The crumpled corpse that was once a queen fell from my grasp. I looked down at her. So….. arrogant. I do not think she was actually afraid, not until I was banging on her door. She earned her bloody fate. A quick glance around told me the ponies were horrified , with exception to Cadence, who looked remorseful more than anything. The changelings were in some kind of daze, swinging their heads around pitifully and muttering incoherently as they stumbled about.

The crimson fog around me faded, and its pain numbing powers went with it. My body is failing me. I thought grimly. I had been seared badly by the green magic, and once enraged the changelings proved that their fangs could be very sharp. I must rest soon.

I lowered myself slowly to my knees, and then my hands as my fatigue took hold of me.

The ponies freed themselves, and went to tend to their wounded groom-to-be. I heard the background violence of a city at siege cease. What's left? Or rather, who?

Cadence was powerful, more so than I had thought at first. I could feel her magic like a large dragon’s fiery breath in the room. She was not alone, Twilight’s magic burned like a small star, but the pulsing sack connected to the ceiling, that burned like an actual star. Only slightly weaker than the bug queen’s magic had been. Their princess... what was her name? The sack was pulsating slowly, seemingly digesting the pony within. If not broken, that magic stomach will kill her. I tried to rise to my feet, to free her, but without the blood magic to sustain me I was without the strength to do so. I turned my head back to the ground in front of me, and used all my remaining strength to keep from collapsing into a heap.

Several moments later I felt a tap on my right shoulder. I turned my head to look at a sunflower-coated pegasus with a pink mane. Her cutie mark one of three butterflies, my head fell back to facing the ground after a glance.

“You killed her,” She said, her eyes had looked determined, but brimming with tears. Not used to the blood I suppose.

I tried to speak, to tell her to free the princess, that she needs help, but my voice eluded me. A pool of blood was forming at my hands and knees, running along my body. I could not tell her to save her princess, but I could answer her query. I gave a half-hearted nod.

I felt something wet and soft touch a particularly nasty gash along my shoulder, I glanced and saw her rubbing a cloth along my wound. With the way it stung, water is not what made it wet. A potion perhaps?

“Thank you,” She near whispered. Almost as if she did not want anybody to hear.
“Fluttershy what are you doing!” A southern female voice sounded from behind me, I heard several sets of hoofsteps approach.

“I-I-Im just tending to the cuts so they don’t get infected... if thats ok..” I saw a two sets of hooves, orange and white, out of the corner of my eye.

“Did you SEE this….this…..this….WHATEVER IT IS just kill the changeling queen!?” The voice was rather pompous, I remembered rich nobles and snotty royalty. Grating as ever.

“Well yes but the queen was hurting lots of ponies and Cadence and Twilight’s brother and Princess Celestia and I thought I should help and, and…”

A wet smack interrupted her as someone cut free the magic stomach and it spilt over the ground. I could see whatever, or whoever was inside stood on four white hooves, but they were clad in golden horseshoes. Ah, the fabled princess at last. I tried to rise, but managing to wrench myself to my knees alone would have to do. The concerned Fluttershy continued to tend to my cuts as I stared at this country's supposed leaders.

My sweet Shining is ok. Check. The Queen is dead. Check. Celestia is…..where is she? I looked around the room, notably ignoring the corpse and Wrath’s prone form. I saw some of the Elements of Harmony congregating around him. I spied the sack pulsing near the ceiling. There she is! I trotted over and reached out with my magic. The spell binding the occupant was easily broken with the caster dead. It began to fall from the ceiling and split just before it hit the ground, the form of Celestia stood while the sack splattered to the ground around her. As regal as ever. My senior princess was undoubtedly the most elegant. Though she is dripping with goo…..ew.

Celestia looked around the room carefully, eventually setting her gaze down on the dead changeling queen. She looked sad, heartbroken even. She had wanted to defeat her, but not kill her. My ears splayed back and I trotted to her side.

“It’s done Celestia, but Canterlot is safe now,”

“...........is it?” she asked. She was now looking at Wrath, an emotionless mask plastered firmly on her face. He had risen to a kneeling position, and was looking at Celestia with a face that seemed like it was supposed to be stoic, but just looked tired. So that’s what a kneeling biped looks like.

“This is my friend, Celestia. He has risked his life to help us, he is no danger to us.”

Wrath watched her intently, with a searching look that seemed to peer into her soul, she returned the look. For several long minutes the two just stared at each other. Celestia proud and dripping goo, regal and fierce; Wrath looked determined, yet tired and kneeling. The other ponies began to vacate the room and the remaining elements joined Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack by Wrath, with exception to Twilight who was caring for her brother. They formed a half circle behind the wounded human. Some of the ponies grew nervous and fidget as the two stared at each other. I wonder what they’re thinking. The building tension was dissipated when Wrath smiled. Which was very odd to see. A happy grin on a haggard face, dripping with blood.

“You... you are the princess Celestia... that Cadence and Twilight have said so much about.... aren't you?” his voice rasped horrendously, it seemed to be taking a considerable amount of effort to speak.

“I am, but I can not say I know you, creature. However you have saved my ponies and myself, wounding yourself in the process. For that you have my gratitude,” Her stoic mask broke as she gave Wrath a humble bow and a small smile, now she just looked tired. Being digested like that must have been horrible. I shuddered.

"There will be time for thanks later however, the city must be tended to at once, besides, your wounds still bleed,"

My mind is abuzz with questions. Here I stand in the palace throne room. The very same one from two days prior, and it's like the invasion never happened at all. I glanced toward Shining, who now looked rested and happy to be at his own wedding in a sound state of mind. The throne room was exactly as it should be. No roaming changeling hordes, no evil impostor Cadence, just a nice, formal wedding. Celestia stood hosting the ceremony next to me, she no longer drips in that goo. It took over a day for her to get it off. And we STILL don't know what is was.

A lot has happened in the past two days..

My mentor Celestia had Canterlot cleaned up rather quickly. Most of the time and effort went to repairing damaged houses, and disposing of the changeling bodies. Everypony was told to steer clear of the entire southern side of the city, because of a quarantine Celestia had set up. I wonder why... No no, Celestia told me not to worry about it, so I won't. There were very few pony fatalities, the bodies had been cleanly taken care of and funerals were given.

Celestia asked me and the other elements go around and boost the morale of the city. Pinkie got to throw many of her new " Canterlot is safe now" parties and "Bug Queen is gone" parties. Rainbow Dash tried to help with cleaning up the quarantine, but pretty much only a few high ranking guards were allowed in. Applejack and Rarity had helped rebuild, and Fluttershy had gone to help the hurt. Speaking of the hurt, I did not see Wrath once after Chrysalis was killed. Celestia and Cadence had helped him to one of the royal rooms, Luna's I think, given that she was out in Saddle Arabia as a diplomat it would make sense. I wonder if he is still in Luna's room? He probably-

"Here she comes,"

I EEPed and frantically looked around, Celestia was looking past me.

"Here comes who?"

"Cadence silly!"

The throne room opened and Cadence came through, elegant in her wedding dress, traditional white but laced with gold. Wow She was preceded by the flower fillies, who skipped and ginned along the way. I looked to the side and saw my brother in his lovely suit, who had the most sincere grin I had ever seen on his face. What a wonderful wedding.

I awoke to the sound of a chime, singing softly. Where am I? I was surrounded by softness and warmth. My eyes slowly cracked open to see a dark blue ceiling, ornate as any palace I have ever seen. So I'm still in the palace. I looked around the rest of the room, it seemed to be a royal bedchamber of some kind. Everything was a blue. From the lightish blue of the carpets and the walls, to the deep navy blue of the bed sheets and the ceiling. A ceiling that hung at least 20 meters in the air, a large chandelier hanging with a replica of the moon upon it. It was made of a black stone, most likely obsidian.

I sat myself up and looked over my body. All of the lesser cuts and burns were gone entirely, only the blackest burns and deepest gashes remained, and they were bandaged securely. Though they hurt tremendously, they would not be a hindrance. In addition, my loincloth had been repaired. Or rather, replaced. What was once a loincloth made out of the finest bear fur, is now some white fluffy material, it is comfortable, but I will have to skin the next bear I see, as only a traditional loincloth is suitable for battle. For now however, this makeshift one will have to do. It seems the ponies now are much more caring than they were before. The old King would have let me go naked than replace my loincloth.

I rose from the warmth of the lavish bed and stood. A head rush sent me reeling but I recovered quickly. Using that much magic at once had been necessary, as those enhanced changeling were an actual threat, but this backlash will be hellish for at least the next several days. I walked to the open window, were I saw a expensive looking chime. It was hanging from a rather large balcony.

I walked out onto the balcony and was presented with a commanding view of the city. It was in much better shape than it appeared prior. Wait... How long have I been asleep? The full moon was high in the sky, and the stars shone brilliantly. Were I an astronomer, I would simply look at the start to tell the date, but, as I am not an astronomer, I will find another way.

After admiring the night sky for perhaps another 30 minutes, I decided to go searching for the princess, that "Celestia". As her magic is powerful, and I can feel it radiating from the balcony. I left the room by its large obsidian door. Immediately outside stood two guards both wearing black and blue armor, thestrals. Standing stock still on either side of the door, they were obeying the traditional pony guard rules. I suppose some things must remain the same. They are supposedly unable to move or react to outside input. Looking from one to the other I saw them profusely sweating. They are not as relaxed as they let on, that, or their armor is very warm indeed. I simply walked by them and began down a spiral staircase that led away from the room.

After reaching the bottom I began to follow after the star of magic. It lead me through corridor after corridor until it led to a marble door, larger than those I had been passing. Music and the sounds of many voices came from the room beyond. She is just on the other side. I opened it and walked through.

All the chatter that had been going came to an abrupt halt, even the music ceased. The room was large, and ponies were everywhere. Some were congregated at tables with white tablecloth drinking what I can only assume is wine. Some had been dancing in front of a large orchestra, but now stood frozen, as did the orchestra. Cadence was on the dance floor, with a blue maned, white stallion unicorn. I scanned the room until I found Celestia, standing near a large fixture of Ice in the shape of two ponies dancing.

"Please calm down everypony, return to the after-party there is no cause for alarm," Celestia announced as she cantered over to me. The orchestra was the first to recover, and when they did the party began to resume as ponies recovered from the shock of seeing something standing taller than Celestia burst into the room.

"How many days have I slept?" I asked the alicorn when she reached me.

"Oh not long, about two days, a little longer. We did all we could to cure your wounds, but some were simply beyond our healing magic. It was all we could do, as our hospitals are not outfitted to handle someone of your......proportions."

"What is a hospital?" I asked.

"Oh its.....never mind it is irrelevant, I am just surprised you are already awake,"

"I am surprised I slept as long as I did," She raised a brow a this.

"Cadence told me about you.. somewhat... but she said that you were trapped for a long time, a very long time, is that true?"

"A very long time is an understatement, but yes, it is true,"

"Then would it not make sense, that the first sleep you have had in, however long, would be longer than you are accustom to?" I slowly nodded.

"I suppose so," Our conversation paused briefly as the party returned to full swing. She beckoned me to follow her.

"Cadence also told me of the deal you two made," She glanced back at me, her eyes were filled with concern.

"I want to trust you, you have saved both Equestria and myself, however please understand that you have only demonstrated the trait that had you imprisoned, and did so quite effectively." I remained silent as she led me to a table with six mares around it. One of them being Twilight. They all had on strange jewelry, Twilight with a tiara and the rest with necklaces. It took a moment but my eyes widened as I had a realization. Those were the Elements of Harmony, the very same elements that the damnable King and Queen had used to imprison me.

"So for this reason, I would have you stay in Ponyville, a small village near here, and be monitored by these six mares for one years time." She stopped us just before we were within earshot of the table. She used her magic and gently lowered my head, whispering in my ear.

"I will not tolerate anything that is a threat to my ponies, If you demonstrate that you are more than a bloodthirsty killer, then after a years time I will allow you to go where you please. But the King and Queen that imprisoned you, Wrath, were my parents." My entire body tensed at once, and I began to summon all the remaining magic in my body, which was not much at all, to my fists. She immediately noticed and hastily added before anybody around us noticed the magic.

"I never spoke with them, but they left writings of a unique creature named 'Wrath', they called him a monster, a monster that delighted in slaughter. Their writings told of how the elements imprisoned him forever, they did not say where. They said that he should rot away for all eternity for his crimes... But I never met them, or you. And I believe in second chances."

She released her telekinetic hold on my head and I rose back to my full height, dissipating the magic I had summoned. I sighed deeply and closed my eyes.

"I do not have much of a choice do I?" My eyes were closed, but I could feel the sad look she was giving me.

"My hooves are tied Wrath, I have to be sure you're not a monster. Besides, you are immortal correct? It shouldn't be so bad to put up with some harmony for a year, should it?"

I stood in silence for a moment, thinking. She is the daughter of those damnable royals, but she is completely different from them. They did not care for their subjects, they were greedy and vain. This Celestia has very little evil in her heart, but no heart is without at least some evil. She has only demonstrated kindness thus far. I opened my eyes and looked down at her face full of pity. Her face contorted with sympathy as it was, it made me want to pet her, but I restrained myself. Well, whats a year to an eternity in silence?

"I accept,"

She clapped her hooves.

"Fantastic!" She led me the remaining distance to the elements.

"Girls, I have somebody I would like you to meet,"

Far south from the lands of ponies, in a misty jungle known as the Shumji. A jungle that matches the Everfree Forest in sheer evil, something unnatural stirs. Beneath twisted boughs of gnarled trees and hanging vines, beneath the twisted creatures that roamed therein, beneath the blackened dirt, lay an egg. Three meters tall and 1.5 around. It is covered thickly, in black, hellish vines. These vines act as veins, connecting the egg to the surrounding dirt as they feed it dark magic from the forest itself. The egg has layed here, beneath the jungle dirt, since the great cataclysm. It is a remnant of something maliciously unnatural, from a time forgotten. For eons, the egg has lacked one component. To hatch, it needs just a hair, of true blood magic. Only the kind spawned by total blood lust will do, and carried in on the wind just minutes prior, was one such magic.

One crack appeared, marring the pristine exterior of the massive, deep-purple chrysalis. The black tendrils surrounding and coating the egg began to shrivel and die, slowly igniting, and burning to ash. Another crack, followed by another. The egg begins to writhe, twisting and contorting, squirming upwards.

Above a chimera patiently waits, looking for prey. Being below the rank of "apex predator of the jungle," it must keep some semblance of stealth. It presently hid beneath some underbrush, watching for some lesser monster to cross its vision. It waits, then something odd occurs. A purplish gray........thing..... emerges from the ground. As it rises the chimera licks all three sets of its lips, hungry and finally being presented a meal. The thing burrows further out of the ground, and the chimera starts stalking towards it, drooling all the while. It looks organic to the predator, pulsing with life and therefor, edible. The chimera rears back, and pounces.

A viscous claw bursts through the embryonic membrane moments before the beast would have impacted, tearing through the chimera's goat head and coming out the other side. The chimera's remaining heads begin to howl in agony as another claw tears from the embryo into its chest. Four other viscous blade-like claws swing in all directions, and the egg shreds completely, its remnants splattering across the forest in all directions, which slowly start to catch fire. A large ovular head spiked and vicious, with slitted dragon-esque eyes thrusts into the chest of the chimera, and begins to devour organ after still living organ. A demonic cackle erupts from the monsters jaws as it bites into the beating heart of the chimera, finally ending the poor beast.

After devouring the would-be apex predator, the monster stands. Four meters tall, with wicked fangs the size of a ponies forehoof. The monster looks about. Its slender legs ending with three clawed toes, which daintily carry its weight. It leaps from the ground to a nearby tree; for balance, it embeds three of its six sword-like, clawed appendages into the bark . A long, spiked, reptilian tail swings slowly. The tail becomes rigid as the creatures entire carapace seems to lighten in color, become translucent, and fade from sight.

"Help! Somebody help!" A young girls voice calls from the unseen beast's mouth, luring unsuspecting prey into its midst.

Author's Note

The next installment guys!

I'm really excited to hear what you guys think about this, so please leave a comment.

I hope you enjoy!