//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: Return of Disharmony // by Forefront1 //------------------------------// Chapter 14 The constant drone of the changelings above haunted the ponies as they continued their hike up the mountain. Other than a few scouting parties returning to the hive they had not seen anything. Every minute seemed to last an eternity as fear nagged at their hearts. At times they feared that the mountain itself would collapse as small pebble and stones tumbled down the mountain at random moments. However, they pressed on determined to end this evil for good. They had travelled about halfway up the mountain when they realised that the worst was to come. They saw a bright flash in the sky and then Discord and Chrysalis teleporting above the castle. Then they heard Discords magnified voice. “Testing, Testing, 1 2, Check, Check. Alright, excuse me your attention please!” He called out to the changelings. “The time for action is now! Those ponies that you all have failed to contain are now on their way here. When they reach the castle stop them at all costs! So help me if they get inside I will turn all of you into stuffed animals do you understand?!” He bellowed before teleporting inside the castles. “Sumthin’ tells me that ain’t good.” Applejack said worriedly. “He’s rallying the changelings for defense. Which means the castle will be absolutely infested with those vermin.” Luna said. “We better hurry.” Twilight said solemnly Now at a quicker pace, they continued up the mountain staying as hidden as possible. Now that the changelings were all headed back to the castle this was a tougher task, as many swarms of them would fly up at the same time. About halfway up the mountain the eight took a rest in a small cave. They hadn’t been running too fast however some of them were slightly winded from the uphill climb. “Honestly, Rainbow Dash, you are incapable of slowing down.” Rarity panted. “I’m sorry, it’s just that the impending doom for us all has got me a little worked up.” Rainbow replied. “No need to get short with me-” Rarity began. “Oh I’m getting short with you?!” Rainbow replied more annoyed this time. The two went back and forth for a moment before Applejack tried to break it up. “Would you two stop it?” She said putting her arms in between them. “No!” They replied in unison before pushing her away. They continued their argument for a second before Luna shouted in her Royal Canterlot Voice.”SILENCE!!!! Shut your mouths you two I can barely hear my own thoughts. I know we are all a little tense, however that does not excuse that disrespectful behavior between one another. Apologize at once!!” “But…” Both of them began. “NOW!!!!!” Luna shouted again. “Ah! Sorry Rarity.” Dash said in a panic. “Sorry Rainbow Dash.” Rarity responded. The two quickly huddled in fear of the princess of the night. Luna looked at them for a moment with a stern look on her face. She then stood up straight and continued. “Thank you.” She sighed. “We are almost to the castle and I suggest we come up with an actual strategy for getting to the elements.” Pinkie’s hoof shot up in the air. “Ooh, ooh, pick me, pick me, pickmepickmepickme!” She shouted. “Um, Pinkie?” Luna said with a confused look on her face. “Whew, thanks my arm was getting tired.” Pinkie said lowering her arm. “Now, how about we use… THE PINKIE PARTY CANNON!!!” She shouted. “No” Twilight immediately said. “Every time we need a suggestion you always suggest the party cannon. Anyone else?” Twilight asked looking around. “We could teleport right into the room with the elements.” Rarity said. “The room is magic proof, next.” Twilight said pointing to Applejack. We could lure the changelings outta the castle.” Applejack said. “There’s too many of them. Dash?” Twilight continued. “I could go in there-” Rainbow said, getting in a fight pose. “No. Fluttershy?” Twilight said, immediately rejecting Rainbow's idea. “You could cast an invisibility spell or something.” Fluttershy said quietly. “No...Wait that's actually a good idea.” Twilight said. “Twilight you are 1-1 on ideas today, you’re slipping.” Rainbow Dash said. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Twilight asked in slightly annoyed confusion. “Well, usually you are the one coming up with all of the bright ideas. Right now all you've thought of was teleporting here.” Rainbow said in reply. “That is so not true, I remember that one time...wait, no that was me too.” Twilight said thinking back. “Whatever, that’s a great idea Fluttershy and I think it will work." Twilight said, confidently. =============== “Fluttershy, this is a horrible idea and this is never going to work.” Twilight whispered as the group slowly approached the gate to the castle. “I thought you liked my idea.” Fluttershy said a little hurt by her comment. “That was before I found out that they had drone changelings at the door.” Twilight said, motioning to the castle door. “What on earth are drone changelings?” Rarity asked. “I believe those are the drones.” Celestia said pointing from behind the bush they were hiding behind. At the door of the castle stood two enormous changelings, easily three times the size of the normal ones. They had dark green eyes, long fangs, and huge wings that were far more menacing than that of the moth-like wings of the lesser changelings. “Drone changelings are the tougher version of the regular changelings in the hive. They cannot sense love so they must be shown it. However they sense magic and when ordered, do not stop hunting down the source until it is erased.” Luna stated. “Twilight, what if we just lure those two away from the door.” Applejack said. “You know, now that plan sounds good. Alright Applejack, what did you have in mind?” Without saying a word Applejack threw a rock into the air and kicked it into the forest. The rock hit a tree with a loud *CRACK* as the tree almost broke in two. The two drones immediately flew over to the forest to see the source of the noise, as the ponies snuck in unnoticed. “Drones are also known to be really stupid.” said Luna with a snicker. “Twilight, your 1-2. You’re losing it.” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Stop that.” Twilight said in reply. With Twilight’s invisibility spell fully active, they made their way through the castle. It was amazing how much had changed over the amount of time, even the princesses couldn't recognize it. Cocoons of ponies hung from the ceiling and were on the floor. Walls had been cut out into tunnels and rubble covered old hallways. Windows were shattered. Green goo and ashes were stuck to the walls. Even the royal paintings had been vandalized with a marker, most likely by Discord. They walked down hallway after hallway and passed many changelings on patrol. Eventually they stopped to think for a moment. “Good thing this spell also acts as a sound muter.” Twilight said. “Where the hay are those elements?” Applejack said out loud. “They are in the vault as usual, we just can’t find the throne room.” Luna said. “Well we better find them fast, I don’t know how long I can keep this spell up.” Twilight said. “Don’t worry Twilight, I’m sure we’ll be…” Rarity began before she ran into something. “Oof, hey...what the? Oh dear…” Standing right in front of Rarity stood a pair of drone changelings. The one she ran into, glaring at her. Rarity opened her mouth to scream but Twilight stopped her. “Rarity, I can barely keep this up. Any loud noises might disrupt my concentration. It might not know we are here yet just stay calm.” Twilight said reassuringly. Rarity nodded nervously, tears in her eyes, as she watched the beast. For a moment it looked like it might have been fooled until it opened its mouth and gave a high pitched scream at Rarity. However its scream could not nearly compare to that of Rarity’s. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Rarity screamed at the top of her lungs. The high pitched wail that came out of her mouth was enough to cause Twilight to break the spell, instantly revealing them. “Run!!!” Pinkie Pie shouted. Without hesitation the eight ran frantically through the corridors, looking for the throne room. They could still hear the drones behind them, and the rest of the changelings hunting them down. After a moment Luna caught sight of the throne room. “Twilight!” Luna said out of breath. “That hallway back there lead to the throne room.” “Got it, get together.” Twilight shouted. They stopped in their tracks and huddled up and Twilight teleported them into the throne room just as a drone leapt at them for an attack. =============== They flashed into the throne room with a blinding light. However the light wasn’t enough to distract the changelings, as the kept running around the castle. “Great now that that's done. Let’s free the elements.” Twilight said excitedly. “Yeah lets-” Pinkie started to yell before a hoof covered her mouth. “Quiet!” Luna whispered harshly. She then gestured to the ceiling. The sight above them was both disgusting and horrifying. There, on the ceiling of the throne room were dozens and dozens of cocoons hanging upside down. The eight gasped in unison as they could even recognize some faces. “Sweetie Belle!” Rarity whispered. “Applebloom, Big Mac, and Granny Smith.” said Applejack. “Scoots, and Thunderlane.” Rainbow Dash gasped. “Mr. and Mrs. Cake.” Pinkie Pie said. “No...Spike.” Twilight said tears forming in her eyes. “Legends stated that Changeling cocoons could interact with the hive queen and detect changes in the surroundings. I for one know that these accusations are more than legend” Celestia said. “Twilight we need to hurry, they’ve captured the entire royal guard.” “Not to mention most of the citizens of Canterlot.” “Okay, okay. The good news is Cadence and Shining Armour are still alright.” Twilight said with a bit of hope. “Uuh, Twilight.” said Fluttershy as she stepped to the side. “There on the ground behind her were two more cocoons with Cadence and Shining Armour inside them. Twilight stared in utter horror and desperation as the last two ponies who could help them were now trapped as well. Twilight felt her legs go weak as she fell to the ground with tears in her eyes. She felt a hand touch her back and a tissue come in front of her face. “T-thank you.” She sniffled. “Okay now I’m ready to-ahhhh!” She screamed as she saw the eagle claw that handed her the tissue. “BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!” Laughed Discord as Twilight retreated to her friends. “Finally, everyone's back at the beginning. How delightful!” He said with a smirk. “One last try Discord. Give us the Elements!” Luna shouted. “Oh very well, I guess I’ve had my fun.” Discord sighed, reaching behind his back. “Seriously?” Luna questioned. “NO! You idiots! Hahahaha! Honestly you ponies are dumber than you look.” Discord chortled. “Well, its hard to take someone seriously when it looks like he was designed at a clown convention!” Dash shouted back. "OOOH! Got him good!" Pinkie Pie said giving Rainbow Dash a hoof bump. It was Chrysalis turn to laugh as she tried suppressing her giggle in her hoof. Discord eventually noticed and with a sigh said “Go ahead...let it out.” “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!” Chrysalis laughed. She fell on the ground and laughed until she cried. “Oh my gosh! That was hilarious! You, you need some ointment for that burn? HAHAHAHA!!!” The queen continued to laugh as Discord had a dissatisfied look on his face and began to mock Chrysalis with his claw. Eventually the she controlled herself and stood back up. “*Ahem* Continue.” She said in a sophisticated yet still creepy way. “Right.” Discord replied as he snapped his fingers, teleporting the entire changeling army to the throne room. At the front of the line stood Discord, Chrysalis, and Slash. “I am ready to end these pathetic ponies once and for all, your highness.” Slash hissed. “About time you showed up Slash.” Chrysalis remarked flatly. “But my queen…” Slash protested. “You should have had more control and direction during your chase.” Chrysalis scolded. “Yes, my queen.” Slash hissed in anger. “Now,” Chrysalis began. “You can decide to be captured the slow painful way. Or the fast, but somehow more painful way. What do you prefer?” She said with a smirk. “Chrysalis, you may have one today, but in the end good always triumphs evil. It may seem bleak for us now, but sometime in the future someone will stand up to you and triumph. We may never live to see that day but it will glorious when it comes around.” Celestia said. “No matter what, we will not back down.” “Quick way it is! Discord?” Chrysalis said smiling. “With pleasure.” He said firing a blast out of his hand. The ponies barely dodged the blast as it hit the vault with a mighty explosion, opening a doorway. “Twilight?” Rarity asked in a hurry. “Got it.” Twilight said teleporting everyone into the vault. “OH NO! NONONONONONONONONONONO!!!” Discord said charging another blast. Twilight blocked the blast with a force field as everyone put on there elements. “Hey Twilight 1-3.” Dash said with a smirk. “Don’t you have an element to put on?” Twilight asked as the changelings pounded upon the field. “Ready! Twilight come on!” Celestia shouted putting on Twilight's crown for her. “Okay go!” Twilight said jumping back. As the force field fell Twilight sent a knockback spell to give them some space. Then, the elements began to charge up. The very power of them was great enough to stop Discord and Chrysalis from teleporting out. As the Element began to glow brighter and brighter, Discord and Chrysalis knew their time was up. “Stop them! Stop them!!!!!” Chrysalis shouted at the army of changelings. “It’s no use the magic is too strong!” Discord shouted back. “Chrysalis before our demise let me just say something." He say grabbing her hoof. "I just wanted to say that I have always loved...this castle.” He said with a mocking grin. “You told me that about 500 times before!” Chrysalis screamed as she yanked her hoof away. “Well, its true!” Discord laughed. As the Elements of Harmony became fully charged Luna shouted at Discord. “Discord! I’d get into a comfortable position if I were you. Because you will be stuck like it forever!” With that the Element fired a blinding rainbow of light at Discord and Chrysalis. The magic was so powerful it would have ended their trouble making for good. It would have but at the last moment Discord and Chrysalis ducked and the beam hit Slash at full blast. Slash went flying into the wall and had all of his energy knocked out of him. The beam began to circle around him and destroy him once and for all. “My Queen! Save me!” He shouted in desperation. “Why would I do that?” I like this option more.” She said walking backward. “D-discord.” He weakly called out. “I’m with Chryssie on this one.” He remark. “But if you ever come back bring me a souvenir. Slash felt his life ending as his gaze fell upon the two princesses. He remembered a vital truth and then with his final words he shouted: “Fine Chrysalis! You think you don't need me, then good luck without me!!!” He shouted as his horn glowed a bright green for the last time. The beam of magic from the elements then collapsed in on itself and exploded, revealing nothing more than a pile of ashes. “Well, that was intense.” Discord stated mouth agape. He then turned around to the stunned ponies and began again. “Where were we again. Oh yeah. GET THEM!!!” He barked at the changelings. The changelings began to slowly advance as the eight seemed out of options once again. “Twilight, got any bright ideas?” Dash said. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Rainbow Dash the score is now 1-4. Game, set, match. Pinkie Pie now!” Twilight yelled to her friend. “PARTY CANNON TIME!!!!!” Pinkie Pie shouted pulling the party cannon out of thin air. The changelings seemed confused at first until the first blast from the cannon was fired, sending the first row of changelings flying backwards. The mane six began to charge the changelings and easily defeat them. Discord materialized popcorn and a soda and watched the fight take place. Chrysalis took command on the battlefield but Celestia and Luna however were suddenly taken over by a strange feeling leaving them tired. “Princess, whats the matter?” Twilight asked. “Nothing its just-” She began but then suddenly a green aura took over her and Luna. They then rose up into the air and as Discord noticed this he spat out his soda and began to choke on his popcorn. The two ponies then began to slowly grow in size as their legs and necks became longer and their torso thinned out a little. “Chrysalis, did you ever get that control of the spell that Slash used under your command?” Discord asked frantically. “No why- OH NO!!!!!” She said noticing the spell unraveling. "Yeah, maybe you should have been a bit nicer to-" Discord said as he began packing a suitcase of his things. "SHUT UP YOU IDIOT!!! WE ARE GOING TO DIE!!! Chrysalis shouted, grabbing his shoulders. At this moment everypony and everychangeling was watching what was going on. The two sisters now began to grow horns and wings each returning to their prior size. Finally their manes and tails grew out and started to flow as normal. With a bright flash, the two royal sisters had regained their alicorn status and shook fear into every changelings cold dark heart. “Well, we are doubly and royally screwed.” Discord said flatly. “Girls use your elements again and this time you shouldn’t miss.” Celestia said casting an immovability spell on Discord and Chrysalis. The Elements started charging as Discord and Chrysalis began to panic, finding out they couldn’t move. The two sisters then began to teleport every last changeling back to their wastelands. It didn’t take long for Discord and Chrysalis to realize their predicament. “WHAT DO WE DO? WHAT DO WE DO? NONONONONONO!!!” Discord shouted in Chrysalis’ face, trying to get free. “CALM DOWN!! My Changelings can save us...where did they go.” Said Chrysalis, her tone drastically changing by the end. “They were teleported back to hive by the princesses.” Discord replied flatly. “Oh.” Chrysalis muttered. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” They shouted in unison as the beam fired out at them completely engulfing them. “Just you ponies wait, I’ll get out again I always get out!” Discord shouted. “Oh just shut up already!” Chrysalis shouted back at him. The beam closed in on them as they let out one final scream and then exploded. Only this time the beam expanded over all of Equestria. The magic power was overwhelming. The throne room was filled with blinding and randomly changing colored light. The ponies and sisters tried to stay awake, against the pure power, but eventually passed out as the light faded away. As they fell to the ground unconscious and were uncertain if they had won, or if they couldn’t control their own power.