The Chronicle of The Hunter

Chapter 9: Rewind

"A good friend knows all of your stories, good or bad. A best friend has lived both of them with you."

- Anonymous

I would give anything to be back at the boutique right now, designing a new fashion line. I enjoy the presence of Applejack and Pinkie Pie, but they get a bit, rambunctious, for my taste. If I have to hear another burping contest, I will go crazy. My thoughts go back to Sunstriker, Rainbow, Twilight, and Fluttershy. I hope they're alright. I hope that-

Rain slowly starts to descend from the sky. Oh no, my gorgeous mane will be ruined! "Girls, we need to find shelter!" I snap.

"Alright Rarity, we will, calm your hooves," Applejack replies almost casually.

Calm my hooves? I'm wandering through some Celestia-forsaken woods, with no cover, and my perfectly coiffed mane is about to be destroyed by the tears of the sky. How am I supposed to calm my hooves? A glance at Pinkie Pie explains everything. That girl sure knows how to throw a party, but when it comes to fashion, neither the farm mare nor the party girl have any idea. If we were to suddenly arrive back in Ponyville in the condition I am now, I would never hear the end of it from my superiors. Photo Finish would never buy my designs again, or Chic Trend, or even Canterlot royalty. Oh, the humiliation! I magic in my trademark couch to flop down on, but it gets soaked in the sudden downpour. This will require a complete makeover when we return. And so will I. Several trips to the spa might suffice.

"Hurry up Rarity! We're not gonna find shelter if you don't move faster!" Applejack calls out behind her. Honestly, I don't know how that pony does it. I certainly keep myself trimmed down with enough jogs around town and lifting boxes with my latest works, but she is a complete powerhouse. Her physique is marvelous, and she is rather fast to boot. I guess working on a farm does that to a pony. I would consider doing more exercises, but muscles are so unstylish on mares such as myself.

A sudden change in my altitude makes me shriek. Applejack had turned around and tossed me onto her back. "Think y'all can try that fancy spell Strika was talking about with Twi?" She asks me.

"Darling, I can try, but I don't know if my magic is strong enough!" I reply. It's true. Although I use much levitation in my profession, that's mostly it in terms of magic. I've never had the time, or patience, to try and become proficient in that area, always leaving it to Twilight. Gathering all of my strength, I call out "Et sic patet caelum!" My beautiful horn glowed a pleasant light blue, much more in style than these drab colors of the woods, and a beam soared out, striking the clouds with a blue shockwave that cleared them up. I feel drained, but was worth not having to get my mane all messy and dirty.

Pinkie Pie is still bouncing along, her usual marvelous smile in place. I really do enjoy the company of the pink mare, but she gets a tad rambunctious for my tastes. Last party she hosted was another birthday party for her cute little alligator Gummy in the park, and was an atrocious mess afterwards. Most ponies were either drunk from cider or close to. I had almost everypony try to make a pass at courting me, mares and stallions both. Rainbow Dash actually approached me several times until she was finally escorted out by Applejack, who could hold her cider better than most ponies. I was asked to bring Pinkie Pie home, who was so emotionally tattered from her twenty two mugs of cider that when I asked if she was ok, she screamed and exclaimed that I was applying too much pressure and she needed time to think. Pinkie Pie doesn't ever need time to think.

"Now, didn't Sunstriker say something about my magic having a temporary cork in the system until I say the release?" I ask, trying to remember what he had said two days ago.

Applejack, with her improved memory and skill of honesty, jumped in with her reminder, "He did say something about that. Like how y'all can't do big magical stuff while you're doing that there spell."

"Thank you, Applejack. We might have run into a bit of trouble had you not reminded us. But it will make carrying my luggage a lot more difficult." Looking towards my pile of things, I realize how little of it I needed.

She's laughing. "Sugarcube, Ah'll take care of those things if you can levimetate 'em" Blushing slightly at her verbal blunder, she provides a harsh kick right into the bags and they fly through the air onto her back.

"Hey Applejack! You want help with those?" Pinkie Pie is already bouncing back. "I think I found our campsite for tonight already!"

A deep, throaty laugh echoes from Applejack. "Of course Ah want your help."

The pink mares head suddenly pops out of the bags. "Ok!"

Applejack jumped about twenty feet into the air, my bags, and Pinkie, flying everywhere. "Holy buck! Where in Tartarus did you come from?"

Pinkie grins slyly. "I'd tell you, but this story is rated teen!"

"Pinkie, dearest, are you sure you're alright?" I ask her nervously. She's being normal Pinkie, but it still confuses me how she does such things. It simply defies what I know about physics, and that isn't much. "And please be careful around my bags."

She looks at the mess of things around her. "Oh yeah! Sorry Rarity! Here, I'll help take some." She lifts four bags with one hoof and tosses them into the air and onto her bag. "Think you can get the rest, Applejack?"

Still a bit stunned from her little experience just now, Applejack shakes her head and nods. "Yep. Thanks Pinkie, y'all are mighty helpful. Let's all just keep on moving. Rarity, think you could take a bag?"

"Oh, of course Applejack. I do not wish to be too overbearing." I take a bag, filled to the brim with clothing. "Besides, you never know when inspiration might strike for my next fashion line."

We continue on silently, or as silent as a group of ponies can be when traveling with Pinkie Pie. She would occasionally test her party cannon, and her bouncing was somehow able to change noises every time she landed, but that was about it. She talked very little, for Pinkie Pie at least, and when she did, it was with some very strange topics, such as "the audience." Both Applejack and I looked around, but there's clearly nopony around besides us. I would also be able to sense if we were being watched. It works kind of like Pinkie Sense, but with more...sense, I guess is the best word.

"Ooh! Here we are!" Pinkie called out, as we reached a relatively flat area long the path. "I think we're about to get into Equestria!"

"Darling, you may be right," but as we step into the area, there's definitely something wrong. A look closer allows more understanding.

We could see Canterlot Castle, but there was no possible explanation for its looks. The normal white, gold, and blue color scheme was replaced by black, silver, and red. A green tinge surrounds it. The sky is a deep orange. The trees around us are burned to the ground, and only blackened trunks remained. Changelings patrolled the skies, and the howls of Timberwolves were clear with a full moon above. A giant shadow covered the clouds, shaped in-

"Well, well, well. Look who has finally decided to return." Discord. The draconequus steps out from a tree. There's something different with him. His normally yellow and red eyes are now just red. He's taller, more filled out, with thick muscles along his arms and torso. The air around him shimmered with bright green magic, signifying the presence of a Changeling. Applejack digs her hooves into the ground. "Discord, what in the hay do you want?" She demands.

"Well, Honest Applejack, I'll be blunt. I'd like Equestria. But wait, I already have it," he pulls out a notepad and crosses something off. "Step two was make allies. I've done that." He snaps his claws, and Queen Chrysalis suddenly appears next to him. Pinkie Pie becomes ferocious, teeth bared, hooves dug into the ground.

She suddenly jumps at Discord. He snaps his claws again, and a green bubble surrounds my pink friend, also solidifying her in solid casing. A green light surrounds the case, and she disappears. He looks to Applejack and I. We both drop the bags, and dig in. "Do I need to do the same to you, or will you come quietly?" He says simply.

"If y'all are thinking we're gonna come with ya, you're wrong! We'll never come with ya!" Applejack growls.

Suddenly Queen Chrysalis's horn glows green, and another shell appears. But this one is holding...Applebloom. My sole surviving friend backs off as two green hooves pretend to rip the case in half, taking her sister with it. Hanging her head in shame, she says, "I'll come. But ya better not touch my sister, or Ah swear to Celestia, Ah'll kill you both!"

Bravery was not a strong point for myself, unless there is some sort of reward. But the Changeling queen's horn is still glowing, and a third casing appears. Sweetie Bell. My dearest sister, captured by the Changelings. No. "This is not acceptable!" I declare, furious. "When Sunstriker gets back with Twilight and the others-"

Discord mutes me with a wave of his hand. "Enough, you little filly." Turning to Chrysalis, he says "My dearest marefriend, we may have a problem."

The queen steps forward, hoof sliding down Discord's back. "And just what would that be, baby?"

"Wait. Y'all are in a relationship!" Applejack exclaims, beating me to the punch. Ew, just ew. I enjoy seeing couples, but these two beasts are my exception.

"Yes. And a very successful one at that. Discord, my handsome coltfriend, captures ponies for me, and they join my hive. In return, I use my Changelings to patrol Equestria, and we rule together." Chrysalis nuzzles Discord, and he blushes slightly.

Suddenly his gaze turns fierce, and snapping his fingers again, both Applejack and I are in chains. SO unfashionable. "Where. Is. The Prince?" He hisses, claw sliding along my face. "Tell me, or I kill you both, and your precious little sisters, no questions asked."

I don't want to die. Covering my face with my hooves, I shriek "He's headed for the Trecks, looking for his sister!"

Turning to the Queen, Discord snaps "Baby, send two squadrons of Changelings, direction due south of this location. Tell them to leave none alive. The Eclipse Prince is back, with the power of dragonfire." She nods, recognition assaulting her face, and a massive group of Changelings ascends into the sky, clearly more than what Discord asked for. They slowly fly away, towards Sunstriker and the others. Seeing our faces, she shrugs. "He said none alive."

Looking back around, Discord smiles dangerously. This isn't the Discord we knew, who was attacking last time for fun. He's for real this time. No joking. "Well, my little ponies, you all will be slaves in the new revolution. Welcome to the Chaos Empire. Oh, and don't forget to say hi to King Sombra for me."

And so this is what Equestria has come to. He encases both Applejack and I, and as we are teleported away, I see a tear run down Applejack's face. And when Applejack is gone, I realize there's no turning back. We've lost. The only chance we have is about to be destroyed by a swarm of Changelings, and even if they survive that, the three most powerful enemies we have ever faced are teamed up. And the Elements of Harmony are nowhere to be found. As depression, sadness, and shame rack my mind, I recognize one last fact.

Princess Celestia couldn't beat them, and we've never seen her full power. And unless Sunstriker finds Princess Luna, defeats the Changelings, and makes it back, the Celestial Triumvirate cannot be together to defeat them. And if the power of Discord, the Queen, and King Sombra is shared, then it will take the three of them and the Elements to defeat them. If we lose even one pony, we have no chance of winning.

Welcome to the Chaos Empire. Population: Everypony.

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Now, before we begin with this section of Chapter 9, I'd like to thank the (as of now) 121 people who have viewed this story, and the others who have stuck with the story and favorited it. This is my first time writing a story, any kind of story, and it feels good to know that it's getting at least some popularity. This story will go on, and even I am interested to see how Future DarkestStar will wrap it up. But, until then, enjoy the second half of Chapter 9!

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Hoofsteps echo through the passageway as I dash up to the balcony. To think that these fiends would have the gall to attack my country directly. I'm not sure whether it's the fact that they were besting me or that I was about to lose my own people that was scaring me.

Probably both.

A bolt of bright green magic rebounds up the spiral staircase, nearly shearing off my mane. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Called out Chrysalis. That bitch. I've hated Changelings, their very presence annoying me. The simple fact that Discord had created them bothered me even more. Yes, Discord.

During the Great Wars, Discord's magic affected the minds of some ponies, causing them to go through severe changes. They would almost become pony zombies in a way, feeding off of love and other emotions of ponies, learning to disguise themselves without the help of magic. But the biggest bother was their queen, Chrysalis. There is something about the Changeling queen that messes with my mind, making me feel like there's more to her than meets the eye.

Another blast echoes through the passageway, returning me to my situation. Almost as soon as Sunstriker lowered the protection surrounding the kingdom, Changelings returned en masse, swarming towns all across the land. Their path? Straight through the Everfree Forest. Should've seen that one coming, probably. Ponyville was taken out of action within minutes, and it doesn't help that my most trusted student, Twilight Sparkle, and her companions, who wield the Elements of Harmony, are off looking for my brother, who may even be dead. And if he is...

Discord leers out in front of me after that last burst of green magic brought him here. "Hi Tia," he says almost casually, leaning against the wall, "thought you could escape us, huh?" Snapping a claw, Chrysalis and King Sombra appear next to him, slowly surrounding me.

My horn glows white, and I fire magic bolts at all three. They dodge and laugh. "My dearest surrogate sister," Chrysalis began, but I cut her off.

"I am in no way your sister, you featherbrained bucker!"

She looms above me. "Oh, but you are." While smirking, bright green light surrounds the Changeling, and she transforms into a pegasus. "I was Cloud Mane, Sunstriker's one and only marefriend back during the war."

"NO!" I yell, and fire more magic. All are blocked by a recognizable shield. "Sunstriker tried to teach me what magic he could...but to no avail. I was a pegasus, after all. But once becoming a Changeling queen, it made things easier. Right, dearest?" She says, nuzzling Discord. "Yes, very easy to teach," He finishes, returning the nuzzle. She transforms back and blasts me with magic, surrounding me with a green casing.

No. I am Princess Celestia, and I will not go without a fight. I melt the casing, and she pales. "But, that's fireproof!"

Smiling, I step forward. "Not to the heat level of the sun. Stupid Changeling."

King Sombra tries to lock my hooves with black magic. I simply step over the magic, and continue on my path towards Chrysalis, or Cloud Mane, or whatever the hell she's named.

Discord snaps a claw again, and the ground below me disappears. I quickly recover, fly back up, and pin the Queen against a wall. "You lied to my brother. I cannot forgive you for that." I hiss.

"Oh, but you killed me. And I won't forgive you, either." She whistles, and several Changelings appear behind me, restraining my hooves. One even slaps a magic blocker over my horn. They've gotten smarter, I will admit. But not smart enough. I backflip through the air with my wings, slapping away the five Changelings, and throw the blocker off of my horn. Leveling it at Chrysalis, I say "Game over, queenie."

Discord chuckles. "Remember us? The other two you have to defeat? And I can see you're already starting to falter, Tia. One thousand years as a softie must have made you lose your touch." A bubble appears. I see my brother. Alive. With Twilight. But she has wings. Was he so stupid that he....yes, an alicorn spell. Of course. And Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are with them. They cannot see us, but we can see them. The draconequus continues, "As you can see, your brother is fine. But I plan to fix that." The bubble pops, and little bits of chocolate rain descend from above. At least Discord partially has his sense of humor.

More Changelings arrive, this time taking the opportunity to also restrain my wings. Discord walks right up to me and strokes my cheek with a claw. "Oh, it will be good ruling with you."

What is he talking....shit. But, there's no way. How did they? No. No. NO.

King Sombra steps in. "I can take her from here, Discord." Black magic snakes around me, slowly ascending around my feet. As it reaches me, I can feel a change taking effect. My normally white coat slowly turns to a burnt reddish color, hooves white. I recognize what he's doing. A transformation spell, similar to what Luna went through. But my transformed version is much more lethal. I tend not to use it. It causes...problems, to say in the least.

The smoke continues to rise, constantly changing my coat. I struggle against the Changelings, suddenly weak. I beg to him "Sombra, you don't know what you're doing! Stop now! You're going to regret this!"

The stallion chuckles deeply, throaty and loud. Discord and Chrysalis join him. "Oh, but I do know, Princess. More than you would think." As he reveals my other form, I close my eyes, expecting the worst. My tail and mane change last, I can feel it. They turn bright orange, like the color of the sun, this I know.

Deep thoughts rack my mind. It's time. Oh, I've been waiting for this day for so long. To be released and take what is rightfully mine. Thank you, Sombra. You will be rewarded thoroughly, my dear ally.

Wait. That's not...me. Or is it?

Get out, you stupid filly. It's time for the true Princess to show her face.

No, I can't let you! Don't you remember what happened last time? Stop NOW!

Too late. Silly Princess, tricks are for foals.

My eyes snap open, and I feel power coursing through my veins like I haven't felt in the longest time. The other three step back, admiring my true beauty. Facing Sombra, I nod. "You've made a wise choice, King Sombra." He kneels respectfully. Facing Discord and Chrysalis, I offer a red hoof to each. They take it, and we hoofbump. "May the Chaos Empire live on." I say.

Discord smiles. He knows whats going on. "Welcome back, Princess Corona Flame. May our reign be lasting forever."

It's time for someponies to learn a lesson about their true leaders.