Bk14/Ch2
I am Home…
(Year 09, Month 11, Day 16)
Princess twilight stepped off of the train onto the terminal platform as she sighed, “After this trip, maybe I should take a few days off… never thought I would be happy to be back in Canterlot.”
As she stepped off the platform a carnage and a few guards were waiting as the lead guard spoke, “Your majesty… thank Celestia your home! You must get to the palace at once!”
Hearing the concern in his voice Princess Twilight replied, “The palace? Is something wrong?”
The Guard nodded, “Yes, there was an incident last night that requires your attention. But it may be better to discuss this with our guests who arrived this morning. Judging by how they explained it, they may know more about it than me.”
She nodded as she stepped onto the carrage, “Understood, then let’s get to the castle as fast as we can.”
With that the carriage rushed as fast as it could to the castle with Princess Twilight determined to figure out what was going on. As soon as she arrived, Twilight rushed into the throne room where she saw a large number of guards gathered around the throne with a cream colored unicorn with a purple mane standing in front of the throne. As soon as the mare looked over the throne to see Twilight she smiled as she trotted through the guards and spoke, “Twilight! Thanks Celestia your back. With all the commotion of yesterday, I was unsure if my mane could handle another day of stress.”
As the two approached each other, Twilight replied, “Rarity? What’s going on, what happened yesterday that would cause every guard in the castle to be on alert?”
Rarity replied, “Well, perhaps we should let them talk first.”
As she said that, Rarity gestured to the herd of royal guards as Captain Tempest, and King Savean stepped out of the herd with Twilight looking to Tempest first, “Fizzypop? What are you doing here?”
Tempest spoke, “We came as soon as we received the warning.”
Twilight was confused as she looked to the king, “We?”
King Sevean bowed slightly as he introduced himself, “Princess Twilight, my name is King Savean of the Storm Kingdom. I believe you were partially responsible for my… Father’s death?”
Twilight felt a little concerned as she replied, “What?”
Seeing her worry, the king continued, “Adopted father… I will like to start by thanking you for removing him from the throne. If not for your actions, I think he would have continued to tarnish the Storm Kingdoms reputation beyond repair. But… we haven’t come to discuss this matter, but another more important one.”
Tempest spoke up, “Twilight, we received a terrible warning regarding one of the terrible three statues in the Canterlot garden. But… What we were warned about, happened just last night.”
As that was said Rarity spoke up, “Well…. Last night, Cheese Sandwich decided to ask Pinkie Pie on a walk through the Canterlot Garden.” She started to smile, “And while they were out there… he…” She started getting giddy with excitement, “HE PROPOSED TO HER!”
Lost in her own excitement, Twilight grabbed her hooves and smiled “Really? And… what’s did she say!?!”
They both got even more excited as Rarity continued, “SHE SAID YES!!!”
Filled with excitement, they both started jumping for joy as they screamed over the news, as the rest of the room only looked at them with confusion as Tempest tried to calm them, “Ladies, ladies… Focus… Still in a crisis here.”
Rarity soon remembered the issue as she calmed herself down and continued, “Oh right… well… After she said that. One of the three statues started glowing eerily before shattering. And after that, a green glint was reported leaving the area. As for the one in the statue, we believe she escaped.”
Concerned with the situation Twilight thought to herself as she spoke, “This is bad… if one of the three is free then it could mean a terrible attack may be in Equestria’s future.”
King Sevean stepped forward, “Your majesty, in thanks for liberating my kingdom of a tyrant. I will offer any assistance the Storm Kingdom can spare. If we had gotten here sooner, we could have prevented this terrible tragedy.”
Twilight nodded, “It’s not your fault this happened. But, I appreciate the support all the same.” She looked to Rarity, “Rarity… which of the three escaped?...”
Not far outside off Ponyville, Zeil was looking at a small vail of yellowish powder as he mumbled to himself, “It grinded down better than I thought… let’s just hope I don’t have to use it. Or… any off what I prepared for today.” He leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes, “And here I thought the worst part of this journey would be the trial of the Mage… I don’t think anything can prepare me for what’s next.”
“Rough journey?”
Confused, Zeil looked to a faded purple earth pony that sat across the aisle as he notice the stallion smiling at him as he nodded, “yea… it was rough.”
The Stranger didn’t seem like much, he was a purplish stallion with a short orange mane. The only distinct feature the stallion had was a pair of aviator’s goggles that sat on his head with a crack in the lens. The seemingly harmless stallion smiled, “I thought so, there is a look that others have when they return home after a stressful trip. Pardon my observation by the way, I just call it as I see it.”
Being polite Zeil smiled, “No worries, it has been a long journey. And that’s an understatement.”
The Earth pony smiled, “I'll bet… one truth that remains true, there is no place like home.”
Zeil smiled, “You said it. Are you returning home after a long journey too?”
The stallion shook his head, “No, I’ve only been gone a few days. A friend asked me to look into someone in the Crystal Empire and it was just a simple trip there and back so it wasn’t much trouble.”
Zeil nodded, “It’s always good to help a friend in need.”
At that moment the conductor stepped into the aisle as he called, “Next stop Ponyville! Next stop Ponyville, all through travelers have your tickets ready to be punched.”
Feeling the train coming to a stop the stallion smiled as he stood, “Well it was nice talking with you.”
Zeil nodded, “Thanks you too.”
The stallion smiled as he trotted down the aisle as Zeil ensured his things were put away and exiting the train on the opposite end of the train car. As soon as Zeil stepped onto the Ponyville platform he looked around at the quaint town as he could hear ponies talking at the other end of the train as a young mare spoke, “Dad, how was your trip? Did you see the stallion that aunt Silver talked about?”
Looking in the direction Zeil watched as the earth pony from the train answered the young purplish mare, “I did Dinky, and she was right. He seems scary at first but he isn’t a bad guy. At least not from what I saw.”
A grey mare with a golden mane and yellow crossed eyes replied as she hugged him, “Good… I was worried you would get into danger again.”
He smiled as he replied, “It’s alright Derpy, you remember my promise?”
She nodded, “If you ever go on a trip, you will always return no matter what. But that doesn’t stop me from worrying.”
He smiled as he stopped hugging his wife, “I know… but there is nothing to worry about. If anything,” he looked across the platform at Zeil, “We are safer now with him in Equestria.”
Derpy gave him a confused look, “Him? Who are you talking about Allen?”
Allen smiled as he and his family started trotting away from the train, “It’s not important, Lets go home, I have some new schematics to finish for my next plane.”
With that said, the small family started trotting away as Zeil mumbled to himself, “Silver… was he watching me in the Crystal Empire? And schematics? I wonder if he is that mechanic Silver talked about back then.” he shook his head as he turned to the platform stairs, “Better to just let it be. Whatever test I was unknowingly taking… it seems I passed.”
With no thoughts on the subject, Zeil trotted off of the train platform and began traveling out of Ponyville towards the countryside. Not long after leaving Ponyville, Zeil started to approach the edge of the Everfree Forest. With memories starting to return to him, Zeil could only smile as he trotted down the road as he remembered every obstacle he passed on the trail. However as he continued, he started to feel another presence that brought back memories, however this particular aura was one that he hoped he wouldn’t ever feel again, as he continued on his path without showing any hits or signs that the presence was known. Continuing on his path, Zeil came to a fork in the road that he recognized clearly. However, he still took the wrong path by choice as he lured the looming presence further from his destination.
Finally as the sides of the pathway opened up into a small clearing, Zeil stopped in his tracks as he sighed hopelessly before speaking aloud, “I know you’re out there! Don’t insult me by assuming I didn’t sense you the moment I entered the Everfree Forest! Why don’t you save us both the trouble and show yourself!”
As that was said, Zeil turned around to the pathway behind him as he saw a little black bunny emerge from nearby shrubs as the bunny transformed into a parasitic changeling before speaking with a smiled, “So, I was right after all. It truly is my most trusted drone, returned to Equestria after all these years. It’s good to see you again Zeil.”
Zeil gave her a dull look as he replied, “I would say the same… but honestly… I can't say I agree Queen Chrysalis?”
Although she didn’t like his tone, she still tried to ignore it as she replied, “Zeil… I'm offended. I'm only grateful that my most promising drone is alive and well. After the debacle of the Royal wedding, and your absence following, I and the rest of the swarm presumed you dead. But now that you have returned unharmed. We can begin our plan.”
Zeil was unamused, “Plan? It’s my understanding that you have no swarm left to command.”
Hiding her building anger the former queen replied, “Yes well, I'll admit Thorax’s betrayal wasn’t at all expected. And when he along with that Starlight Glimmer turned my entire swarm against me, it was also a major setback. But now that you are here, we can now get back at him.”
Playing along Zeil replied, “I don’t know who this Starlight Glimmer is, but I’d be lying if I wasn’t curious as to how we are supposed to get back at them?”
She smiled, “With your help of course. You have always been the master of espionage. Only this time, you need not take any other form then your own. It will be all too perfect.”
Trying to pry more, Zeil continued, “To do what exactly?...”
Queen Chrysalis smiled sinisterly, “I want you to sneak into the Changeling kingdom and request an audience with Thorax. Since he is your brother, he will most likely agree to see you without question. Then, when you two are alone, I want you to kill him.”
Surprised of how forward she was Zeil replied, “Kill? Didn’t you always say it’s better to leave targets alive as to make use of them later?”
She shook her head, “Not this time… I’ve been beaten time and time again, but this time… I'm taking him down before he has the chance to realize his danger. Then… when all the kingdom is in a panic, I will return and take the throne. Whilst you find and kill Phalanx.”
“Phalanx?”
She nodded, “yes… it’s a pity but since he has also become reformed… I must deal with him as well. With no drone to oppose me then the rest of the swarm will have no choice but to bow to me. Then… I will allow you to do as you please.”
Zeil felt skeptic, “As I please?... what do you mean by that?”
She smiled, “Don’t play coy, I know why you returned here of all places. I am not so clueless as to not hear the muttering of The Changeling of the Everfree Forest. A remnant of the attack on the royal wedding, who fell into the forest and took the form of a zebra to learn magic from the enchantress who lives here. Since the moment I saw you enter the Everfree Forest, you have had the scent surrounding you. A simple scent that all changelings know and crave… the scent of love.”
Zeil didn’t respond, instead he only gave her a distrusting glance as she smiled, “Don’t act so surprised. Any changeling could feel it. It radiates from you like a vast flower forest. Sweet and refreshing to the taste… though it is very uncommon to come from a changeling, it is unmistakable. You… are in love with Zebora…”
Zeil corrected her, “Zecora...
She waved her hoof dismissively, “Whatever… the point is, if you do this for me… I will ignore your feelings and allow you to live with her in peace. Consider it a payment for returning my kingdom and for all your loyalty in the past.”
Zeil chuckled as he replied, “I will say… I never thought I would see the day, when you were truly beaten and left to barter with something that you no longer own.”
Since he deliberately took a wrong path earlier, Zeil trotted towards her as she gave him an angry look, “What was that?”
He passed her by and replied as he trotted away, “I said that my loyalty is no longer yours to use… and since your threat isn’t serious enough to tip the balance in even the slightest… I see no need to get involved. On either side of this engagement. So, if we are done, I'll say goodbye your majesty. I hope we won't cross paths again.”
As Zeil continued leaving the area, Queen Chrysalis spoke, “And just where do you think you’re going?”
Zeil replied, “Home… that’s where.”
She replied with a chuckled, “Home… there is no home. Not for you or me.”
Zeil paused as he turned to her and replied, “Really? And what make you so sure?”
She sighed in disappointment, “Zeil… when the swarm turned against me, I thought that if you were here you would be the only one to take my side and talk some sense into them. We both know where Thorax is leading them, with the ponies over us, we are doomed to slavery. Thorax is too naive to see it but you know as well as I that in time the ponies will begin to treat changelings as all races do. First, they will use our abilities to get what they want from others around us. Then, they will begin to whittle away our rights and our kingdom from our hooves, before casting us aside, and taking away our freedom. For our swarm, you and I have to work together to open their eyes.”
Zeil shook his head, “My eyes are open, I’ve seen the world myself. Not in a glimpse of flying over or teleporting, but by walking across it. By seeing the lives of those around us, their views, goals and dreams. I’ve seen that there is a home for everyone out there. I’ve found mine… I just hope one day, you find yours.” He turned away, “Open your own eyes, and you’ll find it.”
As Zeil continued trotting away, Queen Chrysalis sighed in disappointment, “That’s too bad, I hoped I would never have to do this to my own drones, but it seems there is no other way to convince you.”
With her targets back to her, Queen Chrysalis’s eyes started to glow green as Zeil’s eyes started to glow the same, before he finally stopped and gripped his head in pain. Stumbling at the unexpected use of magic, Zeil gripped his head before turning back to his former queen as he spoke through his pain, “Y-you… your trying to invade my mind?”
Queen Chrysalis nodded, “If it works on a unicorn prince, then it will easily work on one of my drones. I intended on using this on thorax but knew he was too weak for his control to matter. You on the other hoof… are perfect.”
Zeil replied as he griped his head, “You really think this will help you?”
She smiled, “Of course it will… I tried to barter with your false pretenses of love but I guess even you can fall to ignorance. A changeling and a zebra… how pathetic, to think that my smartest and most promising drone would fall so easily to a zebra’s charm. Seems that you were so caught up in your own feelings that you never noticed the truth. A Zebra and a changeling cannot be together. Your worlds are just too far apart, face it, you two… were never meant to be.”
Zeil turned completely to Queen Chrysalis as he replied, “Maybe your right, maybe we are from two different worlds… but…” he stopped gripping his head and bared the pain before glaring at her in anger, “I’ve learned to survive in both worlds, let me show you what I’ve learned.”
With that, Zeil’s glowing eyes changed colors from a lime green, to a dark purple. Shortly after, Queen Chrysalis’s eyes started changing too, before an intense pain began filling her head as she gripped her head and stumbled back until she finally fell to the ground as her eyes stopped glowing and the pain faded with it. Breathing heavily, Queen Chrysalis picked herself up as she spoke, “Wha… what was that?”
Zeil’s eyes stopped glowing as he replied, “You invaded my mind, so I pushed you back and into your mind, only… I stopped when I scratched the surface.”
She shook her head, “That’s not possible. A changeling drone holds no such magic.”
Zeil nodded, “Your right, only a queen holds the power to invade the mind of others. But then again… a mage holds far more power. So… what next?”
Queen Chrysalis glared in anger as she replied, “if you won't join me willingly or by force… then I can't let you reveal my plan to anyone else.”
Seeing her ready her stance to change, Zeil sighed as he mumbled, “I should have seen this coming.”
All of a sudden Queen Chrysalis changed her appearance as Zeil looked at her in surprise, “A dragon?”
With Zeil now having to look up at the massive creature his queen changed into, Zeil quickly reached into his saddlebag as the ferocious beast inhaled deeply before blowing a large stream of flames at the smaller changeling. Luckily Zeil managed to pull out a small blue potion as he smashed the flask against the ground and swept his hoof in an arc allowing the potion to shoot up a thick ice wall that followed the path of his hoof and blocked the incoming flames mere moment before it could engulf its target. Sighing in relief, Zeil looked at the visible glow of the flames through the ice wall as he mumbled, “A dragon first?… usually she goes for a bear or other smaller beasts, but a dragon… she’s desperate.” A loud pop was heard as a large crack appeared on the ice as he continued, “And this won't hold… I have to get close to her.”
After a few seconds more, Queen Chrysalis stopped blowing flames towards Zeil as she saw the ice wall he placed between them and the crack on its surface as she smiled, “Seems the rumors of you learning magic are true after all… but it’s still going to take more than that to defeat me.”
This time, as the queen inhaled to attack, she didn’t blow a massive string of flame. Instead she fired a large fireball that flew towards the ice wall and hit it with enough force to explode the wall in a flurry of steam, snow, and fog that enveloped the area in a haze. Although his protective wall was now destroyed, Zeil still had an advantage as all beyond where the wall once stood was concealed in steam and fog as Queen Chrysalis took the time to watch the area closely for any signs of movement or activity. Then just as she expected Zeil charged towards her from the center of the steam, however his movements were much faster than expected, as his approached left her no time to send more flames in his direction. With no time to brace herself for an attack Queen Chrysalis stepped back as Zeil lunched himself in the air to attack the tall dragon.
Unfortunately as he reached his attacking distance something odd happened as their eyes met, Zeil unexpectedly hesitated, while his lack of action allowed the queen time to swing her claw across her body as her massive dragon backhand hit Zeil’s torso. Spared from her claws but not her strength, the tiny zebra disguised changeling was thrown twenty feet threw the air before colligating with a tree at bone breaking speed. Injured and stunned, Zeil fell to the ground as he coughed up a small amount of blood before looking down at the drops and speaking through his pain, “That… that was sloppy. Why di-“
At that moment, Zeil who was still looking down at his blood saw a fast approaching yellow light as he didn’t even bother taking the time to look at what it was. Instead he quickly moved as he swung around the tree he colligated with just as another string of flames hit the opposite side as fire bellowed around it barely missing him.
With the string of flames engulfing and swinging around the outsiders of his cover, “Zeil mumbled as he wiped the blood from his mouth, “I was afraid this would happen… even if I no longer claim her as my queen, she still brought me into this world. I can't attack her directly… my morality won't allow it, but if I hesitate again… she’ll kill me.”
Taking advantage of his time, Zeil pulled a small potion from his saddlebag as he drank the healing elixir as the fire stopped flowing leaving Queen Chrysalis to smiled, “Struggle all you want Zeil… I heard your bones crack. You don’t have much fight left in you and I doubt you can go on much longer.”
Finishing up the elixir Zeil dropped the empty vial as he mumbled, “She isn’t wrong, this should shift my bones into place and numb my pain, but it won't matter if she continues to attack me before I can use a better healing potion. I only need to get close to her. There is one thing I can try.”
Waiting for him to act, Queen Chrysalis stood her ground and watched the scorched tree burn for a few seconds. However after a few seconds of no movement, she decided to approach herself. But as she tried to lift her claws to walk closer, she realized they were constricted as she looked down to see that vines had grown over her claws and weaved them to the ground. With her attention on her constricted claws Zeil quickly rushed from behind his cover a he began his charge towards his former queen. Realizing the distraction the irritated queen fired a fireball in his direction as Zeil dodged it with ease. Now nervous of his approach, the queen fired two more fireballs towards her approaching threat as Zeil dodged both this time pulling a potion from his saddle bag on the second dodge as he came closer. Now worried of his attack, the queen looked to her right claw as she blew a stream of flamed over it leaving the fire to scorch away the vines enough for her to pull her claw up and break free of the vines. However this time as Zeil lunged towards his target he gripped the potion in his hoof as he yelled, “LUX CONSSUMET!”
With that call Zeil slammed his hooved together as the small vial was shattered between them just as the queen swung her claw in an attempt to hit him just as she did moments ago. However before her claw could meet its target, Zeil, their surroundings and all light seemed to be pulled into the gap between Zeil’s hooves where the veil was shattered as the queen only managed to hit nothing but darkness as it enveloped everything around her. Confused, Queen Chrysalis looked around in confusion as she spoke, “What is this? Where am I? Where did you send me?”
Zeil’s voice echoed in response, “I didn’t send you anywhere… instead, I merely took your sight from you.”
She changed into her changeling form releasing herself from the vines that constricting her as she tried to look at her body, “What? I’m completely blind? To think you would stoop so low, it’s beyond pathetic.”
Though she couldn’t see his face she could only assume by his tone that he was smiling as he replied, “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
At that moment the queen felt something hit her face that felt like a powdery substance as she backed away brushing her face off as she spoke, “What was that? What did you just do to m-”
As Queen Chrysalis finished wiping her face, she found herself standing in front of her former throne as she looked over her swarm in front of her all in their old parasitic forms. With confusion, Queen Chrysalis watched as the swarm started clearing an open lane in their ranks as Zeil, Thorax, Apex, and Phalanx made their way towards her all in their parasitic forms. Seeing all her former drones approaching made her feel slightly uneasy but that soon passed as they all stopped and bowed in respect as Apex spoke, “Your majesty, we are ready for your instructions. Tell us how we can defeat these ponies and I promise I will see it done.”
Queen Chrysalis stood speechless as Thorax spoke next, “Are we sure about this?... I heard the ponies have some powerful magic on their side.”
Phalanx replied, “Aww little Thorax getting cold wings again? Maybe you will be better off hiding here so you don’t scuff your dainty little hooves.”
Zeil sighed in hopelessness, “If it’s all the same, I think it would be better if I lead this one… Your majesty? What is the plan? What do you need us to do to set the stage for Equestria’s downfall?”
Though she was confused, Queen Chrysalis still couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her loyal swarm as they all looked to her for guidance just as they did all those years ago. With joy in her heart, Queen Chrysalis replied, “Then… if I have your loyalty, we should begin preparations. Those ponies will pay for what they did to me. And I assure you all. Their love will be ours soon enough.”
The swarm cheered at their queens words as her drones bowed with a smile. However after a few seconds of cheering the swarm silenced themselves as the drones looked back with Zeil’s smile fading as he spoke, “How are you so sure?”
Confused by the sudden change in attitude, Queen Chrysalis gave him a confused look as Phalanx nodded, “He’s right? We’ve faced the ponies a number of times now and every time they kicked our plots. What makes next time so different?”
Queen Chrysalis tried to think of how to respond, but instead Thorax spoke first, “Maybe, we can't fight them. Their magic is too strong. Facing them will always be a losing battle.”
She tried to convince them, “That’s not true. With my rule we can win against any foe.”
Apex replied, “Prove it! Give us one example that your rule is best for us.”
Trying to defend herself, Queen Chrysalis hesitated for a few second before replying, “Th-the Marble Oasis. We conquered them without fail, did we not?”
Thorax replied, “We didn’t conquer them… we destroyed them entirely and left their land uninhabitable.”
Zeil added, “And for what? To feed off love that was short lived? In the end they all died, and we were left starving!”
The swarm started muttering amongst themselves as one by one they started changing into reformed changelings. Seeing her authority fleeting, Queen Chrysalis spoke up, “And that is why we came here! I saw our suffering and set out to find more food for us. To place us over all the weaklings this world has to offer. That is why we are here!”
Zeil thought to himself, “That’s true, but we are still starving. And even more so, we left Princess Mira behind because she thought it was a fruitless effort.”
Thorax nodded, “She wasn’t wrong… I just hope we didn’t leave her to die out there. The land of the black sand isn’t a place for the faint of heart.”
Trying not to think about it, Queen Chrysalis Spoke, “She made her choice. If it lead her to her death, then it’s her own fault.”
Thorax nodded, “True… but you allowed us to leave her behind. Your own sister.”
Apex added, “And for the betterment of us… but it seems we are no better are we?”
The queen tried to continue, “I did what I s-“
“ENOUGH!!!”
All eyes went to Zeil as he spoke, “You claim you are trying to save us but it’s clear that if we allow you to lead us any further, then it will be to our deaths.” He changed into a reformed changeling as he continued, “There is only one thing we can do from here… Exile!”
Before she could say anything in her defense Thorax spoke next as he too changed into a reformed changeling, “I’d hate to say it… but that won't work. Every time we sent her away she returns.”
Phalanx nodded as he became reformed, “Then lets send her somewhere else… somewhere she can't come back from… somewhere no one can come back from, if you get my drift.”
Apex was the last drone to change into a reformed changeling as he spoke, “To ensure our lives… we must take hers. We must sentence her to death!”
All of a sudden, Queen Chrysalis felt a deep and looming fear of her swarm as the surrounding changeling started yelling in agreement to the final decision. Worried for her life Queen Chrysalis spoke, “But… you can’t honestly mean to ki-“
At that moment a vine fell in from above as it wrapped itself into a noose that fell around the queen’s throat before tightening up and lifting her into the air. Struggling for her life, Queen Chrysalis couldn’t speak as Zeil spoke, “It was only a matter of time… your weakness drove us to this. Say good bye… your majesty. Your rein ends here.”
As the noose tightened and lifted her higher, the now fully reformed swarm surrounded the struggling Queen as they all mocked her in anger. As she struggled for her life, the sounds of her mocking swarm started to fade as the defeated queen could only close her tear filled eyes in acceptance of what was next. However before she lost full consciousness, Zeil’s voice echoed as he spoke, “I’ve seen enough…”
With that, Queen Chrysalis felt a hoof place firmly against her side leaving the noose and the rest of her surroundings to dissolve away as she fell to the ground coughing in pain at the torcher she just went through. As she started to get her breath she found herself laying back on the trail in the Everfree Forest as Zeil trotted away from her as he spoke, “I see… I assumed you had been through a lot… but I didn’t expect it to be this bad.”
Trying to catch her breath, Queen Chrysalis responded, “Wh-what was that… what did you just do to me?”
Zeil spoke, “I started with removing your sight but then I used a particular spell that was meant to take your greatest fear, have you experience it, then have it kill you in a horrible way… but despite what you felt… it was merely an illusion. Once you lost consciousness it would have faded and you would have awoken later safe and sound.”
Rubbing her neck she replied, “Then why did yo-“ She felt something hanging around her neck, “What is this?”
As she lifted the new trinket around her neck, Queen Chrysalis examined the small veil of a yellowish powder as Zeil replied, “That… is a peace offering… and… a chance.”
Queen Chrysalis gave him an untrusting look, “A chance… for what?”
Zeil replied as he stopped a number of paces away before replying, “At redemption… Your majesty, you told me that you have no home to return to… but… that is a lie. You do have a home, your swarm can still accept you if you learn to accept yourself.”
She was confused, “What?”
Zeil sighed, “You know why I stopped you from dying to your vision? It’s because, you didn’t put up much of a resistance. All who see that spell beg for their lives or scream in fear, but you… you accepted it. Because you already experienced your greatest fear.”
She rubbed her neck, “To die by hanging?”
He shook his head. “No… to have your swarm abandon you, and to be turned away by them. That is your greatest fear, and you already accepted it. But it’s not entirely true. If you chose, to change your ways… they will accept you again. You can live amongst them once more.”
She felt skeptic, “And you will help me regain my rule?”
Zeil shook his head, “No… that ship has passed. Even if they do accept you, I doubt they will ever follow you again. But at least you can live amongst them again. Not as their ruler, but as their equal.” He pointed at the veil around her neck, “If you accept that, and return with me… I can convince them that you have changed your ways. I can even help you become reformed like the rest of us… but only if you accept that and return.”
She looked at the veil of yellowish powder as she replied, “If… I accept this… you will help me return to the swarm?... and all will be as it should be?”
Zeil smiled, “Yes… you will have a home again… all you have to do is trust me.”
She looked into the veil as she smiled, “To think it would be as simple as that… but I am no fool.”
With one yank, Queen Chrysalis broke the thread keeping the veil around her neck as she threw it against the ground shattering it as the wind caused the yellowish powder to spread on the pathway, “Your sweet words of sympathy will not sway me… I'm no fool and I will not become a slave to the ponies like the rest of you. I will not stop until Twilight Sparkle and her friends bow to me like the weaklings they are. And if you stand in my way…” she transform into the massive dragon like before as her increasing size caused her claws to slide across the yellowish powder on the ground, “Then, you will bow too…”
Seeing Queen Chrysalis now back in her dragon form, Zeil sighed as he replied, “If that how you want things to end… then at least I tried to save you. I will not bow, and I will not fight you anymore.”
Smiling at what she assumed was only a brave face, Chrysalis spoke, “Then you will die here.”
With that, the powerful dragon inhaled as she took aim to blow flames in his direction. However as she did, the only thing to exit her mouth, was air. Confused, Queen Chrysalis tried three more times, by taking a deep breath then focusing on using her fire breathing to incinerate Zeil. But like the first time, all she managed to do was blow air in his general direction. Confused, Queen Chrysalis started to speak, however she was soon silenced when she unexpectedly changed back onto her changeling form as she looked at her hooves in confusion. As she looked at her hooves, she saw remnants of the yellowish powder on her hoof as she spoke, “What is this?... what did you do to me?”
That powder used to be an ever stone. It nullifies our magic and can make a changeling unable to change their appearance. Though in its powder form, its effects are delayed, it is still as effective and can make things difficult since powder is harder to clean off then just a stone.”
Trying to brush the powder away, she spoke, “What?”
Zeil continued, “I learned not long ago, that we higher changeling… the alpha drones and queens can undo any spell to change our appearance, to include forced transformation and petrification. That’s how I knew I’d see you again… but it is possible to permanently change you to stone as long as we removing your ability to change altogether.”
Angry, Queen Chrysalis spoke as she charged at him, “I don’t need my ability to change. I can beat you myself!”
As she charged, Zeil pulled a feather from his saddlebag and tossed it into the air in front of him. Then while it floated down he quickly planted his front two hooves on the ground, then accurately shifted them in perfect synchronization drawing a diamond on the dirt beneath him then encircling it perfectly. Then as the feather gently landed in its center, he planted it with his right hoof as he spoke, “Through your end be my strength and let my payment be heard, A year for your sight… Sight of the cockatrices!”
After that, the feather immediately caught fire then burned away as Zeil’s eyes turned red before he glared at the charging queen just as she got close enough to attack. However, the unexpected change in Zeil’s eyes caused her to stop in her tracks as she started to speak, “What? What is thi-“
At that moment, with the queen only able to say those words and take a step back, Queen Chrysalis of the Changeling kingdom, turned completely to stone before she could even realize what was happening around her.
With almost no time between the beginning and end of her transformation, Zeil stood his ground and continue staring at his former monarch just long enough to ensure she was fully frozen in place. After that Zeil’s eyes changed back to their zebra disguised color as he closed them and spoke in pity, “I can't kill her… but this way, she will remain stone for all eternity, if the ponies allow it. And all it cost was a year from the end of my l-“
before he could finish his sentence, Zeil immediately opened his eyes as a sudden jolt of excruciating pain surged through his body as the shock caused him to open his mouth and cough up a small amount of blood. Dropping to a knee, he tried to mumble through his pain, “Is this the curse taking that year… great… I didn’t think it would take this toll so soon… and with my previous wound… I… I don’t… I don’t kn-know if-“
Within the incredible pain surging through his body, numbing his senses even more, Zeil started leaning until he fell to the ground as an unexpected figure rushed to his side and started examining his wounds. With the pain making his sight fade, and his changeling abilities unusable, Zeil couldn’t tell who the figure was or even what she was. All he could do was lay on the ground and hear the muffled voice of the mare trying to helping him before his sight soon faded to black, and the pain riddled changeling lost consciousness.
Hours later, Zeil opened his eyes to an all too familiar sight. He found himself looking at the ceiling of a hut carved into a tree as he shifted his eyes around to the shelves of bottles, containers, books, and trinkets belonging to the enchantress of the Everfree forest. Then as he looked to where he could hear the humming of a mare, he saw the back of a young mare who was sterilizing bandages nearby. As soon as his eyes locked on the nearby mare, they widened as he quickly tried to climb out of the bed he was laying on, “Zecora?”
As he rolled off the bed, his hooved met the ground but immediate went limp as he fell to the floor causing the Yellowish mare to turn to him as she rushed to him in worry, “Whoa easy now, Don’t try to stand… you were pretty banged up when I found ya, so you need to lay back down and rest.”
As she helped him back onto the bed Zeil rubbed his head, “S-sorry, I thought you were… never mind… Who are you? How did we get here?”
She smiled, “Oh sorry, I'm Apple Bloom. And after I found you I brought you back to Zecora’s hut for some potions to help your injuries. I'm sort of a student of hers so I knew which ones you needed. Seeing the rough shape you were in, you must have fought hard against Queen Chrysalis. Luckily you did it though, you managed to beat her and turn her back to stone. Kinda funny, I came out here as soon as I heard she escaped to warn Zecora, but then I find you out there turning her to stone, I was surprised. Ain’t too many ponies brave enough to take on Queen Chrysalis by their self.”
Worried, Zeil asked, “The spell I used to turn her to stone… how much of it did you see?”
She turned back to the cauldron she was cleaning the bandages in as she replied, “Not much, I only came around at the part where your eyes started glowing. It looked… like a cockatrice for a second… what was that?”
Zeil replied, “A forbidden spell… one that cost me a year off the end of my life. But… I already know that my death won't be natural so, it’s fine. Though… I didn’t expect the payment to take its toll on my body like it did.”
Apple Bloom smiled, “Well, I know better than to ask about forbidden spells, but either way, Princess Twilight will be happy to hear that Queen Chrysalis was captured before she could hurt anypony. Or… anypony else.”
Rubbing his sore arms, Zeil nodded, “Yea… sure she will be. Where… Where is Zecora?”
Apple bloom replied, “Well, I didn’t realize it till I got here, but its Thursday, so… she probably won't be back tonight.”
Zeil was confused, “What do you mean? Was she here when you got here?”
She shook her head, “No, on Tuesdays and Thursdays Zecora teaches magic to Princess Umbra, Princess Luna’s daughter. But on Thursdays, when she finished teaching she usually goes to the cliffs.”
Zeil was concerned, “the cliffs?”
Apple Bloom nodded, “Yea well, she goes there to wait for someone important to her. Does it every week, I wonder if he will ever co- wait…”
With a skeptic glance, Apple Bloom looked to Zeil as she asked, “What… what did you say your name was? I don’t think I caught it.”
As soon as he saw her skeptic look, Zeil realized what it meant as he spoke, “The cliffs.”
Quickly rolling back out of the bed, Zeil jumped up again, but like before his legs went limp as he hit the ground and struggled to pick himself up. However, with his sheer determination driving him, Zeil managed to stand himself up, before stumbling in his path towards the front door. With his stumble too quick for Apple Bloom to keep up, Zeil managed to regain enough control to walk just as he reached the door before opening it up and rushing outside. With each passing step up the trail, Zeil found himself walking faster and faster, until finally he regained enough control to run, then shortly after, sprint. As he continued down the road, Zeil started feeling less and less weakened from his earlier experience as he realized that the mid-day sun he passed out in after his fight with Chrysalis was now a dusk twilight.
Faster and faster in his run, Zeil passed a few familiar settings, a stream where he and Zecora meditated together multiple times, a post crossing over the same stream where he learned balance for the first time, then one more setting that actually caused him to pause. A clearing were a number of poison joke plants grew, to include a rusty spear that was sticking out of the ground with a slight lean. The same field where he was sent away in. Though he paused to look at the spear, it only slowed him for a moment, as he continued on, with voices echoing in his head from those met in his journey, “A mare to make one so determined, I would assume it is love in its truest form.” “I understand you loved that mare, and I feel it was an injustice that you were casted so far from her before even getting the chance to tell her the truth.” “A stallion traveling to the ends of the earth… There, isn’t a mare alive who would ignore devotion like that.” “When you meet with your lass, be sure to hold her close and never let go.” “Hurry colt, she’s waiting there for you!”
With the words driving him, Zeil started running faster and faster as his memories of the Trails returned to him, allowing him to make every turn needed to return to the one place he could never forget.
As he continued his sprint down an ever remembered trail, something caught his eye that he didn’t remember as he quickly halted his sprint which in his weakened stated caused him to fall over into an unexpected roll. After rolling to a sliding stop, Zeil picked himself up after coughing in exhaustion before looking to what it was that caused his sudden stop. Confused, Zeil looked to a Small plant that grew on the side of the trail, a Golden Joke. Confused as to how one could still exist with his absence, he looked further up the trail to see a second, then a third then a forth. Confused Zeil mumbled to himself, “Golden joke… they shouldn’t be still here unless the two they share love with are present… I wonder… how?”
At that moment, the last light of twilight fell over the horizon as the area became darker with the glowing of the golden jokes being the only light on the trail. With his very first spell lighting his way, Zeil continued down the trail only this time, he wasn’t sprinting like before, this time, he continued with a simple trot.
Continuing closer and closer, it wasn’t long before the small number of golden joke now lined both sides of the trail until Zeil found the trail leading out of the forest’s tree line, exposing a cliff on the opposite side, and a lone figure standing on its edge. As Zeil looked to the figure, he paused, Standing on the edge of the cliff, with her back turned to him, was Zecora. No vision, dream version, no illusion, or mistaken first glance, this was without a doubt, Zecora the Enchantress of the Everfree Forest. As he gazed upon the mare he loved who was dimly lit by the surroundings golden jokes, Zeil smiled as he started to step forward to speak, but as he did, he paused. For some reason, like before, many voices started to enter his mind, only this time, it was different, “We don’t feel love, we feed on it!” “Have you considered the thought that she is better off believing what she does?” “What about if she turns you away? What will you do then?” “Face it… You two, were never meant to be.”
With these words in his mind, Zeil with his hoof still in the air, hesitated for a few seconds as he sighed before muttering to himself too softly for anyone else to hear, “That may be… but we won't know till I try.”
With that Zeil completed his step as he took a few more closer to Zecora before bracing himself as he spoke, “Zecora?...”
Though there was a slight hesitation, Zecora slowly turned around as her eyes widened when she looked upon the stallion she loved as the two could only gaze onto one another for the first time, in almost one full decade.