Chrysalis Domination
GRENADIERAPPLE
http://pastebin.com/Rjfa6JUg

Posted on Apr  8th, 2014
Copied on Apr  9th, 2014


>your name is Anonymous
>not that anyone seems to call you that anymore
>the yellow pegasus on your chest, as well as the white unicorn you're using as a pillow, refer to you as "Master"
>you stroke Fluttershy's pink mane idly, her warm hug and the rise and fall of Rarity's breathing setting you at ease
>your ruler, Nightmare Moon, seems to delight in picking the most insulting pet name she can find for you
>you find that a little sweet, in its own twisted way
>she calls you "ogre" the way you might've called your Labrador "doofus" before you got pulled to Equestria
>you accrued another name from the creature down in the dungeon earlier today
>for some reason "prey" didn't resonate with you as much
>maybe it was the way that the insectoid alicorn had hissed it
>maybe it was the predatory gleam in her green eyes, or the way her tongue had run over her fangs afterwards
>all you know is, you weren't a fan
>the day hadn't gone how you were expecting it to, at all
>which was a shame, it had started off so well...
 
>you'd woken up to Rainbow Dash's stray feathers tickling your nose
>her wings were splayed out across the bed, as was her habit while she was asleep
>she hadn't moved from your embrace though, she was still wrapped in your arms, snug against your body
>clearing your throat gently, she lifted her head up, wings folding back to her side on instinct as she rapidly blinked the sleep away
>you released her from your hug and she hopped off the bed
>reluctantly, but she knew the rules by now
>you gave her a passive wave and she trotted silently back to her room, peeking in to see if Octavia was up yet
>a quick freshening up later, and you stood in front of the full-length mirror, dressed in your work armor
>stepping out into the castle proper, you made for the main entrance, eager to get morning rounds over with
>instead, a guard stood at curt attention outside your door
>he saluted and passed you a scroll marked with a crescent moon insignia
>orders from the top
>"Report immediately to the Southern Dungeon. Ascertain the threat and possible benefits of the prisoner to the Crown. Exercise caution in speaking to them. Do not fail me. ~NMM"
>you weren't sure why she always ended her written orders to you like that
>maybe it was just how she was familiar with you, like "Sleep well, I'll probably kill you in the morning"
>so down to the dungeons you went
>there were just a pair of guards waiting for you at the door
"Just the two of you? There are supposed to be minimum two guards for each prisoner,"
>you start to brush past them
>"Sir, yes sir. We were stationed here to guard the prisoner."
>Huh... just the one? Surely there was space for one more in the main dungeon, odd that they had this one secluded
>Anyway, you pushed open the door, the guards following close behind as you made your way down the corridor
>a passive glance or two at the cells told you this part of the castle hadn't been used in months
>Through the next door, though, was quite a different sight
>hanging by her forehooves, a spanner bar holding her hind legs apart
>ring around her neck
>you'd never seen a pony quite like this before
>you marched up to her, though your guards hung back by the entrance
>you brought one hand up to her body, running it over the black armor-like skin on her flank and feeling her softer middle... thorax, you supposed?
>you quickly withdrew it as her head snapped up, reaching for your dagger as the changeling queen hissed
>her eyes met yours and you felt the familiar tingle of magic slipping over you instead of into you
>the two of you stared for a few seconds as she recast the spell with the same effect
>holy shit she was really going to go for a third try
>the effort actually made you laugh, reaching forward and slapping her before she could muster up another bolt of magic
"Whatever that was, quit it."
>there's no malice in the words, you just honestly hated wasting time which is what all magic was to you
"Now. You ever been captured before? Got a rough idea of how this goes?"
>she glowers at you but stays silent
>you count off on your fingers
"Name, species, position, do you know why you're here, what makes you think you're a match for the Lunar Empire, etc. etc.?"
>the black bug-queen just glares at you
>you smile back smugly
>this goes on for a bit, until it's obvious she's not going to say anything
"...O... kay then. Guards, how long has she been here?"
>"Ah... five day, sire."
>you glance back at the prisoner as you make for the door
"Alright, well, I'm sure you'll be hungry enough to talk in another five. See you then!"
>you actually have the door open and one foot out of it before you hear her mutter
>"Chrysalis. My name is Queen Chrysalis of the Verdant Hive."
>well, you smile
>that's better
>you stay where you are, not bothering to turn around as you talk to her
"Aaand?"
>she pauses for another second
>"I am the Changeling Queen, ruler of my brood of drones."
>you spin on your heel, striding back to her with the same casual demeanor
>dangling the reward of food over prisoners' heads was never your favorite method of coercion, but it was damned effective
"Well, Chrysalis, it is just a delight to meet you."
>you'd need a mop if there was any more sarcasm dripping off the word "delight"
"My name's Anonymous, and I'll be your interrogator for today. So, what brings you to the scenic Canterlot Dungeons?"
>Chrysalis rattles one of her chains experimentally, but it's still holding fast
>you grab an emptied rations barrel and pull it over so you can sit on it
>"I came to this land seeking to end what you now threaten me with: starvation."
>well
>no wonder your starvation bluff worked so well
>normally pones at least put on a show of strength for a day or two before they started begging for you to come back
"And you thought you'd come to Canterlot for that? Not that you wouldn't have been caught eventually, but why not go to Ponyville or Appeloosa, someplace with, I don't know,"
>you pretend to cast out for the word
"a, farm?"
>to your surprise, this time she's the one that laughs
>"You think I didn't try? The width and breadth of the land is covered with despair; the only place with even a morsel of love to sate my hunger was here."
>what?
>you decide to try and interpret that statement while she's answering more questions
"Whatever. So where's the rest of the hive? No soldiers dumb enough to follow you in here?"
>she looks a bit shaken at that
>but she regains her composure quickly
>"What few drones were not wiped out by the famine were too weak to disguise for long. I may have failed to fetch them food, but I will not let them be harmed due to my mistake. They are hidden; you will not find them."
>you'd almost forgotten what a ruler who takes responsibility for their mistakes sounds like
"I think you're confusing me with some other interrogator."
>you hop off the barrel and pace back and forth in front of her
>it made you feel like a supervillain when you got to do this, but you have too much fun with it to care
"See, I'm not here to bludgeon you half to death and maybe pick up some answers along the way."
>she watches your walk with a dubious glare
>she's probably used to being on the other side of this
"I'm just here to collect some information, make a few notes, and report back to the Boss Mare."
>you jab a thumb at the ceiling
"You work with me, prove to me that you're worth keeping around, I'll figure out a use for you and we'll come to an agreement. Or..."
>you draw the thumb across your neck, then point it at the guards on the other side of the door
"You fight me, and the only use I'll find for you is target practice for the guards after pulling your wings off."
>another noncommittal shrug before reclaiming your seat on the barrel
>her face has lost a little bit of its color
>which is impressive given that it's pitch black
"So. First deal. Tell me where your drones are, and the orders will be to capture instead of kill-on-sight."
>she bites her tongue, mulling over her options
>"You will honor your word?"
>if this were another common pony she wouldn't have the luxury of your patience
>but you can accept a little hesitation for her to decide the fate of her people
"A man is nothing without his word. Don't lie to me, and I won't be made a liar."
>she sighs, obviously not persuaded by that alone
>then again, what choice does she have?
>"...the caves near Trotston, about three miles south. Tell them their queen's black chitin has been broken, they should come quietly."
>you nod, keeping your face neutral
>the guards probably wouldn't have thought to check there for another month
>thank the Moon for cooperative prisoners
"Good choice. I'll send the guards out to fetch them in a moment."
>you kick at the food barrel you're sitting on a couple times
>it lets out a hollow thump
"First, though, let's talk about getting you some food."
>you lean forward expectantly, hands on your knees
>this was what you actually enjoyed about dealing with prisoners: getting to know their ins and outs, what they liked and what they did
"Tell me, Chrysalis... what would you say your special talent is?"
>she gives you a blank stare before her lips curl into a devilish smile
>if she wasn't restrained five ways from Sunday, it might've concerned you
>"Why Anonymous, don't you know? I am a changeling. We all share a common talent."
>there's a flash of green as fire licks up her body, engulfing her
>you never really considered spontaneous combustion to be a "talent"
>when the flames subside, however, you're looking at a near-perfect copy of Nightmare Moon, hanging where the changeling was chained
>you very nearly started looking for the keys when your boss's voice bellowed to be released at once
>the only thing that stops you is the eyes
>you normally feel your chest tighten when you meet Nightmare Moon's gaze
>but the pone chained up in front of you has those same green eyes as before
>you pause, then put the key back in its place and give her a slow clap
"Bra-fucking-vo! Guess I should've known from a name like 'changeling', but still, well done. I think that's worth a meal."
>she lets out a little huff, obviously disappointed that you saw through her
>still, the promise of food does seem to placate her a bit
>you stride over to the door, leaning out of it to talk to the guard
"You. Send a platoon to the Shimmering Caves outside Trotston, tell them to bring harnesses. Capture ONLY. If I hear someone 'accidentally' offs a prisoner, I'll see to it they 'slip' into a knife wound or two. Oh, and bring our guest some..."
>you look over your shoulder, curious
"Carrots? Apples?"
>for a starving pone who's being offered food, Chrysalis sure has a weird way of showing appreciation
>she's glowering at you, like you just made a joke at her expense
"Uh... meat?"
>she scowls harder
>you turn back to the guard
"Eh... have Octavia bring me a dignitary's sample and send that platoon out."
>the door closes with a click and you turn around, confused
"...What? That was the deal, talent show for some food. In case you forgot,"
you reach up and rattle a chain for emphasis
"you're a PRISONER."
>whatever rapport you'd built up had apparently just gone out the window
>she lets out an almost-feral hiss of rage
>"Betrayer! Liar! You promise me food and offer me dirt and flesh! What of your word?!"
>you frown
>reaching up and over, you give an overhead chain a tug
>the ring around her neck tightens as you hold it for a few seconds, her hooves thrashing in their bonds
>when the anger in her eyes gives way to panic, you let go
>and then give it one more tug, as she's breathing in, just for a second
"First, another reminder: you're the prisoner. That crown counts for fuck-all down here. Show respect."
>she only coughs in response, still staring daggers at you
"Second: If you don't like the food I offer, you can go right back to fucking starving."
>you wag a finger at her like you would a dog who crapped on the carpet
"Third: you ever accuse me of breaking my word when I haven't again, I'll have you playing Cassandra in the middle of Canterlot Square, telling ponies all the tales they won't believe about how cruel I am to you."
>you don't particularly care that she has no clue what you're talking about
>she engages you in another staring contest
>makes it almost a minute this time
>"...I cannot sustain myself on crops or grains, meat or water. I devour love. All else to me is as ash and seawater is to you."
>Octavia pushes the door open as she finishes speaking, bearing a tray of meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, and breads
"Well then, I hope you enjoy the finest ash and clearest seawater Canterlot Castle has to offer,"
>you sneer
>Octavia just stares at you, stoic as ever
>your shoulders slump as you turn to her, happy to see your favorite maid
>"I brought the food you requested, Master. I took the liberty of preparing an array of drinks, as well. Will this be sufficient, or do you require more?"
>you give her a smile, though it feels like it takes a lot more effort than usual
"No, as usual you've been a great help. I think this is all I need at the moment, go practice that Adagio for tonight."
>Octavia's reserved, grateful smile drops so fast you have to pause and wonder if there was some way your order could be construed as an insult
>you turn around just in time to see a sickly green light arcing off of Chrysalis' horn
>she licks her lips as it fades away, the moment cut short
>"Mmm. Now that was a nice snack,"
>she smiles to herself, oblivious to everything else
>you're actually stunned for a moment
>you grab an apple from the tray and cross the room in four steps
>pinching her cheeks, you open her jaw by force and stuff as much of the apple in as she can fit into her mouth
>actually a bit more than she can fit, really
"Chew it."
>your voice is like ice
>she doesn't even hesitate, choking as she tries to bite off a chunk
>you push more in as soon as she has the first bite off
>and more
>and more
>you make her chew the whole thing, core, stem and all
"Swallow it."
>her eyes are beginning to water now
>you just hold your fingers over her nose and push her mouth closed with both hands, staring in her eyes the whole time
>she gulps, the apple forming a visible lump as it travels down her throat
>you reach behind you for the next piece of food
>a tomato
>down the hatch
>after the fourth piece of food, you turn back to Octavia, who is back to her stoic stare
"Did I not say to practice that Adagio?"
>she nods once and takes off, moving at a quicker gait than usual
>you reach over and grab one more piece of food
>a raw filet of fish
>you roll it up and push it unceremoniously down the changeling's throat, not even letting her chew it
>she gags a few times on the meat as she gulps it down, but manages to finally get it past her esophagus
>you step back, still fuming, and survey her
>tears are running down her cheeks, but she's quiet other than the occasional cough
"...If you're as starved as you say you are, I suppose I can see why you would think that was a good idea."
>she opens her mouth to speak, whimpering
>"Please, I needed-- it was so delectable... Without love I'll shrivel up and blow away! I'll make it up--"
>your hand lands on half of a cantaloupe
>her mouth closes so fast her teeth clack
"Let me reassure you, it was not."
>you shout for the guards, and they come running
>you gesture to the plate full of food, including a raw steak, a decadent treacle, a pineapple, and some plums, among others
"I will be back after my rounds. She can eat it in any order she wants."
>you stare into her eyes, so there is no mistake
"If I find one rind, one pit, one crumb uneaten, I'll pull her wings off myself."
>you turn to the door and storm out, slamming the door open
>just before you close it again, you clear your face, look back, and with the most saccharine-sweet smile you can manage, give her a thumbs up
"Enjoy your lunch!"