//------------------------------//
// Chapter 51 - Loose Ends 
// Story: Fear Within 
// by VirtualCipher 
//------------------------------//

One hour after the invasion...

What was once a city protected, secured and filled with comfort quickly erupted into madness once The Hunter brought down Princess Luna's barrier. One by one, the citizens of Canterlot, the ones that failed to escape, succumbed to the changelings' power and were caught. Imprisoned and stored into gooey cocoons, they were scattered around the city while the changelings waited for further instructions for their leader. An hour had passed since the city had been invaded. Houses were ruined, windows cracked and shattered, debris scattered along the streets from the attack. 

The invasion was over. Canterlot had been claimed by the changelings. 

Setting foot into the capital of Equestria, now stained by fear, Fright ambled through the haunting and memorable streets of Canterlot. He remembered this place so vividly, it was his home once and he still hated it. But seeing it in ruin, it brought serenity to the alchemist that many would find disgusting. Taking in the horror that he welcomed, Fright loosely wrapped his shrivelled, crooked fingers onto his wrist, hands resting behind his back as he walked at a relaxed pace under the stars.

Like before, the changelings were everywhere. They controlled the sky, owned the streets and infiltrated buildings that were once occupied with friends and families. Chrysalis' soldiers barely took notice of the wandering ghoul that absorbed the ongoing terror, instead, they focused on carrying out their queen's orders. Seeking out their enemies and containing them. Much to Fright's delight, he passed by many of Canterlot's citizens and guards, all screaming as they were dragged from their hiding places, being wrapped and contained in cocoons.

Screaming, snivelling and sobbing, each terrified scream all felt different to the alchemist's ears. To him, it felt healing as if music played. However, much to his disappointment, the horrified screams would fade into silence as they were put into a state of comatose. Sooner than expected, Fright found himself at the front entrance of Canterlot's castle, now swarming with Chrysalis' drones. The guards of the changeling queen granted him entrance, refusing to get in his way as he opened the doors.

Surprisingly, he didn't bother to look around the atrium of the castle. It didn't interest him. It felt the same even after he had been away for so long. All revolving around prophecies and the alicorns. Despite being away for so long, Fright knew his way around the castle. The route stuck to his mind like glue. As his feet softly pressed against the glossy floors of the castle's halls, he found himself in front of another door, one that held respect and attention. Once again, the changelings allowed Fright to enter the new throne room of Canterlot.

Upon entering, all heads turned, all eyes falling on him. Garble, the Diamond Dogs, Lightning Dust and the Flim Flam brothers all remained as far apart as they could, stationed near the walls while Chrysalis cosied up in her new throne, grinning from ear to ear.

No longer delicate, tranquil and royal, the throne room had darkened. It was now a room that demanded fear and respect which is what Fright admired. It appeared the changelings were putting a lot of work into decorating the room to please their queen. Of course, it remained spacious and the walls along with the ceiling were the same, although messy with layers of green gel, tangled together like a web.

"Fright, you're finally here... Wonderful!" Chrysalis beamed only to quickly snarl at the fearmonger. "Now let's get this meeting over with, I have a city to decorate."

Stopping himself in the middle of the throne room, Fright looked around to his audience and swayed his hand, "My stalwart associates, an announcement."

"Through thick and thin, you have all proven to be competent, tenacious and fearless in this time of terror. Your support has not gone unnoticed, you have been patient and now, your reward is finally here." The alchemist smiled, continuing to preach, "Tonight, you can spread the fear that united you. Equestria is yours to do with as you wish. Have your fun."

There was nothing else for him to say, although they were all waiting for more. A few seconds of silence, uncomfortable and creepy, caressed over them until a loud, boisterous voice shattered the stillness of the room.

"Is that it?!" Garble shouted, lunging from the wall and appearing to lose his cool. "Last time I checked you promised us our desires?!"

 Rover raised his finger and spoke, backing up the dragon with a growl, "And what of our payment?" He asked, arching a brow.

"Was I wrong?" Fright questioned, turning to the enraged dragon and the three diamond dogs, all who had winced upon seeing his disarrayed face. "Look around, Canterlot belongs to the changelings, the Royal Sisters have been captured, the Crystal Empire grows weak without their valiant prince and everyone has been scared into their homes, too frightened to leave due to the monsters that now roam from their cages.

Garble held onto his anger but then frowned and crossed his arms over his chest, averting his gaze as he leaned back against the wall and reclaiming his cool. However, the three Diamond Dogs all looked unnerved and did their best to avoid eye contact with the psychotic alchemist.

"There are no objections to your desires just as I promised. Pillage buildings, ruin lives, take anything of value. Nothing can stop you."

"While I agree, nothing can stop us," Chrysalis declared proudly from her throne. "We still can't forget about Twilight and her insolent friends." 

Fright responded with a cold, lifeless laugh, turning to the changeling queen, "Of them, you have nothing to fear. In this world of terror, they won't get far. Our instrument of fear will make sure of that."

"So what's the deal then? Why call us for another meeting?" Lightning Dust asked, arching a brow while sadness latched onto her eyes.

Turning himself from Chrysalis like a cog in a machine, the alchemist turned to his audience, "Because our alliance is at its end. You have all played your part, your assistance is no longer needed."

"So we're done here?" Garble asked a little too eagerly with brightened eyes. 

"This little truce is finally over?" Spot exclaimed, sharing the dragon's delight. "We don't have to hear from each other again?"

Turning himself from Chrysalis like a cog in a machine, the alchemist turned to his audience, "Canterlot is in ruin, the Royal Sisters have been captured. All that remains is Twilight and her friends. They may have evaded our grasp, but I have full confidence The Hunter will find them and bring them back." The alchemist assured, a sinister smile growing as he admired the syringe around his wrist. 

"And when he does, I'll make sure everyone witnesses their true cowardice as I peel back the layers of their fragile minds."

Bringing his eyes back up to his unsettled allies, Fright calmly carried on, all while still carrying an unpleasant smile, "Equestria is your playground. Tear off its limbs and then devour it’s flesh… but I… I will strike at its heart. Tonight, harmony dies of fear, and Twilight along with it."

Returning his hands behind his back, Fright's lifeless eyes examined his colleagues, all of whom were exchanging mixed responses, but stayed motionless, "You are dismissed."

Happily, Chrysalis spoke loud and clear from her throne, "In other words..." From ear to ear, she bared her sharp teeth and presented a hideous smile, staring intently at her allies with wide, unflinching eyes. "Get out!" She ordered in a sinister screech.

Flim and Flam nervously smiled and began to back away a few steps then quickly directed themselves to the throne room's double doors, leaving in a hurry. Looking alarmed, Lighting Dust couldn't remove the guilt from her eyes but still hurried out of the room with the others. Relieved, the Diamond Dog leaders along with Garble were happy this alliance was coming to a close, but still, they took this chance to dash out of the throne room, retreating far away from the changeling queen and the alchemist.

 In seconds, Fright and Chrysalis, along with several changelings were the only ones left in the throne room. Calm, collected and returning to the matter at hand, the alchemist turned back to the throne where the changeling sat tall and satisfied, her corrupt eyes looking down at him. 

"I can't deny that I hate you, Fright." She started with a smug smile. "But I must admit, you do have a way with words."

"The Hunter." He responded abruptly and carelessly, dismissing the queen's comment. "Where is he?"

Not taking a liking to the alchemist's tone, Chrysalis frowned and answered, "How should I know? I don't hold the leash on your monster. He's probably off sulking for carelessly letting Twilight and the others escape."

"He's done well granting you a piece of your desire, has he not?" The fearmonger asked, tilting his head.

"Ha!" Chrysalis bellowed, hopping out of her newly claimed throne as she began approaching the alchemist. "He may have brought the barrier down and granted my army a surprise attack, but even if he wasn't on our side, I could still take this city without him and without you!" She snarled, bringing her face inches away from his own.

"And besides!" The changeling queen quickly continued, pulling her head away from her partner, "Taking Canterlot was just a piece of my desire. Unlike those other fools, my desires aren't filled with riches. I want to see the princesses suffer just as you promised."

"Fear will bring that soon."

"But tell me, Fright." She threw her head back to his position, growing a smug, mischievous smile. "What will become of them after they are broken?"

"The Hunter wants Twilight dead," Fright informed with no life or emotion in his voice. "Once she is a scared and unstable mess, he'll kill her. As for the Royal Sisters, once they're reduced to the cowards they truly are, then they are yours to deal with."

"But know this, Chrysalis." He continued, taking a step closer to the queen. "If your intentions are the same as The Hunter's then you're making a mistake. Eradicating them will only set them free from the fear that will infest their mind and soul. Let them suffer day and night, let dread stain them and have their subjects remember them as the cowards who broke on this very night."

Slowly, almost robotically, Fright turned himself away, trudging along the floor but with gentle footsteps. The way he moved always looked so uncaring and dull like he had nothing to fear. 

Narrowing her glare at the alchemist who departed from the throne room, Chrysalis' scowl slowly vanished from her face as one of the changelings made his way towards her.

"My Queen?" 

"Urgh," Chrysalis grunted with the roll of her eyes. "What is it?"

"The defiance of Canterlot has been extinguished." He informed with the bow of his head. "Our enemies have either fled from the city or been contained per your instructions."

"Splendid!" She screamed with joy, delightfully hopping back to her throne. "Canterlot is mine and soon, everypony will be under my control. Tonight, my most hated enemies will suffer and I'll have a front-row seat!" She finished with a nightmarish grin spreading across her face.

Arching a brow and raising his hole-riddled hoof, the changeling asked, "My Queen, what of the fearmonger?" 

"Fright?" Chrysalis responded, her menacing grin fading to a small, but relaxed smile. "Let him be the author of this night. Once the princesses have been broken as he promised, we either never see him again or we keep him around for his potions. But we'll need to properly stitch his mouth up, he talks too much." 

Pushing her back against the comfort of the throne she had stolen, relaxing comfortably, Chrysalis could barely contain her excitement, "Our alliance broke with those other misfits. At least I have only two freaks to put up with for tonight."





Starlight suddenly awoke to the sound of her breathing, her eyes opening like two beams of light as she jolted herself up from the soft mattress that brought her back much-needed comfort. Whirling her head from left to right, surveying the area while the sound of her heart banging against her chest drowned her ears, she quickly realised that her surroundings had changed.

For starters, the unicorn found herself on a bed as comfy as a cloud. The room appeared rich and elegant, and the walls around her were white as snow. It took a while for Starlight's eyes to adjust to the light, finally being gifted with seeing something other than the dark cell she had been thrown into. During this, she silently recollected her memories, wondering how she even got here in the first place. 

A delightful thought had sparked in her mind, concluding that she had been rescued, but sadly, that feeling of relief and joy died when she remembered her conversation with the deranged alchemist. Finally, her sight restored properly as she carefully looked to the window, seeing only the night sky painted above.

"Canterlot… No..." She breathed, slowly backing up in disbelief. “Spike… What have you done?” 

In a sudden flash, a pack of changelings flew by the window with a hiss. Horror washed over her upon seeing the new Canterlot. The Canterlot that now belonged to the Changelings.