Torn of Harmony

by Axel_Changeling

Visitors

It's true that I am a monster.. as you can plainly see. I am a Changeling Queen after all. Or rather.. was.

About 2 years after my failed attack on Canterlot, I planned a revenge attack on Appleloosa. I knew I was no match for taking over Canterlot, so I had to make do with what little power I had left.

However, I was captured before I could even reach the town. Those Ponies must have had spies to prevent our attack from ever surfacing. My guards simply fled, leaving me behind. They didn't even bother trying to save me. I never believed my own hive would turn against me. They just left me behind, without a care in the world.

It is obvious to me now why they would leave me. They knew I was a failure. They knew I couldn't lead. They were probably happy to not have to put up with my demands anymore. After all, they never truly cherished their queen, they only feared her.

I used to believe that the best way to maintain control over others is to instill fear in them. You have to make them worship you. Every one of my subjects were terrified of me, but relied on my ruling nonetheless. They believed that I could control anything and anyone, even all of Equestria if given the chance.. Until now of course. I have lost everything.

I get laughed at and berated by the guards from time to time. They have to let in animals for me to feed off of to help sustain me.. just barely. To rub salt in the wound, this strange pony named 'Fluttershy' manages the whole feeding operation, and she just so happens to be one of those spiteful.. 'Elements of Harmony'. She barely even looks at or acknowledges me. She just lets the animal stand in front of a small grate on the bottom of the door, and then lets me feed.

And that stare of hers.. ugh! Whenever she does have the chance to look me straight in the eye, she just attacks me with this uncanny frown that pierces through my very soul. I can't explain it, but a part of me fears this Pegasus for some reason. I once tried to start a conversation with her, but she didn't want to talk with me, at all, ever. I would have expected the Element of Kindness to be a bit more.. kind. However, I suppose I never earned her kindness, or anypony's for that matter.

I have always had a disgust for these ponies. They seemed to have this idea that 'love' and 'caring' is supposed to sustain their society. As Queen of the Changelings, I have always believed that those sorts of things did nothing but create weakness. Oh.. how wrong I was.

What these ponies, and even the other Changelings themselves don't realize, is that all my life, all I've ever wanted.. was just to be happy. I thought I could achieve that happiness through power and control. I wanted everyone to look up to me as their supreme ruler.

I always marveled at how other ponies could be so happy together, with all this 'love', and 'friendship', when their 'Princess' did nothing but sit back and let them 'accept' her as a ruler. Sure, she had power, but she also had friends.. people who truly respected her and would stick to her side no matter what.

Funny thing is, I've spent my whole life eating love.. devouring it. I've never actually taken the time to experience it. I imagine all these ponies surrounded by love, and always content, and I cannot help but envy them. While everypony else is out and enjoying themselves, I am stuck here for the rest of my life.. well.. what's left of it anyway.

I have to admit.. I've never felt so lonely in my whole life. The first few months of rotting in this cell I was fuming with rage. I wanted to destroy Cadence and Shining Armor. I wanted Celestia and Luna to see my true power. I wanted every pony to suffer for their insolence. But that rage eventually burned out. I got sick and tired of being angry.

This allowed me time to think and ponder for well over a year. And then I asked myself..

what if love and friendship is all I ever needed?

Could I be happy, and satisfied, if all I had was a friend? But why even question that. I know it is already too late for me. My goose is cooked. Every pony hates me, and sees me as nothing but a monster.

And that is exactly what I am.

I have hidden my insecurities and desire for happiness behind a monstrous exterior, only to have it take over my life. It makes me sad to imagine that I could have had friends. I could have befriended somepony, and had shared their love instead of just having stolen it. But I was greedy and egotistical. I just had to have it all.

I don't deserve any friends. I could never earn anypony's friendship. I deserve every bit of suffering and loneliness, because that is the life I had created for myself. The world would be a much better place without me. Why do I keep on living.. it's not like I can turn back time and make everything right.

I am a failure as a Queen, and I am a failure to everypony. I will never know what it's like to be truly happy.

I just wish there was a way to make things right.

~~~

Twilight and Rainbow Dash walked along the dark corridors of Canterlot's underground dungeon. It was dark and damp, with candles keeping the hallways lit just enough for the guards to see. Rainbow Dash casually walked by the cells as many of the prisoners hurled either insults or pleas for help at her. Twilight on the other hand was very anxious. She cringed as she tried not to look directly at any of the prisoners.

"I cannot believe Fluttershy has to put up with this every Monday," Twilight whispered.

"Tsk.. These guys are completely harmless so long as they are behind bars. Fluttershy may get scared easily, but she isn't stupid," Rainbow Dash inquired.

"Yeah, I guess you are right."

"So.. why again did Celestia want us to see Chrysalis?"

"Ugh, weren't you listening? She sent me here to use my magic to drain her of any excess power just in case she escapes and tries to attack again. Her magic may not work now, but if she gains enough power, the seal on her horn could break free. Changelings accumulate magic power from stealing love, and it remains in their horn, even if the changeling is starving."

"Okay, I understand why you're here, but what about me?"

"You are here in case I get attacked."

"So.. wait. How can you get attacked if.. oh no.."

"Yes, I have to enter her cell if I want to drain her of her power. I will have to teleport in there. If I get attacked, you will need to alert the guards immediately."

"Gotcha!" Rainbow Dash saluted.

After walking down a dark and gloomy set of stairs, they encountered a long hallway with one door at the end. The door looked like it was entirely made of iron, with a small grate at the bottom, and a perfectly square shaped barred window on the front. The door didn't appear to have a handle on it, and it seemed that it could only be opened through the use of some unique magic spell that only the guards knew.

Twilight shuddered. "Well.. there she is."

"Come on! It's not that scary. We've seen large Dragons, Nightmare Moon, Hydra, and you are afraid of this?" Rainbow teased.

"This is.. different! I can't explain it. It just gives me the creeps."

"Relax. Come on, I'll hold your hoof."

"T-that wont be necessary. I'll be fine!" Twilight stammered.

"Riiight.."

The two ponies approached the door, and footsteps could be heard moving towards them from the other side. A dragging sound could also be heard, with chains rattling with every two steps. There was nothing but complete darkness inside of the cell. Twilight couldn't help but feel terrified at the thought of being in there with that.. demon.

All of the sudden, a low and ghastly murmur could be heard from behind the cell door. "That's strange.. It's Saturday. Who is this?" The creature slurred.

Twilight swallowed her throat, and prepared herself to converse with what was once the greatest enemy Canterlot has ever faced. "I am Twilight Sparkle, and this is my friend Rainbow Dash," Twilight's voice quivered.

"Elements of Harmony.." The voice murmured.

"None other!" Rainbow smirked.

"I see.. I'm sure you remember who I am."

"Your name isn't even worth uttering!" Rainbow retorted.

Chrysalis couldn't help but feel a twinge of pain in her chest from Rainbow's insult, but she simply frowned and continued.

"I am Chrysalis, former Queen of the Changelings."

"We know who you are!" Twilight snapped back, rolling her eyes. "I've come to drain you of whatever power you have stored up."

"Oh, I see. Well then, feel free to enter."

"She doesn't need your permission!" Rainbow scolded.

Twilight put a hoof on the cyan Pegasus's shoulder. "Rainbow, let me handle this. Chrysalis, I want to warn you that if you try anything to harm me while I drain away the last of your magic, you will be in even more trouble than you are in now. Trust me. It could get a whole lot worse than this," Twilight frowned. " Tartarus is the next step down from here."

"I understand. I promise I won't harm you. Just.. please get it over with." Chrysalis sighed.

Twilight took a deep breath, and teleported into the cell. She found herself face to face with the former Changeling Queen herself. Only this time, she seemed completely different. Her menacing glare was replaced with a look of depression and sorrow. A large ball and chain could be seen attached to her right leg as she sat on her hind quarters.

The look of Chrysalis somewhat depressed Twilight a little, but she snapped out of it and proceeded to finish her job. Rainbow flew up to the window, and peered in to make sure that Chrysalis wouldn't attack. Twilight's horn began to glow, as she proceeded to suck all the power out of Chrysalis's horn. Twilight began to sweat as she struggled to remain calm. Her whole body was starting to go numb with anxiety as she tried to control her excessive breathing.

About a minute later, all the power was sucked out of Chrysalis. Twilight immediately teleported out of the room. She took a deep breath and let it out. She felt like she was about to faint. Rainbow tended to Twilight making sure she was okay. "You did it Twilight!" she cheered.

"Yeah, I can't believe I made it through that.." Twilight replied whilst panting.

Rainbow flew back up to the window again, peering down at the drained changeling lying on the ground panting slowly.

"Well well.. looks like you won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Check it out ladies and gentlemen.. the great and powerful Chrysalis. How pathetic." Rainbow Dash smiled slyly.

Chrysalis cringed as the Element of Loyalty's insults pierced right through her. She shut her eyes as a frown made its way onto her face. "And I'm assuming you just came here to insult me.. is that it? Go ahead, enjoy yourself. It's all I'm worth," Chrysalis groaned.

Rainbow couldn't help but be confused by Chrysalis's response. She wasn't expecting her to act so submissively. She was honestly expecting Chrysalis to get mad and retaliate. Twilight was also shocked. Not only did Chrysalis keep her promise, but she has shown no signs of disobedience.

A moment of awkward silence commenced, which was then broken by Twilight, who looked sternly at Rainbow. "Rainbow, I want you to apologize to Chrysalis."

"You what?!" Rainbow yelled, with a look of surprise plastering her face.

"I know Chrysalis is our enemy, but she is getting the punishment she deserves already. She doesn't need you to add to her pain. She was very cooperative today, and so I feel that she deserves better. Apologize to her Rainbow."

"But she.."

"Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow's head sagged while letting out a long sigh, and she walked over to the door again. She let out a low groan as she looked over to the side. "I'm.. sorry." Rainbow dash clenched her teeth whilst frowning.

A surprised look made it's way onto Chrysalis's face. She never thought her cooperation would result in gaining actual respect from anypony. Even though Rainbow's apology wasn't very sincere, she still relished it. "I forgive you, Rainbow Dash," The changeling replied in a soft and endearing voice.

Rainbow spoke of something unpleasant under her breath, as she walked away from the door towards the exit to the chambers. "Come on twilight, I got a whole weekend I'm supposed to enjoy today. I promised Scootaloo I'd meet up with her soon."

"Okay, I'll meet up with you later, just need to catch my breath." Twilight grinned.

"See ya!" Rainbow waved as she flew up the stairs.

Twilight peered back at the large and unforgiving metal door that stood right in front of her. She stared at it with a look of sorrow and disbelief. She then realized that she was actually feeling sorry for Chrysalis. This was something she never thought she would experience.

The young Alicorn princess walked up to the door once more, and put her muzzle up close to the grate at the bottom of the door.

"Chrysalis.. I.."

"Please... just.. leave me be," Chrysalis moaned. "I'm tired, and I just want to rest. Please.. just let me.. rest."

Twilight paused for a moment, looking through the grate to just barely see Chrysalis laying down on the concrete floor looking away from her. She didn't just look tired, she looked broken. It almost seemed as if all the life was sucked out of her, and not just her magic. Twilight couldn't bear the sight. She got up and turned away, walking slowly towards the exit.

"Okay, goodbye.. Chrysalis," Twilight murmured.

Author's Note:

This is my first fanfiction on Fimfiction. I hope you enjoy it.

Comments

[Cross Lament]

that I could of had friends. I could of befriended somepony

"Have"

It honestly feels incongruous to me how, even in the show, the ponies punish evildoers in surprisingly-cruel ways. Nightmare Moon and Discord could, at least, be argued to not have been aware during their imprisonment, but I actually feel kinda bad for Tirek. Solitary confinement is literally torture.

Fluttershy, stop being mean at best bugprincess.

[AC97]

7546890

As for Nightmare Moon, it's ambiguous if she was aware while imprisoned, but Discord confirmed in Keep Calm and Flutter On (and implied in his first appearance) that he was conscious while imprisoned (he said that he heard them talking about reforming him).

EDIT:

Season 2 Episode 1:

Discord: "It's quite lonely being imprisoned in stone but you wouldn't know that, would you?"

Season 3 Episode 10:

Discord: "You know what else is adorable? You ponies truly believe that you can reform me, and that you're putting your faith in this one here to make it happen. Makes me wanna pinch your little horsey cheeks..."
Twilight Sparkle: "How'd you know about that?!"
Discord: "Being turned to stone doesn't keep me from hearing every word Celestia says. Although I admit it makes rolling my eyes a challenge."

[Axel_Changeling]

7546890

Thanks. Corrected.

But yeah I agree. The punishments are so inconsistent. Discord gets 1000 years in stone, gets turned into stone again for the same reasons, but only for a short time. Starlight gets off scott free even after nearly wiping out all of Equestria... I don't even.

[Cross Lament]

7546963 Well, it is Discord. Or he could be lying.

[Razzy]

*snugs the poor bug waifu* Nuuuuuuu, keep strong.

Damn, if only Chryssie endangered the entire world and caused uncountable deaths and destruction in parallel realities, and all because one friend moved away at some point, then she'd get an apprenticeship from that and no punishment whatsoever.

[hmaf43]

What the fuck is this stupidity.
For changeling, love is not just emotion but resource.
For changeling, love come in limited amount resource.

Why would she initiated a full invasion if laying low gave her enough love to keep anyones in the hive from starving?