Virtues of Harmony: A Canterlot Weddingby SFFChaptersPart 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 1"I'm disappointed in you, Twiley." Is what Shining Armor WANTED to say. He had been meaning to speak to his sister, Twilight Sparkle, about her behavior during the wedding planning for some time now. Ever since she and her five friends first arrived in Canterlot to help prepare the wedding between him and Cadance, Twilight has been acting...well, for lack of a better world, childish. Everything Cadance did was an issue to Twilight. She complained about how Cadance wanted Applejack's food to be top notch. She complained when Cadance was giving pointers to Rainbow Dash on her Sonic Rainboom. She complained when Cadance said that Fluttershy's bird orchestra "needed work". She complained when Cadance criticized Pinkie Pie's decorations. And she complained when Cadance asked for modifications to the wedding dresses Rarity had prepared. This string of childish behavior bothered Shining Armor immensely. Twilight absolutely ADORED Cadance back when she was babysat by her, but now everything she did was an issue. Why couldn't Twilight understand that Cadance was under a lot of stress wanting to ensure her special day went as well as it could? Shining Armor intended to talk to Twilight after the wedding rehearsal the night before the actual wedding, to try to get to the bottom of her odd and frankly embarrassing behavior. But then, Twilight did the one thing nopony ever thought she was capable of. In the middle of the rehearsal, Twilight suddenly burst into the room, ranting and raving about Cadance being "evil", all the while viciously spewing insults at her. This drove Cadance to tears, leading to her running off. The room was deathly silent. Shining Armor wanted to tell Twilight she had made a HUGE mistake. He wanted to tell her how disappointed he was that Twilight chose to do things this way instead of talking things over. Most of all, he wanted answers. He wanted to know exactly WHAT drove Twilight to do such an unthinkable thing. That's what he WANTED to say to her, but what came out of his mouth was...not that. "Well...I guess all your childish idiocy just wasn't enough, was it? You just HAD to go the extra mile, DIDN'T you?" Wait...WHAT?! The harsh words caught Shining Armor off guard just as much as it did Twilight, her friends and Celestia, "B-Big brother...?" Twilight said, wide eyed, "W-Wait, Twilight! What I mean is-" Is what he WANTED to say, but again, his words were not his own, "You just couldn't accept that I was moving on from you, could you? You HAD to get the last word in. Well guess what, 'Twiley'? The world does NOT revolve around you!" No...NO! This is wrong! Yes, he was mad at her, but he would NEVER say such hateful things to her little sister, best friend forever! "Er...S-Sir Shining Armor...?" Fluttershy stammered as Shining Armor advanced on Twilight, who stepped back in growing confusion and fear. "Honestly, I knew you were being a pest, but I never thought you would do something THIS low!" "A PEST?!" Dash cried with a growing glare. "You heard me." Shining Armor spat, "A PEST. Throughout this entire week Twilight, you have done nothing but whine, complain, and fuss over every little thing Cadance has done. Did it EVER occur to you that maybe, just MAYBE, she's just stressed over her wedding?!" "B-But..." Twilight whimpers, "I-I was just t-trying to..." A sudden hoof stamp from Celestia cut her off, "Sir Shining Armor, that is ENOUGH!" "NO!" Shining Armor yelled, even as his mind desperately pleaded, *No, stop! This isn't what I want! I don't want to hurt my little sister!* Shining Armor glared at his sister darkly, "It's ALWAYS about you, Twilight! Ever since we were little, it's ALWAYS been about you! And the one time its about ME, and MY wedding, YOU chose to ruin EVERYTHING!!" Twilight gasped as her eyes watered, but not everypony was going to take this lying down, "Now listen here, you varmint!" Applejack said, defensively standing between him and Twilight, "I'll admit, Twilight screwed up with this, and she REALLY shouldn't have done that, but you're taking this WAY too far!" "Agreed!" Rarity says, "She only has your best interests at heart!" "You actually BELIEVE that, don't you?" Shining Armor says with a bitter laugh, "You actually believe that she insulted my bride to be out of concern, don't you? Not out of petty jealously and her inability to accept that I can't ALWAYS be in her life?!" "Stop it!" Pinkie yelled, getting angry, "Maybe if you give her a chance to explain herself-" "I've given her MORE than enough chances already!" Shining Armor said sternly, "I chose to ignore her idiocy this entire week, but NO MORE!" He glared darkly, "Twilight, you have crossed the line! I thought your years with Celestia and at Ponyville would mature you, but this proves that you're just as possessive and selfish as you've ever been! I do NOT need a petty, selfish pony like you as my best mare!" This got a gasp out of everypony, "B...But...I-I..." Twilight whimpered before falling on her legs, sobbing. *T...Twily, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! Something...Something's controlling me! I love you, little sister! Please! Let me be heard!!* Shining Armor's mind frantically tried to reassert control, but it was no use. Whatever enchantment was affecting him had complete control over his body and vocal cords. This force made his body stand up straight and glare at the other ponies, "Now...if you all will excuse me, I need to tend to my bride to be, and ensure she has not been traumatized by this...this sickening display." Celestia rarely ever got angry. The closest she ever got was when Twilight nearly destroyed Ponyville in her obsession to write a friendship report. So it came to a shock to not just the others, but herself, when she glared at Shining Armor, opened her mouth...and yelled. "SIR SHINING ARMOR!!" She bellowed in the Royal Canterlot Voice, "Your actions are UNACCEPTABLE!" *I KNOW! This isn't me, Princess! Please, help me!* Shining Armor's mind raced, but his body simply turned away, "...With all due respect Princess, you may have been able to defend Twilight in the past...but this time, there is no excuse." As he stormed off, his mind desperately tried to stop himself, *No...NO! This can't be happening! Twiley, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please, forgive me! TWILLLLLLYYYYY!!!* The room was almost silent. Almost, as Twilight's soft sobbing was very audible. This quickly became accompanied by Dash's deep, furious growl, "That...no good...SON OF A-" "Rainbow!" Applejack says, putting a calming hoof on her shoulder, "Now's not the time...." "..." Dash gave a final growl before turning to Twilight, who was still sobbing as Celestia sat next to her, drapping her wing over her, "...Everypony." Celestia finally says, "I wish to speak to Twilight. Alone." "Are...Are you sure?" Fluttershy asks as the Sun Princess nods, "Please." The other ponies looked at eachother hesitantly, but finally nodded before turning to leave. Dash stopped to turn her head, "Twi...I just want you to know, I got your back." Twilight gave no answer other than another sob. Dash sighed deeply before joining the others outside. "Twilight..." Celestia says soothingly as her student sobbed. "He's right...I messed up...I burst in here without proof, and now my big brother hates me, and I've hurt my favorite foalsitter!" "Twilight, listen to me." Celestia says, "I am certain Shining Armor does not hate you. He was...simply acting under the pressure." She frowns, "And while I would NOT have said it so...spitefully, he DID have a point. Your words to Cadance were...shocking." Twilight nods as she sniffles, "I...I know that now. I wasn't thinking clearly." "Shh..." Celestia says with a smile, "I forgive you. Your friends forgive you. And I'm certain that, once he has cooled down, your brother will forgive you as well." "You...You really think so?" Celestia nods, "I do." Twilight managed a small smile, "P-Princess...thank you." She stood up, wiping her tears, "There's...one thing I need to do, though. I need to find Cadance and apologize to her." Celestia nods, "Of course. I will be outside if you need me." She gave her student a reassuring smile before standing and leaving. Unbeknownst to them, however, Cadance had watched the entire thing. Once Celestia left, Cadance exited the shadows, wiping her tear, "...T-Twilight..." Twilight turned to her, frowning, "Cadance, I...I'm so sorry." Cadance nods, looking down, "...I am sorry too, Twilight." "Huh?" This caught Twilight by surprise, "YOU'RE sorry? For what?" "...For what I must now do." Cadance says as she looks up to her, her eyes suddenly turning green as a greenish circle formed around Twilight. "Wh-What the?!" "Forgive me, Twilight Sparkle..." Cadance said apologetically, "But you have seen and heard too much, and I cannot afford to let anything hinder my plan." She sighed deeply, "I take no pleasure in this...but I must do whatever it takes." The circle glowed as Twilight looked at her, aghast, "C-Cadance?!" "...Teleport." Cadance said simply. The circle glowed brightly, and before she could react, Twilight vanished, whisked off to wherever the teleportation spell sent her. "Cadance" then pulled out something from her mane; a locket. She opened it, looking at the picture within, "...Whatever it takes." She said to herself solemnly before turning and leaving. ***** "Uuugh..." Twilight moaned as she slowly came too, blinking at the darkness, "Wh...Where...?" She said before lighting her horn. She looked around, noticing the crystals around her. There was no doubt about it in her mind. She was in a cave. The question was...where was it? To be continued.... Author's Note This is the first part of a prequel sidestory of sorts to "Virtues of Harmony", of which I am the co-author. I want to make one thing perfectly clear. This is not, not, not, NOT an anti-Shining Armor fic. The reason he is so nasty in this chapter is because his body and voice are being controlled by Chrysalis' spell, a fact I hope I was able to make clear. Once the spell is broken, Shining will be back to his old, nice self, albeit VERY repentant over what the spell forced him to say. As for why I felt it necessary to write this, well...let's just say that the Chrysalis of VoH is VASTLY different from the canon Chrysalis. You'll see. :P Part 2"What seems to be the trouble?" "Cadance" asked as she approached her and Shining Armor's room. Two guard ponies were outside the door, looking worried. "Ah, Princess." One guard says as they turn to her, "Its about the Captain. Ever since the...incident last night, he has refused to leave his quarters. He seems to be...arguing with himself. Its quite...unsettling." "Cadance" nodding, hiding her knowledge of this. She should have expected that Shining Armor's love for his sister would be trying to fight back against her spell, which had made him say such horrible things to Twilight, "...I will speak to him." **** In his quarters, Shining Armor clenched his teeth as he fidgeted tensely, "Have to...find her..." He moaned, "Have to...apologize...NO!!" He suddenly blurts, sitting up as his eyes changed from their natural color to green, "She deserved it! She deserved every BIT of it! Her actions have SHAMED the Sparkle name!" His eyes changed back to blue, "B-But...she is my little sister, best friend forever...I didn't even give her a chance to explain...AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE?!" He roared as his eyes turned green, "I TRUSTED her! And...And I still do...but..." His eyes fluctuated between blue and green as "Cadance" slowly entered, "Shiney..." Shining Armor turned to her, "C-Cadance..." He sighed deeply as he slumped into his chair, "I...I am so confused..." "Cadance" nodded as she nuzzled him, "I understand. You are mad at Twilight for what she did...but you are mad at yourself for treating her so harshly." Shining Armor nodded gravely, "...Where is she? I...I need to..." "Cadance" put a hoof to his mouth, "I spoke with her after everypony left last night. She was devastated by what she had done, and insisted on not attending the wedding." "GOOD!" Shining Armor blurted as his eyes turned green, then back to blue, "N-NO! That's not good! I mean..." "Shh..." "Cadance" helped him into his bed, "You are just tired and stressed, my love. Rest now. I will wake you when it is time for the wedding." "Y-Yes...rest...I need rest..." Shining Armor murmured almost trance-like as he turned on his side. "Cadance" frowned as she watched him sleep. He truly did care for his sister, and what he said to her last night was tearing him up. Indeed...she herself was ashamed of making him say such things. She looked down, sighing. She took no pleasure in it, but she HAD to do it. The survival of her people depended on the plan succeeding. ***** "What IS this place?" Twilight wondered aloud as she made her way through the cave, the walls littered with crystals. As she walked, her mind was racing. Was she right about Cadance all along? If so, why did she seem so...regretful? "Twilight Sparkle." A voice said, snapping her back to attention. All around her, the crystals began to show the face of... "Cadance!" Twilight cries, feeling a mixture of anger and confusion, "Tell me what is going on! WHY are you doing this?! Where am I?!" "You are in the ancient crystal mines underneath Canterlot. Very few ponies outside the Royal Family know if its existence. It is the perfect place for you to remain." "Cadance" frowns, "Twilight...do not misunderstand me. I do not intend for this place to be your tomb, but I cannot allow you to obstruct my plans. After Equestria is under my command, I will allow you and your guest to leave." "Wait...guest?" Twilight blinks as "Cadance" nods "I believe you know her well. There are enough supplies for you two to last long enough for me to find you. " "W-Wait! Cadance, I don't understand! Why are you trying to take over Equestria?!" "Cadance" gave a frown as she closed her eyes, "...The same reason I have done anything these last several centuries. For survival." "Survival...? W-Wait!" But the image of "Cadance" was gone, leaving Twilight alone again. At least, until she heard the sound of moving stone up ahead, "Ehh...?" Twilight blinked, cautiously approaching as she used her horn as a lantern. As she approached, she found herself in a new room. It had furniture, food, drink, all the assortments needed for living, but Twilight knew in her heart that this was meant to be a prison cell. A "gilded cage", if you will. However, the biggest surprise was yet to come. On the bed, softly sobbing, her head in her hooves, was none other than... "C-Cadance?!" Twilight's eyes widened in shock as she looked. The pink Alicorn gave a small gasp of surprise as she turned. There was no mistaking it. This WAS Princess Cadance, and her eyes were their natural pink, not the green of the "Cadance" Twilight had interacted with the past week. "T...Twilight Sparkle...?" ***** Princess Luna was troubled. The previous night, she had seen Shining Armor, her sister, and Twilight Sparkle's five friends exit the coronation hall...but not Twilight herself. Now, the next day, she eyed the hall entrance from her tower, still no sign of Twilight. Luna frowned; Something was wrong. She decided to investigate, extending her wings and preparing to fly down to the coronation hall.... That is, until she was suddenly tackled into her chambers. "AGH! W-What-?!" Luna cried as she immediately spinned back to her feet, looking up at her attacker. "Don't bother trying to sound the alarm." The woman said with a dark smirk, "My magic has ensured that nopony will interrupt us." The woman seemed like a pony, but...she was not. Her skin was pitch black, and there were holes all over her body and legs. Her horn was crooked, and on her back were two tattered, insectoid wings. Her mane and tail were both a light green. "You...You're a Changeling!" Luna cried as the woman nodded. "You're not as dumb as you look, 'Princess'. My name is Lilith, Princess of the Changelings." Her smirk contorted into a snarl. "And I will NOT allow you to interfere in my mother's plans." To be continued... Author's Note In this chapter, I wanted to further clarify some things about Shining Armor's enchantment. Also, the first appearence of Changeling Princess Lilith. She'll play a part in the Virtues of Harmony story, but that's a ways off, so I figured I'd introduce her in this prequel, while also explaining why, in the VoH universe, Luna was absent during the invasion. Part 3"Luna?" Celestia flew up to her sister's watchtower, where the Princess of the Night was standing by her telescope. "Ah, sister." The younger princess said, "How fare thee?" "Uh...well enough, all things considered." Celestia tilted her head, "I thought you stopped speaking in the Old Language after your body caught up with the modern era?" "!" Luna sweatdrops, "O-Of course! Forgive me sister, sometimes old habits spring forth. You know how it is." Celestia smirked. This was indeed not the first time her younger sister had slipped back into the Old Langauge, "Well, in any case, have you seen Twilight?" She asks with a frown, "She said she was going to apologize to Cadance last night, but Spike tells me she never returned to their room." Luna shakes her head, "I'm afraid I have not, sister. Not since she fled the coronaton hall last night. Dreadful business that, by the way." "Indeed..." Celestia nods gravely, "I fully intend to have words with Sir Shining Armor over his behavior last night, but first I need to make sure Twilight is alright. Continue your lookout, and inform me immediately if anything occurs." "Of course, dear sister." Luna says as Celestia flies off. As she goes, "Luna" gives a dark smirk as her eyes flash green, "Heh...this will be easier than I thought." ***** Luna glared darkly at the image, seeing her imposter posing as her. She struggled against her chains, "You will not get away with this!!" Lilith just gave a dark grin, "Oh? I already have, Luna. In only a few short hours, your precious Equestria will be under our command, and all its love shall be ours!" She glared at the struggling moon princess, "Tell me Luna...does it hurt you? Does it hurt knowing that your life is crumbling around you, and nopony can save you?" The Changeling Princess leaned in real close to Luna's face as she snarled darkly, "That...is the exact same feeling my mother felt when your father LEFT HER TO DIE!" "!!" This caught Luna offguard. King Eclipse, leaving another to their deaths? Unthinkable! "You...You're wrong! My Father would NEVER do such a thing!" Lilith spat at the ground before leering, "Hmph. Figures he would not tell you. Heaven forbid the Royal Family's name be tarnished." She grins, "Of course...you already did a fine job of that already, didn't you?" "H...How dare you...?" Luna says lowly, her mind filling with memories of her past crimes, of Nightmare Moon, "How..." Lunar light suddenly began to form around her before her eyes snapped open, pure white, "DARE YOU?!!" With a shout, Luna tore herself from her chains and lunged at Lilith. ****** "I am sorry Miss Dash, we have not seen Lady Sparkle since the...incident." The guard pony said with a frown. "Dammit...well, thanks anyway. Just keep an eye out." Dash said before turning and returning to her friends with a frown as Fluttershy comes up. "She's not in the east wing." The yellow pegasus says with worry, "Ohhh...I'm so worried. What if she ran away?" "Come on now, Twi wouldn't do that." Applejack said with a reassuring smile, "Yeah, her brother was pretty angry last night, but she saw how supportive the rest of us were. She wouldn't just leave us like this." "I don't know..." Rarity frowned, "You heard how she would speak of Sir Shining Armor. She practically idolized him. And seeing him turn on her like that must have been...awful..." Dash growls, "If you ask me, that bastard doesn't deserve to be called 'Sir'!" "Cool it, Rainbow." Applejack retorts, "Look, I'll admit Sir Shining Armor could've handled it better, MUCH better, but Twilight was WAY outta line." "Still, its TWILIGHT." Dash said, "She wouldn't make big accusations like that without a reason. She must have found something out about Cadance, or about this wedding, and we need to find out what!" "Rainbow Dash is correct." A voice says. The ponies turn as Celestia approaches, "And the only way for us to discover Twilight's findings is to find her ourselves." "But...what about Cadance and Shining Armor?" Pinkie asks "...Sir Shining Armor is resting in his quarters due to stress and fatigue, and Cadance has insisted that nopony disturb her until the wedding. Therefore, it falls on us." Celestia nods, "I want the entire palace grounds searched. If something HAS happened to Twilight, we must find her before something horrible happens to her!" ***** Down in the Canterlot Mines, Twilight was struggling to pick her jaw off the floor after hearing what Cadance, the real Cadance, had to say, "Ch...Changelings...?" Cadance nodded, "They are insectoid, pony-like creatures that feast on love like you or I would eat plants. Two months ago their Queen, Chrysalis, had me abducted and placed in this room." She frowned, "And judging by what you've told me, I now know why. She has impersonated me and seeks to marry Shiney in my steed!" "But...But why would she do that?" Twilight asked before looking at the lavish furniture, "And if you're supposed to be her prisoner, why would she put you in such a...admittedly pretty place?" "I don't KNOW!" Cadance says, choking back a sob, "This is all so confusing! Chrysalis seeks to steal my betrothed, and yet she has treated me less like a prisoner and more of a guest! And when I looked into her eyes, I saw no malice, only regret and loss!" "Regret...and loss..." Twilight muses, recalling how Chrysalis had told her she was doing all this for "survival". This made her uneasy. Was Chrysalis truly a malicious entity, or was there more to this story? However, regardless of that, Twilight was sure of one thing. The Changelings were planning to usurp the Royal Wedding for their own purposes, and for that, they had to be stopped. "...Cadance." Twilight finally says, "Does this mineshaft connect to the surface?" "Well...yes..." Cadance said glumly, "But the only path that leads there is beyond the cell door, and its been enchanted to withstand my magic!" Twilight turned to the barred door cutting off their room from the rest of the mine, "...Well, can it withstand the Element of Magic?" She asks before her horn glows, and she fired a massive blast of magical power. Sure enough, the door is disentegrated. "B...By the Creators..." Cadance breathed as Twilight, panting some, turned to her with a small smile. "Come on. We have a wedding to save." To be continued... Part 4Ever since her release from her corruption, Princess Luna had held a deep feeling of fear and shame towards her dark alter ego, Nightmare Moon. She constantly had nightmares over the crimes the dark alicorn committed with her body, and how the ponies she so loved had feared her. Even after the events of the last Nightmare Night, where she finally regained acceptance, she was still haunted by the memories. And now this Changeling, who sought to usurp Equestria from her and her sister, had dared to rub Nightmare Moon's crimes into her face. "I will DESTROY you!" Luna roared as she charged at Lilith, her horn blasting out silvery lunar blasts wildly. Lilith simply smirked as she flew up, dodging the blasts before tackling her. "What's wrong, Princess? Afraid to face the truth?!" "SILENCE! You know NOTHING!!" Luna shouted as she punched Lilith away, who simply laughed. "Hahaha...I've been waiting for this moment, Princess...the moment where I can FINALLY take vengeance for my family! Your battered corpse will serve as a symbol of your father's failure!" With a mad grin, Lilith blasted out a green blast of energy that collided and clashed with Luna's lunar blast. ***** Back at the castle, Celestia and Twilight's friends were investigating the coronation hall. There were still several hours before the wedding, so the hall was empty, "So...why are we looking here?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Because this is the last place Twilight was seen." Celestia said as her horn shined, trying to detect anything out of the ordinary, "According to Luna, she never left the hall last night." "That's...mighty suspicious." Applejack said as Rarity nodded. "And Spike confirmed that she never returned to her room...just what is going on here?" "That is what we are here to determine." Celestia said as she continued her scrying. Several minutes passed, and suddenly, "!!" Celestia's eyes widened as she detected faint magical residue in the center of the room, "Pinkie, life up that carpet!" Pinkie nodded and did so. And sure enough, faint ash marks were seen under the rug where Twilight had been teleported from, "A-Ash...?" Pinkie said with worry. "Wait..." Celestia said as she inspected them, "Fear not, these ashes are not from a fire. In fact...they seem to be the aftereffect of a teleportation spell." "Teleportation?" Fluttershy asked, "But...Twilight's teleportation spell never left behind any ash." "Correct." Celestia said with a frown, "Which means she was teleported away against her will...but where..." Her eyes suddenly widened, "!! Of...Of course!" "Princess?" Dash asked. "There is one place in Canterlot that only a select few, myself included, are aware of. A place that would be perfect to stash away somepony you wanted out of the way..." Celestia turned, "Everypony, follow me! Quickly!" ***** In her chambers, Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings, looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing Cadance's face, her body. For centuries, shapeshifting was her forte...but now, seeing herself in another's visage revolted her, "Is this...what I have been reduced to?" She said to herself, "A common criminal who destroys lives and conquers kingdoms?" Unlike her daughter, Chrysalis took no joy in enacting the plan. In fact, she despised herself for it. She despised that she had stolen away Princess Cadance in the dead of night to replace her. She despised how she imprisoned her, and the posh cell she gave her did little to lift her guilt. She despised how she was forced to put an enchantment on Shining Armor when he began to grow suspicious. She despised how she was forced to make him say such horrible things to Twilight, then imprison Twilight in the same place she imprisoned Cadance. But most of all, she despised what she had become. She never asked to become a Changeling. She never asked that she, her family, and her people no longer found any life-sustaining nourishment from food and drink. She never asked for her people's only method of survival to be feeding upon the love of other races. All she ever wanted...was a King's love. "Eclipse...I am so sorry..." She whispered to herself as she took out her locket, opening it. Inside was a picture of three Changelings. One was Chrysalis in her natural form, the second was a slightly younger Lilith, and the final one was a Changeling infant with azure eyes, "...But this is what I must do...for the sake of my people." Sighing deeply, she put her locket away and went towards her closet. She had a wedding to prepare for. A wedding that, once completed, would grant her people all the love they would ever need. ***** "Where are we?" Dash asked as the team approached a long abandoned cave opening. "This is the entrance to the Canterlot Mines." Celestia explained, "Long ago, the tunnel networks underneath Canterlot were full of majestic crystals, gems and other rare stones. Before the bit become Equestria's national currency, these crystals were used to barter and trade. Once the bit became nationalized, the crystals became little more than collector's items; Beautiful, but monetarily worthless. As a result, my mother had no choice but to order the mine closed down, and the knowledge of its existence slowly faded until only a hooffull of ponies today remember it." "Wow..." Fluttershy said, "In that case, it really IS the perfect place to hide." "Exactly." Celestia nodded, "Which is why we are here. My gut instinct tells me that Twilight is somewhere within these mines. We must find her, ensure her safety, and learn the truth of what has happened to my niece." "We are so sorry, Princess..." A trio of voices suddenly said in perfect unison, "But we cannot allow you to do that." Out of the shadows of the mine's entrance stepped three unicorn females, each in a bridesmaid dress. The others' eyes widened, the Mane Five recognizing one of them from Ponyville, "L-Lyra?!" Rarity gasped as she looked at the green furred unicorn girl. Lyra and her fellow bridesmaids gave dark smirks as they advanced, their eyes deep green and soulless. "This mine has been closed off by order of Princess Cadance." The bridesmaids said in a monotone unison, "Please, return to the palace and prepare for the wedding." Celestia narrowed her eyes, "Girls, Twilight Sparkle is missing, and we believe she is being held in these mines. I must insist that you step aside at once." "But Princess..." The bridesmaids intoned, "The wedding is in an hour... it cannot commence unless you are there to oversee it...besides, why do you wish to find Twilight Sparkle? After what she has done..." "Sh-Shut up!" Dash said with a glare, stepping forward, "Yeah, Twilight screwed up, but that doesn't mean we're about to leave her out to dry! She's our friend, and we ARE going to find her! So BACK OFF!!" Dash growled deeply as the bridesmaids just continued their empty smirks. However, before anypony could come to blows, the bridesmaids suddenly detected something. Looking behind them, they saw a bouquet of flowers being levitated in the air, "The...The wedding bouquet..." Lyra said as she and others gasped. The bouquet was suddenly thrown at one of the mine's walls, "MINE!!!" All three bridesmaids suddenly shouted, the green in their eyes fading as they each dived at the bouquet, struggling to get it away from the others. "Wh...What in the world...?" Celestia said before, "Auntie!" "C-Cadance?!" Celestia gasped. Sure enough, out of the mine rushed out Princess Cadance, alongside, "TWILIGHT!!" The Mane Five cried as they all glomped her. "G-Girls?!" Twilight said in alarm as her friends hugged her. "Thank the Creators you're alright!" They cried, "We thought something horrible had happened!" Celestia smiled at the reunion, but then frowned as she turned to her niece, "I...do not understand, Cadance. Weren't you back in your chambers at Canterlot?" Cadance shook her head gravely, "No, auntie. Something terrible has happened. Canterlot...no, all of Equestria is at risk." **** It was the hour of the wedding. Chrysalis, in her disguise, stood next to Shining Armor at the podium. The crowd was large, murmuring as they eagerly awaited the arrival of Princess Celestia so that the ceremony could commence. Chrysalis turned to Shining Armor. In order to ensure the plan went smoothly, she was forced to empower her enchantment. Shining Armor now stood completely still, his eyes fully green as he waited. He was completely under her thrall. The doors suddenly flew open, and Celestia walked in, frowning gravely, "Auntie Celestia!" Chrysalis said with a smile, "I thought you would be late." Celestia said nothing as she glared darkly, "How...dare you..." She growled as Chrysalis looked shocked as the audience began to murmur in confusion. "A-Auntie...?" Chrysalis said in worry, but then her worry became shock as Twilight and the REAL Cadance stepped on either side of the Princess, "!!!" Chrysalis stepped back, "H-How did you get past my bridesmaids?!" Twilight smirked, "Even when brainwashed, a bridesmaid can't resist diving for the wedding bouquet." She said as Cadance stepped forward. "Chrysalis, this has gone on long enough. I told my aunt about why you did all this. We are willing to help you, but please...you must stop this madness and surrender." Chrysalis said nothing as she looked down, "Surrender...?" She repeated, "I...cannot surrender. Not now...not when the lives of my people are at stake..." A green glow began to surround her, "I must...do everything I can..." She said as she grit her teeth, "To ensure the survival of my race!" She roared as she became enveloped in green fire. The crowd gasped in alarm as "Cadance" began to transform. Her form became long and thing, her hair becoming long and dark green. Her fur became deep black, holes on her hooves and legs. Two insectoid wings protruded from her back, and a black/green crown rested on her head, under her jagged horn. "Its...Its a Changeling!" One of the nobles cried as the crowd began to panic. Chrysalis narrowed her eyes, "I put you and Twilight in the Mines to PROTECT you, Cadance! Once Equestria was in my hooves, I would have released you both! But now...you have forced my hoof." She frowns, "Princess Celestia, daughter of Soliana and Eclipse...forgive me, but for the survival of the Changeling race, I must take Equestria from you!" She turned to the enchanted Shining Armor, "...Do it." She said simply. Shining Armor mindlessly nodded as his horn shined. **** KABOOOOM! An explosion rocked Canterlot's market district as one of the city's abandoned warehouses suddenly went up in smoke. From the smoke, Lilith plummeted out, Luna quickly flying after her as the two began fighting in midair. "So THIS is where you took me?!" Luna said, "The market quarter?! Were you TRYING to be found?!" "You damn skank..." Lilith growled as she blasted out before the two tackled eachother, wrestling, punching and kicking as they plummeted to the ground, causing a massive dust cloud when they landed. Coughing, Luna struggled to her feet as Lilith did the same ahead of her. Before the two could continue their bout, however, they heard screaming. Ponies were pointing at the sky, seeing the shield Shining Armor had erected quickly beginning to fade away. Soon, it was gone completely. Lilith gave a dark grin, "Heh....hehehehehe....AAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!" She threw her head back, laughing maniacally, "Do you see it, Princess Luna?! Do you SEE?! Look upon it with terror!" Luna's eyes widened as she say a massive black cloud rapidly descending upon Canterlot. But she quickly realized it was no cloud. It was an army of Changelings, all grinning with malice and hunger. Lilith gave a dark smile as she continued to laugh, "BEHOLD, Princess of the Night! Equestria's final hour has come!!" To be continued... Author's Note Oh boy...
Part 1"I'm disappointed in you, Twiley." Is what Shining Armor WANTED to say. He had been meaning to speak to his sister, Twilight Sparkle, about her behavior during the wedding planning for some time now. Ever since she and her five friends first arrived in Canterlot to help prepare the wedding between him and Cadance, Twilight has been acting...well, for lack of a better world, childish. Everything Cadance did was an issue to Twilight. She complained about how Cadance wanted Applejack's food to be top notch. She complained when Cadance was giving pointers to Rainbow Dash on her Sonic Rainboom. She complained when Cadance said that Fluttershy's bird orchestra "needed work". She complained when Cadance criticized Pinkie Pie's decorations. And she complained when Cadance asked for modifications to the wedding dresses Rarity had prepared. This string of childish behavior bothered Shining Armor immensely. Twilight absolutely ADORED Cadance back when she was babysat by her, but now everything she did was an issue. Why couldn't Twilight understand that Cadance was under a lot of stress wanting to ensure her special day went as well as it could? Shining Armor intended to talk to Twilight after the wedding rehearsal the night before the actual wedding, to try to get to the bottom of her odd and frankly embarrassing behavior. But then, Twilight did the one thing nopony ever thought she was capable of. In the middle of the rehearsal, Twilight suddenly burst into the room, ranting and raving about Cadance being "evil", all the while viciously spewing insults at her. This drove Cadance to tears, leading to her running off. The room was deathly silent. Shining Armor wanted to tell Twilight she had made a HUGE mistake. He wanted to tell her how disappointed he was that Twilight chose to do things this way instead of talking things over. Most of all, he wanted answers. He wanted to know exactly WHAT drove Twilight to do such an unthinkable thing. That's what he WANTED to say to her, but what came out of his mouth was...not that. "Well...I guess all your childish idiocy just wasn't enough, was it? You just HAD to go the extra mile, DIDN'T you?" Wait...WHAT?! The harsh words caught Shining Armor off guard just as much as it did Twilight, her friends and Celestia, "B-Big brother...?" Twilight said, wide eyed, "W-Wait, Twilight! What I mean is-" Is what he WANTED to say, but again, his words were not his own, "You just couldn't accept that I was moving on from you, could you? You HAD to get the last word in. Well guess what, 'Twiley'? The world does NOT revolve around you!" No...NO! This is wrong! Yes, he was mad at her, but he would NEVER say such hateful things to her little sister, best friend forever! "Er...S-Sir Shining Armor...?" Fluttershy stammered as Shining Armor advanced on Twilight, who stepped back in growing confusion and fear. "Honestly, I knew you were being a pest, but I never thought you would do something THIS low!" "A PEST?!" Dash cried with a growing glare. "You heard me." Shining Armor spat, "A PEST. Throughout this entire week Twilight, you have done nothing but whine, complain, and fuss over every little thing Cadance has done. Did it EVER occur to you that maybe, just MAYBE, she's just stressed over her wedding?!" "B-But..." Twilight whimpers, "I-I was just t-trying to..." A sudden hoof stamp from Celestia cut her off, "Sir Shining Armor, that is ENOUGH!" "NO!" Shining Armor yelled, even as his mind desperately pleaded, *No, stop! This isn't what I want! I don't want to hurt my little sister!* Shining Armor glared at his sister darkly, "It's ALWAYS about you, Twilight! Ever since we were little, it's ALWAYS been about you! And the one time its about ME, and MY wedding, YOU chose to ruin EVERYTHING!!" Twilight gasped as her eyes watered, but not everypony was going to take this lying down, "Now listen here, you varmint!" Applejack said, defensively standing between him and Twilight, "I'll admit, Twilight screwed up with this, and she REALLY shouldn't have done that, but you're taking this WAY too far!" "Agreed!" Rarity says, "She only has your best interests at heart!" "You actually BELIEVE that, don't you?" Shining Armor says with a bitter laugh, "You actually believe that she insulted my bride to be out of concern, don't you? Not out of petty jealously and her inability to accept that I can't ALWAYS be in her life?!" "Stop it!" Pinkie yelled, getting angry, "Maybe if you give her a chance to explain herself-" "I've given her MORE than enough chances already!" Shining Armor said sternly, "I chose to ignore her idiocy this entire week, but NO MORE!" He glared darkly, "Twilight, you have crossed the line! I thought your years with Celestia and at Ponyville would mature you, but this proves that you're just as possessive and selfish as you've ever been! I do NOT need a petty, selfish pony like you as my best mare!" This got a gasp out of everypony, "B...But...I-I..." Twilight whimpered before falling on her legs, sobbing. *T...Twily, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! Something...Something's controlling me! I love you, little sister! Please! Let me be heard!!* Shining Armor's mind frantically tried to reassert control, but it was no use. Whatever enchantment was affecting him had complete control over his body and vocal cords. This force made his body stand up straight and glare at the other ponies, "Now...if you all will excuse me, I need to tend to my bride to be, and ensure she has not been traumatized by this...this sickening display." Celestia rarely ever got angry. The closest she ever got was when Twilight nearly destroyed Ponyville in her obsession to write a friendship report. So it came to a shock to not just the others, but herself, when she glared at Shining Armor, opened her mouth...and yelled. "SIR SHINING ARMOR!!" She bellowed in the Royal Canterlot Voice, "Your actions are UNACCEPTABLE!" *I KNOW! This isn't me, Princess! Please, help me!* Shining Armor's mind raced, but his body simply turned away, "...With all due respect Princess, you may have been able to defend Twilight in the past...but this time, there is no excuse." As he stormed off, his mind desperately tried to stop himself, *No...NO! This can't be happening! Twiley, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please, forgive me! TWILLLLLLYYYYY!!!* The room was almost silent. Almost, as Twilight's soft sobbing was very audible. This quickly became accompanied by Dash's deep, furious growl, "That...no good...SON OF A-" "Rainbow!" Applejack says, putting a calming hoof on her shoulder, "Now's not the time...." "..." Dash gave a final growl before turning to Twilight, who was still sobbing as Celestia sat next to her, drapping her wing over her, "...Everypony." Celestia finally says, "I wish to speak to Twilight. Alone." "Are...Are you sure?" Fluttershy asks as the Sun Princess nods, "Please." The other ponies looked at eachother hesitantly, but finally nodded before turning to leave. Dash stopped to turn her head, "Twi...I just want you to know, I got your back." Twilight gave no answer other than another sob. Dash sighed deeply before joining the others outside. "Twilight..." Celestia says soothingly as her student sobbed. "He's right...I messed up...I burst in here without proof, and now my big brother hates me, and I've hurt my favorite foalsitter!" "Twilight, listen to me." Celestia says, "I am certain Shining Armor does not hate you. He was...simply acting under the pressure." She frowns, "And while I would NOT have said it so...spitefully, he DID have a point. Your words to Cadance were...shocking." Twilight nods as she sniffles, "I...I know that now. I wasn't thinking clearly." "Shh..." Celestia says with a smile, "I forgive you. Your friends forgive you. And I'm certain that, once he has cooled down, your brother will forgive you as well." "You...You really think so?" Celestia nods, "I do." Twilight managed a small smile, "P-Princess...thank you." She stood up, wiping her tears, "There's...one thing I need to do, though. I need to find Cadance and apologize to her." Celestia nods, "Of course. I will be outside if you need me." She gave her student a reassuring smile before standing and leaving. Unbeknownst to them, however, Cadance had watched the entire thing. Once Celestia left, Cadance exited the shadows, wiping her tear, "...T-Twilight..." Twilight turned to her, frowning, "Cadance, I...I'm so sorry." Cadance nods, looking down, "...I am sorry too, Twilight." "Huh?" This caught Twilight by surprise, "YOU'RE sorry? For what?" "...For what I must now do." Cadance says as she looks up to her, her eyes suddenly turning green as a greenish circle formed around Twilight. "Wh-What the?!" "Forgive me, Twilight Sparkle..." Cadance said apologetically, "But you have seen and heard too much, and I cannot afford to let anything hinder my plan." She sighed deeply, "I take no pleasure in this...but I must do whatever it takes." The circle glowed as Twilight looked at her, aghast, "C-Cadance?!" "...Teleport." Cadance said simply. The circle glowed brightly, and before she could react, Twilight vanished, whisked off to wherever the teleportation spell sent her. "Cadance" then pulled out something from her mane; a locket. She opened it, looking at the picture within, "...Whatever it takes." She said to herself solemnly before turning and leaving. ***** "Uuugh..." Twilight moaned as she slowly came too, blinking at the darkness, "Wh...Where...?" She said before lighting her horn. She looked around, noticing the crystals around her. There was no doubt about it in her mind. She was in a cave. The question was...where was it? To be continued.... Author's Note This is the first part of a prequel sidestory of sorts to "Virtues of Harmony", of which I am the co-author. I want to make one thing perfectly clear. This is not, not, not, NOT an anti-Shining Armor fic. The reason he is so nasty in this chapter is because his body and voice are being controlled by Chrysalis' spell, a fact I hope I was able to make clear. Once the spell is broken, Shining will be back to his old, nice self, albeit VERY repentant over what the spell forced him to say. As for why I felt it necessary to write this, well...let's just say that the Chrysalis of VoH is VASTLY different from the canon Chrysalis. You'll see. :P
Part 2"What seems to be the trouble?" "Cadance" asked as she approached her and Shining Armor's room. Two guard ponies were outside the door, looking worried. "Ah, Princess." One guard says as they turn to her, "Its about the Captain. Ever since the...incident last night, he has refused to leave his quarters. He seems to be...arguing with himself. Its quite...unsettling." "Cadance" nodding, hiding her knowledge of this. She should have expected that Shining Armor's love for his sister would be trying to fight back against her spell, which had made him say such horrible things to Twilight, "...I will speak to him." **** In his quarters, Shining Armor clenched his teeth as he fidgeted tensely, "Have to...find her..." He moaned, "Have to...apologize...NO!!" He suddenly blurts, sitting up as his eyes changed from their natural color to green, "She deserved it! She deserved every BIT of it! Her actions have SHAMED the Sparkle name!" His eyes changed back to blue, "B-But...she is my little sister, best friend forever...I didn't even give her a chance to explain...AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE?!" He roared as his eyes turned green, "I TRUSTED her! And...And I still do...but..." His eyes fluctuated between blue and green as "Cadance" slowly entered, "Shiney..." Shining Armor turned to her, "C-Cadance..." He sighed deeply as he slumped into his chair, "I...I am so confused..." "Cadance" nodded as she nuzzled him, "I understand. You are mad at Twilight for what she did...but you are mad at yourself for treating her so harshly." Shining Armor nodded gravely, "...Where is she? I...I need to..." "Cadance" put a hoof to his mouth, "I spoke with her after everypony left last night. She was devastated by what she had done, and insisted on not attending the wedding." "GOOD!" Shining Armor blurted as his eyes turned green, then back to blue, "N-NO! That's not good! I mean..." "Shh..." "Cadance" helped him into his bed, "You are just tired and stressed, my love. Rest now. I will wake you when it is time for the wedding." "Y-Yes...rest...I need rest..." Shining Armor murmured almost trance-like as he turned on his side. "Cadance" frowned as she watched him sleep. He truly did care for his sister, and what he said to her last night was tearing him up. Indeed...she herself was ashamed of making him say such things. She looked down, sighing. She took no pleasure in it, but she HAD to do it. The survival of her people depended on the plan succeeding. ***** "What IS this place?" Twilight wondered aloud as she made her way through the cave, the walls littered with crystals. As she walked, her mind was racing. Was she right about Cadance all along? If so, why did she seem so...regretful? "Twilight Sparkle." A voice said, snapping her back to attention. All around her, the crystals began to show the face of... "Cadance!" Twilight cries, feeling a mixture of anger and confusion, "Tell me what is going on! WHY are you doing this?! Where am I?!" "You are in the ancient crystal mines underneath Canterlot. Very few ponies outside the Royal Family know if its existence. It is the perfect place for you to remain." "Cadance" frowns, "Twilight...do not misunderstand me. I do not intend for this place to be your tomb, but I cannot allow you to obstruct my plans. After Equestria is under my command, I will allow you and your guest to leave." "Wait...guest?" Twilight blinks as "Cadance" nods "I believe you know her well. There are enough supplies for you two to last long enough for me to find you. " "W-Wait! Cadance, I don't understand! Why are you trying to take over Equestria?!" "Cadance" gave a frown as she closed her eyes, "...The same reason I have done anything these last several centuries. For survival." "Survival...? W-Wait!" But the image of "Cadance" was gone, leaving Twilight alone again. At least, until she heard the sound of moving stone up ahead, "Ehh...?" Twilight blinked, cautiously approaching as she used her horn as a lantern. As she approached, she found herself in a new room. It had furniture, food, drink, all the assortments needed for living, but Twilight knew in her heart that this was meant to be a prison cell. A "gilded cage", if you will. However, the biggest surprise was yet to come. On the bed, softly sobbing, her head in her hooves, was none other than... "C-Cadance?!" Twilight's eyes widened in shock as she looked. The pink Alicorn gave a small gasp of surprise as she turned. There was no mistaking it. This WAS Princess Cadance, and her eyes were their natural pink, not the green of the "Cadance" Twilight had interacted with the past week. "T...Twilight Sparkle...?" ***** Princess Luna was troubled. The previous night, she had seen Shining Armor, her sister, and Twilight Sparkle's five friends exit the coronation hall...but not Twilight herself. Now, the next day, she eyed the hall entrance from her tower, still no sign of Twilight. Luna frowned; Something was wrong. She decided to investigate, extending her wings and preparing to fly down to the coronation hall.... That is, until she was suddenly tackled into her chambers. "AGH! W-What-?!" Luna cried as she immediately spinned back to her feet, looking up at her attacker. "Don't bother trying to sound the alarm." The woman said with a dark smirk, "My magic has ensured that nopony will interrupt us." The woman seemed like a pony, but...she was not. Her skin was pitch black, and there were holes all over her body and legs. Her horn was crooked, and on her back were two tattered, insectoid wings. Her mane and tail were both a light green. "You...You're a Changeling!" Luna cried as the woman nodded. "You're not as dumb as you look, 'Princess'. My name is Lilith, Princess of the Changelings." Her smirk contorted into a snarl. "And I will NOT allow you to interfere in my mother's plans." To be continued... Author's Note In this chapter, I wanted to further clarify some things about Shining Armor's enchantment. Also, the first appearence of Changeling Princess Lilith. She'll play a part in the Virtues of Harmony story, but that's a ways off, so I figured I'd introduce her in this prequel, while also explaining why, in the VoH universe, Luna was absent during the invasion.
Part 3"Luna?" Celestia flew up to her sister's watchtower, where the Princess of the Night was standing by her telescope. "Ah, sister." The younger princess said, "How fare thee?" "Uh...well enough, all things considered." Celestia tilted her head, "I thought you stopped speaking in the Old Language after your body caught up with the modern era?" "!" Luna sweatdrops, "O-Of course! Forgive me sister, sometimes old habits spring forth. You know how it is." Celestia smirked. This was indeed not the first time her younger sister had slipped back into the Old Langauge, "Well, in any case, have you seen Twilight?" She asks with a frown, "She said she was going to apologize to Cadance last night, but Spike tells me she never returned to their room." Luna shakes her head, "I'm afraid I have not, sister. Not since she fled the coronaton hall last night. Dreadful business that, by the way." "Indeed..." Celestia nods gravely, "I fully intend to have words with Sir Shining Armor over his behavior last night, but first I need to make sure Twilight is alright. Continue your lookout, and inform me immediately if anything occurs." "Of course, dear sister." Luna says as Celestia flies off. As she goes, "Luna" gives a dark smirk as her eyes flash green, "Heh...this will be easier than I thought." ***** Luna glared darkly at the image, seeing her imposter posing as her. She struggled against her chains, "You will not get away with this!!" Lilith just gave a dark grin, "Oh? I already have, Luna. In only a few short hours, your precious Equestria will be under our command, and all its love shall be ours!" She glared at the struggling moon princess, "Tell me Luna...does it hurt you? Does it hurt knowing that your life is crumbling around you, and nopony can save you?" The Changeling Princess leaned in real close to Luna's face as she snarled darkly, "That...is the exact same feeling my mother felt when your father LEFT HER TO DIE!" "!!" This caught Luna offguard. King Eclipse, leaving another to their deaths? Unthinkable! "You...You're wrong! My Father would NEVER do such a thing!" Lilith spat at the ground before leering, "Hmph. Figures he would not tell you. Heaven forbid the Royal Family's name be tarnished." She grins, "Of course...you already did a fine job of that already, didn't you?" "H...How dare you...?" Luna says lowly, her mind filling with memories of her past crimes, of Nightmare Moon, "How..." Lunar light suddenly began to form around her before her eyes snapped open, pure white, "DARE YOU?!!" With a shout, Luna tore herself from her chains and lunged at Lilith. ****** "I am sorry Miss Dash, we have not seen Lady Sparkle since the...incident." The guard pony said with a frown. "Dammit...well, thanks anyway. Just keep an eye out." Dash said before turning and returning to her friends with a frown as Fluttershy comes up. "She's not in the east wing." The yellow pegasus says with worry, "Ohhh...I'm so worried. What if she ran away?" "Come on now, Twi wouldn't do that." Applejack said with a reassuring smile, "Yeah, her brother was pretty angry last night, but she saw how supportive the rest of us were. She wouldn't just leave us like this." "I don't know..." Rarity frowned, "You heard how she would speak of Sir Shining Armor. She practically idolized him. And seeing him turn on her like that must have been...awful..." Dash growls, "If you ask me, that bastard doesn't deserve to be called 'Sir'!" "Cool it, Rainbow." Applejack retorts, "Look, I'll admit Sir Shining Armor could've handled it better, MUCH better, but Twilight was WAY outta line." "Still, its TWILIGHT." Dash said, "She wouldn't make big accusations like that without a reason. She must have found something out about Cadance, or about this wedding, and we need to find out what!" "Rainbow Dash is correct." A voice says. The ponies turn as Celestia approaches, "And the only way for us to discover Twilight's findings is to find her ourselves." "But...what about Cadance and Shining Armor?" Pinkie asks "...Sir Shining Armor is resting in his quarters due to stress and fatigue, and Cadance has insisted that nopony disturb her until the wedding. Therefore, it falls on us." Celestia nods, "I want the entire palace grounds searched. If something HAS happened to Twilight, we must find her before something horrible happens to her!" ***** Down in the Canterlot Mines, Twilight was struggling to pick her jaw off the floor after hearing what Cadance, the real Cadance, had to say, "Ch...Changelings...?" Cadance nodded, "They are insectoid, pony-like creatures that feast on love like you or I would eat plants. Two months ago their Queen, Chrysalis, had me abducted and placed in this room." She frowned, "And judging by what you've told me, I now know why. She has impersonated me and seeks to marry Shiney in my steed!" "But...But why would she do that?" Twilight asked before looking at the lavish furniture, "And if you're supposed to be her prisoner, why would she put you in such a...admittedly pretty place?" "I don't KNOW!" Cadance says, choking back a sob, "This is all so confusing! Chrysalis seeks to steal my betrothed, and yet she has treated me less like a prisoner and more of a guest! And when I looked into her eyes, I saw no malice, only regret and loss!" "Regret...and loss..." Twilight muses, recalling how Chrysalis had told her she was doing all this for "survival". This made her uneasy. Was Chrysalis truly a malicious entity, or was there more to this story? However, regardless of that, Twilight was sure of one thing. The Changelings were planning to usurp the Royal Wedding for their own purposes, and for that, they had to be stopped. "...Cadance." Twilight finally says, "Does this mineshaft connect to the surface?" "Well...yes..." Cadance said glumly, "But the only path that leads there is beyond the cell door, and its been enchanted to withstand my magic!" Twilight turned to the barred door cutting off their room from the rest of the mine, "...Well, can it withstand the Element of Magic?" She asks before her horn glows, and she fired a massive blast of magical power. Sure enough, the door is disentegrated. "B...By the Creators..." Cadance breathed as Twilight, panting some, turned to her with a small smile. "Come on. We have a wedding to save." To be continued...
Part 4Ever since her release from her corruption, Princess Luna had held a deep feeling of fear and shame towards her dark alter ego, Nightmare Moon. She constantly had nightmares over the crimes the dark alicorn committed with her body, and how the ponies she so loved had feared her. Even after the events of the last Nightmare Night, where she finally regained acceptance, she was still haunted by the memories. And now this Changeling, who sought to usurp Equestria from her and her sister, had dared to rub Nightmare Moon's crimes into her face. "I will DESTROY you!" Luna roared as she charged at Lilith, her horn blasting out silvery lunar blasts wildly. Lilith simply smirked as she flew up, dodging the blasts before tackling her. "What's wrong, Princess? Afraid to face the truth?!" "SILENCE! You know NOTHING!!" Luna shouted as she punched Lilith away, who simply laughed. "Hahaha...I've been waiting for this moment, Princess...the moment where I can FINALLY take vengeance for my family! Your battered corpse will serve as a symbol of your father's failure!" With a mad grin, Lilith blasted out a green blast of energy that collided and clashed with Luna's lunar blast. ***** Back at the castle, Celestia and Twilight's friends were investigating the coronation hall. There were still several hours before the wedding, so the hall was empty, "So...why are we looking here?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Because this is the last place Twilight was seen." Celestia said as her horn shined, trying to detect anything out of the ordinary, "According to Luna, she never left the hall last night." "That's...mighty suspicious." Applejack said as Rarity nodded. "And Spike confirmed that she never returned to her room...just what is going on here?" "That is what we are here to determine." Celestia said as she continued her scrying. Several minutes passed, and suddenly, "!!" Celestia's eyes widened as she detected faint magical residue in the center of the room, "Pinkie, life up that carpet!" Pinkie nodded and did so. And sure enough, faint ash marks were seen under the rug where Twilight had been teleported from, "A-Ash...?" Pinkie said with worry. "Wait..." Celestia said as she inspected them, "Fear not, these ashes are not from a fire. In fact...they seem to be the aftereffect of a teleportation spell." "Teleportation?" Fluttershy asked, "But...Twilight's teleportation spell never left behind any ash." "Correct." Celestia said with a frown, "Which means she was teleported away against her will...but where..." Her eyes suddenly widened, "!! Of...Of course!" "Princess?" Dash asked. "There is one place in Canterlot that only a select few, myself included, are aware of. A place that would be perfect to stash away somepony you wanted out of the way..." Celestia turned, "Everypony, follow me! Quickly!" ***** In her chambers, Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings, looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing Cadance's face, her body. For centuries, shapeshifting was her forte...but now, seeing herself in another's visage revolted her, "Is this...what I have been reduced to?" She said to herself, "A common criminal who destroys lives and conquers kingdoms?" Unlike her daughter, Chrysalis took no joy in enacting the plan. In fact, she despised herself for it. She despised that she had stolen away Princess Cadance in the dead of night to replace her. She despised how she imprisoned her, and the posh cell she gave her did little to lift her guilt. She despised how she was forced to put an enchantment on Shining Armor when he began to grow suspicious. She despised how she was forced to make him say such horrible things to Twilight, then imprison Twilight in the same place she imprisoned Cadance. But most of all, she despised what she had become. She never asked to become a Changeling. She never asked that she, her family, and her people no longer found any life-sustaining nourishment from food and drink. She never asked for her people's only method of survival to be feeding upon the love of other races. All she ever wanted...was a King's love. "Eclipse...I am so sorry..." She whispered to herself as she took out her locket, opening it. Inside was a picture of three Changelings. One was Chrysalis in her natural form, the second was a slightly younger Lilith, and the final one was a Changeling infant with azure eyes, "...But this is what I must do...for the sake of my people." Sighing deeply, she put her locket away and went towards her closet. She had a wedding to prepare for. A wedding that, once completed, would grant her people all the love they would ever need. ***** "Where are we?" Dash asked as the team approached a long abandoned cave opening. "This is the entrance to the Canterlot Mines." Celestia explained, "Long ago, the tunnel networks underneath Canterlot were full of majestic crystals, gems and other rare stones. Before the bit become Equestria's national currency, these crystals were used to barter and trade. Once the bit became nationalized, the crystals became little more than collector's items; Beautiful, but monetarily worthless. As a result, my mother had no choice but to order the mine closed down, and the knowledge of its existence slowly faded until only a hooffull of ponies today remember it." "Wow..." Fluttershy said, "In that case, it really IS the perfect place to hide." "Exactly." Celestia nodded, "Which is why we are here. My gut instinct tells me that Twilight is somewhere within these mines. We must find her, ensure her safety, and learn the truth of what has happened to my niece." "We are so sorry, Princess..." A trio of voices suddenly said in perfect unison, "But we cannot allow you to do that." Out of the shadows of the mine's entrance stepped three unicorn females, each in a bridesmaid dress. The others' eyes widened, the Mane Five recognizing one of them from Ponyville, "L-Lyra?!" Rarity gasped as she looked at the green furred unicorn girl. Lyra and her fellow bridesmaids gave dark smirks as they advanced, their eyes deep green and soulless. "This mine has been closed off by order of Princess Cadance." The bridesmaids said in a monotone unison, "Please, return to the palace and prepare for the wedding." Celestia narrowed her eyes, "Girls, Twilight Sparkle is missing, and we believe she is being held in these mines. I must insist that you step aside at once." "But Princess..." The bridesmaids intoned, "The wedding is in an hour... it cannot commence unless you are there to oversee it...besides, why do you wish to find Twilight Sparkle? After what she has done..." "Sh-Shut up!" Dash said with a glare, stepping forward, "Yeah, Twilight screwed up, but that doesn't mean we're about to leave her out to dry! She's our friend, and we ARE going to find her! So BACK OFF!!" Dash growled deeply as the bridesmaids just continued their empty smirks. However, before anypony could come to blows, the bridesmaids suddenly detected something. Looking behind them, they saw a bouquet of flowers being levitated in the air, "The...The wedding bouquet..." Lyra said as she and others gasped. The bouquet was suddenly thrown at one of the mine's walls, "MINE!!!" All three bridesmaids suddenly shouted, the green in their eyes fading as they each dived at the bouquet, struggling to get it away from the others. "Wh...What in the world...?" Celestia said before, "Auntie!" "C-Cadance?!" Celestia gasped. Sure enough, out of the mine rushed out Princess Cadance, alongside, "TWILIGHT!!" The Mane Five cried as they all glomped her. "G-Girls?!" Twilight said in alarm as her friends hugged her. "Thank the Creators you're alright!" They cried, "We thought something horrible had happened!" Celestia smiled at the reunion, but then frowned as she turned to her niece, "I...do not understand, Cadance. Weren't you back in your chambers at Canterlot?" Cadance shook her head gravely, "No, auntie. Something terrible has happened. Canterlot...no, all of Equestria is at risk." **** It was the hour of the wedding. Chrysalis, in her disguise, stood next to Shining Armor at the podium. The crowd was large, murmuring as they eagerly awaited the arrival of Princess Celestia so that the ceremony could commence. Chrysalis turned to Shining Armor. In order to ensure the plan went smoothly, she was forced to empower her enchantment. Shining Armor now stood completely still, his eyes fully green as he waited. He was completely under her thrall. The doors suddenly flew open, and Celestia walked in, frowning gravely, "Auntie Celestia!" Chrysalis said with a smile, "I thought you would be late." Celestia said nothing as she glared darkly, "How...dare you..." She growled as Chrysalis looked shocked as the audience began to murmur in confusion. "A-Auntie...?" Chrysalis said in worry, but then her worry became shock as Twilight and the REAL Cadance stepped on either side of the Princess, "!!!" Chrysalis stepped back, "H-How did you get past my bridesmaids?!" Twilight smirked, "Even when brainwashed, a bridesmaid can't resist diving for the wedding bouquet." She said as Cadance stepped forward. "Chrysalis, this has gone on long enough. I told my aunt about why you did all this. We are willing to help you, but please...you must stop this madness and surrender." Chrysalis said nothing as she looked down, "Surrender...?" She repeated, "I...cannot surrender. Not now...not when the lives of my people are at stake..." A green glow began to surround her, "I must...do everything I can..." She said as she grit her teeth, "To ensure the survival of my race!" She roared as she became enveloped in green fire. The crowd gasped in alarm as "Cadance" began to transform. Her form became long and thing, her hair becoming long and dark green. Her fur became deep black, holes on her hooves and legs. Two insectoid wings protruded from her back, and a black/green crown rested on her head, under her jagged horn. "Its...Its a Changeling!" One of the nobles cried as the crowd began to panic. Chrysalis narrowed her eyes, "I put you and Twilight in the Mines to PROTECT you, Cadance! Once Equestria was in my hooves, I would have released you both! But now...you have forced my hoof." She frowns, "Princess Celestia, daughter of Soliana and Eclipse...forgive me, but for the survival of the Changeling race, I must take Equestria from you!" She turned to the enchanted Shining Armor, "...Do it." She said simply. Shining Armor mindlessly nodded as his horn shined. **** KABOOOOM! An explosion rocked Canterlot's market district as one of the city's abandoned warehouses suddenly went up in smoke. From the smoke, Lilith plummeted out, Luna quickly flying after her as the two began fighting in midair. "So THIS is where you took me?!" Luna said, "The market quarter?! Were you TRYING to be found?!" "You damn skank..." Lilith growled as she blasted out before the two tackled eachother, wrestling, punching and kicking as they plummeted to the ground, causing a massive dust cloud when they landed. Coughing, Luna struggled to her feet as Lilith did the same ahead of her. Before the two could continue their bout, however, they heard screaming. Ponies were pointing at the sky, seeing the shield Shining Armor had erected quickly beginning to fade away. Soon, it was gone completely. Lilith gave a dark grin, "Heh....hehehehehe....AAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!" She threw her head back, laughing maniacally, "Do you see it, Princess Luna?! Do you SEE?! Look upon it with terror!" Luna's eyes widened as she say a massive black cloud rapidly descending upon Canterlot. But she quickly realized it was no cloud. It was an army of Changelings, all grinning with malice and hunger. Lilith gave a dark smile as she continued to laugh, "BEHOLD, Princess of the Night! Equestria's final hour has come!!" To be continued... Author's Note Oh boy...
