//------------------------------//
// Part 1 
// Story: The New Princesses of the Changeling Empire 
// by ImNoPony 
//------------------------------//

Darkness. Darkness looms over Canterlot Castle and soon going to spread all over Equestria. On the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration and the 1 year anniversary of the return of Princess Luna, the princesses was meant to be readying themselves for a joyous and holy festival. This was anything but that.

Deep within the castle, in the throne room for Equestria's ruler, a sinister and corruptible ritual was happening. Suspended in midair by dark magic, the recently crowned Princess Twilight Sparkle putting up all of her might trying to resist the corrupting essence from taking hold of her.  Grunting. Moaning. Struggling. Everything that she can to prevent her from becoming evil. However, this isn't a battle that she can see herself winning.

And the one who was doing this, the one who is trying to make Twilight into something like herself, was Queen Chrysalis, the ruler of the Changelings. Not expecting to see her so soon, Chrysalis was already acting her revenge plan and trying to turn Equestria's royalty into her loyal slaves. Menacing cackling was spewing from the Changeling Queen's mouth as she seeing a defenseless Twilight struggling to resist her transformation.

But for those who are joining this scene now and have the foolish fantasy of Princess Twilight somehow escaping, you are dead wrong. In between the desperate fighting for her life, Twilight peaked open her eyes and could see the other victims of Chrysalis's corruption. Large, tall ponies-turn-Changelings standing beside their queen. Insectoid wings standing tall, blackness covering their bodies and holes going through the bottom-end of their legs. And yet, they all have the faces that Twilight use to still admire.

Celesita. Luna. Cadence. Three pony princesses who were the rulers of pony kind were now standing beside Queen Chrysalis as their new mistress.

"How did this happen?" Twilight thought. "How could this have been prevented?"

As Princess Twilight saw her former role models, she couldn't help but to recall where this all began for her. When she first arrived at Canterlot as a new princess and when this nightmare began.

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As Princess Twilight Sparkle gets off of the flying royal chariot, she look up and admire the majesty of Canterlot Castle. Bright, warming colors still coat the outer walls. The regal architecture shows off the proud history of pony culture. And the brimming sun did nothing but to boost the beauty of the castle. And wait by the door wasn't just a royal escort but Princess Celestia as well.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight cried cheerfully to her former mentor.

After a short, quick chuckle, Celestia loudly greets "Welcome Princess Twilight Sparkle to Your New Home!"

As the royal guards began assisting Spike with moving Twilight's luggage, the new pony princess went up to the white, regal mare and says to her "Um... Please Princess Celestia, just call me Twilight for now. I still haven't gotten use to the new "princess" part of my name yet."

After giving a devilish smirk, Celestia replies "Ok, but only if you just call me "Celestia" as well."

Twilight chuckle but could see how that made sense. She is a princess. She is now on the same level as her mentor and it might get annoying that they still constantly refer to each other by their formal titles. The only things that still separate them apart is experience. "Ok" Twilight eventually replied.

Celestia then exclaims "Good. Why don't we head on inside and I help show you to your new quarters."

After giving a pleasant smile, Twilight followed Celestia into the castle. Inside the royal foyer, the princesses were greeted with rows of loyal servants who were bowing upon their entrance.

"Wow. What an overwhelming welcome" Twilight remarked.

"Well this is to be expected for a new princess" Celestia explained. "This might seem all so new to you, but please try to get use to it."

"Um... ok."

As she tread pass all the bowing servants, Twilight couldn't help but to feel important. They respect her enough to lower their heads before her. How doesn't that make you feel like a special pony? Even when they passed through to the corridors, any worker pony they come across will instantly drop what they were doing and bow before them. "It overwhelming before but now it's going over the top" Twilight thought.

As they were walking, Celestia tries to struck up a conversation. "I hope you don't mind having to move away from you friends from Ponyville?"

At like that, any positive emotions that Twilight might have had was quickly dampened with the reminder of her friends. Rainbow Dash. Applejack. Fluttershy. Rarity. And who couldn't forget Pinkie Pie? After having been declared princess, Twilight was ordered to move back to Canterlot to assume her new duties.

Twilight replies "Well, I'm actually quite sad that I have to move away from my friends after I spent such a long time getting to know all of them. But, while I'm upset that I can't see them as often anymore, at least we can still keep in teach."

"Well that's good" Celestia responded.

But while Twilight was tying to look on the bright side and imagine seeing her friends in the future, Celestia suddenly says something that is most peculiar.

"But you must remember Twilight; from her on out, you wouldn't be needing your friends anymore."

"What!" Twilight yelled.

Twilight couldn't believe that Celestia had said that. Her mentor, who insisted that she needed to find friends in the first and how she could rely on them, is now insinuating that she should abandon them. Seeing Twilight's shocked face, Celestia explained

"Oh, but that doesn't mean you won't be seeing them in the future. Even in the near future in fact. It just that your new duties will require you to throw away all distractions that you may have. That includes your friends. Do you understand Twilight?"

"Um... I think I do?"

That was all that she could've said. Twilight doesn't want to forget about her friends. And yet, imagining some of her new princess duties: diplomacy, economics, growth and protection of the nation, those things are important enough that she mustn't be distracted on. But still, hearing Celestia saying those words, Twilight had a sinking feeling in her stomach that will sit with her through the rest of the evening.

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Later that evening, Princess Twilight sat comfortably on her bed in her new bedchamber. Spike was carried away by some of the castle servants who said that he need to be "debriefed" on some of his new duties. And so, the only company that Twilight has with her is her thought and those thoughts were telling her that something is off about the castle.

Not only what Celestia said is still bugging her, but the servants was also acting slight differently then usual. She might not know any of them but they don't seem to act how she imagine they would. They seem to act cold and distant and don't seem to interact with each other much. Some of which she isn't sure that they were properly trained as some had holding stuff in their mouths. When they notice her and if she said what is up, they just replied "We are getting ready for tomorrow" and then laugh to themselves. True, the Summer Sun Celebration is tomorrow and she assume some important guest might come to the castle, but she can't see that as an excuse to be cold and sloppy.

But as was in the depths of her thoughts, Twilight suddenly had a knock on the door. When her mind went back into reality, a familiar voice shout out from the other side of the door. 

"Twilight! Are You There!? Can I Come In!?"

When she heard the voice, Twilight instantly recognized who it belonged to. She quickly jumps off her bed, flies to the door and quickly opened it with her magic. And on the other side of the doorway was a pink alicorn pony that Twilight loves so much.

"Cadence!" Twilight cries out with joy.

"Twilight!" Cadence replied back.

Both sister-in-laws quickly embrace in a warm hug. The moment was so heartwarming for them, they quickly do their identification ritual.

"Sunshine, Sunshine, Ladybugs Awake! Clap Your Hooves And Do A Little Shake!"

Once they made their secret hoof shake, Twilight felt more at ease. Knowing that her favorite sister is around relief a large amount of tension off her shoulders. But speaking of which, Twilight was a little bit confused on why she is here at Canterlot.

"Cadence, what are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be ruling the Crystal Empire?"

Cadence happily explains "Well all the preparations are already set over at the Empire, so I thought I see how things are doing over here."

"Aww. Cadence, were you just checking up on me?"

"Hm-hm... Yeah, I guess that true. Mind if I can come in and chat for a bit."

"Of course! You didn't even need to ask."

As Cadence gracefully trods into the room, Twilight pull up some seats with her magic so her and her sister can sit on. As they sat comfortably on their lavish chairs, the sister began to relax and chat for a bit.

"So, I know it's only been a short while since you been declared a princess, but how you are taking the sudden change?"

"Well, it was a bit world shaking at first. Being given a massive responsibility, moving back to Canterlot and... and moving leaving my friends..."

Cadence quickly notices Twilight's face began to hang low and great sorrow painted across it. Being away from her friends was really eating away at her heart. With great tenderness, Cadence temporally got off her seat and gave Twilight a supportive hug.

"Oh Twilight, this must really be hard on you."

"Yeah, it is" Twilight whispered. And as the two mares were embracing each other, a tear of sadness leaked out from Twilight's eye and dripped onto Cadence.

After a moment or so to make Twilight feel better, Cadence back away from Twilight. "But you must remember Twilight, your new duties are very important."

"Yeah, I know Cadence" Twilight interjected. "Celestia already gave me the run down."

"So you must know what you have to do?"

After taking a deep breath to build up her strength, Twilight strongly replies "yes."

Cadence smiles when she sees Twilight is trying to be tough. However, that smile slowly turns into a smirk and those supportive thoughts are slowly twists into a different kind of support.

"Say Twilight..."

"Hm?"

"Have you ever wondered why Equestria never had a queen?"

Twilight's thoughts of sorrow was instantly pushed aside due to the out of no where confusion of Cadence's question. "Um... Actually, no. I haven't really thought about it" she answered.

"I haven't really thought about it too" Cadence replied. "But isn't it strange? Equestria has 4 princesses but no queen to rule over all of us?"

"Well, do we really need one? Celestia already did a good job ruling Equestria for a 1000 years." 

"Yes, but Equestria still needs a queen."

Twilight soon became unnerved by how the conversation is going. Cadence wasn't really being too strange or too suspicious, but the somewhat mellow tone was creeping Twilight out and something completely different to her character. It's almost like she changed or something. To continue the conversation, Twilight enquirers "Well then, is Celestia going to become queen or something?"

But in keeping to her unnerving mood, Cadence rather too calmly replies "No. Just that somepony else will be declared queen of Equestria."

"SOMEPONY ELSE!" Twilight screamed with surprise. This was massive news. World shaking news even. How could somepony else being put in charge of Equestria? "Who!?" Twilight desperately asks. "Is It Luna!? You!? Is It ME!?!?"

Seeing Twilight being scared and panicking, Cadence tries to calm her nerves and replies "No, it's not any of us, but it is somepony you already know."

"But Who!?"

Cadence was tempted to telling her right then and there, but she decided not to. Instead, she left Twilight handing by replying "Oh, you remember who they are later tonight if you stay up late enough."

"But I Want To Know Now!"

"You will Twilight, just be patient."

Twilight can't believing that Cadence was withholding important information from her. It's almost as if she is toying with her a bit too. "What has gotten into everyone?" she thought.

And then, leaving Twilight even more confused, Cadence began walking towards the door. But as she was about to leave, she stops and turn around to say something to Twilight.

"But if you're no longer interested to know who it is Twilight, you better stay asleep tonight and not wake up."

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Within the den of night, a certain purple alicorn princess couldn't sleep on her royal bed. She was twisting and turning and couldn't get a wink of sleep. Just that everything that happened today was really freaking her out. The servants acted strangely, Celestia telling her to abandon her friends, Cadence telling her that a new pony will be ruling Equestria. It was foolish of Twilight to see if she could sleep through this.

After Cadence had left, Twilight instincts was telling her to get the tartarus away from here and go to her friends in Ponyville. However, there was two problem. The first problem was that Twilight wasn't going to leave without Spike. She waited and she waited until he would return but her never came. When night had came, Twilight had thought about leaving without Spike. But not only did she couldn't bring herself to do it, there was the second problem that faced, she couldn't get back to Ponyville by herself. She had just gotten her wings and hadn't flew with them yet, she wasn't skilled enough in her teleportation spell to make her teleport between towns and she couldn't call a royal chariot to take her there without good reason. She did thought about legging it and using the train, but somepony would obviously recognize her and the other princesses might send guards to bring her back. No matter whatever way she looked at it, Twilight was trapped.

Eventually, when she could see that sleeping was pointless, Twilight throws off the quilt and gets up. Cadence seemed to have implied that something was going on tonight and that she might find out who this new queen is. Dread and anxiety was filling up her stomach as she was asking herself what she need to do.

But then, as she was pondering it on her feet, Twilight notice a faint green light seeping through her window. It wasn't bright or flashing or anything that is largely noticeable. But it was bright enough for Twilight to notice and fills her up with more fear. And went over towards the window to see where the light was coming. But while she didn't find anything right outside her window, she did see the cause of it.

Out high, high in the sky, was the large moon that would sweep across Equestria every night. However, it wasn't a pure, cleansing white moon like how it usually looks. It was not white, but Green! A greenish glow that would shock and terrify any pony who would look up towards it. It was startling and it was unnerving. It was like a greenish glow that you would see from a mistress of evil.

When she saw the green moon, Twilight couldn't believe her eyes. Usually, this would be a sign of a bad omen. Ponies would be panicking and the princesses would do something about it. However, she didn't not hear any sounds of fear of confusion. No pony was knocking on her door and inform her that there is a problem. These were signs that something is wrong and she need to do something about it.

Sensing great danger and malevolence afoot, Twilight decides to investigate things. Something is definitely wrong with the other princesses and she was determined to find out.

Twilight quietly snuck out of her room and creep down the hallways. Fortunately for her, there weren't any guards around to try to stop her. But then again, the was another bad sign that things aren't right. Guards should always be around to monitor and protect the castle. And yet, corridor after corridor, Twilight saw no other pony was around. This troubles her even further and moves quicker around the castle.

Since the green was a clear sign that something's wrong, Twilight instinctively went looking for Princess Luna. As the caretaker of the moon, she has some control of the appearance. From how it travels in the night sky to the lunar phases, if the moon looks green, something isn't well for the princess of the night.

Twilight tried to look for Princess Luna's bed room. But as she was looking for it, she suddenly felt an indescribable presence. Like I said, Twilight didn't know how to put. Maybe it was her alicorn powers or a power left behind from the Elements of Harmony, but something was telling her to search the nearby throne room. Feeling compelled to follow this feeling, Twilight let her instincts guide her and take her to the throne.

When she went inside, Twilight was greeted by a eerily foreboding and dark atmosphere. She could still see but felt that it was too dark for this time of night. When she had a quick glance around, Twilight thought no one was around. But when she look towards the end of the room, right by the throne and the devilish green moon was visible through a sly light, she finally notice that somepony was here. She had a hard time recognizing them through the darkness, but Twilight realizes them as Princess Luna.

"Princess Luna" Twilight softly spoken out with slight joy. But as soon as she said it, soon remembers that Luna might be different like Celestia and Cadence and that she should be on guard.

At first, Luna didn't respond and just looking up towards the green moon. Cautiously, Twilight moves closer towards her, hoping that she could do something when she get near. But as soon as Twilight was in the middle of the hall, Luna finally says something to her.

While still looking at the moon, Luna asks "Isn't it beautiful Twilight Sparkle?"

"What!" Twilight responded.

"Isn't it beautiful? The green moon that shines down on this night and shows us it's magnificent beauty."

Twilight was at a lost for words. She had no way on describing the moon that she has been seeing tonight. But even if she could, she probably wouldn't give the same praises that Luna was giving it. In all honesty, she was half expecting that Luna will turn around with an evil grin and transform into Nightmare Moon. But instead, Luna gives Twilight a weird piece of information.

"Since ancient times, the moon will change it's color and different civilizations will associate that color towards them. Red. Blue. Yellow. And when the moon change into their color, that particular race of ponies will rejoice and celebrate the appearance of their moon."

Twilight vaguely remembers reading that in an old history book once. But while she understands it, she doesn't know how it relates to them. The ponies of Equestria had always associate themselves with the standard whiteness of the moon and can't understand why she should be happy that it's green. Unless...

"Do you know who celebrates the green moon Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight was at a lost for words, unsure on what to answer. But as she subconsciously take a few step backwards, she bumped into somepony behind her. The bump startled her, but she does not want to look behind. But when she does, she was greeted by a being that she never expected. A being who was tall and black, a horn like a unicorn but wings like a bug. A person that Twilight never expected to see so soon.

"Changelings" Queen Chrysalis says soft as she grinds to Twilight.

Twilight was petrified with her mouth wide. Utterly shock to seeing one of her enemies right before. Her first instinct was to quickly back some distance between her and Chrysalis. However, as she walk backwards in a fast pace, Twilight soon bumped into somepony else. When she look behind herself again, she saw all three princesses standing behind her. Celestia, Luna and Cadence. Three ponies who everyone admired was staring... admiringly towards Queen Chrysalis.

"Welcome my queen" said all the princesses in unison.

Confusion and scattered thoughts was filling up Twilight's head and she feels like her brain is about to crash. And then, in a moment that is both so shocking and yet quite obvious, the alicorn princesses went through a sudden transformation. Gone were bright colors and motherly and calming appearances. Emerging from green flames that envelop their bodies were 3 tall, black Changelings.

However, these Changelings weren't ordinary drones that she saw during the invasion. These Changelings still retain the similarities to the princesses that they disguise themselves. The Celestia-Changeling still has a long and flowing mane. The Cadence-Changeling still has the face of the sister that Twilight loves to see. And the Luna-Changeling still has that posture that Twilight often see Luna in during important events. The still look like the princesses, just in Changeling form.

An while Princesses Twilight looks utterly dumbfounded, Queen Chrysalis just laughs. Laughs at her confusion, her predicament and her ultimate fate.