"And, uh, that's basically what happened, your majesties," Spitfire finished, she and the Guard mare nervously looking at the older sibling.
Celestia's eye twitched as she gazed upon the ruined Cloudsdale, rage burning just below the surface of her breaking visage of control, before she finally took a deep breath and sighed.
"Thank you for your report, ladies. Spitfire, Skyranger, please continue to help rebuild the city. We'll be sending some more of the Pegasi Guard to assist you once we return to Canterlot."
"Thank you, your majesty." They both saluted before flying off to work with the others.
"Tia-" Luna began after they had left, only for her sister to cut her off.
"I know, Luna. I know. It's not his fault. I can't blame him for the actions of others." She sighed. "But it doesn't make it any easier to tolerate."
"To think this 'Ultros' has such a powerful ally. He seemed like naught but a nuisance before, but perhaps we should be taking him more seriously."
"Indeed. And we still haven't heard back from Discord. Perhaps... perhaps now is the time."
Luna looked surprised. "Tia, do you really think so? I understand your plans for her, and I agree that none would be more qualified, but this is not the kind of thing that can be forced."
"I know, Lulu, but I do believe she is ready. Though I think for safety's sake we should keep ourselves ready for some kind of attack as well. I doubt our enemies know of our plans, but there is also the possibility of just bad timing."
Luna thought for a moment before nodding. "Agreed. I'll have the Lunar Guard notified that they may be needed to act at a moment's notice."
"Then let us be off. It is time to see if Equestria is ready for its fourth princess."
One Day Later
I finally arrived back in my Equestria and sighed contently. Somehow the air smelled different in my own universe. It was a smell I had gotten accustomed too. On a whim I decided to check out Ponyville from the treetops of the Everfree and noticed a peculiar, but not entirely unexpected, sight: checkered storm clouds over the small town. That could only mean one thing.
The countdown to Princess Twilight has begun.
I started to think of all the jokes and pranks I could pull at the coronation when a realization hit me. Namely that Twilight had been through a lot recently. Being foalnapped by Ultros, being taken control of by Melusine and attacking her friends, the physical and emotional damage she must've suffered from her unwilling fight with me. And we can't forget how she let me go after my weapon in the museum without trying to stop me. I sighed.
Maybe, just this once, I'll just do something respectful. Something nice. She deserves that much.
Just then something popped into existence in front of me, thankfully not smacking me in the face. I quickly grabbed it before it hit the ground, realizing it was a CD player and a letter. I opened it up and began to read, surprised at what I found.
Dear Gilgamesh,
It has come to my understanding that years ago, you were once worried about me. Well, I can assure you I'm fine. What I can also assure you of is the large time gap due to the multiverse, that you will most likely be confused when I say most of this. Hopefully, the radio and the CD in it are still in one piece, because I've been hearing that your Vinyl and Octavia have been listening to Human Music.
Before you ask how I got these two objects, I'll only give a hint: "When you look into the mirror you see your reflection. Sometimes, however, the reflection isn't always you."
Play the CD, you'll love it as much as I do.
King of the Silent,
Pyramid Head
I smiled. So PH really is one of the good guys. Good to know. Maybe I don’t need to warn anyone else about him anymore. I looked at the CD player before hitting play. I wonder what he sent me?
The Next Day
“Say something, Princess,” Celestia whispered to her protegé.
“Oh. Um…” Twilight stuttered before clearing her throat. “A little while ago, my teacher and mentor, Princess Celestia, sent me to live in Ponyville. She sent me to study friendship, which is something I didn't really care much about.” She turned to her friends and ushered them over. “But now, on a day like today, I can honestly say I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the friendships I've made with all of you. Each one of you taught me something about friendship, and for that, I will always be grateful.” Her friends smiled as tears of joy welled up in their eyes. Twilight turned back to the crowd below. “Today, I consider myself the luckiest pony in Equestria. Thank you, friends. Thank you, every...pony…” she trailed off.
The other Princesses, her friends, and the whole crowd turned to look at what their newest royal was seeing and froze.
On one of the highest buildings in Canterlot, aside from the palace itself, stood Gilgamesh, leaning casually against the pointed spire roof, his helmet removed and held at his side. For a moment he simply stood there before shifting to a more upright position. Twilight and her friends, as well as the Princesses, could swear they saw him smiling. After a moment he shifted his helmet under his arm before slowly clapping his hands. As he picked up his pace the crowd slowly began to join him, stomping their hooves. Soon they were cheering as they were before. The warrior placed his helmet back on his head before cutting open another portal. With a casual wave he disappeared into the Rift.
Twilight smiled before speaking again. "Thank you, everyone! All of you have made me who I am this day! Thank you so much!"
As the crowd roared back in approval Celestia looked to her student with boundless pride. She then looked back to the spot the warrior had been, closing her eyes before sighing.
I'll be honest, Gilgamesh. I don't really like you. I still haven't truly forgiven for what you've done in the past. But...
She opened her eyes and looked back to Twilight who was showered with affection from her friends and family.
I can say now that I do trust you.
Over the next month I kept a low profile for the most part. Despite the goods under my belt and the apparent trust I had with the Princesses I still didn't think Equestria was quite ready for me to walk the streets. Mostly, I hung out with Octavia and Vinyl who, thankfully, despite the initial attention their relationship with me got them, had faded from the front page spotlight due to the other things that had happened, like Discord getting released, the fight in Manehattan, the destruction in Cloudsdale, and Twilight's most recent coronation.
I started to experiment and give them a wider range to choose things from. I introduced them to the concept of the remake, which I was surprised didn’t really seem to exist here, by showing them some Thouhou music and the fan-made covers, but after that I learned that apparently Jazz music either didn’t exist here or was very rare. That had to change, and what better way than to introduce them to The Preservation Hall Jazz Band? I also threw in some comedy tracks like also Dethklok's Face Fisted (Vinyl thought it was "the most stupidly awesome hilarious thing she'd ever heard. Tavi didn't really get it) and introduce them to the concept of the parody song by letting them compare Michael Jackson's Bad and Weird Al's Fat (Vinyl was howling with laughter after that one, and I did get some giggles out of Octavia).
The next idea was how the same artist could put out a radically different song and yet still keep their style, which I did by introducing them to Guns N’ Roses, showing them Welcome to the Jungle and contrasting it with Sweet Child O' Mine. The first practically made Octavia explode with embarrassment, and even Vinyl admitted it was really damn raunchy (though she did like it) while the second actually made the classical musician cry, stating it was “the most unexpectedly beautiful thing she’d ever heard.” And finally I finished off with another genre mixing song, showing how two seemingly contradictory genre’s could blend amazingly together. I let them listen to Metallica’s Enter Sandman and then the version they did with the San Francisco Symphonic Orchestra. Despite already have mixed genres with Dancing Mad, they were still surprised at how well it went together. I gave them a lot to chew on, and it was great timing because on my last visit I got a look at the newspaper.
A DOUBLY-SPECIAL SUMMER-SUN CELEBRATION
Princess of the Night and Princess of Friendship to Join Princess of the Sun
So, the time is finally here. The last event before I leave.
I sighed. I knew I was coming back, but I really was attached to this place, and the last year had reminded me just how much I enjoyed being in Equestria. Even though I came way before the show ever started I was always happy to be here, and not just because I was happy to be anywhere but Earth.
But with new powers comes new responsibilities. Those Final Fantasy bosses are no doubt still coming. I will be Equestria’s defender, from whatever may come. And maybe, after that’s done with, I can finally ask Luna out on a proper date.
I’ll be honest, despite my power and age and our recent connection I still doubted I was actually going to be able to woo my dream-mare, but damn if I wasn’t going to try.
But before anything else happens, I’ve got a shaman and a magician to check up on.
"Quite impressive, dear Trixie. I dare say, you surpass me," Zecora complimented.
"Don't be silly, Zecora, there's no way I could surpass you," the unicorn blushed, deactivating her newest spell, finally having perfected it after several weeks.
"So humble is this new pony, to not boast of a spell that hides thee."
"Indeed. I'm rather impressed."
Both mares looked up to see a familiar armored warrior on a branch.
"G-Gilgamesh," Trixie stuttered. Despite what he had done for her she was still wary of the armored giant, not able to fully look past how he was able to best the Princesses. Even still, she didn't run as he hopped.
"Seeing you again is quite good. What brings you to our neck of the woods?"
"Just checking up on you two. And giving you a warning."
"'Warning?'" Trixie asked, concerned.
"Another catastrophe will be coming, this time from here in the Everfree. But fear not, Princess Twilight and her friends will overcome it."
"'Princess!?' You mean, those rumors were true!?"
"'Rumors?' It's all over news."
Trixie's heart sank. "I can't believe it. I'll never catch up to her," she muttered as her ears fell.
"Trixie, if you gauge your life in comparison to others, you'll never find peace," he said as he kneeled down and patted her head with his massive hand. "Focus on what you can do. Be the best Trixie this world has ever seen, not the best spellcaster."
Trixie was about to retort, but stopped to think on his words. After a moment, she nodded. "You're right. Thank you."
"But that leads me back to my warning. The force that threatens Equestria will engulf the Everfree. The nearest safe haven, or at least relatively safe, will be Ponyville."
Those words caused the unicorn to flinch.
"Zecora, you will be needed there soon. You however, will not. Trixie, if you are unwilling to go to Ponyville and encounter Twilight and her friends, tell me now."
The showmare thought long and hard. Obtaining Twilight's approval, her recognition, maybe even her friendship, was one of the things she strove for. She wanted to repay her for forgiving her when she had absolutely no reason to. But still...
"I'm sorry, but no. I'm not ready for that yet," she answered solemnly.
"I understand," he replied before cutting open another portal. "Then please, follow me.”
The Next Day
"You're welcome!" Discord called to the two fleeing ponies before harrumphing. He then turned back to Twilight with a smug look. "No luck finding your tree?"
"We ran into some trouble. And my friends decided it would be best if I returned to Ponyville while they continue the search." Twilight explained, trying to sound confident. "Equestria will need me if Princess Celestia and Princess Luna don't return."
"I'm just surprised that you agreed to their plan. I never thought you'd be the kind of pony who would think she was better than everypony else."
"I don't think I'm better than anypony!" she shouted back in anger.
"Oh, well, how silly of me to assume that you would think that," he began summoning a golden scepter with a bust of her head and a purple robe over her body. "All you did was choose to keep your precious princess self out of harm's way while your friends thrust themselves right into it." Twilight threw away the royal accessories in disgust. "I'm sure you'll all be the best of pals again when they return from their terrifying yet deeply bonding experience that they're having without you," he finished with a chuckle, popping in and out from behind her bangs and her ears.
"Though I wouldn't have used such teasing language, he does have a point," came a deep voice.
All three of them turned to see the mighty warrior himself step out from behind one of the houses, looking as though he was waiting there for a while. Twilight noticed the disappointed look in his eyes.
"Well well, look who decided to show up," the Lord of Chaos said with a smirk as he flashed and returned to his full size.
"Hello, Discord. Did you complete your task?"
The draconequuis smirked. "Equis is now officially dimension-invader-proof. Though, like I told Celly and Woona, that won't kick out anything already here."
"I hope you're right. I'd hate to see your ego deflated," Gilgamesh taunted back.
Discord crossed his arms and huffed, but said nothing.
"But he is right, Twilight," Gilgamesh continued, turning to the mare with that same disappointed look. "You gave up your most value weapon, the source of your strength and power, just so Equestria could have a Princess. You should've known better."
Twilight looked gobsmacked for a moment before growling and darting off towards the forest, Spike hot on her hooves.
"I never should've agreed to this plan!"
"Twilight, wait!" her assistant called, causing her to stop. "The forest is dangerous, and they've got a big head start. We should get some help."
"Who in Equestria would-!?" She began only to turn and face the massive fighter, who had his arms folded and pretended not to be listening.
"Gilgamesh," she began, stepping towards him, "will you please help me and my friends save Equestria?"
He chuckled and turned to her. "I swore to Princess Luna if I was ever asked, I would do whatever I could to aid Equestria and its citizens," he began before turning and making a short bow to her. "Your wish is my command, Princess Twilight."
"Please, you of all pon- I mean, beings don't have to call me that," she replied with a smile.
She could tell he was smiling under his face guard as he rose. "Then hop on, kiddies, we've got a lot of ground to cover!"
Twilight nodded before shakily flying up to his shoulder and grabbing on before levitating Spike up to her as well.
He crouched down before blaring a song. "Always wanted to say this," he muttered before launching himself into the air and towards the forest, his naginata drawn. "LEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY JENKIIIIIIIIIIIINS!" As if anticipating his arrival the plants began to poise themselves, ready to strike. “PREPARE YOURSELVES, VILE WEEDS, FOR YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE WHACKED!” After a massive thud rang out from him striking the ground and anything around it, the warrior dashed forwards, laughing boisterously as he cut anything in his path.
"Valiant efforts on both your parts, but the tree remains in jeopardy," Rarity stated as she helped her friend up.
"And Ah suppose you've got a better idea?" Applejack retorted. The unicorn tried to answer back, but couldn't think of anything. "That's what Ah thought."
"I know who would know what to do. But we sent her home," Fluttershy stated despondently, the others feeling the same.
Suddenly, Pinkie shot up. "Oh! Twitchy tail!"
"'Twitchy tail?' But that means-" Rainbow began.
"Ya'll hear that?" Applejack asked, noticing some booming noises, laughter, and music seeming to grow louder. Suddenly, it hit her, as well as her friends. "Oh no."
Just then a massive figure burst out of the Everfree Forest, flying towards them.
"SPOOOOOOOOOOON!"
"HIT THE DECK!" Rainbow shouted.
"What deck!? And why do I want to hit it!?" Pinkie asked before her pegasus friend grabbed her and pulled her out of the way, the others having already dodged to the side.
Instead of a large impact, there was actual no noise at all. The five friends looked to see the familiar warrior hovering for a moment before gently touching down and bowing.
"Domo arigato gozaimasu," he said in a strange accent before standing upright.
Before anypony could say a word in response two recognizable figures fell off his back, one awkwardly flapping her wings for a landing while the other simply flopped down.
“Ugh! And I thought Twilight’s flying was bad!”
“Twilight! Spike!” the girls shouted and rushed their friends, embracing them closely.
“Ah sure am glad ya came looking for us,” Applejack said.
“The truth of it is, Twilight, we're simply lost without you,” Rarity added.
“Yeah. Equestria may need its princess-” Rainbow began.
“But we need our friend,” Fluttershy finished.
Sniffling came from behind them and they all turned to see the warrior wiping his eyes.
“Gilgy, are you crying?” Pinkie asked.
He sniffled again. “I-It’s just that I’ve got s-something in my eye,” he replied as he continued to wipe. “I’ve got something in my other eye,” he continued as he sniffled again. “I’ve got something in my heart.”
Fluttershy smiled sympathetically while Twilight rolled her eyes.
“Jeez, and I thought Rarity was the dramatic one,” Applejack teased, getting a huff from the unicorn, but only a very brief one.
The group headed over to the tree, Twilight flying closer to examine it, only to be briefly assaulted by the vines, which she escaped. After a moment of thought, she turned to her friends. “I know how we can save the tree. We have to give it the Elements of Harmony.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, heh. How are we supposed to protect Equestria?” Rainbow Dash asked, more than a little panicked.
“How are we meant to rein Discord in if we can't use the Elements to turn him back to stone?” Rarity added.
“Twilight,” Applejack began, approaching her friend. “The Elements of Harmony, they're what keep us connected no matter what.”
The alicorn opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted.
“You’re wrong.”
All heads turned towards the armored warrior.
“They’re what brought you together, but they’re not what keeps you together. Something much more powerful is responsible for that.”
“It's our friendship,” Twilight took over with a smile, turning back to her friends. “And it's more important and more powerful than any magic. My new role in Equestria may mean I have to take on new responsibilities, and our friendships may be tested, but it will never, ever be broken. There's no time to lose. Everypony ready?” she asked as she took to the air.
“Ready!” the other mares replied.
Twilight took the jewels in her magic, seeming to rotate naturally around herself as she turned to face the tree. The vines launched forwards to stop her, causing all to gasp except for the warrior, who’s knowing smile was hidden by his face guard. Soon, the alicorn finally placed all the Elements back into the tree, causing it to radiate with light and power, releasing a shockwave that destroyed the vines that ensnared it and the rest of the Everfree forest. As it shone with blinding light two clumps of vines disappeared, shocking the mares and drake who was present all along.
Twilight, at a loss for words and too happy to bother, rushed forwards and embraced the Princesses of the Sun and Moon, who eagerly hugged her back.
“We know how difficult it must have been for you to give up the Elements. It took great courage to relinquish them,” Celestia said. The three alicorns ceased them embrace and faced the rest of the group.
Luna stepped forwards and smiled as she looked up at the taller biped. “And we thank you, warrior Gilgamesh, for once again proving that our trust was not misplaced. Thank you for your aid,” she said with a bow.
“It was an honor to protect this beautiful land of yours, fair Mistress of the Night,” he replied, bowing as well. They both rose and he turned to the older diarch. “Oh, and Celestia?”
Celestia paused for a moment before realizing where he was going. “If you say one thing about my weight again-”
“Lookin’ good, babe,” he finished with a thumbs-up.
The cavern was silent for a moment before Celestia closed her eyes and sighed. “Just take the compliment,” she muttered.
“Alright, that’s enough goofing around, everypony. There’s only one thing to do,” Pinkie stated with a serious expression on her face. “THANKSYOUTWILIGHTANDGILGAMESHFORSAVINGEQUESTRIAPARTY!” she squealed as streamers and confetti suddenly exploded everywhere.
“As nice as that sounds, Pinkie, I’m afraid I’ve got some other things I need to take care of,” Gilgamesh replied.
“‘Other things?’ What kind of other things does somepony like you need to take care of?” Rainbow Dash asked skeptically.
“To retrieve the rest of his weapons and power so that he might protect us. All of us,” Luna answered.
“Um, ‘protect us?’ From what? Um, if you don’t mind me asking that is,” Fluttershy asked demurely.
“From forces like Melusine. Vile powers from beyond all of Equis,” she answered again before turning back to the armored biped. “It’s quite odd to admit, but… I will miss you.”
“Wait, I don’t get it. Where’s he going?” Spike asked. Gilgamesh seemed confused as well.
“In order to keep his full strength from him his most powerful weapons were given to other nations for safekeeping,” Celestia explained. “We have tried to have them returned, have explained the situation, but all the other nations have either refused to believe the threat or have not responded.”
“I see. I guess I really will have to get them myself,” Gilgamesh sighed. “And here I was kind of enjoying the idea of not having to hide in the shadows all the time. Oh well. Better get a move on,” he finished while grabbing his weapon.
“Wait, you’re going now?” Twilight asked, her tone unexpectedly upset.
“Time is of the essence, Twilight. I have no idea where or when our enemies might attack.”
“B-But why now!? You’ve helped us so much! You’ve helped me! You kept me from…” Twilight’s voice got caught in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes. “From doing something horrible I couldn’t ever fix.” She started to sob, sparing a quick glance at her friends who looked back with sympathy and understanding. She turned back to the warrior and hung her head. “I… I never even properly thanked you for that. You’re my friend. You’re our friend.”
Gilgamesh paused before taking a knee and stretching his arms in front of him. Twilight accepted the wordless invitation and leapt forwards, hugging him around his neck as he embraced her fully.
“Believe me, Twilight, it means a lot to me to hear you call me that. I’d love to spend time here and get to know you all better, but some things just need to be done. But don’t worry, I’ll be back. I’m doing this to defend Equestria, because I love this land and the people- er, ponies in it.”
The two released each other and Twilight looked back to him. “Can’t you stay, at least for one day? Tomorrow is the Summer Sun Celebration, the first one with both Luna and I involved. Can’t you stay to see it?”
Gilgamesh hesitated before looking to her and then to the two other Princesses before sighing. “I guess I can stay one more day.” The small alicorn smiled in response. “But it’s not my style to just sit around. There is something small I could get taken care of here.” Before anypony could ask he stood up and approached her friends, one earth pony in particular. “Applejack, I realize I’m asking a lot here, but would you be willing to give up some of your crop?”
The farmmare raised an eyebrow. “My crop? What do ya want our apples for?”
He chuckled. “I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but hear me out. In another dimension, another version of Equestria, Ponyville isn’t doing too well. I promised that I’d send them some food if I ever had the chance.”
“Another Ponyville? Wait a dern minute, is that why ya took those apples from Appleloosa? Why didn’t ya just ask?” she questioned angrily.
“Do you really think they would’ve given me anything willingly with the reputation I had?”
Applejack tried to retort but anything she could think of fell flat. She sighed. “Ah guess Ah could part with some of them ifn it’s for a good cause.”
“Wait, you actually believe that crazy ‘other Ponyville’ story, AJ?” Rainbow asked incredulously.
“Well, Ah can tell he ain’t lyin’,” she said simply. “Ah’ll let ya take a quarter of what ya can harvest in an hour. That shouldn’t be too unreasonable, right?”
Gilgamesh chuckled. “Heh. Braeburn never did tell you exactly what happened, did he?”
“Huh? Whaddya mean?”
“Oh, nothing,” he coyly replied before taking his weapon and cutting open a portal. “I’ll see you all tomorrow. And AJ? Say goodbye to one fourth of your crop.”
And with that he disappeared.
I groaned as I lied down in the throne room of the Castle of the Pony Sisters. I couldn’t sleep. Something didn’t feel right.
Just a few hours before I had knocked every apple in Sweet Apple Acres off it’s branch. It was hilarious to watch Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh’s jaws drop, the wheat stalk falling out of the latter’s mouth, and Granny Smith offering me a job after I had done the deed in less than five minutes. I had sent roughly eighty barrels to Nemmy’s world, Sweet Apple Acres being bigger than Appleloosa’s orchard, so hopefully they’d be good for a while. I picked up Trixie from Vinyl and Tavi’s place, thanking them once again for keeping a lid on her presence and allowing her to stay. I even started cooking some jerky for the long trip I’d be making tomorrow.
Then why can’t I shake the feeling I’m forgetting something?
I sighed as I went through a list of what should’ve happened.
Celestia and Luna get kidnapped by the Plunder Seeds. The sky becomes half day and half night. Twilight and her friends give up the Elements to restore the Tree of Harmony. The Princesses are freed. The box appears. They find out Discord-
My brain stopped. My eyes widened as I shot up.
The box.
Without a single thought more I cut open a portal and jumped into the Rift before cutting open another one and ending up back at the Tree of Harmony. I ignored its ethereal brilliance and searched it’s roots for something, any indication for what I was looking for.
There was none.
There’s no box. There’s no box! THERE’S NO FUCKING BOX! BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THE KEY PLOT POINTS FOR THE WHOLE OF SEASON FOUR! THE ITEMS THEY GOT FROM THEIR ENCOUNTERS GLOWING! WHY ISN’T IT HERE!?
As my mind raced it stopped when I remembered Invention and Jenny’s dimension, how different their timeline was.
Something’s changed.
Princess Celestia smiled contently as she watched her former student and her friends enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company. After all that they’d been through it was fantastic to see how close they all were. She was reminded again how she’d do and give up anything to preserve such bonds.
And it looks like you would, too, she thought, remembering her old adversary.
The train finally stopped at Canterlot. Celestia cleared her throat as she and her sister approached the door, ready to address her subjects and put them at ease, only for a unicorn Guard to interrupt her before she could start.
“Princesses! Thank Harmony you’re back! We have a situation!” he shouted.
“Lieutenant Starshine? What is it?”
“Changelings are in Canterlot! Queen Chrysalis is with them!”
“WHAT!?” the Elements of Harmony shouted from behind her, stealing the words right out of her mouth.
“Gather the troops, Lieutenant, and show us where our enemies are!” Luna commanded.
“I’m… I’m afraid it’s not that simple. You see, she’s… She’s actually requested to speak with you.”
Everypony stood shocked for a moment, unable to process what they’d heard.
“She is… requesting an audience?” Luna asked incredulously.
“Take us to them, Lieutenant,” Celestia ordered.
The stallion nodded and the Princesses, the girls, and Spike followed as he galloped off. Within minutes they were in front of the palace gates, surprised at what they saw.
A group of about twenty changelings, all armored and weiding curved blades (scimitars if she remembered the name correctly) hissed and took short swipes at anypony who got too close, namely the Guards who were holding their spears at them. The small squad of soldiers encircled at black carriage, made of some sort of smooth material and with elegant spikes surrounding it in an interwoven design, though it appeared to have suffered some damage. The few windows it had also had dark green curtains, obscuring whomever or whatever was inside.
When the changelings noticed the Princesses arrive they stopped to stare, no longer trying to aggressively repel the Royal Guard. One of them, notable for the scar over his right eye with a discoloration signifying vision loss, slowly approached the carriage door.
“They have arrived, My Queen,” Celestia heard him say.
“All of them?” asked a familiar voice from inside.
“Cadance and Shining Armor are not here, but the three others and the rest of the Elements are.”
“I see. Open it.”
The changeling hesitated. “Your Majesty, are you sure you should-?”
“Open. It.”
“...Of course, My Queen.”
The changeling’s horn glowed and his aura turned the handle before slowly pulling the door open. All the insect like equines immediately turned to the carriage and bowed, holding their heads down as their leader stepped out. What the ponies saw was unlike anything they were expecting.
Queen Chrysalis was dressed in a slightly more elegant armor than her subjects, an ornate scimitar resting on her left side as did six deadly looking sickles, three on each side, likely meant to be throwing weapons. What caught their attention, however, was the state the armor, and Chrysalis herself, was in. Namely, it looked like she’d been chewed up and spit out by Cerberus. There wasn’t a single part of her body that didn’t bear some kind of wound, whether it be a simple scrape or a large and formerly bleeding, but now closed, wound. The most obvious one was above her left eye, her bright green blood having hardened over it. It looked like she’d tried to wipe the liquid away several times so she could see but eventually gave up and settled for just keeping the eye closed.
“Oh… my… word,” Rarity muttered, speaking aloud what everypony was thinking.
The Changeling Queen slowly trotted over them, each step slow and deliberate. At one point she winced and stumbled slightly, every changeling immediately getting up to help her but halted as she held up a hoof to stop them. She took in a few pained breaths before standing tall again, causing them to resume their respectful stances. She eventually made it to the Equestrian rulers and stopped.
“Princess Celestia,” she began, before turning to the azure alicorn. “Princess Luna,” she said, before finally turning to Twilight. She smirked a bit. “And your former protegé,” she finished, earning an unsure glare from the newly ascended alicorn before turning back to face the solar diarch. “We have a mutual problem.”