//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: A Fallen Queen Reawakened // Story: IRIS: Override And Conquer // by APStories //------------------------------// It's been five years since the defeat of Queen Chrysalis. Twilight Sparkle had hoped that she and her allies could rest easy. But one morning, when she woke up, she found Equestria in a state of despair. A giant tree made of black wood surrounded by thorny vines stood at the center of it all. The sky was red. Without a second thought, she flew to the Changeling Kingdom to seek help. It turned out that the other Elements of Harmony had the same idea. They were already conversing with Thorax and the Changelings. Starlight Glimmer and Spike were with them as well. "Can somecreature please tell me what the hell is going on?", Twilight asked. "Five years passed since I defeated Chrysalis", Starlight explained. "That gave her a LOT of time to plan her ultimate revenge. This must have taken several months... no, years... to plan, because now, the Changeling Queen's now a monstrous mutation, drenched in the misery of all her humiliation. Illustrations of nightmares drawn, a crooked empire now long gone. My face won't let her forget the symbol of her regret. A fallen queen has been reawakened." "That's putting it lightly", Spike quipped. "She's been remade. She's been hiding in the shadows and no amount of light remains. This is no display. Equestria has been torn apart. Broken down as a reminder of all our misdeeds, and now, it's mangled. This is no illusion", Starlight continued. "Ponies are perishing left and right. Some ponies even committed suicide knowing they wouldn't want to live in world with a tyrannical queen. They can't fight this monster. We need to stop Chrysalis and her army." The Royal Guard were fighting the monsters that spawned from the ground. They somewhat resembled ponies, but they looked unnatural. It's as if they were a combination of Timberwolves and ponies. The Timberwolves were even fighting these monsters. "If we don't stop Chrysalis, then Equestria will suffer even more." "We will NOT be her slaves! We will not be moved by coroners! We have one shot to save our world! We need to avenge the fallen! Take back our world! OVERRIDE AND CONQUER!", Twilight shouted. Suddenly, hundreds of Timber-ponies began running towards the Changeling Kingdom. Spike, the ponies, and the Changelings all ran towards the incoming army and the two sides clashed. Fortunately, the Timber-ponies were fairly easy to defeat. The only real problem was the mass number of them. Still, several Changelings fell by the Timber-ponies' jaws. Eventually, the army was destroyed. Suddenly, thorny vines emerged from the ground in front of the Changeling Army and grabbed Starlight Glimmer. They squeezed her and the unicorn began to lose her breath. Twilight blasted the vines with her magic, and Starlight was free, though she took a moment to catch her breath. The vines seemed... sentient. "Wait... the tree isn't controlled by Chrysalis... the tree is Chrysalis!" The vines then grabbed Twilight and constricted her. The Changeling Army attacked the vines and freed Twilight. "She wants Starlight! Protect my protégé!" Unfortunately, it was too late. A vine grabbed Starlight and pulled her towards the dormant Chrysalis. "No!" Inside Chrysalis... "Well, well, well! If it isn't my arch-pony-nemesis! Once haunted and unwanted by her town!", Chrysalis said. "Don't think I forgot what you did five years ago! Your love will be enough food for me to live FOREVER! NOW, DIE!" Starlight attempted to use her magic, but she was completely powerless. A cocoon wrapped around her and she felt her energy being drained from her. She knew no one could save her. She closed her eyes and accepted her fate. As she died, Chrysalis absorbed her energy. After completely draining her, Chrysalis ejected Starlight's empty husk. Twilight sensed this. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!", Twilight screamed. In a fit of rage, she unleashed a powerful wave of energy that eradicated all the Timber-ponies, but a fresh batch was quickly made, and in no time at all, a war broke out. "Attack, my children! They won't survive, for I am a RAVAGE!", Chrysalis screamed. Even I, the Eye of the Beholder, could not believe what I saw. However, I could only watch as interfering would break history. Let me calm the mood with some tunes. I think you'll find this one fitting. This day is going to be perfect The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small Everypony will gather 'round Say I look lovely in my gown What they don't know is that I have fooled them all! This day was going to be perfect The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small But instead of having cake With all my friends to celebrate My wedding bells, they may not ring for me at all… I could care less about the dress I won't partake in any cake Vows, well I'll be lying when I say That through any kind of weather I'll want us to be together The truth is I don't care for him at all No I do not love the groom In my heart there is no room But I still want him to be all mine We must escape before it's too late Find a way to save the day Hope, I'll be lying if I say "I don't fear that I may lose him To one who wants to use him Not care for, love, and cherish him each day" For I oh so love the groom All my thoughts he does consume Oh, Shining Armor, I'll be there very soon Finally the moment has arrived For me to be one lucky bride Oh, the wedding we won't make He'll end up marrying a fake Shining Armor will be... ...mine, all mine. There's another part. This day has been just perfect The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small Everypony I'll soon control Every stallion, mare, and foal Who says a girl can't really have it all? What? Not epic enough? Well, excuse me.