Thread prompt: "Just pull the trigger, Anon. Just put an end to my misery once and for all." + Picture of Dash
 
> "Just pull the trigger, Anon. Just put an end to my misery once and for all."
> You lay panting, the sky-blue pegasus practically crushed beneath your weight.
> Her wings splayed out, one bent at a painful angle.
> The muzzle of your gun jammed beneath her jaw.
> "Just fucking do it. I can't take this anymore."
> She practically slams her jaw down onto the muzzle, tears pouring from her eyes.
> Whether it's due to her emotions or the oozing bullet wound on her flank, you don't know.
> "Come on!"
> Her cries are tinged with frustration as your finger fails to tighten around the trigger.
> "Just finish me off!"
> You...
> You laugh.
> You break out in furious laughter, your head tilting back and eyes falling shut.
"Oh, Dash."
> You lean in again, sliding a finger beneath her chin.
> The anger in her eyes has long since fled, replaced by a far more familiar fear.
"Oh, you silly little pony, Dash. I'm not going to shoot you."
> Your hand moves to grasp the steel collar fastened about her throat.
> She tries to shrink back, but trapped underneath you there's barely any room for her to move.
"You're far to valuable to me, Dash."
> "F-fuck you-"
> She actually tries to yank the gun from your hand, gripping it in her mouth to pull it away.
> No idea how to she intends to shoot it, but she's becoming frantic now.
> You pull the gun back with a painful screech of metal on teeth and haul her upright.
> She's trying to flee now, hooves scrabbling uselessly on the floor.
> At first she had tried to fly, but had quickly learned that a Pegasus with clipped feathers doesn't soar well.
> "No! No, no, no! I won't go back to that! I can't!"
"You will do whatever I order you to do, Dash."
> You swat her across the wings, earning a delightful squeal.
"Sooner or later you need to accept it: You are nothing but my slave now, and not even trying to get me to shoot you will change that."
> She's full-on crying now as you drag her down the steps to her prison.
> "N-no... I c-can't... can't live like this..."
"That's because you still struggle, Dash. When you accept your place, this will become so much easier."
> "I-I'm not a-"
"Yes you are. You are mine, trapped and taken. Like it or not, that is the reality.
> You are nearing a cage, the front open and waiting like the jaw of some monstrous beast.
> It was barely large enough for Dash to be able to crawl in on her belly, and certainly gave no room for her wings to spread.
> On the floor in front of it sat the heavy blindfold and earmuffs you would apply once she was secured in the cage.
> Experience had taught of a certain natural reflex pegasi had when unable to find their way.
> Almost instinctively their wings tried to open to find an air current on which they could ride.
> When denied that ability and trapped in a tight, claustrophobic environment as well they went into a panic, thousands of years of instinct telling them they are about to crash.
> Dash knows this too, also from experience with that cage.
> It's why she's ceased all attempts to flee as you pull her to the opening, trembling heavily.
> "N-no Anon, I'm sorry. Please don't put me in that again, Anon - please?"
> She's mewling now, violet eyes begging you not to force her into the living hell that the cage will become.
"No. You broke a lot of rules today, Dash; you can't just beg your way out of that any more than you can escape this by making me kill you."
> Her pleading turns to sobs as you secure her in the cage and remove her senses of sight and sound.
> Almost immediately you can see her wings reflexively open, then shut, then open again.
> The first stage.
> The second comes soon after: A sort of wiggling shuffle as she instinctively tries to blindly find her way to a nonexistant exit from this entrapment.
> Soon her movements become frantic and fearful.
> And then they cease entirely, except for a terrified shiver from time to time as a wing brushes against the bars.
> Typically you didn't leave her in there for more than an hour or two.
> But this had been an especially grievous violation of your rules.
> Trying to escape in death was a desperate move on her part, but intelligent.
> She knew how you'd react if ambushed.
> ...you think you'll leave her in there for 48 hours or so.
> By the time she comes out, she should be more willing to listen to her master.
> More able to accept her place.
 
> Utlimately she stays in the cage for two and a half days.
> Oh, you keep her watered and fed - though you aren't sure you could call the mush that you pour into her mouth to be 'food'.
> Of course there is no set schedule to the feedings, or to when you hose her down to keep her sanitary.
> No way for her to tell how much time had passed.
> And of course blind and deaf as she was, there was no way for Dash to tell that you were coming.
> The first hint she would get was the rough touch of your hand pulling her jaw open or the first splash of the hose against her coat.
> You were like some kind of primitive god.
> Rewarding with food and punishing with streams of icy water as you pleased, without any sense of logic or reason.
> Most of the time she just spent trying to ignore the instinctual fear pressing down on her mind.
> Sometimes she desperately threw herself against the bars of the cage, as if her body could break through the steel and out of the hell she had been placed in.
> Sometimes she sobs and screams herself raw.
> Sometimes she curled into a tiny ball and shivered in place until the next wave of fear hit her.
> Any significant amount of sleep was rare.
> Both because you interrupted her at entirely random hours and because any brush of her wings as she shifted unconsciously would trigger the deep-seated crashing reflex.
> Every time she would jump awake, inevitably crashing into the close confines of the cage sending her mind into another spiral of instinct-driven dread of crashing.
> Somewhere around the fifty-two hour hour mark she lost it entirely.
> Huddled in on herself, she stopped responding entirely.
> Even when you came to feed her, you practically had to hold her jaw up to keep her from choking.
> The next morning you decide she's had enough.
> Dash barely responds as you open the cage.
> Even when you reach in to pull her out, she is limp against your hands.
> Only when you lift her up into your arms does she respond at all.
> "A-Anon? Is that r-really you?"
> You've yet to return her senses of sight and sound, so all she can do is feel your hands on her sides.
> You lift her onto your shoulder and she promptly latches tightly on to it.
> "A-are you really here?"
> Making a soft shushing noise even though you know she can't hear it, you reach up and gently rub the back of her head.
> Dash leans in against you, pressing her cheek into your neck.
> "I-I saw... I thought... I thought you were going to leave me there forever, Anonymous... I thought I was going to die..."
> She's shivering again, her wings twitching furiously as she explores her newfound freedom once more.
> Dash was always like this when she came out of her cage.
> Docile, obedient.
> Seeking any real physical contact,regardless of how humiliating she would find it later.
> Anything to ward off that terrible feeling of perpetual falling she had suffered through.
> Of course, usually you would have given her back her sight and hearing by then.
> For now, though, the earmuffs and goggles remain in place as you carry her back up the stairway.
> After two flights of stairs you arrive at your 'bedroom'.
> It's a bit of an understatement:
> For what hides beneath it, your home is a relatively modest, unobtrusive thing.
> The bedroom, while not large or well-decorated, has ample room for a large bed and a desk for you to work at - all lit by several outsized windows to give plenty of light and air to the room.
> You stop in front of the open door leading to a deck, pulling up a seat and settling in with a sigh.
> On your shoulder, Dash twitches at the breeze flowing in through the open doorway.
> She knows what that means:
> She is close to open air, close to freedom.
> But Dash also knows that she cannot fly - not with her feathers clipped.
> You lean over, running a hand down her back.
> As it passes between her wings they flex, unconsciously spreading as she drinks in the first real contact you have had in so long.
> Pulling her down off your shoulder, you see that twin streaks have appeared from beneath the blindfold.
> You reach up and gently brush the tears away.
> Instantly Dash tenses again.
> "I-I'm sorry, I know you said I shouldn't c-cry... I'm just... so h-happy to... to feel..."
> You can see her struggling with the thought.
> Wrestling with the idea that she was now so desirous of any physical contact that your mere touch could bring tears to her eyes.
> That undeniable joy, weighed against the humiliation of knowing she was nuzzling her captor.
> The one who had put her in that cage in the first place.
> You brush her other cheek clean of tears and logic begins to catch up to instinct in her mind.
> Logic that says she has just gone against your order again by crying.
> Dash flinches back, wings snapping flat against her back as she curls her legs into herself.
> "I-I'm sorry... I know you said not t-to cry... please, please, don't put me back in there..."
> Without a word you pick her up, turning Dash so she rests across your lap.
> You sharply rap your fingers across her snout.
> It's a minor punishment you sometimes use for when she is only just out of line.
> Without a pause, you reach down and start to rub her back.
> You can feel the tension there, knots and strains built up from days spent huddles into a tiny ball.
> The message to Dash is clear.
> 'You are forgiven.'
> She nuzzles her cheek into your arm again, tears beginning to flow unabashedly as she both laughs and cries in joy at not having to go back to the cage's hell.
> "Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou!"
> You pet her until her elation calms and she settles down into your lap.
> Eventually, as the sun rises toward noon, you lift the earmuffs from her ears.
> When the goggles do not follow, she lifts her head.
> Blinded eyes searching as she tries to figure out what is going on.
"Dash."
> After so long hearing nothing - not even her own breathing - your voice is like a thunderclap to her.
"Who am I, Dash?"
> "Y-you're..."
> Momentarily she hesitates.
> Her stubborn prideful streak making one last desperate push.
> It fails.
> "You're my m-master. My owner."
> A smile finds its way to your lips.
"And who are you?"
> "I-I'm... I'm Rainbow Dash... your obedient... slave... your bluebird."
"So you are, my little broken bluebird. So you are."
> You'd been told at first to take away her name.
> That it would discourage her pride if she had her very identity taken away from her.
> You disagreed.
> Undoubtedly you could have worked your way into her mind more quickly if you had forced her to accept another name.
> But making her to obey while still remembering who she was?
> Ultimately it was far, far more humiliating for her to go through this like that.
> It wasn't some other pony, some random slave of another name that was so desperate for attention she would cling to her captor as though her life depended on it.
> It was Rainbow Dash, once the fastest pony in Equestria, Wonderbolts trainee, constant competitor, who never backed down.
> That was who was soaking in your touch even as her mind screamed that you were responsible for the horror she had experienced.
> And she could never forget it.
"I'm going to leave the earmuffs off for now, Dash. You're going to stay here, in my room, waiting for me to return this evening. And when you do, you are going to greet me properly as a slave, do you understand?"
> "Yes." A pause. "Yes, master."
"Good..."
> You give her a slight rub behind the ears - her head rocking back to press into it - and lift her off your lap.
> The day ahead is barely out of routine for your activities.
> Despite what some people - or ponies - might think, the daily life of a shipwrecked mastermind was not a a particularly exciting one.
> You ate your breakfast.
> You rechecked the security barriers for any anomalies - despite your very clear warnings on what further intrusions would mean, certain Alicorns had a frustrating tendency to try and penetrate your defenses.
> You planned new extensions to your lair.
> You designed new devices and contraptions to aid you.
> You made sure the drone laborers were still functioning properly.
> And, of course, you periodically watched your slave waiting in your room.
> As expected, she has remained quite obedient - quietly waiting on your bed for your return.
> Briefly she drifts off into a nap, catching up on the sleep she had missed so badly the past three nights.
> But she soon awakens, and goes back to patiently waiting.
> It's a statement on how much your punishment had affected her that the always-moving, notoriously impatient Rainbow Dash could make herself stay in one place for so long.
> Amazingly, when you arrive from dinner that evening, she is still in place.
> Empty plates from meals the drones had brought her sit off to the side, but Dash still sits on the center of your bed.
> As she hears your boots on the wood, she springs up and faces what she assume to be the doorway.
> She bows deeply, nose practically touching the bedding.
> Her wings spread wide in a position of abject submission.
"Good evening, Rainbow Dash. I'm pleased to see you followed my orders."
> Her ears twitch at your voice, and she rises to face you again.
> "Thank you, master."
"Since you have been so obedient today, I think I will reward you.tonight. You will be sleeping inside with me."
> She perks up excitedly.
> "Thank you, master!"
> On nights when she misbehaved, Dash was kept on a narrow ledge outside, her thick metal collar bolted securely to a ring in the outside wall.
> So close to the freedom of the open air, yet the chain on her collar not long enough she could even throw herself off the ledge to her doom.
> When she had been a good slave, however, you allowed her to join you in bed.
> This time, however, there would be a catch.
> As your slip into bed, pulling back the covers and sliding beneath, Dash cautiously creeps up beside you.
> She's learned not to be so assuming about your intentions.
> That your whims could turn cruel at a moment's notice.
> It's a reasonable fear.
> Dash tenses as she feels you grip her collar, coat rippling.
> When the earmuffs again begin to slide over her head she begins to shiver in outright terror.
> "Master? Anon?! I didn't - please d-don't - don't-"
> You cut her off with one ear still uncovered.
"Shhh. You won't be going back into the cage, Dash. You're just going to have to accept this overnight.
> She trembles, but nods as you slip the earmuff down, again cutting off her only real sense of the outside world.
> Of course, your reasons were somewhat different.
> Deprived of her senses and snugly beneath the covers with you, Dash again begins to experience a minor form of the same panic the cage inspired.
> This time, however, she can seek out some solid physical contact, some reassurance that she is safe.
> That is, naturally, yourself.
> Quickly Dash has locked herself around you in a tight embrace, slowly relaxing as your presence assures her mind.
> Undoubtedly she cannot bear knowing you are the only thing keeping her sane.
> But she cannot help clinging to you either.
> You smile and embrace her in return as you drift off to sleep.
> You know Dash is yours.
> Your little broken bluebird.
 
------
 
"Time to get up, Dash."
> She stirs on your bed, yawning and rolling over.
> One trait you never managed to work out of her system:
> Dash is not a morning pony.
"Last warning, Dash."
> 'Warning' is a word she knows well.
> It comes right before 'punishment.'
> Instantly she's wide awake, pushing herself up.
> "Okay, okay, I'm awake... good morning, master."
> You reach over and calmly rub her between the ears.
> As if you had not been threatening grievous harm moments earlier.
"Good girl, Dash."
> It's been a few days since the last incident.
> Dash's punishment has stuck well, and she's been quite obedient.
> As a result she's been increasingly sleeping inside with you.
> After the third day you even let her keep her senses at night.
> Surprisingly, she kept clinging to you.
> The fear of being left alone again must have imprinted itself far more deeply on her mind than you had imagined.
"Now, it's a very special day today. Do you know what it is?"
> "No, master. What day is it?"
> You lean in and whisper into her ear.
"Today's the first of the month. That means you get to talk to your friends today!"
> She rocks back away from you on the bed, eyes going wide.
> Dash hates talking to her friends, because it means two things.
> One, she has to be on her absolute best behavior.
> Embarrassments will not be tolerated.
> Two, she gets to be reminded of everything that you have taken from her.
> Her friends, her town, her freedom.
> Her flight.
> This time, especially, it would be a particular test of how deeply her obedience ran.
> "C-can I at least have breakfast first?"
> You give her a warm smile.
"Of course you can. I've never starved you, Dash. Go downstairs and get some food."
> She trots off, looking glum.
> You knew she wasn't that hungry, anyhow.
> Just looking for some way to put off her appointment with memory.
> An hour later finds you in one of the basement rooms.
> Perfectly nondescript, and unused for any other purpose.
> No chance of leaving out any sensitive information or helpful hints by accident.
> Nothing except a large, plush chair set in the center of the room atop a thick carpet, a screen mounted to the opposite wall, and a camera above it.
> Somewhere in Equestria there was a nearly identical setup, around with five other ponies would be gathering now.
> You sink into the chair and pat your lap.
"Come here, Dash."
> She had slunk in behind you.
> Every step dragged as she was inexorably draw towards the hated ritual.
> You are becoming impatient.
> A snap of your fingers, and she's instantly at your side, climbing into the chair.
> You settle her down on your lap like a cat, facing the screen with you.
> She takes a deep breath, trying to ready herself.
> The screen comes on.
> The room on the other side is likewise nondescript, except for the crystalline walls.
> You never exactly did figure out exactly where in Twilight's castle it was.
> Though you suspected it was, like yours, some otherwise useless room that served only this purpose.
> That did not matter, though.
> What did matter was the five ponies seated in the room, facing the screen on their end.
> As their screen comes on, they all perk up.
> Their reactions are varied.
> Anger, sadness, joy at seeing their friend again -
> All are evident on their faces.
> Dash speaks first.
> "H-hey, girls."
> "Hey Rainbow." "Hallo, Dash." "Heya."
> "H-how are you all doing?"
> "We're fine, darling... we're... just fine. How are you faring?"
> Dash hesitates for just a moment.
> But her training runs deep.
> "I'm okay... it's been better as of late..."
> "He wasn't hurting you before, was he?!"
> This time there's no hesitation in Dash's answer.
> "No... no, he just wasn't being... as kind. Maybe he could have used to take a few lessons from Fluttershy, heheh?"
> Her laugh is forced and awkward, as is the joke.
> Despite Dash's words, she sounds nothing like the headstrong pegasus you had captured..
> And nothing like the friend they once had.
> They suspect, of course, but they cannot prove.
> You just smile, quietly allowing your hand to rest on her back.
> Her friends flinch at the casual contact.
> One of them steps forward.
> "Ya been eatin' okay out there, pardner?"
> Dash nods more enthusiastically.
> "Oh yeah. He's got lots of really cool baking things and sometimes he..."
> That part, at least, she was not lying about.
> Her diet had markedly improved once she started obeying again.
> The conversation turns to more esoteric matters:
> Lives of ponies you have never met.
> The status of Dash's favorite performance team.
> You can see her drink it up, the only real reminder she has of what her life once was.
> But it's a bitter brew for Dash.
> She can't help but enjoy it, even as she knows it is something she will not be going back to.
> And even as she talks and talks, you can see her face dropping further and further as the memories of easier times come to the surface.
> "Dashie...?"
> The pink one steps forward.
> "Just remember, please... whatever happens, don't forget to just... smile, sometimes, okay?"
> Her own smile is pained and stretched.
> You think she might be close to tears.
> Dash nods, putting on her own strained smile.
> "Yeah, Pinkie. I won't forget. Just smile."
> "We'll... we'll always be here for you, Dash. Remember that."
> "Uh-huh. Some of my birds are keeping your home all tidied up for when you get back..."
> "And then we can throw you the biggest party ever!"
> Dash's eyes start to water.
> "I-I... thank y- uh, thank you, girls..."
> The cause of her interruption was your hand.
> It had slipped beneath her chin, running up to lift her head slightly.
> To make sure her friends saw the metal collar still fixed around her neck.
> To make sure they knew the 'welcome back' parties would remain just a dream.
> They all flinch.
"Well. This has been touching; however, we have business to get through with. Dash, if you would?"
> "Of c-course, master."
> She hops down from the chair, approaching the camera and then slowly walking in a long circle in front of it.
"Princess Twilight. As you can see, she is physically unharmed and still quite sane. As such, I hope you are ready to accept that I have held to my end of the deal?"
> Dash has stopped, and now spreads her wings one at a time to show them off.
> Her yellow friend gasps softly at the sight of Dash's clipped feathers.
> The princess, meanwhile was busy furiously staring at the screen on her end.
> Probably searching for any excuse she could use to claim you had violated your end of the agreement.
> At last she sighs.
> "Yes, Anon, I accept that I can find no evidence of harm and that you have not injured Rainbow. As such, our deal is still in place, and we will not..."
> It's hard for her to say.
> "We will not attempt to attack your home."
> We will not attempt to rescue our friend.
> Dash's head is turned towards you, but it's only to hide her tightly squeezed eyes.
> No doubt it was tearing her up inside to hear Twilight swear off any attempts to save her, on the basis of her own lies.
> Of course you had other failsafes in place to prevent an attack
> But this was the most powerful at keeping Twilight at bay.
> She could not try to rescue Dash without forfeiting her friend's life.
> Instead, you agreed to allow her enough access to be sure that you were causing no permanent physical harm to Dash or driving her insane.
> And in return she agreed not to attack you.
> In theory it was 'allow the situation to stabilize until we had both accepted each others' existence'.
> In reality, you were having far to much fun with Dash to ever give her up.
> By the time your agreement was ended, she would never think of leaving your side.
"In that case, our business is concluded. I will leave you all to talk. You have a little over three hou-"
> "Oh! Princess! You didn't tell me you were coming!"
> You freeze.
> There was only one princess that got Twilight so excited.
> "Of course, Twilight. I didn't want to distract you while you were preparing to see your friend."
> The warm, motherly voice flows from off-screen.
> Your eyes narrow.
> While Twilight was held at arm's length by your hostage and Luna far to direct to pose a threat to you, Celestia was another matter.
> You held a healthy respect for the princess as a capable leader.
> Holding a nation together alone for a thousand years was no small feat.
> She was quite possibly the only creature on this planet capable of outmaneuvering you.
> Even as her incandescent visage enters the frame, you straighten up and offer a small bow.
"Princess Celestia. I had not realized you were to be attending."
> Meaning, 'Why are you here?'
> "Anonymous. I did not announce my intention."
> 'I didn't want you to know.'
"Ah, a surprise appearance - liking to keep your subjects on your toes, I see."
> 'Your subjects. Not me.'
> "Merely looking out for all of my subjects' well-being."
> 'Including the ones you hold hostage.'
"An honorable cause, when pursued properly."
> 'Don't try anything, or you'll just be endangering her.'
> "I am quite experienced in the task, of course."
> 'I know. Don't test me either.'
> Dash has backed off as the two of you exchange verbal barbs.
"Well. Twilight has already accepted that our deal will remain in place; I presume you trust her judgement?"
> "Indeed. I was merely hoping I could speak with Rainbow Dash myself?"
"Of course! Please, do come and talk."
> You give her a positively beatific smile and stand, walking over to Dash's side.
"I'm going to head off for a bit now, Dash. You have a good chat with your friends, alright?"
> You lean to whisper into her ear.
"I'll be watching."
> She manages to not shiver to badly at your threat, nodding.
"O-okay, master."
> On the screen, a brief grimace passes over Celestia's features.
> Slavery, you understood, was one of her most hated things.
> Unfortunate that your agreement was still in place, then.
> Another overly-warm smile, and you are gone from the room.
 
--------
 
> Periodically you get visitors in your little home.
> Mostly random ponies looking to beg a favor of some kind from the strange alien.
> It's some kind of rule of the universe or something.
> If you're going to be a reclusive, mysterious figure you're going to get pilgrims.
> For the most part, you treat them fairly well.
> You are barely tolerated by the princesses as it is; harming visitors would not be a smart choice.
> Some of their requests are completely out of the realm of possibility, of course.
> No, you can't bring back relatives from the dead or make someone fall in love.
> But other, more minor ones?
> Terms were negotiable.
> Your guest today was already making her way up the mountainside towards you.
> A griffon, you saw.
> Interesting beasts; you didn't see a great number of those.
> Probably because you'd crashed down in Equestria, across the sea from them.
> This was one was determined, though, doggedly marching up the mountainside despite the harsh storm lashing the mountain range with rain.
> She'd passed your outermost sensors around an hour ago, and was now turning up the final pass towards your home.
> You had decided to invite her in for a meal.
> You thumb down on the intercom.
"Dash, I do hope dinner is quite ready?"
> While the conversation with her friends had gone perfectly fine, it had set her in a foul mood.
> A mood that eventually led to her shirking an order.
> Of course she'd been quite apologetic when she realized, but you did not care to let it slip.
> You'd been making her handle setting dinner, despite the drones being perfectly capable of handling it on their own.
> Besides the obvious point of being forced to do something totally unnecessary, it had to balance the plates carefully between her wings.
> Just another reminder that they would be used for everything but flying.
> "Of course, master. Is there anything else you want...?"
"No. When you are done, come up to our room while I do my business."
> "Yes, master."
> A pity.
> She'd been doing so well as of late too.
> Well.
> Time to put on your show.
> You slipped on a suit and headed for the door.
> Still watching the camera feed from outside as the sodden griffon dragged itself up to your door.
"Three, two, one..."
> You throw the door open just as it had raised one taloned claw to knock.
"Good evening. You've traveled quite far, and in such terrible weather. Won't you please come in?"
> The griffon stared up at you from beneath her hood, beak half-open in surprise.
> "I, er... uh... yeah. Yeah, I can."
> You stepped aside to allow the griffon - a she, you had decided, based on the voice - step in.
> A drone swoops down to take her cloak.
> She regards it suspiciously with one golden-yellow eye, but hands the sodden garment over in the end.
> Then she shakes herself furiously.
> You had not been expecting that.
> Leaning back to avoid the shower of drops, you can't help but hide a smirk as she stretches out.
> "Aaaaah, that's much better."
"Indeed. I'm sure you've come to me with some particular matters to discuss, but might I interest you in a meal at the same time?"
> Now it is the griffon's turn to look caught off guard.
> "Uh, yeah. I guess. Not to much of any of that green stuff, right?"
"Of course not. You will find we share similar diets in that respect, Miss...?"
> "Gilda. And good, that stuff is for losers."
> You lead her through your home to the dining room.
> On the surface it is relatively modest, although well-lit compared to the drenching night outside.
> It's obviously thoroughly freaking 'Gilda' out.
"So, Miss Gilda... were you expecting me to be... different, yes?"
> "Uh, yeah, I guess... can ya quit it with the miss stuff, though? Makes me sound like some fancy-schmancy lame-o pony noble or something."
"Of course. I can assure you I can be quite the host as well, and this night is not one for traveling."
> She is slowly relaxing.
"Ah, speaking of which, here we are..."
> Dinner went surprisingly well.
> Gilda had practically jumped the table the second she saw the freshly-cooked meat laid out on it.
> While she had her fill, you paced yourself.
> Best to keep your mind sharp for the business that would follow.
"So, Gilda. No one comes out here for simple reasons. Everyone has a request. Since you've made it this far, I presume you've heard of my cost - so, why don't you tell me what you are looking for?"
> "Uh, yeah...."
> She was curled catlike on her seat now, eyes half-closed.
> Propping herself back up, she looks away again as she starts to speak.
> "So, I had this friend a long time back... she was sorta cool... and sorta dumb... but mostly cool. We had a big argument, and I ran away..."
> "So, after thinking a while, I realized... I was kinda dumb back there, so I wanted... I wanted to go back and make it up to her, okay?"
> She says it like just mentioning the idea of admitting wrong is some kind of deep personal failing.
> Presumably she wants you to be the one to reconcile the two of them somehow.
"I have to warn you, Gilda. I cannot change minds, especially without meeting this friend of yours."
> "Huh? No, I ain't gonna ask you to go talkin' to her. That'd be lame anyhow... I just want to know where she is."
> Oh.
> This, you could work with.
"Ah, well. I presume you tried to locate her own your own already?"
> "Yeah... she wasn't there anymore. All her dumb friends were, but they wouldn't tell me where she'd vanished off to. Some of the others said she'd gotten into some trouble - but wouldn't tell me anything more."
"I see. Well, in this case, I can help you."
> You might not have magic, but what you did have were the computers salvaged from your vessel and a vast information gathering network.
> Not even the Equestrian royal scribes could crunch data so fast, or gather it so widely.
> You traded information, and were paid in favors.
"Here is how this is going to work, Gilda. I will try and locate this friend of yours. Assuming I can reasonably find out where she is, I will tell you on one condition."
> "Yeah?"
"I will give you a package. It will be dropped off in a general area and left alone. You will not look inside it or take it anywhere else."
> She is giving you a strange look now.
> "What do I look like, an earth pony?"
"You look like you have wings and enough strength to carry a package like this."
> Her pride is suitably tickled, and perks back up again.
> "Heck yeah, I can carry it!"
"Good. Your friend. What's her name?"
> "Rainbow Dash. She's, uh... a pony. Blue coat, real crazy mane, all kinds of colors. Last I knew she was living in a place called Ponyville. We went to flight camp together, back in, uh - hey, are you okay?"
> You couldn't help it.
> You had started to laugh.
"Please excuse me, Gilda. This is... quite a surprise. Of all the things that someone would come to me for, this is not one I expected."
> "You know her then?"
> In response, you just tap the comm on.
"Dash, do come down to the dining room. There's someone here who wants to see you."
> Gilda jerks up in surprise.
> "She's here?!"
> Her answer comes in the form of hooves furiously pounding down the stairs.
> Poor, sweet Dash.
> She must think one of her circle of pony friends has come to visit.
> All eyes turn to the door where Dash has just appeared and promptly frozen, her mouth half-open.
> "G-Gilda?!"
> "Dash?!"
> Both are staring at each other in shock.
> Dash recovers first, snapping out defensively.
> "What the hay are you doing here?"
> Gilda jerks back as if struck.
> "What am I doing here?! I was looking for you! What the hay are you wearing?"
> Dash flinches, her head sinking backwards to try and hide the collar.
> "Don't wanna talk about it." she mutters unhappily, staring pointedly into the floor.
"Come here, Dash."
> She makes her way to your seat, staring up at you in apprehension.
> You pat your lap, but receive only a subtle, pleading shake of Dash's head in reply.
> She really doesn't want to be seen like this in front of her 'friend'.
> You merely reach down and lift her into your lap with a grunt.
> She goes stiff, no doubt in part because she knows that there is going to be a price to pay for failing to obey immediately.
> Gilda, meanwhile, has actually managed to look even more shocked at the sight she is seeing.
> "Wow, Dash, I mean I know we were friends and stuff, but you -really- like the exotic ones, don't you?"
> Dash twists her head to stare at Gilda again, flushing bright red.
> "And a collar too? I mean, wow - I would not have guessed you were one to like that."
> "What?! What're you talking about, I'm not-"
> She clams up, realizing that denying a relationship would force her to explain her actual state.
"Actually, she did a very brave thing, Gilda."
> The griffon looks up at you with a smirk.
> "Finally admitted how she was feelin' inside, huh? I can see why her friends wouldn't want to tell me that."
> "No! I'm not some kind of pervert, you little -"
> "Seriously, Dash. It's not so bad. I mean, it's freaky, but that's not the worst thing I've-"
> Rainbow wriggles uncomfortably in your arms, shaking her head.
> "No, it's not that. I'm-"
> "I even know a couple of griffons I'm fairly sure are doing some nasty things when nobody can see them."
> "I'm a bucking prisoner, Gilda!"
> The room is silent in the aftermath of Dash's outburst.
> You frown. Bad Rainbow; you'd hoped to keep the joke running a little longer.
> Gilda's been shocked into silence, her beak hanging half open.
> "W-what? How - that's - but you can fly! You were the second fastest back at camp!"
> Rainbow curls in on herself again; her clipped wings are a very painful point to her.
> But she messed up the fun you'd been having.
"Show her your wings, Dash."
> Her head rocks back to again stare pleadingly up at you, begging you not to.
"Show her your wings, Dash."
> Her head rocks back to again stare pleadingly up at you, begging you not to.
> Your gaze is hard and unrelenting, and Dash wilts beneath it.
> Slowly, apprehensively, she spreads both wings and lets them hang half-open at her sides.
> Not far, but enough to show the clean line of carefully-made cuts where the tips of her feathers ought to be.
"As I said, she did a very brave thing. I would need to keep someone around to make sure nobody comes after me, and Dash left her friends so that they could be safe."
> It was more that she was the only one dumb enough to charge you head-on without magic, but that wasn't important to tell.
"Since then, she's been a most agreeable guest... and most obedient, after a few lessons."
> Gilda's face is shifting from shock into horror.
> "What have you done to her? She - Dash, are you - are you okay in there?"
> Rainbow folds her wings back against herself, turning her head away from Gilda.
> The griffon hops down from her chair, taking a few steps towards you.
> "Dash, you don't have to hide from me... I'm not pissed, I..."
> Her gaze locks on you, eyes narrowed.
> "What the hell did you do to her?! She's... gone! She never acted like this."
"I made her obedient. If I am going to bother keeping her around, I can't take the risk of having her act out or injure me."
> "You..." Gilda snaps her beak shut, shaking her head. "You're fucking with me, right? This is... some kind of a joke! Why doesn't anyone-"
"Because what I do to her now isn't really that bad. If I were attacked, though, her safety might seriously be at risk."
> Gilda takes a moment to process what you are saying.
"You're a nutjob, you know that? You can't deal with the consequences of what you've done, so you hide behind her? That's low."
> Very honor-driven, the griffons.
> But not dumb.
"It keeps both of us safe."
"It keeps both of us safe."
> You run your hand through Dash's mane; she doesn't even bother moving beneath you despite how uncomfortable it must be making her.
> Gilda's claws are squeezed into little balls, but she's doing an admirable job of keeping herself calm.
> "Buck-"
"Since you are obviously displeased with this result, and I did not have to expend any time or resources on your request, I will not demand your payment. However."
> You stand up, Dash managing to catch herself on her hooves before she crashes to the floor.
"If you are even thinking of trying any 'rescue' attempts - any plans forming in your head right now - do not think you are the first one to try and cross me for some reason. Do not think I cannot defend myself."
> Gilda looks back to Dash, who has retreated to the farthest corner of the room.
> "Rainbow, I..."
> "Just go!" Dash's voice is shaky. "Just go. Don't do anything for me - he'll just hurt you."
"Indeed. If you cannot keep yourself from doing something stupid, your best bet is to simply leave."
> Gilda tenses herself, her wings flexing.
> "Yeah. Maybe I better buckin' do that."
> She turns and stalks out, tail lashing.
> You stand, showing her to the door.
> The storm outside has subsided somewhat, and Gilda pauses to give one last look back into your home before padding away into the night.
> You'll have to keep an eye on that one.
> Dash, on the other hand...
> The moment you step back into your room, it's obvious she's in a bad state.
> She's rolled herself into a ball and almost seems to be trying to cover her face with her tail.
> Not even the chats with her friends affected her this badly.
> Reaching down, you lift Dash up into your arms.
> She immediately looks up, your contact having broken her out of whatever fugue she had been in.
> "A-no- Master? Did I-"
"Shhh."
> You roll her on her back and start up a flight of stairs to your second floor, where your room resides.
> Dash shifts uncomfortably, always having disliked being carried like that.
> To babying, she said.
> "Am I in trouble, master? I didn't follow your orders...."
"No, you didn't - and you will have to be punished for this."
> She shivers lightly.
"But you did obey in the end, and so it will not be to bad."
> She pauses, trying to work over how she should respond to this.
> "Thank you, sir?"
> Her tone is still unsure, but you approve.
"Indeed."
> You arrive in your room, setting her down on your bed.
> Promptly she rolls right-side up again, looking up at your with nervous expectation.
> You just take a seat beside her.
"Show me your wing, Dash."
> Cautiously she extends one sky-blue wing to you, allowing you to take it in hand and gently guide it out until it is fully extended.
> Leaning in, you begin to work through her feathers - straightening each fully-grown one and checking it with a slight tug to make sure it is not loose.
> As soon as she realizes what you are going to do, Dash gives an unusually high yelp and buries her face in her hooves.
> You just smile and keep working.
> This was one of your favorite things to do when you needed to have a talk with Dash.
> She couldn't very easily pull away with her wing in your hand, and your preening efforts had quite an effect on her.
> From what you understood, it was the equivalent of a highly sensual massage.
> And to a pegasus, giving one without consent was quite a social breach.
> You had simply forbidden her to preen except for having you do so.
> Another way to make her reliant on you.
"So, Dash. Tell me - why was talking to that griffon so hard for you?"
> "...wasn't talking that was bad, master."
> Her voice is muffled, as she's kept her face firmly planted between her forelegs to hide the effects of your efforts.
"Oh? Being there, then. Obviously it hit you pretty hard."
> "...she was an old friend. From before Ponyville. We, uh... we competed pretty hard. At flying."
"Ah. I see... so you were embarrassed to let you see her flightless?"
> "Yeah... that, and, well, back then I was always acting real tough. I mean, I still am real tough! But I acted a lot more back then."
> You chuckle at her false bravado, moving on to the next row of feathers.
> "So, uh... yeah. It wasn't cool at all, letting her see me- eep!"
> Grinning, you set aside the loose feather you had pulled free and move on to the next.
"Please, continue?"
> "Well, uh, yeah. Was pretty lame to let her see me like this."
"She said you had a big argument the last time you spoke."
> Dash gives a slight groan of frustration.
> "She told you all that, huh? Yeah, she came around me home - uh, my old home - and started acting real grumpy that I had made some new... friends..."
> She trails off at those words.
> You stand, shifting to her opposite side and taking the unchecked wing in hand.
> Dash scoots away at you manhandling of her wing, but doesn't protest.
"And yet she came to try and find you."
> A brief silence holds, punctuated only by slight noises and involuntary wriggling from Dash every time you re-align or remove a twisted or loose feather.
"Did you know, she didn't know you were here and wanted me to find you?"
> "She did? Really?"
"Indeed."
> "Wow... that's... she must've really wanted to make up. That's... kind of cool of her, actually."
"Well, I hope you understand that just acting tough - or even being tough - are not all that matters now."
> "Oh yeah... my friends taught me that."
"Good. Speaking of which."
> You've reached the end of her wing, and now stretch out on the bed beside Dash.
> One arm is raised, and Dash cautiously moves over to join you.
> "Master?"
"Yes, come here, Dash. You did disobey me, and I did have to punish you for that... but you also faced down a difficult situation, and managed to obey me - even if a bit slowly."
> "Y-yes, master."
"And that's worth a reward. So please do come over here."
> She settles back down in the crook of your arm, eventually resting her head on the side of your chest.
> "Thank you, master."
"You earned it."
> You rest your hand on her head, stroking slightly.
> Unlike before, now that it is just the two of you and Dash is not so self-conscious, the gesture is somewhat comforting.
> She ruffles her wings slightly, letting them settle somewhere more comfortable.
> "Master?"
> Some time had simply passed along silently, you absentmindedly stroking Dash's mane while staring out the widow into the forest beyond your home.
"Yes, Dash?"
> "Why do you do this?"
"...do what, exactly?"
> "Be... nice to me? Why not just... put me in a cell, if all I'm doing is keeping Twilight away from you? Why not just punish me if all you are doing is making me your... slave, or something?"
> You sigh softly.
"Because just appearing tough all the time is not the point, just like you said. Fact is, I care about you. Like you, even. Yes, I will keep you in line when you step out... but I can't do just that."
> Running your hand down a bit, you start scratching her withers lightly, feeling the well-developed muscles there.
> Even as your captive, Dash has not forgotten about her exercise.
"If I just... brutalized you all the time, well. You might obey me, but never because you'd understand that I am caring for you as well."
> "O-oh..."
> You continue to stroke, working your way down to her flanks.
> "Um... well, thanks, I guess. For not... just being mean all the time."
> You grin, eyes sliding closed.
"You're welcome, Dash."
 
--------
 
> Another day.
> Seems you fell asleep in your clothes last night.
> Considering the warm, softly breathing mass still curled against your side, it's not hard to imagine why.
"Good morning, Dash."
> She stirs slightly, rolling over and burying her head further beneath the covers.
> Heh.
> You reach down and rub between Dash's ears; she makes a soft little noise and starts to nudge her head back up into your hand.
> Grinning slightly, you move on to lightly scratch one ear, running your fingertips through the velvety-soft fuzz covering it.
> Dash offers a small flick of the ear in return, tilting her head to offer it to your hand.
> "S'feels'oodom."
> you have no idea what she just said.
> But the face she is making is just to amusing to stop.
> You continue scratching, using all your fingers.
"What'd you say, Dash?"
> Her response is still mumbled, but rather more coherent.
> "Said, this feels good, Mo-"
> Her eyes fly open as she realizes who she is speaking to.
> Not her mother.
> It takes a moment, but Dash soon stretches out and lays her head back down on you, closing her eyes again.
> "It feels good."
"...did you just call me your mother, Dash?"
> She flushes bright red.
> "...did n-"
> Her mind catches up with her mouth, and she stops the lie before it can escape.
> "-nyyyyeah. I did. She, um... she used to... do that sometimes for me whe I was a filly, to wake me up."
> You laugh softly, resume the scratches.
> If it upsets Dash that you've accidentally mimicked her parent's actions, she doesn't show it.
> Instead her mouth settles into a happy little smile that lets you know you've done well.
"You're in a good mood this morning, Dash."
> "...I slept well."
> She doesn't comment on why, but it isn't hard to guess.
> She always sleeps soundly when granted actual contact with a living being.
> Probably made her feel less alone.
> "Anon? Master?"
"What is it, Dash?"
> "Um, I was thinking... about something after last night?"
> Could be good, or bad depending on what she was thinking on.
"Well, go ahead then."
> "Um, I was just wondering... if you, um... well, you said you cared for me, right?"
> She's obviously nervous, well aware she is treading on dangerous territory.
"Yes?"
> "So, um... look, I know you can't just let me go, but, um... could I maybe go outside some time?"
"Outside?"
> "Yeah! Not far or anything, but, um... like, just far enough to maybe jog around a bit? I'm, um, it gets kind of boring in here."
> Occasionally you let Dash out on an upper balconies.
> The threat of a fall she couldn't simply fly away from typically kept her suitably away from the edge, but she is asking for a lot more.
"I will think about it, Dash. When I feel I can trust you, I might be willing to let you out. That's not a promise, though."
> It doesn't have to be.
> Even your vague offer is enough to send Dash into an excited little wriggle.
> "Ooooh, yesyesyes! Thank you, master! Thank you!"
> Laughing at her enthusiasm, you run a hand down to scratch at the back of her neck.
> She rolls her head back into it, wings twitching in joy.
"I expect your best behavior if you want to do that, though, Dash."
> "Yeah, I can do that! Rainbow Dash does not back down from a challenge."
> Especially one with a reward like that.
"Well then. Why don't you start by going and bringing my breakfast back up while I take a shower, hrmmm?"
> Dash hops down from the head, a slight spring in her step and flick in her tail as she trots out from your room.
> ...well. This certainly could be a valuable reward from the way she is reacting to it.
> You'd have to be extremely careful about security, make sure nobody was around.
> But from the way she reacted?
> This is something Dash wants very, very badly.
> You resolve to think it over as you step into the shower.
 
--------
 
> BZZZZT BZZZZT BZZZZT.
> Your head shoots up.
> Proximity alarm. Someone is approaching your home.
> You flip the alarm off, closing your current project and bringing the security net up on screen.
> Staring heavily at the screen, you note the contact it displays.
> One pony, berift of horn or wings.
> Bringing several camera feeds up, you study the figure closely as it - he, from the heavier build - makes his way up the mountainside.
> Something strikes you as wrong, though.
> You strain your eyes, trying to figure out what it might be...
> His saddlebags.
> They're far to small for a pony who had trekked up the mountain on his own.
> Most of your travelers - like Gilda, now a week back - opted to make camp somewhere nearby and approach you from there.
> Some came to your door with everything they could carry, but that was rarer...
> This one, though?
> His pouches were tiny, barely enough to carry a full day's food.
> Nowhere near enough for hiking up a mountain.
> Squeezing down the map for a moment, you look for any other recent activity in the area.
> Anything that would explain where he came from.
> But there is nothing.
> If he has made camp, it is well outside of the sensor clusters you had your drones lay.
> Again looking back to the figure, you frown.
> Something is quite odd here.
> And honestly, it's making you curious.
> With a flick of your fingers, you send a pair of drones to shadow him as he approaches.
> Time to see what is going on here.
"Dash!"
> You find her upstairs, breathing heavily amid exercise machines you had brought up mostly for her.
> "Master? Is something the matter?"
"We're going to have another guest soon, Dash. When they come, you are to go down into the basement and let the door lock."
> "Master?"
> That got her attention.
> Dash knows you only order her into the basement when you thought that there was a truly worrisome guest coming.
> It kept her safe.
> The basement was far more securely built than your 'public' house.
> It would take a determined enemy indeed to dig Dash out of the basement.
"You heard me. Same deal as normal - you go down there, I'll come get you when things are clear."
> "Okay, Master. Um... if I can ask, who is it?"
> She probably wanted to know if it was someone she knew.
> Sorry, Dash. Your princess friends aren't the only ones who can make me nervous.
> The look your give her adequately communicates that she will not be getting an answer.
> Dash shrinks back. "Sorry, master!"
"Just get down there."
> She shoots off without question, launching herself down the stairs.
> You wait until the basement door closes after her with a thud before returning to your screens.
> The figure is still steadfastly making its way up the mountainside to your home.
> ...strange...
 
> By the time the visitor arrives, you have had plenty of time to observe them.
> A reasonably well-built earth pony stallion, brown coat and blackish mane and tail.
> Mark was just two hammers, a symbol that could mean anything.
> Entirely unremarkable.
> Which is why you are even more concerned.
> He had marched doggedly up the slop while barely taking any moments to rest.
> Pushing himself like that is not something the typical stallion did, or was capable of doing.
> Not unless they had a history of mountain climbing or something.
> Or military service.
> Unlike with Gilda, you choose to make him come to you.
> The front door slides open under the touch of his hoof, but you are not there to greet him.
> Instead he makes his way slowly into your home, finding his way through the doors you have allowed to remain open.
> When he enters the meeting room, you are waiting.
> No meal has been set out this time; instead you sit alone at the end of the elongated table that dominates the room.
"And who might you be, then?"
> His head whips around to center on you.
> "Forge Strike, sir."
> He offers a clumsy half-bow.
> You shake your head.
"Don't do that. I'm not a prince or a king."
> He straightens up, but shows no signs of embarassment.
> "I've come to ask something of you."
"I rather figured. Do please come sit down?"
> All but one of the chairs in the room was built for a quadruped body, leaving no question as to which was yours.
> He takes one of the two closest to you.
"You've heard my cost?"
> "Yes."
> It's a simple answer, given unwaveringly.
> He knows what he is dealing with.
"Well then. What is your request?"
> "I need to get in to Canterlot."
> You raise one eyebrow.
"That is it?"
> He nods, once.
> "There's someone there I need to see. She, um... they don't want me to be there. And none of the other smugglers will help."
"If they're not helping, then you're not just merely someone with a restraining order from a filly you want to see."
> He nods.
"Are you going to give details?"
> "I messed up rather badly the last time I was there."
"That's not terribly helpful."
> "...okay, look - someone rather powerful is angry at me, and I need to-"
"So you hike up the mountainside to see if I can find a way to get you in?"
> He nods.
"I will help you..."
> Forge Strike perks up.
"...when you tell me the whole story."
> Forge pauses, and hangs his head.
> "Look, uh... it's kind of embarrassing, and I'm not going to hurt anyone-"
> Except maybe for hurting the marriage of whoever he had been smooching.
> "-so if you could just get me into the city to talk to her once, I'd really appreciate it."
"All details, Forge. I don't do favors to people who won't tell me the truth.
> "It was Stalwart Shield's wife."
> Your eyebrows go up.
> Stalwart Shield was the new marshal of Canterlot, since Shining Armor had run off to his little crystal city.
> A dedicated soldier, and utterly impossible for you to get any favors out of.
> "Here, um, take a look-"
> Forge Strike fishes about in his meager saddlebags, withdrawing a pair of lockets that he dangles from his mouth to you.
> Taking it, you pop it open to find the pictures within.
> One is his, the other a mare.
> Out of sight of Forge, you pull up the image of Stalwart's wife on a small screen before you.
> Definitely her.
> ...heh, if it rustles Stalwart a bit to do this, you might actually enjoy it.
"Tell me your whole story, from the beginning, and I will agree."
> "Is that your cost?"
> You shake your head.
"No. That will come later. I want to know if your story stands up."
> Forge Strike seems to think it over carefully, but eventually gives in and nods.
> "So, I was actually in the guard for a while - heh, look at me now - and that's when I met her. I was guarding a party one night that Stalwart was attending..."
> You knit your fingers as he starts to tell his story, trying to spot any differences or inconsistencies in the tale he told.
> There aren't any, though, and if he's a soldier he's also the world's best-acting soldier.
> It definitely effects him to talk about what he'd had with Stalwart's wife.
> "...so gave all the guards an unofficial order to keep me out of Canterlot. They know me from when I was in the guard; if even one of them see me, it'll all be over. I was just hoping you could help me get back in?"
> Now reasonably certain his tale is honest, you set your mind on thinking of a way to get him past the guards.
> It figured he'd been forced to come to you - smuggling small items in or out of Canterlot was one thing; smuggling in an entire pony, and one the guard was already angry with, is another.
"I believe what you request will be possible. My cost will be this: While you are in Canterlot, you will drop off a package at a given address. Do you understand?"
> "Yes."
"Good. Go to the town of Croxton's Pass - it's not a three-day walk from here - and wait there for a train in four days' time. I will arrange for someone to have someone ready to take you in."
> "You are certain it will work?"
"I did not build this reputation by failing."
> "Good. Then..."
> Forge Strike stands. "I am to deliver the true message to you."
> Instantly you are on guard.
> You've made a few enemies in your business, and coming in lying to you didn't suggest he was that friendly.
> But what had you missed? His story was perfect, and-
> The hiss-crack of flame violently intrudes on your thoughts as Forge Strike immolates himself in a greenish ball of flame.
"What the fu-"
> Before you can finish sputtering the curse, the tongues of fire dye down.
> But Forge Strike is not standing there anymore.
> "My mistress, Queen Chrysalis of the hive, has sent me to relay this message to you."
> Fucking. Changelings.
> You finally get to meet one of them - the tales you'd been hearing for a while, were making you curious, to say the least - and you get played.
> That's why he didn't need a bigger pack, you realize.
> He'd probably flown to somewhere just beyond the edge of your security perimeter before putting on the disguise.
> You grit your teeth and try to salvage what you can from the situation.
"You're quite good."
> The changeling's wings buzz in a whirring blur, a strangely dry noise.
> "I am honored by your complement. What I spoke of was not a lie. This one had the honor of being a scout for the invasion of Canterlot."
"Ah. Your experience was not entirely made up, then."
> "Yes. I approached Stalwart's wife to try and get close to him."
> He (it? You're not really sure about changeling physiology) pauses.
> "...her love was also quite tasty."
> Interesting.
> Clearly this changeling isn't just some mere grunt if he's been sent on two of what you'd call fairly high-risk missions...
> "And the reason for your faked offer."
> Forge-changeling shifts in place.
> "I cannot answer that. My queen has not chosen to reveal this to me."
"Right. Well then, what has she told you to tell me?"
> He perks up, standing perfectly straight - almost as if standing at attention.
> "From the illustrious Queen Chrysalis, Queen of the Swarm and all it reaches, to the creature Anonymous. I find myself in need of your services; in a week's time I shall arrive to consult with you on how you may best be of service to my cause. I expect you to be adequately prepared and ready to serve an individual of my status and needs. If you are, your reward shall be considerate."
> ...that is possibly the most circuitous route way you have ever heard someone ask for help.
> It's like Chrysalis is doing everything she can to avoid outright acknowledging that she is the one asking for your assistance.
> More importantly, though, this presents something of an issue.
> While you weren't exactly friendly the princesses, you tried to keep your 'business' limited to things that didn't directly piss them off even further.
> No need to give them another excuse to bump you up even further on their list of problems to be dealt with.
> You're fairly sure that 'aiding the queen of the changelings' was somewhere in that group.
> But to spurn her directly... well, you'd already been played once by a changeling, and it was a fair bet they could make a lot more trouble for you if Chrysalis was angered.
> This is going to be a delicate balance.
"Tell your queen that I look forward to her arrival, and am quite ready to discuss ways in which I might be of assistance to her."
> Got to keep that royal ego stroked.
"However, as with any client I cannot promise that I will be able to assist her without hearing what she is looking to get from me. I do hope that our negotiations will go well, and that we will be able to come to an adequate agreement. That is all."
> The changeling nods.
> "It will be delivered. With your permission, may I depart to deliver your message?"
"Of course."
> You motion to the doorway he had entered through.
> The changeling offers you a slight bow - very slight, you notice - and turns to depart.
> The second he is gone from your room, you are watching the changeling on the camera feeds.
> This time he doesn't even bother disguising himself.
> His wings whir into motion the second he is clear of your front door, lifting him up and off into the sky.
> You watch until he vanishes from your perimeter, then lean back in the chair.
> A changeling queen, coming to visit.
> This could be problematic indeed.
> Not in the least, because between what you'd heard and the contents of her message, you suspected this Chrysalis was egocentric to the point of instability.
> You're not sure how a 'no' answer would go over with her.
> Probably best to put Dash safely away in the basement when she comes too, maybe a couple of extra levels down for extra protection.
> ...speaking of which, you should go let her out of there again.
> Except for one, itty bitty little problem.
> Dash isn't in the room you left her in.
> It's an unfinished storage room with a few stacks of various objects laying about, so not much room to hide.
> And definitely no multicolored pegasi to be found.
> Where, then?
> Not upstairs, the door from the basement was locked.
> Another door catches your eye, though.
> The one leading further into the lower basement levels, and beyond.
> It's half open.
"She wouldn't have..."
> Dash knows she isn't supposed to go down there, and normally the doors are all locked.
> You must have forgotten to reset the locks when the changeling appeared marching up the mountain path so quickly.
> And Dash took advantage of your sloppiness.
> You grit your teeth, rubbing your forehead in frustration.
"Oh, she is so going in the box for this."
 
--------
 
> The first basement level is what you might expect in a home.
> Lots of storage, considering that you don't have an easy, nearby source of food between deliveries.
> But past the heavily-built door and down another flight of stairs, things begin to change.
> The brick-and-mortar wall facade vanishes, leaving the fused stone behind it in full view.
> Warm, gentle lighting is replaced by extended strips of gently-humming panels.
> Cables emerge from the floor and ceiling to run along both walls, feeding in and out of boxes in a dizzying network of metal spaghetti.
> The changes only get starker another floor down.
> Drones work freely here, floating and rolling in a complex ballet of near-misses as they perform whatever tasks the master computer system has assigned them.
> It is into this elaborate dace that you intrude, plowing through the drones in search of Dash.
> Motors whine and whir as they dance out of your way, machines never allowing themselves to touch their flesh-and-blood master.
> Quickly making a search of the rooms, you still find no sign of the poly-chromatic pegasus.
> Your anger only grows as there is still no sign of her.
> The deeper Dash has gone into the depths of your home, the more she will uncover.
> Certain things there, she was not yet meant to see.
> Others, not to see at all.
"DASH! Get out here, now!"
> No response except the whirring of drones at work meets your ears.
> It's getting to complex down here.
> You've reached the limit of your ability to easily track Dash.
> Drawing your comp-pad, you tap into the main computer network.
> Fortunately tracking all activity down here is a practical neccessity, so it will be able to locate Dash.
> When it does, your stomach drops.
> Dash hasn't just gone down into the basement, she's headed straight through the access tunnels and into the main underworks.
> Much to far for her own good.
> Setting off at a swift pace, you keep one eye on the 'pad, watching Dash's location.
> Fortunately she seems to have stopped in one of the main caverns temporarily.
> When you emerge into it, it's easy to see why she stopped.
> This cavern had long been turned over to fabrication, and Dash was standing awestruck banks of equipment beneath her.
"DASH! Get over here!"
> Your sharply-yelled order snaps her out of the reverie she had fallen into.
> Her head whips around to stare at you - taking in your furious grimace, the angry tone of your yell, the aggressive pace of your steps.
> And she does the only logical thing.
> She panics.
> Without even so much a word, Dash turns to sprint down another tunnel.
> Unfortunately, you had ordered the doors closed.
> Dash circles around, glancing back to your approaching figure and then to the doors again.
> She looks off the side of the catwalk she stands on, her wings opening and closing as she tries to figure out if she could jump and land intact.
> She can't.
> Your pounding footsteps stop in front of her; Dash looks up at you.
> She's to much in shock to try anything.
> "A-Anon... please... I just wanted... the door was open?"
> Her voice is trembling, but even through her fear you can hear the wonder in her voice at the drones surrounding her.
> You don't want to hear it.
> You reach down and seize her collar, dragging her up into a semi-bipedal stance.
> High enough for you to lean over your head and get into her face.
"I don't think there is a word for how badly you have screwed up right now."
> She meets your angry gaze, the first tears beginning to spring from the corners of her eyes.
> "I... I just wanted to explore... please Anon... I didn't..."
"You know the rule, Dash. One of the first things I told you when you got here. You do not go below the first basement."
> "But the door..."
"Was unlocked."
> You let her back down, her hooves coming down to the floor with a click.
> Still holding her collar, you start walking her back up the path you came.
> To her credit, Dash doesn't try and struggle.
> She certainly does plead, though.
> "I'm sorry, master. I wasn't trying to escape, I wanted to see..."
"Shut up."
> Her jaw slams shut, and the rest of the trip is made in silence.
> You stop at the top of the last flight of stairs, turning to sit on the topmost step.
> When you reach the uppermost basement - and the room you used to punish Dash - she balks at entering, but one sharp glance cows her into entering without further argument.
> With the room's door safely locked, you find your way to a wall and slump down against it.
> Dash stands next to you, unsure of what to do.
> "Master? A-Anon...?"
> Your silence is unnerving her.
> She knows she's in for it, but you get the feeling a violent, frothing anger would have been less scary to her than this.
> Truthfully, you're not sure what to do with her.
> Rebellion is one thing, to be expected from her.
> But she came dangerously close in those tunnels to something you consider far, far more valuable.
> That line of thought is interrupted by Dash softly nuzzling your shoulder.
> Her eyes are close, and she's slightly leaning against your leg as well.
> "I-I'm sorry, master. I wasn't trying to disobey... I just... I was so curious about what was down there, and..."
"I know."
> She pauses as you slip a hand around her head, holding her in a light embrance.
"I know you weren't deliberately trying to be disobedient. You weren't trying to hurt me."
> Nodding, Dash remains silent as you continue speaking.
"But you know what, Dash? That's still very bad. You broke a big, big rule by going down there. Even if you didn't do it to fight me, I have to be able to trust that you will not disobey for any reason.
> Her head falls, ears flopping downwards as she realizes what is coming.
"And that means you still have to be punished."
> A shivery ripple runs through Dash's coat as that knowledge settles into her mind.
> "Don't leave me in there again..."
"Dash, considering the level of fuckup this has been... no. You're going in the cage again."
> She falls to her belly, staring at the floor.
> It's interesting that she doesn't try to flee or fight.
> ...could it be that Dash actually feels some level of guilt for her mistake?
> Interesting.
> Standing again, you make your way to the cage.
"Come, Dash."
> You turn to watch an interesting internal struggle going on in Dash's head.
> Slowly, steadily she forces one hoof down in front of the last, the knowledge that disobedience now might provoke an even greater punishment.
> Her eyes looking everywhere but the cage she was approaching.
> Lips working furiously, repeating some phrase to softly for you to hear at first.
> Even when you begin fitting the blindfold goggles and earmuffs to her, she just keeps repeating the same thing over and over.
> "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry..."
> She barely responds when you force her into the cage, hunkering down to her normal position laying flat as she can against the floor.
> This time, though, you have another addition to her torments.
> Every once in a while, you will reach through the bars to gently stroke her with one or two fingers.
> Compared to the total absence of contact she otherwise experience hunched down like that, every brush might as well be a slap.
> She reacts immediately, shuffling over in the few inches or so of free space she has to try and reach further contact.
> Of course, she immediately crashes into whatever side of the cage you have reached through.
> The effect is immediate.
> Her instincts take over again, sending her into another spiral of terror, despair, and helplessness.
> Before you leave, you turn the thermostat far down.
> The cold won't harm Dash, considering the altitudes she used to fly at.
> But it will definitely make her miserable.
> By the second day, in addition to your typical feeding and washing, you often come down for a moment or two just to stroke one of her wings and set off another whimpering, wriggling episode of terror.
> Sleep, already a rare thing for Dash in this state, is often interrupted.
> She cries out desperate pleas for help - to her friends, to you, to her princesses.
> To her mother.
> Frequently they end in heavy sobs as none of them come to relieve her from the hell she is in.
> On the third day, you decide to add in a new factor.
> Reaching through the bars, you carefully remove the earmuffs from Dash's head.
> Instantly she perks up, believing her ordeal to be almost at an end.
> "Master? I-Is that you? Is it o-over?"
> You move back a bit, and... do nothing.
> Absolutely nothing.
> No movement, no speaking, nothing that might generate noise.
> In her cage, Dash become increasingly agitated.
> Everything she knows says that when her senses are given back, the punishment has ended.
> But it isn't ending, and now Dash is beginning to enter a new stage of panic.
> Her ears feel free, but she hears nothing.
> She calls, then cries, and eventually drifts off into the shallow sleep - the only rest she can find.
> It's in this state that she is awoken again to the earmuffs being replaced.
> "No... no, no, no! Anon, please! Please!"
> It's no use.
> You are already leaving the room.
> Four days on, you finally decide to let her free.
> As before, though, you do not return sight or hearing yet.
> You don't have to.
> The moment she feels your hands reaching in, pulling her from the cage, Dash wraps herself around you in the tightest embrace she can.
> "Anon! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Please don't put me back in there, Anon, please... I'm sorry..."
> You let her hold you for a few moments, and then carefully set her down on the floor.
> "M-master?"
> You silence her with a few strokes over her mane.
> Any words would still be pointless, given that she is still deaf.
> Instead you spread out the lengths of cord you brough with you, first using them to carefully pinion her wings to her sides and then her legs folded against her body.
> Now unable to move, there is little Dash can do except lay on the floor until you pick her up.
> Being carried on her back is normally something Dash hates, but this time she is simply to absorbed in the actual contact to care.
> She's pressing herself in against you, seeking out any kind of touch she can use to remind herself that her most recent experience is over.
> You proceed to your workroom, easily sliding into the cushioned chair and setting Dash down in your lap.
> She promptly lifts her head, turning it to try and gain any hints about what is to happen.
> "Master? Anon? I-"
> You interrupt her by closing your hand around her jaws.
> She quickly seems to understand what you want; rather than protesting, she seems to accept that now is not the time to talk.
> Dash's head drops to rest on your leg as she wriggles her bound form to a more comfortable position.
> Still somewhat chilled from the freezing temperature her punishment room had been set at, she has curled against you to soak in the warmth your body offers.
> You smile down at her, one hand idly stroking along her back before you resume your work.
> When you next look down, Dash has fallen into a deep sleep.
> Her first good rest in days.
> When it begins, you barely notice it at first.
> A few twitches, Dash's hooves wiggling slightly as her bound legs try to extend.
> It's only when she begins to whimper that you take notice.
> Even as you watch, the spasms become greater and more rapid.
> The whimpers, louder and more pained.
> Dash is having a nightmare.
> You slip an arm around her body, not wanting her to slip from your lap and crash to the floor.
> For a few minutes, she quiets.
> But then the nightmare returns, and in greater force.
> Her whimpers again rise and the twitches return, her head even jerking now.
> You briefly wonder what she could be dreaming about - what you did to her, or something else?
> Would it be best to wake her, or if coming back to this blind, deaf, and hobbled wakefulness would be just as terrifying.
> "Girls?"
> You look down in surprise. Had Dash finally woken up?
> "Noooo... girls... please don't leave me in there. Please? Please!"
> No, she isn't awake.
> Even as you watch the spasmodic movements continue, as do her words.
> "Twilight? AJ? Flutters? Anyone...? Please... don't leave me in there... it's so alone... so alone.... so alone."
> She actually manages to roll over entirely, and for a moment you think it is over.
> But then she continues, whimpering low between pained pleas.
> "What did I do? You're my friends, what did I do?! Don't leave me in there...."
> She can't hear anything you might say, but she can still feel you.
> And so you start to run your hand through Dash's mane in what you hope is a comforting gesture.
> It works.
> Ever so slowly, the mewling subsides - Dash sinking back into the depths of sleep.
> Her body again becomes still, but for her gentle breathing.
> It's a while before she speaks again.
> "Anon...?"
> This time the uncertainty in her voice is different.
> It isn't the uncertainty of a dreaming mind, but of one who is confused and seeks certainty.
> Your hand, which had fallen still once Dash quieted, travels up to lightly rub her cheek.
> She presses back into it, her voice shaky.
> "I had a nightmare, master..."
> It almost sounds as if it hurts her to admit this.
> Considering how headstrong she was before coming to you, it probably would have been.
> Admitting fear of something forced on her like the cage is one thing; admitting fear in one's own head can be quite another.
> "They... they had left me in there. In the cage... my friends left me there."
> She takes another deep breath, pausing to let you rub a bit more.
> "It was so cold, and so alone... and they just left me. They were all around me, I could see them... and they wouldn't help. I was so cold..."
> You other arm slips around her, the first one still rubbing her cheek lightly.
> Even though she is deaf and blind, the message is clear.
> I hear you.
> I am still here.
> You are not alone now.
> Dash curls into the embrace, laying her head down again on your arm.
> "T-Thank you, Anon... thank you."
> Soon enough she is breathing softly once again, having drifted once more off to sleep.
 
--------
 
> You do not finish until late at night.
> With Chrysalis' visit fast approaching, you are pouring over every bit of data you have on Changelings and their queen.
> Which is sadly little.
> Apart from a couple of copies of older texts from the Canterlot archives and the records of the attempted takeover some years ago, information is scarce.
> Instead, you have set to work trying to piece together what other data you can find.
> Where Changelings have been spotted, when, hiding in what positions.
> You plot them geographically, on charts and graphs, study each case in depth.
> Anything to give you a leg up when you end up meeting the queen.
> The presence of Dash asleep against your lap is both a distraction and quite welcome.
> While you probably aren't getting as much done as you might have otherwise, it's quite calming to be able to just reach down and stroke her as you please.
> Plus, she always wriggles adorably when you do.
> Nonetheless, somewhere around one in the morning you find it neccessary to turn in for the night.
> Again cradling the sleeping pegasus in your arms as you climb the stairs, a yawn forces its way from your throat as hours of work catch up with you.
> Gently you set Dash down on your bed; instantly she curls up again despite her still-bound limbs.
> You've only made it a few steps towards the bathroom when an unsteady voice calls out after you.
> "A-Anon? Are you still there?"
> Dash has woken, and is now 'looking' back and forth furiously to try and find where her only source of comfort has vanished to.
> No point in speaking, she still can't hear you.
> Instead you walk back over and lightly touch her back, just between the pinned wings.
> Immediately she relaxes, her head lowering back down again.
> "O-Oh. There you are."
> You'd love to stay with her, but you do need to prepare for bed.
> Unfortunately, the moment you step away again, Dash rapidly breaks down once again.
> Her increasingly desperate cries for you can easily be heard through the doorway as you finish up in the bathroom.
> By the time you return to the bedroom, it seems like she's fallen into the same terrified state the cage induces in her.
> She's shivering, pushed herself as flat against the bed as she can, and you can see her limbs flexing beneath the bindings as they struggle to spread.
> That is... not what you expected.
> Sure, the terror of being sent back to the cage often lingered with Dash for days afterward.
> But you've never seen her actually break down outside of it.
> Maybe you left her in there to long.
> After all, you didn't want her to be permanently damaged.
> A thought suddenly occurs to you.
> If she didn't recover from this soon, there could be a problem the next time you have to let Twilight see her.
> Considering the possible results of that, you change into your sleepwear and slide into the bed beside Dash.
> The moment the bedsheet moves from your weight, Dash perks up again.
> "Master! You're back!"
> She wriggles over while you watch, one eyebrow raised.
> It's kind of adorable to see her squirm up against you before relaxing with a soft sigh.
> "I'm sorry, master... I thought you'd gone away. I thought you had left me alone again."
> Well, you sort of had.
> But this reaction is both endearing and worrying.
> Right now, mostly endearing.
> You slip an arm around Dash, who shifts a bit more and lowers her head to the bed again.
> Minutes later, you are both asleep.
 
--------
 
> The remaining days are spent in furious planning.
> Somewhere around two days remaining until Chrysalis' visit, you give up trying to anticipate her demands.
> Instead you've turned to just researching anything that you might be able to surprise her with.
> Even there information is scarce.
> If any of the ponies know how changelings actually feed, they've never bothered to write it down.
> Or at least not in place you've ever been able to get your hands on.
> Moreover, except for her appearance in Canterlot, Chrysalis has rarely appeared.
> What you do know doesn't suggest the meeting will be terribly pleasant.
> Finally, at last something pulls your attention.
> You'd gotten desperate, and started looking over any major news stories.
> Disasters, announcements, projects, discoveries.
> And now you had a suspicion.
> The times all lined up.
> Chrysalis, you thought, wasn't coming to you out of her own choice.
> In a little over a day, you'd be sure.
 
--------
 
> The day arrives, and you awaken to the screaming of the proximity alarms.
> A quick look at the clock tells you it is far to early in the morning for Chrysalis to have arrived.
> Unless she was a fan of showing up at the crack of dawn.
> Images of Royal Guard clashing with the changeling queen around your home suddenly fill your head.
> Dash is looking around in confusion, then up to you for guidance.
> "Master? What's happening?"
"Something our expected guest did, would be my guess. Get ready; we'll be going to the basement in a moment."
> "Yes, master!"
> Dash must have heard the no-nonsense tone in your voice.
> She hops from the bed and is standing at the door in an instant.
> Her senses long since returned to her, she had only just begun to recover from her experience.
> You noticed she still clung unusually close to you, rarely staying away for long.
> Being alone, it seemed, had suddenly become far more of a worrisome prospect to her than it had been.
> Ignoring the need for a diversion to the bathroom, you quickly lead Dash down to the basement.
> The heavy, protective door slams shut behind you, locks snapping into place.
> Once in your office, you pull up the security readout to see what has set it off so badly.
> Dash isn't normally allowed into here without her blindfold, but right now you really need to know if your home is about to turn into a battleground.
> The second you lay eyes on the security feeds, your jaw drops.
"Holy..."
> Chrysalis hadn't just brought an entourage.
> She'd brought an army.
> The forests around your home are crawling with thousands, possibly tens of thousands of changelings.
> Several things that definitely look like pegasus chariot-carts are still circling in the air.
> YOu hiss sharply.
> Did Chrysalis think she could impress you by a show of force, or did she actually intend to try and attack if she didn't get what she wanted.
> Both reinforce your suspicion that she wasn't visiting you by choice.
> Dash hops up onto your lap, trying to look closer at the numerous screens around you.
> You push her down slightly.
"No, Dash, I need to be able to focus."
> "Sorry, master."
> She hops back down, and you focus back on the screens.
> The changelings don't seem to be approaching, or even encircling.
> More... settling in?
> The last few are definitely landing, and already you see the first few signs of what looks like shelters being put up.
> It's better than an immediate attack, you suppose, but having your mountainside suddenly resident to several thousand changelings wasn't something you really wanted.
> For one, it wasn't exactly encouraging to other guests to come visit.
> "Anon...? Are they going to attack us, master?"
> Now Dash is looking up at you for guidance.
> She almost looks... worried?
> It's understandable, you suppose.
> If it came to a fight, Dash's greatest advantage - her flight - had still been taken from her.
> You reach down to give her a reassuring rub between her ears.
"No, I don't think they are. And if they do... I think we can more than hold them off. I've got means of holding them off."
> Some of them the same means that held off the princesses.
> But if Chrysalis was that desperate, might she ignore the losses that would surely come...?
"When I go to talk to her, I want you to stay down here, Dash. I'm going to seal the doors; if they try anything, you'll be safe here."
> Dash nods, apparently still aware this is no time to argue.
> She still looks worried, despite your reassurance.
> "Thank you, master... um... master?"
"Yes, Dash?"
> "You... aren't going to help her... hurt my friends, are you?"
> That wasn't the main concern you had expected from her.
"...are you really sure that is something you ought to be concerned about now, Dash? Your friends are not here."
> She flinches at the rebuke, looking down.
> "No, but I don't want them to get hurt. Even if I stay here with you, I don't want them to get hurt. Gotta... be loyal to them, you know?"
> After a moment, you nod.
"I hadn't planned on helping them hurt your friends, Dash. In fact, I don't plan on helping them hurt Equestria - I don't care to play that game."
> "Thank you, master. Should I... go away now?"
> You pause, studying her.
> Despite the offer - Dash is clearly trying to do her best to anticipate your demands - the idea of being alone is not one she is looking forward to.
"...you can wait here a little bit longer. When their queen comes, then you will go."
> Dash smiles, nodding. "Cool! I've never seen you work here before either."
> Hrm, yes. You'd forgotten about that.
> Oh well, to late now.
> Not like Dash could really glean any truly valuable secrets from the displays without explanation anyhow.
"You can watch later, but for now - go upstairs and find my breakfast, and bring it down here. I intend to be fed and ready when she comes."
> Dash's hooves beat a heavy pitter-pat as she speeds out the door and up the stairs.
> Minutes later you are sipping a coffee to finally burn away the last few clouds of sleep from your mind.
> This meeting is going to require top condition; being tired would be no benefit at all.
> Another warbling alarm draws your attention to the feeds covering the pathway.
> Several figures are making their way up the main pathway, one of them far taller than the others.
> The queen is coming.
"Alright, Dash. Time to go wait now. I'll call for you when we're done."
> She nods, grabbing her own half-finished breakfast tray and departing.
> You quickly shave and make one last check-over of your preparations.
> All is ready.
> The meeting room has been cleaned and updated, a larger chair substituted at the far end of the room for one of your normal ones.
> Not quite a throne, but hopefully close enough to satisfy Chrysalis' whims.
> Food had been laid out as well.
> While you still had no idea how to satisfy the Changelings' need to 'eat love', you hoped a more normal spread would be appreciated as well.
> Settling into your seat, you call up a feed on the smaller screens at your end of the table.
> Chrysalis is almost there.
> As she crosses from the treeline to the front of your house, her escorts split - returning back to the cover of the trees.
> Alone, she approaches your front door.
> It has been left open, a drone ready to guide her in.
> Her clicking hoofsteps are audible long before the queen appears through the entranceway to the meeting room.
> You force your eyebrows not to rise.
> It's one thing to see her through a camera feed, quite another to see the changeling queen directly.
> She's huge, at least as tall as you are and easily twice your mass.
> You also find yourself wondering how her hair has holes in it.
> But her demeanor is just about what you'd expected.
> A slight smirk graces her lips, as if you already amused her somehow.
> Yet, her slitted eyes rove over everything in the room - you, your screens, the food, the seats and table.
> You get the feeling she is studying you with just as much intent as you are her.
> Both of you trying to find any clues about the other.
> You stand, offering her a bow.
> Time to play the smooth businessman.
'Queen Chrysalis. A pleasure to meet you."
 
--------
 
> "Ah, Anonymous... so good to meet you at last."
> That was another thing nobody had warned you about.
> Her voice is weird, like somebody using a malfunctioning audio chip.
> Just hearing it makes goosebumps rise across your back.
> You rather hope she can't tell.
"Please, do come and have a seat. I hadn't expected you to travel with so many, Your Highness."
> "Oh? Surely you did not expect someone of my position to travel alone...?
> Bug-horse body language isn't exactly your specialization, but you're fairly sure she's trying to seduce you.
> Every step all but screams sensuality, and rather than sit on the provided seat Chrysalis languidly drapes herself across it.
"Hardly. This many, however... your entourage is certainly impressive."
> You motion to the spread of deserts you had laid out.
"I am afraid I was unable to find a great deal of information on how to prepare anything... suitable to your known diet, but I hope my efforts might at least make up for this."
> Her eyes flick dismissively along the fairly impressive variety, shortly followed by a dismissive shake of her head.
> "While we can consume such things, they offer us no energy and little taste."
> Well. Swing and a miss.
"I see... well, then before we begin our actual business, if there is anything I might be able to offer you?"
> She fixes you with a chilling smile, but this time you force your face to stay impassive.
> "Only your services, Anonymous."
> Aaaaaand she's straight back to sensual seductress.
> A lot of ponies had called the changeling queen insane, and now you're starting to wonder if they had something there.
"Well then, let us get down to business?"
> Chrysalis lets out an amused little giggle and you take a mental grimace at the double entendre about two seconds later.
> Has she got you off your game already?
> Going to have to take it up a notch, Anonymous.
> Time for a subject change.
"The line of questioning your... messenger pursued before was quite specific. May I presume your request will be similar?"
> In other words, 'are you about to ask me to help you invade Canterlot again.'
> Crysalis fixes you with a sultry smirk.
> "Oh, how you must think so little of me... I know the balance you want to keep, Anonymous. I know you won't take direct action against the princesses.
> Interesting.
> Unlike Celestia, who was more than willing to dance around with subtle meanings and indirect statements, Chrysalis got straight to the point.
> Not what you'd have expected out of the queen of a race that relied on subterfuge.
"Well, if not that, then... in what way may I be of assistance to you?"
> "I need a location for a new hive. A new place to call my home, to let those close to me... settle down."
> And there's the half-lidded eyes again.
> Her request isn't what you were expecting either.
> So the queen wants to expand her domain, does she...?
> Or maybe... your mind drifts back to what you had discovered the previous night.
"Surely you can find a location in time on your own without having to involve an outsider... may I presume you are seeking an immediate answer?"
> "I prefer all my results immediate."
> Again her personality seems to have been completely shifted.
> Now she is the demanding ruler, her eyes boring into you and strangely-toned voice sharp and commanding.
"Then that, I can help you with."
> You fold your fingers together, meeting her gaze evenly.
"You must realize, of course, that I will not be able to provide you any information about where the best... hunting grounds might be, but-"
> "Yes, yes. You had best be able to provide some results, though."
"Of course. Since I know little of your living conditions, though, you will have to tell me what is best for you."
> "We are adaptable, Anonymous. On the ground, beneath it, we will survive. We can easily convert existing structures to our needs."
> Chrysalis raises herself up somewhat, making herself taller than you.
> "All that we demand is that the place be safe. That we not be found by the ponies and their wretched princesses."
"Away from any major trade routes, then."
> "And the Everfree forests. We do not fear the beasts within there, but provoking them is something only a fool would do."
> She's gone back to 'bored mode' again, speaking as if this was something she'd had to explain a million times before.
> Turning back to the question at hand, you call up several maps on your screens.
> Commonly traveled roads, typical pegasi flight routes, and anything else that might threaten a hidden hive.
> Anything near a major population center.
> Bit by bit you rule out everything, until...
> You bring on one of the larger wall-mounted screens, opening the map you had marked up.
> nineteen locations are circled.
> You point to the first, a valley halfway between Hoofington and Cloudesdale.
"This one will have a good abundance of natural resources - trees, water, should be plenty to forage with..."
> Everything except prey, of course.
"It's well-sheltered from most weather patterns, although you should have to construct your own dwellings. Let me see if I have - ah, yes, here we go."
> Another report scrolls up on another screen, a copy of one in the Canterlot archives.
"Royal geographic survey reports suggest soil indicate reasonably good digging potential, if not particularly rich in resources..."
> Chrysalis is trying not to look particularly interested, but you can tell your screens have caught her attention.
> She's been staring fixedly at them since you brought up the map.
"...option number two, out in the San Palomino desert. Resources will be scarcer, but I doubt there's much of anyone who out there who will bother you."
> "No. To long, to distant. To difficult to build in..."
> Chrysalis even gives a dismissive wave of her hoof, as if your information barely meant anything to her.
> Maybe one of the other options, then...
> Thirteen options later, you're actually starting to get frustrated.
> Chrysalis has shown absolutely zero interest in any of your options.
> Oh, her attention has been absolutely rapt on the screens.
> But you get the feeling it's more like she is glued to the screens than to the information on them.
> Not one of the choices has evoked even any response beyond dismissal.
> You're trying not to let her get under your skin, but it is rather hard to keep your frustration from growing.
> Hopefully this next one might work, if your guess from earlier was anywhere close.
"Alright, next option, then. It's in another mountain range, north of Vanhoover. Resources will also be scarce, but there's some old abandoned mine works there - the ore turned out to be worth barely anything, and the local wildlife was a bit to hostile for easy-"
> "I'll take it."
> She's sat up, her gaze intent.
> Bingo.
> You were right.
"To warn you, it won't be an easy place to add to. Cold, and there's probably other things inhabiting the mines."
> "We are not a weak species, Anonymous. We have never had the chance to live life easy like the ponies do. To us, nowhere is an easy place to live, but these mines - these will do for us."
> Just as you suspected, she wanted a ready-made home - or something close to it - no matter how rough the land would turn out to be.
"Good... I will provide sufficient copies of maps for you."
> Chrysalis tears her vision away from the screens and locks eyes with you again.
> "And I am sure that I can trust you not to be leaking any of this information..."
> As she prowls alongside the table over towards you, you are reminded how large she actually is.
> "I'm wouldn't want to have to send another one of my soldiers to deliver another message if you did..."
> Did she just threaten you?
> Does she actually think threatening you on your own territory would gain her anything?
> Surely she realizes you've been under pressure befor-
> Ah.
> Pressure.
> That's why she'd been swapping between moods so rapidly.
> She'd been trying to see which persona affects you the most.
> Which she can squeeze you the hardest with.
> Immediately another question slips into your mind:
> This is an awfully crude method of figuring that out.
> Well, she was direct before...
> You lean forward.
"Chrysalis, my business relies on discretion. You, though are trying to get inside my head. I'll ask you to stop, because I really don't like it when guests push me."
> She sniffs disdainfully.
> "Fool! If I wished for you to be mine, I could have crushed your will the moment I entered this room."
"No you couldn't."
> That she genuinely looks shocked at your response tells you enough.
> "You dare to-"
"Look, Chrysalis - I know what happened in Canterlot. If you could take over someone's mind in moments, you wouldn't have tossed Celestia's pet student into a cave, you'd just have made her to stop questioning you."
> Now it is her turn to take a step back, and yours to take control of the situation.
"If I had to place a guess, I'd say it takes time and familiarity for you to overpower someone's mind... so you tried to pull the quick route with me."
> She makes a strange hiss-click noise in her throat, a sign that you probably ought to stop.
> You keep going anyway.
"You're short on time, Chrysalis. Something hurt you, and I rather suspect I know what. So, I don't need to know why you are bringing what looks like a good fraction of your hive to a new home-"
> "It is not 'a good fraction'."
> You're brought up short by her response.
"Excuse me."
> Chrysalis hisses again, shaking her head.
> "This is my hive. All of it. All that is left."
"Damn - the storm..."
> "Flash-flooded the hive tunnels. There was little time for us to escape. Not all did. How did you know?"
> You were right, then.
"When your messenger announced you were coming, I tried to figure out what you would want. Freak, fast-moving storm out of nowhere over the badlands, commonly thought to be the location of your hive..."
> You don't bother explaining how you got that information ahead of any possible pegasus.
> It's your secret, and she wouldn't believe you anyway.
> Chrysalis snarls softly, nods, slowly returning to her seat.
> "There. You have it now, Anonymous. Are you happy? Pleased to know why I have come to you?"
> What the hell did you start?
> Chrysalis just goes on talking.
> "Whatever those wretched ponies might say about me, I take care of my Changelings. They serve me, and I rule them - as it was meant to be."
> She laughs a sharp, bitter laugh.
> "We share the weight of our curse - look at us, Anonymous. Even a creature such as you can find a lover, and-"
"Wait... go back a bit. I can find a lover?"
> She fixes you with a glare.
> "Do not try to lie to me about such things, Anonymous. I can smell her love clinging to you."
"Yeah, no. You've lost me. Like, entirely. I definitely haven't found romance with any "
> "Oh, it may not be a romance yet.. but she adores you. I can tell."
> Adores you...?
> Dash?!
> She was sensing Dash?
> You knew you'd been getting to Dash, but to say she adores you?
> That was a step well, well beyond what you thought you had done.
> Holy shit.
> Had you broken Dash that hard already?
> You might have to start being careful about what you do to her.
> Work to fast, break her to hard, and you'd have a to answer a lot of questions from the princesses.
> Later, though.
> You cough politely.
"Well, that matter, yes."
> Her face regains its typical content smirk as the situation slides back to her control, wings buzzing softly in amusement.
> "So, you do have somepony..."
"That is not relevant to the matter at hand. Need I remind you we are here for business?"
> "Hmmm, yes, so we are... but perhaps I could stay a little longer."
"Uh, why?"
> Chrysalis leans forward, he tongue flicking out out like a snake.
> Thank god it's not forked.
> "It may not be true love, but it's still delicious... if a bit sickly sweet."
> Aaaand she's trying to freak you out again.
"Nope. Definitely not for that."
> Chrysalis lets out soft 'hmmm', as if thinking over that idea.
> "Not even if I am paying? It has been so long since I fed directly. Not since Canterlot..."
> You groan and rub your forehead.
"No. Especially not if you're hungry."
> She just lets out a delighted giggle at your reaction, and you realize she was messing with your head again.
"...okay, let's get back to business. You have your location, we need to discuss payment."
> "So we do."
> The tone of her voice suggests she'd prefer you be paying her.
"As I'm sure you know, I typically take payment in favors. You're in a position to help me: Fairly often I will need packages delivered - forgive the pun - anonymously."
> "Your machines cannot do this?"
> Noticed the drones, did she?
> "My machines are not exactly welcome in many places, and very hard to mistake. These need to be sent quietly. Who better than a changeling?"
> "My subjects are not your delivery workers."
"Then you can leave the deal. Do remember, that mine is not your home until you pay me."
> She makes that angry hiss-click noise again, eyes narrowing.
> It's a strange look when her eyes are larger than your hand to begin with.
> "I cannot give them up to often for your tasks, or risk my subjects. They are mine to rule, but also mine to care for."
"I understand. Say, perhaps, once per month - and no hazardous cargoes. I will grant you the right to refuse a delivery you feel to dangerous to the messenger."
> "For how long?"
> Here comes the bit she's going to hate.
"Indefinitely."
> Or at least as long as she chooses to inhabit that mine.
> It was the only good leverage you had over her, after all.
> "You would make us your servants forever?"
"Not my servants... my partners. It's that, or you can lose more of them forever."
> She is silent for a long time, thinking it over.
> "How will you get the message to us?"
> Ah.
> Now the interesting part...
"I have machine which I will give to you. A long-range communications device. Do not try and disassemble it or figure out how it works - just leave it somewhere close to the surface of the mine, and I should be able to reach you through it."
> Now you've got her attention again.
> "If you have such a machine, why do you need messengers?"
"Because I have a very limited number of them."
> You don't add your concern that some inventive pony might actually figure out how the transceiver stations work if you handed them out to willy-nilly.
> Celestia suddenly being able to listen to your messages would be very problematic.
> As would one of your drones falling into her hooves.
> "So, you will reach out to me, and...?"
"I will give the message, a pick-up location for the package, where it is to be delivered, and how soon."
> Chrysalis levers herself upright again, once again making her way to your side of the table.
> "You are a very interesting creature, Anonymous. I would very much like to know your secrets..."
> The ways he says it suggests that the process would leave you a drooling idiot.
"I prefer to keep them to myself, thank you very much. Do we have a deal, then?"
> After a moment, Chrysalis sticks out one chitin-covered hoof.
> "We have an agreement."
> You take it, half expecting to feel a tingle or something as she tries to feed from you.
> Instead there's just the firm, smooth surface of her leg.
> Your surprise must have been more noticeable than you expected, because she offers you another amused-looking smirk.
> "Did you expect a betrayal, Anonymous?"
"Frankly, you have a reputation."
> She hisses angrily at that.
> "I do not play games with the fate of my swarm, Anonymous. I hope you will do the same."
"I do not play games with any business-partner, ever."
> "Good. Then, I will return to my children. When will the maps be available?"
"Within the day. One of my drones will deliver them along with the communications device."
> "I will await them."
> With that she turns out, her walk again regal and proud.
> You watch her until she is out of sight.
> Rapid steps take you back down into the basement, back to your 'office'.
> The security perimeter feeds are already up, showing you numerous views of the rapidly-growing changeling encampment.
> In truth you probably could have had the maps printed right then and there, but why not take some time?
> After all, you had a clear chance to study them now.
> And information is every so valuable.
> So caught up are you in your work that you don't even notice when your typical dinner time passes.
> Not until your stomach begins to protest vociferously.
> With a sigh, you key the intercom.
"Dash? I need dinner brought down to my office again. The kitchen will have it in the normal place."
> Not five minutes later she is standing at your side, looking up expectantly with the dinner tray balanced on her back.
> You reach down, offering her a scratch on her head for her duty.
"Go ahead upstairs and get your food, then."
> She nods, but first leans over to nuzzle your leg a bit.
> You raise an eyebrow, remembering Chrysalis' words.
> Adoration, hmm?
> The light scratch turns to a full-on ear rub that leaves her all but curled around both legs.
> You chuckle, surprised at Dash's receptiveness, but can't shake the feeling you are missing something massively, obviously wrong about this.
> After a moment, you give her one last pat.
"Go on, then. I've got work to do."
> Wordlessly she trots away and leaves you to figuring out what that 'wrong' feeling was about.
> Moments later, you hear her hooves on the stairs back u-
> Stairs.
> You never let Dash upstairs from the basement after Chysalis left.
> Stifling a curse, you switch to internal security and quickly find Dash in the kitchen, dutifully taking her own dinner.
> This time, there is no question as to what should have been blatantly apparent.
> Dash has no collar on.
> But she does - at least, the Dash still asleep in the basement where you left her does.
> You look between the two feeds.
> On one, the clingy, affection-hungry, collarless Dash.
> On the other, the Dash you knew curled into a small, lonely ball in the windowless basement room.
"Fuck."
 
--------
 
> The first question that echoes through your head is 'how?'
> How had a changeling managed to get in past the security screens?
> The drones should have had it the moment it breached the closer security perimeter.
> It wasn't Chrysalis, you were sure - you'd seen her out the front door.
> Unless...
> Keeping one eye on the changeling still wandering about upstairs - it seemed to be keeping up the Dash act, eating the dinner meant for her - you quickly you scan back through the recorded security feeds.
> It isn't hard to spot when it enters - while you had been speaking to Chrysalis, a lone changeling had emerged from the treeline to approach your home.
> One of Chrysalis' entourage that had come with her, you supposed, hiding out in the treeline since she had entered.
> Not ten yards from your home it bursts into flame, and your eyebrows rise.
> Where once had stood a Changeling, otherwise indistinguishable from any of the others, a second Chrysalis now stood.
> That was something you had not been expecting.
> Frankly, it hadn't occured to you that a creature as proud as the changeling queen would tolerate anyone mimicing her form.
> But that was what had happened, and when 'Chrysalis' knocks at the door the drone dutifully opens it for what it sees as your guest.
> You groan in frustration at that; the security AI might be thorough, but truly intelligent it was not.
> Following a few minutes of aimless wandering, the changeling again immolates itself in emerald flame.
> In its place stands the duplicate Dash, who promptly begins to more actively explore the limits of the house - except, of course, for remaining clear of the room where you had been in negotiations.
> Yes, a protocol for handling apparently duplicate presences seems to be in order.
> You'd have to write that later.
> For now...
> You tap the intercom open to the storeroom Dash is resting in.
"Dash."
> She's awake instantly, looking around in confusion when she fails to spot you.
> "Master? Are you there?"
"I'm on the com. Listen to me very carefully, Dash - there is a changeling intruder in the house. I am go-"
> Dash's reaction is unexpected.
> She's standing instantly, wings half-spread despite their uselessness.
> "A changeling? Where? Lemme at them!"
"No, Dash; you could be hurt in a direct fight. I will handle it."
> She visibly droops at the denial, perhaps looking forward to the first time she would have been allowed to be in control of something again.
> "Awww, really? I could take it!"
"No, Dash. But, if it does somehow manage to reach you and I can't tell the difference - tell me your favorite Wonderbolt is Luna."
> "What? But Luna isn't even - oooooh."
> You grin as she gets it.
"Good girl. I'll let you out when it's under control."
> By the time you are marching up the stairs a quartet of bulky security drones have fallen into formation behind you.
> They spread out as you enter the kitchen, whirring gently.
> The changeling is just finishing the last remnants of dinner and looks up in surprise as you enter.
> Dash's crimson eyes going wide in surprise at the sight of the drones.
> "Master? Is something wrong?"
> You fold your arms.
"Do you remember Dash, when I first brought you here - I told you that if I caught you trying to fly away, I'd just pluck out your feathers?"
> You said no such thing, of course, but the changeling takes it in stride.
> It cringes back, twitching it's - Dash's - wings in apprehension.
> "Master? Did I do something wrong?"
"I'm just going to add another rule."
> "Yes, Master?"
> You squat down bringing your head more or less level with that of the changeling.
"If I so much as see your horn spark, there won't be a punishment. The security drones will just shoot you."
> To the changeling's credit, it doesn't panic or try to flee.
> The series of emotions that goes across its face is interesting to watch, though.
> "How did you know?"
> You shrug.
"I have wards set up inside my own home. You tripped them, despite your disguise."
> There is no way you are explaining sensors and security feed recordings to a changeling.
> Not after this.
> It nods, head drooping. "Then I have failed."
"Indeed, and quite badly."
> "May I at least retake my own form?"
> You retreat to what you thought to be a safe distance before raising a hand to ward off the drones and giving an affirmative nod.
"Yes, you may. Nothing more, though."
> The burst of flame comes rapidly, leaving a blackened and hole-eaten body in its place.
> The changeling quickly drops into a bow, pressing its belly against the floor.
> "What is to become of me now, sir?"
"I don't honestly know. For now, you will remain here."
> "A prisoner."
"Yes, a prisoner. What will happen after that depends on what your queen offers to get you back - she's broken her word and made me quite angry, so it had better be quite a bit.
> The changeling shifts slightly in place, hissing unhappily at that.
> "She will offer. But, I will need to feed if I am to remain here for any period of time."
"How long? Until you need to feed?"
> "A few days at most, if I ration myself carefully."
"Hmmm. I hope your queen is as concerned for you as you think she will be."
> "She is. She cares for us, in her way."
"Good."
> You put aside that concern for a moment, hoping that Chrysalis really will be as pliable as this changeling thinks she is.
> Another question drifts up to take its place.
"How did you know to take that form?"
> The Changeling shifts again, as if unsure what to say.
> "My queen knew. I do not know how."
"I see. Well, you are going to follow me downstairs. I am going to fit you with a collar and keep you here until your queen negotiates your release, do you understand?"
> "Yes."
> You raise one eyebrow.
"You're being awfully compliant right now. We are not going to have any problems down the line, are we?"
> "It is my duty to my queen to escape, but you have me at weapon-point."
"So I do. Come on, then."
> The changeling endures being fitted with a collar without protest, its face blank of any discernible emotions.
> You link a short chain to the collar and leave it secured in the corner of your room while you go to get Dash.
> She's waiting just behind the door when it opens, wings half-spread and in an aggressive stance.
> "Master? Did you deal with it?"
"Yes, Dash. Come now, I need to have a talk with someone."
> The room you use for your monthly 'calls' to Dash's friends sometimes sees other use as well.
> In this case, the screen is already lit when you step into it - the drone having been dispatched earlier to the changeling camp.
> While you settle into your seat, it spirals lower and lower down towards the familiar shape of the changeling queen.
> Dash climbs to your lap as usual, looking out at the screen.
> She gapes in surprise as Chrysalis comes into view, but you silence her with a hand on her neck.
> On the screen, the changeling queen approaches the drone - staring slightly off to the right of the camera it carries.
> "Hmm. This is odd. He said it would be a day, and I see no maps..."
"Matters have changed."
> She manages to conceal well her surprise at your voice being projected from the drone's speakers.
> "Anonymous. This is a surprise."
"No it isn't, you scheming nag."
> Chrysalis' eyes narrow angrily, her gossamer wings beginning to fan her.
> "You found her, then."
> So it's a her? You'll keep that in mind.
"Yes. 'I don't play games with the fate of my swarm' indeed."
> She hisses angrily. "What happened to her?"
"Your infiltrator is safe for now. I have secured her and prevented her from escaping, but she is unharmed."
> Chrysalis nods; you can easily see the gears in her head turning as she processes this information.
"See, you've done a very bad thing, Chrysalis, and made me very angry. I don't know what the point of that little attempt was, but all it's succeeded in doing is making me angry.
> "I am prepared to negotiate-"
"You had better damn be prepared to negotiate, because I am quite close to simply calling dear Celestia and telling her where you can be found."
> Of course the fact that you had just told her that makes the threat carry far less weight.
> But it's still plenty enough.
> "What would you have me do?"
> Well now, this is interesting.
"Right now?"
> You shrug, even though she can't see it on her end.
"Right now, nothing. I will be holding on to your infiltrator for the time being. Rest assured, she will be treated well... so long as you don't try anything more."
> Dash squirms uncomfortably in your lap at that revelation, while Chrysalis' gaze snaps up sharply.
> "I will do so. You need not harm my servant; she was merely following my orders."
"I'll take that into consideration. For now - the maps and communications device will be delivered shortly. You may stay the day, but I want you gone by sundown. Do you understand?"
> "I do."
"Then get out of my sight."
> The feed fades as you close it, leaving you and Dash sitting in relative darkness.
> She shifts on your lap, her voice cautious considering your obvious bad mood.
> "Master?"
"Yes, Dash?"
> "Do you... have to keep the changeling around?"
> You look down, raising an eyebrow.
"Scared, Dash?"
> Even in the dim light her flush is visible.
> "No, just... I really, really don't want one of those things in my - your - home."
"I doubt it will be for a long time, Dash."
> "I know, but..."
> She shifts again. "I really don't like them."
"Well, you will live with it now. It's in one of my workrooms anyhow, you barely ever go in there."
> "Alright, sir."
> She lays her head back down in a bit of a huff.
> Chrysalis' comment about Dash adoring you comes back.
> ...was she worried about the changeling stealing your affection?
> Another thing to keep an eye on.
> Dash spends the remainder of the day waiting in your bedroom.
> Every time you peek in, she had been quietly staring out one of the windows.
> Pining for her lost chance to go outside, you suspect.
> The changeling, by contrast, seems infinitely curious.
> Even when you are not in the room, she circles constantly - straining to the edge of her collar's chain to allow her to investigate anything and everything in the room.
> You spent some time watching both of them on the camera feeds before getting down to other work.
> Namely, tracking Chrysalis' departing swarm and figuring out what you could gain from giving back her agent.
> By the time you lay down in bed that night - Dash laying alongside you, her chin resting near your shoulder - you still don't have a good answer.
> Morning comes far too soon.
> You roll over as the blasted sun manages to drive its way into your eyes.
> Or, at least you try.
> There's something in your way, a warm mass curled up on your chest.
> You put up a hand to stroke Dash's mane back; she makes a soft, happy chittering noise as you do.
> It takes your brain several moments to process several facts.
> 1: Dash does not make that noise, even when she is actually happy.
> 2: Dash's coat is smooth, but not this smooth.
> 3: There is a changeling in your house.
> Eyes shoot open to be met by the muzzle of a still-sleeping changeling laying sprawled across your chest.
> Your first thought is, '...how the HELL did it get loose?!'
> Your second is that it's... actually kind of cute while asleep.
> The changeling has an utterly content look on its face.
> From this position, you can get quite a close look at the bed-intruder.
> Cautiously resuming your hand's rubbing yields more of that gentle chittering, a noise which you see is accompanied by a slight movement of its hind legs.
> What, are they like crickets or something?
> Hmm.
> Somehow, when contently sleeping it's not nearly as alien as it was the first time around.
> The gentle peace that sleep prings is apparently universal among all creatures.
> Even bug-pony-intruders.
> But it's still broken free, and gotten into your bed.
> Your hand closes around the Changeling's neck as you lift it off of you.
> Instantly it's awake, blue eyes searching wildly for what has it trapped.
> "Gah! Hey! Wha - oh! Where-?!"
> You stare flatly at it.
"What were you doing in my bed?"
> On your opposite side, Dash stirs - her voice equally mumbled as she claws back to consciousness. "Master? Wha's goin' on?"
> The changeling stirs, actually looking... emberassed?
> "I... uh... I don't know what happened, I just-"
> Before you can reply, the changeling is torn from your grip by a flying blue blur.
> "GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
> You watch awestruck as Dash and the changeling disappear into a whirling, angry ball of blows and yells of pain.
"You two, enough!"
> They don't even hear you, not slowing down for a moment.
> Dash gives a particularly sharp yelp as the changeling's jaws close over one of her legs.
"I SAID ENOUGH!"
> That time they hear you.
> It helped that you'd stood up out of bed and were now looming over both of them at your full height.
> "...is it bad, when he gets this angry?"
> Dash even forgets her apparent enmity with the changeling long enough to answer.
> "Oh, yeah. Reaaally bad."
> You point a single finger at the pegasus.
"Get downstairs, now. Go wait near the door to the basement. I will handle you later."
> Dash nods nervously and slinks off, tail swishing unhappily as she goes.
"And you..."
> You turn to the changeling, who shrinks back instinctively.
"I don't even know where to begin with you. How the hell did you even end up in my bed?!"
> She has the good sense to look bashful.
> "That was kind of my mistake. You see-"
> You hold up a hand to pause her.
"Okay, first - do you have a name?"
> "Chissik, sir."
"Right then - Chissik. Go ahead."
> "I was... kind of trying to escape. But I ended up here, and the affection between the two of you was just so interesting, I had to investigate..."
> The Chissik trails off, looking away.
"And?"
> "And, I... kind of got distracted... and fell asleep..."
> THIS was Chrysalis' best infiltrator?
> Your disbelief must have been visible on your face, because she snaps out at you.
> "Hey, listen - we're starving, all of us. It's been a long way from home, and we've got a long way to go so we have to ration what we do have! It... tasted really good."
> You get the feeling the changeling would be blushing bright red if it could.
> Another thought pops into your head.
"Am I going to start feeling any affects of this?"
> Chissik shakes her head. "No, I didn't drain you. Just siphoned off what you were giving off..."
"If you're lying..."
> "I'm not, I'm not!"
"Well, your kind doesn't exactly have a good track record right now."
> A brief silence pervades between the two of you before she speaks up again.
> "I know... but it's not a choice we really have."
"I disagree, but that is a debate for another time."
> "...what is to become of me?"
"I'm tracking your queen and her swarm. When she comes to a rest, I will contact her and state the new terms of our agreement."
> "And for now?"
"For now, I'm putting you in the basement. I don't even know how you managed to get your collar free of the chain it was on, but that's not happening again."
> Chissik hangs her head, hissing gently.
"I... understand. I will survive."
> You start down the stairs, the changeling walking in front of you.
> She's still awful obedient - probably assumes there's an armed drone or something watching her every move.
> Not an incorrect assumption, actually.
> You consider briefly putting the her in the room you used to punish Dash.
> After all, you severely doubted even a changeling could morph out of a cage, or whatever.
> But you weren't planning to keep this one forever, unlike Dash, and undoubtedly she would bring word back to her queen.
> Another room, then.
> Doesn't mean you can't implement some other more... unusual methods of control, though.
> Chissik isn't particuarly happy about them, though.
> As you run the chain through her leg-holes, she shivers slightly.
"Not something you guys like, hmm?"
> "We have come to terms with our nature, but... I have never had my own body used against me in such a way before."
> She tugs at the length of chain unhappily, but it does not give.
> You wish you could restrain her wings somehow as well, but this will have to work for now.
"Well, get used to it. Until I can deal with your queen, at least."
> She lays her head down, staring off at the wall.
> You think, anyway. It was never totally possible to tell where she was looking with those blue eyes unless you stared very hard.
> "And what do you intend to ask of her?"
> In truth, a thought had only just begun to form in your mind.
> Bouncing your idea off this changeling couldn't be to bad - even if she escaped, you were going to have to tell Chrysalis your plans soon anyhow.
"I'm going to humble her. She double-crossed me, so I'm going to force her to do something she won't ever want to do."
> "Which is?"
"Beg. To Celestia, or one of the other princesses."
> Chissik looks up sharply at that.
> "She is a proud queen, Anonymous. Caring, but proud. She will not beg easily."
"She all but did for a new home."
> Minus the bit where she was trying to mess with your head half the time, of course.
> "That was for a new home. For us. She will not do so easily otherwise."
"Then she should not forget I am well aware of her knew home."
> A slight amount of venom enters Chissik's voice for the first time.
> "You would play games with our lives? Our queen may not be gentle, but not even she does this."
"Hardly. In fact, if she sees sense, this may turn out the best for everyone - myself, the princesses, and your kin."
> "You will have to convince her of this. She will not want to be seen as weak."
"Then she shouldn't have tried to betray me."
> You stand, turning for the door.
"I think she's halfway to what I was planning anyhow; I am merely going to take it to its logical conclusion and make her grovel a bit in the process."
> With that you step out of the room, locking the door behind you.
> You still had a long talk to have with Dash, after all.
 
--------
 
> Dash is waiting for you.
> She's curled up in the corner of the room, her tail wrapped around her form.
> When you enter, her head perks up.
> "Master... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be bad! Please don't put me back-"
> Her voice is rapid and panicky.
"Relax, Dash. You're not going to be caged for this."
> The relief that washes through her is instantaneous and obvious.
> "Oh, thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!"
> You crack a small grin at Dash's display, kneeling down in front of her.
"Chissik wasn't supposed to be up there at all, and I cannot blame you for reacting badly to that - only for not stopping when I said to, and that's not worth boxing you."
> "Chissik? Is that...?"
> She makes a face that suggests the word changeling is physically unpleasant to say.
"Yes, it is. And no, she will not be leaving any time soon - although she has already been adequately restrained to prevent a repeat of that incident."
> You still needed to check the security feed and see how Chissik had managed to detach her collar in the first place.
> Dash looks surpremely uncomfortable at this pronouncement.
"For now, she is locked in the basement and won't be roaming freely any time soon."
> She nods slowly, just enough to indicate she won't contest your choice.
"There is, however, something else I am wondering about that needs to be answered."
> "Master?"
"You reacted very badly to seeing her up there. Admittedly, not without reason..."
> Dash nods slowly.
> "I... really don't like Changelings, you know? They hurt my friends, they kidnapped Scoots - they never go anywhere without causing problems."
> Somehow you doubt this, if Changelings have managed to survive this long.
> Attention is not something an infiltrator-race wants to attract.
> "Seeing it in there... I'm still Rainbow Dash, y'know? I don't back down from a fight, and it started it."
"Which is a very good explanation, Dash, except for one thing."
> She tenses, knowing you've caught her lie.
"You didn't tell it to get out of the house, or go die, or anything like that. You told it to get away from me."
> You reach down, slipping a finger beneath Dash's chin to tilt her head up to face you.
> She stares at you with her large, crimson eyes.
> Eyes filled with increasing worry as you delve into what is obviously an unwelcome topic.
"That's a very interesting thing to say, Dash. You just told me you didn't like Changelings because they hurt friends of yours."
> She tries to shink back, knowing exactly where you are going.
> Unfortunately, she can not go far.
"Were you worried for me, Dash?"
> She shifts in place, hooves doing a funny little dance.
> "I... didn't..."
"Awww..."
> You lift Dash up into your lap and start to scratch between her wings.
"That's adorable. You actually care for me."
> "Shut up!'
> The outburst is unusual for Dash, who surely knows how dangerous it is to say something like that to you.
> "You took me away from my friends, you hurt me and put me in that box... I don't care for you! I hate you! I hate what you're doing to me!"
> You raise one eyebrow, but don't stop Dash's rant - this is something she is going to have to confront at some point.
> Instead, you continue to stroke her back, listening to her angry words.
> "I- I hate that when I come out of that box I can't help but love your touch. I hate that I can't stop loving it. I hate that you're the only one who actually bucking cares anymore!"
> With that last comment she actually wriggles free of your arms and bursts off, running.
"You still stop, Dash!"
> Your voice carries just enough to reach her, and Dash freezes in place.
> Upset she may be, but an order is still an order.
"Come back here."
> Her eyes squeezed tight to keep the tears from flowing, Dash slowly turns and makes her way back to your side.
> "May I go please, master?"
"No. I want to talk about this, Dash. You're clearly not telling me everything."
> She grits her teeth, tail lashing.
> But she knows that there's no way out of this.
> "I... sometimes feel... like you're the only one caring for me, okay?!"
> Hrmm.
> If you had more time to work on this, you would push further.
> It's really not a good idea to let her keep secrets.
> But other matters demand your attention.
> You don't have the luxury of being able to carefully dig this out, and bludgeoning your way through Dash's thoughts until she reveals it could do more damage than help.
"Alright, Dash. You're off the hook for now."
> The relief is immediate, her muscles untensing.
> "Thank you, master."
"For now. We will have to come back to this again."
> "I get it, yeah."
> She sighs heavily.
> "Hey, um, master? Where's the... changeling?"
> You raise one eyebrow.
> That's an unusual request.
> Dash notices your questioning look and squirms.
> "I... want to see it. Someone close to me once was told that they had to face their fears. I want to face it."
> More than that, you suspect, she wished to regain some modicum of self-respect.
> Especially after the admission you had just wrung out of her, she was probably searching for any way to raise her self-esteem.
> And if she couldn't face down you, then she might try to at least face your prisoner.
"It's in the storeroom where you normally stay I will have to unlock the door if you want to see Chissik."
> Dash grimaces at your use of the changeling's name.
> "I'll behave, I promise. Please?"
"I know you will... later, though. I need to have a talk with someone now."
> "Alright, master."
> Unfortunately, contacting Chrysalis proves to be impossible.
> The swarm had scattered soon after leaving your home, it seems, to make the trip without being noticed.
> And the changeling tasked with carrying your communicator had taken a different route than Chrysalis.
> You wondered if that reflected Chrysalis' opinion of the value of your communicator.
> If she 'lost' it, you would be tempted to just outright turn their swarm over.
> Based on the courier's estimation of where he was, you suspected they would arrive at their new home within eight days.
> Not as soon as you would like, but not much that can be done about it.
> Besides, it would give time for you to reach out to another courier to do a favor for you...
 
--------
 
> Interestingly, Chrysalis is the one to contact you.
> Evidently she still holds some respect for your demands.
> Her reaction to your plan, though?
> About what you expected.
> In other words, raging anger.
> "NO! I completely and utterly refuse! I will never grovel for mercy before Celestia and her ilk!"
"I'm not asking you to grovel, Chrysalis."
> "That is exactly what you are telling me to do! I am the Queen of the Changelings! I do not beg for sustenance!"
"Bullshit. I know what you're going to do up there, Chrysalis."
> "You know nothin-"
"You're so close to the Crystal Empire you can probably smell it already. You couldn't ignore that kind of love if you wanted to. I'm just proposing a method that will avoid further confl-"
> "By making us beg for what we have always taken!"
> Your frustration is growing.
> That Chrysalis would not be pleased with your choice, you had expected.
> That she would totally fail to see the benefit in acceding to your demands, you had not.
> She was obviously a calculating ruler; you'd presumed that she would agree, even if just to try and pull a fast one later.
"Chrysalis... shut your ego off for a second and think about this. Your swarm is starving. You can kidnap a few ponies from the Crystal Empire, maybe, before you're noticed and caught on to."
> You lean forward towards the camera, frowning.
"What then, Chrysalis? Will you buy another home from me?"
> "There are other settlements-"
"Who will be warned. Your home in the badlands was safe because no ponies patrolled out there. You don't have that same margin of safety now. Besides..."
> You lean back and play your trump card.
"Think about your swarm, Chrysalis. You're pushing them to the limit already. I doubt they will survive another trip like this. My plan offers them time to recover."
> Chrysalis grimaces, making a face as though you were forcing a particularly disgusting-tasting food down her throat.
> "Celestia despises me. She will never consent to it unless I surrender-"
"Celestia will not be involved in the negotiations - not at first."
> She's grasping at straws now, trying to find any reason not to.
> "You mean to go directly to the pink wretch? She hates me too."
> Not without reason, you scheming roach.
"She hates you, but she is also the princess of love -"
> God that title still sounds wierd to you.
"-and she will undoubtedly find room in her heart to spare some of that love for the starving."
> "You haven't even talked to her yet, and you try to pressure me into this?!"
> Urgh, Chrysalis is back on one of her righteous anger sprees.
"If I cannot negotiate the other side of the deal, then you are off the hook as well."
> And will probably gloat to me about it until the sun burns out, too.
> Chrysalis makes that unhappy hiss-click noise, but slowly nods.
> "Then... in that case... I accept your terms, Anonymous. I will do as you bid, if you will not harm my swarm."
"Of course, I will make sure that they agree to leave you unmolested so long as you hold to your end of the agreement..."
> You lean forward, narrowing your eyes.
"And, it shouldn't need to be said, but you are on quite clear in that respect now, Chrysalis. You're getting one more chance now, but if I see you trying anything - at all - I will let Celestia burn you to the ground. Help her, even."
> "I get it, I get it."
"You'd better."
> "Speaking of which, my agent - is she still safe?"
"Chissik is quite safe, yes. And will remain so as long as you remain true to your word."
> "Good..."
> For just a moment, you think you might see a ripple of tenderness flash across the changeling queen's face.
> But then it is gone again.
"I will contact you again when the other half of my negotiations are complete."
> A soon as the connection closes, you are immediately connecting to another one of your communicators.
> Fortunately Chrysalis' delay had given your delivery-pony plenty of time to quietly drop this device off in the night to the Crystal Palace.
> As soon as the video feed opens, though, you know you have a problem.
"Shining Armor. What an unexpected surprise."
> "Anonymous."
> The stallion glares daggers at your face on the screen on his end.
> Internally you are cursing.
> Unlike Cadence, who you suspected to be soft at heart, Shining Armor was a military stallion first and foremost.
> And he did not like your activites, not one bit.
"I need to speak to Princess Cadence."
> "Oh? Planning on pulling her into one of your plots, Anonymous? I'll not have my wife mixed up up in your business."
> You grit your teeth angrily.
> All your planning, and this one idiot was going to stand in your way.
"How about we let her decide that, hmm?"
> "How about you turn yourself in for proper judgement by the princesses."
> How about you go bite rocks, you thickheaded grunt.
"This message is for Cadence only. What she chooses to do with it is her choice."
> "That's Princess Cadence to you, and if it's important enough for her it's enough for me."
> Okay so he may have a point there, being her husband and all.
> But there's no way Shining would agree to your plan straight off the bat.
> You doubted he would even hear it out.
> Time for another tactic.
"How about you go get Princess Cadence, bring her here, and then we can talk?"
> "How about you stop trying to pull her into your schemes!"
"There's no scheming here, Shining. Just a diplomatic message."
> "Then you can send it via the normal channels, instead of having one of the poor fools who you enslave with that lieing tongue of yours drop this thing off on our doorstep."
> Before you can reply, Shining cuts the communications link.
> Damn!
> You doubted he would even mention your call to Cadence.
> No way to get her attention with the comm unit.
> And Chrysalis was still waiting on your reply...
> What are you going to do now?
 
--------
 
> The answer comes to you a few moments later.
> In fact, you realize, Shining himself had given it to you.
> Go through the normal channels.
> Heh, he didn't think you'd actually do it, did he?
> Oh, did you have a surprise for him...
> With a chuckle, you switch over the connection and begin the first of several calls you are going to need to place.
> She responds quickly: "Well? Do you have something to report."
"I'm not a minion of yours, Chrysalis. But I'm going to need one of your changelings - preferably one with a great deal of experience acting..."
> It takes longer than you might think to get a response.
> But by late afternoon the next day, another incoming message pops up on your display.
> This time, instead of the blue-maned stallion you had encountered the previous day, it is a strikingly pink alicorn staring back at you.
"Your Highness. Good to speak with you at last. I hope my messenger wasn't to much trouble?"
> "A changeling revealing itself while I was holding court and pleading for my mercy did cause a fair amount of shock, Anonymous."
"My apologies, Your Highness. I found it neccessary to make a scene in order to get through. Your husband did not wish for us to talk."
> Cadence grimaces. "Yes, we had a... talk about it."
"Ah."
> Hopefully she wouldn't blame you for interrupting her perfect marital bliss.
> But having a Changeling plead her case in front of the entire court served to both alert the crystal princess and - hopefully - curry sympathy from the population.
"I hope my messenger is being treated respectfully?"
> "She has been imprisoned, but is being treated well and is safe."
"I will hold you to that. I have promised her safe return."
> "That is better than can be said for the prisoners you hold."
> Ouch.
> You frown.
"Not being very diplomatic there, Your Highness."
> "I will listen to your idea, Anonymous, but you are a criminal and a kidnapper. You're hurting one of Twily's friends; I'm not under any obligation to like you."
> Well then.
> About what you had expected, but at least she's talking to you.
"Then let us get down to business."
> "Is what she said, true, then? They are starving?"
"Absolutely. I admit to not knowing a great deal about your Crystal Heart, but from what I do know, it should be able to provide them some stability."
> "I won't just allow them inside the city. Not after what they did."
"I don't expect you to."
> "How, then?"
"A small group of Changelings will be allowed to visit each week and absorb as much love energy as they can. Your guards will accompany them."
> Cadence's eyes narrow as you explain.
> "I won't just let them drain my ponies."
> YOu mightily resist the urge to roll your eyes.
"Do you think me a fool, Your Highness? The Changelings should be able to absorb the 'love' directly."
> "How can you be so certain?"
> You grin, finally back on more stable territory.
"Let us say that I have had an experimental subject to test that theory on."
> Chissik had been providing you a wealth of knowledge on Changelings, actually.
> For instance, that she had been apparently feeding off of you enough to survive comfortably without draining you.
> You'd made absolutely certain that your behavior hadn't been affected, repeating the test with Dash just to be sure.
> Heh, Dash would probably hate you if she ever found out about that.
> "And the Changelings, Anonymous - what do they pay?"
"For one, no more kidnappings. No more imprisonments. Any victims they still hold will be released."
> Cadence's eyebrows rise.
> "They agreed to this?"
"If it makes you feel better about it, Chrysalis is absolutely furious about this. She hates the idea, but has little choice."
> "That... parasite would hate anything less than total domination."
"Indeed. But I have a degree of leverage over her, and she over her changelings. Enough to enforce this deal, at least on their end."
> "And what do you get out of this, Anonymous? You never do anything that does not benefit you either."
> Her tone is accusatory.
> Then again, she isn't wrong.
"My cost to Chrysalis is her obedience in this agreement - repayment for a mistake she made. But that's not what you're asking, is it?"
> "No, it isn't. What do you want from me?"
> You un-knit your fingers and lean forward towards the camera.
"The answer, Your Higness, is respect. I want to show that whatever measures I took to defend myself, I am not a maniac. I am reasonable, and can be worked with rather than fought."
> "You want to escape punishment for your crimes."
> That she would view you with the same distaste as the other princesses is something you'd entirely expected.
> But it is still frustrating to hear Cadence clinging to their absolute, black-and-white view.
"Call it what you want - but you're saving lives, Your Higness. Don't forget that."
> "And if I refuse, you will smear me by making sure it is known that I denied the Changelings a chance at peace. You already started it with that stunt at court."
> She's good; you might have underestimated her experience in these matters.
> Your hesitation is the only confirmation Cadence needs.
> "You're scum, Anonymous. What happens if they betray you? I will not put my ponies at risk."
"If they betray you..."
> You let a small smile slip on to your face - a cold, grim smirk.
"If they renege this agreement, Your Highness, I will remind them that while I try not to be a monster I am capable of playing the role when need be."
> Cadence shudders at that, her wings twitching slightly.
> A sign of nervousness - you've seen the same in Dash often enough.
> Probably left over from her time before her ascension; unlike Twilight, the crystal princess had always had her wings.
> "I will... take it under consideration. Assuming you can keep the Changelings under control."
"Good."
> "On two conditions."
> One eyebrow is raised as you wait for her to enumerate them.
> "One, I want to know how you got that Changeling into court. There are guards, wards on the palace. How did it evade them?"
"It didn't. One of your guards owed me a favor - a big one."
> Cadence sputters wordlessly.
"Convincing him that your guest didn't pose a threat was not easy. I presume she will be released, by the way?"
> "IF the deal you propose is agreed to."
"I would advise you to do so sooner. Perhaps use her to send back word to the rest that you are interested in negotiating."
> "I can make my own decisions, thank you very much."
"Merely a suggestion. What's the second condition?"
> "I want to talk to Rainbow Dash."
> Your eyebrows rise.
> Of all the various conditions she could have set, that was not one you expected.
"I believe that could be arranged. She has monthly conversations with Twilight and the other elements via a screen like this one-"
> Cadence shakes her head, mouth set in a grim line.
> "No. I want to meet her face-to-face."
> Hrm.
> None of Dash's other friends had never even suggested an in-person meeting - except for that griffon.
> Likely, you think, because she doesn't trust you to keep your word.
> Does Cadence?
> Or is she playing a longer game?
> Celestia you knew to be wary of, Luna was no immediate threat, and Twilight was held at bay by her friend's captivity.
> But Cadence was an enigma.
> You simply didn't have enough information to get a solid judge of her character.
> "Well, Anonymous?"
> You force your face back into a careful mask of pointed neutrality.
"I propose a compromise. You will talk to her remotely now, and our deal regarding the Changelings will go through. Once that is in place you will be allowed to visit in the future, when your presence is not demanded."
> She studies you long and hard, both of you looking for any hint to the other's intentions.
"Come now, Your Highness. We both clearly distrust each other, but a first step has to be taken somewhere."
> "I agree, then."
> You allow the first honest smile in a while to slip on to your face."
"Excellent. If you will wait, Your Highness, I will call Dash down here."
> She does wait.
> Dash, though is hesitant.
> After all, the last time you told her that someone 'wanted to speak to her', it ended up being a former friend she had barely seen.
> Eventually, though, her multicolored-mane-topped-head pokes through the doorway.
> "You wanted to see me, master?"
> You hear a sharp intake of breath from the screen as Cadence hears Dash refer to you as her master.
> Had she not been told anything about what your relationship with Dash was?
> Dash, in turn, looks at the screen and promptly gasps before falling into a bow.
> "Your Highness!"
> You feel a twinge of jealousy within your chest.
> In time, you know, you will command that sort of automatic devotion from Dash.
> She catches your eye and almost imperceptibly flinches, knowing she has made a mistake.
"It seems Her Highness wishes to speak to you, Dash. I will be leaving you to your conversation, as normal."
> And as normal, you should be very wary what you say, Dash.
> She nods slowly, moving to stand before the camera.
> "H-Hey, Your Highness."
> "Rainbow, please. You may just call me Cadence."
> "Oka-"
> And then the door shuts behind you, cutting off all sound.
> It is not the last you hear, though.
> Mere moments later you have an audio feed up from within the room.
> "-ainbow, please, talk to me?"
> "Dunno what t'say."
> "Anything you would like me to pass on to Twilight?"
> Dash's voice is sharper, more pained.
> "No."
> "What in Tartarus did he do to you?!"
> There are some rustling noises before Dash answers back, far more quiet than before.
> "Sorry, Yo- Cadence. He... he's not all that bad, honestly."
> One of your eyebrows rises.
> Was she betting on your listening in and trying to earn brownie points?
> "I heard he clipped your feathers, Rainbow Dash. That's... beyond unacceptable."
> A pained bark of laughter prefaces Dash's response.
> "Been talking to princess egghead, have you?"
> There's a sharp gasp from Cadence - Dash must've opened her wings to show her.
> "Yeah, he did."
> "Rainbow, I-"
> "He says it's so he wouldn't have to hurt me if I tried to fly, or keep me locked up all the time."
> "He cut your bucking feathers, Rainbow Dash. That's... nobody does that! Not even pirates or griffon raiders!"
> Coming from a princess, the swear sounds out of place - a testament to how much this must be getting to her.
> She pauses, before continuing in a softer voice.
> "I was a pegasus before I earned my crown, Rainbow Dash. I can't even imagine what being like that must be doing to you."
> Damn!
> One hand tightens around the comp-pad.
> "I... wouldn't be flying anyway. It's not that bad..."
> Now Dash is outright lying; you know how much she hates being clipped.
> "Does Twilight know?"
> "She knows."
> A quiet sob follows. Out of your presence, Dash is finally allowing herself to cry.
> "S-she knows. They all do. They won't do anything."
> "Won't, or can't?"
> "Won't. They're... to afraid to try. B-besides, he's not bad all the time."
> "Really?" The question is tinged with a sarcastic tone; Cadence doesn't sound like she believes that.
> You know you wouldn't.
> "Y-yeah. I mean, he k-keeps me in line, but never hurts me bad. And he..."
> Dash goes quiet.
> "He what, Rainbow? He isn't... forcing himself on you, is he?"
> "Celestia, no! Urgh!"
> "What, then?"
> "He... always remembers me. Twilight, Flutters, Pinkie, AJ - they haven't come, even to visit, even though they know I'm not okay. But he never forgets me..."
> A long silence follows.
> "You're.... not thinking right, Rainbow."
> "No. No! I'm serious! He always thinks about me, even if it's... not good. When I've done something wrong."
> Cadence's voice rises in response.
> "I mean it. Your friends were one thing, but what you're saying, this is really wrong."
> "You haven't seen him when he's in a good mood! He's..."
> She seems to have trouble saying it.
> "He can be nice, Princess. He can."
> You've paused what you were doing, now listening intently.
> It was obvious that Dash had come to rely on you in some respects, in certain situations you planned out.
> But this was entirely different.
> This was progress.
> "I know it sounds all wrong, Princess, but seriously! He... he can be okay."
> "Rainbow, I... I need to go. I'll... I'll get Twilight to come, alright? Please, just hold on a bit longer..."
> "Just trust me, please! You don't have to do that!"
> "No, Rainbow. I have to go."
> "Princess, don't-"
> The sound of rapidly fading hoofbeats comes through the feed; as Dash was still locked in the room, it seemed a safe bet that Cadence must have fled.
> Hrm.
> Seeing Dash had obviously deeply affected her.
> Agreeing to that conversation may have been a mistake.
> Either way, you will leave Dash be for a bit longer; no need to let her know you were listening by barging in as soon as she finished.
> When you do go to open the door, though, it's obvious things have progressed in your absence.
> Namely, Dash has gone from sitting on your chair to curled up in a corner, her multihued tail wrapped around herself and one wing extended to form a feathery barrier against the rest of the world.
> As your footsteps approach, it lowers itself a bit - just enough for you to see one eye peering through at you.
> Your gaze locks with hers, and immediately the barrier raises itself again - shortened feathers spreading to cover as much of her head as she can.
> Kneeling beside her, you hear a soft sniffle issues from beyond the feathery wall.
> Ah.
> She's been crying, then.
"Dash."
> "Go the buck away."
> Her voice is hoarse and even scratchier than normal, but it's the pain and venom in it that really strikes you.
> In response, your own voice is hard and forceful.
"You know not to talk to me like that, Dash."
> "I don't care... I'm nothing anymore anyway."
"Now, that's not true, Dash."
> "Buck yeah it is! I'm supposed to be the element of loyalty! Sticking with my friends through the worst storms! I can't believe I told Princess Cadence that..."
"What did you tell her?"
> She looks up in surprise, obviously having anticipated your listening in.
> Quickly her gaze falls away though, her tail flicking nervously.
> "Can I... can I not say, master? I don't want to talk about it..."
"I'm afraid not, Dash. If you told her something important, I need to know."
> "I... I said that I sometimes feel like my friends don't even care about me anymore, and that you're the only one who thinks of me..."
> She actually buries her muzzle into the carpeted floor in front of her, leaving you straining to hear the next few words.
> "I was just... just so angry. I betrayed all my friends. I'm not even me anymore..."
"Shhh..."
> Dash stiffens as you lift her up and against your shoulder, both arms wrapping tight around her.
"You didn't say anything wrong, Dash. You're just admitting what you've been seeing for a long time now. I know it hurts, but that's the truth."
> "But... it isn't! You're a monster, Anonymous. You kidnapped me, you're making me feel all wrong like this... I just didn't want her to do anything that might make trouble."
"Am I the only one forcing you to do that, Dash? Can you look at me and honestly say that?"
> "No... but I'm not honesty. That's AJ's gig. If she - if they all - could see me now, they would probably-"
> Abruptly Dash pulls back from your shoulder, staring at you with a newfound look of horror.
> "Oh, Celestia! Cadence said she was still going to get Twilight to come; I hope she doesn't do try any fancy magic or anything! Master, please don't hurt them if they come - let me talk to them, I'm sure I can keep them from-"
> You put a finger to her lips, stopping her.
"If they come, I will give them the same chance I give any other visitor: They will be allowed to speak their piece, and I will consider it. I can't promise anything if they attack me from the start, though."
> It's a lie, of course.
> There's no way you're giving up Dash, no matter how hard Twilight argues.
> "Please, master! I don't want to see them hurt... I'll be yours, I'll obey anything if you promise not to hurt them."
"What you do will have little bearing then. They know the risks of trying to harm me; if they try it anyhow, then... well, I think any loyalty they had for you is long since gone."
> Is gone.
> Not would be.
> You wonder if Dash notices the difference, but she just nods slowly, resting her head back on your shoulder again.
> "Even if they aren't loyal to me, I need to be loyalty to them. I have to be loyal."
> You feel a cold wetness run down your neck, though she has not audibly begun to cry again.
> Silently you leave the room, carrying the both of you back to your office now that her conversation is over.
"Don't worry, Dash. Even if your friends abandon you, even if they try and hurt me knowing the cost to you, even if you aren't the element of loyalty anymore... you'll still be my little bluebird."
> "T-Thank you, master... I... I feel sick."
"That's your emotions hitting you, Dash. Let them out, and you'll feel better."
> "But you told me not to-"
"I'm making an exception. You can let yourself cry in front of me this time."
> And cry she does.
> You simply sit there, calmly resting one hand on the back of her head, allowing her to cry until her sobs peter out into soft sniffles.
> At some point you look down and find that Dash has fallen asleep, the tracks of tears drying on her cheeks.
> A gentle smile graces your lips as you allow your hand to come to rest over one wing.
> It takes a while, but Dash eventually stirs in your lap.
> She still doesn't talk for a while longer, but finally speaks again with a small, cautious voice.
> "You're going to have to punish me for snapping at you, aren't you?"
"Yes, Dash. I am."
> "I won't fight you... just please, please don't hurt my friends if they come while I'm in there."
"Oh, Dash..."
> You slips a hand beneath her chin, tilting her head back until her crimson eyes meet yours.
"I'm not going to put you in the cage, Dash. That is for far, far worse things than merely talking back to me... but you will have to be punished."
> She nuzzles into your chest anyhow, eyes closed and relief obviously flooding through her.
> "Thank you, master. Thank you so much..."
"No, there'll be no cage for this."
> You slip a hand around her neck, scratching lightly.
"Instead, you get to help me feed the changeling."
 
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