In Queen Chrysalis's throne room, the fight was going badly. Already Thorax had suffered deep wounds that dripped blood onto the ground. One of his eyes was bruised and swollen from where Chrsysalis had struck him, and he could see that his followers were growing tired. If they didn't find a way to finish this fight soon, it would all be for not.
Still, there was one consolation to be had. Even if Thorax and his followers fell today, they had at least ensured that Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends were safe.
"OOF!" Thorax let out a grunt of pain as the wind was knocked from his lungs. He collapsed to the floor, banging his jaw painfully in the process and dislodging at tooth. Rolling onto his back, he saw to his dismay that Chrysalis stood over him, her green eyes burning with feral rage.
"It's over, Thorax!" she snarled. "You've lost this fight. Surrender, or face death!"
Thorax looked around. To his horror, he realized that his followers had been pinned down by Chrysalis's guards. Exhausted from fighting, they lay limp on the ground.
But they were still watching Thorax. He could see the will to fight had not left them yet. There was still hope, if he could only free himself from his mother's grasp.
Without a moment's hesitation, Thorax spat in his mother's face, his dislodged tooth hitting her directly in the eye. As his mother winced in pain, her grip loosened for a moment. In her split second of weakness, Thorax yanked his legs free from her grasp and kicked her hard in the stomach, sending Chrysalis flying across the room. Struggling to his feet, he bared his fangs and hissed ferociously as his mother lay groaning on the floor.
"Nothing's over while I'm still breathing!" he spat. "If I must fall today, I will fall serving my people, as a true leader should."
Queen Chrysalis stood up, panting heavily. "So be it!" she hissed. Striding forward, she advanced on Thorax.
Before Chrysalis could reach Thorax, the doors of the throne room burst open. Princess Luna, Kyra and Starlight Glimmer charged into the room, taking Chrysalis and her guards completely by surprise. Within moments, Chrysalis's followers lay unconscious on the floor, with Kyra, Luna, Starlight and Thorax's Changelings standing beside Thorax, their faces set with fierce determination. Outside, perched high on one of the many towers, Derpy carefully aimed her tranquilizer dart rifle, looking through the scope's lense as she focused in on Queen Chrysalis. Should things go badly, she would be able to neutralize the queen with a dart to the chest. But that was only if Luna signaled for help, of course.
"Princess Luna," Thorax said respectfully, though he didn't take his eyes off his mother. "Nice of you and your friends to drop by."
"So," sneered Chrysalis. "This is Equestria's Princess of the Night? I must say I'm disappointed. Your sister was far more impressive. How humiliated you must feel that I was able to defeat her so easily."
Kyra's lip curled back in anger, but Luna simply ignored Chrysalis's weak attempt to mock her.
"We have you outnumbered, Chrysalis," she stated calmly. "It's time to stop fighting. If you surrender now, you and your Changelings will face no further harm. If you refuse, there will be little that I can do to ensure your safety."
"Our safety?" Chrysalis repeated. "You ponies are so arrogant. You care nothing for us. You never have, and you never will."
"You're wrong!" Thorax said firmly, taking a step towards his mother.
"Am I?" Chrysalis snarled. "What makes you so sure the ponies will honor any deals they make? Do you honestly believe that our kind could have a place among them?"
"Yes, I do!" Thorax said, exasperated. "How many times have the ponies shown they are willing to give second chances? Didn't they do exactly that for Discord? And he's the Lord of Chaos, of all things. He's literally thrown Equestria out of whack twice, but they still found it in their hearts to forgive him. Well, if the Lord of Chaos can find a place in Equestria, then why can't we? Why can't we at least try?"
"He's right," Luna said. "Look at me, Chrysalis. I was once feared as Nightmare Moon, the bringer of midnight eternal. But by the grace of harmony, I was set free and given a second chance."
"So was I," Starlight said. "I've also done terrible things. Yet ponies are still willing to forgive me and allow me to make amends for the wrongs I've done. Heck, I've even managed to find love." At the word 'love', Kyra put a foreleg around Starlight's shoulders. Starlight happily rubbed her cheek in Kyra's silky mane, smiling as she went on addressing Chrysalis. "The only real thing standing between you and redemption, is your own fear." Starlight stared into Chrysalis's face. "So, Queen Chrysalis, what is it that you are truly afraid of?"
Chrysalis blinked, feeling a confusing mix of emotions rise in her chest. She didn't know why or how, but there was something in the way these ponies were looking at her that made her uncomfortable. There seemed to be a warm fuzzy feeling somewhere in her chest, and it was as if there was something very large stuck in her throat. She felt, for the first time ever, that if she were to speak now, she would break down and cry. The thought terrified Chrysalis. What were they doing to her?
Chrysalis was distracted from her confused thoughts as Luna stepped nearer. She felt no fear, for this was no monster. No, Chrysalis was just a mare. One who had never known love, nor friendship of any kind. That, Luna knew, was exactly why she had such a warped view of reality.
"Yes. I believe you are afraid," Luna said slowly. "You are afraid... that no one will ever love you. That no matter what you do, you and your kind will always be hated." She paused. "I understand your pain, Chrysalis, for I have been there myself. Why would you strive to be anything but a monster, when it seems the world will always view you as such, regardless of your intentions?"
By now, Chrysalis's ears were drooping, and her eyes were filled with tears, though she was not aware of it. She felt like her heart was being pulled apart by Luna's words. Try as she might, she could not tear her eyes away from Luna's.
"It's hard..." she admitted, in a small voice that sounded nothing like her own. "It's hard... when you're born different."
"Yes, I know...." Luna said kindly. "But if I have learned anything, it is that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant. For it is what we do with the gift of life, that determines who we are. After all, it is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities."
"All this time I've wasted being angry with the world..." Chrysalis muttered. "How could I have been so blind?"
"It's all right now, mother," Thorax said, walking forward to stand beside Luna. "Look at yourself. You've already taken a step in the right direction just be listening to us. I'm sure now that if we work together with the ponies, we can secure a better future together for all Changelings."
Queen Chrysalis looked at her son, now feeling guilty for the bruises that covered his body. "You really believe that?"
Thorax nodded. "Yes. I always have."
"In that case," Chrysalis said, "I would consider it a personal favor if you could arrange a meeting with your sister, Celestia. We should begin working on a plan for the Changelings as soon as possible."
Luna smiled. "Consider it done." She extended a hoof towards Chrysalis, and the pair shook hooves as Thorax beamed with excitement.
Their task now completed, Luna turned to Kyra and Starlight, who were staring with amazement at what had just happened.
"Come on, girls," Luna said. "Let's go home."