Well, this is it; our wedding day. Everything we’ve been through has led up to this moment. I’m standing in the middle of the church with Scott by my side, waiting for my bride-to-be to come through those doors. While I wait, I take a look at the people around me. All my friends are here, and it’s quite a big crowd. I can’t help but smile, as it's still hard to believe this is real.
Standing in the front row is my sister. As you might have guessed, she was the one who funded all of this. She’d worked so hard over these past few weeks to ensure the perfect wedding. She was the one who made Twilight’s dress, ordered the food, everything that’s gone into making this day possible. And now she’s standing right there, crying so hard that her makeup is running down her face. I consider myself truly lucky to have her as a sister.
Finally, Twilight comes out the doors, and she looks absolutely stunning in her dress. Liz is following her close by. I take her hand as we walk up to the alter together, and the ceremony begins. After about half an hour Twilight and I say our vows and the priest pronounces us man and wife. Finally we kiss, and it’s the most magical kiss I’ve ever had. This is it… we’re finally married. Everyone in the audience stands up and cheers as Twilight and I finish our kiss. Twilight tosses her flower bouquet into the audience, though we don’t quite see who catches it.
I take Twilight's hand and we start to head for the door. There’s a limo waiting for us outside. We’re going take it home and start planning our honeymoon together. We take about two steps down the stairs… when the church doors fly open in front of us. Everyone in the room turns their attention to the doorway; obviously this was not part of the ceremony. Standing there is a strange woman, who displays a rather peculiar smile.
“What a wonderful day for a wedding,” she says, as she starts to walk down the aisle towards Twilight and I.
She glances at me and then at Twilight.
“My goodness, you sure can pick ‘em, Twilight. He’s a real handsome devil,” she says.
“Twilight, do you know this woman?” I ask.
She shakes her head, making the woman stop in her tracks.
“Well I’m not that surprised. We haven’t seen each other in nearly two years… Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
“How… how did you know about that?” Twilight asks her.
“I know a lot of things…” The woman says, taking off her glasses and throwing them aside, “Like how you were brought here by a complete accident, and why you can’t remember your time in Equestria. Oh yes, I know all about you.”
“Who are you?” I ask.
The woman simply lifts her arms as green auras appear around her hands. The aura then appears around the door and window handles similar to when Twilight performs her magic. The doors and window all slam shut, leaving only the candles to light the room. Everyone starts huddling together in fear, as the woman glares at Twilight and me, her eyes glowing bright green.
She grins and becomes enveloped in green flame. When the fire settles, her body takes a new appearance. While she still retains a human like form, her skin is now coal black, her fingernails are longer, her wrists are covered with holes, and her hair has now become longer and an ugly tealish hue. Finally, she reveals torn insect-like wings portruding from her back, giving her a very monstrous appearance
“You and I have some unfinished business, Sparkle. I’ve waited a long time for this day,” she says, her voice now having a freighting echo-like effect.
She walks towards the two of us when the preacher throws holy water at her. She filches just a bit at the splash, but simply glares at him with an evil look.
“Stay back, you vile creature!” the preacher screams, grabbing a cross and holding it up to her gaze.
The woman merely reaches out and uses her magic to pull the preacher into her grasp. She looks angrily into his eyes, a look of fear washing across his face.
“My name is not ‘vile creature‘, It is Chrysalis, Queen of the Changeling Swarms,” she says, tightening her grip around his throat.
She then turns to look at the audience around us.
“And may this man serve as an example for anyone who dares oppose me.”
She opens her mouth, revealing fangs. Glowing red orbs fly out of the preacher’s mouth and into hers causing him to black out as she drops him onto the floor.
“What have you done to him?” Twilight frantically asks.
“Don’t worry; he’s still alive,” the Queen responds, “But he won’t recall any memory of his life up until this point.”
She looks at Twilight who has a look of anger in her eyes.
“Oh don’t be so mad, dear. After all… you had a similar reaction.”
“A similar reaction?” Twilight asks.
“That’s right,” the Queen says with a sneer, “The reason you don’t have any memories of Equestria is because I took them from you. We Changelings feed off of love and happiness; it’s what gives us our power. We have two methods of extraction—either we take it by force or take it gradually. If we choose to take it gradually, we take the form of a loved one and swap places with them. Therefore we are bestowed with all the love our prey once had for our captor. When we take it by force, we suck out and devour all the memories of our victim. After all, where do you think happiness comes from?”
“So you’re the one responsible for all this,” I say, “Did you also have something do with sending her here?”
“I did,” the Queen responds, “But that part was not voluntary in the slightest. My goal was to have her assimilated.”
“Assimilated?” I ask.
“Yes…” she answers, “We Changelings have the power to transform our victims into Changelings and make them part of our horde. But because our fame is not well-recognized and that we haven’t used this ability in centuries, most residents in Equestria aren’t aware that we have that kind of power. This only provided us a greater advantage. After being banished to the far edge of Equestria, I was able to use this ability to rebuild my army to what it once was. Thousands upon thousands of creatures joined my swarm, and we only grew stronger each and every day.
“But as strong as my army became, we still faced one potential threat—The Elements of Harmony, wielded by you, Twilight Sparkle, and your pathetic friends. These elements had the power to undo my assimilations, and destroy everything I worked so hard to create. So I decided that it was best to have the Elements on my side, so that they would never be used against me.
“You, Twilight Sparkle, were the most important of them all. For you wield the Element of Magic, the most powerful of all the elements and the key to unleashing their true potential. You were put in charge of Canterlot when Princess Celestia left on important business, and my forces were able to infiltrate the castle disguised as your friends. By the time you figured it out, it was too late.
“I performed the assimilation myself, but after I drained your memories, your magic started acting up and created a storm of raw power. The effects teleported you here and turned you into a human. I suppose I shouldn’t be all that surprised; Celestia did say you had more magic than anyone she had ever met. So much so that it might even have a mind of its own.
“Unfortunately for you, that much magic is also easy to trace for someone such as myself. So I’ve been watching your every move over the last two years from my castle back in Equestria.”
A crystal orb appears in her hand and she shows it to us.
“Oh I could’ve come to fetch you at any time. I could’ve come the moment you arrived; I could’ve come while you were sleeping. I could’ve come and brought my whole army with me. I could’ve had them tear this world apart all while dragging you back to Equestria, kicking and screaming in fear.”
She hurls the crystal orb into the wall, causing it to shatter into a million pieces.
“But I could tell the moment you two laid eyes on each other, there was something going on. I am a Changeling, after all; I can tell when love is in the air. So I decided to wait and see where that love went.
“And I must say, your love for one another far exceeded my expectations. I cannot remember the last time I ever saw two people so perfect, so well-matched, and so absolutely happy to be with one another. That kind of love will sustain me for a very long time.”
She licks her lips with a grin.
“And now here we are—the day of the wedding, the ultimate day of love. I’ve waited long enough, Twilight Sparkle. You will feed me your happiness and finally be properly assimilated.”
She then starts walking towards the two of us. Twilight uses her magic to levitate the water out of a nearby bowl and strikes the Queen with it. The force is enough to send the Queen staggering a few steps backwards.
“What on earth makes you think I'll do that?” Twilight counters, angrily.
The Queen recovers from the blow and stands up straight.
“Because if you do, I will restore your memories of Equestria and you will be able to wield the Element of Magic once again,” she responds.
“I don’t care about my memories of Equestria,” Twilight snaps, “I'm happy right here, with Tai and my friends. THIS is my home now.”
The Queen merely shrugs.
“May the record show,” she says, “I tried being nice.”
A green aura appears around her right hand, and then around Twilight’s body. The Queen swings her arm to the right, sending Twilight flying head first into the right wall.
“You're out of your league, Sparkle.”
Twilight manages to get to her knees and starts rubbing her head.
“You don’t even remember half the spells you learned in Equestria,” she continues, “I, on the other hand…”
She points her hand at Twilight, and two green auras appear around Twilight’s wrists, locking them together. Twilight's wrists then pull towards the Queen, who readies her fangs for attack. But before she reaches her, Twilight’s hands start to glow and she uses her magic to push the Queen all the way across the room. Released from the spell, Twilight lands safely on her feet and lights up her hands for another round.
“You may know more magic, but I know more tricks,” Twilight says.
She turns her attention to our friends.
“Everyone, get to the far corner of the room, I don’t want any of you to get hurt,” she says.
Everyone starts heading to the farthest end of the room, and Twilight turns to look at me.
“You too, Tai.”
I’m hesitant to leave her, but I don’t argue. I start to make my way over to the others, when the Queen recovers from the attack. She then conjures up a green fireball and hurls it right at me. Twilight uses her magic to pull me away just as the fireball hits the floor I once stood on, exploding in a powerful burst of green fire. I land right into Twilight’s arms and she gives me quick hug of relief.
“Just stay behind me, honey,” she says, “I’ll keep you safe.”
“No problem,” I say.
“You leave my husband out of this, Chrysalis. This is between you and me,” Twilight shouts.
“Then I suggest you join me. Otherwise he’ll just continue to be in harm’s way,” The Queen responds.
She conjures up another fireball and throws it at the two of us. Twilight uses her magic to pull the pipes off the pipe organ, and bends them into a u-shape. She catches the fireball in one end and reflects it back with the other. The fireball heads straight for the Queen, but she dodges it. She then looks at Twilight with a frustrated grimace.
“Not as long as I’m here,” Twilight says.
The Queen then starts throwing more fireballs at us, but Twilight continues to reflect them with her pipe. She starts to walk towards her opponent, spinning her weapon as she continues to reflect her attacks. The two of them seem to be evenly matched, with Twilight reflecting the Queen’s attacks, and the Queen dodging them. Finally the Queen falls to her knees, her magic expended and unable to conjure more fireballs. Twilight shifts her weapon to the side, but still keeps it close by.
“No matter what you throw at me, I’ll still find a way to overcome it!” Twilight says with a stern face.
The Queen looks at her with frustration in her eyes, panting as she attempts to regain her strength
“Now, you’ve ruined my wedding, threatened my husband, and endangered my friends,” Twilight says, positioning the pipe back in front of her, “Unless you want to suffer even more, I suggest you leave.”
The Queen continues to pant for a solid minute before she takes notice of how far away I am from Twilight. She forms a sinister grin.
“I have a better idea,” she responds.
She then teleports herself, taking Twilight completely by surprise, and appears from behind me. She uses her magic to bind my wrists together, wraps her arms around me, and starts dragging me backwards.
“How about this, Twilight—If you won’t join, your husband will. I must say, he’d make an excellent mate for me,” the Queen says, breathing down my neck.
“IF YOU HURT HIM—”
“You’ll do what?” The Queen asks with a sneer, “Have you forgotten that I’ve been watching you all these years? I know you too well, Twilight, and I know if something were to happen to him, it would completely crush your spirit. That’s what love does to people—it makes them weak.”
Twilight’s determined face starts to turn to one of fear, but she still tries to fake her way through it.
“I can see it in your eyes,” the Queen says, tightening her grip on me, “You truly are afraid of what I might do to him and that has become your ultimate flaw.”
Sweat starts dripping down Twilight’s face as the aura around the pipe starts to flicker.
“But enough talk; make your choice. You… or him?” the Queen asks, “Going once…”
Twilight starts breathing heavily.
“Going twice…” the Queen says as she starts to get into position.
Twilight is trembling feverishly.
“GONE!!!” The Queen says, as she opens her mouth ready to suck out all of my memories.
I close my eyes and await the inevitable. Suddenly, the Queen is halted by a loud “stop”, to which she looks at Twilight with interest.
Twilight’s head hangs low, as she undoes her magic, allowing the pipe to fall to the ground.
“Alright… you win.” She says, falling to her knees.
“I’m sorry, what was that?” the Queen asks.
“I’ll… I’ll become a Changeling,” Twilight responds
“TWILIGHT, NO!” I scream.
“I knew you’d see it my way,” the Queen says happily.
“But, if I do this,” Twilight continues, “You will not do anything to hurt Tai or my friends. You will leave this world and never return.”
“Of course, I’m a queen of my word,” she responds.
Twilight then takes off her locket.
“And I want you to have this… Tai, don’t forget about me,” she says, as tears start to roll down her face.
She uses her magic to levitate it into my hands.
“Twilight…” I say.
“Alright, I’m ready,” Twilight says, as she rises to her feet, awaiting the Queen’s next move.
“That’s a good girl,” the Queen replies.
She then fires two green blobs from her hand, which collide with Twilight’s hands. Twilight flies back and slams against the wall, the blobs holding her arms in position.
The Queen comes up to her and looks her straight in the eyes.
“Don’t take it too hard, dear; its just reassurance that you won’t escape this time.”
She then opens her mouth and makes a loud hiss. Red orbs fly out of Twilight’s mouth and into the Queen, after which Twilight blacks out. The Queen opens her mouth wider, revealing two long fangs. The fangs start glowing green and the Queen sinks them into Twilight’s right shoulder.
I look at the locket and then back at the horror before me. I see Twilight writhing in agony, as the Queen continues her attack. Coal black veins start to appear around Twilight’s shoulder where the Queen’s fangs are inserted. They spread all over her body until the whole of her turns coal black. Her hair starts turning a duller shade of blue, she grows fangs and insect wings. And, to my horror, begins hissing violently. Finally, she opens her eyes, revealing them to be a fiery emerald green. After about a minute, the Queen lets go and steps away, revealing Twilight’s new form. She now looks just like the Queen, a humanoid looking monster with dark skin and insect-like features. She no longer looks like the woman I love.
“At last, the Element of Magic is mine,” the Queen says, triumph in her tone.
“Now rise, Twilight Sparkle, princess of the Changelings. Rise and join me by my side.”
Twilight obeys her command and gets to her feet, before walking over to the Queen’s side.
“Excellent,” the Queen says, “Well, it’s time to go home.”
She then points her hand at the wall, where a large portal is cantered into view. The Queen walks into it, Twilight in tow, and I can only sit and watch them, feeling helpless as ever. Suddenly loud hissing sounds come from within the portal, to which the Queen and Twilight stop in their tracks.
“My, my… you sure are hungry,” the Queen says with a peculiar tone of voice.
She stands there for about a minute, before she utters, “go ahead.”
Then all of a sudden, millions of black insect like creatures jump out of the portal. The Queen turns around to enjoy the show. Some of the creatures dash for the door, others jump out the window, and then start attacking the first people they see.
I manage to get to my feet and look at the Queen with great anger.
“What are you doing?! You promised you’d leave this world and never return!” I scream.
“And I will…” the Queen responds, “But my Changeling servants are so hungry, and I’m sure Twilight would understand. After all, she’s part of the family now.”
The Queen then draws my attention to Twilight, who just stands there like a statue. Obviously I can tell she’s either not aware of the situation or doesn’t have the means to respond. The very sight of her, packed with what the Queen is doing causes me to lose all control of my anger. In rage I run up to the Queen, ready to punch her right in the face. But just before my fist makes contact, she puts up a shield, which blasts me about two feet backwards.
“Oh don’t worry, Tai. You’ll be okay. Remember, I promised that I wouldn’t hurt you or you’re friends, and I meant it. Everyone in this room is under my protection.”
A nearby Changeling crawls up to me and snorts in my face. It then opens its mouth, revealing its sharp fangs. I back away from it in fear as the Queen watches with joy.
“Unless of course you do anything to upset my servants. In which case I may not be able to guarantee your safety. ”
“Why are you doing this?” I shout, “You’ve got Twilight’s happiness, you’ve got the Element of Magic. What more do you want?”
The Queen gives me another sinister smile.
“While I do enjoy devouring love and happiness, I also find it positively delightful to completely crush it right before someone’s very eyes. Precisely like when I locked Princess Cadence in the Canterlot dungeon and while taking her place at her wedding. The look on her face when she discovered the colt she loved was now married to someone else… priceless. Or at least it would’ve been, had Twilight Sparkle not interfered.
“I intend to make up for that little incident… with you. I already took your girl. Now, I’m going to take your world.”
She lets out a sinister laugh and I fall to my knees looking directly at Twilight’s locket, a tear running down my cheek.