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I understand the idea of limiting my power level...

*steps through the field unfazed and nearly gets in the tube before stoping and informing the guard*

But know this if this is a ruse or if the emperor dose not agree to help us on our quest the gloves are off...

*she steps into the tube*

and when that happens pray you are the last one. she finishes her sentence before being sucked up and taken with the queen.

The tube took them into the arena 15 minutes later, and dropped them off in a lobby. Normally it was filled with a number of lines for contestants registering for various arenas, challenges, and other events. At the moment, it was jam-packed with contenders trying for one event.

Else pondered what it was, Halvard pointed it out. On a monitor was Else's declaration of forcing Sam to take time to see her.

"Word travels fast." Else said.

"Yes, this declaration, delivered moments ago at Skywatch by unknown foreign visitors and shared by The Aquamarinian Hive Mind has brought this response from Prince Sam." A TV reporter was saying.

The screens switched to a black cloud with scary red glowing eyes. Worse yet, it was chuckling.

"One insectoid, one Royal Changling, and a few misfits, think their going to force me? DO THEY NOT KNOW WHAT I AM? No, don't tell them. I will tell them this though. I know why you're here. Prove to me you are worthy of these secrets. Show me you are strong of Mind, Body, and Spirit, and I will reveal all." Sam said.

The screen pulled back to reveal it had been focused on a dark section of the Arena seating.

"Come my champions and contenders, fill this Arena to its limit that our guests may be properly, challenged." Sam called, his voice echoing around them all.

The screens switched back to the reporter.

"Rumors are circulating that The Emperor himself may take part in these events, but there has not been any confirmation from The Palace thus far. Stay tuned to Arena TV for all the exciting details." The reporter urged. Then it all switched to a car commercial.

"Ahem, we're the challengers where do we sign up?" Else declared confidently.

"I'm actually not a fighter, more of a scholar really. Could I maybe just sit it all out and watch?" Halvard asked, nervous.

The crowd parted like a sea before the group. Eager grins following Else all the way to the desk.

"All battles are to the death, no exceptions, no matter what. Resurrection is free as always, but if there is a particular spiritual component to your resurrection, you must inform medical prior to engagement, or be able to attend to it yourself." The clerk said, remaining neutral.

Ok you guys this is the plan i have thought of....

*a random man bumps into her in the main hall, in this quick period of time the man gives her a layout of the arena*

My agents have given me a layout of the facility, and left some supplies at key points to allow me to infiltrate the royal box for the game, i will be disguised a a servant who went to the restroom,during which time i will slip a cocktail of suggestive drugs and amnesia inducing chemicals which will weaken him to my seductive and hypnotic ways allowing us to pretty much give us all we need...

*she points to the coliseum on the layout*

All i need you guys to do is provide a good distraction to keep his attention occupied while i perform the operation. the changeling says as she sustains a muffle spell around the group.

The Colleseum attendant grinned at Chrysalis.

"Poisoning Prince Sam are we? Fastest route, up the stairs to your right, no distractions needed. In the Arena, it is perfectly legal to, at any time, attempt to poison or perform any other action against any member of The Imperial Family, at any location within Arena walls, per Bureaucratic Law, NOT Imperial Law. Basically, it means you can try whatever you like without fear of legal reprisal, just very direct, very personal reprisal.

Of course, you'd better have a solid Duranium goblet for prince Sam, anything less will simply shatter or crush in his grip, OH! and you're going to need wings, he actually sits on the ledge outside the box, it's not really dark up there, it's just Prince Sam, blacker than night he is.

Meanwhile, we'll have, Else is it? yes, we'll have her go first, prep time is 20 minutes in a specialized room, that'll allow her to get all she can bring to bear ready.

Before I forget, don't actually go in the Royal Box." The attendant said.

Doors slid open, one for Chrysalis to go attempt to poison Sam, the other for Else. Halvard meanwhile got a seat in the stands to sit and watch.

After hearing about the inevitable situation he would be placed in soon, Marchosias sighed as he gave permission for Crystallis to take control of his physical body.

Crystallis spoke with much enthusiasm, "At last, fresh air. You know, ever since my arrival here, I started to regret not researching more about this nation. Just imagine how interesting it would be to live here. Thanks to their culture of forcing visitors to engage in gladiator-style fights, their residents actually get live entertainment! That's what I call priceless. It's so much better than watching humans kill each other and seeing their mutilated corpses litter the bloodstained battlefield. I mean, Gaia doesn’t enjoy having her skin coated with a layer of paint so stop doing it. When mortals stop committing such foolish actions, I get to see more of her smiles … wait a second, why am I telling you this?  Anyhow, their amphitheatre seems to be made of state-of-the-art materials. It certainly does justice to the entertainment provided.”

“Colosseum attendant, please inform me when it’s my turn to enter the arena. I just can’t wait!”

After his final remark, he yawned and landed his body on the glowing makeshift sofa he had created just a moment ago, slipping into unconsciousness.

*chrysalis looks at the attendant with a awkward expression*

Ok then i can handle both of those ummm....

*looks for the name tag on the attendants clothes before giving up and going back to the group*

Now listen he is likely to expect a changeling to be present on the battlefield, so i will need a volunteer to pose as me...

*she pulls out a syringe of ominous neon green liquid*

This mutagen has my changeling DNA as a catalyst so it should allow you to assume my form and some of my abilities...

*she looks at the group*

So who wants to be queen of the changeling horde for a day? she asks the group only to bust out laughing  remembering everyone here is a dude...besides the queen who he expects.

Colberius X glanced at those assembled around him and sighed. "I'd be much more comfortable entering the arena in my own form, but... I'll do it...if no one else wants to volunteer."

Then he shook his head and sighed once more. "Actually, I'm probably the best choice, given how you can just allow me to access memories in order to gain familiarity with your form."

Under his breath, he grumbled, "Why does this always happen to me?"

An ancient and withered old man leaned over to Crystallis.

"I'm afraid you've got the wrong impression old boy. You aren't actually registered to fight, it's only Else and Chrysallis he expects, and then, only because Else openly challenged him in public, and Chrysalis has displayed high aggression over little things. You for example are quite free to leave and explore the rest of the nation, such as investigating their various schools of magic, their institutions of higher learning, all sorts of possibilities. After all, that Halvard fellow took a seat to simply watch." The old man said.

Else meanwhile retreated to her preparation room, and could audibly be heard buzzing in surprise and excitement.

Meanwhile, out in the arena, a knight and a boxer were fighting each other.

Ok colbe now listen there is somethings I should tell you about this procedure before I give you the injection...

*she puts on some glasses as she preps the injection point and reads the medical data*

Now it will cause you to be pretty much identical to me in every way besides you will have your free will and personality and your powers will be 1/5th of what i can do...at least to some degree, now the good things being you will be able to change your form to suit the situation, your endurance and regeneration are practically unlimited,  and mental capacity going through the roof allowing your mind powers to amplify....

*she then prepares to read the negatives*

However you will be fully connected as the nexus of the hive mind which will drive you insane if you focus on it to much so try to push back the voices with any mental strength not in use, your bloodlust will also go through the roof so make sure you warn Else before the battle to stay away from you...I swear if you kill her I will enslave your realm like i did to the other Warhammer sub-universes...and finally You will need to feed as a changeling on emotion to sustain yourself or you will get weaker as the fight progresses, in which case i would recommend you feed on the ambient emotions of the arena but i must warn you will feel the full effect of it...

*she then before he could possibly protest warps besides him and jabs the needle into his neck as the fluid is introduced to his body*

Now it should only last 24hrs, go out there, have fun, and play your role so i can play mine. she pushes him into the preparation room before the transformation hits him.

Muttering several expletives in regards to the changeling Queen, horde, and species in general, the Lord Inquisitor straightened himself in the preparation room.  And then promptly doubled over as the transformation began.  He maintained his composure long enough to pull off his coat, belt, shoulder rig, and hat, and then fell to his knees.

After several minutes, the Lord Inquisitor was nowhere to be found. There was, however, a new changeling Queen.

At that point, beams of energy passively scanned him, then they turned off. Else however was being hit by them still.

"It's like I've had a full year of preparation for this." Else said, her voice audibly changed. It was now fuller, more powerful, far more naturally commanding than before, and her body had filled out rather nicely as far as insectoids went. She seemed strong, muscular, and ready for anything.

The beams took Else away, but Colberius was allowed to watch.

"Else, High Queen of Insectum, Versus, a Hellifino." came the announcement. On screen was Else coming out of a set of doors. She walked to the far end of the arena, and turned around to see a Rhino that looked made of molten magma come charging at her. Its horns were twice as large, and twice as deadly as a traditional rhino. Hellifinos were infact close cousins of the East African Black Rhinoceros.

Else took to the air to dodge, and to her surprise the Hellifino stomped on the ground, sending a wave of fire shooting up at her.

Sam was in his spot watching the proceedings.

*the queen proceeds behind a female butler and seduces her leading her to a nearby bathroom under the guise to do some "spring cleaning" a few moans are heard behind the door before some gagging noises and then the butler leaves with a keycard in hand*

Now you just stay here and i will personally make sure that you will serve me well in the future my sweet. she whispers to the closed door before moving up the stairs to the right.

For Chrysalis, the difficulty wasn't in getting to Sam, it was the fact that servants served the ENTIRE Imperial Family. Each had their own distinctive ways with the servants, each had to be followed, and each order had to be correct. Further, some family members overrode others.

Chrysalis's first hurdle was Lady Cara Lightbringer, Matriarch of The Imperial Family, former Empress. One word from her, and her entire mission was doomed to failure to the point armed guards would actively prevent anyone from gaining access to the family.

Beside her was the biggest challenge of them all, Cara's husband, Tajen Darkson, Patriarch of the family, and former Emperor. Tajen and Cara both had simply retired from ruling, being immortal and boasting no further interest in ruling. Cara was usually sweet and nice, to the point not even malevolent gods could bear to harm her.

Tajen meanwhile was the polar opposite. By himself, he was one to avoid, stories of his rage still circulated among the populace. Only Cara could tame him, keep him calm.

"You, new girl. I have been waiting ten minutes for tea." Tajen said, stopping Chrysalis.

He leaned forward.

"Where is it? Or should I simply fire the staff?" he asked, his breath literally tearing at her soul. It wasn't imaginary, it wasn't figurative, his very breath was directly tearing at her soul, in the exact same manner most Black Holes tended to draw in everything around them. Physically however, he was fine.

*chrysalis playing the part of the innocent servant begins to cry*

No misouir,Je me excuse pour mon rythme . she speaks to Tagen in french.

*Even though chrysalis was a god queen she was not omnipotent so her french was either working or horrible yet she went with it and began to pour some tea for the man.*

Ma sœur est malade, alors je travaille seul aujourd'hui. she says as she pours the tea into the grand cup the king possesses.

*she then stops him before he can take a sip*

Ne buvez pas que ! she grabs ahold of his wrist pleadingly.

*she then gets a small tiny cup out and pours herself some of the liquid*

Il peut être empoisonné , considérant changelings ici aujourd'hui. she says before looking him in the eyes concerned over his safety.

*she then prepares to drink the small cup of tea*

Permettez-moi de goûter pour votre amour. she says to the king while waiting for his command to drink the tea.

The entire family turned and stared at Chrysalis, as did the guards.

"Who are you again?" A man with a glowing red outline asked, suspiciously.

"Hey son, when did you hire a French maid?" Cara asked The Emperor.

"I didn't, that's why I have a wife." A blond man said, his arm around a female humanoid gryphon.

"Mr. Howard, how many Castle Staff actively speak French?" a little humanoid Gryphon girl asked the giant purple aquatic creature sitting with them.

"None. Further, exactly three residents of The Bureaucracy speak French, and they live in a small hamlet on Ephseus. Visitors aren't counted, and non-residents can't get a job serving The Emperor." Howard said.

Sam stood up, reaching a full nine feet in height, and bore a muscular physique that could match Hercules. He was indeed blacker than the night. He was cracking his knuckles dangerously.