Pain, searing pain is all I felt. Ow, feels like I went a few rounds in the ring against a buffalo. I couldn't seem was it night? No something feels like, my eyes are covered, bandana maybe? Why is it hard to breathe? I can't move my limbs, maybe my wings? Damnit, feels like I am strapped down! What the buck is going on, where the buck am I!
“Ah, the runt is finally awake then?”, a voice called out from somewhere, sounds female. But it sounded weird and unnatural, it sounded like the voice was layered?
“For a second there I thought the boys might have beaten him into a coma”, that voice! Phylum! The last thing I remember was him leading a bunch of guards and Medley....oh my god Medley!
“What the buck is going on here!? Phylum, where am I, wheres Medley!?”, I croaked, urgh my throat feels really dry. It feels like I haven't had a drop of water in hours. Suddenly a blinding pain hit the right side of my face, buck! Even though I can't see, I know what a sucker punch feels like when it hits.
“Shut it, Page! Save your energy for the main event”, what the hell is he talking about, what the buck is going on!?
“Now now, Phylum, you mustn't leave any more bruises than he already has! It will make fabricating this lie harder than it already is”, the mystery mare cooed. The sound of hoofsteps against stone echoed towards my direction and sounded like it stopped inches away from me. “Such a fragile thing you ponies are, I can't imagine the pain you must be in right now. Its a good thing that the other mare was my intended target, Medley was it? Anyways, you are very lucky the guards didn't beat her to a pulp as well”
Something cold brushed against my still aching cheek. It felt like a hoof but it was far too cold to be that of a pony, like a bug's shell. My heart quickened, oh please don't be what I think you are. That single thought repeated in my mind, I was freaking out and there was nothing I could do about it.
“What my sister sees in you I will never know. You are all the same to me, just food ripe for the taking. I care not for the reason but her attraction to you will serve its purpose in time”, the voice mused in my ear. I shuddered a bit against the feeling of her cold breath upon my ear. An image of her hovering over me just irked me even more.
Wait a second, attraction? Sister? Is she talking about Flare? Oh no, do they have her here too?
“What does this have to do with Flare? I swear to Celestia if you hurt her I'l-”, all of a sudden my throat felt like it was in a vice, somethings choking me! This didn't feel like hooves, it felt cold and fuzzy, magic?
“You poor fool, Flare this, Flare that, if only you knew”, once again that cold, cold hoof touched me, this time against my chest. Bucks sakes I would feel less freaked out if I could bucking see! As much as being under the mercy of two psychopaths is exciting, I would rather see it coming.
“If you did know her dirty little secret I doubt you would worry about her at all, my dear Page. And besides, why should you worry about her at all?”, something wet slid across my bruised cheek, oh shit don't tell me that is a tongue. What the buck.
“I am right here after all, my wittle Pagey wagey”, what in the, Flare? No, it can't be it, it sounds just like her....
“F-Flare? Is that you?”, I half croaked, half whimpered but nopony answered. Instead something pressed against my forehead, something sharp.
“Of course its me silly, just relax and listen to my voice”, I started to feel dizzy, my thoughts began to swirl. Flare's voice echoed in my mind, it felt so warm and inviting. But something felt off, I couldn't place my hoof on it but, it just felt wrong....
Relax my little pony, you are safe, just let go”, ah that feels so nice, maybe I should listen and just relax. Its so warm, I feel all giddy! The pain and fear from being a prisoner are so far away now, just gotta listen to my sweetheart
“That's it, listen to my thoughts. Become mine and obey me!” No, this is not right! This isn't Flare! Fight it Page, fight! I struggled, pushing the voice out from my mind as hard as I could. The one thought in my mind was of the real Flare, she would never do this to me. Whoever this was, she is not my love!
Then as soon as the warmth had came it was gone just like that, replaced with an empty cold feeling. I heard a gasp and somepony take a few steps away from me, then a low animal like growl followed, I think I nearly fainted.
“What? He resisted me! How could....ah, most impressive. So those feelings of yours are in fact legitimate then. And here I thought dear sister had really made you her personal love bug”, love bug? What in the world does that even mean? Wait a second, she couldn't be saying Flare is a cha-ow my head. Maybe I should stop thinking big thoughts, ouch, bucking migraine outta nowhere.
“So what does that mean exactly, I thought you cheeselegs had the wwhole indoctrination trick down?”, cheeselegs and indoctrination? Oh Celestia he's talking about changelings isn't he. Buck, that means that....I was just mind raped by a changeling! How am I going to explain that one to Flare?
“Ugh, I would ask of you to stop referring to my kind to a dairy product, Phylum. And as for my failing, it seems his affection for her counterbalances my advances. Its like the love between them acts like a barrier, and it feels like genuine love to me. How disgustingly annoying. But no matter, I need not break him for this plan to work, a pity though I was going to enjoy watching her reaction to her colttoy loving me instead of her. “
The grip around my throat finally loosened and a new sensation rippled against the back of my head. She was untying the blindfold! A second later I was blinded by light, blinking a few times I found myself in a sort of cell in a rather big room. It looked like those cells in Canterlot prison, and don't ask, just know I have had my fill of incarceration just for my family name.
And there in the middle stood Phylum garbed in what looked to be royal guard armor, but it looked weird. It was like a body suit of some sort with crystal pauldrons, a helmet with a crystal on the forehead rested under his forehoof. Next to him was a sight that made my blood run cold. There stood the changeling, a wicked smile on her face. She looked much different compared to those pictures in biology, her figure was far to lithe to be that of a drone. Perhaps she is higher in the food chain or something, maybe royalty?
Now that is a scary thought, I may be in the presence of evil royalty, bucking perfect. Besides that she had short blue hair that looked well taken care of. On her head proudly stood a hook shaped looking horn, and her eyes, cat like and azure in color. She was garbed in royal guard armor different to Phylum's and she was at least two heads higher than him! And for some reason she looks oddly alluring, well as far as changelings go I suppose.
A groan sounded to my right, straining my head past my chains I saw a sight that instantly gave me relief. Medley! She's alive! And unlike me she is on the ground in a cell opposite of mine, well at least she isn't chained up like I am. She looked a little messy but otherwise she looks unharmed.
“Yes, your friend is alive and well, its a shame she had to be a part of this.” The changeling said while giving Phylum a death glare. Phylum visibly flinched as if the glare itself smacked him in the face. I held back a chuckle, I don't think laughing out loud will bode well for my health in this situation.
“It wasn't my fault! I had no idea she was even in the apartment and I was told it was just the runt inside! Besides, can't have her being a loose end and snitching!”, Phylum uncharacteristically shrieked as he stood his ground. The changeling just rolled her eyes in response. Phylum ran a worried hoof through his pink hair and I caught a glimpse of something glint in the dull candlelight. A bracelet, and not just any bracelet. That is the bracelet Flare gave me when we started dating!
“Hey! Give me back my bracelet, Phylum!”, Phylum chuckled and dangled his hoof out to me, taunting me.
“You aint gonna need it where you're going kid! Don't worry though, I will keep it nice and safe, maybe pawn it I dunno. His words hit me like a bag of bricks, reminding me that I will most likely die down here. At least the bracelet is still in one piece, unlike me right now.
The bracelet itself was of simple design, a silver band that had a line of green crystals going all around it. Flare gave it to me as a gift, telling me that I would always be with her if I wore it. Something about how it would bring us together if we were apart. Sure it sounded cheesy, but I simply adored it, I never got gifts since mother died. You could see why I treasured it so much.
Just as Phylum finished his taunting the bracelet began glowing faintly, I didn't think any of it at the time. Probably from the candles, that's what I thought anyway. The changeling however eyed it, a flash of fascination in her cat like eyes. Without a word she snatched the bracelet off of Phylum and examined it.
“Hey, finders keepers Gynaephora!”, so that is her name? Definitely sounds like a name a changeling would have I suppose. Sounds creepy and everything. Anyways, the changeling now known as Gynaephora held the bracelet in a delicate manner, like it would break at the slightest touch. A few moments later she giggled to herself and gave it back to Phylum whom greedily slid it back on his hoof.
“Clever girl, always thinking a step ahead, not bad.”, Gynaephora said silently. Who was this sister she is talking about, I am so bucking confused. “We will probably see her in about thirty minutes give or take.”
Phylum grimaced at her words as he absentmindedly fiddling with the bracelet.
“So we don't have a lot of time then huh? This put a dent in your plans, cheeselegs?”, Gynaephora sneered at the comment but otherwise kept her cool. Shaking her head Gynaephora closed her eyes and hummed thoughtfully.
“It makes things a little bit different, but who doesn't like a little exciting diversi-”, Gynaephora stopped, her ears perked towards the door listening to something I couldn't hear.
“Suit up, Phylum. The royal fool is on her way”
Phylum's eyes widened, nodding quickly as he put on the odd helmet he was holding while the changeling burst into blue flames. The flames disappeared and there stood a stoic looking mare in her in Gynaephora's place. She was pure white with grey eyes, a buzz cut hairstyle ordained her scalp. Whatever her cutie mark was it was blocked by the armor. If my life wasn't in so much danger I would probably be amazed by the sight of the transformation, the books doesn't give it enough justice.
A series of clinks and clanks echoed from the a door I hadn't noticed before. Some ten seconds later the sounds finally stopped, just how many locks are on that door? After the last clank the door swung open and in came somepony I thought I would never see personally in my life. It was none other than the princess of the night herself, Luna. As she trotted in she was closely followed by two guards garbed in gothic armor, her personal elite I presume. If I wasn't in this predicament I would be clambering for an autograph, but I think begging for freedom would be just as good.
I tried to scream out to her to warn her of the changeling and Phylum but I only managed to choke out a dry cough. That bitch Gynaephora's choking bucked up my damn throat making it impossible to speak. Luna raised an eyebrow at my poor attempt at communication, casting a stern glare to Phylum and Gynaephora.
“We had ordered you to take in this criminal without harming him, and yet we see our prisoner bruised and beaten? Explain thine self captain”, the princess of the night's voice was cold as she approached me. Luna was much taller in person, she literally towered over me. And I couldn't even curl myself into a ball since I was chained up, there goes my defense mechanism.
Luna was just inches away as she examined me a moment and charged her horn in a blue hue. Without warning she cast a spell, tendrils of magical energy poured out from her horn and seeped into my skin. Flinching at the cold sensation reflexively I expected my heart to stop or something. Instead the burning throbs scattered across my body turned into much less painful aches. At least I feel less like I got hit by a train.
“The prisoner we deemed Page had retaliated against us as we detained him. He was like a rabid animal, princess. It was the best we could do”, Gynaephora explained. But it was all lies, I didn't even fight! They just broke in and beat me unconscious, I have to try to say something!
“Urk, t-t-t-that's a l-lie!”, I croaked, and bucking hell it was excruciating to say just that. Luna frowned at me and cast another spell, this one aimed at my throat.
“Be still for a moment, this will ease your pain so you can speak”, Luna said in a soothing voice as she worked her magic. Another set of tendrils entangled my throat and disappeared into it. Instantly my throat felt much less raw, oh by Celestia's great ass, that feels so much better. “Now tell me, what has happened to you? Is there anything we should know about, we promise to lessen your sentence if you regale your point of view.”
The princess placed a reassuring hoof against my bruised cheek as she spoke. Only lessen my sentence huh? So I really am in deep shit then? I looked to Phylum and Gynaephora, their faces bore no expression. Anything I say next will make my life hell and I doubt she will believe me. Buck it, gotta at least try.
“F-for starters, that captain of yours is a bucking changeling, princess!”, Luna squinted her eyes in disbelief and looked over at the duo whom just shrugged their shoulders.
“I told you earlier that ponies indoctrinated by changelings still have residual effects of influence in their mind. We broke him out of his bond but I have no idea how deep the damage to his psyche is. He's probably still under the changeling's influence, ma'am.”
Luna nodded in agreement, oh come on don't believe her!
“That's a lie! I am sane, I swear on your sister's life that I am sane! I was just in my apartment with my friend over there and suddenly those psychopaths break in! They just beat me within an inch of my life and I woke up here, I swear!”
Luna looked me straight in the eyes as I spoke, her eyes scrutinizing my own. I saw a sense of doubt in her eyes, I hope it was enough for her to believe me. I had to try harder!
“Please, please believe me princess! I've done nothing wrong! I am innocent and the real criminals are behind you!”, I begged Luna, practically screaming at the top of my lungs as I struggled against my chains. Gynaephora just chuckled along with Phylum.
“He is clearly delirious, princess. Respectfully ma'am, unless know the spell to detect changeling presences we can't even try to see if he is speaking from indoctrination.”
“What? No no no, don't believe her princess!”, I wanted to say more but my hope died as I saw the look of uncertainty on Luna's face. She shook her head and turned to leave, my heart dropped, she doesn't believe me.
“You are right captain, it is a shame we had not taken the time to speak to Twilight about the spell. For now we shall take our leave and return soon with her, as of now she is the only one that knows what to look for, and min sister is unavailable. Terrible timing for diplomatic meetings, but no matter, we shall return soon, captain.”
Luna gave me one last look, a hint of sadness and apprehension in her features. She nodded to Phylum and Gynaephora and left with her guards. And just like that she was gone, my last hope at getting out of here gone. I couldn't believe it, she didn't believe me.
“Heh, seems not even Luna herself believed you Page. Such a shame, but soon the last piece will fall and I will have you to thank. Don't feel so bad, you are not entirely useless you know. Your family name will leave a mark on history like you always wanted. But I suppose not in the way you wanted it to turn out though, a Breakwatt harboring a fugitive that led to the murder of the two princesses, such a smudge on your already broken history.”
What in the? How the buck does she know that? And oh my Celestia, killing the princesses? What is she planning? Who is this fugitive she keeps referring too? I don't understand!
“I know plenty about you, Page. And you will be a proper scapegoat for what I have planned.”, I glared daggers at her, I was tired of being used. But there is nothing I can do about it so I just hung my head in defeat.
“What are you going to do?”, I muttered. She just laughed and sure enough Phylum joined cackling along with her as he approached me.
“Don't worry your little head about it squirt. Just sit back and relax, it'll all be over soon enough!”, with a growl he pulled on my chains causing them to dig into my flesh. I yelped at the pain and they just laughed and laughed. Great, stuck in a cell with Medley along with these crazies down in
Celestia knows where part of some evil plan. And I will most likely never see the light of day again and die along with Medley, what a cheery thought. At least Flare and Stonewall are safe somewhere, at least I hope so....
Meanwhile....
The sound of air whipping against my ears was deafening, I was flying faster than I have ever before. My body burned with pain, screaming for me to stop my stressing. But I couldn't, not until I have Page in my arms safe and sound. And so I heeded my instincts and disregarded the alarms sounding in my body to stop as I scoured Canterlot from above. Every few minutes I would raise my right hoof to take a look at my bracelet, looking for the tell tale glow.
This is the one thing that I can use to find him, I just hope he still had it on him when he was taken.
“For bucks sakes slow the hell down! I know your worried about them, I am too, but if you keep this up your going to burn yourself out!”, Squelch's voice broke me out of my trance.
I flared my wings, stopping myself instantly as I hovered in the air. Looking behind me I was met with the worried face of Squelch. I nearly forgot about him, I could barely think about anything that wasn't about Page's safety, I have to pull myself together. I took a shaky breath and tried to calm the still ever present urges. I recollected my thoughts but I still couldn't keep myself from talking with a low growl.
“Can't stop, have to find him, keep up or I leave you behind!”, I growled at Squelch and turned to continue my flying but stopped at the sensation of something clamping down on my tail.
“Would you lishen fur a shecond!?”, looking over my shoulder I found Squelch holding my tail in his mouth. I growled at him, hoping it would be enough to let me go but he just glared back. I didn't have time for this! In one swift motion I flicked my tail and flung him into the air and caught him by his throat. I wasn't thinking clearly, and I fear what would have happened if Squelch didn't snap me out of my trance.
How did he snap me out of it? To put it bluntly, he punched me right on the muzzle. I grunted in pain, releasing my hooves off of Squelch and to my now bleeding muzzle.
“Sorry, but you are bucking crazy! Please tell me your thinking clearly now?”, Squelch asked, his voice laced with worry. He needn't worry, that punch did the trick. The pain brought me out of my trance and finally I could think clearly.
“Yeah, thank you for that”, I said as I wiped the blood from my muzzle. I prodded my teeth with my tongue and found I hadn't lost any. Thank the gods for that.
“So, uh, whats the plan? You still haven't told me how we are going to find em. I hope you don't think we are gonna search every building, cause I doubt that's gonna work”, Squelch said while he looked down to the city below. He was right about that but I didn't intend to go on a warpath through Canterlot.
“I plan to use something mother gave me when she visited a few days ago, she gave me this”, I hung the bracelet out for Page to see. He raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders. I sighed, really?
“Mother gave me two of these, one for me and one for Page. She explained that it would help me find him if he ever strayed too far from me. It is enchanted to glow when near the presence of its sister bracelet if I cast a little of my magic on it”, I explained. Squelch nodded in acknowledgment, rubbing a hoof along his chin thoughtfully.
“So with that we can find Page and Medley huh? So any sign of it glowing?”, I shook my head at his question. Squelch frowned, obviously not happy with my answer.
“But I do have a good idea of where they might be, come!”, and with that I flexed my wings and went back to flying. Although at a much slower speed than last time. And so Squelch and I scoured the city for one particular area. That area was the barracks that Gynaephora and I had infiltrated together when I indoctrinated Grunt. Lo and behold my bracelet began to glow faintly as we approached the structure.
I began my descent down into an alleyway with Squelch close behind. I caught a glimpse of the area around the barracks, several guards patrolled the fenced grounds. They never did that, after all of my infiltration missions I have never seen the guards move in such focused formation. Gynaephora was here, I am certain of it.
“Ahah! Its glowing! So I take it we gotta sneak inside that guard infested building huh? Well that doesn't sound so hard”, Squelch said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at him, this wasn't the time for his antics. “So what's the plan? We disguise ourselves as guardsmen off duty and just slip in all casual like and get in get out with Page and Medley?”
Now that wasn't a bad idea, it would be easy enough to sneak inside. But I wasn't in the mood for subtlety, a wicked idea came to mind.
“Just follow my lead, it'll be a blast”, I let loose a throaty growl as I spoke. The urges began to rise again at just the thought of the carnage I was about to unleash. Sure my rational side screamed for me to reconsider, but for once I think I will indulge in my instincts for a little bit. Squelch and I left the alley and into the crowds of ponies in the streets. There was a wall of ponies blocking my way to the barracks as they went along their day. It looked like a busy day in Canterlot, it was a little bit crowded for my tastes.
“I think it would be a pain to walk through that crowd, no?”, I grinned at Squelch and he just gave me a confused look. The next thing I did was unbelievably foolish, but I didn't regret it a single bit. Willing away my disguise I let the flames of change burn Flare away. Everypony just stared at me, fear in their eyes as they found themselves in the presence of evil old me. A few ponies gasped, others just muttered prayers and some just passed out from fright.
Oh how I missed this, being feared by everypony but I didn't have the time to appreciate their horror.
“Boo!”, that single unleashed hell. One mare screamed and like a domino effect a chorus of blood curdling cries sounded about the streets, it was music to my ears. All of the ponies ran in every direction, clearing a path straight to the barracks. And now for that pesky fence wall, I mustered my magic to the tip of my horn and fired. Boom, that's the only sound I heard as a orb of green energy flew to the wall and blew a hole through it and the building behind it.
And like ants guards swarmed out of the hole and surrounded Squelch and I. Squelch finally ditched his disguise and took a defensive stance in front of me, shielding me with his wings. I just giggled at his actions and gently pushed him aside. The guards didn't even flinch, such a shame. They should have run along with everypony else.
With a toothy grin I bowed my head at the guards, touching my horn to the cobblestone street. The guards looked to each other in confusion and at that moment I surged a blast of magical energy into the ground around me. The effect was a spectacular shockwave that flung the guards into nearby buildings with a satisfying smack. I always wanted to use that spell, I had to thank mother for all those hours droning about spells later.
All of the exterior guards are unconscious and I still feel peppy, excellent. With my path now clear I trotted at a brisk pace past the gates and towards the gaping hole in the building's structure. Once inside I saw that the interior looked much cleaner than the last time I visited with Gynaephora. Well, as clean as a room that was covered in dust, rubble and several bodies that is.
“By the gods Chrysalis, we are so bucked! Did you really have to make such a damn scene!?”, Squelch sounded genuinely worried as he yelled at me. I just ignored him and raised my forehoof out and inspected my bracelet. It was glowing much more brightly now, we are close.
“I mean, bucking sakes the crowd of ponies seeing you was one thing but that explosion is bound to send the royal guard coming!”, he had a point, I doubt just the two of us can hold off a small army. I started to regret my little show outside, only a little bit though.
“We have about thirty minutes at the most before they organize themselves, but we are in the right place, follow me.”
Squelch sighed and begrudgingly followed me as we watched for a change in the bracelet's glow. After moments of searching the bracelet led us to a staircase leading down, most likely to a storage room or basement. The room itself was nothing to write home about, just a small room stocked with a few crates here and there. This couldn't be it, we are missing something.
“Dead end? Hm, you sure that bracelet isn't broken or something?”, Squelch mused as he leaned against a crate. I ignored him and followed the glow to one of the far off walls, my bracelet was glowing furiously now. Perhaps a hidden entryway lay behind this wall? One way to find out.
“Hey I found a switch behind this cra-BOOM!”, before Squelch could finish his sentence I did a repeat of that ball of death in the streets against the wall, albeit in a much smaller size. As the dust settled where the wall once stood there lay a dusty passageway behind it.
“Son of a bitch, would you look at that!”, I rolled my eyes at Squelch's astute observation and went down the passageway. Squelch followed closely behind as we descended down into the depths. Thankfully there were rows of torches lining the walls, someone was definitely home. “Oh boy, here that?”
I twitched my ears forward, and indeed there was a sound. The tell tale rattle of chainmail echoed down the tunnel. We had company on its way, and it sounds like a dozen, maybe two. We kept our pace however, no need to run headfirst into a possible ambush. Eventually we found ourselves in a clearing of sorts, a big circular room that had several archways all around the room leading down different passageways. It was like a crossroads of sorts.
“Bucking perfect, these could lead anywhere!”, Squelch cursed.
“That's what the bracelet is for kiddo”, I said quietly as I approached the passageways. Squelch facehooved and followed me as I raised my bracelet to each archway. One by one each tunnel came up with no change on my bracelet. I almost gave up hope until the last passageway made it spike up suddenly. We are almost there! But we haven't seen neither tail or hide of those guards I hear earlier, I don't like this.
“Alright, the brighter the glow, the closer we are right? Well after you, fearless leader!”, I shook my head at his comment but continued on. Every few steps I listened for the sound of those guards we heard earlier. It wasn't long until we reached the end of the tunnel and arrived to a intimidating looking door. The thing looked ancient, a rusted metal door literally covered in locks. My bracelet was glowing to the point where it looked like a small sun, Page has to be behind this thing. I pressed an ear to the door, two sets of voices spoke, it was muffled but I could hear one male and one female.
“Well a bunch of rusty old locks and us with no keys, after you loca”, I grinned at his nickname choice, fitting for my current state. With a flick of my horn I charged up the same explosive spell and let loose on the seemingly impenetrable door. The door merely crumpled into nothingness, not even a shard of metal was left after I was done. Squelch and I hurried inside and what I saw brought both great relief and anger to me.
Two cells each holding our respective sweetheart, Medley lay on her stomach in hers, looking no worse for wear aside from her messy coat. In the other cell Page hung from some sort of contraption, his front arms tied above his head with rusty chains. He looked like he had been through hell, his body was cut and bruised. Gynaephora was going to suffer for this, I started to feel the heat in my body grow at the image of her throat in my hooves, oh she would pay. But first I had to embrace him, kiss him and make sure he is-
“Q-Queen Chrysalis! Oh buck, p-please don't hurt us, don't hurt Page! Those other two have already done enough!”, my heart dropped, I forgot about my disguise! I had to say something, buck, how am I going to explain this? I took a step towards them with a small smile but the small movement caused both Page and Medley whimper in fear. Was I really that scary?
“Don't hurt Page! If you are going to hurt somepony hurt me! Just don't hu-S-S-Stonewall?”, my eyes widened, how in the? I looked over to Squelch who looked just as surprised. Medley cautiously got up from her resting spot, her eyes never leaving Squelch. “Is that you? Don't bucking lie to me, I know its you!”
“How did find out so quickly?”, Squelch asked surprised as he dashed to her cell. When he got close enough Medley thrust her hooves through the cell bars and wrapped her arms around him.
“Your eyes dummy, their the same color and everything”, Medley explained, nuzzling her head into the crook of his neck. Either she is very perspective or she is really foolish, maybe a bit of both.
“Well thats one thing, but how do you know I'm not just some random changeling?”, I would like to know the answer to that one as well. Medley just giggled.
“Your eyes gave me the first clue, but you have the same voice, so I put two and two together”, Squelch facehooved and so did I. I never even noticed it until now, he didn't even disguise his voice, bucking Squelch. After I let the two of them hug it out I took my time unlocking the two cells. And by unlocking I mean I blew off the locks. As soon as the cell door had opened Medley leaped at Squelch, planting kiss after kiss on the now red faced changeling. Suddenly she stopped kissing him and slapped him right across his face.
“That's for not coming here sooner! This is for deceiving me with that disguise!”, slap after slap she assaulted poor Squelch's face. I almost felt bad for him, almost. Suddenly she dove in and smothered him with her lips. Sure enough the two love birds began making out then and there. Ugh, I could just barf.
“Mmm, yep, now I definitely know its you now~”, Medley cooed, bumping her muzzle against Squelches as their slobberfest ended. “So, what should I call you? I don't think your real name is Stonewall, is it?”
“Nah, just call me Squelch, yeah I know, not as rough and tough as Stonewall right?”, Medley's response was just to nuzzle against his cheek.
“I think its a cute name for a cute changeling”, oh barf.
I turned my attention to the still handing stallion in the other cell. Without a word I brought him down from his bindings, gently lowering him to the ground in my magic. Page winced slightly as he landed on his hooves, but he looked like he would manage.
“I didn't see that one coming, never thought I shared an apartment with a changeling”, Page muttered as he watched the slobber fest between Medley and Squelch. “So, changelings breaking us out of a deathly situation, what a Friday.”
“Do you know who I am?”, I asked softly. Page flinched at my question and nodded slowly, his eyes trailing up my body until finally meeting my gaze.
“Queen Chrysalis, yeah? So um, not trying to complain or anything, but why are you helping me and Medley out huh?”, okay, moment of truth, its now or never! I willed my disguise and transformed into the mare he trusted for so long.
“I came here to rescue somepony near and dear to my heart, Page”, Page's eyes were wide as dinner plates. His mouth was agape and his ears splayed back, I think I broke him.
“No, no, no, no no....you? She? Why?”, Page shook his head as he spoke, backing away from me until his back hit the wall.
“Calm down my love”, I said in the softest tone I could manage, but Page wasn't having any of it.
“Calm down? You want me to calm down!? My marefriend is a changeling, and you no less and you want me to calm down!?”, Page shrieked. If past experiences were to be trusted, Page was just going to go into panic, so I willed my disguise away and stayed silent, waiting for him to calm himself.
“So what, was all of this fake? The love and everything I felt? Was I just food to you?”, Page questioned, his voice was calm and unemotional but his emotions said otherwise. Negative emotions poured out of him, the very same ones that had appeared when he tried to kill himself. I had to choose my next words carefully or risk losing him.
“In the beginning, yes. I came to Bravehills college to complete a mission to regain my queenhood. My first day of school I met you, and you know the rest after that. I was failing my classes and got sent to tutor under you. I became your friend just so I could use your knowledge from our tutoring sessions. It was all part of my plan, my plan to regain what I had lost. But when you nearly killed yourself, when you poured your heart out to me about your past and your life....I started to grow attached to you. As much as a lie as it sounds, I found that I had been slowly falling in love with you since the beginning”
Page was silent as he listened, a stoic expression is all he had and not a single twinge of emotion in his features.
“I found myself drawn to you, I never fell in love with anypony or changeling for that matter. But I knew I was falling for you, I wanted to tell you sooner. But shit happens as you can see. Just know that I truly love you.”
Silence, deathly silence. Moment after agonizing moment passed as Page just looked at me in silence. I feared his reaction, and I couldn't read his emotions, it was all steady and null. Finally after a painfully long moment of silence Page trotted past me and out of his cell.
“I believe you”, I sighed in relief, oh thank the gods he believes me.
“But I don't know what to do about this, about us”, Page said as he gestured a hoof between him and I. “I need to think about this, just, leave me be.”
My heart felt like somepony had thrust a knife into it. Those are the words of somepony would say before a break up. But I respected his wishes and let him stew in his thoughts. What else could I do? He had just found out he was being used, and by somepony he loved. He had every right to reject me, but that didn't mean I was okay with it.
I took a deep breath and steadied my thoughts, my friends needed a leader, not a emotionally distraught fool.
“Lets go, we don't have much time before the royal guard arrives”, with that said I led my group out of the room. Occasionally I would look over to Page expecting him to reach up and kiss me and take me back. But he just kept his eyes forward, letting out cold feelings every so often. Short moments later we found ourselves back at the crossroads. But something felt different, it was already quiet before but now it felt like we were being watched.
Suddenly droves of guards came out of the other archways, I counted at least two dozen, each one bearing a spear or a sword. But that wasn't what surprised me, its the being in front of the group that made things interesting. There stood a changeling who looked remarkably like Squelch garbed in azure blue armor, Shell. The only difference was that his mane was tied in a ponytail. Squelch took a step towards the changeling, disbelief in his eyes.
“Brother? Shell is that you?”, Squelch's voice was low and quiet as he approached his sibling. But before he could take another step Shell flared his wings and growled at him, teeth bared. “Brother its me! Squelch!”
Shell didn't say a word as he glared at Squelch with glassy eyes. I remember the look in those eyes, dead and empty. Gynaephora you monster.
“Squelch, that isn't Shell, not anymore”, I said darkly. Squelch looked to his brother and back to me, a look of confusion in his eyes. “She broke him, he's just like the rest of them.”
“No, no, no, no! Brother snap out of it! Its me your brother! Cmon!”, Squelch pleaded as he tried to take another step towards his brother. The only response he got was another bestial growl from the broken changeling.
We didn't have a lot of options, if we were by ourselves we could have taken them easily. But with Page and Medley with us, it makes things complicated. But I wasn't able to think of a plan fast enough, and it looked like we had to wing it. I looked to Squelch and he gave me a small smile and a wink. Oh don't you bucking dare you fool!
“Go, take Medley and Page with you and get the buck out of here!”, Squelch roared, charging into his brother, sending him and Shell tumbling into the group of guards. Without a second thought I grabbed Page and Medley in my grasp, hooking one arm around both of them and flew. With the guards swarming around the two growling changelings it gave me an opening to one of the archways. I had no idea where it lead to, but I didn't have any other choice.
“Squelch! Go back! We can't leave him behind!”, Medley screamed, punching her hooves into my sides.
“He will be just fine, Squelch may not be the brightest but he can hold his own”, I gave Medley a reassuring squeeze as I flew. “You will see him again, I promise.”
I half lied half spoke the truth, sure he was tough but there were so many of them....no, he will be fine. If he dies I am going to bucking kill him for being so stupid!
The sounds of battle died down to nothing but an echo as I flew. Damn this tunnel is long, where the buck does it lead? Not even a moment later my question had been answered. By some dumb luck I had flown down the tunnel that led back to the barracks. The sunlight was welcoming and finally we were free. I set down my precious cargo and turned back to the tunnels.
“You two wait here, I'm going back for Sque-”, I couldn't finish my sentence as something flung me like a ragdoll. Everything went by so fast, one second I was inside the ruins of the barracks, and now I was out in the streets of Canterlot. Everything was spinning, my skull was pounding, what just happened?
“Don't tell me that was enough to put you down sister, I thought you had more fight in you than that!”, my sister's words sounded so far away. I shook my head of my dizziness and found myself face to face with none other than Gynaephora, Phylum by her side as well as a entourage of guards.
“I was wondering when you were going to show your ugly mug around here, sister”, I spat as I brought myself back on stable hooves. I quickly glanced around for Page and Medley, I couldn't see them. “So, Phylum's your new pet?”
“Ah yes, Phylum, remember him I take it? Wondering how he knows everything once more? Well I knew you broke him during your temper tantrum, mother told me everything and I merely just awoken the parts of him you locked away. At first he feared me, but when I dangled the promise of revenge against Page and you, well, we just became best friends I'd say. He is quite loyal when you get to know him, such a sweety pie, isn't that right, Phylum?”
“You got that right, and when were done with you, when we beat your bug ass into the ground? You and I are going to have a very long chat! And after that? Well, me and Gynaephora are going to retire someplace nice and tropical!”, Phylum sneered. Really? It took barely took them a day to get hooked up? Ew I can imagine the offspring now, yuck.
“We shall see about that you worm. And when I am done with you? I won't be nice this time with your memories, Phylum.”, I said in the coldest tone I could muster. It had the positive effect of making Phylum take a step back, heh, coward.
“I still do not know your reasons, sister. Why do all of this, I doubt that you just did all of this to kill me?”, I asked.
“You were down in the tunnels, do you know their significance?”, I stayed silent, I didn't actually, but I know she would tell me.
“Those were old passageways once used by the royal guard as a emergency escape route from the castle. My plan was to lure you down there and kill you, with you gone I could enact my final plan by bringing all of the brain washed guards to infiltrate the castle. And with them inside I could easily strike a coup d'etat, removing the princess of the sun and moon in one stroke. But you made things significantly more difficult, alerting the royal guard with that light show of yours was not helpful by any means.”
By the gods, Gynaephora you ambitious runt. With the princesses gone she could overtake Canterlot quick and efficiently. Mother would be furious that she would even consider such a plan. Thankfully I put an end to her original plan, I have her above ground and nowhere to go.
“Killing you and your little emotional love bug was just the icing on the cake”, Phylum sneered.
“Anyways, speaking of extra baggage , where is your coltfriend, sister? Did he run away already? A lot of good that true love gets you huh?”, Gynaephora said smugly. So Page and Medley ran away, at least they are safe now, all that is left is to put this bitch in her place.
“Doesn't matter, its just you and me now, Gynaephora!”, I charged her, horn aimed right for her chest. As I predicted her entourage immediately formed a defensive wall between me and her. So she thinks she can stop me with a few guards? Well you aren't the only one with a trump card. I stopped in my tracks, and spoke one single word.
“Ouroboros!”, the instant I uttered that single word the guards stood up straight and bowed their heads. You didn't think I had forgotten all of those missions I spent brainwashing the guard did I?
“We follow you, mistress”, they all said in unison. I smirked, thank gods that worked. Gynaephora looked absolutely dumbfounded, looks like she forgot about our brain washing missions. What a block headed idiot.
“Attack Gynaephora!”, I ordered, and like a charm my new henchmen threw themselves at my sister. One by one they charged but their efforts were fruitless as they were tossed aside like ragdolls. Phylum stunned the guards with his magic and Gynaephora flung them about with her own spells. They were quite a team I'll give them that. My goal wasn't to win with the guards, I simply wanted to get rid of them and wear Gynaephora out in the process. But it was a guilty pleasure to watch all of those guards get tossed about like nothing.
However all good things must come to an end and I found myself with just Gynaephora and Phylum left. No words were said between us as we each took a defensive stance, circling each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. I chose to act first, casting a barrage of magical bolts at Phylum. He didn't have time to react and just took every single bolt, screaming out in pain. Gynaephora dove in front of the bolts and shielded herself and Phylum in a bubble of magical energy that absorbed the bolts.
“Is that all you've got? I expected more!”, she roared, exploding the bubble in a deadly shrapnel explosion. I barely had enough time to cast a shield of my own, if I was a second too late I would have a few extra holes besides the ones in my hooves. Before I could retaliate Gynaephora and Phylum began pounding my shield, shooting off all kinds of magic against me. Fire balls, frost spears, telekinetic blasts, they unleashed everything they got. But it wasn't enough, they hadn't even manage to make a dent in my shield.
“Keep hiding behind that shield, dear sister! You are only good at protecting yourself! If only you hadn't left Page alone!”, my focus faltered at the mention of my stallion. But it was enough to cause a crack to appear on my shield. I had to ignore her! I had to focus!
“You should have heard him squeal, he was calling out your name, Flare! Flare come save me! How bucking pathetic, how do you fall in love with a weakling like that?”, Phylum's words broke my concentration. I felt the urges start pushing back into my psyche, and I didn't have Squelch here to knock some sense into me. I had to concentrate, can't lose myself now!
“He didn't even stick around to help you, you are all alone, even useless little Page saw how much of a lost cause you were!”, that was the last straw, buck being level headed! I let the instincts take over, and boy did it feel good.
“Would you shut the buck up!?”, I roared, dispelling my shield and charging ahead. With my horn blazing in magic I reached out to the buildings around me and tore out chunks of concrete and wood. I threw them with all of my might at Gynaephora and Phylum. They reflected them back but they weren't fast enough, and I was just getting started. Twenty meters away, that's how much distance was left between them and I. I had to mix things up, throwing chunks of buildings would only get me so far.
I had an idea, a sneaky idea and it was devious enough to work. Charging up the same explosive spell I used against the barracks I focused every bit of magic I had left and blasted. But instead of a orb of explosive energy, I sent out a small sphere, which Gynaephora and Phylum side stepped with ease.
“Hah! Is that it? Getting tired dear sister?”, Gynaephora laughed, oh laugh it up bitch. I said nothing and just pointed a hoof behind them. What they saw turned their smiles upside down, that little sphere turned ten times its size when they weren't looking. And it was coming right back at them.
“Bang!”, and so it did. The entire world was bathed in a bright green light, and a sound of thunder rocked the city block. My ears were ringing but besides that I was still standing, Gynaephora and Phylum weren't so lucky. Phylum lay on his side, still conscious and Gynaephora was struggling to stand up.
“I call that one the slingshot, fitting name don't you think, sister?”, I said in a smug tone as I approached her. She mumbled something under her breath and coughed up a glob of blood at her hooves. “Its over Gynaephora, try to move and I will make sure you spend a few weeks in a full body cast.”
“Nice trick, but you aren't the only one with a ace up your sleeve!”, in one swift motion Gynaephora used the last of her energy to send a ethereal link between her horn and Phylum's. I moved to stop whatever she was planning but it was too late, and I was thrown back by a blast of magic. The next sound I hear turned my blood cold, the sound of somepony screaming bloody murder, and it was Phylum. I saw a horrific sight, there lay Phylum writhing in agony as his very essence left his body. He was being drained, his muscle and fat turned to bone, his skin and hair began to gray with age, his horn crumbled away into dust. Gynaephora on the other hand had the opposite effect, her wounds began to heal and her eyes glowed a bright azure blue.
“What are you doing to me? Why, Gynaephora?”, Phylum croaked, his voice sounded like he was an ancient old stallion. My sister laughed maniacally and continued her spell, draining Phylum of his very life force.
“Just making your life worth something, Phylum. You really think I would have shared the throne with you by my side? Hah! You are worth more as energy!” , Gynaephora giggled crazily as she sucked Phylum dry until there was nothing but skin and bones left.
“Gynaephora, what have you done? You used dark magic!”, I was horrified and not because only because of Phylum's demise but because my sister had resorted to such tactics. Using any kind of dark magic is forbidden even among my kind, there is a reason not even our kind would resort to such lowliness. She performed a blood pact for gods sakes, killing is one thing but sacrificing the very soul of another is corrupt. And now I have to deal with a fully charged Gynaephora mad with power, fanbuckingtastic.
“Is that fear I hear in your voice, sister? What happened to the big and bad Chrysalis?”, Gynaephora cooed, circling me like a predator would do with her prey. Her eyes were fizzling with azure flames as magical energy seemed to ooze out of her glowing eyes. Every breath she took she exhaled puffs of blue smoke. Blue flames covered her hooves and horn, her mane turned into ethereal flowing fire with a life of its own. She transformed herself into a monster, this is no longer the sister I once knew, this was an abomination.
“And here I thought the change would be an improvement, personally I like your old look better.”, I taunted, hoping I could reach whatever is left of Gynaephora's original self in the monster in front of me. For a second her eyes shimmered back to normal, but they morphed back to the soulless pools of pure azure a second later.
“Nice try, sister. But this form is here to stay!”, the monster now known as Gynaephora roared as she attacked. Blast after magic blast she was relentless. I couldn't even fight back, dodging back and forth all around the city block barely inches away from her. I had to stop her but how? I was running on reserves and only had enough energy for one last attack. So I did something stupid, I attacked directly.
I thrust my horn at her, swinging the sharp edges of it to try and cut her. But every time I lunged she was already a few steps ahead. It all seemed fruitless, and I was running out of steam. And Gynaephora noticed, taking advantage of my sluggish movements and copied way of attacking. Stab, stab, thrust, one move after another she kept on the pressure. She was toying with me, and there was nothing I could do about it.
No, there was one thing I could do, and if I messed up I won't live to tell the tale. Lunging forward I jumped over her but not without her nicking me with her blazing horn. With a scream of pain I stuck the landing and gained some breathing room away from Gynaephora. Feeling around the wound on my stomach I felt that it was deep, not deep enough to be a mortal wound but deep enough to hurt like tartarus.
“Feeling tired? Why not just relax and let go? I promise to make it quick, I'll give you that much!”, I growled at her in response. Words are meaningless now, only action is worth wasting energy over now. And with one final charge of my horn I focused the last of my energy into one last blast. Seeing me charge my spell Gynaephora did the same, honing her own magic at the tip of her hooked horn. With one last battle cry I fired everything I had into one focused beam of magic. Gynaephora met me halfway with a blast of her own, the two spells meeting together in a mesh of crackling energy.
So here I was, fighting against my own sister in a power struggle, I never thought I would end my week with this. We were evenly matched, but I knew she was still toying with me like how a cat plays with her prey. I knew at any moment she could finish me just like that. So I dug deep, willing every bit of myself into the struggle, all of my fury and instincts into my reserves. And for a moment I felt the slack on my side lessen, but even that was fleeting. I saw Gynaephora smile, and right then I knew my time was up.
“This was fun sister, but I think its time I end this, with you gone I shall be queen! Its such a shame though, your love left you, he abandoned you and will die alone. But don't worry, I will make the pain of your loss go away, say good bye, dear sister!”, a sudden surge of energy on her part nearly smashed my focus away. Her beam grew in size and pushed my pitiful spell back towards me. I was losing, I was going to die, I would never sire children, never spend my days in my own hive and all my time spent here would be wasted. But all I could feel at that moment was peace. Page, Medley and Squelch are safe and sound, and with that thought I began to let go.
“She is not alone!”, that voice, Page? I whipped my head to my right and saw him standing along side Medley at the side lines.
“We have her back! She won't die alone, we are her friends and we stick together! Changeling or not!”, Medley announced proudly. I smiled at her, I could feel their emotion from here their friendship and care, it was invigorating. I absorbed their positive energy and focused it back at Gynaephora, pushing her back slightly. It wasn't enough, I needed more power!
“Flare, Chrysalis, it doesn't matter to me who you really are! I've done some thinking and I know what I feel in my heart wasn't a lie! I understand why you did it, hell I would do the same thing if it meant my family name would be cleared of everything! I just want you to know, when you told me you loved me back there, I know you weren't lying! You are the same mare I fell in love with, disguise or not! I love you Chrysalis, without a doubt in my heart!”
My heart swelled, my cheeks felt warm, and my stomach felt like it was filled with butterflies. He loves me, even as I am right now. I could feel his love for me radiate from him like a beacon, he definitely wasn't lying, and his love was more than enough for me. Without taking my eyes off Gynaephora I cast a spell to harvest Page's affections. His love formed into a green mist as it flowed straight into my horn, and my oh my did it feel invigorating. Small puffs of the mist danced over my muzzle, it tasted wonderful, love always tasted sweet but after having a taste of this? True love is my new cocaine now, that's for sure.
I felt my magic grow stronger, all of the exhaustion in my body disappearing into nothing and the wound in my belly began to mend and heal. This felt amazing! Never in my life have I ever felt this energized from love, I wonder if this is how Cadance and Shining armor felt when they flung me out of the wedding? Bah, I can wonder about this sappy stuff later. Right now I had to put my sister down once and for all. Using Page as my endless supply of energy I fed everything I had into my spell.
Instantly I could feel my side of the power struggle gain ground against her side. You should have seen the look on Gynaephora's face at the exact moment she realized she was losing. A mixture of anger and fear on her face, her maw twisted into a fanged snarl. I just smiled and charged my spell into overdrive and my side of the beam grew nearly double the size of Gynaephora's.
“Say good night, dear sister!”, I roared, pushing the spell forward with all of my might. In an instant my spell overtook her's and ended up enveloping her being entirely. Poor Gynaephora wailed in pain as my magic dominated her, burning her to her very core. And just like that is was over, Gynaephora lay on the ground, smoke rising from her still twitching body. And it seems the last of her new form was gone, not a single trace of it. Seems Phylum's forced sacrifice was used in vain, not that I am complaining or anything.
“Is she dead?”, I looked over to see Page and Medley by my side, their eyes glued on the now pacified Gynaephora. I leaned down and felt for a pulse, sure enough there was one, although it was a bit faint. She'll live, unfortunately.
“No, just knocked out. I made sure not to kill her, I am sure our mother would love to speak to her personally.”, I muttered, oh Artiidaes will have a long talk with her that's for sure.
“Yeesh, sounds like family issues huh? I guess that is another thing we have in common, Flare, or should I call you Chrysalis from now on?”, Page chuckled as he bumped a hoof against my side.
“Up to you really, I can be anypony you want you know.”, I said seductively with a smirk. I caught a faint blush on Medley but Page was unphased, a smile on his lips.
“I would rather you be you, no more barriers between us. Besides, I think you look erm, b-beautiful”, Page stammered as he spoke that last word, how cute. Things were looking up, Page and I are together still, Medley is safe and Gynaephora has been dealt with. But why do I feel like I am missing something?
“Hey! Did I miss the big fight!?”, Squelch! I almost forgot about him! We all turned towards the ruined barracks to find Squelch himself, and his brother standing by his side.
“Squelchy!”, Medley squealed, galloping over to the changeling and barreling him over in a hug. Shell just looked to the mess of lovers and just shook his head.
“Did you really have to choose a pony for a mate, brother?”, Shell spat in disgust as he left the two love birds behind.
“Don't knock em until you try em, bro!”, Squelch teased. Shell snorted in response and approached me, bowing slightly. But he looked to be struggling with just leaning his body down, I'm not surprised, with what he's been through.
“There is no need for that, I think we are past such formalities, Shell”, Shell nodded once and brought himself back to his shaky stance.
“But first things first, how did you manage to break free of your trance?”, I asked curiously, it usually takes a powerful spell to counteract what Shell had. He just pointed to the back of his head, turning slightly to show a nasty looking bump.
“It wasn't that hard actually! I just had to fight off the guards and just 'knocked' some sense into him is all!”, I cringed, yes the pun was that terrible.
“You didn't have to buck the back of my head so hard, brother. This things is going to be aching for at least a week or two, but thank you.”, Squelch just saluted his brother and laughed.
“Well, so uh, what now, Chrysalis?”, indeed, what now? I can't head back to the apartments now, I revealed myself to the populace which means the royal guard will be hunting me down. The only option is to head back home with Gynaephora in tow. But before I could think of a way to travel out of here, I sensed a familiar presence. One that made me angry, the very same presence of a particular unicorn that foiled my invasion plan all those months ago.
“Shell, Squelch, keep Page and Medley safe for, me alright?”, they both looked to each other and back to me, a worried look plastered on their faces. Before they could answer I used the last of my magic and prepared a teleportation spell. Squelch and Shell nodded knowingly and gave me their best salute. Medley just frowned, tears in her eyes, looks like she knows what I plan to do as well. Page on the other hand just yelled no, hugging me with all his might.
“It will be alright my love, trust me when I say that we will see each other again”, with those final words I kissed him. This was utter bliss and I relished every second of it like it was my last kiss I would share, and depending on the next few moments, it very well might be my last. Reluctantly I pulled away and cast the spell, and just like that they were gone in a flash of light. I took a deep breath as the sounds of hooves against stone and wings flapping came into earshot. I stood there waiting for my judge, jury and executioners to arrive.
Moments later a small army of guards had poured into the street and circled around me, spears aimed at the ready. And then came the two ponies that I expected to see, Luna and Twilight Sparkle at the head of the group. And lo and behold she had wings, so Twilight got an upgrade while I was gone? Now the blasted mare is a alicorn? How can this day get any worse?
My inner voice yelled at me to charge Twilight, to get revenge for what she had done that caused me to lose everything. But I resisted and just kept taking slow breaths to calm myself. But Twilight on the other hand looked pissed to hell, her face contorted in anger for a split second before it went into a state of neutrality. Her eyes still held fire in them, and it seems Luna had taken notice, resting a reassuring hoof on her companion.
Twilight just brushed off her hoof and took a step towards me, eyeing me carefully as she spoke.
“I don't know what you are planning, but you will not succeed, I have prepared for every contingency and I am ready to do what is right!”, oh big bad alicorn Twilight is going to give me her hero speech? Yeah, I rather not hear her monologue.
“I surrender”, I said plainly, bowing my head to the princesses. The guards surrounding me were in uproar as a symphony of gasps and surprised mutterings erupted among them. Didn't expect that did they?
“No you won't cause I am-wait what?”, Twilight was dumbfounded, and Luna just raised a questioning eyebrow.
“I shall not repeat myself, take me in, put me in the brig, do what you must, Twilight”, I growled impatiently. Still looking confused Twilight motioned to one of the guards forward, and bound me with a gem encrusted collar. I instantly felt a similar feeling just like when I wore those guard clothing in my last mission, my will and use of my magic was silenced. I couldn't fight back now even if I wanted to. And so I approached the princesses and waited patiently for them to move out of my way.
“Oh and be sure to get my sis....”, my voice trailed off when I saw that Gynaephora was nowhere to be found. She's gone, but how? Just then I noticed a guard give me a wink and slink away from the main group, oh that bitch. I thought of telling Twilight but would she believe me when if I told her one of her guards was really my sister in disguise and it escaping? Most likely not, so I kept my mouth shut. Gynaephora was weak and she had no idea where my friends were, I teleported them far away, and to where exactly? To the citadel of course, hopefully Page and Medley aren't freaking out too much.
The next moments were of silence, only the sounds of our hooves breaking the silence. Twilight walked on my right, and Luna on my left as they escorted me, and I assume the rest of the guards were trailing behind us.
“A question if we may, Chrysalis”, Luna asked me with a curt nod. I simply nodded, not willing to waste my breath with a simple 'yes'.
“What happened to the prisoners in the barracks?”, so she knew about Page and Medley? Well wouldn't she like to know?
“What prisoners? I was simply here to wreak some havoc, princess Luna”, I feigned innocence with a smile. Luna just gave me a disappointing glare. She can glare all she wants, she won't be laying a hoof on my friends. I spent the rest of our walk in silence, trying my best to ignore the glare Twilight was giving me.
And there it is, the Canterlot castle in sight, and a huge mob of ponies at the front entrance. It looked like the entire city was here, and they were all being held back by a line of guards. At least I wouldn't have to worry about the citizens attacking me then. But the guards didn't stop them from giving me bad looks and hate filled stares.
“Hey cheeselegs! Go home Bug brain! Hope you rot in tartarus changeling scum!”, those were just a few of the insults they threw at me, and trust me, those were the “nice” ones. We stopped in front of the drawbridge and waited as it lowered down for us to go inside. To think I once came here for conquest, and now here I am as a prisoner. How the tables have turned. And so we went, passing by the gates and inside of the castle. It was just like how I remembered it, pompous, clean and very regal, I miss the citadel.
We past by several guards and maids, some who passed out at the sight of me while others screamed and ran off the opposite direction. Still got it, although it was starting to get a little old to be honest. Eventually we came to a spiral staircase leading downwards, most likely to the infamous Canterlot dungeons, and my new home. Down and down we went into the bowels of the castle, and the deeper we went the more sinister it became. Turns out that the two princesses had led me to a single room, with a large cell taking up most of the space inside. I had to give Celestia some credit, she really knew how to make her dungeons empty of life have an air of hopelessness.
“And here we are, in you go!”, with a very unnecessary push from Twilight I stumbled into my cell face first. But I let it slide and composed myself, trying to look dignified in front of the princess of the night and the princess of, wait, what is little miss purple princess of? Well I had plenty of time to think about that I suppose.
“We hereby charge you with battery against the royal guard, destruction of a military installation and for endangering the safety of Canterlot”, oh is that all? I'm guessing a few years in this cell then? No big deal, but you know my luck by now, and I am not very lucky by any means.
“And for the attack on Canterlot during my Brother's wedding, you will spend the rest of your days in this cell until Celestia returns to put you for trial, Chrysalis,” Twilight added, her voice arrogant and triumphant, a smug look on her face.
“So you aren't going to give me a chance to explain myself before you hang me up to dry, Twilight?”, I asked, plopping myself down on a ratty old bed that had been so graciously left for me to use. Twilight hummed to herself for a moment, a hoof rubbing her chin as she thought.
“No”, and with that she turned to leave. Well at least I tried.
“Twilight stop, we must hear what she has to say, perhaps she has a good reason”, now that is a surprise, Luna is being the voice of reason here? Twilight opened her mouth to say something but stopped at the glare she was receiving from Luna. That's right, obey your betters Twilight.
“Please, regale us your thoughts, Chrysalis”, Luna said calmly as she sat down along with Twilight. Now that is more like it, I have never met Luna until earlier but I like her already. So civilized and curt, shame everypony can't be just like her.
“Well its good you sat down, cause this is actually going to be a long story. So forgive me if I ramble on about some facts.”, Luna nodded as did Twilight, albeit a bit grudgingly but I ignored her and focused my gaze on Luna.
“I had come to Canterlot to attend college along with a personal guard, at Bravehills to be more precise. Now before you ask, why in Equestria would the changeling Queen Chrysalis waste her time schooling among the commoners? The answer, it was my assignment and I had to. The reason was because when I returned to my mother's hive with news of my failure of the wedding I was stripped of my status as Queen. And for the past months I had been toiling away under my mother's watch and she assigned me one last test that would decide if I was worthy of commanding my own leadership. And that test was to attend college and pass it, odd I know.”
As I told my story Luna listened on with a look of curiosity, whilst Twilight rolled her eyes at my words, philistine. Whatever, I only needed one pony to listen, not two.
“However after a few months of studying at college I found myself failing and was assigned a tutor. And soon I fell in love with him”, I felt my cheeks grow hot at the mere words, I miss him already.
“Hah, you fall in love with a stallion? You just wanted to get close to him so he could cooperate with you right? Cause I doubt a changeling could ever feel love let alone find it!”, Twilight stated in a matter of a fact tone. I hate this purple know it all, but I continued.
“I will not lie when that was my plan in the beginning, but eventually I had found a growing attachment towards him. And as much as I believe that you are an expert on my kind”, I stretched out the word expert with so much sarcasm that it caused her eyes to twitch. Good, get mad. “We fall in love, but falling in love with our food is....unheard off. I was confused but I knew what I felt was genuine.”
Luna said nothing but nodded, waving her hoof at me to continue and so I did.
“Everything was going well, I had friends and somepony who loved me, but alas my bright days would not last. My sister, Gynaephora whom I have been competing against for queenhood had ponynapped my love as well as my guard's marefriend. I don't know why she had done it, but it was most likely to lure me into a trap, and thankfully she had failed in removing me from the running.”
Gynaephora, if she had succeeded I would be six feet under and she would be queen, thank the gods Page and Medley showed up when they had.
“What I learned next was startling, my sister had planned to use the old escape routes underneath Canterlot to sneak in the Castle and assassinate you and your sister, Luna.”, if Luna was surprised she didn't show it physically, her face stoic and emotionless. Twilight's face on the other hoof had lost its color, her mouth agape. The two didn't say a word but kept listening.
“I fought her with tooth and nail and defeated her with the help of my love and my friends. That was around the time you had arrived, and don't ask me where my friends are now, I sent them far away to a place you cannot follow. Just know that I did all of this to save you and my loved ones, that's it.”
Finished with my story I lay back against my bed and let out a yawn, boy that was a doozy.
“That is quite the story, Chrysalis. We know not what would have transpired if your sister had succeeded, but we thank you.”
Being thanked by the princess of the night herself, scratch that off the bucket list.
“However due to your past crimes I am afraid we cannot take back your sentencing now. You will spend the rest of your time here until min sister returns from the Crystal Empire, perhaps you shall be freed when she hears all of this.”, explained Luna as she got up and brushed herself off. Twilight stayed on the floor however, she just stared at me inquisitively and frankly, it was creeping me out.
“I don't understand, why would you risk your life for anypony? You were the tyrant that tried to take over and now you turned a new leaf? What are you planning?”, Twilight questioned, hooves rubbing her temples. I smirked, she still thinks this is all part of some scheme? I guess it is hard to believe now that I think about it.
“Is it so hard to believe that one can change under the right circumstances?”, Twilight shook her head no.
“No it isn't, I mean, hay, Discord has been reformed to good now. Ponies can change and I suppose changelings can too. Its just, you are so much more different than the last time I confronted you”, I guess the wounds of the wedding catastrophe are still fresh for her. I did use her brother as a tool after all, it would be some time until she would even think about trusting me.
“I am not asking you to trust me right off the bat, just give me a chance to prove I have changed.”, Luna smiled at my words and patted Twilight on the head.
“We think she is being sincere, don't you Twilight? Hasn't friendship taught you not to judge somepony, or someling for that matter by their past? Give her a chance, we believe she has certainly earned that much!”, Luna said as she gave me a small smile. I felt relieved somewhat, I can have Twilight and Luna by my side but it doesn't mean shit if Celestia doesn't believe me. I'll cross that bridge eventually I suppose.
“I suppose you are right, Luna. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but I will be watching you!”, with that said Twilight scurried out of the room leaving me alone with Luna. She looked over to where Twilight had gone and lay herself back down on the floor, her front hooves crossed over each other. Her blue eyes staring back at me inquisitively. Okay....whats going on now? Am I going to be under watch, with Luna and Twilight taking shifts?
“Tell me about this stallion”, Luna asked, a hint of glee in her voice.
“Say what now?”, I stammered, a bit confused at her question. Luna's response at my question was just a very girly giggle that I never expected to erupt from somepony so uptight.
“Tell me the details! What is he like? How old is he? Whats his profession? Is he....good under the sheets~?”, question after question she assaulted me, but the last one nearly made me choke on my own spit.
“His name is Page?”, I said uneasily, I was a bit confused by her sudden forwardness.
“Page, hmm, would that be the Breakwatt child?”, my eyes widened, she hit the nail on the head. Luna grinned mischievously at my reaction.
“It is good to see he has found somepon-er someling to love, he needed a companion after all he has been through. I had heard of him from my sister when she told me of recent events when I returned, such a sad story. But anyways, lets talk, mare to mare hm? We promise to reveal our crushes if you tell us about him!”
I chuckled at Luna, this was the princess of the night and she was acting like a little mare in grade school. Even one of the mightiest rulers of Equestria has a more humble side, hell even I did and you know me! So for the next few hours we talked about stallions and our crushes in our lives. After we had talked and talked the princess of the night bid her good byes, promising we would continue our colt talk tomorrow. And there I was, laying in my cell feeling a lot more welcome than I thought I would be.
Twilight gave me a second chance, I made a friend with Luna and my loved ones are safe and sound with mother. I would probably be here for a year or more but at least I was in good company, so I wouldn't be lonely. My thoughts flashed to mother's plan, by the end of this year she will enact her plans and hopefully an alliance will be brokered between changelings and ponies. And then I will be released, here's hoping right?
Gynaephora was on the loose however. I doubt she will let all of this go, but she won't be trying the same plan twice after what happened. Hopefully she will take the hint and slink off to some hovel in the ground and stay in it. Maybe she went back to the citadel, but I doubt mother would let her set one hoof inside, not after Squelch and the others most likely retelling her betrayal. However I can't drop this feeling of pity i hold for her, even though she did all of those traitorous things. She did all of this just to be noticed, at least that's how I see it. Just a valiant, albeit misguided, attempt at proving her worth to mother.
Looking back at her decisions with a clear mind free of those damn instincts, I can see why she she was so desperate. What if I had been nicer, what if she was the favorite daughter and I was in her shadow? Would things be different? would we be sisters without quarrel? Would I be where I am now? Maybe yes, maybe no, there is no point in thinking about the what ifs and wishing things could change as I will it. Perhaps in time I will find her when I leave this place, show her how to turn a new leaf and dare I say it, forgive her.
But that is a bridge I will cross another time, for now everything was calm and complete, all I had to do now was wait. Oh Page, how I wish you were here with me....but I will you again soon. This year is almost over and I am just a few months away from mother's arrival and her hopefully successful diplomacy. Perhaps I won't be spending my life in this dusty old cell for long. And so with that cheery thought I fell asleep with my hope in my heart for a bright future.