The sounds of clapping hooves followed her every turn. It seemed as though no route would lead her to sanctuary. Not now. It was do or die, escape or be captured, and there wasn’t a doubt within Chrysalis’s mind that if she was caught, all hope would definitely have been lost. For a split second, she thought about making a run for the cave where her children were. More than likely, they were probably losing even more vital life energy with every passing minute. She shook her head, dodged a tree and ran in the opposite direction.

The last she wanted for them was not only herself becoming a prisoner, but them as well. They were the last remaining members of the changeling bloodline, a dying race, and it was up to Chrysalis alone to keep them out of danger. Needless to say, bringing the guards to them was not the correct solution. Especially from what she had already seen. The way they abused her kind before was possibly the worst instance she’d experienced thus far.

The jungle’s green qualities began to twist as she entered parts that were most unfamiliar. She’d been to the silhouette sections before, but this was new. Different flora and wildlife took place of what was once a sunny and brightly lit ground. The scenery changed to dismal, grey and frightening fog that surrounded every bush and berry sprout rooting up from the dampened gravel. She ran along the plants, splashing purple liquid out of the plump fruits and rounded vigorously through the marsh.

Mud was kicked up and stuck to her hooves. Then, more water was slashed and splattered as hordes of guards hot on her trail ran right along where she’d passed. It seemed hopeless now, to keep going, but one thought remained. That was the memory of her children. They had to live, and they were counting on her. Failure wasn’t an option. However, it would unfortunately be the outcome.

She looked back quickly to see the many ponies dressed in armor and donning hateful eyes gaining on her, rage infuriated and desperate for nothing but her untimely demise. In that instant, she made her mind up and decided to try something she knew would fail, but so would simply running. At least this had a higher chance of succeeding. She spread her wings in a futile attempt to easily fly away, and felt an arrow pierce right through her backside, just near the rib cage.

Things seemed that they still wanted her alive at the very least, for another fireball spell would’ve conveniently killed her in the state she was in, but she figured there would be far worse reaching consequences than death. That was seen as a luxury to her by then. To live on and experience nothing but more despair and pain was her worst outcome.

Thinking about it, nothing came close than being the prisoner of the royal guards, and in that moment of falling through the air, she saw the light. All her most recent dreams regarding the pleasant hope of restarting and maybe keeping the changeling race alive and well diminished with that single arrow reaching so deep into her already wounded and weak body. She slammed to the murky ground while wailing in unfathomable pain, and watched the guards circle around her. Their devilish smiles instantly let her know they intended nothing but the utmost cruelty for her.

She hid her face, wet with tears cascading from her eyes, and asked, “W-what do you plan to do with me...?”

The unicorn that had fired the first fatal shot approached, her magic wielding the bow used to injure the mare. She looked around at her fellow loyalists and asked, “I’m not sure. We all know a good beating is in order, but I think the civilians still want their rightful revenge on her for nearly taking the city, along with heartlessly harming our own.”

Their smiles only grew more wicked, many eager to follow up on what the unicorn said and then some. All Princess Celestia had ordered them to do was bring the queen back to the palace alive. She never mentioned in what condition.

The chuckles and menacing snickers of the others weren’t at all reassuring to Chrysalis. Most had a hungry look in their eyes. Menacing, insidious glances upon her quivering form. It was then that she felt the first strike against the upper part of her skull. She cried out in pain, or at least tried to. The next hit was to her lower jaw, the force of the impact causing her to bite off part of the edge of her tongue. As her mouth filled with blood, another blow was directed to her back, this followed by more flurries of hitting hooves that left her spine an aching mess.

The brutal beating went on for far too long, each guard eager to vent their frustrations brought upon by not catching her in the beginning. As sweat and blood from open cuts seeped out slowly and slid down her forehead, one of the guards raised his hoof and knocked her unconscious with a well placed strike at the temple.

The last thing she saw before fainting with blackness overtaking her sights was pairs of blue and azure aura wrapping around her frame and lifting her up to carry her back to Canterlot; back to where it all began.

Regret was one feeling she hardly ever felt, but she had long since became familiar with the sense of sheer fear. Only now did she truly wish to turn back time and stop herself from ever even attempting such criminal acts, but more than that, she was sorry for her children who would be waiting for her return, only for her to never show.

Through the trip back and away from the forest, her majesty awoke many times only to nod off shortly after, her body swaying while suspended by the powerful grip of the commander, and her second in command.

Eventually, she caught a brief glance at the sky and saw nothing but darkened clouds. Soon, it began to rain, waking her momentarily, but not entirely. The amounts of lost power and energy was too much for her, and proved too great a challenge to fully awaken. So she remained in custody, every once in a while feeling the light touch of rainwater upon her black and blood stained coat.

Author's Note

Coauthored with RainbowBob