Throne Room.

[Perspective Shift]

His trademark grin somehow grew at the prospect of a teacher, but then diminished greatly at her request, "Having no point of reference, I have been unable to try any dark magic, your Majesty. As for changeling magic, after seeing it first hoof, I've been able to get the most basic of understanding of it. The most I can do is change the colour of the tips of my mane and even that little bit wears me out slightly."

Her fist question finally registered in his overactive mind, "What did you mean by lose, Your Majesty?"

[Queen Chrysalis]

By his word choices, she couldn't help but understand his lack of experience. After all, with the old princesses around, no one had dared speak of such spells. Intrigued that he studied enough to change a part of himself from the power of books, Chrysalis nodded in acceptance. Instead, her plans were a little more prominent as she approached him further. He was going to learn, that to gain, one must also lose to get what they want in the end.

"You will see in time my child. Show me your magical abilities by other means then, hit me with your strongest spell."

Wanting him to show her his worst, the Queen offered no defense, her smile never faltering as she awaited his response. Overly confident in a way, her ability to endure was most impressive, taking how slender her frame was compared to her breed. Even still, with a being as powerful as her, she really didn't seem too worried over any spell her subjects would cast, at least not alone. Using this as more of a lesson then anything, Chrysalis motioned him to go on.

[Perspective Shift]

His grin became a full blown frown at her new request, "I actually don't know any combat skills of any kind. I'm a complete pacifist. I excel mostly at transmutation spells."

He lowered his head in slight shame at not being able to comply to her request. He had avoided all combat spells while in school and focused on his other spells and other ways to make things more fun for other ponies.

[Queen Chrysalis]

Standing in confusion, she had never once heard anything like this before. Blinking with the sudden realization that she could never use him for violence of any kind, the Queen pondered her next actions. Would he be a smart move with her newest advancement into peacemaking? With many scenarios approaching from within her head, the mare simply nodded, his flaws would be her ally. if he did not fight, what was he useful for? Hating to seem so shallow, was that truly all her soldiers and allies were around for? Thinking back, Chrysalis wanted to prove it wrong, but in doing so, needed more information.

"Ah. What a rare find. What is your take on the war? What have you done for the past five years?"

[Perspective Shift]

He looked back up at her, his grin returning slightly, "Well, your Majesty, wars happen. Conflict is part of life, but that doesn't mean we have to embrace it. I spent the war hiding and staying out of the way, not taking any side. Whoever won, won. Though I am able to do much more under your rule, your Majesty. As for the last five years, I've been practicing my magic, fine-tuning the spells I knew well and trying to figure out changeling magic. I've also been trying to brighten ponies lives when I could, though not many were that receptive. I kept trying though."

[Queen Chrysalis]

Questioning his worth to the nation and finding herself unable to simply let him go, the Queen allowed herself to think out of the box. From the start of her journey to recreate this land, Chrysalis wanted more then a wasteland of death. In all honesty, she wanted life, of all kinds, under her rule. While she had to be sneaky and recruit the worst partners for the job to aid in her plans, the Queen couldnt help but feel this was her responsibility. If she wanted a nation for equality, she needed to start with making the right moves. Each new path was given by one decision, and that needed to start now.

"You see light through the darkest of times. My son, would you like to be my personal student? I could use a positive and young mind around here to see what I cannot. What do you say Perspective Shift?"

[Perspective Shift]

Perspective blinked a few times, his face stunned, as his mind processed what she had just said. As his mind caught up, his grin grew to epic proportions and he started shaking as he bit his bottom lip. Unable to hold it in, he let out a joyous squeal that was not at all like a mare's and bounced in place, yelling over and over, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" He finally caught himself and reigned in his excitement, clearing his throat and bowing to her, "It would be an honour, your Majesty."

[Queen Chrysalis]

Watching her subject permit an excessive amount of joy to radiate from his body, the Queen could merely chuckle to herself. This felt nice, to give ponies what they have always wanted. While feeding off of his happiness wasn't the tastiest thing she could use to her advantage, it certainly helped give her mental strength. Taking only what she needed, Perspective Shift wouldn't be able to feel a difference, her smile growing all the more.

"I am most pleased. Now, as my student, you are given many rights that others are not permitted. Unfortunately, others may see this as a threat. For your own protection, if you agree, I would like you to wear this."

Levitating what looked to be a bracelet over towards the stallion, it would soon change in color to match his own fur coat. Nodding and wanting him to know it was completely safe and harmless, Chrysalis tried to ensure her warm demeanor. What the bracelet was for however, was mere tracking to ensure if he truly was in trouble, she would find him. While she normally would resort to the crystal ball for such methods, it did indeed need some new upgrades, allowing those that wore Moia's products to add to the crystal map with each new land they investigated.

"It is merely to keep you safe. If you need me, you may only cast a simple spell on this object and I will be able to hear your words. A spell that will be the very first one I teach you."

[Perspective Shift]

Perspective watched as the bracelet attached itself to his leg, his unbridled excitement radiating off him. In his wildest fantasies, he had never imagined that this could have happened. When he had stepped into the Palace, all he had wanted was to work at the library and teach himself new magic in his free time. Becoming Queen Cheysalis' personal student hadn't even been in the realm of possibilities.

As the bracelet changed colour to match his coat, he looked up at her, his grin never receding, and nodded, "I'm ready to learn, your Majesty."

[Queen Chrysalis]

"Excellent."

Grinning in pleasure at the sight before her, the changeling Queen had held her head up high. Done observing, it was time to see what this average pony had in store. Turning to face away from him and walking to the wall behind the throne room chair, a simple brick was pushed in, sliding away to reveal a dusty and roach covered book laying in wait. Taking it with her hoof, the Queen smiles. 'My old friend.' Mentally speaking to herself, the Queen realigned the bricks before moving back to his position. Upon seeing him, the book was still in hoof, her quick thinking giving her quite the idea. Tossing it towards him, the cover was bare, showing nothing but a green symbolic small flame. Landing at his hooves, she approached closer before stopping just short of him and the pages she once wrote.

"We will start on page 1."

[Perspective Shift]

Perspective watched as she walked around behind the throne and heard the shifting bricks before she returned. He had just enough time to cushion the book's landing on the floor as he saw it flying towards him. He looked at the simple cover of the book in awe and gently brushed away some of the dust before looking back up to the Queen as she spoke. He nodded in affirmation and opened the book to its first page, trembling with anticipation from what secrets and knowledge the mysterious time held.

[Queen Chrysalis]

The first page showed nothing but a diagram of a normal unicorn horn. With it, details of the way it worked were scripted next to the picture itself. Showing where to place the magical pressure for the first spell, this simple call was not quite so simple to the average pony. Luckily for Perspective, he wasn't just some average Joe. Further down the page, a sentence was given in bold quotes. {To call upon the Queen of changelings, you must be cold. Close your eyes, and think of the worst memory at your disposal.}


Watching him read, the Queen had to admit it felt good to be the teacher for more then survival drills. His enthusiasm, his yearn to learn, all of it was like a song to her dark ears. Thinking this may be the key to her turn around at reformation, Chrysalis held her head up high. Figuring he was done the first page, she spoke as if to continue it through speech.

"Light only the tip of your horn. Think of the worst memory you could have, and simply call my name into your bracelet."

[Perspective Shift]

Perspective looked up at her as she spoke then down to his lifted hoof to where the bracelet should be were it not blended with his coat perfectly. As he looked at his hoof his ever present grin began to drop and fade, his eyes going slightly distant as he closed them slowly.

"My worst memory...." He whispered as just the tip of his horn easily lit to the books specifications. His mind went back to the war, to the fight he had had with his parents. He remembered his mother's tears and the anger in his father's face as he held his wife. He remembered the last words his father had said to him, I have no son. His face dropped even more as the memory flowed through his mind.

With the image firmly in place, he whispered in a shaky breath and with a small tear forming in his left eye, towards the bracelet, "M-My Queen Chrysalis."

[Queen Chrysalis]

She could almost taste it, his memory as it entered through his emotional state of mind. Pleased with this deep connection shared to her by her student, Chrysalis could feel her antenna's twitching as if he were calling her from far away. Nodding in approval, the Queen knew she had a sick mind for such things, but to turn it around was most certainly going to be hard. While changelings fed from the emotion and life force of love, other strong emotions were most welcomed in their presence.

For her, sadness was something she could understand all too well. And with that, she grew to love watching these ponies dwell, it made her pleased to see that they were not always so happy go lucky in her eyes. Speaking into her mind, her raspy voice had become crystal clear through his bracelet, allowing him to hear her.'Exemplary Perspective Shift.' Offering a small smile to his saddened face, the Queen had closed the distance between them. Placing a hoof to his chin, Chrysalis speaks out loud.

"Now, let us take a routine walk through the town. I will show you what I expect of you. And you will certainly give me input on some pony ways that confuse me so."

[Orange Glow]

[Enter Orange Glow]

Orange walked in the throne room relieved to see that her Mother was still there, her gaze fell upon the stallion in the room as well. Letting her presence be know Orange let out a soft cough looking at her Mother now. She didn't wish to interrupt the queens activities for long, nor did she wish to be apart from Plush for long. All these feelings would be quiet obvious to the Queen as Orange met her with a smile. Truth be told while there was a stallion in the room she honestly didn't care for the presence of other ponies unless she was forced to interact with them.

"Mother, an answer for one of my previous questions before you go please." Orange spoke clearly

[Queen Chrysalis]

Turning to face her daughter with a smile, the Queen stood in anticipation from the meaning of her presence. Cocking a brow to her repeated question, Chrysalis couldn't help but offer nothing more then a simple laugh. Was she serious? Glancing to her student and wondering what he'd think of this, the tall bugged mare looked down to them both before speaking.

"My beloved Orange Glow, where is your prisoner? You didnt, leave her alone, did you?"

Hiding her grin if for the moment, the Queen tried to understand through her daughter's eyes. Widening her green orbs with an idea that struck through, Chrysalis took in the halfling's body and expression. Assuming the worst, she looked away from them both, towards the bright window as a moment of silence passed on.

"Are you starting to care for the mare? Do you know what growing soft towards prisoners will do to you? How does dead sound? My child, while I understand you wish to motivate that creature to fight for us. She doesnt have a choice darling. But if you must bring back something for her hopes, lie to her. That bat is as good as dead in the Crystal Empire. If I know the King, he suffered a brutal and agonizing slow death. Now, anything else you wish to tell me before I ask where she is again?"

[Orange Glow]

"She is locked safely in my room and eagerly awaits an answer to her question. She wouldn't dare to leave without knowing his fate. AS for me growing soft, as if. That mare cause me great pain in my life and I do so enjoy screwing with her. Do you know what I did to her when I retrieved her from her cell room? Oh it was glorious and tasty" Orange's face grew into a smirk as she reminisced.

"I pretended to be that little bat lover of hers and made her feel safe and loved, then drained those feelings from her as I dashed her hopes" Orange chuckled darkly

[Perspective Shift]

Perspective had been about to answer the Queen, after returning from the dark memory and placing his signature grin back on his face, when the mare had walked in, asking for an answer to an unknown (at least to him) question. He watched silently as there exchange went on, intrigued slightly by what they could be talking about. His grin faltered for a fraction of a second as he heard how the prisoner they were talking about was being treated. He shook it off, his grin returning to normal, as what they were talking about wasn't his business and waited for the Queen to finish.

[Queen Chrysalis]

"Oh my, talk about a rude awakening. I apologize for doubting you. You make your mother proud. Now, its time to turn things around."

Offering but a small pleased grin to the mare's vindictive words, the Queen had turned to face her two subjects with absolute focus. One the one side, her newest and brightest student the world has yet to see, and on the other, her only daughter in Equestria. Both on the important factor of her life's work, Chrysalis felt her diplomatic decisions to be turning out rather well. Aiming to get these two to meet under different circumstances, perhaps it was time to show Orange Glow how to smile from her heart as well.

"Orange Glow, I want you to befriend this mare. Get inside of her head and find out where that power comes from. You've seen it first hoof, now I want you to drive it out of her. The only chance we have at winning the arena battle is if we unlock these secrets. I will not lose to that selfish warlord of a King. If you do not succeed, take the prisoner to Moia. He'll certainly know what to do."

Hoping she was on the right path, green orbs shifted to her new student. It wasn't fair for him to simply be left out of the conversation. Clearing her throat, it seemed the Queen was hoping to get right back to business. Knowing he certainly wasn't the type to torture anypony, she had admired his purity in waves. Hoping to grow a heart like the ponies of today, Chrysalis yearned to make that crystal clear.

"Where are my manners? Orange Glow, meet Perspective Shift, my pupil. Perspective, meet Orange Glow, my daughter. She is working hard to watch over dangerous prisoners that could harm the ponies of today. And Perspective is learning and will be teaching me about the hearts of the citizens. Both important roles must be cherished."

[Perspective Shift]

His blue eyes bouncing back and forth between the Queen and the unknown mare, Perspective listened intently, intrigued. He had heard of the arena, but only in passing, not wanting to do with anything that involved violence.

After the introduction, Perspective approached Orange and lifted his hoof in preparation to shake hers, "Miss Glow..." He pulled his hoof back and tapped his chin in curious thought, "Or is it Princess Glow? I'm not all that familiar on all of the proper etiquette for a situation like this." He outstretched his hoof again, his grin wider from meeting somepony new and all the events of the day, "Either way, it is a pleasure to meet you. It must be hard work, dealing with prisoners."

[Orange Glow]

Orange glanced at his hoof eyebrow raised deciding not to take it into her own, honestly is was just because of he distaste for other ponies. She then gazed back up to the new pony and looked him in the eyes. Her glowing Orange eyes stared deep into his for a moment trying to judge his character before looking to her mother and shrugs. "He seems alright I suppose, best of luck with him. If you don't need me for anything else I'll be heading back to that prisoner now.."

Orange heeded her mothers words waiting for anything else from her before taking her leave.

[Queen Chrysalis]

Scanning the two different individuals with an interested notion about ones self character, the Queen merely stood in wait. Upon hearing Perspective, Chrysalis truly never thought about titles related to her children. Looking at it now, would it be too late to start showing some appreciation? Placing a hoof to Orange Glow's shoulder, the Queen held her head high, her voice aiming to stay positive as she spoke to them both.

"Forgive the princess, she is not quite used to speaking to the decent ponies of today anymore. And Orange, I suggest you head on with the plan, and work on your speaking skills abit longer. Understood?"

[Orange Glow]

Orange raised an eyebrow cautiously at here mother before nodding. "Of course, now I have to go back to my little prisoner."

With that Orange took her leave walking out the door into the hallway.

[Exit Princess Orange Glow to the hallway]

[Perspective Shift]

Perspective nodded at the Queen's explaination and watched as Orange left the throne room. He turned to Chrysalis, his smile still present on his face, "She is certainly an interesting individual."

Looking up at the Queen, excitement filled him once more from all the prospects of what he was going to to learn. "Did you still want to take that walk, your Majesty?"

[Queen Chrysalis]

"Absolutely Perspective Shift, I want nothing more, then to take a stroll with you."

Smiling with a heart warming expression, it seemed getting to know these ponies was affecting her more then she could ever realize. Stepping closer and opening the throne room doors wide, the Queen had moved to step out. With guards stationed at the room's entrance to ensure no pony came in while she was gone, the tall holed creature motioned for her student to follow.

"Just think, of all the possibilities. You as my student, will learn so much. This world needs more willing to learn individuals with skills such as yourself."

[Exit Queen Chrysalis to Palace Hallway.]

[Perspective Shift]

Perspective's grin was bright as the sun as the Queen still wanted to take a walk. He followed her, right on her hooves and listening intently as they left the throne room.

[Exit Perspective Shift to Palace Hallway]

[King Sombra]

[Enter King Sombra from the hallway]

Sombra struts in and immediately make his way to the throne. His gaze searches the room it's self already making a mental notes on what should change to sprouse the place up. Though one thing came to mind immediately, it would probably leave the Queen with mix feelings, but still infuriate her. With a smirk he made a crystal heart and use his magic to float it atop of the throne. It should be just enough to annoy her.

"Ah, now that I have this nice comfortable seat what shall I do." Hello paused for a moment before an amazing idea came to mind

"Ah, I know! I suppose we should let in some citizen who wish to speak to the royality. Though it'll sure be a twist when they see me." He chuckled again.

"Let them in!" He commanded to the guards.

[Queen Chrysalis]

Having been hours since the Kings intriguing rule of her feared citizens, it seemed almost natural for things to reset themselves as it were. Bursting through the throne room doors with a bone to pick, green darkened orbs scan the surrounding area for witnesses. Tall and looking healthier then ever, the enfuriated tall beauty growled in frustration.

"What have we here!"

Standing with an unamused expression, the Queen of Equestria stood before him. While noting their contract was still in effect, Chrysalis couldnt help but glare at the heart located so irrationally over her throne room chair. Hissing in response, keeping her composure was certainly going to be a difficult one.

"While I appreciate you looking after my nation with such short notice, you are hardly qualified to rule such a big area. Your puny kingdom must be thrilled." Offering a cocky grin as her harsh words waited eagerly for a response, the Queen chuckled.

[Strong Defense]

[Enter Strong Defense beside the Queen]

Strong looked over the room with a trained eye, noting anything that could be a threat. At the Queen's words he thought to himself, hopefully a dead tyrant. Strong worked to keep his face indifferent and simply stayed close to Chrysalis.

[King Sombra]

"Puny, but much more secure then this ramshack of a kingdom. Honestly I'm surprised that that twin headed dragon isn't sitting here after you fainted in the heat of battle. Tell me why do they let such a weakling like you rule? Oh nevermind, thank you for finally making it here, I have no interest in this place. Though I thought you'd enjoy the new decor." Sombra said smugly getting off the throne to approach the Queen.

Though he didn't dare get to close to her, not because he feared his safetly or anything. He was rather sure he could defend himself from her. Rather, he was afraid to get close due to her stench. He then glanced to the other pony in the room and spoke to him directly. "I may not be your king, but it is still wise to pay the proper respects to a ruler foreign or domestic. It was rather rude of you to brush me aside earlier. I've killed your kind for far less, but I decided I wouldn't take a life whilst I was here to keep the fragile peace we have" He truly meant what he said, he wouldn't have hesitated to kill him before for his actions otherwise. His respect for the Queen no matter how little was the only reason he still stood there.