The Hero Within

" Hhhere, Princess. " after he led them the guard quickly ran as fast as he could to get away more quickly.

Obviously the camouflage was only having effect on the tower's exterior, since now the sinister interior of the flying bridge was perfectly visible. Miniature statues of bat skeletons were holding torches and lit the way. The group tried not to make any noise, while the ponies were moving on the bridge. After it ended, Twilight looked upwards and saw, that a lot of stair climbing awaited them.

Last time she met Chrysalis, the changeling Queen tried to take Equestria over and use it as a feeding ground for her evil minions, the changelings. Later the alicorn mare had realized, that this is just their nature and Queen Chrysalis was just protecting her folk, as Celestia and Luna did, but still... there was something personal. Before they left for Pre- Equestria, on the A.I.M. adventure, Celestia had shared with her, that once the changelings were graceful creatures, that suffered a Voidian's curse. However, together with Chrysalis Luna and Celestia might of came to some kind of solution, but instead they left her nation to handle on theirselves. No wonder Chrysalis was mad.

Kinf Sombra, however, didn't have such noble reasons. He just wanted to rule the Crystal Empire as he once did, and he would of ruled it again, if it weren't for Twilight and her friends.

Two totally different villains. Why would they team- up? Was the liason between them Hase?

Twilight thought for a while, and suddenly she realized the stairs should of ended a long time ago. As she looked back, the only ponies, that weren't tired like if they ran for 20 miles without stopping were Dash and Pony Stark. She slowly realized what had just happened.

" SOMBRAA!  " she yelled angrily. Way further upstairs, a taunting laugh was heard.

" Infinite stairs. A flat joke. " Twilight spoke to Pony and Rainbow and began making a magic. Suddenly, all of the ponies ended up on the ceiling, sliding upwards. After a minute of sliding, the group was thrown into a dark hall and fell on the ceiling, and fell again after Twilight stopped her spell. As the alicorn looked forward, she saw two familliar figures.

Sombra was still laughing, which looked strange, since his face reflected pure hapiness, something unusual for a tyranic ruler. Chrysalis was also barely holding it in.

" A cup of tea? " Sombra spoke and the both of them with Chrysalis fell on the floor laughing. Meanwhile all of the ponies were up and looke either confused or angry at the two villains, who rolled on the floor laughing.

" Ahem. " Twilight spoke and this ended the villains' laughing session, which was a weird combination of Sombra's deep voice and Chrysalis' scratchy voice. Not a pleasant combination.

" Yes?  What would you like, Twilight Sparkle? " the Queen spoke, like if she was ordering one of her changelings.

" Being polite will be good for a start. " the Iron Stallion aimed for Chrysalis' muzzle. The ruler of the changelings grinned, but changed her tone immeadietly.

" Alright, Mr. Stark. What do you need, young princess? "

" The truth. " Twilight's answer was surprising to the two villains " What is your relation to Hase? "

" The job. Altough he had greater success than us. He took over the whole country. " Chrysalis looked angrily at Sombra, after he replied to Twilight.

" Sombra, you'll spend the next year in a cocoon if you say something like this again. " she told him.

" And you will spend the same year in a cage of dark crystals. " Sombra kept his smile. Chrysalis' frown also changed to a smile:

" I liked that! High hive! " the two villains slapped eachother's hooves. The friendly conversation riddled most of the others, but Twilight remained in her role of an interrogater:

" I doubt only the profession is the connection between you. What are you hiding? "

" You seem to trust your informer. " Chrysalis replied " Who is he? "

" Hase himself. " Twilight replied. The expressions on the villains' faces immeadiatly shifted to a riddled one.

" He knows. " Sombra looked surprised, after he said it out loud.

Perhaps this wasn't supposed to be said out loud, since Chrysalis looked like she was going to kill him. It was now twilight's turn to grin:

" I knew it. Leave the fighting for later.  Now, what's your connection? "

" Ah, none. He spoke of somepony else. " Chrysalis' tried not to look Twilight in the eyes, as she was saying that. The queen was obviously lying.

" Be careful, Queen Chrysalis! We might claim you for a villain again.. and banish you from Ponyville. " Cadance noted and Chrysalis looked scared. Twilight felt confused from the fact, that the queen was actually afraid of this option. What was the reason?

Meanwhile the changeling sighed and spoke:

" You're right. There is a connection. Follow me. "

Did Chrysalis actually sound sad? Her voice sounded like if she was. Twilight wondered what about Hase had caused her to get so sad. Did he kill somepony she loved? The purple alicorn thought about this option. No, Chrysalis didn't love anypony, she feeded with love. So what was making the ruler of the changelings so santimental? Envy? Hatred?

The two villains led them to a throne hall. On the south side there was the throne of Sombra, his half of the hall was covered in dark crystals and red carpets.

The other side of the throne room looked like a cave and a throne, made out of rock, stood on the north side. However, none of the two villains sat on the throne. Instead, they got to the center of the room. The thrones magically moved towards the center, on rails. The two thrones connected and flipped over, leaving a hole in the floor. A table appeared from it, with something familliar on it: a toy, that Twilight remembered seeing, while a week (  or 15 years ) ago, Hase' s locked memories of his real father - Emperor Vortex - were projected over the lawn. She remembered seeing that toy in the bed, where Hase has lain, while in the dream his father and mother were standing next to the bed. Twilight usually didn't remember such details, but there was something strange about this toy, that had made her an impression. The toy was a plush changeling. What sort of mother would of bought a plush changeling toy? Except if...

Twilight slowly neared Chrysalis. If what she was thinking was true, some of Hase' traits would of made perfect sence. At first his wish to control the world, but later his deep friendship. If he was a half changeling, he would of been more sensible to friendship and love. She looked Chrysalis in her eyes. Was this true?

As if Chrysalis knew what she thought, she nodded.

" Hase is... my only son. " she spoke, which caused several " ah " s and " ooh " s.

" Wait a minute... Hase is a pegasus. If he was the result of the liason between you and Vortex, the result would of been something like an alicorn - alicorn changeling hybrid. " Dash asked. The queen became even more sad, and suddenly Vortex stood next to her and tried to calm her down.

" You... love Vortex? " Luna was more confused than ever.

" Changelings can love. " Vortex obviously got offended from this " The fact, that they feed off ponies' love doesn't mean they can't love.

" Unfortunately, Hase is much more than just their son. " Sombra noted. The group became even more confused, as they heard Sombra say this. Was he involved too? But how?

The horns of Chrysalis and Vortex shone.  The glass behind Sombra's throne darkened and torches were litten.

" This story is enchanted. We are only able to say it if all three of us are present and on the light of a torch. " Chrysalis began.

" This is a story about our ultimate plot. " Vortex continued " A plot, that would of ended your rule, " the dark alicorn spoke to Celestia and Luna " , forever. A plot, that is so perfect, that even you aren't able to stop it. "

" We failed. Every time. " Chrysalis' voice became even more sad " Vortex was turned to stone for centuries. My invasions always fail and my folk is starving. Sombra still wasn't defeated, but a fortune teller had predicted it. No matter what we do, we weren't , we aren't and we will never be powerful enough to defeat you two together. Not even Vortex, since he was on his own.

Forming an alliance wasn't an option. We have other things to do, except taking Equestria over. We needed a new figure in our game. A pony, more powerful than all of us, more powerful than Luna and Celestia. This was the beggining of the Dark Mist project. "

Twilight shivvered, as she listened to this.

" This all began after we and Vortex agreed to ally our forces. We were repelled, since one of Vortex' troops betrayed him and we were defeated before we even exited the Changeling Caves. Altough we lost, our alliance didn't end. And eventually, united by our evil intentions, our alliance became something different. A spark... and the fire of love shone in our souls. For the first time ever we saw the beatiful side of life, instead of constantly focusing over our plans. While we had our love, Equestria had it's peace. This were our greatest days... " Chrysalis and Vortex kissed.

' This was unexpected. ' Twilight actually felt great for the two of them. Love is the same for all of the ponies, no matter heroes or villain. It was great to learn, that the villains aren't what all ponies think they are.

" And the result of this love wasn't late. I was pregnant. We were happier than ever. But we knew, that our foal wouldn't live the life of a normal foal. It would of spent  it's foalhood in the Canterlot dungeons, together with us. We didn't want this for our foal. But we had no choice. "

A tear ran across Celestia's cheek. She has never seen this side of Chrysalis and Vortex. What would of it been like, if she was the villain?

" Than we all came out with an idea. You wonder what's my role in all of this? Well, villains stick to each other. I was a kind of their family's best friend. You know - the one, who's always late for the party, but brings pizza? Well, one night at the Changeling Caves, we came out with an idea. " Sombra spoke " The stars were aligned at full power... "

" What do you mean? " Twilight asked.

" Some spells are affected by stars, some even need their energy. " Chrysalis replied. " The stars were aligned perfectly for our plot. And so we began our magic. We changed Hase while he still wasn't born. He was enchanted forever. Usually such a spell requires a great amount of energy, which the stars provided us. He was ment to be better than all of us. We gave him superpony strength and agility. He kept the ability of the changelings to shapeshift. The magic also turned him to a pegasus, so that he could fit more easily into the society. We wanted him to be the pony who turns the folk against it's rulers, so we also gave him perfect leadership skills.

We also gave him the power to use normal and Chaotic magic, amplyfying his potential to 100% . The magical level of the Princesses. But we also didn't wish for him to turn against us or die before he can complete his noble deed. So deep in his subconciousness, the spell changed two things: he became invincible to you, Princess Celestia... "

" You mean, really invincible? " Celestia got worried. How would of they defeated Hase, after he was invincible?

" Yes. He was designed to destroy you, after all. And we all know you are able to find even the smallest hole in an armour and exploit it to the end. " Vortex sounded angry. Probably he remembered how the two Princesses used his son against him.

" You'll be able to do him no harm. He is immune to all kinds of spells, related to the sun or the moon. Thus none of your poweful magics will have effect over him.

But the second was more importrant. We wanted him to be like us. So in his subconciousness, we coded our greatest wishes... to make everypony even again. " Vortex said with hope

" To care for his folk... " Chrysalis spoke

" To take you off the throne... forever. To give us a second chance... the things you never did. " Sombra finished.

" However, now our good intentions are being twisted by the Essence of Death. We all hate the Destroyer. Every living being hates him deep inside. But the Essence of Death found a perfect soul to settle in. Hase. " a tear ran down Vortex' cheek

" He grew far more powerful than we have ever imagined. But he'll destroy everything we once fought for : evenity, justice, peace. And his hive... are the Voidians. " Chrysalis cried too.

" His potential to rebuild... will be used to destroy. " Vortex continued " We can only bring him back if we work together. But... we first want you to promise something. " he looked at Luna and Celestia.

" What? " the Princess of the Sun looked at them suspiciously.

" A second chance. " Chrysalis replied " Evenity. The changelings should no longer be treated as beasts. Give them a chance. Give us all a chance, as you gave Luna. You don't have to reform us, as you did with Discord. You only have to think of us as ponies, who wish they have their own spots bellw the sun. "

" Royal Council! " Luna proclaimed. She, together with Celestia and Twilight, got 20 feet away from the group and Celestia whispered:

" We cannot give them a second chance. They are villains. They are dangerous. Luna, do you agree? " Luna nodded.

" Twilight, do you agree? "

" No, Princess. Everypony deserves a second chance. If we make friends with the changelings perhaps this will break the Voidian's curse. We must only trust them. " the purple alicorn spoke to her. " Queen Chrysalis just wanted the best for her folk. And Vortex only wanted his son to live in a better world. "

" I'm sorry, Twilight, but my sister is right. " Luna told her " What if they attack us two months after we make peace? We must defend the ponies of Equestria, not the changelings! Our land will suffer if we agree. What about Sombra? He didn't have such noble intentions as Chrysalis and Vortex. I partially agree with you - we can trust Chrysalis and Vortex for now - but if Sombra strikes, guess who is going to back him up? "

" But, Princess Luna! Think what would of you done, if you were King Sombra. You would of tried to take over your kingdom again, since you believe you ruled it right. He saw he's wrong. Now all he needs is a little reforming and he can become good, as we did with Discord.

As for Chrysalis and Vortex, they just wish they had justice. Justice for Hase and the changelings. What would of we done, if the changelings ruled and we were banished? We would try to convince them we're good. But if they don't believe us - and we have never trusted them - they'll have no choice but to use force. With Hase it is the same. Tell me - was there a moment from our adventures you trusted him completely? " Twilight asked the two Princesses. They both blushed and none of them was willing to take the word. Twilight had made the Princesses feel ashamed.

" You are right, my most faithful Twilight. We were blind. " Celestia admitted " But... if you rule over such a peaceful and good nation as the ponies for 3000 years, they become more precious to you than your own life. You must understand our point of view. "

" Princess, I understand you completely. All we have to do is to trust. If we all trust eachother, the villains of Equestria would of been much fewer. Think about it -  if you trusted Luna and let her bring out a bit longer night for a year or two, Nightmare Moon would of never existed. If you have tried to reform Discord before, again with trust, we wouldn't have to do this 3000 years later. If we have accepted changelings in our society earlier, Queen Chrysalis would of never attacked. If you tried to reason Sombra instead of defeating him, he probably would of been more kind to the crystal ponies. If you have tried to explain why there cannot be eternal life for everypony , he wouldn't of been our enemy from the beggining. The same with Hase. The power of Friendship doesn't come from here, " Twilight pointed her crown " , it comes from here. " she touched Celestia's chest, exactly where the heart stood. The two Princesses smiled and went back to the group.

" We accept. We are so sorry for being so ... so... " from excitement Celestia couldn't find the right words.

" With such limited vision. " Sombra suggested.

" Yes. Thank you, King Sombra. " suddenly, Celestia hugged Sombra. The king obviously didn't expect this, because he nearly jumped.

" From now on, all changelings shall be accepted into our society. We swear in our father! " Luna spoke

" And, to earn your trust, we'd like you to help us with the rule of Equestria. " Celestia smiled.

This made everypony's jaws, except for the two Princesses, drop to the ground.

" King Sombra, from now on we pronounce you for count of Sombrero region, which will spread from the Canterlot mountains all the way to the Crystal Empire. " Luna shook Sombra's hoof.

"  Count Sombra... " Sombra grinned " That actually sounds 20% cooler than King Sombra. "

" Queen Chrysalis, " Luna continued " We pronounce you the Baroness of the West. You'll help us rule the land from Vanhoover to the north to Las Pegasus to the south. "

In the moment the Princess of the Night said that, something strange occured. A mysterious spell lifted Chrysalis in the air and made her shine. The ponies had to cover their eyes. When they opened them again, they saw something completely unexpected.

Queen Chrysalis looked totally different. Instead of gray, her coat was now white. The holes were gone from her hooves and body.Her green mane and tail were brushed and her vampire teeth were missing. She looked more graceful and beatiful even than Celestia. Her horn looked completely normal and on her back there was a pair of butterfly wings, big, green and beatiful. As she smiled, her half of the hall changed to a beatiful throne room.

" I believe this was the key. " her voice was sweet like honey, nothing like it's earlier scratchy version " I gladly accept this offer. Princess Luna, you have broken our curse. From now on the race of the changelings will prosper again. Integration shall be much more easier. I am grateful. " the Baroness hugged Luna.

" And finally, Vortex. " Celestia spoke to what once was her greatest enemy " Is it too much to ask you to be our royal advisor? "

" Not much at all. " he replied, but he also whispered something in Celestia's ear while she was hugging him.

" We can bring him back. "

Celestia shook as she heard that. Was it possible that her uncle was speaking of her father?

" My Queen... it is gone, the curse is gone! " a beatiful pegasus with dragonfly wings ran into the room. Chrysalis smiled and replied:

" Yes, Dragonflight, the curse is gone. Now we shall take full battle actions. It is time to snap my son out of the dark dream he is dreaming. " Chrysalis smiled.

" Well, I haven't participated in such major battle actions for millenia. What about we show them the old power of the sun and the moon, Luna? " Celestia and Luna nodded at eachother.

" Let's burn this world and start from a scratch. " Blaze agreed.

" We have a problem! Code 247! " Coulson ran into the room, yelling on his hoof free com device.

" Ah... what do you mean ? " Celestia said him.

" Oh, sorry for panicking, Princess Celestia. "  Coulson felt uncomfortable " S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters' defence system has been hacked. Nopony can get out of it. Vinyl is working on it, but it will take time. Meanwhile a big squad marches from the north. Intelligence says, that Hase himself is leading them. "

' He knows we're here. ' Twilight thought.

" The bad part is, that except us only three heroes aren't  trapped in the HQ. It makes me proud, this is my squad. They're controlling the situation so far, but we quickly need to back them up. " the Agent reported.

" The first action. " Chrysalis said and a a grin, which didn't look as mean as it once used to, appeared on her face.

" Let's show him some action! " Loky spoke.

" Good. I'll debrief you on the way. " Coulson replied and the group, now together with Sombra and Chrysalis, left the hall.