The destruction of Daybreaker rained down debris from above, signaling an end to the spirit’s reign. Remnants of her soul sprinkled down across the castle like flickering embers from the explosions of fireworks. A chilled silence befell the castle as Queen Chrysalis’ victory over the crazed alicorn turned from a mere dream, to a beautiful and glorious reality.
Tremor stood in the remains of the second floor following the colossal battle that had just taken place. Mesmerized by the glittering shards of magic that showered over his queen with an eerie glow, a smile slowly spread across the changeling’s face. How long had they spent planning, and working towards this? How many of his brethren gave their lives to make this day a reality? Surely it would take weeks to gather and bury their dead, but they could do so with pride knowing that their deaths were not in vein.
Tremor inhaled a deep breath, and watched his queen approach the others. Yes, the matter of Twilight and her friends still needed addressing. And his queen would see to that now. He only needed to ensure that no-pony interfered with his majesty’s operations.
A soft groan from the corner pulled Tremor’s attention away from Queen Chrysalis. Stepping over to see who he had heard, he soon found Princess Luna to be lying in a pool of her own blood. “Very impressive.” Tremor said to the alicorn, showing the warrior of a princess her deserved respect. “I did not think you’d survived that attack.”
Luna spat some blood from her mouth as she panted for breath. She struggled just to stand, well more like she couldn’t. Yet that didn’t stop the princess from trying to intimidate the changeling. “Whatever it is you changelings are plotting for, I swear you shall not obtain it.”
Tracking the princess’ every movement, the changeling paced back and forth in front of Luna. “I am very sorry princess, but our fate is no longer in your hooves. You both ruled and fought admirably; but unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Your time has come to an end. It was a spectacular period of rule, but it is our turn now.”
Luna cursed. “I will never allow that to happen.”
With one hoof, Tremor kicked Luna in the jaw. The impact sent the princess tumbling back. Within seconds, he’d stepped onto Luna’s chest, easily holding the princess down. Her weakened state and broken legs prevented her from putting up much of a fight. As for her magic, Tremor had observed her quite carefully. During her battle with Daybreaker, much of her magic was sapped just keeping herself on her feet. Nothing this princess had could scare the seasoned changeling at this point. “You don’t understand Princess Luna,” Tremor explained, “It’s already happening. We’ve waited so long for just the perfect moment to strike, and now that it’s here, there is nothing standing in our way.”
“Except for me.” Luna said.
Tremor smiled. Then leaning in, the changeling pressed a hoof to Luna’s neck, stepping into her wind pipe. “No. You’re not in our way. You never were.” And when Luna opened up her mouth to gasp for air, Tremor used his opportunity to begin sucking the love from the alicorn. Luna’s body weakened and without much fight, went limp.
How perfect?! How absolutely, delightfully perfect?! That awful bitch of a mare was gone, never to be seen again. And when Chrysalis thought about it, her smile only widened. She had been the one to kill her, the one who killed Daybreaker. Oh, how perfect this day had become! The queen was on top of the world. She delighted in each little thing that caught her eye. The exasperated expressions of Twilight and her friends, the grinning soldiers that had survived the whole ordeal (all twenty-two of them). And Celestia, the poor princess had yet to regain consciousness. On top of that, her most loyal of subjects, Tremor, was tending to the miserable Princess Luna!
Chrysalis stifled a schoolgirl-ish giggle that threatened to slip out of her mouth. She couldn’t appear too overjoyed by this wonderful little victory. She had appearances to keep up after all. However, had she been back in the hive in her sleeping quarters, the queen would more than have allowed herself to be lost in these bubbly emotions, maybe even going so far as to squeal into her pillow.
The day was also far from over. Now with that pesky alicorn out of her mane, the fun could really begin.
Chrysalis approached the ponies, feigning both concern for Celestia, and remorse for her actions. She needed verification on one rather serious matter. “It seems that Daybreaker’s reign has finally come to an end, thanks to you Twilight.”
Twilight nodded. “We couldn’t have done this with you, Queen Chrysalis. If you hadn’t shown us the way to the Elements of Harmony, and your soldiers hadn’t protected us, we never would have stood a chance.”
Chrysalis forced a smile over her lips. The sacrifices her changelings have had to endure just to get this far were so high in number, it was enough to take just the edge off her good mood. “You girls all were . . . vital to conquering Daybreaker.” Chrysalis reluctantly added.
“You did kinda save us back there!” Rainbow Dash said, the hesitation in her voice more than obvious.
“Mere child’s play. I had all this worked out from the very beginning, and while I must admit the initial notion of teaming up with you was revolting . . . things did pan out . . . though not as well as I had hoped.” Chrysalis couldn’t help but hang her head.
“We’re sorry you lost so many changelings Queen Chrysalis.” Twilight offered.
The queen nodded, and subtly took notice of the lingering green glimmer in the princess’ eyes. She still had control of the princess. Good. The second phase of her plan had to be initiated, before anyone else could interfere.
“Twilight, what happened with your element? Why did it come off your head?” Chrysalis asked.
Taken aback, Twilight looked to her friends and shrugged her shoulders. “I-I don’t know.” She said, and she reached out, attempting to grab the crown once more. Just as before, the Element of Magic crackled and sparked angrily, zapping Twilight Sparkle. The young alicorn reeled back her hoof and held it to her chest. “Something’s wrong. I-I can’t touch it.”
“What about your magic?” Spike asked.
Twilight nodded and focusing her magic, tried lifting the crown off the ground with her telekinetic spells. The crown lifted off from the floor just fine, but after only a few short seconds, began to shiver and rock in the alicorn’s magical grasp. “What the . . .” Twilight started but yelped when a loud POP burst from her magical aura and fired the crown off twenty feet from where they were standing. Twilight sighed. “No use.”
This time Chrysalis allowed her smile to grow wide across her face. “Good.” She said. “You won’t be needing it anymore.” The queen gave a brief nod to her soldiers and all at once, they fell upon the group of ponies and small dragon.
Had the girls not just finished taking down an admittedly powerful adversary, their combined strength certainly would have overpowered Chrysalis and her much weakened army.
Spike had been the first to cry out, like a little filly no less. It took only one changeling a second to scoop up the young dragon and subdue him. Then one by one, Chrysalis’ remaining changelings tackled and pinned to the ground, the five remaining ponies. Each changeling took their turn, drinking just enough love from the girls and the dragon to make escape impossible. Poor little Twilight could do nothing but stand and watch. It delighted Chrysalis to no end how the princess’ face went from victorious relief to agonizing horror.
“Now now. Don’t empty our little heroes.” Chrysalis playfully chided. “Not yet.”
“Ah knew it! Ah damn well knew it!” Applejack cursed. “We shouldn’t have trusted ya . . . any of ya!”
“Don’t just stand there, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash shouted, “Do something!”
Oh, how long Chrysalis had waited for this day to come! The sights and sounds of these ponies were pure music to her ears. Each one reacted slightly in their own unique style, complete with their own unique mannerisms. Fluttershy, the quietest of the bunch, reacted with silent despair. The pegasus hardly put up a fight. Tears dripped down from her eyes, her gaze locked onto the floor. It was almost as if she’d expected this. Pinkie Pie, the annoyingly chirpy pink devil, had surprisingly much the same response as Fluttershy. Fine with Chrysalis. The pony desperately needed to be knocked down a peg.
“Twilight, whatever is the matter? Twilight, answer me!” Rarity exclaimed. “It’s Rarity . . . your friend!” The often overdramatic, glamor obsessed unicorn spoke with that high-class sophisticated voice of hers. The shock and pain in her voice as she pleaded with Twilight, it was most delicious.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack, two peas in a pod, shared the same expression. These were the ones that Chrysalis enjoyed the most. Expressions of disappointment and betrayal blanketed their faces. They’d gone along with the little princess, trusting in her. Chrysalis smiled. The two ponies were in that brief, blissful state of discovery that their trusted friend had walked them into a trap.
The one most shocked however, was Twilight Sparkle. The poor princess stood dumbstruck as each of her friends were tackled into submission. Yet she remained standing, untouched and yet, unwilling to fight back or even resist. A fact that spread horror over the princess’ face. If one looked close enough, they could almost pinpoint the exact moment Twilight realized why she hadn’t been tackled with the rest of her friends. “Y-You were using me?!”
Chrysalis laughed. “Yes, I was! And it was with the exact same magic that made your brother fall head over hooves for me.”
“Twilight!” Spike shouted vigorously. “You have to fight it! Please Twilight, don’t give in to Chrysalis’ magic!” The dragon screamed. Suddenly, he’d become quite energetic and it took an extra changeling just to keep the tike under control.
“I’m afraid it’s far too late for that!” Queen Chrysalis shot back. “Your dearest little Twilight has fallen completely under my spell.” Tilting a hoof under the princess’ chin, Chrysalis slowly leaned in, watching a small blush creep up over Twilight’s face. “Isn’t that right my dear?” She asked mockingly.
“No . . . that’s not . . . I’d never . . .” but Twilight’s voice caught in her throat. Her lips dried and her mouth opened on its own. A voice buried somewhere deep in the corners of her mind whispered and begged not to let this happen, to fight back. A voice that had fought through the thickest of pits just to be heard. But Twilight could not resist. Her body froze like a statue, Chrysalis’ influence far outweighing her own.
“But you will!” Chrysalis answered back. She leaned in, drinking in the gazes of Twilight’s friends. At least two of the ponies had their eyes averted in shame and disgust, but the others, the others were too shocked to turn away. “That is why your lips are open and waiting. You’re waiting for me, for the reward I promised you.”
Before any-pony could respond, Chrysalis closed the gap and kissed Twilight once more. She heard the gasps and cries afoul from the princess’ friends, which only fueled her delight even more. As the warm touch of lips extended, Chrysalis began to simultaneously suck out love from Twilight. Just being in the presence of her friends had reinvigorated the alicorn, something that Chrysalis was not just going to ignore.
Holding Twilight close, Chrysalis pressed herself closer to the princess, and even heard the little alicorn gasp. Her love flowed out like wine and poured into Chrysalis’ being. It energized the queen, spread out into her limbs and caused her horn to glow. When finally, she pulled away, Twilight’s eyes were visibly shimmering green. She stood there like an empty glass, waiting to be filled.
Chrysalis turned away from the alicorn and breathed in deep. Then lowering herself down to the limp Celestia, she mocked. “See! I have done it! I have taken your throne, and pulled in your precious student as my prize! Where is your friendship now Celestia?! Where is your magic?!” Chrysalis barred her teeth and kicked the unconscious princess across the face. “You have lost! Your time is over!” Without warning, Chrysalis whipped her head around and fired off a blast of changeling magic. Energized from Twilight’s love, the magical inferno ripped through the floor and slammed into Celestia with the weight of a freight train. The princess vanished into the crater, leaving only a cloud of smoke behind.
The castle enveloped with silence, Chrysalis enjoyed the moment. “My queen,” came Tremor’s voice from behind. “Everything is now in place,” he said and behind him was Starlight Glimmer, still encased in stone.
“Absolutely perfect!” Chrysalis announced. She stared over the pitiful friends of Twilight Sparkle. She watched them squirm, watched them tremble. No matter how hard they fought, they could do nothing against the might of her wonderful changelings. “And now it’s time to right the wrongs you ponies dared to so foolishly throw upon us. I swore long ago I would have my revenge.”
“W-What are you going to do?” Rarity cried out.
Chrysalis threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, it’s not what I’m going to do . . .it’s what she’s going to do!” The queen pointed at Twilight Sparkle, who stood motionless, emotionless. Hardly able to contain her excitement, Chrysalis pranced over to the statue of Starlight Glimmer.
“Twilight wouldn’t do a thing like that!” Applejack shouted.
“She’d never hurt any of her friends!” Rainbow Dash added. “Ever!”
The shouts and the screams continued. Even the pipsqueak of a dragon kicked and fought against his oppressors. Though completely futile, he also added his voice into the mix. “She’d never give in to the likes of you! Twilight! Wake up Twilight! I know you can hear me!” A few tears even manage to drop down from the dragon’s eyes.
“I’m afraid she already has!” Chrysalis exclaimed. “And do you know why?!” She asked. When the only answer she received were glares and growls, Chrysalis wandered back over to Twilight and draped a hoof around the alicorn’s neck. “Because she’s got a new friend and she no longer needs the likes of you nagging at her. Isn’t that right, Twilight Sparkle?”
In her hypnotic gaze, Twilight nodded her head. “Yes, Queen Chrysalis.”
Gleefully, Chrysalis swept herself over to the alicorn’s other side. Shifting Twilight to face the stone statue of Starlight Glimmer, Chrysalis continued amidst the outcries from the others. “And I know you’d just be soo upset if ever a pony tried to hurt me.” To this, Twilight nodded. “Well Twilight, I’m afraid some-pony has tried to hurt me, and hurt me they did.”
“Who?”
Chrysalis leaned and whispered. “Starlight Glimmer. She stole away our changelings and ruined their lives. She needs punishment. I need justice.”
In her zombified state, Twilight Sparkle nodded.
“Kill her.” Chrysalis hissed.
“NO!” Spike screamed at the queen’s voice. He struggled and fought. “You can’t do it! You won’t do it!” Spike shouted. His kicks and punches flew like wild. The dragon bit at the hooves of a changeling and suddenly he was free. His butt hit the floor first and Spike ran hard over towards Twilight, to stop this madness.
Chrysalis however, eyed the dragon with baited breath. This would not be stopped. When in range, the queen spun around and kicked Spike in the chest. The wind knocked out of him, Spike flew back into a pillar across the room. His head cracked off the marble tower and the dragon slumped down, unconscious.
“Anyone else?!” Chrysalis demanded. When only the tear-filled scowls of Twilight’s friends remained, Chrysalis smiled and turned back to Twilight. “Do it. She’s right there.”
The alicorn didn’t hesitate. She nodded her head and fired out a powerful beam of magic. It struck the frozen Starlight Glimmer with a loud SMACK! The stone statue slid back several feet, specs of dust flaking off from the rigid Starlight.
“More! Don’t stop!” Chrysalis shouted enthusiastically.
Twilight lowered her head and unleashed a thicker blast of magic onto the statue. Cracks started to form around the side, spreading over the back of Starlight like spider legs. The queen watched with delight, and when she glanced back at Twilight, she saw tears sprinkling down the princess’ face. “Finish her.” Chrysalis commanded.
Another crackling, sparking second later, and the whole stone statue exploded into a thousand pieces that careened through the air like small meteorites. Chrysalis watched the explosion like a small filly would watch fireworks. “She’s gone. She’s really gone.” The queen whispered.
The moment of silence lasted for but a moment. For so enraptured with the thrill of finally giving these pathetic ponies their comeuppance, Chrysalis turned on her captives and pointed at the still unconscious Spike. “He’s next!”
“Spike!” The sound of every-pony suddenly screaming his name managed to wake the dragon. But whether the voices came from Pinkie Pie, Rarity, or whoever else, he couldn’t tell. He turned his head in the direction of his name when he heard it again. “Spike! Run!”
The dragon had hardly the time to react. A blinding flash of light appeared just ahead of him. The next thing he knew, his scales felt as though they were on fire. All the oxygen sucked from his lungs. The force of the magic ripping into him like a thousand-pound branding iron pressed into his chest. His body stretched out, he couldn’t move. He couldn’t speak.
The slow click-clack of hooves approached Spike. With the approach, the magic setting fire to his scales intensified. When finally Spike forced his head up, he found Twilight towering over him. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. The alicorn’s eyes were dead green and she wouldn’t hear him anyway.
Somewhere in the distance, Spike heard Chrysalis’ voice. “Finish him!”
The horn on Twilight’s head sparked and crackled. The magic around Spike grew stronger, and the dragon screamed out in agony. This was it, he realized. This was how it was going to end.
“Spike!” A new voice shouted up from above.
Every head turned towards the ceiling as a stone-grey blur dropped like a rock from above. Twilight had but a second to gaze upwards when the pegasus headbutted into her side. Like a baseball bat connecting with the ball, Twilight’s body hurled through the air and disappeared into a wall. When the dust had settled and Spike could actually lift his head, his mouth dropped open. “D-Derpy?!”
“You okay Spike?” Derpy asked. “Maud told me all about . . .”
It took several seconds for Derpy to realize that the baby dragon had leapt up from his spot on the floor and hugged the pegasus. Tears fell from his face, and he’d started crying. Derpy closed her eyes for a moment and hugged the dragon back.
“How’d you get here? I thought you’d drowned.”
“Funny story . . . you know that big white dragon in the water with us . . .” Derpy started, but stopped as a soft humming of magic grew louder. Biting her lip, the pegasus looked over to her side and found Twilight Sparkle standing there before her. Bits of debris flaked off her mane. The princess’ eyes filled with green, she glared at the two, readying her magic once more.
Behind the princess, Chrysalis laughed. “Oh, come now! You didn’t think it’d be that easy, now did you?!”
“Hang on,” Derpy said, and before Spike could ask, the pegasus had grabbed the little dragon and flung him onto her back. The mail-pony shot up into the sky just as Twilight’s beam of magic exploded through the wall they’d been standing in front of. Derpy’d hardly had time to relax as Twilight angled her beam up into the air. The violet arc of magic tore through the windows and wall adjacent to the pegasus. Derpy could feel the heat from Twilight’s magic sizzling the hairs on her tail. It took everything Derpy had just to keep ahead of Twilight’s inferno.
Spike’s fingers clasped tightly around the pegasus’ neck, and Derpy prayed the dragon would hang on. Then suddenly, a blast of green magic shot up in front of her, trapping the two between the colorful beams of magic. No choice! If the two stayed on any kind of course, there’d be nothing left of them. Don’t let go, Spike. Derpy thought and then dropped.
“Derpy! Derpy! Derpy!” Spike cried out, flailing behind her.
The pegasus dived head first towards the floor, narrowly escaping the collision of Twilight’s and Chrysalis’ magic from above. Of course, this created a new problem. Derpy needed to pull up. She’d never quite mastered the nosedive. In fact, when she saw the floor flying up at them, she started to panic. “S-Spike!” She shouted. “Spike! Ha . . .” But she never finished. Just as they were about to hit, Spike had sat up on Derpy’s back and yanked back on her neck.
“Up! Up! Up!” He shouted. Like a joystick, Spike pulled on Derpy’s neck and the adjustment was enough to pull the pegasus safely out from their crash course.
The two avoided crashing by mere inches and within seconds Derpy found herself flying back up towards the ceiling. “Uhh Spike . . .” She started, but hadn’t been able to finish. Covering her face with her hooves, the two busted out through the roof of the castle and straight up into the air.
All around them, angry red clouds floated through the sky, turned crimson from the moon that still wavered above. It was a moment of eerie peace for the two, as Derpy finally regained control of her flight. She hovered for just a few moments, glancing back at the dragon on her back. “You alright?”
Spike had started heaving. His injuries taking toll, but he wasn’t about to stop. He couldn’t. “I’m . . . fine.” He said. “We have to go back. The others are in trouble. We gotta get them out of there.”
“Don’t worry.” Derpy said, and pointed out past the ruined castle. In the distance, small specs drifted through the clouds. “The rest of the dragons will be here soon.”
Twilight’s empty shell stood confused. Her target had vanished into thin air, and she’d yet to be given any updated orders. For a moment, even Chrysalis had the dumbstruck look spread across her face. Only when signs of struggle erupted from her soldiers did Chrysalis awaken from her stupor. “What the hell?!” She cursed and her eyes opened up wide. “No!” She cried out.
Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and even Fluttershy were all breaking free from the changelings that were holding them down. “Do not let them escape!” Chrysalis shouted. Her command echoed in vain.
Rarity used her magic to ignite the wings of several of her captors. The changelings in question dashed about like a couple of idiots in a sad attempt at extinguishing the flames. “That should teach you to mess with my perfect hair, and my friends.” She retorted. After freeing herself, Rarity blasted the changelings off both Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.
When only Dash and Applejack remained captured, Applejack took one glance from changeling to changeling, and then kicked her legs with the same force that she bucked the apple trees back home. The changelings holding on to her were sent flying through the air. “This ain’t over yet!” She cried out, and galloped over to Rainbow Dash. With a few swift kicks, she’d freed the prismatic pegasus and hoof-bumped her friend.
“Time to kick some tail!” Rainbow Dash hollered as she took to the sky.
Chrysalis grit her teeth. Cocking her head back, the queen fired her magic at the gnat. An explosion of feathers and rainbow hair followed with the sickening crunch of Rainbow Dash’s skull bouncing off the marble floor. Chrysalis only smiled as she approached the limp pony. “The hell you will.” She sneered. “Twilight. Take care of the rest!”
Applejack didn’t hesitate. She’d found Dash’s side the second the pony had hit. Blood soaked into Dash’s mane and for a moment, Applejack feared the worst. Tears sprung to her eyes and she was about to cry, and then Rainbow Dash’s ears twitched. “Dashie!” She screamed out and pulled the pegasus in for a hug. “You’re alive!”
“But not for long I’m afraid.” Chrysalis answered, now towering over the two. She couldn’t help but smile as the sounds of Twilight’s magic blasting into both Rarity and Pinkie Pie. “Do not worry. You will all die together!”
“NO!” Applejack screamed. She fought hard to control her tears, and she glanced down quickly at Dash when the pony grabbed her hooves. “You’re gonna be okay there Dash. Just you wait.” Then when the explosions hit, the farmer’s head shot up and looked to Pinkie Pie and Rarity. The two were curled up around each other in the corner. Twilight slowly approached them, firing beam after magical beam at the girls. Some of her shots missed, but most of them hit their mark, slamming into the girls and bouncing their bodies off the wall like a couple of basketballs. “TWILIGHT! STOP!”
Overhead, the changelings watched and guarded. They hovered over the ponies like vultures, waiting patiently for their queen and her zombie to be finished so they could have their meal. Chrysalis saw the fear in Applejack’s eyes, saw the hate. “You poor ponies tried so hard, didn’t you? So much for friendship.” Then leaning in, Chrysalis opened her mouth, to have taste of Applejack’s sweet love.
Riding with Ember on the back of a pale white dragon name Fizzle, Maud stared down through the hole where Derpy had pulled out just a moment earlier. “There! Down.” She said and Fizzle only too happily obliged. With Maud’s front leg wrapped up and stilted to help keep weight off the leg, she hung tightly as they dropped down into the castle. Don’t be too late. Please. She thought to herself.
It took Fizzle only a moment to reach the bottom of the hole when Maud saw it. Chrysalis had her hooves wrapped around Applejack, sucking the earth pony’s love. But below, below is where Maud’s eyes lasered in. “Save the others.” She commanded and without warning jumped down off Fizzle’s back. She took the six-foot fall in stride, her eyes locked onto the brainwashed Twilight.
Maud had just bore witness to one of the alicorn’s powerful beams ripping through the air and blasting chunks of debris out just over Rarity’s and Pinkie’s head. The two had their eyes closed, screaming. Their bodies covered in burns, welts, and blood. Maud praised Celestia that they’d made it in time. Another couple minutes and every-pony could’ve been dead.
Speaking of ponies, Maud swiftly galloped over to Twilight. Her injured leg made it painful to run, like nails driving up into her hoof with each step. But she couldn’t stop. Not now. With Twilight not even taking notice of her, Maud bolted over to the alicorn and rearing up, bucked her hind legs into Twilight’s temple. The loud CRACK of the impact sent the princess’ body hurtling several feet. She landed hard and with eyes still glowing green, she started to get back up. Not missing a beat, Maud rushed on over at Twilight’s side. “I’m sorry to do this Twilight.” Maud said, and rearing her legs once more, bounced the princess’ head off her hind hooves once more. This kick did its job and the princess slumped over onto the floor, motionless.
Hurrying back over to her sister, Maud stopped, short on breath. Her leg ached, and sweat dripped down between her ears. Yet when she saw her sister, she couldn’t help but smile. “Pinkie Pie.” She said, and her sister’s head perked right up. “Are you oka . . .” Maud of course never finished her sentence. Her sister had buried her in a body-slamming hug before the fourth syllable of that sentence even had a chance at escaping.
Chrysalis grit her teeth. Her changelings still outnumbered the creatures before her, but just how much longer would that last? The queen was more than familiar with Dragon Lord Ember. She’d learned of the exchange of power from Torch to the princess some time ago. And with Ember’s known soft spot for the ponies, Spike’s mission had been only the most logical one. Unfortunately, the little pipsqueak had succeeded in securing his backup. We need something fast. Chrysalis thought to herself glaring down at the others, daring them to make a move.
“More dragons will be here shortly Queen Chrysalis.” Ember announced. “I suggest you make this easy on yourself, and on your changelings.”
Retreat. That was the only word that sprung to mind. They’d have to leave, have to leave everything behind. A waste. Far too much a waste. If only I could take one more thing . . . Chrysalis eyed the group of five ponies. Rainbow Dash just started sitting up, her eyes only barely opening. In Applejack’s hooves, the pegasus was far from battle ready. Pinkie Pie clung to both Rarity and Fluttershy. At some point the party pony had burned herself, probably from the Sun Flares. Too bad the beasts couldn’t have finished the job. Rarity stood near the grey earth pony who’d dropped in with Ember.
To be blunt, none of them appeared capable of fighting. The battle with Daybreaker along with the changelings’ attack had weakened the five. Never would there be such a golden opportunity to rid themselves of the bearers of the Elements.
“Well?” Ember persisted. “What will you do?”
“Retreat.” Chrysalis said. “We’ll retreat. Even I’m not suicidal enough to risk my last few changelings on all of you.” At these words, the last twenty of the queen’s changelings landed behind her. Their wings buzzed, and each of the insectoids hissed their displeasure. Patience my little ones. Chrysalis noted.
Dragon Lord Ember, the precocious yet naïve little reptile stepped forward. She’d seen far too few battles during her rulership; a fact that Chrysalis was already preparing to exploit. The way the tiny dragon approached Chrysalis with such vigor, such authority, it was clear she wanted to make a name for herself.
“You retreat now, and then you never come back.” Ember said, oblivious to the panicked expressions of her peers behind her. “I’ll give you this one chance.”
Smacking her lips together, Chrysalis leaned in and hissed, “Then I’ll make sure not to waste it.” She said.
All in one motion, Chrysalis slapped her front hoof down on the dragon. Ember leapt to the side to dodge, but Chrysalis managed to snag the runt by her tail. With a swing of her hoof, the queen kicked Ember to the ground and in one swift movement, pinned the Dragon Lord with a hoof to her back.
“Now! We’re going to do things my way!” Chrysalis announced. Turning to her minions, she commanded, “Go! Finish off the little ponies! And make it quick! We have a retreat to honor!”
The changelings hissed and sprung gleefully into the air. Their battle cries echoed through the castle, and Chrysalis delighted in the screams and helpless yelps from the ponies. She took even greater pleasure in the pearly white dragon that mentally battled himself on whether or not he should risk Ember’s life with an attack.
The changelings dropped onto the girls, and within seconds, they disappeared under a sea of chitin and buzzing wings. Only the grey pony and Spike were strong enough to fight back. Even then, the earth pony favored her leg with crutch. Chrysalis laughed at the frenzy that her minions had thrust themselves into.
“No!” Ember shouted. “You promised you’d retreat!”
Leaning onto the dragon’s spine, Chrysalis elicited a grunt and a cry from the little blue reptile. “And I will. But not before exacting my complete revenge on Twilight’s little friends.”
Suddenly, a blast of magic arched through the room and slammed into the chest of one of the changelings. The creature flew back through a window and disappeared. When another changeling looked up to see what had happened, a second beam of hot, burning magic flashed across, bouncing him off the group.
Chrysalis angrily turned toward the being that so stupidly dared to interfere with her plans. And her mouth dropped in shock. Standing next to a crater in the second floor, stood a glowing white alicorn. With an enraged violet eyed glare, and a flowing multi-colored mane and tail, the raiser of the sun stepped slowly towards the queen.
“This has gone on quite long enough, Queen Chrysalis.” Princess Celestia announced.
Every changeling stopped in their tracks, heads turned towards the pony who’d just spoken. Even Chrysalis had not expected such a quick recovery from Celestia. Still, even with one of the most powerful ponies in Equestria, what did Chrysalis have to fear?! “I’m afraid it isn’t over yet, princess. I’ll be taking leave on my terms, not on yours.”
Celestia glanced over at the changelings. Her gaze alone was enough to make them back off from the girls. She felt her heart break at the sight of them. Five of the six ponies who’d been so wonderful to her, meant more to her than they would ever know. And now, after everything, they lay broken, exhausted. What have I done? Celestia said to herself. Painful memories of herself as Daybreaker flowed into her like poison. Had she really caused all of this?
Then Celestia turned back to Chrysalis. As much as she hated this queen, hated their species for what they’d done, she’d still been partially to blame. Now however was not the time for self-pity. Now, she needed strength. “Where is Twilight?” Celestia demanded.
Chrysalis only cackled at the question. “Oh please, that lil filly?! Why she’s working for me now! And if you’re lucky, you just might get to meet her!”
“She’d never . . . what did you do to her?!” Celestia demanded. The princess shook with anger, with rage. Whether this was left over from Daybreaker’s presence inside her, or whether this was something else entirely, she couldn’t tell. But when Chrysalis cackled once more, it no longer mattered. “No more warnings, Chrysalis. I’m afraid you’ve had your chance.”
Focusing her magic, Princess Celestia charged up her horn. It glowed to life rather easily and after a couple seconds, fired a spiraling tornado of energy at the changeling queen. This needed to end, and it needed to end now. With a loud battle cry, Celestia engulfed the changeling in her blast, letting her magic rip through the castle and out the other side. The whole building trembled from the strength of the blast.
“Very impressive Celestia. I didn’t think you had it in you.” Chrysalis’s voice rang out and as the smoke cleared, a shimmering glow enshrouded the changeling, emanating from a necklace draped around her neck. “Too bad your magic has no effect on me!”
Celestia couldn’t believe it. How was she supposed to fight this monstrosity? She’d have to go in for a physical attack versus a magical one. There just wasn’t any other way. Dropping down from the air, the princess flew in low. Her hooves tapped against the floor, her eyes focused on the grinning queen ahead of her.
“My turn.” Chrysalis whispered, and charging up her own beam, waited for Celestia to drift in close. Then at the opportune time, Chrysalis unleashed a furious blast of magic at the incoming princess. Her green beam radiated through the castle and directly into Celestia’s path.
With a last second veer, Celestia managed to dodge the attack. She swerved out of Chrysalis’ path and pulled herself back. Turning around, Celestia saw the danger her little stunt had placed Twilight’s friends in. Chrysalis’ magical beam had slammed into wall opposite of them, causing it to bow. The pale white dragon had his wings stretched out over Spike and the others to prevent them from becoming injured.
Chrysalis had yet to turn herself around, and was instead starting to focus on the group. Her horn lighting up once more, charging another attack. This attack however, was to be directed at the gang of friends.
“NO!” Celestia shouted, and headbutted Chrysalis in the side. The queen flew back, grunting in pain.
“You must get out! Now!” Celestia shouted at the group.
“But . . .” Spike started to argue.
With a fling of her horn, Celestia forced the other changelings out of the air with a blast of her magic. Freeing the airways for the group, she again commanded, “NOW!”
Spike turned towards the others, and Celestia watched them figure themselves out. Ember would carry Spike. Derpy would carry Maud. Fluttershy grabbed Rarity, and the large ivory white dragon carried the other four.
Celestia watched as her loyal subjects, her friends, escaped out through the roof of the castle. “Now Chrysalis, it’s just you and me.”
Chrysalis didn’t respond. She just smiled. Celestia was about to comment, when an explosion of violet energy slammed into Celestia, tossing her back several feet. Staggering to her feet, she could smell the odor of burning fur. But she didn’t care.
“Princess Celestia,” Chrysalis mockingly announced, “Meet my new friend. Princess Twilight.”
Sure enough, standing where her friends were only moments before resting, the Princess of Friendship stood. Her horn glowing purple, eyes glazed over green. “Twilight,” Celestia whispered. Celestia heard the cackles of Chrysalis on one side, and the buzzing of changelings on the other. With Twilight staring her down, she’d quickly become cornered.
I can’t risk hurting Twilight. And Chrysalis . . . as long as she has that thing around her neck, I won’t be able to touch her. Celestia glanced at the changelings spreading out. Her only choice was to tackle the “low hanging fruit” as it were. With a grunt, the princess fired up her magic and spun to take out the changelings. Her beam cut through about five of them when an emerald blast of magic from Chrysalis and a violet blast from Twilight rammed into Celestia’s side.
“Ahhhhhhhh” Celestia cried out in agony. Her body slammed up against a wall, and slumping down to the floor, she gasped for breath. The attack had taken the wind right out of her.
Celestia attempted to get up, but a sharp spear of magic from Chrysalis exploded into the floor tile right next to her face.
“Stay down.” Chrysalis commanded. “That’s what you should have done. And maybe . . .” Chrysalis chuckled, “maybe, I would have let you live.” To that, her changelings only hissed and laughed, mocking the downed princess. “Now though, you’ll make a scrumptious little meal . . . for all of them.”
Chrysalis nodded her head, and at once all her changelings swarmed the princess in a feeding frenzy.
“We have to go back.” Spike said only seconds after landing with the others. “Celestia needs our help!” Turning towards Ember, the dragon wasted no time. “Where are the other dragons?!”
Ember said nothing. She just pointed to the horizon. In the distance, the flapping of wings could be seen. The dragons looked no bigger than birds flocking over the sea. Unlike a bunch of seagulls though, the dragons announced their arrival with roars that echoed over Canterlot.
“But Celestia doesn’t have that long,” Spike argued. “And Twilight . . . she’s . . .” The dragon fell silent. “I can’t leave her like that.”
“Spike, Ah don’t rightly know how much we got left.” Applejack said. The farmer looked worn. Her Stetson riddled with burns and other marks, she stood close by Dash’s side. The pegasus had managed to sit up while Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie helped tend to her wounds.
“But we can’t just give up!” Spike said incredulously.
“The dragons are almost here.” Ember offered. “Another couple minutes, and they can just take over.”
Before Spike could answer, the castle lit up from within. Green and purple lights danced behind the broken windows, creating a strobe effect. From inside, an explosion shook the already rickety castle, the sound echoing into the air like a small bomb had just been detonated.
“We don’t have a couple minutes!”
“I’ll go with you.” The calm, collected voice of Maud Pie rose out from the silence. She limped forward with her leg still wrapped. “As long as Pinkie Pie and the others are safe, I’ll fight with you.”
Spike was about to answer when Derpy suddenly shot up her hoof and said, “Me too!” Everyone looked her way, stunned at the outburst. Her eyes darted from pony to dragon, head swiveling around. “I mean . . . I want to help you too.”
Spike smiled. The friends he’d come to know and love from travelling Equestria were there for him once again. He didn’t blame the others for wanting to hang back. It hurt sure, but many of them were already injured or exhausted.
Considering the Pie’s condition with her leg, Spike turned to Derpy and hopped onto her back. “You better stay behind Maud. Send the dragons in when you guys see them.”
Maud only nodded.
“And us?” Derpy asked.
Spike smiled. “We’ve got a necklace to steal.” And kicking his feet into the pegasus’ side, Derpy gave the dragon a knowing grin and lifted off into air. “Back inside!” Spike shouted and not waiting for anyone to argue, let Derpy fly him back up towards the castle.
Celestia panted for breath. She stood surrounded by Chrysalis, Twilight, and ten changelings. She’d managed to shoot down several of them, but her body groaned in pain. Cuts, bruises, blood, all stained her usually perfect white coat.
A chuckle from Chrysalis and Celestia fired up her shield, reflecting not only the queen’s, but also Twilight’s blast of magic harmlessly away from her. Since the battle began, Celestia hadn’t been able to get in a good shot of the changeling queen. Not only did that damned necklace prevent her magic from having any effect on Chrysalis, whenever she attempted a more physical attack, Twilight shot her down.
Twilight. Celestia couldn’t bring herself to turn on her student. Even if Twilight was under Chrysalis’ influence, she could not risk hurting the alicorn. She refused.
When a changeling threw himself at the princess, opening his mouth for a bite, Celestia used the opportunity to fling herself around and buck the creature in the head. He went flying backwards into a wall where he crunched up and fell to the floor. In the same instant, Celestia charged up her magic and fired two carefully aimed blasts at the remaining changelings.
A familiar crackling of magic echoed through the air and Celestia dropped to the floor just as Chrysalis’ magic passed on overhead.
“Stop this Chrysalis!” Celestia shouted. “You don’t have a way out! Stop this before you lose all of your changelings!”
Another blast exploded out from Chrysalis’ horn and the queen stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Chrysalis just shook her head. “I can’t stop. I’ve got nothing left. Don’t you see what you ponies have done to me?! To my kind?!” Chrysalis gazed about over her minions. She saw the concern in their eyes. Never before had the changeling kingdom’s numbers dipped below the teens. For the first time, the gravity of the situation she’d placed her subjects in hit her. Even staring over at her most loyal of subjects, Tremor, Chrysalis found the familiar signs of defeat etched in the lines on his face.
“You can end this.” Celestia said. Blood dripped from her mouth. “Or, you can see yourselves destroyed.”
Chrysalis opened her mouth to answer, but closed it upon hearing the thunderous roars of dozens of dragons. She stared up into the sky, looking out through the hole in the castle’s roof. The backup was here. Chrysalis cursed. She didn’t have a choice. “Fine.” She said, catching the other changelings by surprise. “But, I will not leave in utter defeat.”
Celestia dug her hooves into the floor. “Don’t Chrysalis!” She warned.
The queen only laughed. “Twilight Sparkle.” The alicorn perked up at her name.
Celestia’s eyes darted over at her student.
“Kill yourself.” Chrysalis demanded. “Now!”
“Yes, Queen Chrysa . . .”
“NO!” Celestia screamed out.
Twilight’s horn lit up with magic. It glowed, and sparked with power. A faint speckle of bright light emanated from the tip of Twilight’s horn, starting to spread down towards her skull.
“Twilight, stop!” Celestia screamed. She’d seen this far too much in her lifetime to ever want to see it again. A unicorn, or alicorn in this case, could charge up their magic to full power, and then instead of releasing it in an energy beam, would instead discharge the magic into their body. The resulting blast typically ended with the victim’s organs liquified and alongside a hole in their abdomen from where the magic exited.
Celestia galloped towards the princess, but was tackled by several changelings. Chrysalis stepped slowly over to the princess, peering down at the struggling Celestia. “You and your kind have taken so much away from me. It’s only fair that I return the favor.”
The magic from Twilight’s horn crackled to life, causing the young princess to spasm and moan out in pain. Celestia, unable to look away, watched. Tears fell from her eyes. “T-Twilight!” She shouted again. The pile of eight changelings preventing her from any kind of movement.
A sudden explosion of debris cascaded down onto the ponies and changelings. The distraction was just enough to catch Twilight’s attention as Derpy flung herself down at the changelings. Her eyes first landed on Twilight Sparkle, and Derpy shouted back to the dragon on her back. “Twilight’s in trouble!”
Half a second passed and Spike had leapt off from Derpy’s back. With the momentum of his landing, the dragon easily slid across the room on his back. Seeing his best friend in pain, Spike did the first thing that came to mind. With a deep breath, he spewed a wall of green fire at Twilight Sparkle. His fiery breath pulled the princess out of spell. Twilight quickly tossed up a barrier to protect herself and Spike slammed into the magical dome shortly thereafter.
Derpy meanwhile, zigzagged in low towards Chrysalis. She had the momentary advantage of catching the queen off guard. And with the changelings holding down Celestia, she had a clear shot at Chrysalis. Her wings stretched out in perfect gliding form, Derpy cruised on in at the queen and head-first. She rammed into Chrysalis’ chest. The impact sent both of them tumbling over the floor.
Derpy was the first to awaken, and she saw the stumbling Chrysalis right next to her.
“The necklace! Get the necklace!” Derpy heard Celestia shout from under her pile of changelings.
Before the queen could react, Derpy leaned her head in, and taking the necklace of green shards into her mouth, yanked it as hard as she could. The cord snapped and the pegasus threw it out across the room and onto the floor.
“NO!” Chrysalis cried out, and turning to Derpy, the queen bucked the pegasus in the head. Derpy tumbled back several feet, dazed.
Two of the changelings shot off from Celestia and towards the necklace. Their hooves stretched out, ready to grab the necklace and return it to their queen. Before they could get there, two large, scaled feet smashed down onto the jewelry. The changelings pulled up at the last second to avoid colliding with the monstrous beast. The dragon folded his wings and leaned in, snarling at the two love suckers. With a loud roar, he easily grabbed the attention of every-pony there.
Celestia used this distraction to buck off the remaining changelings from her body. They buzzed away like flies, and landed near their queen. Another dragon landed in the castle, and then another. Several more flew in circles overhead, casting shadows down onto them.
“Queen Chrysalis.” Celestia said, taking slow steps towards the changeling queen. With the dragons now standing guard, the queen’s minions didn’t dare make a move on the princess. “I want you to look at everything you have done, at everything you have caused.”
Chrysalis only briefly glanced about the room. Her changelings stood close to her side. The pegasus she’d kicked had disappeared out of her sight. Twilight on the other hoof, had halted the battle with her little pet to watch the movements of the other, far more intimidating dragons. Chrysalis just cursed. She turned to Celestia in anger. “And then what? Banishment? Turned to stone perhaps? Or am I to rot in one of your many dungeons?”
Celestia didn’t respond. Instead, she charged up her magic. The changelings surrounding Chrysalis hissed, their hair standing on end, or at least it would’ve if they’d had any. Even Chrysalis herself took a nervous step back. When Celestia unleashed her magic however, she directed it at Twilight Sparkle. The beam of golden, blinding light, struck the alicorn in the forehead, burrowing deep into her body. Twilight shook and spasmed from the intensity of the magic. She dropped to her side and twitched, foaming at the mouth.
When finally, Celestia pulled back her spell, Twilight laid unconscious next to her friend. Nodding to the little dragon, letting him silently know the princess would live, Celestia pulled her attention back to Chrysalis. “I am afraid that none of those options are suitable punishments.”
Chrysalis continued to back away from Celestia. “What then?” She hissed. “You gonna kill me?! Even as Daybreaker, you didn’t have the guts.”
Celestia took in a deep breath. Her body wrought with pain, coming from both her aching joints and the stabbing guilt in her heart. Certainly, there’d be consequences for her actions. That was fine. She’d accepted it. But what she couldn’t accept, was the knowledge that a creature like Chrysalis could do all this again if given the chance. “I have no other choice.”
With those words, all oxygen drained out from the room. Along with it, every sound vanished into thin air. Tremor stood only several feet from his queen. He didn’t believe it. After all this, after everything his majesty had been through, they were going to kill her. Tremor dared a glance over at Queen Chrysalis. Her stoic figure didn’t waver. Her eyes though, her eyes gave her away. Though she tried to preserve her poker face, Tremor had spent enough time with his queen to know when she was afraid. He knew what terrified her.
It was also in this moment, that Tremor remembered a time in his childhood, a time that even now, created a tightness in his chest. For like all changelings, he had once been young, a child even. Unlike most other changelings however, he’d been a runt. And as rules of the hive were, only the strong survived. It was then that Chrysalis had first noticed him, had first spoken to him.
After a particular cruel episode of beatings and harassment, that of which left Tremor’s bones broken, and his eyes black and blue. He withered up in a solitude corner of the hive, and cried. Even now, Tremor could see the image of his whimpering self, as if it were yesterday.
A set of hoof-steps had tap-tapped behind him. He remembered the fear that had swept through his body, that his oppressors had returned to finish the job. But it was not them. It was the queen. Queen Chrysalis had stood there staring down at him. She’d been beautiful. Much like now, only younger of course. Her eyes bore no mercy of any kind, for that was not the type of ruler that she was. Instead she had observed him like one would observe a fly with its wings cut off.
“Are you dying?” Queen Chrysalis asked.
“I-I don’t know . . . it-it hurts!” Tremor whimpered out. “I-I can’t get up! I-If they come back . . .”
“If you’re going to die, then die.” Chrysalis said. “If you want to live though, then fight. Life isn’t granted to those who are weak.”
Chrysalis leaned in, and Tremor saw an intensity in her eyes, something that at first glance, frightened him. “Changelings are strong, determined, and ruthless. If other changelings are bullying you, it’s because you’re weak.”
Tremor’s lip quivered. “B-But . . .”
“No buts.” Chrysalis snapped. “Don’t be weak. You will not survive if you are weak. Stand up for yourself. Fight. Because one day little one, you may have to stand up for all of us.”
Tremor took in a breath. He’d come a long way since his days as a runt. He’d gained respect, even admiration among the others in his service to the queen. But none of that mattered. Almost everyone was dead. All that mattered now was Queen Chrysalis.
“You have no place in this world Chrysalis.” Celestia said. Her voice ice cold, her eyes boring into the queen’s.
Tremor stared in disbelief as Princess Celestia charged up another beam of magic. The others around Chrysalis stood ready to attack, ready to fling themselves at a moment’s notice in their queen’s defense. But it wouldn’t’ be enough. Tremor knew it wouldn’t be enough, because he’d seen this before. Celestia’s magic would pass right through them like knife through butter.
A powerful blast tornadoed out of Celestia’s horn. Winds kicked up and blew away debris as the magical beam zeroed in on his queen. No! This can’t be happening . . . I’m not letting this happen! Tremor’s mind raced and he charged Chrysalis. His hooves pounded into the floor, carrying him as fast as possible to his majesty. The winds that kicked up from Celestia’s blaze tossed the others away from their queen like rag dolls.
Burying his head down, Tremor dived into his queen, and with his forehooves, shoved Chrysalis out of the way. He’d only made eye contact with his queen for a moment. He saw the fear in her eyes, the tears, and then the wall hammered into Tremor’s body.
Twilight’s eyes snapped open. Her body ached, her head pounded, and her legs wobbled like jelly. She lifted her head up off the floor, and even that made the princess wince in pain. Vision came slowly, and her hearing returned even slower. Sitting herself up, Twilight winced out the light showering in from above. “W-Where . . . am I?” She asked.
Shaking herself free, she turned and found Spike sitting there next to her. “Spike . . .” She said softly, and the dragon pulled away. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Are you really Twilight?” Was the dragon’s response. “You’re back?”
“I . . .” and a searing headache clawed through Twilight’s skull, racketing her brain and sending electric like pins down her spine. Vague memories drifted in front of her eyes. The statue of Starlight, her friends, and even Princess Celestia, all passed by one by one. Then, excruciating pain. “What did I do?” She asked.
Spike broke eye contact. “S-Something bad. You did something really, really bad.”
Twilight sighed. She’d been under Chrysalis’ control. That much she knew. But her memory was far too broken up, too scattered to piece things together. It was like waking from a dream. The more she tried to remember, the more that slipped through the cracks.
Seeing Celestia and the others, Twilight asked, “W-What’s going on?”
Spike took one cautious step towards Twilight. “It’s Celestia. She’s going to kill Chrysalis.”
Twilight’s ears perked up at the statement. “She’s what?” Turning towards the others, Twilight scrambled onto her hooves. Ignoring the protests of her friend, the princess fumbled over herself until her legs actually obeyed and held her weight.
With a quick gallop, Twilight rushed over to Princess Celestia. “Celestia! Please stop!” She cried out.
“Twilight, you shouldn’t be . . .” Celestia started, but never finished.
Coming to a halt in front of Chrysalis, Twilight gazed upon the remains of the changeling, Tremor. He sat sprawled out in Chrysalis’ hooves. The hole in his chest made evident he’d almost been blown in half. Chrysalis met Twilight’s gaze, and for the second time since knowing her, Twilight found tears rushing down the queen’s face. She did not try to hide it. She only stared at Twilight, and then back down at her changeling, whose ears she stroked, and whose head she held.
“Twilight. Get out of the way.” Princess Celestia instructed. “We must end this.”
“Please,” came the soft whispers of a tired Chrysalis. “Please . . . if you must, at least let the other changelings live.” The will to fight having completely vanished from the Queen’s face, she looked almost pitiful. “There’s only six of them now.”
“I cannot take that risk.” Celestia stared down at the changelings. “Your kind has proven to be nothing but monsters. Twilight. Move.”
The princess looked from Celestia, to Chrysalis, to the dragons, and then to Spike and Derpy. But most of all, Twilight watched the six changelings all gather around their Queen. Despite what she had just said, the love suckers tightly packed themselves defiantly in front of Chrysalis, standing in protection of her.
Chrysalis appeared to have neither the heart nor the willpower to tell them otherwise. “I’m sorry.” She finally whispered out. “I’m sorry I have failed you all. Because of me, our kind will go extinct.”
The changelings visibly were shocked by this proclamation. None of them had ever before heard their queen apologize, not for anything. Yet here she was, broken and defeated. The changelings gave each other concerned glances. Finally, one of them spoke up. “No apology necessary my queen. It was an honor to serve you.” Another chimed in, “If anything, it was us you have failed you.”
Chrysalis closed her eyes and hugged the body of her dead soldier tighter. Tremor was loyal, but so were the others. Laying her soldier down to rest, Queen Chrysalis stood onto her hooves and slowly approached Celestia and Twilight. Each of her remaining changelings followed her towards the princess.
“Twilight. Please.” Celestia pleaded.
The young alicorn gazed up into the eyes of the changeling queen. “Chrysalis . . .” She started to say. Because for the first time, Twilight felt as though she understood the changelings, if only a little.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle . . .” Chrysalis said. “Someday, you will be a formidable ruler.” And with a blast of her magic, Chrysalis shot a beam of magic that threw Twilight out of her path.
The violet alicorn landed several feet away from the others. She scrambled to her hooves and shouted, “Celestia don’t!” But before she put herself into a gallop, a white beam of light shot out repeatedly from the alicorn’s horn. Like multiple lightning strikes, Celestia’s magic cackled and ripped through the air. The attack was brief, but complete. Twilight didn’t even see the bodies drop. The glow from Celestia’s horn had blotted them out, and when finally, the magical aura dissipated, only Princess Celestia remained standing.
Turning to Twilight, Celestia whispered, “It’s over.”
Outside of the castle, dragons swarmed. Overhead and around the grounds, the beasts guarded the skies. Anything that wasn’t dragon or pony, they attacked. Only a couple had actually entered the castle due to the structural damage. Any more dragons recklessly smashing through any part of the castle easily would have caused the whole thing to collapse.
With baited breath, Maud watched from the protection of Ember, Torch, and others as flashes of light danced throughout the castle. Screams and cries were heard, and she’d held her breath for minutes at a time after Derpy and Spike had returned into building. Every second she didn’t hear from them was a second too long.
Even Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and the others were speechless. None had the strength to speak, or the words by which to explain any of this.
Several minutes passed, and Maud glanced down to Ember, the little dragon that had assured them all would go well. A knowing look filled her eyes and she nodded here head. Placing a hand on Maud’s side, she silently spoke to Maud, letting the pony know she was there, and that everything would be alright.
Were we too late? The only question that circled through Maud’s head, did so over and over. She felt herself beginning to sweat. Eventually, she had to sit down, to get weight off her injured leg.
Finally, everything went quiet. Several more minutes passed, and then out of the castle, three figures emerged. Twilight Sparkle, Derpy Hooves, and Spike the dragon walked side by side out of the Canterlot Castle in silence.
When the three finally arrived, they all just looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
“Well?” Applejack asked softly.
Twilight nodded. “It’s done.”
“Where’s Princess Celestia?” Maud asked.
Twilight gazed back. “Inside. She’s getting Princess Luna. Luna . . . she didn’t make it.” Twilight, too exhausted to cry, just looked out over the others. They stared back in equal exhaustion.
A silence fell over the group, and eventually, Ember raised her hand as if in a school. “The dragons . . . they found hundreds of ponies imprisoned in the caves, in some kind of cocoons.”
“Are they okay?” Spike asked.
Ember nodded. “We’ve been extracting them out into the city, away from the castle.”
“Good.” Twilight answered. “Good.”
“So, what now?” Rarity asked.
“Rebuild.” Twilight said. “I don’t know how, but rebuild. That’s all we can do.” To this, none disagreed. They only nodded their heads, and then stared on in silence, as Princess Celestia exited the castle, with her little sister draped over her back.