> Starving
>  by Foals Errand
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1 ~Director's Cut~
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Starving




Three weeks. It had been three weeks since Twilight’s brother, Shining Armor, and Princess Cadance had been married. Three weeks since she had helped save Canterlot from the Changeling Invasion. Three weeks she had suffered this Tartarus damned headache!

The library was quiet, which was the way Twilight usually preferred it. With this awful headache she hoped it would stay that way. Sadly, this was not to happen.

“Hey, Twi! Head still botherin’ ya?” a new, soft voice asked with a country twang.

Twilight looked up from the spell book she had been attempting to study. She placed a bookmark on the page and closed it. The pair of sunglasses which she had borrowed from Rainbow Dash were covering her eyes. She gave her friend a warm smile. “Uh-huh. Hey, AJ. Are you looking for a book?”

“Nope. Ah hear enough about Daring Do from Rainbow Dash. That mare has read every book in that series five times over. Then tells me about it just as much! So, my readin’ is all taken care of...” 

Applejack couldn’t help but frown a bit at the thought of Rainbow Dash. Ya know, Rainbow, I might like to pick what I read sometime! She shook her head a bit, then grinned at Twilight who sat in front of her. “Ah brought you somethin’ for yer head.” She reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a bottle with her teeth before setting it next to ‘Twilight’s spellbook’. 

Twilight actually smiled at the sight of the small bottle. Unlike the type normally sold by the Apple Family, this was… A “mares-only” brand. “How in Equestria did you get that by Rainbow Dash?”

“Ah told her this was exactly what it is: medicine for your headaches an’ all that. She’d answer to Granny Smith if you didn’t get it.”

Twilight found herself snorting at the image of Granny Smith giving Rainbow Dash a piece of her mind and purse. “Thanks, AJ… Wanna stick around for a bit?” she asked, not really wanting to be alone. Spike had been away in Canterlot, and she had been having weird feelings for the past few weeks now.

“Sure thing, Twilight!” AJ grinned, pleased that it wasn’t bucking season and ‘that’ she could actually get off the farm to spend time with her friends. Her PFF’s, or “Pony Friends Forever”, as she’d had to explain before.

Twilight smiled and directed her magic towards a nearby cupboard, carefully choosing two glasses from it. She set one of them in front of herself and one in front of Applejack. “Share with me, AJ?”

Applejack shrugged; a little bit of that stuff might just do her some good, Too. “Alright. So, any word from yer brother an’ Princess Cadance on their Honeymoon?”

Twilight lifted an eyebrow. “I have absolutely no desire to know what my brother and foalsitter are… doing at this moment.” She shivered for a moment before consoling her mind with the thought of a nice memory spell. “None.”

“Gotcha,” Applejack said with a small smirk at Twilight’s obvious discomfort.

“If it was your big brother, Would you?” Twilight asked, trying to get the image of… Ugh! Get out of my head!

“He’d be pickin’ flowers, Twi,” Applejack said with a shrug while uncorking the cider bottle.

“I have a book on mares and stallions in the young pony section…” Twilight said, as she gestured half-heartedly towards that area.

Applejack laughed. “Ah know how it works, sugarcube… But there’s a reason Big Mac don’t have more than a friendly relationship with Cheerilee even."

“I suppose you’re right,” Twilight mumbled, really wanting to not think about Big Mac… or any other stallion, for that matter. Using her magic, she poured some cider into both glasses before her magic fizzled out, causing her to drop the bottle. She gasped and was barely able to grab it with a another levitation spell before it hit the ground. “…Not again,” she whispered, placing a hoof to her head where the pain was strongest.

“Don’t the Doc have any ideas about why that’s happenin’?” Applejack asked, a bit worried for her small friend as she took a sip. Whoo! That did pack a punch!

“Not a clue. He says he believes I may have overloaded my magic during the changeling battle and that I… I…” She looked away, clearly embarrassed. Well, actually, she was angry! What did that mud… No! No, Twilight, you aren’t like that… Be angry with the pony because they are wrong, not with their race!

“Lemme guess… His cure-all was to not use magic.” Applejack sighed. The doc was a good one but he just wasn’t that knowledgeable about unicorns and their magic.

“For a week,” Twilight said, trying not to sound bitter and failing spectacularly.

“An’ Ah’ll just hold my breath for that long.” AJ snorted. The idea of Twilight going a week without her magic would be like if she wasn’t allowed on the farm for a week!

Twilight cracked a smile at her friend. “I’m thinking of going to Canterlot to see the royal physician I used to go to when I became Celestia’s student. However...” She sighed and looked away.

“Yeah, Ah know. Ya don’t wanna look stuck-up.” Applejack took another sip. Her friend was too bucking polite sometimes.

Twilight smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I do have ears AJ, I hear what they say about me when they believe I’m too engrossed in a book to hear them.”

“Don’t listen to them too much. It’s the same bull that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon throw at Apple Bloom and her friends.” Applejack frowned, deciding to talk with Rainbow Dash later and figure out exactly what ponies were saying about Twi.

“I know that AJ, I know!” She sighed, staring at the cider in her still untouched glass. “When am I actually going to be considered a Ponyvillian?”

“Ah do, the better part of Ponyville does… Ah guess the question is do y’all consider yourself one?” Applejack asked in a gentle but serious manner.

“Are you kidding, AJ? Every day I strive to fit in here! Every day! Do you realize that if I wanted to I could leave Ponyville and move back to Canterlot? My library is still there with my bed and everything…” Twilight found herself trailing off. Sure, her things were there… but Ponyville was her home!

Applejack sighed; Twilight really got nervous too easily…. “What Ah mean is, ya let other folks define the conditions.”

“I’m trying, AJ, I really am…” she said softly and finally took a sip of the cider wincing as her head let off another pulse of pain.

“I know ya are, Twi… Remember, if ya need… At Sweet Apple Acres yer family.” She smiled at the mare as she placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“I know Applejack… Thank you… Truly!” She winced as another pulse of pain hit her even harder “Maybe I should lay down…”

“Need a hoof?” Applejack asked, getting to her hooves.

“Thank you. Could you put the ‘closed’ sign up?” She motioned to the sign in the window.

“Sure thing, Twi.” She went and flipped the sign to closed.

Twilight left the book open and headed upstairs very slowly. Using her magic had caused her head to feel like it had during the invasion. “Spike is still in Canterlot, helping the Princess. So I’ve been doing my best to survive on my own.” She smiled a touch.

“Ah better have Apple Bloom stop in with a basket in the morning then,” Applejack said with a slight smirk.

“A basket?” Twilight asked while climbing into her nice cool bed and snuggling under the sheets before she laid her head on the pillow.

“Of food, or yer liable to starve if we leave ya to your own devices.” Twilight’s ability—or rather lack of it—to cook was legendary around Ponyville. Canterlot too for that matter!

“I am learning to cook…” she mumbled into her pillow, blushing.

“Nonsense! We’ll have it piled high!” Applejack exclaimed, waving aside Twilight’s mild objections.

“Thanks, AJ. You’re a good friend.” Twilight had begun to feel guilty while talking to Applejack.

“An’ so are you. Don’t ever forget it or I’ll send Pinkie Pie to explain it to ya’.” She grinned at the terrified look on her younger friend’s face.

“That’s almost mean to suggest,” Twilight stated after a moment of being slightly nervous, then blinked. “Oh, I almost forgot, I’m going on a study trip for a few days.”

“Study trip?” Applejack raised an eyebrow as she set a glass of cool water on Twilight’s bedside table.

“Mmmhmm, I figure it’s a way to reduce my magic usage. I’ll cast a dictation spell which will write down everything I say.” She sat up a bit and lifted the glass of water to her mouth using her front hooves.

“How many days are you gonna be out?”

“Just a few, maybe three at most. AJ, I’m a grown mare; I can take care of myself.” Twilight grinned, rolling her eyes at the very protective element of honesty.

“I’ll make sure ya got enough grub,” Applejack said after a few moments of consideration.

“Thanks, AJ.” Twilight smiled at her.

“No problem, sugarcube!”

Twilight kept her eyes closed until she heard the door softly shut. She opened them with a sigh. I’m sorry, AJ, I should tell you what I’m really doing. I should… but I can’t! How can I tell you what happened after the wedding? She closed her purple eyes as she thought back. Once all her friends were asleep, she had snuck into the library and had begun to carefully search the shelves. 

There it was: a scrying spell book. 

She grabbed it in her mouth, knowing that if she used her magic anywhere in the Dark arts archive it would cause an alarm to sound alerting the guard. She carefully placed it in her saddle bag. Back in her room, she opened the scroll, and after drawing the sigils with special ink, she nicked her hoof with the quill, allowing a few drops of her blood to fall into the sigil. “Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings.”

Deep in her lair, Chrysalis stirred, carefully moving to avoid her hind quarters. The touch of the directed magic reached her perceptions…

Twilight’s eyes began to glow white as the spell began it’s search focusing in on one signature.

Chrysalis grinned as she recognized the magical signature. “Oh, this is just too good!” Come!

Twilight’s head jerked as she tried to resist. Even as her eyes continued to glow white from the spell.

The voice continued to whisper its beckoning, not faltering even once over the following days. Those days turned to weeks. Always the same word and a strange buzzing.

Twilight groaned into her pillow. She hadn’t actually slept more than a few moments at a time in over a week. “Will you please shut up!”

Come!

“I am! Alright already? I’m coming tomorrow. Now please, let me sleep!” Twilight was very glad Spike was in Canterlot as she realized how insane she looked.

Rest, Twilight Sparkle… I will await you soon…

Twilight hesitated, then began to listen… very carefully.

The noise ceased except for a dull buzz.

“Well, it’s better than nothing…” Twilight sighed, curling under the covers and pointedly closed her eyes.





Apple Bloom yawned as Applejack woke her up earlier than usual. She stretched a bit and climbed out of her nice warm bed. At least the sun was up this time…

“Mornin’ Sis.” 

“Apple Bloom… I’m fixin that ol’ water pump t’day, so I need ya ta do me a favor this morning.” Applejack smiled at the filly.

“What’s that, Sis?” Apple Bloom asked as she rubbed her eyes.

“Twilight’s goin’ on a little trip, and Ah got a pack full of vittles for her to take along. So I want ya to take it over to the library an’ make sure she don’t leave it behind.”

“Aw, but sis! Me, Sweetie Belle, an’ Scootaloo were gonna go crusadin’!” The yellow filly pouted a bit.

“Well, ya three can crusade after ya deliver the grub,” Applejack said simply while placing the saddle bag on her back.

“Alright, alright…” Apple Bloom sighed taking the opportunity to tighten the straps on the saddle bag with her teeth.

“Thanks. Ah owe ya!” Applejack grinned at her little sister heading outside to tackle the drain pipe.

“Yeah, yeah…” She sighed as she went outside. She saw the other crusaders waiting for her. Scootaloo had her hooves crossed and was leaning against the fence while Sweetie Belle was giggling at something Scootaloo had just said.

“What’s up, Apple Bloom?” the orange Pegasus asked, uncrossing her hooves as her friend finally came out.

"Twi is goin’ on some kinda trip. Sis says Ah gotta take some supplies to her!” Apple Bloom grumbled, kicking at the dirt.

“Well then…” Scootaloo grinned. “Cutie Mark Crusaders Couriers, go!”

“Yay!” All three fillies cried out together as they raced to the center of town where Twilight’s library was.





Twilight carefully packed her saddle bag with water bottles, parchment, and quills. She looked up at Rainbow Dash. “Now, repeat the rules I told you.”

“No messing with the books, no horseplay, no eating while reading,” Rainbow Dash repeated for like the tenth time, looking bored.

“And?” Twilight lifted an eyebrow.

“No damage to the books whatsoever. Even a tiny fold on a page,” the blue Pegasus’s attention had begun to drift off towards the adventure section.

“Aaand?” Twilight encouraged. These rules are important! This is my job after all.

“No books leave the library?” Rainbow finally guessed.

She was so close! “Unless?"

“The library is on fire,” Rainbow stated confidently.

Twilight felt like face hoofing. Okay, that was technically correct. If the fire was small and the books were already in hoof. “Or?”

“Oh yeah, library card…” Rainbow trailed off, feeling silly.

Twilight grinned. “Thank you so much for doing this, Dash. I’ll be back in about three days.”

“Sure thing!” Rainbow said, ready to grab the newest Daring Do which had just arrived.

“Don’t tune out the other ponies if they come in, Dash!” Twilight warned.

“Gotcha! I’ll run this place just like you do!” She grinned, mock saluting.

“Don’t scare any pony, Dash.” Twilight opened her front door to see the very familiar three fillies. “Well! Good morning my little ponies!”

“Hi, Twilight! Cutie Mark Crusaders Couriers are here!” Scootaloo grinned up at the purple librarian.

Twilight smiled. “Thank you, girls! Now I really must be going.” She stopped speaking suddenly, her eyes glowing green for a moment until she blinked them once. “I have quite a walk without my magic."

Sweetie watched as Twilight walked away. “D-did you girls see that?”

“Yeah, and she didn’t even take these saddle bags. Oh well, we better follow her!” Scootaloo said firmly with a grin.

“What was up with ’er eyes?” Apple Bloom asked confused.

“Magic?” Sweetie Belle suggested with a shrug.

“Twi’s magic is pink!” Apple Bloom objected firmly.

“Yeah, but what else could it be?” Sweetie Belle asked after a moment of thought.

“Remember the wedding?” Scootaloo replied after a few moments as they followed Twilight.

“Changelings?” Sweetie Belle gulped as she remembered how scared she had been.

“Ah’ve only ever seen green like that then.” Apple Bloom admitted. “But she’s actin’ like Twi. Applejack ain’t suspectin’ nothin’.” Apple Bloom frowned thinking. “Scootaloo, go get your scooter and the wagon. We gotta follow her!”

“You got it!!” Scootaloo took off at a full gallop.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle waited as they watched Twilight walking. “She’s headed north outta Ponyville. Ah hope Scoots hurries,” Apple Bloom said.

“You and me both,” Sweetie said firmly.

"Y-ya don’t think Twi isn’t Twi, do ya?” Apple Bloom asked quietly.

“No, but she sure isn’t acting right,” Sweetie Belle replied after a moment with a slight whimper.

Scootaloo tore over on her scooter, the wagon tied to the back, her wings ready to buzz. “Get in!” She tossed them their helmets.

They hurried into the wagon while donning their helmets. “Ah hope we know what we’re doin’!” Apple Bloom cried out while grabbing hold tight to her side.

“Maybe we should tell Rarity?” Sweetie suggested meekly while grabbing hold to her own side.

“By then Twilight’ll get away!” Scootaloo pointed out after observing the mare had started to pick up speed.

Sweetie Belle whimpered a touch. “Y-you’re right, Okay! Let’s go!”

"Don’ let her see us if it ain’t Twi. We’ll be in trouble and if it is we’ll really be in trouble!” Apple Bloom said as Scootaloo took off wings buzzing.

Scootaloo’s eyes went wide as the purple mare began to gallop at full speed. “I don’t think we need to worry about that! She’s moving like her tail is on fire, and she isn’t paying attention to anything!”

Apple Bloom blinked, watching Twilight run. It’s like she’s runnin’ towards somethin’. Or away? “That’s real strange. Can we stop by the farm? Ah gotta leave sis a message."

“Make it fast, Apple Bloom! If we lose sight of her we’ll never catch up!” Scootaloo said, trying to judge how long Apple Bloom would have before even her pegasus eyes lost sight of the racing unicorn. 

“Ah got it, Ah got it!” Apple Bloom looked at the fence near the acres, remembering what her sister had told her. She bucked it with her back legs, breaking the fence so that a board was pointed in the direction they were headed. She quickly dived back into the wagon.

“Go, go, go!” she cried, grabbing a tight hold.

“Hold on!” Scootaloo cried as she took off, holding tight to her handle bars.

Both fillies held on tighter as Scootaloo pumped her wings even faster when the much larger Twilight raced forward at a full gallop, nearly out of sight.

“Uh, girls?” Sweetie Belle asked. “What do we do when we actually catch up to her?”

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo remained silent except the buzzing of Scootaloo’s wings as they thought about Sweetie’s question. “A-Ah guess Ah can buck her in the head, an’ we’ll bring her home an sis can get her a doc!"

“Sounds like a plan!” Scootaloo agreed with determination in her eyes.

"Scoots, every mile or so Ah gotta buck somethin’ to show sis the way we are goin!” Apple Bloom said, her eyes closed from going so fast.

“Right! Do it!” Scootaloo called back, ducking a low hanging branch.

Apple Bloom reached out with her hind legs and bucked a small tree as they passed by it. As they continued on, the dirt road they had been riding upon changed to grass. This made for a very bumpy ride. Scootaloo struggled harder to keep her balance and speed. “Why couldn’t Twilight stay on some sort of path?!”

After fifty miles of unending grasslands, she was panting more exhausted, than she had ever been. “She ain’t stopping!”

“Then buck every two miles! We can’t lose her!” Scootaloo cried back, forcing her wings to keep flapping with a grunt.

“It’s gotta be every mile. That’s sis’s instructions! Why ain’t she stoppin? Why?!” Apple Bloom panted out.

Sweetie whimpered, her mane a complete wreck. “Rarity is going to kill me!”





Applejack had just finished washing up. “Hey, Big Mac?”

“Eeyup?” the large red stallion asked, looking up.

“Ya’ seen Apple Bloom?” She dried her hooves with a sigh.

“Nope.”

“What about the rest of ‘em?” Applejack frowned.

“Not hide nor tail,” Big Mac stated after a few moments of thought.

“Ya’ think they’re in trouble?”

“No more than usual, sis,” Big Mac said with a shrug.

"I’m gonna go check that club house of theirs,” Applejack said firmly as she stormed off towards it.





Scootaloo stopped the scooter behind a bush.

“Sh-she finally stopped,” she said with a sigh of relief. Her wings were killing her! She winced as she rubbed them.

“We’re in the middle of nowhere,” Sweetie whispered, trying to fix her mane from the fast speeds, as well as from her helmet.

“Yeah, look.” Apple Bloom pointed at where Twilight has sat down and was staring at nothing, her chest heaving.

“I told you already, I am coming as fast I can! I am only able to travel at twenty miles an hour…” She paused. “Well, I’m sorry but I am not a pegasus, I am a unicorn!” Another pause. “I don’t know why we’re having this talk. This discussion is over, and I won’t go on until after a breather and a drink of water!”

“Who is she talkin’ to?” Apple Bloom whispered with a bad feeling in her gut.

Scootaloo gulped. “I don’t know, and I don’t know if I really want to.”

Twilight took a bottle of water out of her bag and sipped at it while looking for non-poisonous plants that she would be able to eat.

“Good thing we got grub… We’d better eat an’ take some water.” Apple Bloom started digging in her saddle bags.

The other two fillies grabbed sandwiches and water and watched the familiar librarian nervously. Sweetie gulped. “Do you think Twilight is evil or crazy?"

“Course not! That’s just stupid!” Scootaloo said, before taking a large bite from her sandwich.

“Then what is going on?” Sweetie asked, mouth full of her own sandwich.

“Ah got no idea, an’ that’s why we gotta keep followin’ her!” Apple Bloom said before gulping some water down and wiping her muzzle with her hoof.

Twilight munched on a few flowers while she sipped her water. After some time she stood back up.

“Scoots, she’s about ta’ take off again!” Apple Bloom said as she shook the dozing pegasus.

“Then helmets on!” Scootaloo shoved her helmet back on wide awake and experimentally flapped her wings a bit. This was gonna be painful if they went much farther.

Sweetie and Apple Bloom crammed their helmets back on while Scootaloo got her wings ready. 

Sweetie Belle left a piece of parchment where they were, addressed to Applejack. “It’s a record of what we’ve seen so far,” she explained, as her friends looked at her questioningly.

“Way ta’ go!” Apple Bloom beamed at Sweetie Belle. “That was danged good thinking!”

Scootaloo began buzzing her wings, her tongue stuck out in determination as they took off again at high speeds, and Twilight hit full gallop once again.

“You sure you can take this, Scoots?” Sweetie asked nervously and concerned for the orange Pegasus, as well as themselves.

“I’m not gonna fail!” Scootaloo cried out even as her wings felt like they were on fire.

The others held tight as Scootaloo tore after Twilight. After a few more hours of following, Apple Bloom squeaked out a scream as she pointed. “Look!"

In front of Twilight was a set of craggy outcroppings of rock. The crusaders watched as Twilight picked her way through the rocks to a narrow fissure until they saw a dark and sinister pair of beings plucked from a nightmare, emerging and inspecting Twilight. After a few moments, they escorted her into what appeared to be the bowels of tartarus.

Scootaloo stared wordlessly, her mouth making motions before she was able to speak. “Uh, a-are we sure Twilight isn’t evil?"

Apple Bloom took a branch in her mouth and bopped Scootaloo in the head. “I ain’t hearin’ another word of that talk!” she objected firmly, then frowned. 

“She must be under some kinda spell.”

“Yeah! Twilight’s on our side. She’s the element of magic!” Sweetie Belle said firmly. “But we have a problem.”

“What’s that?” Scootaloo asked, wincing while rubbing her head where Apple Bloom hit her.

“How do we get in there without one of those things finding us?” Sweetie asked quietly.

“If we get caught… Ah hate to say this, but we gotta stay here and wait,” Apple Bloom said, her ears falling.

Scootaloo nodded while staring at the entrance. “Hopefully, Applejack will find us soon.”





Twilight was led to the throne room by the two guards. She looked around at the black-and-green-glowing walls. It was like being in a nightmare. Her eyes went to what she guessed was the throne, though it simply looked like it was made of the same material as the walls.

"I’m finally here. Now,Get out of my head!” Twilight growled at the being who had been driving her mad for three whole weeks.

Chrysalis circled her, smugly inspecting Twilight. 

“Oh, this is so perfect! Celestia’s prized student! Shining Armor’s little sister! A huge pain in my flank! Oh, Twilight… A scrying spell? Seriously? Did you actually think you could spy on me unnoticed? There is a reason Celestia doesn’t use those scrolls, you know.”

“Besides the fact they were in the ‘Black Magic’ wing of the archives?” Twilight asked, sarcasm dripping off of her tongue.

“Yes, like the fact that you goodie-goodies aren’t that good at dark magic, whereas I know dark magic like you know breathing. But don’t worry, my dear. I’ll be happy to teach you quite soon...” She trailed off with a smirk.

“What in Equestria are you talking about? I know where you are now! Just wait until I tell my brother!” Twilight stated confidently.

“Fool! I brought you here for a reason. I seriously doubt you’ll tell your brother anything. Come! Let me show you something!” Chrysalis nodded to the guards who brought Twilight to her. They moved to leave. Chrysalis began to head even further into the caverns.

“I’m not coming with you Chrysalis,” Twilight said, her hooves firmly planted.

“Oh, yes you are.” Chrysalis laughed.

“Tell me; how, in any way, do you believe that’s plausible?” Twilight asked, her worst nightmare eyes narrowed; she could afford to be scared later, not now!

The changeling queen laughed as she casted a levitation spell on Twilight, which lifted her a few feet off of the ground. “Come along, little Twilight!”

“Hey, put me down!” She kicked out at the green energy while trying to use her own magic. Her horn glowed for few moments before sputtering, causing a sharp wave of pain to wash over her entire head.

“How’s the headache, dear?” Chrysalis asked with a cruel smirk.

“Horrid!” Twilight winced. Her head felt like it was exploding into fireworks.

“Stop struggling. It’s useless to resist!” She levitated Twilight into a massive cave packed with drones. “Tell me, what do you see?”

“Evil,” Twilight hissed, too much in pain to really think it over. Her emotions were getting the best of her and she knew it but could not be bothered to care.

“How narrow-minded of you,” Chrysalis said in disgust. “These are my subjects. Starving.”

"Starving?” Twilight asked quietly. That word gotten through her emotions and her pain.

“Yes. Conquering Equestria would have provided them with an abundance of food, but thanks to you, my hive suffers and just when it has grown to the point of overflowing.”

“Why do you want me? I mean, maybe I can arrange a truce between you and the Princess? She does trust me!” Twilight offered, hopeful to make a peaceful agreement so nopony would have to die.

“I have something else in mind, my dear Twilight,” Chrysalis said as they entered a smaller room where green cocoons hung from the ceiling. She thrust Twilight into an open green pod which was quickly sealed by the drones that had followed them.

Twilight’s eyes darted around in the green goo that covered her as she held her breath. Let me out! Please, I can help you!

“In due time, Twilight Sparkle. In due time, you will be of more help than you realize.”

Please, I can make a truce! I can help! I… I can’t breathe!

Chrysalis walked away, grinning. “Twilight, my dear?”

…Y-yes?

“You talk too much.” With that said, Queen Chrysalis left the room as Twilight Sparkle began to scream.

> Where it all went wrong
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter One-five

















Twilight stared wide-eyed as Chrysalis walked away. Wait! Please! Come back! The changeling Queen’s steps did not falter. Twilight was alone, and there was no way she was going to be able to talk her way out of this cocoon. Time to take a note out of Applejack’s book! She started struggling vigorously against the green cocoon which was quite literally holding her hostage. She kicked out with her back legs, but she only managed to feel pain; it was like trying to buck a stone wall. Twilight growled and lit up her horn, concentrating every drop of magic she had remaining to break out of the green prison cell. As she prepared to cast the spell, her head felt ready to shatter. Twilight cried in pain, and her magic fizzled out.

Oh for the love of Celestia! Twilight put her right fore hoof to her head and rubbed right under her horn. Twilight’s eyes shot open as she looked around frantically, but she had to stay calm and push her fears aside. Panicking was not going to help. Alright, Twilight, think! You can’t use magic, and you can’t fight your way out; you have to use your brain. Now, let’s think this through like any problem. It began three weeks ago, the night of Shining and Cadance’s wedding.




                                                                                                                                                        
Twilight smiled as she watched her brother and new sister-in-law leave for their honeymoon. “Now that was a great wedding!” 

Spike looked down at Twilight from his perch on Pinkie’s head. “Oh yeah? Just wait until you see what I have planned for the bachelor party!”

The girls couldn’t help but laugh. Twilight cringed at her own thoughts. Someday I’ll tell Spike what a bachelor party is. Later, maybe when he turns one hundred... She snorted as she walked to the guest room that was accommodating her stay for the wedding. Shining Armor was going to explain his reasoning for asking Spike to plan the bachelor party. However, that was a thought for a later time. 

Twilight went to the bathroom and began filling the tub with hot water. She sighed as she watched the tub fill up. She dipped a hoof into the water and nodded, satisfied with the temperature. She turned the faucet, ending the flow of water. Deftly handling her magic, she quickly undid her mane and hung her dress. Climbing into the tub, she allowed herself to sink down to her chest in the hot water. Letting out a sigh of exhaustion, she splashed some of the comforting liquid onto her face in an attempt to rejuvenate her energy. Twilight laid her head back and closed her eyes feeling her body loosen and relax. 

Shiny and Cadance are now on their honeymoon. Their destination was unknown to everypony but Princess Celestia. Hmm, Princess Celestia had been given a prompt physical after the failed wedding and was given a clean bill of health. She had even been cleared to raise the sun in the morning. Princess Luna had needed to set her sister’s sun and was very irritated about it. Twilight couldn’t help giggle to herself. In fact, a rumor was going around the palace that Luna had told Princess Celestia that she was welcome to retake her giant pain in the flank. Twilight couldn’t contain it; she snorted. The idea of Princess Luna invading the medical bay, standing over her older sister and delivering that statement in the Royal Canterlot voice. It’s just too much! Twilight began to laugh. 

After her giggles slowed down, Twilight took a deep calming breath, and then another. She allowed her body to sink entirely under the water. She closed her eyes and began to meditate, pushing all worries from her mind, all emotions. Twilight had realized some time ago that this was a part of her life she would never be able to share with her friends. There was no way she could properly explain how very important her daily meditation was. How it… This train of thought is not helping me to calm down and gather my emotions. Relax, Twilight, just relax. Her horn began to glow as she began the process of taking control of her emotions and body. Everything was fine, everypony was safe. Chrysalis was dead, and everypony… Twilight stopped cold and her horn had stopped glowing; she was no longer gathering oxygen from the water. She emerged suddenly from the water, eyes wide and open water dripping from her mane. “Dead, she had to be dead. Right?” Twilight bit her lower lip. She had to make certain. She had to be sure Chrysalis was dead.





Twilight crossed her forelegs, she had quickly come to the realization that the green goo she was emerged in was oxygen dense. Hence, the reason she hadn’t suffocated yet.Briefly, she compared it to the liquid oxygen she had once experimented with. It was, of course, a little different; her lungs had not fought this green goo as they had the liquid oxygen. 

Why did I have to make sure she was dead? That’s what I don’t understand! Something brought that to the front of my mind, and it wasn’t due to my meditation. Maybe I haven’t gone back far enough yet. Maybe to reach the cause I need to go back further? Twilight took a deep breath then cocked her head. Wait! What if...



 


They left me! They all left! Princess Celestia is ashamed of me! Sh-Shining Armor doesn’t even want to see me. Twilight sobbed silently, tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt even lonelier in that moment then she had in her entire life. Twilight opened her eyes to see a shadow above her. She looked up to see Cadance looking down at her in sympathy. Twilight swallowed back her sobs as Cadance lovingly stroked her hair. “I’m so sorry…”





Twilight’s eyes narrowed. Wait a minute! Let’s go back to that. Chrysalis touched me, I thought she was Cadance, and I was too focused on the kindness she was showing me to notice. I was seeking her forgiveness! Think back, Twilight! Focus on Chrysalis, everything you can remember about that moment!





Cadance stroked Twilight’s mane as she cried her apologies out to her. Cadance smiled, her eyes focused on the small unicorn. Then they glowed. They glowed bright green.




 
Green! Ugh, why didn’t I notice this before? Okay, Twilight, we have a catalyst. When she touched you, her eyes flashed green. Was that a spell? Wait, do changelings need to use their horns to do magic? What about if they were disguised as a pony who wasn’t a unicorn? 

Twilight tapped at her forehead right under her horn again. Think, Twilight, think! Okay, let’s hypothesize that, when her eyes glowed, she left an imprint of some kind in my mind. Twilight closed her eyes, wishing she had the air to sigh with. Twilight wasn’t quite sure how conductive sighing in this green goo would be.

I can easily scan my mind now. If I was touched, then the after image should still be there. She lit up her horn. Oh, this is going to hurt! Twilight began to scan her aura for marks, and soon discovered there were several recognizable ones. Spells she had performed and, of course, where Applejack had touched her. Those were welcome upon her aura. So were the touches of her mentor and the love spell that bore the combined touch of Cadance and Shining Armor. But, wait… there! A touch, an unwelcome touch! It glew a sickly green that made her want to retch. 

Her horn stopped glowing as the spell ended. Twilight held her throbbing head between her forehooves. Okay... She groaned to herself after a few moments. That hurt! And it was inconclusive! All I know from that aura scan is that Chrysalis performed a spell on me! It didn’t tell me what kind and could easily have been the teleportation spell that sent me down to that crystal cavern! I’m still no better off than before… Twilight rubbed her temples. O-okay, let’s assume that the mark is a remnant of the last spell she used… And that spell is what made me so intent on checking her.  I will conclude that this touch was when Chrysalis had given me the idea to make certain of her death… in case of failure. She hung her head, I just wish I knew for sure!

 




Twilight cracked open her room's door and watched as a guard cantered down the hall. She watched him until he was out of sight. She waited even longer as his hoof falls dropped from her hearing. When she was sure the coast was clear, she slowly opened her door and stepped out into the dark hallway.

She cast an illumination spell and began her walk towards the restricted archives. She stopped after a few feet. Hearing the clip-clopping of her own hooves, Twilight winced and cast a feather hoof spell and continued on, hearing no more sounds except her own pounding heart. She approached the door wearily; she had only been there a few times in the past, and only with Princess Celestia. She hesitated; there was still time! She could go to the Princess, tell her of the fears she was having! They could do this together!

Twilight nodded to herself as she started to turn around and head towards Princess Celestia’s sleeping chambers, when she paused. The memory of Princess Celestia walking away from her, of not believing her. That look in her eyes. Twilight would never see that look in her mentor’s eyes again! She didn’t think that she’d be able to stand it. No, she couldn’t get Princess Celestia. She had to be resolute. She had to do this alone.

 


 
What a total idiot I was! Twilight thrashed angrily at the memory. If it were possible to buck her past self in the face, she would!

 



Once she knew one way or the other then she’d go to the Princess! No freaking out this time. She pushed open the door, confident that Princess Celestia had included her aura in the security spell. The distinct lack of alarms and rushing guards affirmed her conclusion. Now all she had to do was find it.

 



Twilight tapped her chin. You know, as I’m thinking back on all of this, I realize I found that stupid scroll far too quickly. When I was in the Starswirl the Bearded wing searching for that time spell, it took me over an hour, and even though I was panicked, Pinkie Pie and Spike were not. Heck, I don’t think I would have found it at all if not for Pinkie. Twilight smiled at that memory. It was probably her Pinkie sense.

 



Twilight stared at the parchment she had unrolled in front of herself on the floor. While it was difficult to remember not to use her magic, it wasn’t, by any stretch of the imagination, impossible. “Th-this is it. This is the scroll I need.”

Twilight allowed it to reroll naturally before gingerly picking it up with her mouth and placing it within the saddle bag she was wearing. Her eyes scanned the shelf she had found the scroll on to make certain everything else was back in perfect order and appeared untouched. Satisfied, she snuck out of the forbidden archives as easily as she had entered them. However, she would not breathe easy again until she was back in her room.

Spike’s gentle snores welcomed Twilight back as she stepped into her room. The baby dragon was sprawled out lazily in his basket next to her bed. A small smile graced her mouth, and she shed a tear as she cast a sound blocking spell over him and his basket. “I don’t want you to see me like this, Spike.”

Twilight took out four large ink bottles. She unscrewed each lid one at a time, glancing at the scroll which was unrolled within her vision. She began to read the spell slowly to herself. After a few calming breaths she took her quill within her magic, looking at the sharp tip with clouded eyes. 

“Alright, Twilight, it’s alright. It’s just an ingredient to the spell. Nothing more, don’t think of it as anything else. Just an ingredient, just a simple ingredient.” She kept repeating her mantra as she lifted her left front leg. Her eyes refused to leave the sight of her shaved fetlock. “Just a necessary ingredient!” 

Twilight stabbed her fetlock with the sharp tip of the quill and yanked it to the side, creating a shallow slice. Her crimson blood began filling the cut almost immediately and trailed down her leg. She stared at her blood for a moment, then put her hoof over the first ink bottle and watched as the blood dripped into it. One, two, three, four drops. She repeated this with the remaining bottles. 

Twilight nodded once she had added the… ingredient. She tied a small bandage around her fetlock before she continued. Twilight took out a small brush and dipped it into the first ink bottle. She levitated the brush over her chest and began painting the runes onto her fur. After about forty minutes, Twilight was covered in the runes she had carefully painted on. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had to make certain that none of her runes had been smudged or incorrectly copied. 

“Good, all appear to be correct. What a mess that would have been if I had to reapply any of them!” Twilight focused her attention to the floor. She had cleared it of everything but her bed and Spike’s basket. Twilight frowned and levitated a broom over and swept the floor of any particles remaining. Once the floor was clean to her satisfaction she began painting the casting circle, slowly, methodically. Time seemed to blur as she worked on making it a perfect circle. “Alright, no smears, no spaces. Now just the incantation.” 






Twilight levitated into the middle of the large star landing as to not smudge it . She spoke the words slowly as to not mess up the pronunciation. “Cum praeter oculos meos. Qui videt me latet. Misit tenebras et lucem, cum scire sit conscia.” Her eyes began to glow white and she was lifted a few inches off the ground, the magic rushing over and past her. “Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings!” A bolt of hot white energy exploded from her horn. Had anypony been awake they would have seen a streak of light rush past above their heads headed in the direction the changelings were flung. Twilight wasn’t sure how long she was within her circle. Time simply seemed to have no meaning until the light found that which it searched for.





And that, Twilight hmphed to herself, was when it all went wrong. The spell hadn’t mentioned that a pony experienced in scrying could turn the spell back on its caster! Twilight rubbed her aching head. This was a fact she was now all too aware of. At first she had been able to ignore it. The buzzing was constant after all, so it melded into background noise. 

“Come.” That one word that was what had broken her. “Come.” Every forty-five seconds. Twilight knew this to be exact. She had checked numerous clocks to make certain. Every forty-five seconds. “Come.” It was like that ancient water torture she had read about. 

“Drip… Drip… Drip…”

Relentless, never stopping, maddening. She had screamed at first. She had cried, even beaten her head against the wall. Nothing had helped, nothing had even paused it. “Come.”

I had no choice! I had to make it stop! Oh, why! Why didn’t I go to Princess Celestia or even Zecora? Why didn’t I trust my friends? Twilight stared through her green prison, tears tried to escape her eyes but were kept in by the goo of her prison. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! Please! I’ll be good! Please! I’ll never lie again! I’m so scared… Please! S-somepony come save me! Seeing no movement outside, she curled into a ball and wept. 


Princess Celestia! I’m sorry!

> Chapter Two
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack checked under the upside down apple basket with a grumble, she was running out of places to look. It had just been a simple chore for Apple Bloom: just take Twilight those supplies, then she could go crusading. But that was hours ago, and nopony had seen the three of them since seven that morning. It was now getting close to three. She grumbled and bucked the basket away from her. She wasn’t worried; not yet, anyways. Her eyes strayed over to the fence. One of the rails had been bucked off. Celestia help me...

Applejack quickly trotted through the orchards to where she knew Macintosh would be washing off. Her nerves getting to her, her trot quickly turned into a gallop, the trees flying past her. When the barn came into view she slowed to a stop, a bit out of breath.

Big Macintosh looked up at his panting sister. She was prancing in place, a tic she had when she was nervous about something. He frowned. It wasn’t often that his little sister got that nervous, but when she did, Big Mac knew it was never a good thing. “AJ?”

Applejack pawed the dirt. “You need to come with me, Big Mac, I can’t find hide nor hair of Apple Bloom!”

Big Mac frowned. “You sure ya checked everywhere?” There was something Applejack wasn’t telling him.

“Yes, I’m sure! It’s just…” She shook her head, getting the thought out of her mind. So the last time any pony saw them, they were chasing after Twilight! That doesn’t mean she did anything to them. Hay, they’re probably trying to get their cutie marks in being her assistants while she’s on that study trip of hers… But still.

“Look, you remember when Apple Bloom started wandering around and I taught her how to buck to show the direction she was going?”

Macintosh sighed. “Eeyup.” He watched his sister as she kept looking towards the far end of the orchards. “Alright, AJ, let’s take a look at what you think AB left us to follow.”

Applejack nodded, and with her brother right behind her she took off at a full gallop, back towards where she had first noticed the broken fence. The middle rung of the fence had been broken in half; it was now making an arrow pointing towards the road which led out of town.

“Look at this, Big Mac. Fences don’t just break like this. Apple Bloom bucked this fence in this direction.”

Big Mac examined the fence with a frown. Applejack was right; he could see the imprint from his baby sister’s hoof. He stared towards the direction it was pointed while chewing a stalk of hay.

“You told her to do this if she was in trouble, didn't cha? After that whole thing with Nightmare Moon?”

Applejack nodded. “Yep. She was so nervous about being away from me after that, that I was having trouble getting any work done. So I taught her how to buck something in a way to indicate direction. That way, if she was ever in danger…”

“You’d be able to follow her? Isn’t that what you told her?”

“Yeah, that’s what I told her. If she broke this in this way then I gotta believe she’s in trouble!”

Macintosh nodded. It didn’t do for him to show how worried he was; Applejack was doing that enough for the both of them. “So, what do you plan on doing now, AJ?”

Applejack closed her eyes in thought. Normally, I’d go to Twilight, but they were last seen with Twilight…

“Twilight has Rainbow watching the library while she’s on that study trip of hers, so I’ll go get her and we’ll see if we can find Apple Bloom. We’ll either be able to locate her by her bucking trail, or Dash will be able to spot her from the air. You go and find Pinkie, let her know what’s going on, and tell her we need the girls. I told Pinkie about the bucking trick I taught Apple Bloom, so she’ll be able to follow the trail.” She frowned. “Spike should be getting back from Canterlot on the next train, tell him to go with Pinkie and the others. We may need to get in touch with the Princess, and, well, he’s the quickest method for that. So tell him to bring a scroll and quill. Got all that, Big Mac?”

Big Macintosh nodded, though he chewed his straw a bit quicker. “I got cha, AJ. You can count on me.”

Applejack closed her eyes. Ma, Pa, please be watching over Apple Bloom and those friends of hers, and if you wouldn’t mind, could ya’ watch over Twilight, too? She fixed her hat, and after giving a small snort, took off towards the library at full gallop.





Rainbow Dash munched on a cracker as she laid on the cloud she had dragged into Twilight’s loft. She had tried laying on the unicorn’s bed to read, but it was just way too hard. She could never understand how ponies could sleep on those so-called ‘beds’. Rainbow shrugged. She turned back to the newest Daring Do book and eagerly flipped to the next page. Daring had just been trapped in some type of cocoon trap by Ahuizotl and she had only seconds left to live. She bit into the cracker, frantically reading. Come on, Daring! Air was running out, Daring struggled and...

“Rainbow Dash! Get down here!”

Rainbow Dash let out a surprised screech and fell off the cloud, momentarily forgetting that she had wings. She quickly shook her head to clear it and headed downstairs. "Applejack?"

“Rainbow, did Twilight seem strange to you at all when she left this morning?”

Rainbow Dash considered the question, scratching her head in thought. Hmm... come to think of it... "Actually, Applejack, Twilight seemed to want to get out of here rather quickly. Once I had the rules under my wings, she let me go straight to my Daring Do book. In fact, I didn't even see her leave. She didn't say goodbye..."

"She didn't even say goodbye?" Applejack frowned.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Nope, so what’s up, AJ? You look a bit concerned, and by a bit, I mean majorly!"

“I sent Apple Bloom to bring Twilight some supplies for her trip this morning, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle went with her.” Applejack frowned as she looked out the window. “Nopony has seen them since. I wouldn’t be so worried, but Apple Bloom left me a sign she was in trouble.”

Rainbow chewed her lip as she listened to what Applejack was telling her. “That’s weird…”

“The idea that Apple Bloom left me a sign is weird to you? Really, Rainbow, I shoulda expect-”

Rainbow Dash shook her head, cutting Applejack off. “No, that’s not it, they took off after Twilight this morning. She must have forgotten the supplies you had them bring her.”

Applejack stared open mouthed as if her rainbow-maned friend had just told her the ocean had turned into orange juice. “Twilight forgot something? That mare doesn’t even board a train without pulling out her checklist and double checking, and once she has double checked it she’ll usually triple check it!” Applejack felt a shiver run down her spine. “Something is really wrong here.”

Rainbow tapped her hoof while thinking, her ears falling back. "Actually, now that you mention it, she only took, like, I think... maybe two scrolls with her."

Applejack kicked her hoof out. “Ah, applesauce! Now I know that something's wrong!” She quickly headed outside with Rainbow Dash quickly following behind after putting up the closed sign and locking the door.

Rainbow Dash took to the air a moment later and hovered just above Applejack’s head. “Alright AJ, you’re always telling me that you can keep up with me even when I’m flying, right? Now’s the time to prove it. Which way do we head?”


Applejack snorted and pawed the ground, stretching her legs out. “We’re heading straight out of town, RD. But if you want a direction, we’re heading north west from here!” With that, she took off and quickly built to a full gallop.

"You said something about Apple Bloom leaving you a sign? What do they look like? " She looked down at the fast moving earth pony. Come on, Rainbow, keep up. This isn’t just another race. Remember: Scootaloo is with Apple Bloom!

“Should be broken branches pointing in the direction they’re heading, and if I know those three, look for wagon wheel marks as well!”

Rainbow Dash nodded, her eyes scanning for broken branches or wheel tracks. "Smart little filly you have for a sister, AJ." She considered with a smirk. “I guess you’re pretty bright, too.”

Applejack shook her head with a worried chuckle as they found the first broken branch. “Well, at least we know we’re on the right track. Let’s go Rainbow!”





Twilight had finally run out of tears yet was still curled up in a fetal ball, staring at nothing, when her eyes saw a dark shadow right outside. Let me out, please! I can help you! I swear! I can help you, Chrysalis!

“Oh Twilight, you never tire of that phrase, do you? Don’t worry, Twilight Sparkle. You will help us, but not with those silly negotiations you ponies are so fond of! You, Twilight Sparkle, will help me destroy Equestria, and you will enjoy every moment of it!” Chrysalis smiled while placing a hoof on the cocoon almost tenderly.

Destroy Equestria? Never, that’s just not possible! I-isn’t it? Twilight closed her eyes and shivered. How long had she been in this pod… It seemed like forever and no pony had ever come for her. She shook her head, forcefully ridding herself of the very idea.

Chrysalis chuckled. “Oh, my dear innocent Twilight Sparkle, do you truly believe I will tell you my entire plan? This isn’t some novel where you are the hero, you foolish pony!”

Please, you have to release me! It’s not too late; if you let me go, I’ll vouch for you to the Princess! You won’t be in any trouble, I swear! I promise! Twilight put a hoof to the pod, hoping to appeal to any conscience Chrysalis might’ve possessed.  

“Oh Twilight Sparkle, you say it’s not too late. But, it is far too soon...” Chrysalis lowered her hoof from where it had briefly pressed against Twilight’s.

What are you doing to me? Tell me! Twilight thrashed wildly before quickly losing strength once more. The ‘fight or flight’ instinct only lasted so long.

“No. I don’t think I will until I’m ready, and by then it will be too late! Too late for you and for Equestria!” Chrysalis chuckled and licked her fangs as she envisioned what was to come.

... The cocoon wiggled and jerked for a few moments then stopped. A-alright, but at least tell me about this place? I am a scientist, after all, so, um... p-professional curiosity?

“Clever child,” Chrysalis amusedly murmured.

Well? Twilight asked, hopeful that if she had to be stuck in this pod, then maybe she could become the leading pony expert on changelings.

“What do you know about our race, Twilight Sparkle?” Chrysalis asked a moment later as she got comfortable.

I… well, nothing to speak of actually, except that Cadance said you eat love? Twilight felt rather silly admitting that was all she knew.

“That is correct. But our tribes once ruled much of this world. Pegasi, Unicorns, and Earth Ponies all bowed to us.” Chrysalis grinned in remembrance.

I'm sorry… what? I-I know I haven’t read all of known pony history, but I-I’m certain that would have bee—

“I’m sorry. Did I stutter? I said that in the past every pony in the world bowed before my ancestors. Mightier than the pegasi legions! Our magic more powerful than the unicorns... and then, of course, the mud ponies... Terrified little ponies begging for our blessings so they could live their pathetic little lives!” Chrysalis sneered, relishing in the hate she was feeling. Such a pungent taste.

They are not called mud ponies! Twilight bared her teeth. They are earth ponies and you know it!

“Earth ponies? Mud ponies! No real difference... And you know very well in your precious Canterlot, oh so many of your fellow unicorns use exactly the same term for those wretches of the dirt.” Chrysalis licked her lips, her horn glowing and drawing in the strong emotions emanating from the pod.

I don't! I love all ponies… I do... Twilight trailed off in thought.

Chrysalis snorted as she felt Twilight’s hesitance. “Clean up your own kind before you prattle your nonsense to me, child! At least we are not guilty of base hypocrisy!”

I am unable to deny that you are correct… Twilight curled up a bit, remembering her thoughts directed against that earth pony doctor. Sh-she didn’t think she was a tribalist, did she?

“One tribe, one mind, one goal, one path! That is the essence of our kind from prehistory, even before your mighty Celestia. We have lived that creed and broken the lesser ponies to our will. Playing one greedy tribe against another or a young lord against his master.“ Chrysalis chuckled.

I… I see. I think. Twilight put a hoof to her chin in thought, wishing she had a roll of parchment at the ready. Taking a deep breath, she calmed her emotions. Isn't that… ruthless?

Chrysalis bared her fangs. “Finally, you have begun to understand! Their is hope for you yet, child!”

Twilight frowned, her scholarly thoughts forgotten as she felt a cold chill run down her spine at being referred to as child. But I'm not a ruthless pony!

“Not yet,” Chrysalis stated in a singsong manner.

Twilight kicked her back legs out hard, trying desperately to get loose from her bindings. Let me go! Let me GO!

“Temper, temper! Such anger towards the best friend you have in the world!” Chrysalis tsked as she shook her head. She’d sip the hate, but she and the hive were stuffed from all the emotions Twilight had been radiating.

The cocoon turned a brilliant white for a split second, surprising Chrysalis. It made her grin. Such power you will have, child

YOU ARE NOT MY BEST FRIEND!

“I will be.” Chrysalis locked her fangs, rubbing her bloated belly. She was going to need to leave or all this hate would make her ill.

I'm ignoring you now… I won’t let you get to me like that again!

“As you wish, my dear.” Chrysalis walked out with a smirk as Twilight curled into a ball, crying once more.
	
	
	
	
> Chapter Three
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash swooped down to fly right above Applejack’s head. “I spotted them, they’re hiding behind a large boulder. About a quarter mile from here.”

Applejack gave a nod. “Dash, you fly there and find out what is going on. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” 

Rainbow Dash gave a small salute before tearing off towards where she had just spotted the Crusaders. After about a minute of a brisk flight, she landed silently behind them and frowned; they seemed to be staring at a small opening in the cliff face. She have a snort to get their attention, and when that failed, she sighed. “What in the name of the Princesses are you three doing here, huh?" 

The three fillies jumped and turned, Scootaloo’s eyes lighting up as she raced over to Dash straight away, only to hide under her wing. “Oh, Rainbow Dash! We’re so glad you came and found us! You gotta do something!”

“Woah, Squirt, calm down! Tell me what’s going on!” Rainbow Dash looked to the other two fillies, hopeful they’d be less panicky. 

Sweetie Belle glanced back to where the small opening was. “Ms. Twilight went in there, Rainbow Dash. We watched it as it happened a-and there were changelings there, too! It was like they were expecting her!”

Rainbow Dash followed Sweetie Belle’s line of sight and stared, mouth slightly open. After a few moments, she shook her head. "That can’t be right! I mean yeah, Twi’s an egghead willing to study just about everything, but those things almost destroyed her brother’s wedding! There is no way she would come out here willingly."

Scootaloo scooted from under Rainbow Dash’s wing so she was able to look her in the eye. “We’re being honest, Rainbow Dash! But I dunno if she came willingly or not. She was acting really weird the whole time here. She even galloped at top speed only stopping once and we heard her talking to herself like there was somepony else there. She kept saying she was going as fast as she could, but that she needed to rest. It was kinda scary. And I know Sweetie said that the changelings were waiting for her here but they didn’t act like they were welcoming a friend or anything. It was almost like they were arresting her and she had just turned herself in.”

Rainbow Dash chewed her lip as she considered what Scootaloo had just told her—she didn’t like it not one bit. Was Twilight a changeling or working with them? "So… they took her in that hole against her will, Squirt?" Rainbow struggled to keep her emotions from her face Don’t assume anything until you know all the facts Dash.

Scootaloo squirmed under Rainbow Dash’s intense stare, trying to think of the best way to explain what she saw. “Well like… like a fish!”

“A fish? What do you mean a fish?” Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes and Scootaloo nodded eagerly.

“Like when you are fishing and the fish is reeled in but as you pull it out of the water it fights a lot! It was like that!”

Rainbow Dash stared at Scootaloo and subconsciously chewed her bottom lip. Doesn’t sound like Twi came here by choice… She shook her head as she heard the sound of hooves galloping towards them. Applebloom looked up, a grin on her muzzle.

“It’s Applejack! I told you she’d come!”

Applejack came to a quick stop as she spotted Rainbow Dash’s wing gesturing towards her. “You found them! Thank Celestia they are ok!” She pulled Applebloom into a tight hug before bringing a hoof down onto her head “What in Tartarus were you thinking vanishing like that anyways? We didn’t know where you went or why! Do you have any idea how terrified we all were do yah?”

Applebloom gulped and looked up into her older sister’s furious eyes. Her back legs ached like nothing she had ever felt before from all the bucking she had done in the last several hours. Tears ran down her cheeks and she sniffed. “But we didn’t have time to let anypony know! Ms. Twilight was acting so funny and when she took off she went fast and she didn’t stop! I hurt so bad an an she went in there and she hasn’t come back out! We’ve been watching for four hours now!” Applebloom lowered her head and began to bawl as she felt hooves wrap around her tightly. She looked up to see Applejack smiling down at her gently, brushing her mane from her eyes.

“You did fine, Bloom, I’m awful proud of you and your friends. Now you three take a breather. Rainbow and I will figure out how to save Twi.” Applejack released Applebloom from the embrace and started forward determinedly before Scootaloo dashed in front of her.

“Wait a second, Applejack, Rainbow Dash. Watch!” Scootaloo picked up a small stone and with her tongue stuck out of her mouth hurled it as far as she could. Immediately eight changeling drones flew out of the small opening and peered around their wings buzzing. After a few moments of the five ponies staying silent pressed against the rock they heard a screech which was obviously an all clear call. 

Scootaloo fell onto her haunches shivering her small wings wrapping around herself. “They never leave…”

Applejack sighed, slumping for a moment before adjusting her hat until it was straight. She looked Rainbow Dash in the eye. “Well, were just gonna have to find another way in aren’t we, Dash?”

Rainbow Dash released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She glanced up at the sky, trying to judge the time it was. Around one in the afternoon from what she could tell at least. “They should be changing the guard at any moment if they are anything at all like normal ponies. During that switch off we should take the chance to find Twilight.” She shivered her wings slumped “We have to be serious careful though AJ remember those things seem to be linked some how. If we run into even one of them the whole hive of them will know we're here.”

Applejack nodded firmly in agreement before closing her eye and perking her ears. “I need you all to stay silent until I say so understand?”

“We gotcha, sis, I promise.” Applebloom whispered as they all watched Applejack slowly walk away from the boulder they were hiding behind after a few moments she nodded and returned back to the boulder. “I’m pretty sure I found another way in, Rainbow.”

“Another way in? But all you were doing was walking around with your eyes closed. Sorry if I’m not sure I fully believe you!” Rainbow dash sighed glancing back upwards it’d be anytime now.

Applejack snorted. “Pegasi always thinking either up or down. I heard water flowing into the cliff face.”

Rainbow stared and blinked cluelessly. “You lost me. What is there a river inside the cliff or something?”

Applejack rubbed her forehead with a shake of her head. “Not exactly. What it means is that where the water is entering the cliff there is likely to be an opening. And even more likelier is that it won’t be guarded.”

Rainbow blinked before nodding a sad smile on her face. “Yeah and that may be our best chance to find Twilight. But what do we do with these three?”

Applejack glanced down at the three fillies. While it was true they never would've found where Twilight had gone without them, she sure as hay wasn’t going to let them come into the hive with herself and Rainbow Dash. Her eyes searched for a safe place for them before spotting a small alcove of trees. “You three go over there and wait for us. Big Mac should’ve gotten the girls and Spike and sent them after us. If they get here before we come back out tell Spike to write the princess understand?”

The three fillies nodded, relieved they would not have to go any farther.

Rainbow Dash steadied herself, releasing a small snort as she psyched herself up. “Go on, you three, get over there to safety quickly.” She watched with satisfaction  as Sweetie Belle and Applebloom got back into the wagon while Scootaloo opened her small wings with a wince and gave a mighty buzz—moving them swiftly towards the safety the trees would give them. 

Applejack stood next to Rainbow Dash, watching until the Crusaders were neither within sight nor sound. “You think they’ll be alright, Rainbow?” She glanced over as Rainbow Dash didn’t say anything before turning and walking towards where Applejack had heard the water. 

Applejack trotted beside her silently as Rainbow places a wing on her back. “We can’t go in there worried about those three, so yeah, they’ll be fine, AJ.” She cracked a smile before both of them fell silent again their emotions hidden as they found a small pony sized hole in the rock face where a small stream was flowing through. They nodded to each other and wiggled through the hole making sure not to splash the water. They followed the stream for only a few hundred feet when they came across a large unguarded cavern. 

Applejack stood back while Rainbow took a look into the cavern her eyes narrowed. “AJ, you need to see this.” 

Applejack took one more careful look around before she came to stand next to Rainbow. She immediately saw why Rainbow spoke so urgently. In the middle hanging from the ceiling was a familiar green pod.

“It’s like that thing that the changeling queen put Princess Celestia in, AJ.” Rainbow whispered her eyes locked on the pod.

Applejack nodded before licking her bottom lip. “You think… maybe that’s where they have Twi?”

Rainbow pawed the ground and shrugged. “I think we need to take a closer look.”





Twilight forced her eyes open the green goo had started to clump to her fur making it more difficult to move as time passed. Everytime she allowed her eyes to close, it took longer and more force to reopen them. Weakly, she kicked out her back leg jostling her prison.

Applejack’s eyes narrowed as the green cocoon twitched. She crept closer and placed a forehoof onto it. “Twi, Are you in there? It’s Applejack. Rainbow is here to.” 

Twilight’s ear flicked. No, it… it must be a trick. But, what if it’s her trying to break me further? Oh please AJ let it be you! Twilight gathered the remains of her strength and kicked out her back legs.

Applejack felt rather then saw the response from Twilight’s cocoon. “Alright, just calm down, Twi, we’re going to get you out. On the count of three i’m going to buck you right out of this thing.”

Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath bracing herself to hit the ground. Oh please let me be head up!

“One, two, three!” Applejack bucked the bottom of the pod as hard as she could and was rewarded with what sounded like the cracking of an egg before a slime covered pony crashed to the floor laying on their side. She stood back nervously waiting for the pony to do something. Her eyes searched for anything that would tell her this was Twilight. Horn was visible but the color hidden. With a frown she reached out and scraped away the green goo covering the limp pony’s cutie mark. Her breath caught as Twilight’s starburst was revealed. 

Twilight twitched at the touch then stopped moving. 

Applejack watched in horror  as Twilight just laid still before her—the goop dripping onto her head. “Please Twi…” She nudged her side with a hoof. “Come on, you gotta move! We need to get out of here!” 

Rainbow trotted over to stand next to Applejack and glanced down at the non moving pony. “Come on, Egg head, we know you are tired but this isn’t the place to take a nap.”

Twilight continued to lay there on her side still. 

Applejack nudged her side harder. “Twilight, please!” She stared at her unmoving friend “Please we can’t leave you here! Please!”

There was a sound that sounded like a soft crackling before Twilight began vomiting up what seemed to be gallons of the green goo that covered her body. She trembled violently  as she heaved. 

Applejack and Rainbow Dash watched as Twilight stopped heaving, her chest shakily rising with a hesitant breath. Slowly, her breathing regulated and Applejack wiped a tear away before laying on her belly. 

“Rainbow, come on we need to get Twilight out of her help me get her onto my back.” Slowly, she wiggled her head under Twilight’s side so not to jostle her.

Rainbow Dash nodded and helped get Twilight safely onto Applejack’s back so her head was laying against Applejack’s neck. “Alright, AJ, she’s as secure as I can get her.” She laid a hoof on Twilight’s foreleg. “It’s alright ,Twi, we’re getting you out of here… Do what you can to help AJ though okay? Like try and hold onto her?”

Slowly, Applejack felt Twilight’s hooves squeeze her barrel and she smiled. “Thanks, Twi. Just hold on now!” 

Applejack left the cavern at a fast trot followed by Rainbow Dash who had taken to the air so as to better be able to spot and approaching changelings. Luck was with them though as they reached the hole in the wall without even hearing a single hoofstep. 

Rainbow Dash landed without a sound and nodded to Applejack “You and Twilight go out first. Run for the tree line and don’t stop. I’ll be right behind you.”

Applejack snorted and jostled Twilight a touch to get her better situated. “You better, RD. Alright, Twi, hold tight!” 

She squeezed through the small hole, being mindful  not to bump Twilight into anything before racing towards the trees. She stopped as soon as she saw the Crusaders. A moment later, Rainbow Dash landed—folding her wings against her barrel. Applejack laid down on the grass and carefully rolled Twilight off of her back so that she could lay comfortably in the grass.

Scootaloo hesitantly approached Twilight and wrinkled her nose. “She looks worse than the time the three of us ate chili dogs and rode the Roller Coaster at Rocking Point!”

Rainbow Dash turned towards Scootaloo with a half hearted chuckle. “Well, Scoots, if you had been in a changeling pod I doubt you’d look great either.”

Scootaloo nodded and continued to stare the other two joining her. “What do we do now? I mean it won’t be easy to move her and we’re hours from home!”

Applejack chewed her lip considering until she noticed Twilight was no longer taking slow but regular breathes. Her mouth remained open and her body twitched.

“Oh no, Rainbow I think something is caught in her throat! You had to learn the heimlich, right?” Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash who was already lifting up Twilight in her hooves

Rainbow simply nodded before thrusting under Twilight’s rib cage with her hoof 4 times in quick succession before Twilight coughed out a large wad of hardened goo. 

Twilight took several deep breaths before prying her eyes open a green sheen covered them but she could easily see Applejack standing in front of her and feel Rainbow dash’s hooves around her “Rai… Jack... Tha… you.” She felt so tired but forced herself to keep her eyes open as she was laid back on the soft grass.

Applejack felt like her muzzle might crack from the grin covering it. “Don’t just thank us, Twi’, The crusaders were the ones who followed you. If it wasn’t for them I don’t know if we ever would of… I mean they… They are the real heroes, Twi.”

Twilight slowly moved her eyes to taken in the image of the three fillies almost smiling she stared at them her muzzle weakly opening and closing “Tha… save…. girls.”

Applebloom pawed at the floor a blush covering her cheeks. “Well, we had to, Twilight! We had to make sure you were alright!”

Twilight’s lips moved in response as she relaxed. After a moment she felt a weight lay next to her. Seeing Applejack’s blonde mane next to her, she wiggled her body closer. “Earth pony, the loving… pony,” she quietly mouthed.

Applejack nuzzled to Twilight’s mane “Unicorns, the magic pony.” 

Twilight moved her eyes as she felt a weight on her back and noticed a rainbow mane.

Rainbow put her muzzle to Twilight’s ear so only she and Applejack could hear. "Pegasus, the flying pony.”

Applejack snorted. “Well then, flying pony, why don’t you go find the girls and Spike. I want to get Twi’ home as soon as we can and neither you nor I can carry her!”

Rainbow Dash stood up and stretched out her wings. “I’m gonna need a second pair of eyes. Come on, Squirt, you’re with me.”

Scootaloo stared up at her “Huh me? But, Rainbow Dash, I don’t think I can even move my scooter!” She buzzed her wings twice, weakly “I-I’m sorry…”

Rainbow Dash grinned. “Who said anything about your scooter?” She laid down on her belly “Hop on!”

Scootaloo lit up and climbed onto Rainbow Dash’s back and wrapped her hooves around Rainbow’s neck. “Alright i’m ready!”

Rainbow Dash spread her wings, then with a mighty flap she took to the air, flying as fast as she safely could with her passenger. Both of them scanned the ground for a group of very familiar ponies.

“There! Rainbow Dash I see them down there!” Scootaloo cried out pointing at the ground where Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were galloping along the marked path Applebloom had left. Spike was riding on Rarity’s back holding tight.

Rainbow Dash nodded and carefully angled her wings into a dive landing right in front of Fluttershy. Hoping they would notice her and stop. The three ponies tried to stop but ran into each other and wound up in a pile. “Ugh! Come on guys not now!”

They managed to pull themselves out of the pile and Fluttershy raced to Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow! Where is Twilight? Is-is she?” Fluttershy bit her lip as she tried not to think of the worse.

Rainbow grinned at her friends. "We got her, she's safe now!” She frowned, biting her lip. “But, shes not doing so well shes really weak. Can hardly talk or move.”

“What happened?” Rarity questioned trotting forward her legs were speckled with mud but she didn’t even seem to notice Spike stood up on her back wringing his claws as Rainbow Dash hesitated.

“I well that… s-she was in a changeling pod.” Rainbow blurted out.

“That’s horrible!” Rarity gasped.

“Are you sure she’s alright?” Fluttershy’s ears pinned back.

“Do you think she’ll want a party? Princess Celestia never let me throw her a “I was in a changeling pod and survived party!” Pinkie bounced a bit in place.

“Twilight…” Spike stared at the ground

“We found a clearing in a small forest near the changeling hive. She’s there with Applejack and the other crusaders follow me!” Rainbow Dash took  back to the air careful to fly slow enough for them to follow her.





Twilight stared longingly at the stream they were laying beside. “Wa...tr.”

Applejack’s ears twitched at the small whisper “Water? Are you thirsty, Twi’?” She moved enough so that she could look into Twilight’s eyes they moved from looking at Applejack back to the water. 

“Ple?” Twilight gasped out her mouth and throat so dry it hurt.

“Applebloom do you still have a cup from your lunch?” Applejack asked already walking towards the red wagon searching through the garbage of their lunch she found a empty juice bottle. Carefully carrying it in her teeth she dipped it into the stream gathering a small amount of water. “Applebloom!”

Applebloom jumped at Applejack’s loud voice. “I’m sorry Sis I was… I was thinking.”

Applejack shook her head and smiled. “Don’t worry about it I found something but may I borrow your ribbon?”

“My… my ribbon? What do you need my ribbon for, Applejack?”

Applejack sighed. “Applebloom do you see how weak Twi is?” At seeing her little sister’s nod Applejack undid Applebloom’s ribbon and dipped it into the bottle of water. “She isn’t going to be able to drink like normal so i’m going to let her suck the water out of your ribbon.”

Applebloom’s ears pinned back, realizing just how weak Twilight was. “Sweetie come on we can help! Lets wash that gunk off of her.” 

Sweetie Belle nodded and grabbed the cloth napkins from their lunches, handing one to Applebloom. They soaked them in the stream and began to carefully wash the hardening goo off of Twilight’s coat, while Applejack allowed Twilight to suck all the water she desired from the ribbon. After about five minutes, Twilight finally stopped.

“Twi’, those fillies aren’t scrubbing you too hard are they?”

Twilight shook her head feeling her strength starting to return “No, in fact I think that the ichor had a paralyzing or weakening effect. The more that is washed off the better I’m feeling.”

Applejack grinned “Well how bout that you’re even talking better!”

Twilight simply smiled allowing Sweetie Belle and Applebloom to finish washing the hard ichor off of her. “She was saying things to me Applejack.”

Applejack laid back down next to Twilight and nuzzled her “Her? You mean that giant bug? What’d she say?”

Twilight opened her mouth to tell Applejack everything when a fierce buzzing filled her head and one word rang out NO. “I… I can’t remember, I’m sorry Applejack, it must be something in the goo. I just remember it was bad.”

Applejack opened her mouth to comment just as Rainbow Dash landed followed quickly by the rest of their friends galloping into the clearing. Applejack sighed at the sight of them “Oh Thank Celestia!”

Fluttershy rushed to Twilight’s side, giving her a quick exam as the others watched not sure what to do. After several tense moments she turned to Spike “We need Princess Celestia or Princess Luna Spike. She’s suffering from exposure and something else. I’m not sure what she at very least needs to be in bed.”

Spike nodded and took out a piece of parchment and frantically began to write thankful that Celestia could track his letters. He rolled the parchment and breathed a plume of green flame over it. Hopeful she’d come quickly. He hopped off Rarity’s back and walked slowly to where Twilight was watching him and wrapped his arms around her neck.

“I’m sorry Twilight! I never should have gone to Canterlot with you as sick as you were please forgive me!” He buried his face into her gooey mane sobbing

“Always… you don’t need to ask my number one assistant.” Twilight nuzzled into him weakly

A bright light filled the clearing as if a small sun had just appeared it quickly died down to reveal a concerned looking Celestia who carefully lifted Twilight and Spike onto her back with her magic she glanced back to make certain they were both safe then turned to the remaining ponies. “Luna is on her way with several guards and chariots. Stay here they will bring you to the palace.” With that she vanished from sight as the clearing filled with the bright light once again.  
	
	
	
	
	
> Chapter Four
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight clung to Celestia’s back, her body feeling like jelly, burying her face into Celestia’s neck as they appeared on the balcony of Canterlot Palace. The sound of galloping hooves caused her ears to perk up as her eyes slid closed. The cries of worried guards became muddled as she sank into the slumber that only relief after a terrifying experience can bring.





Celestia felt Twilight slump against her neck as her personal doctor’s magic wrapped around her still form. “Gently, Doctor Steady Hoof. My precious student has been through more than you or I could ever imagine.”

“Of course, Your Highness. I will be as gentle as I can be. Nurses?” He glanced over to where the two mares were waiting with a litter. “Come as close as you are able to, so we may slowly lower Lady Sparkle onto it. Once she is secure we’ll be headed to Exam Room Three, Your Highness.” He watched as his nurses crept closer to the Princess, but stopped a pony’s length from her. Doctor Steady Hoof had to resist bringing his hoof up to his face.

“I’m afraid the doctor needs you a bit closer, my little ponies.” Celestia smiled as her horn lit up, pulling the two mares closer until they were pressed up against her barrel. So close were they to her that she could feel their hearts pounding in their chests. “Alright, Doctor.” Celestia nodded her head as Twilight was lifted off her back and slowly settled onto the litter. “I’ll follow after in a few moments.” She glanced back at where Spike was sitting, trembling on her back. “Spike, do you want to go to the kitchen and wait for Luna to bring the rest of your friends?”

Spike took hold of his tail, squeezing it. “I... would Twilight be upset with me for leaving her alone?”

Celestia sighed softly before she nuzzled his neck. “No, I think she’d be relieved that you were there to let your friends know that she is getting a checkup, and is in the best hooves Equestria has.”

The smile Spike gave Celestia didn’t quite reach his eyes, but it was enough for now as he slid down her back leg. “Oh Spike, please ask Luna to come find me once she arrives if you would?”

Celestia smiled as Spike appeared to mature before her eyes as he brought his right claw up over his eyes. “You can count on me, Princess! I won’t let you or Twilight down!” With that, he took off, opening the door to the castle proper. Celestia watched the closed door for a few more moments before she closed her eyes and calmed her anger. Chrysalis, if you thought I was angry for what you did to my niece…






Twilight’s eyelids twitched as she slowly regained consciousness, feeling a cool cloth wiping at her forehead. A burble of contentment escaped her lips as her eyelids fluttered open to reveal Princess Celestia sitting on her haunches next to Twilight’s bed. It seemed she was in a hospital bed. She glanced over as Celestia dipped the cloth in the bowl of cool water before wringing it out. “Pr-princess?”

Celestia gasped, the cloth falling into the bowl as she turned to regard her now-awake student. She slowly nuzzled her cheek. “Oh Twilight, you gave me such a scare, my faithful student! The doctors were healing you for over two hours. You must have expelled a liter of that green goo. You’ve been asleep for over five hours.”

Twilight blinked, her muzzle scrunched up. “S-shouldn’t you be at court, Princess? I mean, shouldn’t a nurse be caring for me?”

Celestia chuckled. “Oh, Twilight, there aren’t many reasons I dismiss the Solar Court, but with Luna returning and needing my comfort and love, the wedding of my dear niece Cadance, and now you being injured... Twilight, you, my dear little pony, are far more important than any day at court. Now…” She pulled back, her smile suddenly gone. “Shall we discuss why it is you decided to break into the forbidden archives and “borrow” the scrying spell?”

Twilight swallowed hard as she attempted to look anywhere but into her mentor’s eyes. Unfortunately, much like when she was a small foal and in trouble, Celestia was easily able to capture Twilight’s eyes. “I… I thought I got in without making the alarm sound,” she finally stated, quietly.

“Twilight Sparkle, you have been my student since you were four years old, do you really think I would be so foolish as to only use an alarm which would alert anypony near by? My dear student, do you so easily forget the week you wore a bell around your neck?” Celestia shook her head. “Now, explain exactly what you were thinking.”

“I-I wanted to make sure she was really gone, Princess! I was in the bath after the reception and it j-just hit me that Chrysalis may not be as gone as we thought she was, and after… after messing up so badly and disappointing you...” Twilight didn’t notice Celestia’s ears pin back at the mention of her being disappointed, her eyes squeezed shut. “I couldn’t take it, I had to be sure! B-but something went wrong and she got in my head, and… and it just drove me mad until I couldn’t stand it! I went to her hive I… I went of my free will. I’m so sorry!” Twilight threw herself onto her belly, her hooves wrapping over her head.

Celestia took a deep breath; she couldn’t punish Twilight, she’d already learned her lesson… “Twilight, look at me.”

Twilight slowly moved her hooves and glanced up into Celestia’s eyes to see only love and forgiveness. “I think that we both were silly ponies, and you have certainly learned your lesson about using spells you don’t understand.” Twilight nodded eagerly with a small smile.

“Now though, I am going to ask you to stay here in the palace for a few days so the doctors can keep an eye on you, but I see no reason why you can’t relocate to your old room you had from before you moved to the observatory.” Celestia moved the blankets back with a smile, lifting Twilight onto her back. “I’m afraid I want to keep you close to me while you are here.”

Twilight nuzzled into Celestia’s neck, having fond memories of both being on Celestia’s back and of her old room. “Are my books still there?”

Celestia laughed. “Oh yes, exactly where you left them in your hurry to move to the observatory. Oh, just so you know, your friends are being shown around Canterlot by Spike. They’ll be back after they have dinner at the Galloping Mare. Your dinner will be delivered to you in bed, which is where you will stay until I raise the sun tomorrow morning.”

Twilight slumped with a sigh. “I understand, Princess, um…”

Celestia opened the door next to her own quarters and smiled. “Don’t worry, Twilight, the chef is making your favorite: a daisy sandwich and celery soup. Ah, here we are.” She pulled the star-covered blanket and sheet back, depositing Twilight on her back and tucking her in securely. “Now, you have a stack of books right next to you. If you need me just send out a flare.”

Twilight smiled as she snuggled into her pillow. “Okay, Princess, I will.”

Celestia headed back to the door and paused. “Oh, Twilight? One more thing.” She turned back to face Twilight, staring her in the eyes. “The next time you are worried or in trouble, come to me, no matter what, because I... “ Celestia swallowed hard as her voice trembled. “Twilight, you are so very precious to me, and I can’t bear the idea of losing you.”

“B-but Princess, I’m mortal; you will lose me someday.” Twilight’s ears pinned back. She knew that Princess Celestia was fond of her, but…

“Promise me, Twilight. Promise that you will come to me next time.” Celestia’s own ears were now pinned back and her mane almost seemed to be obeying gravity.

Twilight swallowed and nodded. “Y-yes, of course, Princess. I promise! I’ll come to you no matter what.” Celestia smiled and walked out of the room as Twilight sighed and fell back against her pillow. “...I wonder…” She shook her head, picking up the nearest book from the large stack.





Twilight was feeling pretty good. After being rescued by her best friends she was near Princess Celestia and had just eaten her favorite meal. Now she was curled up with one of her favorite books from her foal hood. She sighed happily. Not even punished, nothing can ruin this. A small burp escaped Twilight’s lips. Her cheeks flushed as she rubbed her belly. “Ugh… maybe my sandwich and soup was too much…” She clasped her hoof to her mouth as her meal fought to escape her belly. Unable to make it to the restroom she, grasped for the waste basket next to her bed expecting to fill it with her lunch, but her eyes widened as a sickly sweet liquid filled her mouth, causing her magic to flicker out in surprise. The waste basket clattered to the ground just as a jade green gel burst from her mouth, landing on the overturned waste basket and hardening almost immediately.

Twilight broke free from the gel and raced for the door, only to be stopped as she threw up more of the gel. This time it landed on the wall, pulling Twilight off her hooves. She whimpered, unable to break loose this time as the green gel began to leak from her nose, ears, and even her “unmentionable” area as she curled into the fetal position praying this was all a dream and Luna would wake her up.





Twilight pried her eyes open to see that her vision was once again covered in a green sheen. She squeezed her eyes shut to keep her tears from escaping. No, please no… it couldn’t have been a dream… I-I know they saved me. This is just a bad dream, I just need to wake up! She kicked her back legs as hard as she could, and to her surprise the green surrounding fell apart, landing on either side of her with a splat.

She slowly got to her shaking hooves, her eyes still tightly closed. It’s not real if I don’t open my eyes…

Twilight’s ear flicked as she heard a knock on the door, opening her eyes to see a young earth pony maid walk in with a smile. “Lady Sparkle, I’m here to...to...” She stopped, her eyes wide as she suddenly ran from the room screaming. “Changeling! A changeling has replaced Lady Sparkle!”

Twilight’s eyes widened as she looked down to see holed black forelegs before falling down on her haunches. Several guards immediately entered her room with spears pointed at her. “Please, you have to believe me… I’m not a changeling! I’m Twilight Sparkle… Please wait!”

The guards didn’t move a muscle as they stared down at the trembling drone on the floor. After a few moments the sound of more galloping hooves was heard. “Captain Shining Armor has ordered that the drone be taken to the dungeons and placed in a holding cell immediately.”

Twilight moaned as two unicorn guards grabbed her in their magic and carried her from her room and down towards the one part of the palace Twilight had never ever even stepped hoof into. The two guards placed her in the holding cell, locking the cell door behind them as Twilight lay on the floor, trembling. “This isn’t happening, I just need to wake up… just wake up…”

She looked up at the sound of hoof steps to see a unicorn guard glaring down at her.


> Chapter Five
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight stood up on shaky legs and approached the bars to her cell, hopeful that she might be able to at least request an audience with Princess Celestia. She just had to be calm and clear headed. "Please! If you just get Princess Celestia, there’s a rational explanation!" 

So much for being calm…

The guard clenched his teeth together before firing off a blast of magic with his horn. “Shut up, you monster!”

Twilight flew back and slammed hard into the wall. She crumpled to the floor with a soft moan, gasping as she lifted a shaking hoof to touch her stinging, swollen left eyelid. Taking a brief moment of clarity, she felt three blisters forming around the stricken area. She winced as she tried to open her eye, quickly closing it again as the stinging overloaded her tolerance. Biting back tears, she shakily got to her hooves and walked back to the bars to face her jailer. "I beg of you—get Princess Celestia!"

“I said shut up, monster! We’re not as helpless as you think.” The guard snarled, his horn again glowing gray.

"Please, just listen to me! I'm not a changeling—I'm Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight looked up at him, a whimper escaping her lips. “You have to believe me.”

After a few moments the guard smiled and the cell door swung open. “I know one way to find out what you are!” He stepped into the cell, the door slamming shut behind him.

Twilight swallowed as she stared up at him. “H-how?”

“I’ll get you to tell me... and you’re gonna tell me everything.” The guard lowered his head to glare into Twilight’s remaining good eye. “And I mean everything.”

Twilight nodded quickly. “Of course! I'm Twilight Sparkle. My big brother is Shining Armor, and I'm Princess Celestia’s most prized and personal student. I-I’m also the bearer of the Element of Magic!”

The guard narrowed his eyes before striking her full across the face with the back of his hoof. “Try again, bug.”

Twilight’s yelped as her head snapped back from the force of the strike. She rubbed her tender face, the pain blossoming over her cheek and muzzle. “I’m not lying!” she cried. “I really am Twilight Sparkle. I-I live in Ponyville, and—”

As the second strike connected, she felt her cheek crack. A high cry escaped her, escalating into a continuous low whimper while she massaged the damaged bone. Twilight fell, staring at the floor as green ichor dripped out of her mouth. After a moment she spat out one of her fangs. With a shaky breath, she got back to her hooves, her muzzle trembling.

“I can do this all day, changeling.”

“I… I can't see out of my left eye. I-it’s hard to talk... I need a doctor. It hurts so much…” Twilight closed her eye tightly before letting out a sob. “Shining Armor… Please save me, BBBFF... save me.”

The guard raised his hoof for a third time, but lowered it as the dungeon door opened. A pegasus stallion walked in.

“Anything?” the new arrival asked.

Twilight’s aggressor shook his head. “Subject is uncooperative... to say the least.”

Having taken the precious seconds of distraction to compose herself, Twilight turned to the new guard. “Please get Shining Armor, I beg of you. My brother will be able to fix this. If I could talk to him for just a few minutes and answer some security questions, I know he will recognize me.”

The unicorn guard sneered. “Oh? You seem so sure of yourself, changeling. But answer me this: what if I told you it was Captain Armor himself who ordered us to do this?”

“I…” Twilight swallowed hard and shook her head vigorously. “No! Shining Armor would never do this! You must be lying. He’d only ever order somepony into holding! If he knew about what’s going on in here, he’d have you both replacing me in this cell.”

“Do you think us to be that stupid?” the guard asked. “You think we would give you a chance to let you play those games with the captain? Give you the chance to lie to and trick him?” With a snort, he turned his back to her.

Twilight watched as he turned away. Still massaging her cheek, she ignored her stinging eye and reached out to the guard. “I really mean it. If you’d just—”

The guard lifted his left hind leg and bucked in one fluid motion; Twilight’s tibia shattered under the impact, the sickening snap preceding her piercing screams.

“You really think we’re stupid don’t you, bug?” The pegasus guard snorted.

Twilight looked at him and hissed, baring her remaining fang before continuing to whimper and clutch at her ruined leg.

The unicorn lifted her into the air. “Let’s send a message that its Queen will feel!" he said, watching as Twilight squirmed in his magical grip, her good legs kicking out in hopes of catching his nose.

The pegasus grinned, his eyes roving over their captive. Green ichor oozed from her wounds as she struggled. “I like your thinking, Sergeant.”

Twilight ceased her flailing and whimpered, her good eye looking between the pair.

“Should we... blind it?” The pegasus guffawed at the sight of Twilight. She quickly shut her remaining eye defensively. 
“Hmmm... No, I want it to see what’s coming,” the unicorn stated after a few seconds of thought.

The pegasus rubbed his chin. A few seconds later, he narrowed his eyes and stared at Twilight’s wings, buzzing erratically. “What about those bucking noisy wings? I really hate that sound.”

“I already have the perfect tool for that.” The unicorn clopped his forehooves together, the sound echoing through the cell. “This won’t take long.”

Twilight whimpered, her every thought hanging onto hope of escaping this with her life and sanity intact. “L-listen… I’ll do anything you want, just… you don’t have to d-do this. There’s still time to g-get Shining Armor… or Cadance… or P-Princess Luna… or Princess Celestia!"

The unicorn glared at her, his eyes blazing. “Y-you bucking monster... My patience with you is wearing extremely thin. If you say their names one more time you will regret it—I promise you that, bug!”

Twilight opened her eye, seeing naught but pure venom in the stallion’s eyes. This might be my last chance... She swallowed hard, looked up, and took a deep breath.

"Princess Celestiaaaaaa! Princess Luna, heeeelp! Caaada—”

The unicorn bucked her with both hooves this time, smashing her square in the face. Had Twilight not been held in the air she would have collapsed to the ground; instead she just hung there motionless, coughing and moaning. Her remaining fang fell out of her mouth, a green ichor following it to the floor.

The dungeon door swung open. Through her haze of pain and disorientation, Twilight barely heard the sound of a third set of hooves entering the cell. She tried to focus as she heard the galloping stop.

“Reporting, Sir!”

Twilight opened her eye, seeing the newcomer gave a crisp salute. She recoiled as she saw a glint off of his feathers.

The unicorn guard pointed a hoof at the broken changeling. “This one’s an escape risk,” he growled. “We’d better do something about those wings, soldier!”

The new guard gave a crisp nod, spreading his wings to reveal the blades beneath his feathers.

Twilight’s heart hammered in her chest, her pupils shrinking to the size of the sweat beading off her forehead. Whimpering, unable to turn away, her breath caught in her throat as time seemed to slow. The blades came to rest at the ready, poised near her left wing and eager to taste blood.

“No… please… you don’t have to… don’t do this…” She eyed her captors, each smiling with a malevolent gleam in their eyes. “I don’t want to die…”

“Do it.”

“I don’t want to die… I don’t want to die…”

The pegasus slammed the blades together.

Twilight’s howl filled the dungeons as the cold, merciless metal shore through her frail, sensitive wings, green liquid dripped from the fresh incision. She looked down, sobbing at the sight of her wingtip—still twitching—on the floor.

“I don’t want to die. P-please… I don’t want to d-die…”

“Then drop the charade!” the unicorn yelled, striking her in the stomach. Twilight gasped as she felt one of her ribs crack beneath his hoof. “Who are you really, and why are you here, scum? What is your plan?”

Twilight’s lip quivered, ichor still dripping from her open wound. “I t-told you alre-ready… I’m T-Twilight Sparkle… E-element bearer… Sister of S-Shining Armor… Please, I d-don’t want to die… I don’t want to die.”

The guard snorted and pulled his hoof back. “You’re a slow learner.” He looked to the pegasus again. “Lower, this time.”

“No! Don’t, please, d-don’t do it! I’ll do a-anything—”

“Anything except tell the truth, it seems,” the other pegasus said. He nodded at the blade wielder.

The dungeon filled with fresh screams and buzzing as the shears once more tore into Twilight’s wings. Her nerves were on fire, incinerating her pain receptors. Her eyes burned, hot tears were forcing their way through her ducts and pouring down her cheeks.

“Are you ready to be honest yet, filth?” the unicorn asked, pulling her in closer to his face. He pinned her legs together as he floated her within a foot of himself. “You can leave here either in pieces or in shards. Your call.”

“I don’t w-want to die… I don’t want to die… I don’t want to die...”

The blades moved toward her once again.

“I d-don’t want to die…”

The blades sheared through her wing as though it were paper.

“I don’t want t-to diiiiiiiiiiie!”

> Chapter Six
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia slowly sifted through her paperwork with an internal sigh. Though it had been three weeks since Cadance and Shining Armor had expelled Chrysalis and the changelings far from the city, she was still having to go through the bills, which ponies—Mostly the nobility, she thought with a snort—had submitted to the treasury department. So far, she had refused to not grant a single one no matter how suspect it seemed. She took a sip of tea and glanced outside. A few more minutes, then I’ll call it for the day and go check on Twilight. She heard rather than saw the young guard come in. She looked up as he paused in front of her. One of the newer recruits still mainly used for delivering messages.

“Yes? What is it, Falling Rain?” Celestia smiled down at the startled pegasus, who snapped to attention.

“Princess, fifteen minutes ago a changeling of some type was found within the room where you placed Lady Twilight Sparkle earlier this evening. The changeling was removed to a holding cell, but there is no sign of your student at this time. Captain Shining Armor is preparing a rescue mission for his…” The young guard trailed off as he watched Celestia jerk to her hooves.

“Where, where did the guard take her?” Celestia felt as if her heart had stopped. What did you do to her, Chrysalis… what did you do to my precious student? There was no doubt in her mind that the pony she had tucked into bed had been Twilight. Changelings might think they were good pretenders, but after how badly their queen pretended to be Cadance… “Where did they take Twilight?” Celestia asked again, her voice raising in volume as the recruit trembled a bit.

“A-as I said, Your Highness, the captain believes that his sister is still being held at the changeling—” He looked up to see Celestia’s lips drawn into a firm line. “I… th-the drone was taken down to a holding cell on the order of Captain Armor. I believe Sergeant Sunbeam Fireside is guarding her along with Sergeant Thundersky Strike and private Tranquil Breeze.”

Celestia left the throne room at a quick pace. But paused as she heard a scream seeming to come from right under her hooves.

”I don’t want to die!”

Celestia’s eyes widened. Twilight! Even with the natural reverberations that changeling voices had, it was easy for her to recognize that voice. Without another thought, Celestia’s whole body began to glow with the power of the sun and she vanished to appear between the guards and Twilight. Her horn glowed, snatching Twilight from Sunbeam’s hold then she placed her sobbing bleeding student on her back. Her eyes narrowed on the three ponies, fire in her eyes ready to…

”...Princess…”

No, deal with them later! Twilight needs you now! Celestia stepped out of the holding cell before allowing the door to slam shut upon the three guards still within. “You will remain in here until I return.” She didn’t await an answer as she vanished once more to appear in the medical wing. “Doctor! I need a Doctor!” As she heard the sound of galloping she gently lifted Twilight from her back laying her on the hospital bed. The very one she had taken Twilight from only hours ago. 

Twilight’s right eye opened and rolled over to see Celestia next to her. ”Pr—” Celestia hoof gently touched her bruised and bleeding muzzle. 

“No, Twilight, don’t speak… I’m here,” Celestia whispered forcing her voice to stay calm as she gazed at Twilight’s now blue orb. She kept her gaze on Twilight’s right eye as her magic reached into Twilight’s brain healing any minor damage those… that they may have done to her and clouding any memories she had of it. 

Twilight’s expression appeared to relax as she entered into an almost trance. The Princess is here… Her horn began to glow a light green as Celestia’s love fed her, keeping her conscious.

Celestia felt what was almost akin to a nuzzle as she glanced down at Twilight to see her horn glowing. She must be feeding on my love… Celestia forced down any feelings of disgust before they could reach her consciousness. This wasn’t Twilight’s fault and any love she was taking was love Celestia was willing to give her.

“Princess, I came as fast as I could what is going…” Doctor Steady Hoof stopped as he took in the sight. Princess Celestia had green ichor staining her back and cheek as she slowly nuzzled what had to be his patient on the hospital bed. He took a step closer to see the changeling drone lying there. One wing was missing while the other had been cut off about twenty five percent the way down it. Its right fore leg lay twisted on the bed obviously shattered. Its face was bruised and swollen ichor steadily dripping from both the mouth and nose. He took out his stethoscope and listened to its breaths to hear a small amount of hissing coming from the right lung.  “Nurse? I need the mobile X-Ray in here now. Along with five milligrams of morphine.”

The nurse nodded and quickly went to fetch what she was requested as Doctor Steady Hoof continued his exam. Surgery was going to be necessary, but he wasn’t certain how to get through that chitin that surrounded its back. He frowned and after feeling its neck for breaks gently rolled the changeling over to lie on its back ignoring the cry of pain and the bristling of his ruler. “I know it hurts, but I need to make certain I’m not missing anything, okay?” He didn’t wait for an answer as he took a good look at the underside of the changeling and quickly discovered two things: this changeling was a female, and the chitin seemed to have a almost invisible line where it connected the sides together. He closed his eyes for a moment before turning to his princess, intent on ordering her to the waiting room, but paused as he took a better look.

Celestia stood there her mane and tail limp obeying gravity for the first time he even knew of. She was watching the moaning drone with a single tear running down her cheek. “Twilight…” She squeezed her eyes shut as a small moan escaped her lips. 

Doctor Steady Hoof frowned. “Princess are you saying this is your student?” He saw her mutely nod and sighed. “Night Breeze!” he called out of the room. Within a few moments, the dark unicorn appeared.

“Yes, Doctor?” She walked in and took a look at the changeling laying on her back.

“Would you gather the test results that were run on Twilight Sparkle earlier today, please? I need the tests run on her blood especially.” He glanced up as the nurse returned with the mobile X-Ray. “Princess, I need you to step out of the room while we take the X-Rays.”

Celestia opened her mouth as if about to dismiss his order, but gave a short nod and stepped just outside the room along with Doctor Steady Hoof. “She is going to be alright, isn’t she?” 

Steady Hoof frowned. “Princess Celestia, I’ve never performed surgery on a changeling; I can’t promise anything. Yes, I know you say she is Twilight Sparkle, but she is still a changeling. I will do my best, though. I do need permission to do surgery, though.”

“You have it now.” Celestia followed Steady Hoof back into the room and smiled gently down at Twilight, who had reopened her right eye. “Twilight, Doctor Steady Hoof says you need to have surgery. I’ll be right here when you wake up. I promise.”

”Princess, I… what happened?” Twilight winced trying to lift her left foreleg to her muzzle.

Celestia gently restrained her foreleg. “Shh… It’s alright. We’ll talk about it later.” She smiled and gave her a small nuzzle as Steady Hoof placed a mask over Twilight’s muzzle.

“Alright, Twilight, count backwards from one-hundred.” He smiled as her right eye kept sight of Celestia.

“One hundred… ninety nine… ninety eight… ninety seven… ninety si…”

Steady Hoof nodded to Celestia as Twilight drifted off. “I’ll have a guard find you once she is out of surgery, Princess.”

Celestia nodded and her horn glowed before she vanished to appear in Shining Armor’s office to see he and Luna strapping on armor. “Pause. There is no need to go on a rescue mission right now. Twilight Sparkle is being taken into surgery.”

Shining Armor sits down hard on his haunches “Oh, thank Harmony. How did she get free of the hive?”

Celestia smiled placing a hoof on her new nephew’s shoulder. “I brought her back to the palace along with Spike hours ago, Shining Armor.” She saw him open his mouth and she shook her head. “If ever you are to believe me, Shining Armor, let it be this time. Luna?” She glanced over to where her sister was sitting by the window. “She is asleep. Will you keep her comfort?” 

“I will, Celestia. Why is she in surgery, though? I thought you had her resting?” Luna frowned, gazing into Celestia’s eyes. 

“Please, Luna, I’ll explain everything, but Twilight needs you… I-I was never able to master dream walking.” Celestia glanced at the floor.

Luna nodded. “Of course, sister, I’ll get to it. I’ll keep her calm and her dreams sweet.” She spread her wings and flew over to her observatory.

Celestia turned to Shining Armor, her expression blank. “Captain, what were your orders regarding the changeling drone found in Twilight Sparkle’s room?”

Shining Armor hesitated a moment before shaking his head. “I ordered the drone to be taken to a holding cell. I planned to question it later once Twilight was found.”

“So you did not order it… Good.” Celestia nodded. “Captain, follow me please.”

“Princess, what exactly is it I did not order?” Shining Armor hurried after Celestia, who was headed down toward the dungeons.

“The torture of your sister.” Celestia nodded to the guard, who opened the door to the dungeons as Shining Armor stopped in place. 

“M-my? That drone is Twily? W-why is she in surgery what’s going o—” Shining Armor stopped as they came to the holding cell, green ichor was all over the floor along with slices of a thin, fragile appearing wing on the floor. He swallowed back the bile that was building in his throat and walked to the door where three of his guard were sitting. “Atten hut!”

The three seemingly jumped to their hooves, standinging straight. Shining Armor took a long look at each of them. "When I sent a changeling drone into holding less than an hour ago, what exactly were my orders?"

“Sir, you told us to bring the drone to the holding cell… but!”

“Exactly. A holding cell. The drone was not guilty of anything but trespassing… Now you will stay within this cell until the drone is released from surgery at which point I promise you three will be charged, and at very least, dismissed from the guard.” With that firm statement, Shining’s horn glowed, lifting the key into the lock and turning it with a click.

Celestia waited by the exit to the dungeon her eyes closed until she felt Shining’s fur press against her own. “Come on. You and I can wait for her to leave surgery.”

“Isn’t there anything I can do for her… Anything?” Shining Armor looked up into Celestia’s eyes to see the tears trailing down her cheeks, matching his own. 

“Just love her. She is going to need our love, Shining Armor… All of our love.” With that said, Celestia’s horn glowed, teleporting them both to the waiting room to see Cadance already sitting there, a cup of coffee in her trembling magical grasp. 

Shining Armor ran over to her. “Cadance! Wh-what are you doing here?” He lifted her chin with his hoof to see his wife’s haunted expression.

“Aunt Luna sent a guard to bring me here… The nurse explained as much as she could… Night Light and Twilight Velvet should be here soon… I know Aunt Luna had a messenger colt sent to their home…” Cadance trembled in both horror and fear. “Is it true, Shiny? Is it true that your guard…”

Shining Armor nodded firmly. “Yes, I swear to you I never ordered it.” He stopped speaking as Cadance’s hoof pressed against his lips.

“I never even thought that… Never.” Cadance shook her head softly her coffee set on the small table as she wrapped her wings around his barrel. “She will need you…”

“She’ll need you too. Can you do this, Cadance? I… she looks...” 

Shining Armor squeezed his eyes firmly shut.

“She look like Twilight Sparkle if she had been born a changeling. She speaks like Twilight, she smells like Twilight, she acts like Twilight…” Celestia glanced toward where the operating theatre was. Before she turned back to the newly wed couple with a small smile. “She is Twilight Sparkle.”

Shining Armor smiled at his wife who nodded. “We can do this.”

Celestia sighed in relief as the door to the waiting room opened to reveal Doctor Steady Hoof. “The surgery is complete. I’m happy to report it was a success. Miss Sparkle will survive.” He coughed delicately. “She is likely to be ravenousness when she awakens. We have started the regeneration of her teeth, but that will take time so until they reform, I’m afraid she’ll need a steady changeling diet.”

“Of love,” a new voice that of a familiar female’s said. Celestia, Shining Armor, and Cadance turned to see Twilight Velvet coming in, followed by Night Light and Princess Luna. 

“That is what changelings need to survive, right? They need love. Funny we think that makes them so different from us, but does it really? Without the love of my family, I know I would wither until I was no more.” Twilight Velvet continued looking toward Doctor Steady Hoof. “So when am I allowed to see my daughter?”

“Ah… Miss?” Doctor Steady Hoof swallowed hard. It was true that the tests performed upon the drone’s ichor proved that she was in fact Twilight Sparkle. He still hadn’t come to terms with the fact…

“Twilight Velvet. I am the mother of Twilight Sparkle. I ask again: when may I see my daughter?” Twilight Velvet's eyes narrowed, as if daring the doctor to prevent her from seeing Twilight.

“A-anytime you are ready. I see you already are aware th—” Steady Hoof didn’t finish his thought as Twilight Velvet swept past him, a chair from the waiting room held in her magic heading straight to the recovery room as if drawn.

Velvet nosed to door open slowly and walked in, setting the chair down before turning her eyes to the bed. A gasp got stuck in her throat as she took in the sight. Her daughter’s beautiful mane was gone, replaced with a strange sail like ridge on the top of her head, a tube was down her throat assisting in her breathing, though Velvet was happy to see her chest rise and fall evenly under the white blanket. One of her forelegs was casted, being held up by a mechanism of some type. Twilight’s eyes were bandaged and Velvet was thankful the majority of her body was covered. Slowly, she moved closer and kissed Twilight’s swollen cheek her nostrils filled with the smell of lavender and parchment. 

“I’m here, baby. Momma is here now, and I love you so much, Twilight. I promise you… Nopony will ever hurt you again.”
	
> Chapter Seven
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia watched as Velvet headed back to Twilight’s recovery room, holding a leg out to block the others. “Just give Velvet a few moments alone.” She turned to doctor Steady Hoof with a small smile. “Thank you for saving my precious student. I do not think that I nor Twilight Sparkle’s family will be able to thank you.”
 
Night Light looked around the waiting room taking in the sight of his son and new daughter in law. He could see that Shining was trying to be strong but the haunted expression in his eyes was as plain as day, as was the small shiver that seemed to have a tight hold upon his daughter in law. “Doctor, will my daughter be hospitalized for very long?”
 
Doctor Steady Hoof hesitated before sighing. “That is difficult to tell... Mister?”
 
“Night Light. I’m Twilight Sparkle’s father.”
 
“Ah, yes. My apologies, sir. May we adjourn to my office to speak then?” Doctor Steady Hoof nodded towards a door across the room.
 
“Will we all fit in there?” Night Light questioned, taking in the size of three alicorns and three stallions. 
 
The doctor chuckled a bit nervously before shaking his head. “No, I suppose you are correct. I’m far too used to a family only being a mother and father, maybe a sibling or two. It’s not often my princesses are so involved, so let’s sit down here then.” 
 
After a few moments of getting comfortable, Doctor Steady Hoof sighed. “I’m not going to sugar coat this for you: Twilight is in bad shape. Even after surgery it’ll be touch and go for a bit. If I had more knowledge and understanding of a changeling’s system I’d feel more comfortable discussing an end result.” He shook his head. “But, that is information I just don’t have at this time. What I can tell you is that I did have to operate and repair a lacerated lung. While she was open I observed a few more small bits of internal bleeding, but none that needed repair. Her muzzle was broken in a few places but I’ve begun the spells to heal the bones, along with regenerating her fangs.” He took a moment to let all of the information sink in. “Her right foreleg was shattered in several places. I healed and set it the best I could, and for now it’ll remain in traction. 
 
As you all know, all changelings—we believe anyway—have wings. Captain, I’m afraid because of your guards that is no longer true for Twilight Sparkle. One wing was removed in its entirety and I was forced to remove the other during surgery to prevent infection.”
 
Shining Armor gritted his teeth and pawed at the couch, trying to keep his rage under control. “But, Twily... she’ll be alright now, won’t she?”
 
Doctor Steady Hoof hesitated. “I... yes, she’ll be alright now… physically, at least. You must understand, Captain, even before your sister was brought to me a second time I had already contacted one of my psychiatrist colleagues. No pony could have gone through what she had and not been at least a little traumatised. Now, though? I cannot say for certain that she’ll ever recover.”
 
An uneasy silence filled the room at the doctor’s revelation before a soft voice spoke up.
 
“She will. I’ve known Twilight since she was just a young filly, and she’s been able to do so much!” Cadance shook her head with an uneasy smile. “Being kidnapped? Turned into another species? T-tortured? Just a Tuesday morning for Twilight!” Cadance looked at her family, who were sitting in silence around her. “...Right?”
 
Celestia licked her lips before glancing at Luna. Her sister had not spoken since she arrived. “Luna?”
 
After a moment, Luna shook her head and opened her eyes, blinking a few times and causing the glowing white light that had filled them to dissipate. “My apologies, I was with Twilight studying changelings.”
 
A small chuckle escaped the group as they realized Cadance had been right. Celestia smiled. “My niece is correct, Doctor. While it is obvious that Twilight will need therapy, I know she will recover in time and with our love. Why don’t the three of you head into her room? Luna and I will join you momentarily.” 
 
After Twilight’s family had followed Doctor Steady Hoof down the hall, Celestia sat down next to Luna. “How is she really?”
 
Luna sighed before laying her head on Celestia’s shoulder. “It… it is bad, of course. Twilight Sparkle’s psyche remains whole, yet cracked. She will need all of her loved ones to remain with her to recover, and I have… fears.”
 
“Fears? What sort of fears do you have, Lulu?” Celestia laid her cheek on top of Luna’s head as she sighed.
 
“It is unlikely… no, I’d say impossible for Twilight Sparkle to regain her previous form. I would not even begin to understand how to start in fixing that without doing great harm to Twilight Sparkle. The things that mad queen did to her…” Luna shook her head “We should not even begin to try, sister.”
 
Celestia had already known deep within that the likelihood of her student returning back to her normal body was unlikely, but to hear it from another’s lips her heart sunk. “I had felt the same thing, unfortunately. Is there anything else?”
 
Luna nodded. “That queen tried to brainwash Twilight Sparkle to make her forget who she had once been. She failed so very spectacularly that I question it.”
 
Celestia frowned. “Luna, what is it exactly that you are questioning?”
 
Luna pulled back to look into Celestia’s eyes. “Tia, before… before I became the Nightmare, while we were separate many times, I discovered the race known as changelings. I believe I may have even befriended their queen. At the very least we enjoyed each other’s company and thought one another was interesting. She explained to me much of changeling culture. They are much like ants… termites even, in that they have a hive mind with one queen in charge. Drones have their own minds, yes… but the majority of the time they do only what the hive mind tells them to do; go there, guard this, capture that, sleep now. That sort of thing.”
 
“I think I understand a bit, but I’m afraid I’m not quite getting what you mean.” Celestia felt that she was missing something big, and this fear was realised as Luna sighed deeply.
 
“What is the point of brainwashing a drone that you just planned to control? She simply could have chosen to make Twilight Sparkle forget her old life once she had been transformed, so why try to do both at the same time?”
 
Realization slowly dawned on Celestia. A shiver traveled down her body as she licked her dry lips. “Because… she did not want Twilight as a drone. I saw at the invasion how large her hive was. She had no need for another mouth to feed.”
 
Luna nods. “She was not trying to turn Twilight Sparkle into a drone. She was turning her into a princess, a juvenile queen which she would then control.”
 
Celestia took a deep breath in at that statement. “They’ll come for her, then…” Her eyes narrowed. “Let them try! Do they think that because Twilight is a changeling now that we do not love her? That we will simply toss her out? No! Let them come, they will learn how beloved Twilight Sparkle is to us.”
 
“Well said, Tia, well said.” Luna smiled at her sister’s ferocity on the behalf of her student. “But come they will, and it will be good.”
 
Celestia blinked as her brow furrowed. “Good? Why would it be a good thing that changelings will be coming to take Twilight from us?”
 
Luna laughed and shook her head. “You misunderstand me, Sister. Right now Twilight is but a Princess, but she was badly hurt, and changelings have much in common with insects.”
 
“And that means what exactly, Luna?” Celestia shivered at the reminder Twilight was vaguely related to a bug.
 
“It means that once she regains enough strength she will molt, far faster than would have been necessary. That means when the Queen’s drones arrive to take Twilight Sparkle back, they will find another queen. A kind, gentle and loving queen. I have no doubt they will attach themselves to Twilight Sparkle instead of that witch who tried to take her from us, so as I said: let them come. It will only help protect Twilight.” Luna frowned. “However, for Twilight to begin her molt in time she will need to be stronger.”
 
Celestia stood up with a purpose and turned to head into Twilight’s room. “Well then, let’s go and help her to become stronger. The love I have for her—that her family has for her—will make her nice and healthy. I’m certain.”
 
Luna smiled, following after her sister. “Careful, Tia. We do not want to make her fat.”
 
Celestia paused and began to laugh, comforting tears running down her cheeks. She gathered control of her emotions just before she opened the door to Twilight’s bedroom to hear the small changeling in the bed give a muffled whimper.
 
“Just a moment, Twilight Sparkle. There is a tube down your throat…” Celestia slowly approached as she watched Doctor Steady Hoof remove the tube, causing Twilight to cough a few times and take a deep breath. 
 
“Princess?”
 
Celestia glanced to Twilight Velvet, who moved over a bit to make room for celestia next to her. “I’m here, Twilight. We are all your family, including Luna and myself. We’re here for you and you are safe. We love you so much, my faithful student.”
 
Twilight’s horn began to glow green as she murmured happily. None of the ponies in the room moved as Twilight fed on the room full of love. None of them felt drained at all as Twilight’s horn dimmed. “Love you…” A sigh escaped her bruised muzzle as she fell back into a now much more content sleep.
 
“Come on, Shiny, let’s let Twily sleep. You and I need to do some shopping.” Cadance smiled as she placed her lips on Twilight’s bruised cheek, leaving the gentlest of kisses. 
 
“Shopping? What type of shopping?” Shining glanced up from his sister to see his wife smiling affectionately.
 
“We don’t know how long poor Twilight will be in this place. The least we can do is make sure her room is filled with reminders of how much we love her. Night Light, Velvet, would you like to come with us?” Cadance trotted to the door, opening it with a glow of her horn.
 
Velvet shook her head. “Night, you go with the kids. Use the rainy day fund if you need to. She’ll want books, all different kinds… parchment quills... things to keep her busy.”
 
Celestia shook her head. “Don’t worry about bits, you three. All of this will be paid for by the crown. If we are already paying for damages done by the invasion, I see no reason why this does not qualify.” She cocked her head. “Are you sure you don't want to go with them, Velvet?”
 
“Yes, I need to stay in case my baby wakes up again and is hungry.” Velvet shook her head with a sad laugh. “I never thought I’d say that again once Twilight was weaned.”
 
Celestia hesitated as the others left. After all, what right did she have? 
 
“May… may I stay with you?”
 
Velvet smiled before moving to Twilight’s other side. “Of course. After all, Princess, you are as much her mother as I am… I’d never make you leave her side anymore than you would make me leave.”
 
Celestia glanced down and smiled at the little filly she had loved since the moment they had met. Velvet considered her as important to Twilight as herself… Another mother. “Thank you... “
 
Velvet just shook her head. Nothing more was said as the two mothers watched their daughter sleep, while Twilight’s horn still dimly glowed green and fed her while she rested..
> Chapter Eight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna slipped out of the room so as to not disturb her savior’s Mothers though she never had previously thought to include her sister in such a term it fit her. She shut the door lightly behind her and headed first for the barracks. “Senior Lt. Fire Mane I have need of thee. Walk with me.” 

The unicorn mare leapt to her hooves and kept in stride with Luna. She was a bit confused. Last she had heard Captain Armor and Princess Luna were preparing a rescue mission. Yet here she was requesting her assistance and not the captain. She stayed quiet knowing her Princess would explain when she was of a mind too.

“There are three to be former guards within the dungeons. As of now, they are in a holding cell. That will need to be rectified in the short term. My sister is too busy to charge them at this moment and I must admit I am not in a good mind to do so. How long can they be held without being formally charged?” Luna finally spoke once they were outside in the gardens. Though she did not pause in her stride her muscles seemed to contract in her back.

“Legally a pony can be held for seventy-two hours before they must be formally charged. If that is not enough time. I don’t believe anypony would mind too much if the hour they were taken into custody was…fudged a bit, my Princess.” Fire Mane frowned as she wondered who she would have to replace. “If I may inquire?”

“I am unsure of their names. Only that all three are stallions of the Solar Guard.” Luna answered the unasked but obvious question.

Of course they were 

“I sense this wasn’t the only reason you requested my presence, my Princess?” Fire Mane asked hesitantly as Luna slowed her pace and finally stopped.

“No, I need you to choose four guards, two from the Solar Guard and two from the Lunar Guard. They must be trustworthy. They must be willing to die for the pony who they will be protecting. Single mares or stallions only. No families. Do you understand?”

Fire Mane gave a firm salute “Yes Princess Luna! I hear and obey. May I request to know who they will be guarding?”

“My elder sister’s student and my savior Twilight Sparkle. As you are aware she was kidnapped by the Changelings.” Luna paused as Fire Mane simply nodded. “And you are also aware that it was believed that we were fooled by a drone who had taken Twilight Sparkle’s place.”

“I… heard something about it. I am guessing this pertains to the three former guards in holding right now?” Fire Mane was pleased to see Luna smiling at her.

“I was right, my sister doesn’t allow stupid ponies to be promoted to your rank. I am in need of a Captain of my Lunar Guard. Do well to consider that.” 

“I-yes, I will consider such an offer my Princess Luna.” She bowed as her eyes grew wide. “The drone was Twilight Sparkle. Oh, Sun and Moon above what did those stupid stallions do to her?!”

“Things best not discussed outside of a locked room. I will have her medical files sent directly to you. Now you understand the necessity of such guards.” Luna looked up at the half-set sun and gave it a tap knowing that Celestia had likely lost track of the time as she nudged the moon awake.

“Of course. I’ll begin my search as soon as I return to my office Princess. Is there anything else you need from me?”

“As of now, neigh I am certain my sister has no plans to leave Twilight Sparkle’s bedside tonight but please have your choices prepared so I may speak with them in the morning. And that is an order, Senior Lt. Dismissed.”

Luna felt rather saw the mare leave her side as she stared up at the twilight, her eyes narrowed as she considered how many ways she could tear Chrysalis into pieces without killing her. She shook her head. revenge only causes regret. Justice will be had… in time.





Spike glanced around as the girls chatted eagerly, having enjoyed their day exploring Canterlot. He had enjoyed it at first. He worried with his tail as he glanced at the setting sun. Twilight was supposed to have joined them for dinner. She should be here by now… He had a horrible feeling.

He turned quickly at the sound of the doors to the dining hall opening hoping to see Twilight looking a bit sheepish as she had lost track of time. But quickly his hopes sunk even lower and he knew something was wrong as Princess Luna walked into the room shutting the door behind her firmly.

“Greetings to thee Elements of Harmony and of course to you young dragon Spike. I apologize for not being here upon your arrival but I was…detained I am a feared.” Luna took a seat at the table and took a sip of water as she seemed to consider how best to begin.

“Princess, we greatly appreciate you joining us for dinner but I must admit that we are… a touch confused you see we were expecting—” Rarity was interrupted by the very brash voice of Rainbow Dash.

“Where’s Twilight Sparkle? We were told she’d be here when we got back from sightseeing!”

“Yes, Twilight Sparkle…” Luna sighed not certain how best to explain what happened to their friend. “There was…an incident A case of mistaken identity. The ones responsible have been detained pending charges.”

Rarity gasped covering her mouth as even Applejack grits her teeth understanding somepony has harmed Twilight.

“Somepony hurt her, was it bad?” Spike asked in a quiet voice.

“I’m afraid it was young Spike, she is in the hospital being watched over by my sister and her Mother. There is however more. As I said this was a case of mistaken identity. You see. Twilight Sparkle no longer is a pony. She has been transmorphed into a changeling.”

Rainbow Dash who had flown into the air crashed to the floor with a horrified look on her face. “No, no…NO! We were too late No!”

Fluttershy wrapped Rainbow Dash in a hug as the strong mare collapsed against her. “You got there as soon as you could.”

“Is she…I mean will she…I…” Applejack was sure how to ask the question that meant everything.

“Have no fear Applejack. Mentally your friend Twilight Sparkle remains herself. You truly did save her.” Luna smiled at the relief that spread across the faces of her savior’s friends.

“How badly was she hurt?” Spike asked firmly as he saw Lun close her eyes fear once again gripping his heart he got to his feet and raced to the hospital not stopping even as guards told him to halt he only stopped as he crashed into a very familiar leg

“Princess! Twilight is she?” Spike stared up at Celestia’s worried face as she gave him a sad smile. 

“Twilight will be alright Spike but she is very hurt are you sure you want to see her?”

Spike nodded firmly “She needs me as her number-one assistant. More now…than ever.” He looked at his feet. “If I had only been there.”

Celestia gently raised his chin with her hoof. “Spike, you misunderstand…no one pony or dragon would have been able to stop this. You should never blame yourself for this even I could have done nothing.”

“Even you?”

“Even me. You are correct she will need you. Come on then.” Celestia led the baby dragon into the hospital room and helped him into the chair beside her bed. She smiled as he glanced between her and Twilight before focusing his attention on Twilight.

“Twilight? I’m here. I’m not going anywhere and the girls are coming too. Princess Luna was telling us and I…left I needed to be with you. You still need me right Twilight?” Spike reached a small claw towards her but stopped just prior to touching her bruised cheek afraid to hurt her. He stopped himself from flinching as her now blue pupilless eye opened staring at him.

“Spike? You’re really here… I don’t scare you?”

With a quick intake of breath, he shook his head hearing Twilight’s voice within the reverb of the changeling's voice. “Nah, you’re Twilight Sparkle. If your test stress doesn’t scare me away nothing will.”

She chuckled a bit and oddly it was a comforting noise to Spike. “I’m so glad…I was afraid… I never wanted to lose my number one assistant” Her eye closed again but Spike felt something like a hug embrace him. He looked up to see her now jagged horn glowing green eyes wide he realized she was feeding on his love. His first instinct was to get away but he paused.

It doesn’t hurt, sh-shes hugging me. And anyway, she's only feeding on what was already hers. He smiled and cupped her cheek lightly with his claw.

“I love you too Twilight. Don’t worry I’m here to protect you now.”