Monochrome began her trot back to the clearing where she "contacted" Alan. What he didn't see was the stone circle. As in his dream, it was covered in snow. Her hooves didn't make any sound as she moved onto the circle. She sighed. Sadly, she wasn't actually there. She was doing the same thing Alan was doing in his dream.

Astral Projection

She stood in the middle of the circle and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she was in a dark cavern, deep underground. She walked out through a doorway and into another larger cavern, where her minions were all sitting. They all looked like she did, with sleek black coats. But the manes were different. They varied in all kinds of colors, though shape remained the same.

"Alright, Shimmer, please step forth." she said aloud.

A mare slightly larger than the rest, stepped forward and stood in front of Monochrome, waiting to be addressed.

"Yes master?" she said in a low but equally cruel voice.

"Did you find the one who can set us free?"

"I did, and I am currently working on getting into contact with him." Shimmer replied.

"Good, if things continue, we may be able to get out of here and back to Equestria by the time winter ends." She said, smiling devilishly at the thought of being able to take Equestria as her own. But first she had some business to attend to.

"You may all leave. There is somepony I must speak with."

Monochrome left the room once everypony else was gone. She stepped into her room and closed her eyes. She began to project herself back to Equestria, and into the hive of none other than Queen Chrysalis who, she had to laugh, had recently been defeated after a failed attempt to take over.

"Ah, Empress Monochrome, how very nice to see you again." A voice said out of the inky blackness of the room.

"Empress? Ha! I haven't been called empress since my banishment. You most of all should know that. After all, what's family for?" Monochrome said smiling as Chrysalis stepped forward.

"It has been too long my sister. How goes your hive?" she asked.

"Mmh, it's numbers are dwindling. I'm just glad we aren't the same type of changeling as you. As you remember, we don't require love to live." Monochrome replied.

"Ah yes, if I remember correctly, you feed of all emotion. It's a pity, Love tastes so much better than anything else." Chrysalis said, "So why have you come?"

"I have a plan. You know what happened when I was banished along with my hive correct?"

"Yes?"

"Well, A pony by the name of Night Shade has entered the town of Ponyville. I had some of my minions, or as you call, drones, check into him. He has the ability to set us free. Once free I need you, dear sister, to join us as we seek to usurp the Royal sisters. Once we have the bearers of the elements of harmony out of the way first, that is."

Chrysalis sat there and thought about it. The plan seemed concrete enough.

"I like it, theres a problem though. How do you plan on taking out the Element bearers?" she asked.

"I have that planned out as well. We know as of now, that each of the bearers has somepony close to their heart. All we need is for some of your drones to take the place of said loved ones and destroy their heart. Make them hateful and cruel, and the power of the elements will be broken." Monochrome explained.

"Yes, That sounds perfect! Finally, we shall have our revenge and Equestria shall be ours at last!" Chrysalis laughed. The plan was perfect, there was no way it could fail. When it came to getting rid of the princesses, it would be a simple matter. Even when she had defeated Celestia, she wasn't very strong. Shining armours love was abundant but not nearly enough to give her power beyond what she could get by impersonating Celestia. The shear power of all the ponies worship would be a feast like no other. As for her sister, she could take the place of the younger Luna, due largely to the fact that her sister did not require love to live.

"Okay, I think it's time we set the plan in motion. I'll send some of my drones to scout out where the bearers hearts lie, and then I shall have them taken to the hive, where I will watch over them. At least until the bearers are broken." Chrysalis said.

"Good, I will keep Shimmer working on getting to Night Shade. He is the key to all of this. Once we are free, Equestria shall be ours!"

They both sat there, laughing maniacally as there plan came together.

* * *

I walked along the path that Celestia had told me about. I had let slip to her that I was working to get a place of my own and that I was staying with Twilight. Well lets just say she wouldn't hear it. She told me to follow this path and I would find a house at the end, built to certain specifications. I did as I was told and here I was, walking a quiet path, to a home i was going to be living in for the time I was here. It was only the third day of the week I was given to decide whether I was going to stay or not. My opinion was still the same. There was no way I was going to leave Equestria.

I took a look at the scenery along the path as I walked. It was amazing, and perfect for someone like me. I was the type of guy who enjoyed quiet, calm and peacefulness. Along the path there were berry bushes, and flowers, as well as tall oak and spruce trees, which surprisingly were the same as on earth. I sighed in content until I came to the end of the path, where I found a large single story home. It was just as large as Twilights place, but placed into a flat.

I smiled and walked up to the front door where there was a key hanging on the door handle. I took the key, opened the door and walked inside. Once again, I was surprised. There was furniture and it was all made to fit my size. The living room was nice and cozy and contained two couch's, an armchair and a coffee table. It was simple yet comfy. I walked into where the kitchen was and, much like Twi's it was fitted with a wood stove and a small stack of wood and kindling.

I checked each of the cupboards and of course they were stocked with food, enough of it to last me at least a month, month and a half. I smiled as I explored the rest of my home. It had a small library with books on all subjects. Including some on Equestria's history. It had two bathrooms, one in my bedroom and a guest bathroom. The house had three bedrooms as well. The master bedroom and two guest rooms. The master bedroom was pretty big and had a large square bed, that to be honest was as soft as a cloud. I found out it was cloud when I looked underneath the sheets. I lied down on it and smiled. This place was awesome. It even had a fireplace that, when lit, would allow me to send personal letters to Luna or Celestia.

Once I finished exploring my new residence, I headed into the kitchen, made myself a snack and headed back into the library room. I browsed through the history section until I found a book that caught my interest. I sat down into a comfy armchair and started reading.

I could really get used to this. I thought to myself as I ate, reading through the first chapter.

Author's Note

Hey everypony. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. And before you ask, Chrysalis is the older sister, and Monochromes type of changeling isn't buglike. but more ponylike. They can still change, but they feed on all emotions rather than love. They prefer anger or sadness above all else. It's a delicacy for them.

Anyway remember comment! and until next chapter!

-StormHoof