Enchantè

                                                            Redemption

“Release me, or you’ll NEVER see her again!”

Twilight recoiled at these words, but did not drop her force field. This creature is a threat to the very existence of Equestria, and with this second attempt she's shown she cannot be trusted.

But then, thought Twilight, how can I turn my back on a friend?

Reading the conflict on her face, the Queen laughed and said, “Decide quickly, your “Highness!”’ she sneered. “My minions have instructions to KILL her if I do not return!”

With these words something quietly snapped inside Twilight. Slowly, she lowered the Changeling to the stage and released her force field. She took a step towards her as she softly asked, “What did you say?”

“Are you deaf as well as stupid? Release all my children as well, or- GKKKKKKK!!!”

The Queen fell to her knees, fighting for air. Without any warning, Twilight had seized her around the throat with dark magic. Her eyes had gone white, with no pupils. The magical aura around her horn had turned black as it crackled and billowed through her mane.

She watched the struggling Changeling. This creature had hurt her brother and sweet sister in law. No more. She had tried to take over Equestria, and had trapped her mentor. No more! And now, she had invaded Ponyville, her HOME, and threatened to kill one of her dearest friends. NO MORE!

“Twi…Twilight? What…what are you doing?!” asked Pinkie. Everypony had turned towards the stage, and watched in horror. Twilight made no answer, only clenched her teeth in rage, and tightened her magic.

The Changeling Queen tried to use her own power against Twilight, but her bolts bounced off her with no effect. Realizing her mistake, she then put every effort into loosening the magic around her throat. She succeeded, through sheer desperation, in getting it off just enough to suck in a lungful of air, only to feel it slowly tightening again. This was not the same pony she had faced before! The Queen’s vision was starting to fade as she entered the first stages of hypoxia.

It can’t end like this! It CAN’T!! My children…my children NEED me! As the tingling started in her legs, she made one last effort and begged, “P...Please. Please…don’t. My….my…children…will…die…with…out…meeee…”

“TWILIGHT!! NO!!” screamed Pinkie, as she leaped onto the stage and threw herself across the Queen. Twilight came back to herself and released her magic. Her eyes returned to normal as she looked, and saw Pinkie stretched over her enemy. Realizing what she’d almost done, she fell to her knees and began sobbing bitterly.

The Queen coughed violently and tried to sit up, but there was a pony lying across her. “Get…get off me,” she croaked.

Pinkie did so, and then reached out and rubbed her back, saying, “Lie still. It’s alright now.”

The other ponies and Spike had gathered around Twilight, and were attempting to console her. But the Queen was rubbing her own throat and staring at Pinkie.

“You…you saved me. Why?”

Pinkie looked down at her and smiled. “It’s what friends do.”

“But...we’re NOT friends!”

A tear formed in Pinkie’s eye as she said, “We can be, if you want. But it’s more than that.” She turned and looked at Twilight. “I was really saving her.”

An emotion the Queen had never before felt began to swell in her chest. She couldn’t place it at first. She thought for a moment, and then realized what it was. Gratitude. She was grateful to this little pink pony.

But still, she drew herself up proudly and said, “I owe you my life, Pink One. Thank…thank you.”

She laughed. “Not ‘Pink One!’ ‘PINKIE’!”

“I know your name.”

“What’s yours?”

“It’s…Chrysalis.”

“Oooo! That’s PRETTY! May I call you Chrissie?”

The Queen stared at her, trying to decide if she was being impertinent. Remembering her selfless act, she replied, “If you must. But ONLY you!”

Applejack was gently holding Twilight as she looked over at the Queen and said, “This all has to end now. Tell us where Fluttershy is. Please.”

The Queen had regained her feet. She looked down at Applejack and Twilight, who couldn’t meet her eyes and was still crying softly. For the briefest moment she considered making a sarcastic retort, but then she looked over at Pinkie, who was smiling up at her. That decided her.

“For the Pink One...” and here she looked at her again, “...for Pinkie, I do this. Come, I’ll lead you to her.”

“That won’t be necessary,” said Celestia as she landed.

“PRINCESS!” Everypony gasped and fell to their knees. The Royal Guard descended with her and surrounded the area. Two pegasus guards landed on either side of Queen Chrysalis and stood sentry over her. But the Princess only had eyes for Twilight. She looked up at her mentor.

“I tried to kill her,” she quietly said. As the others respectfully moved out of the way, Celestia lay down next to her and covered her with one wing.

“Shhh,” said Celestia, “I know, I know.”

Twilight’s face was a mixture of terror and disgust at herself. “You knew? Why didn’t you stop me?”

Celestia hugged her closer. “We only just arrived, but you didn’t need my help.” Here she looked around at them all, then said, “Your friends love you too much to allow you to fail.”

Fluttershy wanted to fly ahead with Angel, to take him to the animal hospital, but the others thought that was a bad idea.

“We don’t know the situation in Ponyville,” said Lorewise. “We could all be walking into a trap.”

They had found the comatose Changeling, awoken him, and were now leading him back to town with them.

“Then let’s all go back to my home,” said Fluttershy. “I can help Angel there, and we can plan our next move.” This seemed like a good suggestion, so off they went.

It wasn’t long before Zecora looked back, and quietly said to the others, “There are two creatures, coming near. We’d best add speed and leave from here.”

But it was too late. As she spoke, two Timberwolves bounded out of the Forest behind them.

“Oh GREAT!” yelled Lorewise. “RUN!!”

Zecora had turned to face them, and was reaching into a pouch, when Pawise stopped her.

“Hang on a moment,” he said. To the surprise of the others, he walked right up to the wolves. They sniffed him, and then began to wag their tails. Turning back to his group, Pawise said, “It’s okay! I know these two!”

As they rolled over and barked happily at him, Fluttershy looked at him with new eyes, and was greatly impressed. She had never been able to tame a Timberwolf!

“You like animals too?” she asked. Pawise was laughing and holding his nose as they tried to lick his face. Timberwolf breath is…indescribable.

“Yes, but these were the first two wild animals I’ve ever tamed.”

“How did you do that?” she asked.

“It’s my Talent. I’m “paw-wise!” He looked at his parents. “Thanks Mom and Dad!”

“This is not dignified son,” Lorewise gruffly said.

“I can get them to lick you too!” he said.

They all laughed except Lorewise and the Changeling, who was thinking he’d fallen in with the most mental ponies he’d ever seen. They resumed their journey, and soon found themselves back at Fluttershy’s cottage. She surveyed the damage.

“Oh my!” she said. “What happened here?”

Pawise sheepishly replied, “I…I did that to your wall. I was trying to get the Changeling Queen to tell me where you were. But don’t worry!” he added, “I’ll get everything fixed for you.”

“Where are all my animals?” They all turned and looked at the Changeling.

“They’re fine, they’re fine!” he quickly said. “The Queen just had us chase them all off, but she didn’t hurt any of them. Her quarrel was with you ponies, never with animals.”

“Well,” said Fluttershy, “I’m sure they’ll come back on their own. Right now I have to take care of Angel.”

She flew him upstairs to the bedroom, and gently laid him in his place. Zecora followed, and after they had splinted his leg and given him something for the pain, they came back down the stairs. Once Pawise and Fluttershy had also been bandaged, they all began discussing their next move.

“Princess Twilight was able to expose this one easily enough,” said Lorewise as he looked over at the Changeling. “So she’s the one we need to find again.”

“For all we know, everypony has been beaten by the Changelings,” said Willow. “So our best course is to send somepony in that they think is one of them.”

“Who would that be?” asked Fluttershy. Everypony said nothing, just looked at her. Realization slowly dawned on her. “Oh, NO! Not me! I couldn’t pretend to be the Queen!”

“That’s just it,” said Pawise. “You wouldn’t have to pretend to be her, because she’s pretending to be you! The only hitch would be if you ran into her, that could be a problem.”

He turned to his parents. “Mom and Dad, you two stay here. If we’re not back inside an hour, then go to Canterlot.”

“So you’re going with her?” Lorewise asked.

He nodded. “I have to see this through to the end.”

He turned to Zecora. “I know you can handle yourself. Please, stay here and watch over my folks.”

Zecora nodded, then indicated the Changeling. “I’ll keep them safe, and watch him too, you two do what you must do.”

Pawise turned to Fluttershy. “Let’s go.”

It was about midnight when they reached town. They entered through some alleyways, and stuck to the shadows. Cautiously they peeped out. All was quiet, and the streets were deserted.

“So far, so good,” said Pawise. “If anything happened here, it’s already over.”

Fluttershy was watching him without comment. He turned back to look at her and asked, “Is something wrong?”

She shook her head. “It’s just that you are very brave. I’m glad I’m here with you.” Then she hid her face and smiled.

Pawise smiled back at her. “From what I’ve seen, you’re quite brave as well.”

He looked back out the alley. “But for now, we have to find Princess Twilight. I hope there’s still something to be done to stop the Changelings.”

They made their way to the Library without incident, and quietly knocked on the door. They waited. Nopony there. Now what should they do? He turned to ask Fluttershy this very question.

“I don’t think we have a choice: we have to go out to Applejack’s farm.”

The guards had herded all the Changelings into one area. The farm was a mess, with overturned tables and general destruction. The captain came up and reported all was well to Celestia, who still lay with Twilight.

After comforting her student, Princess Celestia stood and faced the Queen. “Now, what is to be done with you?”

Still shaken from her near miss, she dropped her eyes and said, “I’m sorry. I have to feed my children. I knew no other way.”

The Princess was unmoved. “You will find another way. This is my domain. These are my children, and I will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.”

Chrysalis met her eyes. “I can see that now. Your children are brave, and can be ruthless.” Here she glanced over at Twilight, but without malice. “I would have done the same in her place. Looking at Pinkie she said, "But this one did something I would never have done, and that is plead for the life of an enemy. Why did she do that? Is this something you taught her?”

The Princess smiled. “No, this is something they taught themselves. I only guided them.” Then she became the Ruler again. “Your Changelings will be sent back to your country. You will decide who shall lead them, and order them never to return to Equestria. You, however, will remain here, to learn, if you can, the lesson of friendship my little ponies have learned. What say you?”

Chrysalis stared at her. “So…so you are not going to kill me? I do not understand.”

Celestia smiled at her. “The best way to eliminate an enemy is to turn her into a friend.”

The Queen still had her doubts. “How can you trust me? I would not if our roles were reversed.”

Celestia turned and looked at Twilight. “Because I leave you in the capable hooves of my most faithful student.” Celestia looked back at her. “Additionally, this just might keep you safe from Discord.”

The Queen blanched. “Discord! I have made an enemy of him as well! Alright, I will do it: I accept my fate. Only promise me two things…please.”

Celestia waited.

“Promise me I will be safe from Discord and…and I can be friends with Pinkie Pie.”

“YAAAAAAYY!!!” yelled Pinkie.

“I think you have your answer,” Celestia said with a smile.

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that!” said one of the balloons. It slowly turned to reveal two mismatched eyes, which changed into the draconequus. He was angry, and held a struggling Changeling in his eagle claw. Chrysalis hid behind her guards.

        Pointing at the Queen, he said “This one owes me BIG time, Celestia! Passing this cheap imitation off as my dear Fluttershy!”

The Changeling he held cried, “Anything! I’ll do anything! Just keep me away from him! I couldn’t take another minute!”

Discord looked down at her. “Well, that’s awfully rude, fake Fluttershy! After all I did for you!”

The Changeling looked at Celestia and cried, “The walls were the floors! The ceiling was cotton candy! Everything was crazy! And I never, never want another glass of chocolate milk as long as I live! Please, please take me away from him!”

Celestia looked at Chrysalis. “I think we’ve found your substitute.”

Turning to Discord she said with smile, “Let her go. I don’t think we’ll ever be seeing her again.” He released her, but just as she tried to run off and join the other Changelings he snapped his fingers, and a huge trough of chocolate milk appeared in front of her, and she fell headfirst into it.

“Discord…” said Celestia.

“Oh alright, Celestia!” He snapped his fingers again, and she was completely dry. Dazed, she got up and joined the other Changelings.

“There’s still the matter of her, Celestia," pointing again at the Queen. "She took Fluttershy, and I want her back! Where is she?”

A quiet voice behind them said, “I’m here.”

A few days later Pawise, Fluttershy and Zecora waited with his parents at the train station.

“I’ve never been anywhere like this, son. You were right: Ponyville is special” said Lorewise. “No one at home will believe a word I tell them.”

“I think that’s the way it’s been here since Princess Celestia sent Twilight,” said Pawise. “Remarkable things happen here, and continue to do so.”

“Will she be alright, you think, with that Changeling?” asked Willow.

“I think that Changeling is more worried about Twilight,” said Fluttershy. “Besides, she knows Discord is watching her as well, she won’t try anything like this again.”

“Still,” said Lorewise,"if Her Highness can reform her, that’s a major threat to Equestria gone. I can only imagine how this will affect the Stock Market!”

“And I’m sure you’ll come out ahead, Dad!” laughed Pawise. His parents turned to Zecora and hugged her one after the other.

“We cannot thank you enough for all you’ve done: for our son, for Fluttershy, for us. Thank you!”

Zecora hugged them back and said, “The pleasure was mine, and still remains. I hope to see you both again.”

Willow’s eyes were moist. “We will, we promise!” They then hugged Fluttershy and said, “So many here love you, dear. And at the risk of embarrassing you, we love you too!”

Fluttershy blushed and looked at Pawise. “I’m not embarrassed,” she quietly said.

“All aboard!” yelled the conductor.

Lorewise and Pawise stood looking at each other, then his father came forward and hugged him. As he did, he whispered, “She’s worthy.”