//------------------------------//
// Episode 26: Wedding-Crashed Part 2 
// Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 2 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

Chrysalis stood disguised as Cadence as Shining finished getting on his more casual clothes. 'How is this guy the captain of the guard? He didn't even notice I impersonated his fiancé. Even before I used the thrall spell.' A small smile graced Chrysalis' disguised face. 'But...I guess it just shows how much he trusts her.'Chrysalis' smile saddened, and another voice popped into her head.

'Something you will never know.', A harsh, female voice said with a sneer in her tone.

Chrysalis frowned. 'Why can't you leave me be?!' She mentally shot back. She was about to lose it right there when Burst and the guys burst in! "Um...can we help you?"

"It's the night before Shining Armor's wedding." Inferno said with a smirk. "That means it's party time! We GOTTA throw a bachelor party before you two tie the knot!"

Burst gave the disguised queen a small smile. "You wouldn't want to deny a guy his last night of freedom, would you?"

"...Fine. But bring him back here before 1 AM." Chrysalis said with an annoyed sigh.

Burst and the guys immediately grabbed Shining Armor, and left the castle grounds. "So. What's the plan men?" Shining Armor asked with a grin. He was then bonked on the head with the broadside of Burst's Bahamut Edge. 

"We have the package." Burst said with a nod. "Now all we gotta due is deliver it. But first..." Burst pulled out his phone, and dialed Celestia's number. "I gotta make a call. You guys go on without me. I'll catch up soon." The other Elements of Heroism nodded, and Burst soon got a hold of Celestia. "Celestia? It's Burst. This is something that can't wait until morning. Can you meet me at the hotel the guys and I are staying at? Thanks. I love you too." And with that, Burst flew after his friends as they returned to the room they were using as their temporary headquarters.

Meanwhile, at said room, Cadence was looking at Narico and the mutant changelings with equal parts fascination and confusion. Narico noticed Cadence's expression, and flew over to her. "Is something wrong? You've been looking at me, Silk, Constrictor, and Carapace weird all the time we've been here." Narico then looked at Twilight furiously scribbling down notes as Silk disclosed the stats of the other mutant changelings.

Cadence blinked and smiled kindly. "Oh, it's nothing. It's just...you all act like a bunch of little kids for being all grown up."

Narico blinked. "Well, I AM still a little kid. Or at least, my mind still is."

"Why do you think we've taken to calling him 'little brother'?" Carapace said with a good-natured laugh.

Cadance smiled. "So did Chrysalis have all of you? Is that why you call each other brothers and sisters?"

Constrictor shook his head. "No. See, our hive is a lot like the hives of other insects. Chrysalis being our queen. She's responsible for taking care of us, so that's why she's like our mother. But she started acting odd a century ago. She keeps yelling at a voice that only she can hear to shut up."

Cadence's expression soon shifted to a concerned look on her face. "Maybe that explains the odd presence I felt from within her while she imprisoned me. It's like her face was split in two-" Cadence's musings were cut short when Burst and the guys showed up carrying a knocked-out Shining Armor.

"Sorry if the package is a bit roughed up." Burst said with a nervous smile as he set Shining Armor on the bed. "Hope he's not too mad that he won't have a real bachelor party." Burst then noticed Shining Armor starting to come-to. "Do your thing Cadence."

Cadence lifted Shining Armor's head, and planted a kiss on him. Soon, a green glow dissipated from his eyes and he groaned in discomfort and confusion. "Cadence? Twily?" Shining Armor asked as the mind control spell lifted. "What happened? Agh! I feel like I got bumped on the head..."

"Yeah, that was me." Burst said as he scratched his head. "Had to knock you out so you wouldn't put up a fight."

Shining Armor shook his head as he took in the information. As well as the unusual guest that were the mutant changelings. "So...if this is the real Cadence...just who was I almost married to?!"

"That would be Queen Chrysalis." Silk stated plainly. "And it's good thing you were knocked out. Mind Control spells can only trace their casting subjects when they're conscious."

Shining had a distraught look on his face. "...I can't believe I messed up so bad..."

"Well we're making it right now." Twilight said with a smile. "That's all that matters now."

"Indeed my faithful student." The room went silent when Princess Celestia arrived. "Once again, your instincts never fail you. Had the façade of Chrysalis continued, you'd have been seen as crazy."

Burst smiled. "Chrysalis' disguise was almost perfect. But she made one crucial mistake."

"And that was?" Twilight asked with interest.

"She hit on me while posing as the bride-to-be." Burst said with a smirk. "If the bride's getting that friendly with other guys before the wedding, there's no way that love's real. Besides..." Burst shot a loving look at Celestia. "I've already got My Little Princess. And she's super hot." Celestia giggled at the compliment. "But now? We gotta focus on a plan to expose Chrysalis. But not to paint her people as monsters." Burst then pointed at Narico. "You're proof that your people can change Narico. It's time that your queen embrace the meaning in a positive way. Here's what we're gonna do..."

Chrysalis sat worried in the room Shining Armor was sharing with her. 'He hasn't returned yet. And I couldn't track him. What if something went wrong?' A sinister chuckle went off in her mind. 'I don't want to hear from you! This plan was foolish enough and put too much at stake!'

'Don't tell me you actually care about that fool.' The voice said. A sneer in its tone. 'He's little more than a meal. And once he's served his purpose, there'll be no need for him. Besides, we are better than those pitiful princesses! We are above them!'

Chrysalis scowled. 'You're not fooling anyone. Especially not me. Considering they're so beloved by their subjects, I'd say they have quite the edge over us. The nymphs cower the second I so much as look at them! Because you see everyone beneath you as little more than tools! I may not have birthed all of them, but they look to me for what to do! And all they get is you demeaning them!' Chrysalis was soon snapped out of her mental warfare when she heard the door open and saw Shining Armor walk in and sit beside her. "You're back. Party not go well?"

"Burst and his friends were hanging around their girlfriends. And, well..." Shining Armor looked to Chrysalis. Knowing full well that she was still under the guise of his soon-to-be wife. "..It made me miss you. So I left to get in some extra time before you and I are bonded forever." Shining Armor wrapped his arms around the disguised Chrysalis. "I wanted to spend one more night with you before the best day of our lives." Shining Armor eased the two of them onto the bed. 'Good thing I cast a resistance enchantment before I went to see her.' He soon noticed that Chrysalis' disguise had faded from her eyes. He had to admit that they did look quite lovely. Even if she was just posing as his bride. "You've got wonderful eyes." Shining Armor soon fell asleep with his head resting on Chrysalis' chest. "Goodnight."

Chrysalis anxiously snaked her arms around Shining Armor. "...Good...night..." Chrysalis soon fell into an uneasy slumber as her battle within raged on.

The next morning came, and Shining Armor stood with the disguised Chrysalis. Things seemed to be going smoothly. That is, until Burst threw the doors open with Narico, Silk, Constrictor, and Carapace by his side. "Hey everyone! Sorry for the intrusion, but I had a couple of extra friends to bring along. Forgive them. They lost their invites." Everyone else was a little confused at the sudden interruption, but Chrysalis was mentally panicking. "As well as another guest I'm sure you'd all like to meet." It was then that the real Cadence strolled in, and Shining Armor calmly walked over to her. Burst then smirked and pointed at the disguised Chrysalis. "You can drop the act Chrysalis. Twilight's suspicions were spot-on from the moment she met you. Your plan almost worked. If you hadn't tried flirting with me during our first encounter."

Chrysalis' disguise ripped away out of both shock and impressment. Her shock was soon replaced with a smirk of her own. "So you're the male avatar who's been the buzz around Equestria. I must say. You're far more impressive than the reports my scouts gave me suggest." Chrysalis' eyes looked over Burst's form. "So much more indeed. You have cunning that any of my most skilled infiltrators would envy. Which brings me to an interesting proposition." Chrysalis shot a look over to Shining Armor and Cadence. "I've got no control over the dashing groom, but I DO have an entire army waiting outside the shield chipping away at it. Ready to strike. However, I am more willing to call them off and be on my way on one condition."

"And what's that?" Burst asked with a cocked eyebrow.

Chrysalis pointed at Burst. "Join me as my king. A queen is quite the upgrade from princess, wouldn't you say?"

Burst blinked before taking a deep breath and walking over to Chrysalis. Stopping when he was about five feet away from her. "I can't love someone with no love in their heart. Plus, Nightmare Moon was hotter." The entire crowd's jaws dropped at the bold statement Burst had made right in the changeling queen's face! Chrysalis herself stumbled in shock at how blunt Burst was while Celestia's eyes shrunk at hearing the whole statement. Burst smirked knowing he'd thrown Chrysalis off, but his expression turned serious as soon as he saw her recovering. "Now that I've got your attention, I've got a very important question to ask you. Why didn't you take the easy way out?"

"What are you talking about?" Chrysalis asked with a scoff.

"Why didn't you just tell Cadence about your people's needs?" Burst asked. "She's the avatar of love. If you'd just explained that you and your people need love to live, she probably would have been more than happy to give you the love you need! Or for that matter, why not make it your DUTY to spread positive emotions throughout Equestria? How can you call yourself a good leader if you didn't consider all the possible options for your people's well being?" Burst noticed the breaking facade of calm on Chrysalis' face. "For a race with the word 'change' in it, you're certainly inflexible." Burst then addressed the changelings in the room. "Aren't there any among you who are tired of the hunger?" Burst then looked to Narico and pointed at him. "He found an end to the hunger. You all can too. You are Changelings. Now is your chance to change how you are seen. Stand by me, and I'll stand by you." Burst stood still as the entire room was on-edge. Waiting for Chrysalis' response.

"..Wait. Really?" Chrysalis asked. A joyous smile soon graced her face. "That...that's incredible!" Chrysalis reached out her hand, but soon recoiled!

'You fool! What is wrong with you!?! We've been ruling like this for too long to give it up now!' The voice in her head hissed!

"Too bad! It's time for a change!" Chrysalis shot back at her other self! Chrysalis reached out and shook Burst's hand. When she did, a ripple of light shot out of her! When the light faded, two changeling queens stood in place of one. One on her knees was unmistakably Chrysalis with her teal hair and green double-iris eyes. Except her dress had changed. Now she was wearing a green dress that draped down to her knees with what looked like a butterfly on the front. But the other had scarlet hair and pink eyes. And she looked far more sinister sporting a red dress full of holes with a broken heart on the front. The more sinister version let out a cackle of laughter as she stood.

"AHHAH HAHAHHAHAHAH HAH HA HA HA! At last! Heart Eater lives!" Heart Eater cackled with evil joy.

Chrysalis slowly rose to her feet. "Yes. And now..." Chrysalis' hands glowed with the green glow of her magic! "YOU DIE!" Heart Eater scowled and met Chrysalis' green magic with her own blood-red blast! "If I had known why mother destroyed you so long ago, I would have left your heart to fade off into the void!" Chrysalis screamed as she tried to push against Heart Eater's blast! "For centuries you slowly drove me to madness! Made my people fear me! And pushed me to this reckless plan! You would lead us to extinction just to sate your ambition!"

Heart Eater just sneered as she soon overpowered Chrysalis! Chrysalis soon lay on the ground exhausted from pouring all she could into the blast. But she had done so with restraint due to all the room's occupants. "You're so soft." Heart Eater spat as she looked down at the defeated Chrysalis. Celestia was enraged and flared her magic, but Heart Eater wagged her finger in the air. "I don't think so. You wouldn't want to harm any of your precious subjects by getting crazy in here, would you?" Celestia scowled as she powered down. Heart Eater smirked. "True. This plan was all my own devices. I planned on staging the invasion for the wedding. And don't think I've forgotten about my friends outside the shield. There are plenty of drones that were born mindless. Ones who will follow my commands without protest. As any good pawn should." Heart Eater's smirk soon grew into a sneer. "This day truly will be per-" Heart Eater was cut-off when she was kicked in the face! Burst slowly lowered his leg and turned in Heart Eater's direction as she staggered to recover. He then fired a shot from one of his Twin Burst blaster pistols that pushed Heart Eater closer to a nearby wall! Burst then charged at Heart Eater with a mighty roar!

"RRRRRAAAAAGGGHHH!" Burst screamed as he leaped at Heart Eater and bust through the wall! As they fell to the ground, Heart Eater slashed Burst across the chest with her claw-like nails! But sparks flew from her slashes due to Burst's skin being dragon scales! Burst then fired off multiple shots from his blaster right in Heart Eater's face! Each blast left scorch marks on Heart Eater's chitin! As they neared the ground, Burst let go and kicked Heart Eater hard in the stomach! Further increasing the damage she took upon impact! Burst then drew his sword and got into a fighting stance!

Heart Eater groaned in pain as she exited the crater. Cracks were visible on her chitin, and an unamused look was upon her face. "You are either very brave, or very foolish boy."

"Love makes a guy do crazy things." Burst said with a shrug. "And now..." Burst holstered his blaster, and his hand glowed with the blue aura of his magic. A barrier was soon cast that covered a good portion of where he and Heart Eater were standing. He then smiled as he saw a faint yellow-gold glow coming his way. "Now we've got plenty of room to get crazy. Good thing the people here cleared out when they saw us plummeting down here." Burst resumed his fighting stance. Heart Eater sneered, but flew out of the way when a blast of yellow-gold magic was fired in her direction. Princess Celestia soon landed.

"Well. Looks like it's going to be royal vs. royal." Heart Eater said with a sneer. "I bested Chrysalis! YOU WILL BE NOTHING!" Heart Eater fired her most powerful blast of magic at Celestia, but Celestia pushed it back with a blast of her own! Heart Eater was instantly overwhelmed and was flattened against the shield Burst put up! "How...?" she groaned. "You should've been holding back..."

Celestia frowned. "Indeed. I would have. In the proposal hall." Celestia then cracked her knuckles. "But you forget. We're not there at the moment. Are we?" Heart Eater froze in fear at Celestia's words as the princess of the sun continued. "You know, I used to think that Chrysalis and her people were parasites with how she went about ensuring their survival. But now that you've made your presence known, I know better than that. The changelings aren't parasite, and neither is Chrysalis." Celestia brought her face but an inch from Heart Eater's. "YOU are." Celestia then backed away. "It's time I teach you a lesson. But first..." A golden light enveloped Celestia, and she soon stood clad magestic in white and gold armor. Another flash went off in her hands, and a flaming broadsword as well as her katana with a blade of light magic materialized in her hands. "Meet my Celestial Arms. The broadsword is called Solar Storm, and the katana is called Corona Edge." Celestia then got into a fighting stance. "And you're about to become very familiar with them." Celestia then shot a flirty smile at Burst. "Shall we dear?"

Burst returned the smile in kind. "Sure thing gorgeous. Let's rock!" Burst and Celestia charged at Heart Eater! Heart Eater scowled as she summoned her dual-scythe and her horn glowed red. Commanding the mindless drones under her command to break through any holes in the shield over Canterlot. The girls and the rest of the guys noticed the divided swarm, and leapt into action!

"Looks we've got an insect problem." Twilight said as she and the girls summoned their weapons. The Harmony Keepers. The guys summoned their Duelist Arms, and joined in the fight! Twilight fired spell after spell at any drones that came her way! As well as bashing any that lunged at her and her friends! Both the Elements of Harmony and the remaining Elements of Heroism found themselves surrounded by changeling drones.

Inferno smirked. "Everyone ready?" The others nodded. "Let's go!" Each of them split up into groups of two or three! Inferno was by Rarity's side as the two of them fought off their own squadron of changeling drones! "Hope you're not bored beautiful!" Inferno called out as he fired blazing shots from his blaster Blackfire, and slashed at any changelings that tried to get in close with his sword Ignitis Fang.

"Actually, I'm having a blast darling!" Rarity said as she launched out a barrage of diamond shards from her steel fan Adamant Generosity at the changeling drones swarming her and Inferno! "Shall we finish this with style, dear?"

"Is there any other way to?" Inferno asked with a smile as he charged the blade of Ignitis Fang while Rarity's fan glowed with a faint violet light! The two unleashed a unified slash that erupted in a fiery tornado with gem shards swirling around it! Sucking in any changeling drones unfortunate enough to be caught in its wake! The resulting damage forcing the emergency teleport spells to activate and return them to the hive.

Tyrannus was fighting off any changelings that tried to swarm Fluttershy! Either knocking them out of the way with his Brachio Staff, slashing at them with his Raptor Claw Gauntlets, or sending a whole wave flying with his Tyranno Magnum Blaster! All the while, Fluttershy nervously peeked from behind her shaking arms. Worried that Tyrannus might get hurt. Tyrannus noticed her concern, and an idea came to him. "Fluttershy! Use a constant stream of healing on me! I'll charge through the rest of these uglies head-on!" Fluttershy nodded, and focused her staff on Tyrannus. Tyrannus was soon covered in a green aura of healing magic, and he charged at the remaining drones in his way! Mowing them down without so much as tanking a scratch! In a flash of green fire, the mindless drones were sent back to their hive. Fluttershy leaped onto Tyrannus' back, and he smiled down at her. "Glad to know you're always with me My Shy Little Angel." Fluttershy smiled and nuzzled Tyrannus. At the same time, Steel and Rainbow Dash were sending drones flying left and right! Both went forth with blinding speed! Takind down any drones unfortunate enough to try and stop them. The two were having such a good time letting loose, they even started a count of how many enemies they'd taken down.

Pinkie and Akage in the meanwhile were taking down the changelings swarming them with great speed. Pinkie was battering them with her yoyo while Akage was flinging a storm of projectiles like kunai and shuriken at them like there was no tomorrow! Ace, Ice, and Shadow were being circled by another changeling squadron, but the three of them made short work by unleashing their weapons! Ace slashed his way through the drones in his way, Ice brought his claymore Archfiend Dragon's Tenacity down and unleashed an energy shockwave, and Shadow used his spear Celestial Protector to send the drones flying into the air! Meanwhile, Applejack was taking down changelings with stun bolts fired from her Hamrony Keeper weapon. True Aim. North was giving her backup by using his magnetism magic to gather the changeling drones into single masses for Applejack to fire at! "Thanks fer the assist sugarcube!" Applejack called out.

"No problem lass." North said with a smile. He soon blushed when Applejack kissed him as the changelings soon returned to their hive via emergency teleport spell. "A-Anytime!" Applejack giggled at North's response. Fang and Venus had just finished off the wave of drones that had swarmed them. They also took note of the flashes of light going off in the area Burst had put his shield over, and the group rushed over to see how Burst was holding against Heart Eater!

Back inside the shield, Burst and Celestia were going all-out against Heart Eater! The dark changeling queen knocked away Celestia and temporarily immobilized her by casting a spell that stuck her feet in changeling cocoon goo. Heart Eater then gave Burst a predatory smile. "Hmm. Your love is indeed powerful Love you feel for Celestia." Heart Eater then licked the blade of her dual scythe. "Seeing under pressure like this makes this all the more delicious!"

"Do not want. DO NOT WANT!" Burst screamed as he used his sword to stave off Heart Eater's scythe! Burst breathed a sigh of relief as he saw Heart Eater get sent flying into the shield spell he'd cast. Celestia stood free of the slime that held her in place. Her flaming broadsword Solar Storm's tip smoking from the fireball she'd launched. Burst smiled, and the two charged at Heart Eater! Celestia stunned Heart Eater with a swift kick to her side! Celestia then got in two quick slashes with her blades!

"Time to heat things up." Celestia said with a  smirk as she plunged her broadsword into the ground! A pillar of flame soon shot up under Heart Eater! Leaving scorch marks on her chitin! Celestia then took to the air, and readied Corona Edge! In a streak of light, she slashed Heart Eater across the chest! Stunning the dark changeling queen! "Now Burst! Time for a shocking follow-up!"

Burst nodded. "Let's rock the dragon!" Lightning danced along Burst's blade before he dashed at Heart Eater and unleashed a series of devastating slashes powered-up by the lightning! Heart Eater twitched as each slash shocked her and sent her mind into shock! Burst finished his assault with a charged shot from both of his Twin Burst blaster pistols! "Hey Celestia. Since this is our first couples battle, how about we finish this together?"

Celestia smiled as she and Burst holstered their weapons. "Nothing sounds more wonderful dear." Both Celestia and Burst got into fighting stances while Heart Eater snarled in defiance! The two flew over to her, and both punched her in the face with all their might! They punched Heart Eater so hard that she was sent hurtling through the barrier, and soon skidded to a halt! The barrier soon faded, and Burst and Celestia noticed the others coming to their side. "Tell me. Does punching evil in the face always feel that good?"

Burst chuckled. "Trust me. There's no feeling like it." Burst then noticed Heart Eater groaning as she slowly got to her feet, and took note of how badly she'd been beaten by himself and Celestia. "Well. Looks like you're definitely not easy to squash."

"Spare me your banter." Heart Eater snapped. "You think you two have bested me?"

Celestia giggled. "You misunderstand. We were just softening you up. We're not the ones whose special day you almost ruined. Cadence?" Heart Eater froze as Cadence stepped forth with Shining Armor. The two of them holding hands as Cadence summoned a bow in a flash of pink light. "You always wanted the chance to practice using your Celestial Arm, didn't you?"

Cadence smiled at Shining as they drew on the bow's string. Twin arrows made of love energy, one pink and one blue, materialized as the bow was drawn and aimed right at Heart Eater. "You want our love?" The two asked in unison. "Take this!" They released the string, and the twin arrows of love energy released a shockwave that sent Heart Eater and her drones all the way back to their hive! All of Canterlot cheered, and photos were taken of the heroes before they returned to the wedding to finish the ceremony and celebrate! Meanwhile, the changelings still loyal to Chrysalis surrounded their queen. Each one expressing their relief that she was alright. Chrysalis smiled, and soon approached Burst and Celestia.

"I thank you for ridding me of that monster." Chrysalis said with a solemn smile. "But there's something more I must do." Chrysalis removed her crown, and bowed. "Accept this as my abdication of my throne. I've no right to call myself a queen. Especially since I was so weak as to engage in a foolish plan doomed to fail." Tears began to fall down the queen's face, but they soon halted when she felt Cadence and Shining Armor's presence. "Why? Why do you show me an decency? I nearly ruined what was supposed to be the happiest day of your lives."

"Maybe." Cadence said with a small smile. "But through it all, your were at war with yourself. It's like Burst said. You're changelings. Change is in your race's name. And your name suits what you've gone through. Keep your crown. Your people need you. There can be a home for you here."

Chrysalis slowly stood. "I...look forward to seeing the integration through. But my people shall become autonomous from my leadership. And I wish to stay with you." Chrysalis lightly blushed. "I...wish to have what the both of you have one day. There's so little I know about love. So who better to teach me?" Cadence and Shining Armor pulled Chrysalis into a tight hug. 

Burst and Celestia smiled at the scene. "You know? I like a woman who can handle a good fight." Burst said as he looked lovingly at Celestia.

"Love really is in the air today." Celestia said as she pulled Burst in for a kiss. "You know...today really got me wondering when I'll be the one at the altar."

Burst tightened his grip around Celestia. "Well, maybe it'll be sooner than you think." Music began to play, and everyone danced in celebration of their victory. That night, Burst stayed with Celestia. The two falling asleep in each other's arms.