“Year after year we grow hungrier…” Chrysalis paces back in forth in the tower of her castle carved from mound of earth. “We wait in agony because the outside world refuses to accept us.” She marches to the window overlooking her kingdom large spires served as homes for the countless changeling drones. Chrysalis breaths a deep sigh as she rest her head on the window ceil.
"Oh my loyal subjects suffer time and time again growing weak from hunger. What am I, the queen, to do?" A small Changeling sprite nudges her hind legs. She turns her attention back to the small sprite. A smile begins to form on her maw. “Oh little one you seem strong, perhaps there is still hope.” She scoops it up in her fore hooves and nuzzles it slightly. She releases it as its wings begin to flutter the small changeling flies about the room. Soon joined by two others they began to rough house and scuffle all around the room.
Chrysalis could not help but give a slight chuckle. How these three find their way into her quarters is a mystery. But it was not the first time, she did not really mind. Seeing the youth still so full of energy filled her with hope. A hope for the future of her race but the future may be bleak still.” Her smile fades as she turns her attention to her kingdom once more. The changeling race feeds on the love and warmth that comes from others. This leaves many a drained husk
It is because of this changelings are shun and disliked by ponies everywhere. It is not a decision it is a way of life for their race. No pony can live long without feeding. Without feeding on the emotions of the ponies of Equestria there race will certainly perish over time. “What can be done now? My subjects are too weak to fight for their lives.” Day in and out she could see it her subjects they grow weaker. Quickly becoming less lively some nothing more than husk there essence long gone.
Suddenly her kingdom became divided not physically or metaphorically but visually. One half shrouded in night the other half graced by the light of day the skies seemed to be out of whack. Clouds where all in patches and some were raining what looked to be chocolate milk. “Okay…?”
Chrysalis tilts her head as a confused expression forms on her face. “Something strange is going on in Equestria.”
Four changeling’s drones make their way into the queen’s quarters. They bow before her, as she turns to confront them. “Yes what has the scouting parties found?” They began a series of shrill his squeaks, hiss, and chirps.
“Canterlot is in ruin, Equestria is bare, what could have been so strong.” They continued to speak. “The Princesses of Equestria are what now… Oh how marvelous this is exactly what we needed.” She turns around to face her kingdom once more. “Round up a few able volunteers we are going to take a small trip to Canterlot.” Her teal eyes narrow as a smile begins to form.
Several hours pass by as the small changeling group pass over the skies of Equestria. But from Trottingham to Fillydelphia, Los Pegasus to Boltimare Equestria was dead silent no pony was could be seen anywhere. To make matters worse the strange anomalies have nearly spread to the far reaches of the land. More than once her loyal subjects have had a run in with a cotton candy cloud. That’s when it came to realization that cotton candy stuck to your wings makes flying and exhausting task.
Finally they come to a stop at the most northern tip of Equestria. The Chrystal Empire the buildings made completely of crystals stood tall like a beacon. “Crystalsss… are not looking to promising at this moment. The pony inhabitance what has happened to Equestria?” They slowly land in at the heart of the city. For some the landing was less then dignified as their wings locked up causing them to plummet to the ground. The Candy coated drones hiss in displeasure. They shake and buck frantically trying to free themselves from the sugar tormentor.
Chrysalis rubs a hoof under her maw. “This looks like Discords work but at the same time it does not. What could have happened to all the ponies?” Suddenly there came a cracking sound from the ground below. “Huh"
A black thorny vine curls around her hind hoof. “What in Equestria is…?” Her gaze turns back to her subjects who were trying to fight off the unknown assailant. More black vines rise from the ground ensnaring the ones that became grounded do to the sugar bindings.
“What form of trickery is this?” She rises up as another vine lunged straight for her neck. Chrysalis hisses at it her horn glows green. She fires a bolt magic shearing the vine holding her hostage. He wings buzz frantically as she begins to take flight. “The Castle, run to the Castle!” Her horn glows as she focuses a concentrated beam into the mass of the vines freeing her captured subjects.
The changeling drones all rush through the castle doors. Chrysalis stops just short delivering one final blast with her magic before darting inside herself. Chrysalis scans her surroundings the windows in the current room already covered by the black thorny vines. “This castle will not remain safe for long.” She moves closer to the center of the castle looking for any sign to what to where the other ponies might have vanished to.
The door creaks as the changelings enter the throne room. “No ponies, no ponies anywhere.” Chrysalis suddenly began to feel a hint of dread. The blessing in disguise began to look more like a curse. What will they feed on if no ponies where left in all of Equestria. Suddenly there came a rapid clacking of hooves as a shadowy figure began to charge right for Chrysalis.
“Leave this kingdom monster…” His sentence was cut off as four of the changeling tackles him from the side. He hits a crystal column with loud thud then falls lifelessly to the floor. Chrysalis slowly approaches the figure her eyes narrow as she recognizes the pony that lay before her.
“Shining Armor…” Her voice came out a slight hiss. This was reflected by the drones, they hunker down as though getting ready to pounce. Armor groans as his eyes slowly opens his gaze was met with several green eyes glaring at him. The Changeling’s hissed and snap at him. Armor nervously inches his way back tell his back pressed against the column and nowhere to run.
Chrysalis glare softens as she takes notice of the creature’s pitiful state. He was battered and bruised. The only thing that remained of his royal armor was his helmet which was bent and broken. “Where is every pony!?” Chrysalis hissed the other changelings hiss in tune
Armor turns his gaze to her his eyes barley open. His Voice comes out shrill and weak, “Tirek has returned…” His eyes close as he collapses and slips out of consciousness. One of the changelings hisses and takes a stepped forward only to be blocked by its Queens hoof.
“No not this one not yet come we shall take him with us.” One of the stronger male changelings hoists Armor onto its back. “Who is responsible for this, who is this Tirek?”
Now I know things are bad I am trapped inside a castle with a pony that may be the last. To make matters worse I still am no closer to figuring out what happened. My Changelings are weak from hunger I should surrender Shinning Armor to his fate. After all we are looking to feed. But for the life of me I can’t seem to do it. He is the only clue I have to what happened and possibly the last. I may be a changeling but I am not heartless.
The Chrysalis thoughts were broken as the pony across from her began to stir slightly. Shinning Armor gives off a groan as he eyes slowly open. The world around him seemed fuzzy his body felt thrashed.
“Oh my head what happened…?” A blurry image resemble what somewhat looked like a pony was all he could make out.
“Oh thank Celestia I thought he captured every pony else.” He rubs his eyes with his fore hoof and blinks a few more times. Suddenly slowly the pony before him became a little clearer. That is when his eyes grew wide.
“You… How in the world you where banished to the end of equestria how did get back.” He asks just before two changeling drones hissed at him. Shinning Armor lay down taking submissive position as his gaze wonders around the room. Not only was he alone he was out numbered.
“Equestria’s defenses seemed more vulnerable than usual. That may be because every pony is missing!” She shouts as she presses a hoof on Armor’s head and began to apply a bit of pressure.
“Where are they Shinning Armor?” She hissed at him the drones gather round. Wait for their chance to strike.
“Tirek… A powerful creature from a distant land, he was locked away in tartarous. But he escaped again this time he was prepared. He went to the last place we thought he would strike, the Crystal Empire. While we were mounting up our defenses in canterlot. He struck the crystal empire taking all the magic contained in the crystal ponies.” Chrysalis glares down at him.
“You take me for a fool the elements of harmony the royal princesses they would not so easily falter. Now tell me the truth.” She hissed applying even more pressure causing armor to cry out in pain.
“I am telling you the truth… But that was not all he awoken another dark power!” Shining Armor cries out in pain. She hiss at him then slowly removes her hoof.
“What do you mean another dark power?” Chrysalis asks in a menacing tone.
Shining looks up at her then turns his gaze to the changelings which move ever so closer. “Sombra he found the remains of the tyrant. A horn from it he could channel dark magic. It made him strong and he grows stronger still. He has destroyed the empire. He has enslaved all the ponies so no one can stop him this time. Everything is currently under his control.”
Chrysalis hisses and turns around, “not everything…”
Shining recovers to his feet his eyes shift between the changelings that surround him. “All due respect but if he has grown stronger than before. It is only a matter of time before he finds the changeling hives.”
Chrysalis looks back for a moment a look concern on her face. Shining Armor was taken off guard, “I am sorry you knew this already… Did you not?”
She shook her head, “My subjects are weak and dying. They will be powerless to stop this creature if what you say is true. Then rather he rules Equestria or not my subjects will soon perish.” Shining did not know what to say. Who knew changelings wore more than cold thoughtless creatures.
“Why stop you still are capable of fighting. Fight for your what you need fight to remain free from Tirek.” Shining Armor gallops in front of here then glares into her emerald eyes.
Chrysalis froze for a moment then breathed a sigh. “It is like I said the changelings are too weak. None of my subjects would even have the strength to stand against such a foe.”
“But your numbers are still many right. If they feed they will recover their strength right?” Armor asks still looking directly into her eyes.
“Yes but with every pony gone these will not enough love or kindness left in Equestria to feed upon.” Chrysalis replies before turning away from him. Shining quickly darts in front of her once more.
“You have me and there are others Equestria lost its magic. But the love and kindness that you feed off of is still here and it is still very strong. I never thought for one moment that I would ask some pony like you for help. But you are the only hope we have left. The changeling still has their magic which means there is still hope.” Armor snorted in protest.
Chrysalis just stood there for a moment. “Look at who finally developed a back bone. Even if that was the case we still would not have the strength to succeed where millions upon millions of ponies and three alicorns have failed.”
Shining shook his head, “If we free my sister and her friends then reunite them they can call upon the powers of harmony and put a stop to this.”
Chrysalis moves her gaze from his once more. “Then use it on my changelings once more. Why should I help you when either way my subjects suffer.”
Shining Armor growls in anger but then gave a sigh of defeat. “Because you are the only hope left. Without your help Equestria is doomed. But perhaps you can save us all.”
Chrysalis turns her gaze back to him. Something about him sounded seemed different. She did not know why but she felt like she wanted to believe him. She felt a certain desire to help him. Regardless her subjects needed to feed. “I will help Equestria and in return Equestria must aid us.” Shining smirks slightly and gives her a nod.
“Alright we now know all we need to know let’s go!” The drones hiss as they take to the air. Her horn glows as she fires a beam blasting through the nearby window. Her wings begin to buzz as she rises off the ground. Armor gasp a changeling drone grabs him from behind and places him on Chrysalis’ back. “You best hold on we won’t be stopping for any reason.” Chrysalis demand before the group darted from the castle. Vines lash out as they make their escape. Chrysalis ducks as one just misses her and armor.
“We need to fly higher they will trap you if you keep flying this low.” Armor shouts as another vine just misses him. He wraps his fore hooves around her as they fly straight up. The not stopping until they where well out of reach, they fly high above the crystal empire it was not long before every structure was over taken by the vines.
“We shell returned to return to my kingdom I will figure what plan of action we can take next.” They began to fly west with the setting sun. Blissfully unaware they did not go unseen.
“So one little pony hopes the aid of a weak and dying race will best me.” Tirek watches the image through a magical portal.
“You will not succeed Tirek… As long as one pony is left to fight you have not yet one.” Tirek turns to the four alicorn princesses who where shackled to the ground short thick chains kept them bound.
“Oh Celestia I have already won you, Luna, Cadence… Your powers are gone and as for you.” He turns toward the purple colored alicorn. “Princess Twilight I am keeping an especially close eye on you. Tell me do you wonder how your friends are doing in Tartarous.” Runs his finger down the length of her back stopping at her flank. Every pony that can save you I locked away.
“All of Equestria now suffers as I have in the very same prison I had to call home for so many years.” Tirek gave chuckled at his musings.
“You won’t win,” Twilight replies in a weak voice. “Some how some way you will fall.”
He growls as he pushes down hard on her back forcing her to hit the floor with a loud thud. “Your pitiful attempts to cling to these false hopes are growing quite tiring. I have taken all the magic of Equestria. The cities have fallen, you precious harmony tree has fallen. I have taken your castle and no pony is left alive with the power to stop me!” He roars as he stomps a hoof. He slowly makes his way back to his throne. Still the changeling race hard to believe I over looked those pests. He thought to himself as he sets down gazing about the ruins of what was left of Canterlot castle. "Beware Changeling queen know your place or fall before me, for I am Lord Tirek." A sinister smirk forms on his face.