//------------------------------//
// Endgame 
// Story: Warped Mind 
// by TheUnknownPerson 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight Sparkle, Lance Force, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie trotted down the hallway.  The cold chill air filled the room, giving Twilight goosebumps.  Snow was scattered across the floor.

"Gotta be gettin' close now.  The snow just ain't gonna appear outta nowhere."

"How long?  It's so boring down here..." Pinkie sighed loudly, scraping her hooves against the white, muted wall.  Rainbow Dash scoffed.

"Relax Pinkie.  We'll get there soon, I'm sure."

Pinkie sighed, bored.  Twilight trotted forwards, in front of them, as she saw sunlight coming from a right turn in the hall

"I think we found it--"

Lance suddenly galloped passed Twilight, kicking some snow on her hooves.  She turned the corner and galloped towards the sunlight.

"Hey, wait up!" Pinkie called out, her and Rainbow Dash galloping after her.  Applejack and Twilight trailed behind.

As Twilight turned the corner, she saw Lance rushing up a case of stairs.

"Lance, wait--"

Lance burst through the door, nearly breaking the old, rotting door off the hinges.  Two black figures immediately leaped on her.  Rainbow Dash skidded to a stop, turning immediately and pushing the group back behind the wall.

"No- gah.  Get off me!"

"Get Queen Chrysalis!  Now!"

Hooves rushed down the staircase.  A loud bang echoed throughout the hall, with another, quieter one followed behind it.  Horseapples! Twilight scooted closer to the corner of the wall.

"Uhnn- what's the matter?!  Too scared to fight a mare alone?!  Gotta hold me down?!"

"What do we do?" Rainbow Dash whispered.

"What can we do?  We'll be captured or hurt by the time we even lay a darn hoof on the mare."

"Horseapples..." Twilight cursed, her brain rushing with thoughts and ideas of how to get Lance out.

"Oh, this is just too precious..."

She released a silent gasp upon hearing Queen Chrysalis' voice.

"W-what are we gonna do?" Pinkie questioned.  Her mane had already deflated from the stress.  Twilight remained silent, beads of sweat rolling down her temple.

"You!  Where is he?!"

"Well, I was siphoning the last part of his love until I was so rudely interrupted..."

A loud growl rushed through the hall.  "You-- you overgrown bug!  Just wait until I get up!  You'll be so sorry!"

"We'll see about that..." Queen Chrysalis' horseshoes tapped as she stepped down.  "I know she wasn't alone.  Go on, come out."

Twilight's heart stopped.  Oh- oh no!

"Come on, she wouldn't have come alone.  I don't care if I have to send every changeling I have down here to find you, I will find you."

"What do we do?"

"I dunno!"

"Do I really need to count?" Queen Chrysalis took a step closer.  "All right, fine.  Three..."

A wave of hoofsteps stepped down into the hall.

What the hay am I going to do?!

"Two..."

I have no choice.

"One-" "Wait!"

Twilight stepped out.  Queen Chrysalis stood at the front of a small group of changelings.  At least five or six of them were armed with spears and armor, one at the forefront wearing a helmet, its' curved horn sticking out at an opening in the middle, and wearing freshly cleaned armor.  It held a jagged spear at its side.  Its dark blue and black mane stuck out from under the helm.

"I-I found her and her little sister on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire.  Said she had lost somepony along the way, needed my help.  We found this place."

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie leaned against the wall, staring at her in shock.  Pinkie's mouth even hung ajar.  She turned to them, giving them a subtle smile and a nod of her head.

"Foalish, would've expected a battalion of the crystal soldiers, but a single alicorn is good enough.  Grab her."

The soldier with the helm grabbed her, dragging her back up the stairs.  Each other changeling cleared the way as Queen Chrysalis followed behind him.  "Don't think I forgot you," She grabbed Lance by her left fore-hoof, dragging her out.

"Gah- lemme go!"

"Not yet.  You fought back here to see your stallion, yes?  You'll see him, all right." Queen Chrysalis pushed her forward, releasing her and allowing her to slide across the courtyard.  She quickly rose to her hooves.

"Now it's just you and me!" Lance rushed towards Queen Chrysalis.  A wicked smile spread across her face as her magical aura surrounded her horn.

"Lance, no--"

Lance yelped as a dark red mark snaked up her right fore-hoof.  Another went up the opposite hoof, then to her head and wings.  The magic forced her down onto her chin.

"Now, let's see how much you love that stallion..." Queen Chrysalis leaned down, towards Lance's chest.  Lance struggled against the magic.  Twilight watched in horror, unable to move towards Lance thanks to the guard standing at her side, holding her in place.

"Chrysalis!"

Rocky had forced the door of the main palace open, leaning against the door with his left fore-hoof.  His face had been cut and bruised, his right fore-hoof was trembling, and his coat had become much darker.  He had a cut across his snout, and his hooves had been splashed with his own blood.

"Remember our deal!" Rocky used his last bit of strength in his voice before he fell to the ground.  Queen Chrysalis growled, before turning back to Twilight and the guard.

"You, get him and bring him over here.  Let's see how far we can push this mare."

The guard bowed, before rushing up to Rocky.  He dragged him up to Queen Chrysalis, with Rocky barely putting up any fight.  Lance stared at him, concerned.

"So, now that you two have been reunited, why don't you tell her what you agreed to do for her?" Queen Chrysalis looked down to Rocky, pushing him forward toward Lance.

"I... I-I-"

Queen Chrysalis stamped down on Rocky's right hind hoof.  He howled in pain, biting down on his tongue, drawing blood.  "Speak clearly, we wouldn't want her to misunderstand anything, would we?"

"You lay another hoof on him-!" "No. Lance," Rocky sighed, holding her right fore-hoof.  She struggled against the magical grasp, trying to grab him.  "I... I gave my love to her."

"What?" Lance and Twilight questioned simultaneously.

"Why?" She questioned, confused, almost saddened.  "Did I-I do something?  Why would you?"

"To make sure you and Blooming would get back to the Crystal Empire safely."

Lance gasped breathlessly.

"I guess that's not going to happen anymore.  But go on, you know that's not all of it."

Rocky glanced downwards, away from Lance.  "I... I'm gonna be executed soon."

"No!" Lance struggled even rougher against Queen Chrysalis' magic.  "You can't!  Not after everything we've done!  You're not leaving me behind like this!"

"Lance--" "Actually, I think it might be nearing noon.  You know what that means, don't you Rocky Diamond?"

"Of course." Rocky said reluctantly.  He quickly leaned down, giving Lance a peak on the cheek.

"Rocky, please don't do this." Lance whispered.  He moved up to her ear.

"I love you." Rocky whispered breathlessly into her ear.  Tears came to Lance's eyes, realizing this was going to be the last time they would meet.  She was frozen, she couldn't move, and could barely breathe.

"Rocky!" Lance called out, her voice breaking as she struggled, desperately trying to wiggle her way towards Rocky.  She had been thrust into action on pure adrenaline.  "Please don't hurt him!"

"Queen Chrysalis, this doesn't need to happen, okay?  Just let us take him and we'll--" "He's not leaving this kingdom until he pays for the changelings he killed."

The changeling nodded, unsheathing his spear and cut his hind hooves, forcing his already weak hooves to give out.  He fell to the ground, sitting on the ground.  The changeling rested the tip against the back of his neck.

"No!  Please!  I-I'm sorry!  Please!" Lance pleaded, tears cascading down her face.  Her voice was fast, nervous, and panicked.  "Please don't!  Don't h-hurt him!"

"Oh, so now you want to show respect, to beg?  Don't you remember when you spat in my face?  I don't think so."

"This doesn't need to end in any more bloodshed!  Please!"

"But, it must.  To get the respect I deserve from you ponies, I must take it."

Rocky looked up at Lance, having a small, yet somber, smile on his face, before bowing his head.

"Rocky please!"

The changeling lifted the spear

"No!" Lance called out.

"Where's Shining?!" Twilight asked, desperate to save Rocky.  The guard stopped right above Rocky's neck, then turned to Queen Chrysalis.  Queen Chrysalis nodding, as a wicked smile spread across her face.  The guard stepped away from Rocky and sheathed it's spear, before kicking him to the ground.  The magic around Lance's hooves retracted.  Her hooves trembled as she collapsed into a pile on the floor.  She crawled up to Rocky, covering his body with her own.

"P... please don't hurt him..." Lance's voice was frail and broken.

"Don't worry, the stallion's safe.  For the moment." Queen Chrysalis said before turning to Twilight.

"You're too late, Twilight.  He's mine now, and there's not a thing you can do."

"You're lying!" Twilight said.  She refused to believe that Shining would ever take an order from her.

"Don't believe me?  Fine.  Meet your former brother, Shining Armor."

The changeling pulled the helm off of his head, showing Shining Armor.  His fangs stuck out from the top of his mouth, his mane was brushed to the side, and his face was scuffed with dirt.  Twilight's hooves momentarily shook, nearly giving out as the shock and sadness hit her fully.

"Shining... no..."

"He's gone, Twilight."

Twilight's hooves quivered, struggling to hold herself up.  Was she too late?

"And now-" Queen Chrysalis turned back to Rocky and Lance. "let's finish the crystal pony, shall we?"

Lance turned up to Queen Chrysalis.  She pushed Rocky back, covering him as she tried to get them both away.

"P-please don't..." Lance backed towards the entrance towards the underground hall.  Queen Chrysalis took a step towards them.

"My queen," Shining stopped her.  "Allow Renla's soldiers to handle them.  We have to take care of Twilight."

"Oh well, I suppose you're right.  He'll be here soon enough." Queen Chrysalis turned back to Twilight.  "Follow me, dear Twilight.  We wouldn't want to be late for our appointment, would we?" 

Twilight turned to Lance and Rocky.

"Go hide." She mouthed before Shining forcefully took her by the hoof, pulling her with Queen Chrysalis towards the palace.


---


Lance trembled in front of me, unable to stay still for a moment.  Why the hay couldn't she just stay back... why... oh horseapples.  I hope she didn't bring Blooming, I don't want her to see me.  Not like this.

The cuts on my hind hooves burned, especially the fresh ones that Shining Armor had just inflicted on me.  I could still move my left fore-hoof, but barely.  Everything hurts... horseapples, how the hay did I live?

"Psst!  Hey!"

What?  Who's that?

"Hey, Lance!  Get over here!"

I looked up towards the entrance.  Two ponies ducked at the staircase, one pink earth-pony with a large, fluffy mane, and one blue pegasus with a multicolored mane, matching up with some colors of a rainbow.  An orange earth pony rushed out from behind them, a brown stetson hat atop her mane.  She rushed up the staircase, and up to us.

"C'mon, y'all gotta get up." She grabbed my left fore-hoof, pulling me towards the entrance.  "RD, get over here and help carry him down!"

The pegasus galloped up behind her, followed by the pink pony.  They grabbed my fore-hooves and hind hooves, carrying me towards the staircase.  Lance isn't following us...

"Wait-" I groaned.  The group stopped.  I pointed my head towards Lance.  "Get her..."

"She hurt or somethin'?"

I shook my head.  The mare sighed.  "Y'all mind takin' him by y'all's selves, Pinkie, RD?"

"Not like we have another choice AJ." Pinkie giggled as she took hold of my right fore-hoof.

"Thank y'all.  I won't be long." She galloped passed us, and to Lance.  The mare knelt down to her side before we passed into the underground hall.

"Jeez, you're gonna need a lot more than a bandage once we get back." Pinkie giggled as they turned the corner.

"Not now, Pinkie!  What the hay did they do to you, Rocky?"

"How do you--" I suppressed a groan."you know my name?"

"Lance told us- oh, careful, careful..." RD warned as she and Pinkie slowly sat me down carefully.  There were a group of changelings, piled atop each other.  "Y'know, you've gotta be some kinda crazy to go back to the Changeling Kingdom after you escaped."

"You have no idea." I chuckled.  "Did you guys take care of those changelings?"

"Mhm.  Easy as pie." RD puffed her chest up, bolstering her pride.

"Good job."

"Thanks.  We'll probably-" "Stop it!  Stay away!"

Lance galloped passed the corner, slamming to a stop in front of me.

"Rocky..."

Lance... I'm so sorry.

Just as she saw me, AJ trotted out from the corner, readjusting her hat as she wiped some blood from her lips.

"You all right?"

"Scared Lance when I was tryin'ta get her to come.  Darn mare's gotta heck of a left hook.  I'll be fine." AJ said.  "Y'all had better come with me.  We need to get Twi' outta there."

"I second that." RD stood.

"Third!"

"Will y'all two be okay down here?"

"Yeah.  Lance?"

Lance remained quiet.  She sat down in front of me, keeping her gaze locked on me.

"We'll be fine.  Go ahead, save your friend."

"Thank ya kindly.  Y'all get on outta here if we don't come back." AJ turned, rushing up to stairs.  RD and Pinkie followed behind her.


---


Twilight barely kept with Shining's pace.  They trotted to the palace with Queen Chrysalis.  Shining opened the doors for them to step through, trotting in behind the two before slamming the door shut.

There was a chair that had been sat out in front of a small, circular stairway that led to a throne.  At the right of the room, there was a stairwell, and to the left, there was a staircase that led downwards.

"Sit, Twilight.  We've much to discuss." Queen Chrysalis said, passing by the chair and trotting up the staircase to her throne.  Twilight did as she was told and sat.  Shining stood at Queen Chrysalis' side.

"So, tell me, why would you do such a foalish thing?"

"Excuse me?"

"Why would you come into my kingdom unannounced, without the protection of what's left of the Crystal Guard?  You've left yourself in a lot of danger."

"I know.  And I know you wouldn't hurt me."

"Why not?  I could have Shining Armor kill you at this very moment."

"Because then Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would wage war against you.  They wouldn't stand by idly if the Elements of Harmony were in jeopardy." Twilight said.  Queen Chrysalis nodded.

"Clever mare.  But I've not brought you into my palace to kill you.  Just yet."

"Then why?"

Queen Chrysalis shook her head.

"Tell me, how have things been back at the Crystal Empire?  Any of my subjects come to see you again?"

"Why should I tell you?"

Queen Chrysalis scoffed.

"Why shouldn't you tell me?  I have an army of changelings just starving for love, Shining Armor under my control, and Mi Amore Cadenza locked away.  I could have them summonded at a stomp of my hoof."

Twilight sighed, seeing she had been beaten.

"No changelings came.  And it's fine, not like you'd care."

"Oh, but I do, considering Shining Armor has two of my spies locked away and had one of them beaten within and inch of its life."

"How did you-"

Twilight stopped.  She realized Queen Chrysalis probably had changelings all around the Crystal Empire.  Including inside the palace.

Oh no... Spike!

"Well, enough about that.  Shining-" Queen Chrysalis turned to him. "You know what to do.  Bring out our precaution."

Shining nodded, trotting down the staircase and to the left side of the room.  He trotted down the staircase, leaving them.  He returned after a few moments, holding Cadance by the mane and throwing her to the ground.  She was gagged and bound at the hooves, her mane was tangled and dirty, she had a cut on her right cheek, and her chest was bruised and was riddled with bite marks.  Her coat was noticeably darker

"Cadance!" Twilight reached forwards for Cadance, only for Shining to pull out his spear and held it against her chest.

"I'd not do that.  Otherwise..."

Shining turned away from Twilight, cutting Cadance shoulder.  She jumped, leaning away from the blade.

"Shining, please, you don't have to do this."

Shining Armor remained silent.

"I'd suggest you take a seat and finish our conversation.  For Cadenza's sake."

Twilight slowly leaned back into her chair.

"Now that that's out the way, I can get to the real reason I chose you to come." Queen Chrysalis said.  She looked to Shining and stomped her hoof on the ground.  Shining rested the blade of his spear against the nape of Cadance's neck.

"I know you've made some progress towards a counter-spell.  That sort of information may threaten what I have planned.  Tell me, where might you keep the spell?"

"I can't tell you that."

"Even at the price of your head?" Queen Chrysalis asked.  Shining extended his spear, the tip poking against her throat.  Cadance let out a muffled scream in disapproval, her words unintelligible from the gag.  She struggled against her bindings.

"If there's any chance it'd help Shining, then I have to do it."

Shining ripped off her saddlebags and dumped out the contents.  There was her bag of bits, a quill, and a few rolls of lint, but no notebook.

"How foalish..." Queen Chrysalis said in disapproval. "You could've saved yourself with a few words.  Pitiful."

Shining swung at the legs of the chairs, knocking both the chair and Twilight to the floor.  He stabbed downwards towards Twilight's chest.

Twilight rolled out of the spear's way and jumped to her hooves, backing away from Shining.  He pulled the spear out of the head of the wooden chair and extended it towards Twilight.

"Since you won't tell me where the spell's contained, I guess I'll just have to take the next best thing: the only pony who can cast it."

Twilight glanced at Queen Chrysalis, then back to Shining.

He has to be in there somewhere.  I have to try!

"Shining, please.  I know you don't want to do this." Twilight said.  She calmly backed away from him, as Shining began to trot closer to her

"I have to.  For my queen."

"No, you don't.  I can help you.  You just have to let me help, okay?" Twilight said.  Shining galloped in and cut Twilight right fore and hind-hoof, causing her to jump and gallop away.  She shut her eyes as she blasted a magical bolt at Shining, trying to force him away from her.

He has to be in there somewhere.  He just has to be...

"I know you don't want to do this," Twilight calmly extending her right fore-hoof towards him. "You'd never do this willingly for her, Shining.  Snap out of it!"

"I do want this," Shining said. "I... I do..." He had a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

He's still in there somewhere.  I've almost got him!

"You can continue on trying to reason with him, however, it's useless.  He's mine now."

Twilight blocked her out.  He had to still be there.

As Shining began to approach, Twilight backed farther and farther away, firing a few magical bolts to try in vain to get him to back away.  Each of them hit near him but wouldn't hit him.  He continued to trot after her, despite her efforts.  Cadance screamed in disapproval.

"Look at Cadance, Shining.  She knows that you're not like this." Twilight said.  Shining stopped, lowering his spear.  He glanced back at Cadance for a moment before turning away and shutting his eyes tightly.  His hooves shook as the tip of his spear tapped against the ground.

"Cadance..." Shining muttered, remorseful and saddened.  Cadance stopped fighting against the chain bindings, looking at him.  She looked confused, and almost hopeful.  He shook his head and raised his spear back to her, his hooves still shaking. "She doesn't matter anymore.  I'm not her's anymore."

"We both know that isn't true, Shining."

Shining shook his head and wiped down his face, trying to refocus himself.  He was washed over by a wave of doubt and uncertainty, and his head pounded.  His thoughts were clouded and hazy.

As Twilight began backing farther and farther away, she felt the wall press against her back.  The staircase to the throne was to her right and the southern wall was to her left.

She was cornered.  Shining had a small smile on his face as he noticed this and began to trot closer to her.

"Shining, please." Twilight pleaded with him, firing another magical bolt in an effort to stop in.  However, he continued to trot closer and closer to her, seemingly ignoring her efforts.

Twilight felt the spear poke against her neck, as Shining stood in front of her.  Tears formed in her eyes as she looked away from him.

"Don't!" Cadance called out, managing to get the gag out of her mouth.

"Quiet!" Queen Chrysalis scolded, forcing Cadance's head down.  "This is between her and Shining."

Is he really gone? She questioned.  She had tried everything she could think of to make him come back to his senses.  Nothing she had done could fully make him come out of Queen Chrysalis' spell.  She took a shaky breath before looking back at Shining.

"Just... do it."

Shining's ears fell flat to his head, confused.  He backed away for a moment, but still kept the spear against her neck.

"W... what?"

"I won't hurt my brother.  I can't get you out of whatever spell you're in, and you have me cornered.  So just do what you have to."

Shining jabbed her neck, but didn't puncture the skin.  He couldn't bring himself to do it.

"I'm so sorry, Shining.  I-I couldn't save you.  I... I failed..." Twilight said, shutting her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks in silence.  Shining's looked at her in sympathy, wanting to comfort her.  To be the kind, older brother he had always been.

His head pounded and his fore-hooves shook, barely keeping the spear pressed to her neck.

"Do it!" Queen Chrysalis ordered.  Shining glanced back at Queen Chrysalis, seeing her leaning in towards them.  His hooves shook as he tried to force himself to stab her-- to will himself to do what he had been ordered and fulfill his duty to Queen Chrysalis.

But he just... couldn't.

Klank

"I-I can't."

Twilight hesitantly opened her eyes.  Her vision was blurred from her tears, but she could clearly see Shining's spear at his hooves.  He was turned towards Queen Chrysalis

"What?  Do hat I told you to"

"I won't- I can't.  Not to her.  I... I'm sorry, your highness." Shining said.  Queen Chrysalis growled as she trotted closer to Shining.

"I thought I absorbed your love!"

"You... you did." Shining said, confused on why he had resisted her.

Twilight looked to her right, seeing the door to the outside slightly cracked.  She gently trotted towards the door, trying not to gain Queen Chrysalis' attention

"You!"

A green magical bolt shot in front of Twilight, searing her coat on her chest and sending her stumbling back away from the door and behind Shining.

"We're not finished here!" Queen Chrysalis said before turning back to Shining. "Do as you're commanded!"

Shining's head tipped towards the ground for a moment, towards the spear.  After a moment, he looked back up at Queen Chrysalis, kicking the spear to Queen Chrysalis.

"I won't." He said firmly, standing without fear.

Queen Chrysalis hissed at Shining.  Her horn emitted a green light as she pointed towards Shining.

"You need to get out of here before she recasts the spell.  I don't know if I can break it again." Shining whispered, glancing back at Twilight.

"Wait-- I need to cast the counter-spell on you-" "There's no time.  I'll meet up with you after I'm finished here.  Just get Cadance and your friends and be ready to go."

Twilight nodded as she began to trot towards Cadance.  Shining followed her, body-blocking her from Queen Chrysalis.  She levitated Cadance onto Shining's back and trotted with Shining.  They trotted towards the door, Twilight slightly speeding up as they got closer.  Twilight stepped out from behind Shining and levitate Cadance off of Shining, back.

"I'll see you and Cadance when I'm finished here, okay?" Shining whispered.  Twilight nodded.  She opened her mouth to speak, but she saw Queen Chrysalis pointing her horn towards her.

"You aren't getting out!" Queen Chrysalis said, blasting a magical bolt at them.  Shining jumped in front of Twilight as it hit.

"No!" She called out, fearing the worst.  However, she saw that Shining was still standing.  Cadance was laying at her hooves, beginning to stir.

There was a barrier of magic between them and Queen Chrysalis.

"Go!  Now!"

"Thank you, Shining.  For everything." Twilight said, opening the door and pulling herself and Cadance out.

Just please hurry, Shining.  And be careful... Twilight said, helping Cadance to her hooves and galloping away from the palace with her.

"Twi'!  Over here!"


---


Lance stared at me, her face blank of any expression.  She's been like this since they brought us down here.  What the hay is wrong with her?  I- oh horseapples... what the hay is wrong with me?

I almost had my head bucking chopped off in front of her, and here I am asking what's wrong with her?

"A... are you all right?"

Lance gently shook her head.  "Why..." She clenched her eyes shut before she slammed her fore-hooves against the floor.  Tears rolled down her cheeks before she looked up to me.  "Why would you do that?!  Get yourself killed?!

"I-I'm so sorry Lance.  I wanted to save you--" "Save me?!  Do you realize h-how sc-scared I was?!" A tremor shook throughout Lance's hooves as she stood.

"I loved you-"

Lance cocked her right fore-hoof back, before punching the wall to my right.  I felt the vibrations bounce off the wall.

"Didn't you even think about what Blooming would think?!  What about your parents or your sister?!" She drew her fist back and hit it again.  "I'll never forgive you!  I hate you!"

Lance punched the wall with fury, each getting quicker and stronger with each motion.

"I hate you!  I hate you!  I hate you so much!"

Sweat and tears rolled down her cheeks as she put her bloodied fore-hoof back to the ground.  She whimpered before her hooves gave out.

"I... I was so scared that I'd never see you again..." She sobbed.  "Th-that I'd never get to tell you I loved you too..."

Oh, oh Lance...

I brought a gentle fore-hoof up to her.  She held me close, scooting up to me and resting her head on my shoulder.

"Rocky... p-please don't make me h-hate you again...  I-I don't want to..."

"I promise I won't Lance.  I promise."


---


Shining Armor's hooves quivered his spell died, the magic returning to his horn.  He collapsed onto his left fore-hoof.  His right fore-hoof was singed from the magical blast.

I couldn't cast it quick enough... Shining thought.  His hoof burned.  Brave through the pain... you've been through worse. He told himself as he forced himself up onto his hooves.

"How are you even able to stand?!" Queen Chrysalis asked, angry.  She trotted up to him, slapping him, but he still stood.

"I've drained you of your love, had you beaten within an inch of your life by my guards, separated you from your lover, and you still won't follow my orders?!"

"I... I cannot let you hurt them." Shining said, trying to stand, but Queen Chrysalis slapped him.

"Stay down!"

Despite Queen Chrysalis' order, Shining stood.  Queen Chrysalis growled as her horn emitted green light.

"So long as there's still breath in my body, you will not hurt another innocent pony." Shining said, determined to uphold that promise.  Queen Chrysalis laughed.

"I think you've forgotten who you're dealing with..." Queen Chrysalis said, aiming her horn at Shining and releasing a magical blast at him.  Shining ducked out of its path, narrowly missing the bolt.  Debris shattered to the ground as the doors to the palace broke off the hinges, landing outside and showing that neither Twilight nor Cadance was in sight.  Queen Chrysalis trotted to the doorway, gaining the attention of the changelings.  She stomped her hoof.

"Come, my subjects!" Queen Chrysalis ordered.  The swarm of changeling entered out into the courtyard.  "Find Twilight Sparkle and Princess Cadance!  Drain them of their love!"

"No!"

"Oh yes, Shining Armor.  You'll sit and witness it.  The end of the alicorn's rule..." Queen Chrysalis said. "And the start of the changelings' rule." She finished.  Shining galloped to the doorway, only to have a magical bolt shot at his hooves, causing him to back away.

"You're not going anywhere."

Shining glanced at the mass of swarming changelings.  He looked back at Queen Chrysalis, a large smile spread on her face as she stared into the swarm, circling around the courtyard as they searched each crevise for the pair of alicorns.

I have to get to them!

Shining, in desperation, aimed his horn at Queen Chrysalis' ribs.  He fired, causing her to yelp and stumble away from the door.  He picked up the spear as he galloped past her and outside of the palace, towards the swarm.  Queen Chrysalis hissed, her ribs burnt from the magical blast.  She followed behind him quickly.


---


Twilight Sparkle peaked out at the courtyard from the dark corridor, seeing the changelings swarming around her.  Her heart was racing in fear.  She hadn't seen Shining Armor exit before the changeling swarm came.

Come on... one of you, just come out and show me you're okay.

"Don't worry Twi'."

Pinkie caught her attention.  Cadance, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack were also there, standing behind Pinkie.

"I'm sure Shining will be fine."

Twilight sighed.  "You're right... let's focus on getting these prisoners out."

Cadance galloped down the hall.  The group followed behind her.

"Remember everypony, don't stop for anything.  We need to get everypony out as quickly as possible." Cadance turned and trotted down the hall.  Twilight nodded and followed behind her with her friends.

"The cells are this way.  We may even be able to find someponies who'll be willing to help." Cadance said, turning the corner.  Twilight nodded.

"I hope you don't mind me askin', but are you alright princess?  You haven't stopped movin' since we woke ya."

"I'm fine.  Just ready to get out of this kingdom with you and Shining and never return." Cadance said. "This way.  It's around here."

They followed Cadance as she passed by another corner.

"What happened to Shining?" 

"He's being controlled, Twilight.  Queen Chrysalis' has some spell on him.  He had one like that before he and Taltra broke away from her.  But nothing I did to try and break it would work." Cadance slowed down for a moment. "Nothing... but, when he was fighting you, he kept hesitating when he could've just killed you..." Cadance, her voice lowering for a moment.  She returned to her normal pace, but didn't say anything else.

I shouldn't talk about Shining right now.  Not to her.

"Hey, you mentioned somepony else-- Taltra, right?"

"She was Queen Chrysalis' adviser until she realized what they were doing was wrong.  She was a pony, but Queen Chrysalis transformed her into a changeling."

"What?"

"It's true.  I guess Shining sympathized with her and decided to help her."

"That monster..." Rainbow Dash growled.

"I met somepony outside of the kingdom that said Queen Chrysalis' referred to her as Taltra." Twilight interjected.

"Really?  Was she all right?" Cadance turned to Twilight.

"She was really hurt, but Fluttershy and I patched her up.  Rarity and Fluttershy are looking after her."

"Thank Celestia..." Cadance said, turning one more corner before they came upon a large hall of cells filled with crystal ponies of different sizes, colors, and races. "We're here.  Hurry, the changelings'll be here any minute."


---


Shining Armor pushed through the waves of changelings clawing and scratching at him.  Dust was sprawled up around him, making the air dense and his clouded.

"Twi'?  Cadance?" He called out, galloping into a cloud of dust and stopping for a moment to look around.  

"Enough, Shining Armor."

Shining looked around the area, looking for the origin of the voice.  The dust suddenly settled, and Queen Chrysalis was standing a few feet in front of him.  Every changeling in sight was bowing in her presence, their wings folded at their sides. 

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Queen Chrysalis questioned.  She looked to her changelings, before lifting her hoof and pointing the Shining.  One by one, they all began to shift into ponies.  Twilight, Princess Celestia, Cadance, his mother and father... too many of his lovedones and family to count.  "Now, go ahead and save him from himself."

The changelings begin to rush him all at once.  Shining took his spear out, holding it in front of him as he prepared for them to make contact.

They're not them, remember that... He told himself before they reached him.

Shining smacked the first changeling with the butt of his spear, before another scratched his hoof.  He jabbed it with the tip of his spear and kicked it down.  Another bit him before he had the chance to knock it away.  He smacked it to the ground before he lost a grip on his spear.  The changelings rushed him at once, clawing and scratching at him mercilessly.  He used the last bit of magic in a barrier around him, forcing the changelings away.  His barrier weakened with every passing second.

I can't hold it up for much longer!

Queen Chrysalis horn emitted a green light.  She aimed at Shining.  He cast a barrier spell and braced himself.

"Get them!"

"Shining!"

The banging against the barrier suddenly ceased as the changelings turned away from Shining, rushing towards the east end of the courtyard.

"Go on and get him!  We'll hold 'em off!"

Twilight Sparkle galloped across the courtyard.  She rushed to Shining's side as his barrier dampened, dissipating.

"Hurry!  We don't have much time!" Twilight helped Shining to his hooves as she rushed him out of the changelings' way.  Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack were singlehandedly battling the hoard of changelings.  Meanwhilst, Cadance were leading a large group of Crystal Ponies out of the dungeons.

"No!" Queen Chrysalis galloped towards Cadance.  "Stop the crystal ponies!"

"What's going on?!"

"Stay still.  I need to cast the counterspell." Twilight spoke in a calm, quiet voice.  Shining nodded.

"Be quick.  Cadance needs our help."

"I'll try." Twilight nodded as she closed her eyes, concentrating on creating the spell.

Okay... come on... I can do this... She told herself.

Twilight's horn emitted a raspberry light from her horn.  Shining looked as Queen Chrysalis came ever closer to Cadance.  The changelings had began to overwhelm the trio; Rainbow Dash had been held down by her wings, Pinkie was still on her hooves, but she was clearly becoming tired with each passing minute.  Applejack kept bucking them back as best she could, but even she was having trouble.

"Twi'..."

"Hold on." She said, continuing to form the magic.  Queen Chrysalis fired a magical bolt at Cadance, only for her to deflect it into the wall.  The changelings had held down Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash hadn't fought her way up yet.

"They're having trouble."

"I know.  It's almost finished.  Just a few more seconds..." Twilight said.  The light from her horn intensified, as her eyes filled with the light.

Queen Chrysalis' horn glowed brighter with her dark magic.  She aimed it at Cadance.  He knew she wouldn't be able to block that intense of a blast.

"Twilight-" "It's done." Twilight leaned in towards Shining and touched the tip of his horn with hers.  They both were engulfed in a raspberry light.  Queen Chrysalis turned to them, the magic dying suddenly as she realized what she had missed.  Almost every pony or changeling's eyes were on the pair

After a minute of the near blinding light, it began to dim into nothing.  Twilight stumbled back, drained of all of her magic and energy.  She stumbled to the wall and slid down, sitting before she fell.  Smoke slipped out from the tip of her horn as she looked up at Shining, her exhaustion replaced with shock and excitement from his appearance.

Shining groaned as he stood.  He stared at his hooves.  They were now white like his usual coat.  He could no longer feel his fangs poking against his lip, nor see anypony's love.  His horn was straight as well.  He grinned.

Shining Armor was now, fully, a pony.

"You did it, Twilight.  Thank you."

"It worked..." Twilight muttered.  A large smile spread across her face.

"It worked!" She exclaimed, and began to laugh out of pure joy

"No!" Queen Chrysalis yelled, furious. "You!" She pointed her horn towards Twilight.  "Get her!  She ruined the future of this kingdom!"

The changelings began to rush after her, dodging past AJ, RD, and Pinkie.  They held back as many as two or three, but the swarm was too large to protect them from all.  Shining quickly pulled Twilight onto his back and galloped past them.

Where, where- there!

He dove past the changelings and galloped towards Cadance.

"RD, AJ, Pinkie!  Keep the off us!"

"Got'cha!"

The trio rushed behind Shining, holding off as many as they could, with RD even keeping the flying ones grounded.  

"Shining!" Cadance called as she rushed up to him.  "What happened?!"

"She's exhausted her magic!  We need to use the expulsion spell!  It's the only way!"

"You'll pay for this!" Queen Chrysalis, firing at them.  Shining cast a barrier spell and covered Twilight's body, bracing for the blast.  A loud bang echoed through the wall above as debris came down atop them.  Shining pulled Cadance under his barrier and slid Twilight under his body as they braced for impact.

Dust rushed up as the debris landed.  Thankfully, the three were still safe, along with the members of the Mane 6.  Many changelings had been caught in the debris, but still too many were left.

"There you are!" Queen Chrysalis' head poked out from the dust.

Queen Chrysalis aimed for them.  Shining pushed Cadance behind him and prepared for the worst, but a blue blur rushed in front of her face, punching her in the cheek.  Queen Chrysalis became disoriented as the blue blur landed in front of her and held her neck in place.

"If you're going to do something, hurry up!" Rainbow Dash yelled.  Pinkie Pie and Applejack galloped in.  Applejack grappled right fore-hoof as Pinkie held her left in place.  Shining dragged Twilight out of the debris-filled hall and leaned her against the wall to the right of the hall.  She gently reached up and held his right fore-hoof for a moment.

"I'm going to be fine, Twilight.  We'll get you out of here in a moment, all right?" Shining said.  Twilight nodded as she released him.  He galloped to Cadance.

"Let me go, you vile ponies!"

"We need to use the expulsion spell and banish her and her changelings.  We have to keep the Crystal Empire, Equestria, and everypony safe." Shining said.  Cadance nodded.  Shining and Cadance crossed their horns, meeting at the tip as they began to cast the spell.

"You'll regret ever knowing of the Changeling Empire if you don't stop this nonsense!" Queen Chrysalis said, trying to break free of them.  She stared at Shining and Cadance, realizing what they were doing.  Her eyes widened as she frantically jerked against them.

"You won't stop me!  I'll come back stronger than ever if you cast that!" Queen Chrysalis threatened, pulling against Rainbow Dash, at least trying to free her neck so she could aim.  The dust around them began to rise up into the air as they concentrated.

"I can't hold her much longer!"

Shining and Cadance kept their eyes closed, focusing on finishing the spell.

"You're going to regret this, Cadenza!" Queen Chrysalis said, pulling back against Rainbow Dash.

Shining and Cadance's bodies glowed with a white aura.  Queen Chrysalis pulled against Rainbow Dash frantically, desperate to stop them.

"Hurry!"

Shining and Cadance became engulfed in a white light.  Queen Chrysalis tugged against Rainbow Dash's grip a final time before breaking free.  She pointed her horn at Shining and Cadance.

"Let go of her!" Shining yelled to the remaining elements holding her.  Applejack and Pinkie Pie released her as Shining and Cadance cast the spell, separating their horns.  Queen Chrysalis was sent into the air, and careened to the upper floor of the palace, hitting back-first.  Her face was expressionless as she fell to the ground and landed with a thud, her hooves bouncing as she landed.  Shining stared at her for a moment, her mane draped over her face, and her body motionless.  He assured she was unconscious before he turned to the group.

"Let's get Twilight and go before she wakes up." Cadance said, trotting to the hall and helping her to her hooves.

"My head..." Twilight muttered, rubbing her fore-head to try and relieve the pain. "Is everypony all right?"

Everypony nodded.

"Nothin' a little time won't heal."

"All right.  Everypony, let's get out of here." Cadance said, trotting towards the stairwell.

"D... don't you dare leave..."

Shining glanced back, seeing Queen Chrysalis standing, looking at them.  Her right hind-hoof and left fore-hoof were trembling, bent in an odd angle.  A line of dark-red blood was running down her lip and dripping off of her chin.  Shining turned back to her.

"You're beaten, Chrysalis.  Your changelings were banished from this area and you can barely stand."

"I'll never admit defeat to a pony!" She screamed, before she coughed up some blood and spat it out onto the ground.  Shining was about to retort, but Twilight stepped in front of him.

"You won't have to.  If you let us leave, then we'll leave as mutual ponies.  Not as allies, nor as enemies.  And so long as you or your subjects don't harm anypony or try to conquer any Equestrian settlement, we won't interfere."

"And what if I say no?"

"Then we'll come back with the Crystal Guard and arrest you.  You'll most likely end up in the Canterlot dungeon."

Queen Chrysalis stared at her for a moment, her eyes filled with disgust and rage.

"Fine." She said, disgusted. "Now get out my sight."

The group quickly began to trot down the stairs, Shining and Twilight trailing behind them.

"I won't give up until my kingdom prospers.  I will take this land as a feeding ground for my subjects eventually."

Shining stopped, and turned around, allowing Twilight to go ahead.

"We'll stop you every time.  You'll never take the Crystal Empire or Equestria"

Queen Chrysalis growled.  Shining turned back and trotted down the staircase.  He trotted away from the kingdom, glad to be free from her.


---