Voice References:
Voice References:
LONG AGO
This song inspired the scene, but not necessary for the read along
I awoke on the battlefield, my body exhausted and my spirit broken. Opening my eyes, I could scarce see anything through the moonlit dust, or fog, whatever haze it was that lay thick on the plain. I could see not but a few paces around me. The physical sensations of dirt in my mouth and the sprain in my back helped to orientate me to the present moment, ere I might have lain there for a day. My back legs responded to my will with just enough energy to bring the knees forward, at this I felt the need to rest a minute before daring another such taxing exertion.
Sliding my fore-hooves underneath me, I employed every muscle in my back and shoulders to heave my body skyward. Raising myself up to stand I gave my surroundings a proper look around, and saw about me only vague shapes outlined through the mist. My heart fell upon realizing what these shapes were.
Only days before had I met some of the ponies who now litter the field, brave and noble they had been. The enemy we had faced was ruthless and savage, and I had been proud to join the ranks of my allies to purge the foul creatures from this land. Now I knew not how many had been felled, nor how many had limped off to celebrate victory or mourn loss. Apparently I had been thought dead, left to share in the glory of the gallant slain.
I stumbled forward, my right hind leg limping along after sustaining some blow I did not remember. Taking a deep breath, a sudden sharp pain in my side made itself known, one that halted my walk as I reached a hoof to feel for it. My hoof came back to my inspection covered in the bright red of my lifeblood. Memory was as obscured as my environment, and I could only partially recall being engaged by an enemy who brandished a spear. Had I been struck? I wondered, the heat and fervor of battle bearing me through such injury to keep fighting?
The wound was not superficial, and I could not help but grunt when I continued moving. I strode past several immobile lumps on either side of me, unaware of what direction I was in fact heading. A shield lay in the path in front of me, trampled and dented under the weight of a thousand hooves in the fury of war. It bore them emblem of a rearing pony surrounded by mountains, probably a family crest, or just his own personal standard. I stepped around it, giving it some modicum of honor in its fallen state.
It was then that a single sound cut through the silence, the loud and cruel cries of a raven. Following it, I was led to a banner pole that had been spiked into the ground. It stood at an angle, and from the top flew a triangular flag which bore a yellow silhouette of a unicorn with his head lowered on a crimson backdrop. I think I may have seen it earlier before the battle, when the formations were aligning.
A second caw drew my attention to the top, where the point had been splintered in half, serving as a perch for a lone raven. It peered down at me, twitching its head curiously. I had always been told to be wary of the black birds, even as a colt my elders warned me to be respectful but cautious of them. For they are omens and harbingers, scavengers and witnesses. Painful as it was to contort my body, I heeded the wisdom of my forebears and bowed my horn to the ground in due reverence.
“Pray thee, raven.” I beseeched it, for they were said to be knowledgeable in all matters, of both the living and the dead. “Might your knowledge ye yet spare me?”
I of course did not expect an answer, for never had I heard of a bird speaking to ponies, save for those whose gift it was to possess what we called an ‘animal tongue’. But those were so rare as to be more legend than reality.
“Beck water cold and clear, will never clean your wounds. There‘s none but the maid of the winding mere can make thee hale and sound.”
Mine eyes shot open in stark bewilderment, and all of my will was bent to defy the urge to gaze upwards. It’s voice was unlike any I had heard from another pony, though I heard it clear, each word resonated and shook in my bones. Hearken then did I, as the raven continued.
“Green moss and heather bands, will never staunch the flood, there‘s none but the witch of the Westmarelands can save thy dear life‘s blood. So turn, turn your stallion head, till your black mane flies in the wind. And the rider of the moon goes by, and the bright star falls behind.”
“I shall do as you bid, O‘ foreknowing raven.” Said I, taking into myself a hard swallow of courage. “My destiny lies not in the dust of this field.”
“Indeed not.” The raven agreed. “Seek thy fortune far from here, seek thou the Crimson Treasure that abides on the shrouded isle Honalee. Once attained, thy destiny can be fulfilled, Æclypse, son of Thule.”
With a gasp I raised my head at last, only to see the raven flying away, disappearing into the mist with a series of its native cries. I stood there, astonished by what I had just been a party to. Even had I the gift of animal speech, I was certain that it did not mean that I heard them in my own tongue!
Might this have been a visit from the gods? Krom was the patron of my bloodline, has he not forsaken his exiled son?
Whoever or whatever was the source of the knowledge be, I dare not ignore it. I winced as the pain in my side throbbed again, and I hoped that the witch was not too far for my legs to sustain me.
At that moment, a fair wind came through from east to west, clearing away the fog and forging a path. I hesitated to set hoof where the mist had been dispelled, fearing that it might not be a path I could return from. Looking to the east on my right, I saw nothing but acres of land covered in the ghostly material. Looking to the west on my left, the wind suddenly took the hair of my mane and tossed it, as if to push me in that direction.
I emerged from the smoke and onto the path, facing west. On and on I went for the rest of the night and into the day. Never was I given to deviate from my course by landscape or other, straight I went, through hill and dale, beside ocean and forest. It was as if I was possessed by some power beyond me, for I stopped not for rest or repast, and my wound ceased to be bothersome. Enthralled to take one step after another, I suffered no harm to my hooves or legs, though I walk from sunrise to sunset.
When nightfall had again come, I found myself in the breast of a valley where before me was a cleft in the road. Clear was the paleing moon, when a shadow passed me by. I traced it as best I could, and coming to the fork, found either side of the road illuminated by a multitude of the fireflies. Below theses hills were the brightest stars, when I heard the owlet cry.
“Why do you stride this way? And wherefore came you here?”
He sat atop a road post that stood in the center betwixt the divergent paths. A pair of signs reached out in either direction from below him.
“I seek the witch of the Westmarelands, who dwells by the winding mere.” I told him.
“It’s neary by Ellswater,” The owl responded, extending his wing to the path on my left. “In the misty Breakfern way. ‘Tis through the cleft of the Curxton pass the winding water lay.”
Again I sensed the influence of those beyond my power of perception. I lowered my horn to the ground and when I arose, found the owlet gone. With more trepidation than ever in my life I ventured down the left path, guided I felt, like a colt is by his father. My heart was a cauldron of terror and desire.
For some hours yet I continued, until at last the lake set itself before me. A thicket of forest encircled the water, which was so calm the reflection of the moonlight was unmarred by ripple.
I went gently to the water’s brim, drawn to it as I had been compelled thus far. A patch of goldenrod sprouted not far from me, and I plucked a few stems of it with my magic. I cast it into the water, to see what the lake might yield, and waited for some sign.
Wet rose she from the lake, fast and fleet did my heart throb, for my imagination filled with fearful thoughts that such a creature would be displeased at my intrusion. On instinct my horn alighted in magic to protect myself, and steeled my heart for the courage to face whatever wrath she would unleash.
Above the waterline she stared at me, a hood about her neck that came up to her head of a velvet blue, bound ‘round with a silver chain.
She said: “Pray, sheathe thy silvery horn, lay down thy heart of steel. For I see by the briny blood that flows, you’ve been wounded in the field.”
As she spoke the words the pain in my side returned, throbbing, the strange sensation of my lifeblood trickling down my leg. She approached slowly, never averting her eyes from mine. My magic extinguished, and the beating of my heart fell.
She came forward until she stood not a breath’s distance, she kissed my pale lips once and twice, and three times ‘round again. My body betrayed me and I could not move, my legs turned to stone, all my muscles a statue.
She bound my wound with the goldenrod, and soothing me down into the sweet smelling grass, full fast in her hooves I lay.
I arose hale and sound, with the sun high in the day, the witch still beside me.
She said: “From far away you have come, I can sense the touch of the gods upon you. Fear not the path upon which you stand, there’s none can harm the knight who’s lain with the witch of the Westmareland.”
THE THICKET
CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY THE CHANGELING SWARM
Chrysalis took in a long deep breath, letting the green mist flow down her throat. Satisfied, she stood a moment with her eyes closed just to enjoy the flavor.
“Soooooo succulent.”
She strode forward, her tail caressing the feeding pod as she went. Wanderlust’s face jutted outward from it, chiseled free, though his horn was still held back by the rough green casing. The position was very uncomfortable, like somepony was holding him by his horn and wrenching his head back. But that was a small complaint compared to the misery of having a queen of parasites gratify herself on his love.
“I don’t know where you’ve been Wanderlust, or who you’ve loved, but I have to say that it is the most exquisite thing I have ever tasted.”
Turning herself around, she sat down directly in front of him, using one of her hooves to stroke his cheek.
“Such a pity about your wife and child. Though I suppose a good many hundreds of families have wasted away in my hives over the centuries.”
“Did you ever care Chrysalis?” Wanderlust asked, refusing to look her in the eyes. “Did you ever feel remorse for all the lives you’ve taken?”
Although he couldn’t see, the queen gave him a reproached expression. “Of course I felt for them, I loved every single one of them. I loved them to death.” She finished her thought with a slight giggle.
Wanderlust grimaced, wishing he hadn’t even asked.
“Oh don’t be so sad about it.” leaning forward, Chrysalis hugged him into her breast, looking down at him sweetly. “After all, just think about all the children you’re going to have with me.”
His eyes shot open. “What in the ever-loving name of Equestria are you talking about?”.
“Seriously, do you think all my eggs just sprout from a tree? They are all my children, I birthed every single one of them into this world, and I was there when they all hatched. It is the love I feed on that fertilizes me, the more I feed, the more eggs I can lay.”
The horror of the realization brought tears to Wanderlust as her fiendishly long tongue curled around his ear, her cheek brushing against his.
“And I’m going to feed on you for years, you will give me thousands of strong, healthy spawn. Enough to send my children into every corner of Equestria!”
Breaking away from him, she put her forehead to his, “Changelings will rule this continent, and I will be queen over everything I survey. And I’ll do it all with the taste of your love.”
Chrysalis stared deep into his eyes as they filled with tears, and to her curious surprise, found herself entranced by his irises. In them she saw a sparkling that belied something deeper, the soul of a pony of destiny.
Inhaling curtly she recoiled, breaking free of the spell.
“Well now, I think I’m beginning to get a handle on you.”
“Queen Mother! News from the town.”
One of the many interchangeable drones landed from somewhere above, catching his breath as he bowed his horn.
“News?” She asked. “What news?”
“The Princess, she and her friends were seen heading into the Everfree! And they’ve captured one of our grubs!”
Chrysalis’ face morphed through a series of emotions, her mind branching out contingency plans and counter strategies.
“That was quicker than expected… We’ll have to find a way to divert them before they can slip through the perimeter. Twilight at the very least must not be allowed to escape!”
A few more drones gathered around the messenger, waiting intently for her command.
“Then it’s time we throw a little wrench in the works, initiate Torchwood Protocol, immediately!”
“Yes my Queen.” The group of them spoke in unison, having muttered the phrase a million times or more in their lives.
Wanderlust watched them leave, taking off in formation to carry out whatever Torchwood meant.
“Has it occurred to you Chrysalis, that Twilight and her friends are the guardians of Equestria for a reason? That it’s not an accident that they’ve defeated every tyrant and monster to challenge them? That perhaps you’re destined to lose this battle?”
Sauntering back over to where he was planted, Chrysalis laid her jaw over his neck.
“I have given it some thought a time or two. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years…”
She curled her head to look at Wanderlust upside-down, “It’s that persistence pays off. They have to win every time. I only have to win once.”
Her tongue slid out to drag itself between his eyes and down the middle of his muzzle, “Mmmmm.” She cooed, her mouth hanging open to reveal the salivating fangs. “Aged to a fine vintage. Hahaha!”
PONYVILLE
A flare of green magic shot into the air over the Everfree forest, soaring into the sky and bursting in a pyrotechnic star. The light could be seen all over the town, giving some the mistaken impression that one of Princess Twilight’s experimental spells had gone awry. Or one of Pinkie Pie’s party experiments had gone right. In Cloudsdale also, and the outlying areas, eyes all turned up to the night sky.
As spectators gawked at the sign, others recognized the flare for what it was. The signal to drop the charade.
In dozens of places within eyeshot, ponies immolated themselves in the verdant flame, revealing their naked form to the world. With the command given to discard pretenses to secrecy, Changelings appeared next to whoever happened to be standing near them. Children saw their parents transform, husbands their wives, friends, and strangers.
Only a few moments after the awes and excitement of the fireworks, a general cry of alarm and panic went up from the town. In Cloudsdale, Pegasi scrambled like a hive of bees to evade the Changelings chasing them, but with nearly half of them replaced, and more caught unaware as they settled in for the night, the floating city was conquered swiftly.
Down in Ponyville the streets were filled with fleeing citizens. Changeling drones chasing ponies, running past others already trapped in the green mucus. Those with enough foresight to make for the roads out of town found themselves cut off en route, with groups of drones waiting to ambush them.
A small family of a mother, father, and filly racing over a bridge on the southeast part of Ponyville were overcome when the creatures emerged from the underside, and snatched them all.
A lone mare sprinting through the brush in the direction of Canterlot glanced over her shoulder, and ran right into the waiting hooves of a pair of Changelings that sucked her into the darkness before she could finish screaming.
At the train station, where several ponies had sought refuge, they found the depot empty and the tracks in front of the platform blasted into a heap of warped metal. As far as their eyes could trace in either direction, the tracks were similarly dismantled. With no hope of rescue coming from the railway they huddled inside the station, remaining as quiet as they could despite shivering with terror.
In the darkness they hid under desks, in closets, anywhere they thought shadows would conceal them. When a loud thump at the entrance door caused them all to gasp under their breath and shudder, they closed their eyes and prayed for somepony to come save them.
The door swung open with a lazy creak, the sound of heavy hoof-falls echoing off the floorboards. For a few moments they strode into the room, settling in the center with an ominous quiet.
“I know you’re in here.” The resonant voice spoke in chilling composure. “I can smell your fear.”
General Crassus listened to the minute breaths and palpitating hearts of his game, the pheromones of their distress wafting into his nostrils where he appraised them like a master hunter.
“You would be wise to come out peacefully.” He warned. “We will take you unharmed back to the hive.”
Stepping over to where Berry Punch was huddling in a fetal position under a service desk, Crassus put his fore hooves on the table.
“However, if you make this difficult, if you attempt to resist…”
Lowering his head to just inches above hers, a malevolent snarl curled his lips back. “Then I promise that before this night is through, you will beg me to throw you in a feeding pod.”
He waited, ears rotating to pick-up any indication of motion, luminescent eyes scanning for shifts in the shadows. Coming down from the table, he gave the room a final suspicious glare, turned and casually walked towards the door.
“Have it your way.”
Exiting back into the night air, Crassus met several of his legion members who stood at attention to receive his orders.
“Enjoy yourselves.” Was all he said to them as he passed by.
The Changeling drones exchanged hungry and mischievous smiles between them, chuckling mischievously before rushing into the station.
Much to his expectation, the station house that had been deathly quiet only moments ago, was now filled with the screams of ponies, and the shouts of his drones in the enjoyment of pillage and plunder.
Up in Cloudsdale, General Magna was rounding-up the last few bits of resistance. Changelings surrounded the floating city, catching or turning back those who tried to escape. The last concentration of pony defiance was within the weather factory, barricaded on the inside. Magna hovered in front of the structure, a smug expression on her face as she knew that they would not last more than a few minutes before her drones already inside took control.
Watching from where he hid among the conveyance ducts, Thunderlane grit his teeth as drones were dismantling the pile of objects that he and a few others had hastily heaped against the doors. Once the chaos started, he had done what protocol dictated, and headed back to work to help secure the factory. Though most on the ground never gave it much thought, every Pegasus who lived and worked here knew that if the facility fell into the wrong hooves, it could be used as a floating weapon, capable of massive destruction.
Unfortunately Thunderlane realized, the Changelings were all to aware of that fact, and most of his fellow staff had already been replaced by the time he got there. Now he sheltered himself in the rafters, a witness to their swift and efficient occupation. Even as he worried about the fate of the factory, more of his mind and heart was focused on the whereabouts of his little brother Rumble. But Rainbow Dash had sworn that he was safe with her, and he believed in the bearer of Loyalty.
As much as it pained him, he knew there was no chance of him getting the factory back under control, the only thing left for him now was to break out, and reach help. Below him, two drones were busy tossing aside the furniture barricade, when another duo dragged a struggling mare towards the exit, drawing the attention of the others.
“Flitter!” Thunderlane cursed through tight lips. Her wings were covered in the sticky green substance, and vainly scraped her fore hooves along the floor. She cried as they hauled her like a sack of carrots by her legs.
“Please!” She sobbed. “Please let me go!”
“Pipe-down!” One of the drones ordered. “You stupid ponies are always begging and pleading!”
“He-he yeah!” The other laughed, before taking on a mocking tone. “They’re like: No not my babies! Where are you taking me? What is that stuff?”
The four drones had a good round of laughter, as Flitter covered her face to hide from having to look at them. Like many of the pegasi who lived in Cloudsdale, Thunderlane had known her since before they could fly, and either her or her sister Cloudchaser had foalsat for Rumble plenty of times.
Clearing the last table out of the way, the drones at the door were blindsided by a storm-grey blur, wiping them both out. The two who had dragged Flitter into the chamber dropped their victim and raised their guard. As fliers, pegasi were much faster than Changelings, and their ambition to subdue the ponies lay in caching them off guard. It was this turn about that Thunderlane now exploited. Hurling a jar of condensed fog onto the floor, it shattered, releasing its contents and enveloping the Changelings in a smoky veil.
As they flailed about coughing, Thunderlane snuck in low, and grasping Flitter by the hoof, pulled her away from them and towards the door.
“Come on!” he whispered to her. “We have to get out of here!”
Together, they penetrated the fog and made it to the exit, opening the door and bolting outside.
“I don’t know how many there are, but-”
“Look out!”
Flitter pointed a hoof above them, where Magna and at least a dozen and a half of her drones buzzed in place, looking down at them.
“Ah!” The general exclaimed. “You can come out and play!”
Without command, her drones dive-bombed the pegasi as she laughed. Thunderlane wrapped his forelimbs around her trunk, and sped off. Knowing where the closest opening to the ground was, he headed for the south corner of the factory, hoping that he could reach Ponyville and Princess Twilight.
Dependant on making decisions in a split second, he rounded the corner and was able to bank out of the way of a net hung between two drones. They lunged to catch him, but he shot upwards as they crashed into each other. Flitter hugged close to his body, burying her face into his chest as he pushed his wings onward to stay ahead of the invaders.
“Just hang on!” Galloping along the cloud for the last few paces, Thunderlane tucked his wings to his side and leaped into an opening to the sky below. Had he known about the grid of Changelings ready to catch him, he may have saved them all the trouble.
Thunderlane’s eyes widened in alarm, perceiving the glint of a hundred or more bioluminescent stares waiting to embrace him and Flitter. He flared his wings to slow his descent, but it was too late. Black hooves latched onto him from above, dragging him back up to the city and wrenching the mare away from him.
“Thunderlane!” Flitter cried, reaching out for him as her captors cackled into the darkness.
He would have called back out to her through the green mucus if he could have, a gob of the parasitic material covering his mouth and soaking into his fur. Flapping violently, it took four drones to finally get Thunderlane under control. They managed to gunk-up his wings and secure his hooves, lifting him hog-tied back to Cloudsdale.
“You’ve got some real courage in your heart.” Magna remarked, her drones dropping Thunderlane onto the cloud in front of her.
“The brave ones always taste so sweet.”
As he stared up at the lascivious Changeling General, Thunderlane could only wonder where Princess Twilight and her friends were.
Much like the weather factory, Sweet Apple Acres had become a redoubt against the horde, albeit a redoubt of two.
“Where in tarnation did Applejack get off to?” Granny Smith complained, she and Big Mac holed-up in the attic of the farm house. They had, or rather Big Mac had, moved bales of hay in front of the windows, hoping that the unwelcome visitors would think the obstacle too much work and move on.
“Ain’t she hearing all this fussin’ and calamity going on?”
Her brawny grandson was stuck for an answer, worried not just about where his little sisters were, but about protecting his feisty old mare of a grandmother from the pack of marauding Changelings crawling over their property. Usually his little sister was the one who handled these types of threats, her and the rest of the Element Bearers. But they were nowhere to be seen, and the Changelings didn’t seem particularly worried about them coming around any time soon.
Which was a troubling notion all its own.
On the rooftop, the sound of multiple hooves scattering across the shingles gave them both a moment of freight. Though the opening to the upper outlook had been shut and locked, there was still the fear of just how thorough they intended to be.
“You don’t think they’ll rustle the chickens or pigs do ya?” Granny asked, sliding up to him to keep her voice low.
While he couldn’t be sure, he had never heard anything about Changelings going after animals. Perhaps, he thought, it was because animals didn’t have the cognitive ability to conceptualize of love. Or, maybe there was something qualitatively different about affection from animals than ponies.
“E’nope.” He whispered back to her.
“Move these hay stacks!” One of them shouted from outside. “Check every inch of this stinking barn!”
Varus was growing displeased at the pace his legion was making with the apprehension of ponies in his areas of concern. He and Crassus had basically divided the town between them, though of course his elder sibling had the superior authority.
Crassus had been there at the siege of Trot, when Celestia defeated their Queen mother, it was he who was first to her side when she fell. He was also there in the imprisonment in the volcano, his swift and keen perception putting down any spark of rebellion or dissention that threatened to arise.
It wasn’t that Varus thought his brother undeserving of his position, he was just jealous of the attention he received. To be the recipient of such affection from their mother was every Changelings dream, even a brief interaction with her was enough for the average drone to brag about. And if Varus wanted any of that favor, then he had to show that he was deserving of it. The more minutes ticked by until he was satisfied of his mission, the more the specter of failure gnawed on his nerves.
“We still have whole streets to clear tonight!” Varus snarled, “And we’re not finished until every pony is caught!”
One of the drones managed to push back one of the bales blocking a window enough for him to wriggle his way past it. Suddenly however, a loud crack was heard, and he was sent tumbling back into the mud of the pig pen an unconscious heap.
Having learned many things from his brother about warfare, Varus knew that a small number could hold off a much larger force given adequate defenses. The trick to a successful siege he’d been taught, was to get creative, and think outside the box.
Instead of wasting precious time and blood pressure, he formed a sublimely simple plan. If the ponies didn’t want to let them in, he would just force them out.
“Burn the house.” He commanded.
A few of the drones began firing their green magic into the painted planks of the barn roof. Changeling fire wasn’t as hot as the real thing, but it could catch tinder, and multiple streams for long enough would do the job. Eventually after a few concentrated moments, flames began to creep up the walls of the building, the drones doing the same thing on the other side.
Smoke began to fill the airspace inside the attic, Big Mac and Granny Smith backing up against the steep staircase up to the upper outlook. For all his strength and determination, this was one fight he couldn’t win, especially not with his elderly grandma in danger of suffocating in the black smoke.
The bales of hay had begun to go up as well, allowing the fire to lick the inside of the room, making it even harder to breathe.
“There’s only one way outta this pickle Big Mac!” Granny choked, the presence of the flames overcoming her stubbornness.
“E’yup!” Ushering his grandma up the stairs, he put his body between her and the increasing density of the fumes. He heard the slide lock rattle and bang against its bracket before he felt her move higher up the stairs. The rush of heat through the opening gave him the signal to make his own way up, hoping that somehow they would make it out of this okay.
Of course his better sense told him that no such luck was with them tonight. When they stuck their heads into the open air, taking in deep breaths, they were greeted by the buzzing thrum of many wings.
Big Mac looked out through the rising smoke and floating embers, and saw the Changelings hovering in place around the house. Moonlight shining off their exoskeletons, they waited patiently for the ponies to come right into their hooves.
“You may perish in the fire if you wish!” Varus called out to them, as if their choice was not a foregone conclusion. “Or you may come with us! I imagine the former would be very unpleasant for you!”
The heat beneath them began to encroach on their position, Granny Smith’s trembling frame so close to his, he could feel the rapid pulse of her heart.
She gazed up to him, and for the first time in his life, he saw fear in the eyes of the toughest mare he had ever known. How could he save her now? Meeting the stare of the leading Changeling, Big Mac’s shoulders fell.
“Very nice of you to join us.” Varus said with a flavor of delight. “Drones, give them a hoof out of there.”
A number of the indistinguishable drones swarmed over the pair, one seized Granny Smith around the belly, and despite the fuss she put up, they carried her off while she disappeared through the smoke with her hooves outstretched towards him.
“Granny!” He yelled, the smoke and embers taking the opportunity to burn down his throat. It took considerably more effort from the changelings to heft Big Mac’s bulk into the air, but with grunting and curses they did so. Against his desire to send each of them off with a strong swipe from his hoof, he didn’t want to be dropped. Even then, they’d simply be all over him again and he’d be hurt.
The five drones that held him aloft presented him to General Varus.
“I wouldn’t be concerned about separation anxiety for long. You’ll be kept close to her, and many of your other friends in the hive.” Varus dismissed the troops with a wave, and they headed back to the Thicket with their prizes in tow.
“The other farms have been cleared General.” One of his underlings announced when it flew up to him. “Squad two reports perimeter secure.”
“Excellent.” Varus mused. “With the capture of this insufferably named farm, that’s sector 1 secure. All that remains is word from Supreme Commander Crassus that he has control of the east side.”
He took a few moments to survey the carnage of his legion. Not only was the Apple family homestead going up in flames, but the carrot farm on the next hill was likewise a torch in the night, like a series of bonfires.
He reflected on the fact that this night was going far better than the coup in Canterlot had gone. Queen Mother was leaving nothing to chance this time. She had slipped daggers under the ponies throats, and they hadn’t even noticed until it was too late. Surely, he thought, surely this would make up for the embarrassing capture of that obdurate unicorn.
When this was all over, he would have to get reacquainted with that Wanderlust. If it took Varus years, he would see that stallion pay.
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“Sweet Celestia…” AppleJack let the words hang in the air, she and the others on the rising hill at the edge of the Everfree. From afar they could hear the screams of the towns ponies, and see the few spots where fires had caught.
“The second we’re out of town, they make their move.”
Twilight Sparkle shook her head slightly in disbelief. “Chrysalis must know we’re onto her. She was playing it slow this whole time, now she realized she had to act.”
For Pinkie, things getting grim always put a damper on her spirits. This wasn’t like giggling at the ghosties, or snortling at the spookies. This was no laughing matter. She merely sat on her haunches, her face drawn with sadness. “I don’t suppose this is all a big misunderstanding.”
“I don’t think so my dear.” Rarity said at her side. “We always knew the Changelings would come back for revenge, I guess I just hoped they weren’t going to be so good at it. What are we going to do Twilight?”
Though she didn’t like to think of it, Twilight knew she was the leader among her friends. Not only that, she was the local Princess, arbiter of justice and protector of the ponies. Until help arrived from Canterlot, she was the one responsible for everypony’s safety.
“I have to go back.” She said aloud, but to herself. “I have to try and help the town.”
At hearing that, AppleJack got very concerned. “Wait a dern second Twilight,” She began, wanting to make sure her friend had spoken clearly. “We have to go rescue those little fillies! Chrysalis is bound to be at the hive!”
“I know.” Twilight said, her motivations conflicting. “But I can’t just leave the town to be destroyed, I have a duty to all of them! Not just my friends.” The last statement stung her, because she knew as Princess, she had an obligation to the populace, one that took precedence over personal loyalties.
Rarity approached her, and put a hoof on her shoulder. “I understand that you’ve taken on new responsibilities Twilight. But I cannot leave my little Sweetie Belle in the clutches of those monsters!” A sidelong glance over to where Arthon stood apart from them gave rarity pause. “Eh, No offense darling.”
The Changeling grub returned the apology with a nervous smile, keeping an eye on where the imposter Spike positioned himself beside the Princess. When Rarity addressed him, Spike’s vision had darted in his direction, as both a test and a warning.
Things had gotten out of hoof very quickly, and the prospect that he was going to make it out of this with all his limbs intact was diminishing by the minute. If he wasn’t caught outright, then whoever was playing Spike could just as well enact the punishment for traitors himself. What was he to do to save his own neck?
With all the ponies attention focused on Twilight Sparkle, an idea came to Arthon, a desperate one, but one that just might see him through another day.
“I’m going to find those Changelings and my sister, with or without you Twilight.” Rarity proclaimed, looking all the more worried for it.
“I reckon I‘m in the same cart.” AppleJack came to a stop next to the unicorn. She too, appearing to make a decision she feared the consequences of.
“Big Mac and Granny Smith can take care of things on the farm, they’re tough. Plus, ah’m thinking we could get this whole Changeling thing under control if we go straight to the queen bug herself.”
It was a sound strategy, one that Twilight would probably come up with herself on any other day. But this wasn’t any other day, this was a day when she had to act like the Princess she was, fulfill the responsibility she owed to Ponyville.
“What about you Pinkie?” She asked, searching her friends face for anything that might conceive an alternative. “What do you want to do?”
Spike looked up to watch the pink mare mull the thought over in her head. He had to find a way to manage this situation carefully, and execute the plan to Queen Mother’s directions.
Pinkie Pie traded glances among her friends, “I… uh… I think we should help the fillies first.” She spoke almost apologetically, like she thought her answer might be wrong somehow.
Twilight felt the weight of her conscious crush down on her like Tirek’s fist. Every second she hesitated to choose one path or the other, more damage was being done.
“I have an idea Twilight.” Spike said, to the mild surprise of the rest.
“What is it Spike?” She prodded desperately.
“You and I could go back to town, round-up as many ponies as we can, and barricade them in the castle. The rest will go on ahead, and locate where the Changelings have taken everypony. Then, we can teleport back out to them.”
The four mares all considered the plan. It was risky to split up like that, it defied the common sense tactic of not being trapped by shape-shifters. But what else could they do? They were torn between two poles, Twilight’s duty to the citizens, and the sisters’ duty to their family. It might just be a chance they’d have to take.
“Ok Spike.” A thoughtful Twilight said, prompting nods from the rest. “That’s what we’ll do. You and I will put as many as we can behind the castle walls, and wait for Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Arthon will guide the-”
It was then that they noticed that the diminutive Changeling was nowhere to be seen.
“Arthon?” Rarity barked sharply, but not too loud. ‘Where are you?”
As they looked, Pinkie felt a pang of betrayal in her chest. She had been the one to try and get through his frightened exterior, and promised to see him taken care of afterwards. And she always kept her promises.
“That scrawny little turncoat varmint!” AppleJack cursed, stamping her hooves. “He’s dun’ run off on us!”
“You didn’t see where he went, did you Spike?” The Princess asked.
“No, he must’ve slipped off when we were all distracted.” He had of course, seen when the little grub had slinked off into the shadows of the forest. It was done in the interest of saving his own neck, and would help the turncoat little when presented to General Crassus for punishment, but it did aid in the mission to have the ponies even more off balance.
Rarity was having no more of these delays however, and dismissed the lost Arthon with a flick of her mane. “As unfortunate as that is, we’ll just have to go on without him. Come on girls.”
Leading the way, the seamstress didn’t look back as AppleJack and Pinkie followed behind her.
Twilight’s ears flattened against her head as she watched her friends mach off into the woods, leaving her and Spike by themselves. In the pit of her gut she knew this was a bad idea, but the decision was already made. The best she could do now was act swiftly and keep as many as possible from being enslaved by the Changelings.
“Come on Twilight.” Jolted out of her daze, Twilight realized the cause was Spike poking at her leg with a claw. “We gotta get going.”
She steeled her confidence with a sharp nod, and lifting Spike onto her back, took off flying towards the town.
Where are Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy? The fact that neither had been seen yet was disconcerting. Maybe she’s rallied her fellow fliers to scout the forest already?
From the town, a new rise in screams arose as if the fires themselves were wailing in the night.
ABOARD THE RED TALON
Not necessary for read along, but it'll help you get the melody:
“Now we are ready to sail for the horn.
Way, hey, roll an’ go.
Our boots and our clothes boys are all in the pawn.
Timme rollicking randy dandy-o.”
Admittedly, back home in Thule I never had the unrestricted freedom that the open sea afforded me. Back there, the name Ultima Æclypse carried with it a heritage, a legend, obligations.
“Heave a pawl, oh, heave away,
Way, hey, roll an’ go.
The anchor’s on board an’ the cable’s all stored,
Timme rollicking randy dandy-o”
The bow dipped as it crested up and over a wave, droplets of salt spray misting over my face. High winds whipped the surface like it was chasing after them, giving us a rocky go of it. As best we could discern by our charts, Honalee lay only a few days away.
“Soon we’ll be warping her out through the locks,
Way, hey, roll an’ go.
Where the pretty young mares all come down in their frocks,
Timme rollicking randy dandy-o.”
It is true, I have done things under the command of Captain Skorn, that under different circumstances might have warranted an immediate prison sentence until old age took me, or the sun went cold, whichever to come first. But if I were to stop and lament over everything in my life worth wailing over, I might remain as still as a statue until I crumbled to dust. Or the great steeds returned to earth, whichever to come first.
“Heave a pawl, oh heave away,
Way, hey, roll an’ go.
The anchor’s on board, an’ the cable’s all stored,
Timme rollicking randy dandy-o.”
Nonetheless, if I might have the means to see my wrongs made right, that I might not end my days in quiet ignominy and redeem a once proud name. Might I not also gain the means to accumulate good deeds to balance the scales?
“Come breast the bars, bullies, an’ heave her away.
Way, hey, roll an’ go.
Soon we’ll be rollin’ her ‘way down the bay.
Timme rollicking randy dandy-o.”
Of course, that’s not to say the memory of those I left behind ever leaves me. Every time I close my eyes I see their faces again. I see the faces of my mother and father, the sadness on their faces as I left home. I see all those I loved back in Aquileia. And even as I shut her out from my dreams, I see Luna’s paranormally enchanting eyes as they once stared back into mine.
Fortunately, as a remedy for my usual melancholy, the rest of the crew was singing one of my favorite shanties.
And so I joined in.
“Heave a pawl, oh heave away,
Way, hey, roll an’ go.
The anchor’s on board, an’ the cable’s all stored,
Timme rollicking randy dandy-o!”
“Fancy another dip in the brine, Sable Star?”
Perching on the rail, Ruffles walked along the beam parallel to me, using his wings to balance himself. My good friend now for the better part of 10 years, I have rarely seen the grimmer aspects of the pirate life dampen his spirits.
Forced to chuckle at his jab, I reached out with a hoof to knock out one of his legs. He leaped to avoid it with a maneuver he called the tuck & twirl, where he tucked his wings and vaulted sideways over an obstacle. A very handy trick when dodging canon fire.
“Maybe I will.” I told him. “And mayhaps I’ll find yet another treasure.”
“TA!” He scoffed, staying afloat on winds to glide next to me. “You would have the bloody luck!”
“I’m not sure luck has much to do with anything, much less the events of my life.” Over the course of our friendship, I had revealed to him some parts of my past, even the painful cause that set me to sea years ago.
He realized his faux pas and cringed. “Right. I suppose there’s something to be said for cosmic equilibrium. You‘ve seen my family Sable, fate works in mysterious ways.”
Some years ago, I had accompanied Ruffles on a trip back to his family’s home on the south-west coast of Trottingham. The death of his father being one of the few things his blood kin would allow him back into civil company for. While he was affable and carefree, to my surprise I had found many of his kinfolk to be contentious, distrustful, and generally a nasty lot.
His sister however, had been quite kind and welcoming. As I had the fortune to learn on multiple occasions.
We were quiet for a few minutes, as was a habit between me and my closer friends, he and Salty Veins. Settling on the quarterdeck, I leaned over the rail to watch a happy group of seals play in our wake.
“What is it exactly you hope to find on Honalee?” Ruffles asked me, still enjoying the open draft. “I’ve heard the Crimson Treasure was nothing but an old sailor’s tale, like the Mermares.”
I turned my face away, so that he could not see the amused look that sprawled across it at his mention of Mermares.
“Neigh my friend, I would bet my very life on the existence of this treasure.”
Glancing back, I spied the figure of our infamous captain at the bow.
“In fact, I am sure that I’ve done the very thing.”
Ruffles traced where I had looked, and murmured in agreement. “Our good captain has come a long way, long removed from the best shipping lanes and plumpest galleons. We should all hope that this venture of yours ends with a reward deserving of such a reputation.”
The Crimson Treasure, it has been said, is one of several artifacts of primordial magic left on the earth after the Great Steeds infused their love of creation into the very world. Among seafarers, it has been the greatest and oldest legend, a treasure horde so coveted, that ponies have spent entire lives and fortunes in pursuit of it.
Theses parts I have learned only recently, for before my encounter with powers beyond my ability to comprehend, I had little knowledge of such wondrous relics left to us from primitive times.
The latter parts of the legend, tell of a forgotten king of a forgotten kingdom, who, seeking to keep his treasure out of the reach of his enemies, took the whole of his great wealth and secreted it away on a island. To protect it further, nopony knew where the island was, save for his one companion on the journey, a youngling dragon.
The treasure itself is said to be vast, with tons of gold and piles of precious stones. But, it is the centerpiece of the treasure that gives it the name, which the gold and jewels are but rocks and pebbles compared. A chalice, shaped by some of the first crystal to receive the light of the Great Steeds. Within this chalice, rests a pool of the first water to rain down upon the earth in the days of creation. To drink the water from this chalice, would imbue the pony with the very magic of the gods.
The Cup of Crimson Wonder.
At least, that’s what the legends say. For all I know, it could just give me a stomach ache from drinking stagnant water. Whatever lay in store for me however, I was determined to find out. After all, one does not simply disregard the guidance of talking ravens.
I must have been staring out onto the ocean too long, for in a moment, Ruffles’ tail was draped over my face, causing me to thrash about. This was a little trick he and our other Pegasus, Grey Skies likes to play on the rest of us, “brushing” they called it. Though one time Grey had made the mistake of dipping his tail in the oil of hot peppers before trying to brush somepony. He never got the chance to see it work however, as his tail frequently rubbed against his posterior and very quickly inflicted him with a very sensitive backside.
Of they many thing I could have done in retaliation, I was in a frisky mood, and choose to take the tip of his tail in my teeth, and yank him downwards. His chuckling at having his fun came to a sharp end, and he tried to stop his fall by wrapping a foreleg around my neck. This started a chain-reaction of friendly wrestling, which by now I had engaged with and defeated every member of the crew, save the captain himself.
“Ah! You stout bugger! No fair!” He cried on his stomach with a laugh as I used my superior size to simply stand over him and prevent him from getting out from under me. “You know pegasai aren’t built for this sort of thing!”
A crowd had begun to gather to watch us, some cheering for me to pin him down, others for him to find some way to escape. Salty Veins shook his head with a smirk, no doubt amused by our youthful roughhousing. Well, youthful compared to him anyways.
“Come now!” I said to him, trying to keep a somewhat serious face. “I’ve had mares who gave me a harder fight than you!”
The others burst out laughing, but Ruffles’ gave me an incredulous expression.
“Oh! Is that how it is then?”
In a heartbeat, he spun around onto his back, and wrapped his legs around my barrel. I admit, he caught me unawares. With a flap of his wings, he lifted me off the ground just enough to roll me to the right and reverse our positions. When my body slammed into the deck, the crew loosed a raucous cheer, somepony had finally managed to topple me.
“Ever have a mare do that, eh?” Ruffles huffed, the mixture of adrenaline and competitiveness compelling him to stare down at me like he himself had not expected to succeed.
“Once or twice.” I grunted. “Why should I do all the work?”
After a second, the light in his eyes expanded, and he erupted in laughter so dense he collapsed on top of me. His whole body trembled, even as I rolled him off my stomach he continued to roar hysterically.
The rest of the crew likewise had a good laugh, and gave me a small applause. Even if I had lost the battle, I had won the war.
“A fine bit of entertainment Sable Star.” Perched on the main yard of the mizzenmast, Captain Skorn looked down on us both with the type of unsettling grin that we had grown accustomed to.
“Spare me a moment, then you two can get back to practicing for the next shore leave.”
I left Ruffles in the state he was in, and followed Skorn to his cabin quarters, making sure the door was secured behind me as always. Due to the nature of our agreement, I was one of the few aboard who Skorn allowed to enter his private cabin. It was, as one might imagine, filled with unique and interesting objects from around the world. Wooden masks from the Zebra tribes, exotic trinkets from the Forbidden Jungle, and numerous other items acquired by fair means or foul.
Normally his desk, a thick mahogany creation of dark staining, was cluttered with trinkets, rolled maps, and a few candle holders. But now a single large map lay across it, one that showed all the known world; the Equestrian continent, a portion of the lands east of the Celestial Sea, and what parts of the undiscovered west ponies had troubled themselves to map.
On our journey thus far, we had rounded the southern tip of Equestria, and entered the South Luna Ocean, a name that I found difficult to speak. More than a hundred pins marked locations on the map; ports, cities, more discreet trading centers, and more than a few spots of interest known only to the captain. Each pin bore a number, matching it to a reference chart that he kept only to himself.
“Have a look here. RAWK!” Skorn tapped his talon on a section a bit further to our southwest, nothing but blue for hundreds of miles.
“According to your little friends.” He said with a questioning gleam, “Honalee must be somewhere in this area here. Not many know what goes on that far west, and the waters are poorly charted. Lookin’ for this island could take longer than we hope, especially if we gotta go poking’ around every rock we come across.”
“Captain, from what I was told, there’ll be no mistaking Honalee. I think we’ll know it when we see it.” Looking down at where he had indicated, I could see several small marks in the paper, evidence that he had been staring and tapping at this portion of the map at some length. For all his eccentricities, this was a griffin who was calculating and crafty. A far step above those who I had dealt with previously.
“The very fact that this region remains so unexplored, leads me to think that the chances of having to parse through several false picks is low indeed. It’s far easier to let one island escape detection, than it is a whole chain.”
“I agree.” Skorn said in a flat voice, much to my confusion. He must have read the reaction in my face, for he met it with a sly smirk.
“The nearest coast of Equestria, is this peninsula just to the west of the San Palomino desert. Right smack between the port of Los Pegasus, and the Arimaspi territory, whatever the bloody Tartarus those things are. What got me a thinking’ Sable, is just why ain’t nopony done a proper mappin’ of this little patch of brine. BRUK!”
Again he tapped a claw, this time on the bay of Los Pegasus. “This here is the only port Equestria has in the South Luna, plenty of traffic going to it for trade, with an inlet that flows right into the heart of the continent. Miles and miles of unsettled coastline to the south, an’ the land reaching out to the west, nothin’ but mountains and pretty trees.”
I didn’t quite understand where he was going with this, but there was the buzz of a conclusion just out of my reach.
“It got me thinking; it could be that Honalee just slipped by all these blokes. Or, maybe there’s a reason why folk ain’t sticking around them parts. Maybe, there’s a bloody good reason nopony knows where Honalee is.”
His reasoning was sound, and it was not a conclusion I had considered at first. I suppose when one has the mindset of a criminal, it’s easier for you to image all the ways somepony might hurt you.
“So what are you suggesting we do? Abandon the treasure?”
Skorn nearly choked on his own tongue at the suggestion, albeit through a fit of mad laughter. Unlike the boys on deck however, this did not serve to ease any tension for me.
“BRAK! I’ll be a bag of bones in some merchant’s shop before I retreat from a treasure hunt! Especially with so great a prize.”
He strode over to the back corner, where an assortment of weapons were stacked against each other. He reached into the collection and pulled out a long, curved leather sheath. Gripping the gilded handle, he drew out the weapon with a motion that led me to believe he was savoring the experience.
As one who has wielded a generous number of arms, the saber that Skorn held aloft was truly a work of art. The handle and guard were ornately carved from silver, formed as such to create the image of a gust of wind. The steel blade itself looked as if it was the still water of a pond, that a ripple might run along the flat if I touched it.
Like a talon, it was shaped with an elegant curve, long enough to skewer a pony from belly to back. He caught me staring, and decided to offer me an example of the sword’s efficiency. Plucking a feather from his tail, he ran it down the edge, and I watched if be severed in half as smoothly as an eel slips through water.
“What I mean to say by all this jabber-jaw, is that we might have a bit of a fight for this treasure of yours. And I just need to know-”
In a blur, Skorn levied the tip of the sword at my throat, and I dared not move to give him cause to pursue. True, I could have used my magic to defend myself, but that would create more problems that it would solve. His glare was just as pointed as the blade, and I noticed a small twitch in the corner of his left eye.
“That you ain’t gonna give me the ghost when things get hairy, so’s you can go off and get alllllllll that treasure to yerself.”
I considered my words very carefully, gazing into the blade to see my own reflection. For a second it reminded me of the Hall of Conscious in Thule.
“Captain.” I licked my lips to make sure I spoke with confidence, because if he didn’t believe me, there was no question in my mind I’d feel the sting of his sword or his talons in my back sooner than later.
“The only object that is of any value to me in that horde, is the Cup. The rest is all yours, every bit, every gem, every thing else.”
Skorn considered my words for a few beats, his eyes locked to mine. I swallowed reflexively as I felt the tip of the blade tickle the fine hairs of my neck.
“I’m willing to take yer word as gospel Sable Star.” With a flick of his wrist, he swung the saber away from me, pointing it upwards for his own inspection.
“But in this line of business, you can never be to careful. So, as a little measure of insurance, you and I are going to become very close when we near the island. Neither of us go anywhere without the other, and that is my final decision. Any problem with that?”
He spoke the last sentence with a bite in his voice, telling me that compliance wasn’t so much a choice as it was a matter of life and death.
“Not a problem at all Captain.”
“Good!” He drove the saber back into its sheath with a concluding thump. “I’d hate for there to be a problem. BRAK!”
After my tense conversation with the captain, I made my way to the galley for something to settle my nerves. There were times on that ship dealing with Skorn that made me remember the Fyre Drake fondly. The cook, a stocky dark blue furred unicorn named Brogue was busying himself cleaning the pots and pans when I entered and slumped into a chair, putting my head down on the table.
Brogue was one of those ponies, who you could never tell was mad at you or not. He bore the same expression no matter the time of day, or the company he kept. It was always the look that made you wonder if he was about to clock you upside the head, or simply thinking about what to serve for dinner tomorrow.
Also, I always thought he must have come from north Trottingham, as his accent was like Salty Veins’, but much thicker. I just never got the nerve to ask him. More times than I can count, he’s seen me with the same look on my face, and though he knew exactly what troubled me, I suppose he thought it polite to ask anyway.
“Something on yer mind lad?”
He had asked the question with the tone of somepony who was more interested in sorting the issue out to the end of getting me out of his kitchen. But that was how he always sounded.
“Skorn put a blade to my throat again.” I said, my face still pressed to the table. “He used one of his fancy swords this time.”
“The saber?” I could hear the mild surprise in his voice. “Aye, a fine choice, that one. I’ve not seen him threaten a pony with it in a long time.”
“Don’t I feel special.” Turning my head to lay my cheek on the wood. “Is there a pint of cider you could spare? I find that I am in need of some easing.”
If ever there was a look that could crush a lump of coal into a diamond, certainly Brogue had it perfected. His glower seemed to darken the whole room, and I had the fleeting thought I might have stumbled upon some sore contention.
“Aye lad.”
Much to my relief, he produced a tankard and filled it with some cider we had acquired at our last port. I was still ready to dodge an attack in an instant when his magic set the drink gently down in front of me.
“Much obliged Brogue.”
PONYVILLE
The town was in chaos, Changelings and ponies battling it out in the streets. With blasts of magic, she rescued a dozen ponies from capture or entrapment in the green mucus, urging them all to make for her castle.
“Get to my castle quick!” She told one pair after dissolving the viscid substance that held their hooves to the ground.
The Changelings had learned their lesson from Canterlot it seemed, electing to avoid any confrontation with the alicorn as she made her way through town. They swiftly absconded with all the captives they could manage, even if it meant surrendering a few here and there. A small price to pay for the prize at stake.
Taking a moment to catch her breath by Sugercube Corner, she and Spike took temporary refuge in the threshold. Panting, she made sure to keep a wary eye out for the invaders.
“Something just occurred to me Spike.”
Spike, feigning fright, kept his face away from her to hide his suspicion. “What?”
“If Chrysalis and the Changelings are back, then there’s no doubt she has revenge plans for Cadence too. We have to send a letter warning her.”
Only too happy to hear of her remarkably futile idea, Spike’s relief was dashed when he realized that he had failed to maintain the inked quill and scroll his target was responsible for. But he needed to keep the charade going somehow.
“In here!” He shoved open the door of the bakery. “There’s gotta be something to write with in here!”. They dashed in, closing the door behind them.
Inside, the confection company was a wreck, with furniture, baking equipment, and foodstuff cast about as if a tiny tornado has stormed through.
“Mr. and Mrs. Cake!” Twilight called out, worried about what might have happened to the harmless couple. “Are you home?”
No response came, much to her distress, she at least hoped that they had managed to get themselves and their foals to safety somehow. For his part, Spike immediately set himself to locating some parchment and the means to write, finding both behind the service counter. He used his arm to sweep the counter clear, and spread the sheet open atop it. With practiced efficiency, he dabbed the point of the quill, and poised ready for her dictation.
She didn’t waste a second, explaining without ceremony the state of the town, and that the Crystal Empire should raise it’s own defenses. The letter ended with an appeal for any aid that her brother and sister-in-law could offer, and a plea that it come quickly.
With a dot of finality, Spike rolled the scroll, and held it before him, glancing to Twilight for the confirmation to send. She gave it with a nod, and the letter was engulfed in the green flame.
Chancing a look out the window, Twilight kept her head low, so as not to attract attention. “That should do for now. Help from Princess Celestia and Luna should be here any minute now.”
That fact that it had not come already unsettled her greatly, to the point that her mind feared that her message had not reached Celestia at all. It that be the case, what then of the letter she just had sent?
A scattering of hoof-falls on the building exterior broke her fearful concentration. “Come on Spike, we have to see if there are any more ponies who-”
The lights of the bakery went out, suddenly, and put them into such darkness that Twilight could not see her hoof in front of her face. By instinct she froze in place, not wanting to take a step and stumble onto something. Before her brain caught up to her muscles to cast a light spell from her horn, her vision flickered over to where Spike had been perched on the counter stool.
The sight of his eyes in the darkness gave her hearts pause, as his iries gleamed through the dimness to stare back at her. They possessed an uncanny glow about them, one she had not noticed before. It was the particular greenness of them that haunted her, but before her nerves gave way to alarms, she remembered that they had always been green. And perhaps it was merely the perception of them in such darkness that rendered such a startling appearance. Perhaps also, it was the biology of a dragon’s eye serving him, to pierce the shadow more effectively than that of a pony.
With a sharp gasp, her horn lit the room, and she saw that he remained the same little dragon as ever before.
“Twilight?” He asked her with a jutting, sideways tilt of his head, concern stretching his features. “Are you alright? You looked spooked.”
“I’m okay Spike. Just got surprised by the black out is all.” Placating him with a tense smile, she let out a long exhale. “As I was saying, we should try to see if there are any more ponies out there we can still help.”
Opening the door slowly, she peeked her head through the crack with a cautious effort to watch for any sign of Changeling gangs. Seeing none, she swung the door open, glancing back to see Spike scoop a helping of frosting off an overturned cake with a claw and lick it off with relish.
Good old Spike. She reassured herself.
The pair took a few quick strides out into the street, the princess of friendship searching for the nearest sign of those in need. Seeing nothing, she made for the path to her castle with due haste. As they went however, she noticed that the Changelings had not fled, indeed, they had made themselves quite at home.
Perched on rooftops like spectators to some great contest of field games, the drones sat atop the houses along the street, watching she and Spike pass. None of them made advances to stop or harasses them, the simply turned their heads, not budging from their spot nor communicating a warning to those farther down the road. In singles and in bunched groups, the eerie and disquieting presence of the Changelings transformed the streets of her simple and happy town into a passageway of some sickness borne bad dream.
“Um, Twilight?” Spike chimed just above a whisper. “Why are they just staring at us?”
“I don’t know.” She kept her own reflexes on a knife’s edge in the midst of creatures that would assuredly like to capture and feed off her. “And I’m not very interested in stopping to ask.”
This anxious stalemate continued along her entire route, until at last they arrived at the northern outskirt of the town, with her magically bequeathed castle just before her. However, a new problem awaited them at the start of the road that lead to the front doors. A horde of Changelings, a hundred or more stood arrayed in formation, blocking the path. While she could easily teleport Spike and herself inside the protection of the castle, Twilight sensed there was a purpose to this.
From among the ranks, one of the Changelings emerged wearing a helmet, striding out in front of the rest and coming to a stop about 10 paces from Twilight.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle, it is good to see you again.” The voice was surprisingly feminine and soft, spoken with a methodical cadence.
Nonetheless, Twilight was even moreso unnerved by this account of familiarity.
“Have uh, have we met before?”
The Changeling didn’t answer right away, opting instead to scrutinize the junior alicorn for a few moments.
“But of course, you and your friends read to me from your lovely story book.”
A mental gasp overtook Twilight as she recalled the rueful day she and the others had visited the Changelings at the house of their confinement. After their defeat at Canterlot, Luna had headed an operation to locate and capture as many of the swarm as they could. They were fortunate enough to find Chrysalis herself still recovering, and was able to take her prisoner along with most of her remaining troops who surrendered.
Twilight and the her friends had been sent to check in on their internment, and gotten distracted by the long conversation with Chrysalis concerning the long history of her conquests. It had all been a cleaver ruse however, as Twilight was fooled into opening the door, allowing the real Queen to get the literal drop on her, and escape with her spawn.
“You were the one we talked to!” She realized, remembering the imposter that had entertained their visit. “You were the decoy Chrysalis!”
A cruel grin cut across the Changeling’s face. “Yes, it was I whom you engaged with, and believed so honestly that I was in dire straits. Since you have done me such a charity, I feel it only right that we be properly acquainted.”
Placing a perforated hoof across her chest, she announced her title with pride.
“I am General Pernicia Magna, Commander of our Queen Mother’s 4th and 5th legions. It is my pleasure to welcome you home.”
Since Magna had gone through the ceremony of announcing herself formally, Twilight thought it only appropriate as a Princess to address her accordingly.
“I appreciate the gesture General Magna, but I’m afraid we must forego the pleasantries of statecraft.”
“In that we are agreed. But-” Magna raised her hoof. “Before you vanish in a puff of smoke to tend to your precious little ponies, you should be aware that my forces, and the legions of my brothers stand ready to complete our siege of Ponyville and see your castle cast down and smashed into dust.”
Twilight glared at her, flaring her wings to enhance her presence.
“However…” The General continued. “I am not without mercy. I will grant you some time to comfort them unmolested, if, you can best me in fair combat.”
“You want me to fight you?” To Sparkle, such a notion was incredulous, that they would sort some diplomatic stay of action by means of violence. She had fought Changelings before, but this kind of violence for sport or prestige had never been something she would think to resort to. Solving your problems with fighting was certainly not something Celestia had taught her.
“And if I win, you’ll leave us alone?”
“For a time, yes. Long enough perhaps to conceive of some plan to save Ponyville and foil our evil schemes once again? A chance you’re willing to take?”
The junior princess contemplated the matter. “And what if I lose?”
“Then the matter is simplified. Should I defeat you, I bring you back to the hive and present you to Queen Mother.”
“So those are my choices huh? Beat you for a temporary delay, or be dragged before Chrysalis.”
“Come on Twilight.” Spike said to her side, “You can take one Changeling. You went hoof-to-hoof with Tirek!”
“I do like to give my opponents a say in their own fate.” Magna added confidently. “Although I suggest you not let your indecision linger, I would like this matter to be resolved in a timely fashion. The duties of a General and whatnot.”
“Fine!” Twilight snarled, her anger getting the better of her. “We’ll get this done.”
Magna couldn’t suppress her pleasure as she removed her armor and gave it over to one of her subordinates. “It is my sincere hope to present you to Queen Mother as undamaged as possible, so take care not to get too beat up.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it.” Leaving Spike behind, Twilight strode a few paces forward to meet the challenge.
“So tell me Princess…” The General moving forward herself. “Who would you like to face? Me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Or perhaps someone more familiar?” Magna transformed herself into a version of Applejack that wore a mocking grin. “Hmm? Ain’cha got some quarrel with yer little pony buddies what need sortin’?” She said, bouncing her shoulders playfully.
Seeing that her taunt was met only with a scowl, Magna chose another example.
The next form however, did elicit the reaction she was hoping for. A wash of green fire gave way to the rising white form of Princess Celestia.
“Is this more pleasing, my favorite student?”
The voice sounded like her, but a poisonous tint in her eyes sent a shiver of fury up Twilight’s spine. To defile somepony so good and kind. She lashed out with a blast of magic from her horn, aiming center mass for the imposter’s chest.
Celestia moved in a blur to right, avoiding the stream, and dashed again to the left. Caught off guard, Twilight had no time to react when the faux alicorn appeared at last only inches from her nose.
“Boo.”
Twilight recoiled with a flutter of her wings, eyes wide. The thought of striking a blow against her beloved mentor was a splinter of pain in her heart, like when she had fallen prey to Sombra’s magic trap and been subject to a vision of the Princess putting a harsh end to their relationship.
“It’s not Celestia.” She whispered to herself. “It’s not Celestia.”
“Come my faithful student.” Celestia teased, flexing her considerable wingspan. “We don’t have all night.”
Lowering her stance, Twilight tightened her expression, a disappeared in a blink. Celestia tensed, and wheeled around in time to catch her opponent reappear behind her. A torrent of Changeling magic was the first thing Sparkle saw, until it crashed against her protection shield.
Now it was Celestia’s turn to be taken by surprise, when Twilight retaliated not with a magical attack, but a jumping double-hoof uppercut that struck her under the jaw.
The Changeling general was knocked off balance, and stumbled back. Almost as amazed by the success of her hit, Twilight noted the wave of commotion that went through the ranks of Magna’s soldiers. A number of them speaking to one another in hushed tones.
The imposter Celestia had noticed it too, and putting a hoof to her mouth, felt the spot where the blow had landed with a look of disbelief.
“You will pay for that Twilight Sparkle!” She spat.
It should have been greatly unnerving for Twilight to hear those words spoken with such venom in her teacher’s voice. But this wasn’t the real Celestia, this was a malicious pretender. She reached out with a telekinesis spell, but got no reaction but a glowing horn from the disguised Magna.
“Uh-uh-uh… That trick won’t work on me.”
If her own arsenal of magical offense was potentially of no use, she thought back to some flight training she’d had with Rainbow Dash. Not much in the way of real combat techniques, but if anypony could translate some flashy moves into something practical, she could.
With a flap, Twilight was streaking towards her opponent.
Forced to react, Celestia threw her body into motion and the two were on a collision course.
From her study of history, and a few tidbits of knowledge from Shining Armor, Twilight knew that such close fighting didn’t play out like it did in the story books, it was usually short, disorienting, and left both with decent wounds.
The two sides met, Celestia rearing back to drive her superior size through her opponent like a train. Twilight countered by folding her wings to her body, somersaulting, and planting her back hooves atop Celestia’s head as she passed underneath. She opened her wings and banked for a quick landing, the adrenaline coursing through her heart.
After the hit, Celestia had been sent careening into the dirt with a series of yelps and curses. She tumbled to an ugly stop amidst a cloud of dust and humiliation. Under the collective gaze of her legions she got back to her hooves, her face clenched in rage. Slowly, she stalked around to the left
“Ya-Hooo! Go Twilight!” Sparkle spared a glance to where Spike was cheering for her, giving her a big smile and a thumbs-up.
“I’m usually not adverse to a little degradation for fun.” Celestia purred with a growling undertone. “But I’m afraid I’ve had my fill for tonight.”
With a wall of her drones at her back, the General dispelled her regal disguise, and leveled her gaze.
“Seize her.”
The Changelings surged forward in unison, the swarm reaching out with hissing cries for her.
Fair combat no longer an issue, Twilight teleported away just as they were about to engulf her. She manifested next to Spike, and used her magic to put him on her back. Preparing to teleport again, this time to the inside of the castle, Sparkle saw the next oncoming of the chitinous marauders was almost on top of her, Magna herself in the forefront.
Sparing them a scornful raspberry, the second before they could put their hooves on her, she vanished in a purple puff.
Inside the front gallery of the castle, Twilight arrived among a throng of trembling and terrified towns ponies. She was relieved to see that the Changelings had not gotten away with as many as she feared.
“Princess Twilight!” The jubilant voice came from Noteworthy, a blue unicorn stallion, as he came rushing up to her through the crowd.
“Thank Celestia you’re here!”
At the sound of his announcement, all the others turned in their direction, gasps and numerous praises to Celestia filled the hall with its clamor.
“What are you going to do?”
“What do they want?”
“How are you going to stop them?”
“Do you know where my sister is?”
“Where are the rest of you?”
“Where are the other Princesses?”
Twilight was inundated with one question after another from every angle, the fight with Magna outside hadn’t been this intense. The crowd of about three dozen closed in around her, about to accomplish what the Changelings had attempted mere seconds ago, and crush her with sheer body mass.
With another teleportation spell, she put herself in the air above them, sucking in a few breaths of much needed air to calm herself.
“Listen, everypony!”
The mob finally got a handle on itself, and quieted down for her to speak. She saw the fear and desperation in their faces, and wished she had better news than she did. I struck her for a heartbeat that she had no idea what she should say to them.
“Please, we uh…must remain calm. I have sent word to Princess Celestia and Princess Cadence. I have every hope that help will arrive shortly. My friends and I are doing the best we can to keep you safe, but there is only so much we can accomplish. Please be patient and look out for one another. Until then, my home is your home.”
It might not be much, but it was all she could offer them in the moment. She searched the floor for her faithful assistant, and found him navigating the forest of legs to break out. Fortunately, he had avoided the claustrophobia of the mob by simply being shorter than everypony else. Thank Celestia for small things. They reunited at the threshold to the rest of the castle, where she spied a number of other ponies wandering about, investigating the other rooms.
“What do you think General Magna will do?” The junior dragon worried. “Will she gives us some time?”
“I don’t know Spike.” Shifting her focus to the front door, where she might expect the Changelings to come bursting through at any moment, Twilight silently prayed that her own reassurances wouldn’t make a liar out of her. Not least because of a concern for her ego, but because the consequences of her being wrong would be very costly indeed.
“I just hope help comes in time.”
Outside the castle, A drone approached General Magna, handing back her helmet. She donned it with a measured grace, still salving the bruises to her pride.
“What are your orders General?” The soldier asked. “Are we to assault the castle?”
“No. for now the castle is to remain unmolested. As much as it pains me to have done what I must, the Princess is now in the position our Queen desires her to be.”
Magna fixed the stronghold with a sour grimace. “Would that my orders allowed me to defeat Sparkle, we would be dining in her halls this very moment, have no doubt of that.”
The command from the Queen to ensure Twilight Sparkle got into her castle had been a difficult pill for her to swallow. But, if Magna desired to earn favor in her eyes, then she would take the indignity, and play the part of the foiled adversary.
“When next we meet Twilight Sparkle, it will not be an act.”
THE THICKET HIVE
The sound of his grunts were stifled by his pursed lips, least they draw too much attention. Chrysalis had left him be some time ago, which meant he had some precious moments to work on his escape. One of the strengths of the Changeling mucus once it hardened, was that it had no weak points to exploit, it was a single, solid construct. It also had the effect of sapping the energy out of you, and left in it long enough, the effects were a grisly sight.
There was one trick to getting out of it however, one Wanderlust imagined was not widely known for the simple fact that none but a special few could theoretically manage it.
With a huffing exhale, he tried to keep his concentration, but for a fleeting moment he caught sight of the feeding pods that sat clustered in the corner of the room. Inside them he knew were Trixie, Sweetie Belle and her filly friends, and any number of local ponies unlucky enough to be caught. That he would live to see this horror inflicted again, and forced to see those he cared for used until they dried up.
They were even denied the small comfort of dreaming. Something in the material put the mind into such a state, that those within were put into a kind of limbo instead of a proper slumber. A factor, he was sure helped to prevent Princess Luna from detecting their presence, else the realm of the unconscious might be overwhelmed with their cries.
Wanderlust grit his teeth, and strained his muscles for several seconds, hoping to hear something begin to crack, or even push some ember of magic from his horn. He pushed until he thought his eye might burst a vein.
“oh, bloody Hel.” He said with a depressed exhale.
Finally resigned that he would not free himself by such conventional means, he prepared his mind to engage in a method that demanded a considerable toll on his heart and mind. Closing his eyes, he began to breath in a measured rhythm, the corners of his face pinching with the exertion of concentration.
“Wanderlust…..” Came the slithering voice from one of the branching halls.
“Oh no, not now!” He cursed under his breath, trying his best to look around for her entrance.
“I’ve got a little present for you.”
Chrysalis approached from behind, as seemed to gratify her to do so with a trapped victim. She ran her hoof along the length of his encased horn, in a vile mimic of something a pony might do for a unicorn love.
“What horror will you inflict upon me now?”
“You sound so angry, my little pet. I hope I can cheer you up.” The Queen positioned her head alongside his, her eye glaring into his. “I brought some of your friends to join us.”
Two loud thumps emphasized her statement, and dropped in front of him, were two more feeding pods.
“It can’t be…” He muttered. Inside the newly arrived pods, were Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, two of the Element Bearers.
“Oh it is!” Chrysalis happily confirmed. “And they’re just a start. Before the night is done, I’ll have this whole wooden palace packed!”
“And here I was hoping for some more alone time.”
Chrysalis chuckled at the banter before laying her face against his. “Truly, you are going to be a most pleasurable pet.” Backing off, she cradled his face with one of her jagged forelimbs, staring down at him with a growing smile. “What a curious specimen of a pony you are.”
Wanderlust gazed back at her with wary apprehension, unsure is she was about to lick him again or something even more foul. It was the cough of a subordinate that spared him the chance to find out. She turned to him as the drone saluted.
“Queen Mother, word from your field commanders.”
“Report.” Somewhat annoyed by the interruption of her perverse enjoyment, Chrysalis nonetheless deigned to hear the news.
“Generals Varus and Crassus have completed their circumvallation of the town. The outlying farms and homes have all been secured. General Magna has likewise brought Cloudsdale under her authority, the weather factory is now at our disposal.”
“I expected nothing less. And what of Magna’s secondary mission?”
The messenger smiled. “Gone as you desired, Your Majesty. The Princess Twilight Sparkle has retreated within the walls of her castle, along with a number of the towns-ponies. After an unfriendly exchange with General Magna of course.”
“What have you done?” Wanderlust demanded. “What has happened to Twilight?”
Though he hadn’t parted ways with her under the best circumstances, he knew that she was vital to the protection not just of Ponyville, but all Equestria.
Chrysalis returned her salacious glare to Wanderlust. “Nothing yet, merely positioning her for when I make my entry. My revenge is going to be delicious.”
The drone was backing away when the Queen’s heard shot in his direction.
“And what of her friends? The other element bearers?”
The smile faded from the messengers face, and he could be seen to take a nervous gulp.
“They have, um, for the time being, we have lost track of exactly where they are.”
In the blink of an eye, Chrysalis’ demeanor darkened, the green of her irises shimmering with a green flare.
“What?” The coldness of her tone could have summoned the Windigos; speaking the word with an almost imperceptible movement of her lips.
Really wishing he could see what was transpiring behind his back, Wanderlust did his best to make sense of the reflections cast on the surfaces of the hardened mucus that coated the chamber.
Cowering in mortal terror, the drone could not break away from the glare of his progenitor. He tried to explain himself further, but the words sputtered into gibberish as they left his mouth. Chrysalis’ horn illuminated so brightly, it obstructed Wanderlust’s reflected view, but he could hear the sounds of the hapless drone backpedaling and increasing fear well enough.
“I, I, just mean to, to, say that, w-when they split from Twilight, they ah… they were on their way here. S-surely they’ll encounter our perimeter s-scouts at some p-point!”
“They had better, or your mother will be most displeased.”
Even from his encased position, Wanderlust could feel the magical heat radiating off the Changeling queen. Her voice gave him the distinct impression that the drone was one heartbeat away from being incinerated.
“Because you all know what happens to my little bugs who displease me.” The messenger drone was taken up in her magical grasp, and the small cracking sound could only be his exoskeleton being crushed. “You will find those mares, and they will be brought back here, to me. The consequences of your failure, will be very unpleasant.”
The drone struggled to breathe for a reply, but only gasps and nasal snorts came out. After a few moments she released her grip and he crashed to the floor a writhing mess.
“Am I clear?”
“Yes… Yes Queen Mother.” His feeble response was as weak-kneed as his attempt to stand, but he managed both before offering a parting salute. She turned away from him sharply, passing only inches in front of Wanderlust. Going over to the pods of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, she put her fore hooves atop them and spent some time calming herself down.
From what he saw, there was something that could get through her exterior of supreme confidence. Wanderlust imagined that the wake of her previous failures must have been scattered with those who had the ill luck of being in the way of her warpath. “Maybe I could save us all a lot of trouble by letting you know, that this is the part where the villain’s plan starts to unravel.”
The remarks from Wanderlust caused a physical shiver to travel down her body, from the base of her neck to her tail. With a snap motion that made him flinch, her head spun around to face backward, fixing him with a dead stare. “Then it is well that I am thoroughly prepared.”
Just in case you don't know the reference:
With a pulse of her horn, Chrysalis brought the cavern to life, the rivulets of life-draining hard mucus between the pods that lined the walls and ceiling pulsed with every step she took as she stalked around him.
“I know from your impaired imposition, this may not seem like a wise choice of action. But since you are here, study closely, and you’ll see why I have chosen my option.”
Chrysalis placed a hoof under his chin, tilting her head. “It’s clear from your leery expression, you doubt the resolve of my plan.”
She put her forehead to his, “But we’re talking royal usurpations, by the end even you’ll be a fan!”
Buzzing backwards to where King Aspen lay in slumber, she outstretched her limbs.
“So prepare for the chance of a life time! Be prepared for sensational news!”
Drones entered the room, drawn by their mother’s song, and she looked to them with delight.
“A shining new era, in tip-toeing nearer.”
“And what of the other?” A drone asked, holding up a poster of Twilight.
“You just leave her to mother.”
They began to land in a crowd around her, “I know it sounds sordid, but you’ll all be rewarded, when I have my retribution secured! An injustice deliciously squared!”
“Be prepared!” flying out to a position above the part of the chamber that overlooked the larger, lower one, she perched atop a jutting outcrop.
“Oh, I’ll be prepared.” Wanderlust jibed. “I’ll be prepared to watch you get turned into stone, and put in the Canterlot gardens!”
She returned an amused smile. “While I’m sure I’d make a lovely centerpiece, I’d rather just take the whole castle.”
“Queen Mother!” An eager drone hovered in the air next to her. “When you take the castle, can we keep the royal gardens?”
“Of course we can my little bug! Maybe even an ice cream shop too…”
Looking down to where her Changeling horde covered every surface, staring back up at her with absolute devotion.
“Follow me my children, and you’ll never go hungry again!”
“Long live the Queen!” They shouted in unison, “Long live the Queen!”
Down on the floor, they drew-up in formations, striding before her in a presentation of their loyalty.
“Equestria will soon be united, by a Queen who’ll be all-time adored.”
“Of course it won’t be free, little bugs, there are dangers that can’t be ignored.” She watched them go by her with pride and exultation. “Our future is littered with prizes, more love than even I can foresee. A point that Twilight will realize is…”
She leapt down among her troops, looming over them. “THAT NOPONY STANDS ABOVE ME!
So prepare for the coup of the century!” She sang, the drones in groups providing background harmony, much to Wanderlust’s bewilderment.
“Be prepared for murkiest scam! Meticulous planning, tenacity spanning, centuries of denial, is simply why I-”
The drones gathered underneath her, rising like a tower. “-Will be Queen undisputed, respected, saluted. I’ll be seen for the WONDER I AM!”
Rising to a crest, Chrysalis gazed down at Wonderlust with a predatory scowl. “And there’s not a single pony I’ll spare.”
“Be prepared!” The Changelings cried out. “No, there’s not a single pony we’ll spare!
Be prepared! Hahahaahahah!”
As their wicked laughter filled the hijacked kingdom, he hated the feeling, but Wanderlust had to admit he was afraid that she just might succeed. Never mind the damage and horror they would inflict in the process of trying. Already, two of the bearers had been captured, three more were in the wind, and Princess Twilight was likely on her own, surrounded and besieged by the rest of the swarm.
“Twilight will stop you Chrysalis. Or Celestia and Luna will, There is no way for you to come out of this victorious!”
Coming down in front of him, the Queen fixed him with a bemused smirk.
“Oh, I have my plans for them as well. I’ve had Celestia at my hooves before, and I’ll have her again.”
She strode forward, stopping within leg’s reach. “And one more thing.” With a swipe of her foreleg, she punched Wanderlust across the snout with her hoof. She felt the crack of his cheekbone fracturing from the blow, and a spray of blood flew from his mouth.
“It’s Queen Chrysalis to you, food!” She snarled. “You pique my interest, but do not presume to think that you are more important than a meal that I intend to feed on when the mood strikes me!”
Her head pulled back. “As a matter of fact…”
She opened her fanged maw, her horn alight, and siphoned off a stream of pink mist that flowed out of Wanderlust’s face like steam off boiling water. For several seconds she drew on the love energy as he wailed in agony.
Her appetite sated for the moment, she watched his features slump in fatigue. “Since you are so confident in young Twilight, let us see what she has to say.”
Producing a scroll from out of his field of vision. “This just came, and I wanted to share it with you.” Clearing her throat, her voice changed to that of Twilight Sparkle.
“Cadence, it’s Twilight. Chrysalis is back and invading Ponyville, be on your guard. I think she might go after you next. I’ve written to Princess Celestia, but have received no reply thus far, hopeful for her aid soon. Also, any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.”
Chrysalis flung the letter aside with a chuckle, “She really has no clue does she?”
Another, blank scroll came to float before her, accompanied by a quill.
“Let’s have a bit of fun.”
Thinking for a moment, she began to write the response This time, narrating it in Cadence’s voice.
“Dear Twilight, I know you’ll do everything you can until help arrives. I promise, I’ll be there as soon as possible. Don’t give up hope!”
Jabbing the quill to punctuate the last statement, Chrysalis rolled the scroll in her magic, and set it aflame, back to the imposter Spike. “Now, what comes next is my glorious arrival in Ponyville! Where I shall be met with cheers and applause!”
Though his jaw stung greatly from the hit, and he could feel the spot starting to swell, Wanderlust knew it probably wasn’t the best idea to antagonize her further. Nonetheless…
“Is your ego so starving, that you need your drones to throw flowers in your path when you walk around?”
Putting a hoof to her chest, Chrysalis pretended shock. “MY ego? No, not at all. When I look like this, I command fear and obedience, not love and admiration. Fortunately, I, am a master, of disguises.”
Standing on her hindlegs, she allowed the green flames to wash over her body, the greatest of Changeling magic transforming her into somepony else.
Wanderlust groaned when he realized what her plan must be, why the other ponies would be so glad to see her arrive.
“What do you think? I feel a little lean on the belly. White’s never really been my color.”
He refused to look at the abomination in front of him, choosing to shut his eyes.
“Suit yourself.” He heard her say in a comforting voice that he knew concealed malicious intents. The sound of large wings flapping and ascending farther away brought him little comfort, since he knew full well where she was going. The multitude of her drones as well followed after her, the combined thrum of their beating wings almost deafening as it echoed in the chamber.
“I’m sorry…” Wanderlust whispered to nopony. “I’m sorry.” Despite the pain in his face, he focused his mind on memories more agonizing than a shot to the nose ever could be. In his visions, he saw a little white unicorn colt sleeping in his bed at night, the light of the moon casting down onto the blanket.
The image shifted to the serene face of a similarly white mare who sat next to him, overlooking a coastal city, starlight sparkling on the ocean waves in the distance. He felt the tender touch of her feathers move across his back.
With a concentrated exhale, he conjured one final memory, the last time he saw them alive, trapped in the Changeling feeding pods, part of a innumerable collection that lined an immense cavern. He focused on that memory, more importantly, he focused on the anger. Rage harnessed and solidified became something purer, an element comparable to the love that had a potency all its own.
If anything could break the grip of a material that fed on love, it was hate. He might not have years to harness the emotion like he did the first time, but if he just concentrated, put all his willpower into the mustering enough hatred to fissure the parasitic material.
“Bah! Come on!” With a frustrated gasp, he broke into a series of short breaths, gritting his teeth.
“Rah! Rah! Raaaah!”
He felt as if his eyes would burst, but finally, a crack appeared in the solidified mucus around his horn.
“Thank the gods, hopefully this time it won’t take another 30 years.”
