> The Stepmother > by Lovesky2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a mystery. Queen Celestia is dead. No one knew who killed her. The whole kingdom mourned the whole week after her death. Especially her husband and daughter. A three year old Cadance was with her father at the cemetery. The two were talking beyond the grave to Celestia. “I miss mom, will she ever come back?” Cadance asked. Cadance was too young to know what happened to her mother so, King Sombra just told her that her mother was gone. “Maybe not sweetie, but don't worry I'll find you a new mother” the King said. The King was always away because of a royal duty usually, Queen Celestia would watch Cadance but now she was gone, he needed to find a mother to care for Cadance. Before the Queen died, Cadance remembered her last words were to Cadance was to humble and kind. Three months later, King Sombra found a new wife Princess Chrysalis, now Queen Chrysalis. To King Sombra, he thought it would a happy marriage like before. But for Queen Chrysalis, it was a loveless marriage. Queen Chrysalis was actually Queen Celestia’s little sister. Chrysalis was jealous that Celestia gets to had Sombra instead of her. Chrysalis was also jealous because Celestia got all the attention instead of her. So on the morning Cadance’s third birthday, Chrysalis assassinated Celestia. Two months later, Little Cadance was standing outside near the castle gates with Chrysalis. She watched her father wave at her and seeing the carriage that he was in flew away. It was the first time her father went away since Celestia died. Cadance looked at her stepmother and asked, “What are we going to do stepmother?” Chrysalis rolled her eyes and said, “Don't call me your “stepmother”, from now on whenever your father is not around you will call me your Queen understood?” Cadance was so confused. Her stepmother never acted this way before. She always thought that Chrysalis was nice. Then Queen Chrysalis called to her three maids and told them to change Cadance's outfit. Suddenly, the maids pushed Cadance to her room to change. Before Cadance changed she was wearing a silk pink and blue dress. After she got changed she was wearing rags. Then Queen Chrysalis walked in and said “Finally you three are finish. I thought the servants here would work faster. Now leave us”. Cadance watched as the maids leave the room, still confused. “Step-My Queen why are you doing this?” Cadance asked. Suddenly Chrysalis slapped Cadance in the face and said, ”A young filly should not be asking about a Queen’s business” Cadance started to tear up, wanting to cry. Then Chrysalis levitated Cadance’s favorite teddy bear in front of Cadance. “Isn't this your favorite teddy bear? It would be a shame if some pony destroy it” Chrysalis taunted. Chrysalis knew Cadance got that teddy bear from Celestia “Please your highness, don't please!” cried Cadance. Suddenly, Chrysalis used her magic to burst her teddy bear into flames. Cadance started crying. Cadance’s crying brought her joy. Chrysalis’s true colors were finally revealed. A week later, Chrysalis and Cadance were waiting outside near the castle gates. It has been a week since King Sombra left. Within that week Cadance has been tortured. Chrysalis had destroyed Cadance's teddy bear, made her wear rags, abused her, and made Cadance her personal servant. It was just torture. Now Cadance has scars and bruises everywhere. Finally, after waiting, they saw a carriage come by. Cadance ran up to Sombra and gave him a big hug. “I missed to daddy!”, the filly cried. “I missed you too swee-”, Sombra stopped. He saw Cadance with bruises and scars on her face. “Sweetie what happened?” “N-nothing father” the filly stuttered. She didn't want to tell her father because Chrysalis said if she told her father about it, there would be consequences. Chrysalis walked up to the two of them and asked, ”Darling what is wrong?” “Honey do you know why Cadance has scars and bruises on her face?”,asked Sombra. “Darling I don't know nothing about it. She didn't want to tell me” lied Chrysalis. “Is that true Cadance?” Sombra asked. Cadance nodded. “Sweetie, Chrysalis is now your new mother. She has the right to know what’s going on understood?” “I should go talk with my daughter right now. Maybe I will get some answers” said Chrysalis. “Your mother is right, now you to go on” commanded the King. So the two went to Cadance’s chambers and talked. After the talk, Cadance had more bruises andscars more than ever. When Chrysalis walked back to her chambers, she saw King Sombra on their bed. “Hello my darling, how did the conversation go with our daughter?” asked the King. “It went pretty well” said Chrysalis. “So are you going to tell me why Cadance has scars and bruises?” the impatient King asked. The Queen sighed. “Darling I would tell you, I really would but, I promised Cadance to keep it a secret. And I fear if I break that promise, I would ruin my relationship with our daughter” said Chrysalis. “I understand honey” said the King. “Now shall we go to sleep?” “We shall” said Chrysalis. Two Weeks Later, Cadance was running through the hallways, trying to get to the throne room. Her father said he had a surprise for Cadance and she just couldn't wait. When she got to the throne room she accidentally bumped into her stepmother. “I’m s-sorry step-stepmother”, said the filly, trying to smile at her stepmother. “Ugh! You almost ruin my cashmere dress”“said the Queen. “Honey, you will be fine” the King said to his Queen. The Queen just rolled her eyes and started to give the little filly her evil glare without Sombra noticing. Then Sombra looked down at Cadance and said ”I guess someone is excited about the surprise ”. “Of course I am excited to hear the news father!” she said to the King while trying to avoid her stepmother’s glare. “Well sweetie. . . we are going to have a baby!” the King said as Chrysalis nuzzled the King. Cadance didn't know how to feel. She always wanted a little brother/sister to play with but, not with Chrysalis. So the only thing that came out of Cadance’s mouth was, “Yay ”. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nine months later, Cadance was pacing back and forth outside of her parent’s room, waiting to see the newest member of the royal family. After waiting for a while, the door opened and she saw her father. “Cadance, you can come in now” her father said. When she went in, she saw Chrysalis on her bed holding the baby. “Meet your new baby sister, Twilight Sparkle” King Sombra said while Cadance was slowly walking toward her new baby sister. She was a purple alicorn with violet eyes and pink and purple hair. Twilight was wide awake. Twilight started cooing when she saw Cadance. “Hello Twilight, I’m Cadance your big sister” said Cadance. When Cadance tickled Twilight, Twilight giggled. Then, Chrysalis moved Twilight away from Cadance and said, ”Well the baby should get some rest, she must be are tired.” “Your mother is right, your sister needs to sleep. I'll walk you to your room Cadance” said King Sombra. Cadance nodded and went with her father. When they entered Cadance's room King Sombra asked,”Cadance what's wrong?” “What do you mean everything is fine.” Cadance said. “Every time I come home from my duties as King, I see you with bruises and scars. I know you ask your mother to keep it a secret but, I am your father. I worry about you sometimes.” said the King. Cadance said nothing and didn't make eye contact with her father. “Is it because of the baby?” her father asked her once more. Cadance knew it was bad to lie to her father but, she didn't want to tell him the truth. So, she nodded in response. “Sweetie, even with this new baby, I will still love you.” Sombra said after he kissed her forehead. After the conversation, Sombra tucked in Cadance and went to the throne room. Meanwhile . . . Chrysalis was watching Twilight sleeping in her crib in the nursery room. “My dear Twilight, you are the one that is going to be Queen, not that spoiled sister of yours. But first I will have to get rid of your foolish father. As in the matter of fact, a guest should be here by . . .” said the Queen. Meanwhile . . . in the throne room, King Sombra was sitting in his throne. He was reading the scrolls he was given to sign. Suddenly, a pony appeared out of nowhere and, stabbed a sword into the King’s chest. The King was dead. “. . . now” said the Queen. She did her evil laugh and Twilight started crying. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ After the death of King Sombra, Cadance’s life turned upside down. The Queen told everyone in her kingdom that both King Sombra and Princess Cadance was dead and Princess Twilight Sparkle will be their future queen. Chrysalis made the guards and servants swore to not tell anyone the truth. Fourteen years later, Cadance was now eighteen years old. She had the highest room in the castle. The room was so high up that she had to go up and down one thousand flights of stairs. The room didn’t have any windows. And she only had a few things. A lamp, a cracked mirror, a broken mattress, a bedside table, and a rack full of rags. Chrysalis destroyed everything she used to have. Now that King Sombra was gone, Chrysalis could do anything she want to her everyday. Cadance was officially Queen Chrysalis’s servant, she was abused everyday, and wore rags. But Cadance didn't mind, she kept doing what the Queen demanded her to do. It was early in the morning, the sun had just risen up and Cadance was already awake. She put on her rags and started to get downstairs to the kitchen. When she arrived at the kitchen, the chef greeted her and gave her the Queen’s breakfast. She carried the tray to the Queen’s room. She opened the door and she saw Chrysalis on her bed. “Good Morn-” Cadance didn't get to finish because Chrysalis slapped her. “Why does it so long to bring me my breakfast you clumsy servant?!” Chrysalis yelled. “I’m s-sorry my Queen, I had to walk down those flight of stairs. I’ll wake up earlier next time and try to bring your breakfast faster” Cadance said and bowed to the Queen. Chrysalis slapped her again and yelled,”What are you standing there for? Get my bath prepared! And don't let me remind you again!” Cadance still bowing down to her said “Y-yes your highness”. Cadance gave her breakfast to Chrysalis and hurried to the bathroom to prepare for the Queen’s bath. After Chrysalis finished her breakfast Cadance walked in, bowed, and said “I have prepared your bath your highness. A maid will be there shortly to bathe you.” “Remember to clean all the dishes dearie” said the Queen. “Yes my Queen” said Cadance. Cadance sighed and walked to the kitchen to clean the dishes and trays left in the sink. The Queen purposely made all the dishes in the castle dirty, so Cadance could clean them. Cadance had use use her bare hooves to clean them. Twilight was now fourteen years old. She had the second largest room in the castle(Queen Chrysalis having the largest of course). Unlike her mother, she was kind to ponies. She was taught how to act like a proper princess. And she always did what she was told, well kinda. She had everything a princess would want, jewelry, expense dresses but, she didn't want all of it. Like her father, she loves books. She would read them everyday. It was late in the morning, the sun has already risen up, and Twilight was still in bed. A sudden knock came from the door and Twilight woke up. The door opened and a maid named Violet came in with Twilight’s breakfast. “I’m sorry I woke you up Princess” said Violet. “It is alright, I should have been up a few hours ago anyways” said Twilight. Violet gave the breakfast to the princess and went to her bathroom to prepare her bath. After Twilight finished her breakfast she went into the bathtub and Violet then bathed her. After that, Violet dried her with a towel and led her to Twilight’s fitting room. There, Violet dressed up Twilight with a pink and purple dress that was made of silk and golden horseshoes. Then, Violet did Twilight’s hair which was now in a bun. “Well, have a good day princess, I have other duties to fulfill” said Violet. “Of course” said Twilight, now feeling lonely. Then, the princess decided to go to the kitchen, to check on Cadance. As she was trying to get to the kitchen, Chrysalis saw her and followed behind her. > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- When Twilight made it to the kitchen, she saw Cadance washing the last dish. Cadance was the only pony inside the kitchen. “Twilight? What are you doing in here?” Cadance said as Twilight closed the kitchen doors. “Sister, don't worry. I just wanted to see how you are doing and if mother did something to you, did she?” said Twilight. “Uh no, she didn't do anything to me yet.” Cadance lied, she didn't want her sister to worry. Then the doors opened and Chrysalis walked in with an angry face. Cadance immediately bowed to the Queen and said “H-hello your highness”. Chrysalis had a whip this time and, whipped Cadance in the flank. “Mother! Please, it wasn't her fault. It was me” said Twilight, trying to defend her sister. “Ugh, Twilight why are you in the kitchen with this wench?! Why was she talking to you?!” the Queen yelled. “Mother I’m sorry, and no she wasn't, it was all me.” said Twilight. “Twilight, will you be a dear and leave us?” Chrysalis asked calmly. Twilight wanted to argue with her mother because she knows, she was going to hurt Cadance. But she didn't want to make matters miore worse so she said,”Yes mother” and left. As she was leaving, Twilight looked back at Cadance and quietly said “I’m sorry”. Cadance was still bowing down to the Queen very scared and frightened. “Why were you talking to my daughter?!” Chrysalis yelled . “S-she was j-just a-asking me how I was doing my queen” said Cadance. “I heard the whole conversation” said the Queen Cadance said nothing. The Queen took her to her room and got three guards to come with her. The Queen commanded the guards to kick, stomp, punch, and whip her. And so the guards did for a whole hour, while Chrysalis watched. The guards regretted doing this to Cadance but, it was an order from the Queen. After they were finished, Cadance had bruises everywhere. One of her eye turned red due to one of the guards accidentally whipping her in the eye. Chrysalis laughed and said “I hope you learned your lesson” Then she pointed to one of the three guards and said “You, take her to her room” That guard bowed to her and took Cadance to her room. After Cadance left with the guard, Chrysalis decided to go to the library to talk to Twilight. When she arrived, she saw Twilight reading a book and walked up to her. When Twilight looked up to her mother who was in front of her she asked, “Mother, is Cadance okay? Did your hurt her?’’ Chrysalis lifted her daughter’s chin up and said,“Twilight, darling, I promise you I didn't hurt Cadance. Why do you even care about her?” “Mother she is my sister, of course I am going to care. And it is not fair to treat your own step daughter like that” said Twilight. “Twilight that is enough. Now go to your room and wait for your tutors to come by. You would need this if you are going to be the future queen.” Chrysalis said, changing the subject. Twilight sighed and said, “Yes mother” and left the room. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cadance and the guard had finally made it up to her room. “Cadance I am sorry for what me and the other two guards have done to you. Especially Silver Hoof, I think he feels really bad for hurting you in the eye” said the guard. “It’s okay, the Queen demanded you three to do it, it wasn’t like you guys wanted to, and tell Silver Hoof I forgive him. It was just an accident.” said Cadence while a hoof was covering her red eye. The guard took off his helmet and he revealed to be a white stallion with a blue mane with two different shaded blue streaks with blue eyes. “I am Shining Armor.” Cadance blushed and said,”It is a pleasure to meet you Shining Armor”. Shining Armor then used his magic to heal Cadance's eye. “How did you do that? The only spell I could do is a levitation spell.” Cadance said then rubbing her eye to feel it. “I learned it from Twily, the Queen usually sets me up to guard her” Shining Armor said. “Twily? Oh you mean Twilight” said Cadance. “Oh yes, sorry about that. Twily, I mean Twilight, let's me call her that. She is like a little sister to me.” said Shining Armor. “Oh I see. Thank you for healing my eye” Cadance said. “You welcome Cadance. Why does the Queen even do this to you?” asked Shining Armor. Cadance sighed and said, “I don't know, she's been doing this to be ever since I was four. It became a daily routine when my father died” Cadance’s ear and head went down because she missed bother her mother and father. “Hey, even if you're parents are gone you still have Twilight, the cutest and sweetest sister you will have and . . . me” Shining Armor said as he lifted Cadance’s chin up. Cadance smiled and said “Thank you, you should be going. If you stay here longer the Queen will kill you.” Then Cadance kissed him in the cheek. Shining Armor blushed and said “As you wish” and left. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ It was the next day, Cadance was mopping the ballroom. There was going to be a gala and the Queen wants the floors spotless. Shining Armor walked by the and the ballroom and spotted Cadance. He walked up to her and said, “Hey, do you need a little help?” and took the mop. Cadance took back the mop and said, “ No thank you, the Queen assigned me this job. I don't want her to see you helping me” “So are you going to the gala?” Shining Armor asked. “No, I can't. The Queen doesn't want ponies to see me. The Queen is going to lock me in my room during that day. It is going to be the only day I am going to take a break.” said Cadance. “What if I devise a plan so the Queen won't catch you at the gala? Then would you be my date to the gala?” Shining Armor said making a mischievous face. Cadance chuckled and said “Maybe”. Suddenly two guards came into the ballroom. One of them said, “The Queen needs you Cadance.” The other guard asked, “Shining Armor? What are you doing here?” “Oh um . . . I was just making sure she was mopping the floors, as the Queen commanded her to do” Shining Armor said after he chuckled. “I should be going, I don't want the Queen to get angry. Will you please escort me to her?” said Cadance. The guards nodded and escorted her to the Queen. Shining Armor already devised a plan for Cadance to go to the gala. But first he needs to get her fairy god sister to help. > Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight was in the library, reading a book. Then a knock came from the door. “Come in Shining” Twilight said. The door opened and Shining Armor came in and said, ”How did you know it was me Twily?” “Well, I guess I just sensed it. So what are you planning?” Twilight said. Shining Armor chuckled and said, “I want Cadance to be my date to the gala but, the only way that is going to happen is to get Cadance out of her room and the Queen doesn't catch her being at the gala. So I have a plan.” Twilight smirked and said, “Okay, I would love to be pat of this plan. What is it?”. Suddenly a knock came from the door. The door opened and Violet came into the library. “Princess, you need to come with me to the fitting room, we need to see which gown you should wear to the gala” Violet said. “Of course Violet I will be there. Give me a minute.” said Twilight. Violet nodded and went outside and waited. “So how about our plan?” Shining Armor asked. Twilight winked and said,“We can talk later. Maybe with Cadance too.” and left the library. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ After Cadance finished her daily chores, she decided to go back to her room. While she was walking down a hallway, she saw Twilight. Twilight walked up to Cadance and said, “Hello Cadance, where are you going?” “Hello Twilight, I am going up to my room, do you need anything?” said Cadance “Yes actually, I was thinking we could have some sister time” said Twilight. “Twilight, you know that I am not allowed” Cadance said. “Cadance relax, my mother is in another kingdom right now. She won’t come back until the day before the gala.” Twilight said. Queen Chrysalis was away for official business as Queen. Twilight thought it would be a perfect time to hangout with her sister while the Queen was gone. “Come on Cadance please? No pony will know. They will just think I am hanging out with a friend” Twilight pleaded while she was making her puppy eye. Cadance couldn’t say no to Twilight with her puppy eyes so she agreed. It was nighttime and the two mare were in Twilight’s room. Both mares were wearing silk dresses. The one that Cadance was wearing belonged to Twilight but it was too big for her but, it fitted Cadance perfectly. Both the mares’ mane looked wacky because they both did each other's. “Wow! I never had this fun with you since . . . well never!” Twilight said, feeling that this night was the best day of her life. Cadance giggled and said, “I agree, I never had this fun. Thank you for all of this Twilight, you are the bestest sister I ever had” Twilight awed and the two hugged each other. Suddenly a knock came from the door. Twilight quietly said “Hide” and Cadance quickly ran to the bathroom. A voice from outside the room said, “It’s just me Twily, are one of your friends with you? I heard giggling.” Twilight was relieved it was just Shining Armor. So she quickly open the door, pulled Shining Armor inside her room with her magic, and closed the door. “Sorry about that Shining, I just didn’t want anypony to know I am having a sleepover with Cadance” Twilight said to Shining Armor. “Cadance?” Shining Armor said and noticed Cadance walking out of the bathroom with a smile. “Are you going to tell anyone?” Cadance asked, looking worried. Shining Armor smiled at Cadance and said, “Of course not, why would I do that?” “Wells anyways, now that we are all together, what is the plan?” Twilight said. “Plan? What plan?” Cadance said in confusion. “The plan for you to be my date to the gala of course” Shining Armor said, hoping that Cadance would accept. “Cadance, you’ve been working so hard for all these years. I think you should go to the gala . . . with Shining Armor” Twilight said, feeling that Cadance and Shining Armor would be a good couple. “Well, I don’t know what would happen if I go to the gala . . . but I know I would be happy to go and enjoy it with you Twilight . . .” Cadance said as she looked at Twilight. Then she turned to Shining Armor, blushed and said “and with you Shining Armor” Shining Armor smiled and kissed Cadance in the mouth. Both of them blushed and smiled when they stopped. “So what's the plan Shining?” Twilight said, pretending nothing happened there.