Thread 59: Stories 46-60

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 >Pommel
"Daw"

>...

"Y'know, you said she ate you-"

>Don't.

"Well I mean, maybe-"

>No.

"Maaaaybe..."

>Do not.

"Maybeyashouldaateher!"

>Fffffffffffffffffffffff......

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>Mane-iac
"???"
~~~~

>...QUEEEEN OVERTURE!... What is a prostitute? And why did CHITAAAAANIA need one?

"MANEY NO!"

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NC
>Vekir
"Everyone"

>...So Vekir is supposed to believe, that if she mates, she can be given shinies?

"NO!"

>Aw...

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>42
~~

>...Don't think about Chitania having sex don't think about Chitania having sexdon'tthinkaboutChitaniahavingsex....DAMN IT! You've failed me for the last time, brain!

*WHAM!*

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-SS-
~~~

-Come on, me, don't let her know you know what a prostitute is... don't let her know you know what it is... FAUST DAMN IT! WHY DO I KNOW WHAT A PROSTITUTE IS!?-

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Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"SS"
~~~~
>Welcome to not so Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during a number of hours ago that content didn't matter, but I'm going to continue the show anyway. Now for our main guest...SILVER SPOON!!!

"Thanks for letting me-"

>Think fast!
Throws a pie at SS who instantly moves her head out of the way.

"Hey, what was that for?"

>I just wanted to see how fast you can dodge now. Anyway, are we ever going to see you showcase your training from Potatojack?

"Maybe one day, I haven't seen PJ in a-"

>She's not dead!

"...what?"

>Uh, that's our show! Thanks for watching everypony. Also you're about to get hit by a pine cone.
SS wakes up and smacks a pine cone from landing on her head.

"...maybe I should stop napping here during recess."

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>Celestia
-???-
~???~
{???}

>...Heeheeheeheehee....Oh this is too precious

>Ghmmmph, oh deary me.

>Oh Mother above, us poor royals, can't go about just...hooking up with poor prostitutes without something going wrong

>I hope she doesn't get too mad. Though... it does make you wonder, she does need a love source, and Shiny...oh bless him, he might have the reserves, but he won't be willing.

>...Huh... personal retinue of love sources. I wonder if she'd handle them....

>... sexythoughtssexythoughtssexythoughtssexythoughtssexythoughts-

AYAYAYAYIIIIIIIII

ジョジョ立ち!

[THOOM]

-MYYYY MOST RADIANT QUEEN-

~At your beck and call, as ever~

{And whatever whim doth need our...pleasing, oh loveliest one?}

>Ooh, ow, need to tone down that glare...please?

[thoom]

>That's better

{WHAT ELSE?}

>Look at this

-Yes, my Queen-

読む読む読む読む読む!

>...Is it funny?

-{~... HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!~}-

笑い笑い笑い笑い笑い!

>Ah, I thought so...but why?

~Because this...rather ungainly and garganturan beast has chosen quite an....unusual means of relieving herself~

{Certainly not of decent size and stature}

-It is quite...unappealing to most-

{Mine abs do not feel much desire at this, nothing of WORTH can come of this}

>Well...do you think you could...help her?

-~{???!}~-

>Hey now!, of course I AM your...umm...ruler...so.. uhhh.... y'know I never thought I'd think of this but.

~Oh most radiant one, why do you...you...TAUNT us?! Are we not worthy of your alabaster sanctorum?~

>No no, not at all, I was just pondering-

-BY ALL THAT IS GOOD ON YOUR HEAVENLY LANDS, I SHALL PROVE MYSELF TO BE YOURS AND YOURS ALONE, FOR AS A PRAETORIAN IT IS MINE DUTY AND YOUR WILL THAT I SHOULD RUT YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooo- *ting*

>...Also that thing.

{~...~}

>...so...would either of you be able to...y'know

{Uh eck guh, no, no, NO, MUST PURGE THIS...HERESY... UN SEXY...MUST..THINK OF...ALABASTER.. ASSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa- *ting*

>...Please?

~...I'd prefer the good Prince's own horsediIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii- *ting*

ゴーン!

>...I will... ignore all of that. Oh well. Worth a shot, thanks for, well, nothing, mother.

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~~~~

“Do you want me to come with you?”

She cursed him.

The Queen of all changelings truly and utterly cursed him.

Cursed the very name of Shining Armor.

How, she wondered, how had he possibly known she would be here, at the entrance to the dungeon. Was he some sort of emotional bloodhound? Had she unexpectedly given him a superpower in the nights before the wedding? How had he possibly known she would be sitting there, hesitant to take that final plunge, unable to move forwards. Why, oh why, couldn't he just have waited.

But he did not.

He was there, right there. Sitting next to her, his side against hers.

And she cursed him.

“...Do you remember what you said to me at the Gala?”

“I do.”

“You said... you would help me make it better.”

“I did, and I still mean that.”

And she wanted to.

She wanted to let him handle it, to put it all on him, to let him be the one who had to deal with this and the fallout that would no doubt come from it. She wanted him to handle this, a situation she did not know what to do with.

“...I don't think you can help me make it better.”

And that's why the truth hurt more than anything in the world.

He softly rubbed her back, nodding in understanding.

“Maybe not. No, I can't handle this for you, and I can't make it better for you. I can still be here.”

“...Will you hate me, if I come back, and he's dead?”

He froze, ending his ministrations.

“If I come back and I say I'm not giving him a second chance, that I'm just leaving him to die down there, that I'm just waiting for him to kill himself or someone else to do it for him, will you hate me? If I come back up and I say “he's never getting out without me trying to kill him”, will you hate me?”

His hoof shook there, against her back, waiting.

All too soon, he pulled it away.

“...No...”

One word.

Two letters.

That's all it was. Simplicity itself.

And yet...

That's all it took.

That's all it took for her to get up, and move towards the dark doorway.

“Chrysalis? I... I can only speak for me. If you do, others will probably hate you. I can't deny they will.”

She looked back to him, just one time. Just one last time.

“...That's fine. I'm used to being hated.”

The shadow of the doorway consumed her, blending in perfectly with the chitin on her skin. She seemed to disappear before his eyes, gone in a flash.

And in the pit of his stomach... Shining Armor doubted that Thirty Two would ever see the light of day again.

She was going to end this.

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~~~~~~

She hated this place.

Her steps as she descended into the dungeon were slow, measured perfectly not to reveal a hint of emotion. She was nothing less than robotic as she approached his cell, narrowing in on the oddest of smells that filled her nostrils, quite the unexpected smell at that.

When she finally reached close enough, the whys became tellingly clear.

“Chrysalis, what an unexpected surprise! You really should have told me you were coming, this place is an absolute mess.”

A maddened smile was on his face as he stood in the middle of the charred room, black chitin mingling with the ash and dust the flames had left. Nothing in his room had remained, not a book, not his bed, not a thing. Stank smoke smell made her want to gag, but she remained perfectly stoic as she looked upon him. He had expected her to comment, or inquire about his new decorating, but was left sadly wanting when she seemed to pass it over without a care. All the same, he knew she got the message.

His time in here was over, one way or another.

“To what, oh great Chrysalis, do I owe the pleasure of your company? A bit of a back and forth? Another whining session wherein you exert your power over one who is in a cage? If it's just another talk, I'd rather you saved your breath to try and refuel the brain cells that require them so much more than I do.”

He noticed the odd glint in her eyes right there, a telling thing that had slipped past.

“I'm here to listen to any pleas of mercy or requests for forgiveness you may have.”

Insult.

No other word could encapsulate the feeling of pure, reviling disgust that threatened to burst from his very gut like a sickness and spray upon the floor with abandon. Nothing else but the woefully inadequate word, insult.

Never one to hold it in, his cheeks were soon pressed forcibly against the bars, as if he were trying to force his very head through and show with force what he could not with mere words alone.

“Pleas for forgiveness!? I would rather lick the toilet seat of every single bidet in this whole damn prison clean than ask you for so much as a hoofshake! Mercy!? You dare think I will reduce myself to begging you for mercy!? I would spit at you if my mouth was not so dry, you Queen Bitch!”

“Fine.”

That was it. A word simply and casually stated. “Fine.” Nothing more came from her as she turned tail, and fleetly began to pace her way back where she came.

“Wait!”

To his surprise, she heeded his command, stopping in her tracks and casting back a flat, blank look to him.

“Did... did you really come down here just for that? Are you really so cold you'll simply come down here to mock me for a brief moment, and then just walk away?”

He didn't know why this, of all her many crimes to him, had bothered him so, but it did.

Without ever turning around, she spoke just as robotically as she had before.

“I came to you on the request of your sister, Eighty Eight. She asked I listen to any pleas for forgiveness you would have, for some reason under the delusion you were in some way smarter than you were before, I fulfilled her request. That is all there is to this meeting, nothing more.”

He had known she was not here of her own accord, but nonetheless he felt a bit indignant that his sister would think him so weak as to beg to her.

“You can't... you can't have thought I would beg like a dog to you of all creatures.”

“As I said, I came down by request, not through any desire of my own to see you again. I think I've had my fill of you for a lifetime.”

A curious thought entered his mind, one he could not help but speak.

“Then what were you going to do if I asked of it? If I had somehow been struck by a stunning revelation in the battle to save my sister that indeed, you did not deserve what I so long sought, that I was well and truly wrong? What would you have done then?”

A cackle unlike any other filled the room.

She turned to him once more, mirth in her eyes as she trotted from side to side in his vision.

“What would I do if Twilight suddenly declared me an enemy of the state and hunted for my head? What would I do if Discord suddenly granted me his power in full? What would I do if the very stars themselves decided to face me in challenge? You could have asked me any of that, and it would matter as much the same as that question now. It is a one of maybes and what ifs, a question who's answer has just as much meaning as 'what if apples tasted like grapes'. They don't, the question is pointless. “What if you had pleaded for mercy” is pointless. You won't, and you never will. Because you think you are right, and that is the end of it.”

He snorted, derision upon his face.

“What talk coming from you, of all beings.”

She scoffed, turning up her nose at him.

“I do no delude myself into thinking I am right, I simply am right, and that is the end of it. My hive has faced no casualties despite numerous invasions. Despite it's sluggish pace, we are gaining ground in public perception. My enemies are dwindling, bit by bit, replaced instead with allies who will fight with me, rather than against me. I have protected my hive, you have done nothing. I am right, and you are wrong.”

“You fool!”

She had been struck dumb as he slammed himself into the bars again, chitin stretching painfully as he seemed to try to force his way through once more. A wild, crazed look had overtaken his eyes, and spittle began to fly as he openly ranted at her.

“Just as always you're a blind, incompetent fool! A ninny who's plans never see through to the end! You say they've faced no casualties, I say they've had no successes! You say you are gaining in public perception, I say they are still hated with the exception of an elite few, and even those elite are only favored in two cites at best! Your enemies are dwindling in number... but those that remain grow stronger, more bitter, more emboldened. How much longer is your luck going to last, Chrysalis? How much longer until one bad slip, one poor thought, one horrible event that you could never see coming at last slips past your tenuous defenses, wipes them all out and leaves you with nothing to show of your legacy but a select few at the mass funeral? The guards will not protect you, Canterlot will not welcome you, you have done nothing but delay the extinction of our race... leaving only you to remember them as they rot in the ground, free to watch the select few who made it out into the world grow old and die, their legacies gone within a generation or two. You've protected nothing, Chrysalis, you've simply been granted then a slightly wider tomb to slowly die in.”

His hoof shot out, between the bars and reaching with every inch his painfully twisted hoof could afford him. He pawed at her, as if he could somehow close the vast gap between them if he simply willed it hard enough.

“And the only reason they remain in there... is you. I did not try to kill you in revenge of my friend. No, he was merely the final light that opened my eyes. Your secrets, your need to horde what power you can scrape together and miserly stash away were laid bare for all to see."

He seemed almost regretful as he looked to his hooves, his skin, his chitin.

"I believed in my race, truly believed if we made an honest effort we could find a place in this world, and the only thing tethering them to this outmoded, defunct system is you. With you cast away, at last we could be free of this horrifying tyranny of the Queens, at last no longer mere drones beneath their stupidity enforced by undeserved power! I tried to take your life not in revenge, but need. A need to see them free. A need to see my race survive... and I failed.”

There was no insult on her face.

There was no hate in her eyes.

Despite all she said, the only thing he could see... was a patronizing pity.

“So, that's it. You just can't see... the big picture.”

The look she gave him was one an adult would give a pitiful, three legged puppy as it attempted to play with the other dogs, nothing less than supercilious pity.

“Oh, how I wished you had spoken to me like this sooner, little one. I could have cleared up so many falsehoods you seem to believe.”

Her smile grew wide, thoughtful as she seemed to begin to speak more to herself than him.

“We are invaders, you fool, that is how they see us and very much how we are. We are by definition creatures who are meant to worm their way into society and replace others to steal all that makes them loved... as such, this 'smothering' you see, is actually a careful, meticulous plotting to allow only enough of my hive out into the world to stake claims and provide the first steps. Each one was carefully chosen when they were let loose, and any who I felt would not ultimately benefit my plans was pulled back into the hive. You say my enemies are growing stronger? HAH! My own forces have never been more powerful! We have never been this full in our entire existence! And it is all though letting out just enough not to rouse fear, to prevent an incitement of panic that any large number of us would bring, and in the proper places to reap in the greatest rewards. This is all a part of a much larger plan, you fool, one who's plot has been building since we arrived in this city to try and take it for our own as we did so foolishly. Before, all I saw was Canterlot. But now... you say you believe we can have a place in this world... I say there is no place in this world we will not be a part of, in time. It just requires patience and a calm mind to weigh the risks, something you clearly are sorely lacking in.”

“So that's it... you fear being wiped out if you spread too far.”

She laughed, proudly displaying her wings.

“None dare directly go after them so long as Queen Chrysalis, defeater of Celestia, presides over them. I directly defend the hive, and ensure those who are further out are in areas which are less hostile and crime ridden. There are exceptions, of course, but those rare exceptions like dear Ten provide far, far too valuable a service to reel in. It is all in the name of a much, much larger picture you just can't seem to grasp, and that is no shame. They will not die in that ballroom, it just requires time, and my oversight.”

“You mean your control.”

The smile left her face as his voice went low into a growl, and the look on his face grew dark.

“I see now, you're even worse than I imagined! I thought you unwilling to let them have free will before, but that was nothing! You want to control their very lives!”

Her own growl bubbled in her throat.

“I do this to keep them alive! They would be attacked without me! Is that what you want? You want your brothers and sisters to die by the hooves of ponies and the claws of gryphons, bleeding out in the streets or hunted for being the invaders we are seen as? Hung up as trophies for political gain? I do this so they can live!”

“They are not living! They are only dying slower!”

“You, of all changelings, should know the difference!”

He spat, openly spat at her. It was blocked by her magic, of course, but the intention was all he needed.

“Do not dare throw their deaths back in my face like that! Do not even dare speak of them! You are not fit to breath the same air they breathed!”

“They died because I was not there to protect them! I could have destroyed every one of those monsters! I could have burned every creature alive! Fixed Twenty One's mind, extracted the spiders before they took over Sixty Eight, all of them saved! I could have protected them all easily!”

“We'll never know that, will we!?”

She reeled back, seemingly struck by the ghostly remains of the hoof he had angrily swung at her, eyes growing narrow for a brief moment before she leaned back in, and resumed her powerful stance.

“My hive needs my protection.”

“They need to be free to grow!”

“They need to live! What does your petty dreams matter if they are all wiped out by a populace that fears them within a day!?”

“At least then they would die free, rather than caged!”

“They do not need to die that way at all! It will simply take more time! It is working! Who cares if it is slow, my direction is working!”

“It could all be wiped out with one bad event!”

“It is worth the risk!”

“They are better free to make their own choices!”

“They need my leadership!”

“Why you!?”

Power, absolute power rolled off her in waves, lighting up the cell block and all the way throughout the entire dungeon.

“As the Queen of this hive, it is my duty to gather love to feed my subjects, and I do! In turn, it is their duty to obey my orders and serve their hive, and they do! We survived this long thanks to me, my choices, and my plans! You crow about how little they need me now, but you know as well as I do they would all be dead without me! We've seen it! Dozens of Queen's died left and right, and how long did they last? How long did they remain without the Queen? Tell me now, tell me of one hive that lasted without their leadership and I'll cast off my crown right now!”

Despite all her bravado, he was unmoved.

“Perhaps some did, perhaps they didn't, I wouldn't know... my mind has been tampered with. Taken from me by another Queen who thought her own methods were infallible. And from what little I do recall, I am not the only one.”

Her light dimmed, like a candle slowly dying out.

“...That wasn't me.”

“It does not matter! It does not matter if it was you, or your wretched mother-HNK!”

The magic that encircled his head and slammed him hard against the bars seemed to contain every drop of the rage boiling from her face. She had gone to pure anger in a split second, and the fire in her eyes told him that he was mere seconds from having his head ripped clean off.

“I am being merciful letting you speak to me as you want, but if your foul tongue speaks that way of my mother again I will tear it from your head. She pulled you from death's door and gave you a home she did not have to, if nothing else then remember that you owe what little life you lived to her.”

Not a hint of fear made its way past the indignity on his face.

“She took my mind.”

“Then she had her reasons.”

“Yes... she wanted obedience, absolute obedience. A trained animal to come to her call, that is all. That is not how a Queen should regard her subjects.”

“Perhaps you were unruly, traitorous, you certainly have the tendency built into you.”

“Even now, you seek to justify horrible things in her name.”

“My mother was the second greatest Queen of all time, she needs no justification.”

“Oh? And who is the greatest, you?”

“As if that needs an answer.”

A curious thing happened right there.

It was as if the fire within him had started to simply... die. As if the blaze that had been raging had at last burned though whatever it used as fuel and was now slowly dying away into red embers.

“This... this is why. This is why you will lead them to ruin. You will wipe out the last of our kind in your damnable pride. This is why you are unfit for leadership. No event will ever shake you, not as it should. You never learn, you never change, and you never want to. You will forever fester in your pot, unable to grow into anything of real importance, and you will smother your subjects beneath you. What little roots manage to creep out from your suffocating shadow will wither, in time. You will see to it that they will never get far enough to truly dig in, and thrive. Every one of them is going to die in your command, Chrysalis, the last Queen. The final testament to a destructive, deceitful race. And perhaps... if you are any indication, perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps it is best if we are forgotten. Buried by the sands of time, nothing more than beast of myth to scare children. Perhaps I was wrong. They will not fight you for their light... perhaps they deserve to die in your shadow.”

She slowly released him, shocked eyes following him as he was lowered to the ground, and never leaving him as he crawled away from her, sitting down in the middle of the room with his back to her.

“There is nothing left for me to say to you. Leave me to rot down here, as I know you wish to.”

She did not, not quite yet. Regardless of what he felt he needed to say to her, there was still more. She felt it without any question, there was more.

“Your recently returned friend has informed me he does not plan to leave you down here for long.”

His head turned, ever so slightly, still not looking to her or letting her see his face. Despite this, the tone of his voice betrayed him.

“Did... did you hurt him?”

“If he ever speaks to me like he did, I will. Quite severely.”

Satisfied, he turned back.

“He will not try to facilitate an escape, and I would not go with him if he tried. I am not leaving.”

“That is not what he meant. He will not let you wither away down here for long.”

“Ah... well inform him his offer is... appreciated, but by the time you reach him, it will be moot. I do not think I will last that long myself. I do not want to listen to the sounds of my species demise, Chrysalis. No matter how foolish, chaotic or unruly they may be, I love my fellow brothers and sisters, and I cannot bare what is going to happen to them. It is better if I simply go on now, before the pain drives me to true madness, before my words drive other's to seek the same damned fate I'm drawn to. It is best if this ends today, and I can slink to my fallen comrades before I shame them further.”

She watched as his hoof pawed around in the ash for a brief moment, slowly trailing through the parting grey remains of what had been a book. Soon, he stumbled upon what he had been searching for, and the dull glimmer of stained glass was pulled free. What looked to be neck of a broken bottle hung awkwardly in the hole of his leg, dangling there, waiting.

“Go on. You have your answer, you gave your effort, none can begrudge you now. None can say you did not give me a chance, if nothing else. Sleep with that and be content with it, it should be enough to satisfy you. Walk away, I will not make a move until you are gone, so none will blame you for not stopping me. Leave me now, and know this is the last time you will ever have to set eyes on me. You have won. You have the power, the freedom and the love, you have won. Goodbye, Chrysalis, the last Queen. May you outlive every last one of your subjects, just as you always wanted.”

She would not leave.

Even with her every advantage over him, she would not leave the place she had been rooted to, to finally leave him to carry out his last wish in peace. She remained, unblinking, eyes locked in that piece of glass, whole body stiff as stone. Waiting.

One last time, he felt the fires of rage ignite within him.

“...Really? Are you so petty you will not even grant me death in privacy? You're so paranoid you must see it happen? The fear I will fake it and somehow haunt you like a befouled specter still remains? Fornicate with a rusty nail you overly paranoid twit. I will wait. I can outlast you, Chrysalis. I will wait until one of us dies first if you press the matter. Believe that, if you do not believe another word from me.”

But still she did not move. Still she stood. Still she would not leave him to end in peace.

“What more do you want!? What more is there to say!? Do you want to see the final moments of a failure's life!? Do you want to watch me wither away as the very blood drains from my neck!? What more do you want from me!?”

He would forever blame it on the rattling in his vision, but he would swore he saw her shake.

Even now, she did not look away.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT!?”

“I'm sorry.”

In a moment, Thirty Two now knew, with minute precision, what it would feel like to be on a train racing at top speed just before colliding with a flat brick wall. The feeling of an unstoppable forwards momentum and the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins at once having all energy sapped out of it and leaving him cold in the wake of that heat leaving his body. The very breath in his lungs felt toxic as his mind repeated those same two words over and over like a broken record in his skull, trying to make sense of it the way one would try to make sense of an unsolvable puzzle.

With two little words, she had brought his entire world to a halt.

“W-what... what did you say?”

A part of him hoped she would brush it off, deny she ever spoke any words at all, cover it in a sea of pride.

He did not know why when she continued on, ever soft word was like a blade to him.

“I said... I'm sorry, that I did not dig you out. I'm sorry, that you had to go down in there, and about what happened to you and the others. It was not my intention, but I know that words mean nothing compared to the actions. I should have tried harder to dig you out, I should not have given up so quickly, I should not have assumed you died in the collapse, I should never have sent you down there for such petty reasons to begin with. I can't take it back. Regardless of whether or not you tried to usurp me, or kill me, you did not deserve to watch your friends die like that, and if I could change it, I would. If I could bring them back, I would. But I can't. I can't take it back, and I can't fix it... I'm sorry.”

It was surreal. So unreal he thought it a trick, a dream, such was the impossibility of every word he heard from her. He searched her for any sign that there were intentions of cruelty beneath her speech, looked her over for any sign to clear his mind, but there were none. He could not convince himself it true, but he could not find the fault.

“Y-you... you can't be...”

It was almost refreshing to see her slip back into a more confident, powerful stance. There was still a hint of weakness in it, but it was buried beneath a more stern, regal face.

“I don't care if you choose not to believe me, and I am not repeating myself.”

Again, he felt the energy sucked from him, mind going numb as it tried to make sense of what he had just seen.

But one act, he reasoned, is nothing. It changes nothing... and it means nothing.

“...You can leave now, if you want.”

But she did not. She looked to him, unblinking and unmoving as a stone, eyes locked in on him.

“No. If you are going to end this, then if nothing else I must be here. This is my mess, and I'm going to see it through until it's end. If this what I made, I'm not going to walk away from it.”

Again, he found himself unable to believe what he heard, sure of trickery or hidden malice on her part. It was almost with a desperation he shakily started to raise the shard, to be away from her as much as away from all he had spoken of before. He felt no shame being watched, only that it was her that would see it.

“Wait.”

He cursed himself when he did, a bit ashamed he had once more followed her orders at the end of his life.

“You said she tampered with your mind, right?”

Reluctantly, he regarded her.

“Yes... she did. I cannot remember my previous hive, or any of my past life.”

“...Come here.”

He again found himself fighting her commands, fighting against the thought of ever obeying anything she would tell him to do. He ignored her gesturing, pointedly looking anywhere but towards his former Queen.

“If this is how you want this to end, then... at least let me give back what she took away. If you're going to leave, than take everything with you.”

It dawned on him what she was offering, and any shock he felt gave way quickly to horror and revulsion at the mere thought.

“You... you want me to give you access to my mind? You could take it over, make me your slave, a puppet to your every whim and parade me around as a sign of your power...”

“Yes, I could. But it is the only way to get your memories back. I can give them to you, let you be whole again one last time.”

Truth. Damnable, hateful truth is what she spoke. If he wished to ever know where he had come from, where he had been and what he was before this thing he had become, he would have to let her. No other could ever hope to defeat a block forced upon him by a Queen, save another, equally powerful Queen. He held little regard for Chrysalis in any of her skills, but even he could not deny she was a powerful mind sorceress. Her ability, and hers alone, would be sufficient to break through any barriers placed in his mind.

“And why should I ever believe you will you truly do as you say?”

She looked away, only for a moment. But that one moment was plenty.

“Just this once, you will have to trust me. Just this once, you will have to believe I am saying the truth, that I did not wish you to suffer as you have, and that I will not try to erase my mistakes like that. I cannot prove it to you, and any words I say may as well be an inane song that has no sense. You will have to, just this once... believe.”

Belief.

For her, of all beings to ask him for belief, was madness.

To believe she would not do what would most benefit her... he was well aware he wished to keep his brother's favor, to gain his sister's as well. He was well aware that walking back with him in tow crowing of her majesty and that he had seen the light would show off her true power. She would show off her control to all, and give away nothing in return. His sister and brother had seen his demeanor change, they could be persuaded to believe that he had seen the light. If he offered this to her now, there was nothing to stop her from at last winning everything.

But even more than that, far, far more than that, to no one but himself... Thirty Two admitted he felt fear. Fear, of what may be lost...

“...I have so little left to lose...”

His memories of his friends, happier times, forgotten times... he would risk them all with this action. She could strip them away, leave him without the small comforts that made life livable. She could take it all.

“If you try to fight me, you will simply end up a vegetable and neither of us will gain anything. You have to be willing... you have to believe.”

But even with those risks weighing upon his shoulders like the weight of the world, he could not stop a feeling inside him from catching fire and burning, he could not prevent the inferno that welled up in him that only had one name.

Need.

That fire told him, without question, that regardless of the risk, regardless of what he might lose, he needed to know for sure one final thing. He could not move on without it.

He needed to see her.

The real her.

Her earlier words had spurred something inside of him, given him the briefest flashes of hesitation. The need consumed his every cell the more he thought like the fires of his own magic. He needed to see if those thoughts had indeed rang true and the deception that lied beneath could be laid bare. He needed to see what her need for power and control would truly drive her to. He needed to see if, perhaps...

“I have no more time for disguises.”

It was with a stiff, yet stern bent of his neck that he pointed his horn at her.

“Show me the true face, of Queen Chrysalis.”

With thoughts of his very mind, body and soul being taken over parading through his mind like a waking nightmare, he could not help but hiss when he felt her horn touch his, and the green magical fire crawl it's way into his mind.

He felt her feeling around inside of him, kneading him like bread, searching though his being. She was not reading his memories, but she was within him, right where she would need to be to land a final, fatal blow, and gain an eternal slave.

She paused, a hesitation in her actions as she surveyed this point, a beat that held for just a moment yet lasted for an eternity. For a chilling moment, he held his breath and savored the last few seconds of his free will.

In the next beat, her magic lanced down, right into the very core of his mind.

And then his mind was fire.

A maelstrom of inferno beyond all measure, images and thoughts flooding through him and spinning through his head like a tornado. A thousand million images, smells, tastes, and feelings all poured through him as if he stood at the base of a waterfall with his mouth held open, the sheer weight of it suffocating him even as it filled him to the brim. He saw faces long forgotten, heard voices that had gone silent, remembered at last. Truly, truly, truly did he remember them all at last.

With his very soul in her grasp, his mind at her command, he felt her. He felt the magic of Chrysalis's power. He knew she left every memory untouched, sensed as she passed over without searching a single one, and felt it as gently, oh so gently, she released him from her grip and slipped her magic free. She had not read his mind, she had not changed his memory, she had not left anything behind.

She had done... exactly as she had promised.

And at last..

“I... I remember it now... I remember them... all of them.”

And oh, he did, he remembered them with a clarity he never thought possible, so many missing pieces now once more in place and the puzzle at last complete.

“I remember my Queen... I remember my hive... I remember them...”

Her face, their faces, their songs and souls and hate and love and everything they were and had been. He remembered her cruelty, he remembered being left to die on that frozen mountainside... and that was not all he remembered.

“I remember... that night.”

The words held no meaning to Chrysalis, of course. The nightmare he had lived through and the battle and reunion within his mind meant nothing at all to her.

But to him... to him, that night meant everything.

“There is nothing more I can do for you. What happens now is your choice. Just know... I never wanted you dead. Even now, I don't want you dead.”

He could hear it now. A sound he had drowned out in his rage. A sound he had blocked in his mind by his own need not to hear it as thoroughly as his memories had been blocked with magic. The sound... of regret.

There was regret there. Hidden... but not hidden enough from a changeling.

The words that escaped his lips were ones he thought he would never speak, ones that had felt foul to even dream of before this present moment.

“...I am sorry...”

But as they left him, they had never felt more right.

“...I'm sorry... for trying to kill you. I was wrong.”

In a sense of camaraderie they never dreamed they would share, Chrysalis too felt just as stricken and frozen as he himself had felt when she had spoken those previously impossible words. Just as he had, she had never dreamed he would ever say them, never even dared to hope it would be possible, and just as he had she questioned them as trickery, lies or deceit.

“I was wrong... to do that. You have done nothing to deserve death by my hooves, and I was acting on my own damned rage and hurt... not any noble cause. I lied to myself, to hurt you.”

But she could sense none.

“Your actions... I do not think they are the best for our hive, I do not think you are right that this is the best way for our hive to thrive, and I believe in my previous words that we must be more proactive, more free. I see so many flaws in your plans and see our end if we continue on as this. But... I do not think I was not wrong either. I went about this wrong. Every action I have taken to accomplishing my goal, every step I have done since I have come back... is wrong. It does not matter if my intentions were right... I went about it wrong. I hurt far more than I could have possibly helped. I made any good intention moot through bitterness and spite. I let my hatred of you cloud myself from the real issue, just as you let your pride cloud your eyes from the dangers your methods posed. I didn't see anything good you may have done or you own good intentions in your actions... because I did not want to see them, just as you didn't want to see mine. We were wrong... I was wrong.”

There was no measure of time that could accurately describe how long that silenced last. In reality, it could have been less than a second. To them... it lasted more lifetimes than there are stars in the sky.

“You spoke of listening... to pleas of mercy.”

It was only his words spoken truly that ended what could have gone on for an eternity, and brought them back to this shocking, surreal reality.

“I did.”

“...I do not wish to beg for my own life... but I will ask for them. I want to help them. I want my species to survive, Queen Chrysalis. And I see now... that I was wrong in another way. I was wrong to think you were uncaring as to their survival, and only cared about yourself. I want to help them, and I think I see now... you do too. You wish them to live as deeply as I do. Your methods may be questionable... but I cannot claim anymore that you are like the other Queens. They are not disposable, not to you.”

He looked her in the eyes, and the things that passed between them would have lit up the room and set fire to the stone itself if it had only been able to make it's way into the physical reality.

“I want... I want to go back. I want to try to help them, truly help them this time. I want my legacy to be one of building, not of plots and schemes and secrets and failed coups, or even successful ones. I want... to help them. I learned much with my time with my Morlocks, I learned much from the words of my brother and the love he was given, I learned much from simple gifts and a caring ear. I've learned much, Chrysalis, and though I know you have no reason to trust me... I am willing to work with you.”

Her own mind blazed as hotly as his had when she had been restoring his memories, a flood of thoughts and emotions flickering through her at a speed that left even that to shame.

“I am not willing to serve you, nor be your flunky, but if you truly do wish to see your hive survive, and truly live, than I will do what I can to help them. We do not have to be friends, but we wish the same goal. I will not work for you... but I will work with you.”

It was only now that he mercifully broke away, mercifully let her think again without looking into those determined, honest eyes, let her consider his words truly and as they were meant to be.

“I know, you cannot trust me. I've given you no reason. But I have learned, Chrysalis. I will fight you, sometimes. We will disagree, perhaps. But know that from now on those fights and disagreements will be wielded with words, not blows. They are your hive, and I will never again try to take them from you, only do what I can to lead them to a brighter future. Know I will never again make an attempt on your life, directly or indirectly. I have learned. This... is my plea of mercy. You may take it or leave it.”

He did not look to her as he spoke his last words. He did not need to.

They said it all.

“If you are willing to grant me a chance... I will make the most of it.”

The silence that passed was not as long. No, quite the opposite, to Chrysalis it passed in a blur, a speed with which she felt transcended time itself. Her mind far outpaced reality so quickly that it was no longer than the time it took for a single piece of dust to fall to the ground before, at last, she broke free. Her face at last transformed back into its more emotionless look, and without a touch of magic. Her body at last relaxed its taught chitin to the point where her muscles were no longer visible beneath. At last, she could think again.

She had, at last... come to a decision.

“...You realize you've put me in a terrible position, do you not?”

His head tilted, curious at her strange words spoken so utterly casually. There was no shock, regret or even derision in her voice. She was as causal as a mare speaking of the weather.

“I cannot simply let you out even if you openly groveled for forgiveness at my hooves. To do so would send a message that I am willing to forgive open treason and attempts on my life with nothing but a short time to think about what you've done and a few words. To the silver tongued, words are meaningless.”

She began to pace, a more straight gait coupled with a perfectly postured back as each step reverberated down the empty hall.

“Your open rebellion and even now declarations you will fight me send a clear message to others that perhaps it is time to challenge my rule in the wake of so many disasters, to flee to unknown parts in search of their own stakes in the world as the others have and cut themselves off from my sight. Surely, we can both agree that regardless of your feelings, a group running out into the world with no ability to call for help should certain 'groups' find them is... unfavorable, yes? Or even worse, we know that certain individuals in the hive have less... rigid wills, and could possibly be swayed to the whims of the more silver tongued of the ponies if they thought punishment was not an option. They can be used, and neither of us wish to let blood come into the waters to attract the sharks, yes?”

His memory flashed again. With it, his eyes grew dark.

“Yes... more than you know.”

“Appearances to us, is everything... as darkly ironic as that sounds. You've put me in a position where releasing you and listening to you would be a sign of weakness that could have dire, unintended consequences.”

“Such as showing them you are merciful?”

There had been surprising little venom in there, if any at all. More, it sounded as an inquiry, an actual question honestly asked rather than a barb.

“There is being merciful, and then there is being suicidal levels of stupid. There are limits, as with everything. A balance must be held, and forgiving my attempted murderer with a slap on the hoof would be a step too far, don't you agree? I am not Celestia, and we are not ponies. I cannot release you as it is.”

“...You know, if you had said these words just a mere five minutes ago, I would think you a cruel monster for playing with my hope of release only to snatch it away. However, as I said, Chrysalis, I have learned...”

He leaned forwards against the bars, and a conspiratorial eyebrow went up.

“What is the plan you are thinking up?”

The feral, wicked smirk he so knew her for had returned, and it had returned with a vengeance.

“It is true, I have decided in my mercy that I will not leave you in another dank hole to die. But in order for this to work favorably for all involved, certain conditions must be met on your end. Tell me... it has been so long since you were in the field, has your acting ability diminished?”

He shrugged, easily transforming himself into a normal pony before her eyes.

“A true performer never forgets.”

There was another pause as she looked him over, continuing to do so even after he had cast the disguise aside. Her lips pursed, and she let out a strained breath.

“I am placing a lot of trust in you not to turn on me and make another assassination attempt, you know.”

Reluctantly, he nodded, knowing full well that she was giving him ample opportunities that, had he wanted, he likely could have used quite well.

“I do. As such... it is only fair that I trust this plan of yours is sufficient, and will follow it.”

“Good, I have already plotted out all of the details, and this should go over swimmingly. There should be nothing to go wrong, and soon all shall go off just as I intend it to!”

She froze, what had been a cackle building up in her throat dying with a hiss. Thoughtfully, a hoof rose up to her chin.

“...However, I am going to run this by someone else, just because I feel like it.”

“...who are you?...”

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

~~~~~~~~~

In under five minutes, the castle had become a hurricane of activity.

It had started so innocently. Princess Celestia had been walking though her garden, a picture of relaxation and ease, two guards at her side and many of her subjects coming to greet her as she walked. The very image of peace.

Then as if the very core of the earth had broken open, a tower of fire had erupted in her path, stopping her dead in her tracks. From the emerald inferno, the Queen of all Changelings stepped forth, a look of powerful determination on her face. At her side was her ever faithful solider, Forty Two.

Before the Princess could voice her surprise and questioning, a paper was thrust before her face, covering the entirety of her vision. Curious, she took the paper in her own magical grasp, her eyes darting over it and trying not to look up to the powerful, regal stare that bore into her.

Her lips pursed, her eyes flickering back up to regard the haughty looking Queen who stared at her.

"I wish you had discussed this with me in private.”

“We have, many times. This, unfortunately, cannot be as those talks were. Normally, I would. But you see, this needs to be a bit of a public matter. It is as important they know what is about to happen as it is for my hive.”

The princess instantly took on a look of defensiveness. With a mere glance, any could see she was preparing for an argument, preparing to fight as hard with her words as she could with her magic.

Thus, it was with great shock they all watched as she lowered her head a bit, defeated.

“I suppose... there is no getting around it, is there?”

“No.”

With a hint of remorse in her eyes, she looked to one of her guards.

“Please go inform Princess Twilight she is needed... at the dungeons. In regards to... to the prisoner, Thirty Two.”

He didn't even wait long enough for her to see his eyes bulge out, the loyal troop was off running in seconds.

“After you.”

With a touch of irritation making it's way through her glare, Celestia nonetheless took the Queen up on her offer, and walked ahead, towards the dungeons.

The castle's hurricane of activity picked up speed, a multitude of servants, guards and guests watching as Celestia walked towards her destination, the Queen behind her holding her head high in a winning smile.

When they finally reached the entrance to the dungeon, they were met by the impatient and none-too-slightly confused lavender princess, already poised at the door.

“Princess? What is the meaning of this?”

Regretfully, the former teacher regarded her former student, eyes flickering back to the still smirking Queen.

“Twilight... I'm afraid you are going to have to go down into the dungeon and retrieve the prisoner... to be given into Queen Chrysalis's custody.”

Her face lit up as loudly as her voice did.

“WHAT!? Why!? This cannot be legal! My precedent states that because our citizens were attacked first on our soil, we are the ones who are allowed to try him first! He was tried and sentenced to life in prison, wasn't he? Giving over custody is a violation of his rights!”

“Normally, yes... but Twilight...”

A sad, soft hoof touched her shoulder.

“...He didn't stay down there for life, did he?”

She flinched, looking away.

“T-those... those were extenuating circumstances!”

“That does not matter. He was in our custody, and due to a criminally negligent oversight on our part of not properly locking unused cells, he escaped. And when he did so...”

“He threatened the life of my subject, Seventy Seven, and made an attempt on him.”

Powerfully, Chrysalis stepped forth.

“I assuaged you all holding him on the agreement neither myself nor myself would ever be threatened by him again, and you failed to hold up your end of the bargain. As such, I am taking matters of the member of my species into my own hoof!”

Wide, stricken eyes looked up at her mentor, desperately pleading with them as well as her own voice.

“But... but what about his charges?”

Sadly, Celestia looked away.

“...In the interest of political peace, I have stricken his crimes towards us from the records so as not to create anymore legal quagmire. She now has full authority over him, and we have no say in what is to happen to him.”

“W-what!? You can't mean that!”

“Twilight... Thirty Two is now in Chrysalis's custody. His life... is up to her. He has no more crimes with us.”

She looked like she was ready to cry, honestly torn apart by what was happening in front of her.

“Please... go retrieve the prisoner.”

It was only with great reluctance, and and more than a few ill looks towards the smirking Queen, that Twilight descended, and after a tense moment returned with Thirty Two in tow.

She wasted no time. A band of green with a strange red glint upon it shot out, wrapping around his neck and dragging him clean out of the lavender mare's grip. The princess reached out weakly, unable to do anything as he was pulled away.

A feral smile was upon the Queen's lips as she looked down to him, fangs shining brightly in the light.

“Hello, little Thirty Two, how nice we could see each other again.”

He struggled, but said nothing, and only looked back at her with the most stoic of looks. Wordlessly, she shoved him into Forty Two's grasp, and spun on her heels.

“Our business is done, and I will be-”

“A-hem.”

The prim, slightly forceful voice forced her back around, back to looking at the expectant, slightly narrowed look in Celestia's eye.

“Ah... I suppose this is true.”

Theatrically, Chrysalis waved her hoof to the side, regarding the tall Princess who stood just as tall opposite of her.

“To you, Princess Celestia, let me state my apologies that the actions of Thirty Two were ever allowed to pass. I take full responsibility for all injuries he inflicted upon the soldiers in your employ, Spike the Dragon and Diamond Tiara. I underestimated the mental state he was in, and it was negligent not to assign him a keeper or some way to put him down should his sanity be compromised. I hope that you will believe me when I say that nothing of that nature shall be allowed to pass again, and we can continue on having amicable relations despite that unfortunate incident.”

Royally, the white princess nodded to her.

“Of course, I will not let one event from a mentally unstable subject harm overall relations.”

“I thank you.”

In perfect sync, they bowed their heads to each other, a rare sign of mutual respect.

“With that...”

Her look once more grew feral, hungry to the smaller changeling.

“You and I are going to see some old friends.”

Again, Twilight tried to reach out, but was stopped by a white hoof. Slowly, Celestia shook her head, and Twilight had to let them go.

The trip was uneventful as they neared the ballroom, as expected. Many still followed them, watching it happen, but none said anything. None voiced the thoughts in their minds, of the execution that was soon to take place.

“Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

None... but a certain white unicorn.

He stood on the other side of the ballroom doors, pleading eyes looking down at the struggling changeling in Forty Two's grasp.

“You don't have to do this, you know.”

Everyone waited, hoping against hope that his words could sway the Queen as they had so many times before.

To their horror, she was unmoved.

“Shining Armor, are these not my subjects?”

He didn't answer her, simply looking on as he did before.

“Well?”

“...They are.”

“Then while I appreciate all the help and aid you have given us, really I do, I will handle matters regarding them as I see fit. We thank you, Shining Armor, you have done much for them and I appreciate your words, but we are still our own species, and I am still their Queen. We must stand on our own, in the end.”

“...Yes, I suppose you do.”

He nodded in acceptance, and everyone watched as he slowly walked away.

“Majesty?”

The sound two more changelings walking up alerted her. She gave them little more than a nod. Seventy Seven gave one remorseful look to his brother, then joined his Queen, standing opposite of her to Forty Two.

Silently, another slipped in behind them all.

With that, they stood poised in front of the door, and with one booming burst of magic they were flung open.

“My loyal subjects! Come! Your Queen commands you, COME!”

Without question, they obeyed, gathering like a swarm at her command, racing into the perfect circle around her and bowing in reverence before their Queen as she entered, the doors slamming shut behind her and closing out the world.

She put them at ease with a calming, royal wave of her hoof allowing them all to look up and see she was not alone. Besides the ever present Forty Two at her side, there was the loyal one eyed soldier Seventy Seven, and yet another hidden just beyond their sight by their Queen's elongated stature.

And that wasn't all...

“Do you all know of this changeling?”

They hissed as they looked to the changeling roughly shoved in front of them. The traitor, the usurper, the one who sought the death of their Queen. The one who had been spared by the princess. The one... who should have been killed.

“Yes, I knew you did. This is the changeling who emerged some time ago, the one who saw himself an usurper, the one who made an attempt on my life in the wake of Chitania's attack. You know him.”

They muttered to themselves, confused as to his sudden appearance. Was he not supposed to be in prison? How had their Queen pulled him away?

“And as you also know, my attempted punishment for that attack was execution, as traitors deserve nothing less! However, he was saved by a loophole in legalities, a concession I made to the law of the land to prevent a political incident. They wished him locked up for all of time, rather than dead. At the time, I accepted! A slow death in a cage is a death all the same to me, his punishment was no less severe, simply... drawn out, yes? This satisfied me.”

A hint of a snarl crossed her lips, and her hoof thunderously slammed down.

“But then came the day we were invaded by the infected! Then came the day when this traitor... escaped! He fled to the surface, and yet again made another attempt. This time on the life of my dear subject, Seventy Seven! Of course, the noble soul he is, Seventy Seven held no malice to the maddened thing, and even fought along side him in battle shortly after. But this battle means nothing to me. All I care is that I left him in their custody, and he threatened another of my hive again. This cannot be tolerated. As such, in wake of the ponies failure, I closed that loophole that had allowed him survival, ensuring it can never again be used to save another from my blade if I should deem them worthy of death.”

As one, they began to grow excited, cheerful even. They instantly knew from their history long past what this meant.

As one, they prepared to watch a changeling get his head taken clean off.

Or they would have, if her next words hadn't left them reeling in shock, as one.

“But that is not why I have brought him before you today!”

The dazed, amazed whispers reached a fever pitch, silenced only by a burst of her magic.

“Calm your bloodlust, put away your desire to see an execution once more. For you see, he is not the only changeling I bring before you today.”

Gentle green magic nudged another before them, a female changeling with gauze wrapped around her eyes, one who remained as emotionless as Thirty Two had.

“This... is your sister, Eighty Eight. As I have learned, you have already said your piece to her, and spoken with her, and I am proud you so readily reaccepted one of your own! But you see... she is not only a source of pride for me... she is a source of personal shame.”

A slow, regretful hoof began to run over her smooth, chitinous head, just past the fin-like mane atop it.

“I am the one who sent her into that ill fated mission. I am the one who's decisions left her in her death like state. It was my call that lead her to being taken over, used, abused and turned into a monster. I am the greatest Queen, it is true... but I am not a perfect Queen. This was a failure, I will admit that.”

Looking a touch regretful, she pulled her hoof away.

“As such, when she returned, I offered Eighty Eight any form of compensation for her services she could wish. I offered her prime housing, a lifetime of luxury and never a care more to be had again. Despite this, she only asked for a single thing. No matter what I said to sway her, for her sustaining loyalty she requested only one thing, that I spare the life of the one who had saved her down in the caverns. That was all, he had protected her, kept her alive and saved her life, and she wished to return the favor.”

She began to pace, looking thoughtful.

“Even still, I was unsure if even the request she had earned was worth the risk... but that was not the end of it. This, as you are all keenly aware, is Seventy Seven, the other who was sent down into the caverns, also saved by Thirty Two in said caverns, and returned into my service and has fought dutifully for me ever since, and a thousand times proved his worth! This is a changeling who has likewise earned my trust, and has certainly earned a request of his own through his loyalty. And his request was the same as hers! To save the life of the brother he had fought alongside all that time.”

Her wings unfurled, seeming to gesture to the two of them.

“These two changelings, loyal subjects to whom are owed, requested this as their only boon... and I have decided that they have earned it.”

Just as the crowd began to let out shocked gasps, a single fanged smile silenced them all.

“However! I am not quite so... trusting as these two! That is why I have placed this upon his neck!”

Just a touch maliciously, she yanked him up magically by the collar around his neck, showing off the dull green band with a stark red gem upon it for all to see.

“This, for those of you who cannot put it together, is a device with which if I ever feel it necessary, I shall use to take off his head. One wrong move, so much as a hint he ever shall go at my life again, and I shall remove any traitorous thoughts and place them where they belong, in a million pieces. Likewise, I have given the ability to set off the collar to certain other individuals in this hive. Individuals randomly chosen who are hidden, and will remain such under life oath to all, even their fellow brothers and sisters, and there will be punishments if any one of you so much as asks. Thus... I'd try to play nice if I were you, little Thirty Two. If one of my secret agents hears you speaking of a coup, well... they have full permission to give this room a nice fresh coating.”

The crowd instinctively looked to one another, eyes trailing around for any tell-tale sign on who might have been the one whom their majesty granted this ability... but every one of them seemed just as searching and questioning.

Which, they all slowly realized... is exactly how a hidden agent would act.

“In case there was some confusion, this is a one time thing, payment for services to the hive on a scale beyond what should be. I reward loyalty, and I reward it well. Thirty Two shall live, and he shall walk free... so long as he does not give me any reason to remove his head. If he shall, well... no amount of loyalty will save him.”

Tantalizingly, she raked the tip of her hoof across the collar, making a note of the shining gem upon it. Her grin growing feral once more, she cast a side glance to her hive.

“That said, while I personally will not dissuade any... harsh mannerisms you all wish to give to the traitor, I would like to remind you that Seventy Seven over here still considers this changeling his brother, is quite the amazing fighter, and as I have said... he has earned a lot of trust and personal favor. If he feels that certain 'actions' towards this changeling are worth a more 'physical' intervention, I trust his judgement, and he has full permission to use his soldier status to prevent any further 'disruption'.”

Pointedly, the white of his bone knife peaked out of it's sheath, glinting in the light for all to see. A single narrowed eye culled most of the building excitement within them with nothing more than a glance.

With nothing left said on that matter, she released the changeling to the floor, and gave one final flourish.

“You are free to go wherever you please and speak to whomever you wish, Thirty Two! One final chance to make things right, and I hope you use it well.”

The room grew silent as she suddenly looked up, and craned her head. She looked to them, all of them, each one in turn, eyes lingering on them for only a moment before moving on. It was only after she had looked to every single occupant that she regarded them all.

“...In case you all are wondering, this will be the last time anything of this nature happens. I will be much more careful in the future to ensure that the level of compensation Eighty Eight and Seventy Seven required... is never again needed. It is my job as the Queen to oversee my hive... and so long as you follow my orders, I shall. Heed my words, and listen to my commands, and we will never hear of something like this again. Return to your lives, I have nothing more to say to you!”

With a dramatic, royal flourish she spun on her heels, and marched right out the door. Forty Two bowed as she passed, before obediently following in her hoofsteps.

Quickly, Seventy Seven moved over, grabbing hold of his slightly off-kilter brother and helping him to stand. With nothing but a stern glance to those who had been moving to approach the changeling, he easily froze the room long enough to back out with his brother in tow, slowing only to grab his still unseeing sister in his wake.

With a slamming of the ballroom doors, Queen, subject and newly 'freed' prisoner were gone, leaving behind a somewhat confused, a little terrified, and just a bit touched, hive of changelings.

After giving it some thought and letting the implications sink in, the decided to do what she had commanded, and returned to their lives.

More specifically, the chaos that never ended.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Silently, and with all the stealth that any changeling would have been proud to call their own, a group made it's way to parts unknown.

Off alone... to celebrate.

The Queen, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, Shining Armor, Forty Two and the three cave survivors spirited away, finding their own methods of meeting in a secret room on the edge of the castle. Be it teleporting, slinking in through the window or simply creeping in through the door when none were around. The meeting room they had slunk into was shortly filled with chuckles, smirks, and smiles all around.

“Quite the show.”

The tallest changeling cackled, giving off a swish of her hair.

“I am nothing if not a patron of the arts.”

Stuffed somewhat into the corner, the scarred changeling rolled his eyes at her, tugging incessantly on his collar.

“Must you have picked such a gaudy collar for me? This thing is itchy.”

The only one in the room not smiling, Forty Two, glared at him.

“Just be thankful she didn't give you one loaded with actual explosives.”

The tallest princess chuckled, lightly admiring the handiwork of her student. It was quite a convincing fake, she had to admit.

“I admit, I am rather surprised you placed something so benign on him.”

“HAH! You say that as if I couldn't simply remove his head in a myriad of other ways if I so chose it. I could! Have a spell that literally makes it look like a grape then SPLAT!”

Twilight blanched, going a bit green at the thought.

“Let's hope we don't have to worry about that.”

Playfully, Shining Armor tapped her in the shoulder.

“Yeah, would hate for all of that to be for nothing.”

“So long as he doesn't chuck anymore bricks, we shouldn't have to worry about that. Everything went absolutely perfect!”

Again, the prince rolled his eyes.

“Yes, after we ironed out the problems with your first plan.”


“Faking a hoof being cut off would have worked! I still don't think anyone would have found out! And by the way? Not my fault I didn't trust you to act, I've seen that hearths warming play.”

Flatly, the whole room stared at her.

“Fine! This was a better ending to the plan, and it was smarter to tell you all, but the rest of the plan was all me!”

With just a slight smirk, Celestia shrugged in agreement.

“I admit, the rest of it was very well put together. And now you are free again, Thirty Two, you must be exited.”

“I suppose so... well, what now?”

Scoffing, Chrysalis brushed past, already preparing to leave.

“Now? There is no now. I have done as they wished, kept my reputation and have found a solution for everyone involved. You are free to go, and that is it. Live your life, I'm certainly not going to live it for you. I'm putting faith in your previous words, either make good on them or they shall be your last.”

“...Chrysalis?”

She hovered at the door, hoof tantalizingly close to the knob.

“Yes?”

“I have some suggestions for a chance at better integration... if you are willing to hear them.”

There was a pause, a moment of deliberation, before it went away with a winning smirk.

“...Write them down later and hand them over to Forty Two, I'll look over them and talk about it with you after I have finished. However, you should worry about it later, I should think.... you have a lot of catching up to do.”

“...That I do. Chrysalis?”

“Yes?”

“...thank you.”

“...Like I told you. I'm the greatest Queen who ever lived.”

With that, she regally held her head high, and stepped out. Forty Two followed her, only slowing long enough to give a warning glare towards the freed prisoner before continuing on her way.

“I'm watching you.”

With them gone, he at last turned to the rest of the occupants.

“Thank all of you for your parts as well.”

Warmly, Twilight rubbed him on the shoulder.

“I told you it could get better.”

“... I was wrong on many things.”

“Yes, you were... but we can make it right.”

“Thank you.”

Gently, Shining Armor pried his sister away from him, and ushered her to a hidden door.

“Come on, we've got to leave together, or it'll look suspicious.”

“Yeah, I guess just one of us leaving the broom closet would get ponies talking.”

“Right? Who knows what they might think.”

Oblivious to the stifled laughs, the siblings made their way out. Leaving only Celestia to give a glance to the changeling.

“And I suppose I will leave you to it as well. Thirty Two... you are in my kingdom now. I may not be as harsh a ruler as the Queens you are used to, but threaten my citizens, and I will show you I have my own ways of making you regret it.”

“That... will not be necessary.”

“Good. I am always happy to give those who have done wrong a chance to right their mistakes and work for the greater good, and you are no exception. You have been given a rare chance, Thirty Two, I hope you use it well. You have great dreams of helping your fellows... I can't wait to see what you have in mind.”

He gave her a nod of affirmative, and in a burst of light it was only himself, Seventy Seven and Eighty Eight to remain.

“So... it seems there is much we need to discuss. I fear there is quite a lot I've missed...”

“That there is... brother.”

They all sat down, three lost souls who had been through hell together again at last, free again at last of their vices and their jailers, whatever forms they had taken. Once more, together. There was much to discuss... and they had all the time in the world.

“So, tell me... did we ever compete in the Equestrian games?”

“...Haha!”

“What?”

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Lightning Dust
"Gilda"
~~~~

"Holy shit! AHAHAHAHAHAH!"

>...Ehhhh... guess it's kind of funny. Is that really the best she can afford?

"WAITWHAT!?"

>Just saying.

"...Go on..."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Non-Canon
> Pinkie
"Spike"
~~~~
> Welcome to Late Night (technically morning) /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content doesn't matter and we can ignore continuity whenever we feel like. Now for our main guest...Spike!!!
Applause as Spike sits down.

"......H-"

> Here's the question for you. You've been working hard lately. Now that the others and I are helping AJ, are you going to eventually relax and do gun club activities?

"Well-"

>An informative answer, Spike. You heard it right here readers.

"Readers? Don't you mean-"

> I mean viewers! Oh and there's a Morlock rummaging through your jewels.
Spike wakes up.
"Hey let go of my of my breakfast!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>DT
"SS"
~~~

"...So..."

>Hrm.

"...Soooo..."

>Hrrmrm.

"...DT? Could you stop welding his barrel together for five seconds?"

>If his barrel goes cold before I've done my work it'll get all floppy and discolored. He needs my careful hooves to go up and down juuuust right.

"...Right... by the way, why haven't you spoken to Applejack yet?"

>I tried! She freaking ran out on me!

"When?"

>The other day!

"...Wait, you mean when the baby got born?"

>Yes!

"Uh... kind of think that was extenuating circumstances."

>What could possibly be more important about some dumb baby being born than me!? Have you seen babies? Babies are stupid!

"...No comment. So, are you going to try again."

>When I FEEL like it. She'll have to wait until *I* feel like going off and talking to her before she gets to talk to me again!

"However will she survive."

>She deserves to suffer!

"...These are a lot of new parts, and very complex looking parts, I'm noticing."

>Pfft, like you know what they would look like.

"...Point."

>But it's not because you're dumb like those IDIOTS think. Dummies. They're the dumb ones. Thinking you don't know for any reason besides I haven't told you yet. Stupid.

"Right."

>...Pass me that spreader, I'm about to light up his world.

"Isn't that a little dangerous?"

>Meh, I've brought enough lube, and he deserves a special treat. But don't tell anyone I gave him this!

"Lips are sealed."

>Good... this is going to blow them all away...

"...Did you mean to look creepy, or-"

>AHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

"Just checking."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Applejack
"Twilight"
'Pinkie'
[Dash]
{Fluttershy}
(Rarity)
~Various~
~~~~

>NEXT!

~I have complaints about representation in this room!~

"For the love of... everyone gets represented! Peagsi, Earth Pony and Unicorn all get a say."

~Baloney! It's one earth pony, one pegasi and FOUR alicorn! I'm noticing a slight disparity here! And one of those things you said missing!~

"...Well, I mean, I was a unicorn. So was Rarity."

>Ah' was an earth Pony.

{Um... pegasi. And you probably shouldn't call me an alicorn, I'm... complicated.}

(Really darling, you're saying this, but absolutely none of us were born alicorn, and we lived our whole lives in a different way.)

'Yeah! If anything, Twi and them get to give you all the best representation possible, because they've got all the power but remember what it was like before they were important!'

[...]

'....Everyone BUT Twi remembers what it was like before they were important.'

"Hey!"

[Deny it. I dare you.]

"...You don't have to SAY it...."

~So, wait, can anyone become an alicorn?~

>Er... that's kinda complicated-

~So why isn't that Prince, Shining Armor, one?~

>...Nope.

~Wha-~

>Not gettin' inta that anymore, DONE!

~I just-~

>DONEDONEDONEDONEDONE

*SLAM!*

>...

[...Bad memories?]

>Shut up, Dash.

[Shutting up now.]

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________