>You walk down a corridor.
>Chrysalis is walking next to you.
>And behind you is an escort of four changelings.
>You’re on your way to the dungeon.
>Chrysalis is smirking as she turns her head to you.
>”You should look happier.”
>True, you haven’t felt overly excited about this.
”I didn’t think you would be coming along.”
>”I said I’d take you to her, not let you go see her on your own.”
>Her smile fades a bit and takes on a hint of annoyance.
>You glance over your shoulder and take a quick look at your escort.
>Chrysalis follows your example.
>”… They can stay outside.”
>You give her a slight smile.
>It’s a small gesture since Twilight will still be locked in a cell.
>But you still appreciate it a bit.
>Her annoyance seems to disappear with that as her villainous smirk returns in full force.
>”I won’t barge in too much on your conversation, don’t worry. I’ll just be there to…”
>She tilts her head and looks towards the ceiling thoughtfully.
>”… remind her of her situation.”
>You almost snort.
“As if she needs you there to remember that.”
>She giggles.
>That cute sound of hers.
>”Oh, you never know. She can be stubborn and reckless, wouldn’t you say? She really doesn’t seem to know when to quit.”
“Her adventures have been pretty wild, I guess.”
>Your group descends a spiralling staircase to the sound of hard hooves against cold stone and continues through another corridor.
>”I have an idea.”
>Her tone is playful, and when you look at her she’s sporting a characteristic wolfish grin.
>”When we see her, let’s pretend to be lovers.”
>A mix of confusion, outrage, and amusement hits you all at once.
>”… What?”
>She chuckles loudly before looking at you with her grin again.
>”Why not? It’ll be amusing to see her reaction. And we get along so well it shouldn’t be difficult to do.”
>She gives you a playful look with the last sentence.
>You frown back at her.
”No.”
>Her smile disappears and she sighs.
>”You’re so dull sometimes.”
”Too bad.”
>You reach the large, solid double doors leading to the dungeon, which are immediately opened by a couple of guard-lings, and you descend into the ominous area for prisoners.
>As you walk down the wide, spiralling staircase, you remember the last time you came here.
>You’ve only been here once before, after all.
>The situation was very different, though, and you glance at Chrysalis while the memory is in your mind.
>Moving further into the dungeon, you pass the table with a sitting guard who quickly gets up at the sight of Chrysalis’ approach.
>But she only gives him a calm look.
>”You may sit.”
>And with that, your group moves past him and deeper into the dungeon.
>You pass the row of cells you remember the six ponies being trapped in last time.
>They’re empty.
>The metal bars keep no prisoners held in the small enclosures.
>Chrysalis completely ignores those cells and just keeps walking.
>You quietly follow her lead.
>You pass more cells until you descend some stairs down to another floor with even more cells.
>The walls become unrefined, the individual bricks clearly visible and rough-looking.
>The ceiling is low, the corridors narrow, the air chilly, the shadows thick and the path ahead of you filled with darkness.
>The tip of Chrysalis’ horn begins to shine with a strong green light, and you feel a bit of gratitude towards her as the darkness begins to seriously blind you.
>Your collective footsteps begin to echo louder and louder as you make your way into the depths of the dungeon.
>Each cell you pass is empty, thankfully.
>But the cool air, the darkness, and the overwhelming silence make your skin crawl.
>You begin to wonder what sort of misery any prisoners must’ve gone through here.
>”Do you like it?”
>Chrysalis’ voice almost makes you jump.
>Looking at her, you find her looking back at you from the corner of her eye.
>The edge of her mouth is curved into a smirk.
”Not really.”
>Celestia’s dungeon was a bit spooky too, but this is worse.
>Her attention goes back to ahead of her but she carries a decidedly satisfied smile.
“I didn’t know you had… all this.”
>”Why wouldn’t I?”
>You think about that for a few seconds and see her point.
>Her castle is huge. Of course it would have a sizeable dungeon.
>Especially when the queen doesn’t mind having enemies.
“Why isn’t Twilight upstairs?”
>”Because you got her out when she was.”
>Her tone becomes very serious.
>”I had her, and her other friends, up there before to be nice. To you.”
>A pang of guilt hits you.
“Oh.”
>You descend more stairs, the echoes of your steps having become unpleasantly loud in the eerie silence.
>But then Chrysalis stops.
>The four changelings stop with her.
>The queen turns around and faces her escort.
>”You will wait here. This is only for me and my human.”
>They nod and remain standing.
>No, one sits down on his haunches.
>With that, Chrysalis gives you a look before walking forward again.
>You follow.
>You’re not sure if the sound of less footsteps is better or worse.
>Less noisy but more spooky.
>The cold air and the empty space keep making you think of grim things.
>The darkness shifts and the long shadows constantly move as Chrysalis, with her illuminating horn, keeps walking.
>A part of you is expecting something to jump out of the darkness and catch you.
>Maybe the ghost of a long-dead prisoner.
>Chrysalis’ presence is comforting, however.
>Your eyes focus on her.
>Her slender, black body which shifts and moves with each step of her long legs, punctuated by the sound of a hard hoof on stone.
>Except for the hard, protective shell on her back and her delicate-looking wings.
>Both of those things shine with a nice gloss under the magical light.
>… You almost want to touch her.
>But then a cell comes into view with a figure in it.
>The sudden appearance of a body, sitting quietly, makes you tense up in shock.
>The pony’s head turns to see you.
>The large eyes blink in surprise and you finally recognize the form.
>You’ve reached Twilight.
>”W-… what…?”
>She looks thoroughly confused as her eyes scan you.
>You hesitate to respond.
>Not sure what to say.
>Chrysalis, however, chuckles.
>And not in a cute way this time.
>”Hello, Twilight. We’ve come to visit.”
>She grins at the purple unicorn trapped behind bars in a dark cell.
>Her sharp teeth and cat-like eyes make her look almost feral.
>Twilight’s much more normal eyes flicker between her and you.
>Her mouth slightly agape while her point of focus changes again and again.
>She looks confused more than anything else.
>You feel a little embarrassed to be seen by her next to Chrysalis.
>Chrysalis tilts her head while still smiling maliciously at her prisoner.
>”What’s the matter? Not happy to see your friend?”
>Twilight then regains her composure and scowls at Chrysalis.
>”You won’t keep me here forever! I’ll get out and then I’ll take him with me!”
>Chrysalis bursts into a fit of laughter.
>Her wicked laugh rings throughout the empty dungeon and creates eerie echoes.
>”Is that so? And are you expecting your friendly human to rescue you again?”
>Her head turns towards you with a sinister smile.
>”Because…”
>She pauses, still smiling.
>Twilight looks confused again.
>”… he promised me he wouldn’t.”
>Twilight’s eyes go wide.
>”What?! That’s a lie!”
>Chrysalis turns back to Twilight with a devilish smile that almost reaches from one ear to the other.
”Chrysalis, stop!”
>You can’t let this go on.
>Both ponies(?) turn their attention to you.
>Twilight looks pleading while Chrysalis smiles.
>”Will you tell her yourself?”
>Chrysalis looks like she’s having a good time.
>So you give her an angry look.
”I thought you wouldn’t barge in too much.”
>Chrysalis pauses, this time without smiling evilly.
>Then she takes another look at Twilight and steps back.
>”Oh. I suppose I did say that.”
>Twilight looks like one big question mark.
>Chrysalis looks at you as she begins to keep her distance from the trapped unicorn.
>You hesitantly approach Twilight while keeping your eyes on the changeling queen.
>Getting close to the bars, you kneel down to look at Twilight at eye-level.
>She still looks confused but seems a bit calmer with you closer.
>She begins stepping towards you, but is stopped to the sound of a rattling chain.
>You then notice the solid-looking collar that connects her to a metal chain which keeps her bound to the rear wall of the cell.
>And, glancing at her horn, you see the gem that suppresses magic.
>”What’s going on?”
”Nothing. But you’re safe.”
>Then you glance around.
”… sort of.”
>”But why did she say you promised anything?”
>Because she’s a bitch?
“Because she-“
>”Because he did.”
>You can’t resist glaring at the dark queen.
>She smiles wickedly back at you.
>You try to think of something particular to say.
>Something to make her shut up.
“Chrysalis, if you say you’ll do something, can I count on you to live up to that?”
>Hint hint, you cunt.
>Chrysalis’ smile vanishes quickly.
>”… You can.”
>You nod.
>You’re tempted to make a smart-ass insult but you restrain yourself.
>Twilight keeps looking perplexed.
>”Again, what’s going on?”
>You hesitate, not sure how to explain it. Or if you should.
”… She’s just difficult to deal with.”
>Twilight’s confused expression forms into a suspicious frown.
>”Uh-huh. And the promise…?”
>Looking at her suspicious face, you begin to feel concern.
>You hear a soft chuckle from Chrysalis.
”Well…”
>You don’t want to lie. Not to Twilight.
”I guess that’s true. She forced me to.”
>Twilight’s expression turns into an angry glare and shifts focus to the changeling in question.
>You hear a sharp intake of breath from her direction.
>Turning your heard, you see her glare even more angrily back at you, not at Twilight.
>Her large eyes are intense.
”What? You did!”
>”You still gave me your word!”
>Her already unusual voice is further distorted as she almost growls at you.
”And you nearly ate my face!”
>Chrysalis begins to walk towards you slowly.
>Each step echoes loudly in the empty dungeon.
>”So you’re going to take it back? Can I expect you down here soon, trying to rescue Twilight?”
>Her voice is seething.
>You back away cautiously, moving away from Twilight’s cell.
>Twilight’s chain rattles as the unicorn begins to pull against it.
>”Stay away from him!”
>Chrysalis’ head snaps in her direction with a both angry and sceptical look.
>All the shadows around you jump with the sudden movement of her illuminating horn.
>”Or what? If I left you here to rot there’s nothing you could do about it!”
>Twilight glares back at her defiantly.
>But Chrysalis ignores her and turns her attention back to you.
>”I will hold you to your promise, ape.”
”Of course you will.”
>The sarcastic remark slips out of you before you properly consider the risky situation.
>Chrysalis’ glare intensifies.
>Oh goddammit…
>Your frustration begins to overcome her intimidation as you begin to feel more angry than scared.
”Would you stop?!”
>Chrysalis blinks.
>She still looks angry but now also surprised.
”You forced me! Seriously!”
>Her moment of surprise disappears as she only looks at you with a raised eyebrow.
>”So?”
”Why should I consider that a fair deal?”
>”Who said anything about ‘fair’?”
>Her angry expression grows into a smug smirk.
>But then it suddenly becomes one of mild shock as something seems to dawn on her.
>You wait for her to speak.
>Her eyes move briefly towards Twilight in a quick glance.
>”We’ll talk more about this later. Without her.”
>Twilight has gone silent and is now just observing Chrysalis and you.
>Although she still glares at Chrysalis suspiciously.
>You raise an eyebrow at Chrysalis, not feeling happy about her statement.
“Later?”
>She gives you an annoyed look.
>”Yes.”
>You’re tempted to push her for more but decide it’s not a good idea.
>She then turns and walks closer to Twilight’s cell.
>She looks at Twilight who looks back at the taller changeling with a defiant expression.
>The light from Chrysalis’ horn makes the bars cast shadows over Twilight’s body like thick, linear stripes.
>Then Chrysalis grins at her prisoner.
>”Say, Twilight, your friend is rather troublesome sometimes.”
>Twilight stays quiet and simply glares at her.
>”How do you deal with that?”
>Twilight glances at you as her defiant expression takes on a hint of confusion.
>Chrysalis only keeps smirking at her.
>You begin to wonder what’s up yourself.
>”From one mare to another, Twilight.”
”What are you doing?”
>”Hush, dear, this isn’t for you.”
>What?
>Wait, is she going to try…?
”Chrysalis, you’re not seriously trying to go through with that stupid idea, are you?”
>Chrysalis rolls her eyes.
>”Do you have to ruin it?”
>Twilight’s expression goes from part confusion to complete confusion.
”I already told you I wouldn’t play along.”
>She gives you an annoyed look again.
>”Yes, so I have to try to do it on my own.”
”And not just drop the idea?”
>”I don’t care if you don’t want to have fun, but don’t try to ruin MY fun.”
>Your previous frustration gets mixed with amusement.
>What the hell?
”Just stop.”
>The queen sighs and turns around, making every shadow move.
>”Fine.”
>She slowly steps away from Twilight’s cell.
>Twilight is left visibly bewildered and looks at you questioningly.
>You hastily answer.
”She just had this weird idea about messing with you.”
>She only blinks.
”Like I said, weird.”
>Her eyebrows then come down into a deep frown.
>”… What’s going on between you two?”
>Now it’s your turn to just blink.
>Oh shit.
“Wait, Twilight, there isn’t anything going on.”
>Chrysalis evil laughter suddenly resounds throughout the empty dungeon.
>Twilight only gives her a brief look before focusing on you again.
>Still frowning.
”I’m her fucking captive!”
>She looks towards Chrysalis again while her frown loosens somewhat.
>”You act like you’ve… bonded, though.”
>”We have!”
>Chrysalis swivels around with a gleeful smile.
>Gleeful and arguably horrific thanks to her long fangs and animalistic eyes.
>You glare at her.
”Chrysalis…”
>You can’t resist the urge to send her a warning.
>Her only response is a laugh and then to smile maliciously at you.
>”Let the little unicorn think what she wants.”
>You give her another hateful look before turning back to Twilight.
>Twilight is now completely focused on Chrysalis, however, with a scowl.
>”I won’t fall for your tricks.”
>Chrysalis snorts with annoyance.
>Relief washes over you.
>”Well, aren’t you a clever pony…”
>Chrysalis turns around, all the shadows around you moving as she does, and begins to walk away.
>”We’re leaving now. Have fun, Twilight.”
>Twilight’s scowl dissipates as her expression changes to something more frightened.
>You understand.
>This place can’t be good for her.
”Don’t worry, I’ll be back.”
>Not sure what else to say but still feeling the need to somehow comfort her.
>She gives you a look that’s a mix of fear and gratitude.
>”Soon?”
>Uh…
“I’ll try.”
>She nods.
>She still looks unnerved, though.
“Trust me, I will.”
>She nods again, and gives you a small smile along with it.
>Chrysalis’ echoing hoofsteps stop.
>You look towards her and see her looking back at you.
>”You’re coming with me.”
>You stand up and walk over to her, leaving Twilight behind.
>Walking besides Chrysalis as the two of you make your way back out the deep dungeon, you’re bothered.
“She’s been down here the whole time?”
>”Yes.”
>You glance at Chrysalis and see her smirk.
>The two of you then find the escort again.
>The four changelings were all sitting but quickly stand up at your approach.
>Without a word, Chrysalis passes them and continues up the stairs you had descended, and the four follow along.
>You just follow her example.
”Could you move her back upstairs?”
>Chrysalis doesn’t look at you, but when you take a look at her, her smirk is gone.
>”I could.”
>Okay…
“… Would you?”
>Chrysalis doesn’t immediately respond.
>You walk through the upper but still dark level with her horn illuminating your way.
>”You’re unhappy with your promise, aren’t you?”
>You hesitate.
”… Yes.”
>”Very well.”
>You glance at her again.
>She still looks serious.
>Even more so with the lower part of her face cast in shadow.
>”Then I won’t hold you to it.”
>Her tone is low and full of resignation.
>You…
>… wait, really?
“Do you mean…?”
>She glances back at you.
>Looking annoyed.
>”Yes. Your promise is nothing. You may take it back.”
>Huh.
>You spend a moment quietly walking next to her in the darkness as a sense of relief and slight joy fills you.
>Soon, you walk up another staircase and enter the not-completely-dark level.
>Chrysalis extinguishes her magical light now that nobody, or just not you, needs it.
>But then you wonder…
”So, uh…”
>You hope you aren’t pushing your luck too far.
>”Twilight?”
>Her voice is hard.
”Yeah.”
>Oh dear…
>She doesn’t say anything while you walk past the table with the guard.
”She shouldn’t be down there.”
>She suddenly stops, the changelings stopping with her behind you, and lets out a loud groan.
>”Why?! I already let you off your promise!”
>She snaps her head in your direction and glares at you with both resentment and confusion.
>You almost take a step back at her loud reaction.
”But… I know you’re evil and all, but that place can’t be good for her. At all.”
>She raises an eyebrow.
>”Evil?”
>Duh?
“Yeah?”
>Her serious expression turns into a smirk.
>You relax at seeing her anger go away.
>But only a little.
>”Then maybe I should just let her stay.”
>Oh come on…
“I would be very unhappy with that.”
>Her smirk widens, but only momentarily before it lessens and she looks away.
>Seeming thoughtful.
>”Yes, you would, wouldn’t you…”
>You just look at her.
>Wait for her to say something more.
>She finally looks at you again, without smiling but still looking kind of… calm.
>”I will consider it.”
>That’s… good?
“Okay…”
>She smirks again.
>”Don’t sound so disappointed. I’m evil to ponies, am I not?”
>You sigh, letting your lungs relax as they deflate.
>You hope she lets Twilight out of that dark pit, but the uncertainty of her answer nags at you.
”Being stuck with an evil queen is hard…”
>She chuckles.
>Cutely.
>”But we still manage to get along.”
”… I guess.”
>You can’t help but smile a little.
>It’s kind of true, isn’t it?
>Even though she’s kidnapped you and Twilight, which makes it all bit weird.
>You then snicker as her comment reminds you of something
>Looking away while recalling it, you take a moment to dig through your memory.
>”As they say back where I come from, ‘opposites attract’.”
>Seems pretty fitting.
>Even though it’s usually used for-
>Uh oh.
>Was that smart to say out loud?
>You look at Chrysalis again.
>She’s looking back at you.
>With a wide grin plastered over her face.
>”Do they?”
>Her dangerous-looking teeth are eye-catching.
>You feel your skin crawl.
”… Yeah.”
>Her already wide grin gets a little wider.
>More teeth.
>”What a nice saying.”
”M-hm.”
>Her grin finally shrinks and the view of her teeth disappears, but her lips stay curled in a pleased smile.
>She turns and begins to ascend the wide stairs leading out of her dungeon, with the escort quickly following her.
>You follow her too, and make your way out of her sinister dungeon to the sound of clopping hooves.
 
>Chrysalis enters her room with you following right behind her.
>The escort stays outside and you lose view of them when Chrysalis magically closes the door.
>”Well, this has been a lovely day.”
>Her wigs buzz as she lifts herself onto her bed and lies down on its red sheets.
>She looks at you with a smirk.
>Eh, it’s been…
>something.
>You walk over to your spot next to her bed and look for your mattess.
>Despite having been magically put unconscious, you notice you don’t feel particularly well rested.
>But you don’t see your mattress.
”… Wait, where am I supposed to sleep?”
>Chrysalis giggles.
>”Where do you think?”
“On the floor?”
>She giggles again before giving you a playful look.
>”Oh no, of course not. I’m not that cruel.”
>You give her a look.
>The old “yeah right” sort.
>She ignores you and her horn glows as her bed’s covering is pulled aside next to her.
>She then looks at you with a smirk again.
>You hesitate.
”… Really?”
>This is, to say the least, unexpected.
>”Where else does one sleep?”
>Her smirk turns into an almost smug grin.
>You quietly wonder if she’s about to trick you into something.
>No, stop that.
>Just try to give her the benefit of the doubt.
>You step closer to the bed, where the dark changeling sits and smiles like she’s having a good time.
>Grabbing your shirt, you then stop.
>Oh boy…
“Am I supposed to undress?”
>Chrysalis blinks once before her large eyes move down, scanning your body.
>She raises a hoof to tap her chin while tilting her head, her expression a cheeky smirk again.
>”Hm… if you want…”
>She gives you a downright suggestive look.
>You climb into the bed with your clothes on.
>Getting in it, you sink gently into the blood-colored sheets and find the bed to be remarkably comfortable.
>Then the covers move over you, pulled by Chrysalis’ magic.
>You look at her as she tugs you in.
>She’s still smiling, although now more kindly.
>With another bit of magic, she settles in as well under the covers right next to you.
>You look at her with her head on a pillow looking back at you.
>It all feels… weird.
>But not unpleasant.
>”Well, then. Goodnight.”
>She closes her large green eyes and goes perfectly quiet.
>Her lips are still curled into a slight smile, and you can watch the covers rise and fall gently with her breathing.
>You should probably just try to get some sleep yourself too.
>So you close your eyes and rest.
>”I hope you don’t try anything while I sleep~”
>…
>You let a sigh be the only response she gets.