Inevitable Fate

"Why are they here," Chrysalis hissed. Completely ignoring her, Celestia turned to Octavia and Vinyl. "You have one chance, why didn't you report Chrysalis to the guards," she demanded in a harsh tone. Both ponies thought hard for an explanation that would justify the concealment of Chrysalis.

However their thoughts were broken when Chrysalis mocked, "its obvious you foal, they were coerced." "Silence thy tongue, if we wanted your opinion, we'd beat it out of you!" Luna shouted. In response, Chrysalis let out a deep menacing laugh.

"Pray tell, what is so funny," Luna growled as anger rose in her voice. "I finally understand why there are two rulers of Equestria, there isn't a brain between either of you!" Chrysalis broke into another fit of laughter. Celestia stood there, calm and collective, her sister however was seething in rage.

"If thou won't still thy tongue then we'll remove it!" Luna's voice escalating into a Royal Shout. A dark blue bolt leaped from her horn and raced toward Chrysalis. In response, Chrysalis' horn flared to life, coating a forehoof in magic. With a swift gesture of her enhanced hoof, Chrysalis smacked the bolt away with ease.

It zoomed wildly through the air until colliding into the ceiling and exploded. "Is that all you've got, hardly worth my effort," Chrysalis gleefully taunted. Dark flames began to engulfed a furious Luna. Her appearance was being seared away by the swirling flames. Moments later, as the flames receded, the visage of Nightmare Moon was revealed.

"Feast your eyes upon our glory, for its the last thing you'll ever see!" Nightmare Moon bellowed. A dark cyan aura radiated from the transformed alicorn's horn. Chrysalis erected a barrier just before a jet of destructive magic could reach her. A smirked across her face, she could feel Nightmare Moon's unbridled power.

Now we have a battle, she thought as the shield began to morph into a concave dome. With careful adjustments, Chrysalis had successfully ricocheted the attack back toward Nightmare Moon. Unable to dodge, she was sent careening backwards into a wall. Large cracks formed from the impact, Nightmare Moon flopped from the wall to lay motionless on the floor.

A low chuckle issued from Chrysalis as Celestia teleported to her sister's side. Twilight rallied her friends and charged. Octavia and Vinyl, not wanting to see anymore violence, dashed in between them. The two mares stood in between Chrysalis and the six charging ponies. Side by side, faced in opposite directions, they stared at the combatants.

Both ponies wore pleading expressions, their fear hidden behind a forced facade. The six ponies relented their charge, not wanting to endanger their friends. Chrysalis didn't show such restraint, lifting up the six ponies, she chucked them several feet away. Celestia, who wasn't able to wake her sister, turned her flaring eyes toward Chrysalis.

She was unable to hear nor did she care what was being said between the three of them. Summoning a halberd of pure orange light, Celestia sped toward the group with her weapon poised to impale them. She took off with such velocity, a quadri-colored streak trailing behind her. Chrysalis, who was engaged with Octavia and Vinyl, caught sight of the charging princess.

Wrapping them in telekinesis, she pushed the two mares several feet away. The halberd struck the exoskeleton that covered her rib cage, causing it to shatter. Chrysalis was sent flying back several feet from the attack. She quickly got to her hooves and with a quick assessment found that she was mostly unscathed, despite her now exposed ribs.

Chrysalis immediately scanned the area, searching for Celestia. Her ears flicked to the sound of ruffling feathers. With a skyward glace, Celestia was diving fast, her halberd high above her head. The princess had a mad gleam in her eyes, desiring to cleave the changeling queen in half.

Chrysalis attempted to dodge yet only her forehooves left the ground, causing her to flop hard against the floor. Her rear hooves, engulfed in a purple glow, was held firmly to the floor. Returned her gaze back to Celestia, her horn blazed to life. The halberd began its deadly arc, clanging loudly as dust and debris flew from the newly damaged floor.

The dust slowly dissipated, two silhouettes could be seen. The glowing halberd was shaking erratically as if being pushed back. Without warning, a mighty gust of wind expelled the dust outwards. Leaping upward to avoid being blinded, Celestia hovered in the air. The six mares gasped as they starred at Chrysalis getting to her hooves, brandishing a conjured scimitar of pure magic.

Landing, Celestia pointed the tip of her halberd toward Chrysalis. Channeling magic through it, a sphere of light began to form. Chrysalis rushed toward Celestia, scimitar drawn to the side. All she needed was a clean stroke, to end it all. The magical projectile, free from its confinement, was hurling toward Chrysalis. The six mares stared, wondering what Chrysalis was planning.

Chrysalis and the ball of energy raced toward each other. She grinned, mere inches from colliding, it was time to enact her plan. A bright flash lit the room followed by a couple more. An eep echoed from Rarity as she vanished. Panic engulfed her friends as they stared at where she had been standing moments before.

The ball of energy smashed into the wall, leaving the wall damaged and issuing a loud sound that bounced off the walls. Once her vision readjusted, she saw that her muzzle was inches away from Celestia's slowly disintegrating halberd. Rarity's eyes traced up the fading shaft, landing on the alicorn's twisted expression.

She gave an ear splitting shriek of terror as the sound of tearing flesh greeted her ears. Chrysalis stood perpendicular to the mid-section of Celestia, her scimitar had completely impaled the princess' barrel. Blood began to pour onto the ground as Chrysalis dispelled her weapon. Following that up with a blast of magic, Celestia went skidding across the floor leaving a blood trail in her wake.

Rarity tried to flee but was hoisted into the air by her tail. Caught in Chrysalis' telekinesis she was twirled in the air, gasps of pain escaping her mouth. The remaining five rushed to assist but was bowled over by the airborne unicorn. "If you interfere again, you won't be so lucky," Chrysalis growled.

Several moans rose from the six, Chrysalis ignored them, her sight was set on Nightmare moon as she got back to her hooves. Amusement creased her lips, seeing that she was raring for a second round. They both stared at each other for several moments, before Nightmare Moon began her attack. Teleporting beside Chrysalis, she bucked her in the ribs.

Falling to her side in pain, Nightmare Moon reared her front hooves in the air. Chrysalis barely rolled away before her head could be crushed, the marble suffering the mare's wrath instead. Leaping back to her hooves, the changeling queen prepared for another attack. She once again teleported, this time behind Chrysalis. However she was ready, teleporting before Nightmare Moon could attack.

She frantically searched for Chrysalis, her vengeance not yet sated. With a shout from Applejack, Nightmare Moon shot straight into the air. Two large slabs of debris slammed together, nearly crushing her. Octavia and Vinyl stood watching in horror, "I've had enough of this!" Octavia fumed. She spotted Celestia beginning to stir from where she landed.

They quickly made their way to her, noticing that her wounds were regenerating. The white alicorn finally regained her balance and was about to rejoin the battle when she spotted the two mares beside her. "It would be best if you two cleared out," Celestia stated. they held their ground which caused her to stare at them with disdain.

"With all due respect princess but this needs to end," Vinyl yelled. "That's what we're trying to do," Celestia shouted in disbelief. Octavia was quickly losing her patience. "Has it occurred to you that Queen Chrysalis might have changed?" Octavia spoke in a raised tone.

Celestia coldly stared at Octavia, sounds of battle and destruction filling the air. "She coerced your silence, put everypony in danger, yet you still defend her?" Celestia growled stepping toward her.
"She fights us right now, how can you even entertain the notion!" Celestia was now screaming.

"She hurt my sister, attempted to kill me, fed upon numerous ponies, Chrysalis has definitely changed... FOR THE WORST! The usually calm alicorn, now towered over the two mares. Octavia was cowering from Celestia's menacing aura. Vinyl didn't flinch, shouting back at the alicorn, she reminding her that it was Luna that conjured the first spell.

Celestia thought about her words and as she did so, her rage faded away. "Unfortunately you are correct, it was my sister's overzealous nature that has caused this," she stated. "However that doesn't excuse Chrysalis goading her either." she added in a sterner tone.

Vinyl nodded in agreement, Octavia slowly peeked out from under her hooves. "If Chrysalis truly is reformed, we need to stop this now," she waved her hoof around, displaying all the destruction.
High above them, Chrysalis and Nightmare Moon fought with intense savagery.

Regardless of what strategy they deployed neither pony gained any substantial advantage. Dodging Chrysalis' latest attack, a sharp toothy smile adorn Nightmare Moon's face as she teleported behind her. Anticipating the maneuver, Chrysalis flew high just as a huge sphere of magic singed the tip of her tail. Before she could retaliate, Chrysalis caught a sight that twisted her gut.

The stray blast of incendiary magic was heading in the direction of two ponies and one alicorn. Without hesitation Chrysalis teleported to face the three mares while erecting a shield behind her. "Chrysalis what are yo..." Celestia was cut off by the roaring collision of magic and shield.

Octavia and Vinyl gasped as they stared at an exhausted Chrysalis. She was breathing hard from battle, her shield was shaking from the spell's impact. "Get out of here,"she grunted between ragged breathes. Both mares shook their heads vigorously, Celestia couldn't believe what she saw.

They began to protest yet fell silent when Chrysalis demanded their retreat from the vicinity. The mares still refused to heed her words, instead drawing closer with concern. "Don't just stand there, save them," Chrysalis barked at Celestia. Celestia regained her voice and was about to speak but was cut off again.

"Stop bucking around you worthless alicorn," Chrysalis shouted, training her eyes on Celestia. With an angry snort, she returned the glared with her own. Staring into Chrysalis' eyes, a sudden realization dawned on her. Reflected in her eye wasn't anger nor hate, at this moment there was only a plea for assistance.

An orange glow engulfed Octavia and Vinyl, with a nod of understanding, the three of them vanished. Celestia, Octavia, and Vinyl appear in front of Twilight and her friends. Chrysalis gave a sigh of relief as cracks from her shield sounded behind her. At least they were safe, she thought. A loud shattering sound could be heard, the shield finally gave way to the magical onslaught.

Chrysalis closed her eyes, a single tear rolled down her cheek. Although weakened by the shield, the magical energies began to sear her backside. Her mane and tail burst into flames, the pain was excruciating. She fought against screaming, they didn't deserve to hear her agony... They didn't need to.

Everypony watched in horror as the form of the changeling queen was engulfed in a red and orange fury of flames. A thunderous sound reverberated throughout the room as the floor was ripped asunder. Dust and chunks of flying marble issued from the newly formed crater. Minutes passed before the debris stopped raining down.

A wind spell from Twilight helped to disperse the dust. Revealing two shields, one of orange, the other of dark blue. As Nightmare Moon descended to the floor, she dispelled both her shield and transformation. "That was quite an invigorating battle," Luna spoke with enthusiasm while staring at the small crater.

"Wouldst thou not agree sis..." Luna stopped suddenly as her eyes fell upon the groups unusual behavior. There stood Twilight and her friends, with bemused expressions. Celestia wore a frown with her eyes staring at the floor but her eyes couldn't hide the maelstrom of sadness within. Stranger still was Octavia and Vinyl, who were laying on the floor sobbing uncontrollable.

Celestia, who had also dropped her shield, strolled over to stand next to her sister. "Luna," Celestia spoke solemnly, "We've made a grave mistake." Luna listened to her sister's words as she observed the group. After she had finished explaining, Luna's head dropped as she approached the mourning mares.

Celestia trotted beside her sister, stopping a foot away from Octavia and Vinyl. Luna spoke in her most humble tone, "We apologize for our rash behavior and offer our condo..." A frantic Vinyl snapped her head up to stare at the princesses with bloodshot eyes. "I don't want to hear your damn excuses, words are cheap and easy to give,"she yelled.

Twilight fainted from the sheer shock of the abusive tone toward the princesses. The remaining five tried to rouse her. Octavia didn't stir at all, she was still moping on the floor. Barely listening to Vinyl berate the princesses, she felt like she had lost more then a fellow musician. It had felt like Sonorous had challenged her to be a better performer.

Almost as if they were cut from the same cloth of musical prowess. Octavia busted into more tears as the realization of the situation dawned on her again. Vinyl, who had shouted her frustrations out, now brooded quietly. Her anger quickly vanished when she heard Octavia's quiet sobs. Rushing over to her mare friend, she gently placed a hoof across Octavia's withers.

Jolted by the sudden contact, Octavia lifted her head up to see who it was. Seeing that it was Vinyl, she flung her hooves around her neck, sobbing into her mane. Unable to maintain her composure, Vinyl joined Octavia, mourning for Chrysalis' passing. The princesses, couldn't help but feel ashamed for how everything turned out.

The next morning was bright and beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. The whole of Canterlot was still buzzing about the concert that was held the previous night. Nopony, except the few witnesses, even knew what happened afterward, Celestia had ordered discretion from the guards. Twilight and her friends would most certainly keep this secret.

After some negotiations, and a memorial statue of Sonorous that would be erected in Ponyville. Celestia had gotten both Octavia and Vinyl's word of silence as well. In the guest wing of the castle, the sun had almost reached its peak in the sky. Octavia was the first to wake up, she got out of bed and trotted onto the balcony.

Several long silent moments passed before she reenter the room. Trotting up to the bed where Vinyl was sleeping, she gently prodded her shoulder. "Huh, Octavia, what time is it?" Vinyl stammered as she rubbed her eyes. "It's time we returned home,"she spoke in a somber tone. "Ok, after breakfast though," Vinyl muttered as she got out of bed.

Octavia was about to say the actual time but stopped. Instead she replied, "how about a cup of coffee instead?" Looking into her pained eyes, Vinyl nodded in agreement, before they left the room. The two musicians strolled through the halls of the castle until they found the exit. The eyes of every guard followed them as they passed by.

Standing at the ready to offer their assistance to the mares, if needed. As they passed through the palace double doors, Octavia paused before turning to face one of the guards. "Could you please convey our appreciation to the princesses for letting us stay at the palace," Octavia solemnly stated.

"Yes ma'am," the guard replied in a deep monotone. Octavia gave her thanks, then turned to depart with Vinyl. After a stop at Pony Joe's Donut Shop for a cup of coffee, they returned to the warehouse to retrieve their instruments. They were quite shocked when they saw several carts loading up the equipment.

Both ponies ran over to find the lead pony and demand some answers. Upon their inquiry, the senior pony replied that Princess Luna had arranged for the transportation of equipment. Another mover approached the three with a letter in his magic. "Everything is loaded and secured but we found this letter," he said as he levitated it up to expose the names on the envelop.

Octavia and Vinyl gasped as they spotted Sonorous' name as well as theirs. "It appears that this letter was meant for both of you," he said in a gruff voice. Vinyl levitated the letter with her magic, to hover in front of them, before opening it. Their curiosity instantly shifted to surprise when they began to silently read it.

-Dear Octavia and Vinyl,
I've never had to write a letter like this, then again I've never had a reason to. I just wanted to inform you that I've thoroughly enjoyed these last several days. Despite me being different from your average pony, you eventually accepted me.
You two have become more then acquaintances, dare I say, my friends. However I'm afraid that my past sins have caught up to me. If I no longer share your company, I hope that my absence won't dampen your spirits. Both ofyou have illuminated my life in a way I never thought possible.Be strong and never back down from any course you may pursue.

Sincerely,

Your friend Sonorous-

Both Octavia and Vinyl felt tears welling up in their eyes again, as they finished reading. Overcome by emotions, they clung together in a tight hug. Befriending Sonorous was a huge risk for them, they imagined it was the same for her as well. Although they had less then a week together, they would never forget her.