//------------------------------//
// [Eyes in the Nightmare] Part: 1-5 
// Story: Chapter: 13 
// by Chapter 13 
//------------------------------//


Eyes in the Nightmare
By: Michael A.
Edited by: Scarheart, Typoglyphic.
Preread by: Cogwheelbrain.



Part: 1


Chrysalis took another step forwards. Her hoof crunched into the freshly fallen snow. A blanket of white surrounded her. She wasn't cold.

The landscape was completely flat, not a single hill or mountain tainted its perfection. Chrysalis looked up. The sky was a brilliant light blue, twinkling with an ethereal glow. Stars were scattered around in a chaotic, random matter. It didn't look right.

The once queen returned her gaze to the ever-spanning landscape. She saw nothing. No hoofsteps—other than her own—breached the fallen snow. Chrysalis stopped and turned. She watched as her hoof steps slowly began to reset themselves, rising until they corrected to the flat landscape.

She shivered, then returned her gaze forward. Chrysalis resumed her never ending march. She has been walking for what seemed like hours, yet… she wasn't tired. Her body didn't hurt. Her muscles didn't ache. Her mind was at ease.

A strange feeling of peace washed over the changeling. She felt safe, sheltered. She felt that the emptiness around her should be unnerving, but it wasn't. The only thing that unnerved the once queen was a stance feeling that she was being watched, observed.

Chrysalis stopped once more. 

The changeling plopped down on her flank. The strangely warm snow contorted to her body, depressing around her. Chrysalis used a hoof to push away her wispy cyan mane, then reached down and scooped up some of the strange substance. It was light and fluffy, not sticky—it fell through her holed hoof with relatively little resistance. It felt like snow, but it wasn't cold. 

Why wasn't it cold? the changeling pondered. 

As she continued scooped and formed the ‘snow’, an unknown amount of time seemed to pass. It was strange but timed felt irrelevant to the changeling. A moment, hour, year, or even a lifetime could pass and Chrysalis felt she would be none the wiser.

Chrysalis eventually rose to her hooves, curiosity appeased. She turned to the left, then to the right. Nothing permeated her view. She could travel either way or not at all. Why move? Why stand still? What was the point when there was nowhere to go? 

Hope, answered an unknown voice.

Chrysalis jumped. The changeling turned her head from side-to-side, searching for the source. The everlasting landscape held no figures to contrasted its perfection. 

Do not be afraid, Chrysalis.

The voice spoke again. It was familiar to the once queen, yet she still could not identify its owner. How did she know that voice? Chrysalis opened her mouth, intent on questioning the disembodied voice, but no words could breach her mouth before the landscape began to shake.

Chrysalis took a step back, cracks beginning spread like spider webs around the once perfect landscape. The cracks began to grow into fissures. They grew wider and wider, splitting the landscape.

Panic began to fill the Changeling’s mind, overcoming the aura of peace. Chrysalis began to run. The landscape spits from a single plain to individual platforms. They rose and fell, sending snow flying with each shift. Chrysalis jumped from one platform to another, trying to escape the fracturing reality. 

Chrysalis skidded to a halt at the edge of one of the platforms. The next platform she had intended to traverse had shifted too far away—the gap between it and the one she currently stood on growing too large to jump. She turned around, intent on finding another route, but it soon became apparent all other paths had gained the same predicament. 

The once queen began to panic. She was trapped, cornered—nowhere to go. On a whim, Chrysalis slowly inched her way towards the edge of the platform and peered over the edge. 

The abyss stared back.

Chrysalis jumped, falling on her back. She shuffled as fast as she could to the middle of the platform. Once there, the former queen pulled her hind hooves close to her chest with her forehooves. She shivered. 

Do not fear, Changeling.

Chrysalis growled, pressing her hooves into her forehead. It wasn't until now that she realized that the voice had not originated from around her, but in her mind. 

“Get out of my head!” she screamed, pressing harder and harder into her skull. She felt no pain.

Calm yourself, Chrysalis! The more you panic, the farther it fractures!

The changeling instantly ceased applying pressure to her temples. She returned her hooves to her sides, then stared up at the sky. Like before, it was a brilliant light blue. Unlike before, the stars were not stagnant. They shifted, turned, and practically danced in the sky in a slow waltz. There was no rhythm or rhyme to their movements that Chrysalis could spot. 

“Who are you?” she asked.

I am only someone who wishes to help, Chrysalis. Please, believe my words to hold truth.

Chrysalis, in truth, did not trust the voice. She knew nothing about it. As such, she had no reason to trust. 

She rose to her hooves, still staring at the stars. For some reason, Chrysalis felt that the voice belonged there. “Why should I trust you? You won’t even give me your name, let alone a face. I do not trust what I cannot see.”

...A fair point. I will honor your request and approach thee with our presence. But, we must warn, it is vital for you to remain calm. The fracture has already grown enough.

Chrysalis removed her eyes from the sky and lowered them towards the horizon. The once flat landscape had become a fractured discourse of floating platforms and shattered stone. Behind her, the once queen felt a surge of energy, followed by a brief flash of midnight blue light. She didn’t turn, at first. Instead, she closed her eyes and listened.

Four hooves crunched into the fluffy snow, one after the other. The brief sound of fluffed wings soon followed. Silence held steady after that, only breached by the addition of another steady heartbeat.

“Do not fear me, Chrysalis,” spoke the voice, this time originating from behind the changeling. 

The once queen took a deep breath, then opened her eyes and turned. 

The world began to shake. The floating islands began to fracture more, some even colliding with one and other. The stars began to oscillate and shift with even more chaotic patterns.

A midnight blue alicorn stood near yard away from Chrysalis. Her ethereal mane that managed to hold the image of the night sky, blowing in an invisible wind. She stumbled to keep her hooves under her as the island the pair stood on shook. 

“Chrysalis, please! You must calm thyself!”

The alicorn’s words fell upon deaf ears. 

Chrysalis’ stood in an offensive position, wings flared and her fangs bared. She hissed, staring death at the pony in front of her. A mixture of anger and fear overtook the changeling. She knew this pony. She knew of her deeds. She knew of her rage. She knew her name… Luna.

“Chrysalis, please!” Luna screamed, still trying to keep her balance as the world cried out in pain. “If you do not calm thyself, this realm will collapse! I will be able to escape, but not you! You will only be killing yourself!”

Again, Chrysalis did not listen. Instead, she let out another hiss, then lunged forwards at the alicorn. Slightly caught off guard, and disorientated by the shifting world, Luna did not have enough time to counter. The changeling connected with the princess, sending her flying onto her back. Once again, Luna was unable to counter as Chrysalis was upon her, teeth gnashing as she tried to get to the alicorns throat.

“Chrysalis, yield! Cease this hostility lest you want it to end you!” Luna cried out, using her front hooves to keep the rabid changeling’s fangs from piercing her throat. 

The realm continued to shift, a soundless voice crying out in endless pain. Chrysalis didn’t react to it or the princess. Her focus was on her one target. 

The midnight alicorn ground her teeth. In a fluid movement, Luna moved her rear hooves underneath the changeling and delivered a powerful buck. Chrysalis went flying from the force of the blow. Luna immediately rolled onto her hooves and readied herself for another assault—she wouldn’t allow her aggressor the upper hoof again.

The changeling collided with the platform and skidded to a stop. To her surprise, she felt no pain. Like her opponent, Chrysalis rose to her hooves almost immediately and returned to her offensive stance. 

The alicorn and changeling stood on opposite sides of the shuttering platform, the realm-shattering around them. 

“Stand down, Chrysalis! I wish only to help!” Luna called forth. “Cease this hostility before it becomes your end!”

“Liar!” Chrysalis hissed, then readied herself for another pounce.

The platform suddenly jolted as one of the floating platforms collided with it. The force of the impact sent both occupants flying. 

Chrysalis attempted to steady herself with her wings with no avail—they failed to have purchased on air or other. It was as if there was nothing for her wings to grab at. The air was not. The changeling braced for impact as she collided with another platform, this one smaller than the last. Chrysalis expected her lungs to have the air crushed from her, but nothing happened. Again, she felt no pain and was soon on her hooves. Confusion was beginning to set in. What madness was this? She quickly scanned the surrounding chaotic landscape and witnessed the tail-end of her alicorn foe impacting a neighboring platform. The alicorn rose to her hooves but stumbled—a look of pain etched across her features. 

Good, the changeling thought. But there were so many questions milling around her thoughts. She brushed them aside with an irritated growl, concentrating on the dangerous Lady of the Night.

Luna winced, pain shooting up her back as she stood. She soon hid her discomfort behind a neutral mask. “Please, Chrysalis, I beg of you! See reason!”

“Why must I trust you? Why must I listen to you?” Chrysalis screamed over to the princess. “We are enemies—I am a predator and you are prey.”

“You are afraid!” Luna ducked to avoid a flying piece of shattered earth. “Can’t you see this world is breaking apart?”

Chrysalis looked around. The once peaceful landscape had devolved into a practical war zone of floating islands and colliding mass. The sky above her was now a mess of discarded stars, distant supernovas, and consuming black holes. The sky’s once calming blue had morphed into a threatening red. 

“You can see it, can’t you?” the alicorn continued. “The world is shattering, Chrysalis. Calm yourself before too much damage is done!”

This time, the changeling listened. Though anger and fear still filled her mind, Chrysalis sat on her flank and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, held it, then let it out slowly. She continues the pattern, trying to calm her mind. She could feel the world begin to calm along with it… then stopped. Chrysalis opened her eyes. The entire world seemed to be frozen in time. The stars stood still. The platforms appeared to be frozen in place. 

This didn’t last. 

The chaos resumed moments later. The realm continued to shatter and corrupt. 

“Liar!” the changeling cried, then turned to face the alicorn. 

Luna, who still stood on her perch several platforms away, looked back at Chrysalis with fear-filled eyes. She closed them, took a deep breath, then opened them and looked down at the once queen. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, just loud enough for the changeling to hear. Her horn began to glow. 

“What are you—aah!” Chrysalis screamed, a wave of pain filling her skull. She fell to her knees, her hooves pressed tightly against her temples. “What are you doing to me?!” Wave after wave of pure pain flooded through the changeling. At the same time, it felt as if something was being ripped away from her. She couldn’t explain it.

Like before, Chrysalis had no idea how much time passed before the pain began to subside. The changeling lay on her side in the snow, her eyes still closed, tears running down her cheek.

“Rise, Chrysalis. The pain will subside, but there is much more to be done.”

The changeling hissed at the sound of the voice. Her eyes shot open. She lunged at the princess the second she was able to locate her. Unlike before, Luna was prepared. Chrysalis felt a strong hoof connect with her jaw and send her flying to the side. Pain radiated from the affected area. 

“I will, once again, ask you to yield, changeling. If I need to break you before you comply, I will.” The words were spoken not with concern or anger, but with ultimate finality. 

Chrysalis growled and clenched her wounded cheek. She rose to her hooves but made no motion to attack. 

“Thank you,” Luna said, her face an impassive mask. 

The changeling growled again but stopped herself before she spoke. The world around the changeling had returned to how it had been. The landscape was flat, ever expanding, and covered in a thin layer of snow. Above her, the stars had returned to their previous stagnant positions and the sky had returned to it’s calming light blue. 

“What did you do?” Chrysalis asked, taking a step closer to the alicorn.

“I had to disconnect you from this realm… your mind.” Luna shook her head sadly. “I had wished it would not have come to this, but you left me no choice.”

“Wait, what?!” Chrysalis cried out, her eyes going wide. “You disconnected me from my mind?!”

“In a way, yes,” Luna continued. “However, the full answer is much more complex.” She paused. “Walk with me, Chrysalis.” 

Chrysalis watched as the alicorn turned and began to trot away—she stumbled to catch up. The two trotted side-by-side into the endless white. 

“We are currently in your mind, Chrysalis. This realm,” Luna motioned around her with a hoof, “represents your subconscious.”

“But… why am I here?” Her eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”

“You are broken, Chrysalis.” Luna turned her gaze up towards the stars. “Your mind is a fractured mess, as you have just witnessed. I have come here to fix it. To fix you.”

Chrysalis followed Luna’s gaze but did not see anything of interest. “Why do you want to fix me?” she questioned. “There is no logical reason for you wanting to do so.”

Luna nodded, then lowered her gaze to the horizon. “I once suffered from the same condition, not many moons ago. Unlike you, however, I had someone to stop me before it could grow too powerful.” 

“So… you feel bad for me? I do not need your pity, pony!”

“I cannot help but feel pity for something that is pitiful, Chrysalis.”

Chrysalis growled, then side-stepped in front of Luna and blocked her path. “What do you want?!” she cried out with fear and surprise. “I do not believe that is the true answer, Pony. Noling would do this without gain.”

Luna halted and returned Chrysalis’s gaze. “I do not ask you to question, Chrysalis. I am saving you from yourself. I could end you at any moment with relative ease. If you need any proof, let it be that you still breathe.”

The changeling continued her hardened stare, but stepped aside and let Luna trot past.

“I put you through a test to see if you were worth saving.” Luna continued onward. “You passed. I have seen your struggles. I have seen your pain. I have seen the journey that the Nightmare has created.”

“How did you…?”

“You were dying, Chrysalis,” the alicorn interrupted. “A weak mind is easy to breach.”

Chrysalis hissed but bit back her aggression. She tried to comprehend what was going on, but there were too many holes that needed to be filled. “How are you going to fix me? What are you trying to do?”

Luna paused for a moment and contemplated an explanation. “When in combat,” she began, “you do not simply build a wall and hope that the enemy will go away. Yes, it will hold it back, but for how long? The only way to assure victory is to attack them at the source. This is what we will do.”

“And how are we going to do that?” Chrysalis questioned. 

“That is enough for now, Chrysalis. There is much that needs to be done. Like any enemy, this nightmare won’t go away without a fight.” 

Luna’s horn lit up in her respective aura. A small bolt of magic traveled up its length then shot forward. It traveled into the white snow, eventually coming to a stop and exploding. It pulsed outwards, then imploded. A small, pulsating portal appeared in its wake.

“What… what is that?” Chrysalis asked as she turned to face Luna.

“The portal to your Nightmare, Chrysalis,” Luna began, motioning to the rift with a hoof. “This will lead us to where the nightmare is hiding. It is strong. I can feel its strength.” Luna smiled at Chrysalis. It wasn’t friendly, nor was it insincere. It was… respecting. “It will attempt to break you, but you must not let it. It will attempt to corrupt you, but you must remain pure. Alone, one cannot defeat a nightmare. But with help, there is a chance.” The alicorn motioned towards the portal once more, this time resuming her trot towards it. “Come, Chrysalis. Your nightmare awaits.”

The changeling watched as the alicorn stepped into the rift, her body sucked into the vortex. As Chrysalis edged forward, a familiar emotion washed over her: fear. She was used to the emotion, tasting it on almost everypony around her—even on her own changelings—but rarely did she feel it radiate from herself. She was a queen, she wasn’t supposed to feel fear!

The changeling stopped in her tracks, her body mere inches away from the magical rift. 

She was no queen. Not anymore. No, that title had been stripped of her by her hive—by her children. Chrysalis shook her head, banishing the thoughts from her mind. With a deep breath, the changeling took the final step forward, the rift instantly sucking her forward.


O


O     O


The changeling blinked. She had teleported before—she knew the feeling—but this wasn’t it. No, it was more like stepping through a door from one room to another. 

Chrysalis blinked again. 

Her eyes trailed up and she scanned the immediate area. She had, indeed, been teleported, as the once endless fields of white had been replaced by an endless void around her. She looked up, down, then in all other directions. There was… nothing. There was no ground. There was no sky. There was no horizon. There was… nothing. Without a frame of reference, the changeling couldn’t even register her own orientation. Was she standing? Was she upside down? Was she falling? It didn’t feel like she was but, at the same time, her hooves did not grip any tangible ground. 

Had this been a trick? The changeling could see no sign of the alicorn of the night, nor the nightmare that Luna had claimed she would meet. Had it been a lie? A dirty trick? A final nail of humiliation into the coffin of her own carving? 

Chrysalis growled. 

It had been, and she had fallen for it. She had shown weakness and her enemy had exploited it! She felt weak. She knew she was weak. Had she been so desperate that she had believed the obvious falsehood of her foe? 

Chrysalis hissed.

A trick. A dirty trick! Anger rose within the changeling, pushing away her growing fear. How could she have fallen for it? How could she have—

“Aaaaah!”

The changeling ceased her mental tirade as a pained scream cried out of the void. It came from all directions—she was unable to locate the direction of the source. She knew the source, though, and it cast doubt on her previous assumption.

A smoking, midnight blue alicorn fell from the void, skidding to a stop at Chrysalis’ hooves. The changeling looked down with shocked eyes at the seemingly broken form of pony who had, only moments ago, been the center of her rage. Luna’s fur was burned. Her right wing was twisted in an awkward position that left no question that it was broken. Her eyes were closed and her face was contorted in pain. She let out raspy, half-full breaths. From experience, Chrysalis believe this to be caused by a punctured lung.

The changeling tore her eyes away from the injured princess, then scanned the void around her. Like the name had implied, her eyes spotted nothing. Chrysalis turned back towards the barely breathing alicorn. Was this another trick? If so, how? The changeling observed the pain on the alicorn to be genuine. She could taste it. She tasted pain, fear, sadness, a slight hint of anger and… relief?

Against her better judgment, Chrysalis stepped over to the alicorn and knelt down next to her. Should she treat her wounds? The changeling shook her head slightly. No, she needed to know more before she aided her enemy. 

“What did this to you?”

Luna gasped as soon as the final words had left the changeling’s mouth. Her eyes shot open. Chrysalis couldn’t help but take a fearful step back. The alicorn slowly rose to her hooves, letting out muffled cried of pain with every movement. Once she stood tall, the alicorn turned to face Chrysalis, her eyes holding fear. “Run,” was the only word that she spoke, then collapsed once again. 

Chrysalis, eyes wide in fear, did not question the request. As fast as she could, the changeling turned from the alicorn and began to sprint away. She didn’t stop even as her muscles began to burn and her lungs felt like they were going to burst. As she ran, a new emotion washed over the changeling’s tongue: pride. She did not know where it came from, but the normally sweet tasting emotion had adopted a sickly tart taste. 

If you run, I will catch you. If you hide, I will find you. If you fight, I will defeat you. If you die… I will become you.

This was a new voice, but one that could not be more familiar with. Her own. Chrysalis began to run faster. 

Do you not miss me, Chrysalis? Have you forgotten what I brought you? I made you strong when you were weak. I allowed you to take what you wanted. I made you better!

The changeling tripped as one of her legs gave out. She fell to the floor, her face scraping against an unseeable floor. Chrysalis immediately tried to rise back to her hooves, but her tired muscles failed to comply.

Why do you run? Have you forgotten what we accomplished, together? It appears that the blue one tried to hide them from me… how foolish of her to try.

A sudden ringing began to fill the changelings skull. She instantly pressed her hooves into her temples, but there was no effect. She screamed out in pain.

Do not worry, Chrysalis. The pain will be over soon. Once it is, and you remember, we can be together again…

The ringing grew louder in Chrysalis’ ears. She screamed again. Memories began to flood back into the changeling’s skull. Memories of her past sins. Memories of her doing horrible things. Memories that she wished had remained hidden.

You remember now, don’t you?

The ringing stopped. The memories faded. Chrysalis lay on her side on the intangible floor, her hooves tightly pressed into her chest. 

Yes, you do. I can feel it!Why are you sad? Don’t you remember how much power we had! Doesn’t that feel good?

Chrysalis didn’t respond. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. 

Do not cry! Do… do not cry! You are weak! You are nothing! I made you who you were and you ruined it! Get up and face me, Chrysalis! Get up, you pathetic waste of space!

The void flashed. Chrysalis keep her eyes closed.

“Get up, you piece of filth!”

The changeling wheezed, something hard connect with her stomach. She skidded back from the force of the blow. Once she stopped, Chrysalis opened her eyes. The view of a dark black hoof filled her vision, followed by another wave of pain.

“Get up!”

Her face began to pulse. The taste of copper began to build in her mouth. Once again, Chrysalis tried to open her eyes, this time successful. Slowly, she rose to her hooves.

“Look at me in the eye!”

Chrysalis winced. Hesitantly, the changeling complied. 

“Miss me?”

In front of her, with a wide, toothed grin, stood an entity that shared her image. It’s eyes burned with an evil fire; wispy mane gently flowing as if repealed by a static charge. It stood with an aura of pride, unfearful. Unlike the real chrysalis, this entity dripped with a coating of seemingly fresh blood.

“I've missed you,” the faux changeling spoke, slowly circling her prey. “It's been lonely here, all by myself. But, you have returned, and we can be together, once more.”

The true changeling shuddered, her previously held confidence shattered. She did not speak, she did not move. She was frozen in place with her eyes locked on her false counterpart.

The faux Chrysalis stopped circling and looked down at her prey. “Get up,” it commanded. 

Hesitantly, Chrysalis complied. 

“You are just as submissive as I remember… good.” The dark entity gave a toothed smile. “Now, come, it is time for us to—”

A dark shadow shot across the void and tackled the faux changeling. A moment later, a panting, anger filled alicorn stood over Chrysalis’ false counterpart, horn alight with radiating power. 

The nightmare looked up at the princess and smiled. “I was wondering when you’d show up,” it began, then disappeared into a dark mist. 

Luna, horn still glowing, stood up and scanned the void. “Show yourself, Nightmare!” she cried out in rage. “Face me!”

Chrysalis watched the enraged alicorn with wide eyes. 

Kill…

A voice called to the Changeling's mind. 

Kill her… 

Chrysalis shook her head. She didn't want too.

Kill her, and you will be free.

The urge grew. It tugged at her mind. Her will to resist was fleeting…

The changeling stepped forward. Her horn began to glow. Luna still continued to scan the void, unaware of the approaching danger.

Kill.

Another step.

Kill!

Her horn glowed brighter.

Kill!!!

Chrysalis paused momentarily when a sickly tart taste befell her tongue.

Kill her!

A powerful bolt of magic shot from the Changeling's horn. There was a scream of pain. 

Luna’s head whipped around toward the sound of the scream. She looked on with pride at the false counterpart standing in front of the once queen, chest smoking. 

“What have you done?!” the nightmare screamed.

Chrysalis stood her ground on shaking hooves. Her face held fear, but she forced a glare of confidence. “I am not your slave…” she began, then took a shaking step closer. “You do not control me.”

The nightmare took a step back in surprise. “W-what?!”

“I am not your slave!” Chrysalis screamed out once again. “You will never control me ever again!” She took another step forwards, her horn beginning to glow. “Get out of my head!” A wave of sickly green magic pulsed from the changeling’s horn, pushing the nightmare back.

The wave momentarily stunned the faux Chrysalis. Once it recovered, it growled in anger. “You are mine! You belong to me! You will submit!” It stomped a hoof.

“Not anymore,” Chrysalis replied. “Never again.”

The nightmare shook. It let out an anger-filled scream. The void shook with her anger. “I will break you! I will make you beg forgiveness! I will destroy you!” It’s horn ignited with a dark green glow, a large ball of black plasma forming at the end. “Die!” The ball of energy shot forwards. 

Chrysalis close her eyes. She braced for the pain. None came. She cracked open an eye. A dark, shimmering shield of midnight-blue magic stood smoking in front of her.

“I will not let you harm her anymore, Nightmare!” Chrysalis turned to see Luna standing next to her, her face contorted in protective rage. “She is no longer your puppet.”

The nightmare growled. Chrysalis tasted fear. “You are not supposed to be here, pony. Leave my realm or suffer her fate.”

Luna let down the shield. “I would rather die than submit to a Nightmare.” 

The faux Chrysalis seethed with anger. It’s mane shook with uncontrollable energy. It’s eyes burned like twin infernos. It opened its mouth, then closed it. The nightmare stomped a hoof. 

“You are ruining everything!” it screamed. The void began to shake, much like before. Dark lightning began to strike from somewhere within the abyss. “You will submit. You both will!” It’s horn began to glow. The faux Chrysalis began to rise. “I will break you! You think you are strong, but you are weak. You are both weak! Let’s see how strong you are when I bring your nightmare’s to life!” 

Luna and Chrysalis shielded their eyes as the Nightmare exploded in a wave of dark magic. Their bodies began to tingle. The world shook in horrible pain. 


Part: 2


Chrysalis shifted on the hard, cold stone beneath her. The pain slowly receded. The smell of damp decay filled her nose. The changeling pulled herself to her feet. In the dim, directionless light, Chrysalis could see piles of small black shapes pressed against the smooth, water-hewn walls. She had to be underground. The layout of the dark black walls seemed familiar, somehow. 

"Where are we?" Chrysalis said aloud, then waited for Luna to answer.

None came.

Chrysalis turned, trying to find the mare. “Luna?” she called in her search. It didn’t take her long to realize that she was alone, the midnight blue alicorn nowhere to be seen. Where had she gone? Had she created this? Was this her doing?

The changeling shook her head. No, this was the Nightmare’s doing. Perhaps it had separated her and Luna to weaken them? She was unsure. Knowledge of the dream realm fell up her missing companion. Chrysalis subconsciously licked the air. 

Her eyes went wide. 

The changeling began to frantically look around the cave in a new light. What she had tasted had the missing piece. She now knew where she was.

"No… n-no," Chrysalis stuttered, stepping away from the walls with eyes filled with fear. “I-I can’t be here…” 

On frantic hooves, Chrysalis bolted toward the other side of the cavern. She shot into a tunnel. There hadn't been a tunnel here. Not before. She focused on the floor ahead. She knew what the small black shapes were, now. She dared to look at their little black bodies. This wasn't real. This was a nightmare, created by the Nightmare.

This reality did not stop the pain.

Chrysalis would happily face any number of horrors, so long as she didn't need to look into the blank, hollow eyes of these children. Her hoof landed on something hard, and it skidded out from under her. She stumbled, then slid onto the cold stone beneath her. 

The changeling trembled as she attempted to rise to her hooves. She remembered the sensation of love flowing into her. The simplest, purest love she'd ever tasted. She could still taste it. She felt sick. 

After a few more seconds of fumbling, Chrysalis managed to return to her hooves. Her head quickly shot around as she attempted to regain her bearing. She had to run. She had to get out of her. She had to escape before… 

Something scuffled behind her. It was gentle, like the patter of little hooves.

Chrysalis slammed closed her eyes. Don't look! Frozen in place, the changeling heard the sound get closer. Soon, she felt something small brush up against on of her hind hooves. Don't look! For a reason beyond her control, Chrysalis opened her eyes. She resisted as her head slowly turned.

"Weevil?" Chrysalis whispered softly, confused. 

The grub crawled toward her, its shriveled body raking against the floor. Its eyes were but empty holes. She knew this nymph. He had been her first child… 

Her first surviving child.

"I didn't do this," Chrysalis rasped, taking a step back. "Not to him. Not you. I saved you."

The grub let out a piteous cry. It looked up at her with hungry eyes. She knew that hunger. It shuffled closer.

Chrysalis took a shaky breath, and dropped to her haunches. Her child needed her. The grub crawled closer. The once queen lifted it up to her in her magic. She held the phantom of Weevil—the Weevil she remembered, in her mind. He was so young, so precious. He had grown up to become a strong drone. She would always remember him… Chrysalis fell into a trance.

The grub sank its tiny teeth into her neck. 

Three children had survived her deadly feast, all those years ago. Two of them, Naiad and Cicadia, died only days later. 

Her strength ebbed as the grub drank its fill, taking back what she had stolen all those years ago. 

She gave her love freely. Only Weevil had survived. She had spent a lifetime ensuring the he was fed. Happy. He grew strong. Chrysalis began to sway on her hooves. 

Weevil continued to drink. His body grew, his fangs lengthened. 

She would always protect Weevil...

Chrysalis toppled backward, her skull cracking against the stone. The grub followed her to the ground, his fangs never leaving her throat. She was unable to react, paralyzed. All she could do was feel her child feed on her life. The room seemed to grow darker. His legs and neck lengthened. 

A deep growl resonated from within the void. The world began to shake and shutter, cracks forming in the walls around her. 

Chrysalis felt control return. 

Without a second thought, the changeling twisted her body and bucked the false image of her first child free from her. She felt the fangs tear free from her skin. She stumbled to her hooves, and backed up against the nearest way, distancing herself as far as possible from the creature that had once held been her son.

On the other side of the cavern, the nymph began to twitch. It grew, pulsing with stolen love. Chrysalis watched with horror as Weevil continued to metamorphose. Soon, it slowly twisted and rose to its new height. A monster now stared back at the once queen. 

Weevil's small body had grown to rival his mother’s. His once bald head was now covered in thick, dark green hair. It pulsed with unnatural energy. His once small maw had grown, now as menacing as a dragon’s. Rows of razor sharp teeth gleamed back at her. His wings suddenly grew in with a sickening crack, breaking through his newly grown carapace. On his back grew large, threatening black spikes.

It gave her a toothed smile, blood pouring from her mouth. 

Chrysalis pressed herself as much into the wall as she could, her eyes wide in fear. “Y-you are not Weevil! G-get back, monster!”

The creature licked her lips, catching the last drops of falling blood. It opened its maw wide, a blood-curdling roar excepting its lips. The dark walls around the creature continued to crack and shift. Besides it, the piles of shriveled corpses shuddered and convulsed. One by one, they twisted free and fell to the floor. Soon, dozens crawled all around creature, all looking at Chrysalis with soulless eyes.

Chrysalis felt a sharp bite on one hind leg. She bucked, dislodging the grub's devilish teeth. Snapping out of her fear-fueled paralysis, Chrysalis shot forward, wings extending as she took to the air. The creature reared, clubbing her with her hooves. She ducked her head rolled, her back slamming hard into the stone ground. Chrysalis quickly rolled forward and onto her hooves.

She ran. 

Dark stone flew by as she ran. The air whipped at her face, stinging her eyes and stealing her breath. She could just barely hear the clattering of changeling grubs behind her. There must be hundreds of them. She heard the continued roar from the creature that had metamorphosed from her first born. It was getting closer.

Chrysalis tripped. She crashed to the ground, her legs folding under her weight. She was quick to recover, and soon resumed her retreat. But, she had lost valuable ground. The creature was close. The ‘grubs’ were close.

She rounded a corner and kept galloping. 

She couldn’t run forever. Chrysalis felt her legs sting, her lungs burn. She panted, using the last of her fear-fueled energy to power her forward. The walls continued to shudder and crack, darkness seeping out from within. Chrysalis could pay it no mind, but she did feel that something was wrong. 

Suddenly, the floor disappeared beneath Chrysalis’ hooves, and she fell.

Chrysalis screamed.


O


O     O


Luna took a tentative step forward. A second prior, she had been standing next to Chrysalis, the Nightmare before them. Now, she was alone. The endless void had changed in the blink of an eye: walls of crafted obsidian brick stood on either side of her. They were worn and chipped, clearly having suffered the ravages of age. She took a deep breath. Stagnant air filled her lungs.

The cracked obsidian walls shaped into a long cavern, the end of which Luna could not see. On the walls hung ethereal torches, each casting a dark blue light and evenly spaced along both walls. Some of the brackets were cracked and chipped, several in the distance appeared to have broken entirely—the torch they once held now on the floor. Along with the torches, chipped stone statues of rearing thestrals, fully clad in battle armor, lay inset into the walls. 

A chill permeated the air. A soft breeze from an unknown source alternated directions within the hallway. It was if the darkness beyond was breathing. The torches danced with the flow.

Luna took another step forward, her eyes darting side-to-side as she observed the new environment. It hadn’t taken her long to realize she was alone. The Nightmare had done something. What, she was currently unable to discern. Luna was the Mare of Dreams, the realm of the mind was her domain. The Nightmare had messed with her realm in a way that even she could not understand. This was disconcerting. She should have control here... it seems the Nightmare has changed the rules.

She paused. 

Luna had not known why or when she had begun to advance down the hallway. It made more sense, to her, to remain in place and gain an understanding of what she faced. Why hadn’t she? It was now she felt the tug. It was weak, but noticeable, like a small string that was gently guiding her forward. 

“Peculiar...” she muttered aloud.

Her horn lit up in midnight-blue aura. With her magic, the Princess of the Night began to poke at the dreamscape. Unlike reality, a dream was highly malleable, and only required a small push to alter. This one did not. As Luna tried to alter it, the dreamscape pushed back. It fought her, stubbornly refusing her advances. Her horn grew dark.

How was this possible? How had the Nightmare been able to create, and protect, a dreamscape that even she could not breach? A dark thought loomed over the alicorns head. She tried to dismiss it, to prove it false, but still held true… the Nightmare had begun to feed on her.

It made sense now, as much as she wish it hadn’t. The Nightmare had begun to feed on her. As a result, it was able to overpower her. It held control. How had it? Luna had initiated the link with Chrysalis. She had created the world they now stood in. How had the Nightmare manage to usurpe her control? Luna growled, the prospect of being controlled by another Nightmare filling her with both fear and rage. 

Luna snapped from her internal thoughts by a deep growl. She rounded on her hind hooves to face the other side of the endless hallway. An abyss of darkness stared back at her. 

“Show yourself, Nightmare!” Luna called out into the darkness. She was scared, but she couldn't show it. She wouldn’t show it. “I escaped the hold of one of your brothers before—you will fare no different!”

Her words echoed down the hallway. Once they subsided, no sound filled the air other than the gentle crackle of nearby torches.

The alicorn stood at the ready. She lowered on her front hooves, her horn pointing dead center into the void. One wing was flared at full extent, while the other was tightly held at her side. It was still broken—her attempts to repair it magically held no effect.

An unknown about of time passed. It could have been as long as an hour or as short as a single minute. Luna stood none the wiser. She waited a little bit longer, the darkness showed no signs of life. Slowly, Luna stood from her battle stance, but her eyes remained in place.

“Luna…”

The alicorn reared, once again twisting to face the opposite side of the hallway. “Who’s there?!” Luna demanded. “State thy name!”

“We miss you, Luna… why won't you play with us, anymore?”

The voice as soft but high, spoken with a distinctive echo. The voice held familiarity in the princess’ mind, but she was unable to remember it's connection. 

“Don't you remember us? We were your children, Luna. We’re all your children.”

Luna balked. The voice rang deeper within her, hitting something deep down. The final words it had spoken were not of one origin, but of a choir of similar voices. They belong to children, she now realized. But… she did not have children. Like her sister, Luna was unable to be impregnated by a mortal being. As such, she was cursed to lay forever barren. She shook her head.

“Nay! We have no child, nor more than one. We lay barren and are unable to conceive. Thy statement holds false. Relinquish the truth!” 

Luna was getting anxious, now. Her speech and slipped back into the pattern of old. She didn't have the focus to correct it.

A cacophony of giggles shot down the hallway. 

“Silly, mommy. Of course we are not your born children. You took us from ours. You took all of us. Don't you love us, Luna? Why have you forgotten us?”

Luna wracked her brain for understanding. Was this a trick of the Nightmare? A false memory? No, it couldn't been. Deep down, she knew this to be real. She recognized it. She recognized them. 

“W-who are thee?” Luna shifted nervously on her hooves, no losing confidence. “Why doth thou claim to be our kin? What trickery is this? Speak! Reveal thy true self!”

“Time to play!” 

The soft sound of pattering hoofsteps began to echo from within the darkness. Luna stood at attention, waiting for whatever they belonged too to show their faces. 

“We’ve missed you, mommy!”

Luna raised an eyebrow, her unease retreating. Out of the darkness had emerged a single unicorn filly. She appeared to be only slightly older than Element of Honesty’s little sister, standing only a head or so taller. 

“Who are you, child? Why do you claim to be my own?” Luna questioned, taking a step towards the child. 

The void began to shake. 

Luna stumbled as she tried to keep her balance. The walls began to shift and shake, crack and pulse. Something was wrong, she could feel it. When the quake subsided, Luna looked forward and gasped, taking a step back. The child had changed. The filly’s skin was rotten and dried, flaking in several places. Where it’s right eye should have been was a black socket filled with a white, glowing ember. The other eye was dried and crusted, the eyelid fusing to it. 

Luna took a step back, retreating from the creature. “W-what are you?!”

“I am your child, Luna. Do you not remember me? I was one of your Children of the Night.”

That was it. That’s all it took. Luna suddenly remembered why this child appeared so familiar: she had been one of the orphans she had taken. 

“Y-you shouldn’t be dead! I saved you. You were one of the colony!”

The abomination giggled, it’s once childish voice now gargled as if spoken through wet mud. 

“Silly, mommy… We’re all dead!”

More children, all in the same decomposed vision as this one, slowly walked out of the darkness and into view. A quick count revealed two dozen, but more continued to emerge.

“While mommy was sent away, there was nopony to take care of us. We called for you, but you didn’t come. We prayed to you, but you never showed yourself… Why did you abandon us, mommy? Why did you let us die?”

Luna could feel warmth run down her muzzle. She realized that she was crying. The princess continued to retreat, but the now army of abominations continued to advance, closing the gap. 

“N-no. This can’t! Lies! All lies!” Luna sputtered, choking out sobs. 

“Why would we lie, mommy?”

Luna turned and began to run. She could hear the creatures run after her. This couldn’t be real.  This couldn’t hold truth. This was a lie, a trick! She wanted to believe it, but she couldn’t.

“I’m sorry!” Luna cried out. 

“Come play with us, mommy! Come play!”

The princess’ lungs began to burn. She gasped for each breath. Her legs screamed at her to stop, but ignored their cries. 

Luna suddenly felt her hoof catch on something, causing her to fall face first into the cracked obsidian floor. She fumbled back onto her hooves as fast as she could, but not fast enough. 

The creatures had gained on her. 

One after the other, the creatures began to leap forward and bite the princess. Their teeth were sharp, digging deep into her skin. Some managed to get onto her back, pulling at her mane and digging their jagged teeth into both her good and bad wing.

Luna screamed. 

The pain was immense. The princess tried to push the creatures off of her, but they latched on tight. She hesitated at the thought, but her horn glowed and Luna let out a powerful burst of magic sending all of the creatures flying. Some smashed into the walls or ceiling, bones breaking and blood spewing out upon contact. Some managed to land on a neighboring torch, setting their dried skin ablaze.

Luna looked on in horror.

Despite their broken bones or even severed limbs, the creatures were unfazed and resumed their advance. 

“We don’t like it when you play with us like this…”

More children began to emerge from the darkness, practically a wall of disfigured children all advancing towards the princess. Luna screamed, still crying out in pain. Her body bled, chunks of skin were missing from where they had bitten. Despite this, the alicorn continued her retreat, limping. 

“Go away!” The princess’ horn lit up. Bolts of sparking plasma shot from her horn, striking each of the closest abominations. This slowed their advance, but did not stop it. In a last desperate attempt, Luna sent out another wave of magic, pushing back their advance. She then turned and began to run full speed into the darkness of the hallway. Her right-front hoof stung with each step, having been bitten the most. Her coat around the area was stained a crimson red.

Her eyes burned, her body ached. As she fled, Luna questioned what would come next. Yes, she was ahead of the creatures, but how long would it be until she grew too tired to run? The hallway expanded forever in front of her, showing no hope of salvation. 

Luna stumbled, the void shaking once more. She turned around and noticed that the herd of creatures were almost upon her. Despite the tremors, she turned to resume her retreat, but something stopped her. 

“No… No!”

Luna banged on an invisible wall that prevented her from advancing. After several failed attempts to break the invisible barrier, she quickly turned and ignited her horn. It glowed, a midnight-blue shield of light spanned the entirety of the cavern. 

The wall of abominations smacked into the shield. They kicked and scratched, trying to break through. It wouldn’t last long. 

Luna began to panic. She was trapped, her shield not long from breaking. She looked to the pulsating walls. They continued to fracture. 

She realized what was wrong. 

The alicorn’s horn began to glow. She reached out for the dream realm. This time, it didn’t push back. As Luna felt around more, a daunting realization dawned on her. It appeared the Nightmare wasn’t as competent with dreams as she had believed. She felt two separate realms being projected at once, far too much for Chrysalis’ weakened body to handle. The changelings mind was currently screaming out in pain, fracturing and breaking under the strain. 

Chrysalis’ mind was dying.

She attempted to correct the fracturing realm, but it was decaying faster then she could handle. There was nothing Luna could do. If she destroyed her realm or the one that Chrysalis was currently in, one of them would go with it. If she did nothing, then they both would die. 

Luna turned toward her magical shield, the likes of which was only moments from breaking. The answer seemed obvious, but she was hesitant to take it. She had worked so hard to heal the fallen queen, she didn’t want it all to go to waste. The only other option was… her eyes went wide. She quickly used her magic and began to merge the two realms together. The shield fractured, a wave of the deformed creatures flooding towards her. Luna closed her eyes.

She began to fall…


Part: 3


Luna’s eyes slowly cracked open. After a few blinks, the alicorn slowly rose from the ground and onto her flank.

She blinked again.

Luna knew where she was. Rather, she knew where she appeared to be. Before her lay the familiar main street of Canterlot, Celestia Way. What uneased her was the condition of said street. The once well maintained asphalt was cracked, having the visage of years of neglect. The once grand mansions that bordered this road seemed to have suffered the same fate. Gilded towers were now rusted and decrepit. Paint chipped and fell freely like fresh-fallen slow. Windows were boarded up with rotten wood. And an eerie fog permeated the entire atmosphere. 

Slowly, Luna rose to her hooves. 

“What trickery is this, Nightmare? Why doth thou show us the image of our new home? What symbolism is this?! Tell us!”

Nothing answered her call.

In truth, Luna was unaware if this was her doing or the Nightmare’s. She had never merged dream realms before. As such, she had no idea of what would happen. 

Luna ground her teeth. Though the fear and sadness still filled her, anger slowly began to overtake them. She was being toyed with, that much was certain. What other explanation was there? The Nightmare had managed to implant itself within her... she would not let this one win.

Luna limped forward. 

She regarded the decrepit houses as she made her way down the ruined road. True to her first observation, each house shone with the decay of time and neglect. The fog seemed to dynamically shift as she walked, only allowing her a short distance of clear sight. The mare didn’t know where she was going. In truth, she once again felt the draw to move forward rather than remain in place. She believe this to be the Nightmare’s doing.

The road eventually ended and split off into two different directions. One lead towards the financial district, while the other towards the mid-class residential district. 

“Which direction?” Luna mused aloud. Granted, she believed it didn't matter which side the chose. The Nightmare held control, now. She shuddered at the reality. 

Her mental debate lead her toward the financial district. The decay followed, like everywhere else. 

The cracked asphalt eventually lead the princess to her predicted location. The financial district took up a fairly large chunk of the city. Micro-skyscrapers towered as high as the building code would allow. Shops of all different styles and needs could be located on the bottom floors of most of these mini-giants, while the higher ones were reserved for district offices and the like. 

The buildings each mirrored the previous area’s level of decay. Paint was chipped. The walls were cracked. The doors and windows were boarded up. And, in some cases, entire floors had fallen in on themselves. 

Luna stopped when she approached the small plaza that sat in the center of the district. This small area had been built for street vendors. Their carts now lay abandoned. Some on their sides, others just… empty.

The alicorn trotted over to the nearest, seemingly fully intact cart. She briefly looked over the cart. It appeared to have once sold some sort of jewelry, by the neckless racks and other display cases that were now empty. 

Well, almost empty.

Luna squinted as she peered into one of the fogged-up display cases. Something shiny glinted from within. Curiosity piqued, she went to open the display case, but found it locked. She growled with mind annoyance. Luna briefly toyed with the idea for looking for a key, then realized that, for all intensive purposes, she was alone. 

Luna trotted back over towards one of the other toppled carts. With a hard stomp with her good hoof, one of the main supports that connected the cart’s roof to the body snapped and broke free. The crack echoed. Luna picked up the now free piece of splintered wood with her magic and trotted back to the original cart. 

“Okay, Nightmare, let's see what it is you have left me…” Luna mumbled, then smashed the glass with the chunk of wood. Some shifting of broken glass later, the Princess of the Night raised an eyebrow.

“What are you doing in there…?”

A pristinely polished necklace hung suspended in Luna’s magical glow. It was made of a fine dark metal, with a brilliant piece of moonstone carved into a star that hung as a pendent. Luna knew this necklace. It had been given to her as a present from her sister soon after her return. It had been her ‘apology.’ 

Luna had not accepted this gift.

She had been animate against it. Her sister had nothing to apologize for, the blame all lay on her head. The backlash had ended in a more then heated argument, but the two had ended it on good terms… or, so Luna had believed.

The mare shook her head and went to drop the pendant. She couldn't. For some reason, Luna felt a draw to it. She couldn't explanation it. Hesitantly, the mare slide the pendant around her neck. The draw was appeased.

“What meaning does this hold?” the mare questioned, looking down at the once rejected gift. “What is thy game, Nightmare?”

A shiver ran up her spike—she felt as if she was being watched. Luna’s head shot up as she quickly scanned over her surroundings. Nothing had changed. The plaza sat just as it had been when she arrived. The feeling didn't go away.

“Who is there?” Luna asked. “We know you are here. Show thyself, lest thee be a coward!”

A loud growl resonated from within the fog… the same one she had heard before.

Luna took a fighting stance. Her head scanned the fog. Her body hurt. She was tired. But she wouldn't back down. This Nightmare challenged her. She would not let it win.

A loud, wet gurgle cried out from the fog. Luna turned toward the source. A dark, pony-like outline stood out from within the fog. It did not move.

“Who are you?” Luna asked. “Speak!”

Another wet gurgle cried out, the outline reared in kind. Luna tensed—the outline began to near. It breached the fog. Luna tensed even more. The outline formed a creature the princess had known well: a thestral. But it was wrong. A thestral was a bat-pony; essentially a pegasus with bat-like wings, fangs, acute sight and pointed ears. Though the creature held the same basic outline, much was wrong. Its eyes sewn shut by a thick black twine. It's wings, tattered and ripped, lay limp at its sides. Scars covered its entire body. The only thing unmutilated appeared to be its ears, which stood unmolested. It was clad in a deformed black armor—scarred and dented. 

The creature stopped its advance several yards from the princess. It turned its head from side to side, clicking slightly. 

Luna regarded the creature with concern and sympathy. It looked to be in pain. She had employed a nearly exclusive guard of these creatures… to see on in this state pained her. She opened her mouth. As soon as she began to speak, the creature let out another gurgled roar. The deformed thestral reared on its hind hooves, then charged at the princess. 

Caught off guard by the speed and accuracy of the blinded creature, Luna was unable to defend as it tackled her side, sending her flying. She collided with one of the still standing carts, smashing it under her weight. Pain flared up as glass and bits of splintered wood imbedded themselves into her back. She screamed.

The creature must have heard her, as it was soon upon her. The creature lowered its head as it connected with the fallen princess, lifting it violently and sending her flying. The princess once again collided with the ground. She slid to a stop as she bumped into one of the nearby boarded up storefronts. 

Luna bit her lip until she tasted copper as she quickly rolled onto her hooves. She wiped her head around until she caught sight of the creature. It still stood over the cart she had crushed with her body, its head shifting side to side as it clicked softly.

It was clear that this creature ‘saw’ through sound, Luna deduced, as its other sense had been cruelly removed. She could use this to her advantage.

Luna took a step forward, only to hiss as the foreign material imbedded in her back shifted. The creature turned toward her, now, and soon charged. The mare threw herself out of the way—the creature continued on despite this and smashed into the wall.

Luna ran as fast as she could. Her body hurt with more pain then she had ever felt before. Her body felt weak. It begged her for rest. She denied this request, pushing past it in the hope of survival. 

The mare stopped when she reached the other end of the plaza. She turned. The creature stumbled around where it had collided with decayed storefront. It appeared even more hurt. She could use this tactic further—the creature’s impaired senses making it easy for her to dodge. But, she also didn't know how much longer she could keep this up. Her body was drained—she was running on borrowed energy. Through nearly crippled pain, her body call upon her for rest. Willpower would only last for so much longer. 

Luna used her horn to spark a simple test spell. It crackled as it failed to cast. This meant that magic would not be an option. Her options were highly limited…

The creature shook its head as it finally recovered. It lifted its head and clicked. It was searching for her.

No plan breached the princess’ mind. She was out of ideas. She’s have to risk her first idea. With luck, her body would last longer than the creature’s.

“Here,” Luna screamed, “over here!”

The creature wiped its head towards her and charged. Like before, Luna jumped out of the way at the last second. The creature smacked face-first into the accompanying wall with a sickly crunch!

Luna landed on her feet, but wobbled and fell. Her hooves felt heavy; her mind a fog. The radiating pain had begun to fade, but so did her grip on consciousness. As Luna struggled to stay awake, the creature recovered. Luna tried to crawl away, but her fleeting strength only allowed her to go so far. 

Luna felt something pierce and grip one of her hind hooves. She turned her had as much as she could to see her hind hoof caught in the creature’s maw. She soon felt herself being dragged. 

She tried to fight, but she had no more strength—her body could give no more. The last thing she saw before everything went black was fog as it engulfed her…


O


O     O


Chrysalis cracked open her eyes. To her surprise, she lay on her side. Slowly, the changeling rose to her hooves. She peered around cautiously. Moments before, she had been falling (or, she believed it to be only moments before). Now, she stood in the middle of a strange street, fog surrounding her. The walls of the cave were replaced by the familiar remains of a seemingly long since abandoned city. The creatures that had chased her appeared to be gone. Chrysalis licked at the air--she tasted no nearby emotion. She was alone.

“Where am I?” the changeling questioned aloud, taking a worried step forward. “Pony, are you there?” 

Nothing responded from the omnipresent fog. Chrysalis shuttered, then continued her advance. Though the changeling felt familiar to the landscape, she had no idea where she was. More to the point, she had no idea where she was going. This worried the changeling. Was she still in the dream? Had she been teleported? Too many questions remained unanswered. Eventually, Chrysalis decided that the best course of actions was, in fact, action. Worrying would get her nowhere. Her hooves echoing throughout the ever-present fog. What was with the fog? Did it serve a purpose? If there was, it was lost of her. 

The changeling paused her advance, then turned and approached one of the decrepit houses that bordered the road. Like the others, this one was boarded up and effectively blocked off. Well, to most. Chrysalis’ horn lit up with her sickly green magic. The boards that barred her entrance soon glew in the same aura. With a mighty tug, Chrysalis began to rip the boards off, one-by-one, which soon lay in a crude pile besides the door. 

The changeling smiled to herself, then slowly pressed past the door. It hissed as the rusted hinges protested, but still gave. The changeling stepped inside and ignited her horn, using a simple illumination spell. A chilled wind blew out from deep within the building, freezing Chrysalis’ very soul.

Get out…

Chrysalis balked, taking a step back. She was suddenly chilled to the bone, a feeling of unease washing over her. Something wasn’t right. Something didn’t want her to enter. Reluctantly, the changeling complied to the ghostly wish, stepping out and slamming the door behind her. The cold retreated, along with the unease. Something definitely wasn’t right…

With another shiver, the changeling turned away from the door and back onto the main road. She briefly mused over that… experience. Why hadn't she just pushed forward? Yes, it was unsettling, but she had faced worse… right? Chrysalis shook her head. Best not to dwell on this—there was more pressing matters to attend too.

Like a vagabond, the changeling wandered the abandoned road—no map, no direction. She was guided by the cracked asphalt, hoping that it would lead her to something that would bring light to her confusing predicament. 

Chrysalis paused when she hit an intersection. Two different paths stood before her—one continuing forward, and the other taking her right. She peered briefly down both directions, but was unable to see much past through the fog.

“Which way?” the changeling mused aloud. “Does it matter?”

Chrysalis absentmindedly licked at the air. She paused. A familiar taste washed over her tongue—a mixture of regret and shame. She took another taste.

“Pony?”

The Changeling's tongue flicked out of her mouth like a snake. She tracked the taste. it wafted from the road directly before her. With little hesitation, Chrysalis followed the familiar taste.

The buildings that bordered the road seemed to grow as she advanced. The changeling believed this to signal a change in focus. To what, she was yet to know. 

Chrysalis suddenly went stiff. A new taste suddenly graced her lips: fear and anger. It was strong. This meant that the pony was not alone. The changeling lowered into an offensive stance before resuming her hunt. She knew not if this new entity was friend or foe; in fact, she even questioned the motives of the one she did know. 

The changeling paused once more as her ears perked up. A new sound breached the silence. Chrysalis focused. It sounded to her like something heavy was being dragged. She scanned the immediate area around her. 

The outline of… something began to breach the fog. Chrysalis stood stock still, observing the approaching outline with a worried expression. From her position, it appeared that the outline was close to dwarfing her in size. 

The fog soon cleared enough for her gain usable detail. The outline was some sort of dark pony, clad dented in black armor. It back its way toward her direction, apparently dragging something behind it.

Against her better judgement, then changeling called out. “You there!”

The armor-clad pony halted. Its head shot up, then wiped in the direction of changeling. Chrysalis gasped. It's eyes were sewn shut by some kind of black wire. The changeling took a tentative step back. 

“What happened to you?” she asked, not knowing what else to say. 

The pony gurgled in response, then clicked as it shook its head side-to-side violently. 

Chrysalis was about to question further when the blinded pony let out a gut-reaching roar. It stomped it hoof a few times, then charged in her direction. Chrysalis acted fast, diving out of the way just in time. She rolled back onto her hooves and immediately faced the direction the creature had charged. It had apparently slowed and now stood with its head flicking side to side. 

The Changeling's mind went blank as she stared angrily at the creature. Her horn lit up in her sickly green aura as she cast a bolt of magically-condensed energy at the creature. To her disappointment, the magical strike bounced harmlessly off the creature’s armor like like on a mirror. It’s armor was enchanted, she noted. 

This assault did not go unnoticed by the creature. It roared in anger, then turned and charged the changeling once more. 

Chrysalis was ready, this time, matching the creature’s charge. She pounced once she was close enough, landing on the creature’s armored back. It roared out in anger and immediately began attempting to buck his unwanted passenger free. Chrysalis, for her part, gripped the creature tightly with her hooves, using the creature’s unresponsive wings as a hold. She used this vantage point to assess the creature. More specifically, where the joints in the armor were located: shoulder, fetlock, neck, hip, knee. The creature roared once more, this time stopping it’s futile attempts. 

Chrysalis jumped clear before the creature attempted to roll, creating distance between her and the creature who stood it’s ground, head shaking. 

The creature was heavily armored; even it’s joints protected by a seemingly thick leather covering beneath. That was her normal plan for taking out this type of opponent: cripple the joints and go in for the kill. In this situation, it seemed almost impossible. This left her with only one more option. 

Chrysalis let out a sharp whistle, figuring that this creature located through sound given its impaired sigh. The creature reacted immediately, turning in her direction and changing once more. This time, the changeling did not ready herself to pounce. Instead, she quickly side-stepped, allowed the creature to pass, then dove back underneath it. Chrysalis quickly sunk her fangs into the creature’s unarmored underbelly, then continued on to rip apart the unarmored flesh. 

The creature roared in pain. Black blood poured freely from the ripped apart flesh, coating the changeling’s muzzle. She did not care. The creature began to stumble, falling onto its stomach moments later. Chrysalis dove out the way just in time, then pounced once again. This time, she aimed for her prize. The changeling’s fangs hit true as she dug them into the creature’s soft neck. It took her only moments to rip out its throat, black blood spewing from the area like a sickening guizer. The creature let out a gurgled scream, then twitched, and finally, went still. 

“No one bests a queen,” Chrysalis panted out, winded by the experience. 

The changeling used a free hoof to wipe of as much of the strange blood from her muzzle and face the best she could. It was a fruitless effort. The black blood had somehow soaked into her fur, making it almost impossible to remove without a good bath. Chrysalis scoffed at her luck, then a thought popped into her head: where was the pony? 

Chrysalis licked at the air—she tasted the telltale emotional signature of her companion. Had she sat back and watched as the she had fought that creature? Chrysalis snarled. It would be like a pony to do such: let others take care of their problems. She wanted to rant further, but another thought popped into her head. Hadn't that creature been dragging something?

Anger was soon replaced with dread. Chrysalis’ head shot side to side as she searched for any sighs of what the creature had been carrying. ‘Though, she was pretty sure she knew the answer already, and her fears were confirmed when she spotted a motionless midnight blue mass in the fog.

“No…”

The changeling galloped toward her fallen companion. Once she was at her side, Chrysalis’s fear was doubled at the state of the alicorn. She lay motionless on her side, eyes closed in peaceful slumber. She bled from almost everywhere; her back showed signs of splinters and glass embedded within, bite marks of missing flesh lay patched all around the alicorn’s body, and one of her front hooves was swollen and bruised—all the telltale sighs of a break.

For some reason, Chrysalis felt… regret, like this was her fault. Why did she feel that way? She owed the pony nothing. If anything, the pony owed her. More to the point, they were enemies! She was prey, and Chrysalis was the predator… right? The changeling shook her head, then placed it up against the fallen alicorns chest. 

Thump… thump.

Heartbeats. Good. This meant she was still alive! She would need medical attention, but Chrysalis lacked the supplies for such. Igniting her horn, she tried to cast a simple healing spell on the alicorn. There appeared to be no effect. Now frustrated, Chrysalis tried again and again with no result. 

“Have you cursed yourself just to vex me?” she muttered angrily under her breath. “Stupid pony…”

Several failed casts later, Chrysalis gave up. She looked down sadly at the alicorn, the same phantom regret washing over her. She ground her teeth, then perked up at another thought. Perhaps the gargantuan creature had supplies? If he was smart, he would.

The changeling turned and ran toward where she had remembered vanquishing the creature, but found nothing. There was no body. 

“How…?”

She searched further away, wondering if she had just mistaken the location. A fruitless search later, she returned to the same spot, confused and slightly unnerved. Had it gotten up and walked away? Or had something come and take it away? Either option seemed highly unlikely, especially given the fact that she would have noticed either. 

“This is not good…” she muttered, then began her trip back toward her fallen companion, only to slip on something and fall straight onto her muzzle. A grumble later, Chrysalis was back on her hooves, turning to check out what had caused her to slip.

A gift from the sun will warm the way,

Bring back the wounded--sister of the day.

Back to where you were first denied,

Let the fear become your guide.

The words were written on the asphalt in the same dark blood that covered her fur. Apparently she had slipped on the puddle whoever had written it had used as an inkwell. 

“What trickery is this?” Chrysalis mused, then turned angrily towards the fog. “Who are you? Who did this?!”

The fog replied with a deep, bellowing growl. Chrysalis's eyes shrank to pinpricks. Hesitantly, she licked at the air. She was overwhelmed with taste the creature she had slain. 

Three more of the creatures breached the fog’s haze. Each of them appeared to be almost the same as the original with only small differences in scars and fur tone. Though the changeling had already killed one; three, at once, would be impossible, resulting in her death.

Chrysalis stood stock still, hoping that the creatures wouldn't hear her. They advanced slowly, but didn't seem to be drawn directly to her location. The changeling looked over to her fallen companion. She bit her lip. She ignited her horn and gently wrapped the alicorn in her magical aura. As carefully and quietly as she could, the changeling lifted the alicorn and began to levitate her over to her.

Chrysalis’ eyes were locked on the three creatures, studying their movements. She feared they would hear her, leaving her vulnerable as she tried to save her wounded companion. She questioned her motives for doing such, but brushed it aside--she could deal with that later.

The changeling gently laid her companion on her back, using her magic as added support. The three creatures appeared to be oblivious to her presence, which she was thankful for. On stealthy hooves, Chrysalis began to back away from the trio, her charge safely secured on her back. She made it about twenty or so steps before she paused, eyes wide. A new creature breached the fog, one entirely different then the trio of mutant ponies. It was relatively tall, though still smaller than the others. It’s body was completely covered by a large cloak, preventing the changeling from getting a proper view. Two glowing red eyes shone from within the figures dark hood.

Mentally, Chrysalis prayed that this new creature was friendly, though she knew the odds of such was slim. Her and the new creature locked gazes. Chrysalis felt a shiver go up her spine.

The figure suddenly lifted what appeared to be a shrouded hoof and pointed it at the changeling. Chrysalis was confused, at first, until she saw the three abominations snap their heads towards her and begin a slow advance.

Chrysalis didn't have to be warned twice.

The changeling turned and began to sprint full speed forward, using her magic to keep her cargo from falling off. The creatures reacted as soon and they heard her heavy hoofsteps, chasing after her.

Chrysalis panted as her hooves trotted as fast as she could make them. Her muscles began to burn from strain, her lungs gasping for much needed oxygen. 

She twisted and turned back they way she had come, following the only path she knew for certain it would lead. The monsters weren't far behind; Chrysalis hearing the clinking of their armor and stomp of their hoofsteps. Normally, she would have no problem outrunning these creatures. But, with the added weight of her near-dead companion, they were gaining at an alarming rate. If they reached her before she could find an adequate place to hide or make a last stand, the changeling had no idea what she would do.

Chrysalis made her way past the ‘T’ intersection, heading strait and back the way she came. Her legs burned, threatening to give out, but she pushed passed the discomfort and continued forward. It was now an important fact breached the changeling’s mind: this was a dead-end. When she had woken up there not that long ago, she had been forced to travel the way she had because there was no other alternative. She was running herself into a corner. 

Cursing under her breath, Chrysalis pushed forward despite this, hoping to think of a plan before it was too late. Her mind was blank. The changeling turned her head back and glanced at the creatures, still on her tail, then at her charge who weighed her down. She could drop her, leaving the alicorn as a distraction. It would make her faster and draw their attention away from her. It was a sound plan, but Chrysalis couldn’t make herself do it. Why?

The changeling was snapped from her thoughts as she neared the dead end, but that wasn’t what had broached her attention. No, that belonged to the still free door that she had pried open not long ago. She remembered the feeling she had gotten when she tried to enter before, but she’d prefer that over death by the creatures that followed her. 

Chrysalis dove into the doorway on her approach, a wave of sheer cold overwhelming her. She froze in place, unable to move. Her muscles failed to respond; her teeth chattering as she shivered in place. She had screwed up. She had screwed up big time!

Chrysalis went to scream, but stopped as a bright flash blinded her vision. Almost immediately afterwards, the cold dispersed as her body warmed at an alarming rate. After only a few seconds, the changeling could feel feeling return to her hooves and body. She rose upright, the alicorn sliding free from her back, then turned towards the door. She expected to see the creatures almost upon her, or crash through the somehow closed door moments later.

Nothing of the sort happened. 

Chrysalis licked the air. She tasted nothing but her wounded compilation. It appeared that the creatures had refused to follow her, the reason unknown. Chrysalis watched the door for a few more minutes, still on edge, then slowly looked away and back at her charge.

Luna lay still on the floor, her body still limp and eyes closed. The changeling trotted closer the the fallen alicorn, then pressed her ear to her chest. She sighed in relief when she heard faint, but still present, heartbeats. 

Chrysalis nudged the mare on her back once more, then took a look around. The room appeared to be some sort of lobby, most likely for a hotel. It was decayed and rotten; paint chipping, furniture rotten and splayed around in a seemingly random manner, a thick layer of dust coating everywhere. Directly across from the door she had entered was a large desk. Besides it lay two stairways, one heading up while the other heading down. 

The changeling glanced back at her charge. She thought back to how cumbersome she had been with her, and how she had almost lead to her death. 

“Let's find a safe place where I can dump you, pony,” Chrysalis muttered, then headed for the stairs. 

She ascended one floor, but found each door on said floor to be locked. This pattern continued for next two, but the final floor breached some success. At the far end of the fourth floor hallway, a single door lay unlocked, and unbared. 
Pushing past, Chrysalis slid the alicorn from her back. She stretched her sore back, smiling as she felt several satisfied cracks. She eventually paused her stretch when she noticed something strange in the room: a single pristine first aid kit. It contrasted the rest of the room greatly, as it looked as if it had been just made. 

The changeling trotted up to the kit and opened it with her magic. To her supprise, it was fully stocked. Chrysalis felt a smile spread across her lips as she closed the lid and floated it over to her in conscience charge. Sitting on her flank, the changeling began to administer the required medical attention. She just wished her efforts would not be in vain...


Part: 4


Chrysalis finished bandaging her unwanted companion. Being on the receiving end of many an injury, she had gained extensive experience in the art of basic medicine. The once queen looked down at the battered pony, and smiled at her work. All the wounds had been addressed, the wing and been reset and splinted, and she had also taken great care in making sure that the bandages were tight enough to hold, but loose enough to not create massive discomfort when the pony would, hopefully, awaken.

Chrysalis frowned. 

That was a worrisome fact. The pony had been out cold for longer than Chrysalis would have liked, and that didn’t even could how long she could have been out prior to the changeling finding her. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be out for much longer…

Chrysalis shook her head, then scowled. She took her eyes off the pony. Why did she care? Why did it matter if she awoke? Thus far, the pony had only brought her pain and confusion. Actually, this was all the ponies fault! 

Chrysalis turned back towards Luna, her eyes filled with rage. She stepped over toward the unconscious pony, then placed a hoof over her throat. It would be so easy. Just a quick stomp, crushing the windpipe, and she would be dead. It would be so easy…

The changeling’s hoof reared up, ready to strike. She commanded her hoof to stomp down. Nothing happened. Chrysalis growled, trying to complete the deed once more, but couldn’t. Something held her back. Something wouldn’t allow her to go through with it. Some part of her didn’t want to kill the cause of all her pain. 

Chrysalis stared at the helpless alicorn. Her chest rose and fell softly. The anger subside, replaced with guilt. With much reluctance, Chrysalis returned her hoof to the ground, but her eyes remained on Luna. Her hesitance had brought a thought to mind; a fact she had been ignorant off moments before. Luna had been in her pace. Standing over her, able to end it all. Instead, she had given her a second chance...

Chrysalis shook her head once more, turning away from the helpless pony. The changeling trotted away toward the door. She exited, closing the door behind her with her magic. She never looked back. 

I need to get out of here, the changeling thought. She tried to push all thoughts of her head that related to the alicorn out of her head. She needed to now focus on the big picture: escaping this strange and cursed place. From what she had seen thus far, this place seemed to have a path layed out for her that it forced her to take. In theory, all she had to do was wander, and this omnipresent guide would show (or force) her to where it wanted her to go.

With luck, it would lead her to an exit. 

Chrysalis made her way down the hallway too the stairs. She made it down the first flight before the loud sound of clanking metal screamed in her ears. Chrysalis instantly turned around, her eyes going wide as she stared at a chainlink fence that now separated her from the upper levels. She quickly ran up to it and briefly tried to tear it down with her magic. After a few minutes of unyielded result, she sighed, giving up. 

“Have it your way,” Chrysalis mumbled, then turned around continued down the stairs. 

She passed down three stories before she returned to the building’s ‘lobby’. Nothing had changed, much to her delight. She licked the air a few time. She tasted nothing. 

Chrysalis trotted forward, passing the revolving doors and into the area beyond. The outside was what she expected, warn and decayed. The fog had remained, clouding her view. The changeling trotted onto the cracked asphalt and into the road proper. 

“Which way to go?” Chrysalis asked her unseen guide. It was only a matter of time before it showed her, anyways. 

A low growl resonated from within the fog.

Chrysalis’ eyes went wide. Her body instinctively fell into a defensive stance. Her head shot from side-to-side, much like that of an alert sentry. From her experience in the past, the growl signaled her of approaching danger.

Eventually, Chrysalis spotted an outline in the fog. It was larger than the creature she had slain before. She stood her ground. The outline soon breached the fog, a shrouded creature taking it’s place. It’s entire body was covered in a concealing cloak that masked its true form. Two red, glowing eyes stared into her own from beneath its hood. 

A small, wicked smile breached the changeling’s lips. 


O


O     O


Life slowly returned as Luna cracked open her eyes. Everything was blurry. She blinked. Detail started to return. Her body was numb. Her head hurt with a slight headache, but that was the worst of it. 

Luna blinked some more. 

Her brain slowly began to register the world around her; she could see a floor and a nearby wall. They were both rotten. She could smell mold and decay. The rest of her senses returned.

Luna licked her lips. Her mouth was dry. She was thirsty. So thirsty. She perked up an ear. It was quiet.

For a few minutes, the princess continued to lay on the decayed floor as her body awoken from its forced—and much needed—slumber. Once everything appeared to be working properly, Luna gently rolled from her side to her stomach. Her muscles ached. They were still tired. With a quick burst of energy, the princess rose from the ground to her hooves. She stumbled to remain upright, but she was soon to stable herself.

Luna tested a few steps. The floor creaked beneath her. She took another step, then noticed something odd. She lifted one of her hooves and inspected the well dressed bandage. Now curious, Luna turned her head back and noticed the most of the rest of her body was covered in similar dressings. A bandage was carefully and deliberately wrapped around her stomach and back, her wings held beneath. From the feeling of her injured wing, it appeared to have been reset and carefully splinted.

Who had done this? She pondered. The mare sat down on her flank and carefully inspected each of her dressings. They had been done professionally or, at least, by someone who knew what they were doing. 

It was now that Luna’s mind finally returned to full working order. She remembered being dragged away by the blinded Thestral into the fog, but nothing after. Had there been an after? Had she woken up prior, fought off the creature, then addressed her wounds and passed out once more? It sounded highly unlikely, but she could think of no other explanation. 

Luna stood back up and observed the room. Like her original observation, it was old and decrepit. The drywall was cracked and chipped, missing in some places to reveal the rotten wooden beams that lay behind. The paint that still clung to the walls appeared to be a faded purple, though it's original shade was almost impossible to discern. The floor was in just as bad shape. It consisted of rotten wood that depressed and groaned under her hooves. She worried she would soon fall through. The backside of two boarded up windows lay on one side of the room, small bits of fog seeping in through the cracks. On the opposite side of the wall was a crooked wooden door that hung on one hinge. The handle fared the same fate, only one screw holding it in place. Other than this, there wasn't a single piece of furniture in the room. In fact, there was nothing but her.

Where was she? Luna asked herself. The gap in her memory worried her. She quickly pushed it away and decided to proceed as if nothing had happened. It couldn't be denied, but her best bet was to continue forward. 

On shaken hooves, Luna trotted forward. Her body ached, but the pain was manageable. She neared the door, but paused. What would await her on the other side? Luna eyed the door wearily. Slowly, and quietly, she pressed her ear up against the rotten door. She heard nothing on the other side. Though this quelled her fear, unease still filled her. Everything felt wrong…

Luna pressed past the door, which squeaked on it’s only remaining hinge. Beyond lay a hallway, rotten doors much like the one she had just opened on each side. At the end of this hallway sat two flights of stairs, one heading up while the other heading down. The flight to the upper layers appeared to be blocked by some sort of debris, leaving her only with the option to descend. 

The wounded alicorn began to trot down the hallway. She tried to open several of the rotten doors during her advance, but found them all locked (or, possibly, barred) from behind. The mare peered cautiously down the flight of stairs once she arrived. They appeared to be empty. She slowly began to descend. Each step creaked under her weight.

She made her way down to the next floor, but stopped when she noticed the next flight down was barred and blocked by a crudely placed chain link fence. Luna regarded the slightly rusted obstacle and noticed a single lock that held it in place. Several hard bucks with her good leg revealed that it wouldn't be going anywhere soon. Luna grunted. She’d have to find a key or another way down. 

The mare turned around. This floor had the same layout as the previous: a single hallway with doors to what she assumed rooms bordering on each side. At the end of the hallways was a boarded up window with metal rebar bolted to the inside. Luna carefully made her way down the hallway, checking the doors as she passed. To her disappointment, the first three were locked, but the third held some result. The door slowly creaked inward as there was nothing to hold it back. 

Luna trotted inside, the door closing behind her. It was dark, too dark to spot anything. Luna bit her lip, worried she had made a mistake. She reached a hoof back, trying to feel for the door handle. It wasn't there. She felt along the wall, but couldn't grasp anything that even resembled a door. Actually, it felt like stone, not drywall like she had expected. Now panicked, Luna went to cast an illumination spell, but jumped as her vision was suddenly blinded by a flash of light.

When her vision returned, Luna middle of empty stone room. The walls were made of a strange, cracked obsidian brick. Four torches hung on oxidized steel brackets, one on each of the walls of the empty room. Their flames burned with an odd, ethereal blue glow. They danced as they softly crackled, casting strange shadows that waltzed around the room.

The mare regarded the room around her, trying to make sense of the exitless chamber. Panic began to sit in, but Luna held it at bay. She took a deep breath—the air was stale. Subconsciously, Luna ruffled her wings gently under her bandages, the close environment putting her on edge. Her long horn suddenly lit up in a dark-blue light as she casted a simple spell. The radiating aura shot from her horn in the form of a small ball of magically-condensed energy. It impacted the neighboring wall, only to be seemingly absorbed by the dark brick.

The spell was supposed to cast a small niter flame onto the wall. This was disconcerting. Luna trotted slowly up to the wall she had cast her spell against and closely examined the area of impact. It appeared to be completely untouched.

“Most curious,” the Luna muttered, then lifted a hoof and placed it against the area in question.

The room immediately began to shake.

The mare stumbled as the walls began to shake and bend. Dust fell freely from the ceiling and fell to the floor like snow. Spiderweb cracks began to snake their way across the walls, originating from the figure’s point of contact.

Soon, the quake subsided, and the Luna was able to regain her balance. She observed the change in the room, tilting her head at the strangely familiar pattern the cracks had created. They formed a small circle with a rearing alicorn in the center, behind which sat an intricately carved crescent moon. 

How did she know this symbol?

Luna took a step forward and regarded the newly created mark. Once again, she pressed her hoof up against the wall. This time, the room did not shake. Instead, the symbol depressed upon her touch, a strange dark liquid slowly seeping out soon after. A large circular hole no sat in its wake. It was large enough for her hoof to fit.

Hesitantly, the Luna went to place her hoof into the new opening, but paused when her hoof first struck the strange liquid. She pulled back her hoof now coated in the strange liquid. It took mere moments for her to realize what it was. 

“Blood?”

Why was it blood? It must have been fresh, as it had yet to clot and oxidize. This unnerved the princess, but did not stop her from pressing her hoof back into the hole. She felt the blood soak into her coat as she pressed her hoof further. It was warm. Luna stopped when she felt something within. A lever, perhaps? The alicorn pulled back on the lever, then pulled her hoof out as fast as possible. 

The wall shook in her wake, a crack forming down the center. Soon, the wall began to part, spreading from the newly created crack. The wall soon stopped, a new opening large enough for the figure to trot through in its stead. The figure peered beyond, an endless abyss staring back at her. Hesitantly, Luna trotted through the opening and into the abyss beyond. 

To the her surprise, a single, large pedestal stood several meters in front of her. A light from an unknown, unseen source shone down from the heavens, lighting up the pedestal in a blinking white light. On top of the pedestal lay a large tarp of blackened cloth. It covered a large lump.

Luna slowly approached the pedestal, her curiosity piquing. She soon stood before it, and slowly reached for the tarp with a hoof. She was only able to give it a small tug before something clattered out from beneath. The Luna looked down.  

A tan hoof hung limp from beneath the tarp, something clutched tightly in it’s riggored grasp. Hesitantly, Luna reached forward with her magic and ripped the item from the cold hoof. One it was free, she floated it up to her face and regarded it. It was a key. Was this the key to the fence?

Luna didn't get much time to ponder as she suddenly heard a strange, shuttered breath. She took a step back, her curiosity fleeting as it was replaced by fear. She got only a few steps away before she noticed the sheet slowly rising and falling, as if the pony underneath had begun to breath again. 

The tarp shifted again, then slowly began to fall as the pony underneath rose to a seated position. The tarp fell away completely, and Luna gasped. A tan pony with a shaved mane stared back at her with black, dead eyes. This was not what unnerved her. This pony had been gutted, it’s stomach was spain out, ribs showing.

The creature took garbled breaths. How, Luna was not sure. It had no lungs. It slowly rose to its hooves, blood pouring from its open chest. A knife of pure magic soon appeared next to it. The corpse smiled.

Luna took a step back, her brain in full panic as the creature began to advance. Part of her wanted to run, but her hooves would not obey. Her throat ran dry. 

The creature took raspy breaths, as if trying to speak. The smile never left it’s face, though it’s eyes portrayed a different emotion: pain. Luna found her eyes locked with the creatures. They practically screamed at her for… release. 

They called for an end.

Luna shook her head, now snapping out of her stupor. She quickly looked behind her and saw that she was approaching the door she had entered. With another quick glance back at the advancing creature, Luna bolted towards the wooden door. 

She could hear the creature do the same. 

Her hoof made contact with the door, and she fumbled with the door handle. It was locked. Acting on instinct, she instantly rolled sideways and away from the door. Like she had expected, the knife of magic the creature had been holding impaled the door right where Luna had been standing. It disappeared, then reappeared besides the smiling abomination. 

Luna scrambled to her hooves and bolted away from the creature. Her body hurt from the roll, her injuries finally making themselves known. She could hear the creature not far behind her, gaining fast. Her mind reeled for a plan. Something! 

Unable to think of a reasonable plan, Luna skidded to a stop and turned, her horn aglow. A sword of pure magic appeared beside her, ready to strike. The creature continued its advance despite this, still smiling. 

Right as the creature got close enough to strike, Luna struck with her own sword first, lobbing it with all her strength at the creature's head. 

It connected. 

Luna watched with mild horror as the creature’s body fell limp; it’s head rolled free from it’s body. The severed body part stopped rolling right at the princess’ hooves, it’s wicked smile falling into a peaceful one. 

The alicorn shuddered, then turned away. She heard a loud click! and subsequent thump! as the door to the chamber opened. The magic sword at Luna’s side dissipated as she limped toward the exit. 


O


O     O


Luna stared at the chained lock, then back at the key that was held tightly in her magical grasp. With a held breath, the princess inserted the key and turned it, letting out her breath when she heard the click! of the lock. She slide removed the now unlocked lock and pushed the gate aside. It hissed in protest, groaning as if in pain. Soon, the way was clear, and Luna tentatively began to descend. 

Many thoughts ran through the alicorn’s head; some about her predicament, some about the creature she had just slain, and even some about herself in general. This… place had encoded many an emotion she would have been happy not to have felt. They reminded her of a darker time—a time that, too, she wished to forget…

Luna made her way down the stairs, passing several floors along the way. Part of the alicorn wanted to explore the, see what they held, but she suppressed the urge. Several floors later, Luna reached want she believed to be the ground floor, as the stairs had finally ran out.While the previous floors had the same layout as the one she had awoken on, this one was vastly different. After a brief examination, she determined it to be a lobby, of sorts. 

Was she in a hotel? Apartment complex?

A beaten and worn desk lay next to the flight of stairs, behind which sat a large cabinet of many small compartments—all of which open and empty. Mold-ridden, once-velvet chairs lay toppled sporadically around the rest of the lobby, splain about as if those who had once sat in them had left in a hurry. Tattered paintings holding indescribable sights hung on barely sturdy hooks, while a faded and decayed possibly-red carpet lay underhoof.

Luna advanced into the lobby on cautious hooves. She feared the worse. This realm had held many surprises and dangers that she was unable to understand. She knew merging the two realms would have unforeseen results, but never would she have predicted this, which only filled her with more unease. The rules of the dream-realm had changed. Rules which she had made. She didn't know how to control it. She was powerless, lost, alone...

Luna shuddered. 

A fearful thought, but one that seemed more and more a reality each passing second, quickly passed through her brain. As Luna approached the revolving doors of the lobby…

A rush of creaking wood, smashing metal, and shuffling metal cried out.

Luna jumped. Fear gripped at her very soul as the alicorn suddenly whipped around an angry tornado. She scanned the lobby for any possible threat—her horn glowing with stored magic.

Minutes went by with the alicorn on high alert. An uneasy fact soon became prevalent: nothing was amiss.

A feeling of unease washed over Luna, her magic still charged and read. With a voice that masked her fear, Luna called out: “Who is there?!”

Nothing responded.

Luna’s horn finally went dark. She was still on edge, but whatever had made the noise seemed to be gone, now. 

Luna shook her head. 

“This place is just messing with me,” she muttered, then turned back toward the door. 

Luna  stopped once more. 

Taped to the revolving doors was a crudely written note on an old, stained piece of paper. It had not been there prior. Luna reached forward with her magic and retrieved the note.

Forget something…? it read.

Luna read over the paper again, she turned back to face the room. Someone, or something, was trying to tell her something… She scanned over the room like a hawk looking for prey. Something was different, she had determined, but what? The mare trotted forward on delicate hooves, trying to be as silent as possible. Why? Not even she was sure. Instinct? Possibly…

Luna trotted back over to the desk, figuring it was the best place to start, and looked it over in more detail. It was ruined and old, but some paper still lay on its worn surface, one parchment, in particular, actually legible:

Public notice:

Found something in the lobby this morning. I took the liberty of leaving it in Box: 13. Please claim—looks important. Thanks you.

~ C.

Luna cocked her head to the side, reading over the note once again. Who was C? Luna shook her head and picked up the parchment into her magic. The paper looked new and in far better condition than the rest of the lobby—it looked freshly written. The alicorn returned the paper to the desk, then turned around to face the wall of containers. Lost to her earlier observation, each of the boxes were labeled… but, curiously, not in order. Why?

“Hmm…” Luna muttered, observing the boxes closer. “10… 2… 6… 14… 9… 6… 13.” The mare placed her hoof on ‘13’ and pushed the small door open more. Something shimmered from within. Luna reached forward and pick up the offending item.

It was the necklace that was gifted to her by her sister. 

The alicorn cocked her head. When had she lost this? How had it gotten here? She she shook her head, then placed it around her neck. Somehow, she instantly felt warmer with it around her neck. It was a strange feeling, but one she welcomed. She hadn’t realized it until now, but she had felt so cold without it.

With the mystery solved, Luna turned around and walked back toward the lobby exit. This time, there was no sounds when she reached the door, and she pressed forward unhindered.

Upon exiting, the midnight blue alicorn was instantly engulfed by a wave of heavy fog. When she got her bearing, the mare looked around. It took her a few minutes to get her bearing, but it appeared that the mare was now located in the residential district, apparent by the decaying remain of several apartment buildings. In truth, she had never really visited this area of Canterlot; she never had any reason too. Her knowledge of the layout was highly limited. This, accompanied by the obstructing fog, meant that she had no idea where she was. 

Luna let out a soft sigh, then limped forward onto the silent streets.


Part: 5


Chrysalis panted. She felt tired and weak, but that didn’t stop her from standing victorious over her kill—the abomination that dared challenge her. It’s throat had been ripped out, much like that of the previous two, the gaping wound dripping with its unnatural blood. Her body held fresh scars from her fight with the two creatures; a few minor cuts, bruises, and one good gash in her chitin armor. She would not let them slow her down.

The changeling’s eyes were currently locked with that of the hooded creature, standing resolute now that it’s two guards had been dealt with. It did not move, only it’s cloak flowing and rustling in the light breeze.

Chrysalis kept her gaze on the creature, trying to read it, trying to get anything from it. It wasn’t like any of the other creatures she had been encountered so far—they had been feral, all brute muscle and no brains. This creature… this shroud… held no violent intent. It did not rush her, it did not fight while she was taking out its sentries, only watched. To be honest, all it had done so far was follow her with it’s soulless eyes…

The changeling growled.

“What are you?” Chrysalis finally growled, still holding a threatening stance. “Speak!”

Moments passed in silence; the creature did not respond. 

Chrysalis growled once more. “Speak!” she demanded, stomping a hoof into the carcass of the slain creature with a satisfying crunch. “If you wish not to fight, then what do you want? Why are you here? Who are you?!”

Once again, the creature did not respond, its unblinking stare not moving an inch off the queen.

Rage filled the changeling. What was this thing? What did it want? Why wouldn’t it speak?! Could it not? It surely could do something! Show any reaction at all!

Chrysalis stepped off her kill and began to approach the creature, practically seething with anger. As she got close, the creature began to retreat, matching her speed. It did not walk, but seemed to float—its body facing her. She picked up the pace, but the creature matched it yet again, keeping about a three meter buffer between them. With a growl, Chrysalis began to sprint, fire in her eyes.

“Get back here!” she screamed, following the creature blindly. 

Chrysalis twisted and turned through the streets, following her target. She paid little attention to their location, only to the somehow never-closing distance between them. The creature took a sharp corner into an alley and the changeling followed without hesitation…

… only to dig her hooves into the ground to prevent herself from smashing into a brick wall. The alley was small, holding nothing but dust, debris, rotten wood—and no sign of her target. 

Chrysalis threw her head back and let out a cry of sheer anger.

She turned to one of the piles of rubbish that laid in the small alley and gave it a mighty kick, sending its contents flying. More enraged strikes followed, hitting anything that wasn’t stone as her tantrum grew. She had been so close! That creature was in her grasp! She would have grabbed it and…

She paused, blinking, her rage suspended for the moment,.

And what, she questioned. What would she have done? Chrysalis fell on her rump, face screwed up in confusion. Why had she held so much anger for this creature? It had posed no threat. It had not attacked her. For all she knew, it held no ill intent for her.

Chrysalis shook her head once more, her scowl returning. 

It did not matter. None of that mattered. It had refused to answer, or even acknowledge her. It could have held answers to why she was here, or even known a way out! 

The changeling rose to her hooves with a grunt and stomped out of the alley. She surveyed the area she was now in. She had a basic understanding of Canterlot’s layout, having studied it before the failed invasion—Chrysalis let out an angry grunt at the thought—but it seemed to be of no help as she could not recognize this particular area. 

She trotted out to the middle of the street and looked around. Like everywhere else, this part of the once-grand city laid in decay. The layout was similar to the financial district, but the buildings were a lot smaller and lacked even the smallest remnants of any true Canterlot flourish. They were plain, bland, and… practical.

Chrysalis shook her head. What did any of this matter? She did not have a destination, so why would it matter where she was? She shrugged, and turned to her right, trotting down the empty street...


O


O     O


Luna continued to wander through the empty streets, her horn alight, but doing little to cut through the fog. Her head shifted from side to side, much like that of a hunted animal. In truth, she had no idea where she was going, but part of her figured that it didn’t matter. This hybrid realm had it’s own set of rules that seemed to guide her to where it wanted her to go, regardless of what decisions she made. She wagered that the most reasonable path of action was to just go with it, letting herself be guided to where she was wanted.

And that was what she did.

It wasn’t long after that the mare start to feel a… presence. It wasn’t like someone was watching her, but more that something was with her. She doubled her pace, all but panicking. Her body was still broken and she was in no form to fight. And, from what she had seen thus far of the creatures this place had produced, she would need all her strength to face any of them. 

A growl resonated from within the fog.

Luna’s eyes went wide. Hesitantly, the mare slowly turned around, her eyes growing even larger when she saw two of the blinded thestrals slowly advancing on her, their heads shifting from side to side. Taking a shaky breath, Luna turned her head back to face where she was going before, only to find two more creatures heading towards her from there.

She was trapped. 

Luna reached into her pool of magic, finding that she didn’t have enough mana to cast a teleportation spell. Her wings were bandaged to her sides. Panic overtook the mare. She used what magic she did have to conjure up a sword of magical energy, holding it at the ready by her side. It pulsed with dying energy. 

The creatures continued their advance, closing the distance. They were only a few meters away from her now, essentially forming a killing circle around her. Sword at the ready, Luna was ready for a fight.

She was not prepared to die. 

The circle tightened and Luna tightened the grip on her sword in turn.

A black blur shot out of the corner of Luna’s vision, smacking into one of the thestrals. 

Chrysalis stood over the downed thestral, growling as she reached down and gripped the creature’s neck with her fangs, tearing out its throat with a single, sudden pull. Unnatural blood spurted from the wound, spraying all over the changeling’s face. Chrysalis could feel the creature’s warm essence run down her muzzle as she spit out the creature’s throat, her body pulsing with ecstasy of her kill. Her blood pumped fast, her eyes were thin slits, her mind went primal—the hunt was on. 

Luna watched on in horror as Chrysalis bounded from creature to creature, ripping them apart one by one with only her fangs. Her sword dissipated. She was not witnessing a battle—she was witnessing a slaughter. 

When all was said and done, and all four creatures lay dead around her, Chrysalis stood over her last victim, blood dripping from her muzzle. The changeling was covered in death, panting, a primal fire in her eyes. Her breath shuddered. She had killed them all. They had become only an inconvenience to her, now. She had learned how to hunt them—they had become her prey. 

A hoof rested on the changeling’s shoulder.

Chrysalis’s head snapped towards the touch, fangs beared, only to pause when she saw the quickly retreating alicorn. Her hunger died down. Breath calming, Chrysalis stood tall, trying to tower over her unwanted companion. 

“You looked shocked,” Chrysalis muttered, a sinister sneer on her muzzle. 

Luna shook her head, the shock she felt dissipating as she steeled her features. “I know of your brutality, Chrysalis—that is not what surprises me.”

“Oh?”

Luna nodded. “Yes. What strikes me is how eager you were to protect me.”

“Do not think of it as anything other than mutual survival, pony. We are trapped in this hell together—I keep you alive so that I may live as well.”

“As you say, Chrysalis,” Luna pointed at her bandages with her muzzle. “I believe I can also thank you for this, yes?”

Chrysalis growled. “Do not mention it.”

“Hard to, when it keeps coming up.”

With an annoyed snort, Chrysalis turned away and began to head down the street, using her magic to clean off as much blood as she could. Luna was at her side not long after. 

“So, what do you make of this place?” Luna asked, her eyes scanning the spanning fog.

“You tell me, Pony. You were the one who brought us here.”

“I merely seeded this realm, Chrysalis. It has grown beyond my control.”

Chrysalis deflated with a sigh. “Fantastic…”

The duo continued forward in relative silence, Chrysalis leading the way with Luna not far behind. The changeling occasionally glanced back at her companion, mixed emotions filling her mind. Usually, she was able to easily read a pony, either just by their body language, or tasting their emotions. Luna was different. The emotions the changeling tasted from the mare were all mixed together, tasting more like a watered down soup. Her features were even more confusing; her face held a mask of neutrality, while her body mirrored the effect.

What drives you, Pony? Chrysalis questioned in her mind.

A chill ran up the changeling’s spine, followed soon after by a feeling she knew all too well. Like a burst of hellfire, Chrysalis shot herself in front of the wounded alicorn, her head low and fangs beared. Her wings buzzed harshly, sending out an insect-like rattle.

Luna, after recovering from the changeling's sudden movement, hid herself behind her unexpected protector, completely oblivious to what had set off the changeling. They had been in the middle of one of the districts before the fog had thickened.

“What do you sense?” Luna questioned, her voice a harsh whisper. 

Chrysalis remained silent, her concentration not broken by Luna’s question. 

Silence reigned around the duo like a haunting shroud. The fog that physically surrounded them seemed denser, limiting their field of view further. Luna could not sense the entity that had the changeling spooked, but she dared not question the huntress’ instinct—the changeling’s skills far surpassed her own.

A soft song began pierce the silence, ringing out like a hollow requiem. It was sung by a soft, nurturing voice. A golden voice. Chrysalis was the first to notice. It was quiet, barely audible, but it soon began to grow. When it became fully auditable, Luna found that she could not understand the words being sung, as it was in a language that she did not know. The alicorn returned her attention to her changeling companion, intent on asking if she knew the words, but found her frozen in place, eyes wide.

Chrysalis knew this song… and knew the one who had sung it.

Luna watched as Chrysalis slowly began to trot forward, her eyes locked in a haunting gaze. Her movements were methodical, but zombie like. 

Luna was worried. 

“Chrysalis,” Luna spoke in a harsh whisper, “what are you doing?!”

“I know this voice… I remember this voice,” Chrysalis muttered through her haze, walking blindly forward.

“Stop!”

The song was hypnotic, telling the story of an old changeling queen and her rise to power, bringing her children with her. It was an old story, one passed down from all the royal bloodlines, and almost every royal knew it.

“Chrysalis, watch out!”

The changeling felt something slam into her side, smacking her out of her haze. When she came through, her eyes went wide and she slid to the side, just barely missing a large metal claw that sunk into where she had just been. Her senses soon returned to her, and Chrysalis became aware of her surroundings.

Luna stood over her, a flickering shield barely holding over the two. Beyond it, a creature desperately tried to smash it's way past. It’s barrel was the same as a pony, but that was where the similarities ended. It's head looked like it had been sliced in half, then sewn back together crudely, making it uneven. It's front and back hooves were much longer and slender than a normal pony. Where it's hooves should have been were three metal claws sticking out of the end, a metal brace connecting them to the rest of it’s hoof.

Luna’s shield flickered as the creature gave another strike, and Chrysalis could see the strain on the alicorn’s face to keep it up. 

“Chrysalis! Do something!” Luna managed to scream through clenched teeth, her horn sparking after another blow from the creature.

Chrysalis’ mind reeled, thoughts flying through her head at uncontrollable speed. The shield soon fell, and all her thoughts were thrown away as she dove to the side, catching the alicorn in her hooves and rolling the two of them out of the way of a deadly strike. 

Chrysalis released the alicorn once they were clear, then lunged forward in an attempt to tackle the creature off balance.

It was quicker than she was.

Its rear hooves lifted up at Lightning speed, slamming into the Changeling's barrel and sending her flying back next to her companion.

“Chrysalis!” Luna screamed in fear, but the changeling was back on her hooves before long, going in for another strike.

Luna watched as strike after strike from the changeling was met with the same result. The alicorn studied the creature's movements as crawled side to side, batting the changeling away with its hind hooves. It appeared that it could move them far faster than it's clawed front, which was good for the changeling, but only to a limited degree—blunt force trauma could be just as damaging as blade.

Chrysalis was thrown back once again, slamming into a storefront and falling onto the pavement below. She rose to her hooves with a few grunts, but panted from exhaustion and pain. She turned to the alicorn. “Got any ideas, Pony? I can’t keep this up forever.”

“I have an idea, but it may be quite stupid,” Luna spoke, rising to her own hooves and standing next to the changeling. “I will distract it, you go for the head.”

“For the head?” Chrysalis balked. “Are you crazy! It’ll rip me to shreds!”

“Trust me, Chrysalis. It’s a lot slower then you realize,” Luna added, then stepped toward the awaiting creature. It appeared that it was in no hurry.

Chrysalis slowly got herself into position, waiting for Luna to free up an opening. The creature turned its attention to the alicorn, rearing up and going for a mighty back kick. To chrysalis’ surprise, Luna merely braced herself and took the entirety of the blow, being thrown back in a painful cry.

The changeling saw red.

Chrysalis lunged forward with a mighty hiss, making it passed the creature’s deadly claws and landed on it’s back. She wrapped her hooves around it’s barrel, using her fangs to start ripping into the creature’s soft back. 

The abomination let out a high pitched scream and began to frantically try and buck the changeling from it’s back. When that went unsuccessful, it tried to pry her off with it’s hooves, but it appears that their sheer length made it impossible for it to reach her.

Black blood and gore went flying like a heavy rain, spraying from the creature’s back as Chrysalis enacted her primal rage. The creature’s struggle started to weaken, its cries becoming weaker as it began to slump towards the ground. Once the creature’s struggle became pitiful, Chrysalis reached forward and grasped the creature’s muzzle with her own, then gave a mighty tug.

Snap!

The creature went still, falling onto it’s side. Chrysalis immediately jumped free from the creature and began to search for her fallen companion in the thickened fog.

“Pony?!” she cried out. “Where are you?” When she received no answer, Chrysalis began to panic. “Luna?!”

Chrysalis was greeted by a noise, but not the one she expected. 


Come little changeling, your mother is here,
Be forever calm; you have nought to fear.
Come here my children, your queen will defend,
While I still stand strong, our hive will not end…


Chrysalis’ eyes closed as she began to softly sing along.


Welcome my love, to a land left untold,
In this endless age, you will ne'er grow old.
Welcome my love, I have waited so long,
Hear my voice echo; rejoice in my song.


A shadow emerged from the fog, the outline familiar to the queen. It was tall, radiant, and practically glowed with purity and love. “Chrysalis…” A voice whispered into the air. “Come back to bed, love. It was just a bad dream.”

Chrysalis smiled, a warmth that she had not felt in a long time washing over her like a warm blanket. 

“Florina...”