>Rapid knocks against a door.
>You wake up, first seeing the white of your pillow and sheets, and feeling pleasant softness around you.
>You’re in bed.
>It’s early morning and golden sunshine comes in through your room’s window.
>A hoof knocks against your door again.
>But sleepiness clings to you and you long for more time to rest.
>With a great deal of annoyance, you force yourself out of bed and go grab the nearest clothes.
>More knocks.
>Ugh.
”Give me a minute.”
>You cover yourself to gain some modesty for the castle’s inhabitants.
>”Just come out already!”
>A harsh feminine voice screeches from the other side of the door.
>And then you freeze.
>That sounded A LOT like Chrysalis.
>What the hell?
>You stop taking things slow and go immediately to the door.
>Pulling it open in a hurry, you see-
>A normal unicorn.
>You take a moment to scrutinize her, but she does look normal.
>A mare with a grey-white coat and pale blue mane.
>Dressed in a simple uniform marking her as some castle servant.
>No flashy, transforming eyes.
>Not even unusually tall.
>She smiles at you.
>”Good morning.”
>With green magic she pulls a cart closer.
>On it are a few dishes of breakfast food.
>”I’m here to deliver your breakfast at the Princesses’ behest.”
>She then looks you over with a slightly concerned look.
>”Am I too early?”
>Oh.
>You rub your eyes and blink for good measure.
>You still feel your bed calling for you.
”No, it’s fine. Thanks.”
>The unicorn goes back to smiling.
>”Okay! Well, here you are.”
>She magically pushes the cart closer to you.
>”Enjoy. I’ll leave you to your eating... and napping.”
>She gives you a final friendly look before walking away.
>You pull the cart into your room and take a look at what you’re being fed.
>A variety of things, it turns out.
>Vegetables, fruits, bread, butter, cheese, and eggs.
>Not bad. You can start your day with that.
 
>Entering the spacious chamber, you’re met with the sight of Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie.
>They all greet you with smiles as Twilight speaks.
>”Good morning. You’re up early.”
”I was woken by breakfast in bed.”
>It was pretty neat since you usually had to go to a dining hall to get your meals.
>The purple unicorn tilts her head.
>”Really?”
”Yeah.”
>What?
>”That’s odd... I don’t remember anything about that.”
>Rarity butts in with a deep sigh.
>”Twilight, dear, you can’t know EVERYTHING.”
>Twilight frowns in response.
>”Why not?!”
>”We all know you like to do your best, but let’s remember how very very wrong that can go sometimes.”
>Twilight still frowns.
>It takes a moment for Rarity’s implication to sink in.
>”... I-I just want to do things properly.”
>And then Pinkie Pie is up in your face.
>”Hi!”
>With a beaming smile that radiates energy.
>”Did you sleep well?”
”Well, yeah.”
>”Goody, ’cause I heard something reeeeeally interesting.”
>She suddenly adopts a mischievous expression.
>As if she knows a dirty secret.
>”I heard you...”
>She pauses. Dramatically.
>”... got a fan.”
>One of her eyebrows moves up.
>Suggestively.
>You hesitate and just look at her.
>And then you remember.
”Oh, you mean the singer.”
>”Bingo!”
>Her hoof boops your nose.
>”Oh, yes. About that...”
>Rarity’s paying attention again.
>”We wanted to talk to you about that mare.”
>Both Twilight and her walk closer.
>Twilight gives you are very serious look.
>”You talked to her in private?”
>Uh oh.
”... Yes.”
>”Did you notice anything suspicious about her?”
”Well...”
>Should you say no?
”In what way?”
>Twilight thinks for a moment, then looks at Rarity.
>And Rarity looks at you.
>”Fluttershy and I were both worried when she insisted on seeing you alone.”
>Crap. They did catch on to it.
>”Because... Don’t be frightened, but we think it was Chrysalis.”
>The door to the chamber suddenly creaks open.
>A unicorn mare dressed as a servant steps in.
>”I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have a message to Twilight.”
>Twilight looks a little annoyed as the unicorn approaches and produces a scroll.
>Twilight takes it with her purple magic and unrolls it to start reading.
>The other two Elements, with looks of slight surprise, look at her.
>You feel something poke your arm.
>Looking down, you see the unicorn servant.
>She just smiles at you.
>But then, for a split second, her blue eyes look like the blue pupil-less eyes of a changeling.
>And then she turns around and leaves the chamber, quietly closing the door behind her.
>Twilight groans.
>”Ugh, why now?!”
>”Twilight, this is urgent, isn’t it?”
>”It is. I’m sorry.”
>The scroll vanishes in a purple flash, And Twilight gives you an apologetic look.
>”The Princesses need me. I have to go.”
>Her horn glows and a bright flash consumes her.
>She’s gone.
“It’s THAT urgent?”
>”It seemed rather like it.”
>Rarity looks at the now Twilight-less spot.
>Pinkie hops over to you.
>”Oh well, at least we’re not going to do that boring security-stuff.”
>The fashionista gives her an incredulous look.
>”What? It IS boring.”
>”And very VERY important!”
>The pink party pony just stares with a blank expression.
>You try to read her.
“Doesn’t stop it from being boring.”
>Rarity sighs.
>Pinkie Pie gives you a big smile.
 
>During lunch, you sit with the five mares in the dining hall.
>Twilight hasn’t returned from her business with the princesses yet.
>your group isn’t alone. There are plenty of guards and other castle-workers too.
>But you sit together in your own spot rather than divided between everybody else.
>The food has just been distributed, and all the ponies are ready to munch on a variety of plant matter.
>You’re about to dig into a salad when the large chef suddenly shows up.
>”A gift from her majesty.”
>He places a large plate in front of you, covered by the usual bulbous lid that gets used with a lot of fancy foods.
>Pulling it off with his teeth, he reveals…
>Meat.
>The scent of well-cooked and tenderly spiced meat rises to meet your nose.
>Three steaks lie ready for eating, sprinkled with parsley and swimming in melted butter.
>Several guardponies turn their heads when they notice the unusual smell.
>Your friends, however, just give you a quick look and then return to their own food.
>They’ve known you long enough to be familiar with your eating habits.
>Except Fluttershy, who still glances at the former living being on your plate.
“Thanks.”
>This should be tasty.
>You turn to the brown chef.
“… which ‘majesty’ should I thank, that is?”
>”The good one.”
>He winks.
>And turns around, making his way back to the kitchen.
>The good one?
>… Okie dokie.
>You’ll get to ask the princesses some other time.
>Or…
>A troubling thought hits you.
>’The good one’.
>… No, that sort of thinking can wait.
>Just settle down and enjoy your food.
>You cut a piece of a steak and put it in your mouth.
>As you start to chew, your ears pick up a nearby guardpony making barfing sounds.
 
>Evening closes in.
>You sit in a bath tub, hot soapy water keeping you warm and comfortable.
>The white, spacious bathroom is steaming and everything is foggy.
>You’re taking a bath both for the sake of hygiene and for the sake of getting to think.
>Baths are an okay way to think sometimes.
>Since the meal, there hadn’t actually been many… weird signs.
>But those signs still made you worry. Especially since all the ponies didn’t seem to notice.
>The distinct lack of Cadance and Shining Armor is starting to look really, really bad.
>Chrysalis won’t do anything bad to you. You’re starting to seriously trust that.
>… which is a funny thought since she’s a passionate enemy of Equestria.
>But you worry for the others’ sake.
>A feminine voice clears her throat near you.
>Turning your head swiftly in surprise, you see a light yellow unicorn with an orange mane standing a few feet from your bath tub.
>She’s magically holding a towel in front of her.
>”Isn’t it about time for you to finish?”
>Her question pushes the annoyance of her intrusion into the back of your mind.
>Is it time?
>How long have you been here now?
>… you have no idea.
“Alright, fine.”
>You beckon her towards you and the towel floats over to you.
>Grabbing the towel, you get up and step out of the tub while holding it in front of you.
>For the sake of not allowing the mare to get any good look at something a little too personal.
>As you start drying yourself, you notice she isn’t leaving.
>She’s still standing there and looking at you.
“What?”
>Her eyes go up and down your body, which you keep diligently covered by the towel.
>Then she smiles playfully.
>”You look strange.”
>Figures.
>But you’re not really affected by her teasing, so you hold out a hand and wiggle your un-equine fingers at her.
>It makes her giggle.
>Cute.
>Still…
“You should go. I’m trying to do this by myself.”
>You start drying your hair for emphasis.
>”Well…”
>The mare’s eyes go up and down again.
>”Maybe I could help?”
>She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.
>…
>You stare.
>That’s… a surprise.
>Your pause seems to make her unhappy.
>”What? Am I not good enough?”
“Wait, hang on-“
>”Maybe you’re more into earth ponies?”
>In a flash of green, the yellow unicorn suddenly turns into a pristine white earth pony with a grey mane.
>You blink.
“… Oh, you’re…”
>Fucking changeling.
>The white earth pony giggles.
>”Oh, did I surprise you?”
>The expression on her face is downright smug.
>A cheeky changeling, no less.
“Just leave me alone, would you?”
>”Aw, don’t you like getting teased?”
>She gives you a mockery of a pitying look.
>She actually is getting a little annoying.
“No?”
>The changeling giggles again.
>”Very well, I’ll be nice and leave you to yourself.”
>With that, she turns around and swaggers towards the door.
>The way her departing white rump swings with silly self-importance gives you an idea.
>Not something you’d usually have the guts to do, but since this is a changeling…
>Keeping your hand open and flat, you lash out.
>It smack loudly against the mare’s butt-cheek, almost right on her cutie-mark (a laughing theatre mask), making it jiggle slightly and the mare gasp.
>Her head snaps around and she looks at you in shock.
>Then she trots quickly out the door with an uneasy expression.
>That was nicely satisfying.
 
>You drift back to consciousness.
>Everything around you is black and soft.
>… oh yeah, you’re in bed.
>Sleeping.
>Or were.
>Judging from the darkness, it’s in the middle of the night.
>Not to mention your body is still complaining with the need for more sleep.
>Did something wake you up?
>Looking around with annoyance, you let your eyes try to scan the near-impenetrable shadows.
>And…
>Right next to your bed, within arm’s reach, is a figure.
>Black and unidentifiable.
>And very much not supposed to be there.
>You freeze.
>Your sleepiness is eliminated immediately as a rush of fear surges through you.
>What the fuck?!
>”Good evening.”
>You tense even more as the alien form utters a distorted, creepy voice.
>But then recognition clicks.
“… Chrysalis?”
>A chuckle.
>That sweet laugh that could deceive anyone into thinking the owner isn’t an evil overlord.
>A twisted horn lights up with green light, and Chrysalis illuminates the two of you.
>The simple light casts plenty of thick shadows and creates and entirely ominous atmosphere.
>You manage to notice the pupils of her big eyes shrink into slits as the light hits them.
>She smiles and gives you a good view of her sharp fangs.
>The smile would make a pony fear for his life.
>Yep, it’s her.
>”Did I wake you?”
“Yeah.”
>Duh.
>You lie down again, resting your head on the oh so nice pillow, and consider ignoring her.
>Your sleepiness is quick about returning now that you’re no longer on the brink of panic.
>Then it hits you that the Queen of Changelings came to your room.
>In the middle of the night.
>You give her a wary look.
“Why are you here?”
>She smiles again.
>That evil, foreboding smile.
>”I just came to see you.”
>Yeah, right.
“Did you decide to kidnap me again?”
>The smiles shrinks a little.
>”No.”
>Okay, so far so good.
>You wait for her to say something more.
>She just looks at you.
>But after a while she sighs.
>”What? Can’t I visit sometimes?”
“You aren’t always well-meaning.”
>Her eyes narrow.
>But then she smirks.
>”Didn’t you enjoy my gift at lunch?”
>You think for a bit.
>… oh yeah. That.
“Well… yes.”
>That had been tasty.
>So she did have a hand in it.
>Or hoof.
>But would that mean…?
”He’s a changeling?”
>She tilts her head.
>”Who?”
“The chef.”
>”No, not the original one. But I had him replaced.”
>You pause, feeling a little unnerved.
>”No, he’s not dead. And yes, my changelings can cook. I have specialists for many things.”
>She smiles.
>Smugly.
>”By the way…”
>She then eyes you with… interest.
>”I had a report about you not being able to keep your hands to yourself.”
>She raises an eyebrow.
>And grins. Slightly.
>Oh boy…
“She was being annoying.”
>Chrysalis keeps grinning.
>”Is that it? And you were so good at resisting me when I was imprisoned.”
>No shit.
>Your tiredness makes you irritable and you’re not in the mood for her teasing.
>So you don’t respond.
>Chrysalis keeps looking at you expectantly.
>You close your eyes and just try to rest.
>A silent moment goes by.
>”… You’re no fun.”
“It’s in the middle of the goddamn night.”
>”Oh? I hadn’t noticed.”
>You sigh.
>You’re not getting rid of her, are you?
>Opening your eyes, you look at the changeling again.
>Covered in green light and shadows like a monster from a dramatic horror movie.
“You really like bothering me, don’t you?”
>”Yes.”
>She smiles again.
>Bitch.
“Did you have to order your goons to follow me all day?”
>You pull the soft duvet closer around you, trying to tug yourself in more comfortably in the bed.
>Chrysalis may not be going anywhere but you’re still going to be as comfortable as you can.
>”Of course. I couldn’t keep an eye on you myself.”
“And why not?”
>Not that you really care. Too tired to think much.
>”I decided to take your advice.”
>She suddenly looks less teasing and more serious.
>… you gave her advice?
>Oh. Right.
>You kind of berated her last time you talked.
“Well, you were kind of stupid.”
>She frowns.
>A gratifying sight.
>”Yes, and I see that now. It seems you can be the opposite sometimes.”
>A compliment?
“Good. Twilight and the others know it was you in the garden.”
>Lucky her that she decided to listen in time.
>Chrysalis’ eyes widen slightly.
>She looks subtly shocked.
”Surprised?”
>”… Yes.”
>She then looks away at some corner of the room and seems to think.
>You let her have a quiet moment, not having the energy or motivation to interrupt her.
>”You’re a surprisingly useful ally.”
>Her wicked smile returns as her gaze settles on you again.
>Good for her.
>… and maybe bad for you.
>You notice a nagging sense of betrayal lurking in the back of your mind.
“Don’t remind me.”
>Chrysalis chuckles.
>The light bobbing of her head and its glowing horn make all the shadows in the room jump.
>”Don’t be sad. I’m a much better mistress than the princesses.”
>You don’t say anything.
>It’s no surprise to hear her say that.
>Another moment of silences trickles by as you don’t speak to Chrysalis.
>Suddenly everything turns black.
>She extinguished her magical light.
>Having adjusted to the illumination, your eyes completely fail to comprehend anything in the sudden darkness.
>Only your ears detect anything.
>”I’ll let you sleep now. I’ll return at a better time.”
>And then there’s nothing.
>You wait. The drastic change is a little unnerving.
>Is she gone?
>You hear no hoofsteps, buzzing wings, or anything else.
>Slowly, hesitantly, you reach out to where she should be standing.
>And touch nothing but air.
>You wave your arm around for good measure.
>More empty air.
>She’s gone.
>You’re a little weirded out, but still decide to get the sleep you were yearning for.