Finally, the moment had arrived. She had successfully trapped Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and taken her place. She even removed Twilight Sparkle from the wedding. Everything was going according to plan, and she had to try very hard to keep her face as an innocent smile before Princess Celestia as she carried on the wedding ceremony. “...It is my great pleasure to announce you-”
“Stop!” A voice yelled out. The sound of doors slamming open rang in the wedding hall, turning every pony’s heads to see Twilight Sparkle. Nearly the whole crowd gasped.
Chrysalis couldn't help but stomp in frustration. “Ugh, why does she have to be so possessive of her brother?!” She turned to Shining Armor, noticing that Celestia had quite a surprised look from hearing that comment. Quickly remembering where she was, the false Cadance brought a hoof to her face and began to fake cry. “Why does she have to ruin my special day?”
“Because, It's not YOUR special day, It's mine!” The real Cadance, ruffled and dirty, stood in the wedding hall now, angry and ready to take down her imposter. The crowd gasped even more at this change of events, and Chrysalis was rather surprised, but didn't say anything.
To the side, Applejack spoke up. “I don't understand. How can there be two of 'em?”
“She's a Changeling.” Cadance said confidently. “They take the form of some pony you love and gains power by feeding off of your love for them!” She and Twilight shared a look between them, knowing they had the imposter cornered.
Chrysalis nearly seemed with rage of how her plan was ruined. But, then again, it was still in her favor. No pony trusted Twilight Sparkle anymore, and she could easily persuade the others that the real Cadance was actually the fake. “That's impossible!” She shouted at Cadance. “I've been with Shining Armor for years! Maybe you're the imposter! Maybe Twilight made you so that she could ruin our wedding!” She kept her face like stone as the crowd nodded and agreed with her.
Twilight jumped ahead of Cadance, turning her head to both sides of the crowd. “No! That fake sent me to the Canterlot Crystal Caves, so I wouldn't interfere with the wedding! That's where I found the real Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!”
The crowd now seemed to be behind Twilight. Before the disguised Princess could say anything, a loud voice silenced all others. “Enough!” All heads turned to Princess Celestia, who now stood rigid and tall with a serious look upon her face. “Arguing will not get any of us the answer. We must prove who is the real Mi Amore Cadenza.”
The whole time, Shining Armor had stayed quiet, as Chrysalis had wanted, but now, she wanted him to speak, hopefully to back her. “I'll ask them questions. Only my Cadance would know me in and out. Both of you, stand up here.” He pointed to the top of the stairs. Both Princesses put on a face of hurt, as if their love didn't trust them. Chrysalis was only doing this as a guise, however.
Twilight stood beside her brother, staring intently at the pony in the wedding dress, waiting for any sign of weakness. Shining Armor looked at both of the Princesses. “Where did we first meet?” The first question.
Chrysalis quickly raised a hoof. “At the entrance to the Canterlot Garden Maze. You were on guard duty.” She quickly turned a mean look to the real Cadance, who's face was in shock.
“Right.” Shining Armor also gave a strange look to Cadance, earning more confusion from her, and making her heart beat faster. “Now, what is my favorite afternoon snack-?”
Princess Cadance quickly spoke out. “An eggplant sandwich!”
Chrysalis almost spat at how quickly she got that right, but with just a bit of her influence...
Shining Armor just shifted hiss eyes. “-On Thursdays.”
“A Dragon fruit smoothie.” The imposter said matter-of-factly
“Right again.” The stallion turned to the real Princess. “That's 2 down. The real Cadance would be more careful.”
The words stabbed Cadance's heart. She couldn't believe she just heard her groom say those words. Chrysalis, however, nearly giggled at how easily she got Shining Armor to say that.
“Last question. Only the real Cadance could ever know this. What is the nickname my sister Twilight calls me by?”
Twilight smirked. Cadance was her foal sitter, and any good foal sitter would remember the nickname the foal they were sitting always used when talking about their brother all the time.
But Princess Cadance drew a blank. That was from years ago, before she personally met Shining Armor. But Chrysalis had overheard Twilight use it just yesterday. It paid off to snoop around. “You are her Big Brother Best Friend Forever, honey.” She said, leaving Cadance's jaw wide open. The “real” Cadance stood by her husband, wrapping a leg over his shoulder.
Celestia nodded. “If Shining Armor feels this is the correct choice, then I ask you to leave immediately.” She stated to Cadance, who was on the verge of tears.
“That, that witch! She bewitched my Shining Armor!” Cadance charged a huge blast of energy in her horn, and directed it at the imposter, only to be blocked by a bright gold barrier of magic. She turned to see an angry Celestia forming the barrier.
“Princess Celestia! This is the real Cadance! You have to believe me!” Twilight shouted at her teacher.
Celestia just shook her head, “Your brother has determined who the real one is. I don't know what's gotten into you, Twilight, but I am having you confined until the ceremony is over.” She pointed her horn at Twilight, blasting a beam of magic that warped around Twilight, trapping her in a sphere of magic. Celestia then teleported the sphere out of the wedding hall, into her personal study. Twilight would be there until after the wedding was over.
Cadance tried a more direct approach this time, charging at Chrysalis. But she was quickly restrained by a powerful magical energy, Celestia's, suspending her in mid-air. Trying as she might, Cadance could not summon any magic to fight the magic surrounding her body. 4 Unicorn guards ran up to her, enveloping her in their own magical fields, and carried her out of the wedding hall as she tried to fight out. The last thing she saw was her beloved's eyes flash green before the doors shut. When they closed, her body went limp in the Unicorn's magical grip, and she began to sob.
A few moments passed before Celestia let out a small sigh. “Where were we, you two?” she asked the bride and groom.
The whole crowd was whispering between each other, shocked and wondering at what just happened. The bride's maids just shared a look of concern and worry for Twilight.
Chrysalis allowed herself to take a deep breath as well. That was way too close, but worked out even better than she had hoped. It was a good thing she could manipulate Shining Armor that easily, or that wouldn't have gone so well. The two turned to face the Princess, who was back on her small podium.
Everypony settled down again as the wedding resumed where it was. “I now pronounce you...”
“Ah yes, wasn't that just a perfect wedding? I couldn't have hoped for a better one. You managed to remove the only two ponies that could have ruined it. I really must thank you, Celestia.” Chrysalis giggled as she turned to face the Sun Princess, encased in a cocoon of thick gel. She rubbed one of her black, hole-ridden legs across the gelatinous cage. “Oh, don't feel too bad. I will remember to give you credit when I tell the story to my subjects.”
Celestia could only glare through the green goop. Her magic was unable to penetrate the substance, and it held her too tightly for her to move. She told herself that she should have listened to Twilight, because she was right all along.“Don't take it personally, Celestia.” Queen Chrysalis said. “I'm just taking care of my subject, just as you do yours. Without this love between the pony folk, my poor people would starve.” She tried to sound sad and pitiful, but couldn't resist laughing. Celestia had trapped Twilight Sparkle in a field of magic that only Celestia or herself was strong enough to break, and that poor Cadance was locked away before the invasion began, so there had been no resistance as her subjects took over the entire city in mere hours.
The Changeling Queen walked over to the other side of the room, her wings making a rather squishing noise as she unfolded them. A smile was brought to her face watching the feast from a window.
“This day has been just perfect.
The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small.
Everypony I'll soon control,
Every Stallion, Mare, and foal!
Who says a girl can't really have it all!?”
She flew into the air just outside the window, spreading her limbs out and laughing maniacally as her Changelings rampaged over the city of Canterlot.
“Oh, Celestia. You just can't imagine what I'm feeling right now.” Queen Chrysalis lay across the throne of Canterlot Castle, in so much joy as if she were in a warm bath. “Everypony is just feeding me so well. I've never felt so full in my life. And I thought that this young colt was impressive.” She reached a hole-ridden black hoof out and patted the head of Shining Armor. He sat before her, green colored, drained eyes staring into nothingness.
Celestia scowled a little inside her upside-down prison. The thick green goo still wouldn't budge, and it just dispersed the magic she tried to send through. The changelings had moved her to the throne room, where she could watch as the Changeling Queen broke the wills of ponies. The grunts gathered citizens and guards alike, and Chrysalis used her overwhelming magic to dominate their minds, turning them into mindless puppets. Hundreds had to have come and gone by now, but Celestia stayed strong, they wouldn't be that way forever. Her eyes turned to the outside. Even being restrained as she was, the day continued on, and the sun was nearing the horizon. It was almost night time.
“I wouldn't have to force you to suffer like this anymore if you simply gave in, Celestia.” The Queen spoke again, this time, arching her head backwards to look upon her captive. “But you simply refuse to weaken the magical barriers of your mind. It will be so much more pleasant loving me, wouldn't you agree?” She was enjoying this situation. Celestia would submit to her eventually. All she needed to do was break her.
The Sun Princess watched the sun set before glaring at Chrysalis as the doors slammed open again, revealing the usual horde of black Changelings, but these were beaten and bruised, and only had five ponies with them. Celestia heart nearly stopped when she saw the Elements of Harmony, minus Twilight, all restrained by the same goop she was covered in. Rainbow Dash had to be carried upside-down by two Changelings, because she was still thrashing about, despite having been nearly encased by the sticky substance.
“Oh! Perfect timing!” Chrysalis purred as she brushed her dark blue mane out of her eyes. She stood up, stretching her ripped wings, making a sickening sound as they unfurled. “My bride's maids, whom you seem to know quite well. Unless you submit, I'll just have to break you.” She turned to her subjects. “Bring them forward!”
Her loyal followers complied, pushing the five forward. Applejack wanted to fight back, but knew she would just be in the same situation as RD. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie stayed quiet, despite Pinkie's usual optimism. And Rainbow still tried to get her one free leg to contact one of the creatures holding her.
They roughly placed Rainbow Dash before the Queen, who just glared back at the green eyes of the Changeling. “Ah, Rainbow Dash! So sorry you couldn't perform your Sonic Rainboom.” She slyly grinned and leaned close to the Pegasus. “But rest knowing that in the end, you still made your Queen happy.”
Rainbow spat at the Queen, bringing out a laugh from her. “As if! I only serve the Princess!” Her red eyes made a glare that would have scared off any smart pony.
“Oh! How loyal of subjects these are, Celestia! It's a shame that it still doesn't make a difference.” Dark green magic surged over Chrysalis' crooked horn, and she lowered her head to place it upon Rainbow Dash.
“HOLD!” A loud voice echoed through the throne room as a loud crashing noise came from above. Two large ponies crashed through the windows near the roof, and landed to separate Chrysalis from the bound Pegasus. The Queen took a leap back out of shock, and saw two Alicorns before her, wings flared open. One was dark blue, as the night sky, and her mane flowed much like Celestia's, but looked like the stars above. Princess Luna's eyes were full of rage, and aimed directly at the Changeling. The other, she knew quite well. Princess Cadance, with her purple and white mane still unkempt, stood alongside Luna, ready to fight.
After realizing who was before her, Chrysalis couldn't help but utter a chuckle. “Well well. It seems like the other Princesses want to play as well. Don't tell me you think you have a chance? Just look at your sister.” She waved one of her long legs to the ceiling, pointing to Celestia, who was still in shock of Luna's sudden entrance.
The Princess of the Night took but a small glance before returning to her opponent. “We will not fall for any sneak attacks. This is our kingdom, and both Princesses will fight for it.”
Cadance could barely focus on the creature before them. Her eyes kept darting back to her love, Shining Armor, who sat there by the throne. She shook her head, and stomped her hoof. “And you stole my love from me. I won't give up so long as you breathe!” She snorted out of her nose and glared upon the Queen.
The Changeling Queen couldn't resist laughing. These two thought that they were strong enough to beat her. Hours ago, she had overpowered Celestia, and now her powers had grown exponentially from the indoctrinated ponies' love for her. “Well then, my happy little bride,” She smirked as that statement visibly angered Cadance. “Show me how strong your love for your kingdom, and EX-fiance, really is.”
The pink Alicorn couldn't resist any longer. She almost immediately shot a huge beam of magic from her horn, only to have it deflected by the Queen's magic, blasting a hole in the wall. Chrysalis retaliated, firing a flurry of magic lasers at the two. They tried to block most of them, but the strength was so overwhelming, the two Princesses had to flap their wings and fly away to avoid the rest.
The Changeling followed after them, her wings beating quickly and making a buzzing sound. Luna and Cadance flew to either side of her, shooting lightning from their horns. Chrysalis merely teleported a few feet above the bolts, and shot a small bolt into Cadance. The pink Alicorn was thrown into the ground by just a small sample of the Queens's strength.
Luna appeared behind the Changeling and used all of her might to focus one powerful magic beam into her horn. Chrysalis had just a moment to turn around before the blue wave hit her chest, hurtling her towards the wall. She merely took the blast, but stopped her flight, starting to exert her own magic to counter Luna's power. A dark green energy started to push back the blue, and Luna felt her hold slipping. They both exerted more and more energy, still in mid-air, to overpower the other.
The Princess of the Night remembered what was at risk here. She reminded herself that she could not fail, and with her determination, began to push back the Queen's magic.
She noticed this, and began to worry. Even at her new strength, Chrysalis was still being overpowered. She wasn't going to let it end like this though. Remembering her Changeling soldiers still in the room, an evil fang-filled grin crept along her face.
This is it, Luna thought, I can feel the peak of her strength. I can win! She tried to flap her wings harder, starting to advance closer to the Changeling, until one of her wings seemed to snap shut and refused to open. Her concentration was broken, and her magic was instantly overcome. A bright flash of green and pain flowed over her senses.
Chrysalis let out a sigh as she saw the Princess fall to the floor, her whole body a tad scorched. She slowly fluttered down next to Luna, and took a moment to admire the green goop that her Changelings managed to get on her wing, causing it to be stuck shut. The other 6 ponies in the room gasped at seeing Princess Luna defeated as well. Celestia just stared at her sister, horrified now.
“You can't win a battle without subjects to follow you, silly Princess.” She turned her head to look upon the Sun Princess, smiling wider to see the look of sheer horror upon her face. “I think you'll be first, Luna.” She turned back to the beaten Alicorn, who was trying to get up. Chrysalis ignited a strong spell in her horn, and slowly lowered it onto Luna's forehead, a look of shock appearing on her face, before a bright green flash filled her eyes.
Celestia thrashed against the cocoon, knowing it was hopeless, but knowing what she was doing to her sister. She couldn't do anything but watch as the green light faded, and Luna stood up. The Queen stepped back, and tried to contain herself. “Hello, Luna.”
Luna smiled lightly, her green eyes focused now on Chrysalis. “Greetings, my Queen.” She then bowed to the Changeling. Her sister's heart nearly broke. Celestia had failed her kingdom, had failed her subjects. But worst of all, she failed her sister, failed to protect her from this. She couldn't comprehend anything but her sister, now standing there, as lifeless as Shining Armor. And it was her fault. Luna then turned to stare back at Celestia, with a blank expression on her face.
Cadance, who was now plastered to the floor by goo that the Changelings had hit her with, cried out. “Auntie Luna! No!” She turned to see Shining Armor, still standing there, staring into nothingness. “Shining Armor! Please! Do something!” Tears started forming in her eyes. Everypony around her was being beaten down by this monster who stole her love, and she was just as helpless.
The words echoed in his head for a moment, before Shining Armor shook his head. “What? Cadance?” He whispered lightly, as if remembering something.
Seeing that her voice was getting through to him, Cadance took a deep breath, seeing a new hope. “Shi-!” was all she managed to get out of her mouth before a thick green substance splashed across it, sealing it shut. Her expression turned to despair as she tried to scream through the goop. She turned to see Chrysalis, wiping a holey hoof across her mouth.
“Now now, I don't want you ruining anything for me. And don't make me spit like that again. It isn't becoming of a Queen.” She strolled past Cadance, leaving her stuck to the floor. “I think I won't do anything with you, poor Cadance. After all, you were the one who got me where I am today, so the least I could do is not FORCE you to love me.” A wicked smile appeared on lips yet again, exposing her fangs for the Princess to see.
The Changeling Queen stroked her 'husband's' cheek with her leg, bringing him back completely. She flapped her wings again, and floated up to the still shocked Celestia. Chrysalis used her magic to part the goop around Celestia's head, who didn't even notice, before placing her crooked horn upon the Princess, blasting a green burst of energy into her mind.
The green flash faded quickly, and when she saw Celestia's green eyes, Chrysalis parted the rest of the green cocoon to let Celestia gently reach the floor. She stroked her newest puppet's cheek, whispering in her ear lightly. “Now, where did you send Twilight Sparkle?”
She was completely exhausted, but just could not give up yet. The sun had already set, and the moon was starting to rise into the sky. Why would Princess Celestia leave her here for so long? Twilight looked again at the golden shield around her. It was made by Celestia's magic, so she was unable to teleport out of it, blast through it, nothing.
She was nearly about to pass out, but the sound of a door opening perked her ears up. Twilight looked to see a tall, white pony who seemed to light up the study. “Princess Celestia!” Was all she said. She was happy, but still a bit angered after having been treated as a foal, locked in her room.
Celestia smiled and approached the golden sphere. “It's good to see you, Twilight. I apologize for what I had to do.” After she was a leg's reach away, the Princess turned her head to the entrance, where 6 other ponies walked in behind her: Luna, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash. They all waved a hoof to their friend.
Twilight felt glad that everypony was safe, but that didn't explain what happened to her brother. “Where's Shining Armor?” she asked suspiciously.
“With his new bride, of course.” A voice came from behind the group. The ponies all parted and bowed as a tall, black creature with holes in her wings and legs strode into the room. Behind her was Shining Armor, with the same, weak eyes as he had during the wedding.
The lavender Unicorn eyed her friends, confused. “Where is Cadance?” She asked this new pony.
The black creature giggled. “Oh, you don't need to worry about her. I made sure to give her special treatment. You, on the other hand...” She paused to nod her head to Celestia, who nodded back. The other 6 circled the yellow orb of magic, surrounding Twilight. “You will not be so lucky. You almost cost me my wonderful wedding, and the feast I promised my subjects.”
Twilight nervously spun around, noticing her friends' eyes were glowing a dark green, just like the bride's maids in the caves. She realized that her friends were now under the fake Cadance's, the Changeling's, as Cadance called her, control. Even Celestia and Luna's eyes glowed with her dark magic. She glared at the Changeling, and summoned her own barrier to surround her.
Not a moment too soon, for Celestia broke the sphere Twilight was in, leaving her with less room. The 9 ponies, her friends, her teacher, her brother, and this...monster, circled closer. She tried to teleport, but Celestia encircled them into another field, so that Twilight was trapped. She couldn't think of any spells that could help her. But there had to be a way. Friendship and love always wins. She just needed a minute longer.
“Don't worry too much, Twilight Sparkle.” The Changeling's sharp and rugged horn glowed a dark green. “You will love serving your Queen Chrysalis.” She pointed her head down, and thrust her horn through Twilight's shield, making contact with Twilight's horn, and released her spell.
Canterlot, capital city of Equestria. In one day, It fell to the overwhelming swarm of Changelings. It was a city of intelligent and aspiring ponies. In one day, it became a city of slaves.
The next target was Manehatten, which lacked the military power of Canterlot, and fell in hours. Ponyville, Las Pegasus, Cloudsdale, and every other city in Equestria were taken just as quick.
The thousands of years of history and progression in this fair country, was obliterated in just a single week.
Equestria, once a land of free ponies, became a land of love. Love for their beautiful Queen and her people.
Author's Note
(02-15-2015)
I did write this 3 years ago, and was a much less experienced author then, but it kinda pains me to leave it up. Maybe someday I should come back and make this much more grand.
