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Omega
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The night progressed slowly for the ponies of Canterlot, as they were filed down in to the crystal mines, where they would be held until Chrysalis could completely take the city. Every one of them was scared, and every one of them felt betrayed by the pony they had all trusted so much. But, more than anypony else, Twilight was utterly devastated.
Her heart had been smashed to pieces, by the pony she had wanted to experience love with. After seeing Spike and Rarity, and Alex and Dash, it created a unique longing in her that she had never experienced before. To see them in that bliss with one another made her wish she could have it too.
But it was clear that he had more important priorities, like being with the flipping Queen of the changelings. Not only did it make her angry, but it made her feel stupid. And more than anything else, it made her wish she had never taken the chance on getting close to him.
“Twilight, are you okay?” Cadence asked, hoping the mare would open up to her, “I can feel… a lot of terrible things inside of you right now.”
Twilight sniffed loudly, as her entire body quivered. She hid her face in a vain attempt just how extensive her broken heartedness was.
Sitting down next to her, Cadence leaned her head on Twilight’s lightly, and ran her hoof though her mane.
“Twilight,” She said softly, “I know you’re hurting right now. I can feel how betrayed you are by what Alpha’s done to you… But there’s something you should know.”
Twilight didn’t move, and she managed to silence her ragged breathing. It was more than enough to tell Cadence that she was indeed listening to her.
“When I saw Alpha, and felt all of his emotions running through him… I felt conflict on a level I’ve never experienced.” She said, as Twilight lifted her head and looked at Cadence with just a glimmer of hope, “I don’t think he was with you as a part of some inside job… And even if he was, what he felt for you wasn’t made up. His heart was breaking just like yours is right now.”
“T-then…” Twilight began, before exhaling and gathering herself, “Why would he do this to me?”
“I don’t know.” Cadence answered, shaking her head softly, “I guess he still cares for his people, and in the long run, the needs of his people, outweigh his need for a love life with you.”
“But it’s not just that!” Twilight argued, speaking up enough to get the attention of several ponies around the two of them, before she quieted down a bit, “Alpha has always been the most honorable pony I’ve known. Why would he just turn around and hoof over everypony in Equestria to the Changelings?”
“They’re a starving people, Twilight.” Cadence answered, knowing the mare wouldn’t be happy with the logic she was about to bring to the table, “They’re all so used to sapping copious amounts of love from wherever they can get it, that they’ve become desensitized to the average amount a love two of them might share. If it means feeding his people forever, then I think that gives him reason enough to help them with this plan. It's just his duty.”
Twilight looked back at her legs and growled. While what Cadence said was true, she still couldn’t imagine doing something like that to another nation of people, no matter what the reward would be for her own.
“Twilight. I can feel that anger within you.” Cadence said, her tone suddenly very serious, “And it doesn’t feel natural.”
And it was true. The anger she was feeling was being fueled by the dark energy within her, and it was radiating so much, that Cadence was growing fearful. Twilight was becoming less and less present in her mind, as she gazed at the ground with a horrifyingly dark expression.
“Twilight.” She said again, “You’re going to hurt a lot of ponies if you lose yourself to this right now. I heard about your dark side, and you can’t let it out here. Are you listening to me? Twilight!”
Suddenly hearing the voice, Twilight snapped back to reality, and felt the dark energy fade from her mind.
“I-I’m sorry,” She said instantly, standing herself up, “I need to find Trixie…”
“I’ll come with you.” Cadence said, afraid that Twilight might lose herself once again, “You might defeat the changelings if you lose yourself, but a lot of innocent ponies might get hurt too.”
Twilight nodded quickly, “Thank you.”
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“An inauguration?” Chrysalis asked, shaking her head at the insane demand Alpha had just asked for, “Do you have any idea how stupid that sounds?! An Omega would never act in such—“
“Are you questioning my request, Chrysalis?” Alpha asked, confident that she had zero power to stop him in this matter, “I have taken care of every problem you faced during this invasion. From the possibility of Princess Luna waking up and stopping you, to the hoof-full of gods that could have squashed this in a single swipe. I’m asking that I can address my new subjects, and that I can show them what kind of leader I’m going to be for them.”
“I am the queen!” She belted back, “And—“
“And I am an Omega.” He returned, cutting her off, “You have said openly to the entire invading force that I would be promoted following our success here. If you are seen disrespecting me so soon, they would question your ability to do something as simple as following up on your own decision.”
Chrysalis narrowed her eyes, “How dare you speak to me in such a tone. You will have your crowning. But make no mistake, you will pay for this action.”
“I’ll make the announcement to the city.” He said, smirking to her, “I’ve missed our little conversations.”
She only growled as she stormed out of the throne room.
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“I’m sorry, Twilight.” Trixie said, “I already told you… I don’t know how I fixed your mind last time. It just… happened.”
“Are you saying that I might… lose control of myself right now?” Twilight asked, feeling that dark power begin to crawl back in to her mind, “Because- I don’t know what I’ll do if I hurt somepony!”
“You just need to keep all of these negative feelings inside of yourself, Twilight.” Trixie said calmly, “We need to get out of this prison, and we need to stop them the right way.”
“Right.” Twilight nodded rapidly, trying to think the happiest thoughts she could, even though so many of her old happy thoughts involved Alpha, “I’ll just—“
“Attention.”
Everypony in the mine, including the guards, looked to the ceiling at the booming voice that echoed from above them.
”This is your new Omega speaking. After some discussion with the Queen, the two of us have decided to cement my promotion to the rank of Omega, with an inauguration that will take place in one hour.
Plenty of happy murmuring was heard amongst the guards.
”I ask that we halt our sweep of the city for only a half an hour, so that you can all be witness to this historic event. As for the guards currently looking after the prisoners in the crystal catacombs, you needn’t worry about leaving the prisoners unattended. I’ve made special arrangements for them.
Twilight sighed. She was truly afraid that she wasn’t going to be able to control this dark power within her.
”You’ve all done great jobs today, and fulfilled your duty to the hive. So I’m going to make sure you’re all rewarded for your hard work. I’ll see you soon.
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Alpha cleared his throat as the spell he had cast ended, as he headed from the throne room toward the auditorium. However, on the way, he was interrupted by a clearly giddy guard cutting him off.
“Omega! Sir! It’s such an honor to meet you like this!” He said quickly, obviously nervous to be in the presence of somepony so powerful, “I wanted to ask you something!”
“What’s that?” Alpha asked, tilting his head.
“What do you plan on doing with the ponies in the mines?” He asked, curious as to what the man had in mind for all the ponies in the pit.
“You’ll see.” Alpha laughed, “But I can promise you this. It’s all anypony will be able to talk about.”
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