//------------------------------// // Battle with a Queen // Story: Friendship's New Flight: Love and Changelings // by Masterob //------------------------------// Chrysalis approached the three ponies, her smile giving them chills. "Anypony else freaked out by this lady? I mean that smile of hers!" Thunderlane said very abruptly. "Don't make things worse!" Rainbow shouted. Chrysalis found amusement in this, to know she's striking fear in their hearts, she stood over the three ponies. While Twilight and Rainbow stood their ground, Thunderlane looked a bit nervous. He's not like The Elements so he's probably in over his head. Chrysalis noticed Thunderlane's lack of confidence, "Looks like your stallion there isn't much of a stallion, can't seem to handle a lady such as myself". Twilight got in her face, "Don't say stuff like that about Thunderlane! He's just a pony, and a big brother, he's here for his little brother, who happens to be my favorite little colt!" "Mine too!" Rainbow added. Rumble looked surprised, "I'm still your favorite colt Twilight? Even after those mean things I said?" Twilight nodded, "Of course, like I said, I love you, even if you don't know it". Rumble looked down in some shyness and shame, he looked back up at Twilight with a teary smile. "Thanks Twilight..." Twilight nodded and returned the smile before glaring back at Chrysalis. "Hey I've always loved Rumble too! He's my little buddy!" Rainbow said. Diamond rolled her eyes, "What makes Rumble so special anyway?" "Besides being really cute?" Sweetie smugly asked. Apple Bloom nodded, "Rumble's just a lovable colt, most ponies love him". "For the record Apple Bloom", Thunderlane started saying, "You are my favorite little filly". "Aw, thanks Thunderlane, glad you feel that way, one day I'm gonna be your sister-in-law, so I'll be calling you 'Big Bro' soon enough", Apple Bloom said. Thunderlane chuckled, "That would be nice". Chrysalis didn't mind this banter, this was love and affection she could feed off of, "My, my, so much love going around, I can even sense the love you two mares have for this stallion as well, and I can sense his love for the both of you". "Both of us?" Twilight asked. Thunderlane rubbed his head, "I know I kissed Rainbow Dash, but I do kinda like you too Twilight". "You kissed Rainbow Dash!?" Rumble asked, "What about Twilight though?" "Trouble in paradise? Seems like it's only made your emotions stronger, and that gives me an extra burst of power!" Chrysalis charged her horn, "Which I can use to defeat you!" The ponies got ready for a battle, Chrysalis grinned, "Remember, love hurts". "So does this!" Twilight said and blasted Chrysalis back and pursued her. The Changelings went to attack but Rainbow and Thunderlane covered for Twilight, punching away any Changeling that got too close. Chrysalis blasted twilight back but Twilight used her magic to block it and then blasted Chrysalis back again. Chrysalis grew frustrated, "How dare you defy a Queen!" she flew in and charged her horn at Twilight but she teleported out the way and appeared behind Chrysalis with a blast that knocked her to the ground. Some Changelings went after Twilight but she put up a barrier and then extended it to knock them back. She then started blasting at the Changelings but this distraction allowed Chrysalis to shoot Twilight out of the sky. Rainbow flew in and rammed Chrysalis on the side and knocked her over. "Take that!" Rainbow shouted, but was blasted for her efforts. Thunderlane tried to attack as well but Chrysalis zapped him through a few trees. Rumble looked concerned for this, "That Queen is mean and tough, I hope Twilight, Rainbow and my brother can stop her". "Of course they can, they've done it before", Apple Bloom said. Chrysalis turned her attention to Twilight and started to pursue her in an effort to take her out. Twilight flew off, giving Chrysalis a chase with Rainbow and Thunderlane pursing her. "Hey! What about us!?" Scootaloo asked. At that moment, Flitter and Cloudchaser had arrived. "Sup kids, miss us?" Cloudchaser asked. Rumble beamed in happiness, "Flitter! Cloudchaser!" Cloudchaser went to the cage the foals were being held at, "You kids ok?" "Yeah, we're fine", Rumble said. "None of us were hurt", Sweetie said. "Though if you can get us out of here as soon as possible that'd be great, this place is too cramped for me and there are too many blank flanks", Diamond said. Cloudchaser glared, "Give me one reason I shouldn't just leave you in there to be taken away by those Changelings". Flitter approached Cloudchaser, "Easy sis, if you do that you're no better than she is". Cloudchaser rolled her eyes, "Whatever sis, you're too soft". They freed the foals from the cage after Cloudchaser grabbed a rock and bashed on the lock to free the foals. Button Mash ran out, "Yes! Freedom! Sweet freedom! Now to get my games!" Before he can run off, Flitter grabbed him, "Easy there, don't go running off by yourself". "Yeah, everypony stay together", Cloudchaser said, then glared at Diamond, "That includes you 'Your Highness', don't leave my sight". Diamond huffed and reluctantly followed the Twins and the other foals. Silver Spoon seemed a little more willing to obey the twins. Meanwhile Twilight, Rainbow and Thunderlane are still battling Chrysalis across The Forest, with her Changelings joining in on the battle, helping Chrysalis at every turn. Twilight used her magic to blast the Changelings or grab them telepathically to toss them away. Thunderlane did his punch-kick combos to knock away the Changelings; he was surprisingly good at fighting, though not at the same skill level as Rainbow Dash, who was annihilating the Changelings. Chrysalis shot several laser attacks at the three ponies, each dodging out the way, though Thunderlane was grazed on his wing, causing him to fall. "Thunderlane!" Rainbow shouted and went down to him. Twilight blasted Chrysalis away and went down to Thunderlane as well. Thunderlane landed down, a bit sloppy and still hurt but he could manage, "That's gonna leave a mark". Twilight approached him, "We'll get that fixed soon". Then then saw Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie surrounded by Changelings, though Pinkie Pie was challenging them for a fight. "Come on! I can take the lot of ya!" she then flexed her 'muscles'. "What's she doing? She's gonna get hurt", Rainbow said. The Changelings hissed and slowly approached Pinkie. She then grabbed a weird red weapon and shouted. "This is the Monado's Power!" Rainbow Dash then raised her eyebrow, "Wait, what!?" Pinkie used the Monado to take down all the Changelings nearby, displaying unusual speed and accuracy. She then put the weapon behind her back while standing proudly, "This is a good result!" More Changelings went to attack Pinkie, but as she got into another stance, Twilight blasted them all away with her magic. Pinkie looked surprised, "Wow, I'm a lot stronger than I thought". Twilight groaned, "I did that Pinkie, I blasted those creatures away for you". "Oh, silly me then", Pinkie said with her usual quirky smile. Above they saw Chrysalis approach them with a vengeful look, "I will annihilate you pitiful ponies!" "She looks pretty pissed", Thunderlane said. They all then avoided a blast from Chrysalis after rolling out the way, and Twilight retaliated with a blast of her own to knock Chrysalis down and out of their sight. "Keep moving! Let's leave this forest quick!" Twilight ordered as the ponies started making their way out the forest. Meanwhile back with Applejack and Rarity, the two were fighting away the Changelings, Applejack having regained her composure after the mind games earlier. "Take this you bunch of varmints!" Applejack said after each punch. Rarity mostly used her kicks but did the occasional magic blast to the Changelings, though it seemed like they were being heavily outnumbered. "Rarity, whatever happens, just know ah love yah very much, making you mah marefriend was one of the best things to happen to mah life", Applejack said. "Same here Applejack dear, but I have confidence we'll make it out of here", Rarity said. "Maybe soon we can get ourselves hitched", Applejack stated. Rarity nodded, "I'd love that". During the fight, a big pony arrived and rammed through a bunch of them like bowling pins. The Changelings turned their attention to the pony, who turned out to be Big Macintosh. "Don't you hurt mah sister and her lady", Big Mac said. More Changelings arrived to attack but they got attacked as well. Rarity and Applejack saw the attackers to be Babs Seed and Braeburn. "Babs, Braeburn, ya'll are here too?" Applejack asked. "We're family cuz, we stick together", Babs said. "Yeah, we ain't gonna leave you and your lovely mare high and dry, Apples stick together", Braeburn said. Applejack smiled and nodded, "Right", she looked to the Changelings, "Let's give these Changelings a nice little Apple Family Beatdown!" Applejack, Rarity, Big Mac, Braeburn and Babs rushed in to attack the Changelings. Meanwhile Twilight is leading her friends out the Forest, but many Changelings arrived to attack, though her friends were able to fight them off, except Fluttershy, due to her normally pacifist nature. "Keep going, we're almost out!" Twilight said. However Chrysalis was chasing them, nearly about to kill them with her magic, "I'm not done with you ponies!" She started blasting them, much to their annoyance. "She doesn't let up!" Rainbow shouted and flew over to punch Chrysalis back. Chrysalis then blasted Rainbow down. Twilight and the others went to help Rainbow, but Chrysalis drew closer. Before she can get too close, Lightning Dust arrived and kicked Chrysalis on the head. Chrysalis rubbed her head, "How dare you!" "That's for messing with my head earlier!" she started attacking Chrysalis with a punch-kick combo, but Chrysalis retaliated with a sneak punch and blasted Lightning down. Chrysalis went to attack again but she got blasted back again, this time by Trixie. "The Great and Powerful Trixie is NOT pitiful!" Trixie blasted Chrysalis again, "It took a while but Trixie saw through your attempts to mess with her head! You will pay for your deception!" Chrysalis zapped Trixie back and zapped an oncoming Lightning Dust. She flew in to attack again but Rainbow and Thunderlane did a double punch to knock her back. "Let's keep going!" Twilight said and got her allies to follow her further out the Forest. "Surprised we haven't run into any of the Forest Monsters", Rainbow said. "It's likely Chrysalis scared them off or something", Twilight said. Eventually Twilight and her friends made their way out the forest, with Chrysalis steadily behind them, "Escaping the Forest will do you no good, you're going to fall anyway! Then I'll finally defeat Celestia and take my rightful place as the Queen of Equestria!" "We won't let that happen!" Twilight shouted and blasted Chrysalis, though she countered with her own beam. Trixie assisted Twilight during her beam struggle but more Changelings arrived to make it more difficult for the two. Rainbow, Thunderlane and Lightning covered the two Unicorns by fighting off all the Changelings while the two unicorns charged their energy. Some Changelings however gave assistance to Chrysalis and they blasted at The Unicorns, allowing Chrysalis to blast the two Unicorns back. Chrysalis then blasted the three defending Pegusai and continued by attacking Pinkie and Fluttershy. "I am going to turn Ponyville into a wasteland!" Chrysalis shouted. "Ah don't think so!" she heard Applejack shouted. She looked to see Applejack along with her family and her lady Rarity. "Ah if it isn't The Apples and their Gem, looks like I have all Six Elements of Harmony, I shall dispose of them quickly!" Chrysalis shouted and started zapping at them, causing them to dodge quickly. Twilight rushed in and attacked Chrysalis with a few strike attacks and blasted her down, then teleported behind her and blasted her again into the air, then teleported once more above Chrysalis diagonally and blasted her down to the ground. "Damn, Twilight's pretty strong", Lightning admitted. Around that time, The Pegasus Twins made their way out the forest with the foals and noticed the battle going on. Chrysalis had angrily gone back to Twilight and blasted at her but Twilight teleported out the way and zapped Chrysalis down again. Some Changelings went after Twilight but Trixie and Rarity zapped them from the ground. "They're gonna need some help", Cloudchaser flew in and attacked some Changelings as well while Flitter stayed with the foals. Chrysalis grew frustrated; "All you ponies are just begging to die!" she called for more Changelings, with all of them doing battle with a pony in the area, either The Elements, The Apple Family, The Former Antagonists or Thunderlane and the Twins. Some Changelings approached the foals, though Sweetie was able to blast a few of them with her magic, though it was a bit weak. Apple Bloom threw some hard punches, as stated she's a strong filly for her age. Rumble attacked a bit as well; he was pretty tough, not as tough as Apple Bloom but still capable. Babs went to the foals to help Apple Bloom, "Hey cuz, doing well lately?" "Yeah, I'm good", Apple Bloom said while fighting the Changelings, "How's life since going back to Manehattan?" "Kinda sucks, I still like it here bettah, great scenery", Babs said while punching, "Nice ponies", another punch, "Cute colts", she gave Rumble a flirtatious look before punching another Changeling. Rumble chuckled nervously, "Great to see you too Babs". Chrysalis from sky stared to blast at all the ponies, making it easy since they're distracted from their fight with the Changelings. Chrysalis even attacked the foals with her blasts, them being easier targets since they're so young. "Hahaha, you've all fought valiantly but in the end it makes no difference, you'll still lose!" She flew down to Twilight, ready to finish her off, "Time to die". She was about to attack but Spike arrived from nowhere and blasted Chrysalis with a strong breath of fire, damaging Chrysalis a bit, "Ugh, damn you dragon!" Spike huffed, "Did you think I would let you hurt my friends? Especially Twilight!?" Chrysalis glared, "You fool, don't you realize the love you have for her makes me stronger?" she turned to the other ponies, "All your love for each other powers me! The more you fight for each other, the stronger I get!" Twilight got up with a glare, "We gain strength from love too, and our love is more powerful than the strength you have, because it's real love!" Rainbow groaned, "Kinda sappy". Chrysalis let out an evil chuckle, "It seems like you've lost your mind little filly, love enegy is the same all around, quit grasping at false hope". Twilight huffed angrily, though that's when Applejack approached her, "Fighting them isn't working, it didn't work so well last time, but love is the answer, its how your brother and Cadance won before, we need to utilize that somehow". Twilight nodded, "Right, let's give that a shot", she called to the other, "Everypony, gather around me!" The ponies came together, "Quick, share you love". "Um, that sounds really weird", Cloudchaser said. "Yeah, they feed off love, we're fighting Changelings, not Sirens," Spike said. "I know what I'm doing, just trust me," Twilight said. "What's a Siren anyway?" Thunderlane asked. "Worry about that later, focus on right now," Twilight said. They all stood to try and emanate love; with Applejack standing near her love Rarity, Trixie with her love Lightning Dust, Rumble with The Cutie Mark Crusaders, Cloudchaser with her crush Braeburn, and Thunderlane with Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash. They started creating an aura but it felt a bit unstable. "Something's wrong, the magic isn't working", Twilight said. Chrysalis chuckled, "I can sense a little stain in your love, perhaps there is slight hatred among you?" Twilight looked around, "Who is lacking? Trixie? Lightning? Surely you have no hatred for any of us". Trixie shook her head, "No, at least I hope you don't have any for me". "Yeah, same here", Lightning said. Chrysalis grinned, "Looks like my Changelings have gotten to you ponies after all". Twilight remembered Rainbow Dash having been tricked by a Changeling, seems like they all got tricked. But perhaps that's the key to winning. "Trixie, what did you see?" Trixie looked down a bit sad, "You, telling me I'm pitiful". Twilight gave a sympathetic look, "I don't think you're pitiful, you're a great pony with a great heart. You helped show true friendship to someone who needed it, I think you're great". Trixie smiled, "Thanks Twilight, so nice of you to say". Twilight turned to Lightning, "What about you?" Lightning groaned, "Rainbow Dash and The Wonderbolts calling me a waste and a forgotten memory". Rainbow shook her head, "I don't think you're a forgotten memory or a waste, you've always been a great flyer, just a bit reckless. But you've gotten better, I can at least say you're a great friend to have", she gave a saddened look, "But I should be apologizing for nearly causing you to never fly again a few months back". "That's fine, I take responsibility for that", Lightning admitted. This talk was making the aura stronger, which Twilight noticed, "Quick Pinkie, what did you see?" "I saw Cheese kissing my sister Maud", Pinkie said, a bit worried. Twilight knew how to handle this, "Pinkie, Cheese and Maud both love you very much, do you think your coltfriend or your sister would do anything to hurt you?" Pinkie thought, "You're right, they wouldn't, I'm happy now!" Twilight nodded, "Anypony else?" Applejack spoke, "After ah beat up a Changeling, he turned into Rumble…he was hurt, and ah felt awful". Rumble pitied Applejack, "But Applejack, I know you'd never hurt me, you've been so nice to me since that day, I can trust you'll never hurt me". Applejack ruffled his mane, "You're mah favorite little colt". Diamond rolled his eyes, "He's every mare's favorite colt". Rarity spoke next, "I thought Applejack was ashamed to be in a relationship with me". Applejack shook her head, "If ah were ashamed, ah wouldn't have asked you out. Ah love you Rarity, I'm happy to be in a relationship with you. Truth be told sometimes ah wondered if ah was worth it to ya". "Of course you are, you're a great mare, very loving and caring, fact is you're the only mare to make me feel this way, a one in a million shot", Rarity admitted. That caused Applejack to blush, she truly felt special, and this only made the aura grow. Chrysalis simply watched, amused by this. So heartwarming, it was sickening yet entertaining. Sweetie Belle spoke next, "I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused with Rumble, first I bullied him, then I had sex with him and made everypony mad, plus it was the start of his downward spiral." "I'm not mad at anything you've done Sweetie Belle, I had as much to do, and I started my own downward spiral, not just that, but with my other actions. Speaking of which", he turned to Diamond Tirara, "I'm sorry for punching you, even if you were mean it was wrong of me. Its never a good thing to fight," he turned to Twilight, "Just like you said, right Twilight?" Twilight ruffled his mane, "Right Rumble". "I'm also really sorry for telling you that I hate you, I don't really hate you, I was just mad. I just want to be your friend but you're a bit overbearing." Rumble bit his lip before this next reveal, "Twilight, the truth is, I love you, even if I hadn't realized it, I honestly love you, because I know you love me too." Twilight had to hold back tears of joy after hearing that, but now's not the time for that. "You're right, I haven't been fair to you. Maybe I was just concerned with straightening you out I got carried away. I need to teach you in a way you'll understand, that's something I should have remembered from my experiences with Rainbow Dash." Silver turned to Diamond, "Don't you have anything to say?" Diamond sighed, "I'm sorry for being mean, I'm sorry for talking about Apple Bloom's parents, and I'm sorry for helping influence Sweetie Belle to have sex with Rumble", she turned to Rumble, "And I forgive you for hitting me". Her apology didn't seem too genuine but she was being as sincere as she could. Rumble still forgave her, "Its fine, thanks for apologizing", he then kissed the side of her face he struck months back, causing a blush from Diamond, though she quickly turned away. Rumble then turned to Spike, "I'm sorry for being rude to you Spike, I was out of line". Spike nodded, "Thanks, I'm sorry if I gave you a hard time too, you're not a bad kid, just a little prone to mistakes, but so am I so who am I to judge?" Applejack turned to Thunderlane, "Ever feel like our old troubles were the root of all this?" Thunderlane shrugged, "Not sure, but it's behind us, I hold nothing against you Applejack". Cloudchaser spoke next, "Twilight, I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused, I should have respected you better". "Aw, thanks Cloudchaser, I know you act on love so I can't fault you entirely, but I do forgive you", Twilight said. Rainbow turned to Scootaloo, "I'm sorry for the time I almost hurt you, I was so focused on being a good role model for Rumble, I should have remembered my favorite little filly". That caused a smile for Scootaloo, "You mean it Rainbow?" "Of course", she ruffled her hair, "I think you and I need a little catching up". Rumble approached Scootaloo, "I'm sorry for having annoyed you and made you feel like I was more trouble than I needed to be. Scootaloo nodded, "It's fine, if anything I should be apologizing to you for hurting you like I did." This made the magic stronger, but not enough, Chrysalis could sense that, "How nice, but it still won't make you strong enough to beat me. You may continue, fitting you can say your good-byes before I exterminate you." Rainbow knew there was one final issue, "Twilight…I'm sorry for how I've acted to you. I shouldn't have bothered you over Thunderlane, I shouldn't have accused you of trying to hurt me", she turned to Thunderlane, "And Thunder, I'm sorry for stressing you out as well, and I'm really sorry for cheating on you. That was the biggest mistake of my life, and it wasn't even worth it. You were a great coltfriend, and I miss you", she sighed, "But if you love Twilight, then I'm ok with it, I don't care if you want to marry her, I just want to be your friend again". Thunderlane nodded, "I'm sorry too Rainbow, and you as well Twilight. I'm not perfect either, and maybe I didn't handle things well myself." Twilight made a big statement, "I'm the one who should be sorry", she turned to Rainbow, "I shouldn't have swopped in like that. I just had the biggest crush on Thunderlane, so I realized I could finally have him. But it was selfish, I hurt you by doing that and I was wrong", she sighed heavily, "You should be with Thunderlane, not me", she turned to Thunderlane, "If you want to get back with Rainbow Dash, you have my blessing". This caused a shock for all the ponies in the group; Twilight is giving up her coltfriend back to Rainbow Dash? Even Chrysalis can't believe this. "Twilight…you mean it? You'd sacrifice your happiness for me?" Rainbow asked, almost in tears. Twilight nodded, "Yeah…if Thunderlane agrees to". Thunderlane turned to Twilight and back to Rainbow, "This…this is so nice of you…but Twilight, what about you? I do care about you, you've been a great marefriend too", he turned to Rainbow, "I still love you, but I'm worried on this, it's too big a decision". "He's right, let him think about it," Rainbow Dash said, then smiled. "But thanks, I really appreciate that. I don't care if he picks you or me, I just want us all to be friends, because I know that's something we can all share. This was all that was needed, the combined love within the group was enough to charge enough magic to combat against Chrysalis. Twilight glared at the evil Queen, "It's over". They all focused their energy on Chrysalis and blasted her with the magic. Chrysalis attempted to counter, her Changeling army backing her up, trying to Shield the magic. "Not this time! You won't defeat me!" she shouted. After moments of struggling, Twilight simply said, "That's it, next plan! Thunder, Rainbow, follow my lead!" The three ponies flew in and attacked Chrysalis with a strong enough punch to knock her off balance, the magic then blasting her, enough to finally take her down. Once the blast ended, Chrysalis and the Changelings had been blasted far back, finally defeated. The ponies sat back and sighed. "Thank Heavens, it's finally over", Twilight said. "Now I definitely feel like one of you, I helped you save Equestria", Thunderlane said. "We all did, we're heroes!" Cloudchaser said. "Think we'll get rewards?" Scootaloo asked. "The fact that we did something good should be reward enough", Fluttershy said. Rainbow Dash hugged Thunderlane, "I'm just glad you're alright, maybe we can get back together, if you really want to." Rumble realized, "Hey wait, what about Soarin? Aren't you dating him still?" Rainbow then realized, "Oh crap…his heart's gonna be broken," Rainbow felt a bit guilty, but then looked to Fluttershy and had an idea, "Hey Fluttershy, you always liked Soarin right?" Fluttershy beamed, though Twilight was concerned. "Is this a good idea?" Twilight asked. Rainbow shrugged, "Hey it's worth a shot". Rumble approached Rainbow with a hug, "I'm so happy to have you back!" Rainbow hugged back, "Good to be back". For now the ponies rested, the threat was over, but some things still needed to be resolved first.