"The audacity!" One of the Changeling commanders yelled from across the large table. "You expect us to put faith in some young general barely out of his twenties!?"

"I'm not expecting you, commander... I'm telling you." Chrysalis said unwaveringly.

"You have wasted precious Changeling resources on a some silly fairy tale!" Another commander on the left side of the table shouted.

"This is no fairy-tale, I can assure you. Our folk have seen the skies blacken! You have all seen the crops dying, but you continue to ignore the signs!" Chrysalis yelled. "Leere is returning to this world once more!"

"We're merely having a bout of bad weather, nothing less! What we can't ignore, however, is your blind faith in that retched half-breed!" One of the council members grunted. "His actions cost us one of our embassies in the Blacklands, and countless soldiers!"

"How dare you mock him that way! That stallion's victories have brought honor to our great nation! Petty insults shall get us nowhere in this debate, my council!" Chrysalis bellowed; her eyes blazing with passion. "If we do not act now, we could lose our chance at bringing Leere to our side!"

"Ridiculous! Even if this so-called 'destroyer' exists... what makes you think he will come to our side?" Another council member snorted.

"He shall bend to us because of this!" A booming voice echoed from the chamber entrance behind Chrysalis, silencing the council.

Constantine approached the council with a small orb in his hand. Shades of reds and blacks swirled inside the translucent orb; giving off a dark aura. He held it high for a moment and placed it inside Chrysalis's hands.

"Gentlecolts of the Changeling High-Council, I present to you... the fabled Stone of Power." Constantine sneered in mischievous delight.

"Thief! That is a sacred Changeling artifact! You have no right to take it from our hands!" The Chairman of the council protested. "His grimy half-blood mitts have tainted it!"

"Correction Chairman. I have no right... unless permitted by the queen. Isn't that right Chrysalis?" Constantine hissed.

"He had taken it from its altar with my permission! He has the right to hold it." Chrysalis retorted sharply.

"Without this stone, Lord Leere has no way of manifesting in this plane of existence again. He needs this stone as a conduit, a physical gateway rather than an ethereal one." Constantine explained. "Although, it is currently under an unbreakable magic-seal, as evident by the rune etched on the one side."

Constantine grabbed the orb and showed the magical symbol to the whole council. He then slowly placed it on the desk and cleared his throat.

"Our ancestors built a temple to Lord Leere in the First Ages," Constantine said in utmost seriousness. "This temple holds the key to breaking the seal on the Stone of Power. However, this temple is far to the north; deep in the territory of the Zhophziis. They are a barbaric nation of warriors, and will kill outsiders on sight."

"Constantine and I wish to suggest to you all that we form a truce with these barbarians," Chrysalis stated firmly. "Without their aid we cannot regain lost territory from the Equestrians, and we cannot summon Leere."

"How on earth will you do such thing?" The leader of the council scoffed.

"The Zhophziis has had loyalties with Leere since the beginning of recorded history and had served him in the war between him and his sisters," Constantine answered. "Once we tell them of our plans and retrieve the rest of the stones, there is no doubt they will join our cause."

"Nonsense! Utter nonsense! You expect us to put the army in your hands for... this?! Some dusty old legend? Neither of you has the right nor the authority to make this decision!" The Chairman of the council barked. "You half-bred snake! We should demote you for suggesting such foolish ideas to this council!"

"You should really watch your mouth, Chairman..." Constantine's voice grew deep and menacing. "I think you should really consider our plan..."

Constantine's eyes narrowed, and his mouth tore apart to reveal a menacing row of fangs that struck at the Chairman's heart. The felt his chest being torn apart and when he looked down he could see shrieking ghouls tearing at his insides. He tried screaming, but words failed him as blood gurgled up from his mouth. He could hear haunting, demonic laughter escape Constantine's now gaping mouth as he felt his soul quiver in dismay.

"Are you quite alright sir? You seem pale." Constantine said sarcastically with a feigned look of concern.

The Chairman shook his head in disbelief, then cleared his throat; attempting to hide his disturbance from the rest of the council at the table. After realizing it was a hallucination, he regained his composure and nervously choked out only a couple words.

"Yes... I'm... I'm fine. We shall think about what you've told us, until then... we have no further business with you and the queen." The Chairman said: slightly unsettled.

Constantine and Chrysalis exited the large chamber into the wide corridor on the other side. The palace was relatively empty, as most of the guards were off duty. Chrysalis looked around for a moment; making sure no one was around and moved closer to Constantine.

"Would you care to join me in my room later Verulius?" Chrysalis' usual serious expression melted away to reveal a warm smile as she spoke.

Constantine lowered his self-righteous attitude for a moment in response with a humble smile. He looked to her as the two walked down the hallway together; his smile causing Chrysalis' chest to ignite.

"I would love to Chrysalis," Constantine said in satisfaction.

****

Constantine knocked on Chrysalis's door three times in a somewhat rhythmical fashion; his face brightening up as the door opened to reveal the mare behind the door.

"Stunning." Constantine complimented Chrysalis.

Her usual queen attire was replaced by a simple, yet elegant nightgown (Although more of a dress though than an actual nightgown). The long black gown was covered in various emerald sequins that complimented her eyes, and the moonlight shining through her large balcony filled her bedroom with a blue light that cascaded down onto her face like a celestial shower. Her somewhat sultry half closed eyes met Constantine's; in awe at the sight of her. Constantine bowed in respect to the beautiful mare in front of him and made sure her did it in the most respectful manner her could.

"I did not know I would be sharing the night with an angel," Constantine said as he bowed his head. "May I come in?"

Chrysalis's face flushed red in response to the statement, and her chest seemed to burst as she replayed his words over and over again in her mind. She came down to earth soon enough though and stood aside; ushering Constantine through her door.

"Let me pour you a cup of tea." Chrysalis proposed as she scurried across to the teapot on her coffee-table. "Do you like milk, cream, or sugar with yours?"

"Milk but no sugar or cream thank you." Constantine replied as his eyes remained locked on Chrysalis; turning away from him to hide her blushing.

The teapot poured the steaming water into a fancy teacup in which she had handed to Constantine along with his teabag. He took a whiff of the smell billowing from the slightly orange liquid inside the cup and exhaled deeply in satisfaction of the aromatic tea.

"Orange pekoe. Perfect." Constantine took a sip but stopped himself halfway; noticing he had forgotten the milk. "How silly of me!"

Constantine walked over to Chrysalis and grabbed the milk on the table; noticing that Chrysalis seemed far more distant when he got closer to her.

"What is wrong?" Constantine put his hand on Chrysalis's face; that was mostly shrouded by her long dark-blue hair.

"The Council grows suspicious of the two of us Verulius." Chrysalis sighed. "Oh, how I loathe them!"

"My dearest Chrysalis, they shall perish before they even get the chance to separate us. I promise I shall be rid of them for you soon." Constantine stated with passionate confidence as he poured milk in his tea.

Chrysalis drank her tea quickly before she even sat down, which surprised Constantine. She then got up from her chair abruptly and wondered out onto her balcony that overlooked the entire kingdom. Constantine followed Chrysalis, who was enjoying the view of her atop the royal balcony. Her jade eyes surveyed the kingdom she built; enjoying the prosperity around her. He placed his elbows on the railing and stared out to the scenery as well.

"It truly is a sight to behold... your subjects have never been more prosperous " Constantine calmly stated.

"I owe most of it to you, General," Chrysalis said pleasantly. "Your victories and conquest of the Blacklands has brought wealth and honor to our nation. We built this colony by ourselves Vesuvius, and the eastern Blacklands has become our new home. They are more your subjects than mine in fact."

"Are they, though? My dearest Chrysalis... how long will you stand aside and let those meddlesome fools chip away at your power?" Constantine insinuated. "They are undermining you."

"I know..." Chrysalis sighed in disappointment. "They already control the army and the treasury. Oh, will we be rid of them soon? I do hope to torture them slowly for treason."

"Patience my queen. We shall have our satisfaction soon. We cannot simply murder senselessly without a proper plan." Constantine raised his hand to Chrysalis and bowed. "Until then my queen... shall we have a dance while we are still young at heart?"

"I'd love to," Chrysalis said as she gave her hand to Constantine

The two began to sway and move in harmony as they stepped in sync with each and every move they made. Chrysalis would spin for Constantine, and he would rock her down into his arms; barely touching the ground as she leaned her head back. The couple read each other's patterns and danced without rhythm or beat to speak of; letting their hearts guide their actions.

"Do you remember when you first laid eyes on me Verulius?" Chrysalis asked.

"Funny, I was just about to ask the same question." Constantine casually chuckled; spinning Chrysalis another time. "How could I forget?"

"You were a young lieutenant; steadfast and loyal, and I was just wandering about the Grand Changeling Ball." Chrysalis reminisced. "I was all out by myself in a courtyard, and you of all ponies had approached me."

"Was it that you did next?" Chrysalis teased; knowing full well what happened.

"I think I put my mouth up to your ear like this..." Constantine said sarcastically as he raised his mouth to Chrysalis's ear. "And then I told you that it was selfish to keep all of your beauty for yourself and not share it with others."

"And then you called me something that day too... what was it?" Chrysalis asked once more; keeping the running sarcasm going.

"A far more lofty title than any queen I know of." Constantine whispered. "Empress."

Chrysalis shuddered in delight at the mere mentioning of the phrase and began to blush lightly.

Chrysalis spun one last time and flew into Constantine's arms suddenly. Their eyes locked onto each other; slowly closing as they both leaned their heads into the kiss. The kiss was heartfelt, and Chrysalis moaned in a lust filled desire as she wrapped her arms behind Constantine's neck; locking him in place as the two prolonged the embrace for as long as they could. They broke away for air, and both had been filled with a heat spreading throughout their body; causing Chrysalis's face to blush hard.

"I am yours, Empress..." Constantine whispered.

"As am I... Emperor..." Chrysalis panted softly.

Chrysalis grabbed Constantine's hand; leading him back inside to her bed. The two then fell onto it together and kissed again as Constantine placed himself on top of Chrysalis. Constantine broke the kiss again and stared deep into Chrysalis's emerald pools; the beauty of her face magnifying tremendously as she looked up to him with lustful eyes.

"I will give you the world my dearest Chrysalis," Constantine said softly, then leaned in once again.

Author's Notes:

Man, it's been a while! I haven't added a chapter in more than a week! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed!
(And yes... Chrysalis is my favorite villain.)