Shining Armor galloped behind Queen Chrysalis. Two changelings trotted beside each of them, each disguised as a pegasus in a Crystal Guard armor. The environment around them was desolate of any structure or building. They had left the Crystal Empire long ago, and snow was the only thing they could see for a few feet.
Princess Cadance hadn't moved a muscle since she'd been knocked unconscious. He shook his head. I mustn't worry myself with her. She's nothing but a p... pony. Only good for her love.
"I see your horn has returned to it's normal color." Queen Chrysalis slowed. She glanced back to Shining.
"Yes, Queen Chrysalis."
"Good. Your fangs will begin to show soon. They're too small to be seen right now, but they'll grow with time."
"Of course, Queen Chrysalis."
"Oh, and Shining Armor?"
"Yes, my queen?"
"You shouldn't try to break my spell. There'll be consequences if you dare even think about defying me or hurting my changelings." Queen Chrysalis warned in a low voice.
"I wouldn't dare, your highness."
"Good. Now, let's keep moving." She said normally, quickening her pace. "If everything goes according to plan, we should make it to the kingdom by daybreak." She and the changelings trotted towards a small building. The small shed was barely noticeable in the whirlwind of snow and freezing rain. The changelings began to shift into their original form as they opened the door, letting Queen Chrysalis and Shining enter. The only thing inside the shed was a large staircase leading downwards.
"We'll take this for the rest of the trip. Move." Queen Chrysalis pushed Shining towards the staircase, forcing him to step down.
"S'va! Lock the door!" Queen Chrysalis ordered to the two changelings. One changeling stepped inside, throwing a wooden board sat at the side into the hold.
"Move!"
The changeling rushed down the staircase. Queen Chrysalis calmly stepped down behind Shining.
"There's a rest area up ahead. We'll stop there for a few moments then continue."
"Of course, your highness."
---
Twilight Sparkle paced at the village's entrance, awaiting her friends' arrival. She pulled the small scarf tight over her shoulders, the snowstorm still as strong as ever.
Come on. Where are they? Rarity said she'd gather them and they'd take the nearest carriage ride here. Did they run into trouble?
A small carriage slowly rolled down the road to the village, pelted by the snow and rain. A burly stallion was trotting towards the village, pulling the carriage.
Is that them?
"If you can, stop here, please."
Twilight hastily trotted up to the carriage as it slowed to a stop. The door on the right side of the carriage opened, and two familiar ponies, one having a buttercup coat and a pink mane, and the other having a bright orange coat and a pale blonde mane.
"Thank ya kindly. How much do we owe ya?"
"I'll take care of the cost." Twilight trotted up behind them.
"Oh, howdy Twilight. Didn't see ya there. How're y'all doin'?" Applejack turned to Twilight. She had a green, knitted scarf wrapped around her neck and her usual hat atop her head. Fluttershy stood behind her. She had a green sweater covering the chest, neck, and most of her fore-hooves.
"Did Rarity tell you all that happened?"
"'Fraid so. I'm sorry ta hear all that's happened, Twi'. I'm sure y'all'll find somethin' to help Shining soon."
"Wait, she didn't tell you- never mind. We 'll talk later, inside the palace. Now, just let me pay you..." Twilight opened up one of her saddlebag and pulled out a small pouch of bits.
"I-I can pay for it, if you don't mind."
"It's all right, Fluttershy. Here-" She handed the stallion four bits. "That should cover it." He looked over the bits, making sure they were authentic.
"Thank you. I'll be on my way now." The stallion turned and began to trot away.
"Thank you, s-sir." Fluttershy said. The stallion nodded, turning and trotting away.
"So, I guess we should be heading to the palace."
"I reckon so. Lead the way." Applejack said. Twilight began to walk back towards the village, relieved that they had a safe trip. Applejack and Fluttershy followed behind.
"Where's everypony else at?"
"The snowstorm made the roads near here icy. No pony would take us here because they said it was dangerous. Then we found that stallion, but the carriage could only carry two of us at the time."
"Yeah... I tried to get Rarity ta go first with Flutters', but she insisted that we go first. Rainbow Dash was gonna fly here, but Fluttershy wouldn't let 'er." Applejack said. Fluttershy blushed, glancing away.
"I knew that the snowstorms got really bad here during the winter, s-so, I-I didn't w-want her to get hurt." She burrowed deeper into her mane.
"It's all right, Fluttershy. I'd rather have everypony get safe and sound." The group passed by a small house, entering the village.
"If you don't mind me asking, how is Princess Cadance taking this?"
Twilight lowered her head. but kept trotting.
"I'll explain everything once we get to the palace, Fluttershy."
"Oh, o-okay. Sorry..."
"It's all right. I'm just... so overwhelmed right now. There's so much to do and too little time to do it."
"That's why we're here, sugarcube." Applejack rested her left fore-hoof over Twilight neck. "Just say the word and we'll be on it." Twilight smiled at Applejack's generosity
"Thank you. I really appreciate you coming here on such short notice."
"Not'a problem." Applejack released Twilight.
"Uh, Twilight, if you don't mind me asking, how are you t-taking it?"
"I..." She sighed, steadying herself. "At first, I was devastated. I mean, I couldn't do anything to help him. I probably felt more helpless as him. The pony who's been there for me my whole life was in p-pain, changing slowly into-" Twilight stopped herself, her voice trembling. She took another deep breath. Fluttershy laid a gentle hoof on her, with a warm smile.
"You don't have to continue."
Twilight nodded.
"After I saw his black horn, I couldn't just sit around and cry anymore. Ever since I got here, I've been trying to find a counter-spell. Anything to help him."
"That's mighty brave of ya, Twilight."
"It's nothing. You'd do the same if something happened to Big Macintosh or Sweetie Belle."
"I guess you're right 'bout that." Applejack said as she lightly chuckled.
"The palace is up ahead." Twilight said as she slightly sped up her pace. After a moment or two, they entered the palace. The place was filled with guards.
"Let's go somewhere a bit more private. Follow me." Twilight said as she trotted down a hallway to the left and entered her bedroom. Spike was laying down on the bed, snoring.
"Have a seat, please." Twilight's horn emitted her magical aura, pushing two chairs back for Applejack and Fluttershy. They sat down, staring at her.
"Okay... where do I start..."
---
"Lance... Lance, wake up..."
Blooming? She's still up? At this time in the morning?
Dim light assaulted my vision as I rose slowly, yawning. I rubbed my fatigued eyes, opening them to see Blooming Lily, standing over her Lance Force, trying to shaking her left shoulder. Lance snored. She was out of it- exhausted after that day.
The morning sun shined through the small cave, light bouncing off each ice crevice and snow. We had settled here the previous night, just so we could try to wait out the snowstorm of course. Guess we must have fallen asleep. It's gone now, so I guess it's safe to leave.
"Lance, I need to ask you something."
"What's the matter, Blooming?" I yawned quietly. She turned to me, surprised.
"Huh- oh, sorry, Rocky. I didn't mean to wake you up." Blooming said quietly. She turned away from Lance and trotted to the corner of the cell.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Blooming turned away from me, looking outside.
"Blooming, you shouldn't lie to ponies. You can trust me."
She sighed, turning back to me.
"I'm worried about something..."
"What?"
"D... did you two really kill those changelings in there?"
Oh horseapples... at least the snowstorm washed all the blood off me, even though I can't get that image of that changeling's body out of my head...
"Lance didn't kill any of them, so you don't have to worry about her." I was the one to kill him, and I'll take full responsibility. "I did what I had to to get us out of there." I finished. Blooming looked scared, almost shocked.
"Why?"
I stopped for a moment, becoming silent.
"They were going to hurt us. Look- I am not proud that I-I did that. I have no idea what came over me, a-and I take it back if I could- trust me Blooming."
"Why do they want to hurt us? Aren't changelings just ponies too?" Blooming questioned, standing and trotting towards me. I glanced away.
"They need us for our love- what keeps them going, gives them strength. Everypony needs love, even changelings. Instead of creating it and sharing it for their selves, they take it from ponies."
"This is so confusing..." Blooming trotted back to the corner. She yawned. "Why would they?"
"I... don't know Blooming. I honestly have no idea." I sighed. She trotted to Lance, sitting down beside her. "Get some sleep. You'll feel better once you're rested." I trotted over to her, covering her with the blanket.
"Goodnight." She yawned, turning onto her right shoulder, away from the sun. I trotted to the entrance of the cave, kneeling down. Might as well be on lookout for any changelings, because it'll be a while until Lance gets up.
---
"You'll rest in here for an hour or so. The guard is right outside, and the door will be locked, so it'd be in your best interest to comply." Queen Chrysalis stepped out of the doorway. She closed it, and the click of the lock closing was audible. The room's walls and floor were made up of cracked stone bricks. There was a small bed on the floor, with a thin, stained blanket laying atop it.
Shining turned and trotted over to the bed. His horn glowed with dark magic, green like Queen Chrysalis'. He lifted her off of his back and sat her onto the bed looked her over. Her coat had been singed by the magical blast, her ribs had purple marks littering her side, and her mane had become tangled.
She... she shouldn't have gotten in Queen Chrysalis' way. He reached to her. lifting her fore-hoof.
Cadance groaned in pain as her eyelids clenched. She turned her head upwards, clenching her teeth. Shining quickly sat her fore-hoof down. After a moment, she relaxed, and her right cheek fell back to the pillow.
Maybe I could try and help her. Shining pondered. I-I mean, I can't give damaged goods to Queen Chrysalis, especially when it's the princess of love.
Shining's dark magic wormed out of his horn, crawling towards her ribs. Hopefully dark magic can still work with this.
The dark magic traced across her right side, before it suddenly stopped, seeping into her coat. Cadance screamed, grasping the mattress.
"Stop! Stop it!" She rose, her eyes still closed. Shining killed the magic immediately. She opened her eyes momentarily.
"Shining..." Her voice waned as she almost fell. Shining caught her head, holding her up.
What the hay?!
"Don't talk- we can't. Not with her around." He whispered. Cadance looked up to him, confused.
"Who?"
Oh horseapples. This isn't good.
"Cadance, you mustn't speak. Queen Chrysalis could be in here any moment with that scream."
"Yes, best you remain quiet."
The door creaked open, with Queen Chrysalis standing on the outside. Her face was expressionless.
"Your highness-" Shining bowed. "I-I was trying to--" "I know what you were trying to do, which is why I let it happen." Queen Chrysalis sighed. "Dark magic cannot be used for protection nor healing. Only pain and destruction. I prefer the latter, as you may have noticed." She chuckled, trotting passed Shining and towards Cadance. She had sat up, leaning against the wall. Her blue magical aura flickered, but she was too weak to cast any spell.
"As for you, we mustn't have you waking up too early." Queen Chrysalis leaned down.
"Your highness, please, this was my fault. Hurt me, we must have her love."
"I'm not going to hurt her. Simply sampling her love." She opened her mouth, biting into her collar bone. Cadance winced, trying to jerk away. The color of her coat darkened as Queen Chrysalis pulled away.
"Seems the princess of love lives up to her name. Certainly not a disappointment." Cadance swayed, before falling back to the mattress. Queen Chrysalis turned to Shining. "As to you, I may have to start restricting use of your magic if you continue with this." Her horn emitted her green dark-magical aura. Shining's horn burned. He winced, immediately grabbing his head.
"This'll happen any and every time you disobey me or my subordinates or when you use your magic without my permission. Step out of line one too many times and I'll feast on Cadance's love. Is this clear?"
"Yes, your highness!"
Queen Chrysalis' horn dimmed. The burning in Shining's horn stopped, he took a deep breath.
"Good. We're leaving soon, so don't be too long." Queen Chrysalis turned, closing the door behind her.
---
"When I came to, Shining, Cadance, and Queen Chrysalis were gone, there was glass all over the floor, books littered in front of me, and a pile of snow in front of the window. The Crystal Guard tried tracking them down, but the snowstorm covered their tracks."
"Shining really did that? If Queen Chrysalis' has somethin' so strong that it woulda made him do that..."
"What could she do t-to us?" Fluttershy's ears fell flat to her head. She lowered.
"Keep calm. I promise I won't let that happen, even if it means taking on those changelings alone."
"Eh... nah, we couldn't let'cha do that." Applejack nodded. Fluttershy rose, inspired by Applejack's courage.
"Thank you, really." Twilight said. She smiled. Thank Celestia for them. Don't know what I'd have done without them.
"There's one thing I don't understand." Fluttershy said. "How're we supposed to help? I-I mean, we're not alicorns or unicorns. What can we do?"
"I figured could use a couple more pairs of hooves to help me pinpoint where Queen Chrysalis has Shining and Cadance, and even more important, get her back."
"W-wait, we're going there?! To a nest of changelings?!"
"Not all of us. Just whoever wants to. Plus a few of us should stay back, just in case."
"Okay."
"I'm sure that you both are tired. Let me see if I can find any empty guest room." Twilight stood. She trotted passed them, exiting the room.
"All right. Thank you, Twilight." Fluttershy stood, following behind Twilight. Applejack followed behind.
"Oh wait, I almost forgot. There's another thing I need to tell you." Twilight stopped abruptly, turning back to them.
"What is it?"
"Before I tell you this, you cannot tell anypony else this unless it's to the other mares. If it get's to the changelings some how, then they'll be able to deceive us into thinking their ponies." Twilight said in a flat tone. Applejack and Fluttershy nodded.
"After Queen Chrysalis invaded the first time, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, and I made two secret phrases so we could make sure that we were the real us."
"Alright..."
"The phrases are, 'What is a noble's duty to it's citizens?' or, 'What is a noble's duty to a fellow noble?'. The answers will be either, 'A noble's duty is to it's citizens is to protect them and lead them, to give them guidance, and to nurture them regardless of the situation' or, 'A noble's duty to another noble is to represent what their kingdom is, to be wary of deceit and betrayal, and to be generous in times of need'."
"Good ta know. Thank ya."
"It's no problem. Now, follow me and I'll show you to your rooms."
---
Ah... peace. Nothing but birds chirping, squirrels rushing across the treeline. The morning dew glistened in the morning sunlight, a light breeze going across the plain... almost feels like the calm after the storm. I'd be at peace if it we hadn't just escaped from one of the ruthless kingdoms known to ponies.
A yawn escaped from behind me, drawing me back to reality. Lance sat up. She gently sat the rest of the blanket over Blooming,
"Good morning." Lance's speech was slurred, groggy. She sat down beside me, yawning.
"Morning." I turned back towards the plain. "Heck of a sight to wake up to."
"Boring." She yawned. "Only sight I like to wake up to is to a warm cup of coffee. Either that or a clear sky."
"You like that black gunk?"
"You don't? Thought you said you were a miner. How the hay do you stay up all night?"
"The rocks interest me. What my cutie-marks for-" I pointed to my cutie-mark; three blue crystals. "Love finding different crystals."
"You're one weird stallion." Lance scoffed, wiping her eyes over
"Perhaps. You love me for it, though." I said. Lance blushed, turning away for a moment.
"Pssh-- you wish." She remained quiet for a moment. "We'll need to get moving soon. I'll wake up Blooming."
"Wouldn't bet on waking her up. She was still awake when I woke up." I glanced away, the conversation from earlier in the morning brought up. Is she really afraid of me?
"Oh, horsefeathers. I'll just carry her then." Lance picked her up, holding her in her wings and placing her onto her back.
Lance'd know better than anypony!
"Er... Lance, I have something I need to ask you." I turned back to her as she trotted out, following behind her.
"Shoot it at me."
"Well... do you look at me differently after I k-killed that changeling yesterday?" Lance glanced back to me, shooting a worried look to me.
"I wouldn't want to get on your bad side now, but I wouldn't say that I look at you differently now. They would've sucked out our love then killed us if we hadn't done something. And after what you had to do to your friend Frigid, I understand why'd you be angry." Lance turned back to me, trotting backwards. "Why do you ask?"
"I woke up this morning and saw Blooming trying to wake you up. When I asked her why and what was wrong, she asked me if I really killed that changeling. I answered her honestly and said that I did what I had to. Then, she asked my why I did that. I told her that they were going to hurt us and that I wasn't proud of what I did. She seemed scared of me..." I trailed away for a moment, glancing downwards. "She asked about why the changelings were after us and I told her it was for our love. She fell asleep at that point."
"Blooming is the type of pony that when she gets scared, she stays like that for a while. I mean, she's just a filly, it must not have been easy to see that. Of course, that would effect anypony badly, but for her, it takes it a step further."
"I guess so... thanks, Lance."
"No problem, Rocky. Now, let's get moving. We've got to keep on our hooves. They'll be looking for us."
"Yeah. Let's go."