Pinkie woke up. It didn't meant that she opened her eyes, got up from bed and started brand new day. It only meant her mind left sleep and entered reality. She wasn't able to do anything except thinking. She wasn't scared, as it happened before. Her mind was simply disconnected with her body. At this moment it felt like she wasn't material, real thing, only a stream of consciousness and thoughts.
It was relaxing in bizarre way. Everything was somewhere else. Not real. She couldn't describe what, where, how she was. She didn't have senses at this moment. Her mind was everything at this moment. Her brain equaled reality for now. It was only thing existing. Her bliss lasted only as long as memories of last night didn't start to show up.
What happened before she went to sleep?
After Chrysalis greeted them Fluttershy fainted. She was frightened by so many changeling looking at her. They weren't pretty, they were scary, Pinkie had to agree. Even worse, some of them looked at her like she was prey or enemy. Others looked at her like she was nothing, too depressed to really care. Some, very small number of them looked at her with hope in their eyes.
Chrysalis idea to greet her only made it worse. She had good intentions, Pinkie was sure of that, but she exaggerated it. Yes, some greetings would be at place. But loud welcoming with guards at sides was too much for Fluttershy. What happened next?
Pinkie brought Fluttershy to Chrysalis quarters. She had talk with her sister. Chrysalis was again at "I'm fuck-upper". She knew it was important for Pinkie and that this pegasus actually could and wanted to help her subjects, still, she blew it.
Pinkie snapped at her. She had enough of self-blaming, and empty words. Chrysalis was taken-aback by attack of her sister. Pinkie was mad at herself for her outburst.
They had a talk.
Fluttershy regained consciousness during their reconciliations. She opted to stay quiet during this. When changeling sisters found it out, there was embarrassed silence. When Chrysalis was about to say something stupid like "That can't leave this room." or something like that, Fluttershy said with this sweet quiet voice that she forgives everything Chrysalis. That she knew Chrysalis wanted best for her own subjects, that she understood how stressful it had to be for Queen and she had no hard feelings. In pegasus voice there was no trace of prideful pity or shame, it was only compassion and understanding. It almost broke Chrysalis hostility toward ponies, but she regained herself and formally thanked Fluttershy for kind words, even if she doesn't need them. It wasn't truth and everyone knew it. Also everyone knew that Chrysalis pride and animosity toward ponies won't break from one act of Flutershy.
Then Chrysalis went to inform changelings that her sister and her friend will help wounded. There were accusations of betrayal. Only few changelings knew that Pinkie was bearer of Element of Harmony, and Elements of Harmony fought with them during Invasion. Unfortunately, these changelings informed rest of camp that their Queen was among Elements. In camp there was a growing faction of lings who saw Pinkie as traitor who should be court-martialed. They weren't saying it loud, because Chrysalis could kill them at spot. This rebels were trying to gain support for their ideas without Queen noticing. Most changelings in camp were confused, but rather good willed. Yes, she fought with them. Yes, she wounded few of them. Yes, she was in Elements of Harmony. But she also brought them food, listened to them, slightly cheered up Chrysalis, and now she brought medic, even if a pony medic. In effect most of changelings were supporting Chrysalis and Pinkie. Still, accusations of betrayal were threw at them.
Chrysalis reminded gathered subjects that she and Metamorphosis are still Queens, so it means they are highest authority. Their word is a law, and if this was only Chrysalis decision, she would send them all on execution, so they should be glad that Metamorphosis is strongly against it. It silenced them, but made their hate against Pinkie and Chrysalis stronger.
After these shaking news Fluttershy and Pinkie as Queen went to main hall. At first Fluttershy was close to fainting again, but then she saw how many of them were wounded. She braced herself at this sight and asked Pinkie for help. So they started walking from changeling to changeling. Fluttershy was amazing. She kept her fear contained, for sake of patients. She talked to them, asked where it hurts, how they gained such wounds, then cleaned their wounds, bandaged them, braced wounded legs or wings, and so often giving words of hope that their wounds will get better. She was treating them like any other patient of her, with full care and compassion, trying to do her best. Her easing smile and gently voice seemed to make lings feel better. It was like magic.
But sometimes, and Pinkie would be happy to not know it, sometimes it was too late. Infection was too bad, or wounds too severe. Fortunately,in all cases it was limb and it was possible to amputate them.
This weak, shy mare did it. Even worse, she did it calmly, professionally. She asked Pinkie to hold hooves of patient under operation or hug them. It was the least they could for patient who will be cripple for rest of the life. When Pinkie was holding them, Fluttershy was using her saw. Pinkie saw panic and pain in eyes of patients during amputation.
This terrible sound... First, scratching against chitin shell. Scratch-Scratch. Then this watery-meaty sound of cut flesh. Drip-drip of blood. Slapping of cut muscles of limb. Then against scratching, but this time against bone, ended by silent crack. Then again muscles... How so often they flinched at this sound. So often they started to scream at this moment, so often they cried... But it was her duty to be there for her people.
Later they had a break. Pinkie asked Fluttershy how it's possible that she is holding up. Fluttershy answered that she had learned it earlier during work with animals. She added that she will cry tomorrow; now she had patients to take care of. She then added she is even glad that there wasn't any case where only option is to... her voice broke then. Pinkie only nodded with understatement.
Latter memories were blurry. It was hard work. It went slightly easier when two volunteers joined Fluttershy. One of them, Shiri, claimed that she was taught first aid a bit in home. Fluttershy decided to send Pinkie to her house to bring more supplies. Pinkie was glad for that. She used trip to Fluttershy cottage to puke out all horrors of this night. It made her dizzy, but cleansed her mind a bit. She made this trip as fast she could.
When she returned, she immediately felt something bad happened. Guards were keeping an eye on few wounded changelings. Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen.
"Traitors attacked your friend." It was all Chrysalis said.
Fluttershy was attacked by changeling she was patching up. Two trails of blood flowed down along her neck, her hooves. Fortunately, his fangs didn't reached any vital veins. Fluttershy was wounded. It shocked her, she didn't reacted. Sometimes animals were aggressive and attacked her, but it never happened to her that some animal tried to kill her. Ling who attacked her was about to unleash another attack, luckily few changelings reacted and subdued him. Few fights started between changelings and some suffered wounds. Fluttershy was standing in middle of riots, don't understating what went wrong, what's going on. Her volunteers escorted her to Chrysalis chamber. When Pinkie reached camp, rebels were captured or dead. Chrysalis was conducting martial court for them. Fluttershy was crying, and few changelings, feeling thankful for her kindness, were trying to help her, cheer her up and bandaged her wound crudely. She was crying because she was hurt, and she was crying for those who died and will die. Chrysalis said loudly all those who raised hoof against other changelings or allies of them are traitors, and treachery is punished by capital punishment.
Pinkie was mad and disappointed. They hurt her friend who was only trying to help them. They were... so stupid, so irresponsible. They didn't deserved her help.
She agreed with her sister that they should be punished but she felt death is too much. They argued. Chrysalis argumented that they are cancer and weed, and are needed to be slain. Pinkie argumented it will only made more lings going against Chrysalis, and sisters can exile them. Chrysalis countered it with that they could attack ponies, and it will ruin Pinkie plans to make peace with Equestria. After some debate they agreed that some of them, these ones who wounded heavily other lings, will be slain, and other will lose all their rights. Camp will carry out justice on it own.
Both Chrysalis and Pinkie were present during executions. It was so simple act... Convicted changeling was immobilized, then guard approached them, gave them right to last wish, and then they were pierced by horn of guards, through chest toward heart. It was fast, it was clean, it was painless.
It was death.
It was ending someling life. For Pinkie it was something new and in bad way. She was trying to keep strict glare, like it was unquestionable that this changelings doesn't deserve it, like she had right to send to death. But it was hard for her. She never attended any execution, never ever. Chrysalis seemed to used to that. It was horrible.
Stern face, no mercy in her eyes, regal pose, wings flared open, stiff like statue, aura of righteousness was coming from her. Pinkie wasn't so good at this, she just sat there, and watched how eight changelings were killed by quick thrust. It was fast. It was clean. It was almost painless.
It was death.
After that, both sisters retreated to Chrysalis chamber. Fluttershy was still there. Changelings who followed her were still there. Fluttershy eyes were still bloodshot, but she stopped crying. She was even slightly smiling. She was teaching gathered changelings how to properly bandage and clean wounds. Both sides, pony and changelings were... friendly to each other.
What happened after it? When changelings left Fluttershy and both Queens alone? Fluttershy was crying again when she discovered what happened to rebels. She was crying about these who lost their limbs. She was crying about every wounded changeling. Pinkie tired to comfort her friend. And younger Queen was shocked by that even Chrysalis said few words of comfort and gratitude, and they were genuine. She told them she still don't trust ponies, she still have problems to think more of them, but Fluttershy is really a friend of Pinkie and she can be trusted as ally of changelings. It was closest what Chrysalis could say to word "friend".
There was three-sided talk what Queens should do next. Next steps. Pinkie suggested that when they wrap up situation in this camp, they should gather small cortege and travel to Canterlot under white flag. Chrysalis was doubtful. Griffins never cared for white flag, it never stopped them from killing emissaries. Pinkie and Fluttershy assured her ponies were different. Pinkie added that in this group should be wounded, to make them looking defeated and helpless. She said it was all about showing ponies that changelings are at their mercy. Chrysalis was strongly against it, but she agreed to it. This is Pinkie way now. Fluttershy was against it, because wounded should rest back in camp. Pinkie countered that they will be carried by healthier changelings. And if everything will go right way ponies will treat their wounded. Fluttershy wasn't sure about it. Chrysalis told that maybe Fluttershy could go with them to look after injured. Pinkie said it was great idea if someponies will trot along them. Fluttershy then asked Pinkie when she is going to talk with her friends about her being changeling Queen. Chrysalis interrupted that was idiotic idea, especially with this purple jealous unicorn. Pinkie answered that it will happen soon, but when she couldn't tell. They talked more about it, argued if it was really necessary. After when they finally agreed that this will happen, but not too early to not blow up their plans.
Then Pinkie asked Chrysalis if she created some backstory to sell Ponyville and how she will look as unicorn. Chrysalis showed how she will look. She was a tall, skinny gray unicorn, with black and dark green dreadlocks as her mane and tail. Her cutie mark was depicting open book and candle. On few places of her hide was zebra tattoos, or griffin marks. She seemed to be a seasoned traveler who visited many distant lands. Her name was Charming Story, and she was born in village on east border of Equestria. She loved to learn new stories and she decided to get to know them all. It seemed like plausible story to Pinkie. Fluttershy added she would be happy to heard stories from Chrysalis.
Later... More talking... More establishments. Pinkie and Fluttershy left camp, earlier bidding farewells to gathered changelings. They reached cottage. Fluttershy asked Pinkie to stay. She needed someone to hold her when stresses of this night were leaving her. So Pinkie hugged her closely, and listened to quiet weeping of her friend. She said that Fluttershy don't have to come if it's hurting her. Fluttershy answered that she can't leave them now. Changelings needed her help. They talked quietly, still holding each other, until Fluttershy fell asleep. Pinkie didn't want to wake up yellow mare, so she fell asleep too, still holding her friend.
So... That was it. Last night. Pinkie felt she had a body now. Head, body, legs... All in place. Her sense of touch was back. She couldn't move anything yet. She wondered if it's like being paralyzed. Feeling your body, but it doesn't respond to you. She tried to imagine how it would felt, being trapped in such state. Horrible, eternal darkness, and you know there is outer world around you but you can't reach it and you can't focus on world of your mind because your senses are distracting you. Next sense what come back to functioning was sense of smell. She smelled a scent of other pony, mare. She smelled a bunch of various animals. She smelled food, bread, some flowers, tea... It wasn't food to her, but she knew it's aroma. Then she saw light through her eyelids. Her sight was up, but she couldn't open eyelids. Her body was still deaf to her commands. Speaking of deaf she was slowly regaining hearing. Animals bustling around, quiet humming of Fluttershy, clinking of her tableware. Pinkie slowly opened her eyes. She was lying on floor, pillow under her head and blanket on her torso and legs. She looked around, she was still in main room of cottage.
So, what's now?