//------------------------------// // Everypony is gone // Story: She Can Save Us All // by Shadows Reborn //------------------------------// “Year after year we grow hungrier…” Chrysalis paces back in forth in the tower of her castle carved from mound of earth. “We wait in agony because the outside world refuses to accept us.” She marches to the window overlooking her kingdom large spires served as homes for the countless changeling drones. Chrysalis breaths a deep sigh as she rest her head on the window ceil. "Oh my loyal subjects suffer time and time again growing weak from hunger. What am I, the queen, to do?" A small Changeling sprite nudges her hind legs. She turns her attention back to the small sprite. A smile begins to form on her maw. “Oh little one you seem strong, perhaps there is still hope.” She scoops it up in her fore hooves and nuzzles it slightly. She releases it as its wings begin to flutter the small changeling flies about the room. Soon joined by two others they began to rough house and scuffle all around the room. Chrysalis could not help but give a slight chuckle. How these three find their way into her quarters is a mystery. But it was not the first time, she did not really mind. Seeing the youth still so full of energy filled her with hope. A hope for the future of her race but the future may be bleak still.” Her smile fades as she turns her attention to her kingdom once more. The changeling race feeds on the love and warmth that comes from others. This leaves many a drained husk It is because of this changelings are shun and disliked by ponies everywhere. It is not a decision it is a way of life for their race. No pony can live long without feeding. Without feeding on the emotions of the ponies of Equestria there race will certainly perish over time. “What can be done now? My subjects are too weak to fight for their lives.” Day in and out she could see it her subjects they grow weaker. Quickly becoming less lively some nothing more than husk there essence long gone. Suddenly her kingdom became divided not physically or metaphorically but visually. One half shrouded in night the other half graced by the light of day the skies seemed to be out of whack. Clouds where all in patches and some were raining what looked to be chocolate milk. “Okay…?” Chrysalis tilts her head as a confused expression forms on her face. “Something strange is going on in Equestria.” Four changeling’s drones make their way into the queen’s quarters. They bow before her, as she turns to confront them. “Yes what has the scouting parties found?” They began a series of shrill his squeaks, hiss, and chirps. “Canterlot is in ruin, Equestria is bare, what could have been so strong.” They continued to speak. “The Princesses of Equestria are what now… Oh how marvelous this is exactly what we needed.” She turns around to face her kingdom once more. “Round up a few able volunteers we are going to take a small trip to Canterlot.” Her teal eyes narrow as a smile begins to form. Several hours pass by as the small changeling group pass over the skies of Equestria. But from Trottingham to Fillydelphia, Los Pegasus to Boltimare Equestria was dead silent no pony was could be seen anywhere. To make matters worse the strange anomalies have nearly spread to the far reaches of the land. More than once her loyal subjects have had a run in with a cotton candy cloud. That’s when it came to realization that cotton candy stuck to your wings makes flying and exhausting task. Finally they come to a stop at the most northern tip of Equestria. The Chrystal Empire the buildings made completely of crystals stood tall like a beacon. “Crystalsss… are not looking to promising at this moment. The pony inhabitance what has happened to Equestria?” They slowly land in at the heart of the city. For some the landing was less then dignified as their wings locked up causing them to plummet to the ground. The Candy coated drones hiss in displeasure. They shake and buck frantically trying to free themselves from the sugar tormentor. Chrysalis rubs a hoof under her maw. “This looks like Discords work but at the same time it does not. What could have happened to all the ponies?” Suddenly there came a cracking sound from the ground below. “Huh" A black thorny vine curls around her hind hoof. “What in Equestria is…?” Her gaze turns back to her subjects who were trying to fight off the unknown assailant. More black vines rise from the ground ensnaring the ones that became grounded do to the sugar bindings. “What form of trickery is this?” She rises up as another vine lunged straight for her neck. Chrysalis hisses at it her horn glows green. She fires a bolt magic shearing the vine holding her hostage. He wings buzz frantically as she begins to take flight. “The Castle, run to the Castle!” Her horn glows as she focuses a concentrated beam into the mass of the vines freeing her captured subjects. The changeling drones all rush through the castle doors. Chrysalis stops just short delivering one final blast with her magic before darting inside herself. Chrysalis scans her surroundings the windows in the current room already covered by the black thorny vines. “This castle will not remain safe for long.” She moves closer to the center of the castle looking for any sign to what to where the other ponies might have vanished to. The door creaks as the changelings enter the throne room. “No ponies, no ponies anywhere.” Chrysalis suddenly began to feel a hint of dread. The blessing in disguise began to look more like a curse. What will they feed on if no ponies where left in all of Equestria. Suddenly there came a rapid clacking of hooves as a shadowy figure began to charge right for Chrysalis. “Leave this kingdom monster…” His sentence was cut off as four of the changeling tackles him from the side. He hits a crystal column with loud thud then falls lifelessly to the floor. Chrysalis slowly approaches the figure her eyes narrow as she recognizes the pony that lay before her. “Shining Armor…” Her voice came out a slight hiss. This was reflected by the drones, they hunker down as though getting ready to pounce. Armor groans as his eyes slowly opens his gaze was met with several green eyes glaring at him. The Changeling’s hissed and snap at him. Armor nervously inches his way back tell his back pressed against the column and nowhere to run. Chrysalis glare softens as she takes notice of the creature’s pitiful state. He was battered and bruised. The only thing that remained of his royal armor was his helmet which was bent and broken. “Where is every pony!?” Chrysalis hissed the other changelings hiss in tune Armor turns his gaze to her his eyes barley open. His Voice comes out shrill and weak, “Tirek has returned…” His eyes close as he collapses and slips out of consciousness. One of the changelings hisses and takes a stepped forward only to be blocked by its Queens hoof. “No not this one not yet come we shall take him with us.” One of the stronger male changelings hoists Armor onto its back. “Who is responsible for this, who is this Tirek?”