It's Always Worth the Price. (2022)
Chapter 14: The Heart of a Guardian.
Previous Chapter Next ChapterWe followed the caring, changling guard; his demeanor was a nice change, in comparison to the light scrap I had from the group earlier. As we strode towards the large gothic architecture door surrounded by thick, slick, moving, coal-black gapped-walls; Shadow looked upon the Hive, and it's sparring grounds. His focus was on the fortress; and it's garrison, while mine was on the Queen I could see from her balcony; gracefully overlooking us.
Our group approached the gate into the fortress walls, and to my surprise; the doors slowly crept, as it slid down soaking itself into the dirt surrounding the base of the fortress; like some kind of an ooze. It seemed that the castle was made of a living organism, but of what? I wasn't sure, and I really didn't want to find out.
As we continued to follow our guard the way to the court room, a changling ran up beside me,"Whoa, man. I heard that you were attacked by that new guy 'Darkmoon', I'm surprised that you're not shaken up, as much as the group that arrived here earlier. One of the scouts only had a hurt muzzle, but other than that; everyone just seemed scared."
"I'm just happy we're ok, that guy must have a sick sense of humor; to use magic to hurt me..." I winced a bit to play along. "I hope my friend, heals fast. He just got back into the field with me, and it took a long while."
The random changling placed a sympathetic hand on my shoulder,"You two are safe now, remember that. All you need to do, is tell the Queen what happened, and then you can get patched up in the infirmary, with the others." He gave me a quick smile, and turned to Shadow,"Just a little longer, Little One." He took his hand, scruffing around Shadows head in a loving fashion. After his pet, he took his leave, and proceeded down the hall in the opposite direction.
I looked at Shadow, and his stare at me told me to look somewhere else. Through the hall, I smirked thinking about his petting, and his thoughts evaded my mind once again. 'If this is that funny to you, you better have friends. I hope, they're good friends. I do have good friends, and they're tall, as well.' I looked at Shadow, and he gazed at me, with a tone of smugness.
We followed the guard down the large passage, and entered a room towards the back of the castle. Inside the room stood a massive corroding door. Much like the fortress door, it melted to the ground; and revealed a majestic throne room. It held a gigantic throne; with a singular changling sitting upon it. Ingenuity told me I was sure that it was Chrysalis, Queen of the Changlings.
Our leading guard bowed before his Queen, and stood up, holding his head down. He spoke gently,"My Queen, these poor souls have crossed pass with the one, known as Darkmoon's Crescent." The guard explained to the Queen.
"Very good. You all may go now. I wish to be alone with these two, my audience will give me their full attention. Everyone else, you are excused." Quick with her response, the entirety of the guards inside the court room filed out of the door, letting it close tight behind them. "Now, what did you two see. I wish to know every single detail." She sat excitedly.
"My Queen..." I said through fake groans of stomach pain. "Are we actually safe here? Can 'he' get in here?" I shook in false fear. It would be nice to know if we'd remotely have a chance, if things went south fast.
"Yes my child, and No. He cannot even reach the gate." She ran her hand across her cheek, and smiled warmly. Something about her eyes seemed, as though she was lost in thought. She addressed me meagerly,"Now, once again, what can you tell me of this man? Any details? Like anything?"
"Well...he...he...He's right in front of you." I quickly dropped the act, and the spell as well, revealing my true form running through the room, up to the throne. She looked as if she was attempting to call the guards, but I quickly threw my hand over her mouth, and wrestled her 'still' to her seat. Once I finally had her pinned, I spoke,"I am not here to harm you, nor your changling followers. I only ask that you listen to what I have to say." She stopped squirming, and looked into my eyes entranced. I was telling the truth, and I believe she saw that in my eyes.
"Hmmm...hummmhm....muuhmm." The Queen's words were muffled, by my hands. I would let her talk, but I'd have to make sure to clarify my intentions.
"I'm going to remove my hand. We're good guys, and here to sign a peace treaty between ponies and changlings. Any screams of any kind, and I'll resort to plan B." I gently eased my hand away from her muzzle, and stepped back to give her some space.
Shadow spoke into my mind, and said,'So, what's plan B?' I looked back to him and gave him a nod. 'You didn't have one, did you? You're just going to wing it, again, aren't you!' Once again, I replied with a nod. I turned my attention back to the Queen.
"If you ever do that; next time, make sure to wash your disgusting hands. Ok, so Mr.Darkmoon." She straightened her posture, and straightened her hair. "It's a pleasure to meet you in person, finally. I've been trying to find, and get to you for some time now. I've heard that you've had roughed up one of my scouts, from my patrol scouts in the northern regions. Why was that exactly?" She was rather calm, given our current situation. Her easy reaction derailed my entire train of thought.
I turned to Shadow with a blank expression; and all he did was tilt his head back, and scrambled his expression. I took the chance, and I returned my attention back to Chrysalis.
"Well, I was coming here to solve a disturbance that the Hive has been causing, and Celestia decided to declare a 'Peace Treaty' with the changlings, to solve this problem. I was trying to act formal, and courteous, but then these minions came into my camp; and tried killing me. Of course; I wasn't going to let that stand, and after the leader of this ridiculous raid stabbed my arm; I roughed him up a bit. He still had all his teeth, and they hurt a lot; as I hit them with my head." She looked at me, and frowned. "What's wrong?" I asked the saddened queen. I didn't know exactly how to phrase a 'I hope your Scout heals up after trying to kill me' apology.
"For starters; this wasn't exactly how I thought we'd meet for the first time, given these circumstances. Secondly, my guardsmen weren't supposed to be traveling that far passed the mountain trails. I didn't give that order, and now must punish 'one' of my generals." I removed my hood down, as I could see easily with the ambient lighting cascading through the glass lining the room.
"Do you know why they would be traveling that far? What reason's would they have to go such distances?" I asked.
She turned away, and faced her throne. She held her right hand on her elbow, and stood there gazing at the throne. "Dark, I'm going to be honest with you. Do you know how it is, we Changlings feed?" She turned to me for a brief moment, and I nodded.
I gave my answer,"Twilight gave me some details on changlings, and some of the 'traits'. She helped me learn to transform a little bit to get in, but it doesn't last as long as a changlings disguise. Everypony needs to eat sometime, no one gets to tell you their 'best' method. Sometimes, it's not that easy."
She turned back to the throne, and continued,"Since the incident at the Royal wedding in Canterlot, we haven't come across many ponies to 'feed' off of. The rations are scarce now, and the soldiers are growing edgy. I fear; that if I don't find a sufficient source of sustenance, they might plan to overthrow me." She turned to me, and walked closer. She stood mere foot steps between us. "This is why I've been trying to find you. Humans carry a great source of emotion, and I can make you a 'Commensalism' deal relationship. You won't be affected, and with the emotion I need to feed from you; It can feed an entire kingdom." She started to blush furiously. "I need...your love...for feeding purposes, of course."
"I can...and will help you, and your people with this feeding. Though, you must promise to leave the residents of Equestria; and surrounding areas alone." She nodded, and I pulled the treaty Twilight had given to me before. I took a quill out of my pack, and then gave it to Chrysalis. Once she signed the dotted line, we agreed on each others terms. The changlings would stay an ally, and become a friendly nation to these peaceful lands. As long as I allowed their Queen to feed off of my emotional gauge; to nourish the Hive, the day seemed to be saved. We had begun our first feeding session, after the meeting had finished. The treaty was signed; we parted ways, and I set my sights on mental imagery of this promised new home. I needed the rest, after our first feeding session.
Shadow, and I walked through the large, fleshy door exiting the throne room, and we were greeted by a battalion of changling soldiers. I went to grab the hilt of my sword, when Chrysalis strode in between us, gesturing to her guards, while looking at me. "I can see you have found the soldiers; please lower your hand." And at her command, I did as I was told. "These gentlecolts will be seeing you to the gate, and I wish you two fair travels." I put my hand back down calmly, and we started to follow our escorts. We were led out by the ebony guards to the gate, and then we made our way towards Ponyville.
Once we finally arrrived back to the town, I remembered that it was the very morning of my birthday. All I truly wished to do, was rest inside my new home, and relax for the day; but the playful mare Pinkie Pie wouldn't have it. She came to us as we entered Mane Street, and lured me into the town hall with lies of work, and training. I groaned, but decided to help regardless of the tiredness. As I stepped through the solid oak doors following Pinkie, I was nearly pushed back out by the cried of the townsfolk.
"SURPRISE!" I went along with it feeling very appreciative, but as soon as the party was over; I returned to my true intention for the day. Sleep.
A month had passed since we first signed the treaty, and the feeding was a weekly process. The process was fun, but it left me weak afterwards for some time. It wasn't painful, at all; and it kept the land peaceful. The changling news was silent for the time being, and harmony was maintained through the land. As for the elements; and their mission to find this 'mystery mare' lurking inside the Everfree, we couldn't find the culprit. The elements remained searching, while I kept up on my training. Sad to say; without any clues, we didn't have any suspects.
During that month; during the feedings, I came to spend gradually more time with the Queen. She was very interesting in many ways. The way her personality portrayed her. The way she moved through the Hive halls. Even, the way she talked. With each passing day, I became more fascinated in our tattered Queen.