- 14th December 1945 - 11:30 PM (Undisclosed location in the USSR)
Chrysalis is waiting by double vibrant wooden doors with windows, curtains obscuring what's through them doors. She's in a hallway that's made of that vibrant wood. Light coming from lamps hanging from the ceiling, illuminating the hallway. On each side of the doors is a map. The map on the left is a map of European and American continent, also having Equestria on it, above Finland. On the map, Equestria looks similar to a much smaller Canada in geographical shape, being around a third of Canada's size. The map on the right is a map of the Asian continent. The left-side map only has the western half of the USSR while the right-side map has the eastern half.
Waiting with Chrysalis is her new second-in-command. He's that's wearing a blue helmet as well as a blue chestplate. On his chest has a red star, with a hammer and instead of the usual sickle, in it's place is the wing of a changeling.
"Stalin is the closest to a... friend, that I have," Said Chrysalis, who cringed at using the word 'friend'. She always associated 'friends' with Equestria, a country she despises with every fibre of her being.
"Friends!? That's preposterous, blasphemy even!" Her second-in-command declared.
"I get the Soviets are our allies, but they are just allies, and nothing else," They added.
"Comrade Stalin is an exemption. He knows how to get things done effectively, and quickly, which I greatly admire. The reason we're even making a comeback is because of comrade Stalin. We need him and the whole Soviet Union on our side," Chrysalis countermanded.
Then there's footsteps that could be heard. Coming over to the 2 changelings behind them is a man who is bald at the top, but has black hair on the sides and back. He is wearing glasses that are the same size as his eyes. He's wearing a dark brown, almost grey coat and a white shirt underneath with a black tie. He's also wearing very dark grey trousers and polished black shoes. The 2 changelings turn to the man.
"Hello, you must be Lavrentiy Beria, we're pleased to see you," Chrysalis' second-in-command politely spoke.
"I don't speak English," Beria responded to the lieutenant changeling.
"Я буду нашими переводчиками," Chrysalis replied to Beria in Russian. Beria nodded.
"Для чего нас вызвал товарищ Сталин, Лаврентий?" Chrysalis inquired.
"Не знаю, товарищ Кризалис. Это непохоже на товарища Сталина, чтобы позвонить нам так поздно," Beria replied to Chrysalis.
"What are you two saying?" Chrysalis' second-in-command asked.
"Don't worry, all that wasn't all that important," Chrysalis turns her head looking to her lieutenant as she replied. She then turns to face Beria as he began speaking.
"Мое единственное предположение, о чем идет речь, это операция Всадник. Война с Западом может быть ближе, чем мы хотели," Said Beria.
"К тому времени, когда они вмешаются, Эквестрия будет завоевана," Chrysalis responded with a smile. Beria nods. They then hear footsteps coming from behind the double doors. Beria, Chrysalis and her second-in-command immediately turn to face the doors, standing at attention.
The left-side door opens, and walking out is Stalin, coming to a halt opposite them as he comes out of the room. The Soviet dictator is wearing a dark cyan coat with 2 pockets on each side as well as a smaller pocket where his right man boob is. As well, he's wearing dark cyan trousers with a pocket each and black boots. He's also holding sheets of paper, reports. Stalin jerks his head left and proceeds to walk in that direction. Beria, Chrysalis and her second-in-command turn right and walk down the hallway, following the Soviet dictator. Judging by how Stalin is walking, and that he didn't speak, they already know he isn't in a very good mood.
"Dysthanasia, you'll see why I admire him after this meeting we've been summoned to," Chrysalis whispered to her second-in-command.
Stalin pauses and then turns right, to where there is a wooden door with a gold handle. He pushes the handle down, opening the door and walks through.
In the rectangular-shaped room is a stale-looking white table in the middle. There's 2 chairs on each side and a single chair at the ends. Stalin went to sit on the chair on the end while Chrysalis and her second-in-command sat on the chairs infront of them. Beria sat on the chair opposite end to Stalin.
"Chrysalis," Stalin started off as he puts his reports infront of him on the table. Chrysalis as well as her lieutenant and Beria began paying full attention. Not listening to the Soviet dictator is a death sentence. He looks at Chrysalis first.
"When will the changelings join the conflict with us?"
"My changelings will be ready by tomorrow, comrade Stalin. I will prove that in the assault on Klugetown," Chrysalis replied accordingly, eagerly grinning as she looks back into the Soviet dictator's eyes.
"Very well, but we need the changelings for another task, but I will get onto that soon," Stalin nodded once. The Soviet dictator then looks at Beria.
"Лаврентий, насколько хорошо работает советская коневодческая программа?" Stalin questioned.
"Уже подбирают лошадей для разведения, товарищ Сталин. Эти лошади, которые будут произведены, будут рассматриваться как оружие и подчиняться требованиям советских и наших товарищей-подменышей," Beria formally replied, going into detail in his reply, and looks at Stalin, who nods at everything his fellow Georgian is saying.
"A pony breeding program? Interesting. We can feed on endless love with such program into effect," Chrysalis grinned.
"As well as using the produced offspring of equines as cannon fodder in future conflicts. But, now onto why I'm not in a good mood," Said Stalin, again nodding once. Meanwhile, Chrysalis is beginning to translate what Stalin is saying from English to Russian, so Beria knows what's being said.
"I suspect war with the west is coming sooner than I, or anybody, have anticipated, and wanted," Stalin speaks slowly, and in small chunks, so Chrysalis can translate it into Russian for Beria to understand. Stalin is speaking in English so Dysthanasia can understand.
"The governments of the west are sniffing around like sharks, for a reason to wage war against the motherland. Their people though, they've already made their decision. For us, the threat before was fascism. Today, the threat is now capitalism."
Stalin waits for Chrysalis to finish translating the spoken words into Russian for Beria.
"Comrade Stalin, I believe regardless, the might of the Soviet Union and the changelings will still overpower Equestria the west," Dysthanasia commented.
"Yes, but we must not be arrogant either. Nazi Germany lost the war, because of their arrogance," Stalin responded.
"I ask, why have you called specifically us?" Dysthanasia asked.
"The west threatens to esculate the situation, if the USSR sinks any western ships or down their aircraft sending 'humanitarian' aid. But, they never said anything regarding changeling attacks," Stalin started off..
"Are the changelings up to the task in sabotaging US ships and aircraft?"
"Yes, it can be done. We're up to the task. As I said earlier comrade Stalin, my changelings will be ready by tomorrow," Chrysalis replied to the Soviet dictator.
"Very good, they'll need to be ready," Stalin nodded as he responds back to the female changeling.
The 2 men and 2 changelings here a knock on the door. Their heads turn to face the door.
"Заходи," Stalin raises his voice, so whoever's outside can hear. The door opens, and a man walks in a few feet, then stops and stands at attention. They are wearing a blue ushanka, pale brown coat with fur-based collar, as well as pale brown trousers and long black boots.
"Я пришел передать сообщение товарищу Берии," The man stated.
"Какое сообщение вы должны передать?" Beria questioned, pushing his chair back and stands up.
"Сообщается об инциденте в одном из новых сибирских лагерей. Мужчина и четыре лошади скрылись с места происшествия после того, как врезались в забор деревянной повозкой," The man reported. Hearing this report, a frown grew on Stalin's face.
"Это уже третий случай менее чем за месяц," Stalin said as he looks at both the man as well as Beria.
"What are they talking about?" Dysthanasia asked Chrysalis.
"A group of four ponies and a human escaped a gulag by ramming a crafted wooden wagon through a fence. Stalin isn't very pleased at all, and rightfully so," Chrysalis answered.
"You are right comrade Chrysalis, I am not. This is the third time a successful escape attempt happened in less than a month. The first two incidents, two high-profile equines have escaped, and now this third incident, a group escapes," The slow, low tone in Stalin's voice clearly shows he isn't impressed at all. Deep down, he's very angry, but he remains professional.
"Лаврентий, пожалуйста, покиньте эту встречу. Немедленно начать расследование этих инцидентов," Stalin ordered Beria. The man as well as Beria leaves the room, with Beria closing the door behind him.
"Now, where ere we- Oh yes that's right. If the west wishes to side with Equestria, they'll suffer with Equestria," Stalin coldly retorted. Chrysalis turns until both her's and Stalin's cold-blooded eyes look into each others.
"How do we help with slowing down western shipments comrade Stalin?" Chrysalis inquired.
"Well, you can do this thing... what was it you call it, changing your appearances, what was the word for it again?" Stalin asked, raising his left eyebrow. He needs to know a specific word so he can better explain.
"You mean shapeshift, comrade Stalin? We can do that, yes," Dysthanasia nodded.
"Ah yes that's the word!" Stalin briefly extends his right arm before pulling it back.
"You can shapeshift into birds. US ships won't suspect a thing, and then once up close, you can launch the attack. Lavrentiy's NKVD will help the changeling comrades in locating the coordinates and locations of said ships," Stalin elaborated further.
"Also, how much of Equestria will we seize out of this?" Dysthanasia questioned the Soviet dictator.
"That will be reviewed once the conflict is over. At earliest, we should have control over the country by early to mid January. From there, we will discuss on who gets what," Stalin replied as he looks at Dysthanasia.
"Also, comrade Stalin, you may like to keep... these," Said Chrysalis. Her horn glows green and levitates from her hair 4 hand-sized black objects with Y markings in them. She gently places these objects onto the table infront of Stalin, then her horn stops glowing. The Soviet dictator carefully picks up one of these objects with both hands and inspects it all over.
"It's like our equivalent to telephones. You see the markings look a little bit like a Y. You want to arrange these into a square and have the more triangular part facing in. Let me demonstrate for you," Chrysalis explains to Stalin.
"I need ask my changelings to give an updated report anyways," Chrysalis added as her horn glows green and levitates these 4 black objects into the arrangement of a square in the middle of the table.
One of the objects flips open and glows green. Then a bright green beam shoots off into the other, and vice versa until theses different bright green beam forms a square. Then dark pale cyan webs form upwards as these objects start spinning around forming green, black and white hoops until they fully merge and form into a magical white circular screen with green fiery edges and a black smokey aura.
"I, General Secretary Chrysalis calling!" She yelled at the white screen.
"Or formally known as, Queen Chrysalis," Stalin commented. Chrysalis shuddered as she turns to face Stalin. She knows communism and monarchism don't mix peacefully at all. She is now very anxious of Stalin. How did he even know?
"Don't worry, you aren't in trouble," Stalin lightly chuckled as he pushes his chair back and then stands up. He walks to Chrysalis and pats her on the back.
"If I didn't like you, I'd have you dead already. Do I make myself clear, comrade Chrysalis?" Stalin added.
"Yes, comrade Stalin," Chrysalis nodded, no longer feeling so anxious.
Suddenly, on the white screen, another black changeling appears, who's the same size as Dysthanasia, but without the armour.
"Ah, Chrysalis, I was heading here to just call you- oh! Hello comrade Stalin!" The changeling exclaimed. The Soviet dictator waves with his left hand.
"Were you now, what have you come to report?" Chrysalis questioned.
"Well, I uh- I have uh- well uh um-"
"Get on with it, spit it out," Stalin slightly raised his voice, who got irritated by the stuttering.
"We've uh- we got this news from one of our changeling drones. The drone states that Rutherford, the Prince of Yakyakistan, has just formerly declared war on the USSR," The changeling reported.
"Any other news?" Dysthanasia questioned.
"The Storm Creatures in the Storm Kingdom are engaged in a civil war. One side still wants to conquer Equestria while the other wants to co-exist in peace-"
"Civil war did you say?" Stalin inquired. The changeling on the screen nodded.
"I say everything has been addressed," Stalin thought, holding his hands together on his stomach.
"You, the changeling on the screen. Tell them comrade Stalin orders you to feed," Stalin ordered. The changeling looks at Chrysalis first, who nods, also giving them the green light to feed.
Then, the magical-like screen shrinks and and the dark pale cyan webs disappears. Then the 4 black objects reappear in the middle of the table.
"This is good, we could use these," Stalin slightly smiled and extends his right arm out and shakes Chrysalis' left forehoof with his right hand while using his left hand to put 2 of these objects in his left and right pockets on his cyan coat.
"Да, товарищ Сталин, у моих подменышей их много," Chrysalis speaks back in Russian to Stalin.
"Мы могли бы использовать это, друг. Это сделает связь между нашими силами намного быстрее и надежнее," Stalin replies back in Russian to Chrysalis. The changeling turns her head to her second-in-command.
"Dysthanasia, you are dismissed. Get the drones ready. Tomorrow is a big day," Chrysalis demanded while grinning with evil glee. Dysthanasia nods walks to the door he came through, opens it, then walks through, and closes the door behind him.
"I don't know how- why does it feel wrong, to have a friend- I spent so long hating friendship, I always associated it with Equestria- but yet, I see you as a friend," Chrysalis stutters as she share her feelings about friendship with Stalin.
"Ah, I have not many true friends either as no one can be fully trusted. Though, I see you as an exemption, you're in my good books. You're a friend too," Stalin puts his right hand on Chrysalis' back.
"I greatly admire you, comrade Stalin. You gave me back what I really wanted most. For that, you've earned my deepest respect," Chrysalis responded.
"Reunited with your loyalists? Getting revenge on the equines? Or what else is it?" Stalin inquired.
"My sanity, which I lost after losing my hive to Starlight," Chrysalis calmly replied, despite bringing up that unicorn's name.
"Ah, I see," Stalin nodded. He takes his right hand off of the changeling's back.
"What are those sheets of paper you have on the table?" Chrysalis inquired. She points with her left forehoof at the reports infront of where Stalin was sitting. The Soviet dictator walks to where he was sitting and looks at the sheets of paper
"Comrade Cozy has been good at keeping me updated with the situation on the battlefield. We're cutting through Equestria's defences and repelling every counter attack, she says. Comrade Zhukov is quite fond of her too," Stalin explained.
"In Soviet-controlled Equestria, I realize we need a pony government that's loyal to communist ideals. I wasn't sure at first about her, but..." Stalin starts off as he walks back to Chrysalis.
"...Cozy Glow will fit that role. She's still young, and we can twist her mind to support our ideology," Stalin finished.
"Hmm..." Chrysalis looks away from Stalin to think about what Stalin said. As annoying she thinks Cozy Glow is, Stalin is right. Cozy Glow is a young creature that can be easily manipulated into doing one's bidding, no matter how cruel. As well, the changeling gathers that the pegasus filly would carelessly send countless ponies to Soviet or changeling authorities if it means she gets to cling onto power. Chrysalis looks back to Stalin, and nods.
"I think that's a good idea, comrade Stalin."
"That though... that, is a discussion for the future. We deal with current issues at hand, then future issues," Said Stalin.
"I wish you the best of luck capturing this Starlight Glimmer. I've also given strict orders to our NKVD to hand her over to you if we get her first. You may leave when you wish, comrade Chrysalis."
"Спасибо, товарищ Сталин," Chrysalis spoke sheepishly as she smiles in absolute admiration to Stalin.
"Да, в любое время, товарищ Хрисалис," Stalin firmly said as he smiles back. He extends his right arm and has his hand out. Chrysalis reaches for it with her left forehoof. They shake hands and hooves before letting go. Chrysalis then takes a few steps back. Her horn glows green and she then disappears.
Sorry for a shorter chapter than usual for EPWT. This is another boring chapter put the way (woo!), and now onto the spicy chilli the next few chapters will bring. So, definitely keep a look out for the future chapters :o