The Great Equestrian Journey

I see her too.

I turn away to run, but something goes wrong. Is it the way I turned? Did my hoof twist? I don't know.

Because, the next thing I know, I'm falling. It's a short fall, but when I make impact it's stunning. I roll of off whatever I landed on, meet the ground, my back and head already sore.

THUD.

...

I don't think Chrysalis realizes it, but she's muttering my name. Reality slowly comes back into focus. It's a bit foggy. I hear her first, then my eyes open just a sliver. Based on her position, I was only out for a moment.

Next comes the pain. It explodes through my skull, and my spine feels like it's being crushed. I begin to worry that I'm paralyzed. I twitch my leg to see, and Chrysalis gasps.

She's walking towards me. I know what she's about to do. And, suddenly, the perfect revenge seems a moment away.

What happened to Cadance? Easy, I'm a changeling. Kidding. I'm just tired of being a damsel in distress. And I want to put Chrysalis in her place myself. I don't need my knight in shining armor. I sustain a giggle.

It takes some guts to do it, but I crack open an eye-look at her directly in the eye-and say, "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Chrysalis' reaction is timeless. She stumbles back, confusion etched in her face, sputtering out random syllabes. "Wha-I-"

I pull myself up with a non-characteristic groan of annoyance. I can't help it, okay? I woke up this morning after yet another Chrysalis nightmare and I'm angry. Fed up. If anyone were to put her in her place, it should be me. I was her first victim.

My back is sore where I hit it, so I roll my shoulders and take my time pulling myself into a sitting position. It isn't like Chrysalis would do anything anyway. For all I know, she's as flexible as a tree right now.

It's silent and quite awkward for a moment, and something else sinks in. It's just Chrysalis and I, and she's likely pretty mad. I let no one know I'm down here. Shining gets so anxious whenever I go out by myself, so I told him I was just going for a walk in the park.

And Flurry. Can't forget Flurry. And I'm in pain and no one knows where I am and Chrysalis-

Get it together, I tell myself.

I thought I could stand up to her. I really did. I am so stupid.

Suddenly, being a damsel in distress seems a lot more fitting. Grr. This-my panic, my dramatics-is a part of me I'll never get rid of. I feel hopeless, like both times Chrysalis kidnapped me.

I can't let it show, though. So I break the silence with a sweet "Hi there."

Chrysalis is even more dumbfounded. She's backed up from me, so she's almost swallowed up by the tunnel behind her. I force a giggle. She flinches.

Huh. Looks like Chrysalis has changed too. More skittish. I decide to let her say something. "Go ahead. Say something."

What comes out of her mouth is: "What-how-Cad-"

She takes a deep breath and composes herself. Here's the Chrysalis I know. And this Chrysalis is much scarier. I flash back to my other encounters with her, and it doesn't leave a good effect. I feel stupid again. I try to swallow my terror and look her in the eyes.

She turns away, mumbling something. I cock my head cutely, asking, "What was that?"

She says it a bit louder, but I still can't make it out. She repeats it when I don't respond. "This is bad."

"Thanks for stating the obvious." I can't keep the snark from my voice.

Chrysalis whirls back towards me. "What's...wrong with you?"

I shrug innocently. "I've been through a lot."

She blinks, and rage enters her face. I don't even know what level of fear to feel anymore. Believe me, I've felt all levels. She replies with "Don't remind me."

"Of my inevitable doom?" I can't help it. I'm tired of being at a villian's mercy. I want to dare her to do something, because I don't just want to fight back. I want to be completely bulletproof.

Chrysalis frowns, but then she realizes what I meant. But instead of coming forth to feed on me, she asks a single, shocking question. "Are you Cadance?"

Thing is, I don't know either. Am I a loving, bubbly princess? Or a warrior? Am I picture-perfect? Or have I had enough?

I feel like I'm stuck between the two, but I know inside I'm still me. Just physically. So I nod, and somehow that single movement makes me tired.

It's silent again, and this time I don't start the conversation.

"No way."

"None of your-excuse me, Thorax's changelings-want to face you at all." She flinches at Thorax's name.

"But how come you do?" Her voice is a bit louder, a bit shakier with anger. And I'm angry too. Does everyone want me to just shrink back until a prince comes to my rescue?

I sound bitter. "Because I'm tired of being helpless and having everybody else fight my fight."

Chrysalis sits, sighing. She seems...defeated. "Want to just ignore each other?"

My answer says it all. "That sounds great."

That's when the rumbling starts.