Malevolent Mastermind's Major Mishaps

by Karach

Rating: everyone
Tags: Nightmare Moon, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Queen Chrysalis
Length: 6482

A backstory on what exactly was Luna doing during the royal wedding.

“Hello everypony!” Luna called, landing next to Element Bearers and her sister. “Did I miss anything?”

We all know what Luna missed during the royal wedding. But some questions are left unanswered:
* Just what was the princess of the night doing during the whole ceremony?
* Where did queen Chrysalis come from?
* How did princess Cadence got locked in the Cantelot caverns?
* And how did the army of changelings invade Equestria unnoticed by anypony?

Such questions are answered in this short story, in which the queen of changelings meets a pony even more malicious and evil than her.

Published 2012-04-27 19:24:03 UTC
Last updated 2012-04-27 19:24:03 UTC

Chapter 1/1

I have not forgotten, dearest sister. How you banished me to the moon just for disobeying you. How you made that story up about me wanting to shroud the land in a veil of everlasting night. How you made everypony hate me. And then how you made me cower before you, having the Elements at your disposal, ready to fire at your whim. How you offered me your friendship with a facade of a caring sister. I saw you back then, sister, snickering like a ruthless ruler you truly are.

Luna left the library. She had recently spent each night accompanied by books. Setting the moon on its course required a fair amount of celestial magic, but once started the moon moved on its own. By sheer accident she had discovered the caves beneath the Cantelot palace a few weeks before. They were a set of natural caverns, forming together a complicated natural labyrinth. Celestia had known about them at some time, no doubt, but it looked like she had forgotten about their existence many hundreds of years ago. What surprised Luna more than the caves, was the entity that lurked inside them.

***

“We feel your presence here!” she shouted in the darkness. The mirror-like crystalline walls would reflect any light that made its way into the caverns. Fortunately for Luna, being goddess of the night gave her (among other things) the ability to see in the dark. “Reveal thyself!” she commanded, her horn blazing with ancient magic. She heard a hiss as the scared being bared its fangs in defense.

“Who art thou?” she asked, her horn ready to smite the being with powerful spell.

“Chrysalis...” she heard a hiss.

“What art thou?”

“A changeling...”

Luna had never seen such a creature before. It's body was dark riddled with holes in various inappropriate places (though mostly hooves). It was equipped with a transparent green dragonfly-like wings, a twisted horn embellished its head. The eyes of the creature were green (like its mane) and looked like they were glowing with their own light.

“What is thy purpose here?”

“My purpose... is to gather... FOOD!” with the last word, the strange being leaped towards the alicorn. Princess Luna watched with unnerving curiosity as the changeling took her form. The exact copy of her stood right before her. It was certainly better and more exact than looking in a mirror.

“I wonder who it is you care for most,” Chrysalis snickered at Luna who stood before her with a curios expression. “You seem like a pony of big heart. It will surely provide us with much power,” the changeling laughed.

“A perfect example of how the appearances can be deceiving,” Luna explained matter-of-factly. The changeling's laughter died down, as she looked deep into the heart of the night princess.

“GAH!” she screamed returning to her previous form, panting. She has seen many hearts in her long life as the changeling queen, but never before one so dark, almost bursting with the amount of malice and hatred it carried. “You... who... how... How can your heart be so empty while you still live?” she sputtered.

“Nice to make thy acquaintance too, Chrysalis.” Fake smile twisted Luna's face as the words left her mouth. The queen of changelings didn't have almost any positive feelings in her heart, but the pony before her didn't even have any neutral ones. Chrysalis backed away and cowered against the wall. “Let us introduce ourselves. We are... NIGHTMARE MOON!” The lightning bolt flashed behind her as Luna raised her wings, smiling maliciously. The thunder boomed through the caves, shattering many of the crystals to splinters. For a brief moment in which the flash illuminated the alicorn, Chrysalis could see her true form: the coat as dark as the sky on a moonless night, the mane that flowed on its own, despite the lack of any air movement in the caves, and those eyes. They were as cold and alluring as the moon's surface but gazing into them felt like looking into the void that sucked away one's entire being into the darkness.

Chrysalis hadn't felt anything for many decades now, but the fear that overwhelmed her that instant made her wish she could just melt into the wall that pressed against her back.

***

Luna left the caves, locking the strange creature inside with her magic. She felt she could use her, but to do it she had to know exactly what changelings were, as well as what were their powers and weaknesses. The library proved to be useful after all. Some ancient books provided information about the creatures, even though they were considered old mare's tales. Just like Nightmare Moon not too long ago. The unwanted thought invaded her mind feeling her with pure anger. Just then she came across a piece of information about the changelings that was particularly useful: how they could feed on love and how their strength depended on the amount of the feeling consumed. Luna had no doubts that in such a peaceful country as Equestria even a small army of changelings could become the force to be reckoned with. Now she only needed a perfect moment to strike.

The opportunity presented itself a couple of weeks later, when Princess Cadence had arrived at Canterlot after her visit in Manehattan and captain of the royal guards had announced they were getting married. Princess Luna had clearly seen their love: the pure, crystal-clear feeling that bound them together tighter than any form of magic or physical force known to ponykind. If that was insufficient to release the power of her changeling prisoner, she had decided to dispose of her. Permanently.

A few days after Cadence had arrived the devious plan was set in motion.

***

It was on rare occasions that Cadence walked around the city freely. She was busy with wedding preparations and, of course, reluctant to leave her lover's side. However, a diligent observation of her by Luna soon presented an ideal opportunity to strike.

Cadence was trotting down the street, the setting sun making Canterlot buildings glimmer with golden aura. She was getting back to Shining Armour’s quarters, admiring the beauty of capital city and enjoying her short walk, when suddenly a flash of dark magical aura obscured her field of view.

She blinked rapidly, trying to see around.

"Can't see in the dark?" she heard a hissing snicker.

"Who are you?" asked Cadence terrified. "Where am I?"

"Chrysalis, queen of changelings," the crackling voice replied. "This here are caves beneath the Canterlot palace."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Oh, it was not me." The laughter, sounding like glass shattering against the hard stone, pierced through the silence. "The mistress has big expectations of you."

"What are you going to do?" Cadence asked, her fear rising.

"I'm going to take your place," the voice whispered right to her ear. She felt a tingle of cold air on her cheek. Suddenly the darkness was illuminated by a green glow, coming from a crackled horn before her. For a moment she saw a twisted face with glowing green eyes and bared fangs only inches away from her. She almost fainted, terrified, but the horrifying image soon disappeared, giving birth to another face. This one was so familiar (after all she saw it in her mirror every morning) it frightened Cadence even more.

"What are you doing?" the princess asked her exact replica.

"I'm taking your place!" the perfect copy of her own voice repeated, as the changeling disappeared in a flash of light.

Cadence was left alone in the darkness, doing her best to stay conscious despite all the fear that flooded her heart.

***

"Have you felt that, Luna?" Celestia landed on the balcony. Princess of the night had just winked into her room moments earlier.

"What do you mean, dearest sister?"

"Just a few minutes ago I felt a magic surge," explained the white alicorn. "It was faint, but filled with malice and deception."

"Where was its point of origin?" asked Luna curiously. Was her sister talking about her own spell or the magic of the changeling queen? She had to know, but asking straight away was out of the question for obvious reasons.

"That's just it. Right here in the middle of Canterlot," she heard the reply. So it was about her.

"Have you already sent guards to investigate?" she asked with an anxious expression.

"Of course I have. Would you like to aid them?" Celestia asked hopefully. "No one can trace magic like you."

"I would be honored to, dearest sister," she gave the other alicorn a hug, which almost made her dark soul puke inside of her. "Where should I go?" she asked despite knowing that already.

Luna landed in the street warded off by the couple of royal guards who all knelt down before her. Sure enough, it was the place where she spotted Cadence and used magic on her.

"Have you touched anything?" she demanded from the captain.

"No, your highness," the unicorn guard replied, bowing deeply. He was a dark gray stallion clad in a golden armor. Save for their cutie marks (which they covered with their armored saddles anyway) they all looked alike. Luna wondered how could the captain look so different from the rest of them. Or maybe that was the sole reason he was made a captain: to stand out from the crowd.

She quickly disregarded the thought and concentrated on her current task. Any magic tracker with enough skills could connect the trace here with her wink out spell that lead straight towards her chambers. She lit her horn, concentrating. The situation called for some acting talent, but she was getting quite good at it now.

The space before her flashed and exploded, sending her flying backwards with a scream. The guards momentarily rushed towards her, breaking her fall with their magic.

"Your highness!" gasped the captain, leaning towards her. "Are you all right?"

She rubbed her head as if it was hurting. She groaned for a better effect.

"We think so," she said with a weak voice. "But... Oh no!" she cried flashing her horn frantically. "That explosion made whatever was left of that spell disappear," she cried, her ears flopping down in disappointment.

It was true. She was laughing frantically deep inside of her. Now there was no way of tracing anything here. She let the guards finish their paperwork in peace and flew back to the castle.

"I am so sorry, dearest sister!" she wailed after finding Celestia in the courtroom. "I have failed your trust. My skills were not enough." Genuine tears of disappointment and self-pity rolled down her cheeks.

"Don't worry, Luna," Celestia tried to comfort her, hugging her tightly. The disgust almost made the darker alicorn loose her composure.

"You are much too kind, sister," she blurted out all too quickly. Celestia either didn't notice or didn't care.

"What are you planning to do about the spell?" Luna asked after a moment of silence. “And it's caster...”

"We can't risk the threat of an attack, even based on such faint suspicion. There are three princesses in Canterlot now and with the wedding coming on many other important ponies will visit the city. We have to alert the guards and raise the security and clearance levels."

"If you think it necessary, dearest sister," Luna agreed calmly, giving her approval, while cursing heavily under her breath. She bade good night to Celestia and headed to her chambers. It was time to raise the moon she loved for its beauty and hated so much for being her prison for one thousand years.

***

I will show you yet, sister. Discord proved to be a big fiasco, with his foalish pride and uncaring attitude, but my current tool at least seems sharper. Maybe even sharp enough to cut you. And she is not alone, oh no. She is a queen after all and has a number of underlings under her every command. Your puny magic bubble wrapped around the castle will not help you any!

Luna watched from her balcony as captain of the royal guards focused his magic in his horn. The bubble over the whole city shimmered purple, pulsing like a heart of a giant but gentle beast. It was a protection barrier of unseen magnitude. There was a flaw in its usage, fortunately. And, as always, the flaw was a pony controlling it.

Luna had smuggled Chrysalis into the palace a few days before. The queen did a good job at it, too. She was able to fake Cadence with ease. Even her future husband seemed to have taken the bait, though only with some carefully placed deception and hypnosis spells. And so the only pony who could strengthen, weaken, or completely dispel the barrier was in her power.

Luna was surprised when she saw another pony next to Shining Armour. She knew the purple unicorn very well. It was she who believed she had defeated Nightmare Moon and freed Luna, she who tried to befriend her during the Nightmare Night festival. Luna shivered at the recollection. She had only visited that backwater village because her sister had insisted. She had enjoyed some of it, particularly wreaking havoc with those rubber spiders. But she had to use all of her recently acquired actor skills to convince everypony (especially herself) that she indeed had fun. And this lowly unicorn, who had shown her no respect at all, had tried to win her over. After she and her friends had defeated Discord and had set another one of her plans astray.

Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic, her sister's personal protege. She noticed that the other Element Bearers had come too. This required a small change of her plans but for now posed no immediate threat. Luna sneaked out of Canterlot. She was glad she and Celestia were given a royal clearance to cross the barrier whenever they so desired. Ah, the sweet privileges of being a royalty.

Oblivious of the connection Cadence and Twilight had shared since the unicorn's childhood, Luna flapped her powerful wings against the cool wind. She had a lot of distance to cover before the night. She had her worries about the presence of current Element Bearers at Canterlot but opted to believe that Chrysalis could fool them. After all, she had practically wrapped Shining Armor around her hoof with her magic. Besides she couldn't babysit the queen under the protection dome. She had other duties. Mainly gathering the army of changelings on the outskirts of Canterlot. The dome proved useful after all. It forced any threat outside the town but at the same time it damped any magic the ponies inside could feel. After being far enough from the castle the princess of the night teleported as far north as she could.

Another dome rose before her, this one powerful enough to shield the entire country. Luna had crossed it a few times before and of course saw it from the moon. It was like a glistening bubble on the face of the planet that covered all Equestria. Inside it ponies governed the weather, day and night were managed by celestial magic of hers and her sister's, animals lived peacefully accepting their pony masters, and everyone prospered and lived happily. Outside was different. Much different. Weather, not governed by anypony, did as it pleased, often resulting in violent storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods or droughts and other natural disasters that devastated the land. Sun and moon traveled across the sky driven by momentum started over Equestria. Animals, consisting mostly of various vicious beasts, fought with each other for food and shelter. That however made it obvious that only strong and violent species survived. Dragons, wyverns, cockatrices, werewolves, vampires, and many other untold beasts prevailed only because of their scorching breath, sharp claws, strong jaws or other deadly abilities. There, hidden somewhere in an unoccupied niche, the changelings found their place to live. They spent day after day holding for their miserable lives in this chaotic, desolate world.

Luna found them with a sigil she got from Chrysalis. After concentrating her magic, it told her exactly where to fly. If she were not Nightmare Moon, she would have surely wished to flee this ravaged world. But after a thousand yeas on the moon even this ravished land seemed thriving with life.

Following the sigil's magic flow diligently she found herself above the entrance to a system of caves below a nameless mountain. She flew through the opening, a shroud of darkness covering her almost immediately. She navigated between boulders and stalagmites with ease using only her darkness-piercing eyes. After many twists and turns she finally reached an enormous cavern that seemed to be as big as the mountain erecting on top of it. She felt the presence of familiar beings before she even saw them. Countless pairs of green eyes snapped open around her. She stifled a snicker. Yes, with that many changelings she could finally dethrone Celestia and become the sole ruler of Equestria.

The changelings apparently had other plans for her. A few of them rushed at her.

“STAND BACK, FOALS!” she yelled, lashing at them with her magic. First impression was very important, after all. A few creatures were hit by the wave of pure darkness that erupted from her horn. Others stopped dead in their tacks, probably considering their chances. She channeled her magic into the sigil which glowed with pale green light, the rune engraved on it set ablaze. The changelings immediately bowed before her.

“RISE, MY MINIONS!” she called, her powerful Royal Canterlot Voice roaring through the cavern. “Follow me! I and your queen demand it! I shall take to the land where you will know hunger no more! You will be rejoined with your queen Chrysalis, who seeks your aid right now!” she kept calling beginning her journey back towards the surface.

Buzzing sound filled the air as thousands of fly-like wings began flapping violently, lifting their owners airborne.

The journey towards the Equestrian Ward was fast. Luna's spared no effort, beating her slender wings ferociously against the wind, as her time was growing near. She couldn't teleport that many beings without causing a surge of magic powerful enough to be felt even through both protective barriers. She sped through the sky high above the dangers of the miserable world below, the dark buzzing cloud consisting of thousands of changelings following her swiftly.

After a long flight they finally reached their destination. To test the Equestrian Ward's strength Luna ordered a few of the changelings to try to force through it. Their plunged at it when her magic set the sigil ablaze once again. The creatures bounced off the barrier as soon as they touched it. She suspected it would be that way.

“You will stay here for now,” she ordered facing her followers. “When your queen demands it, we will let you through the force field. You will then fly towards yonder castle.” She pointed in the general direction of Canterlot. With her horn ablaze once again, she made the barrier shimmer, letting some light through. Images of green fields, rich forests with plenty of food and crystal blue rivers invaded the hungry eyes of thousands of the changelings. “Your queen will await you there. Do not fail her. OR ME!” Nightmare Moon cried the last pair of words, the veil of darkness covering her, making her eyes shine with murderous intent. A couple of changelings closest to her backed away with a scared hiss. She paid them no heed as she crossed the magical border.

A quick wink out spell later left her hovering high above the Canterlot palace. The sun has already set in Equestria, her moon hung high in the night sky amongst countless stars. She must have taken more time outside than she had originally planned. Luna lowered her flight and used her magic to open a hole in the force field protecting the castle. It fizzled briefly as she passed through.

“Rest, my sister,” she called to Celestia who stood on the balcony of the highest observatory tower. “As always, I will guard the night.”

Thankful, Celestia returned to her sleeping chambers, the weary expression on her face was an obvious hint on how tired she was. Luna would feel sorry for her, if she didn't feel thoroughly disgusted at the pathetic display of weakness. She peered through the telescope, trying to see the changelings behind two veils of protective magic. Obviously to no avail, which was a good thing. If she couldn't spot them, even though she knew exactly where they were waiting, what luck could Celestia have?

The late evening was thoroughly dull and uneventful, until the frantic run of a certain unicorn disturbed the silence. Had Luna felt a familiar tingle of Chrysalis's magic right before she saw Twilight?

“Who goes there?” she called from her guarding spot. Could that meddling mare be on to something? Could she have... suspected? “Stay indoors, Twilight Sparkle,” she ordered with little hope the unicorn would actually listen to her. She regretted she couldn't have her thrown in the dungeon (just in case), as Twilight had done nothing wrong. She had told Celestia it would have been better to impose a curfew on Canterlot. It would make her night watch much easier but would have made no difference for her dear, day-loving sister. She snickered at the thought.

Luna stayed frozen next to the telescope, letting her mind wander about various topics. The joy she would feel when she finally banished Celestia to the sun, the chaos she would throw Equestria into (even Discord was going to be ashamed) were only a few of them. The pleasant visions were disrupted by a sudden sense of a pony nearby. No, not a pony. A changeling.

“What do you need of us, princess Cadence?” Luna asked just in case someone would listen.

“I'm afraid, princess Luna.” Though they both felt no one, Chrysalis kept the act. “I feel that my soon-to-be sister-in-law doesn't like me.”

“Nonsense, fair Cadence. What reason could Twilight possibly have for not liking thee?”

“I'm afraid she just... doesn't see me for who I am.” The pink alicorn's eyes flashed green, looking deep into teal orbs of the princess of the night.

“Do not be bothered by it, honorable princess.” A consuming darkness of a starless sky appeared in Luna's own eyes. “I am sure you will win her heart overtime. But it would be better if you two got along before the wedding, do you not think?” the order behind the words was obvious.

“I would just love, love, love to,” Chrysalis smiled, her teeth slightly longer than average's pony reflected in the moonlight. “Let me not interrupt your watch any further, princess Luna.”

Luna merely nodded her head and turned back towards the telescope. She froze her body in place with her magic and shut her mind down in a much needed sleep. There was a lot of work to be had tomorrow.

***

Dearest sister... How art thou this fine morning? Enjoying it, I hope? I should think so, for your beloved sun is shining with such brisk and radiance since the very dawn. It is such a good thing too, that our subjects can witness your glory right before your downfall and appreciate the energizing sun before the everlasting nightmare. Because this is going to be the last day of your ruling over Equestria. And the last day over the country altogether! I am finally going to make your story come true, dearest sister. You made me into the nightmare I am today and you shall pay for it!

Luna peered through the telescope hidden in her night chambers. Everything looked so peaceful and quiet. The morning was glorious which aroused the undeniable feeling of disgust in the princess's black heart.

Suddenly she spotted a purple streak blasting through the courtyard heading for the chapel.

That annoying Element of Magic. What is she up to now? Luna thought adjusting the lens. With a little bit of magic the telescope peeked through the stone allowing her to see inside the hall the wedding was going to take place at noon.

She couldn't hear what Twilight was saying but the pointed hoof made it look like she was accusing Cadence of something. Could she have known? Right after that the fake princess burst out of the chapel, tears rolling down her cheeks. Beautiful acting, I shall have to compliment her. Even Celestia looked disappointed with her faithful student. She snickered at the thought. As everypony left the chapel she observed Twilight crying at the cold stairs.

“What is this?!” she called as she saw Cadence once again. A flash of green light filled the telescope lens as eery green fire engulfed the unicorn. Ensuring with both sight and magic that no pony was in the chapel (or in any close proximity of it) she winked out from her room.

“What have you done?” she said as she appeared right in front of the fake alicorn.

“What do you mean, Luna?” smirked Cadence.

“I have not given thee permission to address us by this name!” she stomped her hoof. Every shadow in the chapel seemed to enlarge and draw towards the dark alicorn as she frowned, her eyes shooting daggers. Overwhelming fear struck Chrysalis's heart once again as she felt herself being dragged towards impenetrable darkness.

After a moment that seemed like aeons the shadows lifted, bright sun filling the chapel with light once again. Chrysalis knelt before her master unwillingly. Her fore legs just gave out, her breathing was heavy. She felt like her all strength, which she sucked from Shining Armor's love towards Cadence, was siphoned from her in an instant.

“My sincerest apologies, mistress.” Crysalis lowered her head. Luna only huffed at her from above.

“What have you done with the Element of Magic?” asked the princess of the night again.

“I sent her to the caves below the castle... mistress,” she added seeing the dagger-throwing glare back in Luna's eyes. “After I made sure nopony was going to look for her, of course.”

“Have you gone mad?” the dark alicorn did her best not to scream. “Is it not there that the real Cadence is being held captive? What if the two meet?”

“Do not worry yourself over this, your highness.” Chrysalis gave a most confident glance she could muster at the moment. “I'm sure she will not find the princess. And even if she did, it is nearly impossible to find a way out of the caves system.” Luna didn't look convinced, so the queen of changelings hastily added, “I will send my bridesmaids to guard the entrance, if you wish.”

“Do that. We will not stand another of our plans ruined. Twilight Sparkle is not to be underestimated!” princess of the night hissed, giving Cadence another glare which made her heart skip a bit, as if momentarily frozen inside her chest. “Now get ready for your wedding.” Luna ordered and winked out with a faint pop.

Chrysalis clutched her heart to stop it from bursting out of her ribcage. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself and trotted off towards her chambers.

***

Luna flew out of the protective bubble that engulfed the capital city. The wedding was just about to start. It was a perfect moment to smuggle the changelings through the protective ward, with everypony focused on the ceremony. She teleported back to where she left the creatures. They were waiting patiently, looking like a hive of flies, circling lazily outside of the border.

Luna raised her horn which was immediately engulfed in a veil of darkness. Black dots appeared on the barrier, dancing around and forming lines with each flick of her horn. Like a sketcher with a pencil, she drew an enormous door on the surface of the ward. With a mighty pull she flung it open, the mass of changelings immediately began buzzing into Equestria like a flock of angry bees.

“Fly towards yonder mountains, changelings!” Luna commanded filling the sigil with her magic once again. “There you will meet your queen.” The hive obeyed, taking course towards Canterlot.

Luna winked out and appeared outside the protective bubble of the capital city. She couldn't risk being connected with the queen of changelings just in a very unlikely case of her failing. The rest was in Chrysalis's hollow hooves now. Princess of the night landed on the small shelf near the top of the highest mountain looming over Canterlot. It was her secret sky observatory. She would often admire the beauty of night sky here, without the bright lanterns of Canterlot obscuring the view. Untold and heavily underappreciated beauty of the awe-inspiring night sky was the only thing that still managed to subdue her rage and calm her nerves. And one of the reasons her heart was fixated on blessing the ponies with everlasting night.

However today she was not there to observe stars. She directed the telescope northwards. A hint of black cloud was looming over the horizon far away, gradually getting bigger and bigger. It looked like a normal (though certainly very large) cluster of thunderclouds. The changelings were flying towards their queen with an admirable speed.

She directed the telescope towards the chapel. She felt a strong déjà vu as she saw a purple streak zipping past the courtyard. This time a light pink one was following.

By the beauty of the night sky, it is Twilight Sparkle. And Cadence! Oh, I told that foalish queen to send her guards to the caves. Why did she ever thought of sending that meddling unicorn to where the princess was being held?! The thoughts invaded her mind as she watched the scenes unfolding in the chapel. Green light filled the telescope once again.

The unspeakable FOAL! Why has she revealed her presence?! No... wait... what is she doing? Is she... explaining why she attacked? Oh nay, nay, nay! It was the same as with Discord. The prideful boasting, the pose striking, the arrogance and overestimation of one's strength – first steps of a villain's downfall. Luna bit her lip, as she kept her eye glued to the telescope so tight it formed a dark outline around the sensory receptor. Oh, I hope the changelings get here before she gets defeated by the Elements or Celestia. And Luna was practically certain it would come to this with the queen's attitude.

She looked northwards. The black cloud was stretching over large part of the horizon now. A few minutes more and the changelings would get here. If Luna wasn't a goddess herself, she would pray that Chrysalis's boasting was interesting enough to buy her some more time before her soldiers arrived.

Mere minutes later a loud buzzing was heard as the fastest of changelings reached the protective barrier. Luna lit her horn, setting the sigil ablaze with green fire.

“Spread around the bubble. Use your force to shatter it,” she commanded the hive mind controlling the creatures. “Do you not see your queen below it? Do you not feel her? She needs you by her side. Rush at the spell!”

The creatures began pouncing at the protective barrier. Chrysalis seemed to have noticed or felt that, as Luna watched her looking up as if she saw her soldiers through the castle's ceiling.

Now we will see what your true strength is, changeling queen, thought Luna as she saw Celestia crossing horns with Chrysalis.

Come on, she cheered nervously as two beams of magic collided in the air, has love of that foalish colt been not as strong as you thought?

Huzzah, that should wipe that annoyingly confident look of your snout, dearest sister. She smirked as the ray of green magic prevailed against the yellow one and Celestia took a blow which sent her tumbling across the chapel floor, her tiara falling few inches away with a tinkle. Oh, look how delightfully weak you have gotten over the last few years. Has the age finally caught up with you? Or is it because your connection with the elements was severed? Luna smirked, content with the display.

But what is this? The Element Bearers! They are running towards the treasury! Chrysalis, stop them at all costs! As she thought that, she noticed little cracks beginning to appear on the spell's surface. Not long after she had noticed them, she heard a deafening crack followed by the rumbling that made the whole mountain tremble.

So the hive mind has its advantages, it seems. Be quick, changelings! Capture the Element Bearers before they can reach the Insignia! What... No! Do not back away! Why did you change your forms? You had the advantage there! Luna facehoofed so hard she winced in pain. She brought the sigil to her horn and sipped a tad of magic to it.

“Get to the treasury, and be quick about it!” she whispered to the hive, imagining the route to the building. She sighed with relief when she saw a small group of changelings separating from the rest and flying just where she had ordered them. She glanced at the fight which was nearing its end, the bearers obviously wiping the floor with the changelings, despite the latter's superiority in numbers. Her own hoof connected with her forehead with a loud smack once again.

Yes! Luna massaged her forehead with a hoof. Hopefully she hadn't it hard enough to cause a bump. Finally! Even the Elements are powerless against my army! Her heart screamed with joy as she saw the bearers being cornered in front of the treasury. With them and Celestia out of the way there was nopony who could stop her anymore.

The fun is about to be tripled! She raised her hoof in triumph, as a wave of joy swept through her and disappeared almost instantly.

Nay, you foal! Why have you brought them into the chapel? Even with Celestia trapped in that green cocoon you simply do not give your enemies a chance to gather together and device a tactic against you! She stomped her hoof against the rock. Her eye hurt, she was pressing it against the telescope so hard.

NO! What are you doing? Why have you sent your soldiers away?! Are you out of your puny mind? At least keep an eye on them you idiot!

No, nay, I refuse to believe that! Is she singing?! You confounded cretin! Do not admire your ravaging soldiers, look behind you, for the love of the night sky! Twilight Sparkle is helping Cadence free! How can you not hear it?! How can you not feel the magic?! Even without the Element Insignia that mare is dangerous! I told you never to underestimate her! Luna's mind screamed as she tried to push her eye through the telescope with little success.

Look what you've done, you IDIOT! Now the colt is free! Charge him! NOW! What are you laughing at, hovering aimlessly like a fly over a pile of... For the love of our mother, why are you letting him perform the spell?! Do not back away, you bucking imbecile! GET AWAY FROM THAT WINDOW AND RUSH HIM, YOU STUPID COW! If she shouted those words instead of just thinking them she was sure all Equestria would hear them.

Nay... Nay! NAY!!! Look what you've done! She screamed in her mind, tumbling the telescope over, as she saw the light emanating from real Cadence and her husband-to-be. She quickly picked the tool up with a jerk of her horn. Why are you just standing there like you're glued to the floor?

“ATTACK THEM, NOW!!!” she screamed not caring if she was heard anymore. The voice however was muffled and died in her throat when the sudden burst of magic exploded in the palace. The powerful blast erupted from the chapel, originating in the connected bodies of Cadence and Shining Armor. Luna instinctively shielded herself with a veil of blackness which spared her the fate of being blasted right through Equestrian Ward like Chrysalis and the rest of her changelings army.

***

Luna winked out from her small observatory, not caring about her magic being traced anymore. She crossed the Equestrian Ward with a force of the friendship express, literally ripping through the spell, creating a hole with her blazing horn. As soon as the spell regenerated, she gave a powerful buck at the nearest tree which immediately snapped in half with a loud crack. After a few calming breaths Luna filled her lungs with as much air as she could.

A deafening scream, sounding strangely similar to the most profane course word known over Equestria, roared through the forest, sending many vicious beasts fleeing for their dear life.

***

Luna flew gloomily towards Canterlot palace. Why did her plans always have to get thwarted because of some pride-pumped half-hearted villain who had to take her time to explain the evil plot and always, ALWAYS had to be so arrogant as to underestimate her foes? Were there not any humble villains whatsoever in Equestria and beyond? Has that concept somehow escaped her almighty and omniscient mother when she created this world and filled it with ponies and other creatures? How was that even possible?

But one day I will succeed, dearest sister. I will banish you to the sun and bless everypony with the beauty of night everlasting!

Thinking of which, it was getting dark, the glory of her night sky dotted with countless stars was starting to shine all over Equestria. It helped to calm her nerves a little. She sealed her dark magic (along with Nightmare Moon personality) deep inside of her mind. She put a mask of a thousand year old filly back on as she neared the palace. She spotted Cadence and Shining Armor, the direct causes of her recent failures, hugging in the center of the royal garden. She rolled her eyes, trying her best to ignore the pair.

“Hello everypony!” she called, landing next to Element Bearers and her sister. “Did I miss anything?” she asked with a sweetness in her voice. They all smiled at her apologetically. If they only knew...

Then Twilight Sparkle nodded to the pink mare. Luna remembered her as the annoying ringleader of the frightened children gang from her last visit in Ponyville. The pink snout produced a smile with almost an audible squee and somehow the royal wedding just turned into a chaotic party. Luna rolled her eyes and did her best to shake with the music she hated.

I am going to win yet, Celestia. Nightmare Moon will prevail and her dream will come true one night!

THE END