The First Door: The Generals.
The doors stood before her, as cold as ice, as large as a skyscraper as old as life itself.
The doors that had allowed a trillion forsaken souls through stood closed and silent as they had not done since their first creation so many ages ago.
She took a deep breath as she looked around at the charred burning land, made for punishment of the wicked and those who had forsaken the peace of life and taken sin upon themselves.
One last look at the landscape that she had called home for close to a month, a home of fear and pain, she stepped toward the doors, placing her two front hooves upon them.
The doors gleamed a shadowy purple and red as they came to life and opened, allowing a gathering of lost and condemned souls to pound through the gate into the nightmare they shall live in for the rest of eternity.
Through the screaming souls and searing heat she moved forward, through the gates, a direction they were not made for. Pushing the sinful and lost out of the way she picked up speed, moving from a trot into a canter and further into a gallop, her chance of escape had come at last, her moments of revenge will be fulfilled her rightful place as the queen of Changelings restored, her conquest continued.
Soul by soul she galloped through, ignoring the moans and screams of terror and pain, the sins of others, the punishment of others the fate of others, none of this phased her. As long as she had her freedom of this cursed world, she would be pleased.
The souls thinned, the bulk of millions had thinned into a bulk of thousands, soul after soul tried to grab her as she galloped passed them into the light that they had descended from, all to fail and fall into the flaming portal of the door, now red hot and burning like an active angry volcano.
One soul called her name as is whisked passed her, a soul of pride, one in a million happy to pass her into the pits of fire and fear, if only for their queen, a changeling had fallen for the glory of their ruler.
“Queen Chrysalis” the voice said, pleased to die and see his queen one last time before an eternity of suffering for the honor of his sovereign.
Taking not even the slightest note of her former soldier call her name, Chrysalis pressed on, galloping through more and more souls into the white void that promised freedom.
Spying a large chasm in the road, where the souls of the damned were pouring in from, she slowed to a stop to survey the distance over the void. Stretching her wings, as thin as an insects and clear as glass, torn and scarred from her many years of ruling her people, Chrysalis flapped her wings at speeds to lift her off the ground, the air was as hot as the flames she had come from.
Flight forward burned her lungs, the wind scorched her body and the fight against the souls tired her wings, but she pressed forward, moving onward into the white void, the door to heaven, the seat of ultimate power.
Nearing closer and closer she began to smile, the hour of her revenge on the city of Canterlot was to be executed in a short while. Her focus faded as she began thinking of how she would cause chaos and havoc on the ponies of Equestria.
With her focus on another matter, she did not noticed the large purple hoof come from the stream of souls and wrap itself around her back leg, it was plated in some of the finest silver armor that could be forged. Startled by the sudden drag down by the hoof, Chrysalis lost her balance with her wings and plummeted down into the gaping chasm.
Faster and faster she fell, against the souls who were falling upward toward the hell she had emerged. Jagged stoned and pools of larva were surrounding her on the walls of the hole, to move a slight way to any side would be certain death for the dead.
A stone door came into view, old and grey, considerably smaller than the gates of iron and fire she had escaped from. Covered in vines and held shut with a rusted iron chain, the door seemed like it had not been opened since its creation.
The door seemed familiar, yet Chrysalis had never seen it before, nor any like it, but it was as if she had been through it before.
Spreading her wings she slowed down, but due to the holes in her wings, her speed did not decrease at a significant rate.
A large echoing thud rung through the chasm, the walls of the pit seemed to increase the noise made from her body making violent contact with the ancient door to the point where the slamming echo drowned out the screams of the lost and forsaken heading to their final destiny.
The souls were flowing through a large hole in the wall, making a sharp turn to speed up to the surface and into the land above, the land of fire and pain was ready to welcome them with open doors.
Watching the souls pass by her, she smiled, glad that she was not one of them, she gained a little pleasure out of witnessing them scream all the way to their ultimate punishment.
Focusing back on the ancient door that she was standing on, she kicked the rusted iron chain, as old as it was, the chain was still as strong as it was when it was new, and she would never break it.
Curious as to how to open the door, not fearing what lay behind it, she spotted a large lock, and the key hole looked large enough for her to fit her head into.
“Well this is displeasing. All this way to get stuck between at tsunami of souls and a rock that thinks it’s a door. The key had better be down here.” She mumbled to herself as she surveyed the situation.
A large key was required to open to large stone door that blocked her path. As she walked around, looking to see if anypony else had managed to get the key and fail here for her ease, she spotted that the key itself was flung around a large blood stained spike on the wall.
Pleased she cantered over it and attempted to lift it with her magic, the weight of the key was immense and Chrysalis’ powers had been drained considerably while she had been imprisoned here.
Trying again, her powers dwindled. She was able to move it less and less. More and more of her power was being drained as she tried to move the key, the land of fear and anguish did not want to let her, nor the key go.
After a final desperate attempt to move it, and yet another failure, Chrysalis was ready to give up, her physical strength was not on par with her magic, even in its current weakened state.
The key had moved less than an inch, even with all her current might and magic.
Chrysalis collapsed to the floor, exhausted, trying to gain her breath. When the same Purple hoof from before stood before her. Her eyes followed the hoof to its leg, onto its body, she realized that the hoof belonged to the nightmare of the night, the terror of the moon.
Standing before her was a regal Alicorn, her coat a dark shade of purple, her main and tail like a smokey starry night. Her body and head was covered in the silver armor that Chrysalis had seen earlier. A stern look on her face, looking down on Chrysalis, the alicorn watched her, she watched Chrysalis struggle with the key, with the fall and the escape.
“You!” Chrysalis screamed in rage. “You're the reason I'm stuck here on this rock! If you hadn't grabbed my hind legs, I would have passed into the kingdom of heaven, Taken a seat of power and had my vengeance on Canterlot!”
Fueled by rage and anger, Chrysalis lashed out at the alicorn that stood before her, Using all the magic she could muster, a slash of green came spewing forth from Chrysalis' crooked horn.
The beam shot toward the alicorn at great speed, and let off a large crack and a veil of smoke when it made contact.
Pleased with her attack, Chrysalis scoffed at the quick demise of her enemy.
The smoke from the collision began to glow a red color, deep and as hot as fresh magma from the center of the planet. A dark rumbling could be heard from behind it, like two large stones grinding together. After a small moment, the red began to mix with a purple glow.
A large magic tingle was heard, soon to be followed by a violent crack.
The purple glow had overcome the magma red light in the smoke.
A large crash startled Chrysalis, as the purple and red faded, the smoke started to clear, revealing that the alicorn was not only not harmed from Chrysalis' attack, but she was holding the key around her neck.
Before her lay a large stone demon, half of its head was in rubble, a purple sear encasing the edges of the wound.
Amazed at the fact that this Alicorn had not only survived an attack from Chrysalis herself, but had also bested a demon of this forsaken land and had gained the key that Chrysalis had attempted for only moments ago.
The alicorn stepped forward, toward Chrysalis, moving as though the key around her neck weighed no more than a feather on her wings.
The alicorn lit up her horn and surrounded the key in the same purple aura she that Chrysalis had seen though the smoke and dust.
Floating the key toward the large lock, she placed it neatly where it was required.
“I am Nightmare Moon” she announced, not taking her eyes off the key and lock.
“You see, the reason I pulled you down was that the gates of heaven were a trap set up by those who inhabit this land. Did you truly think that It would be so easy to change your fate?” she asked Chrysalis with a stern look. Now focusing on the Queen of Changelings.
Angered by Nightmare Moon thwarting her in her efforts at reaching the Kingdom of heaven, she lashed out, attempting to fire another bolt of magic at her, only to fail. The land had sapped almost almost all of her power, and it was showing.
“This is the true gate to heaven. If you notice that it has never been opened before. It is because you and I are the only ones to have ever figured it out. The demon over there is actually the door guardian, Kind of pathetic if you ask me. Underestimated me.” Nightmare continued.
Explaining to Chrysalis how the white door above had only been a mirage set up by the cruel natives to this forsaken world, a trick to lure those who wished for an escaped to be placed in more of a tormented area.
Listening to the words that came from Nightmare moon, Chrysalis pondered the idea of falling for the trick and losing all hope of her revenge.
“I suppose I owe you my thanks then, but don't think that this makes me owe you anything. a thanks is more than I usually give out!” Chrysalis said with a huff, aggravated at the fact that she actually been tricked.
Nightmare moon didn't respond, she was too busy with unlocking the door.
A large crack was heard as the key slid into place, and the sound of whirring gears could be heard inside the large chain as she moved the key in a counter clockwise motion to unlock the ancient door.
Irritated at the lack of attention she was shown by Nightmare, Chrysalis scoffed, angered by the fact that she had lost almost all of her power in this forsaken hole.
A succession of three clicks came from the lock, each signified a part of the lock being opened, the third representing the fact that the door was now free to be opened.
Chrysalis perked her ears, ready to pass into the seat of heaven, exact her revenge and live the rest of eternity as the god of Equestria.
Nightmare Moon slid the door open, the stones grinding echoed throughout the entire chasm, alarming all guards at what they were planning.
“The doors are open and the guards are on their way, get in.” Nightmare said, moments before she trotted into the swirling green portal that had just been reviled by the ancient doorway.
Taking a moment to gander at the land she had hated for close to a month, pleased to be leaving it and all the inhabitants behind. One last breath as she too stepped into the violent swirl of the portal, onto her seat of power, her revenge.
As she stepped through the portal, the stone door closed behind her baring her return, the echo of the rusted chain locking again was a pleasing sound, she knew she had escaped the hell she had been forced to endure.
Nightmare Moon Emerged, followed closely by Chrysalis into a dark forest, the canapés of the trees shielding the floors from all sunlight in a desperate attempt to create an artificial night environment. The stench of wood rot and swamp gas filled the air, Causing both Nightmare and Chrysalis to wrinkle up their noses slightly, a futile attempt to block the foul aroma from entering their lungs.
Croaks of frogs,calls of wild animals and the constant bubbling of the foul swamp waters could be heard.
“This place is almost like where I'm from, except it stinks more.” Chrysalis said with a scorned tone and expression as she looked around at the foul version of her own home.
Nightmare didn't respond, she began to walk forward, tall, proud and fearless. Chrysalis reluctantly followed, she figured that she didn't have many other options until her strength and magic had returned to her.
“Listen Moon, I'm not quite up to scratch with my magic and what not, so Until it all returns to me, I'll be tagging along with you. Just try not to do anything boring.” Chrysalis announced to Nightmare Moon as she followed her into the damp swamp.
Nightmare gave a slight glance toward Chrysalis, acknowledging the fact that she had heard her.
Traipsing forward through the bog, the scum and the mold, the two waded silently, Nightmare in front, Chrysalis behind, Both silent with out any intent to talk to one another.
The coos and growls of unknown creatures put Chrysalis on edge, in her current state she wouldn't be able to do much.
Nightmare Moon seemed unphased, by both the noises at the effects of their previous accommodations.
Trying to figure out why she had helped her escape and how she had been able to take down a gate guarding in the amount of time it took for a little smoke to clear the air, Chrysalis put a lot of attention toward Nightmare.
The attention she had been given did not go unnoticed by Nightmare.
Stopping suddenly she faced Chrysalis and stared into her eyes.
A little uneasy, Chrysalis stepped backward a little, straight confrontation by Nightmare was a little intimidating, even for one such as the Queen of Changelings.
“I helped you because you are going to be a great asset in my plans, and I was not phased from the lost lands, as you should know them by, because I'm not a physical being, I am an Idea, a Spirit, a determination, a choice.” Nightmare said in a tone that made it like she was explaining this for the hundredth time.
Unsure on what she meant, Chrysalis just nodded, accepting the fact that She and Nightmare were two completely different beings, Leaving it at that, she nudged Nightmare onward, a little more confidant in herself. Figuring that Nightmare sees her as an ally, not as a nuisance.
But still a little uneasy that Nightmare had explained that she had been thinking at the exact moment that she had been thinking it, as if Nightmare could read minds.
A small rustling in some shrubs behind Chrysalis caused her to feel a little uneasy.
Turning around to see what may of made the noise, and seeing nothing, she concluded that it was probably some disgusting creature, like rabbits.
Turning back to continue Nightmare, she noticed that the alicorn had vanished, no trace could be seen of her or what direction she could have gone in.
Chrysalis scoured the surrounding lands by galloping through them.
Nightmare Moon had gone, and there was no way Chrysalis could follow her if she didn't know what way she went.
Agitated at Nightmares disrespectful disappearance, she walked onward, figuring that she was more than likely better on her own.
“What a useless alicorn! Saying that I'd be a good ally, then up and vanishing on me! She was just a waste of time, I cant belie--” Chrysalis' chat to herself had been abruptly interrupted as she had walked into a large creature.
Angered, the beast turned around and looked at Chrysalis, The lions mane, scorpions tail and bat wings were easily visible, even in the darkness that had enveloped the area due to the trees.
The Creature swiped at Chrysalis with its long blade like claws, only to sever a few strands of Chrysalis' mane.
Angered, Chrysalis Conjured up a spell that could banish the manticore before her, the spell fired forth and a small orb floated out of her crooked horn and slowly made its way toward its target, only to fizzle and dissipate as it touched the beasts’ face.
Her power still too low for any use as a defense against anything, her anger grew.
The manticore lifted its claws again for another strike, one that Chrysalis would not be able to avoid.
The beast stuck, but stopped inches from her face.
Chrysalis looked at its face, a face that was pale and frozen with fear, the look of pure terror crossing its brow.
Frozen in place from the horror that it was in, Chrysalis Stepped back, turning to see what had frightened the manticore so much.
Another pang of anger shot through her as she saw Nightmare Moon standing there, looking at the beast.
“Such a cocky creature! Thinking you take something that’s mine from me! You will know the price of defiance!” Nightmare screamed. A maniacal cackling laughter following shortly after as her mane and tail began to swirl above her, like a void of smoke, stars and darkness.
With a whimper of terror, the manticore bolted off into the forest, fleeing for its life, howls of horror echoing throughout the swamp.
The black smoke like substance that had formed above Nightmare Moon lashed forward into the darkness of the trees, following the creature who was felling for its life.
Lashes could be heard as the smoke sped through the trees, cutting them down as it went.
Groaning of falling trees echoed, thundering of crashing trunks and the screams of horror from the manticore as if fled all filled the swamp with a chaotic jumble of sound.
A smile appeared on Chrysalis' face as she reveled in the sounds of slashing and splashing, obviously from the manticore being caught and destroyed by the substance that was extended from Nightmare Moon, who was still cackling with a maniacal laugh.
As the smoke returned at great speeds, a warm liquid splashed across Chrysalis' face, a strong smell of Iron accompanied it.
Nightmare Moon had stopped laughing and returned to her calm self, but with an eerie smile across her face.
A new found respect found itself for Nightmare Moon inside Chrysalis, but quickly vanished when she recalled what she had said to the manticore about her.
“How dare you call me yours! I am the Queen of the Changelings! I am feared throughout Equestria, all know my wrath if they even step a single step wrong in my presence! And here you are announcing to beasts and creatures that I am your property! I dare you to say that when I am back to my full strength!” Chrysalis shouted toward the calming Nightmare.
Turning toward Chrysalis, Nightmare gave her a cold stare of disapproval.
A long stare went on between Chrysalis and Nightmare, Neither giving up their glare of hatred toward one another.
Nightmare shuffled off into the shrubs, tired with the game of wills she had been participating in with Chrysalis.
Following reluctantly, Chrysalis followed yet again.
The two traipsed in the swamp for some while, after the death of the manticore, the swamp had been silent, as if all in the area had witnessed Nightmares' show of malice.
The slow deep slashing of their hooves in the muddy water was now the only company of sound the two had.
Noticing that the Swamp was now easier to see in, Chrysalis looked around, the trees had breaks in the canopies, meaning that the break in the swamp was coming up shortly.
With a sigh of relief, Chrysalis was glad at leaving behind the foul stench.
Looking toward Nightmare who seemed to know where she was going, Chrysalis wondered if she had been here before.
A break in the trees was visible ahead, the starry night sky overhead and soft green grass below.
The two exited the swamp. Hooves muddy, the pair of them walked toward a rickety bridge that led across a chasm. Chrysalis surveyed the area, taking note of the large ruined vine covered castle on the other side of the bridge.
Nightmare Mood trotted toward the bridge, walking over it with a sort of determination that she had gained from seeing the castle in view.
The large eerie smile that she had earlier had returned to her face, a small giggle escaped her mouth as her trot turned to a canter then into a gallop.
Not wanting to lose her again, and intrigued in what had Nightmare so pleased, Chrysalis followed as she had since they left the Lost Lands.
Struggling to keep up to Nightmare at the pace she was moving, Chrysalis deiced it would be faster to fly, flapping her wings she picked herself up off the ground only to plummet to back into it again.
“Damn you Nightmare! When you caused me to fall into the pit in the Lost Lands, you caused me to do something to my wing! Now I need to wait for more than just my magic!” Chrysalis angrily shouted as she stood back up, hoping that Nightmare could hear her over her determination.
Trotting toward the castle, over the bridge with Nightmare already inside the doors, no longer visible, Chrysalis took her time and looked around, statues littered the garden, ponies, manticores, dragons, even changelings; all littered the lawn, each one looking more evil than the last. The changeling at the end Chrysalis recognized.
“That’s my General! He went missing about six months ago, right after my initial attack on Canterlot” She said, with an annoyed tone. “Even a damn good likeness of the little worm too!” she added, scoffing at the statue and walking onward into the castle.
Nightmare stood before the largest of the statues so far, stationed in the center of the room, surrounded by runes of some kind, a barrier that looked like it was made to keep something in the middle of the symbols.
The grin on Nightmares face had grown even larger as she looked toward the statue that looked like it was made with a small foals’ imagination, bat and bird wings, a dragon tail, eagle and lion arms and paws, goat and lizard legs, ponies head, two horns and a large fang that was larger than her own.
“The look on this things face is priceless!” Chrysalis said, giggling at the pained look of terror on the face of the statue. “It’s like it’s seen something disgusting and horrific! It’s so hilarious!” she added, collapsing to the floor with a burst of uncontrollable laughter.
A lash of pain struck her stomach. Grunting as she was whisked across the floor, slamming into the wall of the castle behind her.
A slight smell of blood filled the air around her. Noticing that she had been slashed across the stomach, Chrysalis stood up, holding her gut with one of her hooves, giving Nightmare Moon, who had slashed her, an evil death stare.
Nightmares’ horn lit up with a purple aura, a twinkling sound resonated from it as she casted her magic.
Chrysalis’ stomach lit up with the same purple aura, all feeling vanishing within the aura that surrounded her wound.
The wound closed and sealed shut, not even leaving a scar behind as the magic and blood dispersed into thin air, only the scent of blood was left in the room.
“You did that on purpose! How dare you? I am the Changeling Queen! I should end you right here and now!” Chrysalis yelled in anger, her face going a dark red as her fury at Nightmare raising.
“It was to put you in your place. Though this may be stone, the one who resides in it can still hear you.” Nightmare Moon replied, staring toward the statue, not even breaking eye contact.
“What’s so important about this stupid shaped rock anyway?” Asked Chrysalis, still fuming with anger.
“This rock, as you call it, is a prison to one of the most powerful beings to ever have existed on this miserable land” she replied with a large grin on her face. “His name is Discord!” she continued. “He is going to be our greatest ally in this war with Canterlot!
Furious, Chrysalis stamped her hoof to the floor. “The hell? What about my portal to heaven? I want MY revenge from the ultimate seat of power! I thought that was what this whole stupid trip was about!”
Nightmare shook her head, still watching the statue. “There is no portal, only the Lost Lands exist. Heaven is just a story they made up to torment all those down there more, knowing that such a place existed and they could never go.”
Chrysalis took a step back, shocked at the development, angered that Nightmare had lied to her and disheartened that there was no heaven, where she could have her revenge on Canterlot, but also excited that she gets to wage war against Celestia and her family!
“Very well Nightmare, if what you say is the truth, then I will indeed join you in your war against Equestria and the royal family, however! If I find out that you’re lying to me about this no heaven and no seat of power, I will not only end you, but I will cause you torment beyond that of the lost lands!” Chrysalis announced with a half smile.
Nightmare smiled a devilish smile, raising her hoof to meet Chrysalis’ both prepared to wage war on the City of Canterlot, the country of Equestria, and the royal family.
