Dark Roseby Roger334Chapters1: The Rabbit and the Hunter2: Perfect Stranger3: Ascension of the PhoenixEpilogue1: The Rabbit and the HunterDARK ROSE By Roger334 “Peur toujours, peur partout.” Dense storm clouds cover the entire region of Canterlot and their surroundings. The wind speeds through the nearby mountains and forests of the Capital City. Squirrels, owls, raccoons and all kind of small critters, hide inside their homes because a storm is about to begin. Just as the first thunders start to roll across the stormy sky, a lonely pony princess roams inside the empty halls of Canterlot’s palace. Helped by the light of a candle, the princess makes her way through the thick darkness of the site. Suddenly, another pony appears in front of her. “…I see you’re leaving. Very well my dear sister, rest and as always, I’ll guard the night,” said Princess Luna to her sister, Celestia, with a smile. The white alicorn nodded and smiled back, right before continuing with her previous path. The Moon couldn’t be seen, yet the slumber and tiredness invaded Celestia’s body, making her seek some sleep. After yawning a little, the eternal being finally returned to her room. With the help of her magic, Celestia removed her golden crown, necklace and shoes. The once enlightened candlestick now rests over a small night table. “Good night everypony,” Celestia said to herself, just as she jumped into her bed. After a small moment, she drifted off to sleep. Outside the castle, the storm continued covering the region with its powerful thunders and heavy rain. After sleeping in peace for a few hours, the Solar Princess started to feel a cold draft inside her room. Just as she removed her pink sleep mask, a mighty breeze blew her mane. “Oh no,” sighed Celestia, just as she got out of her bed. The room’s balcony doors were completely opened, allowing the rain and the wind to enter without pity. Maps, books and even some drawings started to get wet. Before the white alicorn could even close them, an unknown voice called her. “Hello, Celestia…” “WHO’S IN THERE?!” “…” “…CHRYSALIS, what are you doing here?!” Thanks to the light of the storm, Celestia finally recognized her mysterious guest, Chrysalis, the Queen of the Changelings. The evil monarch wasn’t wearing her crown, but instead, something that looked like a golden necklace of some kind. “Now you’ll feel what it’s like to be hated, to be alone and to be repulsive for everypony...” The white alicorn started to back away, frightened. “Oh no, Celestia…” “…if you think I'm a monster, just wait to see what you’ll turn into…” said Chrysalis for the last time, right before touching her strange necklace. From it, a powerful spark of light came out and enlightened the whole room, consuming both royalties on its way. When the forceful light ceased, Celestia and Chrysalis appeared to be lying on the floor in the same exact spot where they were. The white alicorn stood up with difficulty and trotted as fast as she could to the other side of her room. At the same time Chrysalis, with difficulty too, opened her big eyes and tried to stand up again. In the moment the Changeling Queen saw Celestia standing by the door, her ears dropped and her face turned sick. “NO. IMPOSSIBLE!” “W-WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!” The Princess of the Day didn’t answer, but instead, smiled and furrowed her eyes. It was then when they finally understood what happened. Celestia and Chrysalis had swapped bodies, somehow. Now, with horror, the eternal being was looking at herself from the other side of the room through the eyes of her enemy. Right before Celestia could even try to approach at her former self, royal guards of the palace appeared trotting at full speed. After a brief moment, they were now inside the room, with swords. “Seize her!” shouted Chrysalis while she backed away from the circle of guards, smiling. The palace knights pointed their swords against Celestia in that moment, all of them at once. “NO, W-WAIT…!” cried the new Changeling Queen, just as she tried to approach and reason with them. The knights drew their swords. They all looked nervous, and quite scared, with her presence. Celestia stopped and moved away from them, very slowly. The circle of guards started to advance, forcing her to exit the room towards the wet balcony behind her. The storm was still going on. Thunders and lightning filled the sky, as if they knew what was happening. With the imminent advance of her own knights, the trapped Queen started to look down at the abyss beneath her. With tears in her eyes, Celestia decided to jump in a desperate attempt to escape. While falling, Celestia tried to use her new wings without any success. Right before she could crash in one of the castle’s gardens, her wings finally responded and saved her. After landing in the miry soil of the courtyard, the now dirty and very scared new Changeling Queen, initiated her escape through the palace, her old palace. Not very far from where she landed, one of the many castle’s entrances lay. With lots of efforts, trying not to trip over the wet stones of the place, Celestia trotted as fast as she could to it. Suddenly, its iron curtain fell, cutting her route of liberation. With deep sorrow, the new Changeling Queen tried to lift the heavy gate. “…this time you’ll not escape from me, CHANGELING MONSTER!” shout the Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor, with great rage. The white stallion was wielding his majestic sword in the air with his magic. “Shining, please, let me explain you--” “NO, I DON’T HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOU!” Celestia remained quiet. Her eyes were full of tears. “You can cry all what you want or even take any shape you wish, but this time I’m prepared to stop you…” said Shining for the last time, just as he put down the visor of his helmet. His sword moved to a draw position. Ready for the battle, the Captain of the Royal Guard started to advance against her. Celestia started to panic in that moment. She was completely cornered, unprotected and scared. “I-I… I don’t want to hurt you.” “Please, forgive me,” cried Celestia, right before shooting a powerful flash of light with her horn. Shining dropped his sword immediately. Without hesitating, the new Changeling Queen took this opportunity and fled while she could. Moments later, some pegasi guards landed nearby their very angered captain, who still was fighting to recover his sight back. Shining was heavily kicking. “SEIZE HER. DO NOT LET HER ESCAPE!” After a moment of total blindness, the Captain of the Royal Guard finally recovered his sight and picked his sword from the mud. “Not this time…” Inside the palace, Celestia was still trying to escape from her own guards. Since the whole castle was ringing with all kinds of alarms, she started to feel exhausted because there was no place for her to hide or rest. “I-I… I can’t continue. I’m too tired,” mumbled the new Changeling Queen, right before falling fatigued over a soft carpet. While she tried to recover her breath, Celestia looked down at her new hooves and body for the very first time. “What am I going to do…?” Just when she was about to break into tears, a distant voice called her from the other side of the hall. “PSST…!” Celestia looked around, but she couldn’t see the pony who was calling her. “Over here, your majesty!” “…me?” “YES. Over here!” shout a small changeling creature, while waving his leg. Celestia stood up and trotted towards him. When she finally was in there, another changeling landed near them. Both creatures were completely wet and full of mud in their hooves and tails, just like her. “I’m so happy to see that you’re ok, your highness!” “Bani and I found the wall that leads exactly to the forest…” Celestia didn’t answer. She didn’t know what to say. “That’s right, your majesty. Ponies will never find us in there!” “OH NO, more guards are coming!” “Quickly, this way!” shout the big creature, right before trotting away under the rain. Bani followed him immediately. After hearing the guards coming too, Celestia decided to follow them. Without wasting time, the group of fugitives dashed through the castle’s gardens. After turning in a corner, all of a sudden, they found a lonely pegasi guard in front of them. The winged knight didn’t move. Very slowly, the white pony put down the lantern he was holding over the wet tiles of the garden. “You finally found her…” “VERY WELL, let’s go.” “You heard him, LET’S GO!” After trotting for some minutes more, the group of fugitives finally arrived at the colossal section of the wall that they were looking for. All of them stood staring at it, thinking of a way to cross it without being noticed by the palace’s guards. “Look, we can use that terrace to help us jump over it…” “Alright, follow me!” After landing in the high spot, the group of changelings could perfectly see the entire forest thanks to the impact of the thunders. Despite how creepy the scene looked like, Celestia, just like her new friends, felt more scared by the castle guards rather than the dark stormy forest above her. “Your majesty, you go first,” said the big changeling, right before pointing away with his hoof. His noble gesture invited Celestia to jump and escape first. “NOT SO FAST!” shouted Shining, just as he slammed the doors of the terrace without warning. With him, fifteen additional guards came out and formed a half circle. All the knights pointed their swords at them in that moment. “…make sure she makes her way back to Endcliff, Samsei,” said the big creature one last time, right before putting himself in front of his friends. He didn’t seem to be scared, not even a little, despite the number of knights around them. “No, brother. WAIT!” “I will take care of them, I promise.” “NOW GO and good luck, your highness!” shout the big changeling just as he pushed Celestia, the pegasi guard and his brother, down the wall with his powerful magic. Perhaps it was the impression of seeing such scene or the sounds she was hearing in that moment, but after falling in the forest, Celestia wasn’t trying to escape. She stood in there, petrified, hearing the battle. Very slowly, the new Changeling Queen started to recover from her trance thanks to Bani. After feeling his gentle jostles, the eternal being continued escaping with them, through the forest. After climbing a very steep and muddy hill, the light of the thunders gave Celestia an idea of how far they were from Canterlot. “Your majesty, over here…” ********* “SISTER, are you okay?!” asked Luna. She looked really worried. Cadence and a unicorn guard were accompanying the new Celestia, who was drinking hot cocoa from a mug with her magic. The new Solar Princess was wearing a blanket, but she was still shaking and sobbing a little. “What happened?” “Chrysalis entered into her room and threatened her,” replied the Princess of Love, while she slowly patted Celestia’s back. “I was so scared…!” “I should’ve been more careful, but I didn’t see anything strange…” “Please, forgive me, sister,” said the Lunar Princess with deep regret. She now was looking down at the floor. “Don’t worry. These changeling creatures are very astute and they could’ve fooled anypony…” “But the important thing is did you… capture her?” “No. She escaped through the forest with her friends…” In that moment the white alicorn stood up and trotted towards Luna. Her expression looked sad, frustrated and almost desperate as she continued with her bitter crying, again. “I was sleeping so peacefully in my room when suddenly, that monster broke in and threatened me with all kinds of terrible things!” “Sister, you must catch her at all cost before it’s too late…” The Princess of the Night remained quiet. She looked uncomfortable. “…I was sleeping under your shift, trusting you, remember?” Luna in that moment returned to look down at the floor. Cadence, after noticing her aunt’s regretful feelings, decided to come closer to them. “What matters most is that you are okay. Don’t you think, Celestia?” The white alicorn looked down immediately at her. She looked really angry for what her niece had said. The Princess of Love remained quiet. “No, she’s right. It was my responsibility…” “Okay, I’ll catch her,” said Luna, right before exiting the room towards the wet balcony behind them. The storm by that moment was completely finished. “…and sister, bring her to me before sunrise, ok?” asked Chrysalis, but now her face looked really serious, almost immutable, not sad like before. “Yes, of course! After taking off, the Princess of the Night dashed towards the forest. Behind her, on the ground, a large row of soldiers followed her with swords. ********* A couple of hours had passed since Celestia escaped from Canterlot, helped by her new changeling friends. The spirit of the lonely group was as low as the fog that covered the region where they now were. The new Changeling Queen couldn’t stop thinking about what just happened. The sad words of Chrysalis still echoed inside her, just like the frightening words of Shining. Celestia closed her eyes and sighed, with sadness. “Don’t worry, your majesty. The river should be in front of us by any minute!” said the pegasi guard with a smile. He was trying to cheer her up. “Excuse me, but shouldn’t be you… trying to arrest us or something?” “Why are you helping us?” “Oh, your highness, that’s a good one!” After hearing Samsei’s merry response, Celestia started to feel something beneath her. It was Bani, the small changeling creature, who now was trotting between her long legs. He seemed to be scared by something because he was constantly looking behind them. “What is it, little one?” “…does the sun lives in the forest?” “I… I don’t understand. What do you mean?” “Yes, what do you mean with that?” The small creature stopped and pointed at the forest. “What’s… that, your highness?” asked Samsei, confused. The new Changeling Queen didn’t answer. She looked really scared because in front of them, not very far between the tree trunks, a light of some kind was coming right towards them at great speed. This light was so powerful, that it illuminated a whole area of the wood without effort. “…how far’s the river?” “Probably like a quarter of mile, I think.” “Let’s hurry then,” said Celestia, right before picking Bani up and trotting away with him. The pegasi guard followed them immediately, because seconds later, the powerful light reached the spot where they were. Landing with great power, Luna descended from the sky. It was her magic that was illuminating the whole area. “QUEEN CHRYSALIS, I CAN SEE YOU!” Behind her, a large horde of guards appeared trotting at full speed against them. The Lunar Princess took off immediately and dashed over the tree tops. “STOP, CRIMINAL!” The beating of Luna’s wings was so strong that Celestia, and even her new friends, could perfectly hear her coming. The new Changeling Queen started to feel exhausted again, but now from trying to escape from her own sister. When Luna’s light started to be blocked by the leafy edges of the forest, Celestia stopped and hid behind a tree with Bani. Samsei continued and hid too, a couple of yards away from them. Celestia took this opportunity to recover her breath again. Bani jumped from her back and hid behind her front legs. Moments later, in front of them, the horde of guards dashed through, but no pony saw them hiding in there. When the clanking of the swords stopped, the sound of a river could finally be heard at the distance. The new Changeling Queen noticed that from the other side of the road, Samsei was trying to tell her something with signs. After finally understanding his message, Celestia smiled and looked down at Bani, who was still shaking with fear. “Don’t worry. We are safe now.” Bani stopped shaking in that moment. “We better continue before they find us here.” “Yes, your highness!” Just when Celestia and Bani were about to exit their hideout, Luna landed in front of them. Very quickly, the fugitives returned to their hiding spot, helped by the thick darkness of the place. Luckily, the Lunar Princess didn’t see them. “Listen, Chrysalis. I know you are out here, somewhere…” “…and I know what you did, but I promise you no harm for you or your friends if you come with me now. I give you my word.” Celestia noticed that Luna couldn’t see her in the shadows, so she started making some signs to Samsei of continuing with their plan. After nodding, the pegasi guard trotted away from the Lunar Princess, trying to not make any noise. The new Changeling Queen picked Bani, very gently, and put him again on her back like before. “It’s already late and they’re waiting for me in Canterlot. Let’s finish this already, what do you say…?” Celestia started to look around her, trying to find something that would help her distract Luna. Underneath a large root, she picked a small stone with her magic and threw it away as far as she could. “THERE YOU ARE!” Without hesitating, the new Changeling Queen rushed to the river in the middle of the darkness with Bani. Finally, in front of them, The Great Northern River of Canterlot lay. “Here it is, just where we left it…” Covered with some branches and small bushes, a large wooden raft was revealed to Celestia. The heavy barge was built with five tied logs. In the back, a small rudder was built, but no mast or main sail could be seen. The eternal being looked very impressed. “I’m really sorry, your highness, but I’ll need your help to push it back to the water…” "..." “Alright, PUSH…!” Behind them, suddenly, the sound of the guards coming again started to be heard more and more loudly. They finally found them. “Hurry, guards are coming!” “ALRIGHT, one… more… push!” With a last painful push, the raft finally fell in the water and started to float by itself. Celestia, Bani and Samsei jumped on board, right before the royal knights could arrest them. All the guards remained still, looking at them getting away through the river. From between them, Luna approached the shore. In that moment, Bani and Samsei put themselves in front of Celestia. They were trying to protect her in case the Princess of the Night, or some other guard, tried to shoot some spell at her. When the raft was far enough from the shore, Luna took off and retreated back to the woods. One by one, the knights returned too. When nopony was seen anymore, Samsei and Bani stopped shielding Celestia. The pegasi guard moved to the back, while Bani sat and started to play with the water around them. Celestia sat on the raft, very slowly, but her sight couldn’t stop looking at the distant shore. The former Solar Princess started to understand a little more what Chrysalis really meant with her words. “Weird, I thought that pony princess was going to shoot us a spell from the shore…” “Downstream we’ll safe, your highness,” said Samsei, right before bursting into green flames. His true shape was revealed to Celestia in that moment. “Oh, that’s why…!” “But tell me, where are we going, exactly?” “…well, I think we should return to Endcliff as soon as possible, your majesty.” “Meanwhile, why don’t you get some sleep? I’ll be watching the entire journey until we get to Idohn Canyon.” “Very well,” said the new Changeling Queen, right before lying down on the raft. The movement of the water was so slow and gentle that Celestia, soon, drifted off to sleep. Author's Note Special thanks to: TheBlueDreamMaker Dedicated to: Lauren Faust and Zygmunt Bauman 2: Perfect Stranger“You let her go…?” asked the new Solar Princess, heavily disappointed. “She was already far from us and she didn’t do any harm.” “I mean, you’re okay and it seems that nothing is missing,” said Luna, trying to justify her actions. She looked really nervous. “ANY HARM?! Oh no, what have you done!” shout Chrysalis, just as she turned her face away. The Lunar Princess now looked really worried. “Tell me, do you know why that creature was here tonight?” “No, I don’t.” “Well, she wanted to give me a message…” “What message, sister?” The eternal being remained quiet. Very slowly, the irked alicorn turned her face back at Luna, right before answering her question. “From this day forth, we are at war with The Changeling Empire.” “WAR, are you sure?!” “Yes. That’s why I ordered you to capture her. But now, now she’s on her way back home when we could’ve stopped her and discussed a pacific solution.” Luna’s face turned pale in that moment, with sickness. “I-I didn’t know. I’m so sorry…!” Chrysalis turned her face to avoid looking down at her new sister, again. After a brief moment of intense silence, the upset princess started to laugh a little. “It doesn’t matter, my dear sister. I’ll figure something out to stop them…” “Now leave. I wish to be alone.” The Princess of the Night nodded and trotted away, quietly, with sadness. “ONE MORE THING.” “Yes?” “Raise the sun for me. I’m not feeling good right now…” “Sure, don’t worry,” said Luna, trying to smile, before taking off again. Once Chrysalis was completely alone, she started to think about what she could do about Celestia’s escape. Right before she could think about something, her door started to be knocked by somepony. “Argh, who is it?!” “I’m very sorry to bother you, your highness, but we captured one of those changelings,” said a pony guard, just as he opened the door with his magic. “Show me…” When the knight finally arrived with Chrysalis at one of the castle’s courtyards, the new Solar Princess gazed with surprise at the fettered changeling that now was In front of her. Some guards were surrounding him, making sure he could not escape. “What do we do with him, your majesty?” In that moment, the white alicorn looked into the eyes of the trapped changeling, who seemed to be looking back at her with deep resentment “…let him go.” The guards freed the creature immediately, but he didn’t escape in that moment. After seeing nopony intended to do anything else against him, the big changeling took off towards the forest. As he fled away from the castle, Chrysalis couldn’t help drop a tear for her friend, her old friend. ********* Very slowly, Celestia opened her big eyes, right before trying to stand up again on the raft. In the moment she looked down at her new hooves again, she remembered her particular situation. Nighttime was on the sky and the only visible light was the one from Samsei’s lantern, who was sleeping in the other side of the barge. “Majesty, you’re awake!” shout Bani with happiness, just as he hugged Celestia’s leg. The new Changeling Queen stood still. She didn’t know how to react or what to say to the little loving creature. “Samsei felt tired after rowing for hours, so now I’m the captain of this ship!” “Well, you’re doing a great job, little one.” Bani blushed in that moment. “Excuse me, but where are we, exactly?” “We’re currently crossing The Alfred Mountains and pretty soon, your majesty, we will be at Idohn Canyon!” “Idohn Canyon…” Bani stood still, hearing Celestia’s mumbling with wonder. “Tell me, isn’t Idohn Canyon where Atrocious used to live…?” “I-I… I don’t know, your majesty,” replied the small changeling, ashamed. “Don’t worry. It was nothing,” said Celestia, right before lifting Bani’s chin with her hoof. The small creature smiled again. “I better keep checking the raft, your highness…” “Yes, captain!” Bani blushed again, just as he trotted to the other side of the barge. The new Changeling Queen sat and looked down at the water trail left by them with nostalgia. Bani reminded her of Luna when she was younger, right before the millennia banishment. As Celestia continue remembering her happier days, she returned to think about what Chrysalis told her during that stormy night. “She said that she felt like a monster, but if that were true, then that little loving creature wouldn’t dare to hug me.” “Chrysalis, there is no monster…” ********* “Princess Celestia!” shout Twilight, while she trotted at full speed towards her old teacher and friend inside Canterlot’s Palace. Right before the gifted unicorn could hug her, the white alicorn moved. “Yes, yes. Did you bring the bottles?!” “…of course. Right here, Princess.” From Twilight’s saddle bag, two vintage glass bottles were revealed to Chrysalis. The eternal being grabbed them with her magic and started looking at them in all its angles. The talented unicorn remained there, waiting to hear something from her. “So… is everything okay, Princess?” “Uh-huh.” Twilight felt confused by the alicorn’s sour attitude, but she tried to keep smiling. “The colors seem just fine. Very well…” “You may go now, little pony,” said Chrysalis right before trotting away with the bottles. Before she could exit the hall, Twilight approached her again while carrying a paper scroll with her magic. “PRINCESS, you’re forgetting the spell you asked me. Remember…?” “Oh yes, the spell.” The talented unicorn stood still, looking up at her with a smile, again. “…do you need something?” “Well, it’s just that I would like to know if I chose the right spell.” Celestia’s face turned serious in that moment. “Do you want me to read it right here and tell you?!” “OH NO, I was just saying…” “Look, I guess I can trust you. So leave in peace… my trusty student,” said the white alicorn, trying to smile, before exiting the hall. Twilight, soon, was completely alone in the middle of the vast wing. “Goodbye, Princess…” Very slowly, the gifted unicorn started to exit the castle towards the train station. The Moon was up in the sky, watching the sad pony’s journey. “Twilight, dear, what are you doing here?!” asked Cadence, as she came across her friend while trotting through one of the palace’s gardens. “Hello, Cadence. Princess Celestia asked me to bring her some bottles and a spell against changelings. Now, I think I’ll be heading back home with Spike…” “Wait, she made you travel all the way up here just for some bottles and she didn’t even invite you to stay? Well, that’s weird.” “It’s okay. I can sleep on the train, don’t worry…” “NO WAY!” “It doesn’t matter if she didn’t invite you, because now, I’m inviting you to stay. What do you say?” asked the Princes of Love, with a big smile. “Thanks, I gladly accept.” “YAY! You can stay at your old room and tomorrow, if you want, we can have some tea and even go out to Joe’s like old times…” giggled Cadence, right before trotting back inside the castle with Twilight. ********* “In two days time, we’ll be finally at Endcliff, your highness,” said Samsei, while he tried to warm his hooves by moving them in front of a small bonfire he just made. From the other side of the group of changelings, a few cicadas could be heard chirring and jumping. Nighttime was about to end, still, the coldness of the previous night could still be felt in the entire rocky region. The new Changeling Queen looked down at Bani, with love. He was sleeping gently nearby her. “Why did I ask Bani to come with me to Canterlot?” “He’s too young and the mission Chrysalis… I-I did, appeared to be really dangerous.” “…you didn’t, your highness. You only asked me and Aina to help you enter that white pony’s castle because we’re your best knights.” “Bani hid in a crate and by the time we found him, we were already too far from home,” replied the creature, just as he continued moving his hooves near the heat. He looked a little confused by his Queen’s question. Celestia remained quiet, thinking about what she just heard. “Samsei, did I tell you what I was going to do once inside the castle?” “No. It’s not our right to inquiry you, your highness...” Both changelings remained completely quiet, hearing only the cicada’s music at the distance. “Well, dawn is starting to peak in the horizon. I better go and check the area, if you don’t mind…” “Sure, I’ll wait here.” Samsei took off in silence, trying not to wake up Bani. Gradually over the limits of the region, a colored sunrise started to paint the whole sky in front of Celestia. The more she looked, the more she missed her old duty as the Princess of the Day. ********* “Thanks, sweetie,” giggled Cadence while she picked with her magic, the donut she ordered at Joe’s, the donut store located downtown in Canterlot. “You should try the one with sprinkles. It’s delicious!” said Twilight, just as she sipped with caution her hot cocoa with marshmallows. “Maybe other day…” “Twilight, there’s something I would like to talk to you about,” said the Princess of Love, but this time, there was a more serious tone in her voice. “Sure, what is it?” “I… I really didn’t want to say anything, but I just can’t stop thinking about it.” “Do you know, exactly, what happened the night when Chrysalis entered Celestia’s room?” “No. I only received a letter, asking me to bring her a spell and two bottles she saw in a local store in Ponyville.” “To be honest, I thought she was going to explain me the situation once I arrived here, but she didn’t.” “What happened was that Chrysalis, somehow, entered into the castle without being noticed by Luna’s magic or the guards. Once inside, she threatened Celestia about making war with us.” “That sounds terrible. I didn’t know.” “But that’s not my main worry. Ever since then, Celestia’s attitude has been very… different. She’s unfriendly now and sometimes rude, like yesterday, when she didn’t invite you to stay or when she forced Luna to chase Chrysalis in the middle of the night.” “I feel the same way, but I didn’t want to say anything about it…” “Really? You know, I think we better talk with Luna about this. Maybe she can help us talk with her and know what she’s feeling right now. If there’s a problem, we can solve it together.” “Good idea, but after this cocoa…” “… and this donut!” ********* “This’ll do it, thank you,” said Celestia with a smile, right before picking up the tiny branches Bani brought from the surroundings. As soon as the new Changeling Queen lighted them, the coldness started to back away from them thanks to the heat of another good bonfire. Suddenly, not very far from their current campsite, the powerful whistling of a train echoed across the rocky walls of the canyon. Princess Chrysalis smiled and started to laugh a little. “What is it, your majesty?” “That whistle. Can you hear it?” “…yes, I think so.” “Oh yes, I think I can hear it too!” “Well, that probably belongs to the Northern Railway’s construction site. Curious, I didn’t know my project crossed this part of Equestria…” “Your project…?” “I-I mean Celestia’s project, of course. You know, the colored pony princess…” Samsei remained quiet. He looked very confused. “SO, when are we going to reach Idohn Canyon…?” “We’re currently there, your highness.” Celestia immediately noticed that her friends started staring at her, in silence, as if they were worried about her strange questions and weird attitude. After a long pause, the new Changeling Queen decided to say something. “WELL, I think this is it for me. Sweat dreams, everychangeling…” After laying down and pretending to be completely asleep, Samsei and Bani returned their minds to other things. Moments later, right before Celestia could fall asleep, this time for real, she remained thinking about what attitude she should adopt from now on. After all, no changeling knew about what happened a few days ago. “I must watch what I say or they’ll discover me…” “…and I can’t… let that… happen…” said Celestia to herself, right before falling asleep at last. The crackling bonfire guarded the gentle dreams of the group. ********* “NO AND A THOUSAND TIMES, NO!” shouted Luna, exasperated, while she refused to talk about her sister during breakfast. Cadence and Twilight were also in there, eating with her in one of the many castle’s gardens. “Haven’t you noticed anything strange about Celestia, lately?” “She’s busy. That’s all.” “Maybe, but Celestia has never been so rude like she is nowadays.” “That’s not true and you’re overdoing this nonsense subject. Have you both considered that as an option?!” “Twilight’s right. She has been quite hostile with us ever since Chrysalis appeared that night. Especially with you…” “W-Well…” “…it was my duty to guard the night and I failed. Maybe she still feels bad about it, but she doesn’t want to bother us with her problems…” “Perhaps, but do you know where does she now like to spend most of her time?” “Enlighten us…” “In the library, reading the books and documents of The Forbidden Section. Not even I, or Twilight, have access to that section. Doesn’t that seem weird to you?” “Reading has never hurt somepony.” “But that’s not all. She also spends hours taking a single bath, looking at herself in the mirrors and now, out of nowhere, she collects bottles!” “Well… you’re right about the bottles, Twilight. Yesterday, a wooden crate arrived full of those things and when I wanted to tell Celestia about it, I found her talking with some deers in The Treasury Chamber.” “She refused to tell me and dismissed me right away, of course. But now that you’re telling me about it, I do sense something different in her…” “Deers in Canterlot?! Luna, this sounds serious. Why didn’t you tell me about it?” “Well I-I… I thought it didn’t concern me. I’m sorry, Cadence.” The gifted unicorn and the Princess of Love stared at each other without saying something. Trying to ignore the deep silence of her friends, Luna tried to keep eating her breakfast. “This is more serious than I thought,” said Cadence, right before touching Luna’s left hoof. The Princess of the Night stopped eating. Her face looked really worried. “Please, please don’t tell her I told you. She made me promise not to tell anypony about the deer’s visit. I-I don’t want to cause her any troubles, really...!” “Twilight, when I was kidnapped by Chrysalis and you all used to think she was me, didn’t I also have a strange attitude and new hobbies like Celestia does now?” “…well, yes. Shining told me you started asking him to buy you all kinds of random things. Not to mention you started to attend a singing class...” “Oh yes, we remember now. You asked us to hire you a professional teacher, Royal Riff.” The Princess of Love remained quiet. She now was the one that looked worried. “My attitude changed drastically the months before the wedding. What if Celestia… isn’t Celestia and the one we have seen up there is just a simulation, like I was?” “What if she’s Chrysalis in disguise?!” Everypony gasped at the same time. “Perhaps the real Celestia is somewhere, trapped like I was, and she needs our help. Don’t you think we should do something about it?!” “Like what, exactly?” “Confront her…” ********* “It took us some time, but we are finally at home, sweet home!” exclaimed Samsei with relief, just as he pointed the vast mud city of Endcliff, the Capital of the Changeling Empire. Located between the giant rock walls of a canyon, the banco houses and buildings lay one on top of another. The village was so big that it covered the entire region with its dirt paths and mud buildings. Some houses were built in the vertical sides of the cliff, connected by what they seemed to be hanging bridges of some kind. At the horizon, meanwhile, a colorful twilight was ending by the time the group of changelings finally arrived to their home town. Between the streets and buildings, some villagers could be seen preparing themselves to spend the night. Contrary to what Celestia or anypony used to think, changelings had different heights, mane colors and even spirits. “Sam, do you think Aina is already here?” asked Bani, worried about his brother’s fate. “I’m pretty sure he’s already home, waiting for you to arrive. Do you want me to take you back home?” “Thank you, but it’s not necessary. I know the path…” “Alright. See ya tomorrow and please stop spying your brother’s secret missions.” “I’ll try…!” “Good Night, your majesty,” said Bani, right before hugging Celestia’s leg for a last time. After the lovely gesture, the small creature trotted away from them. “I’ll miss him...” “WELL, your highness, I think we better return to the palace before Baas gets more upset. We’ve been away for more than a week!” “A WEEK?! You mean we left a week ago just to travel from here, to Canterlot, and back again?!” “Y-Yes. I’m really sorry…” “WOW, we’re really far!” After continuing with their trotting, The Great Mud Palace of Endcliff appeared in front of them. The giant banco castle crowned the whole city with its impressive towers, solid cones and windows from atop its hill. “WOW...!” “I know. It’s wonderful!” “This is… this is amazing, simply amazing because it looks like a cross between an organ and a hedgehog!” Samsei started to laugh. “Well, your majesty, are you coming…?” “OH YES,” giggled Celestia, right before trotting inside the castle with her friend. The sun finally hid in the horizon, far away from the mud palace’s reign. ********* “…these books will do it!” giggled Chrysalis, just as she picked a couple of books with her magic. Ready to go, the new Ruler of Equestria exited the library and started heading back to her room. Without warning, at the end of a small hallway, the wooden door slammed in her face, causing her to drop the books she was carrying. The white alicorn looked very angered, and a little nervous. “VERY FUNNY, NOW I ORDER YOU TO OPEN THIS DOOR AT ONCE!” Instead of hearing an answer, the door behind Chrysalis slammed too. “WHO’S IN THERE?! SHOW YOURSELF, COWARD!” “…” “TWILIGHT SPARKLE, I should’ve known it was you!” “And you’re not alone, because Cadenza and Luna are here too.” “Very well…” “Celestia, we need to talk.” “I’ve nothing to talk about with any of you. OUT OF MY WAY, NOW!” “Please, sister, we really need to talk.” “NO, WE DON’T!” “Princess, please. We don’t want to hurt you…” “STAND BACK, YOU FOALS!” shouted the imposter Celestia, right before shooting a powerful spell in front of Twilight. Cadence and Luna jumped surprised after seeing her hostile actions. They all now looked serious and riled up with her. “I WARN YOU, OUT OF MY WAY!” “Twilight, are you ok?!” “Yes, I’m fine…” “You once told me that I should protect everypony. That it was my duty…” “…but if that’s how you want it, so be it, sister!" The group of friends joined forces and prepared their magic for the imminent battle. Celestia was immutable, fearless. “How dare you to betray me in my own home?!” “Last warning, OUT OF MY WAY!” Having no other choice, the match began. Luna teleported herself, in a glance, behind her and used some spells. The new Celestia could easily stop or deflect her small sister’s attacks. However, when Cadence joined the brawl, Chrysalis couldn’t stop her. After the short fight, the remaining princesses subjected the very angered, and quite powerful, white alicorn with their magic. Celestia was heavily kicking, trying to escape from her captors. “TWILIGHT, quickly, use your spell…!” “YOU ARE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE. REALEASE ME, RELEASE ME NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!” “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! NO, NO. GET AWAY FROM ME!” Twilight’s magic finally touched Celestia’s forehead… nothing. “…are you done?” The eyes of the eternal being were full of deep resentment. Twilight moved away immediately, looking scared. After staring at each other, Cadence and Luna released their spells. With watery eyes, Celestia picked up her books. “Maybe I’ve been acting a little different nowadays, but that doesn’t means I’m a changeling…” “Now, if you excuse me, I’ve some books to read,” said the white alicorn, right before trotting away from them with tears in her eyes. “CELESTIA, WAIT!” “No, sister. I don’t want to talk, especially with you…” The Princess of the Night remained still in the middle of the small hallway, feeling guilty. Her ears dropped and her voice started to sound deeply sorrowful. “Oh no, what have we done?!” “WAIT, SISTER…!” Twilight and Cadence remained in the hallway, thinking about what just happened. Many ideas were rushing inside each pony’s mind. “I don’t understand. What does it means, Cadence?” “It means that it was really Celestia, all this time…” ********* “If you need something else, your highness, you know where to find me!” said Samsei, right before bowing for a last time. Princess Chrysalis felt uncomfortable with the gesture. After her friend left, Celestia stand inside the main hall, guessing what she should do now. It didn’t pass a long time for her to notice its decorations. Built in wood and gold materials, some statues and large tapestries of whimsical patterns, decorated the large mud chamber. “So, this is your house, Chrysalis. It’s really nice if you ask me…” “Curious, you also use tapestries and small statues to decorate your hallways.” After speaking to herself, Celestia started to trot, with caution, through a nearby corridor. She couldn’t stop staring at all the nice details her new home possessed. After turning in a corner, all of a sudden, a strong voice called her from among the shadows. “…THERE YOU ARE!” The new Changeling Queen turned her head, immediately, but she couldn’t see the creature who was calling her. “Who’s in there…?” “My, are you still mad with me?!” asked a tall changeling, just as he slowly trotted away from the hallway’s darkness. Once the light of torches illuminated him, Celestia finally was able to see him. With green mane, holes in his legs and similar features like her, the creature came closer, looking worried. “Please, don’t do that ever again, sister,” cried the changeling, right before hugging Celestia with great love. Some tears were coming down from his eyes. “Baas…” The name that Samsei mentioned earlier was Chrysalis’ brother, Baas, the Prince of the Changeling Empire. “We’ll talk at dinner…” said for the last time the happy changeling, just as he stopped hugging her. Celestia remained completely still, feeling very surprised because she couldn’t believe what she just has discovered. ********* “…was your trip to the land of those ponies what you expected?” asked Baas with a serious expression. He and Celestia were dinning together, in a colossal banco hall with large tapestries and rugs. The table contained their drinks and a couple of pale fruits of some kind. “W-Well…” “I’m not sure, to be completely honest with you,” replied Celestia, while she kept looking at the decorations from the hall, with wonder. “Uh-Huh.” “So, what happened with The Imager? Do you still have it…?” “What happened with what?” “You know. The collar…” “I’m aware that you took it for your little trip, so stop playing the fool with me, sister.” In that moment Celestia stop staring at the ceiling. Thanks to those words, the new Changeling Queen remembered something. “A collar you say?!” “YES, you know. Where is it?” “Baas, tell me, by any chance does this collar had some sort of eye in the middle…?” “You already know the answer of that, Chrysalis!” Celestia’s face turned sick in that moment. It had to be, The Imager was that special collar Chrysalis used that night. The new Changeling Queen remained staring at the emptiness of the room, looking really concerned. “...you’re not going to tell me, right? Very well, so be it. I don’t care.” “This collar you’re speaking of, where did I get it from?!” After listening to that, the young prince stood up, very slowly, while staring up at her. His face looked really angry now, enraged, like no pony Celestia has ever seen before. His horn started to be enlightened with his purple magic. “You should know better than any changeling where did we get it…” “After all, it was from Father.” “WHAT ARE YOU?! WHAT DID YOU DO WITH CHRYSALIS, YOU MONSTER?!” shout Baas with deep pain, just as he prepared to fight Celestia with all his power. The new Changeling Queen could feel his immense strength on her hooves. Very slowly, with caution, Celestia stood up too. “I know this is hard to believe, but you have to listen to me…” “My name is Celestia and I’m the Ruler of Equestria. Your sister, Chrysalis, used the collar you mentioned before to swap bodies with me some days ago.” “CELESTIA, the white pony princess of the day?!” Baas looked at the ground, sobbing. His powerful magic disappeared. “She finally did it…” “…” “IT’S YOUR FAULT! It has always been your fault, pony!” shout Baas with fury, right before looking Celestia into the eyes with deep resentment. “What are you talking about?!” The young prince turned her face to avoid looking at her. Celestia could hear him crying from the other side of the room. “I-I can’t believe it. After all these years, I thought she was just easing her pain whenever she said all those terrible things…” Baas sat in the carpet. His ears were completely down and her voice sounded more mournful than before. The new Changeling Queen, very gently, approached and sat next to him. “I’m really sorry if I ever made something against you.” “Perhaps… if you could tell me what I did, I might be able to fix it.” In that moment, from the other side of the hall, a big creature arrived trotting at full speed. He looked exhausted, but among all, frightened. “Your majesty, I’ve terrible news!” Baas cleaned his tears and trotted away from Celestia. After turning her sorrowful sight, the new Changeling Queen recognized the creature that has just arrived. “AINA, you’re ok!” “Well, of course. Those weakling ponies couldn’t beat me!” “What’s going on, guard?!” asked Baas, ignoring Celestia’s words and presence. “When I was finally getting back home, not very far from here, I discovered pony troops marching towards the city. They all have armors, swords and they even brought some catapults…” “Such fools. They’ll get lost and starve first before they can even set one single pony hoof in here. No pony has ever reached these regions.” “Your majesty, ponies are the least of our problems…” “What do you mean with that?!” “They…” “They are being led by the pony princess of the night.” “LUNA!” “I see. Set the alarm, we’re heading to The Ark!” “Yes, your highness!” said Aina, right before taking off through one of the windows. “Well, it seems that your pony friends finally decided to come and destroy our home.” “It doesn’t matter. We’re more than ready to give them a warm welcome…” “NO, WAIT. My sister is with them!” “Your sister…?” “…” “And what are we supposed to do, PONY?!” “Your beloved sibling intends to attack my city, probably imprison my subjects and destroy the legacy of my ancestors.” “I’m not going to let it happen, no matter the price. I’ll do what I must…” said Baas for the last time, right before trying to leave the room. Celestia, immediately, jumped over him and blocked the door. “WAIT, PLEASE. If Luna’s in here, probably is because she was sent by your sister to capture me. Ever since I escaped, your sister has been trying to catch me.” “You mean, Chrysalis…?” “Yes, but I don’t know why. She now has my life, my family and even my friends, but she still insists in capturing me for some reason.” Baas remained quiet. He returned to look down. “Chrysalis means that much to you, right? So does my sister.” “Let me think about something, a solution before anything happens. Please…” “Great, just great. I mean, now I’m supposed to respect a pony princess I don’t even know while she, apparently, has plans of destroying my city.” “Yeah, let’s stop and do absolutely nothing while you, the supposed Ruler of Equestria, think about a good solution to end this nightmare!” “WHAT DID YOU SAY?!” “Look, I’m sorry. It’s just that this is getting out of control and I--” “NO. What did you say, before?” “That we should do absolutely nothing while you think of a good solution to end this nightmare…?” Celestia closed her eyes. She started thinking about something. “Baas, I might have a solution, but I’ll need to know everything about shapeshifting…” The Changeling Prince remained quiet, looking very doubtful. 3: Ascension of the PhoenixA crescent Moon watched from its heights, just like Luna from atop a nearby rock, the invading pony army as it advanced through the rocky lands of Endcliff. The Lunar Princess was wearing a solid, and quite gracious, armor for the occasion. Despite the strong clanking of the swords, the ambiance was soaked with the Princess’s uneasiness. “I-I… I must!” said Luna to herself, just as she tried to regain her composure. Attempting to mute her fear, the Princess of the Night took off and landed inside the city. Pretty soon, all the knights followed her. With lots of efforts, the colossal catapults were rolled in by unicorn guards. Just as the weapons rumbled their way in, Luna started to remember what Chrysalis told her right before coming to the mud village. “…I don’t mind about what happened back there. You only did it because Cadence and Twilight forced you to,” said the new Celestia, right before hugging her. The Lunar Princess’s sorrowful crying ceased. “I’m so sorry.” The white alicorn stopped hugging her and smiled. With her powerful magic, Chrysalis appeared what it looked like a scroll map of some kind and gave it to Luna. The blue alicorn grabbed it and started looking at it. “I can’t recognize any of these regions, Celestia.” “I didn’t expect that, because this map is an exact copy of the northern region of Idohn Canyon, where Endcliff is located…” “Endcliff…?” “YES, the capital city of Chrysalis. It’s a mud village hidden in the most distant and steep cliffs of Equestria. No pony has ever found it. That’s why I made this map for you…” Luna remained quiet in that moment. Her face turned serious, almost sad, just as she stopped looking at the map her magic was holding. “Now, if you look down from my balcony, you’ll see that I already arranged your departure.” The blue princess exited the room, very slowly, and looked down from the terrace. Above in the courtyard, a large horde of guards were marching with swords and torches. At the same time, three massive catapults were being pulled by some deer and pony knights. “Sister, do you want me to capture Chrysalis…?” “NO. I expect you to do it.” “I finally realized a way of stopping them from coming in the future. If we attack first, tonight, they won’t be prepared and we’ll have all the vantage on our favor!” “In the past few days, I already took care of getting you a fine armor and some heavy weapons to help you siege the city!” giggled the Solar Impostor with true happiness. “Celestia, is it really necessary for me to go tonight? Besides, how many days'll it take us to reach that place?” “None, you’ll use a teleportation spell.” “But we’re too many! I don’t think I’ll be able to take us all at the same time…” “Heh, don’t worry. I learnt some new powerful spells that’ll send you all right away into that muddy village with no effort. Leave it to me…” “Now go and prepare yourself for the battle. I want her at all cost, do you understand? AT ALL COST!” “But I… I-I…” “WHAT IS IT?! Are you still questioning me and my orders?!” “I thought you learnt your lesson, but now I sadly see I was wrong…” “NO, SISTER! I’m not questioning you.” “It’s just that I-I… I don’t think it's right to attack without warning them first.” “Tell me, did Chrysalis send me a letter before she broke in into my room?! Did she send us a letter when she kidnapped Cadence and almost married my captain?! DID SHE?!” “No.” “Good, there you go.” “Alright. I’ll go if that’s what you want me to do…” “NO. Not I, this is for everypony!” “Oh, I almost forgot. What about the changelings? What do we do with them, Celestia?” “…” “…do nothing. Just bring me Chrysalis, you hear me? Just bring her to me.” “And this time, sister, I’ll not accept failure…” “I-I understand.” “Very well, you’re dismissed then,” said for the last time Chrysalis, right before turning her face to avoid looking down at Luna. Very slowly, the Princess of he Night started to react from her trance, just as the light of the Moon illuminated her precious armored face. After taking a deep breath, the blue alicorn muted her insecurity once and for all. “I’ll not fail you ever again, Celestia. I promise,” said Luna to herself, right before rejoining with her knights in the middle of a street. ********* “Alright, pony, there they are,” said Baas as he, with caution, pointed at the menacing horde of knights that now were flooding every street and alley of Endcliff. Celestia, with caution too, peeked out from the rooftop where both changelings were. “I don’t know how your super-secret plan is going to work, but it better do or I’ll have no other choice than to send my troops against your pony friends.” “I know, but I’m pretty sure that’s not going to be necessary. Trust me!” “Says you…” “Just remember that you’re my sister now. You’re a changeling like none other. You can copy any creature you wish, just as I told you!” “Really, any creature?!” “OH YES. For example, I can copy dragons while you can copy that pink pony princess of the wedding!" "Just focus and your magic’ll do the rest. Good luck, pony. You’re going to need it,” said the Changeling Prince for the last time, right before taking off in silence. Once alone, Celestia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Feeling ready to finally confront her own sister, the new Changeling Queen jumped to the street beneath her. ******** “There’s nopony in here, your majesty. All the houses are empty." “Argh, they probably saw us coming!” “It doesn’t matter. Keep checking every single building, captain. We must find her at all cost.” “We will tear down the whole city if it’s necessary!” “Yes, your majesty!” After the guard trotted away from Luna, the blue alicorn started looking around the houses, wondering where Chrysalis would be. Deep in the darkness of her night, a large building with palatial features caught her attention immediately. With a big smile, the Lunar Princess remained looking at the distant giant. “That must be the Mud Palace, Chrysalis’ hideout. Excellent!" said Luna to herself with great excitement. By only raising her right hoof, the order was given and all her knights started to advance against it. The war catapults now rumbled towards the old wonder. A few yards later, without warning, the whole city in front of them was consumed by what it looked like a dense fog of some kind. Soon, the white specter reached Luna’s and everypony’s armored hooves. The once brave knights, now were completely blind in the middle of the foggy streets, shaking a little. “REMAIN BRAVE EVERYPONY. THIS IS JUST A TRICK!” shout Luna with courage. Her powerful magic tried to fade away the fog, but it was futile because the incorporeal foe didn’t retreat one single inch. “…what is it, Samuel?” “An evil voice’s in the air… whispering terrible things, your majesty.” “I think we better leave. Something’s wrong...” “NO. Queen Celestia ordered us to capture Chrysalis at all cost. We can’t return without her!" "Continue moving those weapons, THAT’S AN ORDER!” From among the white specter, a laugh of some kind started to be heard more and more loudly as it came closer to the group of frightened ponies. Without being able to take any more of it, some knights retreated away, very slowly. Right before they could break their position, Luna took off and landed in front of them. “REMEMBER YOUR MISSION!” “…still obeying her, I see,” said a bleak voice from among the fog. The voice was so scary that even Luna started to shake a little in that moment. “Show yourself, Chrysalis!” “Chrysalis?! I don’t know any Chrysalis, BUT I DO KNOW WHO YOU ARE, LUNA.” “Long ago, we did great and terrible things together… Have you forgotten?” giggled the scary voice. “I don’t know what are you talking about, CREATURE.” “Are you scared, Luna? You shouldn’t, because we are friends after all…” “I’M NOT YOUR FRIEND and I’m not afraid of monsters like you! I let you go once, but not anymore because this time I’m prepared to stop you!” “Quit playing games and come out now, I DARE YOU,” shouted Luna with deep anger. She was trying to locate the direction of the mysterious voice that was calling her. Suddenly, in just seconds like before, the deep fog disappeared. The scared guards were shaking even more, because now, they all were looking at something behind Luna. Very slowly, the Lunar Princess turned her head. “Boo!” said Nightmare Moon, the Empress of the Night, with a big smile. Luna remained completely still, feeling confused. “Did you miss me?” giggled Nightmare. The black alicorn’s height was admirable, just as her wavy stellar mane. “I don’t know how you are making this… but I’m not falling for it.” “WOW, just look at you wearing that armor!” “Tell me, did our selfish sister force you to use it?” The Princess of the Night looked furious, yet, nervous with her presence. “All those scared ponies, trotting away from us, is something I like to remember whenever I feel a little sad…” “Oh Luna, I miss doing your dirty work!” “You tricked me and forced me to do things I didn’t want to do!” “FORCED YOU?! But we were so happy destroying all what our greedy sister built at the expense of our suffering…” “Heh, do you remember her eyes full of tears and despair? That sure was priceless!” giggled the dark alicorn, just as she started to laugh even more than before. “The Moon couldn’t stop me…” “Now I’m back, so we can put an end to her solar reign of ignorance, TOGETHER LIKE NEVER BEFORE!” “ENOUGH!” shouted the remorseful princess, right before shooting one quite powerful spell against her old self. The dark entity disappeared immediately in the middle of a dense dust cloud. With watery eyes, Luna tried to recover from her effort. Very slowly, the dust started to dissipate from among the thin air. The result of the match was revealed, in that moment, to the Lunar Princess and all her knights. Lying almost unconscious over the street, Celestia appeared in front of Luna. “CELESTIA?!” shout the blue alicorn with great pain, just as her tears started to flood the interior of her helmet. Without hesitating, Luna dashed to her. Her eyes were completely lost. “Sister, is that you…?” “I’m here, Celestia. I’m here.” Right before she could touch her, the almost defeated Solar Princess moved away. “NO, NIGHTMARE. PLEASE, DON’T HURT ME…!” “NO, IT’S ME, LUNA!” When the Princess of the Night looked down at her hooves, her gray metallic shoes were completely gone, just like her blue skin color. Now, her legs were black and the armor that covered them was blue, like Nightmare’s. “NO, NOOO!” shouted Luna with deep horror. She started to back away from her scared sister, who still was trying to crawl away from there. Without being able to bear the apparent truth, Luna took off and flew away from the city in the middle of a bitter cry. The catapults were abandoned, just like the attempt of sieging the city because, soon, there was no pony left inside Endcliff willing to continue with the mission. Everypony fled the village as fast as their hooves and wings allowed them to. After finishing her unfortunate magic show, the frightened Celestia disappeared and revealed the new Chrysalis, just as she bursted into green flames. With three spells, Celestia destroyed the war machines. With the menace completely gone, she stood still in the middle of the lonely street, feeling guilty. “Please, forgive me, sister…” “That was AMAZING!” shout Baas with heavy excitement, right before landing nearby her. The Changeling Prince looked really impressed. “I’m afraid this isn’t over…” “What do you mean?! You destroyed their precious weapons, my subjects are safe and most importantly, your beloved sister is safe! No wonder you’re their leader!” “As soon as Luna returns to Canterlot without me, Chrysalis will start planning a new strategy to catch me. Next time we might not be so lucky…” “You’re right, I guess... so what can we do?!” “I must return to Equestria and confront your sister once and for all. I’ve been running away from this for too long…” “I promise you that I’ll not harm her, but I need your help.” “You’re forgetting something, pony, and that’s our real power. Your magic show was admirable, yes it was, but we don’t stand a chance against ponies. I’d be the last changeling to admit it, but we’re not that powerful. Not even you!” “Baas, I must return to Canterlot and end this, tonight. There’s no other choice…” “Didn’t you hear me?! We are not rivals for your pony friends. We can't help you, I’m sorry.” “You’re right, we can’t. But I know a dragon that might…” ******** “Oh, it’s only you. What do you want, now?” asked the Solar Queen, just as she continued trying her new crowns and accessories. All the jewelry was completely black with green gemstones. Three of the castle’s maids were helping her with the task. “It’s about Twilight, Celestia…” “What about her? Her Element of Harmony is going to be kept under my watch in here, at Canterlot. What’s wrong with that, Cadenza?” “No. It’s not about that…” “NO YOU FOAL, give me the crown of the left…!” “MAID, chocolate!” “So, what is it then? Don’t you see I’m busy?!” “It’s about the way you sent her back home. She was crying…” “Aw, and I guess you’re mad with me about that, right?” “YES, this is the crown!” “MAID, MORE CHOCOLATE!” “Why do you always have to be like that? This is not about me being upset or Twilight feeling sad with your attitude. You’re different now...” The white alicorn stopped staring at herself in the mirror and looked down. All her sweet drinks were moved away from her, just like the rest of the jewelry. “Maids, LEAVE!” “Yes, your highness.” Once the castle ponies left the room, Chrysalis started to trot away from Cadence towards a nearby open window. As soon as she reached it, the eternal being started to laugh alone, out of nowhere, like before. “Just look at them, sleeping so peacefully under my brave leadership, Cadenza. These ponies are really lucky to have me as their Queen, don’t you think?” “QUEEN?! Since when you started calling yourself a queen, Celestia?” “Oh, silly me. I forgot to tell you…” “After you and Twilight decided to betray me, I finally was able to understand that everypony only needs me.” “For more than a thousand years, I have ruled this land without you..." "I don’t really need you, perhaps just for filling a painting or my balcony during important celebrations, but nothing more.” “That was cruel…” “Well, Cadenza, if you don’t stand my presence or my leadership anymore, behind you there’s a door…” “BUT BE SURE ABOUT SOMETHING. My empire is not going to be weakened with your absence. From this moment forth, whether you like it or not, you’ll address to me as your Queen. Understood?” “CELESTIA, what happened to you?! You’re scaring me…” cried the Princess of Love, with deep pain. Her eyes were full of tears. “Curious, Shining told me the same thing right before I sent him away…” “NOOO!” shout Cadence, just as she tried to lunge against her aunt. With a powerful magic barrier, the Solar Queen stopped her without even moving. The pink alicorn fell to the ground immediately. “INSOLENT BRAT! My power is beyond you and you still dare to attack me?! Pathetic,” said Chrysalis, right before trotting in front of her. By pulling a cord, the Solar Queen called a small garrison of knights into the room. Moments later, they entered through the door. All of them looked very different to the regular guards Cadence used to know. “Take her to the dungeon. Tomorrow I’ll decide her fate,” said the white alicorn with a smile, just as she returned to look through the window. The knights took Cadence away from her, in silence. ******** “Come one, come all! Watch in awe as The Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!” shout Trixie, the unicorn magician, right before pointing at her audience from atop the stage. “To start with this special show, I, the Great and Powerful Trixie, am going to cut a mare in half in front of all of you!” “As you all can see with this small test, the saw’s real!” “Remember everypony, this trick can only be performed by the most talented hooves of Equestria, like Trixie’s!” “Now watch… and presto, the mare has been cut!” “AAAAHHHH! EVERYPONY TROT!” shout a viewer from among the audience with horror. Soon, Trixie’s fans started to flee the show as fast as they could. “NO, WAIT! She’s alright, SEE?! IT’S JUST A TRICK!” “Oh schnitzels! There goes our money, Fleur.” "..." “What is it...?” “ARGH, DRAGON!” ******** “Do you want to see me, Princess?” “…your Element of Harmony, where is it?” “It’s in Ponyville, at my home.” “Good. Tomorrow I’ll send some guards to retrieve it for me. Yours and the ones of your little friends, so you better prepare them for me.” “But Princess, what about if we need them?” “That’s not your problem anymore.” “By the way, since you decided to stay in my palace without even asking for my permission, I’ve decided that it’s time for you to go home.” “In fact, I think I’ll not be requiring your presence around here anymore…” “What do you mean?” “That you’re not welcome in Canterlot. You’re dismissed, permanently.” “Now leave. I’m busy and you’re just distracting me…” “What did I do wrong?” asked Twilight to herself, just as she remembered Celestia’s harsh words. The gifted unicorn was heading back to Ponyville on a train. The lights of the mountain city were completely visible from her window. Without warning, the train stopped abruptly in the middle of a deafening screeching. Part of the luggage felt from the top, but no pony was hurt. With lots of caution, Twilight and some other passengers, opened the doors and jumped out. Trotting as fast as she could, the talented pony approached at the motionless engine in the front. “Are you ok?!” asked Twilight to the conductor, but he didn’t answer. The engineer just pointed. “WOW!” Illuminated by the powerful front light of the train, colossal boulders were blocking the rails ahead of them. The rocks were so big, that even the surrounding pine trees looked small next to them. The hissing of the engine muted their amazement. “We’ll have to return and ask for help.” “WATCH OUT!” shouted the conductor, just as he jumped over Twilight to protect her. Flying at full speed over their heads, an infernal black dragon dashed over the tree tops. The roaring of the beast caused another minor rock fall, but the engine protected them from the menace. “Aren’t dragons supposed to be our friends now?!” “Yes, they’re. But this one doesn’t feel the same way…” ”And he seemed to be heading towards… CANTERLOT!” “Perhaps you don’t need me anymore, Princess, but there are other ponies that might…” said Twilight to herself, right before following the tracks back to the city. ******** “Huh…?” In the ceiling above Chrysalis, the chandeliers started to shake out of nowhere, apparently. With indignation, and yet curiosity, the irked alicorn left her milkshake and trotted outside to the terrace. The nighttime of Luna was completely gone, because gray storm clouds now covered the entire sky of the region. “Is that… A DRAGON?!” “YOUR SUPREME HIGHNESS!” said a castle knight all of a sudden, just as he entered the room. “A dragon has invaded the city limits. What are your orders?” “WHAT DO YOU THINK?! We will fight against the beast!” “Set the alarm. We’ll need everypony for this…” “Yes, your supreme highness!” ******** “Lyra, are you ok?!” “Yes, I’m fine, but that dragon is just flying around the mountain while looking down at us. I’ve never seen something like that before…” “Flee, Twilight, flee while you can!” shouted Lyra for the last time, just as she continued escaping. Other ponies followed her through the dark forest with lanterns and candles. After trotting for some minutes more, Twilight finally entered the capital city through the train station. The streets were completely abandoned, like a ghost town. All those exclusive stores and elite residences, now housed loneliness. The only thing that could be heard in that moment, was the powerful roaring of the beast, rumbling every district of the Capital City. ******** “What’s going on out there…?” asked Cadence to herself, just as she tried to look through the tiny window of her cell. The knights of the dungeon were preparing their swords and armors. They all looked really nervous. “GUARD, what’s going on? Where are you going?!” “A dragon has invaded the city… and Queen Celestia needs us for the battle.” “Majesty, I’m sorry, but I can’t talk with you anymore…” “I understand. Thank you.” Once they left, Cadence remained completely alone in her cell. After trying numerous times, her precious eyes finally stared at the mysterious guest of the city. “ATROCIOUS?! What’s he doing here?!” “He should be dead by now.” “Unless…” “NO, that’s crazy!” “Either way, I must get out of here. All the citizens are in great danger, just like my dear Shining.” “If I only could get those keys…” ******** “…my city has never fallen before and tonight, Loyal Soldiers of the Empire, it won’t be any different!” shout Queen Celestia, just as she trotted in front of her troops. “NO MERCY FOR THE ENEMIES OF THE SUN!” “LONG LIFE THE QUEEN!” shout all the knights with one voice. After swearing allegiance to the Dark Ruler, all the ponies started to march against the infernal feast. They were hitting their swords with their shields, like clockwork. The Solar Queen looked really pleased with them. From the stormy heights of Canterlot, the dragon stopped flying in circles and looked down at the looming horde of guards. With one last powerful roaring that echoed in the entire mountain, the fire-breathing beast dashed towards the knights. Landing with immense power, Atrocious, the Infernal Beast of the North, met his welcome committee in the middle of the town square. The dragon’s sulfur smell, tiny red evil eyes, thundering wings, sharp teeth and large claws, among other frightening details, were part of his charm. The Solar Army reacted in many different ways. Some were smiling, others fainted and even some others, started to back away from the plaza, very slowly. The mighty beast looked down at them and started to laugh with their presence. “THAT’S IT, I’M OUT OF HERE!” shout a pegasi guard, right before taking off in complete panic. “QUEEN CELESTIA CAN HANDLE HIM WITHOUT ME!” shout another knight, just as he dropped his helmet and trotted away as fast as he could. Pretty soon, all the remaining ponies started to flee the town square in all the directions they could find, just as the beast continued with his funereal laughing. Trotting at full speed from among them, the Solar Queen approached at the front of his broken line. The Dark Ruler looked really furious. “COWARDS!” “I DON’T NEED YOU. I’LL DEAL WITH HIM ALONE!” “SAYS YOU,” bellowed Atrocious. The white alicorn turned her head immediately. “BAAS, what are you doing here?!” “I’M HERE TO STOP YOU FROM MAKING ANOTHER MISTAKE, SISTER.” “Mistake?! I haven’t made any mistake!” “Please, don’t tell me you believed that creature’s lies, Baas.” “I’M LOOKING RIGHT NOW AT THOSE LIES…” “JUST LOOK AT YOU, WEARING THAT CROWN. YOU’RE NOT A PONY PRINCESS!” Queen Celestia started to look more angered than ever. “THE PONY WAS RIGHT, YOU’VE CHANGED…” “…BUT IF THAT’S HOW YOU WANT IT, SO BE IT!” bellowed the dragon, just as he prepared to shoot his infernal fire. The Dark Ruler remained completely still. In one quick motion, the beast shot all his scorching fire, roasting everything in its way. All of a sudden, Twilight jumped out immediately from one of the nearby alleys, in panic. “PRINCESS CELESTIA!” Right before the gifted unicorn could save her with a spell, the fire covered Celestia, forcing her to trot back into a safe spot from the heat. Baas continued shooting his fire without any effort. Suddenly, from among the melting inferno, Chrysalis’ voice was heard. “…is that the best you can do?” “Come on, I know you can do better than that!” Baas stopped immediately. He felt just as surprised as Twilight. “Nice try, you almost got me…” giggled the Solar Queen, just as she stopped using her magic shield. “…but now, is my turn.” From her long horn, Chrysalis shot a single spell against her brother. Baas roared in agony, right before bursting back into green flames. Twilight couldn’t believe what she was looking at. “YOU PATHETIC CREATURE! Thinking you could rival with me, Celestia, the Solar Queen!” “All those who dare to deny me, will pay the price for their treason!” shout the Dark Ruler, while taking off from the plaza, very slowly. Up in the sky, a powerful thunderstorm started illuminating the entire region. “STOP!” shout the new Changeling Queen, right before landing in the square. Her green eyes looked angry, perhaps even more than the ones from the Queen. “Well, well, well. Look what we have here!” “I suppose my useless younger sister didn’t capture you, right?” “Oh well, I guess I’ll have to do it myself…” “I’ll not let you continue any further with this.” “BAAS WAS YOUR OWN BROTHER!” “He should’ve thought of that before betraying me...” “Heh, by the way, let me remind you that I control everything you see while you, changeling freak, only have your very limited powers!” “You underestimate me. I’ll show you what changelings are capable of…” said the new Changeling Queen for the last time, right before bursting into green flames. From the mystic fire, Nightmare Moon appeared again, laughing. “Ha-ha-ha! Hmm, I wonder… if you can beat me now, Celestia,” giggled Nightmare, just as she lunged against her sunny foe. The sky battle began in that moment. Back in the ground, behind a stone bench, Twilight was trying to understand what was going on. The gifted unicorn looked really confused and scared. “Oh, carrots. I finally cracked.” “…CADENCE, over here!” “Twilight, what’s going on?! Where’s that dragon?!” “…IS THAT NIGHTMARE MOON?! What’s going on here?!” “I’m not sure, but it seems that Chrysalis has returned and now she’s fighting Celestia as Nightmare…” “Say, where were you? You look kind of dirty.” “Celestia imprison me after… SHINING! Twilight, I must find Shining!” shout Cadence, right before trotting away. Meanwhile, the deadly fight started to move away towards the palace. The gifted unicorn decided to follow it on the ground. As a result of the match, many missed spells were impacting everything down in the city. Houses, buildings, trees and even some stores were completely under attack. With lots of caution, Twilight tried to dodge them. One of those spells, suddenly, destroyed a small tower in front of the purple unicorn, causing it to come down against her. Twilight, immediately, tried to escape, but the old structure felt too quickly over her. The destroyed tower created a huge dust cloud after falling on the street. From among the bricks, the talented unicorn was laying on the floor, shaking in fear while covering her head with her hooves. She was safe, somehow. Twilight, very slowly, opened her eyes and stared at the pony that saved her. Nightmare Moon was in there, using a green protecting spell over them. Once the risk was completely gone, the powerful barrier disappeared. “Twilight, flee the city with Cadence and Shining. You’ll be safe with them. GO, NOW!” shouted the dark alicorn, right before restarting her battle against the evil Solar Ruler. “Chrysalis… saved me?” asked the gifted unicorn to herself, confused. Twilight remained staring at the duel from her spot among the bricks, in silence. ******** “SHINING, WHERE ARE YOU, HONEY?!” shout Cadence, with great despair, just as she kept looking for her husband through the empty streets of Canterlot. All of a sudden, in a corner not very far from her, somepony was trotting very slowly, giving the impression to be injured. The Princess of Love trotted into his aid immediately. After finally reaching him, a nearby lamppost revealed his true identity. “A changeling…!” “You… y-you’re that pink pony princess my sister decided to copy…” “YOUR SISTER?! Chrysalis is your sister?!” “Yes. I’m Baas, Prince of the Changeling Empire….” “Now leave me alone. I-I need… to save Chrysalis,” mumbled the changeling monarch, right before trying to continue with his slow harmful trotting. Cadence remained still. After hesitating a little, the Princess of Love decided to talk with him again, this time, at a closer distance. “Listen, pony, if you’re planning to attack me just do it. I lost most of my magic with that spell… I can’t defense myself anymore.” “…when you were that dragon, why didn’t you attack us?” “You could’ve destroyed the entire city, but you didn’t.” “Despite my feelings, your pony ruler taught me that there are always other ways…” “Celestia, really? But she didn’t leave Canterlot the whole week.” “Are you sure about that…?” "..." “Oh.” “B-BUT… BUT HOW?! No pony can perform such magic!” “True. That’s why my sister used the Imager, Meadowbrook’s poor attempt of stopping Atrocious once and for all…” “So, let me get this straight. The Chrysalis my dear Shining and Luna pursued that night… was really Celestia all this time?!” “Baas, you have to come with me. We might still have time to save them,” said Cadence for the last time, right before helping her new friend to trot back inside the castle. ******** “You’re… stronger than I expected,” mumbled the Solar Queen. The tired alicorn was trying to catch her breath again, just like her rival from the other side of a garden. The thunderstorm continued covering the sky around them. “Even… with all the new spells I learnt, you’re… still here!” “I’ll not… give up.” “I-I… must protect… everypony from you!” The changeling Mare in the Moon looked different now. Two of her legs lost their black color, just like her wings. Celestia’s magic appeared to be running out for all the effort she had made by trying to fight as Nightmare. “You seem… to be running out of magic… and still, you want to fight me?!” “Don’t you get it, Chrysalis? Pretty soon you’ll fall by my hooves…!” “I-I… I don’t care if I lose this battle against you. Everypony… is counting with me.” All of a sudden, in the middle of the garden, Luna landed with great power. The Princess of the Night was still wearing the gray armor she used at Endcliff some hours ago. Her face looked serious, but among all, enraged with Nightmare Moon’s presence. “…Luna!” “LUNA. Welcome home, my dear sister,” said Chrysalis with a big smile. The blue alicorn trotted to her and hugged her. “Don’t worry. I’m finally here to help you, Celestia…” “YOU DISGUSTING SHAPE-SHIFTING MONSTER!” “How dare you show your face again in our home?!” “Sister, it’s time to end this…” said the Solar Queen for the last time, right before trotting away from her. The Princess of the Night removed her helmet and started to advance against Nightmare. “WAIT, you’ve to listen to me--“ “NOT ANOTHER STEP!” “You could’ve fooled me before, but I’ll not fall again with your tricks!” “Your evil seed ends tonight, CHRYSALIS!” shout the Lunar Princess, just as she fired one final major spell with her horn. All of a sudden, a purple magic barrier appeared in front of the dark entity, saving her. “NOOO!” shout Twilight, right before entering the garden. Moments later, Cadence, Baas and other two pony guards, followed her. “Are you ok?” “…yes.” The purple unicorn, very gently, hugged the fake Mare in the Moon. With her love, Nightmare recovered her spectral look and magic. Once it was over, Celestia looked down and smiled to her little worried friend. Twilight smiled back. “TWILIGHT, what do you think you’re doing?!” “Luna, stop. You’re making a big mistake!” “The only mistake here was letting her go that night…” “…A MISTAKE THAT I’LL CORRECT THIS INSTANT!” shout the Lunar Princess again with mighty rage, just as she shot another powerful spell. This time, Cadence’s magic stopped the attack. “CADENCE, YOU TOO?!” “I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN. YOU WERE PLANNING THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING!” “HOW DARE YOU BETRAY CELESTIA LIKE THAT?!” “HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ALL WHAT SHE HAS DONE FOR US?!” “LUNA, that Celestia is Chrysalis!” “WHAT?!” “Chrysalis changed bodies with her on that rainy night. That’s why she wasn’t affected by Twilight’s magic when we confronted her.” “This Nightmare Moon IS CELESTIA, the real one!” The Lunar Princess stood still, petrified. Her sight was lost, like trying to understand what was going on. Meanwhile, the Solar Queen, now fully recovered, approached at Luna. Once she was in front of her, Chrysalis started to laugh. “Cadenza’s right. I’m not your sister, sweetie.” “But hey, I really enjoyed meeting you. Too bad you have to go now…” Luna started to back away, scared. With her powerful magic, the Dark Ruler raised Luna and imprisoned her inside an energy cube. The Princess of the Night tried to break free, but it was futile. By only looking at the emptiness of the air, Chrysalis opened a portal to another dimension. “You once told me the Moon was a cruel place to be… but I know far worse places to rot than that.” “Aw, don’t be sad, because this time you won’t go alone,” said the Queen, just as she picked Cadence with her magic too. “And now, to make sure you can’t return here, voilà!” Without warning, a loud explosion consumed a specific section of the castle. Purple flames and smoke came out from the ruins of the destroyed wing. “OH, NO. That was the library!” shout Twilight with horror. Before the gifted unicorn could even try to attack her, Chrysalis used another forbidden spell with her. Twilight, in the middle of her trotting, turned into metal. “…with a new life, comes a whole new perspective.” Celestia looked horrified, but among all, surprised by Chrysalis’ new powers. That was just the beginning because the sun, out of nowhere, started to peak in the distant horizon. Seconds later, a whole new day arrived with its heat, fading the nocturnal sky forever. “If I’m the Solar Queen, I should rule in complete lightness…” “IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE. Please make sure to send me some letters!” Once Luna and Cadence commenced to lean dangerously inside the portal, Baas and the palace guards, attempted to attack the Dark Ruler. Surprisingly, Celestia put her leg and stopped them. Very slowly, the Mare in the Moon started trotting at her old evil self. “Oh, you want to go too?! Don’t worry. You’ll join them pretty soon!” “You are not alone…” “WHAT?!” “Just look around you. What can you see?” “You dare mock me?! My skills are what are defeating you, MONSTER!” “You continue calling me a monster and say you’re alone, but that’s not true.” “I think the real monster is here and it’s inside you.” “HOW DARE YOU?! I’m Celestia, the Supreme Solar Queen!” “NO, YOU’RE NOT. You’re just a scared changeling who is hiding behind some black jewelry. You try to look evil, fearless and dominant, but that only shows me how scared you really are.” "You don’t know me! Perhaps you convinced my brother to betray me, but your empty lessons of kindness and moral means nothing to me. I’m Celestia and I will rule this land by my law only!” “After I escaped, what did you do? Did you enjoy having my life and friends? Did you like being loved and admired for everypony? Did you receive what you expected? Tell me, DID YOU?!” The Dark Ruler remained quiet. She looked furious. “I-I don’t need your pathetic subjects to get what I wish. My word is law.” “You also like to say that, but at the same time, you want somepony to admire you.” “Come on, Chrysalis! What do you want, seriously?” Queen Celestia remained quiet. “You can send my family away into that portal, defeat me afterwards and rule this land under an Eternal Day as you wish, but what’ll you have in the end?” “In what way, this new life of yours, is better than the one you used to have back at Endcliff? You had loyal subjects, a good brother that really loved you and most importantly, you belonged somewhere.” “You might have my body, my life, my friends and even my power, but you continue being the same sad and frightened creature of before. Your black crown might scare somepony, but for me, it only reflects how empty you’re inside…” “Remember the wedding? You were willing to spend the rest of your life with a pony you don’t even stand.” “Just look at my side of the garden, for pony sakes! I’ve your friends, and even your brother, on my side.” “If you feel alone, you’re probably not the only pony. I had to exile my own sister and live with that guilt every day for a thousand years. When I thought that I had nopony at my side, I learnt that I had so many in so little, like you in your land.” “I’ll ask you again. How many friends do you have, CELESTIA?” After saying such words, Nightmare Moon bursted into green flames and revealed Chrysalis in all her beautiful glory. The Changeling Ruler approached more at her. “Look at me and tell me, am I really a monster…?” “Do whatever you wish, but be sure about something, CELESTIA. If you are alone from this day forth, it’ll be for yours and your actions alone, not mine or anypony else’s. That’s all I’m going to say…” said for the last time the new Changeling Queen, just as she returned to her spot. The speeding wind was the only thing that could be heard in that moment, whistling among the grass and the trees of the garden. Some birds were flying between the rooftops and trees of the palace. In the moment when Celestia was about to rejoin with Baas at the other side of the garden, Luna, Cadence and Twilight appeared in front of her. The new Changeling Queen turned her head immediately, surprised. Trotting very slowly towards her, the Solar Queen was wearing the Imager. The alicorn’s face looked doleful, full of regret, but happy. Celestia smiled and thanked her with a gesture. ******** After everything was put back in order, the vast garden was illuminated by a powerful source of light. Seconds later, Queen Celestia and Princess Chrysalis appeared laying in the soft grass. Luna and Cadence helped Celestia to stand up again, while Baas, Twilight and the guards, helped Chrysalis. “I think we’re no longer going to need it, so you better keep it or destroy it. It’s your call,” said Chrysalis, the real one, right before giving her necklace to Celestia. “Ready to go home, sister?” “I’m ready to return where we belong…” “CHRYSALIS, WAIT!” “Where’s Shining?! Where did you send him…?” “Don’t worry, Cadenza, he’s fine. I ordered him to buy me more bottles in Trottingham. He should be back here in a couple of hours.” “So long,” said the Queen of the Changelings for the last time, right before taking off into the blue sky of Canterlot. In that moment, the pony knights bursted into green flames too. They were Aina and Samsei, the same changelings that helped Celestia escape during that stormy night. Both changelings nodded and took off with Chrysalis. Baas remained in there for a brief moment, smiling. The Solar Princess smiled back. Now ready to go, the young Changeling Prince took off with them. Moments later, they couldn’t be seen any more in the green horizon. Luna hugged Celestia. Cadence and Twilight followed her. “We missed you so much.” “I-I missed you too.” “Listen, I hope you can forgive me. I’ll work really hard to regain your trust again, I promise,” said Celestia, ashamed, while looking down at the ground. “OH, SIS. I became Nightmare Moon, remember?” “Aw, come on! You all thought that angry singing bride was me...!” “I think what we’re trying to say, Princess, is that you can always count with us.” “We’ll never stop loving you, even if you are a dark rose…” Epilogue“You were right, it does look like an organ with a hedgehog combined!” shouted Luna, surprised, just as she kept looking at The Great Mud Palace of Endcliff. “I know!” giggled Celestia. “If you like it, you should check the rest of our city, miss blue pony princess!” said Bani, right before pointing at the muddy buildings behind them. “Oh yes, please. But only if thou guide us.” After Luna and Bani took off, Celestia remained looking at the majestic banco building in front of her. The star king was up in the blue sky, illuminating it all with its great generosity. The Changeling City looked so different now. “Celestia, you made it!” shout Baas with happiness. The Changeling Prince was wearing a crown and a dark cloak. Behind him, Chrysalis also exited the palace, but she looked a little worried. “I’ve to say, I was surprised when I received that letter from you.” “We we’re dining when all of a sudden, your letter popped in right in the middle of our drinks…” “…but you didn’t travel all the way up here to hear my story. So, what can we do for you? Do you need some help with those crates?” asked the Changeling King with curiosity. Chrysalis was quiet, looking down at the ground. “Hey, Chrysalis, this box is for you…” “ME, REALLY?!” “Sure, come on.” Very slowly, the former Queen trotted next to the Solar Princess, who looked really happy. By using her magic, the changeling monarch opened the wooden box. “GLASS BOTTLES?! Are these... the same bottles that I bought before?” “Yes, they’re. After all, you chose them for a reason, so I thought you’d like to have them. Perhaps now you can continue collecting them…” “...” “And for you, Baas, something I’m very sure you’ll be pleased to have.” The Changeling King opened his box with his magic too. “A wooden toy train? Thanks… I guess.” “It’s not a toy. It’s a sculpture that we all made for you.” “When I was coming up here by the time we met each other, I spent that night near a deep crevice, not very far from here.” “While being there, a distant whistle caught my attention. It was my newest railway construction site.” “Oh, so that’s why you knew we could use it to invade your own city. Once again, pony, no wonder why you are their leader!” “The real reason of my visit is to offer you the possibility of receiving the railway, right here in your city.” “I’m really ashamed to see that I was so blind inside my castle walls, wondering about other ponies, that I completely ignored a rich society like yours.” “I’d have loved to met your parents, but I can’t run time backwards…” “Perhaps receiving the train and finally being part of Equestria, won’t solve your problems. But if you allow us to be part of your society, like you could be part of ours, I’m sure we could learn a lot from each other.” “Your shape-shifting abilities are truly remarkable.” “And, just like you, we also have so much to offer.” “That train was crafted by everypony on all the cities of Equestria. From Deertroit to Ponyville, from Appleloosa to the Crystal Empire, and now from Canterlot to you. We all put something in it.” “I know it’s a big step that can’t be decided today. I won’t insist, so you can discuss it with everychangeling.” “When you feel ready to open your society to us, we’ll be waiting for you, happy, and with open hooves.” Baas in that moment took the small wooden train and started looking at it. His eyes were scanning the noble craft that everypony made for them. Very slowly, he closed his eyes and started thinking. In that moment, Luna landed near them with Bani. The Princess of the Night looked so happy, just like her small changeling friend. All those unfamiliar scary creatures felt so different now. In the past, for many unfortunate reasons, their meetings have been covered by the heavy cloak of ignorance and fear. Despite their looks and fangs, Celestia and Luna felt they could offer something too. Since the beginning of time, the union of different races was the key of the success of Equestria. First with the union of the different types of ponies, to later the union of all the other creatures, the ambitious campaign of a unified land under a same name has proven to be more valuable than anything else. If ponies, like Celestia or Luna, could be friends of a changeling like Bani, then why can’t they all be friends, or at least tried it? Some of these thoughts were part of what Baas was thinking in that moment, while having the wooden train on his hooves. The Changeling King looked into the eyes of her remorseful sister. “…” “Chrysalis, what do you think we should do?” “W-Well… you’re the ruler now, Baas.” “I know, I know. But now, I don’t feel capable of making a decision.” “Father always taught us to be honest with ourselves…” “I can’t make this decision without you, sister.” “Despite all that happened, you’ve always ruled us with wisdom and it was thanks to you, that the Empire survived after the death of Mother.” “You’ve made some mistakes, like everychangeling, but you’ll always be my big sister, no matter what, Chryssi.” “What do you think we should do?” “…” “I-I think that maybe, we should accept.” “Our Mud city will always be the same. The essence of our ancestors lives in the mud walls of this palace. Generations of changelings in hundreds of years need to finally exist…” Baas closed his eyes and nodded. He hugged the wooden train with love, right before opening them again. Both changelings looked really happy now. “Well, Celestia, I think you know what our response is…” “Welcome to Equestria, everychangeling!”
1: The Rabbit and the HunterDARK ROSE By Roger334 “Peur toujours, peur partout.” Dense storm clouds cover the entire region of Canterlot and their surroundings. The wind speeds through the nearby mountains and forests of the Capital City. Squirrels, owls, raccoons and all kind of small critters, hide inside their homes because a storm is about to begin. Just as the first thunders start to roll across the stormy sky, a lonely pony princess roams inside the empty halls of Canterlot’s palace. Helped by the light of a candle, the princess makes her way through the thick darkness of the site. Suddenly, another pony appears in front of her. “…I see you’re leaving. Very well my dear sister, rest and as always, I’ll guard the night,” said Princess Luna to her sister, Celestia, with a smile. The white alicorn nodded and smiled back, right before continuing with her previous path. The Moon couldn’t be seen, yet the slumber and tiredness invaded Celestia’s body, making her seek some sleep. After yawning a little, the eternal being finally returned to her room. With the help of her magic, Celestia removed her golden crown, necklace and shoes. The once enlightened candlestick now rests over a small night table. “Good night everypony,” Celestia said to herself, just as she jumped into her bed. After a small moment, she drifted off to sleep. Outside the castle, the storm continued covering the region with its powerful thunders and heavy rain. After sleeping in peace for a few hours, the Solar Princess started to feel a cold draft inside her room. Just as she removed her pink sleep mask, a mighty breeze blew her mane. “Oh no,” sighed Celestia, just as she got out of her bed. The room’s balcony doors were completely opened, allowing the rain and the wind to enter without pity. Maps, books and even some drawings started to get wet. Before the white alicorn could even close them, an unknown voice called her. “Hello, Celestia…” “WHO’S IN THERE?!” “…” “…CHRYSALIS, what are you doing here?!” Thanks to the light of the storm, Celestia finally recognized her mysterious guest, Chrysalis, the Queen of the Changelings. The evil monarch wasn’t wearing her crown, but instead, something that looked like a golden necklace of some kind. “Now you’ll feel what it’s like to be hated, to be alone and to be repulsive for everypony...” The white alicorn started to back away, frightened. “Oh no, Celestia…” “…if you think I'm a monster, just wait to see what you’ll turn into…” said Chrysalis for the last time, right before touching her strange necklace. From it, a powerful spark of light came out and enlightened the whole room, consuming both royalties on its way. When the forceful light ceased, Celestia and Chrysalis appeared to be lying on the floor in the same exact spot where they were. The white alicorn stood up with difficulty and trotted as fast as she could to the other side of her room. At the same time Chrysalis, with difficulty too, opened her big eyes and tried to stand up again. In the moment the Changeling Queen saw Celestia standing by the door, her ears dropped and her face turned sick. “NO. IMPOSSIBLE!” “W-WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!” The Princess of the Day didn’t answer, but instead, smiled and furrowed her eyes. It was then when they finally understood what happened. Celestia and Chrysalis had swapped bodies, somehow. Now, with horror, the eternal being was looking at herself from the other side of the room through the eyes of her enemy. Right before Celestia could even try to approach at her former self, royal guards of the palace appeared trotting at full speed. After a brief moment, they were now inside the room, with swords. “Seize her!” shouted Chrysalis while she backed away from the circle of guards, smiling. The palace knights pointed their swords against Celestia in that moment, all of them at once. “NO, W-WAIT…!” cried the new Changeling Queen, just as she tried to approach and reason with them. The knights drew their swords. They all looked nervous, and quite scared, with her presence. Celestia stopped and moved away from them, very slowly. The circle of guards started to advance, forcing her to exit the room towards the wet balcony behind her. The storm was still going on. Thunders and lightning filled the sky, as if they knew what was happening. With the imminent advance of her own knights, the trapped Queen started to look down at the abyss beneath her. With tears in her eyes, Celestia decided to jump in a desperate attempt to escape. While falling, Celestia tried to use her new wings without any success. Right before she could crash in one of the castle’s gardens, her wings finally responded and saved her. After landing in the miry soil of the courtyard, the now dirty and very scared new Changeling Queen, initiated her escape through the palace, her old palace. Not very far from where she landed, one of the many castle’s entrances lay. With lots of efforts, trying not to trip over the wet stones of the place, Celestia trotted as fast as she could to it. Suddenly, its iron curtain fell, cutting her route of liberation. With deep sorrow, the new Changeling Queen tried to lift the heavy gate. “…this time you’ll not escape from me, CHANGELING MONSTER!” shout the Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor, with great rage. The white stallion was wielding his majestic sword in the air with his magic. “Shining, please, let me explain you--” “NO, I DON’T HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOU!” Celestia remained quiet. Her eyes were full of tears. “You can cry all what you want or even take any shape you wish, but this time I’m prepared to stop you…” said Shining for the last time, just as he put down the visor of his helmet. His sword moved to a draw position. Ready for the battle, the Captain of the Royal Guard started to advance against her. Celestia started to panic in that moment. She was completely cornered, unprotected and scared. “I-I… I don’t want to hurt you.” “Please, forgive me,” cried Celestia, right before shooting a powerful flash of light with her horn. Shining dropped his sword immediately. Without hesitating, the new Changeling Queen took this opportunity and fled while she could. Moments later, some pegasi guards landed nearby their very angered captain, who still was fighting to recover his sight back. Shining was heavily kicking. “SEIZE HER. DO NOT LET HER ESCAPE!” After a moment of total blindness, the Captain of the Royal Guard finally recovered his sight and picked his sword from the mud. “Not this time…” Inside the palace, Celestia was still trying to escape from her own guards. Since the whole castle was ringing with all kinds of alarms, she started to feel exhausted because there was no place for her to hide or rest. “I-I… I can’t continue. I’m too tired,” mumbled the new Changeling Queen, right before falling fatigued over a soft carpet. While she tried to recover her breath, Celestia looked down at her new hooves and body for the very first time. “What am I going to do…?” Just when she was about to break into tears, a distant voice called her from the other side of the hall. “PSST…!” Celestia looked around, but she couldn’t see the pony who was calling her. “Over here, your majesty!” “…me?” “YES. Over here!” shout a small changeling creature, while waving his leg. Celestia stood up and trotted towards him. When she finally was in there, another changeling landed near them. Both creatures were completely wet and full of mud in their hooves and tails, just like her. “I’m so happy to see that you’re ok, your highness!” “Bani and I found the wall that leads exactly to the forest…” Celestia didn’t answer. She didn’t know what to say. “That’s right, your majesty. Ponies will never find us in there!” “OH NO, more guards are coming!” “Quickly, this way!” shout the big creature, right before trotting away under the rain. Bani followed him immediately. After hearing the guards coming too, Celestia decided to follow them. Without wasting time, the group of fugitives dashed through the castle’s gardens. After turning in a corner, all of a sudden, they found a lonely pegasi guard in front of them. The winged knight didn’t move. Very slowly, the white pony put down the lantern he was holding over the wet tiles of the garden. “You finally found her…” “VERY WELL, let’s go.” “You heard him, LET’S GO!” After trotting for some minutes more, the group of fugitives finally arrived at the colossal section of the wall that they were looking for. All of them stood staring at it, thinking of a way to cross it without being noticed by the palace’s guards. “Look, we can use that terrace to help us jump over it…” “Alright, follow me!” After landing in the high spot, the group of changelings could perfectly see the entire forest thanks to the impact of the thunders. Despite how creepy the scene looked like, Celestia, just like her new friends, felt more scared by the castle guards rather than the dark stormy forest above her. “Your majesty, you go first,” said the big changeling, right before pointing away with his hoof. His noble gesture invited Celestia to jump and escape first. “NOT SO FAST!” shouted Shining, just as he slammed the doors of the terrace without warning. With him, fifteen additional guards came out and formed a half circle. All the knights pointed their swords at them in that moment. “…make sure she makes her way back to Endcliff, Samsei,” said the big creature one last time, right before putting himself in front of his friends. He didn’t seem to be scared, not even a little, despite the number of knights around them. “No, brother. WAIT!” “I will take care of them, I promise.” “NOW GO and good luck, your highness!” shout the big changeling just as he pushed Celestia, the pegasi guard and his brother, down the wall with his powerful magic. Perhaps it was the impression of seeing such scene or the sounds she was hearing in that moment, but after falling in the forest, Celestia wasn’t trying to escape. She stood in there, petrified, hearing the battle. Very slowly, the new Changeling Queen started to recover from her trance thanks to Bani. After feeling his gentle jostles, the eternal being continued escaping with them, through the forest. After climbing a very steep and muddy hill, the light of the thunders gave Celestia an idea of how far they were from Canterlot. “Your majesty, over here…” ********* “SISTER, are you okay?!” asked Luna. She looked really worried. Cadence and a unicorn guard were accompanying the new Celestia, who was drinking hot cocoa from a mug with her magic. The new Solar Princess was wearing a blanket, but she was still shaking and sobbing a little. “What happened?” “Chrysalis entered into her room and threatened her,” replied the Princess of Love, while she slowly patted Celestia’s back. “I was so scared…!” “I should’ve been more careful, but I didn’t see anything strange…” “Please, forgive me, sister,” said the Lunar Princess with deep regret. She now was looking down at the floor. “Don’t worry. These changeling creatures are very astute and they could’ve fooled anypony…” “But the important thing is did you… capture her?” “No. She escaped through the forest with her friends…” In that moment the white alicorn stood up and trotted towards Luna. Her expression looked sad, frustrated and almost desperate as she continued with her bitter crying, again. “I was sleeping so peacefully in my room when suddenly, that monster broke in and threatened me with all kinds of terrible things!” “Sister, you must catch her at all cost before it’s too late…” The Princess of the Night remained quiet. She looked uncomfortable. “…I was sleeping under your shift, trusting you, remember?” Luna in that moment returned to look down at the floor. Cadence, after noticing her aunt’s regretful feelings, decided to come closer to them. “What matters most is that you are okay. Don’t you think, Celestia?” The white alicorn looked down immediately at her. She looked really angry for what her niece had said. The Princess of Love remained quiet. “No, she’s right. It was my responsibility…” “Okay, I’ll catch her,” said Luna, right before exiting the room towards the wet balcony behind them. The storm by that moment was completely finished. “…and sister, bring her to me before sunrise, ok?” asked Chrysalis, but now her face looked really serious, almost immutable, not sad like before. “Yes, of course! After taking off, the Princess of the Night dashed towards the forest. Behind her, on the ground, a large row of soldiers followed her with swords. ********* A couple of hours had passed since Celestia escaped from Canterlot, helped by her new changeling friends. The spirit of the lonely group was as low as the fog that covered the region where they now were. The new Changeling Queen couldn’t stop thinking about what just happened. The sad words of Chrysalis still echoed inside her, just like the frightening words of Shining. Celestia closed her eyes and sighed, with sadness. “Don’t worry, your majesty. The river should be in front of us by any minute!” said the pegasi guard with a smile. He was trying to cheer her up. “Excuse me, but shouldn’t be you… trying to arrest us or something?” “Why are you helping us?” “Oh, your highness, that’s a good one!” After hearing Samsei’s merry response, Celestia started to feel something beneath her. It was Bani, the small changeling creature, who now was trotting between her long legs. He seemed to be scared by something because he was constantly looking behind them. “What is it, little one?” “…does the sun lives in the forest?” “I… I don’t understand. What do you mean?” “Yes, what do you mean with that?” The small creature stopped and pointed at the forest. “What’s… that, your highness?” asked Samsei, confused. The new Changeling Queen didn’t answer. She looked really scared because in front of them, not very far between the tree trunks, a light of some kind was coming right towards them at great speed. This light was so powerful, that it illuminated a whole area of the wood without effort. “…how far’s the river?” “Probably like a quarter of mile, I think.” “Let’s hurry then,” said Celestia, right before picking Bani up and trotting away with him. The pegasi guard followed them immediately, because seconds later, the powerful light reached the spot where they were. Landing with great power, Luna descended from the sky. It was her magic that was illuminating the whole area. “QUEEN CHRYSALIS, I CAN SEE YOU!” Behind her, a large horde of guards appeared trotting at full speed against them. The Lunar Princess took off immediately and dashed over the tree tops. “STOP, CRIMINAL!” The beating of Luna’s wings was so strong that Celestia, and even her new friends, could perfectly hear her coming. The new Changeling Queen started to feel exhausted again, but now from trying to escape from her own sister. When Luna’s light started to be blocked by the leafy edges of the forest, Celestia stopped and hid behind a tree with Bani. Samsei continued and hid too, a couple of yards away from them. Celestia took this opportunity to recover her breath again. Bani jumped from her back and hid behind her front legs. Moments later, in front of them, the horde of guards dashed through, but no pony saw them hiding in there. When the clanking of the swords stopped, the sound of a river could finally be heard at the distance. The new Changeling Queen noticed that from the other side of the road, Samsei was trying to tell her something with signs. After finally understanding his message, Celestia smiled and looked down at Bani, who was still shaking with fear. “Don’t worry. We are safe now.” Bani stopped shaking in that moment. “We better continue before they find us here.” “Yes, your highness!” Just when Celestia and Bani were about to exit their hideout, Luna landed in front of them. Very quickly, the fugitives returned to their hiding spot, helped by the thick darkness of the place. Luckily, the Lunar Princess didn’t see them. “Listen, Chrysalis. I know you are out here, somewhere…” “…and I know what you did, but I promise you no harm for you or your friends if you come with me now. I give you my word.” Celestia noticed that Luna couldn’t see her in the shadows, so she started making some signs to Samsei of continuing with their plan. After nodding, the pegasi guard trotted away from the Lunar Princess, trying to not make any noise. The new Changeling Queen picked Bani, very gently, and put him again on her back like before. “It’s already late and they’re waiting for me in Canterlot. Let’s finish this already, what do you say…?” Celestia started to look around her, trying to find something that would help her distract Luna. Underneath a large root, she picked a small stone with her magic and threw it away as far as she could. “THERE YOU ARE!” Without hesitating, the new Changeling Queen rushed to the river in the middle of the darkness with Bani. Finally, in front of them, The Great Northern River of Canterlot lay. “Here it is, just where we left it…” Covered with some branches and small bushes, a large wooden raft was revealed to Celestia. The heavy barge was built with five tied logs. In the back, a small rudder was built, but no mast or main sail could be seen. The eternal being looked very impressed. “I’m really sorry, your highness, but I’ll need your help to push it back to the water…” "..." “Alright, PUSH…!” Behind them, suddenly, the sound of the guards coming again started to be heard more and more loudly. They finally found them. “Hurry, guards are coming!” “ALRIGHT, one… more… push!” With a last painful push, the raft finally fell in the water and started to float by itself. Celestia, Bani and Samsei jumped on board, right before the royal knights could arrest them. All the guards remained still, looking at them getting away through the river. From between them, Luna approached the shore. In that moment, Bani and Samsei put themselves in front of Celestia. They were trying to protect her in case the Princess of the Night, or some other guard, tried to shoot some spell at her. When the raft was far enough from the shore, Luna took off and retreated back to the woods. One by one, the knights returned too. When nopony was seen anymore, Samsei and Bani stopped shielding Celestia. The pegasi guard moved to the back, while Bani sat and started to play with the water around them. Celestia sat on the raft, very slowly, but her sight couldn’t stop looking at the distant shore. The former Solar Princess started to understand a little more what Chrysalis really meant with her words. “Weird, I thought that pony princess was going to shoot us a spell from the shore…” “Downstream we’ll safe, your highness,” said Samsei, right before bursting into green flames. His true shape was revealed to Celestia in that moment. “Oh, that’s why…!” “But tell me, where are we going, exactly?” “…well, I think we should return to Endcliff as soon as possible, your majesty.” “Meanwhile, why don’t you get some sleep? I’ll be watching the entire journey until we get to Idohn Canyon.” “Very well,” said the new Changeling Queen, right before lying down on the raft. The movement of the water was so slow and gentle that Celestia, soon, drifted off to sleep. Author's Note Special thanks to: TheBlueDreamMaker Dedicated to: Lauren Faust and Zygmunt Bauman
2: Perfect Stranger“You let her go…?” asked the new Solar Princess, heavily disappointed. “She was already far from us and she didn’t do any harm.” “I mean, you’re okay and it seems that nothing is missing,” said Luna, trying to justify her actions. She looked really nervous. “ANY HARM?! Oh no, what have you done!” shout Chrysalis, just as she turned her face away. The Lunar Princess now looked really worried. “Tell me, do you know why that creature was here tonight?” “No, I don’t.” “Well, she wanted to give me a message…” “What message, sister?” The eternal being remained quiet. Very slowly, the irked alicorn turned her face back at Luna, right before answering her question. “From this day forth, we are at war with The Changeling Empire.” “WAR, are you sure?!” “Yes. That’s why I ordered you to capture her. But now, now she’s on her way back home when we could’ve stopped her and discussed a pacific solution.” Luna’s face turned pale in that moment, with sickness. “I-I didn’t know. I’m so sorry…!” Chrysalis turned her face to avoid looking down at her new sister, again. After a brief moment of intense silence, the upset princess started to laugh a little. “It doesn’t matter, my dear sister. I’ll figure something out to stop them…” “Now leave. I wish to be alone.” The Princess of the Night nodded and trotted away, quietly, with sadness. “ONE MORE THING.” “Yes?” “Raise the sun for me. I’m not feeling good right now…” “Sure, don’t worry,” said Luna, trying to smile, before taking off again. Once Chrysalis was completely alone, she started to think about what she could do about Celestia’s escape. Right before she could think about something, her door started to be knocked by somepony. “Argh, who is it?!” “I’m very sorry to bother you, your highness, but we captured one of those changelings,” said a pony guard, just as he opened the door with his magic. “Show me…” When the knight finally arrived with Chrysalis at one of the castle’s courtyards, the new Solar Princess gazed with surprise at the fettered changeling that now was In front of her. Some guards were surrounding him, making sure he could not escape. “What do we do with him, your majesty?” In that moment, the white alicorn looked into the eyes of the trapped changeling, who seemed to be looking back at her with deep resentment “…let him go.” The guards freed the creature immediately, but he didn’t escape in that moment. After seeing nopony intended to do anything else against him, the big changeling took off towards the forest. As he fled away from the castle, Chrysalis couldn’t help drop a tear for her friend, her old friend. ********* Very slowly, Celestia opened her big eyes, right before trying to stand up again on the raft. In the moment she looked down at her new hooves again, she remembered her particular situation. Nighttime was on the sky and the only visible light was the one from Samsei’s lantern, who was sleeping in the other side of the barge. “Majesty, you’re awake!” shout Bani with happiness, just as he hugged Celestia’s leg. The new Changeling Queen stood still. She didn’t know how to react or what to say to the little loving creature. “Samsei felt tired after rowing for hours, so now I’m the captain of this ship!” “Well, you’re doing a great job, little one.” Bani blushed in that moment. “Excuse me, but where are we, exactly?” “We’re currently crossing The Alfred Mountains and pretty soon, your majesty, we will be at Idohn Canyon!” “Idohn Canyon…” Bani stood still, hearing Celestia’s mumbling with wonder. “Tell me, isn’t Idohn Canyon where Atrocious used to live…?” “I-I… I don’t know, your majesty,” replied the small changeling, ashamed. “Don’t worry. It was nothing,” said Celestia, right before lifting Bani’s chin with her hoof. The small creature smiled again. “I better keep checking the raft, your highness…” “Yes, captain!” Bani blushed again, just as he trotted to the other side of the barge. The new Changeling Queen sat and looked down at the water trail left by them with nostalgia. Bani reminded her of Luna when she was younger, right before the millennia banishment. As Celestia continue remembering her happier days, she returned to think about what Chrysalis told her during that stormy night. “She said that she felt like a monster, but if that were true, then that little loving creature wouldn’t dare to hug me.” “Chrysalis, there is no monster…” ********* “Princess Celestia!” shout Twilight, while she trotted at full speed towards her old teacher and friend inside Canterlot’s Palace. Right before the gifted unicorn could hug her, the white alicorn moved. “Yes, yes. Did you bring the bottles?!” “…of course. Right here, Princess.” From Twilight’s saddle bag, two vintage glass bottles were revealed to Chrysalis. The eternal being grabbed them with her magic and started looking at them in all its angles. The talented unicorn remained there, waiting to hear something from her. “So… is everything okay, Princess?” “Uh-huh.” Twilight felt confused by the alicorn’s sour attitude, but she tried to keep smiling. “The colors seem just fine. Very well…” “You may go now, little pony,” said Chrysalis right before trotting away with the bottles. Before she could exit the hall, Twilight approached her again while carrying a paper scroll with her magic. “PRINCESS, you’re forgetting the spell you asked me. Remember…?” “Oh yes, the spell.” The talented unicorn stood still, looking up at her with a smile, again. “…do you need something?” “Well, it’s just that I would like to know if I chose the right spell.” Celestia’s face turned serious in that moment. “Do you want me to read it right here and tell you?!” “OH NO, I was just saying…” “Look, I guess I can trust you. So leave in peace… my trusty student,” said the white alicorn, trying to smile, before exiting the hall. Twilight, soon, was completely alone in the middle of the vast wing. “Goodbye, Princess…” Very slowly, the gifted unicorn started to exit the castle towards the train station. The Moon was up in the sky, watching the sad pony’s journey. “Twilight, dear, what are you doing here?!” asked Cadence, as she came across her friend while trotting through one of the palace’s gardens. “Hello, Cadence. Princess Celestia asked me to bring her some bottles and a spell against changelings. Now, I think I’ll be heading back home with Spike…” “Wait, she made you travel all the way up here just for some bottles and she didn’t even invite you to stay? Well, that’s weird.” “It’s okay. I can sleep on the train, don’t worry…” “NO WAY!” “It doesn’t matter if she didn’t invite you, because now, I’m inviting you to stay. What do you say?” asked the Princes of Love, with a big smile. “Thanks, I gladly accept.” “YAY! You can stay at your old room and tomorrow, if you want, we can have some tea and even go out to Joe’s like old times…” giggled Cadence, right before trotting back inside the castle with Twilight. ********* “In two days time, we’ll be finally at Endcliff, your highness,” said Samsei, while he tried to warm his hooves by moving them in front of a small bonfire he just made. From the other side of the group of changelings, a few cicadas could be heard chirring and jumping. Nighttime was about to end, still, the coldness of the previous night could still be felt in the entire rocky region. The new Changeling Queen looked down at Bani, with love. He was sleeping gently nearby her. “Why did I ask Bani to come with me to Canterlot?” “He’s too young and the mission Chrysalis… I-I did, appeared to be really dangerous.” “…you didn’t, your highness. You only asked me and Aina to help you enter that white pony’s castle because we’re your best knights.” “Bani hid in a crate and by the time we found him, we were already too far from home,” replied the creature, just as he continued moving his hooves near the heat. He looked a little confused by his Queen’s question. Celestia remained quiet, thinking about what she just heard. “Samsei, did I tell you what I was going to do once inside the castle?” “No. It’s not our right to inquiry you, your highness...” Both changelings remained completely quiet, hearing only the cicada’s music at the distance. “Well, dawn is starting to peak in the horizon. I better go and check the area, if you don’t mind…” “Sure, I’ll wait here.” Samsei took off in silence, trying not to wake up Bani. Gradually over the limits of the region, a colored sunrise started to paint the whole sky in front of Celestia. The more she looked, the more she missed her old duty as the Princess of the Day. ********* “Thanks, sweetie,” giggled Cadence while she picked with her magic, the donut she ordered at Joe’s, the donut store located downtown in Canterlot. “You should try the one with sprinkles. It’s delicious!” said Twilight, just as she sipped with caution her hot cocoa with marshmallows. “Maybe other day…” “Twilight, there’s something I would like to talk to you about,” said the Princess of Love, but this time, there was a more serious tone in her voice. “Sure, what is it?” “I… I really didn’t want to say anything, but I just can’t stop thinking about it.” “Do you know, exactly, what happened the night when Chrysalis entered Celestia’s room?” “No. I only received a letter, asking me to bring her a spell and two bottles she saw in a local store in Ponyville.” “To be honest, I thought she was going to explain me the situation once I arrived here, but she didn’t.” “What happened was that Chrysalis, somehow, entered into the castle without being noticed by Luna’s magic or the guards. Once inside, she threatened Celestia about making war with us.” “That sounds terrible. I didn’t know.” “But that’s not my main worry. Ever since then, Celestia’s attitude has been very… different. She’s unfriendly now and sometimes rude, like yesterday, when she didn’t invite you to stay or when she forced Luna to chase Chrysalis in the middle of the night.” “I feel the same way, but I didn’t want to say anything about it…” “Really? You know, I think we better talk with Luna about this. Maybe she can help us talk with her and know what she’s feeling right now. If there’s a problem, we can solve it together.” “Good idea, but after this cocoa…” “… and this donut!” ********* “This’ll do it, thank you,” said Celestia with a smile, right before picking up the tiny branches Bani brought from the surroundings. As soon as the new Changeling Queen lighted them, the coldness started to back away from them thanks to the heat of another good bonfire. Suddenly, not very far from their current campsite, the powerful whistling of a train echoed across the rocky walls of the canyon. Princess Chrysalis smiled and started to laugh a little. “What is it, your majesty?” “That whistle. Can you hear it?” “…yes, I think so.” “Oh yes, I think I can hear it too!” “Well, that probably belongs to the Northern Railway’s construction site. Curious, I didn’t know my project crossed this part of Equestria…” “Your project…?” “I-I mean Celestia’s project, of course. You know, the colored pony princess…” Samsei remained quiet. He looked very confused. “SO, when are we going to reach Idohn Canyon…?” “We’re currently there, your highness.” Celestia immediately noticed that her friends started staring at her, in silence, as if they were worried about her strange questions and weird attitude. After a long pause, the new Changeling Queen decided to say something. “WELL, I think this is it for me. Sweat dreams, everychangeling…” After laying down and pretending to be completely asleep, Samsei and Bani returned their minds to other things. Moments later, right before Celestia could fall asleep, this time for real, she remained thinking about what attitude she should adopt from now on. After all, no changeling knew about what happened a few days ago. “I must watch what I say or they’ll discover me…” “…and I can’t… let that… happen…” said Celestia to herself, right before falling asleep at last. The crackling bonfire guarded the gentle dreams of the group. ********* “NO AND A THOUSAND TIMES, NO!” shouted Luna, exasperated, while she refused to talk about her sister during breakfast. Cadence and Twilight were also in there, eating with her in one of the many castle’s gardens. “Haven’t you noticed anything strange about Celestia, lately?” “She’s busy. That’s all.” “Maybe, but Celestia has never been so rude like she is nowadays.” “That’s not true and you’re overdoing this nonsense subject. Have you both considered that as an option?!” “Twilight’s right. She has been quite hostile with us ever since Chrysalis appeared that night. Especially with you…” “W-Well…” “…it was my duty to guard the night and I failed. Maybe she still feels bad about it, but she doesn’t want to bother us with her problems…” “Perhaps, but do you know where does she now like to spend most of her time?” “Enlighten us…” “In the library, reading the books and documents of The Forbidden Section. Not even I, or Twilight, have access to that section. Doesn’t that seem weird to you?” “Reading has never hurt somepony.” “But that’s not all. She also spends hours taking a single bath, looking at herself in the mirrors and now, out of nowhere, she collects bottles!” “Well… you’re right about the bottles, Twilight. Yesterday, a wooden crate arrived full of those things and when I wanted to tell Celestia about it, I found her talking with some deers in The Treasury Chamber.” “She refused to tell me and dismissed me right away, of course. But now that you’re telling me about it, I do sense something different in her…” “Deers in Canterlot?! Luna, this sounds serious. Why didn’t you tell me about it?” “Well I-I… I thought it didn’t concern me. I’m sorry, Cadence.” The gifted unicorn and the Princess of Love stared at each other without saying something. Trying to ignore the deep silence of her friends, Luna tried to keep eating her breakfast. “This is more serious than I thought,” said Cadence, right before touching Luna’s left hoof. The Princess of the Night stopped eating. Her face looked really worried. “Please, please don’t tell her I told you. She made me promise not to tell anypony about the deer’s visit. I-I don’t want to cause her any troubles, really...!” “Twilight, when I was kidnapped by Chrysalis and you all used to think she was me, didn’t I also have a strange attitude and new hobbies like Celestia does now?” “…well, yes. Shining told me you started asking him to buy you all kinds of random things. Not to mention you started to attend a singing class...” “Oh yes, we remember now. You asked us to hire you a professional teacher, Royal Riff.” The Princess of Love remained quiet. She now was the one that looked worried. “My attitude changed drastically the months before the wedding. What if Celestia… isn’t Celestia and the one we have seen up there is just a simulation, like I was?” “What if she’s Chrysalis in disguise?!” Everypony gasped at the same time. “Perhaps the real Celestia is somewhere, trapped like I was, and she needs our help. Don’t you think we should do something about it?!” “Like what, exactly?” “Confront her…” ********* “It took us some time, but we are finally at home, sweet home!” exclaimed Samsei with relief, just as he pointed the vast mud city of Endcliff, the Capital of the Changeling Empire. Located between the giant rock walls of a canyon, the banco houses and buildings lay one on top of another. The village was so big that it covered the entire region with its dirt paths and mud buildings. Some houses were built in the vertical sides of the cliff, connected by what they seemed to be hanging bridges of some kind. At the horizon, meanwhile, a colorful twilight was ending by the time the group of changelings finally arrived to their home town. Between the streets and buildings, some villagers could be seen preparing themselves to spend the night. Contrary to what Celestia or anypony used to think, changelings had different heights, mane colors and even spirits. “Sam, do you think Aina is already here?” asked Bani, worried about his brother’s fate. “I’m pretty sure he’s already home, waiting for you to arrive. Do you want me to take you back home?” “Thank you, but it’s not necessary. I know the path…” “Alright. See ya tomorrow and please stop spying your brother’s secret missions.” “I’ll try…!” “Good Night, your majesty,” said Bani, right before hugging Celestia’s leg for a last time. After the lovely gesture, the small creature trotted away from them. “I’ll miss him...” “WELL, your highness, I think we better return to the palace before Baas gets more upset. We’ve been away for more than a week!” “A WEEK?! You mean we left a week ago just to travel from here, to Canterlot, and back again?!” “Y-Yes. I’m really sorry…” “WOW, we’re really far!” After continuing with their trotting, The Great Mud Palace of Endcliff appeared in front of them. The giant banco castle crowned the whole city with its impressive towers, solid cones and windows from atop its hill. “WOW...!” “I know. It’s wonderful!” “This is… this is amazing, simply amazing because it looks like a cross between an organ and a hedgehog!” Samsei started to laugh. “Well, your majesty, are you coming…?” “OH YES,” giggled Celestia, right before trotting inside the castle with her friend. The sun finally hid in the horizon, far away from the mud palace’s reign. ********* “…these books will do it!” giggled Chrysalis, just as she picked a couple of books with her magic. Ready to go, the new Ruler of Equestria exited the library and started heading back to her room. Without warning, at the end of a small hallway, the wooden door slammed in her face, causing her to drop the books she was carrying. The white alicorn looked very angered, and a little nervous. “VERY FUNNY, NOW I ORDER YOU TO OPEN THIS DOOR AT ONCE!” Instead of hearing an answer, the door behind Chrysalis slammed too. “WHO’S IN THERE?! SHOW YOURSELF, COWARD!” “…” “TWILIGHT SPARKLE, I should’ve known it was you!” “And you’re not alone, because Cadenza and Luna are here too.” “Very well…” “Celestia, we need to talk.” “I’ve nothing to talk about with any of you. OUT OF MY WAY, NOW!” “Please, sister, we really need to talk.” “NO, WE DON’T!” “Princess, please. We don’t want to hurt you…” “STAND BACK, YOU FOALS!” shouted the imposter Celestia, right before shooting a powerful spell in front of Twilight. Cadence and Luna jumped surprised after seeing her hostile actions. They all now looked serious and riled up with her. “I WARN YOU, OUT OF MY WAY!” “Twilight, are you ok?!” “Yes, I’m fine…” “You once told me that I should protect everypony. That it was my duty…” “…but if that’s how you want it, so be it, sister!" The group of friends joined forces and prepared their magic for the imminent battle. Celestia was immutable, fearless. “How dare you to betray me in my own home?!” “Last warning, OUT OF MY WAY!” Having no other choice, the match began. Luna teleported herself, in a glance, behind her and used some spells. The new Celestia could easily stop or deflect her small sister’s attacks. However, when Cadence joined the brawl, Chrysalis couldn’t stop her. After the short fight, the remaining princesses subjected the very angered, and quite powerful, white alicorn with their magic. Celestia was heavily kicking, trying to escape from her captors. “TWILIGHT, quickly, use your spell…!” “YOU ARE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE. REALEASE ME, RELEASE ME NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!” “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! NO, NO. GET AWAY FROM ME!” Twilight’s magic finally touched Celestia’s forehead… nothing. “…are you done?” The eyes of the eternal being were full of deep resentment. Twilight moved away immediately, looking scared. After staring at each other, Cadence and Luna released their spells. With watery eyes, Celestia picked up her books. “Maybe I’ve been acting a little different nowadays, but that doesn’t means I’m a changeling…” “Now, if you excuse me, I’ve some books to read,” said the white alicorn, right before trotting away from them with tears in her eyes. “CELESTIA, WAIT!” “No, sister. I don’t want to talk, especially with you…” The Princess of the Night remained still in the middle of the small hallway, feeling guilty. Her ears dropped and her voice started to sound deeply sorrowful. “Oh no, what have we done?!” “WAIT, SISTER…!” Twilight and Cadence remained in the hallway, thinking about what just happened. Many ideas were rushing inside each pony’s mind. “I don’t understand. What does it means, Cadence?” “It means that it was really Celestia, all this time…” ********* “If you need something else, your highness, you know where to find me!” said Samsei, right before bowing for a last time. Princess Chrysalis felt uncomfortable with the gesture. After her friend left, Celestia stand inside the main hall, guessing what she should do now. It didn’t pass a long time for her to notice its decorations. Built in wood and gold materials, some statues and large tapestries of whimsical patterns, decorated the large mud chamber. “So, this is your house, Chrysalis. It’s really nice if you ask me…” “Curious, you also use tapestries and small statues to decorate your hallways.” After speaking to herself, Celestia started to trot, with caution, through a nearby corridor. She couldn’t stop staring at all the nice details her new home possessed. After turning in a corner, all of a sudden, a strong voice called her from among the shadows. “…THERE YOU ARE!” The new Changeling Queen turned her head, immediately, but she couldn’t see the creature who was calling her. “Who’s in there…?” “My, are you still mad with me?!” asked a tall changeling, just as he slowly trotted away from the hallway’s darkness. Once the light of torches illuminated him, Celestia finally was able to see him. With green mane, holes in his legs and similar features like her, the creature came closer, looking worried. “Please, don’t do that ever again, sister,” cried the changeling, right before hugging Celestia with great love. Some tears were coming down from his eyes. “Baas…” The name that Samsei mentioned earlier was Chrysalis’ brother, Baas, the Prince of the Changeling Empire. “We’ll talk at dinner…” said for the last time the happy changeling, just as he stopped hugging her. Celestia remained completely still, feeling very surprised because she couldn’t believe what she just has discovered. ********* “…was your trip to the land of those ponies what you expected?” asked Baas with a serious expression. He and Celestia were dinning together, in a colossal banco hall with large tapestries and rugs. The table contained their drinks and a couple of pale fruits of some kind. “W-Well…” “I’m not sure, to be completely honest with you,” replied Celestia, while she kept looking at the decorations from the hall, with wonder. “Uh-Huh.” “So, what happened with The Imager? Do you still have it…?” “What happened with what?” “You know. The collar…” “I’m aware that you took it for your little trip, so stop playing the fool with me, sister.” In that moment Celestia stop staring at the ceiling. Thanks to those words, the new Changeling Queen remembered something. “A collar you say?!” “YES, you know. Where is it?” “Baas, tell me, by any chance does this collar had some sort of eye in the middle…?” “You already know the answer of that, Chrysalis!” Celestia’s face turned sick in that moment. It had to be, The Imager was that special collar Chrysalis used that night. The new Changeling Queen remained staring at the emptiness of the room, looking really concerned. “...you’re not going to tell me, right? Very well, so be it. I don’t care.” “This collar you’re speaking of, where did I get it from?!” After listening to that, the young prince stood up, very slowly, while staring up at her. His face looked really angry now, enraged, like no pony Celestia has ever seen before. His horn started to be enlightened with his purple magic. “You should know better than any changeling where did we get it…” “After all, it was from Father.” “WHAT ARE YOU?! WHAT DID YOU DO WITH CHRYSALIS, YOU MONSTER?!” shout Baas with deep pain, just as he prepared to fight Celestia with all his power. The new Changeling Queen could feel his immense strength on her hooves. Very slowly, with caution, Celestia stood up too. “I know this is hard to believe, but you have to listen to me…” “My name is Celestia and I’m the Ruler of Equestria. Your sister, Chrysalis, used the collar you mentioned before to swap bodies with me some days ago.” “CELESTIA, the white pony princess of the day?!” Baas looked at the ground, sobbing. His powerful magic disappeared. “She finally did it…” “…” “IT’S YOUR FAULT! It has always been your fault, pony!” shout Baas with fury, right before looking Celestia into the eyes with deep resentment. “What are you talking about?!” The young prince turned her face to avoid looking at her. Celestia could hear him crying from the other side of the room. “I-I can’t believe it. After all these years, I thought she was just easing her pain whenever she said all those terrible things…” Baas sat in the carpet. His ears were completely down and her voice sounded more mournful than before. The new Changeling Queen, very gently, approached and sat next to him. “I’m really sorry if I ever made something against you.” “Perhaps… if you could tell me what I did, I might be able to fix it.” In that moment, from the other side of the hall, a big creature arrived trotting at full speed. He looked exhausted, but among all, frightened. “Your majesty, I’ve terrible news!” Baas cleaned his tears and trotted away from Celestia. After turning her sorrowful sight, the new Changeling Queen recognized the creature that has just arrived. “AINA, you’re ok!” “Well, of course. Those weakling ponies couldn’t beat me!” “What’s going on, guard?!” asked Baas, ignoring Celestia’s words and presence. “When I was finally getting back home, not very far from here, I discovered pony troops marching towards the city. They all have armors, swords and they even brought some catapults…” “Such fools. They’ll get lost and starve first before they can even set one single pony hoof in here. No pony has ever reached these regions.” “Your majesty, ponies are the least of our problems…” “What do you mean with that?!” “They…” “They are being led by the pony princess of the night.” “LUNA!” “I see. Set the alarm, we’re heading to The Ark!” “Yes, your highness!” said Aina, right before taking off through one of the windows. “Well, it seems that your pony friends finally decided to come and destroy our home.” “It doesn’t matter. We’re more than ready to give them a warm welcome…” “NO, WAIT. My sister is with them!” “Your sister…?” “…” “And what are we supposed to do, PONY?!” “Your beloved sibling intends to attack my city, probably imprison my subjects and destroy the legacy of my ancestors.” “I’m not going to let it happen, no matter the price. I’ll do what I must…” said Baas for the last time, right before trying to leave the room. Celestia, immediately, jumped over him and blocked the door. “WAIT, PLEASE. If Luna’s in here, probably is because she was sent by your sister to capture me. Ever since I escaped, your sister has been trying to catch me.” “You mean, Chrysalis…?” “Yes, but I don’t know why. She now has my life, my family and even my friends, but she still insists in capturing me for some reason.” Baas remained quiet. He returned to look down. “Chrysalis means that much to you, right? So does my sister.” “Let me think about something, a solution before anything happens. Please…” “Great, just great. I mean, now I’m supposed to respect a pony princess I don’t even know while she, apparently, has plans of destroying my city.” “Yeah, let’s stop and do absolutely nothing while you, the supposed Ruler of Equestria, think about a good solution to end this nightmare!” “WHAT DID YOU SAY?!” “Look, I’m sorry. It’s just that this is getting out of control and I--” “NO. What did you say, before?” “That we should do absolutely nothing while you think of a good solution to end this nightmare…?” Celestia closed her eyes. She started thinking about something. “Baas, I might have a solution, but I’ll need to know everything about shapeshifting…” The Changeling Prince remained quiet, looking very doubtful.
3: Ascension of the PhoenixA crescent Moon watched from its heights, just like Luna from atop a nearby rock, the invading pony army as it advanced through the rocky lands of Endcliff. The Lunar Princess was wearing a solid, and quite gracious, armor for the occasion. Despite the strong clanking of the swords, the ambiance was soaked with the Princess’s uneasiness. “I-I… I must!” said Luna to herself, just as she tried to regain her composure. Attempting to mute her fear, the Princess of the Night took off and landed inside the city. Pretty soon, all the knights followed her. With lots of efforts, the colossal catapults were rolled in by unicorn guards. Just as the weapons rumbled their way in, Luna started to remember what Chrysalis told her right before coming to the mud village. “…I don’t mind about what happened back there. You only did it because Cadence and Twilight forced you to,” said the new Celestia, right before hugging her. The Lunar Princess’s sorrowful crying ceased. “I’m so sorry.” The white alicorn stopped hugging her and smiled. With her powerful magic, Chrysalis appeared what it looked like a scroll map of some kind and gave it to Luna. The blue alicorn grabbed it and started looking at it. “I can’t recognize any of these regions, Celestia.” “I didn’t expect that, because this map is an exact copy of the northern region of Idohn Canyon, where Endcliff is located…” “Endcliff…?” “YES, the capital city of Chrysalis. It’s a mud village hidden in the most distant and steep cliffs of Equestria. No pony has ever found it. That’s why I made this map for you…” Luna remained quiet in that moment. Her face turned serious, almost sad, just as she stopped looking at the map her magic was holding. “Now, if you look down from my balcony, you’ll see that I already arranged your departure.” The blue princess exited the room, very slowly, and looked down from the terrace. Above in the courtyard, a large horde of guards were marching with swords and torches. At the same time, three massive catapults were being pulled by some deer and pony knights. “Sister, do you want me to capture Chrysalis…?” “NO. I expect you to do it.” “I finally realized a way of stopping them from coming in the future. If we attack first, tonight, they won’t be prepared and we’ll have all the vantage on our favor!” “In the past few days, I already took care of getting you a fine armor and some heavy weapons to help you siege the city!” giggled the Solar Impostor with true happiness. “Celestia, is it really necessary for me to go tonight? Besides, how many days'll it take us to reach that place?” “None, you’ll use a teleportation spell.” “But we’re too many! I don’t think I’ll be able to take us all at the same time…” “Heh, don’t worry. I learnt some new powerful spells that’ll send you all right away into that muddy village with no effort. Leave it to me…” “Now go and prepare yourself for the battle. I want her at all cost, do you understand? AT ALL COST!” “But I… I-I…” “WHAT IS IT?! Are you still questioning me and my orders?!” “I thought you learnt your lesson, but now I sadly see I was wrong…” “NO, SISTER! I’m not questioning you.” “It’s just that I-I… I don’t think it's right to attack without warning them first.” “Tell me, did Chrysalis send me a letter before she broke in into my room?! Did she send us a letter when she kidnapped Cadence and almost married my captain?! DID SHE?!” “No.” “Good, there you go.” “Alright. I’ll go if that’s what you want me to do…” “NO. Not I, this is for everypony!” “Oh, I almost forgot. What about the changelings? What do we do with them, Celestia?” “…” “…do nothing. Just bring me Chrysalis, you hear me? Just bring her to me.” “And this time, sister, I’ll not accept failure…” “I-I understand.” “Very well, you’re dismissed then,” said for the last time Chrysalis, right before turning her face to avoid looking down at Luna. Very slowly, the Princess of he Night started to react from her trance, just as the light of the Moon illuminated her precious armored face. After taking a deep breath, the blue alicorn muted her insecurity once and for all. “I’ll not fail you ever again, Celestia. I promise,” said Luna to herself, right before rejoining with her knights in the middle of a street. ********* “Alright, pony, there they are,” said Baas as he, with caution, pointed at the menacing horde of knights that now were flooding every street and alley of Endcliff. Celestia, with caution too, peeked out from the rooftop where both changelings were. “I don’t know how your super-secret plan is going to work, but it better do or I’ll have no other choice than to send my troops against your pony friends.” “I know, but I’m pretty sure that’s not going to be necessary. Trust me!” “Says you…” “Just remember that you’re my sister now. You’re a changeling like none other. You can copy any creature you wish, just as I told you!” “Really, any creature?!” “OH YES. For example, I can copy dragons while you can copy that pink pony princess of the wedding!" "Just focus and your magic’ll do the rest. Good luck, pony. You’re going to need it,” said the Changeling Prince for the last time, right before taking off in silence. Once alone, Celestia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Feeling ready to finally confront her own sister, the new Changeling Queen jumped to the street beneath her. ******** “There’s nopony in here, your majesty. All the houses are empty." “Argh, they probably saw us coming!” “It doesn’t matter. Keep checking every single building, captain. We must find her at all cost.” “We will tear down the whole city if it’s necessary!” “Yes, your majesty!” After the guard trotted away from Luna, the blue alicorn started looking around the houses, wondering where Chrysalis would be. Deep in the darkness of her night, a large building with palatial features caught her attention immediately. With a big smile, the Lunar Princess remained looking at the distant giant. “That must be the Mud Palace, Chrysalis’ hideout. Excellent!" said Luna to herself with great excitement. By only raising her right hoof, the order was given and all her knights started to advance against it. The war catapults now rumbled towards the old wonder. A few yards later, without warning, the whole city in front of them was consumed by what it looked like a dense fog of some kind. Soon, the white specter reached Luna’s and everypony’s armored hooves. The once brave knights, now were completely blind in the middle of the foggy streets, shaking a little. “REMAIN BRAVE EVERYPONY. THIS IS JUST A TRICK!” shout Luna with courage. Her powerful magic tried to fade away the fog, but it was futile because the incorporeal foe didn’t retreat one single inch. “…what is it, Samuel?” “An evil voice’s in the air… whispering terrible things, your majesty.” “I think we better leave. Something’s wrong...” “NO. Queen Celestia ordered us to capture Chrysalis at all cost. We can’t return without her!" "Continue moving those weapons, THAT’S AN ORDER!” From among the white specter, a laugh of some kind started to be heard more and more loudly as it came closer to the group of frightened ponies. Without being able to take any more of it, some knights retreated away, very slowly. Right before they could break their position, Luna took off and landed in front of them. “REMEMBER YOUR MISSION!” “…still obeying her, I see,” said a bleak voice from among the fog. The voice was so scary that even Luna started to shake a little in that moment. “Show yourself, Chrysalis!” “Chrysalis?! I don’t know any Chrysalis, BUT I DO KNOW WHO YOU ARE, LUNA.” “Long ago, we did great and terrible things together… Have you forgotten?” giggled the scary voice. “I don’t know what are you talking about, CREATURE.” “Are you scared, Luna? You shouldn’t, because we are friends after all…” “I’M NOT YOUR FRIEND and I’m not afraid of monsters like you! I let you go once, but not anymore because this time I’m prepared to stop you!” “Quit playing games and come out now, I DARE YOU,” shouted Luna with deep anger. She was trying to locate the direction of the mysterious voice that was calling her. Suddenly, in just seconds like before, the deep fog disappeared. The scared guards were shaking even more, because now, they all were looking at something behind Luna. Very slowly, the Lunar Princess turned her head. “Boo!” said Nightmare Moon, the Empress of the Night, with a big smile. Luna remained completely still, feeling confused. “Did you miss me?” giggled Nightmare. The black alicorn’s height was admirable, just as her wavy stellar mane. “I don’t know how you are making this… but I’m not falling for it.” “WOW, just look at you wearing that armor!” “Tell me, did our selfish sister force you to use it?” The Princess of the Night looked furious, yet, nervous with her presence. “All those scared ponies, trotting away from us, is something I like to remember whenever I feel a little sad…” “Oh Luna, I miss doing your dirty work!” “You tricked me and forced me to do things I didn’t want to do!” “FORCED YOU?! But we were so happy destroying all what our greedy sister built at the expense of our suffering…” “Heh, do you remember her eyes full of tears and despair? That sure was priceless!” giggled the dark alicorn, just as she started to laugh even more than before. “The Moon couldn’t stop me…” “Now I’m back, so we can put an end to her solar reign of ignorance, TOGETHER LIKE NEVER BEFORE!” “ENOUGH!” shouted the remorseful princess, right before shooting one quite powerful spell against her old self. The dark entity disappeared immediately in the middle of a dense dust cloud. With watery eyes, Luna tried to recover from her effort. Very slowly, the dust started to dissipate from among the thin air. The result of the match was revealed, in that moment, to the Lunar Princess and all her knights. Lying almost unconscious over the street, Celestia appeared in front of Luna. “CELESTIA?!” shout the blue alicorn with great pain, just as her tears started to flood the interior of her helmet. Without hesitating, Luna dashed to her. Her eyes were completely lost. “Sister, is that you…?” “I’m here, Celestia. I’m here.” Right before she could touch her, the almost defeated Solar Princess moved away. “NO, NIGHTMARE. PLEASE, DON’T HURT ME…!” “NO, IT’S ME, LUNA!” When the Princess of the Night looked down at her hooves, her gray metallic shoes were completely gone, just like her blue skin color. Now, her legs were black and the armor that covered them was blue, like Nightmare’s. “NO, NOOO!” shouted Luna with deep horror. She started to back away from her scared sister, who still was trying to crawl away from there. Without being able to bear the apparent truth, Luna took off and flew away from the city in the middle of a bitter cry. The catapults were abandoned, just like the attempt of sieging the city because, soon, there was no pony left inside Endcliff willing to continue with the mission. Everypony fled the village as fast as their hooves and wings allowed them to. After finishing her unfortunate magic show, the frightened Celestia disappeared and revealed the new Chrysalis, just as she bursted into green flames. With three spells, Celestia destroyed the war machines. With the menace completely gone, she stood still in the middle of the lonely street, feeling guilty. “Please, forgive me, sister…” “That was AMAZING!” shout Baas with heavy excitement, right before landing nearby her. The Changeling Prince looked really impressed. “I’m afraid this isn’t over…” “What do you mean?! You destroyed their precious weapons, my subjects are safe and most importantly, your beloved sister is safe! No wonder you’re their leader!” “As soon as Luna returns to Canterlot without me, Chrysalis will start planning a new strategy to catch me. Next time we might not be so lucky…” “You’re right, I guess... so what can we do?!” “I must return to Equestria and confront your sister once and for all. I’ve been running away from this for too long…” “I promise you that I’ll not harm her, but I need your help.” “You’re forgetting something, pony, and that’s our real power. Your magic show was admirable, yes it was, but we don’t stand a chance against ponies. I’d be the last changeling to admit it, but we’re not that powerful. Not even you!” “Baas, I must return to Canterlot and end this, tonight. There’s no other choice…” “Didn’t you hear me?! We are not rivals for your pony friends. We can't help you, I’m sorry.” “You’re right, we can’t. But I know a dragon that might…” ******** “Oh, it’s only you. What do you want, now?” asked the Solar Queen, just as she continued trying her new crowns and accessories. All the jewelry was completely black with green gemstones. Three of the castle’s maids were helping her with the task. “It’s about Twilight, Celestia…” “What about her? Her Element of Harmony is going to be kept under my watch in here, at Canterlot. What’s wrong with that, Cadenza?” “No. It’s not about that…” “NO YOU FOAL, give me the crown of the left…!” “MAID, chocolate!” “So, what is it then? Don’t you see I’m busy?!” “It’s about the way you sent her back home. She was crying…” “Aw, and I guess you’re mad with me about that, right?” “YES, this is the crown!” “MAID, MORE CHOCOLATE!” “Why do you always have to be like that? This is not about me being upset or Twilight feeling sad with your attitude. You’re different now...” The white alicorn stopped staring at herself in the mirror and looked down. All her sweet drinks were moved away from her, just like the rest of the jewelry. “Maids, LEAVE!” “Yes, your highness.” Once the castle ponies left the room, Chrysalis started to trot away from Cadence towards a nearby open window. As soon as she reached it, the eternal being started to laugh alone, out of nowhere, like before. “Just look at them, sleeping so peacefully under my brave leadership, Cadenza. These ponies are really lucky to have me as their Queen, don’t you think?” “QUEEN?! Since when you started calling yourself a queen, Celestia?” “Oh, silly me. I forgot to tell you…” “After you and Twilight decided to betray me, I finally was able to understand that everypony only needs me.” “For more than a thousand years, I have ruled this land without you..." "I don’t really need you, perhaps just for filling a painting or my balcony during important celebrations, but nothing more.” “That was cruel…” “Well, Cadenza, if you don’t stand my presence or my leadership anymore, behind you there’s a door…” “BUT BE SURE ABOUT SOMETHING. My empire is not going to be weakened with your absence. From this moment forth, whether you like it or not, you’ll address to me as your Queen. Understood?” “CELESTIA, what happened to you?! You’re scaring me…” cried the Princess of Love, with deep pain. Her eyes were full of tears. “Curious, Shining told me the same thing right before I sent him away…” “NOOO!” shout Cadence, just as she tried to lunge against her aunt. With a powerful magic barrier, the Solar Queen stopped her without even moving. The pink alicorn fell to the ground immediately. “INSOLENT BRAT! My power is beyond you and you still dare to attack me?! Pathetic,” said Chrysalis, right before trotting in front of her. By pulling a cord, the Solar Queen called a small garrison of knights into the room. Moments later, they entered through the door. All of them looked very different to the regular guards Cadence used to know. “Take her to the dungeon. Tomorrow I’ll decide her fate,” said the white alicorn with a smile, just as she returned to look through the window. The knights took Cadence away from her, in silence. ******** “Come one, come all! Watch in awe as The Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!” shout Trixie, the unicorn magician, right before pointing at her audience from atop the stage. “To start with this special show, I, the Great and Powerful Trixie, am going to cut a mare in half in front of all of you!” “As you all can see with this small test, the saw’s real!” “Remember everypony, this trick can only be performed by the most talented hooves of Equestria, like Trixie’s!” “Now watch… and presto, the mare has been cut!” “AAAAHHHH! EVERYPONY TROT!” shout a viewer from among the audience with horror. Soon, Trixie’s fans started to flee the show as fast as they could. “NO, WAIT! She’s alright, SEE?! IT’S JUST A TRICK!” “Oh schnitzels! There goes our money, Fleur.” "..." “What is it...?” “ARGH, DRAGON!” ******** “Do you want to see me, Princess?” “…your Element of Harmony, where is it?” “It’s in Ponyville, at my home.” “Good. Tomorrow I’ll send some guards to retrieve it for me. Yours and the ones of your little friends, so you better prepare them for me.” “But Princess, what about if we need them?” “That’s not your problem anymore.” “By the way, since you decided to stay in my palace without even asking for my permission, I’ve decided that it’s time for you to go home.” “In fact, I think I’ll not be requiring your presence around here anymore…” “What do you mean?” “That you’re not welcome in Canterlot. You’re dismissed, permanently.” “Now leave. I’m busy and you’re just distracting me…” “What did I do wrong?” asked Twilight to herself, just as she remembered Celestia’s harsh words. The gifted unicorn was heading back to Ponyville on a train. The lights of the mountain city were completely visible from her window. Without warning, the train stopped abruptly in the middle of a deafening screeching. Part of the luggage felt from the top, but no pony was hurt. With lots of caution, Twilight and some other passengers, opened the doors and jumped out. Trotting as fast as she could, the talented pony approached at the motionless engine in the front. “Are you ok?!” asked Twilight to the conductor, but he didn’t answer. The engineer just pointed. “WOW!” Illuminated by the powerful front light of the train, colossal boulders were blocking the rails ahead of them. The rocks were so big, that even the surrounding pine trees looked small next to them. The hissing of the engine muted their amazement. “We’ll have to return and ask for help.” “WATCH OUT!” shouted the conductor, just as he jumped over Twilight to protect her. Flying at full speed over their heads, an infernal black dragon dashed over the tree tops. The roaring of the beast caused another minor rock fall, but the engine protected them from the menace. “Aren’t dragons supposed to be our friends now?!” “Yes, they’re. But this one doesn’t feel the same way…” ”And he seemed to be heading towards… CANTERLOT!” “Perhaps you don’t need me anymore, Princess, but there are other ponies that might…” said Twilight to herself, right before following the tracks back to the city. ******** “Huh…?” In the ceiling above Chrysalis, the chandeliers started to shake out of nowhere, apparently. With indignation, and yet curiosity, the irked alicorn left her milkshake and trotted outside to the terrace. The nighttime of Luna was completely gone, because gray storm clouds now covered the entire sky of the region. “Is that… A DRAGON?!” “YOUR SUPREME HIGHNESS!” said a castle knight all of a sudden, just as he entered the room. “A dragon has invaded the city limits. What are your orders?” “WHAT DO YOU THINK?! We will fight against the beast!” “Set the alarm. We’ll need everypony for this…” “Yes, your supreme highness!” ******** “Lyra, are you ok?!” “Yes, I’m fine, but that dragon is just flying around the mountain while looking down at us. I’ve never seen something like that before…” “Flee, Twilight, flee while you can!” shouted Lyra for the last time, just as she continued escaping. Other ponies followed her through the dark forest with lanterns and candles. After trotting for some minutes more, Twilight finally entered the capital city through the train station. The streets were completely abandoned, like a ghost town. All those exclusive stores and elite residences, now housed loneliness. The only thing that could be heard in that moment, was the powerful roaring of the beast, rumbling every district of the Capital City. ******** “What’s going on out there…?” asked Cadence to herself, just as she tried to look through the tiny window of her cell. The knights of the dungeon were preparing their swords and armors. They all looked really nervous. “GUARD, what’s going on? Where are you going?!” “A dragon has invaded the city… and Queen Celestia needs us for the battle.” “Majesty, I’m sorry, but I can’t talk with you anymore…” “I understand. Thank you.” Once they left, Cadence remained completely alone in her cell. After trying numerous times, her precious eyes finally stared at the mysterious guest of the city. “ATROCIOUS?! What’s he doing here?!” “He should be dead by now.” “Unless…” “NO, that’s crazy!” “Either way, I must get out of here. All the citizens are in great danger, just like my dear Shining.” “If I only could get those keys…” ******** “…my city has never fallen before and tonight, Loyal Soldiers of the Empire, it won’t be any different!” shout Queen Celestia, just as she trotted in front of her troops. “NO MERCY FOR THE ENEMIES OF THE SUN!” “LONG LIFE THE QUEEN!” shout all the knights with one voice. After swearing allegiance to the Dark Ruler, all the ponies started to march against the infernal feast. They were hitting their swords with their shields, like clockwork. The Solar Queen looked really pleased with them. From the stormy heights of Canterlot, the dragon stopped flying in circles and looked down at the looming horde of guards. With one last powerful roaring that echoed in the entire mountain, the fire-breathing beast dashed towards the knights. Landing with immense power, Atrocious, the Infernal Beast of the North, met his welcome committee in the middle of the town square. The dragon’s sulfur smell, tiny red evil eyes, thundering wings, sharp teeth and large claws, among other frightening details, were part of his charm. The Solar Army reacted in many different ways. Some were smiling, others fainted and even some others, started to back away from the plaza, very slowly. The mighty beast looked down at them and started to laugh with their presence. “THAT’S IT, I’M OUT OF HERE!” shout a pegasi guard, right before taking off in complete panic. “QUEEN CELESTIA CAN HANDLE HIM WITHOUT ME!” shout another knight, just as he dropped his helmet and trotted away as fast as he could. Pretty soon, all the remaining ponies started to flee the town square in all the directions they could find, just as the beast continued with his funereal laughing. Trotting at full speed from among them, the Solar Queen approached at the front of his broken line. The Dark Ruler looked really furious. “COWARDS!” “I DON’T NEED YOU. I’LL DEAL WITH HIM ALONE!” “SAYS YOU,” bellowed Atrocious. The white alicorn turned her head immediately. “BAAS, what are you doing here?!” “I’M HERE TO STOP YOU FROM MAKING ANOTHER MISTAKE, SISTER.” “Mistake?! I haven’t made any mistake!” “Please, don’t tell me you believed that creature’s lies, Baas.” “I’M LOOKING RIGHT NOW AT THOSE LIES…” “JUST LOOK AT YOU, WEARING THAT CROWN. YOU’RE NOT A PONY PRINCESS!” Queen Celestia started to look more angered than ever. “THE PONY WAS RIGHT, YOU’VE CHANGED…” “…BUT IF THAT’S HOW YOU WANT IT, SO BE IT!” bellowed the dragon, just as he prepared to shoot his infernal fire. The Dark Ruler remained completely still. In one quick motion, the beast shot all his scorching fire, roasting everything in its way. All of a sudden, Twilight jumped out immediately from one of the nearby alleys, in panic. “PRINCESS CELESTIA!” Right before the gifted unicorn could save her with a spell, the fire covered Celestia, forcing her to trot back into a safe spot from the heat. Baas continued shooting his fire without any effort. Suddenly, from among the melting inferno, Chrysalis’ voice was heard. “…is that the best you can do?” “Come on, I know you can do better than that!” Baas stopped immediately. He felt just as surprised as Twilight. “Nice try, you almost got me…” giggled the Solar Queen, just as she stopped using her magic shield. “…but now, is my turn.” From her long horn, Chrysalis shot a single spell against her brother. Baas roared in agony, right before bursting back into green flames. Twilight couldn’t believe what she was looking at. “YOU PATHETIC CREATURE! Thinking you could rival with me, Celestia, the Solar Queen!” “All those who dare to deny me, will pay the price for their treason!” shout the Dark Ruler, while taking off from the plaza, very slowly. Up in the sky, a powerful thunderstorm started illuminating the entire region. “STOP!” shout the new Changeling Queen, right before landing in the square. Her green eyes looked angry, perhaps even more than the ones from the Queen. “Well, well, well. Look what we have here!” “I suppose my useless younger sister didn’t capture you, right?” “Oh well, I guess I’ll have to do it myself…” “I’ll not let you continue any further with this.” “BAAS WAS YOUR OWN BROTHER!” “He should’ve thought of that before betraying me...” “Heh, by the way, let me remind you that I control everything you see while you, changeling freak, only have your very limited powers!” “You underestimate me. I’ll show you what changelings are capable of…” said the new Changeling Queen for the last time, right before bursting into green flames. From the mystic fire, Nightmare Moon appeared again, laughing. “Ha-ha-ha! Hmm, I wonder… if you can beat me now, Celestia,” giggled Nightmare, just as she lunged against her sunny foe. The sky battle began in that moment. Back in the ground, behind a stone bench, Twilight was trying to understand what was going on. The gifted unicorn looked really confused and scared. “Oh, carrots. I finally cracked.” “…CADENCE, over here!” “Twilight, what’s going on?! Where’s that dragon?!” “…IS THAT NIGHTMARE MOON?! What’s going on here?!” “I’m not sure, but it seems that Chrysalis has returned and now she’s fighting Celestia as Nightmare…” “Say, where were you? You look kind of dirty.” “Celestia imprison me after… SHINING! Twilight, I must find Shining!” shout Cadence, right before trotting away. Meanwhile, the deadly fight started to move away towards the palace. The gifted unicorn decided to follow it on the ground. As a result of the match, many missed spells were impacting everything down in the city. Houses, buildings, trees and even some stores were completely under attack. With lots of caution, Twilight tried to dodge them. One of those spells, suddenly, destroyed a small tower in front of the purple unicorn, causing it to come down against her. Twilight, immediately, tried to escape, but the old structure felt too quickly over her. The destroyed tower created a huge dust cloud after falling on the street. From among the bricks, the talented unicorn was laying on the floor, shaking in fear while covering her head with her hooves. She was safe, somehow. Twilight, very slowly, opened her eyes and stared at the pony that saved her. Nightmare Moon was in there, using a green protecting spell over them. Once the risk was completely gone, the powerful barrier disappeared. “Twilight, flee the city with Cadence and Shining. You’ll be safe with them. GO, NOW!” shouted the dark alicorn, right before restarting her battle against the evil Solar Ruler. “Chrysalis… saved me?” asked the gifted unicorn to herself, confused. Twilight remained staring at the duel from her spot among the bricks, in silence. ******** “SHINING, WHERE ARE YOU, HONEY?!” shout Cadence, with great despair, just as she kept looking for her husband through the empty streets of Canterlot. All of a sudden, in a corner not very far from her, somepony was trotting very slowly, giving the impression to be injured. The Princess of Love trotted into his aid immediately. After finally reaching him, a nearby lamppost revealed his true identity. “A changeling…!” “You… y-you’re that pink pony princess my sister decided to copy…” “YOUR SISTER?! Chrysalis is your sister?!” “Yes. I’m Baas, Prince of the Changeling Empire….” “Now leave me alone. I-I need… to save Chrysalis,” mumbled the changeling monarch, right before trying to continue with his slow harmful trotting. Cadence remained still. After hesitating a little, the Princess of Love decided to talk with him again, this time, at a closer distance. “Listen, pony, if you’re planning to attack me just do it. I lost most of my magic with that spell… I can’t defense myself anymore.” “…when you were that dragon, why didn’t you attack us?” “You could’ve destroyed the entire city, but you didn’t.” “Despite my feelings, your pony ruler taught me that there are always other ways…” “Celestia, really? But she didn’t leave Canterlot the whole week.” “Are you sure about that…?” "..." “Oh.” “B-BUT… BUT HOW?! No pony can perform such magic!” “True. That’s why my sister used the Imager, Meadowbrook’s poor attempt of stopping Atrocious once and for all…” “So, let me get this straight. The Chrysalis my dear Shining and Luna pursued that night… was really Celestia all this time?!” “Baas, you have to come with me. We might still have time to save them,” said Cadence for the last time, right before helping her new friend to trot back inside the castle. ******** “You’re… stronger than I expected,” mumbled the Solar Queen. The tired alicorn was trying to catch her breath again, just like her rival from the other side of a garden. The thunderstorm continued covering the sky around them. “Even… with all the new spells I learnt, you’re… still here!” “I’ll not… give up.” “I-I… must protect… everypony from you!” The changeling Mare in the Moon looked different now. Two of her legs lost their black color, just like her wings. Celestia’s magic appeared to be running out for all the effort she had made by trying to fight as Nightmare. “You seem… to be running out of magic… and still, you want to fight me?!” “Don’t you get it, Chrysalis? Pretty soon you’ll fall by my hooves…!” “I-I… I don’t care if I lose this battle against you. Everypony… is counting with me.” All of a sudden, in the middle of the garden, Luna landed with great power. The Princess of the Night was still wearing the gray armor she used at Endcliff some hours ago. Her face looked serious, but among all, enraged with Nightmare Moon’s presence. “…Luna!” “LUNA. Welcome home, my dear sister,” said Chrysalis with a big smile. The blue alicorn trotted to her and hugged her. “Don’t worry. I’m finally here to help you, Celestia…” “YOU DISGUSTING SHAPE-SHIFTING MONSTER!” “How dare you show your face again in our home?!” “Sister, it’s time to end this…” said the Solar Queen for the last time, right before trotting away from her. The Princess of the Night removed her helmet and started to advance against Nightmare. “WAIT, you’ve to listen to me--“ “NOT ANOTHER STEP!” “You could’ve fooled me before, but I’ll not fall again with your tricks!” “Your evil seed ends tonight, CHRYSALIS!” shout the Lunar Princess, just as she fired one final major spell with her horn. All of a sudden, a purple magic barrier appeared in front of the dark entity, saving her. “NOOO!” shout Twilight, right before entering the garden. Moments later, Cadence, Baas and other two pony guards, followed her. “Are you ok?” “…yes.” The purple unicorn, very gently, hugged the fake Mare in the Moon. With her love, Nightmare recovered her spectral look and magic. Once it was over, Celestia looked down and smiled to her little worried friend. Twilight smiled back. “TWILIGHT, what do you think you’re doing?!” “Luna, stop. You’re making a big mistake!” “The only mistake here was letting her go that night…” “…A MISTAKE THAT I’LL CORRECT THIS INSTANT!” shout the Lunar Princess again with mighty rage, just as she shot another powerful spell. This time, Cadence’s magic stopped the attack. “CADENCE, YOU TOO?!” “I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN. YOU WERE PLANNING THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING!” “HOW DARE YOU BETRAY CELESTIA LIKE THAT?!” “HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ALL WHAT SHE HAS DONE FOR US?!” “LUNA, that Celestia is Chrysalis!” “WHAT?!” “Chrysalis changed bodies with her on that rainy night. That’s why she wasn’t affected by Twilight’s magic when we confronted her.” “This Nightmare Moon IS CELESTIA, the real one!” The Lunar Princess stood still, petrified. Her sight was lost, like trying to understand what was going on. Meanwhile, the Solar Queen, now fully recovered, approached at Luna. Once she was in front of her, Chrysalis started to laugh. “Cadenza’s right. I’m not your sister, sweetie.” “But hey, I really enjoyed meeting you. Too bad you have to go now…” Luna started to back away, scared. With her powerful magic, the Dark Ruler raised Luna and imprisoned her inside an energy cube. The Princess of the Night tried to break free, but it was futile. By only looking at the emptiness of the air, Chrysalis opened a portal to another dimension. “You once told me the Moon was a cruel place to be… but I know far worse places to rot than that.” “Aw, don’t be sad, because this time you won’t go alone,” said the Queen, just as she picked Cadence with her magic too. “And now, to make sure you can’t return here, voilà!” Without warning, a loud explosion consumed a specific section of the castle. Purple flames and smoke came out from the ruins of the destroyed wing. “OH, NO. That was the library!” shout Twilight with horror. Before the gifted unicorn could even try to attack her, Chrysalis used another forbidden spell with her. Twilight, in the middle of her trotting, turned into metal. “…with a new life, comes a whole new perspective.” Celestia looked horrified, but among all, surprised by Chrysalis’ new powers. That was just the beginning because the sun, out of nowhere, started to peak in the distant horizon. Seconds later, a whole new day arrived with its heat, fading the nocturnal sky forever. “If I’m the Solar Queen, I should rule in complete lightness…” “IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE. Please make sure to send me some letters!” Once Luna and Cadence commenced to lean dangerously inside the portal, Baas and the palace guards, attempted to attack the Dark Ruler. Surprisingly, Celestia put her leg and stopped them. Very slowly, the Mare in the Moon started trotting at her old evil self. “Oh, you want to go too?! Don’t worry. You’ll join them pretty soon!” “You are not alone…” “WHAT?!” “Just look around you. What can you see?” “You dare mock me?! My skills are what are defeating you, MONSTER!” “You continue calling me a monster and say you’re alone, but that’s not true.” “I think the real monster is here and it’s inside you.” “HOW DARE YOU?! I’m Celestia, the Supreme Solar Queen!” “NO, YOU’RE NOT. You’re just a scared changeling who is hiding behind some black jewelry. You try to look evil, fearless and dominant, but that only shows me how scared you really are.” "You don’t know me! Perhaps you convinced my brother to betray me, but your empty lessons of kindness and moral means nothing to me. I’m Celestia and I will rule this land by my law only!” “After I escaped, what did you do? Did you enjoy having my life and friends? Did you like being loved and admired for everypony? Did you receive what you expected? Tell me, DID YOU?!” The Dark Ruler remained quiet. She looked furious. “I-I don’t need your pathetic subjects to get what I wish. My word is law.” “You also like to say that, but at the same time, you want somepony to admire you.” “Come on, Chrysalis! What do you want, seriously?” Queen Celestia remained quiet. “You can send my family away into that portal, defeat me afterwards and rule this land under an Eternal Day as you wish, but what’ll you have in the end?” “In what way, this new life of yours, is better than the one you used to have back at Endcliff? You had loyal subjects, a good brother that really loved you and most importantly, you belonged somewhere.” “You might have my body, my life, my friends and even my power, but you continue being the same sad and frightened creature of before. Your black crown might scare somepony, but for me, it only reflects how empty you’re inside…” “Remember the wedding? You were willing to spend the rest of your life with a pony you don’t even stand.” “Just look at my side of the garden, for pony sakes! I’ve your friends, and even your brother, on my side.” “If you feel alone, you’re probably not the only pony. I had to exile my own sister and live with that guilt every day for a thousand years. When I thought that I had nopony at my side, I learnt that I had so many in so little, like you in your land.” “I’ll ask you again. How many friends do you have, CELESTIA?” After saying such words, Nightmare Moon bursted into green flames and revealed Chrysalis in all her beautiful glory. The Changeling Ruler approached more at her. “Look at me and tell me, am I really a monster…?” “Do whatever you wish, but be sure about something, CELESTIA. If you are alone from this day forth, it’ll be for yours and your actions alone, not mine or anypony else’s. That’s all I’m going to say…” said for the last time the new Changeling Queen, just as she returned to her spot. The speeding wind was the only thing that could be heard in that moment, whistling among the grass and the trees of the garden. Some birds were flying between the rooftops and trees of the palace. In the moment when Celestia was about to rejoin with Baas at the other side of the garden, Luna, Cadence and Twilight appeared in front of her. The new Changeling Queen turned her head immediately, surprised. Trotting very slowly towards her, the Solar Queen was wearing the Imager. The alicorn’s face looked doleful, full of regret, but happy. Celestia smiled and thanked her with a gesture. ******** After everything was put back in order, the vast garden was illuminated by a powerful source of light. Seconds later, Queen Celestia and Princess Chrysalis appeared laying in the soft grass. Luna and Cadence helped Celestia to stand up again, while Baas, Twilight and the guards, helped Chrysalis. “I think we’re no longer going to need it, so you better keep it or destroy it. It’s your call,” said Chrysalis, the real one, right before giving her necklace to Celestia. “Ready to go home, sister?” “I’m ready to return where we belong…” “CHRYSALIS, WAIT!” “Where’s Shining?! Where did you send him…?” “Don’t worry, Cadenza, he’s fine. I ordered him to buy me more bottles in Trottingham. He should be back here in a couple of hours.” “So long,” said the Queen of the Changelings for the last time, right before taking off into the blue sky of Canterlot. In that moment, the pony knights bursted into green flames too. They were Aina and Samsei, the same changelings that helped Celestia escape during that stormy night. Both changelings nodded and took off with Chrysalis. Baas remained in there for a brief moment, smiling. The Solar Princess smiled back. Now ready to go, the young Changeling Prince took off with them. Moments later, they couldn’t be seen any more in the green horizon. Luna hugged Celestia. Cadence and Twilight followed her. “We missed you so much.” “I-I missed you too.” “Listen, I hope you can forgive me. I’ll work really hard to regain your trust again, I promise,” said Celestia, ashamed, while looking down at the ground. “OH, SIS. I became Nightmare Moon, remember?” “Aw, come on! You all thought that angry singing bride was me...!” “I think what we’re trying to say, Princess, is that you can always count with us.” “We’ll never stop loving you, even if you are a dark rose…”
Epilogue“You were right, it does look like an organ with a hedgehog combined!” shouted Luna, surprised, just as she kept looking at The Great Mud Palace of Endcliff. “I know!” giggled Celestia. “If you like it, you should check the rest of our city, miss blue pony princess!” said Bani, right before pointing at the muddy buildings behind them. “Oh yes, please. But only if thou guide us.” After Luna and Bani took off, Celestia remained looking at the majestic banco building in front of her. The star king was up in the blue sky, illuminating it all with its great generosity. The Changeling City looked so different now. “Celestia, you made it!” shout Baas with happiness. The Changeling Prince was wearing a crown and a dark cloak. Behind him, Chrysalis also exited the palace, but she looked a little worried. “I’ve to say, I was surprised when I received that letter from you.” “We we’re dining when all of a sudden, your letter popped in right in the middle of our drinks…” “…but you didn’t travel all the way up here to hear my story. So, what can we do for you? Do you need some help with those crates?” asked the Changeling King with curiosity. Chrysalis was quiet, looking down at the ground. “Hey, Chrysalis, this box is for you…” “ME, REALLY?!” “Sure, come on.” Very slowly, the former Queen trotted next to the Solar Princess, who looked really happy. By using her magic, the changeling monarch opened the wooden box. “GLASS BOTTLES?! Are these... the same bottles that I bought before?” “Yes, they’re. After all, you chose them for a reason, so I thought you’d like to have them. Perhaps now you can continue collecting them…” “...” “And for you, Baas, something I’m very sure you’ll be pleased to have.” The Changeling King opened his box with his magic too. “A wooden toy train? Thanks… I guess.” “It’s not a toy. It’s a sculpture that we all made for you.” “When I was coming up here by the time we met each other, I spent that night near a deep crevice, not very far from here.” “While being there, a distant whistle caught my attention. It was my newest railway construction site.” “Oh, so that’s why you knew we could use it to invade your own city. Once again, pony, no wonder why you are their leader!” “The real reason of my visit is to offer you the possibility of receiving the railway, right here in your city.” “I’m really ashamed to see that I was so blind inside my castle walls, wondering about other ponies, that I completely ignored a rich society like yours.” “I’d have loved to met your parents, but I can’t run time backwards…” “Perhaps receiving the train and finally being part of Equestria, won’t solve your problems. But if you allow us to be part of your society, like you could be part of ours, I’m sure we could learn a lot from each other.” “Your shape-shifting abilities are truly remarkable.” “And, just like you, we also have so much to offer.” “That train was crafted by everypony on all the cities of Equestria. From Deertroit to Ponyville, from Appleloosa to the Crystal Empire, and now from Canterlot to you. We all put something in it.” “I know it’s a big step that can’t be decided today. I won’t insist, so you can discuss it with everychangeling.” “When you feel ready to open your society to us, we’ll be waiting for you, happy, and with open hooves.” Baas in that moment took the small wooden train and started looking at it. His eyes were scanning the noble craft that everypony made for them. Very slowly, he closed his eyes and started thinking. In that moment, Luna landed near them with Bani. The Princess of the Night looked so happy, just like her small changeling friend. All those unfamiliar scary creatures felt so different now. In the past, for many unfortunate reasons, their meetings have been covered by the heavy cloak of ignorance and fear. Despite their looks and fangs, Celestia and Luna felt they could offer something too. Since the beginning of time, the union of different races was the key of the success of Equestria. First with the union of the different types of ponies, to later the union of all the other creatures, the ambitious campaign of a unified land under a same name has proven to be more valuable than anything else. If ponies, like Celestia or Luna, could be friends of a changeling like Bani, then why can’t they all be friends, or at least tried it? Some of these thoughts were part of what Baas was thinking in that moment, while having the wooden train on his hooves. The Changeling King looked into the eyes of her remorseful sister. “…” “Chrysalis, what do you think we should do?” “W-Well… you’re the ruler now, Baas.” “I know, I know. But now, I don’t feel capable of making a decision.” “Father always taught us to be honest with ourselves…” “I can’t make this decision without you, sister.” “Despite all that happened, you’ve always ruled us with wisdom and it was thanks to you, that the Empire survived after the death of Mother.” “You’ve made some mistakes, like everychangeling, but you’ll always be my big sister, no matter what, Chryssi.” “What do you think we should do?” “…” “I-I think that maybe, we should accept.” “Our Mud city will always be the same. The essence of our ancestors lives in the mud walls of this palace. Generations of changelings in hundreds of years need to finally exist…” Baas closed his eyes and nodded. He hugged the wooden train with love, right before opening them again. Both changelings looked really happy now. “Well, Celestia, I think you know what our response is…” “Welcome to Equestria, everychangeling!”
