Back at the Changeling hive, after a fierce battle, the swarming brawl had crawled to halt.
Nearly all the Changelings were on their last standings. Who was on what side? No one knew anymore. They only knew pain and violence.
Thorax had been knocked to the ground. Chrysalis, tired and exhausted, slowly walked up to the changeling king.
"Stop it! You're not going to get away with..." Thorax trailed off saying.
*heavy breathing* "I'll soon have my *huff* revenge..." Chrysalis said, exhausted.
Chrysalis stood up to finish off Thorax, but her hind legs shook, and she fell over onto her flank.
*oof* "This isn't going as I planned..." Chrysalis said. "I thought this would be a lot more satisfying, getting revenge on my traitor hive, but instead I feel like I'm the traitor..."
"Starlight isn't the problem." Thorax said. "She merely presented us the idea, but it never would have caught on if it didn't work..."
"But it isn't working now! How could you let the Changeling hive fall into state of despair?" Chrysalis asked.
"Do you know how hard it is running a colony?" Thorax asked.
"Uh, do you have any idea who you're speaking to?" Chrysalis replied.
"She's got a point, Thorax." Pharynx added. "She knows more than all of us about Changeling leadership."
"Leading the hive has been extremely stressful!!" Thorax exclaimed. "No matter how hard we've tried, we've been unable to craft the royal jelly to breed new queen! And if we can't create a sustainable method of mass reproduction, then YES, we are on the brink of doom!"
Thorax was letting his emotion, and Chrysalis had noticed.
"You know, deep down, I was really disappointed that you just ran away from the hive on that day." Thorax said. "I know you were upset, and it felt like Starlight stole your hive from you, but if you just swallowed your pride and came back, we probably would have accepted you, Chrysalis." Thorax said.
"And then Discord thought it would be funny to gather you, Sombra, Tirek, and Cozy Glow together to arrange an attack on Twilight before her coronation." Pharynx added.
"Okay, I get-" Chrysalis started.
"And then after your defeat you were turned to stone without the collective consensus of the populous." Pharynx went on.
"Alright, I get it!" Chrysalis growled.
Pharynx put his guard down.
"Anyway, as I was saying. No matter how hard I try to think of an alternative solution, there just isn't one!" Thorax exclaimed. "Sometimes, you do have to fall back on traditions..."
Chrysalis looked around. The Changelings cowered in fear at their queen.
"What have I done...?" Chrysalis asked.
"When Changelings fight Changelings, who is the winner?" Pharynx asked.
Chrysalis hung her head in shame.
"My subjects. My hive. You once looked up to me like a deity. But now, you resent, and fear me." Chrysalis said, teary eyed. "And it's all because... because of what I've done."
"Mommy?" Ocellus asked.
"Little Ocellus, dear..." Chrysalis said softly.
"I think throughout this whole experience, we've lost a sense of togetherness of our species." Ocellus said. "What was once a unity of a powerful queen, and her loyal subjects was fractured. A lonely queen, and her lost subjects. But now, it is time we heal the wounds, and unify."
Ocellus extended her arm out of Chrysalis. Thorax stood by the young changeling's side, and did the same.
Chrysalis, scared, and hesitant. How could they be so forgiving? But ultimately, Chrysalis extended her hoof forward, and shook with Thorax.
The Changelings stood up, and cheered for their queen.
"Oh, how I miss being adored by my colony." Chrysalis said, teary eyed.
"Does that mean?" Ocellus started. But then, all of the sudden...
*BOOM*
A thunderous booming sound echoed from outside the hive.
"What was that?" Thorax cried.
"There's a dark storm raging in Equestria!" a drone exclaimed, looking out of the hive.
"Tirek..." Chrysalis said under her breath.
Chrysalis had a sinking suspicion of what was going on, and she knew it couldn't be good.
"My queen." Pharyanx said. "What is your order?"
"As your queen, I order you all to, stay here." Chrysalis said. "Stay here, and bunker down."
"What?" the collective changelings asked.
"I cannot risk your safety in this situation." Chrysalis said. "I shall brave the dangers, and handle this on my own."
Chrysalis was about ready to head out, but then she remembered something important.
"Oh, and one more thing..."
Chrysalis started to make disgusting noises with her mouth as she curdled something in her mouth.
"Uh... can this wait?" Thorax asked awkwardly.
*spit* Chrysalis spit some glowing purple goo onto her front limb, and held it out.
"Here. This is the royal jelly. Whoever drinks it will um... You know..." Chrysalis explained. "Save some to create a recipe in case you need more."
Chrysalis awkwardly wiped it onto Thorax's hoof. He put it to his nose and smelled it, and thought it was repulsive. Ocellus walked forward, and sniffed it too. She didn't mind the smell as much.
"Aren't you going to lead the hive?" Pharynx asked.
"Even if I return unharmed, I'm afraid not. I am past my prime. Whether I make it back alive or not, I want some other Changeling to lead the hive, and birth a new generation." Chrysalis said.
"How uncharacteristically convenient of you to think." Thorax said.
"What did you say?" Chrysalis asked.
"I said, I'm so proud of you, for changing your ways, for us." Thorax corrected himself.
Chrysalis flew to the window. She stared at her hive, who looked up at her. The last time she'd seen her loyal subjects admire, was a very long time ago. And here she found herself about to turn her back on them again. But this time, the circumstances were different.
"I bid you all farewell, perhaps for the last time. But this time, not because I reject your reality, but because I am so proud of how much you've all matured. Farewell..."
Chrysalis flew out of the hive, and headed to the storm.
.
.
.
After being blasted by Tirek, Luster Dawn sat buried in the rubble. Slowly however, she started to awaken. Despite the excruciating pain, she woke up.
"Woah! *oof* Ow ow ow! Oh my goodness, where am I?" Luster cried.
It was dark, but even still, Luster looked at her own hooves.
"Wait, I'm me again!" she exclaimed.
*whew* Luster lit up her horn to see in the dark, but she underestimated her magic, and nearly set fire to herself.
"Woah! I feel real powerful with all this magic. But wait, what happened? What am I doing with all this magic? And these wings? Where am I, Cozy Glow?" Luster asked.
Luster cried out, but there was no response.
"Cozy Glow? Where'd you go?" she asked again.
*faint crying*
Luster could faintly hear Cozy Glow weeping inside her mind.
"What happened, Cozy Glow? I haven't been able to see outside since I went to sleep. Why are we embedded in the ground?" Luster asked.
"It's over! It's all over!" Cozy wept.
"Cozy, are you okay?" Luster asked. "Why do I have all this magic? Why are we in pinned by the side of a mountain?"
"Tirek's gone! The darkness got to him, and the rest of my friends too! They're gone and they've been turned into mindless shadow demons!" Cozy wept.
Luster peaked outside, and saw the giant dark Tirek.
Lord Tirek stood big, and at full capacity for power. Around his neck was the Rainbow of Darkness, which enhanced his power, and altered his form to make him appear even more beastly.
"What's going on? What did you do with my body while you were in control?!" Luster said, furiously.
"I finally conquered Equestria, and obtained all this magic, but I had no one to share it with. No one to dominate by my side!" Cozy cried.
"And I should feel bad for you because?" Luster asked.
"We have to break through to him. We have to stop Grogar and the Rainbow of Darkness." Cozy said.
"Why do you want to stop him? Isn't this what you wanted?" Luster asked.
"Not this. I mean-... what I'm saying is. This isn't how I envisioned it. Tirek's out of control, and he tried to get rid of us!" Cozy replied.
Cozy wept. Luster actually felt a little bad for her. Cozy essentially had Tirek betray her. Even though she knew offering to help Cozy could only mean trouble, if anyone knew how to stop Tirek, it was her.
"So... what do we do about the big guy?" Luster asked.
*sniff* "It's your body. You've got all the magic coursing through you." Cozy said. Plus, you're Twilight's faithful student. You go out there and defeat Tirek. You got the magic of like, three unicorns, Twilight's alicorn magic, plus I think Grogar's magic is in there too since I used the bell to accomplish all of this."
Luster's mind was flustered. There was so much to take in. Even with all this magic at her disposal, she wasn't sure she could take on Tirek.
"We have to get Twilight and her friends." Luster said.
"That's uh, not really possible right now..." Cozy confessed.
"WHAT?" Luster exclaimed.
"You know, I'm quite proud of my progression. Before, I had to trick Twilight and her friends to trap them in Tartarus. But this time, I just flew up to them and whupped their flanks directly!" Cozy boasted.
"Cozy Glow!!" Luster scolded.
"What?" she asked.
"You defeated the only ponies who can stop the Rainbow of Darkness!" Luster exclaimed.
"See, THIS is what I can't stand about you ponies! You think there's only one way to stop a big evil entity! You think you can solve all your problems by just holding hooves, and blasting rainbows at your problems!" Cozy exclaimed.
"Well so far, holding hands and firing rainbows has worked just fine!" Luster fired back.
"Well stupid magic rainbows aren't so fun when you're on the receiving end!" Cozy shouted back.
"That's what you get for being a little b****!"
*gasp* "You take that back, Lusty S***!"
"We're going to get Twilight and her friends!" Luster exclaimed.
"That's what you think! Because you're so narrow minded, you think there's only one way to defeat this thing. But there's always more than one way." Cozy said. "This time! I'm going to save Tirek MY way!" Cozy exclaimed.
"Oh no you're not! I think you've done enough to help Equestria, Cozy!" Luster exclaimed.
"Why you!" Cozy shouted.
"It's my body! I'm in control!" Luster exclaimed.
"Not as long as I'm here!" Cozy snarled back.
The two fought for control over Luster's body.
Meanwhile, Tirek and Grogar, who was the spirit of the Rainbow of Darkness. Looked over the damage they had done, to see if Luster and Cozy were really eliminated. Tirek stood big, and strong. He was at peak power, and towered over the landscape. The Rainbow of Darkness had mildly morphed him into a dark beast.
"Thank goodness she' gone." Grogar said. "This kingdom is mine once again."
"Wait..." Tirek said.
"Hmm...?"
There was a bright light emanating from where Luster Star had landed. And it was getting brighter.
*boom*
The mountainside exploded, and from the dust, emerged Lust Star! Luster allowed Cozy to use her body to fight against Tirek. She stretched her large wings, and took to the air. She flew at great speeds, and aimed directly towards Tirek. Her horn was charged with the power of Equestria's strongest beings all concentrated together within her.
*HYAA!*
*magic*
She fired a massively powerful magic beam at Tirek. Tirek crossed his arms as the beam came rushing in.
*boom*
A direct hit, but Tirek blocked the powerful blast with his arms.
By the time it dissipated, he spotted Luster Dawn flying towards him at breakneck speeds, charging her horn of more magic. It was unclear whether Luster or Cozy was in control of the unicorn student.
"It's the end of the line, Tirek!" they exclaimed.
"No! It's the end for you, and your entire pony princess lineage!!" he yelled back.
Tirek lifted his fist and pounded the ground with all his might. The impact created strong fissures in the ground, that cracked and released plumes of energy from the ground. Luster dodged and maneuvered around Tirek's shock waves.
*poof**poof*
She teleported multiple times in a row, like no one's business, to avoid the shock waves and fissures.
*poof*
Luster appeared above Tirek. She lifted her hooves for dramatic effect, and gathered gathered a massive amount of magic in her horn and then-
*ZZZT* *BOOM*
She blasted Tirek with the might of all her magic combined. The blast sent Tirek below, and embedded him in the ground. Luster landed on the ground.
"AAAHHHHH!" Tirek lifted the earth over his head, and flung it.
Luster flew around the scene, but Tierk was furious.
"Give it up, Tirek! The last two times you fought a powerful alicorn, you got your rear ended handed to you!"
"That was before I had someone to fight for!" Tirek exclaimed.
Unlike all his previous attacks, which were mere attempts at world domination, this time, his rage was fueled by the loss he felt for Cozy Glow. But of course, he still doesn't realize Cozy's mind is in Luster's head.
Tirek reeled back his arm, and went in for a powerful punch. Luster mimicked his motion, and went in for her own magical punch.
The two were about to impact when all of the sudden-
*BOOM*
Their fists collided created a massive release of energy from the epicenter. Their power was more or less even. The blast wave knocked both of them back, but Luster more so.
*heavy breathing*
Both creatures breathed heavy from the exhaustion.
"He's tough. He's a really tough guy." Luster's voice echoed.
"He's fighting for me. Because he thinks you killed me, he's trying to avenge me. That's so sweet of him." Cozy said.
"Yeah, now he's going to kill both of us!" Luster exclaimed. "Great hecking plan!"
"Hey! I didn't choose to die! That poison dart just sort of hit me." Cozy said.
They noticed darkness surrounding Tirek, rejuvenating his energy. The mighty centaur stomped forward.
"We're almost through to him, just gotta push a little deeper, Lusty!" Cozy exclaimed.
Luster nodded, so it seemed like now they were on the same page for once.
"If you won't listen to me, Tirek, then I'll make you listen!" they exclaimed.
Luster rushed forward while Tirek was charging himself. She latched herself to the Rainbow of Darkness, wrapped around the centaur's neck. Cozy pulled, and tried to free Tirek of its influence.
"Come on, Tirek! I know you're in there! Just gotta get rid of this stupid thing!" Cozy exclaimed.
Cozy used magic to attack the Rainbow of Darkness at its source. She pounded it, slapped it, and shot magic at it. The Rainbow of Darkness grew angrier, and it started to glow, until glowed- *ZAP*
"AHH!"
It zapped Luster Dawn with a swift but deadly bolt of energy. The force sent her flying back many meters. She mustered her strength to try to stand up and could see Tirek charging something sinister.
Tirek put his hands to the Rainbow of Darkness, and opened it wide. The shadow energy started to seep out, and the shadow creatures swarmed out. In front of him gathered many dozen of shadow creatures. Maybe a hundred!
"What are those!?" Luster asked Cozy.
"It's them. It's all the ponies from my village..." Cozy said. "They've been possessed... and it's all because I uncovered the Rainbow of Darkness..."
Cozy got choked up thinking about the harm she brought to her friends.
"Now's not the time to feel sorry!" Luster's voice exclaimed.
*sniff* "You're right! We have to help them!" Cozy said to herself.
Cozy charged her horn, and created a mighty burst of energy. She fired the blast of magic, at the army-
*ZAP* *BOOM*
The spell created a massive burst of energy. But when the dust cleared, it revealed that all the creatures were completely unscathed!
"What the!?" she exclaimed.
The darkness chuckled at her feeble attempt.
"You shall be the first to witness the true power of the Rainbow of Darkness!" exclaimed Grogar.
Tirek lifted his arm, and pointed a single finger at Luster, ordering his army of possessed shadow creatures to attack Twilight's student.
The creatures immediately scattered and swarmed the scene. Luster looked around, panicked, not sure where to start.
Dark Magnolia was the first to rush Cozy. She flew in fast, but Cozy was just about able to block her. Cozy recognized this creature to be a twisted version of her childhood friend, Magnolia!
"What the heck is this thing?" Luster cried.
"Maggie, is that you?" Cozy asked the creature.
The shadow beast didn't reply, only stared into her soul with menacing eyes, and a vicious look.
"I take it you can't hear me either? I don't wanna hurt you, but fine!" she said.
Luster charged her horn for an attack.
"You'll thank me for this later! Eat magic!" she exclaimed.
Cozy went in for another magic fist.
*BAM*
Her hoof's momentum was halted in an instant by Dark Magnolia's strength.
"What the?" she cried.
Dark Magnolia stopped Luster's super magic fist dead in its tracks with her own hooves. Dark Magnolia grabbed Luster's leg, and flung her over. Her eyes glowed a eerie yellow, and the area above her head glowed, signifying a powerful spell she was charging.
*ZAP* *BLAST*
"AAAHHH!" they cried.
Dark Maggie zapped Luster with a spell, and sent her falling and skidding onto the ground.
Just as Luster was finding her bearings, a dark fabric wrapped around the alicorn. It constricted her, and immobilized her in place.
"What the? I'm stuck! AHHH!" she cried.
Luster looked up, and saw the fabric was being controlled by-
"Who's that?" Luster asked.
"Suri?" Cozy asked.
It was Shadow Polomare, weaving a magic fabric around Luster. Next, Shadow Sludge flew up, and charged his evil breath. He was going to torch her while she was constricted.
"Uh oh-"
*POOF*
In a puff of magic, Luster barely managed to escape before the wave of fire scorched the area she was just in.
She reappeared, right in front of Shadowgallop. He charged his magic was was about to blast her.
"Uh oh!"
*POOF*
*ZAP*
Luster managed to teleport before the creature could get her.
"Wow! Even Svengallop is a powerful beast!" Cozy exclaimed.
But that even that wasn't the end of it. More creatures locked their sights on her. In an evasive effort, Luster flapped her wings and flew at incredible speeds, but the shadow beasts were fast too. Not just in speed, but more frighteningly, in reaction time.
While flying through the area, she just happened to bump into Shadow Flim and Flim. The two had been transformed into heartless creatures who built machines to cause evil and destruction (so really, not much changed about them). For their latest invention, the shadowy pair piloted a freaking tank.
"What the? How'd you guys assemble this?" Cozy exclaimed.
They did not reply, as their minds were possessed. The tank clumsily aimed its sights at the alicorn.
"I don't think they're answering questions at this time!" Luster exclaimed.
"Uh oh..." Cozy said.
*fire*
They fired a homing missile at Luster. She flew in a figure eight pattern to try to lose the missile.
*BOOM*
The thing exploded in the air, with the shockwave effectively harming no creature. Despite the evilness of Flim and Flam's tank, it needed a hefty cool down time. Though Luster was in the clear of the explosion, there were plenty more creatures with their sights on her.
She encountered mythological beasts as part of the fray. Tirek and Grogar had recruited creatures of Tartarus as part of their dark legion. The evil Manticore reeled back its scorpion like tail, and-
It swung, and nearly impaled Luster's body.
"WOAH! That was close." Cozy sighed with relief.
Luster bucked her hind legs, and smacked the Dark Manticore in the face, actually knocking it back a good distance.
Next, the Dark Bugbear flew in, and attempted to stab Luster with its large stinger. She bobbed and weaved around the scene, avoiding the sharp end. She flew around, and twisted the neck of the Bugbear.
"You're not so tough, BB!" Cozy smirked.
And then there was Cerberus. Once guardian of Tartarus, was now under the control of its most infamous captives. Tirek. came in and looked hungry. It chased Luster around.
"AH! Stay away! Stay! AH!-
*CHOMP*
Cerberus chomped their jaws and one of the mouths ate Luster. However, Luster lifted Cerberus' jaws open, and freed herself.
"I'm okay!" Cozy exclaimed. "Come on, Lusty, let's get outta here!"
*poof*
Luster escaped, and flew around some more. She made a u-turn in the air, with more magic charged.
"We've barely made a dent on these guys!" Luster's voice exclaimed.
"We're getting somewhere though! Brute force has got to work eventually! Right?!" Cozy said, reassuringly.
"I don't know! These guys are tough!" Luster said.
Cozy and Luster were completely overwhelmed by Grogar's army of darkness. Each and every one of these creatures were out for blood.
The most menacing creatures of all, were the four mysterious flying shadow creatures, who zipped and flew around at near the speed of sound! Cozy had a sneaking suspicion those four were the Washouts, Rolling Thunder, Short Fuse, Lightning Dust, and their new coach, Wind Rider. All possessed by the darkness' influence, and turned into literal speed demons. Not only that, Short Fuse lived up to his name, and was red hot, and ablaze. And Lightning Dust created trails of lightning in her wake.
Those Washadows were fast!
The Washouts flew in formation, and chased down Luster Dawn. She flew across the ground, evading their evil stunts. She tried to keep her aerodynamic steady, but Shadow Polomare's dark fabric appeared, and whipped Luster, slightly knocking her off course.
With Luster thrown off balance, the Washadows made their next move. Together, they each twirled in the air like a fast drill. They broke formation and split up. One by one, each of them flew in and aimed directly at Luster like missiles. Short Fuse came fast, and now he really lived up to his name.
"Look out!"
"AH!"
*BOOM*
Luster nearly weaved to the side and dodged Short Fuse. Luster flew forward faster and faster as to avoid the Washadows. Rolling Thunder was next, and she impacted just behind, crashing like a meteor, but also missing. Lightning Dust, however, made her mark.
"AAH!"
Luster hastily put up a magic shield to try to stop the incoming attack.
*BAM*
Lightning collided with Luster magic shield with immense power and force. Though she didn't crack the shield, the force knocked Luster back. The impact left Luster in a bad situation. She was barely okay. She shielded the impact just fine, but she was already completely exhausted.
"Boy, Lusty. Did you forget to eat this morning? You're already running low on energy..." Cozy said.
"I don't want your attitude right now!" Luster snapped.
Cozy and Luster looked all around, and saw nothing but vast stretches of darkness. Cozy was sad to see all her friends turned into shadow monsters. She wanted to awaken the Rainbow of Darkness, but she never could have imaged it would have turned all her friends against her.
"What have I done?" Cozy cried. "My friends are trying to kill me..." she wept.
"We need a different kind of magic to get us out of this." Luster said.
"Yeah well, not every problem can be solved by declaring friendship, and shooting magic rainbows!" Cozy said.
Cozy looked up, and saw the four speed demons all flying together in the air. They flew in a coordinated zigzag pattern. They flew together in a tightly packed formation, and were aimed right at Luster.
"Oh buck me hard..." Cozy said, exhausted.
Luster put up the thickest magic shield you'll see, and she braced for impact.
*BOOM*
The impact created a massive shadow rainboom, which emanated a powerful shock wave. The sheer force of the impact knocked Luster to the ground, and tumbling through the earth. Her momentum came to a halt when her head bumped against some big hooves. She looked up, and saw Tirek directly overhead.
"Tirek?" Cozy asked.
Tirek reached down, and grabbed Luster.
"No no no. Tirek, please!"
Tirek clenched Luster's body in his fist.
"I-can't-breath!" Cozy pleaded.
"You let Cozy Glow die!" Tirek exclaimed. "You left her body to rot in Tartarus!"
"I didn't mean for things to turn out this way!" Cozy cried. "This is all just a big misunderstanding, with a mix of unfortunate events!"
Tirek clenched Cozy's old body tight in his fist. Cozy's old body started to melt away.
"She's gone..." Tirek said.
"I'm sorry you had to see your best friend wither away like that..." Cozy cried.
Cozy's old body melted, and became one with the darkness. Tirek's horns lit up, and as a ball of fire charged in between them.
"SHE'S GONE!"
Tirek flung Luster's body as hard as he could! She tumbled through the air faster than sound.
*BAM* She landed against a mountain.
Tirek charged his mighty horns for one final attack.
*zzzt* *ZAP*
The blast of magic flew through the air until-
*BOOM*
The entire mountain exploded in a fiery fashion. Debris and fire rained from the sky. Was this the end for Cozy and Luster?
"Good riddance." Tirek said.
"That has to have finished them off now. No creature could survive such an impact. Now, Tirek, it is time we lay waste to the rest of Equestria." Grogar commanded. “Every creature will be at my command, and the reign of Grogar will last forever!”
"Wait..." he said.
Once again, there was sign of life. The mountain side was still glowing.
"Hmph. Not again." Grogar growled. "Finish them off for good."
Tirek approached the area to see the aftermath of the impact. In spite of the devastating impact, there was indeed something glowing in the impact sight. He could see the silhouette of Luster Dawn in the dust.
Suddenly started to float upward. Tirek was ready to pounce, but something was off. Luster Dawn was motionless and surrounded by a magic bubble.
"What is this?" Tirek asked.
"It does not matter. Finish the job, Tirek." Grogar ordered.
Tirek popped the bubble with his finger tips, and grabbed onto Luster Dawn. He opened his mouth to sap her of her magic, but
"Nothing. She's got no magic!" Tirek said.
"Impossible! She was a powerful alicorn moments ago." Grogar echoed. “Even if she is dead, the magic wouldn’t have just disappeared.”
Despite holding Luster in his hands, the mountainside was still glowing. There was a different source of power.
"I sense it, I sense... my bell!" Grogar said. "I haven't sensed it in eons."
Behind the smoke, the bell was pulsating with powerful magic.
"There's the magic." Tirek said to himself.
"Retrieve my bell, Tirek." Grogar commanded.
Tirek reached in, but something compelled him not to. The bell glowed, and pulsated, almost as if it was alive. The pulse of the bell gave off the impression that there was something alive, and conscious inside.
"...Cozy Glow?"