//------------------------------// // 56: Death of a Queen // Story: Death of a Queen // by Arkane12 //------------------------------// Twilight and Luna stood over Celestia’s bed. The latter looked over her sister, worry etched into her face. The former held her potion at her side in a corked flask. It glowed faintly in the dark. “Are you sure it will work?” Luna asked. “I hope so,” Twilight said. “I’ve spent most of today running tests on it with Chrysalis. But there’s no way to know for sure unless we try it. In the end, the decision is yours, Princess.” She held out the potion between them. “And just in case it doesn’t work, I didn’t sabotage it.” They both turned toward Chrysalis, who sat patiently by the fire, wreathed in a warm sheet. She watched Luna with a scowl. Ignoring the slight, Luna waved Doctor Heart over to her. “And your opinion, Doctor? Is Celestia stable enough to try this?” He shrugged. “Time is ticking, Princess Luna.” “Perhaps there are still issues to be worked out. Something that could hurt her if it’s not done properly.” She carried a note of fear in her voice. “Perhaps more tests should be done. Just to be safe.” “With all due respect, Princess, have some faith in Twilight. If she’s telling the truth and tested this thing rigorously, then waiting won’t change a thing.” He offered Twilight a pained smile. “I think we should do this tonight.” “Thank you for your input, Doctor Heart,” Luna whispered. “Very well. Do what you need to. I know you will make my sister proud.” The dark alicorn stepped out of the way, allowing Twilight space to work. Wordlessly, Twilight approached the bed, drawing back the covers with her magic. “Allow me,” Doctor Heart interrupted, gently peeling away the ichor-soaked bandages. As he worked, the only sound in the room came from the starting patter of rain against the window. A flash of lightning illuminated the world for an instant, allowing Twilight to see the grotesque wound with brilliant clarity. She examined the cut carefully, ignorant of the small audience watching her every move with bated breath. Even so long after its infliction, the wound still trickled thin, inky lines. Necrotic skin was visible where her fur had fallen out. Despite the doctor’s treatment, Celestia’s form had emaciated. Ribs were visible around her barrel. Her breathing declined into wheezing gasps. Twilight’s stomach churned at the sight. Stashed away in her corner, Chrysalis’ memories replayed in her mind on loop. Guilt settled on her like stone shackles, forcing her to bow her head. No matter how hard she tried to fight, she couldn’t escape the sound of Twilight’s whimpering cries that tormented her nightly. Even the loudest storm couldn’t silence memories. Swallowing her fear, Twilight withdrew the cork from the neck of the bottle. The glass jittered in her grasp until a second, darker wave of magic washed over it, steadying it. Together, she and Luna raised it over Celestia, tilting it just enough for a drop to spill out. It struck the burned flesh with a soft hiss. The two alicorns’ eyes met, and they applied another, larger dose. Pink syrup bubbled in the wound, cueing them to stop. A small dribble ran down Celestia’s back, splashing against the bed. Luna released her spell, allowing Twilight to return the cork to the bottle and stepping back. Luna circled the bed, draping a wing over Twilight as she tried to catch her breath. “Now is the hard part,” Twilight explained. “Which is?” Luna asked. “We wait.” With their wings still tangled, the two alicorns joined the rest of the group around the fire. Though they exchanged the occasional worried glance as the night ticked away, none of them had the stomach for words. When she judged enough time had passed, Twilight returned to the bed. During their brief break, most of the potion had sunk beneath the skin, allowing Twilight room to apply a second dose. Constantly, she stopped herself, taking a deep breath to calm her shaking nerves. After the bottle was empty, she stayed at Celestia’s side, resting her head against the edge of the mattress. The soft touch of wool wrapped around her shoulders. She glanced up at Chrysalis, standing over her with a consoling smile on her lips. She draped the blanket over Twilight and sat down beside her, holding her tightly. She tried to return the changeling’s smile. The rain outside grew heavier with each passing minute. Soon, the whole of Canterlot disappeared behind a sheet of water. The brief flashes of light revealed nothing but an empty city beyond. To Twilight’s fragile nerves, time lost any meaning. Seconds passed in centuries. How long had it been raining? How long had she laid here, waiting? “Twilight.” Chrysalis’ voice dragged her out from the recesses of her mind. She had a hoof pointed toward Celestia, where a thick line of ichor spilled down her side. “Luna, Doctor Heart, come over here,” she said. Shocked lucid by the lighter tone in Twilight’s voice, they hurried to her. “Did something happen?” Luna asked, folding her wings back against her body. “I think it’s working.” “Clear the area. Let me through,” Doctor Heart ordered, pushing his way to the front. He examined the wound. “Doctor?” Luna worried. “Something is definitely happening,” he explained. “The wound is draining.” He motioned to the spot in question. Black ooze spilled from the wound, staining the sheets and leaking onto the floor. “That doesn’t look good,” Luna gasped. “It’s alright. Take a look here.” He spread a tuft of Celestia’s fur, allowing her sister a better look. The black veins across her body receded. “It looks like the cure is negating the poison. It almost seems like her body is rejecting the venom.” “It worked?” Twilight’s eyes widened. “I won’t be able to say for sure until we run some tests, but it certainly looks that way.” “Then . . . we did it?” Twilight turned to Chrysalis, throwing herself into the changeling, tears already streaming down her cheek. “We really did it?” “You did, Kiddo.” “I was terrified it wouldn’t work.” Canterlot Castle trembled beneath a crack of thunder. “I wouldn’t go celebrating just yet,” Doctor Heart muttered. Twilight faced him, blinking. “You said it worked. The poison’s weakening. Right?” “I also said we’ll have to keep her under observation for a few days to make sure.” “At the very least, we bought her some time, didn’t we?” Twilight pulled away from Chrysalis. “Even if the cure doesn’t work, the fact that she reacted like this means we’re on the right track, doesn’t it?” “T-Twilight . . .” Luna stammered, unable to meet her innocent stare. “Why are the two of you being so dour about this. We did it!” “Twilight,” Chrysalis scolded. Her harsh tone only confused Twilight more. “Why are you all acting like this?” She demanded, suddenly aware neither of the others would meet her gaze. “You’re hiding something from us, aren’t you, Luna?” Chrysalis asked, her voice unusually calm. Luna and Doctor Heart exchanged a look. Despite the concern etched in the deep lines of his face, the doctor said nothing, turning his full attention to cleaning up Celestia’s wound for hopefully the last time. “Luna?” Twilight asked, her body starting to quake with panic. “Why aren’t you happy about this? This is great news?” “I’m afraid the solution isn’t quite so simple, Twilight,” Luna confessed. “What are you talking about? Celestia’s going to be alright!” Her confidence wavered. “Right?” “If your cure does nullify the poison . . . there’s still another problem.” Twilight reeled, taking each syllable like a punch in the gut. Seeing her stature waver, Chrysalis stepped up, catching Twilight before she could fall. “Why?” Twilight demanded, her words cracking like glass. Luna winced. “I’m . . . I’m afraid the poison has already done much of its work.” Another bolt of thunder. “No!” Twilight interrupted, struggling to break free of Chrysalis’ hold. “No. No. No. Please tell me this is some sick joke, Luna. Tell me you’re lying.” “She’s not,” Doctor Heart chimed in. He was still in the process of rebinding Celestia’s wounds. “Do not misunderstand, Princess. More than likely, you’ve still saved her life. But, depending on the damage she’s sustained . . . there’s a very low chance of full recovery.” “This isn’t funny!” Twilight screamed, her tears flowing freely. “It’s not a joke, Twilight,” Chrysalis cooed, transitioning Twilight’s restraint into a consoling embrace. “You knew about this, too?” Twilight demanded, finally slipping free from the Changeling. “Not specifically. But I had my suspicions.” “B-But . . . I thought . . . How long?” Twilight’s sorrow turned to anger. She lashed out at the other three. “How long have you known about this?” “Doctor Heart first noticed after we returned from the Nightmare,” Luna began. “There were signs of serious internal damage. Organs were shutting down. Muscle deteriorating. We used whatever magic we could to keep her alive.” “You lied to me,” Twilight snapped. “I asked Doctor Heart to keep it from you.” “Why, Luna?” “Because I knew it would upset you.” “I’d say keeping it from me would be much worse,” Twilight sobbed. “That’s no excuse. I’m a princess, too. Don’t I deserve to know? Didn’t you think I would want to know that?” “Then tell me honestly, what difference would it have made, Twilight?” Luna asked softly. Twilight’s jaw dropped. “I would have worked harder. I would have worked faster.” “Are you telling me you were not already motivated to save Celestia? Even if I had told you, the outcome would be no different than it is now.” Luna clenched her teeth. “By the time we learned, the damage was already done. What good would it have been to tell you about something you could no longer change?” “I . . . I could have . . .” Twilight’s breathing quickened. “There was nothing more you could do,” Luna admitted. “It was too late already. I believed it was in your best interest to work without such useless worry on your shoulders. I do not claim that it was the best choice, but it was the one I decided. If you take umbrage with my decision, then that is between you and I.” The purple Princess’ breathing evolved into panicked gasps. “And I will take responsibility for it. Whatever struggles meet her on the path forward, I will stand at her side, ready to offer my hoof in support. Neither I nor Celestia will forget what you did tonight, Twilight. I just hope that you remember the same.” Twilight cowered away from the rest of the group, her tail and head bowed like a scared filly. She searched for comfort among the faces of those gathered around her, but only found misery. Chrysalis tried to comfort the scared princess, but Twilight just cowered back further. In the brief light of a lightning flash, Chrysalis saw only accusation in her stare. This is your fault. Remember? An unnoticed raindrop fell from Chrysalis’ cheek. She stepped back from the terrified pony. “I’m sorry, Twilight.” Twilight thought of a million things to say but couldn’t muster the strength to utter a single one. The room spun around her, forming a headache that grew worse with each staggered breath. The walls closed in around her. “I have to go!” Twilight screamed, bolting for the door. Every pony in the room flinched as they heard her bedroom door slam shut, followed soon after by the sound of an agonized scream. Each haggard howl only pierced the lance deeper into Chrysalis’ chest. “One of us should speak with her,” Luna finally decided. “Then you do it,” Chrysalis growled. “I get the sense she doesn’t want to see me right now.” “You are not to blame here, Chrysalis—” “Then who is, Luna? I did this to her. It’s my magic that took this from her.” “I do not believe that.” Luna shook her head. “I was mistaken, Chrysalis. For so long, I thought you the tyrant you once were. When you arrived, I hated you for it. But now I see the truth. You are no longer the Queen Chrysalis that tormented Equestria. I only hope that one day you will see that, too.” Luna settled a hoof on Chrysalis’ shoulder, allowing for a brief moment of comfort before she set off to deal with the wailing princess. “Was she telling the truth, Doctor?” Chrysalis wondered. “About you?” he asked. “About Celestia. Was there really nothing to be done?” He thought for a moment. “I think you did all you could.” “She will wake up?” she pointed to Celestia. “Hard to say. Depends on which parts took the brunt of the damage. If I’m being honest, it won’t be easy. She’ll more than likely require assistance for the rest of her life. If something more major is damaged, there’s a chance she might never wake up. No way to know for now.” Chrysalis refused to tear her gaze from Celestia. “Do you think she’ll hate me for it?” “That’s not my judgment to make,” Doctor Heart said. “Do you? For doing this to your princess.” He chuckled morosely. “What do you want me to say, Lady Chrysalis? You’ve already made up your mind about what the answer is. What I say doesn’t matter.” “Tell me anyway.” “I’m too old to hate anymore.” The doctor stared blankly at his patient. In his eyes, Chrysalis saw the truth of his words. The long, painful truth. “Doctor, would you mind fetching me another blanket? The rain is making it too cold in here.” He eyed her suspiciously. She met his gaze head-on. “I’ll keep an eye on Celestia for you.” “Fine.” The old doctor rose. “I’ll be back in a minute.” “Thank you.” As he crossed the doorway, the doctor stopped in his tracks. “Chrysalis?” “Yes?” She answered. “It’s been real interesting having you around.” With a casual salute, the doctor closed the door, leaving Chrysalis and Celestia alone. The crying still audible through the wall told her that Luna would be busy for some time, still. Just in case, Chrysalis locked the door and jammed a chair beneath the handle. The vestiges of a plan forming in her mind brought an eerie tranquility to the changeling. “Well, Celestia, I guess this makes us even.” A familiar, deathly peace. “Twilight? Twilight? Open this door. I need to speak with you.” “I don’t want to talk, Luna.” The lunar princess studied the door. With pursed lips, she waved a guard over, ordering him to open the door. As soon as he finished, she sent him away. “I have unlocked the door. I am coming in,” she announced, throwing open the door. She barely managed to duck beneath a pillow aimed for her head. Twilight lay on the bed, curled up against the sheets. “You made me believe I could save her, Luna,” Twilight sobbed. “You did save her.” “If you would have told me, I could have done something. I could have devised a spell . . . something to keep her from injury.” “I made a decision—” “It was a bad decision,” Twilight shouted, launching another pillow. Luna sidestepped it. “Maybe. But it was my decision. Neither you nor Chrysalis owe any blame here.” “Then who should I blame?” Twilight demanded. “You?” Luna stopped several feet from the bed. “If it eases your anger. If that is what you need to do. Yes.” “It wasn’t right, Luna. I’m a princess, too. I had a right to know.” “You are a princess. But you are also still young, Twilight. My sister told me stories of your time together.” Luna’s gaze drifted away. “She saw you like a daughter. She wanted to protect you from every pain she could. She did the same to me when we were younger rulers.” Twilight’s sobbing slowed. “She said that?” “I called her a fool. But when the time came for me to make that same decision, I could not bring myself to do it. Pain is a part of life we thought we could keep from you. I hope you can forgive me for keeping this from you.” “Maybe . . . Maybe I’m also still a little to blame,” Twilight admitted, wiping her tears. “Sometimes, the responsibility feels overwhelming. Maybe I wasn’t ready to be a princess after all.” “Yet, in Equestria’s darkest moments, you have stepped forward time and time again. Such stress should not be levied against you, Twilight, but you have done well. My sister was prouder of you than I imagined possible. I should have realized the same.” “Tell me something, Luna. Will she survive?” “Doctor Heart believes so.” “Then I want to be there when she wakes u—” A violent tremor shook the room. Luna spread her stance, steadying herself until the shock died. She and Twilight exchanged a wide-eyed stare. Even once the ground stopped shaking, it didn’t stop the fear gripping Twilight’s heart. She felt electricity in the air, making her fur stand on end. “Do you feel that?” she asked, panic returning to her voice. “Magic,” Luna confirmed. “A lot of magic.” Twilight launched from her bed, rushing out into the hallway with Luna in tow. Several guards were standing nearby, heads swiveling back-and-forth in confusion. Upon spying their princess, they jumped to attention. “Princess Luna?” “I want the Guard on standby—” Another pulse of magic tore through the castle, rattling Twilight. “Standby,” Luna continued. “Be prepared for a fight.” The stallion saluted, ushering the rest of his allies. “L-Luna,” Twilight stammered. “I-It’s coming from—" The elder princess spun around to face her. “I know. What in Celestia’s name is going on in there?” “You don’t think my potion did something, do you?” “I don’t know, Twilight.” Snapping back into action, Luna turned the handle on Celestia’s door. It stopped halfway, giving the princess a moment’s pause. “It’s locked,” she muttered. “Guardsman, bring those keys over here. Get this door open.” The armored stallion complied, tearing the keyring from his belt. The key slid smoothly into the lock, clicking it open. Luna tried the handle again. This time, it moved a little farther down, but jammed before it could open. “Something’s holding it from the other side,” Luna realized. “Officer,” Twilight forced the guard to face her. “Did anyone go in there after we left?” “Forgive me, Princess.” The ponies’ heads turned toward Doctor Heart, sitting with his legs crossed across from Celestia’s door. “It seems Chrysalis has locked us out.” “Doctor Heart? What are you doing out here?” Twilight demanded. “Chrysalis asked me to fetch her a blanket. I was in the middle of doing so.” Another pulse. The energy in the air caused it to ripple. “You left her alone in there?” Twilight screamed. “With Celestia, too,” The doctor corrected. “What’s she doing? What did she say?” “She asked me for a blanket.” He held up a sheet far too small for a changeling. “And you just left?” Luna scoffed. “Forgive me for being so blunt,” Doctor Heart rubbed at the crick in his neck. “Chrysalis has made her choice, Princess. What right do I have to stop her?” “Her choice?” Twilight repeated. The fear wrapped around her heart tightened until its icy claws were freezing the blood within. “What choice, Doctor?” He turned away. “Twilight?” Luna asked. “What does he mean?” “I have to go,” Twilight said, vanishing in a ball of magical light. When Twilight reappeared in Celestia’s room, she never touched the floor. While the flow of magic might have simply bristled her fur outside, it now carried enough strength to lift her off her hooves. The immense pressure pinned her against the wall. For a moment, she could see nothing but the green flare of changeling magic. “Chrysalis?” she called, clenching her eyes shut. “Twilight?” Chrysalis’ voice sounded strained. Twilight pushed forward with all her might, but she could hardly struggle against such power. “What’s going on?” Twilight demanded. “I’m sorry.” Gritting her teeth, Twilight forced herself to look. It took a moment for her vision to adjust. When it did, she saw Chrysalis, levitating over Celestia. Green energy whirled around her in a vortex, tearing decorations from the walls and scattering book pages from their shelves. “Stop. We can talk about this. It doesn’t have to be like this,” Twilight howled. Fresh tears welled in her eyes, blurring her sight even more. “It doesn’t have to. No. But it’s the ending I’ve chosen, Twilight.” Chrysalis turned her back to Twilight. The princess tried to call back, but the whirlwind grew louder, its roar deafening. Lightning tore through the blackened sky. Rain pelted windows hard enough to shake them in their frames. A green light engulfed the tall tower of Canterlot Castle, creating a tremor strong enough to shake the city down to its foundations. Lights flickered on and off throughout the town below. And just as quickly as the tempest arrived, it vanished. Twilight grunted as she crashed into the stone. She did her best to ignore the pain, turning her head upward toward Chrysalis. The changeling stood at Celestia’s bedside. Her long, slender legs trembled, causing her to sway. The princess scrambled forward, barely arriving in time to catch her. The weight dragged Twilight to her knees. As she sat, she rested Chrysalis’ head on her lap, brushing gently at her mane. The jet black of her chitin dulled to a listless silver. “Chrysalis? Can you hear me?” Twilight cried. “Twilight.” Chrysalis’ cracked lips curled into a smile. “Listen to me, you’re going to be okay. Just hold on,” Twilight begged. Strands of the changeling’s mane pulled free with each brush. Chunks of her shell fell away, crumbling to ash as they struck the stone. “You’ll be okay.” “You don’t have to lie to me, Twilight,” Chrysalis sputtered. Thousands of questions tore through Twilight’s head, twirling her thoughts into a deadly frenzy. In the end, she could only settle on a single one. “Why?” Chrysalis took a long, slow breath. “I asked you once . . . what would you sacrifice . . . for Celestia?” She wheezed. “I . . . I have chosen . . . my answer. I . . . repaid what I took.” “We could have found another way.” Twilight sniffled. One of her tears struck Chrysalis. Their teardrops mixed, carving a line down Chrysalis cheek through her ashen skin. “You promised me—” Chrysalis coughed, sending cracks through her body. “You promised me a wish, Twilight.” Twilight took the changeling’s hoof in her own, holding it to her chest. It felt unusually cold. “Whatever you wanted,” Twilight said. “I won’t ask you . . . to forgive me, Twilight.” Her chest heaved, trying to breathe, yet failing. “But I want you . . . to be happy. Live your life . . . find someone . . . to love . . . and hold them close. For me, Twilight?” “No.” Twilight shook her head. “I-I can’t . . .” She didn’t know if Chrysalis heard her. “Twilight?” she croaked, “I want to tell you something . . . Celestia saved my life . . . but you were the one . . . to give her second chance . . . meaning.” “Chrysalis? Please don’t do this to me!” Twilight screamed. She clung tight to the changeling, the shards of chitin piercing like needles. “These last few weeks . . . have been the best of my life.” “Mine, too.” “I love you, Twilight.” Though tears continued to streak down her face, Chrysalis visage never wavered from its smile, even as complete stillness washed over her. “I love you, too, Chrysalis.”