//------------------------------// // Royal Canterlot Wedding pt. 2 // Story: Ranger in Equestria // by Lady Umbra //------------------------------// As ​Twilight and ​Tommy gradually regained consciousness, they were met with an overwhelming darkness. The stark contrast to the bright green of ​Cadance’s spell left them momentarily disoriented. Their surroundings were disturbingly quiet, a noticeable departure from the chaotic atmosphere they had just witnessed. Sensing the oppressive murkiness around them, Twilight instinctively activated her magic. Her horn flickered to life, casting a gentle purple glow around them. Patches of light danced off of jagged walls, revealing their location: a ​cave. Tommy blinked, struggling to adjust to the sudden light before examining their environment. The rugged cave walls, the damp ​earth under them, and the echoes bouncing off the rocky expanse confirmed their predicament. It was an eerily serene setting, a stark contrast to their previous ornate, lively surroundings. ​Tommy, still trying to orient himself in the dimly lit cave, found his voice, breaking the silence between them. "Where are we?" he asked, his tone filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. ​Twilight took a moment to scan their surroundings, her eyes attentively examining the rugged cave walls and the moistness in the air. As her gaze settled on the familiar characteristics of the cavern, a realization dawned on her. "I think we're in the old ​Canterlot Mines," she replied, her voice echoing slightly within the confined space. The revelation sent a shiver down Tommy's spine. The Canterlot Mines were known for their treacherous and labyrinthine paths, plagued by ghostly tales and lingering shadows. It was said that the abandoned mines were haunted by the spirits of ponies long gone, lending an extra layer of unease to their predicament. The gentle purple radiance from Twilight's horn painted fragmented glimpses of the cave's floor littered with debris, remnants from the days when miners toiled deep underground. It was awe-inspiring yet haunting, a reminder of the hidden depths beneath the grandeur of Canterlot. Tommy's expression grew more serious as he considered their situation. "Do you think Cadance meant for us to end up here?" he pondered aloud, his voice filled with a mix of fear and confusion. Twilight's brow furrowed as she contemplated the question. The motives behind Cadance's actions remained a mystery to them, but it seemed all too coincidental that they had ended up in such a foreboding place. "I can't be certain," she replied, her voice tinged with a tinge of caution. "But we need to focus on finding a way out and uncovering the truth behind all of this." With a shared determination to unravel the mysteries of the Canterlot Mines and their unexpected arrival, Twilight and Tommy cautiously pressed forward, their steps echoing through the ancient tunnels as they delved deeper into the unknown. As ​Twilight and ​Tommy ventured further into the depths of the ​Canterlot Mines, their progress was halted by an unexpected obstacle. Twilight, distracted by her thoughts, failed to notice the unmined crystal jutting out from the cave wall. With a sudden collision, she let out a startled "Ow!" and instinctively rubbed her nose with her hand. The sharp pain subsided quickly, but their attention was swiftly diverted by an eerie sound reverberating through the cavern. It was a chilling echo, carried by the acoustics of the cave's walls. The laughter, unmistakably familiar, sent a shiver down their spines. As they turned to face the source of the haunting laughter, they found themselves confronted with an unsettling sight. Reflected in the shimmering surfaces of the crystals surrounding them, the laughing face of ​Princess Cadance taunted them. The distortion of her image within the reflective facets added an unnerving quality that sent a chill crawling down their spines. A mixture of disbelief and anger welled up within Twilight, but she struggled to find her voice. Meanwhile, the image of Cadance in the crystal continued to laugh, her mocking tone echoing through the chamber. "The two of you should have just stayed quiet," the reflection taunted, its voice dripping with malicious intent. Tommy, his own frustration mounting, clenched his fists at the audacity of the situation. He knew they needed to find a way to break free from this twisted game, to uncover the truth and escape from Cadance's clutches. Gathering his resolve, he called out in defiance, his voice resonating with determination. "We won't be silenced, Cadance. You may have trapped us, but we will find a way to overcome this." ​Cadance laughed, her voice dripping with scorn. "You can certainly try, the ​Canterlot Mines are like a maze," she taunted, relishing in the perceived advantage she held over them. Her grin widened, further fueling their determination to prove her wrong. But before she could finish her sentence, a sudden disruption shattered the tense atmosphere. "Nopony Knows that your down here and nopony will be able to hear your scr.." A beam of magic shot through the air, crashing into Cadance and sending her flying backward. ​Tommy instinctively shielded himself from the debris, his heart pounding in his chest. As the dust settled, their eyes locked onto a battered and bruised Cadance lying on the ground, her malicious grin replaced with an expression of pain. ​Twilight's anger surged, and she prepared to pounce on the alicorn, fueled by the pent-up frustration she had harbored since their sudden disappearance. But Tommy, ever the level-headed one, intercepted her, preventing her from carrying out the impulsive attack. Breathing heavily, Tommy cautiously approached the downed alicorn, his eyes scanning her injuries. His voice trembled with a mix of concern and uncertainty as he turned to Twilight. "Twilight, I don't think this is the same Cadance," he cautiously whispered. "He's right! Please Twilight, listen to me, the Cadence who trapped you both was an impostor!" "Likely story!" Twilight was unconvinced until this new cadence did something she didn't expect. "Sunshine, Sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves..." "And do a little shake!" Twilight gasped when she realized she was talking to the real Cadence and embraced her. "You remember me!" "Of course, how could I forget the filly I loved to sit for the most?" Tommy extended a helping hand to ​Princess Cadance, assisting her to her feet. Concern etched across his face, he spoke with urgency. "We need to get out of here," he said, his voice filled with determination. Cadance nodded gratefully, grimacing slightly from her injuries as she regained her balance. "Thank you, Tommy," she replied, appreciating his support. "There's something sinister at play here, and we can't afford to stay trapped in these mines any longer." ​Twilight, her trust in Cadance renewed, stepped forward, fully aligned with the decision to take action. "Tommy's right," she stated firmly. "We can't let this impostor continue to deceive others and cause harm. We need to stop her." Celestia's regal wings glimmered in the fading light as she took a deep breath, her voice carrying with a calm authority that resonated throughout the courtyard. "My dear subjects," she began, her voice as soothing as a gentle breeze, "we have gathered here today to witness the union of two souls, bound by love and the magic that courses through their very beings." Her eyes turned to Princess Cadance, a radiant Alicorn whose mane shimmered like a cascade of pastel colors. "Princess Cadance," Celestia spoke, her voice filled with warmth and affection, "you have always been a guiding light within the realm of love and harmony. Your kindness and compassion touch the hearts of all who know you." A false smile graced Princess Cadance's face as she locked eyes with her future husband. Shining Armor stood tall and proud, his coat lacking its usual luster as his eyes was glazed over with an eerie green hue. Celestia turned her gaze to the unicorn. "Shining Armor," Celestia continued, her voice imbued with a sense of pride, "you have proven yourself a pillar of strength and integrity, a true guardian of love and its power. Your commitment to protecting those you hold dear is a testament to your noble character." "By the power vested in me as the ruler of Equestria," Celestia declared, her voice growing stronger with each word, "I hereby pronounce you, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor, as hus..." "STOP THE WEDDING!!" Everyone turned to the doors, their attention fixating on the commotion. Gasps filled the air as the guards struggled to restrain ​Twilight Sparkle, her eyes filled with desperation and concern. ​Princess Celestia stepped forward, her voice tinged with curiosity and worry. "Twilight Sparkle," she called out, her tone calm yet inquisitive. "What is the meaning of this interruption?" "Princess, you must listen to me!" Twilight shouted as the guards grabbed hold of her and started to pull her away from the wedding. “No! Stop! In the midst of the chaos, Tommy dashed into the scene with remarkable agility. With a swift leap, he effortlessly soared over ​Twilight, his legs poised for action. The ​guards, momentarily taken aback, found themselves caught off guard as Tommy executed a spectacular split kick, striking both of them with precision. Gasps of surprise reverberated through the courtyard as the guards stumbled backward, momentarily disoriented. Tommy landed gracefully, his expression a mix of determination and concern for Twilight. The crowd watched in awe as the young man's skill became evident. ​"Why is she so possessive of her brother?" Cadance growled before noticing Celesita eyeing her. "What does she have to ruin my big day?" "Because you aren't who you say you are" Tommy declared. "This mare isn't the Princess" In the tense atmosphere of the room, Cadance's false smile faltered for the briefest moment as she heard ​Tommy's declaration. Her gaze shifted toward Tommy with a mixture of incredulity and anger, her voice laced with dismissiveness. "Don't be ridiculous," Cadance retorted with a sharp edge to her tone. "Of course, I'm the princess." But before anyone could utter another word, the doors swung open once again, revealing the real ​Princess Cadance. Her arrival was met with a collective gasp from all those present in the room. Her mane shimmered with its signature pastel radiance, and her eyes glowed with determination. "No, you're not," the true Cadance proclaimed The crowd was in complete shock while the fake princess began to grit her teeth in anger. "How did you get past my bridesmaids?" She demanded when Twilight and Tommy just smirked and explained that despite their hypnotized state they still wanted the bouquet and distracting them was easy. "I-I don't understand, how can there be two of them?" Applejack asked, still confused by the situation as they marched down the aisle. "She's a changeling!" Cadence shouted with an accusing finger pointed to the fake. "She takes the form of someone you love and gains power by feeding off your love for them!" In a dramatic turn of events, the Changeling was engulfed in sinister green flames that consumed her body. As the flames dissipated, her false disguise was cast away, revealing a creature of darkness. Jet black skin covered her body, while matted poisonous green hair framed her face. Her once majestic pegasus wings molted, exposing fragile bug-like wings beneath. Bewildering holes adorned various parts of her limbs, adding to her eerie appearance. A twisted and warped horn protruded from the top of her head, signifying her status as the ​Changeling Queen. Adorning her head was a crown, its colors matching the dark green of her tattered dress. Cobweb designs adorned the chest, adding to the haunting aesthetic. Completing her transformation were a pair of stiletto heels, exuding both power and menace. "I am no mere Changeling," she declared with a tone laced with anger and arrogance. "I am Chrysalis, the Changeling Queen!" Her proclamation sent shivers down the spines of those present. The air grew heavy with anticipation as they realized the magnitude of the situation. ​ "And as ​Queen of the Changelings, it falls upon me to feed my subjects," ​Chrysalis declared, her voice dripping with sinister satisfaction. Her eyes narrowed as she descended the steps towards ​Princess Cadance, her presence exuding both authority and menace. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as Chrysalis approached, her wicked smile sending chills down the spines of those in her path. The gathered ponies, including Cadance, ​Tommy, and ​Twilight, could not deny the impending danger that loomed before them. "And ​Equestria has the richest source of love I've seen in centuries," Chrysalis added with a sinister smile,  A twisted laughter escaped Chrysalis' lips, echoing through the room. Her sinister smile remained fixed in place as she stopped in front of Cadance, Tommy, and Twilight. They stood their ground, a combination of determination and unease etched onto their faces. "My Changelings will be able to feast to their hearts' content," Chrysalis taunted, relishing in the fear that emanated from her captives. "And we will grow stronger than we have ever dreamed of." "That won't happen!" ​Tommy's voice rang out with determination as he launched himself into action, executing a swift roundhouse kick aimed directly at the ​Changeling Queen's face. However, ​Chrysalis anticipated his move and with a flick of her magic, a formidable green barrier materialized around her, just in the nick of time. Tommy's foot collided with the barrier, creating a shockwave that reverberated through the room and sent the human tumbling backward. Chrysalis stood unscathed, casting a condescending gaze upon Tommy. "It's cute that you thought you could touch me," she taunted, laughter dripping from her words. With a dismissive wave of her hand, she dispelled the barrier, her twisted smile widening. "And speaking of barriers," Chrysalis continued, her voice laced with a hint of anticipation. "Shining Armor’s spell!" Twilight gasped. "Indeed, ever since I took Cadence's place I've been feeding off his love and with each second his spell grows weaker!" The audience gasped in terror as the queen strutted down the aisle with a triumphant grin. "Soon we will take Canterlot and then-ALL OF EQUESTRIA!!" "No. You won't." Celestia stepped up to the insect queen. ​”Shining Armor may be under your control," ​Celestia said, her voice filled with unwavering determination as she met ​Chrysalis' gaze. "But now that you've been exposed, I shall protect my subjects from you." A brilliant golden magical aura ignited around Celestia's horn, casting a radiant light that pierced through the dimness of the room. The Changeling Queen, undeterred by Celestia's display of power, responded in kind, surrounding herself with a swirling, poisonous green magic. The two powerful beings faced each other, their conflicting energies crackling in the air, as the audience watched in breathless anticipation. Celestia's regal form stood firm, her resolve unyielding, determined to defend her kingdom against this imminent threat. With a fierce expression, Celestia unleashed a surge of her golden magic, sending it hurtling towards Chrysalis. The Changeling Queen retaliated with her own wave of green magic, resulting in a clash of dazzling lights and opposing forces. The room trembled under the immense power being unleashed, bystanders witnessing the titanic struggle unfolding before their eyes. The battle between the light and darkness became the epicenter of the room, as their magics clashed with thunderous intensity. The clash between ​Celestia and ​Chrysalis reached its climax, the room quaking with the sheer force of their powers colliding. As the magnificent display of lights and energy intensified, it became clear that Chrysalis's dark magic was overpowering Celestia's golden aura. With a triumphant laugh, the ​Changeling Queen watched as Celestia was thrown through one of the room's pillars, her regal form crumpling against the ground. A collective gasp of horror swept through the onlookers as they witnessed the fallen princess, her once majestic appearance now tarnished. ​Twilight, her face etched with fear shrieked and ran to Celestia's side,  "Princess Celestia!!" Twilight screamed as she was desperate to help her fallen mentor. Chrysalis's sinister laughter echoed through the room, reverberating in the ears of those witnessing the fallen Princess. "I had no idea that Shining's love for you was this powerful!" the Changeling Queen taunted, casting an amused glance in Cadance's direction. "Consuming it has made me more powerful than Celestia." The downed Princess Celestia let out a pained groan, her gaze fixed upon Twilight and her loyal friends. With effort, she mustered her strength to speak. "The Elements of Harmony... You must retrieve them," Celestia conveyed, her voice strained. "Harness their power to defeat the Queen." Queen Chrysalis chuckled with smug satisfaction as Princess Celestia fell unconscious. "But how will you get to them when you're fighting against my ​Changelings?" she taunted, a twisted grin spreading across her face. Just as the challenge seemed insurmountable, the barrier surrounding ​Canterlot shattered with an ear-splitting explosion. Waves of Changelings flooded into the throne room, their menacing presence fueling the tension in the air. A surge of panic briefly gripped the hearts of ​Twilight and her friends as they realized the gravity of the situation. However, in the midst of chaos, the human leaped into action. ​Tommy, fueled by unwavering determination, effortlessly dispatched multiple Changelings, his skill and agility serving as a beacon of hope. With each move he executed, he created a shield, blocking the path of the relentless assailants, buying precious time for Twilight and her friends. "Go," Tommy commanded, his voice resolute as he focused his attention on fending off the Changelings. "I'll hold them off. Reach the Elements." Twilight's voice wavered with concern. "Tommy..." she started, but was quickly silenced by Tommy's unwavering resolve. "Don't worry about me," he interjected. Another Changeling lunged at him, but he swiftly countered, overpowering the creature. "Protect Equestria. Retrieve the Elements and use their power to defeat Chrysalis." With a nod of understanding, Twilight and her friends tore their attention away from the ongoing skirmish and raced towards the door, their determination pushing them forward. The path ahead was filled with peril, but their will to safeguard their home and save their fallen Princess guided their every step. "How noble of you to protect them," she sneered, her voice dripping with mockery and malice. Her eyes glinted with a twisted delight as she snapped her fingers, summoning even more ​Changelings into the throne room. "Too bad it'll mean nothing," "You wanna know what I hate about bugs?" Tommy asked while waiting for the moment to strike. "They always make a big mess when I squish em!" "Bring him to me!" With a wave of her hand, Chrysalis sent a hundred of her minions to chase Tommy down The Changelings screeched and hissed, eager to overpower the lone warrior. Tommy's mind raced with strategies as he prepared to face the daunting odds. With a disciplined focus, he employed his lightning-fast reflexes and extensive combat training to his advantage. As the first wave of Changelings lunged at him, Tommy spun into action. His fists blurred as he landed precise strikes, dismantling several opponents at once. Effortlessly evading their wicked claws and venomous stingers, he unleashed a whirlwind of acrobatics and devastating strikes, effortlessly dispatching his adversaries. Using the environment to his advantage, Tommy utilized the Throne Room's grandeur. He leaped off the ornate throne, soaring through the air and delivering powerful kicks, incapacitating multiple Changelings with each strike. The room echoed with the clash of bodies and the triumphant roars of the ​Mighty Morphin' hero. Yet, the Changelings continued to swarm, their numbers seemingly unending. Tommy's determination only grew stronger in the face of adversity. With every ounce of strength and skill, he exploited openings in the Changelings' defense, enabling him to incapacitate multiple foes at once. Despite the fatigue creeping through his veins, Tommy refused to yield. Beads of sweat rolled down his face as he fought on, channeling every bit of his energy into each strike. The room transformed into a ballet of martial prowess, punctuated by the forceful impacts of Tommy's blows. As the battle raged on, the odds against Tommy began to wane. The Changelings, while relentless, could not match his unwavering spirit and indomitable will. With a final surge of energy, Tommy summoned every last ounce of his strength, performing a dazzling display of athleticism and skill. "FOOLS!! Can't you handle one simple creature?!?" Chrysalis screeched in anger as the last of her minions were knocked out. The Throne Room, once a scene of chaos, now stood silent, bearing the testament to Tommy's valor and skill. Breathing heavily, the hero turned to the Queen as his glare hardened toward her. "That all ya got Queenie?" He stared daggers at her but Chrysalis could see the exhaustion behind his bluster. She prepared to strike him down with a blast of magic but then surveyed all the damage he had done, these were a hundred of her elite hive guard yet he took them down with ease and in a shocking twist, she dispelled her attack and began to applaud him with a proud smirk. "Impressive. Very impressive." Chrysalis strode confidently towards ​Tommy, her heels echoing through the silent room. With a sly smile, she addressed the Human, keeping a cautious distance. "I have an intriguing proposition for you, creature," Chrysalis purred, her voice dripping with allure. "Rather than allowing a powerful stud like yourself to languish amidst the ruins of ​Equestria, why not join me? Together, we can ascend to power and reign supreme over all of Equestria." "No thanks, I already worked for one evil witch." Tommy's reply made the audience snicker. "Then you can fall with the rest of Equestria" As ​Queen Chrysalis spoke, her voice laced with a hint of disdain, she unleashed a powerful beam of magic towards ​Tommy, intent on bringing him down.  However, Tommy's instincts kicked in, and he swiftly evaded the spell by rolling out of harm's way. Sensing the urgency of the situation, he reached for his ​Morpher, knowing that the time had come to call upon his ​Ranger powers. "IT'S MORPHIN TIME!" Tommy shouted activating his morpher "Dragonzord!" "What power..." Chrysalis said in amazement as a new swarm entered the throne room. "Subdue him! I want that magic for myself!!" Following their Queens orders, the swarm of Chrysalis's changelings lurched into action. Their bug wings beat with a synchronous rhythm, creating an ominous hum throughout the throne room. The ​Green Ranger, unshaken by the ominous scene, drew his ​Dragon Dagger, its resplendent green glow reflecting in his determined eyes. With supernatural agility and power, Tommy charged headlong into the swarm, each swing of his Dragon Dagger felling a handful of changelings. Shimmering streaks of energy rained down attributed to each stroke, the centrifugal power cleaving through their defensive line like a hot knife through butter. Regardless, as one changeling fell, another swiftly took its place, providing no respite for the lone Ranger. Their tortuous approach seemed unending, but Tommy persevered, his strong will undeterred by their relentless onslaught. The violent struggle filled the room with a spectacle of twirling bodies, magic sparks, and echoing clashes. As the battle escalated, ​Queen Chrysalis watched from her position. With a cruel smile plastered on her face, she commenced gathering energy, amassing a sizeable magical aura. With a swift motion, she unleashed a raw blast of magic towards Tommy. His augmented senses signaled the upcoming danger, but he couldn't counter-react timely due to the swarm's ceaseless pressure. The beam made contact with his precious Dragonzord Power Coin hanging from his belt. The entire room drowned in a radiant flash of energy and then — deafening silence. The suspense lasted a mere second as Tommy staggered backward, clutching his now cracked Power Coin. Its once soothing emerald light now flickered, the energy within dissipating. He was struggling to maintain his transformation, the power of the Dragonzord slipping from his grasp. "You will not win this easy," He gritted out, gripping his Dragon Dagger tight, preparing to fight till his last breath. Without even completing a single stride, the Green Ranger's armor fractured dramatically, sent spiraling into a thousand luminescent shards that danced in the air momentarily before touching the ground and vanishing. Tommy dropped heavily to his knees and then toppled over, his body succumbing to the immense fatigue that came from battling an unyielding army of changelings. His human resilience had reached its breaking point at last. "Why fight the inevitable? Join me warrior, with the power you possess you could be a god unto these pitiful ponies! with you at my side, no force in this world would dare stand against us." "I was given this power to protect, not destroy!" Tommy refused her once more before deciding to rub more salt in her wounds. "And to be honest, you're not my type." "Restrain him," ​Chrysalis directed, as a group of changelings heaved him from the ground into a secured kneel. "You won't get away with this!" Cadance retorted, as the dutiful changelings provided their queen with an unimpeded view of the noble princess. Positioned adjacent to ​Shining Armor, Cadance's entire lower half was heavily coated in a swath of shadowy green substance. "Victory is already in my grasp, princess," Chrysalis cackled with enjoyment, as she skillfully harnessed her magic to elevate ​Celestia towards the ceiling. "Celestia has fallen, ​Canterlot is mine to command, and the complete rule over Equestria is only a matter of time." As the Queen reveled in her triumph, Tommy glanced at the scene, his face etched with disgust. Several of the changelings climbed over the unconscious form of the princess, swathing her in the identical odious green substance that cloaked Cadance. As if to further bolster her already inflated ego, several ​changelings entered the room, dragging a battered ​Twilight Sparkle and her friends along. ​Chrysalis, with a smug grin on her face, couldn't resist gloating. "Your so-called '​element bearers' have clearly failed you," she taunted, bursting into mocking laughter. "At this point, it seems like nopony can stand in my way!" Turning to her changeling subjects, Chrysalis issued her command with malicious delight. "Go forth! feed until your hunger knows no bounds!" Following her orders, the changelings swiftly left the throne room, their hungry gazes fixed on the citizens of ​Canterlot. Even those who held ​Tommy, abruptly tossed him aside, compelled to join their relentless feeding frenzy. Fluttershy, true to her compassionate nature, discreetly slipped away from her friends to check on the injured human. "Tommy... Are you alright?" Fluttershy inquired with genuine concern. "Ah, just a few minor bruises," Tommy fibbed, attempting to downplay his injuries, all while Chrysalis snatched him up by his shirt, her eyes fixated on his morpher with envy. "What an intriguing device," she purred, her covetous intentions clear. "I think I'll take it." However, much to her surprise, her hand was met with a sudden jolt, causing her to release Tommy with a startled yelp. "I don't think it's fond of you," Tommy chuckled, finding amusement in Chrysalis's unexpected setback. His laughter was short-lived as she promptly stomped her heeled foot onto his chest, causing him to groan in pain. "I have other ways to make you serve me." She hissed with malice before strutting over to the balcony to bask in her conquest as her swarm overtook the city and its defenders. "This day has been just PERFECT! the kind of day of which I dreamed since I was small. Every pony I'll soon control, every stallion, mare and foal! WHO SAYS A GIRL CAN'T REALLY HAVE IT ALL?" Chrysalis relished in the destruction her subjects were causing. Unbeknownst to ​Changeling Queen, ​Twilight seized the opportunity to discreetly maneuver herself towards ​Cadance. ​Harnessing her magical abilities, Twilight swiftly broke the princess free from the Changeling Resin. "Move quickly," Twilight whispered urgently as the smothering presence of the changeling goop dissipated. "Go to him while you still have the chance." With anguish etched across her face, Cadance approached ​Shining Armor, her heart breaking at the sight of his vacant expression. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gently caressed his face with a trembling hand. With a whimper, ​Cadance delicately pressed her horn against ​Shining Armor's, whispering, "Shining... My Shining Knight..." In a tender moment, the Alicorn Princess shared a final kiss with her beloved stallion. As the green glow in Shining Armor's eyes faded, he blinked and his expression returned to normal. "Cadance?" Shining Armor rubbed his aching head, his voice filled with confusion. "Is the wedding... over?" "It's all over," ​Chrysalis, wearing a victorious smirk, turned her attention back to the couple. "And nothing will stop us now!" Twilight urgently called out to Shining Armor. "Your spell, Shining! Perform your spell!" "And what good would that do?" Chrysalis swiftly interrupted, delivering a swift kick that sent Twilight tumbling to the ground. "My changelings are already roaming free," she boasted, a smug tone in her voice. Chrysalis then shifted her gaze to her weakened brother, who struggled to conjure his magic, only to be brought to his knees by his dwindling strength. "No... my power is useless now," Shining Armor admitted weakly, his magic producing mere sparks before fading completely. "I don't have the strength to repel them." Chrysalis gloated, reveling in her apparent triumph. "It's only natural," she taunted, "that when a changeling feeds, we sap the strength of our host." But Cadance, filled with unwavering love and determination, came to Shining Armor's aid, helping him rise to his feet. "My love will give you strength," she reassured him. Chrysalis mocked their display of emotion, dismissing it with laughter as she returned to the balcony to observe her changelings' feeding frenzy. "What a lovely but utterly ridiculous sentiment," she sneered. "But feel free to amuse me until you tire yourselves out." With a determined glare directed at ​Chrysalis, ​Shining Armor swiftly pivoted his attention toward his true love. The couple stood united, lowering their heads until the tips of their horns delicately touched. As their connection deepened, a spark of magic ignited between them, steadily transforming into a small orb that radiated with growing intensity. Immersed in their love and unwavering focus, they remained oblivious to the fact that the orb had enveloped them in a luminous aura, gently lifting them off the ground. ​Twilight and her friends stood mesmerized, their jaws dropping in awe as they witnessed the rapid escalation of the enchanting magic. The sheer power even managed to divert Chrysalis's attention, leaving her dumbfounded as she observed the unexpected surge of energy within the room. "Hey, wait!" ​Chrysalis's voice reverberated through the air as she hastily closed in on the couple. "Stop!" However, before Chrysalis could intervene, the radiant orb enveloping the two lovers erupted into a powerful explosion, unleashing a barrier that expanded rapidly, engulfing the entire city. "NO!!" A horrified scream escaped Chrysalis's lips as both she and her changelings were forcefully expelled from the city, propelled far beyond the confines of ​Equestria. As the chaos subsided, ​Tommy found solace by dropping his head onto ​Fluttershy's lap. Relief washed over him as he uttered, "Thank god that's over," before succumbing to utter exhaustion, his eyes gently closing. Unaware of his own words, Tommy muttered in his sleep, "This is actually pretty comfortable," causing Fluttershy's cheeks to flush a deep shade of crimson. Meanwhile, their friends glanced at Fluttershy with a hint of envy. If Tommy were awake, he would have found their expressions rather cute.