//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: WWC: Chrysalis's Revenge // by Chris-Cross13 //------------------------------// Christian, Twilight, and the other ponies stare at Queen Chrysalis, mouths agape with fear and confusion. The Queen is smiling; smiling at once again taking the castle by storm. And this time, she was going to make sure it stayed this way PERMANENTLY! “Mmhmmm,” She laughs. “I have been waiting so long for this moment: The true fall of Canterlot… plus Christian!” “Dream on, Chrissy!” Christian says, stepping forward. “The Elements of Harmony and I have gotten pretty good at beating you and your changelings’ sorry butts. You may have captured half of The Elements, but we’ve still got enough firepower to send you flying out of here like a green cannonball!” “Oh, is that so? That’s cute.” The Queen says while reclining in the throne. “You really think you still have the upper hand, don’t you?” “What do you mean?” Twilight asks, apprehensively. Chrysalis starts laughing again, making Twilight and Christian exchange a quick glance of uneasiness. “You shall see soon, my dear.” Chrysalis raises a hoof. “Changelings, put them with the other prisoners.” She says, seemingly bored with the statement. Christian and Twilight exchange another quick glance with each other before quickly dispatching the few changelings nearing them. Racing toward the Queen, the two of them take down any oncoming bugs before jumping up to Chrysalis herself. The Queen’s eyes bulge at the sight of her two enemies meeting her eye to eye. Crossbow and horn at the ready, Christian and Twilight smile with victory. “Well, looks like you have lost your touch there, Chrissy.” Christian comments. “I agree.” Twilight adds with a smirk. Chrysalis stares worryingly at the two attackers, before she herself gains a big, fanged smile across her face. Christian’s face scrunches in confusion. “The heck are you smiling about?” Suddenly, a cold blast explodes right next to him and Twilight. “Step away from her, if you please.” A voice says behind them; a certain chilling mare’s voice. In disbelief, the two of them whip around and to their horrors see Rarity, Dash, and Vague all flat on the ground groaning in pain, with Frostbite standing over all three of them donning a corrupt smile on her face. “Frostbite?! What the hay are you doing?!” Twilight yells at her. “Protecting my grandmother.” She says, widening her smile. “GRANDMOTHER?!” Twilight and the others shout in booming puzzlement. Chrysalis lets out a soft laugh. “Oh? Did I not mention that Frostbite was my granddaughter?” She smiles innocently. “My mistake.” “Oh, it’s not your fault, dear Chrysalis;” Frostbite says, sweetly. “These pathetic excuses for ‘heroes’ just fell for your brilliant trap. Honestly, putting me with a bunch of drones in the middle of the Badlands to bait some of The Elements and the human was pure genius.” The mare cackles as Vague starts to slowly get back up, along with Dash and Rarity behind him. “Hey Christian, guess who was right?” Vague mumbles, weak after his scuffle. Christian’s eyes narrow at his friend’s comment. “Vague, not the time!” He shouts. Frostbite uses a hoof to push Vague back onto the ground and motion some of the changelings around her to pick up the defeated and fiery stallion. “Place him with the others.” She says. The changelings nod and pluck Vague from his spot and fly upward toward their other captives; with Rarity and Dash being carried after him. An evil grin full of her jagged pearly whites forms on her face as she turns back to Twilight and Christian. “Well, it looks like the tables have turned.” “Not in my book.” Christian says as he nudges his crossbow closer to Chrysalis’s face. The act makes the Queen laugh under her breath. “Now, now; let’s not do anything hasty, or the results will be… disastrous.” She says, mockingly. “What do you mean, Chrysalis?” Twilight snaps. “If you two so much as flinch toward me, my dear granddaughter will make sure that your friends will pay dearly for it.” She flashes a smile at the two of them. “I suggest that you two surrender yourselves to avoid any problems.” “Oh you little…” Christian goes to shoot a bolt at Chrysalis’s forehead. He is starting to get sick of her games. “Christian!” Twilight stops him before he so much as thrusts his arm forward. He looks back at the mulberry unicorn, whose eyes have started to well a little with tears. “She’s not kidding.” She motions her head toward the front of the castle. Christian looks up to see Frostbite grabbing hold of Fluttershy’s head, eager to perform an unknown act of harrow on the poor and defenseless pegasus. Christian turns back and looks fiercely into the eyes of the insect queen, a fire burning in his pupils with sheer hate. He then looks back at Twilight, who had let a single tear shed from her eye as she realized the options at hand. “Please…” she struggles to say the word. Christian’s look of despise disappears from his face instantly as he stares at Twilight’s expression. Taking one more look back at Frostbite; who pulls Fluttershy close to her, making her pointed smile grows wider; and another final look at Chrysalis; he pulls his arm away from The Queen and signs in defeat. Chrysalis smiles at his response. She knows what just happened. “Alright Chrysalis,” Twilight says, her eyes no longer swelled with tears but still saddened at the outcome of the situation. “We surrender.” She sighs. Chrysalis’s grin grows even bigger. “That’s what I thought. Changelings, hang them up with the rest of their friends. I’d like to see my entire trophy display.” A small swarm of bugs swoop down and prepare to lift the Queen’s two new prisoners with the rest. However, before her minions take them away, a thought strikes Chrysalis. “Oh, and before you try anything, Christian.” Her horn starts to glow an ominous shade of green. Seconds later, Christian crossbow starts glow the same color. The clips that attach the tranquilizing weapon to Christian’s wrist become uncoupled and the bow is swiftly taken from Christian’s arm. “Hey!” Christian shouts in disapproval as the crossbow flies next to Chrysalis. Chrysalis floats the item in front of her, admiring the technology and intricate design. “You know, I never really liked this thing; always taking out swarms of my dear changelings; though I’ve never had any problems with it personally.” She says as she spins the bow around a bit, still looking at the crossbow. “But just in case…” Chrysalis’s green magic suddenly collapses in onto the crossbow; crushing the item into a five pieces before throwing the remains onto the ground in front of her, which in turn, breaks the bow further. Christian gasps as he sees his only true means of a form of an attack become nothing but pieces. He growls at Chrysalis like a rabid dog. “Oh when I get my hands on you, I’ll…” The changelings around him grab him and start lifting him away along with Twilight before he finishes the threat. “Hey! Let go of me!” He shouts as he struggles against their grip as he and Twilight start to be glued up to the wall in green cocoons above the front doors of the castle just like their friends. “And don’t try any of that magic that you picked up either, Christian.” The Queen says. The prisoners go wide-eyed at her comment. “Wait, how did you know?” The newly encapsulated Twilight asks. “Information spreads quite quickly in a hive.” She responds. Christian growls again, regretting not putting that changeling to sleep before him and the others teleported back to the castle. The changelings around him finally finish entrapping the human in his new, gooey prison before returning to their Queen. Chrysalis gets up from the throne and trots up to her prisoners. "Ahh, I love the feeling of total success." She says with a satisfied sigh. The captives above all make faces of disdain. "Excuse me, grandmother," Frostbite interrupts her thoughts. "If you do not mind, I shall patrol the area with a few drones to make sure that our surroundings are secure." "Oh, of course my dear Frostbite." Chrysalis says as a few of her drones fly off next to the cold pegasus and the group soar out the doorway; leaving Chrysalis to deal with the fruits of her labor. "I can't believe this." Christian says in an agitated manner as he struggles against the sticky restraint. Not only had Chrysalis captured them all, but Frostbite had led them into a trap from the start! "Believe it, Christian!" Chrysalis says from below. "I have all of you detained and right where I want you!" "How did you even break out of your stone statue prison anyway?" Twilight says with attitude in her voice. Chrysalis smiles again. "I think you know how. I had a little help from two... new friends." Twilight and Christian immediately exchange a look of surprise mixed with anger. They knew exactly who it was. "Paradox and Trixie?" Twilight answers. "Ding! Ding! We have a winner!" Chrysalis says with a nod. "How did those two help you?" Christian asks sourly. "Well you see, Christian." The Queen starts. "A few changelings managed to escape that bomb your planet used to freeze me into a stone. After Celestia's guards hid my statue, they simply followed them, stole my likeness back, and carried it to the Badlands. That's when I met the two of them, who freed me from my prison so I can exact my revenge once again on all of you!" She shifts her look to Celestia. "Only this time..." She marches right up to Celestia's face. "I will make my rule permanent." The words make Celestia's eyes narrow. "And how will you accomplish that?" The princess asks. Chrysalis's grin grows wider. "Oh, you know exactly how I will do such a thing." Chrysalis presses a hoof onto Celestia's cocoon. "By using The Elements; tell me where they are!" She yells into her ear. Meanwhile, the entrapped group behind Chrysalis gain the same confused look on their faces. Chrysalis knew who The Elements of Harmony were. Why is she asking where 'they' were? "Wow Chrysalis, did you get stupider while you were a monument?" Dash yells from above, her cocoon tensing up as she tries to pull against it. "We'll never help you take over Equestria!" She screams. Chrysalis hears the insult and does a swift turn around to address the situation. "What was that, Dash?!" She yells back. "She's right, Chrysalis!" Rarity hollers. "We don't care what you offer! Helping you is something we will never do!" This makes Chrysalis howl with laughter. Everyone once again became confused at The Queen's actions. Why is she laughing now? "I don't mean The Elements of Harmony, you fools!" The answer shocks everyone in the room, especially Celestia, whose face is now gaining a brighter shade of white. The moment Chrysalis said the sentence, she knew what other elements Chrysalis meant. Chrysalis glances over to the sun princess and flashes a grin. She knew that Celestia knew. "I mean... The Elements of Conflict!" The mention of these new elements makes the room go dead silent. The Elements of Harmony are perplexed at these relics; Vague and Dee-Dee are flabbergasted, as these elements have never been mentioned on the show. Christian has absolutely no idea what the heck is going on, and Celestia is still ghost-white with fear. "I... I don't know what you are talking about, Chrysalis!" "Quit playing dumb with me, Celestia! Or else your sister and her little stallion student will pay for your noncompliance!" Celestia gasps at the threat. She knew Chrysalis captured them as well, and the last thing she wanted was Luna and Supernova being hurt. "What are The Elements of Conflict, Celestia?" Twilight interrupts the two royal figures. Celestia returns to a pale white hue as her star student asks the question. Chrysalis flaunts a mocking smile. "You haven't even told them? I'm quite surprised, Celestia." Chrysalis’s taunting smile grows wider. "Girls, they are nothing! Chrysalis is..." Celestia starts, but is quickly silenced by the changeling queen. "Oh don't bother lying, Celestia. You may as well tell them. It would make the next few hours so much easier for them to understand." Celestia scowls at her. The situation was already dire, but this would just add in more problems. But, Celestia knows she does not have much of a choice in the matter. If she didn't say anything, Chrysalis would injure somepony to get her answers. With a sigh, she looks back up to the girls. "Girls... There is something you must know." "What is it, Celestia?" Applejack's asks. An eerie silence fills the room, lasting a few tense seconds before the princess speaks again. "...You're not the only elements that I created." The Elements of Harmony's eyes grow wide at the news; not knowing what to say to her or each other. Another group of elements like themselves? The subject itself is simply mystifying. Even Christian is a bit astonished at what she said. "Well, this just got more interesting." He comments. "What do you mean, Celestia?" Twilight questions. "Before The Elements of Harmony; before... Nightmare Moon; another group of elements came into being... They were called The Elements of Conflict." An audible gasp of amazement is heard from the front of the castle. The girls could not believe the news! A bunch of elements developed before their time! They couldn't contain their curiosity; questions started to pour from their mouths uncontrollably. "Why were they created? What do they represent? Who can use them?" "Alright girls, settle down." Celestia calms the group down. She is actually glad that they were interested in the subject rather than distraught. "I'll tell you all the story... Even you, Chrysalis." She says through clenched teeth. Chrysalis smiles and sits back in Celestia's throne. "Then by all means Celestia, let the story begin!" The changeling queen requests. With another long and somewhat unnerving sigh, Celestia starts to unravel the tale of what happened long ago: The creation of The Elements of Conflict. "Well, it all started back when Discord ruled. The land was in a mess of chaos and Luna and I had to stop him to restore order. However, we ended up doing so in the least likely of ways..." Equestria is a land rattled with a chaotic storm, and Discord is its source. Princesses Celestia and Luna are determined to put a stop to this mess and return balance to the land once more. As the approach his throne through the chocolate rain and upside down buildings, a tense determination is shown in their eyes. "Well, well, Celestia and Luna! What a coincidence it is to see you two here! Care for some tea?" Discord snaps his fingers to make some tea cups and kettle appear next to him. "Discord, now is not the time for your games. Your reign of chaos ends here!" Celestia shouts at him. Discord is less than pleased to hear such a rude greeting. "I guess tea is out then." He says, making the items vanish next to him. "So be it. Do what you will to me then.” With another quick snap of his fingers a red and white target appears hanging from his neck. Celestia and Luna exchange a look of confusion. "I'm quite surprised, Discord. I didn't think you would give up so easily." “Well, I just figured that if you two were going to cause mass chaos anyway; there would be no need for my assistance.” Celestia and Luna raise a brow at the spirit’s words. They exchange a glance of concern before returning their attention back to Discord. “Causing chaos? PAH!” Yells Luna. “We will do no such thing!” “Oh? Is that so Luna? I beg to differ.” Discord slithers over to the two princesses. “What are you talking about, Discord?” Celestia questions. “Well think about it, Celestia. I am the spirit of chaos; we all know this. And you two want to bring harmony to Equestria.” Discord snaps his fingers again and a gold weighing scale appears next to him. The scale has the figures of Celestia and Luna on one side and on the other side is a figure of Discord himself. “As you both are aware, there is a natural balance of harmony and conflict, or chaos, in the world.” The scale shifts a little, causing Discord’s figure to lower a bit. “Now of course, the scale shifts occasionally whenever there are… slight disturbances; like it is currently during my rule now.” “Yes, so what’s your point?” “My point is; say if you were to get rid of one of these factors, like how you two want to get rid of me for example,” Discord flicks his figurine clean off the scale, causing the princess's side to crash downward. “It would cause an unbalance in this natural scale.” Celestia stares at the unbalanced scale with curiosity and wonder. “This would leave only harmony and no chaos whatsoever.” “That’s what we want, Discord!” Luna screams. “It would be utopia! It would be a good thing to have no chaos!” Discord grins at the lunar alicorn. “Is that so Luna? Would it REALLY be such a good thing?” The question makes Luna growl. “This is not the time for-” “He’s right.” Celestia cuts off her sister’s sentence. Luna freezes in place, doubting what she just said. Her head slowly turns toward Celestia, the shocked expression still fixed upon her face. “W-What did you s-say?” She mutters. “Discord is correct. Without chaos or conflict, yes there would be utopia, but…” “But you and I both know that utopia never lasts.” Discord finishes. “Sure, peace would last for a few years, but it always ends the same. Complete and utter FAILURE!” “That’s preposterous!” Luna shouts in disbelief. “Celestia, you don’t actually think…” “I do, Luna. Discord is right, a world without chaos will only end in disaster; we can’t just get rid of him. If we do, I shudder to think of what the aftermath may bring.” “But if we can’t stop him, how will we restore order to Equestria?” The lunar princess questions. Celestia puts a hoof on her chin as she ponders her sister’s question. “If I may interject here.” Discord interrupts Celestia’s train of thought. “I may have a solution that would be appealing to both of us.” Celestia and Luna eyes grow wide in shock. “Why would you be willing to help us?” Luna hisses. “Well, I know you two wish to keep harmony here, and truthfully, I have grown tiresome of causing chaos here; using the same tricks over and over again dulls the feel of everything. It’s like having a birthday party every day; you get bored sooner or later.” “Alright, then what’s your idea?” Celestia questions. “Oh, Celestia, i’m not going to just tell you, silly pony.” He says while patting her head. “I’ll tell you if we make deal.” “About what?” She snarls. “My detainment, of course. When you two do seal me away somewhere or throw me into a cell, I wish to be freed in 1,000 years to wreak chaos once more.” Luna goes to yell her utmost denial at the request, but Discord beats her to the punch. “Or you could just get rid of me. I hear the first few years of total harmony aren’t that bad before the complete destruction of society.” The two princesses shiver with fear at the choices they were given. At least if they gave his idea a chance, his chaotic reign would end at least for a millennia. Partially defeated and out of options, Celestia and Luna sigh their answer. “Fine, it’s a deal.” Celestia answers. “What’s your plan?” “Well, I was thinking if you two could contain my chaotic essence into artifacts while i’m away. Then, the aura of chaos would still exist throughout Equestria, and you two could still keep a relative harmony without full on utopia.” The two alicorns were shocked at the explanation. The idea was brilliant; a way to cause conflict without the spirit of chaos. Celestia and Luna smirk at the ingenious behind it, and agree to the plan. “And so; Discord, Luna, and I created four artifacts that would retain an aura of chaotic power while Discord was sealed. These artifacts became known as The Elements of Conflict. These elements were based of the four main elements of conflict: Structure, Space, Situation, and Behavior.” Celestia exhales tiredly as she finishes her story. The ponies above are amazed at what they just heard. Christian, however, is a bit confused. “Wait, you based these “Elements of Conflict” off of the actual elements of conflict?” He asks with a scrunched face of question. “Of course, Christian.” Celestia answers. “What else would we use?” “...Nevermind.” He keeps quiet. Chrysalis on the other hand starts giggling with glee at the story she has just heard. “Ahh, what a beautiful story, Celestia.” She says while rising from her seat. She saunters over to the captured Celestia, delicately touching the cocoon with a forehoof. “Now only one question remains: Where are they now?” Celestia growls at her, as she knows what will happen if she doesn't answer her. She has no choice. “We agreed to separate the elements as to make them difficult to find. We gave Discord one before we sealed him away, Luna kept another, and I held on to the last two.” "Mmmhmm, yes, keep going.“ An anxious Chrysalis starts moving a forehoof in a circular motion at her. "After Discord escaped, he hid his somewhere and we thought it was lost for good. However, just recently... we recovered it. Much to my dismay.” She murmurs the last bit of her sentence under breath. “Good to know” Chrysalis flashes her fangs into another smile. “What about the other three?" "After... Nightmare Moon, Luna somehow lost her element. I don’t know where it is and neither does she.” “Unfortunate, but oh well. What about yours?” Celestia exhales heavily at the Queen. She knew she was stalling. “Mine was lost a long time ago. I have no idea where it is. I only have Discord's element now.” She answers. Chrysalis frowns a bit at the news, but quickly shakes off the feeling. “And the last one?” She hisses. Celestia then gains a taunting grin. “The last element was sent away to…” “Candance and Armor, right?” Celestia smile turns into a scared frown. “Oh yes, I know all about THAT little secret. You gave it to them as a wedding gift, correct?” Celestia nods slowly, shaking a little out of fear. “How did you…” Chrysalis lets out another cackle. “Oh my dear Celestia, now it is time for me to tell YOU a story!” Meanwhile, outside the castle doors, Frostbite and her armada of changelings have just gotten back from their patrol. Happy that nopony noticed anything suspicious around the castle, she lands and goes to open the doors to give her report to Chrysalis. Before her forehoof touches the two giant doors, she hears something within the castle. Curious, she puts an ear up to the door to hear what was going on inside. “You see Celestia, back during my second takeover, before Christian;" She glares menacingly at the human. "I was sent a package from Candance and Armor.” A voice said, which Frostbite easily identified as her grandmother. “What?!” Another voice gasps. Probably Celestia’s. Frostbite thinks. “Indeed. If I didn’t do a bit of reading from your library, I would have paid these little trinkets no mind at all.” “No…” “Indeed. However, this tale has no happy ending. Before I had a chance to even look at the element in question, one of my own drones snatched it from me and flew off with it! I ordered my changelings to go after him and retrieve the element. They failed to find it, however they did bring back two things. Number one: A changeling’s wing,” Everyone inside the castle and Frostbite gasps, astonished at the horrible act. “And number two: A small, dark blue, and cold pegasus.” This made Frostbite push away from the doors, hyperventilating at what Chrysalis had said. Recollecting her thoughts with a quick shake of her head, she gulps. No… It can’t be. She raised me as her own! She presses her ear back to the door to hear her grandmother once more. Back inside, the shocked and disgusted faces of the captured ponies above tell all their thoughts on the current tale Chrysalis is telling. “You vile insect!” Twilight says in complete disapproval. “That means…” “Correct Twilight, Frostbite was that pegasus. Her father was unruly and needed to be... taken care of." The ponies couldn't believe what they were hearing. "After a bit of manipulation of Frostbite's small mind from yours truly, she believes that I adopted her into the hive and despises all of you. Not only that, but she will stop at nothing to take down all of Equestria until it all belongs to the hive!” Frostbite backs away again from the door, a few tears dripping from her eyes that freeze upon contact with her fur. She couldn’t believe it. The grandmother that she came to know and love was nothing more than an illusion for her own revenge. She wipes away the crystallized water from her face. But as she does, she starts seeing… things. Images from what appeared to be a dream started to fill her eyes. Slightly jumping at the hallucinations, she closes her eyes and shakes her head to try and forget them. Instead, they become even clearer to her. “What the hay?!” She says, panicked as she tries to figure out what these images are. Suddenly, one of the images molds into a somewhat familiar shape: A defeated changeling. A bit shocked, she calms herself a little and tries to focus on the entire scenario. After a few moments, the rest of the scene clears up. The background of the changeling image is in some sort of icy cave of sorts. Confused at the setting, she turns her attention back to the drone, who she now realized had no right wing. She stares at the creature, pondering why she felt like she knows the changeling. Her attention suddenly shifts against her will to left side of the cavern, where a frosty boulder lay pinned against the wall. Again confused, she stares at the large rock for a second or two before a voice echoes inside of her ears. “It is… hidden there, Frostbite. They will… never... find it.” The pegasus turns to see the changeling speaking on weakened breath. She approaches the injured drone. The insect looks up at her, his heavy breathing echoing throughout the cave. “Chrysalis… did this… to our family.” The changeling mutters. “Make her pay… for her deeds… my dear... daughter. ” As the changeling utters his final words and his eyes flutter close, Frostbite becomes filled with an enormous sense of despair and grief. “Frosssssstbite, are you alright?” A changeling behind her asks. Snapping out of her trance, she grits her teeth out of view of the changelings. But not to them, to her untrustworthy grandmother. She turns toward the drones with a rage-filled glare in her eyes. “Everything is fine. Go and patrol the town for any wandering ponies.” The changelings look at each other as if their leader had gone a little bonkers in the past few minutes. “But Frosssssstbite, we jusssssst came back from-” “I said, GO!” her voice booms as the unknown anger seethes from inside her body. The changelings flitch at the siren that was just wailed at them and instantaneously comply with her demand. They zip back to the town before she erupts again. Standing alone at the entrance to the castle, Frostbite looks toward the large doors and stares. A disgruntled frown forms on her face. “I promise, she will pay… father.” She rockets away from the castle with only one thought on her mind: Revenge. Back in the castle, Chrysalis is still prancing around the captive Celestia, while the prisoners above look onward in hatred, and now disgust. Christian is one of the few still trying to struggle against his binds. It is a useless endeavor, but he didn’t care; at least he is still trying. “Now Celestia, you said you have one of the elements, correct?” The Queen asks. “Yes.” Celestia answers with a sigh. “Good! Now, next is the simple question:” She presses both forehooves firmly onto her cocoon. “Where is it?!” Celestia is unwavering at the question. Her stern face shows the stone cold expression of strength. “I’ll never tell you, Chrysalis. Not now, not EVER!” Her voice vibrates throughout the castle’s interior. Chrysalis frowns, displeased at her answer. “Is that so? Well then, let’s get to the fun part then!” She nods to a few of her changelings above. “Changelings, go get Luna and her little student. Bring them to me.” She glares into Celestia’s eyes. “We’ll make her talk.” Another smile emerges from her face, showing off her pearly white fangs. “NO!” The princess protests. “I wouldn’t do that, Chrysalis!” Vague shouts at her from above. Caught off guard by the hot-headed prisoner above, she turns and gives Vague a snide look. “Why not? What are YOU going to do to stop ME?” The prisoners gaze onward at Vague, who dawns a smirk on his face. “THIS!” He shouts as a bright light envelops him. The ponies near him feel a blazing heat emitting from Vague as his body glows like a hot cinder as it starts a fire. The harsh light suddenly envelops into a full on flame of orange fire, incinerating the green slime that used to immobilize him. The inferno falls to the ground like a meteor, extinguishing the entirety of the flame and creating a rather large plume of smoke. The gray clouds settle revealing Vague; free of his binds and donning a huge smile. Chrysalis starts gritting her teeth. “How did you escape?” “Easy.” He blows out some smoke from his nose. “Fire is kinda my thing.” “Wait, you could have done that the whole time?!” Dash hollers from above. “Yea, why?” “SERIOUSLY?!” The rest of the captured party shouts in retaliation. “We could have been out of here a while ago, man!” Christian yells. Vague facehooves at the realization. “Well, shoot.” “Enough of this! Changelings! Seize him!” Changelings swoop down and encroach on the pegasi’s position. With a confident smirk, he soars upward, lighting any insect’s in his vicinity on fire; making them crash into each other or into walls haphazardly. Chrysalis’s right eye starts twitching. How hard is it to take out ONE PONY?! “HA! Your bugs can’t beat me in the air, Chrysalis!” Vague gloats while zipping past another swarm. The queen growls, then a light bulb flashes over her head. “That so? Well then, I’ll just have to level the playing field!” Her forehoof flies forward. “Changelings! Strike him down! Clip his wings!” “Yessssss, Queen Chryssssssalissssss!” A horde of changelings responds. As Vague blasts the insects out of the sky like fireworks on the fourth of July, a long changeling manages to sneak up behind the fiery fighter. With a sneer, the bug lunges down and delivers a hard body check to Vague’s back. “GAH!” He shrieks as he crashes to the ground. His body tenses with a harsh pain as he struggles to get back up to his hooves. He turns to see his crippled wings, in no condition of getting him back into the air. A gasp is heard above, courtesy of Rainbow Dash. As Vague continues to fail at getting back up, the changelings around him back off. Chrysalis emerges from the insects, laughing at his failed attempt to save his friends. “Awww, what’s the matter, Vague?” The pony looks up as the Queen stands above him. “Can’t take a hit?” She proceeds to deliver a sharp kick into Vague’s stomach, sending him flying back toward one of the castle’s stained glass windows. “VAGUE!” The group shouts from above, simultaneously. Chrysalis laughs again as she approaches Vague once more. "How precious! Trying to stop me and save your friends all by yourself? You're such a fool!" Vague glares at her angrily as he tries to recover from the blow; managing to slowly stand back up on his now weak, rubber-like legs. Chrysalis frowns. "You just don't know when to give up, do you?" She pushes Vague forward to knock him back down to the floor; which also makes him crash through the stained glass window behind him. The colored glass shatters into thousands of shards that fall to the ground below. Thinking quickly, Vague grabs hold of the ledge where the window used to be. The crowd looks on in horror as their friend's life literally hangs by a thread. "Don’t you DARE lay another hoof on him, Chrysalis!" Dash yells. This little comment perks Chrysalis’s attention. Her mouth suddenly fills with a certain... sweetness. A sweetness she has not tasted in quite a while. “Mmmmm…” Chrysalis licks her lips. “If I am not mistaking, that is the succulent taste of love.” She kneels down to Vague, who is struggling to hoist himself up from the window. “Tell me Vague, are you and Dash… together?” Vague says nothing, only emitting a small growl. Chrysalis smiles, “There’s no need to answer, Vague; for I know of a better way to find love between two ponies.” She leans in close to Vague’s right ear. “A loved one’s DEMISE!” She whispers into his ear. Vague’s face changes into full on panic as Chrysalis backs away and starts laughing again. “How will a pony of fire fare in water? I’m quite curious to know the answer.” She questions. Vague’s legs start kicking furiously below, trying to propel himself upward as he tries to make his wings move, but they hurt with every little movement. The constant motion makes his left forehoof slip off of the window he is holding onto. “GAH!” He shouts, as he sees Chrysalis placing her forehoof onto his right forehoof: his lifeline. His pupils dilate and his forehead glistens with sweat in the sunlight. “Chrysalis, please; don’t do this!” He stutters with a shaky voice. Chrysalis says nothing; only smiling as she applies more pressure to Vague’s hoof. “Good bye, Vague!” With one quick motion, she pushes her hoof forward; causing Vague to lose his grip onto the ledge. “NO! VAGUE!” His friends shriek in horror as they see the events unfold before them. Vague starts plummet from the castle. The view of Chrysalis’s mocking grin being replaced by the lake below him; growing larger by the second. Chrysalis pears out of the empty window and puts her ear toward the sky below. She listens to the final sounds of the falling pony: “AHHHHHHHHHHH!” The scream rapidly starts to get quieter until it is barely audible to the Queen. A few seconds later, the yell stops completely; and moments later, is replaced with another faint sound. *Splash* Chrysalis puts her head back up and smiles. The deed has been done. “YOU MONSTER!” Dash cries, knowing full well what just happened. “I… I… I loved him!” She starts stop sob, her eyes exploding with tears like a waterfall of sadness trickling down her face. “Mmmmm” Chrysalis licks her lips again, along with the rest of her changelings. “Yes, my changelings. Feed off of her love! Make our power even stronger!” “Dash... “Twilight goes to stop her, but realizes her efforts would be in vain. Vague was her stallionfriend, and his demise was the perfect catalyst for a snack for Chrysalis and her drones. Twilight glances over to Christian, who had anger written all over his face. “Christian? Are you okay?” “First my crossbow, now Vague…” His first curl. “Vague, I swear to you…” The slime he is stuck to seizes to try and contain the human. “She will pay for her actions, Twilight.” “I know she will, Christian.” The unicorn responds in a somber tone. “We just need to wait for an opportunity.” “Don’t bet on it.” Applejack comments. “At this rate, we ain’t goin’ nowhere anytime soon.” “Yea, I agree with AJ.” Dee-Dee says. “We’re all in a bit of a sticky situation. And no, I’m not trying to be funny.” “I found it funny.” Pinkie says from above her, smiling. Dee-Dee pouts. “Pinkie, shut up.”