"Well, since you and I are both queens, we share a certain mutuality then. Certainly a strange one, considering you're not a changeling, but a common mutuality nonetheless." She shook her head, "But, I must warn you the tense rivalry among queens in the changeling community." Chrysalis stated.

I stared at the changeling queen with a questioning glance, "Oh. Come on. You've been at this for hours now. Have I not clarified my gender at this point by now?"

"Oh fine. You're no fun at all," Chrysalis simply responded, her tone turning into neutrality.

My adviser followed closely beside me. Without turning her head to face me, she "My queen, if it perturbs you that much, you can simply order me to address you with another title." it spoke.

"Wait, I could have done that? Why didn't you notify me that earlier?" I said, slightly irritated. Hacking away at the trees, I carved a path for my colleagues.

"But I did. Did you forget, my queen?" the Zerg queen stated.

"You can thank her for letting that slip through my notice..." I muttered as I pointed a half-raised finger at Chrysalis.

My adviser mentioned once more, "My queen, like I previously stated, this being emanates a rather potent degree of psionic power. I suggest that we should assimilate her." it recommended.

"It's quite rude to say that when the one you're referring to is just perhaps three steps away from you. You know?" I heard Chrysalis spoke, her tone slightly bitter.

"You know, shape-shifting would be quite useful to our army," I teased, much to Chrysalis irritation. I felt an icy glare stinging into my soul as Chrysalis eyed me with unforgiving eyes.

The Zerg queen bows in acknowledgement. "Very well, we shall-"

I cut her off with haste, fearing what might have resulted from a little jesting, "No! Wait! Cancel that order! I was just... kidding. We still need a guide for wherever this place is."

"As if you could ever hope to defeat my changelings," she grimly warned before sending a sultry look at me. "Besides. I am capable of shifting into a more... desirable body for you. You wouldn't want to get rid of me knowing that, now do you?"

"If you're expecting that mere seduction will break my iron resolve, you're gravely mistaken," I stated to which Chrysalis responded by rolling her eyes.

I muttered, "I'm not stupid, you know."

"What gave you that idea?" Chrysalis asked in a snark tone.

"Anyways, I'm in the presumption that you're underestimating the might of the Zerg. Perhaps you should do a demonstration, my adviser?" I asked the Zerg queen beside to my left as I pointed at a tree a couple of meters away or so.

"Gladly," she said as she reared her wing-like appendages. She forcibly jerked forwards, launching a barrage of impeccably sharp spines from her wing-like appendages.

Spine after spine struck the tree. Chips of lumber went spraying everywhere as the tree progressively became more mangled as each second passed. Finally, the tree split into two, not being able to cope with the unrelenting attack.

The sight before me brought a smug smirk on my face, "Well? Still think your little swarm can beat mine?" I scoffed.

"Oh please. You've no idea of what my changelings are capable of," she replied with a nonchalant laugh.

"Whatever," I dismissed with a wave of my hand. "Anyways, ere you really planning on tempting me just for control over my army? That's really disturbing since we're not even the same race." I said, not believing the words that I just spoken.

"Maybe, maybe not," she retorted. "Why ask that question of all things?"

"Do I look like I'm the type of person that has a lot of things to say?" I replied. "Doesn't that bother you, though? We're not the same race even!"

"Changeling genetics. Quite flexible. With the help of magic, the remaining problems with biology is taken care of. The only thing we have to worry about is appearance, really." Chrysalis hung her head high, as she puffed her chest in pride. "And I'm sure that I've mastered the art of deceiving one's eyes."

Before I could continue on the topic, my Zerg colleague beside me interrupted, "My queen, something is present within our vicinity. Something of great psionic capability," the queen said, urgency clinging onto her words.

"Ack. What is it now?" I snapped my fingers in realization. "Ah. Is it that thing that caused that alarming surge in magic earlier?" I stated. The ability to sense magic is quite weird. It's like a seventh sense--I can't exactly describe it. If I had to assume, this is the book's doing.

Chrysalis quipped, "Wow. Took you that long? Just what is going on in your little brain? It must be really boring in there being hardly used and what-not."

"I am certain that it is the one responsible for the ripple of psionic energy a few hours ago," the Zerg queen stated. "The signal is faint. If it generated enough power to be felt miles on end, it must be currently inactive."

"Quite alarming." I turned to face Chrysalis. "Theoretically, is it much more stronger than Luna's magic? I could only sense her magical presence just a couple of feet away from me or so."

Chrysalis answered, "Not necessarily. Luna's magical supply was heavily crippled by your creepy book, remember? Not a lot of things exceed her power, but to be sensed all the way from wherever to this forest is disconcerting to say the least."

Chrysalis spoke as her eyebrow arced in curiosity, "Hm. This aura. It has a familiar atmosphere to it, but it's still quite foreign to me." Chrysalis shrugged before continuing, "Curiously enough, it's coming north-east, and you know where that leads to. Right, Summer?" She asked me.

I hesitated before opening my mouth, "Ponyville. They've taken refuge in Ponyville, and what's up with that nickname?"

"Oh. Nothing. Carry on," Chrysalis prompted.

I continued, "My previous batch of warriors practically turned that place into a wasteland," I said in certainty. "Let's just say that they didn't welcome me with opened arms. Instead, they opted for something more... irrational," I stated, sarcasm laced around my words. "But Ponyville? Of all places, why there?"

"Then perhaps we should hasten our traveling?" the Zerg queen suggested. "The sooner you discover this, the better."

"I agree. Tell the troops to hurry up. I'll go ahead," I ordered.

"I shall comply. I will issue the command them to enter the Nydus Network now." Silence followed her words as she closed her eyes. The air around her began to blur as she established a psychic link with my army. "It is done. I've given them the order."

Sure enough, I could here the distant roars of the Nydus Worms. I am just astounded by how quick these Nydus Worms are at delivering whole armies into the battlefield. Basically, they excel at flash flooding places with death.

The reason for such a rapid transport is possible is due to a combination of peristaltic motion and chemical stimulants. That... explains the slime that coated me when I exited out of that thing.

I shrugged off the idle pondering as I heard the words from my adviser, "Your legion of Zerg are ready for deployment at your command."

"Chrysalis, we're nearing Ponyville. Make sure you're ready," I stated, to which the changeling queen did not reply, "Chrysalis," I turned to face her, she appeared to be studying my forces intently, which probably explains why she isn't responding.

"Chrysalis!" I shouted, not too loud, but just sufficient enough to catch her attention, she flinched slightly in response.

"Huh? What? I was looking at that fruit over there." She points her holed hooves towards a tree. Basking in the sun's embrace was a rather sizable red fruit. "Poisonous, but it does look appetizing."

"Oh. That fruit does look delicious-" I said as my stomach suddenly whined stubbornly.

"Did I not just point out that fruit is poisonous?" Chrysalis planted her hoof onto her face.

I spoke in defense, "Hey! I wasn't planning on eating it! I was implying that I was eating it. Implying. Actually intending on doing something. Two entirely different things." Suddenly, my hunger becomes more troublesome as the continuous mention of eating is prolonged. "Gah... I've been stuck here for days now without managing to eat something. "Chrysalis? Is there still food left in Ponyville?"

She deadpanned, "Why wouldn't there be? Your 'friends' didn't exactly give them time to evacuate their precious food stands." she stated before vanishing in an array of green flames. "Worst case scenario would probably be that the majority of the food is contaminated with blood."

"Great! Let's make haste, shall we?" I said with renewed determination as I turned to the familiar Zerg queen. I noticed her to be off--staring at me idly. "Uh? What's wrong?"

"My queen, are you certain that you do not wish to assimilate her? She is capable of teleportation; something that would be a great asset in future scenarios," she said.

"My answer still remains, I do not wish for the changelings to be assimilated." I sharply answered.

"If that is your wish," the Zerg queen replied with a court nod.

"Oh. By the way, if you haven't noticed," Chrysalis clapped her hooves together, "My personal escorts have been following us for quite some time now. I think I'll let them stick around."

I heard the Zerg queen beside me spoke, "That is what makes up of her army? It is nothing compared to ours, my queen." to which I simply replied with a smirk of snide pride. "I must admit, they are prodigies at stealth. Not even I noticed them earlier. Forgive me for my lack of perception-"

"No. No. You don't need to apologize." I turned to look at Chrysalis who was walking along side me. "They certainly are sneaky, but can they take down entire planets?" I said smugly as I approached her.

Chrysalis shrugged. "Don't take so much pride in your current bodyguards. It's not as if you actually own them. They're here for a short time, and poof--they're gone. I've noticed that pattern." Chrysalis began an addendum, "And to answer your question, given enough time and numbers, I have much confidence that they can do so," she stated.

"Sure, sure. Cheese-legged creatures taking over a world. I have no difficulty whatsoever imagining that," I said, my words enveloped in the irritating flavor of sarcasm. "I wager that they can even take on my army."

"I can see it. My own swarm being helplessly mauled and mangled as their limbs get torn off by black-cheddar monsters!" I continued my mockery with closed eyes. It's not like I was going to be careless enough to smash into a tree. Unfortunately, that came true.

As if karma itself was given physical form of a tree, I impacted onto the wooden, rigid surface of lumber. I slammed to the ground, wincing as I held my nose. "Ow. Ow. Okay. I guess I deserved that."

"Yes. You certainly did for two mistakes: One. You made fun of my hive. Two. You were an idiot for closing your eyes while walking in a forest." With a groan of impatience, the changeling queen replied, "Well? Are we going, or are you just going to continue just stand there?"

"Oh yes, of course." I dusted myself off as I rose back up. Rubbing my nose one last time, I spoke out, "The psionic disturbance. Let's proceed, shall we?"

"My queen, the levels of psionic power that is being radiated from whatever is extremely potent, do you have any clue what it might be?" my Zerg mentor asked as Ponyville became clear in the horizon as I cut the last piece of shrubbery in our path.

"I am not certain as well, but we'll see what it exactly is when we get there." Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "If you need me, I'll be over there." Without another word uttered, she walked into the haze-like bushes. Her form began to disappear as the shadows themselves seemingly swallowed her.

"Why do you refrain from assimilating them, my queen? Are they too much of a threat? They don't appear to be as dangerous than I anticipated."

I paused before replying, "Like I said, we need a guide. Look. I know navigation and reconnaissance of this place is now much easier thanks to you guys." I sighed before finishing. "It's not like I have much allies around here. It's best when you have friends, you know?"

"I do not understand, but if that is your will, then so be it." the Zerg queen spoke.

I sighed, "Well, I think I'll go in first. I'm pretty sure Chrysalis is just going to laze about over here-"

"At least you got that one correct," Chrysalis called out. I looked towards to wherever she was at. The shadows obscured her, but I could clearly see her reclining recumbent on a branch.

I decided to walk ahead, I am no specialist at psionic powers, or what-not, but I'm getting somewhat nauseous just by the presence of it, and I intend on discovering what "it" exactly is.

Rolling my eyes, I returned my glance towards my Zerg consultant. "And since they'll just probably regard you as a monster and kill you on sight, it's probably best for me to go in first. I'll talk to them."

"Let me guess, you've no plan whatsoever when they hunt you down?" I heard Chrysalis' familiar voice coming from behind me. "I've heard that the gryphons make trophies out of their kills. I'd laugh at best when I see you stuffed in some wooden cabin somewhere-"

"Okay! Okay. I get it. No need to place such images in my head," I cut her off with a shudder. "But contrary to what you think, I actually do have a plan."

Chrysalis tilts her head in slight intrigue. "Oh? Mind telling me what it is then?"

"First plan if it all goes terribly wrong is to fight back and destroy whatever is in there." I spoke with a sheepish tone, "If that backfires, we all go hiding in the forest."

"Hm. I should have expected as such." she replied with a nod, "Well, it appears you don't exactly have the time to devise a plan now since we're already here." Chrysalis pointed her hoof towards the town.

"I can see that-" I paused as I observed that the town had something altered. "Wait! What's that?" There was some sort of cyan field of energy encompassing the town, the energy field appeared to be being emanated from what appears to be...

...a crystal in the shape of a heart?

"It's the Crystal Heart!" Chrysalis shot up from her branch in reflex, nearly making herself fall. "No. It can't be it. It appears to be different. It must be some sort of replica." she responded without even bothering to explain what a 'Crystal Heart' is. "Well then. Aren't those ponies just getting smarter?"

I inquired, "A Crystal Heart? Mind explaining me what it does?"

"The Crystal Heart, I don't want to explain every single detail about it, but it basically creates some sort of field to surround something such as a kingdom to protect it." Chrysalis paused as she stared at the heart more intently. "Pretty sure that the original one is being used to preserve a kingdom in the middle of a frozen wasteland."

"If a replica of that thing is here, there's a high likelihood that we're going to run into- Oh. Well, look for yourself." she said as she pointed at the town with her hoof. "Crystal ponies."

I looked towards the direction she was pointing out in skepticism, much to my dismay however, stood a pony. It possessed a certain distinction, however; it appeared to be as if it was born with a body comprised out of shiny minerals. Its coat gleamed with a gem's luster as he idly stood guard.

"Oh for- so they are real. As if this place can't get any more obscure. So far, we have gryphons, ponies, and now them. Whatever those things are. How do they- I can't even. You know what? I should just stop questioning the logic behind this place. It really does hurt my mind. So, since they're involved in whatever this is, I take it that they all want me dead?"

"Most likely," was all that the changeling queen said in response. "They are affiliates with the ponies, after all."

I cursed silently in annoyance. "So, any suggestions on what our next action should be?" I inquired the changeling queen.

"Well, I recommend that-" she paused abruptly for some reason.

I noticed her sudden paused. I looked towards her. Apparently, she had squinted eyes, and an opened mouth revealing clenched teeth. Something tells me that she caught her sight with something rather unpleasant.

"What? What do we do next?" I asked her, confused with her lack of continuation.

"It appears that two of my most despised ponies are here," she stated, her voice practically laced with genuine venom.

I looked towards where she was facing, in the distance stood what appears to be a pink alicorn, and a unicorn with a blue mane who was donning purple armor, they were far too distant from me to clearly see them.

"Who? They?" I asked, pointing at the aforementioned pair of equines, to which Chrysalis simply nodded in response. "I've actually met them before, but I don't know much of them still. So could you please fill me in about their profiles?"

Chrysalis shot a criticizing look at me, "What? Since when did you- Ah. Never mind." Chrysalis turns back towards them. "The alicorn is the princess of these crystal ponies. The unicorn next to her is her husband, and to answer why I'm so displeased by their unsightly beings, let's say that I tried to enslave all of those ponies and they stopped me from doing so." s

"Well, I'm not certain how to reply to that," I deadpanned. "No. Really. How am I supposed to reply to that, especially to that last part?"

"Do you think your mongrels can pass through the field?"

"It simply hurts by just standing here. They'll pass through, but they'll reach the other side roasted." I replied.

The air itself seemed as if it was boiling. Gradually intensifying, should we venture into the field.

"Tch, well, I'll try to go see if I can deactivate the damn thing, go stall them with your pitiful mind. I'll be seeing you later." Before I could even begin to conjure words, her body was wrapped in emerald flames. The flames flickered out, revealing her body. She shifted into one of those crystal ponies, apparently as one of the guards as she was wearing their armor.

"Wait! What? I'm not good at-" she ignored me, of course, as she vanished in a flash of green flames, "Well, it looks like I'll have to use my ever so mighty wit.

Emerging from the foliage, I began walking towards the outer walls. Several eyes began to direct their cold glazes at me. The sound of hoofsteps and beating wings began to rumble throughout the entire town. Suddenly, a siren deafeningly pierced through the normally silent atmosphere.

The barricaded walls of mutilated tables and surplus lumber were decorated with a line of glowing horns as unicorns pointed their horns at me, preparing whatever spell they had in store. The sky became dotted with a mass of pegasi wielding bows.

"That was immensely quick," I muttered, somehow managing to not flee at the wall decorated with magical light.

"Have you finally given up, beast?" I heard one of the ponies in the indistinguishable crowd of other, similar-looking ponies spoke out. Of course, I didn't bother speaking back to them.

Suddenly, poking out of the formation, that which looks akin to that of an anarchic riot, the figures of two familiar ponies appeared. The pink alicorn? Alicorns--is that what they're called? Anyways, she emerged from the crowd. Along side her was her spouse.

"Ha, you know what, er, they say," the pink alicorn stammered, "Revenge is a dish best served cold to, uh, dead ponies, because, ah, never mind." she said, moderately annoyed.