Broken Armor

Chapters

Broken Armor(Revised)
Battered Hearts
Awaiting Help
Worsening Conditions
New Discovery
Rising Hope
Assaulted
Retaliation
Left Behind
Alone
Transformed
Escape
Strained Bonds
Reunited
Taken

Broken Armor(Revised)

Author's Note

Ok. Due to a recent critique of this that did have a point, I'm revising a small part in this chapter. It's not going to change the story completely or change it dramatically, nothing like that. It's just a small revision.

Broken Armor(Revised)

Shining Armor entered his dimly lit bedroom and collapsed in his bed. The silk bed sheets and feather-filled pillows did little to comfort him.

"Where did it all go wrong...?" Shining Armor asked himself as he burrowed his face into the pillows. He felt his horn brush against the wooden headboard and sighed.

Why did I ever try the heroics? We weren't prepared for another attack. If only I had the time to prepare that spell, I wouldn't be in the predicament I am in now.

Shining Armor pulled his face out of the pillows and looked up at the ceiling. He began to remember that fateful day.

Three Days Ago

Shining Armor woke up to the dim sunlight touching his face. He took a look around the room, looking at the well designed surrounding; there were two wooden dressers a few feet away from the foot of the bed, one with golden handles to pull out the cabinets(where most of the clothes were contained) a mirror and tons of different dresses and makeup, and the other simply made with bronze knobs, a doorway that led to a private bathroom for him and Cadance, a window, and a bedside table to his left. Shining looked to his right and saw his darling wife, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza sleeping peacefully with her hooves curled around him. A smile came to his face as he saw the lovely sight.

"Good morning, dear." Shining said quietly as he carefully tried to maneuver his way out of Princess Cadance's grasp, only to be tugged back in.

"Come on, Shiny... let's stay in bed for a bit longer." Princess Cadance said as she planted a gentle kiss on Shining's cheek. "Shiny" was Cadance's affectionate nickname for Shining Armor(which he secretly loved).

"I'd love to, Cadance. But we have to get ready for the meeting with the princess, remember?" Shining Armor said as he affectionately nuzzled his wife.

"I know... I just love you so much." Princess Cadance said as she let go of him.

"I love you too, darling." Shining armor said as he gave her a small peck on the lips as he got up from the bed. He and Cadance left the warm and comfort of their bed and began to prepare for the day. Cadance went into and Shining went over to his dresser.

Hisssss

Shining Armor identified the noise as the hissing of the water from the shower.

I guess Cadance's gonna get in the shower first. Guess I'll have to wait for a moment.

Shining began to take out his regal clothes to wear for today(using his magic of course). He pulled out a red, suit-like shirt with white buttons a light yellow collar, a blue sash that would go around one of his shoulders and under the other, a light yellow stripe above each of his fore-hooves, and a gold waistline at the bottom of the shirt(or like this)

That should be good enough for the meeting.

Shining folded the shirt and put it on top of the dresser for after he gets out of the shower. He trotted over to the bedside table and opened up the small cabinet in the front and pulled out a small book(using his magic again).

Twilight just loves sending me these books. She knows that I don't have enough time to read them, but I like the fact that she's nice enough to do that.

Shining Armor read over the book's front page, examining the cover art. There was a small, foal-like colt with a white coat and a cyan and dark blue striped at the middle of the book cover, crying. There was another pony standing over him, who was visibly older(who had a purple coat and a dark purple mane with a pink striped down the middle) standing above him, seemingly comforting him.

Crumbly Day

Might as well read it while I'm waiting.

Shining opened up the book and looked at the first page, and noticed that there was a small yellow note attached to where there would usually be a blank page.

You'll enjoy this story.
Trust me...
Love, Your Sister, Twilight Sparkle

"I always do..." Shining Armor said with a slight bit of sarcasm as he finished reading the note. He flipped the other page and saw the cover art once again, except this time it was in black and white. Shining Armor flipped through to the next page.

Crumbly Day
By
Ice Star Pony

Hiss-drip
drip
drip

Shining looked over at the bathroom door(where he guessed was the origin of the sound), after a moment or two, Princess Cadance stepped outside with her body and mane covered in a towel, letting a small cloud of steam follow her.

"Alright, I'm out, Shining. Your turn." Princess Cadance said as she went over to her dresser and began to pull out different dresses she could wear to the meeting.

"Ok..." Shining said as he sat the book back into the cabinet and shut the cabinet. He got up from the bed and went into the bathroom.

Present Day

Knock
Knock
Knock

The knocking pulled Shining Armor out of his memories.

"Shiny? Can I come in?" Princess Cadance asked for behind the door.

"..." Shining remained silent.

"Look, I know you're upset, but please let me in." Princess Cadance said as she knocked on the door again.

Shining turned away from the door and covered his head with a pillow.

Creakkkk

"Shiny?" Princess Cadance asked as she trotted over to him. She put one of her hooves on his shoulders and sat down beside him on the bed.

"I-I know you're very upset, but let me help you. Please." Princess Cadance said as she rubbed his shoulder.

"Please Cadance, I just want to be alone now..." Shining said, his voice slightly muffled by the pillow.

"W-well... I'm sure we could find a way to get your magic back." Princess Cadance said.

"Cadance, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but you heard what the doctor said. 'You'll be lucky if you're able to pick up something with your unicorn magic again'." Shining said. Cadance became silent. Shining began to recall the rest of that day.

Three Days Ago

Shining Armor and Princess Cadance trotted into the meeting room and sat down beside each other. The room was made up of round crystal table and chairs; the only thing in the room to distract them was the ticking of a clock. It was pretty much empty inside the room except for a few guards.

Shining looked up at the clock and noticed the time.

8:30 A.M

Princess Velvet Obsidian will be here soon. I should probably meet her and the subjects she brought with her at the entrance.

Shining got up from the chair and leaned over to Cadance.

"I'm going to go meet them at the gate. I'll be back with them soon." Shining Armor said.

"I'm coming with you. It'd make a good first impression if we did this." Princess Cadance asked.

"Alright. Let's go." Shining said.

Present Day

"I-I'm sure Auntie Celestia could do something about it." Princess Cadance said as she tried to pull Shining Armor in for a hug. Shining lightly pushed her away, making sure not to hurt her physically.

"Please, Cadance... just go... you don't need a broken, magic-less unicorn like me..." Shining said as he looked out the window and saw the repercussions of his foolish mistakes. There was crystal debris covering the grounds. Snow rained down from the various storm clouds covering Luna's moon. Dozens of crystal ponies were outside, either grieving because of the attack or trying to clean up the debris.

"Broken? What are you talking about Shiny?" Princess Cadance said. Shining arose from the bed and trotted over to the window.

"Have you seen what's out there?" Shining asked.

"Yes... but-" "That was because I wasn't prepared. My guards weren't prepared. And now all those innocent ponies are paying for my mistakes." Shining interrupted Cadance, his voice very serious.

"I mean, it could've been worse. I could've lost you..." Princess Cadance said as she trotted up beside him.

"I wish you would've..." Shining said as he collapsed back onto the bed.

"Shining! Don't say that!" Princess Cadance said.

"Why? It's true. I'm of no use to you anymore. I mean, I can't protect you because I've lost my magic, I can't protect our kingdom, hay, I can't even help myself. I'm useless... you don't need me to slow you down. I don't deserve you..." Shining said, his voice full of self-loathing and self-pity. Cadance mouth opened as if she was about to speak, but no words would come out.

Three Days Ago

"Thank you for your kind acts, Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor" Princess Velvet Obsidian said as she trotted in between Shining, her voice high-pitched and filled with kindness. Her mane was velvet red and her coat was very dark purple.

"Oh, we're only showing you a bit of hospitality! It's only etiquette." Princess Cadance said.

"However, I don't mean to be rude but, I don't see why you brought so many guards." Shining Armor said as he looked back at the waves of guards she had brought. They all had golden armor that covered their ribs and crossed at their chests and they all had a golden helmet. All of there coats were a different shade of purple.

There's got to be at least ten or eleven guards. I don't like this...

"Well, you see, Trottingham is under a lot of... pressure by the Griffonstone government for bits. They even threatened me. So, I needed to up my security if I was going to be able to make this trip." Velvet Obsidian said as the group came within close proximity of the meeting room.

"Ah, I see." Shining Armor said, however his suspicions hadn't been quelled just yet.

There were two guards waiting at the door entrance. The guard closest to the door opened it for the group. But, for some reason, Princess Strawberry Blossom stopped. Princess Cadance entered, but Shining stopped at the door and watched her to see what she was doing.

"I want six of you to stay out and make sure that everything's 'taken care of'. Now, for the rest of you, treat or hosts with 'hospitality' and do anything to make them 'comfortable', ok?" Princess Velvet said quietly. The guards nodded and(just as she had ordered) six guards stayed outside and the rest followed her inside.

"What was the matter?" Shining asked as she let them pass.

"Oh, I was simply telling them to be on there best behavior!" Princess Velvet said, giggling at the end.

I'm still a bit suspicious... but I don't have enough evidence to prove that something's going on. I'm going to keep my eye on her and her subjects.

After Princess Velvet and her subjects had taken a seat, Shining took a seat beside Princess Cadance.

"Alright... first off, I'd like to welcome you all to the Crystal Empire..." Princess Cadance said.

"Why, thank you." Princess Velvet said. Velvet's subjects remained quiet. They didn't even acknowledged Cadance's presence.

"... and second off, I'd like to thank you for coming so far under such... dangerous circumstances." Princess Cadance said.

"You're welcome." Princess Velvet said. Velvet's subjects(once again) did not acknowledge her. Shining was becoming much more suspicious by these actions(or lack there of).

They would've at least nodded or shown respect to her by now...

"Now, let's discuss what we came here for..." Princess Velvet said as she ducked under the desk for a moment. Shining looked over at her, making sure that she wasn't trying to do anything.

"... Imports!" Princess Velvet said happily as she pulled up some charts and other things from a small bag under her chair. Shining let out a sigh of relief.

Jeez... I'm becoming more paranoid by the day. I don't know why I think that she'd do anything to harm us. She seems innocent enough.

Princess Velvet began to look around the room, examining the place, specifically at her subjects and giggled as her eyes passed over them. Shining focused on her again, finding her actions to be a bit suspicious.

"Oh, ok. Well, do you want to negotiate how much of a certain item you got or..." Princess Cadance trailed off.

"Actually, yesss... I'd like more of a specific item." Princess Velvet said, her kind and caring demeanor starting to slowly disappear. Shining looked over at the guards, who all now had a small, maniacal smile plastered across their faces.

Thump
Bang
Thumb

Shining looked over at the door(where the sound originated).

"Cadance..." Shining said as his mind began to enter defensive mode.

"... I'd like your ponies so my subjects may be fed." Princess Velvet said in a threatening tone.

"This meeting is over. Now. Come on, Cadance. We need to go." Shining Armor said as he grab Cadance and tried to pull her up out of her seat. He tried to leave the room, but a guard pushed him as another grabbed Cadance.

"Let me go!" Cadance said as she pulled herself out of the guards grasp.

"Oh, but's not going to happen, dear Mi Amore Cadenza." Velvet said, her voice now dark and distorted.

Shining pulled Cadance close to him and put a protection spell over them both.

"Guards!" Shining called out as Velvet's subjects began to pound against his protection spell, weakening it.

"You're not Princess Velvet!" Cadance said.

"Oh... wasn't it obvious dear?" Velvet said as her figure changed for the innocent princess to an evil queen. Her coat darkened from red to very dark gray and her hair changed from a strawberry pink to a dark cerulean. The guards changed from normal-looking pegasus guards to changelings.

"Queen Chrysalis?!" Shining said as he rushed the door. Once he exited he found that now the changelings were feeding off the two door guards.

"Buck!" Shining said as felt the protection spell become even weaker.

"We need to run! Now!" Cadance said as she began to gallop away from the changelings. Shining followed behind, trying to maintain the protection spell while he could.

"Where's the other guards?!" Cadance asked.

"I don't know! They should be here!" Shining said as the buzzing of changeling wings could be heard approaching behind them.

"We need to get outside! There's got to be some outside!" Shining said as he rushed towards the door outside. Cadance began to fly. They both burst through the door and saw a shocking sight.

The Crystal Empire was being attacked by a large swarm of Changelings.

Present Day

"Shining, you can't beat yourself up over this. I don't think any less of you because of this. You did what you could to protect the kingdom." Princess Cadance said.

"And I failed..." Shining said. Princess Cadance got on the bed and snuggled up beside him, trying to comfort him.

"I know how disappointed you are, but you can't blame yourself for what that... beast did to this kingdom. We were outnumbered." Princess Cadance said. Shining turned away from Cadance. Cadance nuzzled him tenderly, trying to comfort him. But not even that would bring him out of this wave of depression and self-loathing/pity he was currently engulfed in.

Three Days Ago

Some crystal ponies where being devoured by changelings. Others were being knocked out and taken away to an unknown area.

Shining and Cadance were firing magical beams at the changelings, trying to discourage them and make them retreat. But it seems like for every changeling they shot down, ten more would pop up. And the worst part was that most of the guards had been defeated already.

"They just keep coming!" Cadance said as she shot down another changeling.

"I know! We've need to protect the crystal ponies!" Shining said as he shot a changeling that was trying to sneak up behind Cadance.

Suddenly, the changelings stopped their attacks. Some of them were in the middle of attacking and they allowed themselves to become defenseless. Then, they all looked back at the entrance of the castle.

"Huh?" Shining said.

"What happened?" Cadance asked. Shining looked back at the castle entrance and saw that Queen Chrysalis was standing at the entrance, using her magic to carry an unconscious guard.

"Chrysalis, you will let that guard go!" Cadance said.

"You are to address me as 'Queen Chrysalis'. You will show me respect or your guard will become my subject's next meal." Queen Chrysalis said as she tightened her magical grip on the guard, causing him to emit a low groan. Shining clenched his hooves out of anger.

"Ok Queen Chrysalis. Let the guard go!" Shining said.

"Oh, but why? I mean, a pony like this who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the ones they love would certainly make a great meal for my subjects." Queen Chrysalis said as a two changelings flew up to the pony, stuck their fangs into his ribs, and began to suck the love out of him.

"Stop!" Shining said as he took a step towards her.

"Shining, do not do this... we need to figure out another way." Cadance warned. Shining stopped for a moment. The guard's skin began to turn from a light shade of blue to a darker shade.

"Chrysalis, you will call off your subjects immediately before I make you stop!" Shining Armor said, unable to control his anger any longer.

"It isn't very wise to attack the person who controls the very life of one of your guards? Do you not care about your subjects such as I?" Queen Chrysalis said. The guards skin continued to grow darker.

"Stop this now!" Shining said as he took another step towards Chrysalis.

"Don't you dare-!" Queen Chrysalis was interrupted by a pink beam of magic that was fired towards her, causing her to drop the guards and the changelings to fly to her to check on their fallen queen. Shining looked over to the origin of the beam, which was from from Princess Cadance.

"Grab him!" Cadance yelled. Shining looked away from her and picked up the guard using her magic. When he turned around, he saw his wife being beaten mercilessly many changelings.

"Cadance!" Shining called out as he galloped towards his wife. He sat the guard down away from the changelings and shot a beam of magic towards the changelings, blasting two or three of them off.

"Get off of her, you overgrown bugs!" Shining Armor said as he pulled some of the changelings off of her, trying to get her free. He kept blasting changelings off of her, trying to set her free. After a few more moments of blasting and pulling off the changelings, he saw his wife, battered, bruised, bleeding, and unconscious.

"Cadance!" Shining said as he gently tried to shake her. He didn't use enough force to hurt her, but to wake her up. After a moment, Cadance emitted a groan. Shining let out a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, that feeling of relief immediately turned into pain as he felt something stab into his back and pull him away from Cadance.

"Ah! Let go of me!" Shining said as he looked up and saw two of the changelings stabbing into his back and dragging him towards the castle entrance. He tried to reach up and pull them off, but four more changelings hovered over to him and held his fore-hooves down(two of them holding down each hoof).

"I'm going to hurt you all when I get free!" Shining said as he continued to struggle against the changelings grasp. He then realized how much of his strength he had used, because he could barely put up a struggle against the changelings let alone break free from their grasp.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen..."

Shining looked up and saw Queen Chrysalis standing over him with a condescending glare. There were at least a dozen of changelings standing behind her.

"Let me go! You've proven your point!" Shining said.

"Oh, but I haven't. Not yet..." Queen Chrysalis said. She made a snapping noise with her wings, and the changelings immediately turned Shining towards her. They began to spread his fore-hooves and hind-hooves out, exposing he chest and stomach fully.

"Let's see... subjects, which should I blast first?" Queen Chrysalis asked. Almost suddenly, the changelings began to point at different spots at his body. Some pointed at his chest. Others pointed at her stomach.

"Alright... I will choose." Queen Chrysalis said as she put one of her fore-hooves to her chin as she began to think.

I need to use the expulsion spell... I just hope I have enough strength to summon it myself... I'll be out there soon, Cadance. Please stay safe...

Shining Armor began to load the expulsion spell.

"How about the ribs..." Queen Chrysalis said as she began to focus her magic towards her horn and pointed it towards his ribs. Then she noticed the slight glow emitting from his horn.

"Oh no you don't!" Queen Chrysalis said as she slapped Shining, causing him to lose his focus on creating the spell and making his magic die.

"Wait... you just gave me an idea..." Queen Chrysalis said as a wicked smile spread across her face.

"Subjects, lay him out on the ground. Grab his head and make sure he can't move it." Queen Chrysalis ordered. Almost suddenly, the changelings swarmed him.

Shining Armor felt his back touch the ground and all of his limbs being pushed away from his body, making himself(once again) completely vulnerable to an attack. He felt four changelings land onto his stomach and chest(two for each area) and the changelings on his chest pushed up against his chin, removing most of his ability to move his head down. Two more changelings stood behind the top of his head and held his head in place, keeping his head pointed towards the ceiling.

Tap
Tap
Tap

Queen Chrysalis trotted by his head, trotting back outside into the snowy land. After a moment, she returned with Princess Cadance in her magical grasp. She threw her down beside Shining and she landed with a loud thud.

"Ah..." Cadance groaned in pain.

"Don't harm her, Chrysalis..." Shining said as he tried to move his head to see Cadance, but the changelings pushed his head back to it's prior position.

"Why not? You tried to drive my subjects into starvation by expelling us from our only food source. I think that it'd be fair if there was some sort of punishment for this. I'm going to hit you where it hurt's the most..." Queen Chrysalis said she trotted over to Cadance and was preparing to do something that Shining could not unfortunately see. It scared him to know that.

"Queen Chrysalis, please, do not hurt her!" Shining Armor said as he tried to lift his hooves, but was once again stopped by the changelings.

"You must pay the price for your actions." Queen Chrysalis said as the droning of a magical spell could be hear. This scared Shining even more.

"Stop!" Shining said as he struggled against the changelings. His heart began to pound in his chest.

"You're beginning to annoy me. That isn't good for your wife." Queen Chrysalis said as the magical droning became louder.

"Do something to me! If you're going to hurt somepony, hurt me!" Shining said, desperately trying to save his wife.

"Hm... you're a bit foalish. But, if you want to be hurt, then I won't deny you of that." Queen Chrysalis said as she trotted back over to Shining, the magical droning getting louder as she got closer to him. After her head was above Shining's horn and her body was facing opposite of his.

"I'm going to enjoy this." Queen Chrysalis said as she put the tip of her horn against his. The droning continued for a moment as Shining braced himself for the impact of whatever spell she was loading.

After a moment, a dark green magical beam shot out of Chrysalis' horn and hit Shining's horn. fully engulfing it in an intense burning pain.

"AHHHHHHH!" He screamed out in agony. His muscles convulsed as he tried to focus on something, anything beside the pain. After a moment or two, his body went limp in the changelings arms.

"We've proved our point. Subjects, it's time to leave this place. The rest of my plan will come into volition soon enough." Queen Chrysalis said. Those words along with the buzzing of changeling wings were the last things Shining Armor heard before losing consciousness.

Present Day

Shining Armor looked down at Cadance, who was now hugging him and nuzzling him. He was still extremely angry at himself for letting his guard down for a moment and becoming so foalish.

"Please Cadance... just go, please. You deserve better than a useless-" "Stop saying that!" Cadance interrupted as she looked up at him.

"I mean, you are not useless! Stop saying it! I mean, horseapples Shining! You are not bucking useless and you're not a broken unicorn! Look, I love you for you, magic or no magic. I don't love the stallion I'm seeing right now!" Cadance said as she got up from the bed and looked at him with a frustrated glare.

"I fell in love with the pony who was kind and caring, not one filled with self-pity and anger! And if you don't stop this right now, then... then..." Cadance trailed off. Shining eyes widened as he looked at Cadance, a bit surprised.

"... then you'll get your wish, ok?! I-I'll just leave! You'll never have to see this face again!" Cadance said with tears in her eyes, each syllable trying to mask the pain in her words. Shining could tell that it was very hard for her to say it. But, he knew his wife better.

"You're bluffing."

"H... huh?" Cadance asked.

"Y-you wouldn't do that. I know you too well, Cadance..." Shining said.

"I-I'm not! Y-you need to stop this bucking nonsense! I can't watch another moment of you beating yourself up and hating yourself because of Chrysalis' actions! "

"Yes you are, Cadance..."

Cadance let out a few tears and sat down beside him.

"I just don't know what to do anymore, Shining..."

Three Days Ago

Shining Armor woke up to his head pounding with something or somepony tugging against his hooves. He tried to pull away from the thing, but seemingly all the strength from his body had been stolen away from him while he was unconscious.

"Shining! Please help him!" The voice sounded feminine, and was a bit fuzzy, but it sounded familiar. He open his eyes and look around, but he only thing she could see is a two big blobs of pink and green.

"I'm doing everything I can, princess! Are you alright?" Another voice said. The voice was more masculine, but was still fuzzy, but this time, Shining didn't recognize the voice. The voices began to echo inside his eardrums.

"I'm fine- w... what's wrong with his horn? Why is it black?!" The feminine voice asked.

"It's seems like his horn's been damaged. Possibly a magical overload. Not good..." The masculine voice said.

"W... where am I? Who are you two? Where Cadance?! Is she alright?!" Shining asked quietly as he tried to pull his right fore-hoof up so he could wipe his eyes, but was unable to.

"Shining, I'm right here! Don't move dear. You're seriously injured!" Cadance said.

"Alright... my vision's blurry... and my head is killing me." Shining advised.

"We're going to take care of that in a moment, prince. We're going to move you outside. I want you to try to keep still. If you feel anything touch your horn or head, let me know so I can move it out of the way." The masculine voice said. Shining used what little energy he had and nodded. He lost consciousness once again as he began to move.

Present Day

"L-look, you were right. I didn't mean that earlier..." Cadance said, trying to take back the words. She looked at Shining.

"Look, I'm sorry. I'm just- mmph?!" Shining Armor was interrupted by the feeling of another ponies lips pressing against his and pulling him in for a tender kiss. Cadance had apparently taken the chance to try and comfort him with a kiss. And so far, it was working. Shining closed his eyes and returned the kiss, letting himself relax for what little time he and Cadance would have to do so.

Three Days Ago

Shining Armor woke up again in a large room with different beds lined up. The walls were mostly a very pale shade of yellow with there being some scuff marks on the walls. The beds were pretty average; white sheets, white pillows, and a white bed frame. He looked around the room and noticed that almost every bed was filled with crystal ponies of different looks, shapes, and sizes. His head and horn was still hurting and he felt as if he had an concussion.

"Where the hay am I?" Shining asked as he got out of the bed and trotted down the room, looking at the rows of injured ponies.

Jeez... I'm so confused... where's Cadance?

Shining saw a door that had a large, red sized sign that said in large white lettering, "EXIT".

Hopefully Cadance is alright... I have to find her.

Shining trotted towards the door, opened it, and stepped out and was shocked by what he saw.

There were many crystal ponies lying on the ground, either dying or dead. Large chucks of debris from the Crystal Castle covered the grounds. Shining looked over the destruction.

I need to help of them!

Shining rushed over to a crystal pony(a mare with a blue mane and a light gray coat to be specific) trapped under a large chunk of crystal. He tried to pick up the crystal using his magic, but an immense amount of pain came from his horn.

I can't use my magic... it hurts too much.

"Hold on, I'll get you out..." Shining said as he used whatever strength he could muster up and pushed the chunk of crystal off of the pony, who was unconscious. His hooves began to tremble and he collapsed on the ground, all of that strength now gone. He was almost unconscious when a familiar voice spoke up.

"Ok, I need you, you, you, and you to move the debris out of the way of the bridge so it'll be easier for injured ponies to pass through easier. I need you, you, you, you, you, and you to search throughout the village for injured ponies. I'll need you to send a letter to Princess Celestia to let her know of this attack. As for the rest of you, I want you to follow this stallion's orders unless Prince Shining Armor or I tells you to do otherwise."

"Huh..." Shining Armor said as he lifted his head and tried to search for the origin of the voice.

"Yes, your highness." Someponies said collectively as multiple hoofsteps could be heard.

Shining Armor held the chunk of crystal and tried to use it to support himself. He dragged himself up and began to trot towards the staircase(where he heard the voices) on weak hooves.

I need to find Cadance. I need to know that she's ok.

Shining trotted down half the staircase before stumbling and falling down the rest of staircase. He stayed down for a moment before trying to push himself up.

"Prince Shining Armor!" A mare called out from in front of Shining, who was now trying to pull himself up again. The mare rushed over to Shining and tried to help him up.

"I'm... I'm fine." Shining said as he pulled himself up, trying not to show any weakness in front of the citizen. He looked over the mare, analyzing her face. She had a dark gray mane, a light blue coat, and her eyes were navy blue.

Thank goodness that wasn't a changeling...

"You need to lay back down. The medic said that you've had a magical overload." The mare said as she continued to support him.

"Is Cada- Princess Cadance alright?" Shining said, almost forgetting to use formalities. He looked over the hallway, noting that the banners leading towards the throne room had been either torn down or had been blasted by magic. Some of the ceiling had been blasted open, leaving sharp yet small shrapnel of crystal covered the ground.

"She's been hurt, but she seems ok." The mare said.

"Ok... may I ask for your name?" Shining said as he began to trot down the hall again, using the wall to support himself. His head suddenly began to throb in pain(well, in more pain than it already was in).

"Snowy Virtue, your highness. Prince, in all due respect, you really need to go lay down." Snowy Virtue said as she trotted beside him, making sure that he wasn't about to fall.

"I'm fine." Shining said in a slightly harsh tone.

"Yes, your highness." Snowy said quietly as she continued to trot beside him closely in case Shining were to fall(so she could catch him).

After a few moments trotting down the hall, the hall lead into an open room. There were a few ponies passing by them, some of them staring at Shining's face and horn. Shining didn't notice this, mainly because he was too busy looking for Cadance.

"Where's Princess Cadance?" Shining asked.

"She should be around here somewhere..." Snowy said.

"Ah. I think she's in here." Snowy said as she and Shining trotted up to a large crystal door. The door had scuff marks from most likely magical blasts, but was still intact. Shining gently pushed the door open.

"I thought I told the other servant that I-" Princess Cadance turned back towards the door from a small crystal desk with different pieces of paper sprawled on top of it "-Shining?!" Cadance said as she hastily rushed over to Shining and enveloped him in a hug, accidentally causing Shining's head and horn to throb in pain even harder

"Ah- it's good to see you too, Cadance." Shining said as he tried to hide his pain and returned the hug. Cadance released the hug after a moment and backed away with a small smile across her face. But suddenly, the smile turned into a frown as her eyes widened and her ears dropped to her head.

"What's the matter?" Shining asked.

"Uh... Shining, I don't mean to alarm you... but, look at your horn." Cadance said, a bit frightened. Shining looked at his horn, and completely understood why his wife was so frightened.

His horn was completely black from the tip to the base of his head where his horn began.

Present Day, In Ponyville

Twilight Sparkle sat down at her desk and read through her notebook, reading over the notes of a recent experiment whilst trying to fight through her sleepiness. She looked up at the window in front of her desk and noted that Luna's moon was overhead, meaning it was somewhere around midnight.

"Oh well... I guess I could stay up for a while longer and see if I can come to a breakthrough." Twilight said as she back down at looked down the notebook.

Poof

Pit
Pat
Pit

"Twilight. Letter from Princess Celestia." Spike said as he entered the room and clumsily threw the letter up to Twilight, too tired to care to read it.

"Thanks Spike. Goodnight." Twilight said as she picked up the letter off the ground and unraveled it.

"Mmhm... you too..." Spike said tiredly as he exited the room. Twilight began to read the letter

Dear my Most Faithful Student,
I have some... urgent news that I have to tell you. I need you and Spike to come to the castle immediately. This news is a bit too serious and sensitive to tell you through a letter. I'm sending a carriage for you post-haste. It should be there anytime within the next half-hour to an hour. Your Mentor and Friend, Princess Celestia

Fear and intrigue struck Twilight as she finished reading the letter.

It must be really serious if she sending a carriage for us at night. She usually would've waited until the day to even send me a letter...

Twilight opened a desk drawer to her left and pulled out a blank piece of paper with a quill and a bottle of ink. She used her magic to pick up the quill and began to write the letter in response to Princess Celestia.

After a few minutes of writing(a bit frantically), Twilight sat the quill back into the bottle of ink and looked over her letter.

Dear Princess Celestia, I'm going to grab Spike and I will await your carriage. Will you please tell me some information about what happened and why it's urgent? Not that I mind coming to Canterlot, but I'm just a bit curious and intrigued. Your Student, Twilight Sparkle

Twilight rolled up the letter and trotted out into the hallway and into her bedroom, where Spike was sleeping in the middle of her bed. She hastily trotted over to him and gently shook him, trying not to hurt him.

"Uh... what is it?" Spike asked as he yawned and stretched his arms and feet.

"We're going to meet Princess Celestia. Something bad has happened there. I need you to send this letter for me." Twilight said. Spike sleepily picked up the letter and blew on it with his magical fire breath, causing it to be transported to Princess Celestia.

"Ok... just let me...-"

Poof

A letter popped up in front of Spike.

"That was fast." Spike said as he picked up the letter and unraveled it. He closed his eyes, cleared his throat as if he was about to do an impression of Princess Celestia, but as his eyes opened and he prepared to read the letter, his jaw dropped and his eyes widened.

"What does it say?" Twilight asked. Spike flipped the letter over and showed it to Twilight, revealing it to be a few simple words.

Dear my Most Faithful Student, It's about your brother, Prince Shining Armor. From, Your Mentor, Princess Celestia

---

Battered Hearts

Author's Note

Ok, due to the majority of the feedback I got was good, I'm going to be continuing this. Hope you enjoy it!

Battered Hearts

Two Hours Later

Twilight Sparkle and Spike stepped out of the carriage. She nearly galloped towards the entrance, passing by different crystal guards carrying crates of supplies and weapons. Spike clung to right saddlebag for dear life, almost flung off as the pair stepped onto the solid ground, off of the drawbridge.

Twilight rushed through the courtyard, and into the palace. She narrowly avoided a group of both the night-guard and Celestia's soldiers trotting out towards the courtyard, exiting the throne room. Princess Celestia was sat at the throne, with Princess Luna pacing back and forwards at the side. A steaming cup of hot tea sat at her side, and there were bags under her eyes.

"Hello. Twilight, Spike." Princess Celestia sat up, and Princess Luna stopped, staring at the group. Her horn glowed with her light-golden magical aura, as the cup beside her lifted to her muzzle. She took a sip before sitting it back at her side.

"I came as soon as I could." Twilight slowed to a stop in front of Celestia's throne. Spike remained silent, using the opportunity to drop to the ground. Princess Celestia took another sip her tea before speaking again.

"Two days ago, the Crystal Empire was attacked... reportedly by Queen Chrysalis and her changelings." Princess Celestia's voice took on a somber, flat tone. Twilight swallowed, her throat suddenly dry, before nodding.

"Many unfortunate ponies were kidnapped and had their love drained at approximately 12 PM that day. Many were left either injured or worse." Princess Luna said, remorseful. Twilight felt a thump in her chest, as a lump formed in her throat. She knew it wasn't going to be good. "Fortunately, Shining and Cadance were not among those who were kidnapped, nor sustained life-threatening injuries."

Twilight released a breath. "Thank goodness..." She sighed with relief.

"We aren't finished."

Twilight looked back up to Princess Celestia.

"What else?"

"Shining Armor, unfortunately, took a magical blast to his horn after being forced to the ground by a group of changelings."

Oh no...

"Shining Armor has not be able to create any magic or perform any spells since he received the injury. We've sent our finest doctors to help with the victims and they don't even know what it is. They don't know what'll happen to him afterwords. I'm sorry, Twilight. I wish there was an easier way to tell you."

"No... no. Thank you for being honest." Twilight wiped her eyes. "I-I'm sorry, princess. But I have to get to the Crystal Empire."

"We already have a carriage prepared for you. It's ready whenever you are."

"Thank you." Spike held Twilight right fore-hoof, almost as if he sensed her panic quickly setting in.

"Is there anything you'd like, Twilight? Something to drink?" Princess Luna took a step forward.

"No. I-I'm sorry, but I-I need to tell my friends what's going on. Ex-excuse me." Twilight quickly trotted out of the throne room, trying to keep herself calm.

"I'm sorry, Twilight. Honestly."

"Thank you, Spike." Twilight quietly muttered, her horn emitting her raspberry magical aura as her left saddlebag opened. She removed her notebook and a quill.

Shining Armor released a quiet yawn, rolling onto his side. He sat up, looking around the room. Cadance was asleep at his side, and the moon was beginning to dip below the surface. His head pounded, although not as intensely as the previous night. Shining carefully pulled the blanket away from his lap, laying it across Cadance's hind-hooves. He quietly trotted into the bathroom. The bathroom was made up of mainly crystal tiles, crystal bathroom sink with a mirror above it, a crystal toilet, and a crystal trot-in shower. He leaned over the sink, turning the handle. Water rushed out of the faucet. He cupped his hooves under the stream and splashed it onto his face. Once he looked back up into the mirror, he noticed something strange about the area around his horn.

The blackness in his horn had spread to the top of his head, his ears, and his mane. They all were now completely black

"Oh, Celestia..." Shining cupped his hooves under the sink again, bringing them up to his ears and tried to scrub the blackness away. After a few minutes of repeating this process, there was absolutely no visible effect.

"Buck... it's getting worse... I need to tell the doctors." He swore under his breath. He exited the bathroom and trotted towards the door, but stopped as he grabbed the doorknob.

Cadance's already worried sick about me as she is. I can't just leave her in the middle of the night without letting her know where I'm going..

Shining Armor trotted back to his sleeping wife and gently rubbed her shoulder.

"Cadance, I need to go to the infirmary for a while." Shining whispered into her ear.

"Huh..." Cadance opened her left eye, turning to him. She smiled as her eyes ran over his face. "Okay, darling. I'll be in there with you soon. I love you." Cadance rested her head on the pillow to her right, burrowing deep into the soft figure.

"I will. I love you too." Shining nuzzled his wife affectionately and trotted out of their room.

"-Thank you. Where is my brother?" Twilight held the crystal guard's right fore-hoof as he helped her down and out of the carriage. Spike had fallen asleep earlier into the trip despite his efforts not to. Her horn glowed with her raspberry aura as Spike floated onto her back, resting at the end of her mane.

"He is in the hospital, your highness. Follow me." The guard trotted down the crystal walkway towards the entrance to the palace.

Twilight looked around as they passed through the village and saw just how bad this attack was. The houses and buildings in the empire were either in smoldering remains or had a piece of their structure destroyed, some chunks of crystal and shattered glass had been pushed out of the roadway. There were blood stains on the bridge and roadway in front of her that Twilight tried to ignore.

These poor ponies... Twilight sighed, remorseful. She knew the Crystal Empire would be chaotic in the coming days, even without the changelings. Thank goodness Shining and Cadance got away.

Blast marks covering the area around the Crystal Castle, showing that there was a real struggle between changelings and the crystal ponies.

"H-how is Prince Shining Armor?"

"He is stable and fine besides constant pain in his head and horn, but is still unable to make any spells, your highness." The crystal guard said as he and Twilight trotted towards a white, crystal door that had a red cross in the middle of it.

"In here, your highness. I shall lead you to him, if you don't mind your highness." The guard opened the door to the hospital and stepped aside, letting Twilight pass by.

"Yes, please." Twilight said as she trotted inside and looked around the room, frantically looking for her brother. The infirmary was nearly at full capacity.

"Follow me, your highness." The guard said as he shut the door and trotted down the rows of beds in the infirmary, passing by tons of injured crystal ponies. Twilight was still having trouble comprehending how many innocent crystal ponies were hurt by Queen Chrysalis and her changelings.

Twilight, Spike(who was still asleep on Twilight's back), and the guard came upon a part of the hospital that had white sheets up, preventing anypony from seeing who it was inside the bed.

"The prince is in there, your highness." The guard pointed towards the sheets.

"Thank you." Twilight said as she trotted up to the sheets and pushed them aside so she could enter. Shining was laying down in the middle of the bed, the top of his head and his ears bandaged. The bandages covered up most of his mane. Princess Cadance was standing beside him,

"Oh, hello Twilight." Shining said, remaining calm despite his injuries. Twilight didn't speak, she was just taken aback.

"Twilight? Are you okay?" Cadance asked, clearly worried.

"Y-yeah... I'm just a bit... worried with the top of your head being bandaged and all."

"I'm fine, Twi'. Trust me, it's not as bad as it looks." Shining said, trying not to worry his sister.

"Shining, I know what happened. Is... is what I've heard true?" Twilight asked. Cadance looked at Shining, then back at Twilight. Shining sighed sadly.

"Yes." Shining said as he look away down at the infirmary floor. Twilight's sighed, a few tears escaping her eyes. She allowed her mane to fall over her eyes, trying to hide her tears.

"I-I'm so sorry, Shining..." Twilight said as she sniffled and wiped the tears away from her cheeks.

"Yeah... I am too. Hopefully i-it's just temporary." Cadance agreed as she grabbed Shining's left fore-hoof. Shining let his head fall to the pillow and he shut his eyes.

I feel so bad for him.

"Queen Chrysalis took crystal ponies..." Shining mumbled as he looked up at the ceiling with half his eyes closed.

"Wha- what?" Twilight asked.

"Queen Chrysalis and her changelings kidnapped many crystal ponies. I need to help..." Shining said as he leaned up from the bed, but suddenly grabbed his head and gasped in pain.

"Shining, don't move too much. We'll send a search party. You are in no condition to be searching from them right now." Cadance said, not allowing Shining to hurt himself anymore.

"You could get yourself killed. We're lucky you two survived the last time."

"Horseapples..." Shining swore under his breath, clearly frustrated. "All right... I won't." He reluctantly leaned back down to his bed.

"Thank you." Twilight said. The room(or space) became silent, the only noise in the room being made up of other crystal ponies being treated or groaning. Cadance looked up at Spike.

"I guess he's had long night, huh?"

"Yeah. Princess Celestia sent me a letter telling us what happened. We rushed over here as fast as we could, be he ended up falling asleep on the second carriage trip."

"Hm... hopefully he'll be awake later this afternoon." Cadance acknowledged as she looked back down at Shining. Twilight looked at Shining as well, who was now resting his head on the pillow with his eyes shut. She looked to his bandaged head and horn, causing a shiver to go down her spine as she thought about what happened to her brother. Then she noticed a part of his right ear that hadn't been fully bandaged and noticed that it was black.

"S-Shining, w-why is your ear black? I know you had a magical overload, but I-I don't think that it'd cause that..." Twilight asked, a bit frightened. Cadance looked over to Shining and noticed it as well, giving him a confused look. Shining's eyes jolted open as he looked over to Twilight.

"It's nothing to worry about. Really." Shining said as he pulled down the bandage on covered the open spot, obviously trying not to worry his sister. Cadance glanced to Shining, wondering the same.

He's covering something up.

"Shining, I can tell when you're lying. P-please, just tell us if something else is going on with your health."

"No, really. There's nothing to be worried about." Shining said, still trying not to worry his wife and sister.

"Shining, please... what's wrong?" Cadance said. Shining looked at them both for a moment more before sighing.

"Okay... this, doesn't leave the room unless it's to Princess Celestia or Princess Luna." Cadance and Twilight nodded. Shining took a deep breath before speaking again.

"Cadance, remember this morning when I said I had to the infirmary for a while?"

"Yes."

"Well... I woke up this morning and I went to the bathroom. I passed by the mirror and noticed that there was something a bit... off, in my reflection." Shining said. Cadance and Twilight listened intently.

"When I looked back in the mirror, my ears and mane were black. I rushed here and showed the doctors. T-they said that it was not only a magical blast, but a transfer of some magic. Queen Chrysalis took some of my magic and traded it with her's." Shining trailed off.

"A-and now it's spreading."

"W-what does that mean?"

"Why is it spreading?"

"T-they don't know. They said that Queen Chrysalis might've invented a new spell or used a rare one."

"Oh Celestia... okay. We need to find Queen Chrysalis and get her to reverse the spell before anything else bad happens."

"I could also search to see if I could find anything that could help." Twilight suggested.

"I'll help organize the teams that's looking for the crystal ponies and Queen Chrysalis. If I can't join them, then I'm going to help them become prepared." Shining Armor said as he lifted his head up from the pillow.

"I'm all right with you doing that. Twilight, I'm going to show you where the archives are and then I'm going to send a message to Auntie Celestia, telling her what all's going on." Princess Cadance held Shining's right fore-hoof, helping him get off the bed.

"Okay. Thank you." Cadance trotted out, however, she stopped as she was halfway out of the curtain.

"Twilight, if you're ready, I'll show you to the archives so you may start your research." Cadance said as she, Twilight, and Shining trotted outside of Shining's infirmary room(well, sort of room) and trotted towards the exit. Twilight looked over her shoulder for a moment and looked at Shining, making sure that he was still okay. He was looking down at the floor and had a strange look on his face. As if he was guilty and sad.

He's really upset because of the attack.

"Here you go, Twilight. This is all the knowledge that the Crystal Empire has to offer." Cadance said as two servants opened the large crystal doors to the archives and bowed. The library was humongous; there was a large, red carpet that led down to three crystal bookshelves and passed by at least a dozen more on each side.

"Wow... okay. Where are the spell books?" Twilight stepped into the library.

"They're the first three bookshelves that you pass by. I'd stay and help you, but I have to help get the search party together." Cadance stepped out of the doorway.

"It's all right. I'm all right with working by myself. Besides, you and Shining have enough on your plate already." Twilight trotted down the red carpet and looked at the contents of the first bookshelf.

"I guess you're right. Thank you for your help, Twilight." The two servants shut the door, leaving Twilight alone in the library with nothing but her thoughts and the copious amount of books.

"Okay... where to start..."

Shining Armor trotted into what was left of the Crystal Castle.

I need to scrounge up as many guards as I can so I can send the search party out. It'd be suicide to send out the search party without no protection.

Shining trotted down the crystal staircase(thankfully not stumbling down it) and turned to a crystal door with the Crystal Empire's insignia(a crystal heart in cased in pink snowflake, protecting it/this).

Ah. Here it is.

Shining pushed the door opened and entered the room, seeing that there were four guards inside. He took a look around the room, examining it; there were two crystal benches in the middle of the room, twelve lockers at opposite sides of the room, a crystal door at the left side of the room that lead to the bathroom/showers, a crystal door at the right side of the room that lead to the bedrooms of the barracks, and a crystal weapon cabinet that was half-filled with spears.

"-yeah. I tried to hit them off, but there were just too manyyyy- Prince Shining Armor!" A guard with a royal blue coat and gray mane sitting on the one of the benches in the room said as he noticed Shining had entered the room, stood up, and saluted. The other guards in the room(one being at the weapon cabinet and the two others sitting down on the bench) noticed this and did the same actions as he did.

"At ease." Shining said as he trotted in front of the bench where two guards were previously sitting before Shining had entered. The guards did as they were instructed and slightly relaxed, putting their hooves back onto the ground.

"I have an order for you all." Shining Armor said as he paced behind the desk.

"What?" One of the guards replied. Shining looked at the guard, giving him a disciplinary stare. He suddenly realized his mistake and clamped his mouth shut.

"Princess Cadance and I are planning to send a search party out for those crystal ponies who were kidnapped or are still missing. It will be comprised of you four guards and four volunteer crystal ponies. What I need you all to do is go into the village and try to find crystal ponies that are willing and able to join the search party. We need for you to find at least four ponies who are able to go."

"Yes, your highness." The guards replied.

"We need the search party formed as soon as possible. So, do not stall on this order." Shining said as he looked over the guards.

"Yes, your highness." The guards responded.

"Dismissed." Shining said as he stared at the guards. He looked at them for a moment more before trotting out of the barracks. The guards trotted out behind him.

That went a bit better than I expected. Good thing they didn't ask about why my head was bandaged.

"No... nothing in that one that could help." Twilight yawned and put the book down in front of her. She got up from the small crystal chair. Dozens of books that she had read through(and had no breakthrough with) were stacked up around her. She yawned as she trotted back over to the second bookshelf on the right, grabbed another spell book, and read the title as she trotted back to chair.

Rare Spells: A Guide to The Rarest of Spells in Equestria

Hopefully I'll find something...

"Okay... let's see what we have in here." Twilight said as she flipped through the spell book, quickly reading through the pages. One of the titles of a page caught her eye.

Spells of Transformation

Transformation spells were created in the Innovation Age of Magic by Star Swirl the Bearded. The spell was first used by Princess Celestia to help a pegasus who had lost her wings. However, the spell is not widely available to the public due to the risks and dangers that could come from such a spell. Only a few ponies of royal descent know how to perform this spell.
If the spells were ever to be used upon somepony, depending on the matter of what the user wants to transform into, could take from a matter of seconds to weeks.

"Not exactly what I'm looking for." Twilight said as she flipped through the pages of the book, skimming through them as she flipped through them.

The Process of Transformation

"Here we go." Twilight began to read that section of the book.

Transformation can be a tedious process depending on what the user wants to transform into. The user will begin to change with in the first few seconds. For an example, let's say that a unicorn wanted to change into a wolf, the user(over the length of a week or so) will become shorter, their coat will become thicker, their teeth will become more jagged, and they will gain all the characteristics of a wolf.

"Hm... it seems to be similar, but it's too early to tell if the spell is one of transformation." Twilight said to herself as she made a mental note.

Shining trotted over to the bridge, stopping in the middle and walking towards the side of it. He looked down at water and thought about all that had happened in the last few days.

It's bad enough that I can't make spells, but now I can't even defend my kingdom. I can't retaliate against the pony who did this to me.

Shining stared at his reflection in the water, studying the bandages wrapped around his head and horn.

I really hope Twilight finds something to help. Before anything else happens.

"Prince Shining Armor."

Shining turned to his left and saw one of the guards he had saw in the barracks. The guard had a black coat and a blue mane

"Yes?" Shining asked.

"We've assembled the search party and we are ready to leave at your and Princess Cadance's command." The guard said as he bowed.

"Ok. Let Princess Cadance and I address them before they leave."

"Of course, your highness." The guard said as he slowly backed away, continuing to bow.

I should let Cadance know.

Shining looked back down at the water for a moment more before trotting back towards the Crystal Castle.

"Ohh... Celestia"

"S'va! Move tha pr'soner to Queen Chrysalis!"

Buzzzz

Something or Somepony is dragging me somewhere. The air around me is dank and musty. As if the place had been abandoned centuries earlier after a natural disaster. The environment around me is too dark for me too see. My entire body is cold; I can barely feel my own hooves.

"Go! Queen Chrysalis needs these ponies now!"

Ugh... what the hay is cutting into my hooves? Chains rustled in front of me, as something was pulling my hooves. Something was attached to my hooves... cuffs?

I lightly shake my head as I feel myself stop momentarily.

What language were those ponies speaking? Why were their voices so distorted? I pulled against the bindings on my hooves. My thoughts were dazed and my mind was misty. What the hay happened?

I've experienced cold nights in the mines, but nothing like this. I'd think as I felt myself move once more. My heart pounded, desperately trying to warm my body so I don't freeze to death.

"Queen Chrysalis! I've brought the crystal ponies!"

"Good. Thank you. You and your group may feed on a crystal pony."

Wait is that...

No, it couldn't be. Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance must've stopped her. They've done it before.

"Now, leave me."

Something scurried away, leaving me alone with Queen Chrysalis.

"You three crystal ponies, rise."

I'm too dizzy. I-I can't--

"I said rise."

I felt something cold wrap around my ribs and pull me put, causing me to involuntarily stand. My eyes widen as I look around the room and see nothing but blue, eye-like circles in the sea of darkness.

"P-please... don't hurt me..." A soft, feminine voice to my left muttered, utterly terrified.

"Calm down Blooming. We'll find a way out." Another feminine voice said to my right, a bit quieter than the other voice. This one sounded a bit more calm, with less fear.

"Did I give either of you permission to speak?"

My entire body became still.

"Exactly. You are in the presence of a queen, so you should act accordingly."

"I-I'm sorry, Q-Queen Chrysalis..."

Oh no...

"It's too late for that. Take her away. Make sure she spends a night in... well, those crystal ponies shouldn't know. Put her where all the disrespectful ponies go."

"No, no! Please! Please don't!" Chains rustled to my left, as something jerked away. The pony gasped. "No! Stop! Lance, please help! Somepony help! Anypony!" I looked in the opposite direction, refusing to look at the poor mare. Her terrified screams filled the room. I tried to block out her fleeing voice

I-I can't move... I'm petrified. I'm so sorry.

"Blooming..." The pony to my right says quietly. Her voice took on a worried, almost anxious tone. Either one would be understandable right now.

"You two will survive the night. As for your friend, you'd better hope she has a strong stomach and an even stronger mind. You two take them to their cell and make sure that every cell is secured."

Two things come closer to me, and now I can finally see. Their black coats, holes in their hooves, and cold, blue eyes showed that they were changelings.

I... I'm really in the Changelings Kingdom.

The changeling began to push us, knocking me out of my petrified state. They kept pushing us until we were trapped in a small room and shut the door. I rushed over to the door as soon as they shut it, but I couldn't get it to open.

"You're wasting your time. It's not going to work. We're stuck here." The mare trotted to the right corner, leaning against the bars as she sat.

"I know..." I'd say reluctantly to her as I sat down against the door and let my head fall.

"Horseapples."I sighed. This is going to be a long night...

Awaiting Help

I'd pull my head up and look at what I could see of the cell. Strands of my dark brown mane were hanging in front of my eyes.

There's gotta be some sort of way out...

I'd swivel my head as I looked around the cell; thankfully, there was a small hole at the top of the cell that was barred up, but still allowing some dim sun light to pass through. Cobwebs lined the corners of the cell The bars at the entrance of the cell are made up of some sort of tough rock... almost like obsidian. The floors and walls were made up of the same material as the bars,there were cracks and holes all around the room, even in the bars.

I might be able to break it off.

I'd put my hooves on one of the bars and tighten my hooves around it. Then I gave it a strong pull with whatever strength I could find. The bars still didn't budge, even after all of my strength had been depleted.

"What did I say earlier? You're wasting your time."

"Well, we can't just sit here! What if they come back?"

"And what are you going to do, huh?! You can't break off the bars, we're too short to reach that hole in the ceiling, and I don't see any tools lying around, do you?!"

"You aren't helping!"

The mare growled, averting her line of sight towards the bars, and the dimly lit hall outside.

Irritating mare!

I rest against the bars, allowing myself to slide back to the ground and my anger to lightly quell.

"Perfect... just perfect..."

"-First off, we'd like to thank you all for being brave enough to join this search party. You're doing noble work, and we wouldn't dare think about sending you all out there if didn't have a choice." Princess Cadance said as she passed by the different crystal ponies who had volunteered. They all were of different shapes, size, colors, and races.

"Secondly. you all are not to approach a changeling unless it is a life or death situation or you need to defend yourselves. They are extremely dangerous."

"Third, do not stray far away from each other. The last thing you want to do is get lost out there."

"And fourth, if you find any injured crystal ponies, return here immediately." Shining Armor said, finishing the warning.

"You all will be accompanied by a member of the royal guard. However, if you do not feel comfortable with doing this, then we'll understand." Cadance said and gave a few long moments for somepony to step and back out of the search party, but not a single one did.

"All right. You'll be leaving soon, so get ready. Once again thank you for your bravery. " Cadance and Shining began to trot away. The group dispelled after they had left.

Queen Chrysalis is lucky I can't go. If I got my hooves on her...

Shining let out a deep sigh. Princess Cadance and he trotted into the Crystal Castle.

"Well, that went better than I expected."

"Yeah. I'm just glad that we found the crystal ponies for the search party on such short notice. Just wish I could go with them."

"Shiny, you know that you're in no condition to go with them, nor am I. Besides, if you were to go, what if Twilight were to find something while you were gone? We would have no way of getting to you."

"Yeah... I guess you're right. Speaking of Twilight, I'll go check and see how doing."

"Okay, darling." Cadance said as she trotted down the hallway towards her throne room. Shining trotted into a hallway to the right.

Shining trotted down the hallway and found the large crystal doors that lead to the archives. He pushed the doors open and saw Twilight, her nose still stuck in a book. There were six piles of books stacked up around the crystal chair she was sitting in; Spike was even asleep on one. She had bags under her eyes and three shelves of the large first bookshelf had been cleared out.

"Hey, Twi'." Shining shut the door behind him, causing a large thud.

"Oh, hello Shining. I was just finishing up on another book." She yawned as she looked back at him.

"I can see you've been studying." Shining trotted over to the chair she was sitting in, hovering over her. He looked over the book she was reading.

"Hm... 'The New Age of Spells'. Have you found anything yet?"

"I've found some things that could be similar to your injury, but nothing for certain."

"Hm. Well, do you need anything?" Shining offered. Twilight looked down at Spike for a moment, then back up at Shining.

"I think Spike could eat a gemstone or two when he wakes up."

"Okay. I think we can spare a gemstone or two. But do you want anything? You look like you could use a rest."

"No. I'm all right." She turned back to the book and began to read again.

"All right. I'll have a servant bring the gemstones to Spike later. If you need anything, come to me or Cadance." Shining trotted towards the exit.

"Okay." Shining turned trotted back to the door, but stopped once he laid his right fore-hoof on the doorknob to open it.

"Oh, and Twilight?"

"Yes?"

"Cadance and I are thankful and appreciate that you're trying to help, if you didn't know." He pushed the door opened and stepped out.

"You're welcome. B.B.B.F.F."

I sighed. Guess there's no way to get around this.

I don't really have a choice but to trust her, do I?

"Look, maybe we got off on the wrong hoof. My name's Rocky Diamond. What's yours?" I said, trying to become acquainted with the mare in this strange situation. Her name is a start, right?

"I'm Lance Force." Lance Force crossed her hooves across her chest and looked towards the cell exit. I could vaguely see her cutie-mark, which was of a lightning bolt, puncturing through steel.

Might as well get to know her if we're going to be stuck here a while.

"So, what do you do?"

"I'm a competitive flyer representing the Crystal Empire."

"Okay." I'd say. I could faintly see her wings, noting that the coat of them were white. Her mane looked purple, but I couldn't really see very well because of the little light I had.

"What do you do?"

"Oh-- I'm a miner. You see, I give the government their gemstones and crystals so they can build. I also am a reserves member of the guard; I come in when they're running low on the members of the main guard. Well, I was until Chrysalis attacked..." My voice took on a hushed tone towards the end. The situation is bad enough, don't need to remind myself and her of life back home.

Lance looked outside of the cell.

"Who was that pony beside us? They called out your name after--" "None of your business." Lance interrupted, turning her head away from me.

Jeez... I was just asking a question.

I looked over to her and noticed something. She seemed a bit... off. As if she was worried about something.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Just-- don't talk to me." Lance kept her eyes planted on the cell door. However, I could still see her anxiety

"You're worried about that mare, aren't you?"

"..." She didn't respond. Hay, I don't even think she cared about my concerns.

"I'll take that as a yes..."

"Will you just shut up?"

"Fine."

Twilight yawned as she closed another book and put it on top of the seventh pile.

Hours later and I've only found three or four spells that could do it...

Twilight looked down at Spike, who had woken up a few minutes ago. He was eating a gemstone that a servant had brought in a few minutes ago.

"So, how was your brother? Was he okay?" Spike asked as he tossed in the last bit of the first emerald gemstone into his mouth.

"He can't make spells anymore..." Twilight said somberly.

"Oh..." Spike said as he looked up at Twilight, giving her a sympathetic stare.

"I-I'm sorry, Twi'."

"It's all right. Thank you."

"Are you okay, Twilight? I mean, it must be hard dealing with this."

"I don't know Spike..." Twilight said. They both sat in silence for a moment.

"Maybe you should get some rest. I can tell you're tired, and you could probably research more effectively if you got some sleep."

"I guess you're right. Let's clean this up and then I'll go ask Cadance." Twilight's horn glowed with her raspberry aura, as she lifted two slabs of books and put them on the bookshelf. Spike helped along and grabbed a small stack for himself.

AHHHHHHHHH

Twilight's eyes jolted open as she heard the scream echo throughout the room and the hallway.

That sounded like Princess Cadance!

Twilight pulled the blanket off of her body and rushed outside of the room. She galloped through the halls, trying to find the origin of the sound.

"Cadance!? Where are you!?" Twilight called out.

"Get away from me, you monster!"

BOOOM

A magical beam burst through the wall in front of Twilight, knocking her down and catching her off guard. Twilight managed to glance up at the beam before the magic died off. The aura was light blue.

Twilight rushed up to her hooves and galloped through the weak rubble of the wall. Once she entered, she saw that Cadance was being pinned against the wall by Shining Armor.

"Shining?! What are you doing?!" Twilight asked as she rushed over to Shining and tried to pull him off to no avail.

"Stop! You need to go with Queen Chrysalis"

"Stop! You're hurting her!" Twilight managed to pull him off, only to be slapped hardly. She felt the sting of the slap on her cheek, the tears well in her eyes, and she felt the sting of betrayal.

"What's gotten into you-!" Twilight stopped immediately as she looked up at Shining.

His eyes were the same as a changeling's and fangs had grown from his mouth.

Twilight Sparkle jolted up from the bed covered in cold sweat. She looked around the bedroom, and thankfully, there wasn't any danger to be seen.

It was all just a nightmare... thank Luna.

Twilight let out a deep sigh of relief.

I was just freaked out after reading that transformation spell. As if Queen Chrysalis knows how to cast that spell. Princess Celestia would never share that knowledge with her.

"Hey Twi', are you okay?" Spike asked, curled up at the foot of the bed. Twilight hadn't noticed he was there because of her nightmare.

"Yeah Spike. I just had a weird dream." Twilight wiped the sweat off of her forehead.

"Are you going back to bed, or are you up?"

"I'm going back to sleep, Spike." Twilight rested her head back down on the pillow.

"Okay, well goodnight."

Hopefully.

Twilight sat in silence for a while, unable to fall asleep. Something was bothering her.

Queen Chrysalis wouldn't no that spell. There's no way. Princess Celestia wouldn't teach her how to. It's just impossible.

The answer to that still remained uncertain in her head.

Lance hadn't talked since... well, I asked her.

I guess I crossed my boundaries; I do feel bad, but it was just a question. She could've answered it if she wanted, and she obviously doesn't. Although, I don't think she has to be such a stubborn foal about it and pout. I let out a deep sigh and cleared my throat.

"I apologize if I've overstepped my boundaries. I'm simply trying to figure out who the hay I'm going to be in this cell with if we're going to be stuck in this cell for awhile."

Lance didn't respond. Irritation began to bellow in my mind.

"Her name is Blooming Lily." Lance said, her voice slightly trembling. It was obvious that she was worried.

"S... she's my little sister."

Horseapples... I'm a jackass.

"Oh... I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

Now I understand why she was so reluctant to try and escape. They could kill her...

"I just hope she's okay." Lance said as she looked back over at the entrance of the cell. As if she was expecting somepony or a changeling to burst through.

"S'va! Move crystal pony!"

"O-okay... just please... d-don't put me back in that p-place..."

Lance jumped up from her spot and pressed her head and her hooves against the bars.

Speak of Discord... I guess that's her.

"Blooming!" Lance jumped to her hooves as she saw two more changelings walk towards our cell with a filly who I guessed to be Blooming Lily. One of the changeling guards opened the cell door and threw Blooming. Blooming landed beside me with a thud. She just laid down beside me as the door of the cell slammed shut.

"Blooming, are you alright?!" Lance nearly pounced on her, leaning over her. Blooming trembled as she picked up her upper body with her fore-hooves and immediately vomitted.

"Blooming?" Lance rubbed her back. A small pool of vomit had collected beneath Blooming's mouth. Tears trailed down her dark red cheeks as she looked over to Lance and rushed up to her, hugging her.

"L-Lance... it was terrible!" Her sobs echoed around the room. Poor mare...

"I know, I know. Don't worry. You're safe now. They won't get your hooves on you again" Lance stroked her sisters mane gently. I trotted over to the two sisters and sat down beside them, making sure to avoid the puddle of vomit, and sat down at the wall beside them. I made sure to give them plenty of room.

"T-there were so many ponies... they were stacked up in a pile! They were so pale... the eyes were rolled into the back of their heads... it was so h-horrific!" Blooming sobbed even harder into Lance's coat. Her fore-hooves trembled in utter fear and shock.

"You're safe now. You know I won't let anypony or any changelings hurt you." Lance said firmly. I sat there beside them, confused as what to do.

I think they should be alone right now...

I got up from floor, trotted back over to the opposite wall, and sat down.

We shouldn't try to test Chrysalis. Otherwise, we all could be like Blooming over there. And it's nothing against her, it's just that you aren't going to be able to think straightly when you're bawling your eyes out after seeing what she just described to us.

Worsening Conditions

Author's Note

I apologize for the long delay. Things have been busy in my life lately, and there were these whole convoluted events that happened over the course of five days that you all probably wouldn't believe even if I told you. So, I hope you enjoy this and I will try not to have these chapters come out so late.
NOTE: New update schedule; there should be a chapter out every two to three days. Five days at the most.

Worsening Conditions

Shining Armor watched on from the edge of his bed, through his bedroom window as the search party left the palace. Snow gently drifted down, landing on the already fogged window. Darkness ruled over the area, aside from a few hastily-made camp-fires with homeless ponies crowded around.

Good luck. You're going to need it.

"What's the matter, Shining?"

Shining looked over his shoulder. Cadance had sat down on the right side bed.

"Nothing. Just watching the search party leave." He pulled his hind-hooves onto the bed, resting his head and upper-back on the large pillow at the head of his bed.

"You seem like something's bothering you." Cadance had a slight frown on her face.

"Just hate to send another group of ponies out there. Doesn't seem as easy to after this."

"You're telling me." She sighed, pulling her hind-hooves onto the bed. "I've had to send dozens away who's been asking to be put into the homeless shelters. They're already overcrowded and it hasn't even been a week."

"Did Princess Celestia send anything back after your letter?"

"She said that she's sending building supplies, food, and water as quickly as she can, thank goodness. We'll have to just give out blankets until they get here and hope it gets here soon.

"Yeah, really. Half the Crystal Guard are either in the hospital or missing. I've been trying to look out for everypony but-- it's overwhelming."

"To say the least." Cadance chuckled, before sighing. "Hopefully this'll all be over soon and everything will be back to normal."

"Yeah. I'm just glad Twilight's here. Hopefully she'll be able to help out, whether it be with my magic or just this whole situation."

"Really."

"Well, it's been a long day. Goodnight, darling." Cadance pulled the covers over her chest.

"Goodnight."

"Thank you." Twilight Sparkle held her plate in front of her chest, a crystalline cup filled with hot tea sitting in the middle. She magically picked up the tea and took a sip out of it.

"Of course, your highness. Do you need anything else?"

"No thank you." The servant bowed and exited the room.

Twilight looked around the room, examining the architecture; there was a small, square crystal table in the corner with two chairs(one of which Twilight was sitting in), a average sized bed where the usual wooden frame was made up of crystal(which Spike was sleeping on) with pillows filled with down feathers and a very comfortable mattress, the walls were made of crystal tiles, there was a small window at the far right of the table beside the foot of the bed, a crystal door which led to a private bathroom at the right side of the room, a crystal door at t he front of the room that led into a hall outside to the archives, and the floor was made of shimmering crystal.

Twilight looked out of the window. Night had fallen, and snow was gently falling, landing against the window before quickly melting.

Too bad I over slept. I could've gotten in more research. She sighed. Looks like I'll be staying up in the archives tonight.

Twilight took another sip from the cup and sat it back down on the plate.

I probably need to start studying soon.

She stood, her horn emitting her raspberry magical aura, holding the plate close to her chest as she opened the door.

A breath calmly slipped through my lips. Dripping echoed throughout the room.

Horseapples... did something spill? I opened my eyes, only to be met with the darkness of my cell. Right... horseapples.

"About time you woke up." I turned to Lance Force. Her tired eyes shot daggers at me before turning back to Blooming Lily, sound asleep in her fore-hooves.

"Sorry. I thought I'd give you and your sister some alone time and I ended up falling asleep. Was kinda a stressful day for the lot of us." Blooming released a low yawn, before turning her onto her back.

"I guess she's had a long day too?" I chuckled.

"Mmhm. We all have."

"Do you want to get some rest while you can? You must be tired." I'd offer. Lance shook her head immediately.

"Sorry. I can't. I've got to look out for Blooming."

She obviously needs to sleep. Maybe I could try to convince her...

"Well, I-I could look out for your sister." I offered once more.

"Nice try, but do you honestly think I'm going to trust my younger sister with somepony I barely know?" Lance held her Blooming closer.

"Do I really look like the kind of pony who'd hurt a filly, especially after what she just went through?"

"No... not really. I still don't trust you though."

"Fine. Have it your way, then."

CLICK

I looked up at the ceiling, where I thought the sound came from, and saw something was moving from above them.

"Do you hear that?" I'd ask quietly as I looked down at Lance.

"Yeah... shhh..." Lance said as she looked up at the bars. They opened at after a moment.

"Mov- Move away from hole" What I presumed to be a changeling said in surprisingly well Equestrian. He is a changeling...

Lance picked up Blooming and moved her away, to the bottom left corner, before returning to the same spot to she was previously in. I looked over to her in confusion.

What the hay is she planning?

A small, brown object was thrown into the cell, interrupting my view of her for a second.

"Where is that coward you call a leader?!" Lance jumped up towards the bars.

"Lance, don't you- ah!" She immediately fell back, (of course)landing on me. I coughed roughly, the air pushed out of me as her chest landed on my stomach and her head crashed into my chest. Laughter erupted from the hole where the bars formerly were.

"Idiot crystal ponies!" A changeling said through it's laughter.

"Grrr! L-look at who's talking, you overgrown bugs!" Lance pushed herself up off of me, sitting up beside me. A slight blush had spread across her snout and cheeks.

"Ya, ya... here's your food." A brown, loaf-shaped object fell into the middle of the cell, before a large bucket was dropped atop of it, crushing it and sending dark liquid out of it and across the cell, covering my hind-hooves.

THUNK

The bars had fallen back to the hole and locked, sealing our only way out. Lance slammed her fore-hooves against the ground.

"Horsefeathers!"

"Celestia--" I stood, coughing. "Coulda warned me before you tried that."

"Not funny. Those things hurt my sister. I want to beat the hay out of that coward they call a queen." Lance stomped her right fore-hoof against the ground with anger.

"No need to get angry. I get it, trust me." Lance sighed. "What happened, by the way?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why did you land on me?" I questioned. Lance anger and serious demeanor disappeared almost immediately as the words slipped through my lips. The blush across her cheeks and snout spread to her ears and became brighter.

"I... I didn't realize my wings were chained... at the base" Lance said. Really?

I burst into laughter. How did she notice?!

"Shut it!" Lance punched me in my right shoulder, clearly embarrassed. I rubbed my shoulder.

"All right, all right!" I bit my lip, forcing my laughter down. "What did they drop in here?" I'd say as I got up from my seat on the floor and trotted up to the bucket. The bucket was half-filled with dirty, brown water.

"It looks like water. Dirty water, but water all the same."

"Well, I can see that. Let's see what that other thing was." I'd say as I'd pick up the bucket and set it aside. The brown object had been flattened out and broken apart. I pick up a piece of it and examine it.

"It looks like old bread."

"Is it safe to eat?"

"I don't know. Why are you asking me?"

"Well, you said you were a member of the guard, right? Surely they must've trained you to tell when food's been poisoned or not."

"I said I was a reserves member. It's been ages since I went to training camp. Besides, it's not like I'm an under-cover soldier or whatever-- I'm a miner. And I doubt it was poisoned. Queen Chrysalis has us trapped already. She'd have no reason to poison us. The most I'd say that's bad about it is that it's a bit old and stale."

"Do you realize who you're talking about? If Queen Chrysalis would throw my sister into a place like the one my sister described to us, then what would stop her from poisoning us for the enjoyment of seeing us die?"

"True... horseapples."

Grrrrr

Blooming turned onto her left side as the growling slowed to a stop. She groaned.

"I guess she's hungry too" I chuckled, Lance sighed.

"Well, looks like we're doing this the hard way." Lance said, pulling the bread out of my hooves, halving it, and separating one of the pieces of the bread into two small pieces.

"What are you planning?"

"We're going to eat these." Lance said. What?

"You're kidding me... there's no way I'm- mmph!"

Lance shoved the piece of bread into my mouth as she did the same to her's. I(unfortunately) ended up swallowing it.

"Are you insane?!" My anger and panic got the best of me.

"Nope. Calm down?"

"How am I supposed to calm down when I could've just eaten a poisoned piece of bread, you crazy mare!"

"Exactly; you could've. You don't know for certain whether it was or wasn't. The way I'm looking at it, there's a fifty percent chance that I'm right." Lance sat down beside Blooming. I'm a surprised of how she can look at it like that.

"Buck, buck, buck!" My panic, again, got the better of me.

"Look. Calm. Down. You're going to wake up my sister. She needs the rest more than me." Lance said. I don't know why, bit it made me even more angry. But, I bit my tongue and refused to speak. I trotted back over to the corner of the cell and sat down, grumbling a few curses under my breath.

She didn't think this through... we might be dead.

Changelings have been known to take advantage of their unknowing owners by absorbing their love, whether it be from just being around said owner, or by sucking the love out of them through their fangs. Survivors of these attacks say that the experience is one that is not very pleasant(as you readers could imagine).

A cold shiver shot down Twilight's spine as she imagined having the love sucked out of her.

Well, I'm thoroughly frightened now. On to the next chapter.

Twilight flipped the page, ending that chapter and going onto the next.

The Magic of Changelings

Ah. Here we go...

Not much is known about the magic Changelings use. The only magic that is recorded is magical beams to damage their victims' environments. However, there are many theories that their queen is the main source of all magic in their kingdom. Basically, she chooses what spells the changelings use, and that she knows all the spells that changelings know and more. But, readers must remember, these are theories, and there has been little to no experiments to actually prove these theories(due to the risk and danger of Queen Chrysalis and the changelings).

Interesting. I should probably make another note of that. Just in case.

Twilight picked up the quill from the bottle of ink and wrote down another note in her notebook(which she had unknowingly brought with her in her saddlebags). She had come to the library a few minutes ago.

Queen Chrysalis: Leader of the Changelings

Queen Chrysalis is the leader of a now cold and vengeful changeling nation. She has been known to invade different kingdom/governments for her sheer enjoyment of seeing the government collapse and the ponies under that government suffer and die.

I need to find information about her magic. Come on...

She also has been known to take said ponies away from the situation that she has created and bring them to the Changeling Kingdom. Not much is known about what happens to the ponies after she captures them; the main reason being that there has been no filed reports of anypony who has entered the Changeling Kingdom escaping from the queen's clutches. They are presumed either to be killed or to have the love sucked out of them via the changelings or Queen Chrysalis herself.

Nearly nothing is known about the magic Queen Chrysalis uses. Some speculate that she creates her own spells, others said say that she modifies spells from unicorn royalty that she captures. Nopony knows for certain

Perfect...

Twilight sighed as she flipped to the next page, hoping to find something to help her brother.

Shining Armor eyes slowly opened. As he looked around his now dark room, he noticed that it was still night. He let out a quiet sigh as he let his head fall back to the pillow and let his eyes close. However, there was a nagging thought at the back of his head.

The search team... I wonder if they found anypony.

Shining opened one of his eyes and looked over at the window. Luna's moon wasn't in sight.

Be patient, Shining... you can't do anything about it.

Shining shut his eye and tried to fall back to sleep.

I took a large gulp from the bucket of water, trying to ignore the repulsive taste.

"I don't know how you can drink that stuff." Lance had sat beside her sister and had barely moved from her spot since we had eaten those pieces of bread. I sat the bucket down and ignored her.

"Oh, come on. Look on the bright side-" "There is no bright side. We're trapped in a cell inside one of the most ruthless and evil kingdoms in Equestria, we have no idea what Chrysalis is planning to do, you force fed me a piece of bread that could be poisoned, and it's too bucking dark to see what we're doing in here." I said, interrupting Lance. Clearly, I wasn't feeling it.

"Well, excuse me." Lance looked away from me, frustrated. We both became silent afterwords.

"P-please, stop f-fighting." Blooming said timidly. She had been shook up due to her experience with Queen Chrysalis(as any normal pony would, let alone a filly her age).

"Fine." We said simultaneously . I looked away from her towards the cell wall. Then, I realized something.

"You two want anything to drink?" I asked them as turned to the two sisters, holding the bucket in my right fore-hoof.

"Sure." Lance grabbed bucket and took a big gulp out of it.

"Do you want any, Blooming? It does taste bad, but it's better than nothing." Lance offered to Blooming as she held the bucket in front of Blooming. Blooming nodded and took the bucket out of her hooves, clumsily drinking from it.

"Ew..." Blooming gagged and sat the bucket down in front of me. I picked up the bucket and poured out the remainder of the water.

"What are you planning?

"I noticed that they have a metal ring in the middle of the wood. If I could just..." I trailed off, smashing the bucket into the wall, breaking off some of the wood. I heard Blooming let out a small yelp as I smashed it into the wall a second time.

"Let me guess, you're going to try to use the metal to break off the bars or something?"

"You could say that." I broke off the bottom of the bucket.

"I'm not sure that it'll work, but-" Lance stopped in the middle of her sentence.

"But what?"

"Shh! I think a guard is coming. Hide that somewhere!" Lance whisper-yelled to me. I swiveled my head around the cell quickly, trying to find somewhere to hide the remaining half of the bucket. There were no covers, no beds, nothing I could cover it with. I'd look over to the corner farthest away from the cell door.

It's dark, but I'm not sure it's dark enough to hide it in plain sight to where a guard wouldn't notice.

I'd hear loud hoofsteps approaching the cell and began to panic.

But this is the only place I have the time to put this!

I'd trot over to the corner and prop up the remaining half of the bucket in the corner, hoping to Celestia that they wouldn't notice. I got it done in the nick of time as well, because the cell door opened almost immediately afterwords.

"Out of the cell, crystal ponies."

We did as the changeling told us and were greeted with three other changeling guards. I couldn't see them too well, mainly because now that we were away from what little moonlight I had. The only thing I could see of them were those cold, blue eyes.

Shining Armor's eyes opened, only to be greeted by a pink mass.

"Huh..." He said, groggy as he lifted his head and noticed something off. One, his head was resting on Princess Cadance's neck. Two, there were two holes in Cadance's throat that looked like bite marks.

What happened?

Shining wiped his eyes as he looked up at his wife's face, who seemed to be a bit disturbed while she slept. Her coat also seemed a bit darker than it usually was

"Cadance..." Shining whispered, his throat dry. He looked back down at the bite marks. Cadance's eyes tightened for a moment, but she didn't wake up.

What the hay happened?

Shining cautiously rested his head back onto Cadance's head, testing out the angle of his head and the bite marks on Cadance's neck. It almost looked as if he was the one who had caused the bite marks.

There's no way I...

"Mmmm..." Cadance moaned in her sleep and brought her left fore-hoof up to her right eye and wiped something away. Shining quickly, yet gently, rested his back into the crease of her neck and shut his eyes, pretending that he was still asleep.

"Huh, oh..." Cadance giggled. Shining felt a hoof rub his head and heard his wife sigh blissfully. After a few moments of laying silently(and hoping she wouldn't notice the bites), Shining opened his eyes once more and continued his investigation.

There's no way I could've done that. I don't even have fangs!

Shining, confused beyond all belief, quietly got up from the bed and exited the room.

I need to tell Twilight about this.

The changeling guards led us through the darkness. I felt their jagged spears stab into my right hind-hoof every few minutes.

They lead into a vast room, just like the first time we were here. The stench in the air and the hundreds of blue eyes around the room made my suspicions rise.

"Queen Chrysalis, the pr'soners are in your presence."

"Good. Leave us." The sound of somepony scurrying away echoed around the room.

"So, have you all learned any manners since your last visit?" My heart skipped a bit as I heard the sound of Queen Chrysalis' voice. Neither I nor Blooming Lily or Lance Force spoke.

"You are to speak when spoken to, do we have this clear? Or do I need to throw you all back into that Tartarus like place?"

"Yes, your highness." I said, trying to sound as brave as I could. But, admittedly, on the inside, I was trembling.

"Good. Now that I know I won't be addressed improperly and will be treated with the respect that I deserve, I may finally be able to address you."

I gulped nervously.

"First off, you are guests in my kingdom, and you should act accordingly. You are to address me as. 'your majesty', 'your highness', 'my queen', somewhere along those lines as long as you're respectful. Secondly, if you're going to survive in my kingdom, then you are going to be obedient in my kingdom. Any attempts of escape will be met with a severe punishment. And finally, if you disrespect me or my subjects, you will not survive here. Have we got this clear?"

"Yes, your highness." Lance said. Her voice came from my left, and she didn't even sound scared.

How is she able to keep her cool like that in front of the leader of the changelings?

"Good. Now, as for that foal... Blooming, was it?"

I felt somepony holding my right fore-hoof as they shivered.

"Y-yes, your highness." Blooming's jittery and jerky breath touched my hoof as she clung to it tightly. She was obviously scared.

"I hope you realize how disrespectful you were yesterday. Hopefully you've learned your lesson, otherwise you may return to that place."

"I-I d-do, your highness. I-I-I've learned my lesson a-and I s-s-sincerely apologize." Blooming's hooves trembled. I allowed her to move closer to me.

"Ah, it does seem like you've learned some etiquette. Good. Now, begone."

The all too familiar pressure of a spear against my hind-hoof pushed me forwards. I feel somepony jerk into my side as Blooming still clung to my hoof, making it a bit difficult to walk.

That went better than the last time.

"Oh, and you crystal ponies. If you didn't think I was onto your plan before, you're all wrong. My servants found the metal ring in your cell and removed it along with some other things."

Horseapples!

New Discovery

Twilight shut the book and sighed again. Like the many others, that one had been another waste of her time.

There's gotta be something in here to help Shining! Anything!

Twilight stepped past a large stack of books and trotted back over to the first bookshelf. She passed by the two empty shelves, cleared out from her research. Her horn emitted her raspberry magic aura, as the first book atop the third shelf pulled out. She sat it at the table, in front of chair, before returning.

"Hopefully there's something in this shelf that'll be useful. Otherwise..." Twilight shook her head, refocusing on the book. She read over the book cover, which was just a few words in large, bold text reading,

EXPERIMENTAL/THEORETICAL MAGIC:
MODERN EDITION

Hopefully there'll be something in here that's useful.

Twilight opened up the book.

WARNING: The experiments listed in this book are all using theoretical/experimental magic in different spells. Please, do not try these spells. Many of them are still experimental for a reason; they are very dangerous and have very dangerous side-effects. Some of these side-effects may be permanent and/or may cause severe pain, transformation of the body, vomiting, etc. I nor the my publication company take no responsibility for any damages and/or injures.

Good to know.

Twilight flipped to the next page, just seeing the title again. She flipped to the next page again and was about to read the first paragraph.

Creeeaak

"Hey Twi'. Figured you be in here." Shining stepped through the open door, shutting it as he trotted down to her.

"Hey, Shining. Thought you'd be asleep by now." Twilight flipped through another page in the book. Shining laid his right fore-hoof on her left fore-hoof, causing her to look up to him. He looked worried, his lips formed into a small frown.

"Everything good, Shining? You're not looking so well."

"No... not really."

"Do you need me to go with you to the hospital?"

"Oh, no-- I feel fine. Just... I just woke up and I-I think I may have hurt Cadance."

"What do you mean? Is she all right?"

"I think. I-I woke up beside her neck. There were two bite marks in her neck."

"How? Were they deep?"

"I don't know how. They were really deep, though." Shining averted his gaze to his fore-hooves. "I-I think I may have bit her."

"You don't have any fangs. There's no way it was you."

"It had to be. The door was closed, the window hadn't been open, and I woke up with my mouth on her neck."

"It doesn't make sense." Twilight ran her right fore-hoof through her mane.

"What is this doing to me..." Shining muttered. Twilight grabbed his shoulder.

"It won't be a problem soon. I promise I'll find a way to reverse the spell." Shining smiled.

"I don't doubt that, Twilight. Thank you."

"It's no trouble. I'm getting close to finding something-- I can feel it."

"Good luck. Sorry to rush, Twi', but I need to help out around the village and palace. I'll see you later." He turned back towards the door, trotting up to it.

"Goodnight, Shining." Twilight said before turning back to the book.

"Goodnight." Shining stepped out.

"Hey! Watch it!"

Lance Force, Blooming Lily, and I were thrown into our cell. Blooming's trembling hooves refused to release my hoof, keeping me from rushing those bugs and--

The changelings slammed the door shut before I got the chance.

"You monsters!" I called out with fury and anger. They looked back to me, one with a grin, and the other with a frown.

"You won't survive long here, crystal pony." The grinning guard said with me with a cold look. I bit my tongue. I've already dug myself a deep enough hole, don't need to get myself killed.

"A-are they gone?" Blooming whispered, her voice wavering.

"Yeah. I think so."

"They weren't bluffing. She really did take away that metal ring." Lance said as she stepped past me. I turned around to the corner and saw for myself; they had taken the metal ring away along with the rest of the pieces of the bucket. Horseapples!

We were so close!

"Buck..." I cursed quietly, making sure Blooming couldn't hear the swear.

"I'm sure we'll f-find something else." Blooming gently pulled my right fore-hoof with a calm hoof, trying to cheer me up.trying to cheer me up. I forced a smile, even though I was really seething.

"It isn't going to be that easy anymore. They know now that we were going to try and escape. They'll keep a close eye on us."

"I hate to say it, but you're right. The changelings and their 'great' queen won't make it easy." Lance sat down beside Blooming and I.

"So, what do we do now?"

"What can we do? We wait for an opportunity, a weakness-- something to get us the hay outta here and back to the Crystal Empire. Other than that, we have to play by their rules and try not to get ourselves hurt or worse."

"We shouldn't just sit around. We've gotta find something..."

"There's nothing to find. No wood, no metal-- hay, not even any cloths, but if you find a way to break the bars using the air, then be my guest." My voice took on a sarcastic, annoyed tone. Lance groaned, before trotting up to me and shooting me an angry glare. I returned it gladly.

"Not like you're doing anything useful. Besides, we could use that thick skull of yours to break the bars. Nothing gets through that fortress."

"Go eat a horseapple. I'm not in the mood to deal with you.

"Stop..."

"What did you say?" Lance leaned down to me, almost touching snouts as she stared at me with anger. I stood up.

About time this mare learns to shut the hay up.

"You heard what I said. It's about time you shut the hay up."

"Oh yeah? Like you're the perfect example of a stallion! I'm tired of you insulting me and yelling at me and my sister!"

"S-stop... please."

"I don't care! You always start it anyways!"

"You start it just as much as I do!"

"Please, calm down... b-both of you."

"Go to Tartarus!"

"That's it!" Lance lifted up her fore-hoof and slapped me. My right cheek stung as my head turned away from her. The pain from it immediately turned into rage.

"Do something. C'mon."

I turned back to her, lifting my right fore-hoof up to strike her, but I stopped before I did. Whatever resolve of my sense had came back to me, even though my blood was currently boiling.

"Lance!"

Blooming was trying to push her much larger sister away from me, trying to keep her away.

"Why did you do that?!" She looked up at Lance with an angry glare. Lance looked down at Blooming. The look on her face changed from one of anger to one of guilt.

"I was angry, Blooming. And that jacka- donkey wasn't helping me cool off."

"Likewise." I agreed. Lance looked up at me with one eye and shot me an angry glare for a moment before looking back down at her sister with the same guilty look as before.

"Calm down. Both of you. W-we just need to cool off for a while. L-Lance, come with me. Please stay over there..." Blooming grabbed Lance's right fore-hoof and lead her away from me.

Thank you. At least one of us are level-headed.

Shining Armor trotted into the village, hearing the snow crunch and crack beneath his hooves. He surveyed the damage that the changelings had caused. The village had some repairs made since the initial attack, but the condition of it was still critical. Ash and soot were mixed into the snow in the ditch that lined the road. He trotted over dried bloodstains and scuff marks of the struggle between the crystal ponies. Just thinking about what Queen Chrysalis and her changelings did to those innocent crystal ponies made his stomach churn. Chunks of wood and crystal had been pushed out of the streets, giving Shining just enough room to trot down.

"Wh-what do we do? Everything's gone... they're gone..."

Shining's ears poked up as he heard the mare's voice. He looked over two crystal ponies, turned towards a pile of rubble. The pegasus mare stood to the left, her red mane messy and unkempt. Her black coat was scuffed with soot. The earth pony stallion standing to her right gently rested his left fore-hoof over his counterpart. His purple mane was short, and brushed to the right, and he had large cut on his stomach, blood staining around the cut his grey coat.

Looks like they could use some help. He trotted up to them, stopping to the right of the mare.

"Excuse me, are you two all right?"

"Prince Shining Armor-- excuse-" She turned, bowing. "e-excuse my behavior."

"Please, relax. I'm here to see what I can do for everypony until we get everything under control." The mare nodded and stood up straight. Her stallion counterpart stood beside her, staring at Shining Armor.

"Is there anything you need?"

"Our daughters... they're missing. Please, have you heard anything from the search party that was sent out?"

"Sir, we haven't heard anything from the search party sent out last night, but I'll be sure to tell you if they've found anything. Please, if you're comfortable, what do they look like?" Shining questioned.

"Our o-oldest daughter i-is a pegasus. She has a-a purple mane a-and a white coat. Her sister's not even--" She whimpered, using her left fore-hoof to cover her quivering lips. The stallion stepped ahead of her.

"Her sister's a earth pony-filly. She has a red mane and a white coat. She has a black birth-mark on her stomach." The stallion said with a wavering voice.

"Thank you. I'll make sure to tell you if they see anything. Just let me know if you need anything else."

"Thank you." The pair said simultaneously.

"It's no problem, trust me. I wish you both the best of luck."

The mare nodded with a smile.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to check on the other ponies in the village." Shining turned from them and trotted down the street.

Theoretical Transfer/Transformation

Transfer/Transformation spells can be very similar when used properly. Basically, transfer spells are when one unicorn some or all of their magic to another unicorn. Transformation spells are when a unicorn morphs their body or other ponies' bodies into a different animal, race, or material object. Both of these spells are obviously dangerous and have different side-effects.

Side-Effects(Transfer Spell):
Temporary loss of one's magical abilities(time without magic varies with the amount of magic transferred)
Change in one's magical abilities
Dizziness
Pain in the head and horn(amount of pain varies with the amount of magic transferred)
Weakness in the hooves

I think I may have found it... but, I still need to find a counter-spell.

Side-Effects(Transformation Spell):
Pain in the area the spell was applied(most likely the horn of a unicorn)
Permanent change in the body(depending on what the user transforms into)
Psychological damage(depending on if the user knows if the spell has been cast upon them)
Change in the coat/skin tone(depending on what the user transforms into)
Change in height(depending on what the user transforms into)
Change in weight(depending on what the user transforms into)

Some of those things sound like the things happening to Shining. Could she really know that spell?

Twilight flipped over to the next page, eager to learn more about the spell.

Counter-spells(Both):
Transfer Spell: A unicorn must take the transferred magic from the user, whether it be from the unicorn and/or other magical being who originally cast the spell or another unicorn.
Transformation Spell: No known counter-spells.

"Perfect... just perfect..." Twilight sighed, frustrated. She could counter act the transfer spell(if that was even it), but she had no idea of a counter-spell for the transformation spell.

Well, at least I know what spells he seems to have effecting him.

Twilight closed the book and sat it down on the stack of books beside her, which was nearly as tall as the chair. She picked up the large stack with her magic and sat it in the empty shelf.

I wonder if Cadance is awake yet... maybe I should go check on her.

Twilight trotted to the library door and exited.

I scraped my right fore-hoof against the wall beside me, trying to find something to distract me from the pony I was angry at right now. I'm just glad I didn't snap earlier. Things would've escalated more than they already were if that happened. One of us could've been hurt or worse...

"Hey, I noticed something." I paid Lance no attention.

"That bread we ate wasn't poisoned. There hasn't been any effects." Lance said. That caught my attention.

"Huh?"

"The bread. It wasn't poisoned. I don't feel weird from it. Do you?"

"No." I quickly dismissed her. I've little to no interest in talking to her, especially after that.

"Uh... c-could I have some?"

"Sure. Just let me... shoot! They took the bread!"

"They did?"

"Yeah! Dang it!" Lance kicked the wall.

"Sorry, Blooming. They'll give us some more tomorrow." I said, trying to comfort the hungry filly.

"Oh, it's all right. I-I can wait."

"I hate this place..."

"You aren't the only one. We are going to get out of here, one way or another."

"Looks there's one thing we can agree on."

"Uh... sure. I don't like it here."

"All right. Looks like we need to plan." I said. There certainly would be a lot of planning to do if we're going to get out of here.

Author's Note

I apologize once again for the lateness of this chapter. I had to move the desktop I write on over the weekend and have just been a bit busy. I also apologize if there are errors in writing of this chapter. Once again, I haven't had the time to proof-read it due to other events in my life. So, I hope you enjoy it.

Rising Hope

Shining Armor trotted down the small alleyway in the village in the chilled, nippy air. Unlike most of the village, this one was barely damaged or scuffed up. Two crystal ponies were sitting in at the end of the alley, the one on the right being a stallion and the other on the left a mare. Both of them covered in a small blanket that barely fit over one of them, let alone two. The stallion shot an angry look at Shining, clearly frustrated with the situation.

"Hello sir, miss. Do you any of you need any help?"

"No. I mean, we're only freezing to death while you're sitting in your warm castle. Please, do move along, 'your highness'." A stallion at the end of the blanket. He was a pegasus and had his wings wrapped around himself(they both were covered in snow and sleet). His coat was a light gray and his hair was royal blue; his mane was parted down the middle and nearly covered his ears. He wasn't too happy with the situation he was in. Shining wasn't surprised by his react; he could understand completely why he was a bit angry.

"Bolt! I'm so sorry, your highness. He's just a bit... angry" The mare bowed. Her coat was purple and her mane was white and had been braided at the end and ended at her shoulder. Both of them had scuffs and dirt marks on their faces and coats.

"It's fine, really. I understand. What do you all need? Princess Celestia is sending supplies in and I, the Crystal Guard, and Cadance will be handing the supplies out personally."

"Well, all I'd like right now is a bigger, your highness." The stallion said. He didn't wasn't as frustrated as before.

"And some food please, your highness." The mare added.

"We'll hand them out as soon as possible. Please just bare with the cold for a few more hours and you'll get everything you'll need."

"Thank you, your highness."

"..." The stallion remained silent, much to the mare's dismay. She nudged his shoulder with her left fore-hoof which caused the stallion looked up at Shining with an annoyed glare.

"Thanks, your royal highness" The stallion said, his voice taking on a sarcastic tone. His mare counterpart punched him in the shoulder, which he proceeded to shrug off.

"It's my pleasure to help. I apologize for the conditions you're in right now, but I promise we'll build more houses as soon as we can. Just try to stay warm." Shining began to slowly trot out of the alley.

"Okay. Thank you again, your highness." The mare said. Shining bowed as he stepped out of the alley. He turned and trotted down the street, standing up straight.

Twilight Sparkle trotted through the empty halls of the Canterlot Castle. The only thing to keep her company was her scarf and a cold draft passing through. Strangely, she hadn't seen Cadance yet.

It's unusual for her not to be up by now. Maybe I should go check in on her? She glanced to her hooves momentarily, turning as she passed a pony.

"Good morning Twilight."

Twilight looked up, recognizing the voice. Cadance had stopped at her side. Her voice was hoarse, almost sickly. Strands of her mane stuck out of place, her coat was noticeably darker, and she had dark circles around her eyes.

"Are you all right? You're not looking too hot right now."

"Oh, yeah. I just feel a bit under the weather right now. Probably from the stress from everything that's happened in the past few days. It'd be just our luck after this week" She giggled, although disingenuously. It was apparent she was lying as to not worry Twilight.

There were two bite marks near the crease of Cadance's neck, just as Shining had described. Deep, circular, and near her collar bone.

Ouch. That can't feel good. I wonder if he really did do it.

"Yeah. Sorry."

"Not your fault. I'll just have to push through it."

"Hopefully it's just a head cold. You'll be fine." Twilight said. "Oh-- I almost forgot." Her raspberry aura leaked out from her horn as her right saddlebag opened, and her notebook opened, levitating in front of Cadance.

"I found a ton about what's going on with Shining. It could help." She flipped through the pages, giving Cadance a few moments to read over each page, before going onto the next. Cadance's face brightened as a large smile spread across her face.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Cadance hugged Twilight, delighted that she had found something about the mysterious spell.

"Well, there's one thing that may be a problem..."

"What?" Cadance released Twilight and stared at her, confused.

"You see, I've narrowed it down to two spells; one being a transformation spell and the other being a magical transfer spell. Shining seems to have symptoms of both of them."

"Strange..."

"Doesn't end there. The transformation spell doesn't have a counter-spell, and the transfer spell has to be taken away by another unicorn or the unicorn who gave them the magic in the first place."

"Oh-- I know he isn't going to like that."

"Yeah. He's not going to let us help him, is he?" Twilight knew her brother well enough to know he wouldn't allow her to sacrifice her magical abilities for his horn.

"Probably not. But it couldn't hurt to tell him and see what he wants though."

"True. I'll go see if I can find him and tell him about it."

"All right. I've got to go arrange the supply runs coming from Canterlot."

"Okay. Hope you feel better!" She began to walk away.

"I'll see you later Twi'. Thanks."

"You're welcome, Cadance. It's the least I can do." Twilight said as she trotted away from her.

I pulled my head up, forcing my eyes open. Horseapples-- I fell asleep on guard.

I looked around the cell, and thankfully, everything was left as it was and everypony was accounted for. Blooming Lily had fallen asleep to my left, resting her head on my left hind-hoof, while Lance Force had fallen asleep to my right, with her head on my shoulder and her left fore-hoof resting on my right hind-hoof.

"Whew... thank goodness." I whispered, resting my head against the cold, concrete cell wall.

I should try to stay awake. Lance'll kill me if she sees I fell asleep on watch. A groan slipped through my lips, my eyelids heavy. Maybe about the escape plan? Or mine, if things don't get better.

I wiped over my eyes, trying to keep myself awake. Maybe we could try to get some spears and fight our way out?

No-- Blooming can't fight and there's too many. There was 10 times us and that was just in the throne room.

"Maybe we could sneak our way out?" I pondered.

No. I can't even see the other side of the cell from here and we don't even know where the hay we'd be going.

I groaned. I'm too tired to think right now. I'll just fight my way out if I have to-- done. Finally.

I rested my chin atop my chest and shut my eyes, trying to get some needed sleep.

"Hmmmm..."

Something rubbed against my right shoulder, nuzzling me. I opened my eyes, seeing Lance rubbing her left cheek and chin into my shoulder gently. She had a small, content smile across her peaceful face. Even when she's sleeping, she keeps annoying me.

Although, she does look cute with that grin...

What the hay was that-- focus Rocky. You're in the middle of an enemy bucking dungeon, you have no idea where you are, and you're worried about the mare who slapped and disrespected you a couple hours ago? Focus!

Twilight Sparkle stepped outside into the cold Crystal Empire atmosphere, greeted with the chilled air and crisp snowflakes resting upon her mane. In the rush getting to the Crystal Empire, she had forgotten to pack any winter clothes to protect her from the cold elements, aside from a small maroon blanket wrapped over her shoulders tightly. She straightened her scarf before trotting into town.

Good thing I had this tucked away in my bag after last Winter-Wrap Up. Forgot it was in there. Twilight trotted over the bridge, the stream below frozen. She traced over the crowded sidewalks, looking for Shining Armor.

Still hard to believe this much damage was done. So much rubble... Twilight took a breath, still shocked by the damage done by the group of changelings.

He'll be around here somewhere. Did mention he wanted to help--

"Twilight! Wait up!"

Her ears perked as she heard the familiar voice. She turned around and saw Spike, sprinting after her.

"Spike? What're you doing out here? You're going to freeze!" Twilight said. Spike slowed to a stop in front of her.

"I wanna come with you to see the town. It's boring being in that room by myself."

"It's too cold out here for you."

"Please, Twi', I promise I won't get in your way. I'll just stay back and follow you. It'll be like I'm not even there." Spike pleaded. Twilight put her right fore-hoof up to her chin.

"All right... but you're taking this." She unraveled her scarf, wrapping it around Spike's shoulder. "Too cold out here for you not to have it."

"No-- I don't need it." He pushed it back up to her, clamping his mouth shut to hide his quivering teeth. She shook her head.

"I'm fine. You need it more than me anyways. Now come on." Twilight's horn glowed with her magical aura as Spike floated up to her back, resting on her back and sitting behind her mane.

"Okay. Thank you. Where're we going?"

"We're looking for Shining, so keep an eye open." Twilight trotted into the village.

Shining trotted out into the open street, leaving one of the various make-shift shelters. He sighed, frustrated to see the empire fall so far, and saddened to see so many ponies in dire need. We've got to get those supplies Celestia's sending out here as soon as we can. This isn't good.

Shining turned the corner.

Lets see... the next one should be somewhere around here... He scanned the area, looking for the building. He didn't see the building, but he did see a familiar face.

Twilight?

Twilight was trotting down the opposite side of the street, with Spike on her back, trotting in the opposite direction. Shining stepped across the street, stepping to her side. She quickened her pace as she saw him.

"Twi'?"

"Hey. Finally found you."

"Is something wrong?"

"No. I've been looking for you for an hour now. Had some things to tell you."

"Sorry Twi'. Just been helping out around here, trying to make sure everypony is okay until we can get those supplies out here." Shining said, glancing to the shelter in the distance before glancing back to Twilight. "I guess it makes me feel like less a burden."

"You aren't a burden. It could've been much worse if you and Cadance hadn't been here." Twilight held her brother's shoulder, trying to cheer him up.

"I guess you're right. I still don't feel good about it, though."

"There was nothing you could do about it. You did what mattered."

"Yes, I guess so." Shining said, although disingenuously.

"Sorry-- what is it you needed to tell me?"

"Oh-- I found some things about what could be wrong with your horn. The spells, you know." Twilight's demeanor became serious and her voice took a flat tone.

"Okay. Tell me, please." Shining said as he braced himself for whatever news Twilight had.

"Well, the good news is I've found two spells that could be the ones that you're afflicted with."

"Okay. That's great. But what's the bad news?"

"The bad news is that--" Twilight stopped in the middle of her sentence and looked around, checking for anypony around. There was a group of ponies heading towards them.

"We shouldn't discuss this out here. I'll tell you later, when we're back in the castle."

"Okay. Thanks anyway, Twi'." Shining gave his sister a sincere smile.

"You're welcome Shining. Mind if we come with you? Couldn't hurt to step out for an hour or so."

"Of course not. Follow me." Shining turned and trotted down the street, with Twilight and Spike following close behind.

Ugh... why the hay can't I fall asleep?

Sunlight beamed through the boards at the top of the cell brightening the otherwise dim cell. I shut my eyes one last time, trying to get some sleep while I can. Because when Lance wakes up--

"Hm..." Lance rubbed against my shoulder, bringing her left fore-hoof up to her right eye, rubbing it for a moment. She opened the eye, staring at me. "Huh... what the-?!"

Horseapples.

Lance's hastily pushed away from me, nearly falling back and hitting her head on the floor.

"What?"

"What the hay were you trying to do to me?" She stared at me with an angry glare. Was she blushing? Why?

"Nothing. You were just asleep beside me."

"I just got comfortable and... fell asleep beside you. And my head must've just slid down the wall and rested onto your shoulder." Lance yawned, stretching her wings.

"Yeah, sure."

"You wish."

"So, anything happen while I was asleep." She sounded groggy.

"Nothing, really. It's been pretty quiet."

"Guess it's better than it being loud." Lance sat back up straight, leaning against the wall.

"Yeah." I yawned.

"Tired? I can take over."

"What happened to me being a jackass?" I questioned. Lance groaned.

"Don't be bitter--" "Bitter? You slapped the hay out of me. Kinda have a right to be angry."

"Ugh... look-- I'm sorry. Being around Chrysalis made me angry again, you were already mad, tensions were high, and it happened. I'm sorry, now will you please let me take over so you can get some sleep? You'll need it if we want to get out of here." Lance said. I sighed.

"It's fine. I shouldn't have snapped on you." I extended my right fore-hoof for a hoofshake. She took a moment before shaking.

"Now go get some sleep."

"Thank you." Lance stood, trotting to the other side of the cell. I nodded with a grin.

Assaulted

Shining Armor angrily trotted out of the house, his blood boiling. Spike narrowly avoided the door as it slammed against the wall.

"Shining, wait--" "No, Twi'. I'm going. They don't want me or need me here right."

"But you're doing so much for them. It was just a few--" "There was at least a dozen of them angry! I'm not going to let them to sit there berate me like that! Now please, leave me alone." He turned from her, trotting into a crowd of ponies. Twilight Sparkle quickly follow behind. She turned to the left, exiting the crowd as she noticed the palace in the distance.

"Horseapples." Twilight huffed. "Did you see where he went Spike?"

"No... maybe back there?" Spike pointed down the street. "The crowd went over there, maybe he's in it?"

"Okay. Let's hope that's where he went."

"What happened in there?"

"It went... really badly. Almost everypony in the room was against him. Even when he tried to apologize, they wouldn't listen. They just kept shouting at him until he snapped." She rubbed her forehead. "He's taking it really hard."

"I can tell."

They turned the corner. The crowd had dispelled, leaving the streets empty.

"Nothing."

"Yep..." Twilight sighed. "We'll just have to look for him again. Make sue he's all right. Can't be out here for too long with his horn like that."

My eyes burned from the sunlight, assaulting my vision.

"It's okay, it's okay... don't worry." Lance Force's voice took on a gentle tone. There was a noise coming from the opposite wall... weeping?

"But th-they'll come g-get us. Li-like that back home!"

I forced my left eye open, the left side of my face laying atop of left fore-hoof. Lance was cradling Blooming Lily in her fore-hooves. Blooming's cheeks were stained with tears, and her eyes were red from crying. Lance shushed her with a calm, firm voice.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Blooming. Not as long as I'm here. Besides, you're brave."

"N-no I'm not..." Blooming sniffled pitifully, wiping her eyes.

"Of course you are. Probably more than me. You've been such a soldier through all this. I promise you won't have to deal with this for much longer."

"How?"

"Rocky, you, and I'll get you out of here the first chance we get. Then we'll be able to get back home to mom and dad."

"I-I miss th-them."

"I do too. Just hold out a little longer and we'll be back to the Crystal Empire."

"Okay..." She said in a quiet voice, crawling out of Lance's hooves and trotting to the corner, sitting and resting her chin atop her fore-hooves, closing her eyes. Poor mare... this can't be easy on her, especially after that first night.

Lance sighed.

I sat up, looking around the room to make sure everything was as I left it. The sunlight, instead of creeping through the cracks of the boards, it shined through directly, brightening the room.

"About time you woke up." Lance stood, trotting to the bars and looking out. The hall was empty, per usual, aside from a few changeling soldiers passing by.

"What were you two talking about before? When they invaded?" Lance and Blooming both directed their attention, with Lance shooting daggers at me.

"None of your--" She stopped suddenly, holding her tongue.

"Y-yes..." Blooming said, turning away from them. Lance glanced back to her, sighing. She trotted to my left, sitting down beside me.

"Do you mind if I ask what happened?" I whispered to Lance, making sure I was quiet enough to where Blooming wouldn't hear us. She sighed, frustrated.

"No. We were out getting some food to eat for lunch when those bugs came along. Those overgrown bugs grabbed me while Blooming and I were separated. She tried to help me get away, but they got her too. She's getting homesick."

"I see."

"Where were you when it happened?"

"I was taking a cart of crystals and gems back up to ground level when it all happened. Guess I'd be better up in open ground than in a close, cramped mine that was near-flooded. Used my pickaxe to take out a couple of them before I got overwhelmed"

"Nice. Wish I could've seen it for myself."

"Wish I'd have gotten more of them. They'll regret locking us in here."

"Damn right they will!"

"Shining? What the hay's wrong? Where are you at?" Twilight asked as she trotted down the snow-covered streets of the Crystal Empire as she looked for her brother. She had been at it for almost a half an hour now.

"I wonder where he went..."

"I do to. It isn't like him to just run off without a word. We need to find him."

Shining let out a small curse under his breath as he trotted down the halls of the castle.

I'm trying to make up for it... I've went up to everypony that was hurt or lost somepony or something in that attack and promised them food and supplies, but it's still not enough.

He sighed, letting his head hang. They have a right to be angry. They're cold, hungry, and hurt. We need to get things under control.

Shining turned the corner, trotting towards the throne room.

Might as well get some desk-work done while I can. Isn't going to finish itself. He pushed the door open. Cadance was at the middle of the room, sitting atop her throne. The room was empty aside from them.

The throne room had been hastily repaired after the invasion, showing some uneven fillings in the walls and cuts in the crystal pillars that led up to the two thrones. Scuff marks lined the crystal tiles, surrounding the tethered, blue carpet that led up to their thrones. The Crystal Banners were pulled down, to the side, but the Crystal Heart was still intact(thankfully).

"Hey Shining. Thought you were outside."

"Just got back. Wanted to come in and see if you were feeling well. You looked sickly this morning."

"Yes, I'm fine. I feel much better than I did this morning." Cadance's coat had become lighter, and her mane was in place.

"Thank goodness."

"Yes--" She unraveled a small paper at her side. "Oh-- can you help me organize the supplies that're coming in tonnight? Princess Celestia said they should be here tonight or tomorrow, depending on how this snow front is going to act."

"Of course. Let's just go ahead and go over it."

Twilight and Spike sat down on the side of the street, sitting down in front of a destroyed house. She sighed, frustrated.

"Maybe he just went back to the castle?"

"Yeah, probably. We probably should've checked there first." Twilight chuckled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"C'mon, lets head back. We need to speak with him." Twilight lifted Spike onto her back, and stepped back up onto the street. She trotted down.

"Somepony help!"

Twilight stopped. She looked over her shoulder, and saw that a colt was standing at the alleyway, frantically looking around for somepony to help him.

"Stay here, Spike." Twilight's horn glowed with her raspberry magical aura as she lifted Spike off of her back, gently sitting him on the ground. She turned and trotted towards him.

"What's the matter?" Twilight asked as she approached the colt. She quickly glanced at the colt; he had a dark yellow coat and a white gray mane that had been grown out for some time. While looking over the colt, she noticed something a bit strange about him. His eyes were a unusual yet familiar shade of blue and he had minuscule, almost horn-like points on the top of his help that was barely noticeable because of his mane.

"My mama's in trouble! Please, come with me!" The colt said as he gently grabbed Twilight and pulled her into the alley. His voice was panicked, yet gentle.

"All right. Lead me to her." Twilight said as she entered the alleyway, following the colt. He was a few inches taller than her.

"Twilight, wait up!"

The colt lead her into different alleys and streets, leading her farther and farther away from Spike and confusing her as to where she really was.

If his mom's in trouble, then why did he come to me? I mean we've passed by four or five blocks now. Why didn't just he stop at the first one?

"Uh... where are we going? Why are you leading me so far away?" Twilight asked as she continued to follow the obviously worried colt.

"Because, all the other streets were empty! You were the only pony I could find!"

"Well, why didn't you go to the shelter? I don't mind helping you, it's just seems a bit strange."

"She's up here!" The colt said. Twilight could sense something suspicious was about.

Twilight and the colt turned the corner, and was greeted with a mare. Her coat was a dark green and her mane was black. She had a sickly look on her face.

"Hello, dear. I presume you found somepony?" The mare asked, immediately coughing afterwords. Her voice was scratchy and hoarse.

"Yes, mother."

"What's the matter?"

"She's really sick. Can you help her?"

"I can try." Twilight said as she slowly trotted towards the mother. She began to feel uneasy as she. Almost like somepony was watching her.

Something isn't right...

"My chest is really tight and I can barely breath half the time."

"All right... I'll be back in a moment with some medicine." Twilight said, trying to end the situation. She was going to return with some medicine, but she needed to get out of the uneasy situation.

"Wait... please stay. You-you're Princess Twilight, yes?"

"Yes."

"S-sure you know... some spells to help make a poor, sick crystal healthy."

"Well... there's a few I know. But it'd be safer if I-" Twilight turned, beginning to trot back down the alleyway. The colt grabbed her, holding her by her mane.

"You're staying." The mare harshly said as she stood and slowly began to trot towards Twilight.

"Look, if you want my help, then you need to let me leave get some medicine from the infirmary. I-I can apply the medicine then." Twilight pulled his hoof away, but his grip was iron.

"You're coming with us, princess." The colt's voice was cold, and callused. His hoof traced down from her mane to her neck, wrapping both fore-hooves around her neck.

"Gah! G-get off!" Twilight called out as she pulled against his hooves, but his grip would not falter.

The mare trotted up to her and punched her in the snout. Twilight pulled her head up, her snout bleeding and tears quickly filling her eyes.

"We're bringing you to Queen Chrysalis." The mare punched her in the chest hardly, knocking any air out of her lungs. She kept hitting her.

My lungs are burning--! I-I have to get them off of me!

She kicked, punched, clawed-- even shot a bolt of magic into the building above trying to get debris to land on them. Her primal instincts and pure adrenaline kept her fighting.

I-I can't... breath! Twilight pulled against the changeling's hooves one more time, using all her might. Her head fell as she coughed.

"Stop... ah..." Twilight said as she could feel herself slipping from consciousness. Her grip on the colt's hooves become weaker as she felt herself delve farther and farther away from consciousness.

"Feeling tired, princess? Don't worry. You'll be right at home at the Changeling Kingdom in a few hours." The colt tightened his grip on her throat.

"Please-ah-- l-let me go..." Twilight said as she weakly tried to pull away his hooves away from her throat to no avail. The changeling in front of her, still as the mare, hit her snout again. Twilight felt blood trail down her snout, over her lips as it dripped off her chin.

Twilight out a final breath before her fore-hooves fell to her side.

"Twilight!"

"Gah!"

The colt let go of Twilight. Twilight dropped to her knees, shaking with fear. She turned back, staring at him, before her fear turned to fury. She fired a large magical bolt at him, landing directly on his chest, knocking him away from her. Spike was standing beside her, scared.

"Are all right?!"

"Idiot! Grab her!"

"Yeah! Run!" Twilight quickly lifted Spike up onto her back and galloped out of the alley and down the street.

Retaliation

Twilight Sparkle leaned against the palace wall, slowly sliding down. She held her bloodied snout, simply staring at the ground.

I-I've always gotten flak from p-ponies who hated my ideas-- friendship in a whole. I-I saw Nightmare Moon almost take Equestria into e-eternal night. Th-this is the closest anypony has come to... to-- Twilight took a shaken breath, her throat locked up. Spike hurried down the hall, a hoof-towel in his right hand.

"I got back as quick as I could. There's nopony around. I can't even find Cadance or Shining." He held it out in front of her. Her horn emitted her magical aura, lifting the scarf up to her snout and holding it in place.

"Th-thank you." Twilight's voice was muffled, the towel slightly masking her voice.

"Is there anything you need? D... do you want me go back around and look for Cadance? Or Shining?" Spike offered. Twilight shook her head.

"We'll check th-the throne room in a moment, a-after my snout stops bleeding."

"Okay." Spike remained silent, before sighing. "I'm so sorry Twi'. I-I should've kept up with you."

"No--" She pulled the towel back for a moment. Her bleeding had stopped. She sat the towel to her side before looking down to Spike. "This isn't your fault Spike. Nopony is to blame for this. You couldn't have know anything about it, okay? You've done nothing wrong." She said clearly, and calmly. He nodded.

"Come. W-we need to find Cadance." Twilight stood, trotting down the hall. She turned to the right, trotting towards the throne room.

"Stay out here for a minute, Spike. Please." Twilight requested. Spike nodded, standing beside the door as Twilight entered. Cadance had her snout stuck into a binder, reading over it.

"Oh, Shining-- forgot to mention, the supplies may be--?" Cadance looked up from the binder, seeing Twilight, bloody, bruised, and with tears quickly filling her eyes. She quickly pushed the binder to the side, nearly knocking it to the ground as she rushed up from her seat, galloping to Twilight and wrapping her hooves over her neck, pulling her in for a hug.

"Are you all right?! What happened?" She pulled her head back, to stare into Twilight's eyes. Twilight glanced to the ground.

"Two changelings disguised as Crystal Ponies said they needed my help. I-I followed them into a back alley and th-they tried to..." She took a shaken breath, suddenly out of breath. "-th-they tried to take me. I-I've just got a bloody snout." Twilight bit her lip, forcing back the flood of fearful tears.

"I'm so, so sorry." Cadance pulled Twilight back into the hug. "You'll be fine now. We'll get some soldiers out there to look for them, okay? This won't happen again." She tried to reassure Twilight, although Twilight doubted anypony could help her right now.

"Shining'll be back any moment now, okay? We'll go over with him and then you can go get some rest."

Twilight nodded.

"You're sure you're feeling all right?"

She nodded again. The door creaked open, with Shining quickly stepping through, rushing up to them.

"Spike stopped me and told me what happened." Shining slowed and stopped in front of Twilight and Cadance. He rested his hooves over Cadance, holding Twilight in his arms. Twilight tried to hold back her tears, but the stress and the possibility of her never seeing her friends or family against was too much. She leaned against Shining's chest, softly weeping.

"I'm so sorry Twilight. I promise we'll make sure they don't hurt another pony."

Twilight nodded.

"Th-they tried to take m-me to her... Q-Queen Chrysalis."

Grrrr...

"It can't be too longer until they give us some food."

"I-I hope so."

"It's been two days, it can't be much longer until they give us some more food and water."

Blooming Lily sat at the middle of the cell, on her back. She held her rumbling stomach as she looked at the boarded hole in the ceiling, starving. Lance Force sat beside the cell bars, looking out into the empty hall. I was sat at the bottom corner of the cell, staring at the boarded hole in the top of the cell.

"What if they don't give us any because we tried to get out?"

"Changeling are merciless, but not stupid. They need us."

"I-I guess so."

Creak.

"Back away from hole, crystal ponies."

Blooming backed away from the middle of the hole. A large bucket bucket dropped into the cell. A small piece of bread was thrown down into the cell, landing in the dirty water. Horseapples... the bucket had no metal rim around the middle.

The changelings slid the boards over the hole above. Blooming rushed the bucket, quickly grabbing the bread. Lance stood, trotting up to her.

"Let me divide it for us." She took the bread out of Blooming's fore-hooves, breaking half off and handing it to Blooming.

"There. Don't eat it too quickly. We need to save as much as we can." Lance warned. Blooming nodded, muttering a quiet 'thank you' as she quickly took a bite out of it, somehow ignoring the foul taste of it. She divided the last half of the bread, trotting up to me and giving me the bigger piece.

"Here." Lance held out the larger piece of bread to me. I pushed it away, opting to take the smaller piece instead.

"You get the larger piece. I had the bigger one before."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded, sure of my choice. She handed me the smaller piece, taking a bite out of the larger one as she returned to her previous spot beside the bars. Think I need to save this. Just in case.

I sat the piece of bed at the corner of the cell beside my hind-hooves. We could use it later, in case they actually decide stop feeding us. Even though it's not much, better than nothing. Wasn't very hungry.

"Two guards're coming." Lance said quietly. I glanced to her.

"What?" I whispered. This isn't going to end well...

Slam

The cell door burst open, and the two changeling guards came in. We looked up at them. The guard to the right trotted over to me as the on the left trotted towards Lance.

They aren't going to take me!

I got up and punched the guard with my right fore-hoof, putting all my force behind my right fore-hoof. The guard caught my hoof, twisted behind my back, and-

Snap

Ah! Buck!

I called out in pain as the guard pushed me forward towards the cell door. My right fore-hoof was the first to land, with my body collapsing atop of it. An intense bolt of pain shot up my hoof. I stared at my right fore-hoof, eyes widening as I saw my hoof twisted at a grotesque angle.

He snapped the bone in my hoof as if it were a twig!

Lance had her right fore-hoof wrapped around the bar to her right, kicking the guard as she held on.

"Lance!" Blooming called out. She rushed towards Lance, only to get slapped away to the ground by the guard.

"Blooming!" Lance glanced back down to her fallen sister, shocked by her action. She turned back to the guard, eyes full of anger and with her teeth bared. "Animals! Overgrown bugs!" Lance punched the guard over her, causing him to release her. She pounced atop of him, punching him while he was down.

"Don't you dare touch my sister--?!"

The guard that had unsheathed his spear, stabbing Lance in her right shoulder. The second guard stood up, his face bruised. He trotted up to me, lifting me up and unsheathing his spear.

"Get up now!" The guard over me yelled. I stood up, realizing there was no getting out of this situation. Lance stood up, holding her bleeding right shoulder. They trotted out of the cell, forcing us ahead.

"No..." Blooming called out, weary. "Please, don't take them." She leaned against the bars, her face bruised. Her mane hung over her face. Lance turned back to her sister.

"Don't worry Blooming! Stay safe! We'll be back!"

"N-no. Don't leave me alone here! Please!"

Shining, Twilight, and Spike trotted back to her room in silence.

"You can go back to Ponyville if you want. Cadance and I understand, especially after what happened today."

"I'm not going to let them stop me. I am going to help you, Shining."

"All right, Twi'. Just know that the offer's open."

"Okay. Thank you. I think I just need to rest."

"All right. Get some rest."

The group arrived at Twilight's room. Shining opened the door for her and allowed Spike and Twilight to pass.

"Have a good rest, Twilight. You too, Spike."

"Thanks..." Twilight and Spike said at the same time. Shining shut the door, giving her some privacy.

Now, time to find those ponies.

Shining trotted back down the hallway and down the stairs, towards the barracks. He was about to trot in and look for whatever guards he could find to accompany him, but two guards trotted out. One even bumped into him.

"Oh, terribly sorry, your highness. We were about to go on our shift." The guard who bumped into Shining said as he bowed.

"It's fine. I need one of you to come with me."

"OF course, your highness. What do you need me to do?" The bowing guard asked as he glanced up at Shining.

"I'll discuss it on the way. Just follow me." Shining said as he trotted towards the exit. The guard followed behind.

"Okay, your highness. May I know what we're doing?"

"Yes. My sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle, was attacked this afternoon. The group of attackers could've possibly been changelings disguised as ponies sent by Queen Chrysalis to kidnap her. We are going to track down before they can escape and interrogate them." Shining said as he pushed the door open and stepped out into the cold air. He had put his armor earlier, and was ready to defend himself if he needed to.

"Okay, your highness. What's the time frame from when Princess Twilight was attacked to now?"

"Approximately two hours. She said that she was led into an alleyway near the shelter and attacked. We start our search their."

"Of course, your highness. I suggest we stay together in case of an attack."

"All right. Let's get to work."

The guards made he walk on my broken hoof, making my pain more intense. We were lead back into the same throne room again, with an even larger amount of blue eyes staring at us. I could vaguely see Queen Chrysalis at the center, sitting atop an old throne.

"Ah, thank you two. You may leave. Now, begone and let me deal with these two."

The two changeling guards trotted away from Lance and I, leaving us with the queen and those cold eyes.

"You know, I would've expected both of you to be smarter than that... you ungrateful ponies."

I held my tongue. It'd be unwise to say what's really on my mind, especially with those changelings up there.

"You've been planning to escape. What are they teaching you in the training academy, Rocky Diamond? I'm disappointed with you both."

She's had guards spying on us? I should've known!

"I take you into my home, feed you, give you a place to stay, and this is how you repay me?"

"Buck off..." Lance muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Queen Chrysalis questioned, making sure what she had just heard was true.

"You heard me. You've hurt my sister, hurt me, Rocky, my friends, and my family!"

"Lance, keep your mouth shut." I whispered. She's going to get us killed!

"Unruly mare!"

"At least I have the bravery to stand up to you face to face. You have to hide behind a disguise or your guards."

"Lance, you're going to get yourself killed. Shut it!"

"Oh, is that so?"

Queen Chrysalis arose from her throne and trotted up to Lance. She stood in front of changeling, a large smile across her face as she stood in front of her, chest to chest.

"Am I such a cowardice changeling now?"

Lance spat in her face. The grin disappeared, replaced by a frown.

"Lance!"

"I won't be disrespected like this in my own kingdom, especially by a pony. Guards, take them to the Disposal Rooms. Make sure they stay in the worst room you can find for two days."

My eyes would widen as the words hit my eardrums. Was that the place that Blooming had described?

I always thought it was just a rumor to scare us by the superiors... no!

"You'll be regretting that by the end of those two days. That is, if you can even speak."

"I've heard of worse, overgrown bug."

Queen Chrysalis slapped Lance.

"Add a day to that."

"Lance, you idiot!"

I felt two changelings grab my hooves and lift me. Two others did the same with Lance.

Celestia have mercy on us...

Left Behind

I struggled against the changelings' chains around my hooves. The changelings led us ahead, trotting beside each other. My right fore-hoof quivered and burned, pain shooting up my shoulder as I tried to keep up. Horseapples, it hurts!

They stopped in front of a small, boarded hole. The changeling to the right turned back to us, leaning over Lance Force, as the one on the left lifted the board, moving it to the side.

"Hey-- watch the shoulder!" Lance pushed up against the changeling, only receiving silence as an answer. He unlocked the chains binding her hooves, before quickly grabbing her right fore-hoof and pushing her to the ground, holding her fore-hoof up over her back as he forced her towards the hole.

"Get in there. Now." He ordered. Lance grumbled under her breath before she jumped off the edge into the hole.

"You--" The changeling turned back to me, releasing my bindings. "Get in."

"Please, she didn't mean--" "I said get in, now!"

The changeling kicked me into the hole. I landed with a thud, landing on somepony.

"Gah! Get off'a me!" Lance pushed me up. The boards scrapped overhead as the changelings closed us in. I sat up, looking back to Lance. Blood trailed down her right fore-hoof and shoulder, wrapping around her hoof. She pressed against the cut, biting her lip

"Horseapples-- it's deep." Lance looked back at the bottom of her bloodied hoof. "We've got to find some cloth around... here?" Lance's voice trailed off as she looked around the room.

I stood, using the wall as a support. The unfamiliar clean scent of the room surprised me, and the room was undamaged. Hay, even good. The room was completely white and clean. There was a single support column in the middle(with the covered hole they had been pushed in beside it), a queen-sized clean bed at the left side of the room with a white sheet, a few white pillows, and a wooden frame, and a wooden chest at the right side of the room. The room had been lit up with candles placed around the room. It almost seemed like Queen Chrysalis was trying to bribe us into behaving.

This isn't exactly what I had expected for such a notorious place in the Changeling Kingdom...

"If this is her idea of a bad punishment, then she's losing her touch." Lance chuckled, trotting over to the chest and pushing up against it using her left fore-hoof. "Hmph. Locked."

"This isn't it. There's gotta be something here; a trap, a hidden room-- something. It doesn't make sense..."

"Trick or not, I'm perfectly fine with having a bed. Even if it is from that jackass. Sleeping on those floors and leaning against the walls were killing my back." Lance grabbed a pillow off the left bed, using her teeth to rip off a piece of the cloth.

"Can you tie this around the cut, Rocky? Can't do it with one hoof."

"Neither can I." I reminded. Lance groaned.

"Ugh, right..." She winced, using her right fore-hoof to hold the cloth in place as she tied it over her wound.

"Sorry. That guard broke my fore-hoof." I slid across the wall with my left shoulder, using it as a support. I sat on the bed at the side opposite to her.

"There." Lance said, her voice muffled. The cloth was already bloody. She turned back to me. "Want me to get your hoof next?"

"How the hay would you know how to do that?

"Took a First Aid course in Flight School."

"You sure you know what you're doing?"

"'Course. Just have to find something to... there!" Lance stood up, taking hold of the wooden board at the end of the bed. She let her right fore-hoof hang limp as she pulled against it with her left fore-hoof and left wing. The board cracked, breaking away from the bed.

"Hold this side." Lance swiftly sat it on the bed, putting half of it on the bed. I pushed down against the board. Lance stepped down on it, putting her weight on her left fore-hoof.

Snap

A splinter flew passed my head, narrowly missing my ear.

"Okay, now let put it in the splint."

"Yes, 'Nurse' Lance."

"Don't you even--" "Kidding! Kidding! Chill!" I quickly interrupted. Lance sighed.

"Not in the mood for jokes, Rocky."

"Just trying to lighten the mood. Gimme a break."

Lance trotted to my side of the bed, kneeling down to my limp, right fore-hoof.

"Gotta straighten out your hoof. I'll do it on the count of three. It's probably gonna hurt, so brace yourself." Lance gently held my hoof, beginning to slowly straightening it out. I nodded.

"Just get it over with..." I said as I squeeze my eyes tightly shut and prepare for the pain. My other fore-hoof found it's way to the mattress and began to squeeze it.

"One, two--"

Crrr-pop

Lance pulled my fore-hoof, releasing a defining pop throughout the room. I stared at her.

"Gah-- you said you'd go at three."

"Don't want to give you the chance to chicken out. Now, this board beside your hoof while I get some cloth." Lance stood. She trotted passed me, to the bed to the right. She ripped a small piece out of the bottom of the blanket. I held the board in place, as requested. She returned after a moment, kneeling down to my hoof as she carefully sat the board beside my hoof.

"Stay still." Lance ordered. I nodded. She used her teeth to thin the cloth under my hoof, grabbing the end with her left fore-hoof and tying it around my fore-hoof.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. I'm going to get some rest. You should too." Lance stood, trotting passed me and to the bed to the right. I pulled my hind-hooves up to the bed, resting my head on the intact pillow.

This is going to be a loooong night...

Shining Armor and the guard stepped out of the alleyway and into the open street. He was determined as ever to find them, despite night quickly approaching.

"Prince, with all due respect, I'm afraid that the changeling would have most likely escaped by now."

"I know, but we aren't about let them get away with this without a fight."

"Of course, your highness. If they are changelings, they would've changed their appearance by now."

"They can't get away with what they've done. They're a danger to the village and we need to stop them before another crystal pony gets caught up in their trap." Shining turned, trotting into another alley.

"Yes, your highness."

Shining and the guard continued to look in the alley, trying to find the changelings.

"Idiot. Can't believe you let her get away. Whole damned kingdom must know we're here by now."

Shining's keen ears caught the sound immediately. He stopped and grabbed the guard, making sure that he didn't make another crunch in the snow.

"What's wrong, your highness?" The guard said in full volume.

"Shh... listen." Shining Armor said quietly as he listened intently for the voice.

"Didn't you see the dragon bite me? Thing has some sharp teeth. You try holding onto somepony like that."

"They sounded like they were right across the corner. Trot gently and watch where you step." Shining whispered as he stepped gently towards the corner, making a less louder crunch in the snow. The guard followed his movements, even making sure to apply little pressure to the snow covered ground.

"Yeah, yeah... I'll be the one who gets the blame for it too--?"

"What?"

"Heard something."

Shining and the guard stopped immediately. The guard held his spear close, and tightly. Shining lifted up his hoof and balled it, prepared to strike if he needed to.

Crunch

Crunch

"Now." Shining said as he turned the corner, and bumped into a pony that looked exactly as Twilight had described(he even noticed the small bumps at the top of his head). There was another pony standing at he far side of the alley, which looked eerily similar to the one Twilight had described.

"!!!"

"S'va!" The changeling at the far side of the alley said as it galloped out into the open, his body clouding for a moment as it shifted back into changeling form. The guard chased after it immediately. Shining punched the other before it had the chance to run, pouncing onto it after and holding it's hooves down.

"One down; one more to go." He muttered.

Twilight looked up at her brother, his teeth bared and his deep blue eyes staring at Cadance with thirst. He had Princess Cadance pinned against the wall. Her cheek still stun from the slap. Shining turned back towards Cadance, opening his mouth and getting dangerously near her neck.

"Shining, stop!" Cadance said as she tried to push Shining away from her.

"No, Shining!" Twilight called out as she looked on as Shining began to overpower Cadance. Her mind raced for solutions. She grabbed his fore-hoof, pulling it away as she tried to get Cadance to safety.

"Fine! If you want to lose it first, then so be it!" Shining pushed Cadance down to the ground and turned to Twilight. He immediately pounced on her, leaning close to her collar bone as he pressed his fangs against her neck..

"Shining! Stop!" Twilight said. She kept pushing against his neck to keep his fangs away, but she couldn't last for long.

"Somepony help!"

"Welcome, Twilight."

Shining's snarling had disappeared. She hesitantly opened her eyes, seeing a dark figure standing over her. Her dark blue mane flowed to her left. She extended a hoof to Twilight.

"Princess Luna?"

Princess Luna nodded with a smile.

"So, I guess I'm dreaming then?"

"Yes. Seems that you're distressed about Shining's future, hm?"

"Yeah... I've been worried since I researched some stuff about how he could have a transformation spell cast on him or a magical transfer."

"Ah. I see."

"I'm afraid of a lot of things that could happen to him. I couldn't find any counter-spells, and the ones I did, he'd never allow us to do."

"We see... certainly a difficult situation you're in."

"So, what should I do?"

"That even us nor Celestia don't know. That's your decision, dear Twilight."

"What if I make the wrong choice?"

"You won't. We have faith in you, Twilight. Perhaps you should have faith in your own abilities as well."

"I don't know..."

"You shall. We have faith in you. We believe in you firmly."

Twilight groaned, a small ripple going throughout the dream.

"Our time together is short. We shall meet again soon, dear Twilight. We have faith in you."

"No, princess-- wait!"

Twilight's eyes opened as she raised her head in the bed. Spike, clinging to a small pillow.

"Princess?" She sat up, pulling the sheet off herself and sliding off the bed, being careful not to wake Spike.

I need to research more.

Twilight combed down her mane and swiftly stepped out into the hall.

Lance yawned, laying in the bed beside me. The white sheets over the bed covered her hind-hooves.

"How's your hoof?"

"Much better since you straightened it out. Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"How is your shoulder?

"The bleeding stopped, so that's a good sign." Lance nuzzled her head into the sheets and pillows. "This bed... so comfortable! I'll have to make sure Blooming gets--"

Lance stopped abruptly. I turned to her, seeing her pale white face. She all right?

"Lance, you feeling all right? You're not looking to good right now."

"Blooming Lily's still in the cell. Alone."

Oh... oh no.

"Scared... alone... wondering where we are, what they're doing to us-- if we're even alive." Her voice trembled. "I need to get to her!" Lance stood up and jumped off the bed. She rushed the middle of the room, under the hole. She flapped her wings, desperate to ascend the least bit, but her chained wings got little to no torque or force behind them. I stood, quickly limping over to her

"Lance, I know you're scared, but--" "Don't just stand there! Help me up! We have to get back to Blooming! She's not safe!" Lance desperately flapped her wings.

"Please Rocky! She's just a filly! I-I can't let them hurt her again!"

"Lance, there's nothing we can do!"

"Rocky! Just boost me up! We can reach it!" Lance turned to me, her eyes full of tears. The poor mare was scared half to death.

"We aren't going to be reach, even if I did boost you up."

"Well, help me get these chains off my wings! Something! Anything!" Lance desperately looked around the room to find something to break the chain. However, there were no metal or sharp objects.

"Lance, look at me!" I held her fore-hooves. She pulled against me, her mane swinging in front of her face.

"Rocky, let me go! I need to get to her!" Lance pulled against me. I moved my left fore-hoof up to her side, holding her in place.

"Lance!" I moved up to her cheeks, holding her in place as I looked into her eyes. Tears streamed down her face.

"I'm so sorry. I-I can't even imagine what it'd be like to be in your shoes right now, but there's nothing we can do about it. We just need to hope for the best right now, okay?" I said in my most calm, gentle voice. I didn't want to be angry with her; I might push her over the edge. Tears escape her eyes as she looked at me.

"A-all right... okay." Her trembling voice was as quiet and as timid as Blooming's voice. I've never seen her like this...

She slowly sunk down to the floor. I kept my left fore-hoof, pulling her close as I tried my best to keep her calm.

"That's it... just keep calm." I pulled her close, hugging her gently. She leaned against my chest, blood from her shoulder seeping into my coat.

"I-I'm scared, Rocky." Her voice trembled.

Author's Note

Okay, I know it was a bit cheesy and cliche for the part at the end. But, I'm not used to writing romances. So, if you have any tips, please share them.

Alone

The cold... my hooves are numbing, coat's standing up on the back of my neck... no pony is in here except for me... why? Why did they have to take them away?

I've been sitting in the corner of the cell for so long. A day? No-- doesn't matter. Just stay quiet and hope they don't come back and take me back to that... th-that horrid room.

C'mon, wimp. Get off your lazy flank and go get them back if you're so scared.

I-I can't. I'm too scared to move; afraid that the changelings my come in here and take me away like Lance and Rocky. Are they in that room I was in?

Ah-- my cheek. Still bruised from that punch.

So cold! I crossed my fore-hooves over my chest, trying to warm myself up. Lance'd usually be asleep beside me now, keeping me warm.

Lance! Oh no... what do I do?! How can I help them?! I'm only a filly-- what can I do?!

No, you have to step it up now, Blooming. Be a mare. I need to get up and find them.

Thump
Thump
Thump

Wait, hoofsteps? Is that Lance and Rocky?! Are they back?!

I rushed up to the cell bars. Please let that be Lance or Rocky...

Ugh-- too dark! Can't see anypony!

"S'va, prisoner!" A changeling approaching the cell said. It was pushing somepony towards my empty cell with a spear.

"Lance?! Is that you?!"

"Sorry, filly..." A deep, masculine voice said. Oh no...

W-what if it's somepony who wants to hurt me?!

I rushed over to the corner of the cell and hid as best I could. Please be somepony nice, please be somepony nice...

The changeling opened up the door and pushed in the pony. His helmet slipped off his head, crashing to the cell floor and rolling to my side. I looked over to object and cautiously grabbed it. I ran my hoof over it for a moment and noted that it had large, white bristles on the top that tickled my coat.

"You won't win this. Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance won't allow your queen to take anypony else." The stallion said as he looked back up at the changeling with an angry look in his face. His short blue mane had been dirtied up and was messy; his black coat was in the same condition. I saw that he had some sort of clothing or armor covering most of his body that had cracks and holes in it all over his armor(mainly near the middle). I also noticed that he had two black eyes, red and purple bruises all over his face, hooves, and where the armor had holes. He had a blood trailing down from the left side of his lip down his neck and stopped at the top of his armor.

He must've been really hurt. He looks almost as bad a Lance once she got in that flight accident.

The changeling walked away from cell, leaving me and the unknown stallion. I looked over to the stallion, seeing him staring back at me. O-oh... I-I averted my gaze away from him. Wh-why is he staring at me?

He looks so hurt...

"So, how long have you been in here?"

My cheeks became hot as he asked me the question. I wasn't too keen about talking to a stranger(especially one who looked as intimidating as he did). But, my kind nature wouldn't allow me to be rude to him, so I reluctantly spoke up.

"A-a few d-days"

"Ah. Are you alone or were you with a group like I was?"

"I-I was with my s-sister and a m-miner, but the changelings came in and took t-them away..."

"Sorry to hear that. I can understand." The stallion wiped the blood off of his lip, staring down at his hoof afterwords. I feel so bad for him...

"Could you pass me my helm?" The stallion asked. I gently rolled the helmet over to him, giving it enough force for it to make it to him.

"Thanks." The stallion said. He picked up the helmet and put it on his head.

Well, at least I'm not alone anymore.

"W-what happened to you?"

"Well, I was in a search party sent by Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor looking for people who had been foalnapped in the attack by Queen Chrysalis and the changelings. We were unknowingly getting close to the Changeling Kingdom when we were ambushed. They foalnapped the citizens that we brought along. The fellow soldiers and I tried to defend him, but they nearly kill-- they hurt us really bad."

"Oh... that was mean." I said. My inhibitions were beginning to finally calm, feeling comfortable. He guarded a search group looking for lost ponies. How back could he be?

Hold on... if he's a soldier, then he'll know how to protect me like Lance and help me find her and Rocky!

"Yeah. Really." The soldier said as he snickered at me. He and I became quiet(which I didn't mind). I looked around my- our dimly lit cell and noticed that there was a small piece of bread lying beside her.

Some food wouldn't hurt him...

"D-do you want some bread? I've a-already ate some."

"Huh- oh, sure foal. Toss it over here." The soldier said as he extended his hoof towards me. I picked up the bread and gently tossed it to him.

"Thanks."

"Y-you're welcome."

"S'va! You won't get away with this! Queen Chrysalis'll send changelings after me!"

Shining Armor and the guard trotted down into the dungeon, ignoring the changelings false words. The dungeon had ten cells, each of which were exactly the same; eight hard, thick crystal bars covering their exit, a crystal door with three crystal bars, and the insides of them were completely made of stone.

The guard opened a cell and Shining Armor sat them inside. They had managed to capture one, throwing it in the cell. It spat back at them, narrowly missing Shining.

"We'll interrogate it tomorrow. Go get some rest." Shining said as he shut the door and locked it with the set of keys he had on his uniform.

"Of course, your highness. Thank you." The guard said as he stepped out, leaving the door open for Shining. looked down at the changelings.

"You're lucky I didn't just put you in town square and let the citizens decide for me... not that my decision wouldn't of been very different." Shining said as he squeezed the bar in anger.

"... but, I need you. I won't be able to find where Queen Chrysalis is exactly. And you two are going to take me to her, whether you like it or not." Shining said as he trotted away from the cell and out of the dungeon.

"You won't get anything out of me!"

"Not yet, at least." He mumbled, stepping out of the dungeon.

The supplies'll be here anytime now. I need to get Cadance and we'll meet them outside.

"No... no... not that... where the hay is it? I should've left it out..."

Twilight searched through the shelves of books. After a moment more of searching, she found the book on theoretical magic she had been reading earlier.

There's got to be instructions- something.

Twilight flipped the book open, rereading over the warning.

I need to help Shining!

She flipped through the pages of the book, trying to find the section on the transformation spell again.

Creak

"Twi', you in here?"

Cadance stepped into library. Twilight turned, with a small grin.

"Ah, thought you'd still be resting. You feeling better?"

"Much better. Thank you."

"I'm glad to hear it. Already up with your snout in another book. Just like when you were filly." Cadance giggled.

"Yeah. I remember you insisted on reading me books when I was sick, but I wouldn't let you." Twilight chuckled under her breath. "You'd use Smarty Pants to reenact what the characters were doing in the books."

"Ooooh yes. Those were simpler times." Cadance smiled, reminiscent of the old memories. "Here I am rambling on past days while you're researching-- excuse me, Twilight. I'm glad that you're feeling better. I'll be in the throne room if you need me."

"Okay. Thank you." Twilight said, turning back to the book. She smiled, glad to see Cadance cared for her so much.

"So, what's your name?" The soldier asked me in a calmed tone. He turned to me with a warm, hearty smile.

"I-I'm Blooming Lily."

"Nice to meet you, Blooming Lily. Frigid Spark." Frigid Spark said to me in a kind tone. He extended his right fore-hoof to me. My cheeks burned as I shook his fore-hoof. Curse my shyness...

"Uh... d-did you see somepony white a coat and a purple mane? O-or a pony with a black coat and a brown mane?" I asked. Please dear Celestia, let them be okay.

Frigid looked down at the ground for a moment.

"No. Sorry, Blooming."

"Oh..."

I'm so scared... what are they doing to them?

"Was that your group?"

"Y-yes sir. They took c-care of me until the changelings came in here and took them away..."

"I can understand. Three fellow members were with me. I don't know if they're still even alive."

W... what if they aren't alive anymore? My only sister and best friend could be gone... no...

Fear rushed through me like a wildfire. Tears immediately flood my eyes as I begin to quietly cry. The soldier turned to her, before his eyes widened, realizing his mistake.

"Oh, but that couldn't of happened to your sister and friend! I'm sure they're all right!" Frigid quickly tried to correct his mistake It's too late.

"B-but what if they aren't?" I managed to choke out between my tears.

"..."

"P-please... you have to help me. I wanna see my sister again. Please!"

The soldier remained silent for a moment, before sighing.

"Fine... hold on." Frigid stood and trotted over beside me. He grabbed the bars, but moved in front of me, so I couldn't see what he was doing.

"Let me see if I can muster up any magic..." Frigid grunted. After a moment, the dark cell filled with light. My eyes hurt for a moment. What is causing that strong of light?

Ping

"Okay... whew... got through it."

"W... what?"

The soldier stepped aside. Wha-- the bars were bent?! How?!

"How did you-" "I know a spell or two that can soften usually hard materials. After I cast the spell, I was able to bend the bars. You can trot through now."

"But, w-what do I do once I'm out there?"

Thump
Thump
Thump

I looked over his shoulder, seeing two changeling coming towards our cell.

"Listen, I've got to make this quick, so I won't say it again; once you're out there, don't attract attention. Think of it as a huge game of hide and seek. No matter what you have to do, remain hidden. Do not get caught. You'll-" "Out, crystal soldier."

The changelings were standing as the cell door. One of them was holding a spear.

"Queen Chrysalis wishes to see you, 'brave' soldier." The changeling opened the door and trotted towards Frigid.

"Wait, please don't take him! I don't wanna be alone again!"

"Quiet, foal. Or you'll join him" The changeling grabbed Frigid and began to pull him out of the cell.

"You'll be fine without me! Just remember what I said!"

"Wait! Please don't go!"

The changeling and Frigid left the cell, the other changeling shutting the door behind them.

"Don't worry about me! Good luck!"

"No... please... d-don't go..." I plead as I let out more tears.

I'm alone... again...

Princess Cadance and Shining Armor trotted outside the gate and was greeted by six of Canterlot's royal guard carrying boxes upon boxes of supplies.

"Hello, Cadance"

Shining turned his head away away from the guards and saw that Princess Celestia was standing in front of them. Behind her, there was a huge carriage filled to the brim with boxes that Shining presumed to be food and building supplies.

"Oh, hello Auntie Celestia. Nice to see you again."

"Nice to see that you and Shining have things under control now. So, Shining, how is your horn? Does it still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt as bad as it did. It's only a dull throb every now and again. Nothing to be worried about."

"That's good to hear. At least you won't have to worry about that." Princess Celestia scanned around the area, looking for somepony. "I was expecting to see Twilight. Something a matter with her?

"Nothing at all, your highness. We had a bit of a scare with some changelings, but everything's under control now. She's researching the spell on my horn in the archives now."

"Perhaps I could see her soon? After this, I mean. It cannot hurt to see if I could help her."

"Of course."

"I honestly didn't expect to see you here. Thought you'd be too busy to make a trip to the Crystal Empire."

"I can always make time for my favorite niece and nephew-in-laws."

"Thank you, princess."

"It's no trouble. I'm going to be staying for a day and then I'll have to go back to Canterlot. Luna can tie things over for a night."

"All right. Lets go ahead and pass out these supplies to the citizens." Shining trotted towards the carriage and grabbed two boxes stacked up on top of each other. He followed the rows of guards as he listened in on Celestia and Cadance's conversation.

"All right. There should be enough food for everyone, and there's plenty of building supplies to get a few properly made shelters."

"Thank you again, princess. I'm sure that these citizens will greatly appreciate it."

"Yes. Now, let's follow your husband before he leaves us." Princess Celestia said jokingly as she trotted behind Shining. Princess Cadance followed behind.

I need to get out of here... b-but I'm too scared...

My hooves quiver in fear as I look at the opening that guard had made before the changelings took him away. What if a changeling sees me and takes me back to that place? Wh-what if they do what they did to that guard to me?!

But I can't just sit here. I've got to help Lance and Rocky!

What do I do?!

It felt like there was two of me, one telling me to go, and the other telling me to stay. But I don't which one to believe is right!

Come on Blooming! What would Lance do in this?

"Come on, Blooming! You'll be fine. I believe you'll get through this whole kingdom unnoticed-- maybe even out of it. Now, are you ready to go kick some flank?"

Yeah!

I timidly took a step forward, the excitement from the prep-talk suddenly disappearing.

"All right, Blooming Lily. You can do this. J-just do what that guard said to and you'll be fine..." I tried to convince my body to move forward. For Lance.

Slowly, yet surely, my hoof found it's way out of the cell. Okay... I can do this...

I stepped out, having my eyelids shut tight over my eyes. One of my eyes cautiously opened, and surprisingly, there were no changeling standing around me to hurt me or take me away.

Okay... I got out of that cell... that's an achievement. Now, I-I just need to find Lance and Rocky and they'll be able to help me.

I'd take a step forward, making sure to make it as gentle and soundless as possible. Then another. And soon enough, I was far away from the cell and hiding behind a large crate.

"Okay, you're doing fine, Blooming. Just stay in the shadows and away from the changelings and you'll be with me and Rocky soon enough."

Or at least, I hope so...

Transformed

Author's Note

Ello. Before you read today's chapter, I'd like to inform you all that, due to a suggestion from another FiMFiction user, I am in need of an proof-reader and/or a editor. I was going to use the actual group, and I still will if I don't get any replies, but I thought it'd be better if I asked someone who was already invested into the story and would be willing to do so. I'll list and link your username in the description of the story and would greatly appreciate it. By the next chapter, if I've gotten some or any answers, I'll choose.

Transformed

Princess Cadance, Princess Celestia, and Shining Armor trotted down into town square, the nippy air of the Crystal Empire violently attacking their coats. The guards from Canterlot had stacked them up in the middle of the town square. Starving and homeless citizens looked on from the streets in confusion.

Shining sat the two boxes on top of the second stack of boxed supplies. Two crystal guards approached them and bowed.

"Your highness, we are ready to begin handing out the supplies to the citizens. Would you like us to do so?"

"Of course. As quickly as you can."

With Princess Celestia's order, the guards nodded and trotted towards the supplies, picking up a box with their magic.

"Pardon me princess, Cadance, but if you don't mind, but I'm going to help them out." Shining picked up a box of supplies. He turned back to Cadance and Princess Celestia, box in hooves.

"Not at all."

"Go ahead, darling."

"Thank you. Excuse me."

I can barely see anything-- how do the changelings see?! There's no torches in the halls or anything. Not to mention I'm about to freeze my flank off.

I sat beside a large box. I've not even gotten down the hallway.

I=I should just go back to the cell. This was a bad idea and I knew it. I'm too weak to try and help her...

I stood, turning into the hallway.

Thump
Thump
Thump

Oh no! Somepony's coming?! Now?!

I rushed back behind the box, looking for someplace-- anyplace.

"Quit complaining. Queen Chrysalis requested the prisoners in this block be taken to her. Now, get to it."

"Ya. Lets- the crystal pony is gone!"

"?!"

They're going to find me and hurt me!

"Find her! Now!"

Come on-- there! A hole in the wall!

I forced myself into the hole, but my lower body was stuck outside. Come on!

The hoofsteps came closer. I pushed myself up from the wall, pulling my hind-hooves through and stumbling behind the wall.

No! Calm down Blooming! I covered my mouth, trying to muffle my racing breath. You have to calm down!

"Did you hear that?"

No! They noticed!

I stumbled away from the hole, laying on my back and trying to remain as still as I possibly can.

Hoofsteps passed in front of the hole, stopping in front of the hole. It stood there for a moment

"Forget it-- we have to find the crystal pony. Come on."

The hoofsteps slowly moved away from the hole, echoes of the changelings talking in the distance. Thank you Celestia... now, where am I?

I turned, seeing a long hall. Why behind a wall?

I trotted down it, being careful not to make too much sound. There was some light shining onto the left wall.

"You, where are those trespassers? I'm supposed to have a session with them today."

Q... Queen Chrysalis?

I got to an opening in the wall, just enough space to see her. It confirmed my fears.

A group of five changelings led somepony in front of her, kicking them down.

"Ah. Good. Begone, but prepare for our... well, I'm sure you know. Those guards do not need to know what we're going to be doing."

"Here, your highness."

What is she talking about?

"Rise."

The ponies rose, as requested.

"So, explain why you have came into my kingdom without my permission?"

"Because, you have hurt our kingdom."

"It was simply in retaliation. You and your leaders were forcing I and my subjects into starvation. But no longer shall I stand around idly by as my kingdom is starved."

"You killed innocent crystal ponies... kidnapped countless others and tortured them... you're a monster." A deep, hate filled voice said.

That voice... it sounds familiar... oh! It's Frigid!

"Why, thank you. And you all will join them. But first, to make sure you don't escape."

Click

The buzzing of changeling wings filled the room and bounced around. The blue objects moved towards the middle of the room and disappeared.

Two big blue objects in the middle of the room began to(what looked like to me) float down.

"Get ready to meet the same fate as your prince. He's just lucky that I couldn't summon enough magic to get it done quickly. His'll be long and painful. But your's will be quick, and very painful."

A large green light glowed in the middle of the room. I saw Queen Chrysalis' face. The cold expression on her face sent a shiver up my spine.

Queen Chrysalis tapped her horn against Frigid. He groaned, before wailing in pain. Queen Chrysalis slapped him, allowing him to fall to the ground. He writhed in pain. What's going on?

Oh-- he's in so much pain. What did she just do?!

"What have you done to him, you witch!"

"You'll see soon enough. Take them to their cell. And don't open it until the guard has completed his task."

"Yes, your highness."

"Begone!"

I ducked behind the wall, shocked and confused by what had just happened.

Shining Armor whipped over his forehead. He looked over the near empty street, previously filled with crystal ponies.

Thank goodness we got the supplies when we did. Don't think we could've lasted another couple days without them. Shining turned, trotting to Cadance and Princess Celestia.

"Ah, glad to see that everything's been unloaded."

"Thank you, princess. Couldn't have done it without your help."

"It wasn't any trouble. So long as nothing goes to waste."

Shining nodded with a smile. He turned to Cadance.

"How're you feeling darling?"

"I'm fine. No pain or anything."

"Good. Just making sure." Cadance said. Her face brightened for a moment, before turning to Princess Celestia.

"Oh-- I almost forgot, I need to show you to your room. We'll stop by the library and see if Twilight's still in there." Cadance turned, trotting back towards the palace. "If you'll follow me, Aunt Celestia." Princess Celestia nodded with a smile, trotting behind her. Shining trotted in the opposite direction, towards the hospital.

Couldn't hurt to get my horn checked out again. To see if I can create spells.

Twilight's eyelids felt as heavy as boulders. Although she had gotten some sleep, she had barely been asleep for an hour.

Although we have permission from the creators of the spells to list instructions to all spells in this book, the authors of this book feels that it would neither be safe for the reader nor the ponies in the reader's life if we listed these spell.

Twilight let out a quiet snarl as she read the words.

I wasted all that time... for nothing! She slammed her fore-hooves against the desk, slamming the book shut.

"What am I going to do?" Twilight asked as she rested her head on her hooves, discouraged. "How am I going to help him?"

Knock
Knock
Knock

Twilight lifted her head up from the book and looked over to the library entrance. She got up from her chair, trotted up to the door; once she opened the door, she was immediately greeted with a white-coated alicorn with a familiar flowing green, blue, and pink mane.

"Princess Celestia?"

"Hello, Twilight."

"I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"How are you doing?"

"I'm... I've been better, princess."

"I think we all have been, Twilight."

"I suppose so... so, what are you doing here, princess? I thought--" "You thought I'd be too busy to come?" Princess Celestia chuckled.

"Actually, yes."

"You and Cadance think alike. I'm only spending the night here and then I'll head back to Canterlot tomorrow."

"Okay."

"So, what have you found?"

"I narrowed it down to two spells, one of which I think you know."

"Hm... okay. Tell me what they are."

"It's either a transformation spell or a magic transfer spell. Or both."

"The transformation spell? How would she... Star Swirl surely wouldn't have..."

"Do you know a counter-spell?"

"Sadly, no. Star Swirl did not share any counter-spells with me; we thought there'd be no need for one. Since Luna and I are the only ones who know the spell that are still living, and we'd never voluntarily use it."

"Oh..." Twilight sighed as she felt more doubt come to her. Was there really no way to help Shining Armor?

"Don't worry, Twilight. Shining's going to be fine. And, remember, it could've been worse. Just be thankful that Queen Chrysalis decided to leave when she did." Princess Celestia said as she rested one of her hooves on her student's shoulder.

"I guess so..."

"Oh, I almost forgot. Rarity sent a letter to Canterlot for you, but you had already left. I thought I might as well come deliver it to you in person while we bring these supplies." Princess Celestia's horn emitted a golden magical aura. Her saddlebags opened, pulling out a rolled up piece of paper. She handed it to Twilight.

"Thank you, Princess Celestia."

"You're welcome, my friend. I'll leave you to your studies." Princess Celestia said as she opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, shutting the door behind her.

Twilight trotted over to the table and sat down in the chair. She unraveled the letter and began to read.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

Darling, are you well?! I just received your letter, and I am very concerned. What has happened to Shining Armor? Who hurt him? I am so confused... please, do respond soon! I'm simply dying to know if you and your brother are you safe and well! Do I and the other mares need to meet you in Canterlot?! Do you need our help?! I've told them about it already, and everypony is ready to come to the Crystal Empire whenever you might need us. So please, let us know if you need us!

Your(concerned) friend, Rarity

Knowing Rarity, she's probably been sitting on the edge of her seat ever since she sent the letter, waiting for me to return her letter. Twilight giggled. She trotted over to her table and sat in the chair. She dipped her quill into the ink and began to write in the notebook.

Dear Rarity,

I'm saddened, and worried, but everything and everypony is fine. Thank you for your concern. I'm sorry that it took me so long to respond, but I rushed to the Crystal Empire in the nearest carriage. I am sure you understand.

I have so much to tell you...

Okay... how do I explain this to her?

You... you see, Shining was hurt by Queen Chrysalis. She attacked the Crystal Empire and her changelings foalnapped lot of crystal ponies. Queen Chrysalis has cast some sort of spell on him. It blackened his horn, and he can't even create spells anymore. I've been researching day and night since I got here, but I've barely come up with anything that'd help. I narrowed it down to the spells two spells, but one of them doesn't even have a counter-spell, and the other would take away another pony's magic(which Shining wouldn't agree with me or Princess Cadance even attempting to do). The worse part is that he blames himself for the whole attack and it's effects-- ponies being taken, for the homeless and hungry-- everything. I can't stand to see him like it anymore. One day, he and I were going to a small makeshift shelter. For some reason, he left me alone out in the snow. I was trying to find him when this colt came up to me and said that his mother was hurt. I followed him, but when we got there, he and his mother began acting strange.

Twilight let out a deep sigh and steadied her nerves. Keep a cool, level head Twi'. Only way you're going to get through this and help Shining.

He said that his mother was really sick, but besides her coughing, I couldn't see any other illness. I wanted to get out of there quickly, so I tried to say that I'd go to the infirmary, but they'd always stop me. Then, I finally realized something.

They were changelings.

Cool, level-head Twilight. Level-head.

I realized it too late. I tried to get away, but the changeling who was disguised as a colt wrapped his hooves around my neck and started to choke me. The other changeling began to punch me in my stomach. I was terrified. I nearly passed out. They nearly foalnapped me... but, thankfully, Spike had followed me(despite me telling him not to) and bit the changeling's hind-hooves, forcing him off of me. As you could imagine, I grabbed Spike and we immediately ran out of there.

Please, I know you all want to help, but do not come here. It's too dangerous, and I'd never be able to forgive myself if one of you got hurt.

Twilight sat the quill down beside the paper. She stood, rolling the paper and putting it in her right saddlebag. She trotted out of the library, towards her bedroom, and entered. Spike was up and was nibbling on a ruby.

"Oh, hey Twilight. I was wondering where you went." He sat the ruby beside him.

"Hey Spike. I need you to send a letter to Rarity."

"Oh, all right. Why?"

"She sent me a letter back in Canterlot. I'm responding to it."

"All right Twilight." Spike blew onto it, his magical breath enveloping it.

"And... there we go."

"Thanks Spike. I'm going to go back to researching."

"Can I come with you?"

"Sure Spike."

"Okay. I'm right behind you." Spike said as he swallowed the ruby in one bite and jumped down to the ground. He followed behind Twilight.

Escape

Thump

"Nope... nothing. This isn't hollow Lance."

"I swore I heard something from behind it!"

"Nothing I can here. No echo or anything. Maybe it was from above?"

"I don't know... I don't want to be in here anymore!"

"That makes two of us..."

Ugh... Lance was still freaked out about Blooming Lily being alone in the cell. Spent the whole night looking for something to bust us out with.

"There's gotta be someway outta here..."

"Lance, we've searched through this room, top to bottom. There's no way out."

Lance growled, turning to me with an angry glare.

"We can't just sit by idly! Blooming's out there, by herself! She could be in trouble!"

"Scaring yourself isn't going to help. Just calm down, Lance."

"Horsefeathers." She groaned with a deep breath. "Bucking 'noble and generous queen'... noble and generous my flank." Lance muttered, sitting against the wall. She laid her head against the wall, making an audible thump.

There must be some way out of here. I trotted to her side, sitting down beside her. She lifted her head again, sighing before laying it back down, making another thump.

Thump

Wait-- was that an echo?

I leaned up, putting my ear to the wall. "Lance, do that again."

"Do what?".

"Hit the wall."

"Why?"

"I'll explain in a moment. Just do it."

Lance stood, hitting the wall with her right fore-hoof. An echo came from the other side. I knew it!

"The wall's hallow!"

"How can you tell?"

"I'm a miner, remember?" I stood, pushing against the wall with my left fore-hoof. "I know when a wall's hallow or not. And this one is."

"Okay... so, what's on the other side?"

"Only one way to find out. Help me push against the wall."

Lance pushed against the wall, using her right shoulder. The wooden wall cracked under the pressure.

"Just a little bit mo--"

The wall snapped, and fell. I landed with a thump against the wall, now against the floor.

"Ouch. You good?"

"Yeah..." I groaned, standing up. "Just got the wind knocked out of me." The hall in front of me was pitch black-- too dark to see anything or anypony. No torches or lights or anything.

"Horsefeathers..." Lance sighed. "How the hay're we going to see?"

"We can use the candles." I trotted passed her, grabbing one of the numerous candles. The wax stick was already halfway burnt out. "Grab a sheet for when we get out. We'll need something to keep us warm."

"Er..." Lance's voice swayed. "Yeah. 'Course. Let's go." She said grabbed the sheet of the bed, throwing it over her shoulder quickly, allowing me to step ahead.

"What?" I stopped, glancing back to her. She was still in the light of the room.

"Nothing." Lance said, nearly immediately after I asked. Her ears were flat on her head. "Just ready to get back to Blooming." She trotted behind me.

"Let me know if you see any changelings around. I'll cover up the candle."

"J-just don't blow it out."

"You sound a little anxious, Lance."

"And you aren't?! We're in the middle of a dark-- no, pitch black hallway with changelings lurking around."

"Calm down. They'd be down here already if this was someplace important."

"Just-- hurry. We need to get back to Blooming as quickly as possible."

Twilight Spike and Spike entered the library. "I've made some progress. I'll show you--?"

"Show me what?" Spike asked, glancing up to her. Twilight quickened her pace, looking over the table to make sure it wasn't there. She leaned down, looking under the table. Nothing.

"What, Twilight?"

"My notebook's gone. I left it and the book I was getting information from on the table before I went to rest." Twilight turned, trotting back to the shelves in case a servant had placed her notebook on the shelves on accident.

"I don't see it anywhere." She turned back to Spike. "We need to find it, Spike. That's got all the notes I've taken about the counter-sell inside. If we can't find it..."

If we can't find it, then we won't have enough time to finish the counter-spell.

"Come on, come on..." Twilight magically slid different books out of their position, looking for her notebook. None of the books looked vaguely similar.

"Why don't you just look back in the book you were reading in and just get a different notebook?"

"Because that's missing too. We need to find them both. You look in the bookshelf behind me for the book. It's called. 'Experimental/Theoretical Magic: Modern Edition'." Twilight said as heard Spike step behind her and began to take out different books.

"Okay... no... not that..."

Shining Armor passed by the white beds of the infirmary. He opened the door to the back room and stepped in. A unicorn stallion was sitting at the desk, wiping over his ice-blue mane as he read through his book. His white shirt hung to his knees, matching with his white coat.

"Hm--" He glanced up to Shining. "Ah, your highness. Anything a matter?"

"One of the doctors I spoke to a few days ago said that I should come back in a few days to get my bandages removed."

"Ah, I see." The doctor stood, trotting up to Shining. His horn lit with a white glow as he unraveled the bandages covering Shining's horn and mane.

"Just a moment... and..." He pulled the bandages away from Shining's head, his mane hanging down to his eyebrows. "Huh? Strange."

"What?" Shining asked as he looked up, surprised to see that his horn was no longer black. Nor were his mane and ears.

"Should I be celebrating?" Shining questioned with a chuckle.

"Hold on a moment, your highness... I need to examine your horn to make sure nothing else is going on." The doctor pushed Shining's head down gently, inspecting around Shining's horn.

"I don't see any sign of the spell or the blackness." He trotted over to the chair, picking up the small book he was previously reading and placed it on the ground, at Shining's hooves.

"So, am I free to go?"

"Not yet, your highness. Please, try to lift the book or flip it's pages using your magic."

Shining focused his magic into his horn and pointed it towards the book. His horn fizzled, sending out a small burst of his rose magical aura. He sighed.

"Strange. Come back to me in another day or two and we'll see if you can create spells then. Otherwise, you're free to go, your highness. My apologies."

"All right. Thank you." Shining trotted out of the back room.

I trotted onward, into the dark hallway. Lance kept close, almost holding me.

"Please tell me you've found something-- anything."

"No doors or anything I've seen."

"H-horsefeathers." She took a step closer. "We have to get out of here. Now."

"What's up? It's just a hallway."

"I-I know, but.." Lance's voice trailed away. She had a slight blush across her cheeks and snout.

Wait-- is she really- no. No way.

"Are you afraid of the dark Lance?"

"Wha-- no! Just... no!" Lance pushed away from me, to the other side of the hall, turned away from me.

"Then why're so nervous and anxious down here? You weren't even this anxious back in the room."

"It's just that we're in a cramped hall. I'm claustrophobic, not afraid of the dark."

This gives me an idea.

I covered the flame using the boards of my splint, making sure the light was only on my side, then took in a sharp gasp.

"Horseapples-- I dropped the candle!"

"What?!" Lance quickly rushed to my side. I chuckled, putting my fore-hoof down. She punched my left shoulder once she saw the flame of the candle.

"Not cool! That was not cool Rocky!"

"Calm down. It was only a joke."

"Just-- focus on getting us the hay out of here. Back to Blooming."

Twilight and Spike had looked through two of the three bookshelves, and neither her notebook nor the book on theoretical magic had been found.

"This isn't good, Spike..."

"I know, Twilight. I-I'm sure we'll find it in this one."

Creak

"Princess, do you need anything?"

Twilight looked over her shoulder and saw that a servant was standing at the library entrance.

"Actually, yes. Have you seen my notebook? It's a purple, small book with my cutiemark on the front of it."

"I thought I saw Prince Shining Armor with it going into his room, your highness."

"Shining?" Spike asked, confused. Twilight had the sane reaction, but didn't say anything.

"Yes. Do you need anything else, your highness?"

"No... no thank you."

"Okay, your highness. Please, come to me if you need anything else."

"I will. Thank you."

What would Shining be doing with my notebook? It isn't normal of him to take my things without him telling me about it...

"Spike, come with me. We're going to go talk to Shining."

Author's Note

I apologize for the shortness of this chapter. Regardless, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter as well as the story if you have gotten this far.

Strained Bonds

Author's Note

Ello. Apologies for the lateness of this chapter. Hope you enjoy it!
Note: When a character says, "hoofs", it's basically the equivalent to feet in real life(in measuring). Like 6 feet would equal 6 hoofs in the story.

Strained Bonds

"-I feel that all of you should know that I, Princess Luna, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and Prince Shining Armor are doing everything within our power to help those injured in this attack and bring the attacker to justice."

Shining Armor watched on as Princess Celestia addressed the small crowd of ponies that had accumulated while Shining was in the hospital. Princess Cadance stood a few feet behind her and watched her continue her hope-inspiring speech. Shining trotted over beside her.

"In ending, please have patience with us. We will have built shelters for all the homeless ponies soon. And soon enough, you all will be back in your own homes with your loved-ones." Princess Celestia finished. After a moment, the small crowd erupted with the sound of clapping. Celestia, surrounded by a group of the Canterlot Royal Guard, trotted back over to Cadance and Shining.

"Ah, I see you have returned from the infirmary. Has your horn healed?" Princess Celestia stood beside Cadance. They both stared at Shining.

"No, unfortunately..." Shining said as his ears fell to his head.

"Very. I'm sorry to hear that."

"Don't worry, Shining. It's probably just a side-effect of that spell."

"I guess you're right. I'm going to go check with Twilight. See if she's come up with anything."

Princess Celestia's gaze momentarily diverted from him to her own setting sun.

"Something wrong, princess?"

"Oh--" Princess Celestia turned back to Cadance, forcing a smile. "No. Just a bit tired, that's all."

"You can retire to your bedroom if you'd like."

"Yes. Thank you." Celestia said as Cadance trotted in front of her, motioning for her to follow. She did so and Shining followed behind them.

The candle wax dripped down onto the floor, almost leaving a trail for us to follow. That is, if we could even see it.

There was only a quarter of the stick left, and the flame was quickly dimming. We have to hurry.

"Do you see a door, a hole- anything that could get us out of this darkness?"

"Nothing" Lance huffed. "Knew we should've brought an extra candle."

"We'll just need to pick up the pace. C'mon." I quickened my pace.

"Horsefeathers, this is freaking me out."

"We've got plenty of time. Keep your cool."

"Kinda hard to with the tight corners and Blooming being out there by herself."

"I get it, but-- just try to stay calm."

Lance huffed, staying close.

"How long do you think it'll take to get Blooming?"

"Could be a few minutes to a few days. Lets just hope that we're lucky."

"D-days?!" She took a shaken breath, slowing for a moment.

"Focus Lance."

She didn't respond, only staying at the edge of the light.

"Come on. We don't have time for this right now."

Ugh... she's such a pain.

"Lance," I turned to her. "remember what we went over in the room. Don't lose hope, okay?"

She glanced up to me, taking another breath before nodding.

"Right. Sorry. Lets go."

Twilight and Spike trotted down the hallway and towards the Crystal Palace's exit. As she trotted towards the door and was about to open it, but the door opened, and Cadance stepped in front of her, knocking her off balance, onto her two left hooves.

"Oh- sorry, Twilight, Spike. I didn't see you there." Cadance's horn glowed with her blue magic aura, helping Twilight regain her balance.

"Honest mistake. Have you seen Shining? I need to talk to him."

Shining stepped out from behind the door.

"What's wrong, Twilight?"

"I need for you to come with me. We need to talk."

"Something a matter, Twilight?"

"No." Twilight grabbed Shining's right fore-hoof, pulling him to her. "I need to talk to him. Excuse us." She trotted away from Cadance, pulling Shining with her.

"What's the matter, Twilight?" Shining asked as they turned the corner into the hallway back towards the archives. Twilight trotted into the archives and held the door open for Shining. He entered and Twilight shut the door.

"Did you take my notebook?"

"Wha-- No, Twilight."

"Really? A servant told me that she saw you heading into your's and Cadance's bedroom. What were you doing with it?"

"Twilight, I don't know what you're talking. What reason would I have to take it? You're helping me." Shining reasoned. Twilight glanced to Spike. He shrugged his shoulders before she looked back up to her.

"Would you mind if I looked around your room, then? To make sure it's not in there."

"Not at all. I have nothing to hide from you, Twilight."

Twilight nodded. "Thank you." She trotted passed him, out of the archives. Shining followed behind closely.

C'mon... I can feel the draft, but where the hay is that door?!

The wax stick had melted. Only the top of the left. The flame of the candle became darker and darker with every passing minute, causing Lance to huddle close.

"Rocky, please tell me you've found something."

"No. I can feel that draft, but I can't find where the hay it's coming from." I took hold of her left fore-hoof, galloping down the hall. "C'mon. We've got to pick up the pace."

The flame dimmed, barely giving me enough light to see the floor, let alone the hall. I huffed as we turned another corner.

Hsss...

The flame burned out. Lance drew a sharp breath.

"R-Rocky, please tell me you're d-doing that."

"Horseapples!"

I threw the candle against the ground, stomping on it. Lance pulled me closer, holding tightly.

"No!" A thump echoed through the hall. I could feel the vibration from her motion. She sighed.

"Knew it wouldn't be enough..." Her hoof went lower, barely hanging onto mine.

"Keep calm! We can still get out!"

"How?! We can't see!"

"We... we'll..." I sunk down, sliding down the wall. Horseapples...

"Exactly." Her voice trembled. "Please be merciful with Blooming... please..." She whimpered, as if somepony or changeling could hear her pleas.

"It's- it's going to be all right Lance." Fear took over my normally calm voice. I felt her chest rest against mine, and her head against my shoulder. "We'll be okay."

"Rocky, I-I'm sorry for everything bad I said back there. I'm sorry I slapped you." Lance said. She chuckled. "Survived a changeling invasion only for us to get lost in the belly of their kingdom trying to escape. It'd be funny if it weren't so sad."

"You've got a strange sense of humor." I said in a weak attempt to lighten the mood. Lance giggled.

"You'll come to love it with whatever time we have left."

Lance's hoof slowly traced up my chest, under my chin. She lifted my head. I could feel her warm breath come close to me.

Creeeeaaaak

A strong gust of wind pushed through the hall. Orange sunlight filled the small hall, revealing Lance's warm smile. Her head was placed in front of mine, a small grin across her face. She shook her head, the grin disappearing as she saw the outside.

"Whoa-- c'mon!"

Lance jumped to her hooves, pulling me up as she galloped towards the opened

"It's to the outside! Come on, Rocky!"

I galloped behind her out of the door. We slowed, the welcomed sound of snow crunching beneath my hooves. Did we just...

"We're out..."

Yes! We're out of that forsaken dungeon!

"We got out, Lance!" I pulled her close, shaking with excitement. However, she didn't react. Not even a grin.

Oh horseapples... I'm a jerk... Blooming is still inside.

"Sorry... let's try and find another way back in and get Blooming back. Not back through the dungeon."

"Please. Help me get this chains off my wings."

Shining took out the ring of keys at the side of his uniform and unlocked his and Cadance's bedroom door. He opened the door and held it open for Twilight.

"Thank you. Please help me look for it, Spike." Twilight said. Spike nodded as he followed behind her, looking under the bed. She checked over the bed, and the nightstand beside it.

"See?"

Twilight lifted each pillow, confirming the notebook wasn't there. She felt over the blanket, once again to no result.

"Did you find anything, Spike?" Twilight asked. Spike lifted up the cover draping over the opening to under the bed. He shook his head as he pulled out a piece of lint stuck to one of his scales on his stomach.

"Okay. Keep looking."

Maybe it's over here? Twilight turned to his nightstand, opening the drawer. She looked over the book she'd sent him, reading over the title and smiling. Simpler times.

She pushed the book to the side, immediately noticing her notebook.

"Shining... are you sure that have nothing to hide?"

"I'm sure, Twi'."

"Are you sure about that?" Twilight pulled out her notebook from the drawer of Shining's bedside drawer.

"Huh?" Spike asked as his head popped back up from under the bed, confused.

"I-I don't know, Twilight! I've been with Celestia and Cadance all day! Only place I went without them was the hospital, honest!"

Twilight sighed. "I don't know what to say, Shining." She trotted carefully placed the notebook into her right saddlebag. Spike crawled out from under the bed and walked beside Twilight.

"I'll have to make sure there's not any changelings around. It had to be one of them..."

Twilight stepped passed Shining, silently angry. He lied to me! After all I've done to help him!

"Twi', please, you have to believe me."

"I don't know what to say. I-I... I don't know. I'm going to get back to work." She trotted away, turning down the hall. Shining groaned.

Great. Take one step forwards and get pushed two steps back.

Shining shut the door and locked it.

Now I've got another changeling to worry about. It's about time I got to that changeling.

Crrack

Clank

The chains holding Lance's wings together broke off. She stretched out her wings, releasing cracks from her joints.

"Ah... that feels better." Lance said as she relaxed her wings and rested them back on her back.

"All right. So, should we rest and plan before we go in or-" I trailed off as Lance flapped her wings, ascending higher.

"What are you doing?" I asked. Lance didn't respond and continued to rise up the large, castle like wall protecting the inside of the Changeling Kingdom. It was one of the few parts of the Changeling Kingdom that didn't have many holes or cracks in it.

"Lance, get down here! A changeling is going to see you!"

Lance didn't respond once more. She had already ascended up half the wall. What the hay is she doing?!

Lance reached the top of the wall. After a couple of minutes of hovering in place, she descended.

"What were you doing?"

"I was scoping out the inside the kingdom. Duh." Lance lightly tapped my forehead with the palm of her right fore-hoof.

"What did you see?"

"Not much; most of the inside's covered with old, decayed buildings. There's a big courtyard in the middle that looked empty, but I'm not sure."

"Did you see any entryways near here?"

"Do you think I could see something small like that?"

"True. Fine. Let's find a way in that isn't obvious and isn't near any changelings."

"Why don't you just hang onto me and I'll fly over the wall?"

Oh, no no no--

My ears fell to my head.

"You think you can carry me?"

No way I'm going up that wall.

"Just hold onto my hoof or something. C'mon." She pulled me towards her.

"Er... w-with a broken fore-hoof? Are you kidding?"

"What're you so afraid of? Have some faith in me. I'll hold onto you." Lance held onto my left fore-hoof with her right fore-hoof. Sweat rolled down my fore-head.

"Uh... I-I'm not really comfortable with this..."

"Pssh-- afraid of heights? And you made fun of me for being claustrophobic."

Ugh... I'll never live this down if I make us find another entrance just for me.

"Fine. J... just go fast."

"I will. You just gotta trust me. Give me more credit than that."

Lance flapped her wings, sending us both off the ground. I kept my hooves still as best they could, although the painful pings from the bottom of my hooves.

"D-don't look down..." I repeated to myself. "Don't look down..." Lance snickered.

"Acting like a foal over a little height. You wouldn't make it in Cloudsdale."

We reached the middle of the wall.

"Sh-shut it, Ms. 'I'm-afraid-of-the-dark'."

"I'm claustrophobic!"

"Yeah, yeah... and Princess Celestia is the princess of the night."

"I'll drop you." Lance's grip loosened. I pulled up.

"All right, all right! I-I'm sorry!"

"Better be..." Lance tightened her grip again.

We reached the middle of the wall.

"Wh-what'll be the plan once we find Blooming?" I looked back up at Lance.

"Simple; we get the hay out of here and back to the Crystal Empire."

"How are we even going to find the Crystal Empire? We don't even know if a mile or twenty miles away from it."

"We'll figure it out along the way."

We approached the top of the castle wall. Thank goodness...

"At least we still have this sheet to keep us warm if we can get out."

"Yeah. We're almost over the wall. I think I saw a walkway down from the top of the wall. We can either trot down that way, or I can hover down." Lance said. We were almost at the top.

"Let's trot down." I said, eager to get back down to ground.

"It'd probably be faster if I hovered down." Lance passed over the top of the wall and hovered in place over the walkway she had described.

"It'd be safer if we trotted. And we'd get noticed easier if you hovered."

"Fine..." Lance said as she slowly hovered down and landed on the walkway, much to my delight.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you..." I caught my breath which I had been unknowingly holding.

"Jeez. Calm down, will ya?"

"I would if I had any control over it, but I don't..." I took a moment to catch my breath "... okay... let's go." I trotted towards the stairs. Lance followed behind.

Hopefully we'll get to Blooming soon and get the hay out of here before they notice that we're gone.

Reunited

Author's Note

Oh look, I actually got this chapter out on time :pinkiegasp:

Reunited

Shining Armor stepped into the dark dungeon. He had a spear strapped at the side of his uniform. The changeling rushed him as he passed by, shouting in a different language at him. He stood just out of his reach.

"Just here to ask a few questions. Be lucky I'm not letting what's left of the Crystal Guard handle this."

The changeling the changeling became silent, hissing with anger.

"You're going to tell me everything I want to know in Equestrian." Shining sat down in front of the bars.

"Why should I?"

"Because if you don't, I'm going to let the Crystal Guard. They can do all they want to you."

"You think that scares me?" The changeling spat on Shining, landing on his chest. Shining sighed, wiping the spit away.

"Strike one." He called out as he stood. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Way One: you tell me what Queen Chrysalis is planning on doing and where she is and it's over. You'll be taken far away from the Crystal Empire and tried for your crimes against Equestria. Way Two: you refuse to tell me. I'll keep sending guards back in here to handle with you, again, and again, and again until you tell us what we need to know."

"That's the best you can do? Sending your guard dogs after me?"

"I won't let my hooves be sullied by you, but the Guard have been dying to get their hooves on you. We've got all the time in the world for this. We'll keep doing this until you get it right." Shining turned, trotting out of the dungeon. He turned, heading towards the barracks.

Lets see... they'll get it out of him. Angry enough at the changelings already.

We hastily trotted down the stairs and entered the nearest of the decayed building. The hall was otherwise empty, aside from some destroyed pots and burned furniture.

"Lets hope this is a cell block. Blooming'll be around here."

"Yeah, really. Come on, we gotta hurry before some changelings spot us." Lance galloped ahead. I followed behind, trying to match her pace. We reached the end of the hall, entering into a room filled with nothing but empty cells. Most were empty. The room was lit with torches that had been set up at the sides of the wall that had strange blue flames lighting them. Even with the torches, the room was still very dark.

"You think Blooming could be in here?" Lance asked quietly, looking around the room, desperate to find her sister.

"I don't know, maybe? Lets keep an eye out for her and the changelings."

"Yeah. Hurry." We trotted down the cell. Whatever crystal ponies were left in the cells backed away from us. What-- do they think we're--

Ahhhahhhh!

The blood-curdling scream filled the hallway. Lance pushed us into an empty cell, hiding behind against the wall. She stood in front of me, keeping her left fore-hoof over my chest, making sure I wouldn't step out.

"What the hay..." She whispered. "What was that?"

"It can't have been Blooming. Voice was too deep."

"Should we go check it out?"

"What if it's changeling?"

"I'll beat the hay outta it. C'mon." Lance lead me out of the cell, trotting down the hall.

"Somepony, help!" The voice matched the one that had just screamed. We quickened our pace.

The voice- where've I heard that from?

We turned the corner, seeing a pair of hooves sticking out of the bars of a cell, black and riddled with holes. Lance drew a deep breath as she passed in front of the cell.

Oh horseapples... not him.

"Rocky Diamond, is that you?! Help me, please!" The stallion reached for me. I backed away. What the hay-- is he a changeling?!

"You know him, Rocky?" Lance asked. I slowly trotted towards him.

"Yeah... he and I were in the academy together. His name's Frigid Spark. He's apart of the main guard." I knelt down to him. "What happened, Frigid?"

"Queen Chrysalis... she cast some spell upon me-!" Frigid wailed in pain.

"I'm sorry, but have you seen a filly? Earth pony, white coat, red main?" Lance focused on her main objective; Blooming Lily.

He didn't even seem like he heard her. Dear Celestia...

"Please, answer me!"

"She- agh... s-she and I was in a cell... it-ah- I think it's the one of the buildings t-to the right..." Frigid clung onto his head. Horseapples.

"Thank you. Come on, Rocky. Let's go." Lance grabbed my hoof and tried to pull me away, but I remained in place. I couldn't just leave him there.

"Rocky... please... come here." Frigid wheezed, weakly trying to grab me. I looked up at Lance.

"Let me handle this, Lance. Please."

"Okay. I'll look out for changelings."

"Okay, what is it that you need, Frigid... wait... what the-?!"

There were three bodies behind Frigid. They all were black and lifeless.

"Frigid, what happened?!"

"I-I don't know... I don't remember... I woke up with my teeth sunk into one of their ribs... I-I think I killed them..." Frigid said weakly. Oh Celesita! His eyes... they were completely blue. Like a changeling's. There were fangs sticking out from his mouth. It's almost like he's transforming into a changeling... could that- that monster know a spell like that?!

"Please... I don't want to hurt anypony else... just-- end it." Frigid muttered.

"W... what?"

"Kill me! Snap my neck! Stab me! End this! I can't stand this anymore!" He pleaded to me, grabbing my fore-hooves.

"I-I can't Frigid. I won't..." I backed away from the cell.

"Please, Rocky! You'll be doing me a favor! End this! If not for me, then the ponies I'd hurt if I get out!'

"But, I can't. You're my friend-" "If you were a friend, then you'd understand why you need to do this-!" He howled in pain.

Buck, buck, buck!

"Please, Rocky... it feels like there's a million daggers stabbing into my horn and head... kill me... please... please..." Frigid said pitifully as he resting his head on the bars, awaiting for me to end it. But, I can't...

And yet, I must.

"O... okay, Frigid. I'll make i-it quick."

A-am I really about to do this? About to kill somepony?

"Yes... thank you, thank you, thank you..."

"Let me hold the blanket Lance." I turned to her.

"What- why?"

"Just give me the damned thing." I ordered. Lance quickly tossed me the blanket, seeing my fury. I trotted back over to him, wrapping it around his neck tightly. Just a swift pull. All you have to do...

I began to pull up on the blanket, before Frigid put a hoof on the blanket, stopping me. "Frigid?"

"I... come here!" Frigid bit down on my hoof!

I pulled the blanket up, forcing his muzzle away from my hoof. He pushed his fore-hooves through the bars, flailing around, trying to grab me.

Celestia... forgive me.

Ssnap

I allowed the blanket to slip out of my hooves, stumbling back. His limp body fell forwards as the blanket slipped away, hanging over the cell bar. Oh-- I'm going to be sick...

I turned onto my fore-hooves, vomiting. Lance trotted to my side as I wiped my mouth. She patted my back.

"You good? I know that must've been difficult."

"Yeah-" I spat into the small pool of vomit. "-yeah. I'm fine, Lance. D-don't worry." I wiped my eyes. I-I just killed somepony...

"All right.. just lemme know." Lance helped me to my hooves. We trotted down the hall slowly.

"Let's go, Lance... we've got to find Blooming so we can get out of here. Don't want to be here another minute." I said. She nodded, trotting beside me.

Twilight Sparkle and Spike entered the archives, silent.

"Are you--"

"I don't want to talk about that, Spike. Lets just focus on getting back to work." She took on a flat tone, making sure not to reveal any emotion.

"O-okay." Spike spoke in a low tone to match with Twilight's, clearly nervous. "Wh-what next?"

"I've got most of the components of the spell down, I just need to figure out how to cast it." Twilight's horn emitted her magical aura. She flipped through her notebook, glancing over everything.

Okay, everything's still here. Twilight sighed, relieved.

"Okay." Spike trotted over to the chair to her right, climbing up and sitting down, waiting patiently.

Poof

A letter appeared in front of Spike.

"Huh?" Spike picked up the letter. He unraveled it.

"Who's it from?"

"It's from... Princess Celestia?"

"Huh? Why wouldn't she just come here and tell us instead of sending us a letter?" Twilight questioned. "Let me see it." Spike walked up to her and showed her the letter.

Dear my Most Faithful Student,

I apologize, but the letter from Rarity that I was going to send you is gone. We've looked for it all day, but nopony has even found a trace of it. I felt that I should let you know.

From, your mentor, Princess Celestia.

"That is strange, Spike... let me respond to her." Twilight said as she sat her notebook down on the table and flipped to an empty page. She began to write.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Pardon me, but you've already given me the letter. Is everything okay, princess?

From, your student, Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight gave the letter to Spike, and he transported it to Princess Celestia using his magical breath. After a few moments, another letter appeared in front of him.

"Twilight... you're gonna want to see this." Spike handed the letter to Twilight.

Dear my Most Faithful Student,

What are you talking about? I'm in Canterlot. Are you sure everything's all right over there?

From, your mentor, Princess Celestia

What is she talking about? She's-

"Oh no... this isn't good. This is bad." Twilight rolled the letter, placing it on the table. She rushed towards the exit.

"What, Twilight?" Spike followed behind.

"Okay, there's two things that could be happening; one, somepony else is writing the letters and sending them to us, or two, the Princess Celestia that's here isn't the actual Princess Celestia."

"W-what?! Who is then?!"

"I... I think it may be a changeling."

"A-are you sure, Twilight?"

"No... but it's the only thing I can think of that'd make sense."

"Who do we tell?"

"I'll tell Shining. But I-I need to make sure that it is or isn't the real Celestia."

"How?"

"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Cadance, Shining, and I made a secret phrase-passcode in case of another changeling attack so we could confirm if we were the real us. If it's the real Celestia, then she'll answer it correctly."

Shining Armor trotted back into the dungeon, passing by some of the Crystal Guard. The changeling had been bound against the bars. It's face was cut, both eyes were black, it's ribs were bruised, and there were cuts all over it's hooves. It glanced up to Shining, giving him a ireful gaze.

"Look, all I need is a location and something to go off of. That's all I ask of you and you'll be out of the Crystal Empire by morning." Shining knelt down to it. "You'll never have to worry about seeing me again."

"Queen Chrysalis' more wrathful than Nightmare Moon could ever hope to be. You cannot know." It glanced downwards, to the bloodied floor.

"Is that what you're afraid of? Queen Chrysalis?"

The changeling remained silent.

"She won't get your hooves on you again. So long as you're in the Equestrian government, we'll protect you." Shining offered. The changeling turned away.

"Will you speak now, or do I need to go get them again?"

"No- ugh... fine. She's planning on-"

Creak

"Prince Shining Armor, Princess Twilight Sparkle requests that you be in her presence." The servant said as she opened the door, interrupting the changeling. Shining looked at the servant, then to the changeling.

"We'll finish this later. Rest while you can." Shining unhooked the changeling, allowing him to fall to the cell floor. He trotted to the servant.

"What's the matter?"

I killed him- I killed Frigid... whoa-- okay. They trained us to be prepared for anything, but I've never... never actually had to use it.

"You all right, Rocky?"

Lance pulled me back into reality.

"Yeah... I-I'm fine, Lance. Just a bit... shook up." I shook my head, rubbing the back of my head. "Let's find Blooming. There's a door up ahead. Come on." I took hold of her hoof and hastily trotted towards the door.

"Kill me... please... please..."

No-- block it out, Rocky. The priority is Blooming Lily. As soon as we find her, we can leave and you'll be able to go back to mining.

I opened the door, allowing Lance to pass, but for some reason, she didn't.

"What's the-"

Thump
Thump
Thump

Hoofsteps.

Lance, hid behind the wall beside the entry. I did the same at the opposite side.

"Queen Chrysalis... she cast some spell upon meeeeAHHH!"

Anger began to bellow in my stomach. They'll see what happens when you mess with the Crystal Empire.

"Lance, I'm going to grab the changeling. I'll pull them in here and then we'll knock it out, alright?" I whispered. She nodded.

A small figure trotted past the opening in the door. I lunged at it, covering it's mouth with my right fore-hoof covered and pulled the rest of it's body into the hall. The changeling struggled against my grip, but it was no match for my strength.

"Mmmmh!" The changeling's cries were muffled in my hoof.

"Stop struggling!" I whisper-yelled, leaning against the wall.

Suddenly, intense pressure came from the palm of my hoof covering it's mouth. Painful pressure.

I immediately pulled my hoof away for a moment.

"Get off!" The figure bit down on my hoof again. I jerked away, as she pushed off of me. That voice... Blooming?

She turned to me, leaning close to the ground, prepared to fight back if she needed. However, once she saw me, she stood back up straight.

"Rocky?"

"Blooming?" Lance had too recognized it.

"Lance... Rocky!"

Lance quickly swiped up Blooming, wrapping her in a hug as she laughed.

"You really gave Rocky a run for his money. I'm so proud!" Lance giggled. Blooming joined in on her laughter.

"Are you all right? I was so worried about you."

"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you? You're cut."

"It's fine. Doesn't hurt, trust me."

"How did you even get out of the cell? The bars were too thick for any of us to slip through." I interjected. She turned to me.

"There was this unicorn-- a guard. He cast some spell on the bars and bent them."

My eyes widened. A small smile spread across my face.

"Everything good?"

"Yeah, fine." I quickly said. Thanks Frigid. You always were too kind for your own good.

"Lets get going. C'mon Blooming-" Lance picked up Blooming using her right wing, setting her on her back. "Lets go before they find us."

"Yeah, yeah. You always--" Three changelings passed in front of us. The one closest to us turned. "The crystal ponies! Sound the alarm!"

"Run!" She quickly galloped down the hall. I followed behind as quickly as I could.

Taken

"And you're sure that it isn't Princess Celestia, Twi'?"

"I'm sure, Shining. I have two letters from Princess Celestia, one where she explicitly says she's in Canterlot." Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor trotted towards the Throne Room.

"I trust you. I'll get where she's staying from Cadance and then we'll go confront her." Shining turned towards Twilight, giving her a smile. Twilight grinned back.

Thump

Shining backed away, bumping into somepony. He looked up, seeing Princess Celestia.

"Oh, apologies, princess. I wasn't looking where I was going." Shining bowed. Princess Celestia responded with a fatigued grin.

"It's perfectly fine. If you'll excuse me, I'm very tired." Princess Celestia stepped pass the two, trotting down the hall.

"Wait- princess, would you mind if I asked you a question?" Twilight turned to her. Princess Celestia glanced back, accompanied with an impatient sigh.

"Of course not. Please be quick."

"What is a noble's duty to The citizens?"

The passphrase... please answer... Shining hoped. Princess Celestia glanced away, then back to the pair.

"Er... my apologies, Twilight. But I really must go I'll see you tomorrow." Princess Celestia turned back, swiftly trotting down the hall. Shining and Twilight glanced to each other.

"That means-"

"-she isn't Princess Celestia." Twilight finished for Shining.

"We need to tell Cadance as soon as we can. We'll need some soldiers too."

"I'll tell Cadance, you go get the soldiers. We'll meet you at Princess C- the changeling's room."

"Okay. See you there. Be careful." Shining said, turning and beginning to trot down the hall.

"You too," Twilight turned away. "Oh, and I'm sorry for accusing you of stealing my notebook. There really were more changelings around here." She chuckled. Shining turned back to her.

"Don't worry about it Twi'. They were trying to turn us against each other. Would've happened to anypony." Shining nodded with a grin. Twilight smiled before she turned, trotting down the hall. Shining went in the opposite direction.

"Stop, crystal ponies!"

"Go, go, go!"

"I'm galloping as fast as I can, Lance!"

There's so many of them! At least half a dozen changelings behind us!

"Look out!"

We slowed to a stop, a barred wall in our way. She turned back to the changelings, sitting Blooming down. I beat against the wall. There's way too many of them for us to fight. It didn't budge.

Horseapples, we're trapped!

"Blooming, I need you to go find a place to hide. We'll come get you after this is over." Lance whispered as she knelt down to Blooming.

"B... but what about you two?" Blooming asked. The changelings began to box us into the corner.

"Don't worry about us. If we don't come get you, run. Don't you dare go back for us."

"But-"

"Blooming, just go! We can handle this!" I ordered. They kept getting closer and closer. Blooming nodded and scurried away into a dark cell. The changelings grew closer and closer. We backed away, getting near the corner. Eventually, Lance and I bumped into each other.

"You really think we can do this? I can barely gallop on my broken hoof. How the hay're we going to fight off them, six to two?"

"We'll figure it out, Rocky. Stay close."

"There's going to be more. Even if we somehow manage to beat them, there'll be more."

"I said we'll figure out. Now shut the hay up and get ready."

The changeling's had us boxed in when they stopped. A wicked smile spread across their faces. Lance stepped forward.

"Grab them!"

A changeling rushed at me. I slung my splint at the changeling when it got into my range. The wooden part collided with his head. It fell back, away from me.

Agh- horseapples! It hurts!

Two more changeling rushed at me. One from the left, and the other from the right.

Buck, buck, buck!

I slung my hoof. It hit the one on the left, but the changeling to the right ducked under it, rushed me. He slammed me against the wall.

Horseapples! Gotta think of something quick! Oh--

I pulled the wooden board out of the splint, smacking the changeling over the back. It let me down. I hit it over the head one more time, causing it to fall. My hoof trembled, and I fell with the changeling.

The changeling I had hit previously rushed me, jumping on me. It clawed at me, trying to bite me. I used the board to keep it's muzzle away from me. Lance rushed to me, grabbing the changeling and throwing it away. Another was galloping towards her.

I pushed myself up, rushing behind her and smacking it across the head. The board broke in half.

Three changeling rushed at me at once. The one in the middle was a bit further ahead from the other two. Once the changeling got close enough, I moved out of it's path, grabbed it by the mane, and slung it into the changeling to the right. The changeling to the left, seeing what I had done to his buddies, rushed over to me and punched me in the face. Another punch landed on my ribs, causing me to drop the wooden board. I punched the changeling in the stomach, and then it in the jaw. The changeling became visibly disoriented, so, using the moment, I grabbed the wooden board and hit it across the head, breaking it over his head.

Whew... okay, three left.

"Rocky, l-look out!" Blooming called as I felt myself being tackled to the ground. A changeling was laying on me, holding me down. Two other changeling came over and knocked away the wooden board. I'd struggle against the changeling's grip, but even for my strength, the changeling had an iron grip.

"Your hoof is broken? This'll be fun."

The changeling stomped on my broken hoof, sending another bolt of pain through the nerves in my hoof and into my brain. I feel the bone grind against my flesh... horseapples!

I wailed in pain as changeling lifted his hoof and stomped on mine again. The other began to do the same to my left hind-hoof.

"Rocky!"

Lance rushed over to the changeling stomping on my hoof and tackled him, causing the changeling that was stomping my hind-hoof to rush away from me. The changeling holding me down looked away for a moment to see where their friends had went. I took the chance to pull my hoof out of it's grip and punched it in the jaw, successfully getting it off of me.

He's at my mercy now

"L-Lance... it was terrible!"

"Please Rocky! She's just a filly!"

"It feels like there's a million daggers stabbing into my horn and head... end it... please... please..."

No more! I'm tired of them hurting my friends!

"Rocky..."

They've hurt me and my friends! They'll stop! I won't let them hurt another pony!

"Rocky... it's over."

They're-

"Rocky!"

Lance pulled me away from the changeling. Her face was bruised and was had a few small cuts.

"Chill! He's dead!" Lance said. Whoa-- blood. Is it mine?

I backed away, my torso and fore-hooves covered in blood. There was a changeling beneath me, unrecognizable. Lance gagged.

"Dear Celestia... even for a changeling, that was overkill." She covered her mouth. "What the hay happened? He was out in the first shot."

"I don't know. Something came over me- I have no idea."

D... did I really do that?

"L-let's get out of here." I collapsed as I tried to stand.

"Lance, you're going to have to help me. I-I can't stand."

"Let's just hurry up and try to find the way outta here." Lance grabbed my left fore-hoof and pulled me up, throwing my hoof over her neck.

"Blooming, you can come out now. It's safe." Lance called out. After a moment, she came out of a cell at the left side, where I had beaten the changeling. She noticed it and got a sickened look on her face.

"W-what happened?" Blooming's eyes widened as she saw the blood covering my fore-hooves and the floor. "Are they dead?" Lance looked away from her.

"Come on, Blooming. We've got to go."

"But--"

"Now."

Blooming glanced up to her, before turning towards the ground, frightened. "Okay..."

Twilight Sparkle and Princess Cadance trotted down the hallway to "Princess Celestia's" room.

"I can't believe we were so foolish. I should've know to ask the passphrase before even thinking about letting her in the kingdom."

"She's a changeling. Would've happened to anypony. Besides, at least we caught it early, before it had the chance to do any real damage."

"I suppose you're right, Twilight. However, there's something that still puzzles me."

"What?"

"Why did it let all those supplies get through? The speech too?"

"It must have used it to make herself look like the princess herself. Only thing I can think of."

"It's a possibility... we could ask her about it once we confront her."

"Yes, we could."

"Here we are. Now, we just need to wait on Shining." Cadance stopped at a large door differing from any of them in the hallway. leaning standing a few feet away from it. The door was noticeable a few inches higher than the rest, it had the Crystal Empire's insignia(a pink crystal heart encased inside of a snowflake, protecting it from harm).

"Excellent..."

Twilight looked over at Cadance.

"Did you hear that?" Twilight whispered, making sure not to alarm the changeling. Cadance nodded.

"Now, after you have disposed of them, you are to meet my servants outside. They'll take you to your reward." The changeling said with a distorted yet feminine voice. The inflections in it's voice, the familiar condescending tone, all setting off alarms in Twilight's mind.

That's Queen Chrysalis! If we could capture her, we could get the counter-spell for Shining!

"Yes, your highness..." This voice was masculine. It wasn't distorted like the last one.

"Now, leave. You've done well... for a crystal pony..."

Cadance took hold of Twilight's right fore-hoof. She lead her down the hall

"Just act like we were passing by. He won't notice." Cadance said as began to trot down the hallway. Twilight nodded and followed behind.

"Thank you, your highness." The guard said as he stepped out into the hallway, shutting the door behind him before walking out of the hallway. He had the same uniform as a normal guard from Canterlot.

Was that a changeling? Or a normal guard? Is he brainwashed? Does he think that's the normal Princess Celestia?

We've been lucky enough not to encounter another changeling after the fight.

Lance pushed open the exit to the cell block like place. The stairwell is directly in front of us, covered in the soft snow. Snow fell heavily upon us. All we need to do is walk up the stairs, let Lance take us back down over the wall, and hope that we don't encounter another changeling.

"Blooming. Rocky, hang on. I'm going to hover over the wall."

Oh horseapples-- not this again.

"Okay, Lance. Let's just hurry up and get outta here before more changelings come." I'd say, wanting to get out of here as quickly as possible.

"I'll try. Rocky, hold on to Blooming, I'll hold onto you." Lance said. Blooming stared at us, almost frightened to come to me.

"C'mon Blooming. We have to go." Lance ordered. Blooming slowly trotted over to me, allowing me to pick her up. I sat her on my back. She grasp my coat firmly.

"Okay, it might take me a minute or two to get up there. You two aren't exactly featherweights."

"Just please hurry." I clung tightly to her neck with my left fore-hoof.

"You're really still afraid? After what the hay just happened?" Lance said flapped her wings, causing her to ascend a few hoofs in the air.

"Shut it. I'll tell Blooming about what happened when we were in the cell!"

"What?"

"Nothing." Lance blushed. She hovered over the wall, and began to descend.

A few minutes pass by, and Lance had managed to hover up nearly half the wall.

"I haven't seen any changelings yet." I traced across the top of the wall, looking for changelings.

"Good. It'll take me a couple more minutes to get over the rest of this wall, so keep on the lookout."

"All right."

Another couple of minutes pass by, and we're a couple of hoofs over the wall. There's still no sign of-

"There's two on the lookout over there." I said, pointing my free hoof at them. Both of them had on black armor and a spear.

"Okay. Let's try to get pass them without being noticed." Lance said quietly.

"Let's just get this done quickly and quietly." I said quietly, trying not to alarm the changelings.

"Agreed."

We'd pass over the first part of the wall, then the second.

"Okay, now just hover down and we'll use the snowstorm as cover."

"I know what I'm doing." Lance said quietly as she began to slowly glide down. She made sure to stay close to the wall, almost pushing me into it.

That's it, Lance... stay under them...

We reached the halfway mark down the hall. The changelings hadn't noticed us yet. As we glided farther and farther away from the changelings, the snow made it more difficult to see them. Hopefully that means that they can't see us either.

"Okay... I think we're good." I said. Lance began to speed up her descent.

"W-we're safe?"

"Yeah, Blooming. We're safe..." Lance said as she floated above the ground. I sat Blooming down first, then Lance landed.

"Okay... that went better than I expected." Lance said as she shook the snow off of her wings. She wince abruptly, grabbing her shoulder.

"What?"

"Ah- horseapples. Knew it went too well." She extended her right fore-hoof to me. The palm was covered in blood. "Wound must have opened up again."

"Let's get moving. We'll bandage that up once we're far enough away. Here-" I pulled the blanket off my neck and trotted to Lance "This won't do much, but at least we won't freeze over from the snow." I said as I unraveled the blanket and draped it over Lance and I.

"Okay, Blooming. Come over here and we'll get going, all right?"

Blooming remained silent. She trotted over to us quietly and got between us.

Shining trotted down the hallway with a group made up of four crystal guards. They had been informed of the situation and had their spears ready. Cadance and Twilight was standing at the end of the hallway, awaiting his arrival. They both began to trot towards him.

"Shining, we know who's in there. It's- " "Wait, before we do anything, what is a noble's duty to it's citizens? Sorry, but I need to be sure." Shining asked. Cadance and Twilight nodded.

"A noble's duty is to it's citizens is to protect them and lead them, to give them guidance, and to nurture them regardless of the situation." Cadance said. Shining nodded.

"Twilight, what is a noble's duty to a fellow noble?"

"A noble's duty to another noble is to represent what their kingdom is, to be wary of deceit and betrayal, and to be generous in times of need."

"Okay... now, we may start. What was it that you were about to say?"

"Queen Chrysalis is the one impersonating Princess Celestia."

"What?! I thought we had more time."

"I know."

"Shining, if we could capture her..."

"I know, Twilight. We could get the counter-spell. I need two of you to come with us and two of you to stay out here." Shining said as he pointed over at the guards.

"Yes, your highness." One of the guards said as he stepped forward. Another guard stepped beside him.

"Okay... we'll go in. Cadance, Twilight, you two can come if you like, but I don't think it'd be very safe..." Shining said. He had let Cadance get hurt before, and he wasn't about to let either of them get hurt.

"I'm going with you, Shining. We're not defenseless, you know." Twilight said as she stepped forward.

"I know that, Twilight... I'm just trying to look out for you. Both of you."

"I'm going too." Cadance said as she stepped beside Shining. Shining sighed, knowingly being bested. However, he couldn't help but smile in pride to see how brave they were(especially Twilight).

"All right. We go in on three." Shining said as he stood in front of the door The two guards were standing at each side of the door, waiting for the order.

"One..."

"Two..."

"Three."

The guard to the right turned the doorknob and the other on the left used his shoulder to burst through the door. Shining, Cadance, and Twilight stepped inside. Twilight looked around the room quickly; there was a large bed with a crystal bookshelf to the left of it, a large, square, white rug in the middle, and a window that Queen Chrysalis was looking out of.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Queen Chrysalis stood, angry.

"Princess, we have reason to believe that you aren't who you say you are."

"That's ridiculous, Cadance." She chuckled. They didn't break their stern silence. Queen Chrysalis scoffed. "I would've expected better from all of you."

"Fine then, princess. But first, I need to ask you a question..."

"Fine. But after that, leave. Please."

"What is a noble's duty?"

"Why must you ask me that question?"

"You should know why, Princess Celestia." Shining took a step forwards. Queen Chrysalis glanced downwards with a small grin on her face.

"My, my- aren't you clever. Making a secret phrase." Queen Chrysalis looked up to them. Her eye color changed from purple to green. The guards, seeing the change, cautiously trotted up to her and pointed their spears at each side of her neck.

"You're brave to come back here after all you've done."

Queen Chrysalis let out a small chuckle and transformed back into her normal form.

"How has your horn been feeling?"

"That's not the point-- Queen Chrysalis, you are under arrest."

"Has it been hurting badly? You're still unable to make magic, yes?"

Shining stared at her, angry.

"Then it is working perfectly."

"How do we reverse the spell?" Twilight stepped forward.

"Simple. You can't. But he can."

"Elaborate." She said. Queen Chrysalis scoffed.

"I thought you were supposed to be smart. I'll never tell unless you call off the guards." Queen Chrysalis said. The guard to the left looked over at Shining. He nodded. The guards sheathed their spears and stepped away.

"A wise choice."

"Now, what is it that could help him?"

"He needs to come with me."

"Not happening. Why should I trust you?"

Queen Chrysalis smiled, almost joyful.

"Fine. I tried the easy way first, but I guess that isn't very fitting for a pony like you. Now it is time for the changeling way." Queen Chrysalis tip of her horn emitted a green light. The guards drew their staffs and pointed it at her neck once more. Shining's horn emitted the same green light. He suddenly began to feel nauseous and confused as his horn began to burn painfully. Shining squeezed his eyes shut and collapsed onto the ground.

Something strange began to rise in Shining's head. Something vicious. Something evil. Something that was consuming him. The real him.

"What are you doing to him?!" Cadance leaned over Shining, rubbing his shoulder. Queen Chrysalis only responded with a wicked smile. Twilight watched on in horror as her brother writhed in pain.

I need to fight! Shining tried to fight the magic, but only made the pain worse.

"Stop!" Twilight snapped away from her brother, aiming to Queen Chrysalis as she prepared a magical bolt of her own. Queen Chrysalis kept her grin, unafraid.

"Do it. Go ahead." Queen Chrysalis took a step towards Twilight. She extended her neck out to her, making it an easy target, "Go for my neck, why don't you. You'll never find the counterspell on your own. You would have to sit by and watch as your brother transformed into a changeling, painfully and slowly. And you'd be the one who caused it."

Twilight sighed, seeing she had been bested. She allowed the magic to die.

"Wise choice." Queen Chrysalis turned towards Shining. "Ah, seems he has joined us."

Shining began to rise.

"Are you all right?!" Cadance helped Shining up.

"Guards, leave us."

"But, your highness-" "Now." Shining interrupted. The guards reluctantly bowed and left the room, shutting the door behind them.

"Why did you-" Shining turned to Cadance. He planted a quick kiss on her lips before leaning to her right ear.

"I'm... I'm sorry. I love you, but I have no choice."

"What're you--"

Shining's horn glowed with green magic, in contrast to his rose magic. Cadance backed away.

"Shining? What are you do--"

He aimed to Cadance's chest, firing a magical bolt. She flew back, hitting the bookshelf. She slumped over, laying on her face as the bookshelf fell over atop of her.

"Shining, what are you doing?!" Twilight rushed over to the bookcase, trying to lift it up off of her. "Why?! Come help me!" Shining trotted over to her. He pulled her away, wrapping his hooves around her and pulling her into a hug.

"I love you, Twilight. And I hope you'll forgive me one day." Shining fired another bolt at Twilight. Twilight crossed her hooves over her chest, trying to block it, but because of the sheer force of it, she was knocked into the wall where the bookshelf was formerly standing. Her head bobbed, trying to fight unconsciousness.

"Shining--" She pushed herself up, latching her fore-hooves into the coat of Shining's chest. "Please..." Her voice waned as she stood on unsteady hooves.

"Finish her, Shining. We cannot have any Alicorn interrupting this."

Shining sighed, trotting up to her.

"Please, stay down. I don't want to h-hurt you more than I need to" He whispered, pointing his horn back to her chest. Shining closed his eyes, firing another weak bolt to her. It landed directly onto her chest, knocking her back into the wall. Chunks of wood stuck out from Twilight's coat, and flung into Shining's.

"Good. Pick up your spouse and we shall leave this place."

"Yes, your... your highness." Shining magically pushed the bookshelf to side to block the door and trotted over to Cadance. Different books littered her body.

Shining carefully picked up the books and sat them aside. Her mane draped over her face and her chest was scorched. Shining carefully wiped her mane away, revealing her now bruised face.

What have I done...

"Hurry, Shining. You don't want to waste your queen's time, now do you?"

"Of course not, your highness." Shining he magically picked up Cadance and put her on his back.

"Prince Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, Princess Twilight Sparkle, please open the door!

I've served my queen.

"Good. Blast a hole in the wall and we'll meet my subjects outside of the Crystal Empire, at the border. You aren't able to disguise yourself yet, so you'll need to be careful not to be seen."

"Of course, Queen Chrysalis." Shining trotted pass Queen Chrysalis and punched hole in the window. He blasted the rest of the glass out of the window with a magical bolt and jumped out, landing in the soft snow that cushioned his fall.

Queen Chrysalis hopped down as well. She was now disguised as a crystal mare with a red mane and a black coat.

"You'd best be there, Shining Armor. For your kingdom's sake." Queen Chrysalis said as she trotted away from Shining, towards the village.

"Yes, Queen Chrysalis." Shining trotted in the opposite direction, away from Queen Chrysalis.

Five Hours Later

"Your highness-"

"Princess Twilight, may I ask some questions?"

"Are you okay-"

"Please, please-- everypony leave!" Twilight spoke above the ponies crowding outside her bedroom door. She forced the door shut, sliding down as the guard and village crystal ponies alike chattered behind the door. Her mane was messy, her fore-hooves and chest had been bandaged, and tears stained her cheeks.

"Twilight!" Spike jumped up, rushed to her side. "What happened?!"

She looked down to Spike, pulling him close. "Th-they're gone, Spike. She took them."

"Who?"

"Shining... Q-Queen Chrysalis was the changeling. She cast s-some spell on him, and he struck Cadance and I with d... dark magic."

Spike's eyes widened, before he hugged her.

"My hooves were sc-scorched from trying to block it, and I have cuts on my back from the power of it. When I woke up, the crystal guard were shaking me awake and Cadance, Shining, and Queen Chrysalis were gone."

"We... w-we can still help Shining, right?"

"I'm not sure, Spike. How're w-we going to find him in a snowstorm like this?" She glanced downwards.

I have to find him, but how the hay're we going to find him?

"We both could l-look for him."

"We're just a pony and a dragon against an army of changeling! What the hay can we do?!" She proclaimed, causing Spike to back away, his ears dropping to his head. Twilight sighed.

"I-I'm sorry. I just-- it's so much... too much for a pony and a dragon to do alone..." Twilight stared downwards, to the wooden floorboards. She sat there for a moment, before her face brightened.

"I know what to do." Twilight stood. She trotted to the table, opening her saddlebag and pulling out her notebook. Thank goodness she didn't take this.

Her horn emitted her raspberry magic, flipping to a clear page in her notebook. She pulled out her quill, quickly writing.

"What're you planning?" Spike asked. Twilight kept writing, seemingly unable to hear him. He climbed up onto the chair across from her, then onto the table.

"Is that to... Rarity?"

"Mmhm."

"But I thought you wanted to handle this on your own, without them?"

"Originally, yes, but there's no way I can fight Queen Chrysalis and her army alone." She ripped out the page of her notebook, reading over it for a moment before she rolled it up, handing it to Spike. "I need my friends by my side for this. I need the Elements of Harmony."

Author's Note

Ello. Apologies for the lateness of this chapter. Thank you for joining me in this story. For those wondering, this story will have a sequel. I'm going to take a day or so to recharge and then I'll start work on the sequel.