>The curtains of your huge four poster bed billow in an imaginary wind as you lay in bed, staring up into the ceiling.
>A still sleeping Chrysalis puts a hoof to your shoulder, mutters something about grilling kebabs, snorts, and then rolls over facing away from you.
>Can't help but let a small chuckle out at the sight.
>The ride back to the hive was nice, but thoughts lingered on your mind.
>Reicher and Vira could be knocking on your door at any time, and they're not exactly here to deliver Thin Mints.
>You've never seen any changeling from Reicher before, but the sudden uneasiness and sharp inhales from everyone at the mention of their name proves enough of a point.
>And if Vira was telling the truth, she had sent a messenger decoy to both the Ponies and Gryphons telling them to abandon their aid effort for the coming conflict.
>That's the first order of business, to personally meet with the Princesses and the Chieftain.
>You don't see an issue with meeting the Princesses, but you've never so much as seen the Chieftain. The scarce amount of communication you've done has been through paper messengers.
>How do you know he won't view you sneezing as rude or something and slices you in two right then and there?
>You'll just have to wing it, you would ask Chryssy for anything on the Chieftain but she said she's never been near him.
>The black grandfather clock in the corner reads 6AM, almost time to get up.
>Not like you ever went to sleep to begin with.
>Sneaking out of bed you enter the bathroom and turn on the shower and step inside.
>Still haven't figured out how the water is instantly hot.
>Soaping up and rinsing off you reach for your towel on the rack next the shower door.
>Wrapping it around yourself and stepping back into the bedroom you find Chryssy still snoring, her mouth open exposing her very sharp fangs and letting her green forked tongue hang out.
>If only you could take a picture.
>Quietly you dress yourself in your armor, making sure everything is in place.
>Chryssy is still sleeping, wonder if you should wake her.
>She's been so stressed with what happened to you she needs the sleep.
>Taking care not to wake your wife you slowly lift the revolver and its holster off of the nightstand.
>"Where are you going".
>Dammit.
"To Equestria, to personally ensure their help when Reicher decides they want to play".
>A small grunt from Chrysalis as she lifts her head to face you.
>Orbs of emerald in the dim light of your room, no matter how little the light is her eyes always shine.
>"And you saw fit not tell me"?
"Well dear I didn't want to wake you from sleep you desperately needed".
>A hybrid of a chuckle and huff is your response.
>"And who is the person who kept me up for 4 hours last night? I seems to recall a very, very frisky King".
>Fire builds in your face as you try and regain composure.
"W-Well...I".
>Her sultry voice fills your head.
>"Nothing to be embarrassed about dear, only natural a male seeks his female in the day, and at night".
>More giggles from Chrysalis as she gracefully raises from bed, "A bath for me and then we can talk about what to do about Equestria".
>You nod and open the door to the room, closing it you step out into the hallway.
>The drafty coolness of the hallway does well to soothe your burning face, turning towards the main atrium you begin to walk.
>The hive at this hour is already bustling, with changelings of all professions and ages darting through the air and on the ground. Trying to get their tasks done and prepare for tomorrow's day.
>Many bows and 'my lord's are had as you wander through them to Beaker's lab, you make sure to try and return all of the greetings.
>May have missed a lot but its whatever, can't say hi to them all.
>Rounding the corner to the Research wing of the hive a fairly loud explosion rings out, shaking the tunnels and leaving a nasty echo.
>At a dead sprint you run to Beaker's lab, hoping that the explosion was just another failed experiment and not something catastrophic.
>Skidding to a halt outside of his door your question is answered with an "I'm fine! I'm fine just...a little disoriented".
>The small changeling emerges from some debris, stretches, brushes himself off and looks around.
>"Ah, now I don't blame the janitorial wing for not cleaning up these things".
"You uhhhh, sure you're okay Beaker? That looked a bit hairy".
>The scientist changeling sharply raises his head towards you,"Um my lord...nothing that would have hair was in this experiment".
"It's an expression Beaker, what were you doing"?
>Light shining in his eyes the scientist digs back into the debris, pushing things around and muttering to himself.
>He emerges once again, but holding a strange metal object.
>"THIS"!
>He pauses and looks to you, after seeing your lack of what it is he deflates.
>"Should've figured you wouldn't know what this is my lord, you do not have a horn".
>Setting the object on the lab table he turns to you, "This is a device of my design, objective is to amplify the outgoing magic of any changeling wearing the horn piece".
"Ahhhh".
>"What it currently DOING though, is quite different, as...you can tell".
"Yeah I pretty much can, don't you think it might be good to work on something else"?
>"Oh, my lord I would NEVER abandon a project that would contribute so much to the safety and stability of our hive, I will not rest until this is 100 percent safe and malfunction free".
>An exaggerated salute accompanies the statement as Beaker moves to start cleaning up the mess.
>Shit! Almost forgot what you were here for.
"Hey uhhh Beaker".
>Reaching into the pouch fastened under your right arm you produce one of the .357 rounds the revolver uses.
"Think you can make a box of those? They're the same concept as the others you made".
>"Why of course my lord! I have been waiting to try a new magical compound for those. Queen Patina had given me her formula readouts from the larger cannons,  and they've proven to be at least 42% more efficient in energy delivery".
>More ammo, that's good.
"Thank you Beaker".
>"Don't mention it my lord! Oh! Her Majesty is calling for you in the main hall, just got the message".
>He taps his head as he says so.
"Alright, I'll leave this bullet here and you can get to it when you get to it then".
>"Goodbye my lord"!
>Exiting the science wing you set off towards the main hall, dodging even more changelings and weaving around stalls.
>Coming to the tall black double doors of the main hall you push on through, what you find is...not what you expected.
>Chryssy is currently in a heated argument with a very purple pony.
>"He HAS to be under your control Chrysalis! There's no way Anonymous would've went to you on his own! You're a changeling"!
>Twilight Sparkle stomps a single hoof in defiance, as a very bored looking but agitated Chrysalis sits up in her black and green throne.
>Chryssy saw you the second you stepped in, but Twilight doesn't seem to have noticed you standing not 15 yards behind her.
>"He needs to come back with me! I'll rid him of this...this...whatever spell you have on him and we can leave you to your own devices"!
>Chryssy leans forward a bit, her voice lowered to a borderline poisonous tone, "Now why, in all of this universe would I ever freely give up my King so you can live happily ever after in some tree"?
>Twilight's face turns to shock as she stammers over herself, "King? What are you talking about"?
>Chryssy tilts her head to her left, motioning to your throne.
>"Who's throne do you think that is? While your kind exiled him and left him for dead, without so much as trying to understand who he is as a creature just because he possessed a weapon, we took him in".
>Chryssy magics her wine glass to her lips, taking a small sip before continuing.
>"Granted, our initial objective was just to observe him and if he was dangerous, eliminate him".
>"But after feeding him after a week he insisted on helping us, at first it was menial things, he followed the janitorial wing around and helped them clean the tunnels and rooms. Alongside this was the fact he radiated a nice, happy emotion from being not dead. It helped a great deal in feeding our drones at the time".
>Chryssy's voice is gradually getting quicker, "Then, after finding out about his weapon we put him on a caravan as a guard to make supply runs between hives. He thrived there, and gained a notoriety between hives as being one to dispatch any trouble with one single hit. We have had a near zero loss rate with our caravans after Anonymous became a guard".
>Chryssy's eyes are getting a little fire in them.
>"Notice something yet you twit? We gave him opportunity, we gave him life, we gave him what you're kind refused without so much as a loss of sleep".
>Chrysalis stands up, and begins to slowly descend the steps that lead up to the throne platform, "And you know what WE had gotten in return? We had gotten a KING, someone who loves this hive as much as I do and would give his life to protect it, we gained a leader, and I gained a husband".
>"He has soared to heights that would never have been attainable in your land, because all your kind would've done was lock him up, or execute him".
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>You are Chrysalis, Queen of this changeling hive.
>This twit Twilight is trying to take Anonymous back with her, and you've been dutifully pushing all her buttons and seeing how she plays out.
>There is one button you haven't pressed yet...
>See if she'll let THAT one be known herself...
>Anonymous has been silently standing behind her, not moving so much as a muscle in all this.
>The fact he has no fleeting urge to leave cements his place here amongst those who actually care about him.
>His emotions are a mix of admiration for you and...there's traces of anger? Not to you but to the pony.
>Interesting, time to see this through.
"What say you Twilight? Still think our King will go with you to be chained up and executed"?
>More anger flashes across the face of the pony as she grates her teeth, "I just want him to have a better life than dying here".
"Oh? And why is that? Why do you want him so bad? Has he found his way into your weak, scattered heart"?
>There, now to see her reaction.
>Anonymous is as stone faced as before, not a budge.
>That's my dear.
>The pony sputters over her words, "W-What? What're you talking about I don't-".
"May I remind you that I am a changeling Queen? I can read your emotions, and your heart like a book".
>"And"?
"And? I know that since Anonymous has been exiled you've taken responsibility for his alleged death on yourself, for if it wasn't for you he wouldn't have gone in front of the Princesses. I also know that since that day you've been obsessively reminiscing on the small amount of memories you've had of Anonymous, and as a result your heart has forged an infatuation with him".
>Shock, that's the reaction you were looking for.
>"You're lying to me".
"Why would I lie to you? It would be a waste of time and effort".
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>You are Anonymous.
>Chryssy is currently getting under the skin of Twilight and its working.
>But why did she come to try and get you? She had made it very clear in Ponyville that she didn't want to see you again.
>This whole thing is starting to annoy you.
>Chryssy is right, they did leave you for dead, they tossed you out for the sole reason that you had a power they didn't understand.
>Why have you been so apologetic to them? Why so accommodating?
>You've had these thoughts swimming in your head since it happened, you've always wondered why you didn't outright hate them.
>But since you've been back to them nothing seems to have changed, and that part is what's been grating on you since the initial meeting.
>You never expressed your distaste of what they did, you just took it laying down.
>It's because of this that Twilight feels she can barge into your hive, your home, and harass Chrysalis.
>You're surprised Chryssy hasn't put her in the dirt yet.
>"So Twilight, if it isn't already apparent. You have failed in your quest for Anonymous' return to you. He does not want to return, he does not want you here in his home. So you will be escorted outside the doors, after that it is up to you to find your way back to Equestria".
>A flash of anger runs across Twilight's face as a purple magic quickly charges on her horn.
>Acting quickly you deliver a quick kick to Twilight's hind leg, forcing her to the ground.
>You draw your revolver, letting the sights rest on Twilight.
>The purple unicorn looks to you, her anger replaced with fear.
>"Anonymous...what are you-".
"I've had enough of you, you've been nothing but rude and disrespectful since you've been in this hall. Honestly you're lucky they let you in to talk in the first place".
>You lift the revolver a bit, letting the sights rest on Twilight's still shocked face.
>Chrysalis is back in her throne, looking to you with a flame in her eye's you've seldom seen before.
"But you've broken my patience when you threatened Chrysalis. Now I am going to order you out of my hive, and away from our land. Do not come back, because I cannot guarantee your life the next time you cross into our borders".
>Tears start to well up in Twilight's eyes as she gets to her hooves, "Fine...I'll leave".
>As Twilight stumbles towards the door you follow her, making sure she doesn't try anything on the way out.
>Hisses and dirty looks from the changelings are what Twilight is getting as the two of you walk to the main door, not one word exchanged between you two.
>Arriving at the gate door you nod to the guard, who pulls the lever operating the gate mechanism.
>The doors slowly open, letting the sunlight pour into the hive and kicking sand in from the outside.
>Twilight slowly inches forward, her head down and shaking.
>When she is clear of the doors you signal the guard to close them.
>The heavy steel doors begin to close, slowly darkening the hive foyer.
>Twilight turns to look at you, her eyes red from tears, as the doors shut between the two of you.
>As the locking mechanism slides into place you return your revolver to its holster.
>Were you really going to shoot her? If she had attacked?
>She had threatened Chrysalis, and in that moment you almost shot her right then and there.
>That would've guaranteed a war with the ponies, you would've killed one of the Princesses after all.
>You did however...kick her to the ground.
>Hopefully that doesn't come to bite you in the ass.
>Returning to the great fall reveals Chrysalis still in her throne, sipping her wine.
>As she looks to you entering the hall her eyes light up with the same fire as when you had your gun to Twilight.
>"That was absolutely fantastic dear, I couldn't have done it better myself. Though her keeping all of her limbs does disappoint me a bit".
>Walking up to the two thrones you dump yourself into yours, rubbings your temples.
"I was so close to shooting her Chrysalis, that would've made things so much worse for us".
>Chryssy magics a goblet of wine over to you, setting it on your right armrest.
>"Maybe so, but her behavior was completely out of line, it took all I had not to turn her to ash".
>You sigh as you take a sip of wine.
>Instantly it feels like your mouth and throat are on fire.
>Almost spat it out, but you managed to down it.
>Helios wine.
"Chrysalis you didn't warn me on purpose did you".
>Looking to her she adopts a rather convincing feint of innocence, "I thought you knew my dear".
>"Well, I was going to talk to you about potential ways to butter up Equestria into helping us. But I think kicking their youngest Princess in the hindquarters has sort of diminished those chances".
>A small chuckle from Chrysalis, "Though that was very, very entertaining".
>She sits up as she adopts a more serious tone.
>"The Gryphons, they neither hate nor respect us. We have been neutral to each other for ages, but Reicher is putting us both into the fire. It is the reason we were forming an alliance however with Vira's decoy messenger they've most likely used that opportunity to bolster their own defenses around their borders".
"It's what I would've done".
>"Exactly, no slight against them. But we need the air superiority, Queen Katya's air force is the strongest of all other hives, maybe stronger than all of us combined. But Reicher has extensive measures against air warfare, as their own aren't suited for flight".
>She continues to speak as she sips some of her wine, "We NEED to convince the Gryphons to assist us, their expertise in air combat is unmatched in all of this land".
"So, what will we do? Go there ourselves? Send a messenger"?
>Chrysalis looks towards the ceiling, seemingly deep in thought, "The only choice we have is to go there ourselves, as a sign of good faith and authenticity. A messenger at this point would be too impersonal".
>She is right, something of this magnitude needs to be taken care of personally.
"Alright, when do we leave"?
>Chryssy looks to you, "I'm not leaving dear you are. I cannot be absent from the hive in the state of things".
>Yourself? That changes things.
"I don't have a diplomatic personality dear, I don't think I could be the best option to have this done".
>"Anonymous we have no other choice, I cannot leave myself, and we need a leader there. We can't send some Captain or Commander".
>This puts a pressure on you that you haven't had to encounter for a while.
>Being almost directly responsible for the fate of your hive? The fate of almost every Changeling that exists?
>No choice.
"Okay, when do I leave? Where are the Gryphons at"?
>"They're across the Celestial sea, you'll have to sail there and carriage north through the Gryphonian mountains. The trip will take about a months time, that is our main issue because we don't exactly know when Vira and Reicher will start their attacks. We have set defenses and fortifications up as best we can, and Patina has calibrated and aimed her cannons towards the Reicher and Vira hives. That way if they do attack we can put pressure on their hives".
"What of the field versions she had spoken of"?
>"We have thirty of them on their way by carriage as we speak".
>Thirty? Hot damn some artillery.
"That's fantastic, artillery is always good to have".
>Chrysalis takes another sip of her wine, "I suppose, I haven't personally seen their capabilities but from what I hear they are very destructive".
"Most definitely Chryssy, now when am I going"?
>"You may leave tomorrow morning, I'll have a carriage for you and Ram Charger will be with you on the trip".
>It would be nice to work with Ram again.
"Sounds good".
>The rest of the day was a blur of court counsels and more decision making.
>Janitorial wing needs mops.
>Agriculture wing needs funds for hydroponics project.
>Military wants an obnoxious amount of money for 'a new type of armor, for the protection of all Changelings'.
>So mentally draining, you'd rather be on a caravan right now.
>Ram Charger enters the hall, his large wingless silhouette moving into the light in front of the thrones.
>Ram bows, "My lieges, an audience if you please".
>"Granted Commander".
>Another quick bow from Ram, "My scouts have information of the Reicher and Vira forces. Seem they've stopped amassing at Eir Gulch, our best infiltrators that have gotten close enough to gather information from the camps suggest they're actually having issues with supplies and will have to stop for four to five months. That in addition to the time for travel we have a window of preparation of about six to seven months time, starting two days ago".
>That's good news, enough time to fix ties with the Gryphons and hull down a bit more for when they get here.
>"I am pleased to hear that Commander, is there anything else to add"?
>Ram nods and continues.
>"Yes my Queen, Patina has sent a message through our communication outposts proposing a preliminary attack upon their camps using the long range artillery they have developed".
>Interesting, firing first?
>Chrysalis looks to you, "Well? What do you think Anonymous".
"I don't think that would be such a great idea. An attack on them would spark them to either-".
>You hold up one finger.
"A: Move from their current camp, away from where we could keep an eye on them. Or B: Launch their main assault early, forcing us to work with what defenses we have, and I don't think even with their lack of supplies we could hold them down until the Gryphons can assist or other hives can come as reinforcements".
>Chrysalis has a hoof to her chin as she leans further back in her throne, "That's actually a brilliant point Anonymous, then no we should not attack early. We also have no guarantee that it'll be worth it in the end".
>Charger nods, "I will let our outpost know to tell Patina to hold off then".
>Chrysalis nods, "That would be satisfactory, thank you Commander".
>Ram Charger bows, "I have no further inquiries my lieges".
>"Commander, how would you feel about taking a trip to Gryphonia"?
>Ram's eyes widen a bit in the dim light, casting a slight blue shine.
>"I have not been there for some time, can I ask what for"?
>"A diplomatic mission to ask the Gryphons for air assistance in the coming conflict, King Anonymous will be conducting the mission and would like to have an aide".
>A salute from Ram to you, "I would be honored my lord".
>A smile for Chrysalis as she turns to you, "Well there you go dear, now that that's taken care of".
>She looks to the large clock behind the thrones, "It's definitely dinner time".
>Dinner was a lavish meal of steak, pork, lamb, potatoes, and a dozen other sides as the chatter of changelings fill the large hall. Despite your slight lack of an appetite you eat what you can in preparation of tomorrows journey.
>Carriage to Queen Alice's hive on the shore of the Celestial Sea, from there you will board one of Alice's ships to the southern part of Gryphonia in a port town called Nijmegen. After that it's a 2 week carriage through the Gryphonian Mountains to the capital of Volkar, where the Chieftain resides.
>According to others he is what you would've called 'old school' on Earth, a very proud and hardened gryphon.
>Here's to hoping your lanky self can gain his favor.