The Shadow of Equestria
Chapter 19
New Alliances?
"What do you want to do?" asked Spectre. "I mean long term, you can't keep running forever."
"That depends on Celestia." I said. "I have no ill will against her, it's just my plans that counteract with hers. If she decides that she wants to continue the search for me, my plans will continue to involve her till she stops. I merely do things for my own interests and gains."
"And that's why we're going to find the changelings?" asked Spectre.
"Exactly, if what I heard is true, then an attack on Equestria would benefit me greatly."
"How so?"
"Think of the loot that will come off the attack if successful. Even if the changelings lose, I'll still gain something out of it. Also, I'm itching for another fight, another kill."
It was silent for a minute.
"I doubt we'll find them." said Spectre. "Changelings are somewhat of a legend in Equestria. Probably due to the fact that we never see them outside the BadLands."
"Now that I think about it, an attack by the changelings would certainly be effective. If no one expects them then they have the greatest advantage."
"How do you know that they'll end up excepting your help?"
"I'm sure who ever's leading them would love to have me on their side once this happens. I would be willing to lend them a hand in distracting two certain humans from wiping out their entire army."
Spectre shivered slightly at the mention of the two humans that I continued to describe.
"The big question is what about you Spectre?" I asked. "Are you up for something like this?"
"What are you talking about, of course I am!" yelled Spectre.
"You will probably be labeled a traitor of Equestria, put on the same level of as myself. Do you think you can handle that?"
"I turned my back on Equestria the moment I choose to follow you. My only tie to it was with the Black Hooves and since I no longer have ties with them, Equestria is just another country to me."
I smiled as I looked forward. In the distance, I could clearly make out a large structure rising from the sand.
"Looks like we found our changelings."
"My queen." greeted a pony shaped shadow. "He have detected a large quantity of magic getting close to our hive."
A set of large emerald eyes turned to face the shadow.
"How many are there?" asked the Queen.
"Two my Queen. One is a pony and the other is a human."
The Queen's eyes widened.
"A human, in the BadLands? I thought they all died out?'"
"It appearsss that we were wrong my Queen." said the shadow.
The was a small sigh.
"Bring the human to me." said the Queen. "I wish to speak with him."
"Of courssse my Queen." said the shadow before leaving.
"We need to figure out how to get inside." I said as I looked at the massive hive in front of me.
"Why don't we just walk in?" asked Spectre.
"I feel like that would be too simple. They would probably see us as intruders and attack. What else?"
"We could try to get their attention?" proposed Spectre. "Maybe you could shoot off one of those magic bolts and get their attention."
"I doubt they'll think I'm trying to get their attention if I do that. I don't think there is an easy way to go about this." I said as I ruffled my hair.
"I don't think we'll have to worry about that." said Spectre. "I think they've already noticed us."
Looking in confusing, I saw several black figures move through the air before landing next to us. The best way to describe the changelings would have to be bug like. Their wings were translucent, their eyes were large like that of a fly. For some odd reason, holes lined their bodies, almost making it look as if they were somewhat hollow.
"Our Queen requesssst for you to sssee her, human."
"Lead on." I said to them with a smile.
Once inside the hive, the changelings that guided us in began to lead us up. Several large spiral stairs went all the way up, probably to the top of the hive. Once we got to the top of the stairs, a large wooden, ornate door stood in our path.
"Queen Chrysalis is in here." said one of the changelings. "We'll be watching you. Try anything funny and we'll end you."
"Gotcha." I said as I walked past the guards and into the large room beyond the door. Inside was a large, green tinted room with banners, similar to Canterlot's throne room. At the end of the room sat a large jagged throne which held what I believed to be Queen Chrysalis.
"Greeting human." said the Queen as she got out of her throne and walked to meet us half way. "I was surprised to see that one of your kind was still left in this world. Tell me, why do you enter my domain?"
"I've come to ask a question." I said
"What would that be?" asked the Queen.
"I've heard rumors that the changelings are going to attack Equestria sometime soon. Are these rumor true?"
"That preposterous." said the Queen. "I would never commit such an act against my dear neighbors."
"That's too bad." I said. "I was wanting to help you, but if you aren't, I feel as if I am wasting your time."
As I said that I turned and signaled Spectre to follow.
"Wait." said the Queen. "You have no alliance with Equestria, with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?"
I turned back around.
"No." I said. "I'm more of an enemy to them than an ally."
"I thought the Human nation of Oasis and all its inhabitants were allies of Equestria?"
"What makes you think I come from Oasis?" I asked. "I have my own alliances and Equestria is not one of them."
"What about this pony that is following you around?"
"This is my friend Poison Spectre." I began. "She shares no bond with Equestria and is willing to help as well."
There was a pause before Chrysalis smiled widely.
"I was afraid that Celestia had heard the rumors as well and sent a somepony to investigate. At the same time, I've been hearing rumors about several humans that were acting as a special team for Celestia. I honestly thought that you were one of those humans. You have managed to spike my interests and with that I ask you, who are you and why should I trust you?"
"My name is Zhane Black, have you heard of that name?" I asked
I watched as the Queen shook her head.
"Then have you heard what happened to a place called Sunpeak Village?"
"Yes, I've seen reports on the place. What of it?"
"That was me."
Chrysalis laughed slightly.
"You mean to tell me that you singlehandedly destroyed an entire village. I have serious doubts about that Zhane."
I sighed and rubbed the bridge of my nose.
"Let me just get to the point." I began. "I want to help you because I would be able to drawn some of the attention away from you. Those humans that you've heard about, they're real. There's Agliss and Yamato, both are terrifyingly powerful and would rip through your army in minutes. I'm offering my service to you in exchange for a place to stay. What do you say about that?"
There was a slight pause as Chrysalis soaked in the information.
"I think we can work something out." said Chrysalis as she smiled widely revealing her sharp teeth. "Whatever you heard is true, we are planning to attack Equestria. We've been buying as many weapons as possible and I would appreciate the help you would give us."
"What's your reason for attacking Equestria? I hope you aren't doing this just because you can because that would be suicide."
"No." said Chrysalis. "My subjects are starving to death. We changelings feed off love but there is little love to be found out in the BadLands. We are attacking Equestria so I can feed my subjects."
"What's your plan?" I asked.
"It's quite simple really." started Chrysalis. "The Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor is getting married by next week. His bride is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, a pony well known for her advanced love spells. I am going to capture her and take her place. Once everything is set, my army will attack Canterlot, we will take the Princesses out of play, and take the city. Nothing will be able to stop us."
"And how exactly are you going to pass off as this Princess? Especially considering how you look."
There was a bright green flame that spawned from Chrysalis' horn and slowly encased her whole body. As quickly as it appeared, the flame vanished, leaving an exact copy of Spectre. The real Spectre flew down and landed beside the Queen to compare herself.
"She's got me down to the letter." said Spectre.
"Thank you." said the Queen. "I take pride in my abilities."
"She even got my voice right too. This plan might actually work." said Spectre as she flew back over to me.
"I assure you that my plan will work." said Chrysalis as she changed back to her true form. "I leave for Equestria tomorrow. You are welcome to stay here until the time come where we must attack. When it's time, you will assist in attacking Canterlot and doing as you said you would do, drawing the attention of the humans off of myself. I bid you a farewell for now and wish you luck when the time comes for I will not see you again until the plan is completed."
"I wish you luck as well." I said as several changeling guards walked in.
"Guards, take Zhane and his friend to a room. They will be our guests for a while and I would like for you to treat them with respect."
"Of courssse my Queen." said the one of the guards as the motioned me to follow.
I gave one last goodbye as Spectre and I walked out of the throne room.
Chrysalis stood there in awe, amazed that the human was willing to help.
"What do you think about him?" asked a changeling who stood in the corner of the room.
"To be honest, he scares me. It takes a lot to become an enemy of Equestria. It makes me question what he's done to attain such a title?"
"What doessss it matter my Queen, you just gained a powerful ally today. That human wasss the sssource of all the magic we sssensssed earlier."
"I feel as if his motives are slightly different than ours. I feel both excited and horrified at the potential power he might wield. I've seen a fair share of humans back in my day and each were uniquely strong. I want you to keep an eye on him while I'm gone, make sure he doesn't try anything funny."
"Of courssse my Queen."
Here's Chapter 19 for everypony, Enjoy!
I know this is a short chapter and once again I apologize. I've been super busy for the past week and had little time to write. If it feels rushed, I apologize and will make it up to you all this Thursday.
Be sure to go to my profile and vote on the poll there. That poll will be up until I finish The Shadow of Equestria so you have plenty of time. The poll is about what you guys what to see in the future.
See everypony Thursday!