'm going to rally support."

The soldiers seemed skeptical, but none-the-less nodded. "We'll do what we can, but couldn't you just disguise yourself as one of the slaver ponies? They're bound to have pegasi."

"I'm sure they know exactly who's leaving the islands at what times, and the griffins above will check their identities. And either way, they're likely to have those new detector stones Dagger developed on them."

"Understood, then," one of the soldiers nodded. "We'll help you get to Neigh York."

Copycat took a deep breath. "God, this is all happening so fast..."

"It'll get better soon," Chrysalis reassured her, smiling. "Just hang in there."

"Yeah, once we start killin' some griffins!" one of the soldiers grinned. "Come on boys, form on our queen. For Sinmaria!"

"FOR SINMARIA!" they cheered.

The five soldiers did so, forming a pentagon around Chrysalis and her assistant.

"We'll follow your lead, ma'm. Whenever your ready."

Chrysalis gave a nod. "I'm ready now. We'll head nearly straight upward before setting course for Equestria."

"Roger that!"

"Three. Two. One... FLY!"

The seven changelings then took off into the night. It was clear for the most part, and one could see as the mountain below became a rock among a thousand green trees. However, they could also see dark figures circling above.

"Company! Three griffins coming down!"

"Prepare beam spells!"

All seven changelings did just that, even Copycat, though it was unlikely her's would be too powerful.

"Strike at one!" one of the soldiers shouted.

"Roger. Three!"

The griffins gave war cries. Chrysalis could see their armor glinting off the moonlight.

"Two!"

They drew swords. They flapped their wings like mad.

"One! LET EM HAVE IT!"

Seven beams of light lanced from the formation of changelings, though Chrysalis found firing at a moving target... while moving was more difficult than it seemed. Luckily, her combat training was more than enough to compensate, similar for her soldiers. Four beams from them hit their targets, knocking two griffins out of the air. One beam from Copycat, who was not trained for this thing, and another soldier's missed, however, but Chrysalis beam was right on the money. A third griffin fell from the sky, barreling down by her.

There was no way he was going to survive that fall.

"HOORAH, BOYS!" one of the soldiers cried.

Chrysalis was now satisfied they had breached the aerial blockade. Scanning about for a brief second, she collected her bearings. She knew the island like her hoof, and knew which point led north and south, east and west. The stars gave aid as well. Eventually, she began to fly towards Equestria.

"Out of the frying pan into the fire! More griffins on our trails!" one of the soldiers shouted.

Chrysalis turned her head, her eyes widening. Six griffins were now following them, and Tassadar was among them.

"Get to Equestria, ma'm! We'll hold them off!" one of the soldiers shouted.

"I can't do that! You'll die trying to take them on!" Chrysalis shouted.

"We won't die! We'll merely bleed liquid heroism!" another soldier laughed.

"We'll always be part of the hive, ma'm! Now and forever! Time to meet the One-Winged Reaper, boys!"

"HOORAH!"

Chrysalis frantically shook her head.

"NO!"

But it was too late, the soldiers had already broken formation. Chrysalis couldn't look back, though as she flew on she heard the sound of beam-magic... then sword hits, and finally... screams.

"They died honorably," Copycat said, fluttering next to her.

"They died for me," Chrysalis gulped, her eyes tearing up. "A lot of changelings have died for me... because I'm their queen. Because they have a built-in instinct to follow me. Yet... I don't deserve it."

"If you truly believe that: then this is a chance to redeem yourself."

She sighed, looking over her shoulder at her island fading in the distance. She couldn't see any signs of fighting, just that menacing, all-encompassing fleet surrounding it... and even a few airships hanging in the air. Dagger definitely had a lot of connections.

At that, the duo flew on in silence.

Dagger's airship, the Golden Glory, was the pride of his collection of vessels of all types. It was a military ship by look, but a luxury ship by heart, and his workroom showed this. A lavish desk sat near the far end of it, made of premium oak wood, and a beautiful, rare, zebrican carpet stretched from it to the door.

Without bothering to even knock on his door, Tassadar entered, his helmet off, and looking furious.

"Let me guess, you tried to fight her," Dagger chuckled.

Tassadar merely gave a nod.

"And where is she now?"

"Gone."

"Figures," Dagger said, rolling his eyes. "God damnit, Tassadar. You know I was bullshitting on the beach, right? She does have a decent chance of getting sympathy at the U.N. Hell, Celestia's been trying to shut my ass down for years, and Princess Twilight Sparkle probably knows this."

Tassadar raised an eyebrow.

"Heh, yeah. The little Element of Magic unicorn you said your sister met. Gilda, right? Yep, full-blown princess. Crazy how that shit works."

"What now?" Tassadar said.

"Well, I was hoping you'd prevent her from leaving," he said. "But let me guess, you decided to try to duel her alone in some stupid griffin honor thingy, right?"

Tassadar nodded.

"You jackass... now I gotta to with Plan B. I have to get my ass to the U.N. to see what damage I can do. A lot of the goody-twoshoes there might back Chrysalis if she says the right things, but a few of them could be bribed. The dragon ambassador for instance, the griffin... hell maybe even Aria. And I've got plenty more tricks up my sleeve."

"And those are?"

"Well, I've got you for one thing. Go ahead and keep trying to kill her. With all the anti-changeling sentiment in Neigh York, you could probably just waste her, dump her body in the ocean, and they'll probably blame it on some anti-changeling fanatic or something. Sure, we might have suspicion, but with no proof... they can't do jack.

A slight smile crept upon Tassadar's face. "I'll accompany you to Neigh York."

"Right on, then," Dagger smiled, before slamming a hoof down on a button on his desk, activating the intercom. "Captain Braninghoof, set course for Manehattan!"

It was around dawn when Chrysalis could finally see them. And they took her in awe.

Skyscrapers. Massive buildings constructed by alchemically enhanced materials that would not break under any pressure. This allowed them to sometimes be up to one hundred stories up. Though she always prided herself for her hive, and she had always admired Canterlot in its architecture, Manehattan was something else.

The city was still filled with artificial lightning at the moment, orbs of them stretching all across it and giving it a beautiful glow. She could see a few landmarks because of them, such as the Lady Liberty, a statue dedicated to Equestria's status as a free nation. And Chrysalis had to admit: it truly was free. All creatures were allowed within its borders... save for changelings of course.

"It truly is something, isn't it?" Copycat smiled.

"Heh, yeah, haven't seen it in years," Chrysalis replied. "First time?"

"Yeah... now where can I get a damned hay bacon dog?"

"You really have your heart set on that, don't you?"

"You have no idea-"

Suddenly, a voice cried out from the skies before them.

"Halt any further movements!"

Chrysalis and Copycat gasped, and immediately did as the voice commanded. Suddenly, they were surrounded by five armored pegasi, each glancing at them suspiciously.

"Changelings?! What the hell are they doing here?" one of them growled.

"I-Isn't that? Isn't that their queen?!"

"Queen Chrysalis?! No way!"

Suddenly, one of the pegasus shot forward, glaring at Chrysalis.

"You realize you're not welcome in Equestria, right? And this is restricted airspace for now. No fliers while the U.N. meeting is progress. Only registered zeppelins are allowed."

"But the U.N. meeting isn't in progress yet, is it?!" Chrysalis gasped, panic in her voice.

The guard raised an eyebrow. "No, not yet. But it will be soon. They're just doing preliminary stuff."

Chrysalis sighed in relief.

"However, I don't believe the changelings were invited, were they?" the soldier growled.

"We weren't," Chrysalis stated. "But I'd like to voice our side of the story when the vote comes to allow the changelings into the U.N. There's a bit of an emergency on our home islands."

The soldier gave her a strange look, before turning towards Copycat.

"And who are you? Here to spy on the delegates for your queen's sake?"

"I'm her assistant! I'm not here to spy on anypony!" Copycat grunted, folding her arms.

"Uh-huh," the soldier stated. "I'm going to have to clear this with my superiors if you want in... I'll be right back."

The soldier flew away, Chrysalis and Copycat glancing at each other warily. It was very possible that they could be turned away now... and that would be it. She would be at Dagger's mercy. And when she saw who was coming to meet her, she was just about ready to turn and fly away.

"Queen Chrysalis?!" Twilight Sparkle said, flying before her and glaring daggers. She was flanked by both Rainbow Dash and odd-looking pegasus wearing a strange, blue, flight jacket. "What in the world are you doing here?!"

"Great... out of everypony who could have met me..." Chrysalis muttered. She took a deep breath, putting her pride and insults she had for Twilight on hold, before saying, "Look, I'll be frank with you, Princess Sparkle-"

"Oh wow," Rainbow Dash laughed. "She actually used your title!" She then flew between Chrysalis and Twilight, her eyes an inch from Chrysalis'. "Seriously, what the hell are you doing here?! Are you trying to sabotage the U.N. or something?!"

"If we were trying to sabotage the U.N., why would we come undisguised?" Copycat grunted.

"Pffft, duh! To put us at ease!" Rainbow Dash said. "And who are you!?"

Copycat gave a sigh. "I'm Chrysalis' assistant..."

"She said she wants entry to the meeting, to voice her people's side before the vote on their entry," the lead soldier stated.

"Yeah, and could we just get a yes or no? My wings are getting tired," Copycat moaned.

"Pfffft, changelings aren't pegasi it seems! We can keep in the air as long as we need to," Rainbow Dash grinned.

"Well good for you..."

"Everyone, please keep this civil!" Twilight of all ponies said. She then gazed directly into Chrysalis' eyes. "I have no idea what you could possibly say to excuse your actions when it came to the attack on Canterlot, but as mediator of the United Neightions Summit of 1938, I have authority to grant you access. However, I want one thing before I allow you in..."

"A gift basket?" Copycat smirked.

"Haha, very funny," Rainbow Dash grunted.

"I want your word that you won't try anything. I want your word that there isn't a swarm of changelings coming right now to try to take the U.N. hostage or something insane. Can you give me it?"

"Well, we were actually planning on taking Neigh York," Copycat smirked. "Seeing as our military has been oh-so-tough lately-"

"COPYCAT!" Chrysalis hissed, before glancing back on Twilight. "We will not cause any trouble. We're here for peaceful purposes only!"

"Good, because I'd like you to know we do have changeling detectors set up. If we find any changelings who we deem are taking action against the U.N...."

"If you do, then they're rogues. The U.N. means everything to me at the moment. Seriously."

Twilight's raised an eyebrow at that, before glancing away from her in thought.

"Oh come on, Twilight! You can't seriously be considering letting her in!" Rainbow cried.

"I also think this is a bad idea," the gruff, flight-jacket wearing pony next to Twilight announced.

"Thank you, Captain Harness," Twilight growled. "Like I haven't been getting enough of your opinions, lately! You too, Rainbow Dash!"

"Woah, what the hell! We're just-"

"I just want to think for myself, so let me think!" she cried.

Chrysalis' eyes widened. This was not the Twilight she knew from Canterlot. This Twilight was aggressive... and stressed to the core. There was still a trickle of love emanating from her, but not as much as she had sensed in Canterlot. What was going on with her?

Eh, whatever it was, she really didn't care.

"Alright, Chrysalis, I've made up my mind," Twilight finally growled. "You'll be allowed in, but no funny business. That's Discord's job." She then turned to one of the nearby soldiers. "Escort her to the city. I want one of you on her at all times, understood?"

"Yes, ma'm!"

Twilight turned back to Chrysalis.

"Do you have any money; a place to stay?" Twilight asked.

Chrysalis shook her head, surprised at the hospitality.

"Get her a place, but still keep on her until we can deem she's trustworthy."

"Yes ma'm."

With that, the group dispersed, Rainbow giving her one last glare and Captain Harness gazing over her warily. Finally, Chrysalis was led towards the city. And she had to admit, though things were rough... at least she was allowed in. She was one step closer.