Equestria, Crystal Express
The Crystal Express sped along the tracks towards its destination. Over time, the many passengers could see the lush green grass of Equestria give way to the ice and snow of the frozen north. Giant mountains could be seen in the distance, reaching high into the sky as if to touch Celestia’s sun itself. And of course, somewhere within those mountains was an oasis of crystal, where the Crystal Heart kept out the cold and protected the ponies who called it home.
The Crystal Empire.
A former city state which was now home to Equestria’s third ruling alicorn princess. A city displaced in time, its population previously terrorised by the tyrant king himself - Sombra. He was little more than a memory now; the Crystal Heart having turned him into atoms thanks to the efforts of the Element Bearers, Spike the Dragon and the Crystal Prince and Princess, Shining Armor and Cadance.
Twilight was fascinated to discover the Crystal Empire’s past relations with the changeling race, finding that they had made deals with the less hostile queens, who would get a supply of love from the heart in trade for various items of value, as well as protection against other hostile queens. After the Crystal Empire’s return, Cadance had been more than happy to create such a deal with Chrysalis, and with their protection and that of the EUP the other queens hadn’t dared approach the city, aside from the occasional scout or love collector trying their luck.
However, none of that was of particular concern to the three ponies sitting in first class, courtesy of Prince Armor himself.
The first was Captain Vladimir Vespertilio, who sat comfortable in his seat as he watched the distant mountains out of the window, drink in hoof.
Across from him sat the two newlyweds.
Captain Broad Sword of Celestia’s Solar Guard, and Lieutenant Scarlet Snow of the EUP, the latter with her head on Broad Sword’s shoulder as she slept the journey away. Broad Sword himself gently stroked her mane as sleep threatened to claim him as well, dragging him to Luna’s world of dreams.
At least until Vladimir spoke.
“So… how was the honeymoon?” Vladimir asked.
Broad Sword raised an eyebrow to go with his amused smirk. “An entire train journey and you only now ask?”
“Hey, I’ve been busy. You may have had two weeks in Saddle Arabia, on top of your extra week now, but I only started shore leave this morning,” Vladimir pointed out.
“That still doesn’t explain the train journey.” His smirk grew.
“Oh just answer the damn question; just because you’re now Captain of the Solar Guard in Shining’s place doesn’t give you free reign to be a prick!” Vladimir laughed.
“Funny you should say that, I believe Scarlet said those exact words after I pushed her into the pool.”
Now Vladimir raised an eyebrow. “Trying to earn a divorce already, dear Broad Sword?”
“Oh she got her revenge, only it was in the sea. When we were on a boat. A mile offshore.”
Vladimir’s laugh echoed loudly throughout the cabin, stirring Scarlet from her sleep.
“Oh, what did I miss?” She groggily asked.
“Nothing dear,” Broad Sword said, nuzzling the top of her head.
Vladimir shook his head. “Ah well. It’s good to see you lighten up for a change, what gives with that?”
“It’s called being happily married to a wonderful mare,” he replied.
“Aww, you can be sweet sometimes,” Scarlet pecked him on the cheek. “You should still learn how to swim though.”
Vladimir spluttered as he inhaled some of his drink when he heard Scarlet’s words. “Learn? You don’t know how to swim?!”
Broad Sword groaned. “I know how to swim!”
“Splashing about like a foal doesn’t count as swimming,” Scarlet jabbed.
“I was just surprised, I wasn’t expecting to be dumped in the freezing cold ocean quite so suddenly.”
“Uh-huh,” said a very sceptical Scarlet Snow.
Vladimir chuckled. “So, it was a good honeymoon then?”
“Yes,” both of them responded, smiling at the memory of it.
“Well, I’m happy for you, both of you. And at least now Scarlet and Princess Cadance can share the embarrassing bits,” Vladimir said with a sly smile.
“No, no they can’t, nuh-uh,” Broad Sword said, however futile it was.
“We’ll see,” Scarlet smirked. “What I want to see is Broad Sword with Flurry Heart. It would be interesting to see how he handles a foal,” she teased.
“My cousin has a foal and I am great with children, so don’t you worry.”
Scarlet leaned back into her seat, a much softer smile on her face. “That’s… good to know.”
Broad Sword looked over at his wife. “Scarlet? Are you alright?”
“I’m perfectly fine; you don’t having anything to worry about.” She yawned and stretched, removing the last vestiges of her slumber. “How long until we arrive?”
“Only a couple of hours,” Vladimir said. “It will be good to see Shining again, I haven’t seen him since he went off to play prince in the empire.
Scarlet chuckled. “Well we all heard about his daughter’s, erm, magical prowess so… what could-"
Vladimir gave Scarlet a deadpan glare. “If you say ‘what could possibly go wrong’, I’m going to end you.”
Badlands Hive
Twilight’s wings buzzed as she flew through the hive, Spike just keeping up a short ways behind her. After one near miss with a wall that Twilight maintained had appeared out of nowhere, they came upon the throne room at last.
Dropping down onto the floor, Twilight looked up at the two large doors before her.
“Are you sure there was nothing on the itinerary about mother’s guest? She did say he was hours early so maybe you looked in the wrong place?”
Spike gave her a deadpan look. “Twilight, I’ve been over the list a dozen times. I even went through a couple of other scrolls I keep around for any note of it. I know every meeting, every visitor and everything else that has to be kept track of around here, it is my job after all. There was nothing, no sign of this visitor.”
Twilight frowned. “It’s strange. She so rarely keeps anything from me, and with her reluctance to talk about it earlier… Something serious must be happening.
“Well, then why are we standing out here? The answers are right through that door.”
“Oh, right. Here goes…” Twilight said as she pushed the two large doors open with a massive creak.
At the other end of the room Queen Chrysalis sat on her throne. If they could tell one thing it was that she was furious about something. A snarl was on her face and her hooves almost cracked the ground with the pressure she was applying to the bottom of her throne.
However, as soon as she saw Twilight she tried to replace that look with a warm motherly smile. An endeavour that was only partially successful.
“Twilight, Spike. I’m glad you’re both here.”
“Mother? What’s going on?” Twilight asked. “Where is your ‘guest’?”
“Gone. Returned to his hive up past the frozen north.”
“Past the frozen north? But how? Nopony has ever been past the frozen north!”
Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. “You answered your own question. No pony has ever been past the frozen north, at least that we know of. Changelings however…”
“So, there is a hive up there?”
“I have mentioned Queen Draco before, surely?”
“Oh! Of course. She’s an old friend of yours, right? You write every now and then? Or at least you do when it is possible to do so.”
Chrysalis nodded. “Indeed, sadly sending messengers back and forth isn’t always feasible. However, we’ve been friends ever since we met at what was the first Queen’s Council we had both ever experienced, back when we were barely older than nymphs. Well, it would appear we will get to experience some nostalgia.”
“Nostalgia? Wait, you mentioned the Council… has-“
“Yes, Queen Draco’s messenger invited us to the Council, which is due to start in three days.”
“Us? I’m… going to the Council?” Twilight’s eyes lit up. “Oh my gosh! The Council is practically the centre of changeling society! The books I could write from the information gathered there on changeling cultures and policies! I could-"
“Twilight!” Chrysalis broke her out of her ‘moment’. “Priorities please?”
Twilight blushed with a sheepish chuckle. “Right… sorry.”
Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “Be careful Twilight, you will find the court a dangerous place indeed. And other queens might not take kindly to your… ‘research’.”
“I will… keep that in mind,” Twilight sighed in defeat.
“Good. Now, Spike...” The dragon in question perked up at being addressed. “I want you to prepare for our imminent departure, we leave tomorrow.”
“But, what about our friends?” Twilight asked.
“I’m afraid their visit will have to be cancelled, I’m sure our drones will be kind enough to escort them back to Equestria.”
“Alright, I’ll break the news to them when we are finished here…”
Chrysalis nodded. “Now, Spike, make sure everything is organised and ready to go if you please.”
“Aye aye!” Spike saluted, span on the spot and marched out of the door, closing it behind him.
As soon as he was gone, Chrysalis sighed and slouched in her chair. “Now he is gone, we must talk.”
“Are you alright? You didn’t exactly look happy when we came in.”
“You spotted that huh? It is true I have a lot on my mind.”
“Why?” Twilight walked up and sat next to her mother. “What’s gotten you so worked up? Is it the Council?”
“Partially. It’s more to do with who is arranging it, and why.”
Twilight sat attentively, simply waiting for Chrysalis to continue.
“It’s Crudelis. Crudelis is arranging the council this time.”
“Ah,” Twilight said in understanding. “So she’s got you wound up? I’m not exactly a fan of her, but what has she done? Why has her arranging the Queens' Council got you so worried?”
“She has not done anything, yet. But she has the biggest hive in existence and not once in all her years has she arranged a council. Even when one is set up she was notorious for not attending them, preferring to make alliances behind closed doors away from the sight of other queens. She is a puppet master, it’s how she operates, always has been.”
Chrysalis sighed. “And yet, here we are.”
Twilight looked at her mother with concern. “Something tells me there is more…”
Chrysalis glanced towards her daughter. “Attentive as always. Yes, there is more. Crudelis began to make arrangements for the council two years ago, soon after your return!” The end of the sentence turned into a growl as Chrysalis’ hoof did finally begin to crack the ground.
“She was responsible for your near death! I know it! And now she has something planned, but I would die before I let her take you away from me!”
Chrysalis grabbed Twilight and pulled her into a fearful embrace, refusing to let go. “I will not let her take you as she took your grandmother,” she whispered.
“Hey,” Twilight said softly. “It will be alright, she would be stupid to try something at the council. From what I’ve studied unprovoked attacks on other queens at the council is a grievous offense. The other queens would tear her apart.”
Chrysalis sighed, reluctantly releasing her daughter. “Yes. I suppose you are correct. Nevertheless, we must be cautious while we attend.”
“You know, we could always not attend,” Twilight suggested.
“No. The other queens may have important subjects to discuss. It is our duty as royal changelings to attend.”
“Duty Calls,” Twilight muttered. “Then we will just have to be careful. Plus maybe my ‘research mode’ could figure out her plans?” She smiled.
Chrysalis snorted. “The mighty Queen Crudelis, brought down by book smarts. That would be the day.”
Twilight giggled. “It has worked before! Besides, Carduus will be there. You know how seriously all the drones take our safety.”
“True,” Chrysalis admitted. “But I’m your mother, it’s my job to worry about you.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Between you, Velvet and Celestia it’s a miracle I can get anything done.”
“Oh hush you,” Chrysalis playfully pushed Twilight away. “Come, we best help Spike prepare. And you need to talk to your friends.”
“One last thing,” Twilight held up a hoof. “Where exactly is the council?”
“Ah, one moment,” Chrysalis’ horn lit up a bright green.
In front of the two mares a giant green map of Equestria came to life, bathing the whole room in a green glow. The map scrolled to the east, moving across the ocean and into the Griffon Empire, further it moved until it came to a rest on the border of the Griffon Empire and the very outer edges of Zebrica. The map zoomed in to a large dome-like building in the middle of a dense forest, a small clearing separated the building from the treeline.
“That building, it looks ancient,” Twilight noted, seeing the foliage seeking to reclaim the building for nature.
“The first known changeling hive, it’s been there since before the pony hearthswarming event, and possibly even further back. It may even predate the lost alicorn you call Faust.”
“Older than the princess’ mother? The history that building must contain…” Twilight’s inner scholar was screaming like a filly.
“Drones from various hives keep the forest from reclaiming it, and give the structure repairs when they are needed. They also make sure the perception filter masking it is maintained, we don’t want a certain Daring Do raiding the place like some lost ark. Or some overexcited former protégé of the sun princess,” Chrysalis jabbed.
“I promise to behave when we get there,” Twilight chuckled.
“Good, some of the other queens have likely already arrived.”
The First Hive, On The Edge Of Zebrica
The large dome structure of the first hive lay before Queen Draco as she and her escorts approached. She could see sentries from various hives working in unison to protect the many queens that would be attending the council.
“Queen Draco…” a voice called out, one Draco was not particular thrilled to hear.
“Queen Crudelis.” She turned to meet the queen with the blood red mane. “What do I owe the pleasure?”
“Do I need a reason to greet another Changeling Queen to such a coveted occasion,” Crudelis stated as she approached, only to be stopped by two drones in red armour blocking her path.
“Control your drones, Draco,” Crudelis snarled.
“You always have some agenda Crudelis. As for my drones, they are performing their duties as they should be performed, keeping me away from threats.”
Crudelis glared at Draco spitefully, bearing her fangs slightly.
“If that is all, I will be on my way. Have a pleasant day,” Draco nonchalantly said as she continued to walk past the other queen.
“Very well Draco, but tell me, you did invite my niece did you not?
Draco stopped in her tracks, before turning to glare at Crudelis.
“I will take that as a yes.”
“What is it to you?” Draco asked.
“I am organising the council am I not, it is useful to know the attendees. Besides, I am keen to finally meet that little daughter of hers, she is family after all.”
In but a second Draco was in Crudelis’ face, fangs bared. “Don’t you even think about touching Twilight Sparkle. Chrysalis is a friend, and I will be damned sure to protect her daughter from the likes of you.”
Crudelis smiled innocently. “Harm Twilight? Oh Draco I would never dream of it, I would never lay a hoof on her!” Suddenly, her smile turned into a smirk, “Not here anyway.”
“I’m warning you Crudelis, stay away from them both. Understood?”
“Perfectly.”
Draco backed off, and briefly glared at Crudelis in disgust. She then turned away and continued to walk towards the building, her guards following shortly after.
Crudelis didn’t lose her smirk.
“My Queen! Preparations are proceeding as planned.”
“Very good, we don’t want anything to ruin Chrysalis’ homecoming gift now, do we?”
“No, my Queen.”
Crudelis chuckled. “Now, what is it my niece so loves saying?”
She considered for a moment, before it came to her. “Ah that is it…” The ancient queen’s smirk widened.
“This day is going to be perfect, the kind of day of which I’ve dreamed since I was small...”
Ooh, we get to see Crudelis being menacing and sly in person. She is exactly as evil and menacing as I imagined her to be. Who would have known it?
I'm getting an awfully bad feeling about what she's just said. Chrysalis, Twilight, you'd better keep a careful watch on your hive; bad things might happen ... I'm not putting it past Crudelis to send another dragon, or ransack an Equestrian settlement and leave things of Chrysalis's hive there.
Crudelis you shit-eating-fuck! Fuck you!
I think Crudelis want to attack Chrysalis and Twilight by accusating them of breaking of ancient changelings traditions by revealing themselves to rest of world and making alliances with other races. All Crudelis need to condemn Chrysalis is some minions queens of her and some traditionalits. Condemned enemy can be destroyed easier and with less political fallout.
Crudelis, I have an entire list of I want you to do and so let me be as blunt and concise as possible. Go die.
This is getting exciting, I can't wait. But I am also dreading it a little bit because there will be so many queens at this meeting and I dont think I can create so many mental images for them. I would be really happy if you could get a picture of the queens that you will be describing. I really like the queens that Siansaar does, so there are a lot of options there if you get to use his picture as a reference.
Changeling Folder
Crudelis' plan is very simple: attack Chrysalis' hive while she and Twilight are absent. Have them return to a ruin.
But then, the armies of Twilight's brother and Twilight's aunt-in-law will attack Crudelis and lay waste to her hive.
For the Empire! For Equestria! FOR TWILIGHT SPARKLE!
7155131 Problem is I can't draw for shit, a crude 3D chair is my limit XD
this is what could go wrongscontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/l/t1.0-9/12654379_987335421356658_3818115149288002131_n.jpg?oh=6eb32885f074354409d06fdcd007becd&oe=5779FAEF
and then you see twilight with a quill and a book say ya sure i'll be careful. i wont do research
needs the wording to be fixed a little
i would never harm her. not at all. no.
7155161 That is a reason why I made a link to sinasaar´s Changeling Folder.
So you can link one of his pictures, to a queen that fit your description.
can't wait till the next chapter .
okay, are ya playing on that the queen knew the song, every queen and Cadence knows it, or it's just a coincidence
7155175 Eh, that's a Tuesday for my old Pathfinder group.
I'm actually finding it kind of hard to take Crudelis seriously. She's such an outrageously cackling, mustache-twirler, that she comes off less as threatening and more as cartoonish. Other than that, I'm still loving this story and excited to see where it goes.
featured again bro! this morning
Man oh man, anyone else think that this is going to be nothing more than a distraction so that Crudelis can hit the hive?
Twilight and Chrysalis need to tell Celestia about the conference and maybe get some backup.
7155048 She can't use that angle sure to the other hives having open relations with the crystal empire, since the reveal themselves as well.
Nice chapter. I still want to cunt punt Crudelis with a star destroyer.
Can Crudelis like, drop dead, or something? Maybe get shot? Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
crudelis doesn't feel like a competent puppet master in my opinion. like, in the slightest. hell if this plan entails trying to kill all these queens, it ain't going to work. they are FAR beyond her power together, and attacking them will only ensure that. largest hive means nothing when you are the only heavy hitter and there are nineteen other beings of similar power sitting there.
also this would elicit aggression from the alicorns, whom crudelis would ahve zero chance against.
7155422 I'm also getting that feeling...
*discreetly sends a small task force to defend hive*
7155587
It doesn't.
Me : I sware if she does anything stupid I will kill that fer , revive her and kill her again until I run out of ammo .
Chrylisais: well at least that guy is gone.
Celestia : yeah I mean what is with that guy giving you power armor and a nuke launcher? Besides I can burn them with the bucking sun for crying out loud.
Me: oh you mean wild yea. I kinda think bring his army in was a mistake but oh well. Atleast he let me keep the power armor . And I also got to keep my guns.
Luna : ( saps the power armor to the moon.)
Me: I will kill you.
Luna with royal cantorlot voice : Thouh will do no such thing to thy.
Me: what ?
Luna: I said
Me : what did she say I have a bad ring in my ears from hey yelling.
Luna : oops
Me :(put finger in ear and move it in his ear until ringing stops and repeats the prosies in the other . ) ah much better. I heard you Luna. Dn you could use your voice in a flash bang. Can I have my power armor back?
7155396
The bottom three slots in the featured box are reserved for stories that have been featured before and have recently updated. Once you get a story featured once, it is ridiculously easy to get new chapters for the story featured again.
I can't help but feel that the Crystal Empire is going to be either Helm's Deep or Minas Tirith.
7155358
considering the villains in mlp, its about par for the course
besides the assassination thing, that is
Hm...What could she be planning? Other than, what appears to be obvious, attacking Twilight's and Chrysalis' hive. Let me just go an see how many of my friends are willing to go with me with some guns and fend off that army. With how many of them that own guns, and several guns at that, I'd probably only need like...four of them to be effective at deterring the army. And we'd slaughter the oncoming army like the bugs they are. Their blood would run like a rushing river as their bodies fell into heaps of decaying corpses and the vultures would feast upon them until the end of days!! Wait, am I talking about what would happen with my friends defending the hive or the last chapter or so of Revelation?
7155848 cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/59639019.jpg
I'm getting a Scar vibe from Crudelis, anyone else feeling that vibe from her?
7155848
My dad has an elephant gun. The perfect weapon to use on crudeles. Her head will be nothing but red vapor! Lol
7155848
I'd say you'd get yourselves either shot down by magic or overrun in a short time. Those of you smart enough to take cover from the staggered bolts of magic are pinned down while the enemy advances, coming around what little cover you have in a wasteland, and flanking you.
I do admire your desire to see justice wrought, but I don't condone throwing one's theoretical life away pointlessly.
Dropping a nuke on crudeles is to good a thing for the likes of her. Drop a spartan master chief on her instead, it will be much more explosive. (Hyperactive laugh)
AAAAW SNAP
*holds up a bouncing Betty as he leans on a 200 foot tall 4 foot across rod of titanium behind him a few dozen battle tanks* Heheheheheh hand held guns are OK but for this you want to get out the BIG toys.
This is gonna be good
7155978 You obviously haven't seen what happens when rednecks get together to defend something that they feel has worth. Contrary to popular belief, we are actually quite wise, tactically. The only problem we'd have is if they made magical shields. But, we could take out a large portion when they're two hundred plus yards away, making the possibility of a shield worthless, since they would not expect it. Plus, I'm not sure how well magical shields would hold up against several .45s.
Why am I getting flashbacks of a certain colored wedding from game of thrones
7156876
So rednecks have experience and/or could handle fighting enemies who are (supposedly) smaller than the average human, able to move in all three dimensions, by benefit of flying can theoretically move faster than the average person (which is difficult enough to hit by themselves, never mind a size and speed advantage), can launch magical attacks and create magical shields, and (in most interpretations) can communicate instantaneously.
Okay so looking over the list of those looking out for Twilight:
Two changeling queens, three alicorns (Two of which that can move the sun and moon), The husband of one of the alicorns, the elements of harmony, possibly discord, an entire hive of changelings, Twilight's adoptive parents, a young dragon, and possibly all of ponyville or even all of equestria.... Yeah any one who still want's to kill twilight is an idiot.
7157551 Crudi=idiot also i think we can count discord as a friend to Twilight....depending on your headcannon for him is he teh multiverse discord or q
7155957
But how do you load the gun with elephants?!
7157219 We could handle it, as it would be like firing at smarter ducks that shoot back and can generate shields. Though, they're a little bit bigger than ducks. Plus, they wouldn't think about the shields until after a few of them had been shot down. Plus, they wouldn't see a bullet coming, unlike how we'd see a magical blast coming.
7158455
HA HA HAA!!!
You made my day with this. Roflmao!
7158601 You are forgetting they can shapeshift. They are also smart enough not just to blindly charge, they will use military tactics of their own. Plus, they are the largest hive, and outnumber you quite a bit.
You might take several out, but ultimately for you it would just be an epic final stand.
Duty Calls,” Twilight muttered.
Roll credits?
7158825 I wasn't forgetting that they could shapeshift. It's just, as far as we know, they can only disguise as ponies and a redneck would take that into consideration, not letting their guard down for a moment, even firing a warning shot, if they sensed something wrong with the picture. If they could shapeshift to a human, we'd have some problems then. As for the military tactics, they'd had better hope we don't notice before they get where they can accurately hit us with spells, assuming they need to be at the same range as someone with a bow. I say that, since I have yet to see how one can be a sharpshooter with a horn. And, even if it were to be a final stand for me and my friends, the hive would have lost enough in that attack from us alone, that they should be thinking twice about a second attack.
7159272 Maybe Crudelis would just get pissed off and finish you herself.
And she is quite powerful as will be shown soon enough... hope you have a nuke handy.
7158372
EEYUP! So in short: Non shall touch a single hair on the head or incur the wrath of an entire nation along with three demi-gods!
7159325
I have an anti-matter bomb will that work?
7159325 Hm...If that happens...I guess we better hope we either have the protection of the princesses, Chrysalis, and Discord by the time she tries to attack. If not, we better hope we can take her out with ammunition and she doesn't have some sort of way to dodge bullets and that she doesn't have a shield up. Otherwise, we'd have to perform a tactical retreat.