Part One: Revelation
Chapter I - In-Laws Are The Worst
“Twilight, you shouldn’t be frettin’ like this! It’s your brother’s wedding, you should be happy about this, not mopin’ around, and starin’ out the window.” Applejack rested a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, and she groaned. Her brother was getting married, which wouldn’t be a problem if she had heard anything about it beforehoof.
But she hadn’t. He was marrying some unfamiliar ‘Princess Mi Amore Cadenza’, instead of anypony she had met, or even heard about. She was understandably quite peeved when she had received the letter telling her of this news.
She looked back at Applejack and the other Bearers. Spike locked eyes with her and gave a small nod of encouragement. “It’s just… my brother and I were always close as foals, and now I discover that he’s not only decided to marry somepony without telling me, he’s also managed to marry somepony I’ve never heard of! I mean, who is this ‘Princess Mi Amore… whatsername?”
Spike chuckled quietly as Rarity spoke up. “Does it matter, dear? I mean, think about it! A Princess is marrying your brother, that means that you’ll be part of the royal family! If I was in your position, I would be celebrating, not mourning.”
Twilight sighed. “Yeah, sure it’s neat that I’m getting a royal sister-in-law, but this is about my brother! We’ve always been so close, has something changed between us to warrant this secrecy?”
They looked out the window, and all gasped. The train had passed through the last tunnel on the way to Canterlot, which meant that the city was visible in all its splendid glory. While the whole image was marred by the pink shield surrounding it, it was still an impressive sight.
The train neared, then passed through the bubble, sending a wave of pink energy down the train cars. It passed over them, making them feel a peculiar, warm, tingling sensation. Twilight looked back at the shield and smiled.
As the train began to slow to a halt, Twilight stood at the doors and looked to the others. “Spike, girls, I’m going to head straight for my brother. In the meantime, the Princesses are expecting us, so I’m sure some guards or similar ponies will be there to take you.” They looked out the window, and sure enough, a small group of guards were holding two signs with ‘Elements of Harmony’ and ‘Spykoranuvellitar.’
Spike chuckled. “They even got my full name, I’m guessing Shining had something to do with that. He knows that it bugs me whenever ponies use that name, it just sounds so… fancy.”
Rarity leaned over and rubbed his head with a hoof. “I think it sounds noble and dignified! A name truly fit for a strong, handsome dragon such as yourself!” She smiled at Spike, who smirked and flexed just a little bit. Twilight nudged his leg, and he snapped out of it.
The doors slid open, prompting Twilight to leap into a sprint towards the castle. She said a goodbye over her shoulder and focused on her target. She pushed her magic and felt seven pings behind her, and one towards the castle itself. That was the one she needed.
After some searching, she spotted him standing on a balcony and ordering some guards around. She ignored the guards and teleported in front of him. “SHINING ARMOR, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!?” He yelped and fell backward. The guards moved to restrain Twilight, but Shining Armor waved them off.
After a few shaky breaths, he got to his hooves. “Twi— Twilight, good to see you too? What was that about?”
She gave a heavy groan. “What was that— Oh, I don’t know, maybe we’ll start with the part where you forgot to tell your sister, in person, that you were getting married to some mare she’s never met!? Does that ring any bells?”
“Never met? Twilight, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is Cadence, your old foal sitter! And I couldn’t tell you in person because of how swamped I am with guard duty. Somepony gave an anonymous threat to Canterlot a few weeks back, and we’ve been searching high and low to find who did it.”
Twilight squealed and pressed her hooves to her cheeks. “Ohmygosh, Cadence!? She was the best foal-sitter, ever, of all time! And you’re marrying her!? Don’t get me wrong, I’m still furious at you for not saying anything about the wedding, but this makes it a little better! But what kind of threat was made to warrant a weeks-long search?”
Shining scratched the back of his head. “Some noble pony found a mare in an alleyway, with the note tied to her hoof. But here's the thing that got the Princesses worried: She was completely out of it like something had removed her soul, or similar. The note essentially said that the offending party would do the same to the Princesses, and has attacked a few others, so we’ve been trying to stop whoever is behind the attacks.”
Twilight frowned. “That sounds serious, and I can see why that would take up most of your time. But still, you never even sent a letter saying you started dating Cadence or anything. What’s up with that?”
He smirked. “We’ve been dating since you became Princess Celestia’s student, Twilight. I kinda expected you, of all ponies, to figure that out. You always were the best at telling ponies’ emotions. Cadence and I know each other excellently by now, so we’ve finally decided to marry each other!”
Twilight's eye twitched, and she shook her head with a mad giggle. “No, no, I don’t miss emotions, trust me! I would have noticed if you two were together!”
Shining shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe you’re losing your touch?”
Twilight cleared her throat and stared at Shining for a moment. “Shining Armor, right now you are feeling humor, concern, guilt, anticipation, love, and a little bit of worry. I haven’t lost my touch, trust me.”
Shining shook his head and motioned for Twilight to walk with him. “I’ve never been able to figure out how you do that. Anyways, follow me. There’s somepony you need to meet.”
They walked towards a relatively small tower with a bridge leading to it. As they neared it, Shining leaned over to Twilight with a touch of pride. “Hey Twily, I’m sure you’ve been wondering what’s up with the big pink bubble around the city, right?”
She tilted her head in thought. “Lemme guess. The mysterious threat to Canterlot, combined with the royal wedding means that security needs to be pretty tight. Nopony untrustworthy can pass through the barrier, which you cast and modify to fit the Princesses’ needs.”
“Right on. I knew you’d figure that one out!” He winked at Twilight just as the tower’s doors opened, and the greatest foal-sitter ever stepped through. “Ah, the mare of the month herself! Cadence, it’s good to see you! I’m sure you remember Twily?”
Cadence looked at Twilight, and they both locked eyes. Their breath caught in their throats, their hearts beat faster, and the whole world seemed to slow for them. Cadence’s eyes flashed to green, slitted eyes, and Twilight’s flashed to lavender slits. Twilight grit her teeth, yet still smiled, and lowered herself.
Cadence pointed her horn at Shining Armor, who slowly zoned out into a dreamy state. The two mares locked eyes again and stared each other down. The alicorn smiled. “Citlali. How have you been all these years? How long has it been, twenty years now?” She pointed a hoof to Twilight’s mane. “And it looks like you’re just as nostalgic as ever. Just couldn’t lose the mane, could you? Shame you didn’t die in that cave, though. Would have been nice to keep thinking I bested you.”
“Chrysalis. Leave now, and I may consider giving you a head start. I am stronger than I was, and I have allies in the Royal Guard, the Elements of Harmony, and the Princesses. One sound from me, and they could be here in a moment.”
Cadence laughed. “Straight to the point, you punctual prick. You haven’t changed, which is probably some form of irony.” She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “I will admit, I didn’t expect you to be here, or alive at all. I figured you were just as dead as your precious pile of rubble you called a hive! I’ve been feeding off the populaces’ love for the royalty here, so I can finally overthrow those damned Princesses.”
Twilight’s horn lit up. “What did you do to the real Cadence? Speak now, traitor, or I will devote every fiber of my body to making you bleed.”
She laughed long, and hard. “Like you could ever resort to violence, much less harm me! And who is the real traitor? Brainwashing your children, abandoning the other Queens… It’s like you don’t even think yourself a changeling anymore, Citlali!” Twilight swallowed, shifted uncomfortably. “Your silly foal sitter is fine, Twilight. I have her out of the way for now, just until things go to plan.”
Cadence pointed her horn at Shining, who began to reawaken from his daze. “Now, let’s talk like the ponies we are, Twily.”
Shining jumped and looked around. “Oh, sorry about that! I must have zoned out for a second. It’s probably because of the shield spell… How are the two greatest mares in my life doing?”
Cadence smiled. “Oh, it’s so good to see Twilight, after all these years! You’ve grown up well since I last saw you.”
Twilight smiled forcibly. “It’s good to see you too, Cady. I think we all know what happens now, right?” Cadence frowned for just a moment in confusion. Twilight lowered herself and began to dance. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” The Princess blinked and stared at Twilight.
Twilight shrugged sheepishly. “It’s alright if you don’t remember. It has been so many years since we last saw each other, though, so I blame myself for not getting in touch with you more often.” Cadence smiled and scratched the back of her head.
She then walked over to Shining Armor and hugged him Shining got the signal and nodded. “I’ve got to get back to my station, but Cadence will be checking in on all of you to see how things are going. I think I speak for both of us when I say I couldn’t be more excited to have you here, right dear?”
Cadence smiled and spoke in an all-too-cheery voice. “Absolutely!”
———<Canterlot Streets, that night.>———
Twilight sat around a table with her friends and sighed. Rarity frowned and rested a hoof on her shoulder. “Whatever is the matter, dear? You’ve been gloomy and on edge the entire time we’ve been here. Surely you’ve forgiven your brother for not sending you an invitation?”
Twilight shook her head. “No, that’s not it. Did Cadence seem… off to anypony? How she acted, talked, or anything? I’ve got a nagging feeling in my gut, and I know something’s up.”
“I can’t say I have, dear. Sure, it’s a slight bit intimidating standing next to royalty, and an alicorn, but I feel the same way for the other two princesses as well.”
Applejack nodded. “I can’t say I’ve felt anything strange about her, either. Is somethin’ bothering you, Twi?”
“No, it’s just, I don’t know. Something is off about her. I can read everypony’s emotions like an open book, but her emotions just seem… off. Fake, or acted out.”
Rainbow scoffed. “What? Are you saying that somepony has replaced Cadence, just to get married to your brother? I like chances for adventure as much as you Twilight, but that’s a little far-fetched.”
“Actually, it isn’t. I’ve read about a species of symbiotic, shape-shifting, emotivores called changelings. Though they’re mostly old mares' tales at this point, I’ve decided to give those credibility as much as scientific research. I’ve learned my lesson with Nightmare Moon and Discord.”
“So what, you think that a ‘changeling’ has replaced Cadence? What would be their motive?” Rainbow leaned forward for an answer.
“Well, at the wedding, Cadence would be standing close to Celestia. If she could drain enough emotion directed towards herself, Celestia, and my brother, she very well could be powerful enough to dethrone the princesses.” Rainbow leaned back and gave a nervous chuckle.
Fluttershy raised a hoof. “Well, I think that she’s nice. A bird of mine was singing off-key, and she helped him fix his mistake!”
“That's nice, but it could still just be an act. At least until the wedding is over and done, keep your guard up around her, okay? Being around her just gives me shivers all over.” They all grumbled affirmatives.
The Bearers, apart from Twilight, began to head back to their bedrooms, since it was getting late. Spike watched them leave, then turned back to Twilight. “Since when did you talk that openly about changelings, Twi? We need to be careful, especially around that snake.”
“Don’t worry Spike. If we can fix this, and out Chrysalis before she has any chance to harm the princesses, then we don’t need to worry about discussing changelings, much less revealing any hives.”
Spike sighed and stood to leave. “I hope you’re right. Just let me know if you need me in anyway to dethrone her. I’ve waited all 13 years of my life to get revenge for what she did. I don’t wanna add Equestria to the list of things to avenge.”
Twilight hugged him and pulled him close. “Me neither, Spike. Me neither. I’m going to talk to her, threaten her with her hive’s location. So long as I’m able to send the Royal Guard after her hive, she can’t attack me. Basic blackmail!”
Spike shook his head vigorously. “No, Twilight. That’s a stupid plan! What if she just kills you, or sends you to wherever Cadence is being held? You’re too angry right now, Twilight. Take some time and think this through!”
Twilight sighed. “Not enough time and Chrysalis wouldn’t do that. She’s smart, she knows that replacing me would be too easy to spot this far into the wedding. But, if something does happen, tell our friends, and the Princesses. They trust you as much as they trust me, they’ll listen.”
Spike swallowed. “I still think it’s a stupid plan.”
———<Cadence and Shining Armor’s tower.>———
“…This was my favorite uncle’s, he wore it to his wedding, though it did have a different symbol on it, of course.” Shining fidgeted with the red and white uniform that his uncle, Lantern Light, wore so long ago. Twilight also heard Cadence just out of view.
“I think it looks wonderful. A uniform fit for royalty, or as the case may be, the royal guard!” Twilight frowned, then put on her best ‘happy Twily’ face. She knocked on the door and pushed it open.
“Hey, Twily, what’re you doing? Shouldn’t you be headed to bed right now? Big day ahead, don’t you know it!”
“I actually wanted to talk to Cadence about my part in the wedding, to make sure I know exactly what to do! I’ve read some books on being the best mare, but nothing has really helped.” She scratched the back of her head and smiled apologetically.
“Of course! Cady, I’ll be in the bedroom when you’re done, alright?” Shining nodded and walked from the room. Twilight slowly closed the door, and stared at Cadence.
“We need to have a talk. Something about you leaving, and me not outing your entire hive to the Equestrian Government.” Cadence's horn flared, and the room lit up with a bright green glow.
Cadence shrugged and smiled smugly. “Soundproofing spell. If we’re going to ‘talk’, then I’d prefer to not bother Shiny, or anypony else.”
Twilight stamped a hoof. “Don’t call him that. He isn’t your brother, snake!”
She grinned and squinted her eyes. “Or what? I’m more powerful than you by far, I can feel it. This city’s care for its rulers runs far deeper than I had imagined, and I have taken their emotions in full vigor. You wouldn’t stand a chance against me. Want me to demonstrate? I mean, I can’t have anypony revealing my hive, can I?”
Twilight lowered herself into a fighting position and watched as Cadence’s disguise burnt away, revealing her true self. The green-maned, green shelled menace that she was. They waited for a few moments, then Twilight pounced forward, firing a bolt of energy towards Chrysalis. The Queen simply blocked it with a conjured shield and swept her head to the side.
Twilight gasped and fell to the floor as the world’s clarity faded away into a blurry, red mess. She gasped as she struck the floor, all too aware of the large gash in her torso. She shuddered as Chrysalis stood over her, that smile still on her face. Green fire erupted around Twilight as she fell into a deep darkness.