The Beginning of the Eclipse

Chapters

The First Tale of the Eclipse
The New Princess
Three Princesses and a Queen
Rehab and Recovery
Refilling the Throne

The First Tale of the Eclipse

Twilight looked up at the red sky. The hour was her namesake, the brief time between dusk and dawn, but the sky was red for a different reason, and until a day ago, only she and two others knew why. Those two others were with her. Celestia followed Twilight's gaze, looking up at the sky. In the distance, far beyond their sight, was a great stone; an asteroid. From the ground, it only appeared as a bright light, growing larger and larger by the minute. Luna shuffled impatiently nearby. "It's time to go sister," she said, with a soft snort, "We have to deal with this before it causes any harm."

Celestia nodded, before turning to Twilight. "Twilight, I..." Celestia found herself uncharacteristically short of words. She'd never expected a moment like this to happen. A moment where she would end up leaving Twilight, and possibly never returning. "Just know, that I am immensely proud of you. If anything happens, I trust your judgement."

Celestia pulled Twilight into a hug, both alicorns fighting back tears. However, the moment was soon interrupted by another impatient snort from Luna. It was time to go. Celestia released Twilight and stepped back to her sister, who put a hand on her shoulder with a sympathetic smile. "We shall be back soon, I promise." Luna said to Twilight, before the two sisters disappeared in a flash of magical light.

Merely minutes later a massive explosion erupted, visible even from the ground, as the sky slowly faded to darkness as the night sky was no longer interrupted. In the darkness, Twilight could see a faint light slowly falling downwards, toward the waiting earth.

After the spell transported them, Celestia's eyes opened to reveal the asteroid taking up nearly her entire field of view. Luna was beside her, already firing rays of magic at the stone, spell after spell bouncing off. She couldn't breathe, the void of space giving her nothing to inhale, but the spell was keeping her from needing to. They only had a few minutes before that wore off and the duo died painfully, unless they destroyed the asteroid and teleported back first. She began firing, herself and Luna instinctively pushing off and firing, the vacuum of space little obstacle to their experienced wings.

And yet, nothing. Nearly half their time was up and yet there was nothing to show for it. Luna's voice rang through Celestia's mind, magically reaching her through even the depths of space.

"Sister," Her voice sounded resolved, but fearful. "I can think of only one way I could do any damage... and you won't like it."

Celestia was able to guess what Luna meant, and her sister was right. She didn't like it. Unfortunately it was likely she was right. "Not just you..." Celestia replied after a pause, "Luna, to me, we do this together."

Within moments, Luna returned to her side. The two sisters gave each other a knowing look. After a moment Luna spoke. "This may be the last time we see each other with our own eyes."

"Indeed." Celestia replied with a nod, tears once again in her eyes, evaporating in moments in the void. "I love you Luna."

"And I love you, sister." Luna replied, her voice starting to waver as she choked back sobs of her own.

The sisters embraced, both resolved to face their darkness within themselves and to strike a deal, to save everything they've ever cared about. As they released each other, Celestia could already see the darkness beginning to engulf Luna. Of course, Luna had done this before, Celestia had not. She closed her eyes, listening for the voice of temptation, the darkness within.

"So it's come to this at last." Celestia heard her own voice, but crueler and more arrogant. "You come crawling to me for more power. Why should I help you? Why should I let you become Daybreaker? You cast me aside centuries ago, to protect your dear sister despite her willingness to destroy herself."

"I need you. Just this once, I admit it. I am too weak to do this on my own without your power." She found herself saying aloud, through clenched teeth.

There was a cruel, haughty laugh. "Very well."

Celestia's world suddenly burst to flame, as she was engulfed in it. She could feel herself changing, her mane and tale burning to ash before being replaced by raging flames themselves. Her eyes burned, as if she had been splashed with acid, as her eyes changed, her whites turning red and her pupil becoming an almost cat-like slit. Her teeth sharpened and extended, ripping apart her gums as she felt herself laughing, the same cruel laugh she'd heard moments earlier.

Her momentary lapse into insanity was interrupted as she felt a cold hand on her shoulder and a spine-chillingly familiar voice rang in her ear. "Oh calm down, you can gloat about all your newfound power once this rock's out of the way."

Nightmare Moon was at her side, Luna nothing but her vessel once again. And now... now she was Daybreaker. "Right." She found herself saying as she clenched a fist. "And once we're back to Equestria, then we can settle things."

Celestia wanted to scream. What was she saying? Settle things? This was a terrible plan! If she and Luna fought again, after all this, would there even be an Equestria left to save?

Her thoughts were interrupted as she and Luna- no, Nightmare Moon- raised their arms, magic flowing through them. There was a mighty flash, the backlash from their joint attack sending them both careening back before their flayed wings managed to push back with enough force to steady their movement. The Asteroid was heavily damaged, the near face shattered, and it's now molten core now exposed to the void.

"Once more!" Celestia found herself shouting, already raising her arm to fire another, Nightmare Moon just behind her.

As the second blast left her, Celestia felt that something was off. Just as the beams struck the asteroid, there was a second flash... The next several seconds seemed to happen in slow motion. Something inside the asteroid burst, releasing a massive blast of energy. Celestia gained a moment of lucidity, forcing herself to Luna and wrapping her arms, Daybreaker's arms, around her sister protectively. looking into Nightmare Moon, she found Luna's eyes staring back at her, surprise on her face before the explosion caught them. Nightmare Moon's horn flared just as the two were engulfed, warping themselves, and the blast, to the atmosphere above Equestria.

Twilight ran to the crater that had been left by the strange light falling to the ground, her horn flaring to shine in the dark night. It had to be Celestia and Luna. They'd promised they'd make it! And they were immortal... weren't they? Her thoughts were clouded with panicked "what-if's" as she arrived, horrified to find the crater's bottom filled with debris. That is, until she heard movement nearby. "Celestia? Luna?" Twilight called into the dark night, her horn's light following her eyes as she looked for the source of the noise.

"We're here." Celestia and Luna's voices, simultaneously, responded. "Though... We don't think you'll be quite as happy to see us as you think."

Twilight laughed, starting to head toward the voice, hidden by brush. "What are you talking about? I'm just glad you're-" Alive. The word caught in Twilight's throat as she moved the brush aside, revealing not two figures, but one. An alicorn, tall and white like Celestia, but whose mane and tail burned with a strange black fire. She faced away from Twilight, her wings mismatched, one pure and white, the other black as the sky currently was. Her cutie mark though... or cutie marks as would be more accurate, were both Celestia's and Luna's. Even Luna's dark black "splotch" covered the right side behind the moon, and an unfamiliar orange one covered the left, with a golden sun on it. The figure turned to face Twilight, arms covering her chest and groin, as any clothing she was wearing was lost either on reentry or in the blast. Her eyes were different as well, one, an unfamiliar red eye, with a gold iris, and the other a more familiar sapphire blue, both with draconic slits instead of regular pupils. Her horn was an odd case, a swirling twist of ivory and ebony, as if both princesses horns had been unraveled and wrapped around each other.

"Now, don't panic..." Celestia's voice came out, before she was interrupted by Twilight screaming. The figure jumped up, covering Twilight's mouth with one hand, and pulling her close. Twilight blushed as the new alicorn's absurdly large chest pressed just under her chin. "Shhh... It's us, I swear to you. We're... in here. With..."

There was a pause, before Luna's voice emerged next. "Our darker selves, Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker, are in here as well. We will explain everything once we're back at your castle. Understood?" Twilight nodded, stunned. This was going to take some getting used to...

Author's Note

I came up with this on a whim, and I'm not sure this introduction to the character I plan to write short stories about is enough, but I do hope you all enjoy it.

I have some more chapters for the "birth" section in mind, but this first chapter is the most important for it, the actual "birth" of the character. Her name will be revealed in the next chapter.

All characters are copyrighted to Hasbro, except the fusion of Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker I guess, though they can take her for free if they want her for some reason. XD

The New Princess

The amalgam sat across from Twilight in the map room, robed unceremoniously in a towel, since none of the clothing Twilight had could fit her. Other than that, her only clothing were bandages, covering wounds neither had even noticed in the darkness, the bandages already stained red with the alicorn's blood. This would have to do until she could retrieve her regular clothing from the crater in the morning. She sipped some of the tea Twilight had offered, doing so in the dainty slurp that Celestia had mastered.

"After the explosion," She continued, in a strange mixture of Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker's voices, "The next thing we knew, were lying in that crater. We panicked at first, both thinking the other was left behind before we both cried out... with one voice. Shortly after we got our bearings, we heard you coming and hid. Thankfully it was you and not someone else, we are of one mind that no one should see us until we have made a... final decision about this."

Twilight was rubbing her forehead and hyperventilating. It was understandable given the circumstances, but the princesses needed her to remain calm. She walked stood up and walked over, pulling Twilight up and giving her a warm hug. Celestia's voice alone spoke up.

"Shhh... It's alright, I'm here Twilight. We're all here."

Twilight looked up, and before her, the strange, red eye that had been unfamiliar to her slowly changed. The whites purged the red from them, and the pupil expanded to normal, as the shade turned to a familiar light pink-purple.

"Princess Celestia, your eye!" She exclaimed in surprise.

The amalgam placed a hand over her eye, stepping back. "W-What? Is it bleeding? Did I injure myself further somehow?"

"No no! It's... It's back to normal!"

Both alicorns paused, slowly absorbing the implications of the moment.

"That means... We... We could return to normal. To ourselves." Luna's voice now came out, sounding tired, strained. "Hypothetically at the least. It's a small relief, but a relief nonetheless."

"In the meantime," Now the strange mixture of voices again, Twilight mentally noted this was possibly the most literal moment of talking to one's self that has ever occurred. "We need a name. Or, this...." The amalgam gestured to itself. "This form needs a name. Something to call itself."

Twilight and the new alicorn both went silent, as five minds in two bodies began thinking. Several names were thrown out, Spacial Specter, Heavenly Bond, and Lightmare Noon being the most amusing. Even Twilight had to relax and laugh at that suggestion, especially given she could practically see Celestia giving her a smug grin as it was suggested in her voice. Eventually however, they came to an agreement.

"Solar Eclipse. An event that occurs when the sun and moon share the sky." the newly named alicorn said, the voices echoing slightly as they all speak at once, "It works. A good idea Twilight." The last part was added solely by Celestia, in a calm, reassuring tone.

The two alicorns stood, about to retire to bed, as Solar Eclipse had a revelation. "...I have to raise the sun in a few hours." Twilight stopped and turned. "Yes... and?"

"And then everyone will be wondering where we are. We were hoping to put off revealing ourselves but..." She sighs, an odd sound given it comes from multiple voices. "We'll have to head back to the castle and change... We'll find something... appropriate."

Twilight chuckles a bit at that. "It'll be fine. You managed to calm me down, after all."

The response to Solar Eclipse's speech was definitely less than fine. There was a clear nervous murmuring around the crowd, and one could almost feel the possible panic ahead. Her left hand gripped the railing of the balcony she stood on tightly, barely holding back Nightmare Moon's rage at their doubt.

"Please do not be alarmed, citizens of Equestria." She continued, the booming of her many voices giving little comfort to the multitude. "This change shall only last a short time, we assure you. Before long, things will return to normal. Until then, please, put your faith in us. We will not fail you, even while we are in this unfamiliar form."

This addition barely helped, but it did quiet the murmur of anxiety. That would have to do for now. "Now, return to your lives. Rejoice in your continued safety. Tonight there will be a beautiful shower of falling stars."

That got a bit of a response, even if it was halfhearted as the crowd dispersed. "That could have gone better." Luna muttered through Solar's forced smile. "We should inform Princess Cadence, lest she suspect something is amiss."

One letter and several tossed aside drafts later, and Solar was alone with her thoughts. Celestia had to clear her normal schedule due to the asteroid the day before, so today was focused on damage control. Her thoughts were cluttered, four minds all pushing their own thoughts.

"Stop! Stop! We have to focus on one thing!" Celestia's voice cried out as Solar grabbed her head in agony, too many minds in one head tearing her apart.

After a painful minute, the voices died down, Solar collapsing on her back. "We're going to be stuck like this for a while at least, we have to learn to work together. First things first, we have to maintain order. Nothing can go wrong until we're separate once more."

Of course, being one of those things that is only said to tempt fate, something "wrong" was happening just then. As it turned out, the royal guard outside her door was not the stallion he appeared to be. Or a stallion at all. "His" emerald eyes flash as a grin forms on his face. "So the princesses are trapped like this? What an... interesting turn of events. Perhaps I can use this to my advantage, and to regain my throne."

He barely restrains his laughter as he steps away from his posting, walking down the hall to get somewhere private to scheme.

Three Princesses and a Queen

The next several days practically revolved around Solar Eclipse adjusting to a nearly twenty-four hour schedule. She had to raise the sun, tend to court, raise the moon, and watch over the dream realm. This left precious little time for rest. However, a solution came from an unusual source, the minds of Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker. The personalities would take shifts, with one good and one dark personality "awake" at any one time, unless special occasions required more of them or specific combinations. This meant that Solar Eclipse barely had any real time to sleep, but still felt relaxed and rested under almost any circumstances. That is until Cadence arrived to see the sisters.

"And that's when Twilight found us." Luna and Celestia's voices said as they finished their explanation of the night they'd become fused. "We've had time to adjust, but so far nothing has changed other than our right eye." They sighed in unison, looking down at their clothing. A flowing robe, dark and flowing with stars. While it was on of Luna's. it contrasted well with their Celestia-like coat, and aided in showing their status as a combination between each other. Other than that, she wore only a mixture of both Nightmare Moon's and Daybreaker's armors, resulting in an interesting clash between the orange and blue.

Cadence rubbed her forehead on the other side of the table. While the story had been relayed to her by letter, seeing Solar Eclipse and hearing the story was something else entirely. Even now it was hard for her to wrap her head around. Still, it was good that things were going well so far. Now she only had to wait for Twilight to arrive...

As if on cue, the door behind her opened as Twilight entered the meeting chamber, accompanied by two guards who took position on either side of the door. Having all the princesses in one place always called for more security. She smiled at Solar Eclipse bashfully before running over to Cadence for their customary greeting. This prompted a small smile from Solar Eclipse, even in times of stress like these, it's good to see that some things don't change.

"What brings you here Twilight?" Solar asked in Celestia's voice, quiet and calm. "If I'd known I was having two guests I would have had treats prepared for the occasion."

Solar was greeted with an uncomfortably long silence before Twilight responded. "Well, Cadence and I were corresponding over the last few days and we thought..." She sounded like what she was saying was one of the most painful things she could ever admit. "That it might be best if you stayed out of the public eye until this matter is settled. While I don't agree, a lot of ponies are frightened of your appearance."

Solar Eclipse's mind erupted into chaos as the statement awoke the two dark personalities within her.

"They fear us? Of course they do. It is to be expected." Came Nightmare Moon's voice in their joint mind, venom dripping from every word. "We are unfamiliar. Alien. They could never accept us."

"Who cares if they fear us? We don't need their approval to rule." Daybreaker now, a dark laugh accompanying her statements.

"No, we should-" Celestia tried to begin, before she felt a familiar helpless sensation, like when Daybreaker was controlling her body, as Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker wrested control.

"And if we refuse?" Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon's voices challenged Twilight and Cadence, crossing her arms as Solar Eclipse sat down, looking a bit like child about to throw a tantrum. "We have every right to rule despite our condition, we are not addled."

Cadence took a step forward, holding out a reassuring hand. "We're not asking you to relinquish your power. We're only suggesting you should-"

Solar Eclipse glared at Cadence, freezing the princess of love in her tracks. "We should what? Seclude ourselves? Hide our face because it embarrasses you to see us joined like this? And then what? What if this transformation is permanent?"

The words hung in the air, and in the minds of the sisters within Solar Eclipse. It was a worrying thought none of those involved wanted to admit, but nothing like this had happened before, there was no guarantee things would ever return to normal.

"Sister?" Luna's voice rang out in their thoughts.

"I know Luna, I'm worried too. But we'll get through this, don't let Nightmare Moon's doubts and Daybreaker's fears cloud your judgement. We're going to become ourselves again I promise." Celestia's reassurance was powerful, but it did little to fix the current issue.

"We can't assume anything like that yet." Twilight said, trying to calm the situation before it became more heated. "For now we should remain cautious and keep things calm. I don't like the situation we've been forced into either-"

"You don't like this situation? What do you think we think of it? Look at us! We've been turned into a complete freak!" Nightmare's voice was the loudest now, drowning out the others behind her. "Our own subjects, who rejoiced and loved us only days ago, now fear and distrust us!" She pointed an accusing finger in Twilight's direction. "And now this... this betrayal!"

There was a sudden bang, and Twilight found herself suddenly sailing backwards, crashing to the floor. She was unharmed physically, but she felt as if she just had been punched by a fully powered Tirek. She gasped for breath as Cadence and the guards stared shocked at herself and Solar Eclipse.

Solar Eclipse looked at her own hand, caught off guard by her own attack. "On the other hand, the powers of night and day combined could truly prove useful..." She said, as a sinister grin formed, before she turned her attention toward the guards at the door. "Leave us." She commanded, tendrils of darkness suddenly appearing from the walls and dragging the guards through.

Outside a third guard was caught by surprise as the two stationed inside suddenly phased through the wall, dropped in front of him with terror on their faces. "What's going on?!" He barked, his voice snapping the two back to reality.

"The princesses are quarreling, sir! We were thrown out by magic cast by the fused princess, Solar Eclipse!" One reported, his voice still shaking despite his attempt to remain professional.

The third guard concealed a grin, as his green eyes flashed. "I will handle the situation from here. Both of you go and get reinforcements, things may take a sour turn." He demanded. The two fearful guards were unable to resist his commanding presence and quickly retreated, relieved to be as far away from the magic that they'd just experienced.

Once the two were around the corner, the remaining guard laughed and removed his helmet, before disappearing a flash of green flame. In his place stood the rightful queen of changelings, Chrysalis, who tossed aside the helmet. "What a boon," She practically squealed with delight as she turned to the doors. "I come here to seek revenge for all I've lost, and find not just an opportunity for that, but a chance to rid myself of all my most powerful enemies at once! For good this time!"

She carefully opened the door ever so slightly, getting a good look as Solar Eclipse began to prepare an unknown spell, likely to attack her fellow princesses with. She could taste the fear in the room, fear from Solar Eclipse of being left alone and powerless, fear from Cadence, of Solar Eclipse's rage, and fear from Twilight, of having to fight her mentor. The only thing wrong with this moment was that she wasn't the one causing all the fear!

Chrysalis started preparing a spell of her own, and took aim, her twisted horn glowing sickly green. "I'll start by disabling the big threat, than take down the little brats at my leisure." She grinned triumphantly as she fired, the green beam of magic flying straight for Solar Eclipse.

Solar Eclipse was barely aware of who she was targeting at this point. Daybreaker's lust for this newfound surge of power, and Nightmare Moon's endless rage made it impossible to think clearly. All she cared about was testing out her new strength on the traitors in front of her. So she'd start by hitting them with all the strength she could muster.

"If you're going to put up some fruitless attempt stop this attack, you'd best do so now fools! In moments you'll both be nothing but ash!" Cried Daybreaker's voice as she felt her magic reach its climax. All she had to do now was point a finger! She laughed insanely raising her arm to attack.

Her laughter was cut off as she suddenly was struck in the chest by a massive bolt of green magic, the blast tearing clean through her. She recoiled, her own attack misfiring and blasting a massive hole through the ceiling, debris and plaster raining around her. Solar Eclipse found her world spinning. She could feel the hole in her chest, the blood seeping out of it.

"But... Who?" Daybreaker asked, brought down as Solar Eclipse dropped to her knees. She began refocusing her energy, trying to use magic to seal the wound and stop the bleeding.

"Who... Who dares to interrupt my triumph?!" Solar Eclipse glared at the door, where a rather surprised changeling queen met her gaze.

This was impossible. She had to have spent too much on that spell, she was delirious. She'd seen straight through Solar Eclipse, there was no way the alicorn could possibly survive that attack. And yet, there she was, glaring back at her with a look that could kill.

"Drone chatter! What does it take to kill these ponies?!" She exclaimed under her breath, her unusual choice of expletive a result of her shock at the situation.

"Chrysalis?!"

The Queen was caught off guard by the voice of her nemesis, Twilight Sparkle. Right, she was here too. Change of plans then. She entered the throne room, hiding the fear in her twisted heart as she closed the door behind her, using the keys she "borrowed" as a guard to lock it.

"Right, we can catch up later brat. If you want to survive this you're going to need to do everything I say." She spat, though her voice lacked its usual venom toward the alicorn, lost in the fear and the rapid calculations going through her mind. "Everyone together! Cadenza! We need a shield. Now!"

The two alicorns didn't bother asking any questions, quickly moving to Chrysalis' position by the door. Twilight stood between Chrysalis and Cadence as she hastily put up a shield, only for it to immediately to be pounded by a sudden blast from Solar Eclipse. She flinched, but her shield stayed up.

"What are you even doing here?!" Twilight asked incredulously as Chrysalis paused to concoct the best use of their resources.

"Does that even matter? I'm saving your sorry hides now, whether I like it or not." Chrysalis looked at Twilight, who was giving her a coy grin. "What? What are you grinning about?"

"Oh don't try to hide it, you could have just run after that cheap shot, but you stayed," Twilight replied, "Somewhere deep down you'd prefer we were safe."

Chrysalis started, her cheeks flushing an almost radioactive green for a moment at Twilight's accusation. "What? You're imagining things! I just... You're just a means to an end! Don't look any deeper into it! If I'd had my way, I would have drained all of you dry ages ago!"

Her mind suddenly clicked. She knew how to end this fight. And she hated it. A sudden flurry of blasts against the shield however, assured her that this was her only choice.

"Oh for love's sake.." She said before suddenly pulling Twilight off the ground and into a deep kiss.

Twilight was rather shocked by this development. When she said that Chrysalis wanted them safe, this wasn't quite what she meant! Then came a strange surge through her body, as Chrysalis began pouring a portion of her own power into the alicorn. Why did everything changelings do have to be so weird? A kiss to give her a power up?

Chrysalis released Twilight after a few awkward seconds, her head light and spinning, she could see a glow forming in Twilight's eyes. That was good, right? She glanced up at Cadence, only to realize the pink barrier was now between the princess of love and them. For her credit, even dazed she quickly realized what that meant braced herself, guarding her face as Twilight suddenly released a blast of raw magic in all directions.

"Why don't I ever think my plans further through?!" Chrysalis exclaimed as she was thrown backwards, slamming into the wall and blacking out.

The changeling queen's eyes snapped open. She began checking herself with her hands, too afraid to look down. "Still alive... Thank the go-" Her hand trailed down to her side, where she felt a sharpened piece of glass sticking through her chitin. She glanced up. Above her on the wall she was leaning against was a now shattered stained glass window. She laughed bitterly.

"I'm going to be killed by glass? Glass?!" She forced herself to her feet, getting a glimpse at her abdomen and the glass sticking out of her at several different angles. "No... Not here. If I'm going to die, I refuse to die surrounded by my enemies." She looked across the room, all three princesses were unconscious, Cadence and Twilight relatively unharmed, and the hole in Solar Eclipse already having stopped bleeding.

"She's still alive, I just know it. That would be just my luck." Chrysalis said, started toward the doors which had been forced open by the blast. Her green blood was leaving a thick trail with each step. "I'm not gonna last long at this rate. Serves me right for helping my enemies. That was so stupid..."

As Chrysalis made her way out, she was quickly met by several members of the royal guard, all arriving on the scene as the reinforcements she had meant to come after she'd left. She glanced back at the ruined meeting room and the unconscious princesses.

"Would you believe me if I said this isn't what it looks like?" She tried, barely managing an almost innocent looking smile.

Based on the restraints quickly placed on her, they didn't.

Rehab and Recovery

Chrysalis slowly awoke to a rhythmic beeping. The sound was unfamiliar to her, but she felt like she should know it. Her eyes opened, to see a sterile white ceiling above her. This wasn't the prison she was expecting to wake up in when she lost consciousness due to blood loss. Assuming she'd wake up at all.

She started to sit up but was stopped a mask and tube over her mouth. How had she not noticed them? Was she that numb from everything? With a quick motion she pulled them off, thankful to breathe the unfiltered air. As she sat up, a sharp pain in her side reminded her of her recent incident. She placed a hand to the painful area, feeling bandages covering her chitinous shell. She finally put two and two together. She was being treated in a hospital. Why? She had been caught injured and suspected of attempting to kill the princesses, which wasn't entirely untrue. Why would they treat her wounds? If the situation were reversed, she would have left such a perpetrator to die in agony. Yet, here she was.

"So if I'm in a hospital, that beeping must be..." She glanced to her left, a heart monitor set up by the cot currently occupied by her unconscious room mate. Said room mate having gauze covering most of their chest due to a recent run in with Chrysalis' own magic. She was stuck in a room with Solar Eclipse.

"Alright, don't panic, you can just... leave, all you have to do is climb out of-" Chrysalis was interrupted as she attempted to leave her cot, by chains rattling and a resistance on her arm and leg to one side. Restraints were on her, locking her in her bed. "...That figures."

Chrysalis laid back down as she heard the sounds of approaching footfalls, unpleasantly surprised to see; alongside a nurse and guard, Twilight Sparkle and Princess Cadence. Of course, probably here to decide her fate. She did put the ruler of Equestria in the hospital, despite circumstances. Surely she was going to be imprisoned, or possibly executed. Just another reason to hate Mondays. ...Was it still Monday? She wasn't sure.

"Oh, you're awake." Cadence said, her tone surprisingly soft and unafraid.

The changeling queen felt insulted. She was captured AND she was being pitied? It was more than she could bear. A few years ago she nearly had everything she ever wanted. Now all she had was a cot in the hospital and a cold prison cell waiting for her.

"No thanks to you two." Chrysalis replied, having resolved to at least face her fate with defiance. "So now what? Are we going with a classic guillotine? Hanging? Lethal injection? Maybe we could get creative!" The two princesses only gave her confused and worried expressions, setting her off further. "I'm talking about my execution of course! Surely you're not going to let me go after all this! I'm a sworn enemy of everything you hold dear! I've made multiple attempts on your lives! Why are you just sitting there like you're worried for my sake?!"

Chrysalis' vision began to blur, the exertion of her rage taking its toll on her state. Her eyes rolled up in her head and the nurse rushed over, administering a light pain killer and stimulants to keep her conscious.

"We are worried for your sake." Twilight replied, once Chrysalis was back with them, "You could have left us. You could have attacked us as well. Heck, you could have killed us while we were unconscious out of spite. Instead you put yourself at risk and saved us instead."

Chrysalis had to think about that. Why did she go so far to help them? She should have just fled. She should have killed them while they were down. Both of those were logical conclusions, and yet at the time she didn't even consider them. At the time she didn't see the princesses at enemies. She saw them as a problem she'd caused, and that she could fix. Something made her see them, even if just for a moment, as others in the same situation she was in. Empathy. It was an alien concept to her before today. Strange that her first time understanding it was from a first hand experience.

"Very well. Perhaps, out of whatever little "goodness" there is in my heart, I helped you this once. We all know I won't keep helping." Chrysalis admits, trying hard to remain calm after her last outburst. "Why does it matter? You have me at your mercy. Finish me. It's the only choice that makes sense. Do what I always failed to do and follow through!"

Cadence sighed at Twilight's side. "I told you she'd react like this." Chrysalis' eyes watched Cadence, who subtly grabbed a scalpel from a tray nearby, no one else seeing the movement but her. Their eyes met, a moment of understanding. "She just isn't going to listen to reason."

Cadence suddenly threw the scalpel at the last word of her sentence, the blade soaring straight and true toward the head of the changeling queen. No one had any time to react before there was a stomach dropping shlik.

A few stray strands of Chrysalis' mane fell to her cot, the scalpel mere millimeters from her neck. The changeling queen stared at Cadence in disbelief. Despite the closeness of the blade, she could tell that Cadence had missed intentionally. She had a still target and could have used magic to adjust the angle of her throw. Instead she aimed at the pillow.

"Cadence!" Twilight's shout broke Chrysalis out of her shock, "What was that? You could have killed her!"

Cadence calmly nodded. "I know. And I did. The old Chrysalis is dead now. Do you hear me Chrysalis? Your past life, all of it, is gone now. This is your new start. Welcome to Equestria."

Chrysalis stared as the two were escorted out by a very upset nurse who then carefully removed scalpel stabbed pillow and replaced it with a fresh one. A fresh start. That was another thing that Chrysalis had never considered. Even being offered it so blatantly, she wasn't sure she could accept it. Even if everyone else in the world could move on from her past, could she?

Solar Eclipse's eyes snapped open. She wasn't dead, the constant beeping of the heart monitor hooked up to her and her searing chest were proof enough of that. The four beings within her had spent the last several hours, wresting for power, and now currently only one will was able to hold control for the moment, until order was once more established.

Celestia forced her body into a sitting position, trying to ignore the burning pain in her chest. A quiet rattling of chains as she moved her right arm confirmed what she suspected. She'd been restrained. It would've proven fruitless if Daybreaker or Nightmare Moon had been the one to awaken, but it was likely the only precaution a hospital would have on hand.

A second rattling caught her attention, further to her right. She turned, getting a brief glimpse of Chrysalis' eyes before the changeling queen rolled over, pretending to be asleep. Celestia couldn't help but giggle, and was pleased hearing her own laugh, and not the amalgam she was becoming accustomed to. "I know you're awake Chrysalis. You don't need to worry, I will do you no harm."

Chrysalis snorted incredulously, understandable given the situation.

"Well, if you won't talk to me, I'll just talk to you, is that all right?" Celestia paused. No response. "Very well then. First of all I'm sorry that I..." She paused, remembering her situation. "I'm sorry that we attacked you. That we attacked everyone. I don't know exactly what happened, but we lost control. I won't allow it to happen again, I promise you."

There was a pause before Chrysalis rolled back to face Celestia, the changeling's eyes seeming to stare through her rather than at her. "You promise me? What is with you ponies? I've tried to kill you specifically multiple times, and unlike your apprentice and her nanny, I've never helped you. You have no reason to worry about my safety."

Celestia chuckled again, covering her mouth with her unrestrained hand. "I suppose we're just naturally a forgiving lot, us ponies." She replied, "We care too much for our own good."

Chrysalis once again paused before replying to Celestia. "I am speaking to Celestia alone right now, correct? The others are... occupied?"

Celestia nodded.

"Then allow me to tell you a story of caring too much..."

It was several days until Chrysalis was allowed to leave the hospital, and weeks after that for Solar Eclipse to be released as well. Chrysalis visited the fused princesses every day she could, always in disguise, and always under the watchful eye of the royal guard of course. The two ended up forming a most unlikely bond, both were rulers indisposed, and although their morals and motives differed, they were able to bond over the few similar situations they shared. Chrysalis preferred interacting with Celestia solely, but she was more than willing to speak with Luna, Nightmare Moon, and Daybreaker as well, although their bonds were more strained, especially with the natural suspicion the dark personalities had due to her attempt on their life. It wasn't long until rumors began circulating that the fusion of the princesses had a would-be suitor, but there was never a consistent description of this supposed being. At least, not until the day of Solar Eclipse's release from the hospital.

Chrysalis paced the hospital waiting room, disguised as an earth pony mare with Twilight watching her curiously. Cadence had long since returned home to the Crystal Empire. She had a daughter to care for, and a husband to spend time with, as well as an entire people to rule.

"You're going to burn a hole in the floor with all that pacing." Twilight eventually stated, comment at the tearing of the tiles from Chrysalis' circling. It was odd seeing the changeling queen like this. She honestly seemed to be worried about someone other than herself, or her children. Reforming her into a good pony, or changeling rather, was not the result she'd expected but it was working somehow.

Chrysalis paused her pacing before dropping into a chair. "I'm going to go mad waiting. She-" She paused, correcting herself in a manner similar to how Celestia had done in front of her many times. "They should be here any moment now. I can't help but think something will go wrong."

Twilight chuckled and grinned. "Admit it, you're worried because you've let friendship into your heart."

Friendship. That was a word for it. But it wasn't the only word. She was "friends" with Luna, and possibly Nightmare Moon. Probably not Daybreaker though. Celestia however... It wasn't love, not exactly, but it felt deeper than friendship. The bond was even more special than that. Deeper. They had formed a link that could only be felt by two people who had some kind of common goal. A powerful goal, unobtainable without each others' help.

Chrysalis knew what she needed to do. Without a word she removed her disguise, much to Twilight's verbal shock and the surprise (and fear) of many of the ponies around. Chrysalis began to notice things that a few weeks ago would never have bothered her. A mother placing an arm protectively in front of their child. A lone pony attempting to subtle move to a seat closer to the doors. The check in nurse paging for security. A few weeks ago, none of this would catch her attention, let alone bother her. Now it hurt.

When Solar Eclipse was wheeled into the lobby, Chrysalis was the first to reach her. Although the doctor holding the wheelchair would have pulled fused princess away had it not been for Celestia's voice telling him to stop. Chrysalis hugged Solar Eclipse... no, she hugged Celestia, only releasing her when Twilight took the wheelchair from the doctor and accompanied the two back to the palace.

She no longer cared about the fearful reactions she had gotten. She had finally accepted her second chance.

Author's Note

For those of you who feel teased because Chrysalis' tale went untold, let me assure you, it will be. But it is a tale for a different day, and a different set of stories. :twilightsmile:

And yes, in case you're wondering, this is the start of ChrysalisxCelestia ship. But that won't be too central in this part of the tale.

BUT HOLY SHIT, THE FEELS WHILE I TYPED THIS UP! THEY ARE TOO MUCH!

Refilling the Throne

Days after returning to the castle, and despite Twilight's continued protests, Solar Eclipse returned to the public view. The time away from the eye of the public had done them good, as the sisters had regained some semblance of control over their darker personalities. The first order of business was to introduce the newest member of her court. It had taken some convincing, and a rather determined tailor, to get Chrysalis to agree to appear before the nobility of Equestria dressed in a custom made outfit. It was a dark red robe, wrapped around her at the chest and waist, but leaving her semi transparent green stomach revealed. The outfit intentional brought to mind styles of the far orient, fitting Chrysalis' foreign nature in the court, while also making her look more at place. The day of her presentment soon arrived, and Chrysalis' nature started to show. Sure she loved being the center of attention, but she didn't want to be the center of attention where she's being judged like prey rather a predator.

"Do I have to wear this?" She asked, her eyes darting to Solar Eclipse.

"Don't worry." It was Nightmare Moon's voice. The sound still sent shivers down Chrysalis' non-existent spine, given the first time she'd heard it, it was very angry and directed at her. "We'll be beside you the whole way. Well, Celestia will be primarily, she is resting for now. And yes, you have to wear that."

Solar Eclipse moved to stand behind Chrysalis, brush in hand. Chrysalis groaned slightly as she began brushing the changeling's filament mane, somehow eventually managing to put it into a bun. She didn't really like her mane being messed with, but looking at herself in a mirror, she had to admit, ponies did have good taste in style. She looked good.

Celestia's voice being the most dominant of Solar Eclipse's during the ceremony was of very little comfort to Chrysalis as she waited behind the curtain covering the side hall. From anyone outside, in the hall, her silhouette was easily mistaken for that of a particularly tall unicorn's. Soon, though the curtain was going to be opened and she'd be exposed. Despite being more clothed than she'd like, Chrysalis felt more naked than she'd ever been.

There was a small round of applause as Solar Eclipse made some announcement the nobility approved of, before she began the speech that Chrysalis knew was her cue. "And finally we'd like to bring up the main reason we called for this gathering tonight. It has been some time since the court of Canterlot has had an official court steward. Well, we're pleased to announce that during our recovery recently, we discovered the perfect candidate to fill that place." There was a pause as some of the nobility mumbled various rumors back and forth about who it could be. "I present to you, proudly, of the newly reformed, Stewardess Chrysalis."

There was absolute silence as the curtain raised, revealing the ex-changeling queen. Chrysalis could sense the shock in the room as she walked out. No, not just sense it, she could taste the shock, the disdain, disbelief. Someone whispered something about the rumors being true, that the changeling queen was trying to woo the princesses. Chrysalis felt sick. She'd known they wouldn't accept them. She thought she didn't care. But now... She would just be remembered as a monster, a freak.

"A queen must be strong." She said to herself, too quiet for anyone but herself to hear. "A queen must... never reveal her fear, her worries. Let your heart be stone tonight." An old mantra, one she'd long ago forgotten, returned to her. She walked, slowly, back straight, refusing to give even a second glance to the assembled nobility until she was at her place beside Solar Eclipse, where she turned and bowed. It took all of her self restraint not to spit, not to hiss and scream, to call the nobility out on their hypocrisy, being willing to accept anything until something really changed. She could feel bile in her throat and venom on her lips.

"Please," Celestia's voice snapped Chrysalis out of her growing rage, "Show Chrysalis your utmost acceptance. Her life has been hard, and she has been willing to change, despite everything she knew being challenged. She is willing to place herself in this vulnerable position, to reveal herself before you as an equal, instead of an invader. Will you not accept her hand in friendship and forgiveness?"

The room remained silent for several moments before a slow applause began. Chrysalis closed her eyes, the only thing she could do to stop tears from flowing. That part of the speech had not been rehearsed. Looking up at her, she watched in surprise as the alicorn's left eye lost its draconic gaze in mid blink, turning to the familiar eye of the princess of the night, Luna.

Chrysalis' new work was immediately trying. As she had guessed, the ponies of Equestria were naturally suspicious of her. Any time she took up a role in the court, she felt the hatred, the fear, the justified anger at her presence. The stress was quick to take its toll as well, making Chrysalis bitter and spiteful behind closed doors, and her actions resulting only further fueled the suspicions of her motives.

This vicious cycle did not go unnoticed and neither was it the lone problem in the court. Days after the ceremony, Twilight was forced to return to Canterlot, at the behest of Solar Eclipse, to give her advice on the situation. When she arrived, Chrysalis and Solar Eclipse were waiting within the throne room. Once she entered, Solar motioned to the guards. "Leave us." She requested, in Luna's voice. Once the guards had left the room Twilight walked up to the duo. Before she even crossed half the room she could tell what was wrong. When she had left, both Chrysalis and Solar Eclipse had been practically overjoyed. Now they looked miserable and tired, as if they had been up for days straight.

"What in Equestria happened? I heard that Chrysalis' reception wasn't exactly a great success but..." She trailed off, not actually wanting an answer. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left until things were seen through..."

Solar Eclipse suddenly seemed to light up, her mane even flaring up brighter. "Leaving... I believe that might be exactly what we need. Twilight, could you take Chrysalis back to Ponyville with you? I believe she will find that atmosphere more appealing."

"Wait," Twilight responded, holding up a hand, "What about you? You look like you could collapse under stress too!"

Solar Eclipse paused, in thought. "I will contact Cadence for her aid," This was now Daybreaker's voice, but calmer than usual. Twilight had the distressing feeling that something was behind the suggestion, but given the circumstances it felt wrong to question it. "But for now, I think you should spend the night here. You can return to Ponyville in the morning."

Twilight nodded. "Understood. Is there anything else?"

Multiple voices spoke at once through Solar Eclipse. "Yes. Sleep well Twilight, for all of us." This simple goodnight wish made Twilight feel warm inside, even Nightmare Moon's voice was among them, and it was sincere. Even under all this stress, the princesses trusted Twilight completely.

After Twilight left, Daybreaker spoke alone once more.

"Chrysalis."

"Yes, my princess?" The changeling queen had been silent during the meeting, unwilling to say anything that might give away the ulterior motive of the meeting. They had already discussed that a break in Canterlot would be for Chrysalis' best interest, but Solar Eclipse had no intention of contacting Cadence. The darkness within had forced another plan to relieve their stress.

"Do make sure to relax in Ponyville, but if possible, give this to Starlight Glimmer." The fused unicorn tossed a rune to Chrysalis, who caught it in the air. "Wherever she is, it will bring her to me when I call. Of course, if you aren't able to do even this, it would be so awful if all this stress began harming your precious Celestia."

Chrysalis looked down at the rune in her hand. She knew she was being played. It was plain in the fanged grin on Solar Eclipse's face. The darkness in the alicorn had been ready to take advantage of their bond from the start, and now...

"Now it's too late for me to refuse."

"Exactly Chrysalis, exactly."

Author's Note

:pinkiecrazy: What's that? A cliff hanger at the end of the fic?!

Well duh, this is the BEGINNING of the Eclipse, there's got to be an end to it as well, now doesn't there?

So what's going to happen to Chrysalis? To Celestia and Luna? To Starlight Glimmer? Well, you'll have to wait until the second half of the tale begins! Until then, I'll leave that to your imaginations!