//------------------------------//
// Episode 34: Royal Wedding Rumble Part 2 
// Story: EoH Evolution: Season 2 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

"Nnnngghh. . . " Burst Stream groaned as he "regained" consciousness. He didn't want to take any chances in case the fake Cadence was still listening. "Well, it looks like I'm gonna miss the big party." Burst took a quick look at is surroundings. That being the Castalot Catacombs. "You sure picked a heck of a hiding place."

The fake Cadence appeared in one of the reflective gem walls, and sneered at Burst Stream. "I'm glad you like it. Many greedy Magi got themselves imprisoned here and never escaped. I do hope you'll enjoy your stay." Burst Stream snorted at the projected image, and made to blast it with one of his blaster pistols. However, he reached to grab nothing. "Don't worry. I'm keeping your little toys safe."

"I'll get them back soon enough." Burst Stream replied flatly as he powered up his magic, and blasted the image! "Besides, all you've done is put me exactly where I wanted to go." The fake Cadence laughed at Burst's remark. Burst proceeding to blast apart each reflection! And when he blasted apart the last wall, Burst found the real Cadence! Judging by her appearance, she'd been imprisoned here for a couple days. "Hey there."

Cadence sprang to her feet. "Burst Stream?! How did you get here? Were you captured by that impostor too?!" Cadence looked to the ground sadly. "Great. If she managed to get you, then Shining Armor's done for!"

"Heh. Heh heh! Ah ha ha ha ha!" Burst clutched his stomach as he broke into a fit of laughter. "She doesn't even get it yet! That fake just put me right where I wanted to be! Whoever this impostor is, she fancies herself a master of deception." Burst stood triumphantly. "Don't worry Cadence. I'm gonna make sure you're the only one Shining Armor kisses at that altar."

Cadence tilted her head in curiosity. "Okay. But how are you going to get us out of here? No one knows we're down here, and your weapons were taken away by some minions that the impostor posted to keep an eye on us!"

"Oh really?" Burst asked with a smirk as he extended his hands out. In a flash of light, Burst's blasters appeared in his hands. "Two caster pistols: check." Burst Stream holstered his blasters, and held out his hand. His sword materialized in yet another flash of light! "Sword: check." He then gave Cadence a thumbs-up. "I'd say we're properly equipped to get out of here! And don't worry about people coming to get us! Twilight's on her way with a couple of my friends. They'll be able to find us no problem!" Cadence smiled, and let out a sigh of relief. She took a breath like she was about to sing, but Burst stopped her. "Disney princess song later! Escape now!" And with that, Burst and Cadence journeyed through the catacombs!

Back on the streets, Twilight, Fang, and Narico were busy looking for a way into the caverns. Fang's nose led him to a sealed up entrance. "Twilight! Care to give me a hand?"

"Right!" Twilight fired up her magic, and used it to remove the seal! "Come on! Let's go get Burst and Cadence! We have a wedding to crash!" The group of three then ran into the caverns! But as they ventured through them, they failed to notice barely visible strands of spider silk that trembled upon brushing against them. And the weaver of those webs took notice.

Silk Snare opened her eyes as she stirred in the makeshift web she'd spun. "It looks like we've got unexpected company. Carapace?"

The mutant beetle changeling lumbered out of the resting position he'd been in. "I hear you Silk. But I still think this plan of the queen's is doomed to fail."

"Tell me about it dude!" Constrictor piped in as he stretched his multi-segmented abdominal region. "I get her needing to get love for the whole hive, but this is insane! She wants to take the whole city?! It's madness!"

Silk Snare sighed. "What makes you think it's the hive she cares about?" This earned a puzzled look from her fellow mutant changelings. "Think about it guys. She threw us into stasis all because we were deemed as freaks. That we weren't of any use to the hive. Didn't you see it too? All the nymphs are essentially being indoctrinated into seeing her as our mother?" Silk's eyes grew misty. "Do any of you really remember when you saw your birth parents?" 

Both Carapace and Constrictor looked at the ground in thought. "Exactly. And who's to say she just won't get rid of us when we don't have any more use? The whole hive is just a tool to her." Silk then balled one of her fists. "And she'll get rid of any threat that disrupts things from the way she wants to keep things." She adamantly remembered what she'd overheard the queen plan to do to Narico. However, she soon noticed something of more immediate importance. "Wait a minute! Where are the weapons we were guarding?!"

"Back where they belong!" Burst Stream declared as he and Cadence had reached the segment where the mutant changelings were stationed. "So it looks like I was right. If you guys are here, then your queen's plan has to do with today's wedding. And I've got every intention of crashing it!"

The three mutant changelings made to charge at Burst, but a familiar voice called out to them! "STOP!" Narico yelled as he, Fang, and Twilight had arrived on the scene! "Please! You don't have to fight!"

Carapace turned to face Narico, and knelt down to be more at Narico's level. "You should not be here little one. This is probably the most dangerous place for you. The queen is in this city. And if she's here, you can be sure that she'll find you."

"I know." Narico said with a shaky nod. "I've already seen her, and she's seen me." All three mutant changelings visibly staggered at hearing this threatening development. "So there's no point in trying to protect me! No point in doing what the queen says! You said you never belonged in the hive too, so why serve it any longer? You can be like me! Free! Free to live the lives you want!" Narico's eyes began to tear up. "Maybe. . .  you could be a part of my family."

Constrictor scratched his head. "Ah geez! Are we really supposed to say no to THAT face?" Constrictor gestured to Narico's pleading eyes. "It's like he's saying we'll feel like we've kicked ten puppies if we say no to him!"

"And he's got a solid point." Silk Snare added. "Queen Chrysalis has seen him, and knows he's here in the city. We've already declared our defiance just by helping Narico run away from the hive. Might as well trumpet it as loud as we can before we get swarmed."

Fang approached Silk Snare. "You're not in this fight alone. All of you are important to Narico. That means me and my friends will be fighting for your sake too."

Carapace tilted his head in curiosity. "You would fight on our behalf? Despite the times we have been sent on attempts to eliminate you?"

"Well you made it clear that you weren't necessarily doing it of your own accord." Twilight chimed in. "But we won't stop the changeling queen any sooner if we just stay put and talk!"

Burst patted Twilight on the shoulder. "Great point Twi. Autobots, roll out! Wait, wrong series. Never mind! Let's go! Go! Go!" Glad I resisted the urge to say 'Go Go Power Rangers'! The group then made a mad dash for Castalot Castle! Racing against time as they were dead set on putting an end to the changeling queen's plans!

Back at the castle, the ceremony had just barely begun. Both the Main 6 and the Elements of Heroism were in their seats.  Burst Stream's fellow Elements of Heroism wondering where their friend and leader was at the moment. Celestia herself had a slight worried expression on her face. But when the disguised Chrysalis entered the room, Celestia let out a sigh and decided to proceed. "We are here today to join these two-"

"STOP!" Burst Stream cried out as he, Twilight, Fang, Narico, and three of the mutant changelings burst through the doors! "Don't even think about wedding these two! There's plenty of reasons why me and my friends here object to this wedding!" The remaining Elements of Heroism tensed up, and were about to summon their Duelist Arms when they saw the mutant changelings. However, the dropped their battle stances as they noticed that the mutant changelings were by Burst's side. 

"Why must she be so protective of her brother?!" The disguised Chrysalis muttered as she shot a glare at Twilight and then at the mutant changelings. She then corrected herself when she saw Celestia giving her a dubious stare. "I mean, why must she interrupt my special day?!" She even broke out the fake waterworks. 

However, Chrysalis's theatrics soon fell to pieces! "SHINING ARMOR!" The real Cadence cried out as she pushed her way to the front of the group! "Get away from her!"

Shining Armor was utterly confused at the whole situation. Just who was this impostor in front of him?! Then, as if to answer his question, he saw a white blur rush up between him and the disguised Chrysalis! "There's no point in hiding your true face now!" Burst Stream cried out as he slashed at the disguised Chrysalis! As Burst struck her, his sword seemed to rip right through the changeling queen's disguise! Celestia herself teleported over to Twilight's side as both sets of elements summoned their weapons! Chrysalis staggered back as green fire ate away at her Cadence disguise! Sparks flew out from where Burst Stream had slashed her! 

"AGH!" Chrysalis regained her footing, and looked at Shining Armor. Her true form revealed to the entire room! Her black chitin-skin and hole-filled wings out for all to see. Her messy teal hair almost draping over her green double-iris eyes as she assumed a more royal posture. Her black dress and fingerless green gloves were filled with holes and tattered! "Well. I see you spoiled my dramatic reveal."

A smirk then crept across Chrysalis's face. "So. We meet face to face at last Burst Stream." Chrysalis flipped her hair. "Perhaps I wasn't able to eliminate you and the other Elements of Heroism as I intended. But that doesn't matter at the moment. As we speak, my changelings are outside the shield. Chipping away at the only thing barring us from your precious city! Soon, my changelings will feed on the love of everyone in Castalot! And then, all of Unity!"

Chrysalis stared in Shining Armor's direction, and sneered. "Now Shining Armor. Be a dear and remove the shield spell." However, Chrysalis was surprised when Shining Armor stood rooted in his position. "What's keeping you? Remove the shield!"

"What makes you think that you're the boss of me?!" Shining Armor spat as he powered up his magic! "Twily was right." He muttered to himself.

Chrysalis was in complete shock! "This can't be! I had your mind under my control! You should be my slave and pawn! How?! How are you not obeying me?! How did-?!" Chrysalis then remembered something Shining Armor had said earlier that day. He was nursing the side of his face, and saying that he'd been punched. Punched, by Burst Stream. And the realization of that event's consequences had come full circle. 

So THAT explains it! Chrysalis thought as a scowl surfaced on her face! Revealing her fangs to all those in audience of the confrontation! "Maybe your mind is no longer in my grasp." Her scowl then turned into a wicked smile as she noticed the aura of magic around Shining Armor's hands. "But the same can't be said for your body!" Chrysalis flared up her own magic! The slime-green aura pulsating around her hands as she telekinetically commanded Shining Armor's hands and forced him to remove the shield over Castalot!

Burst Stream dashed over to the nearest window, and saw the swarm of changelings buzzing around in excitement as the shield gradually fell! He then turned to his fellow Elements of Heroism as a few drones began to dive down towards the city! "All of you! Get outside! Fight off as many changelings as you can, and get as many people as you can to safety! GO! NOW!"

But before all of the team of heroes could even get going, Narico had been watching everything unfold. And it tore him up inside. The young changeling powered up his magic as much as he could, dropped his disguise, and unleashed both the loudest telepathic and physical scream he could! "STOOOOOOOOP!" Narico screamed with both his mind and at the top of his lungs! The great effort he'd put into his cry made Narico stumble a little. Fang dropping everything to help his adopted little brother stand.

Chrysalis was in utter disbelief as her entire swarm had stopped at hearing Narico's cry! Chrysalis threw Shining Armor to the side with her magic! Prompting Cadence to run to her beloved's side. Chrysalis stepped towards Narico and Fang. Her eyes narrowing as she directed her glare towards Narico! "Speak nymph. Why do you oppose what is best for your hive? Your people? Why do you stand against your queen? The one who provides for you?!"

"Not. . . this way. . . " Narico said as he caught his breath. "It doesn't. . . have to be this way!" Narico stood tall as he took a few steps toward Chrysalis. "Queen Chrysalis. My name is Narico. I lived in your hive. But I never felt like I belonged there. So, I ran away. I was alone for a time, but not for long." 

Narico looked back at Fang, the other Elements of Heroism, and the Main 6. "They took me in, gave me a home, and even kept my secret! Then a few of my friends found out my secret too, but they still accepted me! All of them loved me because of who I was! They didn't care that I wasn't like them! For them. . .  I DIDN'T NEED TO CHANGE MYSELF AT ALL!"

The proud declaration from one so young made the changeling queen flinch! "And if you don't believe me. . . " Narico focused his magic, and a small green orb materialized between his hands. "This is a bit of the love I've gotten from my big brother. And from all of my friends here in Unity. It doesn't look like much, but it's enough for me. Enough so that I know it's real." Narico levitated the orb of love energy over to Chrysalis. "It's something I want to share with you."

Chrysalis held the orb in her hands, and analyzed it with her magic. The nymph is right. Just this small amount is dripping with love! A devious smile soon crept across the changeling queen's face. Even more so than the love of that idiot captain of the guards. 

"You truly have given me a wonderful gift young one." Chrysalis said with a sickly sweet tone. "However," Chrysalis seized Narico with her magic! "You haven't given me enough of it yet!" The entire room watched in horror as Chrysalis began to siphon out all the love Narico had received! "You should feel honored! It is your duty to serve your queen!"

"NARICO!" Fang screamed as he made to rush to Narico's aid! Only for his fellow Elements of Heroism to restrain him! "Let me go! He needs me! I have to help him! Narico!"

Narico writhed in pain as the love was slowly being stripped away! "No. . . " From within Narico's very being, something awakened! "You. . . can't . . .  have this!" Narico's eyes suddenly glowed with a bright light! "I won't let you. . ." A bright green magical aura surged around Narico's entire being! "STEAL ANYONE ELSE'S LOVE!"

The siphoning of the love stopped, and Chrysalis was shocked to find its flow was soon reversing! The love she'd been taking away was now being stolen back! "What?! What's happening?!"

"I WILL TAKE BACK WHAT YOU STOLE!" Narico screamed! "FROM ME, AND FROM THEM!" Narico pulled out more love from Chrysalis! As soon as he'd reclaimed what was his and returned what Chrysalis had stolen, Narico's eyes closed as he curled up into a ball! The green magical aura condensing into a new form around his body. Only for the forming construct to receive a blast from Chrysalis! An explosion obscuring the outcome!

Fang's entire body began to tremble. "Narico. . . " He staggered towards Chrysalis. Not even noticing the cocoon that had formed around Narico's body before the blast hit. "You. . . HURT Narico. . ." Fang growled. A blood red aura leaked out from Fang's entire being. His nails became like claws, and his features became more wolf-like! His eyes had become pure white voids! "I'LL KILL YOOOU!" 

In this savage form, Fang leaped towards Chrysalis with every intent of mauling her! He managed to land on Chrysalis, and made to bite her neck! However, the changeling queen blasted Fang in the face with magic, and sent him flying with another massive blast! Fang's body skidded to a halt near his friends! The sheer force of the blast reverting him to his normal form! The Element of Determination was still alive, but he was far from being in fighting shape.

"Hmph. Great bark. Pitiful bite." Chrysalis said with a sneer as she watched some of the Elements of Heroism help their wounded comrade to safety. She then watched some of her changelings attacking the city. Terrorizing the citizens, and engaging the royal guard. However, she frowned upon that a good majority of her changelings were hovering in the sky. Unsure of what to do. "Well? What are you waiting for!?" She snapped. However, the sound of wings flaring made her turn around!

Celestia was glaring at Chrysalis! Her wings flared out in a display of intimidation! "You were foolish to reveal yourself. Because now that you've been exposed, I can protect my subjects from you!" Celestia took to the air, and her magic flared to life! A brilliant beam of yellow magic shooting out from her hands! Chrysalis scowled, and responded with her own beam of sickly green magic! The two beams clashing! However, Celestia poured more magic into her own beam! Completely pushing back Chrysalis's own magic! The changeling queen tanking the full force of the sun princess's magic!

Chrysalis fell onto her back! Her entire body steaming from Celestia's solar magic! How?! HOW?! This isn't how it was supposed to happen! The love that I stole from Shining Armor should have given me more than enough power to overwhelm that wretched princess! Chrysalis felt around with her magic to search for the love she'd stolen, but it wasn't within her anymore! Impossible! When did-?!

And then it hit her. Chrysalis looked over to where Shining Armor and Cadence were huddled together. All the love she'd taken from them was now back in their possession. Narico's last words before being cocooned echoed in her mind. But Chrysalis didn't have the luxury of fully processing what had gone wrong as Celestia began walking towards her. "Alright. You win this round." Chrysalis growled as she slowly stood up. However, she slyly slipped out a concealed weapon from one of her gloves.

Unfortunately for Chrysalis, her underhanded plan of attack hadn't gone unnoticed. "I don't think so!" Burst cried out as he charged at Chrysalis from behind! Delivering a powerful kick to her head! Burst then grabbed Chrysalis with his magic, and threw her towards the window! As he charged at her, Burst shouted out one last order to his fellow Elements of Heroism! "Drop Fang off somewhere safe to recover, and take Narico with you! As soon as you're finished, get to the city and fight off the swarm! GO!"

Burst Stream charged at Chrysalis, and the two plummeted towards the ground! Chrysalis was about to beat her wings to fly away, but Burst wasn't going to give her the chance! "You're not getting out of my sights!" Burst whipped out both of his blasters, and rained down multiple shots on Chrysalis! The blasts of lightning stunning the queen of the changelings as she fell to the ground! Burst having a far softer landing as he used his magic to slow his descent!

Celestia turned to face the Main 6 after seeing Burst make it safely to the ground. "Burst Stream is fine. But the changeling swarm is the bigger issue at the moment. The Elements of Harmony! Go to Castalot Tower, and retrieve them! Go!  Quickly!"

Twilight nodded, and she and her friend  readied their weapons. "Understood Princess Celestia! But what about you? Where will you be going?"

Celestia flashed a small smile at Twilight. "I'm going to get dressed for occasion. You don't expect me to fight in a dress now, do you?"

Twilight smiled sheepishly, and ran off along with the rest of the Main 6. However, as they got to the city streets, they noticed the Elements of Heroism holding off a swarm of changelings! "We'd better help them out first! C'mon girls! It's time we see how far we've come!" Twilight fired a massive blast from her staff! Knocking away a good portion of the changelings ganging up on the guys! "Hope you don't mind if we get in on the fun!"

"You kidding?" Inferno said with a grin as he took down a few changelings with his blaster. "The more the merrier!" Both teams of elements were in a circle as the swarm in front of them buzzed and hissed. Inferno looked towards Rarity. "Ladies first?"

Rarity smiled. "Indeed darling. And how did you say that phrase again?" Rarity then raised her rapier. "Let's rock baby!" Rarity charged forth at the changelings buzzing in front of her! The force of her rapier being thrust forward sending a few of them flying! "How rude of you brutes! Runing a wedding like this!" With a wave of her steel fan, Rarity sent out a flurry of gem shards! Striking the foes upon her!

However, with Rarity's back vulnerable, a few changelings decided that now was a good time to pounce. Unfortuantely, Inferno was very protective of his lady and slashed them across their stomachs! Sparks raining from where he'd slashed! "May I have this dance?" He asked as he and Rarity were back to back. The only response was a smirk and nod from Rarity. "Now I'm really fired up!" Inferno let loose a charge shot from his blaster! Scorching the hides of a few drones that tried to bite at him!

"Buzz off!" Rainbow Dash spat as she hurled her boomerang at a squad of changelings that had taken to the air! The drones fired blasts of magic at Rainbow Dash, but she dodged effortlessly due to being an expert flyer! "Nice try! But you're not gonna ground me that easily!" Rainbow Dash shot towards the changelings faster than they could react, and rammed into each of them! Her boomerang hitting each drone and knocking them out as it returned to her! "I wish Steel was here! He could probably wipe the floor with all of them no sweat!"

"He's not here!" Ice shouted as he knocked away more changelings with his claymore! "Last I saw, he said he was going to get some backup for the guards and us!" Dark Ice grunted as he pushed away another changeling that lunged at him. "But what's taking him so long?!"

Arctic Ace bashed an oncoming changeling with his shield. "Worry about the problem hissing at us right now Ice!" Ace swung at more drones that had tried swarming him! "Most of the people are indoors right now! We lose this fight, and they're open game!"

"But what about the changelings?" Shadow asked as he fended off more drones. "A lot of them have stopped attacking and are just hovering? What if what happened to Narico's causing them to reconsider?"

"That's an awfully nice thought lads!" Magnet North said as he evaded a blast of magic from the changelings! He fired a blast from the blue barrel of his shot blaster, and a blue shot of energy came out! The blue blast then drew in nearby changelings and exploded! "But focus on the bugs swarming us right now! They're the ones trying to take a bite out of us!"

Applejack fended off the mouth of a changeling with one of her twin crossbows! "These varmints just won't quit!" Applejack managed to shake off the drone, and take it down with an energy bolt from her crossbows! More changelings began to converge on her, but North pumped his shot blaster! Firing a powerful red shot that sent the changelings reeling! Applejack looked to North, and smiled as she tipped her hat. "Thank ya kindly sugar cube."

"No problem lass." North said with a smile. "Hope you don't mind me watching your back." And with that, the shooter duo got busy fighting off the swarm in front of them! Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie was assaulting the changelings with her yo-yo. Rapidly smacking them in the face and knocking them out cold! Akage let loose a barrage of shuirkens at any airborne changelings while he used his sword to deal with the ones on the ground.

"Now THIS is an exciting wedding!" Pinkie Pie chirped as she let loose a blast from her party cannon! "Eat frosting ya bunch of grumpies!"

I'll never fully understand how she works. Akage thought to himself as he got closer to guard Pinkie. A small smile appearing on his features. I guess that's what I love about her.  The young ninja snuck a kiss on Pinkie's cheek before throwing himself back into the fray! Fluttershy was just hanging onto Tyrannus as he used his raptor claw gauntlets to make short work of any changelings. None managed to get close to them, but that was thanks to the shield her healer's staff was generating. Allowing Tyrannus to charge forth at the swarm and knock them away with blasts from his cannon!

It seemed like there was no end to the swarm. That is, until a barrage of summoned swords thinned out the enemy forces. "Yo!" Steel called from the sky! "Thought you guys could use some reinforcements!" At the mention of reinforcements, a squad of elite guards charged forward! Easily dispatching the swarm. "Alright boys!" Steel addressed his former comrades. "The standard guard are still having trouble with changelings in the rest of the city. Lend them a hand, and help clear out their sectors! The only priority above that is protecting any civilians caught in the crossfire! MOVE OUT!"

As the elite guard spread out to assist their fellow guards, Steel turned to face both sets of elements. "Let's get you ladies to the Elements of Harmony. We can't afford to waste any time! Me and the guys will escort you there! Let's go!" And with that, both sets of elements made a mad dash for Castalot Tower. "Inferno! Where's Burst at?"

"Burst's tangling with the changeling queen!" Inferno answered as he shot down a few drones! "But he's gotten a lot stronger than his final battle with Night Terror! Chrysalis has no idea what she's in for!"

Speaking of Chrysalis, she slowly rose from the small impact crater caused by her landing. Hey eyes were filled with rage as she glared at Burst Stream! "How did it all go so wrong! This day was supposed to be perfect! And now? Most of my minions are just hovering in the sky chattering!"

"You wanna know how it all fell apart for you?" Burst asked. "Easy. You're a terrible actress." The blunt remark made Chrysalis stagger! "That little song Twilight began when you first met her was a dead giveaway. Not to mention you were acting totally disinterested towards all the things most brides would be ecstatic over." Burst pointed at Chrysalis! "Plus, I purposefully got myself captured just so I could rescue the real Cadence! Face it! For all your scheming, you fell for the biggest trick of all!"

"SILENCE!" Chrysalis screamed as she let flew at Burst Stream! Burst was about to swing at her, and Chrysalis expected him to strike her with his sword! Only to fall for Burst's fake out as he punched her full force right in her face! "GAH!" Chrysalis sprawled onto the ground, and nursed where Burst had struck her. A devious thought crossed her mind. 

"How could you?" Chrysalis said as she feigned tears. "I'm a woman!"

Burst Stream blinked before frowning. "Oh you have GOT to be kidding me! Is that supposed to do something?" Burst crossed his arms, and glared at the stunned Chrysalis. "You invaded my home. Kidnapped the bride-to-be of the wedding. Brainwashed the groom. And let's not forget the fact you tried to harm my girlfriend!"

"You would do desperate things too if you had an entire people to think of!" Chrysalis pleaded in an attempt to play on Burst's sympathy. 

"Don't give me that crap!" Burst Stream spat as he fired his blaster at the ground near Chrysalis's feet! "You don't deserve any sympathy from me! You were willing to kill a child, one of your OWN PEOPLE to gain more power! I could see Narico writhing in pain when you tried to suck the love out of him! You don't care about your people! All you care about is how they can be used for your favor and the power they give you! They don't depend on you! It's the other way around!"

Burst tightened his grip on his blaster. "You make me sick Chrysalis. Nothing disgusts me more than people who use their power to control anyone weaker than then, or ones who abuse their power for their own gain!" Burst Stream drew his sword! "That alone gives me enough reason to beat the living tartarus out of you!"

"I'd love to see you try." Chrysalis hissed as she summoned her own weapon. A scimitar. "You'll find that I have quite the stinger on me!" Chrysalis launched herself forward and attempted to impale Burst on her blade! It looked like he was going to stay rooted in place, but Burst Stream back-flipped and fired a charged shot from his blaster right into her face! "Stop these fake-out tactics!"

Burst Stream smirked. "What's wrong Chryssie? I thought someone like you would appreciate faking out your opponent to get them lined up with your strikes. Or is it only fun when it's happening to other people and not you?" Burst channeled some of his magic into the blade of his sword, and fired out a beam that slashed Chrysalis across her chest! "My blasters aren't the only ranged attacks I have!" Burst sent out a couple more blade beams! Chrysalis managed to block them, but that left her open to a swift kick to the stomach!

"You may have solved your range problem. But a sword is meant for striking." Chrysalis said with a sneer as her wings buzzed. "And it means nothing if I'm beyond your reach!" Chrysalis dive-bombed Burst Stream! Firing a barrage of magic blasts, or trying to slash at him with her scimitar!

Burst used his magic to shield himself with the aegis spell! Blocking all of the blasts and fending off any strikes from Chrysalis's scimitar! "So you've got an aerial advantage." Burst noted as he saw Chrysalis hovering around him like she was about to make him feel the sting of her blade. Burst Stream focused magic into the blade of his sword, and a blue magical extension of his blade materialized! "Just means that I have to ground you fast by swatting you!" 

Chrysalis's eyes widened in shock as the magical blade extension struck her with great force! Burst managing to damage one of her wings! As soon as the changeling queen was back on the ground, Burst wasted no time in charging her! The two combatants locking blades! Sparks raining out from where their swords clashed! However, Burst used this chance to quick draw one of his blasters and fired a charged shot right in Chrysalis's face! "I'm gonna make you regret ever crawling out of your hive!"

As Burst's fight with Chrysalis went on, the Main 6 and the other Elements of Heroism had made it to Castalot tower. However, they were met with three figures opposing them. Blade, Stinger, and Needle were standing in their way. "Looks like we finally get a rematch." Inferno growled as he readied his weapons. 

"Honestly? I don't care about fighting you guys on Chrysalis's orders." Blade snorted. "I just want to fight you because one of you scarred me!"

Tyrannus narrowed his eyes. "What pathetic reasoning. It's too bad for you that Burst's busy entertaining your queen at the moment. So you're just going to have us to keep you company."

Blade growled at hearing this, but was webbed up before he could even charge at the heroes! Silk Snare had tangled him up with her webbing. "We'll handle our old friends." The spider mutant changeling said to the Main 6. "You six just worry about getting what you need from in there!" Silk tossed Blade to the side!

"You dare to betray the royalty!?!" Needle buzzed angrily! Him being a wasp mutant had instilled a sense of loyalty to Chrysalis as she was the changeling queen. "You will suffer for-GAH!" Needle was knocked out of the air by an energy blast from Carapace's horn.

"I always did find his constant buzzing annoying." Carapace said with a small nod. However, the beetle mutant changeling was struck in the chest by a powerful strike from Stinger's tail! The scorpion mutant changeling snapping his claws fiercely with a wicked smile as he'd badly cracked Carapace's exo-skeleton! Below it was nothing more than standard chitin, and could be punctured far more easily!

But before the scorpion could let loose with his deadly tail once more, he found that he couldn't! His tail's shadow had a kunai stuck in it, and it seemed to immobilize him! "None will be feeling your sting today." Akage quipped.

Stinger just frowned. "Who says I need my tail to thrash Carapace!" Stinger reached around his back, and cut off his own tail with one of his claws! He then leaped at the recovering Carapace, and proceeded to hammer away at the beetle changeling's enforced hide! Severely damaging it in the process! "Not so tough now are you?! Huh?! HUH?!"

"That's enough!" Constrictor cried out as he coiled around Stinger! The centipede mutant changeling strangling his fellow mutant long enough to make him fall unconscious! "He always was out of control."

However, the defecting mutant changelings couldn't rest easy. Blade had broken free of Silk's webbing! The mantis changeling dashing past his former comrades and retrieving his wounded ones. "You made it clear where you stand. Mark my words that it will be where you fall." Blade did great harm to himself in order to activate his emergency teleport spell! The wasp, praying mantis, and scorpion changelings vanishing in green fire!

Inferno approached Silk Snare. "So. . . what are you all gonna do now? You're pretty much traitors to your own people. And I'm pretty sure your queen isn't the forgiving type when it comes to things like this."

"I'm not too sure about that." Silk said as she gazed at the large cloud of changelings hovering in the sky over Castalot. All of which were ones that had refused to attack upon seeing what Chrysalis had done to Narico. "I don't think our hive is going to let what Chrysalis has done today slide."

Steel Edge was being informed by one of his former elite guard subordinates, and nodded as he heard the situation report. It was when the Main 6 emerged from the tower that he gave the good news. "It looks like all hostiles have been pushed back. Any changeling we took down left via emergency teleport spell. They won't be causing us any trouble at all. And from the looks of it, the rest of their friends that are buzzing around above us aren't showing any signs of activity. So let's pay the royal pain in the neck responsible for this mess a visit!"

Speaking of said royal pain, Chrysalis couldn't believe how poorly the fight was going for her! Burst had managed to land several hits on her and she'd barely even made a dent in him! He saw her fake outs and easily countered them by shooting at her! Causing her to block with her own weapon or magic and disrupt her flow! Not to mention that his blasters shot out blasts of white lightning! Since Chrysalis was from an insectoid race, it meant she was highly susceptible to elemental attacks. Lightning being one of the deadliest! All of this wasn't even counting the fact that Burst had an incredibly large amount of magic left in him! 

Perhaps it's time for another form of deception. Chrysalis thought to herself with a smirk as she powered up her magic, and a whole ring of duplicates surrounded Burst Stream! The queen and her clones circling around Burst like timberwolves. "Care to play a guessing game?" Chrysalis's mocking voice rang out from all the duplicates. "Which one of us is the true queen? Is it me? Or is it me? Where am I going to come from? How will I attack?"

Burst Stream just channeled his magic into the blade of his sword, and smiled when he saw the spiral of magic around his blade. "I don't need to guess. Especially. . ." Burst unleashed the spin attack with all his might! "When I can take you all down at the same time!" All of the duplicates vanished in green flame while the real Chrysalis howled in pain as she was sent reeling to the ground! Dropping her scimitar in the process! 

"I'm not done with you yet!" Burst charged at Chrysalis as she stood up! Lightning dancing along his blade! " This is for Cadence and Shining Armor!" Burst screamed as he slashed at Chrysalis! The lightning along his blade slashing through the skin of the changeling queen! "For Twilight! Narico! And Fang!" Each swing progressively packed more power and fury! I've been waiting to unveil this move all season! "And this. . . " Burst crouched as lightning and energy crackled along the blade of his sword! "IS FOR CELESTIA!" Burst Stream leaped into the air, and unleashed the magic he'd been building up! The magic condensed into the shape of a white dragon with blue eyes right as Burst brought his sword down! "DRAGON STRIKE!"

Chrysalis's eyes went wide with horror as the energy projection of a dragon struck her with destructive force! Right before biting down on her and unleashing an explosion of lightning! How?! How does he have so much power?! Chrysalis mentally screamed as she struggled to crawl out of the crater caused by the dragon strike's impact! Wait. Power. . . yes. Yes! One last angle to exploit! An offer most would be fools to pass up!

Chrysalis's skin was covered in scorch marks and her dress was in tatters. Smoke trailing from where the dragon projection had bit down. "It seems you are quite strong indeed." Chrysalis said while faking a sincere smile. "Your dedication to your precious princess is quite admirable. But your power is wasted on one such as her." Chrysalis extended her hand, and put on the most seductive smile she could. "Why not put yourself to better use? A queen is certainly an upgrade from princess. And," She then gave Burst the bedroom eyes. "I'll certainly make serving me worth your while."

". . . You're kidding. You're kidding right? This old cliché?" Burst Stream asked with a smirk. "I love Celestia with all my heart. And besides, you're a downgrade. You may be a queen, but you're a terrible leader. Not to mention that Celestia's a literal goddess! Plus, I see what you're trying to do."

Burst gestured to Chrysalis's revealing choice of wardrobe. "Tight dress. Gloves littered with holes showing just enough skin. And all that green eye shadow? That's just screaming that you're working the seduction angle. Nightmare Moon was way more alluring than you could ever hope to be." Burst Stream noticed Chrysalis start to scowl. "What's the matter? Don't like being compared to your predecessors?"

Chrysalis hissed and launched herself at Burst Stream! Her attack was so sudden that Burst barely had time to react! Chrysalis used this to her advantage and bit Burst on the arm! Injecting him with paralysis poison! She then followed up by unleashing a massive blast of magic point blank at Burst's chest! Sending him flying! Though she had been thoroughly beat up, Chrysalis refused to be beaten by someone she deemed beneath her! 

"You! RUINED! EVERYTHING!" Chrysalis screamed as she let loose blast after blast! Noticing Burst was starting to slow down in movement, she levitated her scimitar back to her hands and swung at him with all her fury! "THIS DAY WAS GOING TO BE PERFECT! I WAS GOING TO RULE THIS ENTIRE KINGDOM! BUT THEN YOU AND THAT GIRL DISCOVERED MY PLANS! YOU USED MY OWN DECEPTIONS AGAINST ME! ME! THE QUEEN OF THE CHANGELINGS! IMPOSSIBLE! THE ACTIONS OF TWO LOWLY HUMANS COMPLETELY WRECKING MY PERFECT PLAN!"

Burst Stream was starting to feel his body lock up, and plunged his sword into the ground as he brought up a basic shield spell! He soon fell to his knees as each of Chrysalis's furious swings chipped away! I can't use the aegis shield spell! It would take too much out of me! And that bite from earlier must have packed something because I'm starting to become less mobile! Burst winced as his shield began to crack! "Nice try. But all this is really YOUR fault to begin with! You could've tried to negotiate with us! To establish peace! But I guess your own greed for power is matched by that emptiness in your heart!"

Chrysalis scowled as she shattered Burst's shield! "Maybe this day will be perfect after all." She said as she raised her sword. Positioning it to strike down at Burst Stream! 

However, Burst Stream noticed something Chrysalis didn't. And that sight made him smile. "It sure will be." 

Right as Chrysalis was about to bring her sword down on Burst's head, an armored fist slammed into her face! Knocking her away from Burst Stream! Celestia flapped her wings as she landed. "Sorry I'm late." She said with a warm smile as she spared a glance at Burst. "I just wanted to switch into my fight outfit."

Celestia redirected her attention to Chrysalis when she heard the changeling queen hissed. The princess of the sun hit her fists together as she uttered two words. "Solar Flare." Celestia's ethereal hair ignited! Turning into a storm of bright yellow as her eyes turned white! With blinding speed, the solar princess charged at Chrysalis and assaulted her with a flurry of punches empowered by her magic! The changeling queen unable to defend against the onslaught of blows until Celestia used a one-inch punch to send Chrysalis flying! "You're a moth to a flame Chrysalis." Celestia then summoned her flaming broadsword, and raised it at Chrysalis. "Let me show you just how bright I burn!"

"RRRRAAAAUUUUGGGHHH!" Chrysalis roared as she charged at Celestia with her scimitar! But as she swung, Celestia broke the blade with her own! The blade melting as soon as Celestia's broadsword came into contact with it! "NO! NO! I WAS SUPPOSED TO WIN! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE IN A COCOON WATCHING YOUR PRECIOUS CITY FALL!"

"I will stand for all eternity Chrysalis." Celestia said serenely. "And as long as I stand, YOUR EVIL IS DESTINED TO FALL!" Celestia unleashed a series of critical blows! Each slash further scorching Chrysalis! When her combo ended, Celestia looked down at Chrysalis. "Even if you still had Shining Armor's love empowering you, you would have only won our fight back at the altar because of one reason." Celestia flared her wings out, and hardened her gaze. "I was holding back. And I'm still restraining myself."

Chrysalis backed away in fear, and summoned the remaining changelings to her in a panic! Both Burst and Celestia were startled to see the whole swarm in front of them! Chrysalis grinned wickedly. "END THEM!" But when she gave her command, none of the changelings obeyed. "Are you all deaf?! OBEY ME! ATTACK THEM! NOW!" One by one, the changelings backed away. Except for one.

"No." Thorax said. "What you did back there? We all saw it. The hive saw it. All our life you said we'd be seen as monsters. But what you did to that child? You're the only monster here." Thorax then looked to his fellow defecting changelings. "Would any of you follow this parasite? I won't! I'll follow a TRUE leader!"

Chrysalis was about to lunge at Thorax when a familiar voice called out! "CHRYSALIS!" Cadecne cried out! Chrysalis turned to face the princess of love, and found that Shining Armor was by her side. The two holding a bow themed after Cadence, and a large arrow made of their love and magic aimed right at the changeling queen.

"LOVE HURTS WHEN IT'S REAL!" The couple shouted as the let the arrow loose! The force of their love banishing Chrysalis back to the Badlands!

Celestia breathed a sigh of relief, and walked over to Burst Stream. "Let's remove that nasty stuff from you, shall we?" Celestia focused her magic on Burst's bite wound, and removed the poison from his blood. As well as patching up his injury. "Nice to see you're in better shape than your first final battle."

"Next time I'll come out without a scratch." Burst said with a small laugh. "So. Mind if I sing a song at the reception?"

Celestia giggled. "I would be delighted to hear you perform. So what song did you have in mind?"

About an hour later, after the real Cadence and Shining Armor were wed, Burst Stream approached the stage. Inferno was on guitar while a few other musicians manned the other instruments for their performance. Burst focused on Celestia's face in the crowd, and smiled before belting out the lyrics. "Shot through the heart! And you're to blame! Darling you give love, a bad name!"