//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6 
// Story: TwiDash 
// by MrPengu1n 
//------------------------------//

	Spike was having an odd week.
It had started normal, with Spike performing all sorts of bits and bobs for Twilight, business as usual, until Twilight suddenly became very difficult to deal with, abandoning her beloved schedule and making an absolute mess of her library, and of all things it was revealed she was being impersonated by Queen Chrysalis! And then he himself had been the victim of being trapped in a closet along with the real Twilight Sparkle, until finally breaking out and chasing Chrysalis away. Now all that remained was to clean up the library, and as Spike took his fiftieth break in the vicious cycle of cleaning to break time to cleaning, he laid back on the couch and wondered what could possibly be taking Twilight so long. She had gone to see if Rainbow Dash had hidden that sphere thingy hours ago by now! Where could she be?
Spike surveyed his work; the library was mostly clean, just a few little piles here and there remained to be picked up, it wouldn't be that hard to finish up.
Nodding decisively, he got up, stretched his sore shoulders, and walked outside, off to find Twilight.
As he was just a baby dragon and lacked things like hooves, it took him a while to get around town. He slowly made his way through town, passing the Apple's Apple Farm, Fluttershy's Nursery, he took a shortcut across the town commons in front of the Cake's Cake Shop, stopping briefly in front of Rarity's Boutique, then getting back on track and heading down the path. All the while he called out Twilight and Rainbow Dash's names, but received no answer. None of the ponies seemed to have seen them, although one pony said they had been near the Everfree Forest path last they saw.
He found the path in question and made his way down, wondering why they would be all the way out here. Maybe they had spotted Chrysalis or something similar? He didn't know, but he held that assumption and quickened his pace, eager to help.
He walked up a slight incline, reached the top, and looked down into a clearing on the edge of the Forest. There he managed to catch a glimpse of Twilight and Rainbow Dash as they sunk into the woods.
"Hey, guys! Wait up!" Called Spike. He slid down the hill and dove into the woods, catching himself before he ran right into their behinds. They didn't seem to notice, walking forward at a strict pace, eyes facing forward and mouths closed.
What was up with them? They were acting strange. He walked around them so they could see him, but gasped and dove into the foliage when he saw they were following Chrysalis.
"This way, girls!" She called over her shoulder in a chipper mood.
"Okay..." answered Twilight and Rainbow monotonously, simultaneously. Spike saw their eyes filled with swirly green light, and concluded they were hypnotized. What should he do? He didn't have a checklist for this situation! Chrysalis hadn't spotted him, he was completely hidden, and they needed his help. He decided to follow them, if not to rescue them, at least to discover where they were being taken.
Chrysalis lead the hypnotized ponies through the forest, down an obscure path that was barely visible, and in some places totally nonexistent. But Spike trudged onward, keeping pace with the ponies despite having two legs. Claws just weren't made for walking like hooves were, he concluded. Nevertheless, he managed to follow the three of them and remain hidden. Chrysalis finally broke through the foliage into a rather large clearing. She made a strange clicking noise with her tongue, and suddenly, changelings spilled out of the forest by the dozen, filling up the area. This must be the Hive, Spike thought. It wasn't really what he had expected, but the colony was probably still weak after the whole Canterlot fiasco, this was probably temporary.
"Children!" Chrysalis announced proudly, "I bring your salvation!" She suddenly reached around to her wings and pulled the golden, glowing sphere out of a pocket in her wings, "Behold!" she announced proudly, holding the sphere aloft. The changelings cheered and applauded moderately, most of them were probably too hungry to be enthusiastic. A few of the changelings brought forth a strange scepter type thing and planted it in the center of the clearing. Chrysalis approached the pedestal and placed the sphere in a small holding mechanism at the top of it. It poured out it's golden light, bathing the Hive in a warm glow. The changelings clicked their tongues hungrily as the light poured over them, a few were rolling around in it. Even Chrysalis smiled as the light poured over her. She then turned around to Twilight and Rainbow and said, "These two are under my spell, trapped in a false reality," she started cackling evilly as she explained, "I'll keep these two in their dreams forever!"
Spike gasped, clamping a claw over his mouth too late.
Chrysalis's eyes darted to the foliage and she hissed, eyes glowing green and forked tongue flailing wildly.
Spike averted his eyes from the green light and ran away, making his way through the thick flora and fauna as fast as he could. He couldn't take on a whole hive by himself, he needed help.
Chrysalis watched the flash of purple disappear as the baby dragon ran away. She hissed angrily, the poor fool didn't know what he had gotten into. But she calmed down; it didn't matter, let him run. There was nothing he could do. Chrysalis turned towards the golden sphere, unswervingly shining, the tiny scarlet heart in the center gleaming like a jewel. There's nothing he can do, now that I have you again.

Spike ran back to Ponyville, not knowing what to do other than to just get away for now. After a mad dash for freedom, he broke through some bushes on the edge of the forest, falling to his knees and panting heavily. After he caught his breath, he got up, gulped down his fear, and ran into town. He ran right up to Rarity's Boutique and slammed the doors open, "Twilight-! *gasp* Rainbow-! *gasp* Kidnapped-! *gasp* Sphere-!" Spike said through gasps, then collapsed on the floor, hyperventilating.
Inside, Fluttershy stood nervously on a stand, wearing a half finished dress that Rarity was working on. "Spike, dear," Rarity said gently, "you're going to have to speak slower, and in sentences."
Spike nodded, finally catching his breath, he spoke frantically, "Twilight and Rainbow have been kidnapped by Queen Chrysalis!"
Rarity dropped her needles.
Then she started laughing. Even Fluttershy let out a few nervous giggles.
Spike was at a complete loss, "Why are you laughing?" He asked frantically, grasping the sides of his head with his claws.
Slowly, Rarity stopped laughing, "You mean you're not kidding?"
"Of course I'm not kidding!" Spike said incredulously, "They were hypnotized by Chrysalis and lead away into the Everfree Forest, I saw it!"
Rarity let out a shriek, "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!" She lifted a couch over to her and flopped back on it dramatically, "Whatever will we do?" she begged. Fluttershy was just covering her mouth with her hoof, either out of shock or fear, or both.
"Well we gotta save 'em!" Spike suggested obviously.
Rarity sat up straight, a steely look on her face, "You're right," she said, pushing the couch away, "This is no time for drama!" She looked up into space as if wondering if there was a little time for drama, then shook her head and instructed, "Fluttershy, get out of that perfect dress; Spike, go and get Pinkie Pie and Applejack!"
Spike saluted Rarity, "I'm on it!" he said, and zipped out the door, running as fast as his scaly legs could carry him to the Cake's Cake Shop on the other side of the town commons. He burst into the door, surveyed the area quickly for that recognizable curly pink mane, spotted it ducking behind the counter, and rushed over. He leapt up on the counter and announced, "Pinkie! Come quick! Rainbow and Twilight have been kidnapped by Chrysalis!"
Pinkie gasped, "This is terrible!"
"I know!" Spike agreed.
Pinkie Pie held up an unfrosted cake, "This cake has no icing!"
"Pinkie!" Spike yelled angrily, although it sounded adorable since he was just a baby dragon.
Pinkie Pie thought so too. She turned around, noticing Spike for the first time and said, "Oh, hello Spike!" she held up the unfrosted cake, "Unfrosted cake?"
Spike looked at the cake, wondering briefly if he could scarf it down real quick, then shook his head and pushed the cake away, "There's no time for cake, Pinkie! Twilight and Rainbow Dash have been kidnapped by Chrysalis!"
Pinkie looked up into space and tapped on her chin thoughtfully.
Spike put his claws on the top of his head exasperatedly, "Queen Chrysalis...the changeling, Queen Chrysalis?"
Pinkie Pie gasped again, "This is terrible!"
Spike sighed in relief as she finally got it, "I know! Come on, we're going to rescue her!"
Pinkie's brow furrowed as she focused and nodded.
Spike leapt off the counter and headed for the door, "Come on!"
Pinkie leapt over the counter and followed, but not before reaching back and grabbing that unfrosted cake.
Spike instructed her to go to Rarity's Boutique, and he himself ran to the Apple's Apple Farm, finding Applejack serving a customer at a small wooden stand set up outside the orchards. He should've probably waited until she was done serving her customer, but this was an emergency! He ran right up to the stand and interrupted loudly, "Applejack! Help! Chrysalis is back, and she's kidnapped Twilight and Rainbow Dash!"
The customer raised a brow in confusion, "Wait, what?"
Applejack gasped, "Oh no! This's terrible!" She quickly began putting stuff away and jumped out of her stand, "Lead th' way, Spike!"
Spike nodded and turned around, That was easy.
"Hey, what about my apples?" The customer asked incredulously right before the two ran off.
Applejack gave him a dirty look and said in a falsetto voice, "Sorry, sir, but friend's 're more important th'n money." And with that, she slammed the closed sign on her stand, to the shock of the customer. Applejack nodded in confirmation, and turned back to Spike, "Lead th' way!"
Spike nodded, smiling at her loyalty to her friends, and trudged away as fast as he could go, leading Applejack to Rarity's Boutique.
When all five of them were assembled inside the boutique, Rarity was pacing back and forth, decked out in the most fashionable forest camouflage. "Girls, Twilight and Rainbow have been kidnapped!" she informed obviously. She stopped pacing and turned towards them, "We're going to have to rescue them! Spike, where are they being held?"
Spike, not expecting to be put on the spot, fiddled with his claws nervously, "Um, uh, well, I-I can show you!" and he turned to run for the door. He ran into Applejack's hoof.
"Woah, there, pardner!" she said, slowly the dragon down, "We can't just run off willy nilly without a plan!"
"Applejack's right," Rarity agreed, "What would Twilight do?"
The ponies all looked at her expectantly.
She shook her head quickly, "Don't look at me! I can't be the only one coming up with ideas. What do you think we should do?"
The ponies thought for a moment, then Spike, thinking about what Sherlock Hooves would do, said, "They don't know we're coming yet, so..."
"We could throw them a surprise party!" Pinkie announced proudly.
Applejack rolled her eyes, "Pinkie, we're trying ta' rescue them, not party with 'em!"
"No," Pinkie said in a low voice, smiling mysteriously, "I mean, we could throw them a party." And then she withdrew a party cannon from Celestia knows where.
The other ponies smiled as they caught on to her game, and each one nodded in turn. Rarity took lead, "Alright! Girls, let's go show them a party they'll never forget!"
A cheer went up, and the ponies rushed out the door, towards the Everfree, lead by Spike riding on Pinkie Pie.

Twilight reclined on a bench on her porch, looking up at the sky. The day was just perfect; the sun was shining, the birds were chirping away, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. She sighed contently and closed her eyes, thoroughly enjoying the day off Princess Celestia had given her. It was almost like a dream!
Suddenly a shadow passed over her eyes. She opened them a crack to see a single cloud in the sky, directly overhead. It was shaped like a heart pierced with an arrow. A cyan head peeked out from the edge of the cloud. Twilight giggled and waved at Rainbow Dash, her newly announced girlfriend.
Rainbow jumped off the cloud, kicked it out of the way, and drifted down to the ground, settling deftly on the bench at Twilight's side. Twilight scooched over to make room for her, and nuzzled her head against Rainbow's lovingly. Rainbow giggled at the contact, and the two sighed contently, leaning against each other as they looked up at the sky.
Rainbow suddenly leaned in and gave Twilight's cheek a peck, blushing bashfully as she did so. Twilight giggled; the kiss tickled. "Rainbow, we've only been together a week!" she teased playfully.
"A great week," Rainbow objected, pretending to be hurt, but then laughing.
Twilight laughed along with her and kissed her back, "Yes, yes it was," she agreed, and the two fell back into a comforting silence.
Chrysalis stood outside of the two hypnotized mares, looking through a magical screen at their shared dreams. Time moved faster in their dream; it had probably been a week or two their time. She sucked her teeth in disdain as she watched the two mares falling deeper and deeper in love. The dream would advance, slowly taking place of their entire lives, and they would never suspect a thing. Theoretically, they could live until they died and be brought out of their dream the moment they had entered. But this wasn't what was bothering her; watching the two mares, their love, it was...uncomfortable, so to speak, but why? Why did Chrysalis feel this way? She turned around and looked at her children. Using the energy the sphere provided, the changelings had set about building a proper hive, tearing down trees and piling up mud and rocks to build chambers and rooms. But one thing they never changed was the pedestal which held the sphere aloft. It was kept in the central room, the largest room. She paused inspecting the dreams of her prisoners for a moment and walked over to the sphere, not to feed, just to look. It did nothing aside shine, casting it's warm, golden rays of light throughout the camp. There at the center sat the tiny scarlet heart, gleaming like a jewel. She reached up and placed a hoof on the sphere, it felt warm. She sighed, rubbing the sphere as if to clean it, "I miss you," she said. One changeling overheard her and wondered briefly how she could miss what was in her possession, but was soon after yelled at by his superior to get back to work.
Chrysalis continued speaking to the sphere, a vague hope that it would respond held in her mind, "It's not easy being an immortal," she observed, "I had thought it would..."
In changeling society, there was the commoners and the royalty. The royalty were higher beings than the commoners because they could think independently, and were immortal, just like the Alicorns. Chrysalis was the last of the royal, the last Queen of the changelings. Of course, she could create a new race of immortals, new princes and princesses, but the process was...distasteful. Even Chrysalis shuddered when she thought about it. She ignored that now and went back to her imaginary conversation with the sphere, "It's just not the same," she observed. The sphere suddenly grew cold, though unnoticeably so, "But it's the best you could do," Chrysalis praised. The sphere grew warm again. A catch formed in Chrysalis's throat, but she swallowed it and said, "I'm sorry this happened. I never meant to bring you into this."
The sphere did not respond, unswervingly shining warmly. It never stopped shining; day or night, sun or storm, year after year, it never stopped shining. But with each passing year Chrysalis owned it, her guilt increased.
She sighed and let go of the sphere. The sphere grew imperceptibly dimmer, though Chrysalis did not notice. She walked back to her magical screen, ignoring the sounds of construction raging around her. As she looked upon Twilight and Rainbow's romance, she thought, Maybe that's why I don't like you two, she watched the two mares share a romantic moment, You two have something that I can't have.
A changeling interrupted her thoughts; it approached her and spoke in a strange clicking language, "Where should the hatchery be?"
Chrysalis turned around and surveyed the land. The north end would be a good place; warm in the winter and cool in the summer. She nodded towards the area in question, and the changeling left with her orders.
She suddenly felt a magical disturbance somewhere in the forest. Ponies. Coming this way.
No matter, let them come, She looked back at her sphere, standing stout and solitary in it's pedestal, They'll never leave.