//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8- Gazing Into A Nightmarish Mirror 
// Story: The Thestral With The Golden Halo 
// by DougtheLoremaster 
//------------------------------//

The garden materialized before her eyes once more. Chrysalis stared at the alicorn in the sundress. She closed her eyes and winced. "You really did look beautiful in that thing, bug queen."
Chrysalis's eyes opened wide and she turned to look at Sombra in surprise. Unsure of what to say she turned back to the scene playing out. This seems a bit different than before. Wait, I remember this! The alicorn's ears perked up as a gentle voice called her name from the entrance. "Chrysi! I thought I would find you here!"
It was that afternoon. A gray stallion in a dashing blue tuxedo trotted towards her as the alicorn raised her head and laughed. "Oh don't you look regal today, Sombra!"
The stallion blushed and spoke in a frantic way. "That's not- I mean- I-"
As she smiled warmly at him, the Sombra of the past presented her a bouquet of uniquely colored roses. "I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed last night." 
Our first dance. The alicorn grabbed him by the hooves and began to sway, soon both were laughing and twirling in the garden as the birds issued forth a harmonizing melody. Chrysalis turned to look at Sombra as they both watched the scene side by side. His eyes were soulless as always, but she saw the hint of a smile on his face. We were so happy, it was so magical...and then I destroyed everything. Tears began to form in her eyes as the scene shifted to reveal what she had long since tried to forget.
"Chrysalis, the time has come for you to recognize and admit to yourself the truth of your actions. You need to walk us through it. It may hurt but you cannot be silent any longer."
The voice of Starshine from behind her made the Ex Queen's head turn to face her. Chrysalis's eyes watered, silently she begged Starshine, pleaded with her to let all this end. The thestral's stance and hardened glare told her that there would be no avoiding this. Please...please don't...I...I... Her thoughts were erratic and she was scared, shaking in fear. She felt a stone cold object grab her hoof. It was Sombra. His hoof had no warmth as always and his eyes were eternally cold and merciless, but she felt in his grip the tenderness they once shared. She was not alone. That's right, together we can do this.
Turning back to the scene, Chrysalis began to narrate the painful memory in full detail. "We had been seeing each other for a couple of weeks. Our kingdoms had formed an alliance. Sadly, Sombra was unable to stay by my side and so he went back to his own kingdom. I grew lonely, miserable upon him leaving. I decided to ask my royal advisor what i should do to cure myself of this sadness."
A figure in armor stood before the disorganized, unkempt form of the royal alicorn, pacing back and forth. The armored pony flexed its wings as it stated in a feminine voice. "Your majesty, you haven't eaten any of the royal food that has been prepared for days. It has been painful watching you trudge through each day while you refuse to sleep. I can't recall the last time I have ever had to say this but, the cleaning staff refuses to enter your chambers, especially after one of them passed out and was sent to the infirmary from mere contact with your sheets. I must say, I am quite concerned for your well being at this point."
Starshine's eyes went wide, but she held her tongue. For the love of Faust don't tell me...That can't be.... The alicorn spoke a response in a frantic voice. "I know! I'm a wreck! It's his fault! It's him! I can't stop thinking about him!"
The armored pony lowered her helmed head and spoke, "Who?"
Is...she trying not to laugh? Damn it all to Tartarus! Starshine's nostrils flared in bitter annoyance. This complicates things The alicorn queen spoke just one word as her voice grew louder and louder as it turned into a scream that shook the very stone walls of the castle hall they stood in. "SommmmmmmmmMMMMMMBRAAAAAA!"
The armored pony began to shake as laughter began to come from her. The alicorn glared at her, "how dare you laugh at me in my time of uncertainty? You could try to be more supportive you know!"
Waving her hooves in a disarming fashion, the pegasus removed her helmet and looked at the alicorn with a large grin. I knew it! Starshine was very angry now. Why didn't she tell me? Those damned emerald eyes! Yeah, it's her. "Your majesty, I meant no disrespect I am just relieved. I was worried you were suffering from some strange disease, but really it isn't anything to worry about after all!"
The alicorn stamped her hoof in anger. "What is it then, tell me or I'll...I'll...um...make you cook me dinner!"
Those deep green eyes showed amusement. "Your majesty..."
"FOR A WEEK!"
Still shaking with mirth the armored pegasus spoke in a strangely seductive manner. "Your majesty, what you are suffering from is the one of the oldest ailments in recorded pony history. A plague that has infected ponies since time immeasurable. It has caused kingdoms to fall and wars to be fought. A blessing and a curse to all who experience it. Sweetie, you are in love."
Starshine and Sombra both stared at Chrysalis with shocked looks until she angrily shouted at them, "WHAT?! I was new to the whole ruler thing. I was still little more than a young whelp forced into my role. I simply didn't have the heart to cause my subjects to suffer, regardless of crimes. Our kingdom was not one of punishment but encouragement."
Starshine preened her wing in thought before asking, "What happened to change that?"
Chrysalis looked haunted as she replied in a grave voice, "I grew up."
The scene changed once more and Chrysalis began her narration once more. "My advisor had suggested I go and visit Sombra that perhaps a dignitary vacation would be the ticket to remove the despair I had felt. The only problem was, I wasn't the only one who went to see him."
The alicorn's caravan approached the mighty castle of King Sombra. The gates were opened to allow her entrance. As she approached the throne room, she noticed quite a few strange looking guards outside the entrance. One of them raised a spear and spoke harshly. "Halt. The king is busy! Come back later."
The alicorn looked surprised and said gently, "I am here to see my fiance, stand aside, please."
The guard just repeated what he said earlier and in a deeper tone. ""The king is busy! Come back later."
The alicorn sweetly looked the guard in the eyes and said in a slightly lower tone, "I came here to see my fiance, I am Queen Chrysalis and I am going to enter that room. Please move aside" 
The guard shook his head and brandished his spear aggressively. "Beg your pardon, your majesty, but the king does not wish to be disturbed now. Please come back later!"
Queen Chrysalis was very annoyed and after the five day trek through the desert was not in the mood for this. She was hungry, she was hot, she was tired, her hooves were sore and this blasted guard was trying to turn her away? "Either open that door with your hoof, or I'll help you open it with your skull!"
The voice of Sombra came from beside Chrysalis. "Ah that explains what happened next, always wondered about that."
Starshine looked at Sombra in surprise. Was that a...joke? The doors flew inward as Queen Chrysalis levitated and threw the unfortunate guard through them. The angry queen stepped over the fallen guard. "Sombra! I have arri-"
Her voice died as she saw a pink alicorn standing beside Sombra both appeared in deep conversation. The alicorn looked at her in surprise. Queen Chrysalis frowned. The pink alicorn glanced at Sombra who now was prodding the very still form of the guard whose neck had clearly been snapped. "Sombra, who is this?"
King Sombra glanced at the enraged Queen before responding. "A very frustrated mare who needs pampering it seems."
Chrysalis glared at the alicorn. She spoke in a rather agitated tone. "I am his fiancee, who are you?"
The alicorn's emerald eyes sparkled as she spoke. "My name is Amore, Princess of the Crystal Empire. Sombra and I were just sharing some time alone before you barged in. Some very personal, alone time."
Starshine was in disbelief. Are you kidding me? This whole thing...I think I may genuinely try to kill her for hiding this now...