Nohbodi picked up a javelin and paced forward, holding his free hand on the wall. It had repaired itself completely shortly after our entrance, as was expected. He chipped at the area two feet away from his hand. The damage it caused was negligible. “Sky! Hey Sky!” he shouted at the wall of vegetation. There was no answer. I picked up another and began to strike at the opposing edge of his magic-cancelling effect. Fortunately for us, or at least myself, the magic-drawing powers of this barrier were focused inwardly, or we would have been weakened quickly. If the effect is limited to one side, escape should be simpler than we had thought. I shifted back and focused my horn, and began to attempt cutting through with magic. On this side, it worked. I maintained a careful watch on the strength of the cut, knowing that Sky Sprinkle was likely still just outside the wall.
Unfortunately for us, Chrysalis did not know that, and was impatient to regain her control. “Fools! I’ll do it myself.” She shifted back to her enhanced changeling body and fired a beam that narrowly missed me. It burned through this side of the wall from the bottom, tearing a jagged hole into it. It was stopped on one side as it passed over Nohbodi. A shriek emanated from the other side.
Through the space we saw Sky Sprinkle in the distance, laying on her side. A foot away was half of a forehoof, sheared off by the unexpected beam. Next to that was most of a rear leg.
“No!” Knowing her position I increased power, tearing a large hole out of the wall. Nohbodi and I rushed out to Sky Sprinkle, who was quickly bleeding out. I modified my wall of force into a cuff or sorts, attempting to staunch the bleeding. Nohbodi tore off pieces of cloth and I released the pressure only long enough to bind the gaping wound before re-applying pressure. She would bleed out soon, even with this. There was no one around to help, yet we continued our futile efforts out of desperation. I found myself wondering why she had not brought backup.
She did.
Princess Luna herself swept down. Whether from a messenger prepared to call for her or her watching personally, I do not know. “Princess Luna! Quickly, she must receive treatment!” A troop of pegasi arrived behind her.
I was too caught up in the emergency to consider hiding emotions. Worry for Sky Sprinkle and absolute hatred for Chrysalis was palpable. She noticed. “Treachery!” A field far too powerful for me to resist enveloped me. I was thrown back inside the closing space at the hooves of Chrysalis.
Luna looked on Sky Sprinkle. After the consideration of merely a moment, her horn glowed. Sky Sprinkle screamed as the stumps underwent a field-cauterization. “Changeling magic... Take Sky Sprinkle to the infirmary immediately. Queen Aranea, Nohbodi, you’re coming with us.”
“Aranea!” Nohbodi ran towards the space, but was intercepted by four pegasi. He was pulled aloft with each on a limb. I focused and began to tear through the verdant barrier once more.
“Luna...” Chrysalis growled as she looked through the space. She shifted glances between the outside and myself. The space was open enough for my egress once again. I galloped towards it, only to have an indescribable pain assault my mind.
The last thing I saw was Chrysalis escaping through the gap, in a body that appeared to be mine. Chrysalis was free. I had failed. No doubt she would take control the changelings again and create another war. One that would end with either subjugation under her control, or the complete desctruction of my species.
In either case, we were doomed.