The Return

Celestia looked down upon the weeping stallion through the enchanted glass. A grim expression on her face. Gone was Celestia the teacher, or Celestia the jokester; this was Celestia the princess, defender of Equestria.

With a look of concern, Luna turned to her older sister. “What has happened to her, Celestia?”

“She has done what all changelings do...” Celestia paused, her face still solid, and stern. “It seems she has taken the form of a loved one... Her own loved one, I believe. Although it seems to answer a question about who Chrysalis really is.”

Luna’s face still showed signs of distress, but now glimmers of curiosity shined through, “Oh? And who might she be?”

“In our library, and in many others, there is a tome that tells a story of a one-sided love. Of a prince that fell in love with a princess, yet she was in love with another. To win her heart, he uses an abnormally powerful love potion. Eventually, a dragon comes, the kingdom falls, and chaos reigned.

“I am now convinced that Chrysalis was that princess. That stallion’s uniform matches the relics from the old kingdoms. While I am not certain as to what happened to her to transform her into... this, there doesn’t seem to be anything that can save her now.” Celestia’s voice filled with sorrow.

Luna glanced nervously at the glass chamber. “But... doesn’t this punishment seem too harsh? Being tortured by the sight of somepony she loved? And how long will this go on; for the rest of time?”

“Please understand Luna that I do not enjoy having to do this. A thousand years ago I had to make a choice to protect the ponies that I love, and it nearly killed me doing so.” Luna could hear the sadness creeping into her voice. “Even now, I did not come to this choice easily.

“If I could, I would let her be free, but she has made her choices and now she must be held accountable for them. However, it is not up to me how long she is here. The guardian spirit of Tartarus will decide when she has had enough.”

From the shadows, a robed figure emerged; a hood obscuring the pony’s face. Several whispered voices escaped from under the hood, “Your time here has come to an end, princesses. Please follow me to the Gates.” Without waiting for a response, the pony turned and began walking down a torch-lit corridor cut into the stone.

“Well, it seems that it is time for us to depart.” Celestia extended her wing to embrace Luna. “I pray that we never have to put anypony in this wretched prison ever again.” The two sisters walked together behind the hooded pony. “How have you been, Campe? It’s been almost 200 years since I’ve last seen you.”

“I have been busy, Celestia. During your thousand year rule, you have filled up our prison considerably.” The voice from the hood floated out from the darkness of the hood.

Celestia smiled softly, “You say that like it is a bad thing.”

“Of course not, Princess. Just stating a fact.” For the first time, Campe looked back. “We are... surprised that your sister has been returned to you so soon. Though, I still believe Nightmare Moon should have been sent to me.”

Luna frowned, “Why do you say that?”

“Because she would not have escaped after 1000 years.” Campe replied shortly.

Hearing this, Luna hung her head. “Oh... I see..."

Celestia looked to her sister with sad eyes, “Luckily, that decision was not yours to make.”

The trio walked through the tunnels in silence for several minutes.

Luna spoke out, breaking the silence. “Campe, how long have you been guarding these prisoners?”

“Since the beginning. I have been tasked by the Old Ones to watch the prisoners for all eternity.” She answered.

Luna gasped, “But that is simply horrid! I can’t believe anypony could be forced to stay here for so long!”

“It is the only life I know. I have been given my purpose, and I will perform it to the best of my abilities. None of these creatures must ever roam freely. The consequences would be disastrous to all.” Campe’s voice bore no emotion, devoid of all passion.

“But aren’t these creatures to be released at some point? How do you determine that the prisoners have had enough of their torture? When will these criminals be released from this place?” Luna’s voice was laced with anger.

Campe stopped and turned to face Luna. “We have our ways, Princess. You should do well to remember that these creatures are here because you could not handle them. You have forfeited their lives to us, and we shall be the ones to decide what happens to them.”

Celestia saw the situation escalating, and stepped in to stop her sister from doing something she would regret. She moved closer to walk beside Campe, “Speaking of releasing prisoners, months ago I received multiple reports that Cerberus had escaped from the Gates. Do you know what happened that lead to his departure?”

“Yes, it seems something attacked him and drove him into a rage. It appears that whatever attacked him also set him free.”

“But do you kn-”

“No. We do not know what attacked him.” Campe’s voices grew with annoyance, “Although we are certain that it was a very dangerous entity. There are very few creatures able to destroy the chains that bound Cerberus. We are certainly in your student’s debt, she saved us a great deal of effort by returning him to us.”

“Yes, our Twilight is certainly a special little pony.” Celestia smiled to herself with an overwhelming sense of pride.

The trio continued walking for a few more minutes before a entering the large gate room. The doors carved from the rock were massive monuments to the old kingdoms that once ruled over the world; covered in a language that had not been spoken in millennia. Campe walked to the wall and pressed a hoof on a rune.

The door began to open as if it weighed nothing at all, flooding the chamber in blinding light. As they walked over the threshold of the gates, they saw the guard of Tartarus, Cerberus, now in a dazzling gold chain that glowed with a soft light.

Cerberus turned his three massive heads to look at the ponies walking through the gate. When he noticed who it was, he began whining and backed up against the wall of the cave.

“I-is there something wrong with him?” Luna asked Campe with a concerned voice.

“After his escape, we felt it necessary to discipline him.” Campe responded coolly.

The trio walked past the cowering dog to the mouth of the cave. Fresh air, sunlight, and the songs of birds greeted them.

Celestia turned to face Campe, “Thank you for watching Chrysalis, Campe, she is just too dangerous to be left free in our world.”

“Your thanks is not necessary, it is our duty to watch over those deemed too dangerous.” She responded dryly.

“Ah, one more thing. Over the next few weeks our guards shall be transporting the rest of Chrysalis’ brood to Tartarus. Be sure to make the proper accommodations to hold several hundred of them.” She added with a small smile.

“They will not be a problem.”

“Wonderful. Luna, it seems our time here is at an end. We should to return to Canterlot right away. I’ll send a letter to Spike to let the girls know we are returning.” Celestia was already pulling a quill and parchment out of the air and busily scribbling their return notice.

Luna turned around to face Campe, “Thank yo-”

However, Luna was not able to thank the spirit as Campe was quickly walking away, back into the darkness of the cave. She could hear the whimpers of Cerberus from the cave; a frown growing on her face.

“Celestia, are you sure we can trust Campe? I was alone with...” She hesitated. “HER, for a thousand years, and it has taken over a year to be where I am now. Campe has been down there since the beginning, and will be there for the rest of time with the most vile and evil monsters our world has to offer!” Luna’s wings had flared out, and her breathing was sharp. "How can we be sure Campe hasn't been corrupted?"

Looking away from her parchment, Celestia let out a long sigh, "We do not have much of a choice, sister. What would you have me do? Exile her to the moon? The sun? What of her army, where would you have me put them? Earlier, I said that I wish I did not have to do this to Chrysalis, and I meant it, I just don’t know what to do anymore.” Celestia’s head and wings drooped down. “I’ve made so many mistakes in my life, I just can’t help to think that this is just another one to add to the list.” Celestia finished this sentiment by falling to the ground.

Luna laid next to her sister, wrapped a wing around her body and rested her head next to her sisters. “I am sorry you have this much guilt, Celestia. You have helped me return from the darkness, please let me help you.”

Celestia looked to her sister and smiled, “Of course, sweet Luna. I try to be so strong for everypony else that often times I forget about myself.”

Although, Luna was not done, taking a serious tone, “However, I will only help if you promise to help me find a better way of dealing with those ponies. We cannot just lock up our enemies for all eternity, we must find a way to help them.”

Celestia’s smile grew larger, “I promise, Luna. Now let’s go home.”
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Days passed in the dungeon of Tartarus. Chrysalis had stopped crying, her stallion body was just glaring into its own eyes with a burning rage. Her mind was still racing, “How am I going to get out? Those princesses will be as good as dead the as soon as I am released from this infernal prison!” But Chrysalis could do nothing to escape. Even though she could not see the ring anymore, she could feel its hold over her powers. All she could do was stare into his eyes.

"Curse that love potion! Curse that prince! And curse that horrible creature Dis-”

“Good to see you too, Chrysalis.” A smooth voice drifted through the cell, bouncing off of the mirrors. “It’s been too long; what has it been, one, two millenia? It is so hard to keep track when you are a statue, the time just drags on.”

“DISCORD! Where are you?! Come out in the open so I may destroy you!” Chrysalis roared in anger.

“No, I think I’ll stay right where I am.” Discord’s voice retorted.

As she looked at the mirror into the eyes that did not belong to her, they began to change. Her pupils changed from from brown to red, and the white irises turned yellow. Then the rest of her body began to grow and change until it no longer resembled that of a pony; now Discord, the chaos spirit himself, stood in the mirror.

"You know, stallions never really suited you." With a smile, and a snap of his claws, Chrysalis began to transform. Clumsy and awkward, the transformation was nothing like her own magic. Chrysalis looked down at her legs and saw the familiar black hide with holes. She was in her own body again, and it felt right. “Ah, much better, now then, I’ve got a little business proposition for you."

“I do not care for your offers, Discord. Is there some other reason why you are here? And how did you get down here; if I recall correctly, stone statues are anything less than mobile.” Chrysalis was simmering with rage, her insect like wings vibrating slightly.

Discord frowned,“It seems my little worker bee has learned not to accept deals without hearing the details. You know, you were much more fun as a love struck alicorn that would do anything to save the life of her beloved princey.”

Chrysalis gritted her teeth and her wings began to vibrate faster, now producing a soft buzz. “Discord... When I get out of this prison...”

“Ah ah ah,” Discord taunted, “If you get out of this prison, my dear.” smirking at Chrysalis. "Besides, you aren't in any position to argue with the one being who can get you out.

"Now, before you say any more, let me speak. Should you choose to accept my help, I have one condition for your freedom: you must help me take revenge on Celestia.”

“Is that all? Nothing is ever as simple as you say it is Discord, what is the catch?”

“No fooling you this time is there?” Discord chuckled. “I need you to get my body back.”

“Your body? But you are here right now talking to me... Aren’t you?” Chrysalis cocked her eyebrow questioningly. “And besides, how do you know I won’t just double cross you as soon as you release me?”

“Oh, besides the fact that you cannot kill me, I think I could come up with a few games you and I can play that could teach you a few lessons on trust and keeping your word.” Discord smiled menacingly at Chrysalis. “I just don’t want to be bothered by your childish attempts of revenge.

“As for me, my body is still stone, locked away in Celestia’s little dungeon. What you are seeing now is my soul, it escaped before those little ponies finished turning my body into stone. Months ago I snuck into this wonderfully depressing prison, and have been looking for a partner to help me in my little scheme.”

“But, if you aren’t here, how can you possibly get me out?” Even though Chrysalis’ hated Discord with every fiber of her being, the idea of being able to escape on her own was fading fast.

“Oh, I can interact with objects to a degree, like this mirror, or that mutt's chain... or that ring on your horn.” Discord smirked.

Chrysalis looked up to her horn at the ring. She was certainly in an awkward position.While she certainly wouldn’t mind her freedom back, she had no idea how to get Discord’s body back. Not to mention their history together.

“So, what is your decision? Want to join my team?” Discord smiled widely.

Through gritted teeth, Chrysalis growled, “Fine Discord. I will help you. So go ahead and work your magic.”

“Patience deary, patience. It takes time to do any magic in this form. But rest assured, that you will be freed from this prison momentarily.” Discord glided over to Chrysalis’ reflection and put his lion paw on the bronze ring. He closed his eyes and focused. Soon his image began to warp, his body getting pulled into the ring. Chrysalis looked up at the ring and could see the gemstone giving off a soft glow. Looking back to the mirrors, she could see the last of Discord’s tail disappearing into the ring. She could feel the ring begin to pulse with the additional magic. Faster and stronger the pulsing continued, until the ring was shining brightly and pounding like a mallet, hammering her horn.

The ring erupted with a blinding light and a loud crack. Chrysalis screamed out in pain as the ring’s connection to her own magic had been severed. She had collapsed to the floor of the cell, and was breathing fast and sharp. The light above her had extinguished; she was now surrounded by the cool blanket of darkness.

Focusing her magic into her liberated horn, the green magical glow reflected off of the cracked and broken mirrors around her.

“You had... better... come up with a... plan to defeat... that guard...” Chrysalis could not see Discord, but his haggard voice echoed through her cell. It seems breaking the ring had thoroughly exhausted him. “Use... the gem...”

Looking down, she could barely see, yet the black stone seemed to shine out brightly to her. Enveloping it with her magic, a shiver ran through her horn. Putting a hoof on the cracked glass in front of her, she pushed, and felt it move slightly. Enveloping the glass in her magic, she turned around, and bucked at the glass which shattered into a thousand pieces. Stepping through the broken mirror, Chrysalis looked at the chamber holding her prison, four dim torches barely lit the barren room, with only one exit.

“Guard... on the way... prepare...” Discord’s voice was quieter now, as if he were far away from her.

“Rest now Discord, leave it all to me.” Chrysalis smiled as her horn shined a brilliant emerald, and the chamber’s light extinguished.
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Campe had felt the disturbance in Chrysalis’ chamber the moment it happened. Galloping through the tunnels, going deeper and deeper to confront Chrysalis. Campe did not know how she had broken free, but she was going to pay dearly for it.

Campe stopped outside of Chrysalis’ chamber, wary to venture inside. The torches in the room had been extinguished, and a menacing presence permeated through the darkness. Campe stood at the threshold of the chamber, concentrating. Soon a brilliant aura surrounded the guardian, and as Campe entered the room, the darkness retreated. Campe could see movement just outside of the light.

“Surrender now prisoner! There is no hope to defeat me, I have lived for eons!” Campe’s many voices yelled in unison now. “Don’t make me destroy you!” Campe moved to the center of the room, and found the walls covered with broken shards of mirrors.

Laughter filled the room. “So, you’ve finally made it, I expected you to arrive sooner. Your old age must be slowing you down.” Chrysalis’ smiling face appeared on the shards in front of Campe.

From beneath Campe’s hood, a bolt of lightning shot out striking the wall with Chrysalis’ face on it. The mirror fragments fell to the floor as Chrysalis’ cackling filled the room. Her face appeared on another wall.

“Missed me, better try again. I’m sure you’ll hit me next time.” Her smile growing larger.

Without hesitation, Campe opened fire on the wall. Chrysalis’ laughter reverberated off the walls of the chamber as lightning cracked through the air demolishing the mirror fragments. Again, and again the lightning flew until the walls were bare.

Chrysalis was no longer laughing. “Oh my, where could I be now? Am I... above you?”

As Campe looked up to shoot a bolt at the ceiling, emerald fire erupted from the floor and began to snake its way around Campe’s hooves. Campe leapt to the side and rolled to safety.

Stomping a hoof on the ground, the light around Campe grew, "Stop hiding in the dark, prisoner." As the rest of the room filled with light, Campe found Chrysalis preparing to attack from behind. Without hesitating, Campe shot another bolt of at Chrysalis.

The bolt flew through the air and struck Chrysalis' horn. She screamed and collapsed to the ground, her legs and wings convulsing.

Stepping towards the wounded Chrysalis, Campe fired again, striking her jagged horn.

"I do not know how you escaped the ring, but rest assured, what I have in store for you, you will be wishing you never had." Campe moved even closer, preparing for a final blast.

But before Campe could fire, Chrysalis leapt up, and with a smile on her face and shot emerald fire into Campe’s hooded face. Campe yelled and stumbled backwards in pain. Lunging forward, Chrysalis plunged her horn into the shadowy mass of Campe's face. Lightning spat out at Chrysalis as she withdrew her horn. Yet, once her horn was free, the lightning ceased.

Campe's voices no longer shouted as one, instead a cacophony of many voices filled the room "What have you done to us! How could this have happened? Why has our magic vanished?"

Chrysalis laughed, "You can't figure it out? Some all knowing spirit you are. That black gem really works wonders at absorbing magic. It also seems to work extremely well at conducting your magical electricity." She winked at Campe who had just collapsed to the ground. "I hope you are enjoying the effects of your magic being stolen.

"In fact, I'd almost forgotten." Her smile growing. "Discord is inside the gem absorbing all of your magic. How does it feel knowing that everything you are is being taken from you and there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it?"

Campe struggled to stand, yet did not make a sound. Content to not give Chrysalis the pleasure of her victory.

An emerald wave enveloped Campe, "Fine, if you don't want to speak with me, I believe there is someone that wishes to meet with you." Chrysalis walked out of her chamber with Campe floating behind her.
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Chrysalis marched through the tunnels determined to free her captured soldiers.

"Don't worry, I'll find you soon."

"Now isn't that sweet, momma wuvs her wittle babies." Discord yelled out into her mind.

"Curse your soul for all of time Discord, why couldn't you have stayed in that stone? I hoped that dog would have eaten you too." Chrysalis gritted her teeth while she spoke.

"A dagger to the heart!" Discord whined. "I thought you wanted my help freeing your little play things?"

"I would have found them on my own eventually. But if you are still here, make yourself useful and tell me where I'm going."

"You really were more fun before." He replied boredly.

Chrysalis largely ignored Discord’s attempts to distract her, while following his occasional remark of direction. She had to focus on the larger problem: retrieving Discord’s body from Canterlot. After her failed invasion, Canterlot’s guards will be extremely alert. To get the statue, she would need a way to sneak through the defenses. She would need more information of what had happened in the days after her defeat before she could make her next move.

Discord yelled out and broke her concentration,“Well here we are, inside you shall find your little monsters.”

The chamber was dark, yet as she entered the room, she found no floor. One long circular wall stretched around the room; a staircase with large steps being the only feature of the room descended into the shadowy column.

She walked down into the darkness, her horn illuminated the path. Looking to her left, she saw a rune engraved every few feet following the stairs downward. She lifted a hoof to one of them and pushed gently. The rune began to glow with a soft light and a low growl of moving stone filled the dark stairwell. The stone under the rune slid out onto the step. Chrysalis inspected the slab of stone and found a groove that ran around the perimeter just below the top. Enveloping the top of the slab with her magic, she lifted it away and threw it down the spiral staircase.

Looking down into the slab, Chrysalis smiled. Within the hollow compartment, curled into a ball, laid a sleeping changeling. "I've found them.” She thought to herself. She reached out to touch sleeping creature’s face.

“Ah ah ah,” Discord interrupted, “I wouldn’t do that just yet. And I’m sorry, but I believe it is I that found your little monsters.”

“And why shouldn’t I wake my army?” Chrysalis protested. “We will surely need them to overthrow Celestia.”

Discord chuckled, “Don’t worry, they will have their usefulness later. But if you awaken them all now, they will all starve down here. In case you haven’t noticed, this isn’t the most love-filled torture-dungeon.”

Chrysalis thought for a moment. She hated to admit that Discord was right, but she couldn’t let her army starve in this dungeon. “Fine, I will let them rest until we are ready to attack Celestia. However, I must wake one of them, it will perform a special assignment.”

“Oh, and what might that be?” Discord mused. “Trying to keep secrets from me won’t work you know. I’m in your head.”

“No secrets Discord.” Chrysalis put her hoof to the rune, and the slab retreated into the wall. “Now that I know they are here, I can feel my children. And there are many that are not here. Which means more will be coming. And now that that old spirit is gone, we will need a replacement.” Chrysalis closed her eyes and concentrated. She could feel each of her changelings that had made it to her new hive, but she only needed one of them for her plan. “There he is.”

Chrysalis walked down dozens of stairs through the dark, and stopped in front of one of the runes. Pressing against it, the slab slid out from the wall with the familiar grinding. Lifting the top of the slab, Chrysalis smiled as she found who she was looking for. A changeling slept in the hidden compartment. She raised her hoof, and stroked his face.

The changeling's eyes fluttered open, as he lifted his head. The changeling walked out of its casket, and stretched its stiff limbs. Chrysalis walked towards him, "Let me show you what has happened." Her head lowered, and their gnarled horns connected with a spark. It only lasted for seconds, but it was all that was necessary. "Now then, I need you to look after your comrades while I am gone. I need you to collect any more that come to the gate, and do not attack any of the guards that bring them, I do not want to raise any suspicions that something is wrong.

The changeling stood at attention and saluted with his hoof to his helmet.

"Be sure to be careful transporting them, I require my army to be healthy and well rested when the time comes."

The changeling erupted in emerald fire in a moment, and when the fire settled, Campe stood in its place.

"Perfect, let's go." Chrysalis turned and began the trek to the gates. "Discord, I will be leaving to get information. Stay here in Tartarus and ensure nothing happens. I cannot stand to have you in my mind for any longer than necessary."

Chrysalis was met with silence, until the changeling jumped up, and put its hoof over Chrysalis' neck.

"Come now Chrysalis, if you keep saying things like that, you'll hurt my feelings." Campe's many voices floated out from under the darkened hood.

Chrysalis scoffed, "I do not approve of these shenanigans, Discord. You have no talent for subtlety, Celestia would be down here in no time." She threw Campe's leg off of her neck.

"Oh, it isn't Celestia you should be worried about..." Discord said in a hushed tone.

Chrysalis arched her eyebrow, "What was that?"

"Oh nothing, just that you should be much more concerned about those little ponies.” Discord replied.

While Chrysalis walked in silence all the way to the gates; Discord did not stop talking. Having a body of his own liberated Discord. He was practically prancing and jumping at each step.

As the pair arrived at the gates Chrysalis stopped, "Discord! Leave that body! He has work to do! I do not want you using my soldiers as your puppets! Why don't you think about how we are going to defeat those alicorns?"

The changeling slouched for a second, and then looked around the room, confused how it had made it all the way to the gates.

“Fine Chrysalis, while you get to play spy, I’ll keep an eye on the fort.” Discord’s voice echoed through the cavern. "But rest assured, I do have a plan to deal with them."

Chrysalis turned to face the changeling, “You should have enough energy for one week, I will be back by then to replenish you. Try to keep an eye on our new ally, I expect a full report when I return.”

Chrysalis stepped through the gate, and was greeted by the sounds of rattling chains. Cerberus rose to inspect who had opened the gate. Once the three heads saw it was the one who gave them the tasty snack, they barked playfully and wagged their nub of a tail. She marched emotionlessly past the guard dog into the cool night air and the chirping of crickets. She looked towards the sliver of the moon hanging low in the horizon, and turned away from it. With wings buzzing, Chrysalis took off into the sky, and disappeared into the night.