After changelings shed off their previous form and become more kind, Queen Chrysalis herself flees off to an abandoned forest devoid of life and sheds tears of complete sorrow, wishing that none of this awful events ever happened.
"Why does this have to happen to me? I hate this bratty, selfish, unpleasant pony who thought she could stop me." She cries even harder when she thinks of her own changeling family never coming back. Ever since she had been brought to the world by a strange chemical reaction, she fed off of the affection of others without ever getting to really know someone. Life could never get worse until her stomach growled loudly. Slowly she cried to sleep, not having anything to eat or drink. In her dream she see's her fellow changelings laugh at her while she suffers from embarrassment and runs with tears rolling down her eyes. Suddenly a strange figure appears from the shadows.
"Go away you fiend!" Chrysalis says with despair.
"I'm not here to make you pay." Then she reveals herself as Princess Luna
"Why would I care? Just kill me already!"
"No. I am here to help."
"I don't need your help you foolish nightmare."
"Stop! You are letting yourself become more depressed!"
"It only happened when you're ugly friends tried to ruin my life!"
"They are not merciless beings who just attack for no reason! They are there to bring balance and harmony!"
"The only thing they brought was just a trick to get rid of me!"
"You can't keep holding a grudge against them! Let it go!"
"Never!"
"I've felt horrible when Celestia banished me to the moon. It was never great being Nightmare Moon."
"But you were good when that happened. The anger, the lust for vengeance, the blood thirst for her."
"Nothing was ever good about it! I had to change my ways to fix all I've done to harm others."
"We could take over if you just let yourself feel the power."
"That's enough talk young ma'am!" She shows Chrysalis a possible future. "This is what will happen if you choose this path. Once you consume every bit of affection, there will be no more left. All you have ever dreamed of will be gone and you will be alone and hungry forever until your whole body becomes nothing but dried up bones."
"You are showing me false images of something that will never happen just to make me think again." Without warning she blasts Luna with brute force, but to no avail it goes through her without leaving any mark.
"This is a dream. Here you can never do harm. Those things you saw before your very eyes are just figments of your mind."
"No you just an illusion." Suddenly she fades away and wakes up seeing a strange figure walking slowly. "Fresh meat." Quoth Chrysalis. Quickly she tackles the figure and drains out every bit of life left in him. "That was a delicious meal I've ever had." She thought. Little she knew was that it was Lord Tirek hiding under that cloak. Suddenly she undergoes immense pain and lets out a demonic scream. Her horn begins to reform along with the rest of her body. All of the holes close up as she starts to change form. Slowly her horn grows longer, her wings start to extend, her hair begins to hover a bit, and her fangs grow sharper than before. After her painful transformation, her eyes begin to glow.
"This new form... I love it! Time to come back and put an end to all of Equestria, then the whole world."
Meanwhile in Canterlot, everypony is enjoying a beautiful night with lovely music and delicious meals. Discord on the other hand enjoys his time with fluttershy and feels a little nervous about asking her a major question.
"This is a lovely night dear."
"Oh. It is indeed."
"I feel wonderful being there for you. The music's great, the food is delicate, and best of all, I'm with you."
"Discord..." She laughs. Within his mind Discord haves a little trouble whether or not to propose to his lovely friend. They've been together for quite some time and feel as if they have something special in common. Before he wanted to propose, he decides to finish his food and do it by the fountain where some animals are roaming around. Before long Fluttershy notices that his plate is empty of food and begins to question.
"Discord?"
"Yes Fluttershy."
"Is there something you need to tell me?"
"It's just that this plate is remarkable." Discord said when lifting it off the table. "I mean just look at it. It's so unique."
"I did see something similar to that in a store nearby. I think it's a nice addition to add to my home." Feeling nervous Discord gets up from his chair and fluttershy seems confused.
"Are you going somewhere?"
"Perhaps a nice stroll around this amazing garden would be lovely."
"I do love a nice walk with nature." As the moon shined brightly, Discord makes his way to the fountain where little creatures surround them. Fluttershy blushes with a little chuckle.
"There is something I'd like to ask you."
"What is it?" Before he could pull out the ring, an army of changelings with demonic features fly by. Before long Fluttershy and everypony else scream with fear. Nothing could settle them down since this invasion is quite similar to some zombie apocalypse due to the new army infecting everypony via bite.
"Everyone evacuate the city before things get even worst! We can't let ourselves become one of them!" Shouted Luna. Once the place was being evacuated, The Cutie Mark Crusaders run off to an abandoned restaurant to hide from any incoming attacks. Cadence on the other hand tries to ward of anything harmful along with Shining Armor to protect their lovely child Flurry Heart. As for Spike, he decides to take action and go with the little foal since magic has it's limits.
"Princess Cadence!"
"Spike, this is not the time to talk right now! We are dealing with a threat!"
"Let me take care of Flurry Heart, incase you are held captive!"
"I don't know if you're ready to face the challenge of caring for her."
"I can't leave her there to get hurt! She deserves to be safe from any harm!"
"Alright! Just make sure she doesn't get bit."
"I'll protect her from whatever comes by." Spike grabs Flurry Heart and bids adieu to Cadence as he runs holding the foal in his arms. Meanwhile on the streets, Doctor Whooves shoos the evil beasts using salt. Spike notices it first hand and questions him.
"What's with the salt?"
"It's one of the only ways to hold them off. Such foul creatures hate it because it can burn them, even with the slightest touch."
"Try making a circle with it!"
"Good thinking, that will leave me with a shield of defense thus give me time to think of a plan." He throws the container to Spike and he takes off with it. In the restaurant The Cutie Mark Crusaders try to keep a low profile as to not become infected with the virus of evil.
"Apple Bloom? I'm scared." Sweetie Belle whispered
"Just relax. Until they are gone, we stay here for the night." Suddenly they hear a door open and grab whatever kitchen appliance like a frying pan or a plate to smash on the changelings head.
"Hello anypony here?" Slowly The Cutie Mark Crusaders come out of hiding and gather by Spike.
"Why do you have Flurry Heart?" Asked Scootaloo
"I can't let her get hurt, so I took her with permission and decided to go here."
"We can't stay here for long."
"We need to gather some provisions and leave at once."
"Where can we find some?"
"Look around and check the expiration date on whatever food there is. There's got to be something we can eat." They split up and look for something that can hold them off until they can find a safer hideout. When they regroup they all drop some canned food.
"I think this will work. Let's head out."
"What about the army?"
"As long as they can't find us, we'll be fine." They head out the exit with Spike and he tells them to wait on his signal before moving on. Flurry Heart falls asleep from Spike's warm body and remains quiet. Once they escape Canterlot they take a train where some ponies are evacuating. On the train, The Cutie Mark Crusaders begin to worry.
"I hope Rarity's ok. I'm starting to worry."
"As Applejack's little sister, I feel the same."
"Both of you need to worry about yourselves." Said Spike "I kind of feel worried about Twilight, but I know she can take care of herself. As long as we work together, we're not going to become one of the monsters out there." Eventually they arrive back at ponyville to avoid further attacks. After they find Twilights castle, Spike and the rest decide to stay there until they come up with a plan. Hours later, somepony knocks on the door and Spike grabs a bat from underneath his bed. Once he creeps to the door, he opens it slowly before he hears a voice of a filly.
"Ummm hello?" This makes Spike put down his bat before realizing it was somepony he could possibly trust.
"Who goes there?"
"It's me Pipsqueak." Spike reveals himself from the other side of the door.
"What brings you here?"
"Is Twilight Sparkle here by any chance? I need some help."
"She's got other things going on." Spike did not want to cause havoc around ponyville since the new changelings are still in Canterlot.
"Oh. Alright I guess I can check later." But before he would leave the spot, Spike interrupts.
"Wait!"
"What is it sir?"
"May'be I can help you."
"But you're not the princess of friendship right?"
"Well... That does not mean I can't help. I might know a few things."
"Far enough. I guess we can fix it now." Once they get in the castle, Spike locks the door before discussing the situation.
"So... What brings you here?"
"I can't seem to figure out why Diamond Tiara won't talk to me. Whenever I try, she acts a bit rude"
"Does she seem to have anything going on now?"
"Not that I know of."
"Perhaps the best solution would be to leave her alone until somethings resolved."
"Are you sure that will work?"
"Mostly it's better off if you let her try to fix things herself."
"Ok. I give that a shot."
After dealing with lots of problems regarding relationships, Spike crashes in his bed with his comic book exhausted from having pressure put onto him. Ever since Twilight could not return from Canterlot, only Spike was in charge of doing all of the dirty work around, besides taking care of the CMC including Flurry Heart. While reading his comic page by page, he imagines fighting off the menacing enemy with amazing power.
Meanwhile in Canterlot, The Mane 6 are held hostage along with Shining Armor, Cadence, Celestia, and even Luna. Twilight struggles to try to get out with her magic, but to no avail she gives up. Out of the shadows comes a familiar figure.
"Chrysalis?!?!" Twilight shouts.
"Oh... It seems you recognize me after I've been through some changes."
"You will not stop us ever!"
"Tsk tsk tsk. Discord can't help you, instead I've given him a special place by making him do slave work for the rest of his life!"
"Why can't you just give instead of take?"
"I chose this path, because I was meant for feeding off of affection."
"This is not how you should be."
"Too bad your friend Luna tried convincing me to change my ways."
"Look at the mess you've made. This is not how we should resolve things."
"Enough talking. How about telling where this baby alicorn is at."
"She is not yours to keep." Said Cadence.
"Tell me now. Or else there will be consequences."
"No. As the mother of a foal, I refuse to let somepony take away the life of one thing." Without hesitation Chrysalis picks up Shining Armor and holds him up in a very high place.
"If you don't tell me, he will fall to his death."
"Fine. Spike took her with him."
"That's not all I needed to know. Now tell me where she really is."
"I don't know."
"Don't lie to me."
"I'm being serious! I don't know where she went."
"Fair enough." Chrysalis lowers Shining to the ground and orders her new henchmen to search for the others. As they search, Doctor Whooves stays put in the circle of salt until no other demon could see him. Apparently nothing bad could happen unless one were to brush it off creating an open area for attack, but then he thought about wearing garlic around his neck as a way to keep them off his hooves. After hours off looking, the henchmen come back with bad news.
"The baby was not seen anywhere."
"Keep looking. If you have to leave Canterlot, go ahead! I want the baby here now!"
"By all means mistress." The army scatters out to find what's out there along with some new recruits for more power.
Back in Twilight's Castle Spike reads on until he hears yet another knock on the door. "Wonder who it is this time." Spike thought to himself. Upon opening the door he see's lots of panicking ponies screaming at the top of their lungs. Before he could guess what's going on he see's many calling out for help at the gates. When the commotion gets even louder Spike yells "Quiet".
"What is going on?" Amongst the horizon, he see's an army of the monsters he saw back at Canterlot. "Everypony take shelter here! Do not leave this place unless it's safe to do so!"
"How do we fight them?" Asked somepony.
"Work together." As they storm through the doors, Spike decides to take action and seek out another area that nopony else would expect. Spike packs provisions along with a survival guide in order to keep them from losing each other. Without warning he gathers the CMC along with Flurry Heart. Before they were about to ditch the castle for themselves, Apple Bloom questions Spike's odd behavior.
"What in the hay is goin on?"
"No time to explain! We need to go now before one of those evil beings attacks us!" They run off to the Everfree Forest only to find out that there is nowhere else to go. After some hours of walking, Sweetie Belle experiences big pain on her back left hoof.
"Sweetie Belle! Are you ok?" Spike looks at her hoof to find out that she has a little scratch with blood coming down. He quickly grabs a disinfecting solution and dips a cotton ball in there and rubs it on her. Sweetie Belle begins to shed tears of sorrow while Spike treats her wound.
"Hey. It's going to be alright. You are in good hooves."
"It really hurts."
"I know it does, but I can't let you suffer like this. If this were to get infected, I bet you would never have it again."
"I don't want to live like this."
"I'm sorry to hear that, but we have to keep moving until this new enemy leaves for good." Spike finishes cleaning up and wraps some bandages around the hoof and uses a few branches, along with some string to hold together the support for her hoof. While they walk further a shadowy figure appears. Spike stands his guard and gives a pretty dirty look.
"I'm not afraid of you! Come at me!"
"There is nothing to fear, for that it is me right here." Said a familiar voice.
"Zecora?!?!"
"Come with me, here is not where you must be." Inside Zecora's hut were ingredients, food, pots, books, and even some gemstones, which made Spike crave a little, but he held it back.
"There is a confession I must make, so you must not do anything else but partake."
"What is it?" Said Spike.
"Long ago, there was something that held great power to those who had unique features, but the only way to obtain it was to master it from the bottom to the way up. Nopony else could use it, except some who were worthy.
Earth was the element of strength. It's main focus was somepony who had no wings, nor horn, except a very sturdy body.
Fire was the element of courage. Only one with true will to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others could control it.
Wind was the element of agility. Not all possess the talent to do such movement without their wings.
Water was the element of beauty. Whenever light shined on it, it sparkled with true elegance.
However, not all could hold it, due to it's immense power and responsibility. So they kept it hidden from the public to see, hoping that nopony else would ever cause destruction. When I was a filly, I've learned how to manipulate this power, but I could not use it completely."
"Are you saying that only one of us can use these elements you speak of?"
"Yes. Each one of you holds a certain key to an element, but I will not give you a hint."
"So when do we train?"
"Once you completed a list of chores, then you will be able to open certain doors."
"Aw man..." Apple Bloom said unenthusiastically. When the list of chores were given, all had to do as they're told to without any complaints. As for little Flurry Heart, Zecora used simple techniques that are known to help foals control their magic. Spike decides that if he is going to learn how to control his element, he would need to do his list of chores correctly and hope that Zecora would be willing to accept his request. The Cutie Mark Crusaders instead argue about who does what chore causing a bit of a riot.
"How come you're giving us more chores to do?" Sweetie Belle shouted.
"Because you can't handle all the heavy work as well as I can!" Apple Bloom yelled.
"Oh yeah?! What about the chores that you are supposed to do?" Scootaloo blurted.
"I ain't doing anything easy!"
"Well don't expect me to give you some of my chores!"
"Then Maybe Sweetie Belle could spare me some."
"I'm not going to let you get through her!"
"Fine let's make a bet! If I finish half of my chores first, then you have to do the rest!"
"Alright. If I finish half you will have to do all of mine and Sweeties." Within seconds both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo begin rushing through without putting in enough effort to finish. As for Spike he gets through most of his chores without taking any breaks, but Apple Bloom crashes into some of the hard work he's done making Spike head back and redo it. Things get rough when Scootaloo and Apple Bloom begin to interfere with each others chores. Suddenly things get worst between the two and a fight breaks out. After hearing enough racket Zecora walks out to see that some of the chores are not done.
"What is with you two? There is more important things to do."
"She wanted to do all the so called heavy work." Said Scootaloo.
"Enough is enough, this is not a race to see who is tough. This is about focus and quality. It is very important for one to have a balanced body." Spike on the other hand finishes his last chore ready to start training, when suddenly he see's the CMC having a bit of trouble.
"Zecora?"
"Yes Spike?"
"I know my chores are done but..."
"But what?"
"I do not wish to leave these three alone while I learn."
"Spike. You must focus on your training and let them finish up their cleaning."
"Fair enough. I will accept your request and know the ways of my element."