Catherine stood in line at her building's post office. It was routine: come down, check for packages and grab the mail, then head back up stairs. Her mother often got boxes from online stores. This time, however, the box was addressed to her. She gave it a little shake and heard something move around inside. Catherine guessed that it was only slightly smaller than the box it was held in.

When she arrived back in her own apartment, Catherine set her box down on the table. “Mom,” she called out, “Mail’s here.” She passes the junk mail off to her parent then set to work opening her own package. From it, she pulled out a smaller box and an envelope. The box had the words ‘Open me first’ written on the top. Catherine broke the tape holding it shut and peered inside. She let out a shriek and dropped the box. Wads of cash spilled out of the box, along with a large emerald.

“Cathy, what’s wrong?” Her mother asked, before gasping at the spilled contents of the box. “Where did all of this money come from, Catherine?” Her daughter could not respond, her whole body was trembling. “Catherine? Catherine? What’s wrong, dear?” her mother asked, concerned about not her daughter's silence.

Catherine did not speak. Instead, she ripped open the envelope and read its contents. The letter fell out of her hand and drifted to the floor. Catherine soon followed, collapsing to her knees. Catherine’s mother saw the panicked look on her daughter’s face and went to comfort her. Catherine whispered, “The letter…”

The mother picked up the fallen paper and read.

Dear Catherine,

I am taking a big risk in trusting you with my secret. I pray that you have not told anyone. No friends, no family, not even your diary. Consider my gift assurance for your silence. There is $100,000 worth of cash in that box. The emerald, should you chose to sell it, is worth no less than $80,000. Any less and you are being ripped off.

That said, should you chose to ignore my generous offer, my threat still stands. You know what I can do. Tell a soul, and there will be no one in the world you can trust. Not even your own parents. I will hunt you down. Protecting my family is my sole purpose in life. Do not think I will hesitate because of who you are. I have done it before, and I will do it again.

Alvarium Rex

“Catherine. What have you gotten yourself into?”

Between sobs, Catherine said, “I don’t know, Mom. Everything just went to hell yesterday. I can’t tell you why. I want out of this nightmare.” Her mother grabbed her and held her tight.

It’s been almost two months, now. Currently, I’m standing by a warehouse on the outskirts of Atlanta. Six armed, masked figures stand around me and the crates I’m standing near. The night air shimmers in front of me before splitting open. Instead of looking at the orange glow of the Atlanta skyline, I now stare into the caverns of the changeling hive. My equine counterpart stands with an escort of her own across the rift in space. She speaks first, “Is this it?”

“Yes, these are your weapons. From the description you gave of your plan, I gathered a mixture of various tools for your use. Do you have my payment?” One of her changelings crossed the portal while carrying a bucket full of emeralds. One of my changelings took the bucket from it and examined the bucket’s contents.

“It’s all here, Rex.”

“Good. Let me show you what I have for you.” I pulled out a silver canister. “Napalm spray device. Remote activated. Will instantly set fire to anything within 15 feet. You have two dozen, and they are very dangerous.”

I set it down and grabbed a black canister. “Flash grenade. Blinds and stuns. Pull the pin out while squeezing the lever down. When you let go, it will explode in four seconds and blind all who look at it. It burns hot, so nearby things might catch fire. Best to use magic to get good distance. You have thirty.”

I swapped the black canister for a green one. “Smoke grenade. Pull pin while squeezing lever and toss. The fumes are heavy, so use fliers to toss them out and stay above the smoke. It’s not fun to breath. Again, you have thirty.”

I pulled out a small red canister. “Tear gas. Functions like smoke grenade, but the fumes burn the eyes, nose and mouth of whomever breathes it in. Twenty of these.”

I pulled out a white block and a small black object. Holding up the block, I said, “This is C4. Very stable. You can mold it like clay and can burn it like a log.” I held up the black object. “This is a remote detonator. Stick it in the C4 and together both will explode with tremendous force. The detonators are temperamental. Don’t drop them. When they are together, if you are close enough to see it, you are too close. If you can hear someone shouting from where the C4 is, you are too close. If you are unsure if you are far enough away, you are too close. You have thirty pounds of C4 and twenty detonators. Distribute it as you see fit.”

I held up the last object I had brought her. “This is your big red button of fun. It will set off the napalm and C4 detonators. Turn the key to open the cover on the switch and button. Flip the switch to arm the explosives, but only when EVERY SINGLE ONE of your changelings is a safe distance away. Thirdly, Push the big red button for instant fun.”

Chrysalis smiled. “This will be more than enough. Thank you. Now, you said earlier that you had other business you wished to discuss?”

“Yes, about attending the wedding. Nick and Klika will be crossing over shortly before the event. I want a standing portal placed in your hive. It should remain open at all times. I also want a supply of bits for them to spend while they are in Canterlot. Can you do this for me?” I asked.

“It will be done.”

The goods traded, I closed the portal. Several bursts of flame later, seven Earth changelings flew into the night sky.

“How do I look as a pony?” My daughter asked. The little unicorn filly stood at only a foot tall. Her grey coat and brown mane were neatly brushed. She looked at me with her gigantic blue eyes, before trotting around the hotel room.

“You look adorable. Nick, take care of her. Come back as soon as the fighting starts, okay?”

The large pegasus stallion nodded. He shared a similar color scheme as my daughter, but only a shade darker. On his flank sat the image of a video game controller, something Chrysalis said does not exist over there.

I opened the portal. The caves sat behind it, waiting for my family. I said my goodbyes and watched them cross over.

Back at my apartment, I quickly cleaned up. I set vases full of flowers everywhere and stocked my fridge with pony foods. Satisfied that everything was in place, I smiled. [Chrysalis, I’m ready for your princess.]

Author's Notes:

*Ding* Have a time skip.

Two chapters, one day? WHAT IS THIS SORCERY???

Before I go out of town, I wanted to give you one last quick chapter. Tune in next week! (I will probably upload June 18th.)

The next arc will spend very little time with Rex. Instead, I give you an arc with Earth-Changelings-In-Equestria and Chrysalis. Though, I may have to add the dark tag to this story, now. I won't get too graphic, but better safe than sorry.

Time to attack: 3 days.
Time to arrival of mane 6: 1 day.
Time to replacement of Cadance: 2 hours.
Time to initiation of stage one of the plan: 25 minutes.

Hive finances: $3.7 million dollars cash + $4.3 million in emeralds.
Hive population: 10 (9 converted, 1 hatched)

(edited 12/22/2013)