An adventure that begins with the Crystal Empire under attack soon unravels to become far more than what it seemed as Twilight Sparkle and her friends must fight for Equestria and each other.
Twilight Sparkle and her friends are called away to the Crystal Empire to aid Princess Cadence and Shining Armor from being attacked by the now freed Queen Chrysalis and the newly resurrected King Sombra. But what they soon discover is a plot woven deep within the attack where the very fate of their friendship and Equestria lay in the balance.
The wind howled across the snowy landscape of the Frozen North. The land was still save the ice and snow blown across the pure white surface. A lone figure trekked slowly along the ice a robe wrapped tightly around it's body and a hood hung down over its head. The wind whipped the loose cloth around the four legged form as it glanced up only for a moment to see where it was going, to make sure it was on the right path.
Behind the figure, like a finger stretched upwards to touch the heavens stood the Crystal Tower. Every so often the figure turned back as though to curse the very construction of such a thing. Warm breath clung to the air that escaped from the hood as the figure kept making progress. The chill wind impeding only so much before finally the figure stopped. A green glow came from beneath the hood and suddenly it charged ahead.
The cold and wind couldn't slow down the figure as it powered on, possessed to find whatever it was searching for. The beating of hooves filled the air as the surface snow was launched behind its path. The green glow from beneath the hood became stronger, reflecting off of the ground. Soon the figure dug it's hooves into the snow, an embankment quickly rushed downwards at its feet. Its breathing was hard, but it quickly moved its head side to side, looking for a shallow way down.
As though driven on by madness, not spotting a better way, the figure curled up into a ball and rolled down the embankment. It dropped a bit before hitting the soft snow below and rolling down to the solid ground, bits of snow and ice chasing after it from being disturbed. It then stood and carried on, determined to get to its goal. The wind was a bit more forgiving down here, it felt less biting than before. The figure took off again, running straight for the prize it sought in the freezing desert.
Minutes became an hour before the figure stopped again and lowered its head to a patch of snow. It began to dig at the ground a moment before it became frantic, as though it were attempting to bury itself beneath the cold surface. It continued to dig more and more, a pile of snow and ice building next to the hole it dug before finally a green glow produced itself from the hood once more. This time it was far more pronounced. It was far more noticeable. Like flame, the glow spilled out from the hood and melted the snow around what looked to be a red horn. It was then the figure finally spoke and pulled back the hood.
"Finally," Queen Chrysalis spoke a sneer rolling across her sinister visage. The flame like glow running down her face from her horn and eyes. She reached down and grabbed the horn with her mouth. Her eyes turned back to the top of the hole and leapt. Placing the horn back down on the ice, Chrysalis sat down for a moment and let out a huff.
"You have no idea the trouble I've gone to simply to find you," she said, eyes now down at the horn. "The once and terrible ruler of the Crystal Kingdom. You and I both have something in common too. Those ponies who tossed us both aside from what was so rightfully ours. Lucky for you, not all of you was destroyed. Also lucky for you some of my changelings have been following Cadence and her gang of cheerleaders so I knew just where to look for you. Don't get me wrong, it's not often I dirty my own hooves, but I had to see for myself. The mighty King Sombra reduced to this. Well, soon we shall see if you still have that fight left in you. Besides, what is a Queen without a king, hmm?"
Chrysalis grinned menacingly as she stood once more and picked the horn back up. She could still see the Crystal Tower over the embankment as her eyes narrowed. Setting the horn into the inside of the robe, she knelt a little as her wings made their way out from under the cloak and beat furiously against the air. She soared into the sky with the treasure she'd been seeking in this frozen tundra. Now, the next step of her plan could begin.
Dawn broke over Ponyville as Twilight Sparkle began to stir in her bed. She yawned and turned to her side to look out the window next to her bed. Another bright, blue day from the looks of things. A smile formed along her face as she rolled out of bed and onto the floor. Silently, she made her bed, making certain not to wake Spike who slumbered peacefully in his bed. From there she moved towards her mirror to brush her mane, the sink to brush her teeth and finally down into the library to brush up on her studies.
The sound of a gentle flapping came as Owlicious turned his head to look to Twilight. She smiled to him and pat him gently before coming to the book she'd left open in the middle of the night. The library was quiet save the gentle snoring of Spike and all was wonderful. At least until the large crash came which shook the library and caused Twilight such a terrible fright she clung to the book stand. Spike rolled over in his bed, sleep still in his eyes and gave a yawn.
"Morning already?" he asked lazily, arm hanging out of the blanket and dangling towards the floor.
"So it would seem," Twilight responded, the death grip she held on the book stand loosening as she slipped towards the door to figure out what had just happened. As it opened, her eyes turned upwards to the sound of wings flapping. The familiar rainbow tail caught her eyes, as she sighed and placed a hoof to her head. Rainbow Dash, in the mean time, struggled within the foliage of Twilight's home.
"Rainbow Dash, what on earth are you doing?" she asked with a huff before a better question came to her. "And what are you doing awake so early? The sun is barely up. I don't think I've ever seen you awake so soon."
Muffled sounds came from the tree before finally Rainbow freed herself from the grasp of some rather unruly twigs. "Sorry Twilight, I decided to get up extra early this morning to start practicing again for this year's Flyers Triathlon."
"The what now?" Twilight asked inquisitively.
"It's a big race that's hosted in Cloudsdale, but can be seen all over Equestria! The race starts in Cloudsdale then ends at the Crystal Empire! It's never been hosted before thanks to the Crystal Empire being under King Sombra's control, but after we took care of him, the games are on!"
"Sounds very exciting, but maybe you could try not to ram yourself into my tree?"
"Oh yeah, sorry. I was going after a stray cloud but I guess I was going just a teensy bit too fast."
Twilight smiled and shook her head before Rainbow fluttered down from the tree and floated just above the ground. She took this moment to pick twigs and other such stray bits out of her mane as Twilight walked back into the library. Rainbow Dash followed as the last bits of leaves were plucked out.
"So, what are you doing up so early?" Rainbow asked as she set herself down onto the ground and looked about the library.
Twilight smiled as she returned to the book stand and laid her eyes back down upon the text. "Last night I was looking up some more information on the Crystal Empire and about King Sombra to see just how he ruled over the crystal ponies for so long. Unfortunately there isn't much except for old pony-tales and myths."
"That sounds...incredibly boring," Rainbow Dash said, a look of defeat about her as though she'd expected something fun to be going on.
"You don't have to stay, ya know?" Twilight said with a bit of a smirk as Rainbow shrugged in response.
"I know, but no one else is up except for Fluttershy and Applejack and both of them are busy."
Twilight rolled her eyes a bit as she continued to read the book. Rainbow Dash in the mean time decided to flutter over to her and look over her shoulder. Twilight fumed a bit, flipping another page to continue, attempting to ignore the sound of Rainbow's wings flapping right next to her and the gaze of those magenta eyes peering around her.
"It's a little hard to concentrate," Twilight said, turning back to Rainbow Dash who just stared blankly at her. The sound of a yawn and feet coming down the stairs made Rainbow turn her attention back to Spike who scratched at his scales.
"Uh, chores?" Spike answered with a shrug as he collected a broom and dustpan that had been propped up next to the bottom of the stairs. Rainbow Dash gave out a huff before she settled back down next to Twilight.
A knock came from the door which nearly sent Twilight into a fit. Putting a hoof to her head, trying to calm herself down, she walked to the door and opened it. The next few moments were hazy to Twilight who was tackled to the floor by a pink blur she'd not seen coming. The excited squeals and jeers of Pinkie Pie erupted into the library as she bounced around. That was when Twilight noticed her other friends entering slowly. She noticed cake and presents being wheeled in as well as Pinkie took in a deep breath.
Oh a very happy birthday to you, yes you! A very happy birthday to, it's true! It's a very happy day cause it's a very happy birthday for you!
Pinkie grinned, quite pleased with herself and the song she'd sung, albeit short. Twilight blinked as she stared up from the floor at all of her friends gathering around with smiles on their faces. Her mind was drawing a total blank as a result of the sudden assault before it dawned on her. She'd gotten so terribly caught up in her work that she completely forgotten her own birthday! It all then made sense.
"I can't believe I forgot about it," Twilight said as she rolled back up to her hooves, slightly embarrassed.
"Well lucky for you, Pinkie Pie is here to remember for you!" Pinkie exclaimed as she rolled the lit cake next to Twilight. "Why don't you blow out the candles and make a wish!"
Twilight nodded and began to wonder just what she would wish for. Her mind swam at every wish she could possibly ever have before finally one came to her. With a smile, she blew out the candles as her friends cheered.
"So, what'd you wish for, Twilight?" Spike asked looking up to her.
"She can't say it!" Pinkie suddenly said. "Otherwise it'll never come true! All though, now the suspense is killing me a little. Twilight, what'd you wish for?! No wait, don't tell me! Oh, but I wanna know!"
"I wished for the same thing I wish every year," Twilight said with a smile as she looked back to her friends. "I wished that I could stay here in Ponyville with my best friends. That we could all stay together forever."
The group hugged one another before Pinkie broke away from the group and set a needle on a record player that had been brought in with everything. Music filled the air as the ponies danced and laughed. The day wasn't even over yet! At least according to Pinkie Pie who had the whole day lined up for them. It would be a day of fun and laughter, or so she guaranteed. A day that nothing in the world could sully.
Far from the laughter and merriment in Ponyville, deep in the shadows of the Forest of Leota stood the towering mansion Queen Chrysalis had claimed for her the center of her kingdom. Changelings flew about in the air, guarding the grounds of the small town below as the Queen herself flew towards the gates of the city. Landing before them, she glowered from beneath the hood of her cloak and continued on. The gates parted, allowing her to move through the town itself as a changeling in a helmet flew down to bow to her.
"Your Highness, it is good to see you back," he said as Chrysalis continued walking without a word. "Were you successful in retrieving the horn of Sombra? Shall I prepare the chambers below?"
"Go and do so," Chrysalis said flatly, still walking to the mansion. The guard bowed and quickly flew off ahead of her. Her green, scowling eyes turned to the inside of her cloak where the horn sat. She could feel it pressing hot against her from the pocket. A grin curled along her face, it felt like pure hatred hanging in her pocket.
The doors to the mansion opened wide, allowing her to step through. Within the foyer, her subjects lined up and bowed to her as she entered. The cloak's hood was thrown back, allowing her cyan hair to flow. She ascended the sprawling staircase at the end of the room before reaching the top and turning back to peer down to her loyal followers.
"Faithful subjects," she began, her voice echoing in the now still air. "We have lived long, trapped within this place with nowhere to feed. Today, however, no more will we be trapped to fend for ourselves. No more will we have to ambush stragglers traveling amongst the woods. We shall have a kingdom once more where we shall be able to feed for an eternity!"
The crowd roared in cheers as Chrysalis rose a hoof to continue.
"The light of love and friendship that now shines throughout Equestria shall be ours. The Crystal Empire shall fall to our might with the help of our new ally. We shall be unstoppable! We shall be strong again! We shall rule the whole of Equestria!"
The crowd cheered once more as Queen Chrysalis moved down the stairs and disappeared into a doorway, leaving her subjects to celebrate. She had no doubt in her mind, as she moved down the dimly lit stairwell, that they would be victorious. The climb downward ended in a doorway that opened for her.
Within stood a handful of changelings awaiting her arrival. The room glow a mixture of green and orange from torches that lined the wall and a mysterious green substance bubbling within a pit in the middle of the room. The changelings bowed to her as she made her way towards a small outcropping over the pit and stared down into the viscous fluid.
"Is it ready?" she asked to no one in particular.
"It is, my Queen, we are prepared to raise him."
"Of all the magics in all the forests, I come upon the best one of all," Queen Chrysalis grinned as she removed the cloak from around her body. She tossed it aside, getting the horn out from the pocket and floating it over the pit. Her grin widened, becoming feral as she dropped the horn towards the green fluid.
It tumbled through the air before hitting the sludge hard. Slowly it began to sink into the fluid and disappear from sight. Moments drug on as nothing happened. Chrysalis looked to her subjects who shrugged to her. Her green eyes turned back to the liquid before frowning. A low growl escaped her before stamping a hoof down onto the ground.
"This is ridiculous! " she shouted down into the pit. "You have got to be kidding me! I thought you all said that this goop had life regenerating powers!"
"W-We thought it did, y-your highness!" one of the changelings blurted out, quickly bowing down. "We even tested it in some of the creatures from the forest and they s-seemed fine!"
The changeling suddenly rose in the air as Chrysalis approached him. Her eyes brimming with fury. Turning him upside down she met him eye to eye and glared.
"Perhaps you should be the next test subject then."
Fear filled the eyes of the changeling before a rumbling came from below. The floor began to shake under their hooves as Chrysalis released the changeling, having him fall to the floor. Her eyes widened as the whole chamber started to shake. Below the green substance bubbled and churned violently before suddenly erupting into a geyser that nearly hit the ceiling.
Chrysalis and her subjects backed away as the fluid hit the floor around them, sizzling and glowing even brighter than before. Bits of the ceiling began to crumbled and collapse down into the chamber, making them scramble for safety. That was when a roar came from the geyser of fluid that pierced the sound of the rushing fluid.
Soon the geyser settled and all that was left above the pit was a cloud of smoke and shadow floating above the hole. From the shadow came a pair of eyes wreathed in pure power and hatred. The roar sounded again, shaking the chamber as a few changelings decided it was best to leave, rushing out the door. Chrysalis stood and looked back into the eyes, approaching them.
"Who dares summon King Sombra back from the nether?" a voice bellowed from the smoke, the eyes turning their attention to Chrysalis.
"It was I, Queen Chrysalis, ruler of the changeling horde," she stated firmly.
"Queen Chrysalis, of the changeling horde," the voice rumbled again. "You have brought great evil into your kingdom for what purpose?"
"The Crystal Empire," she replied.
A roar erupted again, shadowy tendrils curling and shuddering at the mere mention of that name.
"You dare speak the name of my empire," the voice shouted, the eyes glowing brighter and the shadows stretching outwards.
"I dare speak it, because I know you are no longer King of the Crystal Empire," she said, a brashness in her voice.
The voice roared once more as a metal hoof stepped from the shadows. The eyes took shape on the head of King Sombra who stepped from the milky umbra and formed himself on the plinth that sat over the pit. He moved slowly towards Chrysalis, a low rumbled emitting from his throat.
"You would incur my wrath then?" he asked as he continued towards Chrysalis, rage burning in his eyes.
"Only if it were steered towards our common enemy," Chrysalis said, not backing away from the unicorn unlike her subjects which were huddled together and pressed against the wall behind her. "Princess Cadence and her Prince Shining Armor occupy the Crystal Tower."
Sombra stopped and narrowed his eyes. "Proceed..."
"It was because of them and that insufferable Twilight Sparkle that I was forced here to rot with my subjects much the same as it was them that broke your body."
"You desire revenge?" Sombra asked, still standing as though he were prepared to fight.
"I desire their love, I desire their kingdom. Then I will desire revenge."
"The kingdom of the Crystal Empire is rightfully mine."
"Then by all means, please, go and take it seeing as that worked out so well before."
Sombra dashed forward towards Chrysalis and peered directly into her eyes, snarling. Chrysalis seemed unfazed by the sudden charge, however, staring right back into his own. His horn began to glow much the same as hers. The tension in the air ran thick as they stared one another down, preparing to go to blows.
"I could destroy you and your changelings," Sombra said in a low tone.
"Is that any way to treat someone who brought you back to life?" Chrysalis asked.
Sombra huffed and backed away. Turning back to the pit, he looked down into the green goop that was now dormant and still. His mind burned with the thought of consorting with another to take his precious empire back. But it burned no worse than the memory of how he was destroyed and ejected from what was rightfully his.
"Do you have a plan?" Sombra asked as he turned back to Chrysalis.
"I do," she said, a devilish grin forming on her face.
"Then let us hear it before I change my mind," Sombra said as he moved back to Chrysalis.
"Of course, your highness, right this way," she said, motioning to her changelings who'd taken cover a the notion the two of them were going to fight. They opened the doors for the two of them to climb the stairs back to the first floor of the mansion where Chrysalis would bring Sombra in on her grand scheme.
As afternoon trundled about in Ponyville, Twilight and her friends had just finished lunch and were on their way towards the spa. Rarity beamed at the chance to once again relax in a nice mud bath, explaining to Twilight that this would be her treat as a gift. The others walked along happily before the sound of a horn from Canterlot echoed into the valley below, interrupting them. They stopped and looked towards the castle in the distance.
"What was that?" Applejack asked moving up next to Twilight.
"I don't know, it sounded like the horn they sound when Princess Celestia leaves the castle," Twilight answered, a hoof on her chin trying to think about what it could mean.
"Maybe they're testing it!" Pinkie said, rubbing her head a bit. "You know, to make sure it still sounds like a horn!"
"What could possibly make it not sound like a horn if it's a horn to begin with?" Rainbow Dash asked, almost wishing she hadn't.
"Maybe it was replaced by a kazoo!" Pinkie answered as the group sat in silent judgment. "What? It could happen!"
Somewhere there was certainly going to be a lecture on the difference between a kazoo and a horn but Twilight was focused more on watching the gilded carriage of the Princess leaving Canterlot and heading their way. Twilight looked around quickly, trying to figure out just what the Princess could be doing coming all the way from Canterlot to here for.
"Maybe she's coming to wish you a happy birthday!" Pinkie exclaimed bouncing in place.
"Yes, I'm sure that's it," Twilight said, still some doubt lingering in her voice.
"Maybe she'll want to come with us and relax too," Rarity said with a smile. "Besides, Aloe and Lotus give the most amazing service in all of Equestria I'm certain."
The carriage was getting bigger as it approached, the sound of the pegasi wings beating against the wind could be heard.
"Maybe she's was hopin' she could come an' have dinner with us too, y'know, for yer birthday an' all," Applejack said.
"Or she wants to swim in the lake with us like we were gonna," Rainbow Dash added.
"Or she wanted to listen to my birds sing happy birthday to you," Fluttershy said before she blinked and hit herself in the head. "I ruined the surprise, sorry Twilight."
"It's okay Fluttershy, and you all might be right, but we'll just have to find out," Twilight said as the cart flew down to the road and touched down softly. It came to a gentle halt as Princess Celestia stepped down onto the ground. The group bowed as she approached, Twilight taking note of the particularly grim look on the Princess' face.
"Princess Celestia, what brings you here?" Twilight asked as she rose.
"Is it cause it's her birthday?" Pinkie asked excitedly, putting her hooves on Twilight's back to get a better view of Celestia.
"I'm afraid not," Celestia said in a dour voice. "While I certainly wish you a happy birthday, Twilight Sparkle, I'm afraid there are dark things brewing which simply need the attention of you and your friends."
"It we're needed then so be it, your highness," Twilight said, backed up by the agreement of her friends in the background.
"Then please, come to the library," Celestia said as she flew into the air and was off, the carriage following closely behind her. The six of them looked between one another, curious as to what could be so dire before they too headed for the library.
The door was open as Celestia hovered over a book within Twilight's library. The same book she'd been reading about the Crystal Empire. The six of them entered, all looking to Celestia silently as to what she could possibly have for them to do. With a sigh, Celestia turned to the group and looked to each of them.
"I do wish the timing could be better," she said. "however, we have had reports of a darkness from the Forest of Leota. The mansion which we imprisoned Queen Chrysalis has been broken out of and there is now a much darker presence that resides. King Sombra has returned and is stronger than he ever was before."
The group gasped as Twilight moved towards her teacher. "But how? I thought Cadence and the crystal ponies banished him forever."
"I am not sure," Celestia said as she looked down. "We only have scattered reports coming from that forest. It's an odd place with odd magic that we don't know much about. As far as we can tell Chrysalis has brought him back, possibly to take revenge on the Crystal Empire or even Canterlot."
"Oh...no," Fluttershy muttered as she sank to the floor, covering her head.
"You need us to go out to the forest and kick them back to where they belong, your highness?" Rainbow Dash asked, flying into the air.
"Yes, take the Elements of Harmony with you and see to it you stop them before they can reach the Crystal Empire! I shall stay here with Princess Luna to protect Canterlot. I have also warned Shining Armor and Princess Cadence of the danger."
"We won't let you down, your highness!" Twilight said as the others cheered in agreement, save for Fluttershy who remained curled up with teeth chattering.
"I know, you are my best pupil, Twilight Sparkle," Celestia said as she began to walk out of the library and boarded her carriage. "You and your friends can overcome anything together. I'm sorry again to interrupt your birthday. I shall see about making it up to you when you return."
With a wink and a smile, Celestia was off into the sky headed back to Canterlot. Twilight turned back to the inside of the library and grinned at her friends.
"All right!" Rainbow Dash squealed as she flew into the air. "Finally, some excitement!"
"I guess we should start gettin' ready for th' long haul then," Applejack said adjusting her hat. "Last time we headed that way things got downright ugly."
"But we still overcame," Twilight said puffing out her chest. "We'll do it again too, so long as we're together!"
"Um, b-but, Queen Chrysalis and King Sombra together is, well, really scary," Fluttershy said from the ball she'd rolled up into. "Not to mention all the changelings and the scary woods and...and-"
Fluttershy let out a squeak of fear before Twilight placed a hoof on her shoulder. "It's okay Fluttershy. I'm sure this will be different. We know the area better now and know what to look out for. It'll be just like going on a walk."
Fluttershy nodded in agreement and stood with the rest of them.
"Well then, I suppose we shall meet back here in an hour?" Rarity asked.
"Whee! This is gonna be super-tastical fun!" Pinkie exclaimed bouncing towards the door. The others followed suit as Twilight stayed in the library to prepare for their journey.
"I just hope we won't be too late," she said as Spike moved to her side to comfort her.
The city below the mansion was alive as the changelings gathered to hear their queen speak once more. The sound of wings on the wind beating traveled up to the balcony where Chrysalis and Sombra stood awaiting their congregation. Out among the crowd flew the black banners of the Changeling Horde. Emblazoned with green tattered wings they flew on the wind high above upon their posts. Soon, the crowd settled and thousands of changeling eyes were directed towards the balcony of the mansion.
Their queen soon appeared alongside Sombra. They were met with an uproar of changelings cheering and stamping on the ground. The banners were thrust upwards in the air as a salute before Chrysalis brought her hoof upwards and silenced the crowd.
"My loyal subjects," she began with a grin. "You are on the cusp of a new dawn for the Changeling Horde. We shall overtake the Crystal Empire and feed upon every last bit of happiness that those insipid ponies have in their bodies! They will fall to the might of the Changeling Horde and Kind Sombra's dark magic! Now, let me hear your battle cry calling on the wind!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and stamping.
"Let me see the banners fly before the storm begins!" she cried out as the banners were raised high in the air. "Destiny calls us my horde! As we have our shot at glory!"
The crowd continued to cheer as they rose into the air. The horde flew into the sky, prepared to set loose on the empire ahead of them. However, this was when things went a bit strange. Everything had frozen suddenly, as if time knocked off for a holiday. Only Chrysalis and Sombra were able to move, their eyes darting about, trying to find what was keeping the horde from moving.
That was when a cold breeze blew through the mansion. Only it wasn't coming from the outside, it was coming from inside. It chilled to the bone as Chrysalis and Sombra moved back into the mansion curiously. On the breeze then came a laughter, grim and sinister.
"What sorcery is this?" Sombra growled, his horn glowing with magic.
"Sorcery, you speak as though this is some mere parlor trick," a voice came on the wind.
"Who are you and why do you dare invade the kingdom of the Changeling Horde?" Chrysalis demanded, stamping a hoof on the ground.
"Who I am is not important, but I can say that if I so desired to invade your precious kingdom...well you can see it was not very difficult."
Darkness began to fill the inside of the mansion like water. Sombra snarled and fired into it, the pure concentrated power from his horn flying wildly into the darkness but being swallowed by it. It continued to move towards them, creeping along the floor to their hooves as they backed away.
"What do you want?" Chrysalis asked as she and Sombra moved slowly back towards a wall.
"Nothing but success for you and your new found friend," the voice said as two wisps of darkness swirled up and began to run along their skin. "You're both so adorable together that I couldn't bear it if you failed."
"And what would it matter to you? Who are you?" Sombra demanded again.
Out from the darkness he took shape. The legs of a goat and lizard, a slender brown body with the arm of a lion and the claw of an eagle. Two yellow eyes formed as the head of a pony came adorned by the horn of a goat and the antler of a deer. There before them, Discord stretched out his body, giving a bored yawn.
"Let's just say, there are some of us that would love the kind of chaos an invasion of the Crystal Empire would bring," he said with a twisted grin forming along his face. "I am Discord, the lord of chaos."
"The statue in Canterlot?" Chrysalis asked with brow quirked.
"Ex-statue thank you very much," he retorted. "How was it being a princess for about five minutes anyway? Was it everything you'd ever wanted?"
Chrysalis snarled as Sombra put his hoof out to calm her.
"What do you want, chaos god?" he asked as Chrysalis frowned from Discord sticking his tongue out at her.
"I thought I made that clear," he began, clearing his throat a bit. "You see, I've been oh so bored ever since Celestia freed me to make me her personal puppet. It's been very difficult to really stretch out the magic and the chaos that I love so dearly. That's when I overheard your return, King Sombra. Why seeing how worked up Celestia was, I thought the two of you had dated and you forgot to return a call or something.
That's when I got to thinking. What would I do with a powerful, evil dark ruler and a Changeling queen and her horde of minions. Oh, why I would get them to cause the greatest and most chaotic war the land had ever seen. But, there's a catch, which is where I come in. You see, I hear everything sweet Celestia says even when she doesn't think I'm around. Fortunately her all seeing eye isn't so all seeing when she's rushing around trying to get her own troops to fly over here and spy on you.
Your precious kingdom was about to be assaulted by her little student Twilight Sparkle and her little pony friends armed to the teeth with their Elements of Harmony. To think, you'd have lost this lovely mansion and all of this beautiful grim scenery were it not for me."
"What does it matter?" Chrysalis asked as she turned to point to her horde still stuck in mid flight. "With my arm and Sombra's magic, we could never lose."
Discord erupted in laughter pointing a claw directly at the two of them. "Oh, oh boy, the best part of that statement was how serious you sounded! As though you had an actual plan that wasn't just rushing right in and getting defeated by Mister and Missus Royal Couple of the Year."
"You have a better plan?" Sombra asked with some doubt.
"Of course my plan is better," Discord said wiping the tears out of his eyes. "Anything plan is better than the one Swiss cheese over here cooked up."
"Mind your tongue!" Chrysalis snapped as Discord calmed himself from laughing.
"Now now, temper temper. That sort of attitude will not get you anywhere, nor will it get you the best plan you've ever heard in your short pitiful existences. You know, the plan that doesn't end in the both of you wallowing in an eternal pit of swirling darkness until you're sick of one another."
"We are listening," Sombra said, eyeing Chrysalis who crossed her hooves and mumbled beneath her breath.
"You're going to stay right where you are, at least until Twilight Sparkle and the Harmony Squad gets here," Discord said as he snapped his fingers, opening a swirling purple portal behind him. "Let them believe this place is deserted, and when they finally do show up, they'll be yours for the taking, just the same as the Crystal Empire and all of Equestria."
"How do we do that?" Chrysalis asked as Discord began to step through the portal.
"You're the changeling, my dear," Discord said as the portal snapped shut suddenly like the maw of a hungry creature. Light from the torches and braziers of the mansion finally returned and the beating of wings outside signaled that the horde was unfrozen, albeit confused.
"Well?" Sombra asked as Chrysalis turned to step out onto the balcony. Stopping, she stared up to her changelings as they fluttered about confused before turning her gaze back to him.
"I still don't know why we had to leave so soon," Fluttershy said as she and her friends made their way down a dirt road. Ponyville was a dot on the horizon and the sun was just beginning its climb down. Twilight turned back from looking at a map she'd had in front of her and gave Fluttershy a reassuring smile.
"Because, Princess Celestia wanted us to investigate, and that's just what we're going to do," she answered before returning to her map, leading the way for the group.
"Sweetie, I know you're nervous, but look at the bright side," Rarity said, slowing down a little to get next to Fluttershy. "The last time we went to the Forest we didn't know the way. At least this time we know what to look out for and where to go."
"She's right Fluttershy," Applejack said with a grin. "Ya'll are in th' safest place ya can be right here with us, sugarcube."
Fluttershy lightened up a bit and nodded as they continued down the path. Twilight rolled up the map and place it in her saddlebag with a bit of a frown. The path through the hills would soon come to the same tunnel they'd come to the first time they took this road to the changeling kingdom.
The journey was filled with idle conversation about Twilight's birthday being celebrated when they returned, as well as Pinkie going on about the great surprises she had lined up for her. There was laughter and merriment out of the six friends as the ground beneath them rolled on. The sun was still sinking steadily towards the horizon as the sky began to glow in a mild orange.
Soon the towering entrance to the mines came into view. It looked somehow different though. As they came to a stop, Twilight moved towards the tall, carved stone and put a hoof against an ornate pattern etched into it. Looking it over, she could barely make out a few symbols that looked like a language of sorts. Her head canted to one side before looking up to the carved statue of a dog grimacing at the world around it.
"We should really get going, Twilight," Rainbow Dash said as she fluttered down next to her.
"Rainbow Dash, does this entrance look different to you since the last time we came here?" Twilight asked, pointing up towards the ornate archway that made up the mine's entrance. Rainbow stared up towards the stonework and rubbed her chin.
"...This is a trick question, right?"
"No."
"I dunno, Twilight, it looks like the entrance we used last time," Rainbow said with a roll of her eyes and a shrug.
Twilight stared at it a bit longer before feeling Rainbow Dash poke at her side. Hesitantly, she nodded and began towards the cave entrance. With a whistle, Rainbow roused the others to stand and follow.
Even from the gaping entrance of the cave one could smell the dank, still air. Inside, however, was a totally different story. The mine smelled as though the air had never once been outside for a stroll. It was a time capsule for smells and dust. The ground was littered with bones and tools that both looked to have been long abandoned by their owners.
The darkness of the cave was beginning to gather as they pressed onward. Twilight and Rarity lit their horns with magic to push it back and see the path that lay before them carved in the rough surrounding stone. Twilight frowned a little, narrowing her eyes to try to see past the light their magic provided. Her ears perked up, trying to make out anything that might indicate danger before finally she spoke.
"Girls, this isn't the same way we came last time, this is different, I know it," she said, slowing down a little.
"It does seem kinda scarier this time 'round," Applejack said, her eyes moving about the walls.
"I don't remember it being this dark," Pinkie said as the group began to migrate towards one another. Their pace slowed once more, feeling as though the walls were closing in on them. The light that came from their horns almost seemed as though it were being swallowed by the darkness that surrounded them.
They trekked onward despite the unease. Even Fluttershy continued on, even if she were wedged in the middle of their group and being pushed along. The path snaked beneath their feet until suddenly there was a pale light against the walls of the mine ahead. Turning along the path, they could see a chamber that sprawled outward. A hole in the ceiling granted them the light of the falling sun to at least see a bit. The chamber was a brilliant orange hue as the six of them could finally breathe, thankful to be away from the ghastly tunnel they had passed through.
Another sound came to their ears as they looked about their new surroundings. Running water echoed around them. Twilight brought out her map and stared at it curiously. She saw no indication of a river that ran through the mountains which made further questions arise. Planting a hoof on her chin, she rolled up the map and set her gaze now to the bigger question. Which way to go.
The light of day was slowly fading and there only seemed to be three options. All three of the paths seemed as though they would eventually lead into an exit, but the darkness of the three seemed just as eerie as the tunnel they'd just left. She set her jaw in thought, trying to figure out the better path as Rarity lit her horn up again and moved towards the paths.
"We could split up again," Rarity said as she peered into the left path.
"No way, remember what happened last time?" Rainbow asked as she flew next to Rarity, crossing her hooves with a frown.
"I agree, no splitting up," Fluttershy squeaked as she tried to stay in the light that was fading as best she could.
"Well how in the hay are we s'posed to know which of these is th' way out?" Applejack asked turning her gaze to Twilight, hoping she might have the answer.
"We'll just have to try one and see where it takes us," Twilight said with a bit of a sigh. She'd wished there were a better option, but splitting up the last time ended poorly and to her there would be no reliable way of checking other than cracking on. Illuminating her horn, she joined Rarity's side at the left tunnel and nodded. The group huddled back together as the last bit of light faded from the chamber and they moved into the dark tunnel.
The magical light once again seemed to be devoured by darkness, the group barely able to see the rock walls around them. The only sound to accompany them in the dark was the same low droning sound of rushing water. As they continued, it almost sounded as though it were coming from above them as the tunnel snaked. The air seemed to have the smell of moisture mixed with dirt when Rarity yelped, startling them all.
"Oh, this is simply awful!" she cried.
"What's wrong, what happened?" Twilight asked, frantically looking about.
"There is mud everywhere!" Rarity exclaimed. "It was one thing when it was just dry and dusty, now it's all icky!"
"C'mon now gal," Applejack said bumping Rarity a little. "No one said this here was gonna be a walk in th' park."
Rarity squirmed from being pushed further into the thick mud but continued despite her trepidation. The group was moving again, the sound of water sounding as though it were getting closer. Reflections of the light could be seen in small streams of water that ran along the walls and from puddles that had gathered in small pits along the side of the carved path. The water everywhere began to make Twilight wonder if this was part of the reason these shafts seemed to be abandoned and in even worse shape than the ones they had seen previously.
Her musing was cut short, however as Rarity stopped and she continued straight into a solid mound of rocks. Staggering back, she looked up at the rocks that now blocked their way. The sound of water stronger now as the group turned back to one another, sharing worried looks.
"Great, now what?" Rainbow Dash asked with a frown.
"We could try to go back," Twilight said.
"Yeah, how long's that gonna take?" Rainbow scoffed.
"Perhaps we can clear it away," Rarity said. "If we're lucky the cave in won't be too terrible."
"I don't think we have much choice," Applejack said with a nod.
Twilight stepped towards the cave in as Rarity moved closer to it, illuminating it for her. Twilight's horn sparked with magic as one by one the rocks began to move away from the cave in. First the smaller ones marched by, followed by larger and larger rocks. Twilight continued on, straining slightly as each bit of the cave was cleared up. Soon they had a path to follow once more.
Twilight's horn dissipated as the magic soon faded back to a simple light. Letting out a sigh, she wiped a bit of sweat from her brow and smiled back to her friends. Happily, they pat her on the back in congratulations before huddling back together and moving on. The darkness seemed to stretch on forever as drops of water fell on them, passing beneath where the cave in occurred. Bits of rocks also fell with the water around them which gave them pause.
In unison they turned their gaze back towards the ceiling. It seemed like more water was pouring out than before as rocks crumbled and cracked. Twilight's eyes widened as the tunnel they were in started to shake. Her mind pieced it all together. The cave in, why this tunnel wasn't as developed as the others and most importantly the mistake she had just made in clearing up the rocks.
"Run!" Twilight shouted as her friends followed her example and did just that. Their hooves beat furiously on the rock floor beneath them as Rarity and Twilight both tried to stay ahead of the pack to light their way. Around them the furious sound of rushing water began to echo as well as the cracking of rock. Behind them it sounded like an explosion as rock gave way to mother nature's furious torrent.
Twilight looked back for only a moment, for that was more than enough for her to see the tidal wave hot on their heels. She ran faster than she'd ever run before, certain her friends had never run so fast either. The water gained on them, nipping at their hooves, flooding the tunnel. Suddenly, Fluttershy yelped behind them, being picked up by the torrent of water. Pinkie was the next to go, but instead of yelping it was more a giggling and a joyous cheer, indicating just how fun it all was to her.
The rush of water was soon too much, scooping the group into its rampant fury. They screamed and tried to hold on to one another as best they could as the water flung them about the tunnel. The light from Rarity and Twilight did little to show them where the water was taking them. Spiraling out of control they clung to each other with hoof and teeth, trying with all their might to not let go of one another.
Up ahead, however, the pale light of the moon could be seen coming in. The outside world lay just ahead of them. Relief didn't stay for long with them as they realized they had no idea where they were coming out and that the tops of the trees seemed rather strangely at eye level. Panic settled back in as they clung to one another before Rainbow Dash burst out of the water trying to fly ahead of the water.
Fluttershy was the first to be scooped out as she beat her wings furiously, trying to keep up. They then reached down for Twilight and nabbed her out of the water. The entrance was coming up swiftly, only further confirming the fact that they were quite a ways from the ground below. Quickly, Rarity wrapped herself around Twilight's waist followed by Applejack and Pinkie Pie who climbed onto Applejack's shoulders and wailed with a smile on her face over how fun this was all going to be.
The side of the mountains they were coming out exploded from the sheer amount of water trying to pass through the whole. Erupting in a waterfall, the six of them emerged, hurtling towards the trees in a mixture of panic and laughter. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy strained to keep the other four in the air but were quickly losing altitude. The ground was approaching far too fast for Rainbow's liking before her eyes caught a vine attached to a tree.
Without thinking, she grabbed it in her teeth. The vine slipped down before going taught and sending the six of them to skirt along the ground as Rainbow let go. The six hit the ground, skidding along and spreading out like bowling pins. The group lay still and panting from the rush of excitement they'd just had, soaked to the bone.
"Is everypony okay?" Applejack asked which was met by a unified groan, save for Pinkie Pie.
"I'm better than okay!" she exclaimed sitting up and waving her hooves around in the air excitedly. "I wanna do it again! That was so much fun! Oh please tell me we can go on the ride again! I mean at first it was scary, but then it was all zoom, whee, pow and then bam!"
Pinkie laughed and snorted to herself as the others slowly rose and counted their various bits to make sure they were still attached.
"Nice catch with that vine, Rainbow," Twilight said, her bones crackling as she stretched herself out.
"Not the best landing I've ever had involving a vine," Rainbow Dash replied, rubbing her head tenderly.
One by one they stood, their attention now turned to the trees that surrounded them. The air seemed thicker than it was in the mine, the smell of ozone hanging densely. The branches that served as their ceiling now were crooked and jutted above at harsh angles. The six ponies mustered their strength and continued into the dark woods.
A low fog rolled slowly along the forest floor, only moving out of the way from their hoof falls. The odd sound of creatures in the night echoed through the still air. A chill ran up their spines with every caw and skittering sound. Their eyes darted around nervously, the unmistakable feeling of eyes on them, filling their hearts with dread. Twilight quietly brought her map back out and illuminated her horn a bit to see just exactly if she could pinpoint where they were.
A snapping twig sent Fluttershy flying towards Applejack, clinging to her back with chattering teeth.
"C'mon Fluttershy," Applejack said in a hushed tone. "Ain't nothin' out here to be scared of. Just some critters rustlin' th' branches."
Fluttershy loosened her grasp until another twig snapped in the darkness. Applejack wasn't certain if Fluttershy knew her own strength since it felt like a vice grip around her. She gave a gasp and plopped onto the ground.
"We don't have time for this, come on," Rainbow Dash said quietly, now pushing Fluttershy forward along with Applejack.
The noises continued as they made their way deeper into the forest. A distinct chill soon hit them, their pace slowing nearly to a crawl. The fog seemed thicker and the darkness seemed more alive as shadows moved just beyond their vision. The unease grew as they huddled together once again. Twilight had put her map away and was now concentrating on lighting their path with Rarity. Even with the light, though, they could barely see along the trail.
A twig snapping ahead of them gave them pause. The six friends peered into the darkness, trying to see just what was in front of them. Another snap came, closer this time and to the side of them. They could hear something walking around them. Something stalking them in the darkness of the forest.
"M-Maybe we should, keep g-going," Rarity whispered to the group.
"W-We sh-should, b-but I can't s-seem t-to move," Twilight managed as they shook in fear.
"C'mon, Twilight, we gotta keep going," Rainbow Dash said in her ear.
"Yes, do keep going," a deep voice whispered in Twilight's other ear.
She yelped and tumbled over, frantically looking around for what whispered in her ear. The whole group pressed their backs to one another, eyes trying to pierce the night. A laughter came on the air, distant and haunting. Twilight gulped, trying to get her heart out of her throat. The forest seemed still once more, no more sounds of woodland creatures or rustling, no more twigs snapping or leaves moving about. Only silence fell save the heavy breaths of the six terrified ponies.
"Wh-What happned to all th' noises?" Applejack asked.
"Whatever it is better show itself, this is getting annoying," Rainbow Dash said defiantly.
"Oh, I don't believe you would want that," the deep voice returned from the middle of them. Terror took them as they scattered into the darkness of the woods. Twilight could hear the distant screams of her friends as they all went running.
She didn't stop however, even when the screams started to fade out of earshot. She continued to run forward, dodging trees and leaping over fallen branches. It wasn't until a dead tree she hadn't seen tripped her that she stopped. Out of breath and matted with sweat, she looked around her from the dim glow of her horn. The realization that she was alone finally set in.
"Guys?!" she shouted into the night air desperately. "Can anypony hear me?!"
She continued to suck in air, trying to calm down. Every muscle in her body screamed in agony as she set the light of her horn out towards the darkness. Her eyes squinted, trying to see as much as she could. Trees as far as she could see, with no sign of a path or clearing. As she calmed, the eerie silence of the forest made itself known.
"Hello?!" she shouted again, turning this way and that in hopes to catch a glimpse of one of her friends. Setting herself down on the ground, she sulked and stared at the ground before the snapping of a twig behind her startled her. Her horn charged and sparked with purple magic before the face of her friend Applejack came into view.
"Thank goodness!" she exclaimed in relief. "I thought I would never find anypony."
Applejack nodded as Twilight turned and stared out into the dark forest. "Now we just need to find the oth-"
She couldn't complete the sentence as the sharp crack made her ears ring. Twilight crumpled into a ball on the forest floor and in her fading vision watched as Applejack's face morph into the hideous visage of a changeling. Before darkness enveloped her, she could feel herself being lifted from the ground and taken into the chilled night.
Twilight groaned as she stirred. The world to her was a very fuzzy and cold one. Her legs moved slowly, trying to focus on everything around her. All she could hear was muffled voices before the world finally came into focus. Stone walls surrounded her save for one side of iron bars. She groaned again, this time out of frustraton.
Her thoughts turned to the mission she had been sent on with her friends, curious to know if they were all right as well. She then began to wonder where she had been taken before she rolled over onto her stomach. Shaking her head, she managed to look up and see shapes contrasted in dim torch light. A voice came, however, that filled her with an overwhelming sense of comfort.
"Hey guys, she's up!" Rainbow Dash shouted into the room as her friends came in from the darkness to see her. They rushed to her side to help her up to her hooves as a smile came across her tired face.
"I'm so glad it's you guys!" Twilight exclaimed, reaching out to hug her friends tightly.
"Ya'll can say that again, while I was out there I got attacked by someone lookin' exactly like you, Twilight," Applejack said, concern in her voice.
"The last thing I remember is seeing you before I was knocked out," Twilight said looking to Applejack.
"It's the same with the rest of us," Rarity explained. "We were all the victims of imposters it seems."
"You are correct," a chilling voice came from the doorway. Beyond the bars of their cell, Queen Chrysalis entered with a sneer on her face.
"Chrysalis!" Twilight shouted in anger.
"We meet again Twilight Sparkle," Chrysalis said with all the smugness in the world. "Only this time on my terms."
"When we get out of here we're going to stop you and your horde of changelings!" Rainbow Dash shouted, flying up towards the bars and looking as though she were trying to bend them. This was met with bemused laughter.
"With what?" Chrysalis asked with a smirk. "You going to bend those bars all by yourselves and beat on me until I give up? I've already taken your precious Elements of Harmony away from you and your magic won't work in here, my partner has seen to that."
At the mention of her partner, shadows snaked into the door Chrysalis had entered. The rolled and gathered before King Sombra stepped out from them. His appearance was met with gasps of surprise from the six ponies as he grinned menacingly at them.
"I would love nothing more than to destroy each of you personally," Sombra said with a low growl. "You cost me my kingdom along with that wretched Princess and her husband. But you're ever so lucky that I have a kingdom to take back or you would each wish I had given you something so sweet as swift destruction."
"You see, you're far too late anyway," Chrysalis added. "As we speak my changelings are preparing to attack your precious Crystal Empire where we will sap the crystal ponies of their happiness. After that, no force in all of Equestria can hope to challenge the combined power of Queen Chrysalis and King Sombra. Our terrible rule shall last for all eternity!"
"Are you quite finished?" Rarity asked from the back of the cell. "Because honestly, these speeches do go on and on. We're the best, blah blah."
"Ya'll will never take th' Crystal Empire anyway," Applejack said with a smirk. "Princess Cadence an' Shinin' Armor are gonna be expectin' ya'll anyway."
"Yeah, and when Princess Celestia hears we never made it back to Ponyville, she's gonna be comin' up here herself!" Rainbow Dash said.
"And then we're gonna throw a big party when we get back to Ponyville!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, bouncing excitedly.
"Um, what they said," Fluttershy muttered as she shrank a bit into the cell.
"You failed long before you were even able to get your changelings to the Crystal Empire, it's over Chrysalis," Twilight said with a grin. It suddenly faded though as Chrysalis and Sombra both began laughing hysterically. The six ponies looked at one another concerned before Rainbow Dash flew at the bars.
"Hey! What's so funny?! Didn't you hear her, it's over, you lost!"
"Fools," Chrysalis said, wiping a tear from her eye. "Did you really think I would be in here gloating if I didn't already have my changelings prepared to strike. They await my command this very instant to strike from the very heart of the empire!"
"No! That can't be!" Twilight grimaced.
"I'm afraid it is little fool," Chrysalis said peering into the cell. "Changelings are all over the Crystal Empire preparing to feast on the happiness of your precious friends. You should feel lucky though, that you won't suffer their same fate, at least not immediately. You, your friends and your precious princesses shall become mere playthings for my amusement once the whole of Equestria is mine. Should you fail to entertain me, you'll become food for my subjects. All of the love and happiness you hold in your hearts drained away."
Twilight shrank back into the cage with her friends as Chrysalis and Sombra laughed to themselves and began walking back to the door they had entered. As they left the six ponies, Twilight looked back to her friends and sulked, staring at the ground. Her mind turned to her brother and Cadence as she felt her friends place reassuring hooves on her back. There was one thought though that crept into her mind that made her even more sad. The wish that she had made earlier that morning.
As she lay on the cold stone floor, exhaustion seemed to take over as her friends moved to her side and lay with her. All the six could do now was wait and hope that they could either escape or be rescued.
The Crystal Tower shimmered in the morning sun as light stretched out along the kingdom. The crystal ponies began their daily routines as Princess Cadence moved to the balcony of the Crystal Tower. Her sleepy eyes looked over the kingdom as a smile passed over her face. Behind her she could hear the falling of hoof-steps and a small steaming mug coming out in front of her. Taking it with her magic, she was joined by Shining Armor who took a sip from his own cup.
"We've got a busy day ahead of us," Shining Armor said, placing a hoof on his wife's shoulder.
"Yes, we have so many preparations to make," Cadence stated, rubbing sleep out of her eyes and taking a drink. "Do you think it's possible though? An attack here?"
"I'm not one to question Princess Celestia," Shining replied as he stretched himself out.
"Yes, but I'm sure there's nothing to worry about," Cadence said as she leaned against him. "Twilight and her friends are more than capable to take care of this before it becomes a problem."
Shining Armor smiled a bit and nodded, nuzzling Cadence before she turned back towards the throne room of the Crystal Tower. Shining Armor stayed on the balcony overlooking the kingdom, watching below as the crystal ponies began to flood the town square. He sipped at his tea once more before turning towards the throne room himself and looking to Cadence as she climbed up to her throne to prepare for the morning's delegations.
"Hey, I think I may go down into town and walk around a bit," he said, setting the tea down on a nearby table.
"Why's that?" Cadence asked, a confused look on her face.
"With all this doom and gloom approaching, it might be a good idea to show the crystal ponies that we're still around and they have nothing to worry about."
"I can come with you," Cadence said, seeming uncomfortable with the thought.
"You've got a lot to do," Shining Armor said as he climbed up the stairs to the throne and kissed Cadence on the cheek. "I won't be gone long anyway, you take care of business."
Cadence reluctantly nodded and kissed him on the cheek as well. "Okay, but not too long. I'd feel better with you near me anyway."
"Not too long, I promise."
Shining Armor stepped down from the throne room and moved to the chamber doors of the throne room. Cadence sighed a bit as she watched him leave, unable to quell the uneasy feeling she felt deep inside.
From the Crystal Palace, Shining Armor found himself passing the Crystal Heart and heading to the plaza where most of the crystal ponies gathered. At first they hadn't noticed him, but it only took one to have the whole plaza suddenly bowing to him as he approached. Shaking his head, he waved his hooves around and smiled.
"Come on now, there's no need for this," he said trying to get them to rise again. "Just think of me as one of you!"
"Your highness," a blue coated pony spoke up from the crowd. "Is it true what we've heard? We're in danger again?"
Shining Armor winced a bit. He wasn't certain where they could've heard the rumor from. He was certain that there had been no one else informed than himself and Princess Cadence. His mouth hung open, trying to think of what to say. The crystal ponies gathered around him with expecting eyes before he cleared his throat.
"While it's true there is something out there trying to return, I can assure you that it's being taken care of and there's absolutely no cause for alarm," he stated confidently, giving them a big smile. The crowd seemed to buy it, muttering to themselves and nodding.
"Rest assured though," Shining Armor continued. "You're all safe. Our new palace guards are on watch day and night to make certain we're protected from any threat that may appear in our kingdom."
The crowd looked to one another again as Shining Armor's concern began to show. Their eyes turned back to him as he put his brave face back on. The crowd, to him, seemed convinced but he could still feel the twinge of uncertainty. The crowd began to talk amongst themselves as Shining Armor slowly but surely skulked away. As he wandered the street, he felt himself suddenly carried by the sweet smell of fresh baked goods. His spirits lifted again, following his nose to a bakery that had the door opened.
Stepping inside, he saw a pony inside wearing what looked to be a chef's hat and an apron. He moved from the counter to the kitchen, depositing cupcakes and fresh pastries behind a glass window. With a smile, the pony took note of Shining Armor and beckoned him further inside.
"Please, my dear prince, come in why don't you?" he said as he placed a pan behind the counter and moved towards the kitchen again.
Shining Armor stepped in looking around curiously. "Did you just open? I always thought this was a general store."
The pony halted suddenly, eyes widening before turning and smiling. "No no, you must be mistaken. I have been here for quite a while."
"Why don't I remember this place?" Shining Armor asked, scratching his head with his hoof. The pony zipped to his side and placed a hoof on Shining's back with a smile.
"You must be tired, my prince, we have been here for some time," the pony said again trying to push him into the shop. "Now please, come in, sample some of my goods, yes?"
Shining Armor stepped in, still looking around curiously. Unable to shake the unease he felt. The shelves around him he could have sworn were covered with things other than tasty treats and baking supplies. From the kitchen he heard a hissing noise followed by a clattering. Angry growls followed as he canted his head to one side and cleared his throat.
"Is everything okay in there?" he asked reluctantly before the pony shot his head back through the swinging door of the kitchen.
"Oh yes, my prince, everything is fine," the pony said as more pans and metal objects sounded like they had fallen. "Please excuse me for one moment."
More angry sounds flooded in from the kitchen before the pony stepped back out with a tray in his mouth. Upon the tray was a slice of cake which was then set upon a table in the main area of the bakery. The pony backed away and presented it to Shining Armor with a large smile on his face. The cake looked delicious and moist with white frosting running through red velvet. The white-topped treat smelled amazing as well, filling Shining Armor's senses as he moved towards it.
"Is this for me?" he asked, looking to the pony.
"Yes, my prince, it is our latest creation we made especially for you and your princess," the pony said, looking as though he were trying to stifle laughter. "We would like you to taste it and see how you like it."
"I'm sure it will be delicious," Shining Armor said with a smile. "But I'm not hungry at the moment."
The pony's face went long as Shining Armor turned to leave. His mouth hung open in panic before suddenly he flopped onto the ground and began bawling. His hooves hit the ground in a tantrum and his tears flooded the ground.
"Oh please, my prince!" he shouted as some of the crystal ponies outside stopped and stared into the shop. "My wife, she says I'm no good on my own! I just wanted to prove her wrong! Please taste it! Oh please! This might be my only chance!"
Shining Armor looked between the outside world and the pony that was flailing on the ground in tears. Gritting his teeth a bit, he trotted towards the cake and nodded.
"All right, please, stop," he said taking the fork into the air with his magic. The pony quickly got up from the ground and leaned forward in excitement. His eyes followed the fork as it tore into the cake and a piece was extracted. His legs trembled as the fork made its way to Shining Armor's mouth and he squealed in delight as Shining placed it in his mouth and began to chew. Shining looked at him strangely but couldn't deny that the morsel in his mouth was very good.
"You get really excited when people try your stuff don't you?" Shining Armor asked with a slight smile.
"Oh yes, especially when it's our special customers such as yourself and the others," the baker hissed a bit with a sneer.
Shining Armor furrowed his brow, trying to think of what he could mean by the others. The door slammed shut behind him suddenly causing him to turn. Just as he did, however, the world began to spin. Every colour around him looked as though it were draining away as he collapsed onto his back. Wide eyed, he looked around, trembling and sweating before the baker's face appeared above him. An evil grin crawled over it before the face began to mutate.
Shining blinked and cried out, trying to reason out what was happening to him. The distorted, horrifying face that morphed and sagged in odd areas filled him with terror he'd never felt before. He blocked the sight with his hooves, trying not to look at it. The creature inched it's face towards him as a deep, growling voice came.
"What's the matter, my prince?" it asked before it was joined by horrid black figures with deformed faces. "Did I use too much sugar?"
Shining Armor felt everything going dark as twisted laughter filled his ears. His body felt like it was sliding away down an icy slope. Everything was distant suddenly spiraling into an expansive darkness that swallowed him.
Shining Armor could swear he heard voices as the world around him became fuzzy and green. Blinking his eyes, he groaned and tried to raise up, only to find his head meeting a rather sturdy surface. Grunting, he fell back and put his hooves to his head, the sharp pain waking him up. Focusing, he could see green solid walls surrounding him. Before him was a dingy see-through surface through which he saw green pods and two changelings in what looked to be a basement.
Snorting, he backed up as far as he could and rammed his side into his prison, but found it wouldn't budge. The sound, however, did alert the two changelings who were standing nearby. Sneering, they moved to his cocoon and began to tap on the transparent window. He could hear their muffled laughter as they mocked him. The two took to making faces and laughing, their taunting only enraging Shining Armor further.
"What's the matter, your highness?" the one on the left asked. "Why the long face?"
The two burst into laughter as Shining Armor knitted his brow and grit his teeth.
"Yeah, why the long face?" the one on the right asked, laughing harder than he honestly should have, despite the incredulous look he received from the other changeling.
"You better get comfortable, your highness," the changeling on the left said, interrupting the laughter of his friend. "You're gonna be in here till Queen Chrysalis gets here. She's told us to make sure you stay nice and cozy."
"Yeah, cozy!" the one on the right said before containing laughter. The other changeling huffed and jabbed him, nodding towards a door at the far end of the room. The two slinked out of the basement and shut the door behind them, leaving Shining Armor to continue trying to bash the cocoon apart. He sank back after a few hard smacks and began to examine the pod a bit in the dim light.
His thoughts turned to Cadence and wondering just what was happening outside. Had the invasion all ready begun? Was his wife okay? All of these thoughts flooded in all at once, spurring him on to try again at the cocoon wall. His shoulder and side ached from slamming into the solid surface, but it only cemented his resolve. Focusing on the pain he continued to ram until suddenly a crack filled the chamber. He hit it again, another crack. The third and final crack sent him spiraling onto the stone floor of the basement.
Grunting, he got to his hooves and looked about the basement at the other pods. Inside were other ponies who had been taken and presumably replaced by changelings. They all seemed to stir from the commotion as he placed a hoof to his mouth to silence them.
"Don't worry, you'll be safe here," he said in a hushed tone. "I'll be back to get all of you out shortly, just hang tight for me, okay?"
The group all nodded as Shining Armor snuck slowly towards the door and pressed his ear against it. He could hear voices, the two changelings that had previously been mocking him. His eyes narrowed as he tried to make out the conversation.
"I heard they got the tower all nice and buttoned up," the first voice said. "They can't seem to get into that throne room though, heard the princess is all nice and feisty."
Snickering came from the other changeling as Shining Armor backed slowly from the door and lowered his head. His hoof dug into the ground a little before he launched himself towards the door.
It came tumbling down on both the changelings who yelped in surprise from the weight of it hitting them. Shining Armor stood upon it giving a huff before leaping down. He took note he was inside the back room of the general store which had been dressed up to be a bakery. He knew he hadn't been going crazy. Gritting his teeth, he quickly made his way to one of the windows and took a peak outside.
Changelings were flying about outside. The horrid green cocoons stood around where they had nabbed some of the ponies and where they sealed some of the doors to their homes and shops shut. His eyes turned to the Crystal Tower, though all he could see were the entrances being guarded by changelings. His resolve had carried him this far, it would have to carry him further. He would get to the throne room even if it meant taking on the entire changeling army.
Shining Armor took another peek out of the door and took a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he tried to envision the route in his mind. His eyes shot open suddenly as he charged out of the shop and into the street. Changelings from all over watched as he made his run. At first they stared as the white coated stallion made his charge towards the tower in awe. Even the guards at the entrance were stunned, trying to figure out what exactly they should do. In their panic, they clutched one another as Shining Armor charged through them and rammed into the doors.
As they gave way, he staggered a little but didn't stop galloping. His mind focused on only one thing. His wife. He snorted as he continued to make his valiant run, changelings that had been in the palace stunned to hear the thunderous hooves charging their way. He cleared a path straight through them, knocking them into walls and through windows. The sting in his body only spurred him onward.
He came to a halt, hooves digging into the carpet below as he got to the throne room door. He slammed his hooves onto the door and stood on his hind legs, trying to catch his breath.
"Cadence!" he cried out through heavy breaths. "It's Shining Armor! Please tell me you're okay!"
He could hear muttering behind the door.
"Shining, is that really you?" the soft voice of Cadence came.
"Oh thank Celestia!" he was near to tears, thankful to hear her voice again.
"Shining, I need to know it's really you, please," her voice came, sounding shaky. Shining Armor was taken aback by the statement but as he brought himself back down on his hooves, he turned his eyes to the ground.
"Do...Do you remember the night I proposed?" he asked with a bit of a smile as he pressed himself against the door again. "I had just graduated and I saw you at the ceremony. I had always had my eye on you. We took a long walk and I told you everything, how I used to think about you while you were watching Twily. Then I told you I wanted us to be married, to live our lives happily together and that I'd protect you."
"Then I called you silly," Cadence said as the door opened. "I'd call you silly again in a heartbeat too."
Shining Armor quickly took Cadence into his hooves as the two nuzzled one another. The moment was brief, however, as Cadence and Shining Armor both retreated into the throne room, the doors shut by the guards around them. There were only a handful of them who stood by the door diligently. Shining Armor looked to them and frowned before looking back to Cadence.
"What happened to all of them?" he asked as Cadence lowered her head.
"Some of them were changelings," she answered, flopping down onto her stomach. "They charged in and tried to get me to leave, but when it didn't work they tried to cocoon me. That's when the rest of the guards came in just in time to rescue me. What happened?"
"I don't know, I was in a shop some changelings had converted into a bakery to get me to eat some poison cake. When I woke up, I was in a cocoon. I managed to break free but they've got our subjects trapped in those things."
Cadence stared at the ground as her brow knitted tightly. Shining could see the strain the news was putting her under. All he could do was set a hoof on her back in comfort.
"This is all my fault," Cadence muttered.
"No it's not," Shining replied, still trying to comfort her.
"I should have put up a barrier, evacuated the citizens, anything," she said as her head lowered. "Instead I sat here."
"Now is not the time for this, Cadence," Shining Armor firmly said as Cadence looked up at him worriedly. "We can think about what we should have done later. We need to figure out what we're going to do now."
She stared into his eyes for a few moments before getting to her hooves and nodding. "You're right, we have to make sure the crystal heart is safe."
A smile formed on Shining Armor's face as he nodded and moved towards the guards. "You're all going to come with us. We are going to make sure nothing happens to the crystal heart. Nothing, and I mean nothing gets near it, is that clear?"
"Yes sir!" they shouted in unison.
With that, the doors were opened once more and the group moved out into the hallway. They traveled close to one another, the entourage of guards surrounding Shining and Cadence. The path was still cleared from Shining Armor's previous charge into the castle. Holes filled the walls to which Shining simply cleared his throat, seeing Cadence clearly staring at them.
Their deliberate pace soon found them in the courtyard. The crystal heart still stayed floating between the plinths. A sigh of relief came from Cadence as she took note of the lack of changelings around. The guards soon surrounded the pair as one of them turned his head back to Shining and Cadence.
"Your highness, you must protect yourselves," he said sternly. "You must place a bubble around yourselves and the crystal heart!"
"What about you?" Cadence asked, stepping forward a bit. The guard turned his head and looked out towards the town.
"We shall perform the duty we were brought on to do," he said proudly as Cadence backed away with a nod. Shining placed a hoof on her as their horns touched and sparked with magic. A barrier soon formed and came down around them, encasing them with the crystal heart.
The sound of skittering and cheering broke the silence as the group's eyes turned to the edge of the city. The sky blackened and moved as dark clouds swirled in the sky. Lightning cut the air and booming thunder rattled the ground. There within the darkness, pulled by changelings came a pure black chariot. Upon it rode Queen Chrysalis and King Sombra.
"No," Shining Armor said to himself. "Not him again."
The furious darkness continued to swarm the sky, consuming any sunlight that once touched the ground. The empire became shrouded as the chariot began to descend. It drew closer and closer to the tower, bringing with it the cold air of despair. The clattering of hooves on the stone street came as the chariot landed and halted. Both queen and king stepped from their ride and focused on the crystal heart. Chrysalis' subjects soon fluttered and clamored around the two of them, hissing and chattering amongst themselves.
The only sound for the moment was the fluttering of changeling wings. The guards around Cadence and Shining Armor stood ready to defend them as Queen Chrysalis and King Sombra stood opposite of the court yard. It seemed as though the staring contest would drag on for decades before Chrysalis stepped forward a bit, watching the guards bristle and prepare to attack with a bemused smile.
"I was going to negotiate, however that doesn't seem an option," she said as her smile turned crooked. "Your highness, if you would."
Sombra growled low as he advanced towards the guards. Suddenly they took flight, soaring towards him. His horn sparked with power as a raging fire of energy came pouring out of his eyes. His hooves slammed onto the ground, turning it blacker than night. Crystals jutted up from the ground towards the guards as they attempted to assault the king. One by one the guards were trapped by the crystals, their strength being sapped.
All the fight was soon out of them as Sombra calmly walked towards the barrier of Shining Armor and Cadence. Baring his fangs, he glared at them before his face twisted into a smile. He mockingly tapped the barrier and began to circle them slowly.
"Seems strong," he said, letting a bit of a laugh follow his words. "I remember you well Crystal Princess. Your husband threw you at the crystal heart. You must have been quite cross being used as a mere javelin."
"We defeated the both of you once," Shining Armor said defiantly as he and Cadence continued to turn to keep him in sight. "We will defeat you both again."
Sombra erupted into deep laughter. "Look around you. Your kingdom is encased in changeling cocoons. Your subjects sit waiting to be used for their love of one another and their kingdom. Food for the horde. You lost the moment you and your Princess Celestia tried to send those idiot ponies to stop us."
"What have you done to Twilight!?" Cadence demanded angrily, getting nothing but a sneer out of Sombra.
"They have been dealt with," Sombra answered coldly. "More food for the queen's ever hungry horde. Perhaps they'll join too. Wouldn't that be the finest reunion?"
"I swear if you harm a hair on her!" Shining Armor cried out, his hooves stamping into the ground.
"What will you do tiny prince?" Sombra asked as his came closer to the barrier, his eyes glaring into Shining Armor's. A slow chortle came as he continued to circle the barrier.
"Are you quite finished posturing, Sombra?" Chrysalis asked, looking at her own hooves, clearly bored. "My subjects are hungry and I need the power from the crystal heart before Celestia decides she's going to show up and ruin everything."
"Of course, my queen," he said, giving Cadence and Shining a sidelong glance.
"There's no way you'll be able to break our barrier!" Cadence shouted as her horn glow brighter.
"It's so much more satisfying when you have to work for it a little," Chrysalis said as she licked her lips a bit. Her horn began to glow green as she approached. Sombra soon joined her side, his own horn bristling with magic. Cadence and Shining Armor both held each other as their horns glow brighter, the barrier around them expanding a little.
The dark clouds above began to churn and swirl around the Crystal Tower as both Sombra and Chrysalis approached the barrier. The changelings all suddenly took off, taking shelter from the immense power that charged the air. The energy of Sombra and Chrysalis took on a life of its own, forming into a slithering beam of magic that slammed into the barrier. Cadence and Shining Armor grunted, trying to hold onto the barrier and keep it stable.
The miasma of energy that slammed into the barrier sparked and moved unable to penetrate. Chrysalis and Sombra dug their hooves into the ground as the magic swirled violently around them. There was a crack from the barrier as they pushed. Another crack came as Shining Armor and Cadence both tried to hold onto the barrier and seal the cracks in the barrier.
Suddenly, Shining Armor buckled and the barrier shattered. Shining groaned, feeling the stinging pain in his body from earlier. He weakly looked to Cadence before being grabbed and hoisted into the air by changelings. Cadence in the mean time tried to fight them off but found it was no use, being taken into the air as well. The maelstrom died down as Chrysalis and Sombra's horns powered down.
Chrysalis then stepped forward towards the crystal heart, sneering at both Shining Armor and Cadence. It filled her wide eyes the closer she got to it, barely able to contain the desire to consume all of the love that was stored inside of the heart. She licked her lips again, the feeling of victory sweeping over her.
"My subjects shall feast once more," she said triumphantly as she lowered her head.
"No! Please don't!" Cadence pleaded, but found it was far too late.
Chrysalis plunged her horn deep into the crystal heart, the love flowing out like a punctured damn. It's power swept over Chrysalis, being absorbed into her horn. Her eyes widened as pure magical power began to fill them, creating wisps of pure power to form in her eyes. She suddenly retracted her horn and stumbled backwards. Changelings moved to her side to catch her before they were zapped and thrown away from her.
As her body sparked with pure power, she turned to Sombra with an intense grin.
"Now I know why you hid it," she said, her voice now booming. "This power is immense!"
"More than enough for Celestia when she arrives," Sombra said as Chrysalis nodded and turned to her subjects.
"The Crystal Empire has fallen," she proclaimed. "Rest well and feed deeply, my subjects. We will be expecting company!"
She motioned towards Shining Armor and Cadence. "As for these two, they shall join us in the throne room as entertainment."
The changelings carried both Shining Armor and Cadence into the tower, followed by Chrysalis and Sombra. The dark clouds above settled over the city once more as changelings took to the skies. Their eyes full of hunger and an entire buffet before them.
