The Vanishing
We weren’t always like this. I wasn’t always like this. One upon a time, the changelings were peaceful and beautiful. What ugly messes we became. I didn’t care much for anything. A long time ago, before the changelings were reformed I lived in the crystal empire. I was queen, we would still feed off love but not in such a way we did later on. After my kingdom was torn apart by King Sombra, we fled. Leaving the crystal ponies to fend for themselves. Driven by anger and sorrow, I was no longer a beautiful queen, but an ugly ruler. My subjects later became vicious love-eaters. I, never understood love. Only that I couldn’t get enough of it.
I walked to the throne room, out to the balcony and stared over my subjects. Hundreds of crystal ponies walking around, tending to their shops, and anything else they might want to do. Among them, were several changelings. It was like fruit-colored dots buzzing around joyfully. They put on shows every evening, something I arranged to keep spirits high throughout the year and keep the changelings happy.
These shows, kept the changeling's hunger for love at a balance. Being on stage, transfers some of that love to the changelings, keeping their hunger satisfied so they don't go on a love-eating rampage.
I watched as a few changelings took their positions on the stage, the crystal ponies sat down in their seats. I stood up and flew down. I flapped my feathery wings and sat on the largest seat in the front.
The changelings began to perform.
"Once upon a time, two years before the War of Pine, two evil unicorns terrorized the land,"
I saw two changelings change into green and grey unicorns, before walking out from behind the stage.
"They were said to hold the power to destroy everything."
The two disguised changelings laughed.
"We shall wreak havoc upon all who live under the sky!" Said one of them.
"Yes, we shall control the storms until they beg for mercy!" Said the other.
As if it were part of the show, practically on cue, snow began falling from the sky, and lightning struck from above.
I looked up at the sky, this was not part of any show.
Something else was happening.
I stood up and walked to the stage.
"Is this part of the show?"
They shook their heads in fear.
My eyes shot open wide. I flapped my wings and quickly shot into the air. I beat my wings fast and long, trying to reach the crystal heart. But I was stopped. A dark purple and black crystal grew out of the ground in front of me. I staggered back and fell to the ground. I opened my eyes to look up at a unicorn unlike any I'd ever seen.
He had dark black fur, red and green eyes with purple mist editing from the sides, a red infused horn, and many more terrifying attributes. I shrunk down, as he snarled down on me.
"W- who are you?!"
"Me? Oh, the new king of this, pathetic kingdom!"
I stood up and ran, tears beginning to form in my eyes.
When I got back to the stage. All the crystal ponies had scattered.
Gone away faster than the storm had come.
But the changelings stood their ground. Still staring in horror at the constant multiply of dark crystals.
"We have to go!" I screamed as sadness clogged my throat.
"But what about the ponies!?"
"We don't have time, let's go!"
We all looked back at our fallen home, before turning to the snow broaden forest beyond and running towards it.
“No...”.
King Sombra stood at the largest balcony in the palace, his laughter sounded louder than a dragons roar. My wings dropped in anguish as I saw the saddened crystal ponies, lined at the streets, chained together tightly. The castle guards were locked in cages like birds, their faces expressionless.
We were hidden behind a few bushes and trees beyond my kingdom's border. All huddled near campfires, singing songs to each other hoping to have the slightest bit of felicity.
There was nothing I could do to save the crystal ponies, nor our home.
There was no way I could reach the crystal heart in time to do anything.
I turned to the changelings, my subjects.
“There is nothing we can do to save the crystal empire, not anymore.”
They began to protest when I spoke once again.
“I am your queen, and I am telling you that we cannot win this battle. Come, we must go to Canterlot, I need word with princess Celestia.”
As we took off, I looked back at the crystal empire, sadness and grief rolled over me. Trying to push it away, I flew into the air, beginning the long journey to Canterlot.
A few days later, we arrived in Canterlot. The moment we arrived, I dashed to the palace. Ignoring the burning feeling in my hooves, I pushed through the castle doors. I ran through a hall and up some stairs. Another hallway stood in front of me. Galloping forward, I look to see two large doors.
“The throne room.” I whispered to myself.
As I entered the throne room a soft voice sounded in front of me.
“Chrysalis. What brings you all this way from the crystal empire?”
Celestia’s voice was sincere, but still had a slight edge to it.
“King Sombra has enslaved the crystal ponies and taken over the empire!”
I looked at her with fear and pain. But she did nothing, she just sat there. On her throne. Her eyes narrowed as she stared, as if she was angry at me. Then a moment later, she spoke.
”I will send a scouting party to the crystal empire, but until they get back, you may stay in the castle sweet.”
She looked at me more calmly but kept a stern face.
“Thank you so much Princess Celestia,” I spoke in a grateful voice, and bowed my head in thanks.
Once out of the castle, I looked for my subjects. They all came in pairs, anxiously waiting for what I had to say.
“Princess Celestia has agreed to help!”
Happy cheers rang through the crowd when I raised my hoof to speak again,
“I don’t want to cause any fear, but there isn’t much of a chance that we’ll be able to go back to the Crystal Empire,”
Even though I spoke strong and clear, a rope of fear had tightened around me. Saying those words hurt more than I had intended, for myself and my subjects.
Not to long after, my subjects had lost hope. They drooped their heads in sorrow and walked the streets mumbling to each other quietly. Only a few days later, my subjects, once enlightened and kind, seemed to act more like cockatrices, always waiting for a chance to deceive you and take something away.
Celestia had send out the scouting party only a few days later, they came back much quicker than I had expect. For me and my subjects, it took us several days to get to Canterlot, whilst it only took a few hours for the scouting party. News had spread quickly, there was more whispering than usual. The sound of these whispers soon filled the air. If it was about the crystal Empire, I had to know.
Opening the doors to the throne room, I raced inside, hoping that something good had happened. But when I saw Celestia, my hope died away and it felt as if nothing good had ever happened. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes were narrowed.
“Chrysalis, I’m sorry, the Crystal Empire. Has disappeared!”