They were being taken back to the main hall, where the wedding would take place, each being carried. Crevdar could hear voices coming through the large doors.
“You won’t get away with this! Twilight and her friends will-”
The doors open, the changeling queen looking at them for a split second before smirking. The pink alicorn, whom Crevdar recognizes as Cadance, looks surprised; Crevdar guesses she’s more surprised about the large group. Though when her eyes land on the unconscious body of Eclipse being carried on the back of a changeling, her eyes widen, shock mixed with horror reflected in her eyes.
Chrysalis turns back to Cadance as the changelings dump the ponies onto the floor. “You were saying?” She turns to the group. “You do realize the reception’s been cancelled, don’t you?!”
One of the changelings steps forward motioning to Eclipse. “That pony’s blood eats away at stone, it acts like acid!”
Chrysalis blinks in surprise, pausing a moment as the information sinks in. She then nods. “Go, feed!”
The changelings smirk, bolting out of the room, Chrysalis shutting the door behind them. She looks over to the green pod hanging from the ceiling. Crevdar doesn’t even have to looking inside to realize that Celestia is probably inside. “So now you house demons? I’d never thought you’d stoop so low. And you.” Her horn glows green as she lets out a blast of magic, hitting Crevdar and sending him flying a few feet back.
The group gasps, Crevdar being forced back into his true form. Fang gulps, reverting to his changeling form before Chrysalis has a chance to hit him with magic.
Chrysalis glares down at Crevdar as Fang stands protectively in front of him. “I should have known it was you who sent the warning to the Princesses!”
Crevdar chuckles, weakly getting to his hooves. “I couldn’t just let you attempt the invasion without them knowing.”
Chrysalis glares at him a moment longer before smirking, soon laughing as she walks to Twilight. “It’s funny, really. Twilight here was suspicious of my behavior all along.” She slides her hoof under Twilight’s chin, tilting her head up to look at her, though Twilight smacks her hoof away. Chrysalis flies over to Cadance. “Too bad the rest of you were too caught up in your wedding planning to realize those suspicion were correct!” She laughs.
Applejack walks up to Twilight. “Sorry Twi, we should’ve listened to you.”
Twilght shakes her head. “It’s not your fault, she fooled everypony.”
Chrysalis smirks walking to the balcony. “Mm, I did, didn’t I?” She looks down to the chaos below. “This day has been just perfect...”
Great. She’s singing now. Crevdar blocks out the annoyance as he slowly makes his way to Eclipse, who has yet to stir. His ears flatten slightly, as he slowly kneels down beside her. He can feel Twilight’s glare watching him, but he ignores that as he lightly nuzzles the black unicorn. “Please, wake up.”
“Can you tell me what you remember before you fell asleep?”
The black unicorn filly blinks up at her adopted sister in surprise, her ears flattening slightly. “B-before...?”
Cadance nods. “The moment right before you fell asleep, I mean. Can you tell me that?”
Eclipse thinks for a moment. “I remember... pain... I was in a lot of pain. The transformation from pony to demon... it was the most painful thing I’ve ever felt. I don’t remember much after that, blurry images and muffled whispers. So I don’t really know who put me in the crystal for ten thousand years.”
Cadance nods. “Can you tell me of any earlier memories?”
Eclipse nods. “I remember... a castle. Made of pure crystal. Father and Mother were the rulers of the castle. And a time... where alicorns were as common as any other pony.” Her ears flatten a she looks down. “Big sister?”
Cadance blinks, surprised at being called “big sister,” though she smiles softly at the notion. “Yes Eclipse?”
“W-will Father come back? Will he try to corrupt me too?”
Cadance looks to the young filly, pulling her into her arms. “No. Even if he does, Aunt Celestia and I will make sure he stays away from you.”
“P-promise?”
“I promise.”
Eclipse slowly blinks open her eyes, ignoring the throbbing pain in her head. She slowly sits up, though unable to contain her weight, and falls. Crevdar catches her before she hits the ground, holding her close in his arms. “You’re awake!”
“C-Crev?”
“My love will give you strength.”
Eclipse blinks at the familiar voice, her ears perking. “C-Cadance...?”
“What a lovely but absolutely ridiculous sentiment!”
The other voice was unfamiliar. Eclipse closes her eyes, warmth spreading through her as Crevdar hold her. Crevdar can taste the love radiating from her, though ignores it. She’s awake, that’s all that matters.
The two part once they feel something pass through them, Chrysalis’ screaming as a force field shoots her out, as well as the rest of the changeling army.
Twilight rushes to Celestia’s side, whom was now laying on the ground, and helps her to her hooves. “Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.”
Celestia casts her gaze to the two changelings and the demon. Fang shrinks back underneath Celestia’s gaze as Crevdar helps Eclipse to her hooves.
“CREVY!” Pinkie exclaims, catching the changeling’s attention. “YOU DIDN’T TELL ME YOU WERE A CHANGELING!”
“There was a reason for that...” Crevdar mumbles.
Eclipse looks towards her former mentor, bowing her head. Crevdar and Fang walk toward Celestia, Twilight glaring at them. Once in front of the princess, Crevdar kneels down, Fang following his example as he does the same. “You’re highness,” Crevdar begins. “Though we come peacefully, we cannot make up for what our queen as done.” He looks up to the princess. “If you feel need to punish us as well, then we will not fight. Do what you believe to be right.”
Celestia studies him for a few moments. “You were the one that sent me the warning, were you not?”
Crevdar nods. “Fang fed me the information, and I passed it to you, so that you could defend yourself.” He looks to Cadance. “Though it seems I came a bit too late.”
Celestia remains silent for a few moments, as the two changelings expect the worst. They are surprised when the see her smile. “If not for you, we would not have known about what was to come before it truly was too late. Therefore, I believe it’s only right that we allow you to stay, for helping us fight against your own to protect our kingdom.”
The changelings stare at her in shock. “W-what??”
Celestia places a hoof on Crevdar’s shoulder. “You both put yourselves in untold amounts of danger to help protect Equestria, even going as far as to have yourself banished in order to be of use. You have shown not only a great amount of courage today, but I believe you have also proved your loyalty to the kingdom.”
Eclipse smiles lightly as the two changelings stare at the princess in a mix of shock and awe. Hoofsteps catches her attention; she turns to Cadance walking up to her. “Is... is it really you?”
“Moonlight, moonlight, fireflies awake. Make a wish, and do a little shake.” Eclipse recites the old rhyme that the two did.
Similar to the one Cadance and Twilight would recite to one another, though Eclipse much preferred night, so Cadance made a version of the rhyme just for her.
Tears form in Cadance’s as the two embrace. “You just left, and you didn’t say where you were going or how long you’d be gone... I can’t believe you’re back!”
Eclipse chuckles lightly as they part, a sweet smile on her face. “Did you truly believe I would miss my own sister’s wedding?”
“But the question is, why? Why did you leave?” Twilight quietly asks as she walks up to Eclipse.
Eclipse sighs, looking out the window at the damage below. “I believe... I owe you all an apology for leaving... and an explanation for my actions. Especially you, Twilight.”
“That can wait.” Celestia smiles, turning to Twilight. “You have a real wedding to put together.”