//------------------------------//
// A Bug to a Boot Must Seek Help 
// Story: Starlight's Remark 
// by Bonk6 
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Chapter Four: A Bug to a Boot Must Seek Help


Months have gone by, and Starlight has had it with her confinement. She considers leaving the Golden Oaks basement to get away from the pony she now deems to be the most annoying mare on the planet, but this is the only place where they aren't monitored. 

"Trixie cannot believe how long she's had to live in this town! Trixie is meant to amaze and entertain, not smile and wave! Trixie-"

"Trixie has done nothing but complain every single day since this happened!" Starlight snaps at the blue magician, her jaw locking up a bit from the straining. "You nag and nag and nag, and for what? We're still no closer to getting out of here, so get used to it!"

"Hmmph!" Trixie retaliates. "She can complain as much as she'd like when put in this.. This caaage!" Starlight only groans in reply.



Queen Chrysalis flies through the cold, windy air. Her wings buzz harder than usual, her destination both treacherous to reach and possibly even more dangerous to enter. The Queen has no other choice, however. She needs help, something must be done. Making it past the icy tundra, Chrysalis then enters the Crystal Empire; Sombra's returned domain. By the looks of it, he has already regained control.

Chrysalis takes the form of a female Umbra, hoping that seeing another of his own species will make him less inclined to enslave her, or worse. Walking past the enchained ponies, up into the crystal palace and into the throne room is where she finds him. 

The dark King growls in distaste. "Noooot reeaaaal!" He leaves his throne in a mist of black smoke, reforming beside her, breathing down Chrysalis' neck. "Shoooow yourssssselff!"

She appears unphased. "You saw through my disguise, nicely done." She reverts back via her whiff of green flames. "Just as I saw through your voice. You're trying to sound scary? Someone should have informed you by now that it isn't helping."

Sombra snarls, then stops, questioning if she's trying to be helpful or not. "..." He moves away from her. "What is your purpose here, bug? I have only just reclaimed my kingdom, it has been a stressful week."

"You don't remember me? I'm hurt, really." Chrysalis flicks her forked tongue out in his direction. "It was my kingdom first, you do realize. Until you tricked me, forced me and my followers from our home and turned us into the monsters we are today. Or as you so delicately put, bugs."

"Mmm. I recall none of this." The King begins walking back to his throne, sitting in it lazily. 

"Fine. Regardless of your brutish past, I need your help fixing a problem that can bother the both of us."

Sombra merely rolls his eyes. "Let the princesses try to reclaim this place. They will never find the crystal heart, or defeat me a second time."

Queen Chrysalis walks closer, her expression nervous. "The princesses aren't the problem. It's Discord." Now she has caught his attention.



Digging fast, Starlight breaks a sweat. She knows she can't stop, or risk getting detained in one of Discord's prison camps. Meanwhile, Trixie is laying on a pile of books off to the side. "It can't be done! Not even Trixie's magic could help enough to escape..!"

"I don't need your help!" Starlight shouts back, tossing dirt behind her. "This isn't the first escape tunnel I've dug, and it isn't the longest either!"

With enough grit, patience and determination, eventually she finishes her tunnel from the Golden Oaks basement and to the outside world. Trixie comes over to praise her, after all the doubt. "You have done it! Trixie is saved, all thanks to you!"

"Now I need to go find the pony who can fix this.." Starlight mutters to herself, thinking things over in her head.

"After you! You may have the honors of escaping first, since it was your hard work." Trixie is really only afraid that they might be caught, wanting to use her as bait.

With her back turned, Starlight's eyes move to the direction of her agonizing voice. Her horn powers up, and casts a spell to push Trixie away from her and back into the library. "Hey-!" Before the blue mare can complain some more, Starlight blasts the entrance of the tunnel, side stepping out before it crumbles behind her. 



Discord is being fed grapes while lounging across the throne. Celestia has never felt so eager to take up plumbing if it meant not having to put up with this clown prince of chaos. While massaging his scaly foot, Luna whispers to her. "I am so sorry, sister.. This is all our fault, I-"

Discord cuts her off by clamping her muzzle with two reptilian toes. "Uh-uh-uh! As much as I do love a good soap opera family apology, I am trying to relax."

Celestia walks in through the front door, making Discord, Luna and Celestia turn their heads to her. "Discord, that Celestia is an imposter! Put her in chains!"

The Draconequus eyes the princess near him. "Well? Are you the real one, or are you lying to yourself?" Unable to come up with a response, Celestia just looks from him to herself across the way.

"It looks like you both will have to feed me, since we are unable to form a thorough investigation currently." He snaps his fingers, bringing the duplicate next to the other.

"Oh, I don't think there's much time for that~" Celestia flashes green, back into the Queen of the Changelings. An instant later, shadows engulf Discord's head, causing him to flail.

"Graaaah-!!"