In the skies overcast of an occupied Canterlot, the sun and moon were both present. Neither was it day or night. The chaotic heavens, was mirrored by the streets below. The city was cratered like the moon itself from the bombing that had devastated it. Less than friendly fire from the War Wings above also had wounded many Changeling troops. Improvised field hospitals were set up. Chrysalis observed from her point of vantage atop a castle’s tower, the highest one left.
A changeling landed on the balcony. He saluted. “My Queen. Canterlot, the streets are barren! We’ve checked all the homes, basements even!” said Husk.
From behind another changeling bowed. It was the wingless officer Arista. “My Monarch, even their hospitals have vacated.”
Chrysalis yawned. “Did your scouts from Ponyville return? That town seems delicious.”
“They returned moments ago with news of nothing. It has been abandoned," said Husk grimly.
“We have only the captured guards to feed upon. Our occupation cannot be upheld if that is the case," said Arista.
Husk blinked fearfully. “They mean starve us. It was all a trap for long term victory.”
“We must immediately launch the War Wings to conquer another city," said Arista.
“Our fuel reserves are low though," said Husk.
“We can divvy the amount and send at least half of our forces to forage," said Arista.
Chrysalis spat sternly. “No. The War Wings will guard the capital.”
Her officers looked at one another then to their queen.
“The workers, they haven’t been fed in days. Many are collapsing from exhaustion," said Arista.
“The army also starves. Many of ground troops were wounded when the Canterlot shield collapsed and the bombing continued. We need magic to heal them.” Husk stated flatly.
“Feed upon the Griffins and Zebra’s we’ve brought. Drink them dry if you must. Why else did we bring them?” Chrysalis scoffed.
Arista responded horrified. “We can’t just kill them!” She recovered and bowed. “I mean… my monarch that will reduce our combat readiness," said Arista.
“No more excuses! Nothing else matters! I am your Queen! Heed the orders of your Queen!” a jolt of lightning hit Arista sending the changeling flying back.
Aboard a single Griffin War Balloon sailing towards the horizon, Echo and Den spotted two other ships in the distance.
Den looked through a mounted telescope on the bow of the War Balloon. “Look Echo, it’s the Thunderhead!”
The massive cloud wreathed battleship began turning towards them.
“It’s opening gun ports. Where’s the signal light?” said Den nervously.
Echo smiled timidly as she stared at the small light and reflector. “I’m trying it right now.” She flicked the switch back and forth.
“Oh," said Den.
“A Griffin War Balloon?” asked Blue.
“It’s not responding to our signals," said Reagle.
“Good, it might be an enemy messenger. We need target practice!” said Blue.
Outside the window a streak zoomed towards them.
“A single flyer?” asked Zaza.
The single Pegasus blurred past the windows of the bridge.
“Den!” Blue whooped recognizing the blur. “He’s alive!”
Den and Echo joined Blue in the bridge. Echo wore her favorite gray coated mare disguise.
“You’re alive!” said Blue hopping to him. Her eyes were moistened with fresh tears.
“Blue!” said Den hugging the Earth Pony. Blue’s armor clinked against his. “You’re a Captain!”
“Yup!” smiled Blue. “… We thought you were dead. How did you—”
Echo waved a hoof. “Hi.”
“You?!” said Blue.
Den stepped forward in front of Echo. “Whoa, stop! She’s not the enemy. She saved my life and yours.”
“I know… I’m still angry," said Blue. “She’s still complicit.”
“Complicit, that’s a big word for you," said Echo.
“Shut yur trap, I’ve been studying! Give me a reason why I shouldn’t toss ya overboard!” said Blue.
“Hey Blue," said Den.
Blue spat. “You too! You’re on mah angry list. You had me worried sick!”
Zaza pointed a hoof at Echo. “You are that Unicorn pony that destroyed our War Wing in a single beam.”
“I’m not actually a pony," said Echo. Bathed in magical green flames Echo revealed herself.
“You’re the changeling from Anavrin!” said Reagle.
Reagle drew a sword he had hidden under his wings. Zaza had readied her spear and affixed it onto her war saddle mount.
“A natural reaction, I would know.” Den jumped in front of Echo again. “Let me explain.”
Echo smiled to Den. “Lets us explain.”
The conclusion of their explanation left Blue, Reagle, and Zaza with curious looks. Blue’s mouth was open.
“So you’re all caught up. Echo is the ascendant Queen of the Changelings. We’re going challenge the Chrysalis for her title," said Den.
“This is much to swallow," said Zaza.
“How goes the war?” asked Echo.
Blue blurted out. “They went the roundabout way taking the Crystal Empire first. They have the Crystal Heart. We had to evacuate. Celestia’s still in a coma. Canterlot has fallen. We have no idea if they captured or killed the other three Princesses.”
It was Den this time whose mouth was left agape.
“Blue, I don’t think they would kill the princesses. As dangerous as it was when I was with the original invasion we had explicit orders for live captures," said Echo.
Den now stammered. “That’s still a checkmate.”
“Not so mate. We can bring the hammer of the Griffin Kingdoms if we can bring my father back," said Reagle.
“The Griffin Capital Aviania will be lightly defended.” smiled Zaza.
“That will be highly dangerous. Mother… I mean Chrysalis would have most likely gone with mass mind control of the Griffin nobles," said Echo.
“Can’t you dispel them?” asked Reagle.
“Usually it’s easier to knock out or kill the caster," said Echo. “Anyway, I don’t think we have the time to marshal an army. I have inkling of Chrysalis’s plan. The first invasion of Canterlot was complicated by strange orders. She explicitly ordered the Princess captured alive.”
“What does that tell us?” asked Blue.
“I don’t know but I feel if we give her time it will be too late. I saw in the Tome of Ages, any number of horrible spells she might use. I think she’s thought of worse. Anyway, I intend a coup. By a longstanding law, I can challenge Chrysalis for supremacy," said Echo.
“How will you get close to her, to do this?” asked Zaza.
“A small commando squad. Elite units. Echo can teleport us in. Two whole platoons if necessary," said Den.
“This is a bold plan," said Reagle. “But you will be lost without air support.”
“They won’t bomb their own troops. We’ll get in close," said Den.
“That’s how dem bastards took Canterlot," said Blue. “They didn’t care. They bombed and forced us to shield up while their troops attacked anyway.”
“The Queen won’t bomb herself," said Den.
“That close huh?” said Blue.
“Is it true that Chrysalis bombed her own soldiers just to get at the Princesses?” asked Echo.
Blue nodded.
“Mother’s madness has worsened. I fear still there might be a methodology to it," said Echo.
Changeling soldiers congregated in a bar converted into a field hospital. The backroom door was attended by several carefully selected guards that watched on nervously. Past the door two figures whispered amongst themselves.
The wingless former worker, Arista, spoke. “How many monarchs have promised us substantiation to our people? We workers and soldiers are always tools for their designs. Queen Chrysalis or Princess Larvi is there a difference?”
“Princess Larvi has passed the Ascendency Rite, I know it. She will challenge Chrysalis. She asked that I organize a number of us to support her bid.”
“It is treason to even speak of the exiled Princess. Meeting like this is dangerous. What sets her apart from her mother?” said Arista thinking.
“At Anavrin when Chrysalis was all too happy to let our people die, Larvi led the defensive efforts," said Husk spat bitterly.
“I recall that. But still Chrysalis is mighty.”
“With Master Amorpheus’ death, Chrysalis has gotten more unstable. When I look into her eyes, I feel as if she’d be willing to sacrifice us all.” Husk shivered.
“Do you Princess Larvi will succeed?”
“If Princess Larvi will not be the instrument of our revolution then perhaps she can be a symbol of it," said Husk.
“If we should throw in our support and she is crushed then so will we. I will speak to our comrades in worker caste. They have reservations," said Arista rising to her hooves.
“Do so. I must attend to the Queen for now. I have been summoned.” Husk sighed getting up.
Arista touched her hoof against the face of the other changeling. “I know your wife was among those sacrificed. To bear that, to be near the one responsible... let alone serve… I cannot imagine how you are outwardly so collected.”
Husk spoke calmly. “We changelings cannot feel each other, we curse this fact. Perhaps it is a blessing here, were Chrysalis to feel me she would know my rage that burns inside and our plans would be revealed. Still it pains me to maintain the mask superficially.”
“I know you cannot feel this but—” Arista kissed the Husk softly on his cheek. “I wish you luck.”
Den got a daffodil sandwich from the mess hall of the Thunderhead. He took slight bites.
Blue happily joined him setting her meal tray full of salad next to him. “I’m so glad you’re back. It’ll be like before all three of us!”
“Blue, I don’t think it’s going to be so simple," said Den smiling lightly.
Reagle and Zaza joined them. Reagle had a tin of sardines and everyone except Zaza recoiled from the smell slightly.
Echo squeezed next to Den. She had a pile of different foods on her tray. She devoured her food faster than Blue.
“Got the munchies?” asked Blue.
Echo laughed. “We could be going to die so I want to try at least everything.” She chewed happily the variety of greens on her plate.
“This plan hinges much on you. Come the day, what do plan to do with a whole changeling horde?” Reagle asked bluntly.
Echo gnawed on a lettuce leaf for a moment. “What do you plan to do with the Griffin Kingdoms? What about the Zebra Confederation?”
“Huh? Hey now, I asked first," said Reagle.
“She has a valid point, dear," said Zaza.
“If your peoples seek vengeance for the crimes of my mother, then you’ll have to deal with her," said Echo diplomatically.
“That won’t wash away all the bad blood," said Reagle.
“We will defend ourselves. Isn’t that right, Den?” said Echo turning towards the Pegasus.
Den gave her a confused look. “We?”
Echo said painfully. “Den, you’re my Captain… aren’t you?”
“Of course.” Den nuzzled her. “I swore to you a vow, the conditions, that I would be your Captain. I just didn’t know you meant to continue after the war.”
“I shall always fight for us.” she smiled.
“That’ll be interesting, me leading changelings. I can imagine all the kinds of awkward,” Den said, smiling.
Blue poked Den with a hoof. “I’d trust the Changelings more if you were their captain.”
“Fair is fair. We won’t strike back if you won’t," said Zaza.
“A non aggression pact then," said Reagle.
“That’s complicated. How about friendship?” suggested Blue.
Husk entered the former throne room of Celestia. He bowed before his Queen. “You summoned me, mistress?”
Chrysalis sulked in her seat. In her hooves was a familiar fedora. She sighed. “Yes, I would like you to assume a form.”
Husk stiffened his body. He noticed that the door behind him was magically closed. “Of course, I am Infiltrator Class. For what mission? Shall I be a Griffin, pony, or—”
“Could you assume the form of a fellow changeling?” asked Chrysalis.
Husk squirmed in place. He feigned ignorance. “Changeling to changeling, what purpose will that serve?”
Chrysalis climbed down the steps from the throne so that she was face to face with Husk. Her voice was laced with longing. “Please.”
He gulped. “Which one?”
“You know who," said Chrysalis timidly. She fondled a fedora she brought forth.
“My queen, you really did care for him?” asked Husk surprised.
“I have imagined my victory many times. In those daydreams, never was he absent from my side. Now having achieved it, he is nowhere to be found," said Chrysalis. “Transform into him so that I might dream a moment longer.”
“Is that an order or request?” asked Husk.
“A request," said Chrysalis softly.
Husk’s anger surprised himself and his monarch. “I will not dishonor his memory to offer you cheap comfort! He is dead. You killed him. Just as you killed my wi—” Husk stopped himself quickly biting into his hoof.
“I…” Chrysalis retreated slightly.
Husk swiftly bowed. “Forgive my impudence. Master Amorpheus was dear to me also.”
“You are right. He is dead.” Chrysalis’s voice became the fearsome fire once more.
“Your daughter Princess Larvi still lives.” Husk suggested.
“My daughter is beyond salvation. She is with the enemy," said Chrysalis. “Be gone leave me. Mention her again and I will kill you.”
Husk nodded and darted out of the throne room.
Chrysalis looked at the stained glass murals. She stopped by the one that depicted her as a demonic being. The picture showed her being vanquished by a blinding beam of light. She chuckled.
“Daughter, will you be the one to slay me?” Chrysalis blasted the glass apart. The colored shards shattered. “No, I have come too far and sacrificed too much! I’d be a foal to stop now… so close. It’s mine all mine!” In spite of her storming words, a tear made a small watery trail down her face.
Evening set. Their airship cruised slowly through the skies. In their room snuggled in the embrace warm embrace of the sleeping Changeling, Den was still unable to sleep. He softly unwrapped himself from Echo’s hooves. She shivered slightly in the cold of his absence. Gently he pulled their blanket over her. He quietly opened the door and walked out into the hallway for fresh air.
It was long time ago since he was without Echo. He wanted freedom to his own thoughts. The heavens were still in disorder. However there was still a dim that signaled evening.
The Zebra and Griffin couple greeted him. Zaza spoke. “We thought actually to speak to you in private. It is convenient that you are awake.”
Den spoke guardedly. “What have to you to say that you can’t say in front of Echo?”
“So, this changeling gal of yours, can we trust her?” asked Reagle.
“Truly, do we replace only the banner or will there be a change in the wind’s direction?” asked Zaza.
“I love her. I trust her," said Den simply.
“Would you trust her to withdraw the Changeling horde? They’ve already conquered Canterlot, it’d be too tempting just to put the whole thing under new management," said Reagle.
“I couldn’t stop her anyhow. So I must trust.” Den laughed lightly to hide his hesitation.
A powder bag was tossed next to Den’s hooves by Zaza.
She spoke softly but with weight. “I brewed another batch. It is dispel powder, made to be extra potent. It is mixed with Manticore poison and feathers of a fallen Phoenix. I shall not be able to create another potion like it. This will kill the magic of even an Alicorn.”
Den pushed the powder bag away. “I can’t carry that. I couldn’t kill her at Anavrin.”
“Can’t or won’t?” asked Reagle.
“I won’t. It won’t come to that. We’ve been through too much," said Den sternly.
“The fate of nations now, only you are close enough to use this. You are the dent in her armor. A spear might puncture there," said Zaza grimly.
Den’s defense faltered. “No, I love her. She loves me. I…”
“Aye, but it may equalize the balance of power. You cannot tell me that this won’t be useful in bind," said Reagle. “Chin up chap. I’m sure you’re right. It’s just a security.”
“Alright.” Den grabbed the pouch and hid it under his right wing.
Twilight blinked her open her eyes. She looked to her right, there was her brother and Cadence. To her left was Luna her head lowered. All them were restrained in solidified green resin up to their heads. She tried to channel magic through her horn however she noticed that too had been bound by the hardened green sap.
“It is time you awoke. I owe you for foiling my plans last time.” smiled Chrysalis looking at Twilight light dead on. Chrysalis sent a small current of energy into Twilight.
Twilight cried out. “Ahhhh!” Agony surged through her body as she convulsed.
“What is going on?!” Shining Armor stirred as did Cadence. He saw Twilight writhe in pain. “Leave my sister alone! Demon!”
Cadence shouted also. “It was I who stopped you last time! Hurt me!”
“No take me instead!” pleaded Shining Armor.
“Look at all of you beg for torture. You’ll just have wait your turn.” Chrysalis stopped the flow of energy from her horn. Twilight was left panting and sobbing.
Luna’s head popped up as she awoke. “Thou art a cruel beast! There is naught but a hole where your heart ought be!”
Chrysalis smacked Luna with her hoof leaving a red mark against her cheek. Luna scowled.
“Why are you doing this?! You’ve won!” said Cadence.
“Don’t patronize me! You ponies have a plan! Where is Celestia?!” asked Chrysalis.
“Plan?” questioned Shining Armor.
“Yes, and so do I," said Chrysalis. “I require Celestia’s presence. Now tell me where she is or I’ll begin true torture.” Chrysalis added with a slimy smile. “I sense weakness in the purple one.”
“You need Princess Celestia?” Twilight recovered slightly from her pain. Twilight looked about the room. It was peculiar that she and everyone ringed Chrysalis. She screamed when she noticed the lines cut into the ground. “Don’t tell her anything!!!”
Chrysalis followed Twilight’s darting pupils. “So you know, this robs the fun.” She chuckled.
“Know what?!” asked Cadence.
“This room is a magical array!” cried Twilight.