//------------------------------//
// Chrysalis Crack Down 
// Story: Broken Rainbows 
// by AstonMartinLover 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 13: Chrysalis Crack Down

Rainbow Dash felt the night air nipping at her coat. It was chilly. Her bones ached. Her muscles ached. Her wings were numbed, and flopped uselessly at her sides.

Shadow showed no signs of tiring. Rainbow began to wonder if he was some kind of robot. How could somepony get this far without sleeping?

Shadow turned. "We have arrived."

Rainbow Dash looked up. It was almost midnight. They had finally arrived at the mountaintop.

It was beautiful. Great rock columns. A giant waterfall. A long patch of grass that extended beyond the edge of the mountain, like a runway. A view of the great seas beyond the Equestrian mountainside.

"This is...beautiful." Rainbow said.

"I know." Shadow mumbled back. "Stunning."

Shadow brought out Rainbow's blanket. "It's very cold tonight. You could get sick."

Rainbow nodded, accepting the blanket. "So why don't you ever sleep?"

Shadow looked at her. His blood shot eyes seemed to stare deep into her soul.

"Sometimes it isn't up to me. Sometimes I simply doze off. And when I do...there they are. Always. My wife and family."

Rainbow cocked her head. "Well doesn't that make you happy?"

Shadow sighed. "Yes. Very happy. But then...I always do wake up. And I am reminded of what I had. What I traded away for some...stupid stunt."

Rainbow gently touched his spikey head. It was the first time she'd laid a hoof on the scaly creature.

"It wasn't your fault. You couldn't have known..."

"Your words are empty pony. You've never known pain like I have."

Rainbow Dash was taken aback by these words.

"You know, believe it or not, I don't have a family either."

Shadow arched an eyebrow. "You had a husband? Children?"

Rainbow shook her head. "A mother. And a father."

Shadow nodded. "What happened?"

"My mother died during childbirth. It's been a lingering question as to whether...my birth actually did it."

Shadow sighed. "I'm sorry. And your father?"

Rainbow nodded. "He was a champion flier. One of the founding members of the wonderbolts. Basically a bunch of stunt flyer's like you. One day I went to his performance. I needed to prove that I could perform a sonic rainboom. He didn't believe I could." She paused and looked away.

"So of course I had to do it right there. At his performance. Right where he couldn't ignore me. I got lined up for the boom. And...he came up to get me. To try and talk me out of it. I ignored him. He kept pressing. A lightning storm hit. He got struck down by a bolt. He fell." Rainbow sniffled. "I tried to save him. I tried to catch him but I couldn't. My stupid, tiny, worthless little filly body couldn't catch up to him."

She trailed off, the tears overcoming her. Shadow sighed then rubbed her back gently.

"It's okay. Take it easy. What in the hell are we doing to ourselves?"

Rainbow shook her head. "I don't know. This is stupid..."

"I think we've opened up enough old wounds for one day. Time to get some sleep." Shadow declared. "For you anyway."

Rainbow Dash wrapped herself up in the blanket. She looked over.

The changeling shook again. It freaked Rainbow out a little. Seeing this strange seizure like behavior from the changeling. This time Rainbow decided to speak up.

"Hey. Are you alright?"

Shadow turned around. "We changelings live in a swelteringly hot environment. This cold is...extreme."

Rainbow slowly trotted over to him. She didn't know quite how to do this.

But she threw half the blanket over him. He gave her a look like she'd gone insane.

"What are you doing?"

"You're cold. The blanket is warm."

Shadow shook his head. "No. Enduring the cold is necessary. It builds up mental toughness."

"Pffft." Rainbow Dash laughed. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Come on."

Shadow hesitantly edged closer to her. His mind raced. Was this some kind of trap? She did have the size advantage. But she was also in no physical condition to fight. So he bit the bullet, and tucked in next to her.

She placed the blanket over him. He felt some of the cold dissipate, countered by the heat. Then he felt something else. Her warm coat. Up against his side. He looked. Rainbow already had closed her eyes. He could feel her heart beat. He felt her body rise and fall with every breath.

He felt strangely comfortable next to the pegasus.

"Tomorrow we will train. You must prepare yourself. You are nothing right now. Nothing but a worthless cripple. I will transform you into the rainbow warrior you once were. From tomorrow on, there is no turning back."

Rainbow Dash gave him a weird look. "Have I ever told you you take yourself way too seriously?"

Shadow looked into her eyes. A little bit of that fire seemed to flicker back. He smirked.

Then he lay his head down next to hers and dozed off.

He spent the evening with his family once again.


Scootaloo flew low over the trees. It was getting to be dawn now. The sun was peeking up over the horizon. It was time to avenge.

Chrysalis sat among her troops, contemplating what to do with Twilight Sparkle after she destroyed Equestria.

There was a whistling from behind her. Then a clopping sound. She turned. An angry looking orange pegasus stood before her.

"Chrysalis. Get ready to feel pain."

There was a silence. Then the changeling ranks broke into laughter. 

"How old are you child? Twelve? Thirteen?"

Scootaloo snarled. "I'm old enough to break you, cheese legs."

Chrysalis laughed. She noticed the element of loyalty around the pegasi's neck. "Is this what Equestria entrust's it's fate with? You ponies are more desperate than I imagined. Very well. If you wish to die for your nation, I shall oblige you."

She lowered her horn to destroy the pesky child.

There was a green blast. Scootaloo dodged. She felt that necklace get even heavier. It's powers began surging through her. She could feel it. She buried any sense of fear she had underneath the surging rage.

She jumped up, grabbing the changeling's horn. Then she slammed her head into the dirt.

Chrysalis backed away, spitting out dirt. Her eyes were wide. She had been mistaken. This pegasus was not like the others. There was a fire in her. A burning, raging fire. And underestimating her had been unwise. The momentum had swung in her favor.

She swung her hoof at the head of the pegasus. She ducked and jammed her hoof into the changeling's ribcage. She winced as she felt one shatter.

Scootaloo shoved her back to the ground. Chrysalis took a moment to get up.

"You...you are a fledgling fighter. Even less skilled than the others..."

Scootaloo spun and kicked the changeling in the head. Her head snapped back. Her eyes spun around. 

It was a concussion force hit. She got shakily to her hooves. She stretched her wings, ready to fly at the pegasus. She charged at her. The pegasus ducked, sending Chrysalis head first into a tree. She felt her front leg break.

She dully flailed a hoof in Scootaloo's direction. Scootaloo ducked, then cut her legs out from under her with a swift chop. Chrysalis fell to the ground.

Her legs cried out in agony. They were broken, all of them. Chrysalis looked down at them in shock.

Scootaloo slowly trotted over to her. The queen looked up at her with terror in her eyes.

Scootaloo's eyes had turned a demonic red. The queen shook as she stared up into them.

"Please young pony...there is no need to murder me...I will be a good changeling from now on...please...spare me..."

Scootaloo felt no mercy in her heart. She wanted nothing more right now than to end this creature's miserable existence.

She felt darkness and rage take over. She reared back and punched. Hoof met skull. Again. Then again. Then again. Chrysalis was begging now.

"Please! Spare me! Please young warrior!"

Scootaloo stopped. She looked at her hooves. They were covered with dark changeling blood. She looked down at the battered changeling queen.

"Remember my name."

The changeling stopped whimpering. "W-What?"

Scootaloo took a deep breath.  "I'm Scootaloo. Remember that name. Remember the pony that brought you to your knees."

The young pegasus felt all the rage and hatred fall away. She couldn't kill this creature even if she tried.

"Two more names I want you to remember. Rainbow Dash. The sister you crippled. And Thunderspark. The friend you murdered. Now run. Run back home changeling."

Chrysalis looked around, terrified. "Soldiers! Fall back! Fall back to the badlands! Do it now! Abandon posts!"

The changelings looked at each other in confusion, then began falling back, heading off deeper into the forest.

They came over and lifted up their immobile leader. They carried her off into the forest.

Scootaloo chuckled. "Who's a kid now?"

She heard a whimpering in the woods. She ran over to it.

"Twilight!" She shouted. Twilight Sparkle lay in the grass, a large gash on her head.

"S-Scootaloo?" Twilight stammered, barely conscious.

"Come on Twilight. Come with me. I'll...I'll help you."

She picked Twilight up and spread her wings. Then she zoomed off towards Canterlot.


Scootaloo touched down on her balcony. The four were waiting for her when she returned.

"What happened? Are you all right?"

Scootaloo released Twilight from her grip. Princess Celestia joined them.

"Oh my faithful student. What happened to you?"

A doctor came in and began putting bandages on her head.

They turned to Scootaloo. "What about Chrysalis?"

Scootaloo smirked. "Gone. Back home. She didn't even lay a hoof on me."

She wiped off some of the changeling blood. They looked at in in quiet shock.

Applejack gave Scootaloo a hug. "Good job Scoots." She patted her on the back. Her expression turned to one of concern."But next time, if you go on ahead without the rest of us, I'll slap you upside the head. Is that understood?"

Fluttershy seemed a bit shocked by the violent words. "Well maybe just a soft...poke."

Scootaloo shoved Applejack back. She felt that rage coming back.

"I can't believe this. I saved Equestria. I got rid of the changelings. And I'm still getting ripped for it. You ponies are unbelievable."

She turned to leave. Applejack grabbed onto her tail. "Look. I ain't ripping you. You did good Scootaloo. But this can't happen again. I can't have my little pony flyin off into trouble like that!"

Scootaloo slapped her hoof away. "I can take care of myself! Did you not notice? I just beat CHRYSALIS! ME! SCOOTALOO!"

Rarity cleared her throat. "Scootaloo. There are six elements of harmony, of which you only represent one. So stop talking like you're the only pony in the universe please."

Scootaloo looked at their faces. They all looked strict. Unhappy. She felt herself become warm. Her ears went back.

Applejack opened her mouth. "Scoots..."

She put up a hoof. "No. I don't wanna hear it. This is ridiculous."

Applejack sighed. "We're grateful Scoots. We're grateful. You ended the changeling threat. But your attitude lately has been a problem. And as much as I love you, you're becoming a head case. You need a breather. And you need to give me that element right now."

Scootaloo looked down at it. It seemed to glow brighter. To beckon. She looked back up at Applejack.

"How can I trust you with this? You're not the element of loyalty."

Applejack's expression hardened. "Neither are you. I'll just hold it for Rainbow Dash. Alright? I ain't gonna put it on or nothing."

Scootaloo looked at them all. Their looks of concern. Their looks of kindness. Of caring. None of it was real. They cared not. They just wanted to separate her from it. They could not be trusted.

Applejack offered a hoof. Scootaloo stared at it, then back at her, her eyes betraying no emotion other than anger.

She turned, spread her wings and lifted off into the skies.

At least there was one pony that loved her no matter what.


Rainbow Dash yawned as the morning sun hit her. She looked around. The mountaintop was even more beautiful in the day. The waterfall shimmered.

She noticed the changeling slumped up against her. Her first reaction was repulsion. A changeling. Touching her coat. But then her mind settled.

This changeling was different. He wasn't a murderous freak like the others. He looked almost peaceful now. A slight grin on his face as he slept.

Rainbow leaned in and nuzzled him gently.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?" The changeling asked.

Rainbow jumped a foot in the air. "Um, nothing. You uh...had something on your face."

The changeling got to his hooves and arched an eyebrow. "Really? Did you get it?"

Rainbow nodded, smirking. "Yeah, I got it."

Shadow chuckled. "Alright. Then it's time to work."


"One hundred fourteen. One hundred fifteen. Come on, is this all you got?"

Rainbow Dash continued churning out push up after push up. Her body screamed for her to stop. She ignored it.

Her body didn't deserve a rest yet. It had done absolutely nothing for the past month. It was time to show it some tough love.

Rainbow let out a growl as she reached 130. She slowed down and slumped to the side.

"Oy. I haven't told you to stop. Keep pumping."

Rainbow let out a moan, then continued the push ups.

"One hundred forty. One hundred forty one..."

Rainbow let out a roar of anger. She reached 145.

"Come on, five more RD, come on."

She shook as she lifted herself up for the one hundred and forty sixth time. Then her flow of energy seemed to cut off.

"I can't. I can't do it." She declared, collapsing to the grass panting.

Shadow shook his head, a look of disgust in her eyes. "Are you an athlete?!" He shouted.

Rainbow nodded, still straining for air. "Yes."

Shadow spat. "Such a waste of an ego. You are not athlete. At my hooves, lays a coward. A weak coward."

Rainbow Dash looked up at him. "What?"

"I ask one hundred and fifty push ups from you. A year ago, could you do this?"

Rainbow frowned. "Of course..."

"Then why can't you do it now? What has changed?"

Rainbow's mouth gaped. "Are you serious? MY BACK WAS BROKEN!"

"And is it broken now?!" Shadow demanded.

Rainbow paused, still breathing hard. "Well...no..."

"Then what is your problem? Four more push ups!" 

Rainbow Dash shook her head, feeling the morning mist dampen her mane and coat. "I can't...I just can't...please...I can't..."

Shadow sighed. "Your fire is now put out. You are just a weak shell. You reek of the same weakness that cost you your spine in the first place. The weakness that cost your father his life."

Rainbow froze, her eyes widening, shocked at the changeling's words. "No..."

"You have dishonored him. And you have wasted my time." Shadow turned, giving her one final, disappointed glance. Then he began slowly trotting away.

Rainbow sat there, the emotions flowing to the surface. She let out a moan of sadness at the unfairness of it all.

She shook her head. "No. I am no coward. You come back here!" She charged at the changeling.

The changeling turned, and grabbed her by her mane, then slammed her into the ground.

"You have anger! You have energy! Yet you waste it on me! This is why you fail! Use your anger! Use your sadness, use every emotion that you've bottled up all these years! Use it to rebuild yourself, not to destroy me."

Rainbow paused. "You...no..."

The changeling looked down at her. "You have wasted time. No you start over. One hundred and fifty push ups."

Rainbow Dash wanted to punch Shadow so hard, right in the jaw. She wanted him to pay for what he had said. But she realized now, just how powerful this anger was, as it roared to life inside her.

She threw herself to the misty ground and began the process again.


"One hundred fifty. Good job Rainbow Dash. Perhaps I was mistaken." He patted her on the back. She groaned in response.

"Alright Dash. Take a break. Want some water?" Shadow asked.

Dash nodded. Shadow leaned down and gave her his canteen. "Drink."

Rainbow gulped down the water quickly. She emptied it.

Shadow tossed the canteen aside. "Now tell me. How do your arms feel?"

Rainbow looked up at him. A part of her still wanted to punch him hard for her earlier words. "Pain."

Shadow chuckled. "Yep. That means it's working. You're healing Rainbow Dash. Whether you believe it or not, you are healing."

Rainbow Dash nodded, wiping the sweat off her brow. "Thanks Shadow. I think."

Shadow looked over at the equestrian sea. "Well get ready. You're doing that again."

Rainbow gave him a shocked look. He smirked. "Don't worry. You're not using your arms this time. You're using your wings to lift you."

Rainbow cocked her head. "What?"

"Your doing push ups. Only you'll do it with your wings."

"But I can't fly." Rainbow protested.

"You won't be using your wings to fly. You'll be using them to support your weight. Must I explain further?" Shadow asked irritably.

Rainbow sighed. "Oh Celestia help me." She laid herself down on the ground again. She extended her feathery wings. They had definitely lost some muscle from all this inactivity.

She put the ends of her wings on the ground. Then she grimaced as she activated every wing muscle she had. Her wings began pumping. They flexed and lifted her up in the air.

"One. Two. Three. Four..."


Rainbow lay on her back. She'd gone 115 from her wings. They were on fire now too.

Next was back stretches. Shadow wanted to see just how much flexibility that new spine had in it.

By day's end, Rainbow Dash was in agony. She could feel all those muscles in her body rebuilding.

"You are like your muscles Rainbow Dash. They are destroyed when you overuse them, but they grow back stronger than ever."

Rainbow blushed. "Oh stop."

Shadow sat down in the grass. His scars seemed to glimmer in the sunlight. It brought a shudder from the pegasus.

"What are you gonna do after this Shadow?" Rainbow asked curiously.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean...after you repay the debt." Rainbow asked.

Shadow looked off into the sinking sun. "I will return to my home. And take the place I served before. A loyal soldier."

Rainbow stood up painfully. "What? Are you serious?"

Shadow looked up at her. "You have a problem with this?"

"The changelings killed your family. And now you have a chance to leave her army. And you're just gonna go back?"

Shadow sighed. "It's more complicated than that Rainbow Dash. You should understand. You once bore the element of loyalty. I must stay loyal to my people."

Rainbow opened her mouth to protest. But no words came. He was right.

"It does not matter who our leaders are Rainbow Dash. We cannot let villainous leaders make us abandon our own race. Then evil wins."

"Evil? You're the guys who 'eat' love." Rainbow said.

Shadow chuckled. "We do. But it is one of many food sources for us. It just happens to be the sweetest. I personally dislike it greatly."

Rainbow Dash sighed. She was very curious. "Do you know who was responsible?"

Shadow slowly nodded. "Yes. He serves in the same army as I. But we are rarely allowed to stay together. They fear for his life."

Rainbow looked at him sadly. "Would you kill him if you could?"

"I don't know. I will figure all that out after I leave you." Shadow replied. Rainbow seemed saddened by these words.

"You're going to miss me aren't you." Shadow smirked. It wasn't a question.

Rainbow shook her head but her words said different. "Yeah."

Shadow frowned. He looked at her closely. "Even after all I've put you through? I am surprised."

Rainbow sighed. She joined Shadow in staring out across the great seas. It was a truly invigorating sight.

The waves crashing against the beautiful green landscape. The beaches and rocks beneath them. And she thought over how she could still stand here next to the enemy who had just used her own father against her. And she knew exactly why he had. Because he knew it would work.

"Nopony's pushed me like that in a very long time." Rainbow replied. "Not since my father. And sometimes...I guess all you need to achieve great things is a little push."

Shadow turned, satisfied with the response. Rainbow watched him go.

"Shadow?"

"Yes?"

"After this is all done, will you remember me?"

Shadow smiled. "Of course. You're the first pony whose life I've ever spared."


The days continued much the same. Every day, Rainbow pushed her body to the limit. Like Shadow said, she had to destroy herself in order to come back stronger.

Each day, her muscles grew. Each day she got closer and closer to her form.

But today Shadow decided to try something new.

"Alright. Fly."

Rainbow Dash frowned. "What?"

"I want you to spread your wings, flap em, and fly."

A look of uncertainty crossed Rainbow's face. "O-Okay."

"See, what is that?" Shadow asked.

"What?"

"Fear. You're afraid. Of flying. Why is that?"

Rainbow paused. "I don't know, I..."

"I do. You're afraid that you won't be able to. You're afraid of failure."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Wow. Never heard that one before."

"Go on." Shadow insisted. "Give it a try."

Rainbow flitted out her wings. She gave them a flap or two, getting the cobwebs out of her feathers.

"Anytime you're ready." Shadow said patiently.

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Then she began slowly flapping her wings. They flew together now, in synchronization. But still, they could not lift her. She flapped harder

She put her hooves over her eyes. This reminded her of her fillyhood. She had been so afraid of heights. The fear was not of heights now. It was of knowing that she couldn't achieve flight again.

She opened her eyes. She was hovering. She let out a slight yelp.

She was doing it. Flight. It wasn't much, but it was something.

Suddenly it all went to hell. Her wings sputtered out. She screamed. Then she collapsed back to the ground.

She began pounding her fists on the grass. "Buck it!"

"That was good Rainbow Dash. It was progress." Shadow offered.

"I don't want progress Shadow." Rainbow Dash snapped. "I want my wings back."

There was a flapping in the distance. Rainbow looked. An orange pegasus touched down.

"Squirt!" She shouted. She ran up to Scootaloo. She embraced the young pegasus tightly. It had been a couple weeks since their last meeting.

Scootaloo smirked. "Hey Rainbow Dash. Guess what?"

"What?"

"Changelings aren't gonna be a problem for us anymore."

Rainbow frowned. "Why? What happened?"

Scootaloo grinned a wide grin. She put on a heroic pose. "I defeated Chrysalis."

She expected a grin. A pat on the back. Some form of congratulations. Instead she got a stern glare.

"What did I tell you squirt?"

Scootaloo frowned. "What?"

"You were supposed to leave Chrysalis alone. That's what I told you. Do you ever listen to me squirt?"

Scootaloo looked at her, mouth agape. "You too Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow arched an eyebrow, her expression remaining one of anger. "Me too what? You promised me you wouldn't go after her. You broke that promise Scoots!"

Scootaloo felt a wave of sadness rush through her. Everypony was against her now. Even the one who had given her her one true home.

"I-I'm sorry Rainbow Dash." She murmured.

Rainbow groaned in exasperation. "I was so ready to take her on again..."

"I'm sorry I beat her and you didn't." Scootaloo finished. Rainbow's mouth gaped.

"What did you say?"

"It must just eat at you, knowing that a kid beat Chrysalis. And you didn't stand a chance against her."

Rainbow Dash felt a wave of rage. "You're treading on thin ice squirt. I think you oughta apologize for that."

Scootaloo smirked. "It's funny. You and you're friends are all into representing friendship. But I've got nothing but grief since I put this thing on." She gestured to the element.

"Look, you're supposed to follow orders..."

"Orders? I thought we were friends Rainbow Dash. All the sudden we're soldiers? Is that how friendship works? Following orders?"

Rainbow sighed. "Scootaloo, you're still young. You're only thirteen..."

"And I outperformed you. And you're jealous. Admit it." She snarled.

Rainbow Dash stomped her hoof. "I'm not jealous. I'm frustrated. You don't listen to me at all. I'm your big sister..."

"No you're not!" Scootaloo shouted. "You pretend to be. But you never cared about me. You just loved it how I idolized you. How I bought all your posters. How I wore your bucking mane hat."

Rainbow shook her head. "Scoots, that's not true..."

"Well you know what Rainbow Dash? I've outgrown you. You're just a has been now. I'm the future."

Rainbow shook her head slowly. "I should've known giving you that element was a mistake."

"Well then come get it Rainbow Crash." Scootaloo taunted. "Come take it from me. Oh wait. You can't."

Rainbow reached out to grab the element. Scootaloo raised her hoof and punched Rainbow in the face.

She reeled back, shocked at the gesture. For a moment the world was fuzzy. Then came the pain. She felt her face. It was bleeding. She looked at Scootaloo, barely containing her anger.

Scootaloo's eyes had turned red again. She looked almost demonic.

"The element of loyalty should belong to somepony capable of holding it." Scootaloo hissed. She turned, stretched her wings, and took off, deeper into the forest.