Starlight sat at her round stone table, thoughts becoming increasingly confused as time ticked on. 9 PM, no Chrysalis. Soon. 10PM, no Chrysalis. Maybe she got distracted? 11PM, no Chrysalis. Where is she? On the table Spike lay sprawled; asleep.
Starlight didn’t get it; if time was to repeat itself for the umpteenth time, Chrysalis should be asking her to dance right now. Something was off, but what? Glancing at Spike, Starlight’s blood ran cold. Twilight and Spike were new variables in the equation. For Celestia’s sake! How could she be so blind? A new variable changes everything. She immediately began recalculating the current timeline; desperate to locate Chrysalis. She was so engrossed in her thoughts, she failed to notice the alabaster-furred Unicorn approaching her.
“Hey mom, how’s it going?”
Starlight blinked and looked over at Rarity.
“Oh, hey hun, finished your shower?”
“Mmhm.”
“Oh, wonderful. Your bed’s all ready for you.”
“Thanks, mom, but you know that shower really energized me, would you mind a quick dance to alleviate all this extra energy before bed?”
“Oh Rarity, I’m kind of tired and…”
Swiftly Starlight found herself gazing into Rarity’s inviting, mesmerizing eyes.
“I insist, mother dearest. Dance with me.”
Applejack groggily opened her eyes as her body was jostled. Seeing a pair of cyan hooves, AJ immediately glanced over at the clock; afraid she had overslept. 15 to midnight. What in tarnation?
“Rainbow, why in the name of apples are ya waking me up so late?”
“Hey AJ! Wanna dance?”
“Are ya outta yer mind? Why don’t ya dance with Rar? I gotta get some rest fer work tomorrow.”
“Aw c’mon AJ. Rarity’s down at the bathhouse with Pinkie and I’m bored.”
“Ugh. Fine one dance, after that I’m going back ta sleep. Got it?”
A noise nearby, caused Applejack to see Pinkie stretching out her hoof to Fluttershy, both locking eyes. Confusedly, she asked.
“Hey Rainbow, though you said Pinkie was at the bathhouse with Rar?”
Forcibly Applejack’s muzzle was lifted to look into Rainbow Dash’s eyes.
“Shut up and dance with me.”
Walking through the biting wind, Twilight was unable to tear her gaze away from the figure walking in front of her. The creature had told her its name was Chrysalis, but that was all she knew. She didn’t know where they were going or even why, but she did notice something peculiar.
As the two walked on the path into town, Twilight watched ponies of all kinds walking in various single file lines, silent and with vacant stares upon their faces. And they all seemed to be heading towards a massive building on the outskirts of Canterlot; The Equestrian Dance Hall.
The structure could easily contain hundreds if not thousands of ponies, and it looked like it would be filled tonight. From all directions, ponies seemed to pour into the massive building, from all over Equestria. Pegasi, Unicorn, Earthpony, Zebra, Dragons, Griffons, all were headed for the Dance Hall. Recognizing her mother, Twilight swiftly ran over to her and began calling her name.
“Mom! Mom! What’s going on? Mom?”
Luna, however, kept moving forward, as though she hadn’t heard her; that same blank soulless expression on her face.
“It’s no use Twilight. She won’t respond. None of them will.”
“Mom! W-what happened to you?”
“She’s cursed, by my very hooves nonetheless.”
“What?”
Turning suddenly, Twilight found herself in the glare of Chrysalis.
“I said she’s cursed. They all are. And you most likely will join them unless you can satisfy my hunger.”
“Your hunger?”
“I desire only one thing, a partner I can dance with. One that won’t lose their minds or ability to dance with me after one dance. You, Twilight, are my last hope.”
“Why me?”
“Because you are the only one left.”
The Auditorium was silent as Twilight walked in through the doors. Hundreds of ponies sat in the seats, silent and watching; blank stares upon their faces. Twilight even saw Celestia and Luna in the seats by the stage. Over by the door stood Rarity next to Starlight with Spike on her back, Applejack stood next to Fluttershy and Rainbow and Pinkie stood next to them; all were silent and blankly staring at the stage.
Chrysalis gestured to them with a dismissive wave of her hoof.
“Slaves, drones, mindless bodies that obey my every whim and command. Call them what you will, they will not interfere with our chat.”
Chat? But then why are we on a stage? Why are they here? What did she do to them? Am I next? Nevermind all that, why did she kiss me?
It’s not like she minded it, but she didn’t know who or what this creature was or what it wanted from her. She just felt like she needed to be here, and so she was.
Looking around, Twilight realized they were on a massive hardwood ballroom floor. Chrysalis gestured to her, continuing her monologue.
“I was never good at talking, no, the only time I felt alive was on the dance floor. It was on a dancefloor like this, that I became what I am today.”
Twilight watched as she closed her eyes, and a hoodie and sweatshirt appeared on Chrysalis’s body. A bit of electronica, accompanied by a synth, began to play as Chrysalis kicked out her hind hooves and landed on her forehooves as she flipped backward. Her movements captivated Twilight as she effortlessly flipped back to an upright position; taking two steps before sliding her hooves together and twirling around, ending up face to face with Twilight she held out her hoof.
“I wonder. I can sense you are like me, a lover of dance. Could you be the one? Could you actually be the pony I’ve been looking for? The one who can dance with me?”
Twilight stared at her for a moment. Dance? She could dance, she loved to dance and that outstretched hoof really did look inviting. Twilight had no idea what was going on, but what she did know was she heard it; the Harmony as it played her song.
A swift orchestra of woodwinds, strings, and gentle brass suddenly accompanied the bop, causing it to evolve to flow slowly, yet with a tangy upbeat presence. Twilight placed her hoof on Chrysalis’s own and a pink, lacy ballet tutu appeared on Twilight.
This surprised Chrysalis who raised an eyebrow.
“Ballet?”
But if she expected Twilight’s normally silent demeanor, she was to be sadly mistaken. Twilight seemed different; unleashed and wild, the look in her eyes said it all. Twilight wanted to dance.
“Try me.”