//------------------------------// // Am I Late to the Reception? // Story: The Day My Life Began // by Authora97 //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle I rose up from the ground on shaky hooves. The last thing she remembered was...was...she was talking to Cadence. She was...apologizing? Yes. Apologizing for her behavior. She said the wedding planning had been driving her insane, since Shining Armor had been defending Canterlot. Cadence said that Raspberry had actually decided to take over some of the planning, which relieved her greatly. So, Cadence had come to me to explain herself. She said she wanted to gain a sister in me. I thought things were looking up, until Cadence suddenly surrounded me in green flames. That was when I blacked out. I looked around the cave, lighting up my horn with my purple/pink magic. It was cold, and dark. The ground beneath my hooves was stronger than dirt, more like the marble floors in the palace. The walls were crystalline in shape, providing an atmosphere that had my neck hairs stand. “Hello?” I called out only to have my voice echo back. Rising up from my position on the floor, I tried walking around. It seemed like a silly thing to do in a place this dark, but it seemed an even worse idea to stay in one place. “Is anyone there?” The same response. That was when I walked into a wall. Glad Raspberry wasn’t here to see that. She would have laughed. I knew I had been treating her unfairly, ever since I first met her. She just seemed too smart, always with an answer but not the answer I had wanted. She was better at magic than me, she had figured out The Mare in the Moon faster than me, she even had Discord figured out faster than me! Weeks back, I had tried to be her friend. Something was making her upset after Discord, I was able to tell. She had seemed so upset before. Then the answer hit me harder than I had ever thought. Lilac. She was doing all the things she did for Lilac. She had worked on the Elements of Harmony so she could find a way to keep Lilac safe. Discord was defeated after Raspberry realized her daughter was in danger. When her daughter was going to be in a play, and Raspberry had spent nearly every second assuring Lilac. Raspberry was close to becoming my friend. So close, and then I messed everything up. Future Twilight had said ‘Raspberry’ and I just assumed it was all her fault. Future Twilight had tried to say it wasn’t, but I refused to believe it. I tied Raspberry up in my basement! When she got out, she dragged me to Canterlot, showed me the Starswirl Spell, and then we had an argument. She had been trying to help us, let us figure things out on our own. She said we were grown mares that didn’t need somepony to hold their hoof. Then I told her terrible things. I had said she never really helped us. That she had only made things worse, and that she should just stop helping because none of us wanted it. From the tears in her eyes, I knew that was the wrong thing to say. For three weeks we argued over it. I had tried to apologize, realizing it had all been just a giant understanding. Raspberry had admitted she had figured that out early on. An endless paradox, she called it. She had wanted to explain that to me before I duct taped her mouth shut and threw her in my basement. Then Lilac and Spike went to the Migration. Lilac had told me her mother knew of her leaving (‘Mom knows everything, but she doesn’t really know about me.’) so it was alright to let her go with Spike. I should have known better, after Spike pulling that trick to get cookies from the cookie jar. Raspberry had come to me at her breaking point. If that was what I looked like in the Smarty Pants incident, then no wonder everypony was worried about me. She passed out after telling us all of her apprehensions, her worries over Lilac’s disappearance. Once we brought her to her home, I found out so much about Raspberry Stardust. She was an orphan, completely alone. That old roommate of her’s had left some time ago. All she had left was Lilac. She was back to her sarcastic, smug self as soon as Lilac came home. The newspaper incident with the Crusaders was one of Raspberry’s strangest moments. She was one of the first ponies that had a slanderous rumor go on about her, but she only laughed at it. She said she liked these days, with untrue stories about her in the news. Apparently the more ridiculous it was, the better. Raspberry proved herself a genius after the MMMystery Cake incident. She wore a Sherlock Holmes hat (giving Pinkie a Watson cap), figuring out everything in ten minutes! Raspberry was a lot of things. She was sarcastic, she was insecure, she smiled even at the darkest of times, she always knew exactly what a pony needed, she was an orphan, she was a genius, she was a good friend to have, And she was an excellent mother. Her odd behavior around Cadence had an explanation, it just had to. I wouldn’t make an outrageous accusation without proof this time, real proof. There was dark laughter coming up from the ceiling, making me cower against the crystal wall. “Where am I?” I asked, hoping somepony would answer. There was movement in the corner of my eye. “The caves beneath Canterlot.” Cadence-no-whatever was posing as Cadence bragged. I leapt away from it, realizing after the fact that it was just a reflection. “Once home to greedy unicorns who wanted to claim the gems that could be found inside. And now, your prison.” I tried running away, but she followed my every move. She explained her horrible plot, or at least the outline of it. She had trapped me down here in these ancient caves, ones nopony had seen in centuries possibly millennia. By the time anypony figured that out she would have succeeded. She had plans for my brother. Bad plans. The imposter taunted me, saying I had to catch her or else my brother was doomed. No way that monster was going to lay a hoof on my BBBFF! A crystal wall shattered, showing the disheveled form of my captor. She noticed me and her purple eyes widened. “No! Wait!” I leapt at her before she could escape. She was pinned beneath my hooves, my horn lighting up brighter. “Ugh! Please! Don’t hurt me!” She pleaded. She looked up at me and her eyes filled with gentleness, the kind I remember from her times foalsitting me. “Twilight, it’s me!” I remembered doing this to her on the bridge, after Shining Armor had told me who he was marrying. Was this another ploy? A truck? She apparently noticed my disbelief. “Please, you have to believe me. I’ve been imprisoned like you.” She explained. “The Cadence who brought you down here was an imposter.” “Likely story!” The imposter sighed, crawling out from underneath me. She stood in front of me...and...and she- “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves...” “...and do a little shake.” The pink alicorn smiled at me, with such love in her eyes. It was her. It was really, really her! I wrapped my hooves around her. “You remember me!” “Of course I do.” She said. “How could I forget the filly I love to sit for the most?” Our hug ended as the imposter laughed off in the distance. “We have to get out of here.” I said. “We have to stop her!” “Wait.” Cadence said, pulling out an emerald. “She said I had to wait until I saw you again.” Cadence slammed the stone down into the crystal floor. It shimmered bright yellow, nearly blinding me for a minute. I turned away. When I looked back, a faded image was showing above the remains of the stone. It was a dark pink unicorn, her midnight blue mane with sterling silvers streaks curled all around. Her amber eyes were locked forward, staring at nopony. I could see her cutiemark; a book with a blue and silver jump rope curling around it. Raspberry Stardust. “Razzle?” Cadence asked. “You actually know her?” I asked my former foalsitter, surprised. I thought that was a lie Raspberry and that thing came up with, to try and trick us. She nodded. “Of course. She’s one of my close friends. How do you know her?” “She lives in Ponyville, moved in the same day I did.” I answered. Suddenly, a voice came out in the direction of Raspberry’s image. “Mia, if you’re watching this, then one of three things has happened.” “Mia?” “Razzle came up with it.” Cadence explained. “One, I’ve died under mysterious circumstances. If it’s that one, Mia, I ask that you and Shiny Hiney watch over Lilac, I have made some changes legally and you two are listed as her godparents. “Two, I have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Same as before, but I want you to find any clues I left around my house. “Three, you’re trapped in the crystal caverns underneath Canterlot by a changeling.” “How did she know that?!” I asked. “Twilight is most likely with you, she asked how I could know that.” The image smirked. “The same way I knew about Nightmare Moon, Sparkle of Twilight.” “She knew?” Cadence asked. The image of Raspberry leaned forward, pointing at something. “Mia, I need you to listen carefully, Twilight you too. I will be making a plan with Chrysalis, to buy you some time to escape. You’ll need every second.” I was enraged. Raspberry made a deal with some evil pony?! “How could she do that!” Looking at the image, I saw her wipe some tears from her eyes. “If it somehow goes right, for me, then I’ll explain why. If not...tell Shy, Pinkie, and Rarity they were great friends, Lune had to be one of my best friends, Applejack was getting there. Rainbow could’ve trusted me if she actually tried. And tell Lilac,” Raspberry wiped more tears. “Tell Lilac, she is the best daughter I could’ve asked for, and I’ll always love her. See ya later.” The image distorted, vanishing in a small puff of smoke. “Razzle, what are you up to?” Cadence asked. The wedding was on in full swing. All the guests were seated, the new bridesmaids were all dressed, Spike was still playing with the cake toppers, and the groomstallion’s were all in a row. The flower fillies (and dragon) skipped down the aisle throwing lily petals. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza glided down the aisle, humming a song nopony could hear over the wedding march. She stood by her soon-to-be husband’s side. Only two were missing from this event. The mare of honor, and the best mare. Both had an excuse absence. Twilight had left the wedding party after how rudely Cadence was treating her, and everypony. Raspberry had left to try and convince Twilight otherwise. At least, that was what the Princess said when she was asked. Princess Celestia began the ceremony. Everypony watched with glistening eyes (except Applejack, she slipped her hat on since Rarity wasn’t watching). “Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor.” Princess Celestia said. “If there is anypony who wishes to object to this union, let it be known now or forever hold your peace.” The doors to the chapel were swing open in purple/pink magic. “I object!” Twilight screamed. The bridesmaids all rolled their eyes. They were afraid something like this would happen. Couldn’t they just have one normal day? ‘Princess Mi Amore’ stomped her hoof. “Ugh! Why does she have to be so possessive of her brother?” The alicorn noticed the curious look from Princess Celestia. She fake sobbed. “Why does she have to ruin my special day?” “Because it’s not your special day!” Oh, biscuits. The real Princess Mi Amore stormed in, a determined look in her eyes. “It’s mine!” The wedding party gasped. Yep. Normal day was out the window and having a tea party with Discord. Anypony want sugar? The fake bride gasped. Her plan had been fool proofed! Raspberry had promised Cadence would be dealt with after sending Twilight down there! And, just in case of betrayal, she had left the other bridesmaids as traps. “What? But how did you escape my bridesmaids?” Cadence smirked. “Threw the bouquet.” The changeling queen had to give her some credit. That was a brilliant idea. No bridesmaid could resist a bouquet. “Hmph. Clever. But you’re still too late.” “I-I don’t understand.” Applejack finally spoke what everypony else was wondering. “How can there be two of ‘em?” Princess Cadence stepped forward, closer to the wedding arch. “She’s a changeling. She takes the form of somepony you love and gains power by feeding off your love for them.” Realizing the jig was up, Chrysalis shed the bride disguise. Her coat changed from delighted pink into sickly black. Her mane turned stringy, and dark sea green. Her eyes turned more harlequin than purple. Her wings (as well as other parts) gained holes. Even her mane, was nopony going to explain that? Queen Chrysalis smirked at the true Princess, as well as the little purple unicorn. It was no surprise the Princess of Love knew about a species dedicated to eating it. “Right you are, Princess. And as queen of the changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects.” She monologued. She trotted right up to Cadence’s muzzle, staring the smaller mare down. “Equestria has more love than any place I’ve ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of!” Princess Cadence argued this. These were her subjects, her family, her friends, her true love! “They’ll never get the chance! Shining Armor’s protection spell will keep them from ever even reaching us!” “Oh, I doubt that. Isn’t that right, dear?” She turned to the Captain of the Guard. The stallion nodded, a blank expression on his face. Cadence looked at him in shock. She had forgotten that Chrysalis had been casting spells on Shining Armor. She ran up towards him, hoping to find some way of breaking the spell. A black hoof blocked her path. Queen Chrysalis tsked at her. “Ah, ah, ah. Don’t want to go back to the caves, now do you?” She couldn’t. There wasn’t enough time to get back if she was sent there again. The changeling grinned at the surrender. “Ever since I took your place, I’ve been feeding off Shining Armor’s love for you. Every moment he grows weaker and so does his spell. Even now, my minions are chipping away at it.” The changeling stood back at the unicorn’s side. She had made sure to tell her fellow changelings to come only after the ceremony had started. It wouldn’t be long now before it shattered and changelings would rule. “He may not be my husband, but he is under my total control now.” Chrysalis taunted. The two mares gasped. “And I’m sorry to say, unable to perform his duties as captain of the Royal Guard.” Princess Cadence’s jaw dropped. “Not my Shining Armor!” “What about Raspberry?” Twilight yelled. “She said she was going to stop you!” Chrysalis raised a brow (if changelings even had those) and laughed. “Oh? She did, did she?” “She was the one who helped us out of the Caverns!” Twilight yelled. The Queen’s eyes shrunk, in anger. “Well, it seems she has abandoned you. I saw her leave the palace this morning, claiming to want a running start.” Twilight and Cadence gasped. “No!” Cadence yelled. “She’s my friend! She would never abandon us like you claim!” “But think about it.” Chrysalis said, pointing at hoof at Cadence. “She knew about the invasion. Some stroke of genius, as she claimed. Why didn’t she go to the guards? To the Princesses? Why didn’t she tell you?” Even though Cadence had a vast amount of trust in Raspberry, Chrysalis’ words had brought up doubts. They were friends. Raspberry had told her things not even Twilight knew of. Cadence had shared secrets in return. If they were as close as believed, why didn’t Raspberry share this news? “Instead, she came to me.” Chrysalis purred. “Helped me, and betrayed all of you.” “Or, and this is the most likely option.” A voice spoke. The ponies began looking all over the room, but could not find the source of the sound. It was like it was coming from just the air itself. Suddenly, a pony appeared just before Chrysalis. She was smiling, almost as smug as the Queen herself. She was covered by a red robe, with a golden rope around the waist, and a blue sorcerer’s cap on her head. Her midnight blue and sterling silver mane were half hidden by it, as well as her horn. On her back, were a magnificent pair of butterfly wings. “Raspberry!” Cadence exclaimed, starting to smile. “She went out for backup.” Raspberry said, flapping her wings so she was floating over the wedding party. She smirked confidently at Chrysalis. The Queen glared, baring her fangs. “Backup?” “I needed help, so I called up the best ponies for the job.” Raspberry explained, looking towards the door. Voice Over (aka Mega Telephone) flew into the room. She floated beside Raspberry, a neutral expression on her face. “She’s in place.” Raspberry nodded. “All is going to plan.” “You already failed!” Chrysalis screamed, fangs showing in a full display of anger. Her insectoid wings stood up at attention, as if to make herself seem a bigger threat. “Shining Armor is powerless!” “Oh?” Raspberry tilted her head. “The most fierce pride is born from the sense of powerlessness.” Voice Over commented. “Wow. That one was good.” Raspberry bowed. “Thank you.” Voice Over bowed back. “Pay attention!” Chrysalis shouted, exasperated at the two mares’ disrespect for their new overlord. “I am taking over this kingdom!” Raspberry ignored the yell, turning to the superhero. “How much does Attention charge?” The teal unicorn tapped her chin in thought. “As much, as you are willing to pay.” She decided. Raspberry scoffed. “Darn it. I’m broke.” Despite their fear, the ponies in the hall snickered. Even Twilight, who was this close to smacking Raspberry Stardust into next week, cracked a smile. Chrysalis looked around, horrified. These pathetic ponies should be afraid, shaking with fear! They shouldn’t be laughing! Raspberry flew up to Chrysalis, glaring at the changeling. “It it actually you who has failed, Chrysalis.” Chrysalis huffed, like a bull. No, seriously, even two little puffs of steam came out of her nose. It was pretty funny. “What makes you think that?” The Queen pointed over at the pink shield covering the city. “Any second, my children shall break that shield!” Raspberry looked to Voice Over. She nodded. The superhero nodded back, flying out of the room. Raspberry turned back to Chrysalis, giving her wings a giant flap. She was floating above again, back where Voice Over was. “Our third member is working on that.” The winged unicorn explained. “She, and Voice Over, are going to kick the behinds of everyling they see.” She looked down to Twilight. “Get it? Everyling? Cause, ya see, we say everypony-” “You can’t defeat us!” Chrysalis yelled. “You were helping us!” “I was helping my friends!” Raspberry shouted. The shield broke. Before anypony could really panic, a large red dome covered the city. It was far thicker than the old pink shield, casting a red light over the town. It really didn’t help calm the ponies done...should have thought of that... “Ruby, mares and gentlecolts.” Raspberry gloated, flying to the windows and showing off the red dome. “She’s good at making shields. Once, I saw her put one over an entire city! Not this one, another completely different city. I understand the confusion.” Chrysalis vibrated in her rage. She let out a primal yell, charging towards Raspberry. The winged unicorn didn’t hesitate. Her horn glowed red, as well as grew sparks. Red lightning shot out from the horn, hitting Chrysalis square in the chest. The Queen was flung back to the steps of the alter. She shook her head, trying to get back up to her feet. Down on her chest, right where the blast hit, smoke rose. Raspberry boredly looked at her hoof. “She can also control lightning.” Raspberry commented. “It’s her best feature. Well, that and duplication. She can make her doubles look completely different right from the get go. Like, make her double a teal unicorn with a black mane, or a red unicorn.” She smirked down at Chrysalis. “And she’s ever so humble about it.” She blinked. “And refers to herself in the third. Man, she’s confusing!” Chrysalis blinked at her. “You can control lightning?!” Raspberry groaned, rolling her eyes. “About time somepony figured that out.” “How?!” The changeling shrieked. The winged unicorn flinched, rubbing her shoulder. “Really bad collision with a power grid. Best not ask more. Heeya!” Raspberry flung another lightning bolt at Chrysalis. The Queen dodged it, letting her wings flare. Her crooked horn started to glow green. Raspberry laughed, stepping hoof on the ground for the first time since coming it. “Finally. Some action.” Her horn glowed with the lightning. The two beams met, evenly matched against each other. Ponies watched with bated breath as Raspberry held her own against the Queen. “You know.” Raspberry grunted. “If anypony wanted to go and get, oh, the Elements of Harmony, I wouldn’t exactly stop them.” Twilight tilted her head. Cadence elbowed her. “Go. We need the Elements. Raspberry won’t be able to hold her off for long.” The purple unicorn paused, looking over at her friend. Raspberry seemed to be going strong, yet as a scholar (and pony who had been under that effect once before) Twilight noticed the slowly coming effects of magic exhaustion. It wouldn’t be long before Raspberry fell, leaving Chrysalis free to attack the other ponies. Twilight looked over to her friends. “Come on girls!” The five mares nodded, running towards Twilight. They threw off their dresses (Rarity tried gathering them up, but was reminded of the danger) and ran for the Element Hall. Chrysalis laughed. “You really think jewelry will stop me?” Raspberry smirked. “No, but it would surely make me feel better.” The winged unicorn shook slightly. She stumbled to the ground, trying to lift herself back up. “Mom!” Lilac suddenly shouted in worry. Raspberry stopped. She turned to her daughter, and her amber eyes widened. Lilac looked adorable in her white and purple flower filly dress, and the wicker basket filled with rose petals. She was shaking, clutching to the basket so tight her claws were an even lighter shade of purple than usual. Unfortunately, Raspberry forgot she was in a duel. Since she had ceased firing her lightning bolt, the green blast from the Queen had nothing holding it back. Lilac screamed as the bolt hit her mother’s horn. The unicorn being sent back by the force of the blast. Now, in the show, Princess Celestia was simply knocked to the ground and then unconscious. Remember, she’s an alicorn who can move the sun and the moon. Raspberry Stardust had a different reaction. She didn’t have the strength Princess Celestia did. The force of the blast sent her back towards the wall. Or, in this case, the window. The unicorn crashed through it, falling towards the ground far down below. Her wings vanishing in yellow sparkles, signifying she had used up her magic. “MOM!” Raspberry/Morgan Okay. Should have thought that through. Not a proud moment on my part. As I fell down from the chapel window, I felt the doubles merge back with me. I guess that blast hit me harder than I thought. Ruby-Me had kept the shield going, but dropped it after a hit from a changeling. Voice Over-Me was the same. Before I could go splat, I focused on Ruby’s flight. That should be enough to stop the fall, or at least the blow. It did. It made the collision hurt less. Instead of just plain dropping and making a Raspberry shaped hole in the ground, I bounced and landed on a bush. Thank Story Twilight wasn’t here. She might never let me hear the end of it. Once my hooves were on solid ground, I shook my head. It really helps you regain your balance. The changelings were starting their invasion. Man, and I was so close to winning! Shaking my head at my own stupidity, I ran towards the Element Hall. I had that route memorized after I kept wanting to see myself in those stain glass windows. Wouldn’t you want to see yourself in a window? Vanity later, helping my friends now! The Mane Six were very easy to find, after avoiding all of the changelings/torpedoes. They were almost completely surrounded on all sides by changelings. I ran up to them, the changelings blocking my exit after. “Phew. Thought I was gonna be late to the party.” I joked. Twilight half glared. “What was that back there? You said you were going to stop her!” “I tried, but something happened at the last second and I lost.” I admitted. Rainbow rolled her hooves, smashing her hooves together. “Looks like we’re gonna have to do this the hard way.” She ran up to one, but it changed into her. I know it did because it covered itself in green flames. Whatever was going on with my eyes still let me see the changeling underneath. That would save time. After a brief confusion, the changeling shoved Rainbow back. “How did you...?” A dozen changelings changed shape. Twilight stared at them in muted shock. “They’re changelings, remember?” “They’re changelings, remember?” The changelings taunted. “Hey! Only I can do that!” I yelled at them. “And I don’t do it to be mean!” “Don’t let them distract you.” Twilight instructed. I briefly wondered if she included me in that. “We have to get to the Elements of Harmony. They’re our only hope.” We attacked. Thankfully, I had mastered quite a few fighting styles. Tai Shing Pek Kwar, Kung-Fu, and karate. I leapt at the first changeling, giving him a kick to the head. He was flung back, and I think I saw a tooth fly out of his mouth. The next changeling got a kick in the arm. It sent him flying back into another two. A changeling leapt at me. I grabbed him in my magic at threw him at a nearby plant. What can I say, I felt vengeful. My fourth changeling opponent approached. I gave him a good old punch in the face. That sent him to the ground. It was like this for a few minutes, constantly punching changelings or kicking them. A few were so tough I knocked out a fang, and maybe a bit of skin. Changeling blood was green, apparently. Some were extra bothersome. I was already fighting two changelings when a third would decided to cut in. Those I threw into the walls, or a staircase. Or another changeling. One I even bucked in the face! It was badass! He had those little cartoon birds fly over his head, then he collapsed to the ground. It was too much, though. We were over powered. The changelings were many, and we were few. I was still magically weak from my earlier fight with Chrysalis. My Plan might have a chance, if I pull the right strings at the right time. For now, time to see the Queen. Twilight Okay. It is fair to say Raspberry terrified me a bit. She fought off close to twenty changelings in the first few minutes! I don’t know how she was completely able to punch the ones that looked like Fluttershy and not hesitate. I certainly had trouble with that. The changelings guided us into the wedding chapel. I could see Raspberry was sagging a bit, her breathing slightly heavy. This fighting was taking a lot out of her. I was worried she might end up like Applejack during Applebuck Season. She need to visit a doctor if we somehow succeed. It seemed pretty bleak. There was little to no chance of us winning at this point. My brother was trapped under the Queen’s control, Cadence was stuck to the floor by goo. My mentor was in a similar predicament, her own horn being mucked up in addition. We were doomed. Queen Chrysalis grinned smugly at my old foalsitter. “You were saying?” She turned to us, hissing. “You do realize the reception’s been cancelled, don’t you? Go! Feed!” The changeling drones left, the doors slamming shut behind them. Queen Chrysalis chuckled darkly, her fangs making the laugh sound more like a buzz. “It’s funny, really. Twilight here was suspicious of my behavior all along. Too bad the rest of you were too caught up in your wedding planning to realize those suspicions were correct!” “Sorry, Twi. We should’ve listened to you.” Applejack apologized. “It’s not your fault. She fooled practically everypony.” I assured, looking over to Raspberry. Raspberry wasn’t fooled. She knew what was going on. The one thing I can’t figure out was why. Why had she done this? She said earlier it was for her friends, but really? She let Lilac get that close to getting hurt for all of us? The pink unicorn was nervously looking about the room. Her amber eyes were smaller, nearly pinpricks. I had seen this look before. It was her mother’s look, her concern for her daughter. Lilac and the others had to have gotten someplace safe. At least, I hope they did. “Hmm, I did, didn’t I?” The Queen chirped, trotting towards the window. “This day has been just perfect. The kind of day of which I’ve dreamed since I was small. Everypony I’ll soon control, every stallion, mare, and foal. Who says a girl can’t really have it all?” The Queen stopped singing, turning to us again. “Wait a moment. Raspberry, I haven’t given you any of your well earned credit. This is all your fault.” Chrysalis smirked. We all turned to Raspberry, her left eye twitched slightly before she glared darkly at Chrysalis. “If you had just come to those ponies when you had the chance, none of this would have happened.” Chrysalis went on. “Everything that happens today is on your head. You betrayed the changelings, you betrayed the ponies.” She sneered. “You even betrayed that useless sack of scales you called a daughter.” My eyes widened at that. Raspberry had her whole demeanor change, from furious to almost too calm. The look in her amber eyes promised hurt. “I called you a good changeling, but I found an even better name for you.” Chrysalis said. “The Great Betrayer. It certainly fits you better than changeling.” “Chrissy, let me tell you some of the things I’ve been up against in my life.” Raspberry growled. “Nurses that looked like cats, a Living Consciousness, Ood possessed by the Devil himself, a living sun, Daleks, Cybermen, Reapers, the Master, Sontarans, Vashta Narada, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, werewolf/vampire hybrids, Vampire Hunters, Witch Hunters, Fairy Hunters, Deathdealers, zombies, evil fairies, pixies, witches, that one incident with a fish, a spotted leopard, a god of chaos, the god of lightning, the god of the sea, gods of the dead, the god of mischief, Rumplestiltskin, the Evil Queen, Maleficent, Cora, a genie, at least three sorcerers, a robot suit powered by a ghost shaped like a tooth, a ghost who thought he could control technology, a ghost who loves boxes, a ghost who was a prison guard, a lunch mare ghost, a rich and vengeful half-ghost, at least five Queens, varying forms of alien life.” We all stared at Raspberry in shock and awe. She was still walking around the chapel room, as if bored. She could tell she was more than a bit angry as she went on. “I went up against two dolls possessed by two serial killers, a Nightmare Demon sent to kill you in your sleep, a stallion who could never die and had a fetish for a hockey mask and a machete, and a dying man who liked to play torture games. I even fought Death himself, tens of times I might add. That was just his physical form, I fought death-death thirty times. I have also fought against a monster that could camouflage himself, and a giant spider. ” The pink unicorn walked up to the frozen Chrysalis, I couldn’t see her face but I knew she was still frowning. “So tell me, Miss Queen of Love-Eaters. What makes you any different than them? I’ll tell you what. You tried to hurt my daughter. You’re gonna be the first to see what happens when you mess with her and I’m still able to fight. Do you think you can somehow manage to take me down?” The Changeling Queen glared at Raspberry, hissing at her. “With pleasure!” The Queen’s horn glowed. Raspberry jumped out of the way. The blast hit the floor, leaving a scorch mark. Raspberry started to run around the chapel, laughing. “Now this is what I came here for! Come on Queenie! It shouldn’t be so hard to kill me now should it?” Raspberry laughed, ducking behind every blast. “I mean, come on! I’m barely even trying!” She gloated. “This is pathetic!” The Queen growled, firing again. “Just! Hold! Still!” Raspberry avoided each shot. “Not. A. Chance.” She mocked. While the Queen was distracted, I had my chance. I blasted the goo covering my hooves and ran over to Cadence and Shining Armor. “This is your chance,” I used the same spell on her hooves. “Go to him.” My old foalsitter nodded, going up to my brother. “Gah!” Raspberry screamed. I gasped, turning around to see what was wrong. Raspberry had been hit by one of the blasts, knocking her into a wall. She clutched one hoof at her side, using the others to push her up. The Queen used this. She lifted up Raspberry’s by her neck. “Ha! How pathetic. I expected more from you, Raspberry Stardust. All talk but no game?” “You know...” Raspberry coughed. “What they say...about enemies?” The Queen rolled her eyes, gripping Raspberry tighter in her magical grasp. “Love them as you love yourself?” Raspberry’s eyes narrowed. She shook her head, as if to get rid of a bad thought or memory. “No.” Using her back hooves, she wrapped them around Chrysalis’ neck, pushing her to the ground. Raspberry held the Queen down, glaring her in the eye. “Keep them close.” She turned to Cadance and Shining. “Now!” Queen Chrysalis struggled against Raspberry. “What good would that do? My changelings already roam free.” She grunted, trying to throw Raspberry off. Shining Armor tried to light up his horn, but the tip would barely even glow. “No! My power is useless now. I don’t have the strength to repel them. Cadence cupped his cheek with her hoof. “My love will give you strength. Queen Chrysalis scoffed. “What a lovely but absolutely ridiculous sentiment.” “I found the best arguments are!” Raspberry snapped as a bright pink dome formed around the wedding couple. It grew, and grew. Raspberry jumped off of Chrysalis, falling to the floor with a roll. The done caught Chrysalis, dragging her towards the window. “Know this Raspberry Stardust! My children will come for you, this I swear!” Chrysalis screamed as she was blasted away. We all turned to Raspberry. Her back was to us. She was brushing some of her mane back. “Now that is what I call a wedding!” The unicorn cheered. “Also, MY EYES!” The unicorn dropped to the floor, screaming and holding her eyes. Morgan It was really, really dark when I opened my eyes. It was either nighttime, or I was wearing an eye mask. “Ah. I see you’re awake.” A voice spoke. I turned my head towards it. “I’m Doctor Acuvue, an optometrist.” I tried to hide a snicker. The doctor spoke, ignoring my joke apparently. “It seems that there was a spell cast upon your eyes by a changeling. It’s been there for quite some time. That shield created by Princess Cadance and Captain Armor must have removed it from your eyes, causing the pain.” I grunted. “Not does explain how I could see past the Queen’s disguise.” I tapped my hoof on my chin. “Sweet.” “The burns on your side can be healed quickly thanks to those healing spells I used while you were sedated.” The doctor went on. “You should be fine in an hour or two.” “Great.” I smiled, leaning back against the hospital bed. “Ah. It’s no fun until you’re almost dead.” “You have some guests waiting outside, should I let them in?” The doctor asked, motioning to the door. I nodded, sighing. “Oh yeah. They probably want an explanation.” The doctor nodded, easing the door open. “It’s never a good hospital visit without one, at least in my experience.” The ponies all glared. Or, at least the burning I felt made me think they were glaring. “Okay! Okay! I give.” I groaned. “I found out about Chrissy’s plan a few months back, and got to work on putting it down. All in all, I say I succeeded. I made her think I was a worthy adversary, then I lied about helping her devious, incredibly impulsive plan.” “But, what about all of that stuff you said?” Fluttershy asked. “A-About the m-monsters?” “Oh. Yeah. That was a lie.” I admitted. The ponies laughed. I guess my speech was pretty outlandish. What was I thinking? “I fought a wizard too.” I corrected. They stopped laughing. “I never really include Ice King though, because, quite frankly, who does? The guy’s own penguins don’t like him. Gunter likes me more, and Gunter hates everypony.” There was a tense silence. “W-what?” Fluttershy squeaked. “Oh. The rest of that speech wasn’t a lie.” I admitted. “I just kinda omitted Ice King, and an emittance of a truth is still a lie. Everypony knows that.” “You...you actually fought all of that stuff?” Rainbow asked. “Should it even really count as a fight since I was bored in half of them?” I asked. “Seriously. It’s like some of them didn’t even try.” “How come you never told me?” Mia asked. “Told anypony?” “I told Lune.” I said, pointing at the blue alicorn. Or, I really hope I did. Story, I hate being blind. “You told me no such thing.” The Night Princess proclaimed. “What, you think I made up all those dreams?” I laughed. Her eyes widened. “No. All that really happened. I was just remembering them.” “Those were...memories?” Princess Luna asked. “Well, some were, a few were rumors I had put together. Cool huh?” I asked. I laughed. “Next time, I was gonna show you what I did to deal with Skulker, the ghost hunter, err, Hunter ghost? Semantics.” I laughed reminiscently. “You would think he was tough to beat, but once you brought up that purple back gorilla-” Rainbow interrupted me that time. “How do we know you’re telling the truth? You could be lying to save your own hide!” “True, true. All too true.” I nodded. “But, Rainbow Dash, you must also consider, what if I’m telling the truth?” “None of that could be real! You made that up!” Rainbow argued, looking pissed. “You were working with that weird bug thing the whole time!” “Rainbow, how can I explain this to you?” I argued. “I could tell you anything, and you’d refuse to believe it! Unless I say that I was working with her, that I betrayed to you all for some nefarious reason, you won’t accept it.” The Pegasus was fuming, but she didn’t argue against it. I sighed. “Look, I know what I did was wrong and that it’ll take a long time before you can forgive me, but I am not going to regret what I did.” “You lied to us!” Applejack argued. “You had me thrown into the Canterlot Caverns!” Twilight added. “You messed up my party!” Pinkie said, looking angry but it was weak. The others glared at her. “What?” “Yes, and I don’t regret it. You heard what Chrysalis said at the end. She’s coming for me now.” I said. The large group turned to me. “Why do you sound happy about that?” Mia asked, sounding like she was about to cry. “Cause if she’s after me, she’s not after any of you.” I explained. “She thinks I the one who ruined her plan. The rest of you were just add-ons in her mind. I’m her enemy, not you guys. She’ll want revenge on just me, and not even bother going after the lot of you. Especially now that I have made her think I am alienated from you.” “You did all of this...for us?” Twilight asked. I tilted my head. Oh, those poor little ponies. “Sparkle of Twilight, you are my friend. I am not going to take a risk that Chrysalis is going to plot revenge on you, any of you. I had to stop that right at the source." I started shaking my head, thinking about all the things I had read about Chrysalis online and what I had seen in real life. “She is not a good enemy you want targeting you. I’ve seen that type before, and they won’t stop until you’re dead and buried. Nothing any of you will say could change my mind.” There was silence. “Now, is Lilac okay?” I asked. It took a moment for somepony to respond. “She and the other Crusaders were hiding in a broom closet.” Mia said. I let out a relieved breath. Thank the good lord above and the merciful Storyline before me. “Excuse me.” Dr. Acuvue came back to the conversation. “Raspberry needs some rest.” The ponies left, in near silence. I leaned back against the hospital bed thinking over how my Plan failed, and which parts went right. “Actually, doctor, might I speak with Raspberry in private for a moment?” Princess Celestia requested. “Of course, Your Majesty.” Shit. Shit. Shit. The door closed, and I was left alone with the Princess. “I think I’ve finally figured you out, Raspberry Stardust.” Princess Celestia said. I smirked, trying to hide any nervousness. Inside, I was begging to be allowed to live. “Oh?” The Princess leaned in closer. “Or, Agent DeadFillyWalking.” Okay. That threw me a bit. DeadGirlWalking was an old url I had some time ago, back in Danny Phantom days. It made sense, seeing as I had died twice already by that point. A flash of memory played in my mind. One of Raspberry’s. It was of me, and that Bonbon mare fighting what looked like a giant bug bear. That certainly seemed interesting. A smirk appeared on my face. I guess those rumors were true. Bonbon was a spy! Awesome! “Haven’t heard that name in awhile.” I admitted. “Good times, good times.” Celestia nodded. “I had forgotten, it seems, that I had all of your records wiped. I wanted that organization gone, and accidentally removed it from my own mind. How strange.” “Probably a defensive tactic.” I shrugged. “In case anypony asked about it, you could have plausible deniability.” The alicorn grinned. “And that was why you were our best agent.” Celestia complimented. “Oh stop it, Celly, you’re making me blush.” I grinned. This day just gets better and better! And that wasn’t sarcasm, I mean it! Best day ever! “I was the best agent ever.” Celestia seemed teasingly unsure. “Agent Sweetie Drops was close.” “I let her get close.” I shot back. “Mission accomplished, ma’am?” The alicorn nodded, along towards the door. “Mission accomplished, Agent. Good job.” Once the Princess was gone, I let out an excited cheer. Raspberry Stardust was a spy! AWESOME The reception was going strong. Twilight had just finished Love is in Bloom, everypony was dancing. I saw Lilac having fun with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Sitting next to me was Mia, her mane was all done up hot and gorgeous. Her wedding dress was breathtaking, if I was just a little bit more into stuff like dresses. Shiny was wearing his red suit with all the adornments. Mia looked up to me, a smile on her face. “Razzle~” Mia started. “Mia~?” I asked, matching her tone. “Do you think you could sing something for us~?” The bright pink alicorn smiled. I blinked. “What.” I said, in the same tone I would use on Darcy when she asked for something she knew I would say no to. “Could you go and sing for us? I know you can.” Mia said, still smiling sweetly. Blinking again, I looked up at Vinyl Scratch standing by the speakers. Lilac was dancing and having fun, the Mane 6 were having even more and I think I saw Luna smiling with Celestia. “I-” Mia grabbed my hooves, looking me right in my eyes. “Razzle, I know you can do it. I believe in you.” My friend kept smiling at me, giving me silent encouragement. I had a small bit of stage fright. It wasn’t that I was scared of going onstage, with people I knew watching. If I messed up, they might remind me of it for the rest of my life. “But what if I mess up?” I asked Mia. “You won’t.” Mia answered. Damn it she was good. Taking a deep breath, I held Mia hoof a little tighter and nodded. The alicorn of love squealed, letting my hooves go and hugged me. I was suddenly wrapped up in pleasant blue magic and carried off towards the stage. Mia grabbed the microphone, making it hover in front of me so I could grab it in my own magic. “Everypony, my dear friend Raspberry Stardust would like to sing you a song.” Mia cheered, letting her magic on me go. I steadied myself onto the stage, holding the mic as Mia flew off the stage. Taking another breath, I looked at Viny. “Can you play this song?” I told her the name. The unicorn nodded and went up to the records and began getting it ready. The blue maned unicorn nodded at me after a moment. I held the mic and tapped it twice. “Testing, testing. One two three. Testing, testing. One two three. Can everypony hear me?” “I can hear you!” Pinkie cheered from some random location. “Thanks Pinkie.” I smiled. “Now, this is a song that every wedding needs. Hit it DJPon3!” Vinyl raised a good at me, then played the music. “I thought love was only true in fairytales.” I sang. “Meant for somepony else but not for me. Love was out to get me. That’s the way it seemed. Disappointment haunted all my dreams.” With the first chorus, I hopped down to the dance floor. “Then I saw her face!” I started to dance to music, smiling happily as I got into it. “Now I’m a believer! Not a trace of doubt in my mind! I’m in love, I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried!” Over at the wedding table, I saw Shining put a loving hoof on Mia’s. She smiled. “I thought love was more or less a givin’ thing, but the more I gave the less I got.” I sang. Looking around the reception, I saw the other ponies were dancing. “What’s the use in trying? All you get is pain. When I needed sunshine I got rain.” Pinkie seemed even more energetic than usual. She started singing with me, going as far to get her own microphone. “Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer!” “Not a trace of doubt in my mind.” I sang with laughter. “I’m in love, I’m a believer I couldn’t leave her if I tried.” Pinkie and I started dancing like crazy. “Love was out to get me. Now that’s the way it seemed. Disappointment haunted all my dreams...” Singing the chorus again, I began going to the middle of the crowd. I pulled at my mane for the first part, and shook my head fiercely as I sang. The crowd was having fun with it. The music peaked, my horn glowed and suddenly I appeared on top of the speakers. I sang the last chorus with gusto and the crowd was loving it. “I’m a believer.” I finished, moving the mic back towards Vinyl as the audience clapped. I hopped down onto the ground, trotting back towards Mia and Shiny. They waved proudly at me as I sat next to Mia. The bride lightly hugged me, or should I say suffocated me. Mia looked at me with shining purple eyes. “Razzle that was amazing! I told you that you could do it!” “I know, I know, I’m awesome at singing. I got enough of that from… my family.” They’re dead in Equestria. I took a deep breath. “Ya know, before all that. I would’ve done more with it, but, ya know, reasons.” My friend nodded, rubbing a hoof on my back while still smiling. “Don’t worry Razzle, I’m sure wherever they are, they’re proud of you.” Mia comforted. “I guess they are…” I smiled, looking up at the stars. “I guess they are.” The two of us sat in silence for a brief moment. “Oh, I almost forgot.” Mia said. “Happy Birthday. Number twenty.” “Three hundred and sixty five days and I can drink beer.” I laughed. “Throwing a wedding on my birthday, where Shapeshifters attack, and I get to kick their sorry behinds into next week! The only present that make it better is if I had-” “Met a nice colt?” Mia suggested. I dropped my jaw. “Mia!” The pink Alicorn just giggled. The rest of the night was calm, I partied until Mia and Shining went off. I stayed the night and early the next morning I took the first train to Ponyville. Chrysalis Getting up to my hooves, I growled darkly. The blast had sent my miles from the Hive. Using my magic, I could tell some of my changelings had managed to awaken earlier and were in the Hive already, some were too weak. Just what I needed. Not only am I humiliated by a pony, I am losing my children. I suppose I should be grateful he did- “Hello Chrysalis.” I turned sharply towards the source of the voice. This was a pest I would trade Raspberry for. “What do you want?” “You had one job.” It reminded. “Show yourself! Face me!” I shouted. “I have had enough of your hiding in the shadows!” A figure walked out from the shadows. It was a him. The pony that caused all of this. I snarled. The pony, a stallion, chuckled. “I told you not to listen to Raspberry Stardust, and what did you do?” I hissed. “Do not speak to me, the Queen of the Changelings, in that condescending tone!” His black eyes glowed as he grinned. I felt his magic wrap around my throat, constricting my airway. Some more magic grabbed my insides, pulling at various organs. I dropped onto my knees, teeth grinding. “You will find, Chrysalis, that it is I who hold the power.” He stated. “But...but...you...aren’t...a...a unicorn.” I grunted. He only laughed at my pain. “True, I am an earth pony. We have more pressing matters. Like, what were your orders?” “You never told me that Raspberry Stardust could control lightning!” I growled weakly. “You wouldn’t have learned that if you listened to me.” The stallion snapped. “You would never have even needed to receive that order if you had killed her when I told you all those years ago.” I rolled my eyes. “You told us to take the dragon, you never said to kill-” “Anyone would know that to kidnap a child properly, you need to kill the mother.” The commanding stallion stated, as if he had a thousand times. “You were just too thick to figure that out.” His black eyes glowed again, and suddenly the pain in my gut doubled. “The drone I sent already killed her parents and siblings!” “And I wanted Raspberry dead with them.” He snarled. The stallion paused, taking a deep calming breath. “Alright. Your failure to follow orders just may be a blessing in disguise. Maybe I should get used to it, since you can’t do anything without screwing up.” I could only wince in pain. “Raspberry Stardust and those ponies will bond closer than they ever had, becoming friends. She will start to let others in.” The stallion began to nod. “Yes. Then, right when they are at their weakest, we will strike.” “How exactly do you plan to do that, Logan?” I coughed. The stallion walked up to me. I was finally able to see his black mane with brown streaks. His forest green coat blended well with the forestry. I couldn’t see his cutiemark, but I remembered it was a tiger paw over a- “Go after Raspberry when and how I tell you to, and you shall see.” The demon stallion grinned.