Hello dear readers here Halsenbert, with a new chapter of Moonbeam for your entertainment…
This chapter is a very special one as it begins to reveal some of the mysteries of the story. So, get some popcorn and enjoy this chapter… LETS BEGIN!
Recommending the following melodies for the battle scenes:
1.- Venari Strigas – from Madoka Magica
2.- Battle of the Shadows – by Yuki Kajiura
3.- I was waiting for this moment – by Yuki Kajiura.
Author's note: MLP does not belong to me, neither do its characters, the characters and OCs of this story belong to their respective authors, the present story was made non-profit and with the sole purpose of entertaining.
Warning:The next chapter contains violent scenes or explicit sexual content, so reader's discretion is advised.
Read and review.
Moonbeam
Chapter 31 - Vice.
Chrysalis and Epsilon moved quietly through the darkness to the hut. The snow had begun to fall again, which was beginning to cool the atmosphere.
-Well, the castle of the two sisters is at south, it is not too long of a trip, but the storm will surely delay us. At least the forest will protect us a little-, Epsilon commented observing the forest that surrounded them. -If we fly at an average altitude, we can avoid most of the predators and we can reach the castle safely-, the captain added while drawing in the snow the route she planned to take to return to her princess.
-Y-Yes, of course-, the changeling replied while hugging herself in an attempt to stay warm.
-You are freezing, don't you?-
-N-normally, the ma-magic inside m-me will-will k-keep me warm. W-when the t-temperature is too low I-I can use my po-power t-to take a m-more su-suitable f-form t-to resist c-cold, B-but…- the changeling said unable to stop shivering.
-I guess it's because of the lack of fur-, said the mare. -I can't take that device away from you, I'm not sure if it requires some kind of key to open and even if I could remove it, I wouldn't do it, I don't plan to risk that you can use magic again-, Epsilon explained.
-I-I Un-underst-tand -, the princess replied as her body's shiver increased.
Epsilon let out a sigh, removed her helmet, her protectors from her front legs and the armor on her back. After that, she removed the piece of clothing she wore under the armor, giving it to the changeling.
-It stretches-, she said, noticing the Changeling Princess' strange face. -It's not much, but at least it will keep you warm enought to prevent you freeze to death-, she said as she put her armor back on, being careful not to make too much noise. Chrysalis could notice the involuntary shivers presented in the captain's body, which were certainly caused by the cold wind blowing in the surroundings. Somehow, she knew that, despite her foolishness and peculiar explosive character, Epsilon was actually a good-hearted mare.
-Thank you-, said Chrysalis, putting on the piece of cloth that, as the mare had told her, seemed to fit well with the difference in sizes. Slowly the thermal fabric began to prevent the changeling's body heat from continuing to dissipate, allowing Chrysalis to warm up once again.
After erasing the map she had drawn in the snow's surface, the mare instructed Chrysalis to follow her with a gesture of her wing; they sniffed the cabin as they sneaked over the snow, covering their hoovesteps with movements of their tails.
-Yesterday's hunt was worth it. We have obtained enough energy to feed the rest of the hive. Still, I don't understand why you need her… - the queen paused as if waiting for someone else to answer her. -Why damn reason should I wait longer?- she said, hitting the ground with a hoof, in a clear sign of her irritation.
The closeness of the queen's voice caused both of them to stop and press their bodies to the wooden wall of the cabin. Both raised their ears so they could hear the conversation in greater detail.
-It's stupid… There is no way to get closer without anyone else noticing… - another pause. -She will not agree to help us, moreover, she has become a risk, to think she just wanted to overthrow me-, the queen laughed. -She really thinks she can beat me in battle, I thought I had raised her better, but it seems that her previous punishment was not enough, even now she tries to rise against me… She should be thankful though… Maybe I should tear out her heart myself-, said the queen, turning around and walking away from the window.
-It looks like she's talking to some other creature-, Chrysalis said. -But I can't hear anyone else inside-, the Changeling Princess added, pressing her ear to the wooden wall.
-So, your mother really is crazy-, said Epsilon, peeking out slightly to watch the Changeling Queen, who continued to walk around the room. she immediately noticed that this creature was of a much larger size than her princess of the night, even looked slightly taller than Princess Celestia, its wings had a rather peculiar shine, as well as its mane and tail, its scales shone a bright black color and on its neck …
-My scarf!-
-HA? -
The queen turned around in the direction of the window from which she had heard that noise, when a female voice caught her attention, its tone was sensual and radiated a sense of elegance.
"There is no point in extracting the heart that has developed inside your daughter, not as long as its full of hope. Only then, your daughter's heart will be strongenough to execute the ritual. That is why Chrysalis must voluntarily rip off her own heart… just like you did, you remember it, right?" the voice continued.
-Of course I remember it and I couldn't be happier that I did it-, the queen replied with a sick smile. -If not for the deal we made when I gave you my heart, I would have died when Misae murdered my beloved king-, the queen said.
"As promised, I have given you the power to finish off her firstborn so that you can take revenge on those zebras, just as you wish, but to complete the curse I need your daughter's heart as an offering". The voice added.
-You don't have to worry. I won't let anything stand between me and my revenge-, the Changeling Queen smiled again. -Maybe I couldn't take care of Misae personally, but with your help I will be able to get rid of her daughter Zephora and her entire lineage once and for all… And that is why I cannot simply forgive Chrysalis's rebellion, you know well that anyone who steps in my way to fulfill my wish, will be exterminated-, the queen added.
"I know, but your daughter is now attachedto the princess of the night, and I can't let you hurt her until princess Luna's heart is corrupted".
-Yes, I know, it will be like killing two pegasus with one stone-, the queen said as she continues to walk around the room once again. With her fore hoof she began to caress the scarf that was located around her neck, -I could take care of it you know…- she said taking the false form of the black unicorn Chrysalis used during the Heart's Warming Eve. -I could finish the job instead, I guess that would make you happy-, said the queen smiling seductively as she watched her reflection in the mirror.
"No", said the voice with authority without losing its seductive tone. "If you do it, it won't do any good dear, especially now that their feelings are so strong. You, my precious queen, have another mission. You have to make sure to get the heiress of the crystal empire, if she survives, it will become an obstacle to our plans in the future", the voice explained.
-I don't understand what the risk is, the empire disappeared and along with it, the crystal heart that protected it.-
"The crystal heart possesses the will of the ancient rulers of the empire, so if that filly survives, the Heart of the empire will lookfor a way to return when its new princess is ready to take the throne, and that power is the only thing that can stand in our way". the voice explained. Cocoon meditated for a moment.
-It's interesting that we found her during the party, and to think that my beloved daughter had her around from the beginning-, laughed the queen.
Epsilon pulled her hoof away from the changeling's mouth as soon as she noticed the queen's hoovesteps moving away from the window.
-Do you want us to be discovered?- she rebuked the changeling princess in a low tone.
-I'm sorry, but we can't leave without that scarf-, Chrysalis said.
-Of course we can-, Epsilon said harshly. -You don't seem to understand your situation, I'm not on your side… at least not until Princess Luna tells me so. To me, you're still a traitor and the only reason I haven't killed you yet is because I'm not sure if that can kill Luna too-, Epsilon said. Although, certainly the Changeling Queen's monologue seemed to corroborate the story Moth had told her.
-Even if you take me before her, I will still be a threat to her wellbeing, being close to her drains her little by little of her love, in the end the result will be the same, that's why I must overthrow my mother, it is the only way to force her to tell me how to prevent this curse from continuing to hurt her-.
-It's too risky-, Epsilon said.
-Not if you take this away from me-, Chrysi replied, pointing to the device attached to her horn. -I have enough power to fight her and as long as the soldiers do not return, we will have the advantage-, said the princess.
Epsilon seriously pondered it, if she released Chrysalis, she had no guarantee that she would not escape or what was worse, the changeling could turn against her and attack her. On the other hoof, at that time they had the advantage over the queen, who was clearly not on Chrysalis' side, both had the surprise factor on their side and if they played their cards well, she was sure that they could knock down the creature inside the cabin. But for this, she would need to free the changeling from the device that suppressed her magic.
That last thing was a problem too, she did not have any tool that was able to open the lock that remained in the horn of the changeling, so her only alternative would be to trust that her blood would do the job. However, she wasn't sure if the lock would produce any kind of noise or explode if her blood began to corrode it, so she risked not only blowing the changeling's head off (endangering Luna), but the sound would surely also alert the queen to her position.
-Please Epsilon, if you are going to trust me, do it now-, the changeling begged her while looking at her with those huge, emerald eyes.
-I don't think this is just a coincidence-, said the mare, who was finding it increasingly hard to believe that changeling really was a danger to her princess. Chrysalis looked at her hoping that the captain would finally decide to trust her.
-But you are right about one thing, the queen is alone, and it is the best opportunity we have to do it, but we will do it without you using your magic-, Epsilon added.
Chrysalis's eyes looked at the mare in complete disbelief. How did that pony expect that both of them would manage to face the queen without the help of her magic?
-If what you want is for me to trust you, you must show me that you trust me too-, Epsilon said. -I want you to be the one to get their attention-.
-But without my magic I won't be able to… Wait a second, do you want me to be the bait?- asked the changeling incredulously.
-She won't kill you… and even if she tried, I'll protect you-, said the mare, looking away from the changeling, who didn't understand the pony's change of attitude. -If your mother wanted to kill you, she would have done it by now, that I can assure you-, the pony added without turning to see her.
The princess thought for a while about the mare's request before answering.
-Okay… tell me what should I do-.
Noticing that Epsilon was looking at her with a mischievous smile that she only used when she played a heavy joke on one of her brothers, she couldn't help but swallowing hard. She wasn't going to like that at all.
-I'm starting to get bored of this Vice-, said the queen, dropping her flanks heavily on one of the dusty cushions in the cabin room.
"Just wait a little more my dear, soon everything will be ready", commented the voice in her head.
Cocoon's smile suddenly grew from side to side as she perceived a peculiar and familiar smell coming from the continuous room.
-Heavens dear! I really thought you'll be a little smarter. Although I must give you credit for managing to escape, this time it seems that you did it in record time-, the queen mocked.
Chrysalis' new heart accelerated; she could feel the beating of that gift she had received from Luna hitting the walls of her chest. Anxiety, fear and adrenaline combined within. She had to gather all her strength before exposing herself away from the protection of the wooden wall that separated her from her mother.
-How did you know it was me?- asked the changeling, letting the moonlight coming in through the window illuminate her face.
-Oh! Come on dear I'm your mother, give me some credit. I've known you since you were an egg, I've educated and raised you since you became a little larva, and even now that you've grown up, I'm still the only one you can't fool. Even transformed, your smell is very characteristic for me- said the queen lying on her side to face her, adopting a rather provocative pose.
It was the first time that Chrysalis looked at her mother in this way, that extremely healthy and voluminous figure, her flanks looked firm and fleshy, her waist was thin and her chest wide, her four hooves reflected the strength of her powerful muscles and in turn they had adopted soft curves that combined perfectly with the slender figure of her body. Her tail covered her thighs partially, falling gracefully to the ground. Her long mane, bright emerald, fell down one side of her face hiding one of her eyes, while the other looked at her with that glowing emerald hue.
Her color looked much more vivid than ever, even the last time she had seen her in her true form, her colors looked slightly pale. Now, however, the intense green of her mane, tail and eyes, as well as the black and emerald scales that covered her body, glowed even in the darkness of the room. The queen nonchalantly placed her chin on one of her front legs, while the other was slightly bent, ready to support the queen's weight in case she had to get up from her position fast. The next thing that caught her attention was the scarf she wore wrapped around her neck.
The princess swallowed hard once more, despite the fact that the queen looked quite calm, harmless and she had to admit, quite sensual, it was clear that her strength and presence made her scales shiver. Chrysalis looked at those white, elongated fangs sticking out of her mother's lips before catching a glimpse of the huge, crooked horn that was born from her forehead. She on the other hand was completely unable to protect herself. If her mother wished, the queen could finish her off in an instant. That simple truth ignited all sorts of senses of alertness throughout her body asking her to run away.
She remembered the long tortures she had suffered, the cruelty her mother was capable of, how little she cared about the lives of any of the soldiers in the hive. And she, Chrysalis, was there in front of her mother, trying to look brave, trying with all her strength not to run out of the room, although being honest, she was sure that she would not go very far if Cocoon wanted to stop her.
-You look a bit pale dear-, the metallic voice of her mother returned her to reality. -I can smell your fear-, she added, inhaling deeply with her eyes closed as she licked her lips.
The princess swallowed once again. her body refused to move, and her mind remained blank.
-Why did you stay?- said the princess, finally regaining her ability to speak. -You could have taken Moth and me back to the hive-, the princess continued, finding the courage to step forward. -But instead you sent the soldiers alone and stayed here guarding us.-
-As you will realize, I am not in any danger, even with your miraculous escape, you are still unable to conjure any spell. If anyone here made a mistake it's you Chrysalis. Although I must say that I am surprised that you decided to confront me considering that you are unable to defend yourself.
-I couldn't escape, you're the only one who knows how to stop this-, said the princess, placing a hoof over her racing heart.
-Oh, well that's true, I'm the only one who has survived something like that afterall-, Cocoon said, swishing her tail seductively as she discovered her thighs a little more.
The princess couldn't help but look at the movement for an instant, before returning her gaze to her mother's eyes.
-Tell me mother, I must know how to stop it-, the young changeling begged.
-I wonder if I should help you? it was you who caused it in the first place. You broke our rule, you knew it was forbidden to open your heart to another creature and yet you opened yours to the princess of the night. Not to mention, you betrayed the hive by joining it and choosing to stay by its side-, the queen replied.
Chrysalis' gaze went down. she knew that her mother was right, she herself had disobeyed that rule and allowed herself to love another creature. While at the time she was not aware of what the outcome of that fault would be, she could not blame her mother either, she had made the decision, a decision that now made her beloved's life hang in the balance.
-Tell me Chrysalis, would you really be willing to abandon everything in order to save her?- asked the queen looking at her daughter with those hypnotic eyes.
-Yes-, the princess replied with a barely audible tone.
Cocoon got up on her four hooves approaching her daughter. The princess did not move, her body refused to obey her, she was totally paralyzed. The Changeling Princess closed her eyes as she noticed the Queen's fore hoof approaching her face. She felt the queen's light and delicate touch running down her cheek gently and the warm breath of her mother tingling her ear.
Vulnerable as she was, she couldn't help but think again of the multiple tortures, she could even feel the pain of the blows and wounds on her skin, even though she knew well that these had already physically disappeared from her body.
-I will help you dear, but in return you must give me something-, the queen whispered in her ear.
The princess's eyes widened fearfully at Cocoon's closeness.
-What do you want in return?- she asked in a trembling voice.
-I want the heiress of the empire-, the queen whispered, surprising her daughter.
-The heiress?…- asked her stunned.
-You know who I'm talking about-, her mother said, looking into her eyes. -Show me that you are worthy of my forgiveness and bring it to me. In exchange for that and as a reward, I will tell you how you can save your beloved alicorn, the queen offered-.
Chrysalis blinked a couple of times.
-I… I…- said the young princess.
"Beware!" Cocoon heard the voice inside her head. The queen turned her gaze just in time to see how a shadow took a pony shape right next to her knocking her down from one side.
Both rolled several times on the ground before stopping. Without wasting time, Epsilon applied a lock with her hind hooves around the creature's front ones, applying a second lock on her neck just below the creature's chin. she spread her wings by placing a pair of daggers pointing at each side of her neck, while arching her back to stretch the queen's neck exposing her throat completely.
-Move a little and I'll open up your throat-, said the pony as she held the queen I place.
Chrysalis let out a long sigh of relief as soon as she noticed that Epsilon had the queen completely immobilized.
-Now tell us, how can we break that curse?- Epsilon demanded arching her back a little more to increase the tension in the neck of the changeling queen.
-Very smart dear-, Cocoon praise. -But if you want to save the princess, I doubt you'll think about killing me-, she added with a smile.
-I'm sure there will be better ways to make you talk-, the captain replied raising one of the daggers to the height of the queen's eye.
-You have guts, I give you that-, Cocoon said without looking away from the sharp blade. -I can see in your eyes the shadows of numerous innocent lives taken away by your own hoof-, the Queen added looking up to her opponent.
-So, would you spill the beans or do you prefer to wear an eyepatch for the rest of your life?- declared Epsilon, holding the dagger firmly.
The queen let out a slight laugh.
-So you find the situation funny, do you think I won't dare?- asked Epsilon annoyed.
-Oh! on the contrary my dear! I'm sure you will, but you will need to gain momentum if you want to cause me enough harm-, the queen smiled. -Believe me, I've chewed many eyes in my life, I know how resilient they can be-, he added, still smiling. The queen's comment and cynicism caused the mare to become upset.
-Well, if that will be your attitude-, the pony replied, pushing the dagger away to take speed.
Everything happened in an instant. Epsilon dropped the weapon pointing at the queen's eye when Cocoon ignite her horn redirecting the blow to her chest. The blade sunk deep inside the left side of the queen's chest, surprising her two opponents. Chrysalis used her hooves to cover her muzzle, gasping in horror, while Epsilon looked at Cocoon in complete disbelief.
She opened her eyes to find herself surrounded by darkness, lying on a wet surface. The environment was cold, even colder than the temperature of the water on which she was located. she slowly stands up. Observing the reflection of her face on the surface, she could see how that reflection looked at her with a seductive look. Cocoon could see several emerald-colored gems embedded in the hollows of the body that was reflected in the water.
-This time you went too far-, her reflection spoke, smiling at her with lust. The changeling imitated the smile.
-I had to make sure you would keep your end of the deal-, the queen replied.
-If you want my power, you know what you have to do-, spoke the changeling in the reflection.
-I gave up my soul long ago-, the queen replied, as the surface of the water began to consume her by climbing up her hooves, wrapping her torso and chest until it reached her neck and face, covering her completely.
From the surface emerged the face of a pony made of shadows combined with black and green flames, long and sharp teeth peeking out of her lips, her mouth gave off a greenish glow as well as her eyes, which gave off a gloomy vapor. The shadows that covered her body were distorted into long tentacles that continued to consume the queen's body.
-Surrender to me-, said the creature's seductive voice as her tongue ran across the queen's face.
A sense of excitement and madness began to invade her, warming her body and releasing her lowest instincts. The queen began to gasp as she felt the tentacles getting inside her butt and flower, her whole body vibrating with excitement, she could feel her own desire to rape and break the body of the pony who had dared to challenge her. She wanted to hear their cries of pain. She couldn't' wait to hear her prey plead with her for her mercy. Just thinking about how much fun she would have with that pony drew a huge smile on her face.
-Oh YESSS!- the changeling groaned as she felt the creature completely enveloping her.
-Damn you! you didn't have to kill her! - Replied Chrysalis annoyed.
-I didn't expect her to commit suicide by herself-, Epsilon said, pulling the dagger from the queen's chest, then leaning over Cocoon's neck pulling the scarf that was wrapped around it. -Take it, it would be a pity if it were stained with blood-, she added, throwing the scarf at the Changeling Princess.
Chrysalis caught the piece of fabric between her hooves, before wrapping it around her own neck.
-There is no point to stay here any longer, we must return to Luna-, said the pony starting her walk towards the wooden door. -If we delay more, we will have problems with the snowstorm-.
-OK-, replied the princess advancing behind her. Neither of them noticed the side-by-side smile that formed on the queen's face.
Cocoon stood up on her fours as the holes in her body were filled with emerald gems that seemed to grow from within.
-You know… changelings have no heart-, said the queen, -her voice was much softer and more sensual than before. -Literally-.
The queen threw herself in a flash of bright green light against the metallic blue fur pony. Noticing the movement, Epsilon tried to block the sudden attack with her blades. she instantly felt an intense pain running down her wings.
A pair of long, blackened razor-sharp legs had pierced the membranes of her wings, while a pair of long, curved fangs were stopped by the pony's blades. The huge mouth behind the fangs salivated as her eight eyes stared hungry at the pony in front of her.
Chrysalis was firmly attached to the wall by another pair of elongated legs that kept her immobilized watching the body of the huge insect, which covered most of the room's space.
The arachnid's tusks began to secrete a potent venom as it struggled with the night knight, in an attempt to nail its fangs into the mare's skin. Epsilon could barely hold her position using her hind hooves to push the creature back, while the elongated legs further damaged her wings.
The spider suddenly moved away as the legs it had embedded in the pony's membranes began to be damaged by the blood that covered them. The insect rises and arches its back, immediately after, the arachnid dropped its legs using all its weight to surpass the wooden surface, managing to cross the boards with ease to cover its legs with the snow accumulated under the cabin, all this, in an attempt to get rid of the residues of the deadly scarlet liquid.
Noticing the huge star shining on the back of the insect Epsilon understood that she could not took the risk to be reached by those fangs. While a small star spider could cause the death of a pony in just a few hours with just a few milliliters of its venom, she didn't want to even imagine what a spider of that size could cause her.
-Get out of here!- Epsilon ordered by stepping herself between the Changeling Princess and the huge arachnid.
-But…-, Chrysalis reproached.
-Get out of here, NOW!- repeated Epsilon urgently.
This time Chrysalis didn't answer, just turned around and rushed out of the cabin.
-Now I will be able to fight without worries-, the mare said, looking back at her opponent.
-Don't worry about her, I don't plan to kill her for the time being-, the arachnid replied with that voice that contrasted quite a bit with her current appearance. -You, on the other hoof-, the creature added.
Epsilon opened her other eye, to focus it on the insect's body. Thanks to that, she could observe a strange fog covering the queen's body, she could not help but notice the similarity of that fog with the darkness that had been covering Luna's room that same morning, more importantly, she could sense some kind of green and red fire-like energy consuming what Epsilon assumed, should be Cocoon's Soul.
-Come and get me, if you dare. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!- Epsilon said while her wings finished healing.
The arachnid threw itself against the captain. Anticipating the blow, the pony dashes under the insect's body evading by a few centimeters the poisonous fangs. She rolled on the ground before extending her hooves to sink her curved daggers deep into the arachnid's abdomen, which arched its back and tries to hit the mare's head with its back sting.
Epsilon user her wing to push her entire body, rolling once again to avoid the blow of the insect and ending up at the mercy of the arachnid's eight sharp legs.
Cocoon began to move her legs randomly trying to impale the body of the mare that was under her, while throwing bites trying to catch Epsilon's limbs.
Noticing a particular movement of the insect, Epsilon stretched out her hooves by taking one of the daggers she had sunk into Cocoons belly. Quickly, the captain clung to the curved dagger. The night knight twisted the blade before pushing hard to extract it from the spider's flesh opening a big wound and covering herself with blood, while forcing the changeling queen to let out a cry of pain. Epsilon's smile of satisfaction was immediately replaced by a grimace of intense pain, after feeling how one of her hind hooves was pierced from side to side by one of Cocoon's huge and sharp legs.
The huge spider then began to shake the mare trying to get her leg out of the flesh of that little pony that was beginning to eat away the exoskeleton of her limb. The mare's acidic blood caused the arachnid's leg to break off in half, throwing Epsilon uncontrollably into the air. The captain's body hit the window placed in the wall that separated the dining room from the main room. This caused several pieces of glass and multiple splinters to be embedded in her wings and belly, as these were not protected by her combat armor.
-Damn it!-, Epsilon cursed trying to stand on her three remaining legs. Judging by the intense pain she could feel in the her badly injured leg, the captain was sure that her hind leg must have suffered a fracture, but since the pain was almost unbearable, she was also pretty sure that at least it had not been mutilated.
Not knowing when her opponent will attack again, The captain of the night Guards bite the piece of Cocoon's leg that was kept attached to her hind hoof and pulled hard to tear it off ignoring the enormous amount of pain that such action caused her.
A green flash followed by the sound of multiple limbs advancing towards her made her throw herself to the side to try to evade the next blow, however, the huge tail that pierced the wooden wall achieved its purpose by nailing its stinger on the opposite side of the pony, producing a new scream in the instant the venom began to invade her entrails.
Without much thought and blinded by the intense pain running down her side, Epsilon took the piece of paw she had extracted from her body, sticking it from side to side into the tail that at the time kept her elevated above the ground. After feeling the lunge, the tail of the scorpion retracted dragging with it the mare that remained attached to the stinger, hitting the captain against the wooden walls that creaked from the impact, which separated the Epsilon's body from the mortal sting.
A new green glow lit up the room momentarily blinding the badly wounded soldier.
-I must price you, I hadn't had so much fun in years-, said the Changeling Queen, with a seductive tone as she licked her lips in a lusty way.
Epsilon noticed not only the change in tone of voice, but also the numerous gems that had filled the gaps in her limbs, the muzzle of the changeling looked slightly longer, and her eyes gave off a strange glow just like the inside of her jaws.
The mare began to rise on her three healthy hooves with difficulty, she felt the burning of the poison boiling inside combining with her own blood, that still came out from some of her wounds, especially from her hind hoof and left side. She was sure she had some broken bones and several fractured ribs. Thus, she did not turn away from the gaze of her opponent, who spotted several cuts and wounds on her hooves and abdomen. One of the queen's fore hooves was bleeding, another seemed to have suffered burns, in her belly one of her curved daggers remain in place, while the other wound was bleeding. she then noticed the chest wound from which only a little bit of blood seemed to come out.
The changeling took the dagger that still remained embedded in her belly, extracting it while igniting her horn, casting a spell to heal the wound instantly along with the other one.
-You know, I'm almost tempted not to kill you-, the Queen said as she continued to approach the pony, threateningly moving the dagger she was holding with her hoof. -I'm very curious to know how long you'll be able to endure a fight like this-, Epsilon continued to keep her distance. -Unlike you, I can completely heal my wounds, but even though your body seems to be healing much faster than an average pony does. It will be impossible for you to win me over in a battle of resistance-, her horn continued to shine as she healed the rest of her wounds.
Epsilon, however, noticed an interesting detail, such that the wounds caused by her blood on the queen's body did not seem to be able to be healed using magic spells.
-Who are you?- asked the mare, surprising the queen. -I know very well that you are not the same creature Chrysalis was talking to a moment ago, so leave that act and tell me who you really are-, demanded the captain of the night guard.
-Oh… I understand-, said the creature focusing its gaze on the wounded eye of Epsilon, which, although it remained behind a tuft of hair, shone with the intensity of the Moon. -It seems that she has already claimed you, it is a pity, if you stayed with me, we could give a better use to those beautiful flanks of yours-, the creature mocked while tingling the edge of the dagger.
-Who are you?- the mare repeated the question, discreetly pulling out from under her wings several feather-shaped daggers while placing her curved dagger back in its hidden place just under her wing.
-My name… It is Vice dear-, said the creature without losing its glamour. -I'm sure you'll remember it-, the creature added as it began to walk around the room.
Epsilon raised the daggers attracting the queen's attention to the weapons she was holding using her bat-like wings, she needed to gain a little time; just enough so that her body was able to restore as little as possible her injured hoof. All she needed was to be able to support her hind hoof only once.
-What are you? I know you're not a pony and you're not a changeling either-, said the mare moving her body protectively making sure she didn't turn her back on the queen at any point.
-You have a good eye, I give you that-, Vice replied. -It could be said that I am a deity… one with very… peculiar tastes-, the creature added.
- Deity?… I think you are more of a parasite-, replied the mare with a mocking tone.
The queen in front of her looked at her annoyedly, her seductive look was replaced by a withering look in just an instant.
-Don't you dare confuse me with something so unpleasant-, replied the creature, losing its sensual tone.
-Judging by your reaction, I don't think I'm wrong-, replied the captain, further infuriating the Changeling Queen.
-You know, thinking about it, I'm going to break all your limbs one by one. Then I will rape you again and again until you bleed and when I find myself bored of playing with you, I will skin you alive… I will enjoy every second of your agony as I destroy your body and soul-, the creature said approaching menacingly, its movements had that touch of seduction that could only come from a well trained hunter.
-It won't be that easy-, Epsilon replied by throwing two pairs of blades into the air.
Instinctively, the queen's gaze was diverted upwards before she understood her mistake and turned her gaze to the front by igniting her horn again.
The mare had kicked hard the wall behind her, ignoring the pain of her hind hoof, to gain further momentum by furiously flapping her wings to accelerate as much as possible. With the curved dagger she was holding on her right hoof she opened a long wound along her left leg covering the shiny, curved steel blade with blood. Following its trajectory, the blade hit the leg of the changeling that held the other dagger. The acid in the blood made it easier to cut off the flesh and bone by completely detaching half of the limb with relative ease.
The handles of the blades she had thrown into the air bounced off the roof forcing them to change direction falling at high speed. The first two steel blades hit the Queen's shoulders who had rised on her hindquarters to try to put distance between her and her opponent. The next two steel blades pierced its thin wings through the membranes and stopped as they hit the wooden floor.
The queen let out a cry of pain by focusing her gaze on the creature in front of her holding that bloodied dagger, which flashed a crims-like glow under the moonlight that was reflected on the steel blade.
AAAAAAAAHHHH
Shouted the mare holding the dagger tightly as she aimed at the neck of the changeling. The queen's eyes contracted upon discovering the mare's killing intent. If the blow decapitates her current host, Cocoon would not survive.
COFF, COFF, COFF, COFF
The coughing caused Epsilon to miss her target, losing her grip on her weapon and letting the dagger fly far away from her.
COFF, COFF, COFF, COFF
A second round of spasms forced her to crouch to the ground before spitting a noticeable amount of blood on the wooden surface.
The changeling queen stood on her hind legs; her panicked expression quickly transformed into a manic smile. Seeing the opportunity, she used all the concentrated energy in her horn to slam the back of her attacker with the intention of fulminating the pony in one blow.
Unable to move, the captain of the night guard was hit unmerciful on her back.
As if it were a movie, Epsilon relived the moments she had spent next to her brothers trying to survive alone in the forest after having escaped their confinement in that old building in which scientists used them as laboratory rats. She recalled, their nights hunting inside the Ever Free forest, stealing food from small villages while fleeing the angry crowds that feared them because of their unusual appearance.
Epsilon remembered the night she met the indigo alicorn and that charming smile she had received for the first time from a pony outside of them. The many joy-filled moments she shared in the castle of the two sisters next to her princess and her brothers flooded her mind overloading her heart.
Those memories made her relive the long nights she spent training with her brothers to learn to control arcane magic, under the teachings of the deity of the night. She recalled the intense training they received from Luna, after having enlisted in the army. The memories of that last battle against Sombra's army, the cold of the snow and the pain of the wound of her eye before Megrez push her away from the trajectory of that deadly spear, which would take the life of her older sister. She remembered Megrez body lying in the snow as it was dyed red. She recalled herself looking into Megrez' eyes as she watched her die under her embrace, unable to save her. The memories in her mind transported her to the night of her beloved sister and friend's funeral, her grave covered in flowers that would never wither.
She recalled the first snowfall of the year as captain of the night guard as she watched her beloved princess enjoy the company of the little albino pegasus.
The scene changed again taking her inside the hive, as she watched her princess shed tears for her beloved Chrysi, that same helplessness she felt when she was unable to lessen the pain of the princess of the night squeezed her heart.
She began to remember then the faces of all those ponies that had died by her hoof, the faces of the little foals and fillies that she had killed in their beds while they slept peacefully, fulfilling the order of her princess, Epsilon had decided to become the executor of the deity of the night, an executor who would act in the shadows to maintain order, even if that condemned her to eternal darkness, she would do everything in her power to save her princess.
That night she had let her anger control her completely, all those families had enslaved other innocent ponies, played with the lives of others, and had delighted and remunerated with the suffering of others, so, in Epsilon's eyes, none of them were free from sin. For a moment, she had thought of forgiving their lives, but she certainly wouldn't have time to take care of them. Especially the little ones, who at their young age and without any other pony that could take care of them, would be condemned to die of hunger locked in those mansions. Considering the illicit activities that those families carried out, she would also not be surprised that few ponies in the village would dare to visit those particular manors.
Epsilon was perfectly aware that she had condemned her soul the instant she took the life of the first of them. If she hadn't murdered them maybe they could have had a good life, known friends like the ones she had, friends who would help them get ahead, but that night she had made the decision to strip them of that possibility. The captain could feel the weight of all those lives squeezing her shoulders. But there was no turning back.
Her vision was moistened as she remembered the gentle smile of her princess, whom she could see as clearly as if she were in front of her. She felt her brothers' hooves hugging her while tears began to slip uncontrollably from her eyes.
That was the punishment for her sins, the punishment she deserved for having stripped hundreds of victims of her life who had fallen under the edge of her weapons.
"Megrez, Merak, Alcor, Siegfried… Luna… I'm so sorry", the mare thought, closing her eyes tightly.
She then remembered Chrysalis, and the promise she had made to the changeling soldier that same night. she remembered the words of the little changeling and how much Chrysalis really seemed to care about Luna.
"Atleast, I could save her", she thought, smiling melancholy. Maybe Chrysalis wasn't really a bad mare, possibly she would be able to find a way to break the curse and get back to Luna, to finally be together forever. Maybe, just maybe, it would be possible for her beloved princess to achieve the happiness that she would never have been able to give her.
The mare's heart contracted once more in the face of such a thought, she had always refused to express her feelings to the deity, she knew that her lifetime was constantly shortened because of her illness, so she could not afford to fall in love with any pony, much less one of the kingdom's rulers, only to hurt them once her time on earth was over. Therefore, she preferred to keep her feelings under control, but now those feelings overflowed with freedom hurting her in the depths of the soul.
The image of Megrez was shown in front of her. Silent tears continued to sweep down her cheeks, she knew that her soul would be condemned to eternal darkness, a place completely different from the one a charitable soul like her sister's had been sent.
"I have done whatI could", she thought as her sister's figure caressed her cheek with her fore hoof. "Now I must ask you to take care of her for me,there will be no way out of the place where my soul will go now", Megrez nodded dedicating a pleasant smile, which the proud soldier returned with tears in her eyes.
The last thing she felt was the burning heat of her armor exploding, before hearing a crackling sound all over her body. The next moment everything was silence, her wounds stopped hurting, her body stopped feeling the winter's cold and her mind was completely blank falling into total darkness.
Author's Note:
YesI know, Ihad to deliver this one like a week ago but I was Celebrating and also had problems with this chapter as I lost the Inglish version from my computer so I had to translate it once again.
I was thinking about how to introduce the character of Vice for a long time, I wanted to introduce it in the previous chapter, but I decided it would be better to do it in its own chapter. The name comes from the alteration of the word "Viciousness" which means among other things, Depraved or Immoral.
This is all folks, hope to see you in the next chapter…. ALLONS-Y
In memory of Victor Fidel Amado grandfather and mentor.
March/1938 - October/2018
In memory of Carolina López Beloved aunt and life's example.
May/1947 - February/2020