//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Shift // Story: Welcome to Wherever You Are // by FrozenInTime //------------------------------// "P-please... make it stop..." Rainbow Dash lowered her head with her eyes shut tight, her hooves over her ears. Tears found their way down her face. She tried to block out the images and sounds of the nightmare in front of her. No matter how hard she tried, the sounds found her ears and the sight was almost on the back of her eyelids. How many different ways did she see Twilight die in her hooves, blood streaking down her face from coughed up blood? How many times did she see herself killing Twilight, only for her to come back to life as a Changeling? How long would this nightmare last?! Queen Chrysalis appeared over her, raising her chin with a hoof, as Rainbow opened her mismatched eyes. "You can still save her. It's not too late. You must join us, Rainbow. You will join us. Rainbow's face contorted to anger, as she spit on the Changeling Queen's face. She casually wiped it off, somehow remaining calm. "Now, now. There was no need for that. We can be civil here, can we not? Chrysalis struggled to focus, as she was simultaneously fighting a battle with Twilight in another part of Rainbow's subconscious mind. She knew she would have to do this quickly. Rainbow Dash, You must resist her! She plans on using you to kill Twilight! She will order you to destroy her physical form, not save her! All urge to give in immediately left Rainbow Dash. This creature in front of her was trying to deceive her, and it almost worked. Rainbow would've done anything to keep Twilight safe, and it was apparent that she could do just that by resisting the pull of Changeling magic. She grit her teeth as she fought off the magic trying to get a hold on her mind. No matter what happened, she would not let herself give in. She stiffened her resolve, refusing to let her mind fall under the spell's control. Twilight had just blasted Chrysalis with purple flames in the other part of the dream world. Chrysalis could focus on her alternate form no longer, and it vanished as she returned all her strength to the fight with Twilight. She knew that, given enough time, nopony could resist her magic. But, time was a luxury that she didn't have. She still had to break through the mental resistance Rainbow was holding so valiantly. She would just have to remove the purple thorn in her side first, but that had suddenly turned into a very tedious task. Buzzing her wings, the Queen jumped and hovered swiftly to the side, dodging another fire blast. She frantically wondered if this was Dark Magic, only forcing her to be more and more fearful of the angry purple Alicorn. This little pony, probably less than half her size, had gained the upper hoof somehow. All pain subsided from Twilight's body. She could feel the magic within her. It felt strangely alluring, yet at the same time, repulsive. The stab wound from Chrysalis' tattered horn was not leaking blood; instead, a light purple fog leaked out and wrapped back around Twilight. It was acting as a moving shield, as it blocked her failed counter attack of green magic. Panicking, she flew upwards, trying to buy herself time to recuperate. She turned and began flying as fast as her wings could manage Twilight growled and shot up after her, eyes still giving off lavender fire at the edges. A purple fireball shot out of her horn, impacting the Changeling Queen right in the flank. It exploded on contact, knocking her off balance. Her insect-like wings were barely able to turn her upright again as she careened towards the invisible barrier that was the ground. She pulled upwards at last, and looked back at her pursuer. Twilight was much faster that Chrysalis with her actual wings, even if she still wasn't the best flier. Her rage only made her faster. She was, however, slowed when another blast of green magic hit her in the left wing, but only momentarily. She reacted with another fireball, which just barely missed it's target, continuing off into the endless void. Her mane swept and flowed behind her like fire, as she aimed her horn for another attack. This time, it collided with another attack from Chrysalis, exploding in a blinding flash. Chrysalis foolishly darted forward, attempting to get another blast of magic in. It was blocked by a purple shield of magic, which then shot forward and turned downwards at great speed, literally swatting Chrysalis out of the air. She hit the ground with enough force for a few cracks to be heard. She lay breathing heavily, purely shocked. "Such power... how...?" How fitting for an oversized insect, to be swatted out of the air like nothing. Hmm... Twilight grinned widely when the idea hit her. She focused her magic to take a specific shape. It was at least ten hooves of thin purple, then extending outwards at the top. She had made a giant magical flyswatter. At this point, the young Princess began to physically change, or at least as close as physical can be in the collapsed dream. The fog was now a spiraling black aura around her body and wings. Her pupils were red, with her irises expanding and turning green, with the purple fire still present. Her magic somehow remained purple, and her mane and fur were still their natural color. She must have been showing restraint for this to be possible. If so, she was likely capable of much more power. She brought the weapon down, which Chrysalis avoided by rolling to the side. She hastily, but painfully, got to her hooves, looking up at the horrifying display of Dark Magic. She leapt to the side, dodging another hit. "I never thought you to be the one resorting to Dark Magic. What does Celestia teach her students?" "Silence!" Twilight yelled, dispelling the magical weapon and shooting another fireball, which landed right in front of the Queen. The explosion sent her back, and she came to a rolling stop some distance away. Twilight landed, and began walking towards the Changeling. Twilight closed her eyes briefly, and when they opened, the fire was gone and they had regained their purple splendor. She was actually ashamed of herself for using Dark Magic, but she didn't regret letting it loose on the creature that had dared to threaten her Dashie. Still, she was disappointed with herself, yet proud for dealing such a beating. I'm sorry Celestia... but maybe I can make up for it. Twilight was very close to the panting and collapsed Chrysalis, who shifted her gaze to meet Twilight's. When she was close enough, she lit her horn in her usual purple aura. Chrysalis' wings buzzed weakly, and she bucked her legs forward, knocking the wind out of Twilight. She then grabbed Twilight's back with all four legs and turned, switching places with her. She shouted down at the Alicorn, who was holding her chest. "There's nothing you can do now! Your precious Rainbow Dash will join the Hive, and together we will destroy your little town!" She was holding her front right hoof up, and it appeared to be broken. As Twilight finally caught her breath, she could feel rage returning. This time, however, she didn't let it manifest as Dark Magic. She blocked it off, channeling it instead to a much more benevolent energy. She didn't stop herself from spitting back a taunt, however. "Gee, I never knew flying cockroaches were double-jointed." She stared at the broken leg, which was definitely not bent the right way. "Flying cockroaches?! You little- AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" Twilight's mouth shot open, letting out a stream of the purple flames from before. They covered the Queen's face, and she immediately started backing up and screaming at the top of her lungs, covering her face with both hooves. When Twilight closed her mouth, all that could be heard was the Changeling's screams and a faint sizzling. "Hm. Dragon's Breath. That's a new one." Twilight wiped her mouth with her leg and hoof. She got up off her back, staring amused at the Queen. With a flap of her wings, she got to a standing position. Chrysalis finally removed her hooves, revealing a badly burned and very angry face. "You insolent little thing! How did you ever become an Alicorn Princess?! It doesn't matter, because your little Rainbow D-" "SILENCE!!!" Twilight shouted in her own Royal Canterlot voice. It was every bit as loud and intimidating, if not more, than that of Princess Luna. The difference was, it was her voice carrying the words, not Luna's. It was not Dark Magic changing Twilight now. Her eyes beamed white as a purple energy surrounded her body and wings, lifting her off the invisible surface. She hovered, as more energy flowed through her. Her wings actually began to glow, and her mane began to flow and shimmer elegantly, not unlike Celestia's or Luna's. "I must say, it's a lot of fun interrupting you." Chrysalis didn't even have time to open her mouth, or breathe, or blink, or really do anything. A purple blur shot forward and grabbed her by the midsection before she could. The two were headed in the direction of the orb. Just before flying directly into it, Twilight turned upwards at a ninety-degree angle, bringing them both very high up, all in less than three seconds. She slowed to a stop, grinned at the Changeling Queen, and winked with a glowing white eye, before dropping her. As she fell, she tried in vain to fly, but her insect wings would not move. She screamed as she looked down to see the green orb fast-approaching. Twilight once again turned into a purple blur, as she darted straight downwards. She slammed into Chrysalis halfway down, impacting her in the chest with forelegs pointed down. She took on Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom pose, as a spearhead of light formed around her. Just before impact with the orb, the black void exploded with an expanding purple light in the shape of Twilight's Cutie Mark, her own version of the Sonic Rainboom. She angled her head down, sending her horn right through Chrysalis and into the corrupted magical core when they hit. Her head jerked back and hit the core, nearly knocking her out. Chrysalis let out a scream of pain and terror, as purple light flooded out of the breach in her. Everything in the collapsed dream world faded in a blinding white light, as the magical core, along with Chrysalis' dream form, were ripped to shreds. After a few seconds, the core collapsed in on itself, before it violently exploded. Twilight was sent flying back into a bookshelf as her consciousness snapped back into her own mind.. She rubbed her head, and she tried to stand, which was stifled by a book falling on her. Rainbow's eyes fluttered open, revealing two crimson irises. Twilight gasped, followed by a bright smile. "Rainbow! It worked! You-Mmph!" Twilight was interrupted by Rainbow tackling her to the ground, and their lips met as they hit the floor. Twilight's first instinct was to push Rainbow Dash off, but she resisted that urge. Everything in her mind told her this was wrong, but she didn't care. It felt... right. So, she told her mind, along with all reasonable thoughts, to hit the road. This was her moment, and she was going to enjoy it. She didn't care if she had to be impaled a dozen more times by a Changeling horn, it would be worth it for this perfect moment. They parted in what felt like too soon to Twilight, and Rainbow wrapped her legs around Twilight's neck, pulling her halfway off the floor in a bone-crushing hug. "Twilight! I'm so glad you're safe!" Tears began streaming down her face. She had just seen Twilight die in at least two-hundred different ways, and she never wanted to let go, in fear of something actually happening to her beloved. Twilight felt wetness on her shoulder. "T-Twi... promise me... t-that you'll n-never leave..." Rainbow choked out between sobs. Twilight was still shocked, and tried to process what had just happened. Did it actually even happen? Yeah, it felt real... her lips tingled, and she finally found out that it tastes like rainwater. She would think this through... later. Now, there was somepony who needed comfort. "I promise, Dashie." As she pulled away from Rainbow, she crossed her heart and covered her eye with a hoof. "It's ironic, now a broken Pinkie promise will literally cause you to lose a friend." Twilight said. "Forever..." Pinkie said as her head popped out of the fireplace, startling the two other mares. She quickly disappeared again without another word. The Badlands A male Changeling sat alone on the edge of a cliff, staring out over the massive arid plains, the intricate red rock formations, and the sunset. His ears perked up as he heard the familiar buzzing of Changeling wings behind him. He knew exactly who it was, so he simply continued to enjoy the view. The female Changeling landed beside him, and sat down. Both of the Changelings had features that set them apart from others of their kind. Both had the eyes of normal ponies, instead of the light blue with white near the center that other Changelings had. The male had light blue irises, and the female had red. They both had a bit of green around the edges. But that wasn't all; the male had the wings of a normal Pegasus, although black and filled with holes. The female had claws in the place of hooves, and her horn was slightly longer. "What have you found out?" Spoke the male Changeling. His voice was not abnormal, and seemed to be an average stallion's voice. In fact, his voice sounded similar to Shining Armor's, with an echo. But Shining was in the Crystal Empire at this time. "The Queen flew into a rage when she awoke. She is still not powerful enough to overpower the young Princess." Spoke the female. Both of their voices seemed to echo slightly, like the voice of Chrysalis. "Good, that means we still have time." "Not necessarily. Word around is, she's planning to continue the plan sooner than previously thought. If we are going to warn her, we must do it soon." "I know. The young Princess... Twilight Sparkle, is it? She is likely the only one who can stop the Queen." "Tell me, why do you plot against Chrysalis like this?" "I told you part of this already. I know I lost my memories, and I know what our kind does is wrong." "Yes, I agree. I believe we could live in piece with the ponies of Equestria." "That's easy for you to say, you kept your memories. How were you able to resist the Queen's spell? You should have lost everything." "I don't know, honestly... and I didn't keep all of my memories. I know that my eyes shouldn't be this color. I also know about the young Princess. How I came to know her, I do not remember. I remember that she could fight, and fight well at that. She was unsurpassable when it came to magic." "Well, I will be fighting our own species soon enough. I think I should get to Ponyville now, in fact. The sooner the ponies can be warned the better. I don't expect them to trust me right away, but I can always take on one of their forms. They will be easier to trust one of their own." "I will stay here, just as we planned. Sorry our conversation had to be so rushed, but we are running out of time." The male Changeling turned and prepared to take off, but was stopped by the female wrapping him in a hug from behind. "Good luck, Shift." "...Thanks, Trixie.