My Little Pony: Stormbreaker

Record 05: Endgame, Queen to Checkmate

Far to the Southern parts of what was Equestria’s borders, a pair of ponies were moving along with their quest near its end. They were spending these moments between groups sharing and reliving moments of their lives apart. Apple Bloom was currently speaking on an adventure she had with Applejack. “... like dominoes the trees came down and scared off a pack of those… what did ya call em? Enfields? Anyways, Applejack showed them critters just what happened when ya cross a couple of Apples” She laughed at her thoughts, feeling such joy from that moment, leaving Sweetie Belle smiling attentively, if not a bit veiled.

Sweetie was happy for her friend, and enjoyed these stories, but there was that part of her that was a bit jealous that they had one another through those years, while her own sister was taken before she could even know something was wrong. Rarity could not be put to rest, so long as Nightmare trotted around in that twisted form. She tried to deny it, hide it, and even fool herself that she was past it, but it still stung her when she gave it too much thought. The Zebracorn made another attempt to bury those feelings. “Sounds like you both had quite the adventure out there”

Not really detecting the pain in her friend’s voice, Apple Bloom went on to ask “What about y’all? I bet Zecora and ya had some great times?”

Not answering right away, Sweetie lingered in her mind for a while until she realized Bloom was not about to let it go. “Early on, yes” She reluctantly began. “You could say I had fun. There was so much to learn in the way of the Zebra. Plants, and soils, and everything just working in such a harmony, the hidden remedies and tricks that were so clear to a learned and open mind. The world around us is so bountiful, and being able to work with Nature, not make it work for you, can produce such wonders” For a moment, she was actually lost to the same elation she had when she was studying those many years ago. “I was so entranced, I nearly gave up on Unicorn magick. I spent the early years becoming attune with my Zebra side, then I found stores of Twilight’s notes and books… It rekindled my interest, when I came at them with a new mind. I spent much of the last decade mastering them, and becoming the hybrid of magicks” She stopped, and became forlorn again. “I gained so much knowledge, and lost so much besides…”

“Come on Sweets, y’all gotta keep focused on those positives!” Bloom tried to bring her friend back around. “You were look’n so happy just now, don’t let the bad keep you down. It wasn’t all fun and bust’n baddies out there, we had plenty of bad times, but keeping the good in our minds got us through. Y’all had some good times with Zecora, keep those closer. No matter how short, the good moments we get will outweigh the bad, and I’m certain they are what shaped ya into such a great mare”

Shaking her head, Sweetie could not grasp her friend’s optimism and said as much. “I can’t be as positive as you, and I really can’t figure out how you can be”

“By focusing on what I got, and the good things about what I had!” She stressed. “My skills, my memories, being alive, you, and the hope we can survive this war and maybe just restore our home, at the very least, help others through”

Not accepting this for herself, Sweetie turned around to fully face Bloom. “I feel the loss is greater than the gain, or the value of memories”

“Don’t be all scientific with it. Sure the numbers of the negative things is greater, but they are only valued as much as you place in them. Losing AJ was hard, and hurt me for a long time, but I pushed that down with how much I loved her, and all the great moments we had. I value those way more than one terrible loss”

Looking inward, Sweetie had to admit something she was not facing. “Maybe I just didn’t have enough good memories before… especially with Rarity…”

Before Bloom could respond, Sweetie’s horn illuminated, and a scroll appeared. Reading it to herself first, her expression made the tone of this note very clear. “King Sombra has made his last move,” She recounted. “He pushed the defenders to their limits, but they managed to hold their last lines… but Queen Chrysalis has joined with Sombra, and the Empire now is on the brink of defeat between Umbra and Changeling” She crumpled the letter, and gave Bloom a scowling look. “See?! This is what I mean by not having anything good to focus on, when bad shit keeps happening! We’ve been doing all this, rounding up the last of our kind, so we could serve them up to the villains. We’ve doomed them all!”

“They ain’t doomed!” Bloom snapped. “Y’all keep thinking we’re sunk, and focus’n on how we’re all fated to lose, but that’s just stink’n think’n! We knew we’d have ta fight eventually, now it just the start of the end of this war. We can, and we will win this! Y’all are the most talented mare I’ve even met. Yer the best of two greats, Zecora and Twilight, and together we’re gonna go back there and face those two with everypony, and show the rest of them villains what we can do!”

Sighing, defeated again by her friend, Sweetie was left unsure but motivated. “I don’t know how you do it, but I guess we can’t give up now, not after all we’ve achieved so far. We can’t let all we’ve done be for nothing, not without a fight” She pulled out a map, and measured the distance. “I just don’t know how we’re going to get back there anytime soon. I can’t travel that far with my teleport, and though I could send you ahead, I can’t stand being alone out here…”

“Couldn’t y’all use the letter spell on us both?”

“I-I’m not sure… I suppose with some finagaling… but that is such an untested thing”

Pressing against Sweetie, Apple Bloom had all the confidence for the both of them. “Y’all made the spell work on ponies, and it large groups, the two of us will be nothing… I just hope we don’t merge into one pony, er somethin’… I love ya Sweets, but I like us to stay apart in that sense”

Shaking her head, Sweetie assured her friend. “No, of course not, that is purely fictional… I hope…” She forced a grin. “Focus on the positives, right?”

“Yeah!” Bloom hugged to her. “That’s the spirit”

***

After their initial union on the battlefield, the two wicked rulers had retreated a bit from the front lines to converse over their moving forward. Queen Chrysalis was looking out at the battle in amusement, as her Changelings reverted the victory that was seemingly assured once the Wonderbolts joined the battle. Now, even with those reserved teams spread through the Empire, it was looking to be an assured defeat.

She scanned about, a cruel grin upon her face, as she caught sight of her new alley, who did not share in her enthusiasm. “Oh, why so dour? It does not suit such a fine King, who will soon have all he dreamed” Beneath his surface, though never too well hidden, Sombra was furious. “You did great, and drove their pitiful resistance to the near brink of their defeat. We are merely the calvary, restoring your victory”

“I should need no assistance, if I was so truly great a king” He growled, unveiling his true source of bitterness. “Those cursed ponies discovered a weakness of my army, and nearly lost me everything” He looked to her, with his eyes only. “I do not trust you, or your intentions” He turned his head now. “After all these years, not once have you reached out to me for any sort of alliance. Now on the eve of my greatest defeat, you come with offerings of union and kinship? Too much has aligned here, for this to be just coincidence. One cannot help in feeling their is some motive, an exploit of weakness much as those ponies have found”

Chrysalis turned her head, keeping her eyes upon him, in the furthest corner of those insect-like orbs. Coyly she replied. “You are not an easy one to reach, as you are often in the detestable realm of the Umbrum. It did not seem quite right to speak to you as you were in the midst of battle” Her haunting green eyes looked back to the siege, and continued. “We never had a reason to fight, you and I, nor have we had much more of a reason to join together; until now. Equestria, what remains, is dying, prey is disappearing, and my Changelings need victims. Between that mad Pegasus, and the reclusive Unicorn, my stores are running out. Now, what we had, is collected here at the Empire”

Regarding her, and cooling his rage, Sombra was understanding her sudden change of heart. Her reasoning was acceptable. “You can do what you want with them, so long as they live to serve me. I will have my birthright, and you will have your feast. The Crystal Empire will be mine”

“You will have what is by rights yours, and we will have what we need to survive” She echoed. “Then, we will turn our alliance outward, and crush those remaining rivals. Equestria is simply too small for so many tyrants”

“Of that, we can completely agree” Sombra sneered.

***

The bay coloured Unicorn paced around the area where he had been receiving the refugees, Mystic was impatiently awaiting word from Sweetie Belle as the war made, perhaps, last turn toward the worse. A guard was also standing by, keeping an eye on the Unicorn, and to serve as a runner since Dust Jacket was back home taking a rest. When Mystic’s horn alighted, he was slightly relieved to finally gain what he sought, but he soon had more than he expected. Two ponies, not one note, appeared from the traveling spell, and the Unicorn was shocked by their coming. Apple Bloom stood in place, eye twitching as she was not too fond of this version of travel. Sweetie Belle was also a bit stunned in the event, being her first.

Shaking her whole body, the Zebracorn was tingling all over. “Oh… that is unpleasant…” She attempted further to rattle the feeling from her. “I’ll have to apologize to all those we sent”

Recovering herself with one last shutter, Apple Bloom turned to the guard. “How goes the battle?”

“Poorly, Ma’am” The guard bluntly responded. “The prince has pulled back to guide the groups, and we’ve had to enlist several of the reserve defenses to strengthen the lines, leaving several areas around the Empire now at risk if they manage to get through”

Turning on one hoof, Apple was ready to charge into the fray. “Time to put these Elements to the test”

“I’d hold off on that” Sweetie warned. “We need to assess the enemy’s might first, and act accordingly. No sense putting it all on the table, if they are still holding back”

Pausing a moment, the Earth pony knew the logic was there. “Alright, but I ain’t hold’n nothing else back!”

The pair was off again, and neither of the remainder had purpose to be here. “Do what you must, I need to return home to check on Dust Jacket” Mystic said to the guard. “He is surely worried sick. I have no duties here, but if there is need of this old Librarian, I’ll be at home. Best of luck”

***

Princess Cadence was divided between her map and the window, trying to observe all at once, but only putting herself into a tailspin doing so. She had runners also moving at a frantic pace, going between her and Shining, keeping them best informed of events all around the Empire. For his part, Lord Equinox was doing his best to describe things going on so she would not need to be in such a state. As good as he was in recounting, she still felt the need to see for herself.

“My Lady,” The old Stallion began, doing his best to deliver a calming tone. “You should ease yourself. That heart of yours is large and great, but even if it cannot handle such strains for so long”

She studied him, still trying to find some plot or misdeed, but he so far had not lived up to this title of villain he claimed. He was showing her utmost concern in her well being, and it did bring her anxiety down. “I cannot relax myself, My Lord” with his concern, he had also passed high respects to her status, and she felt she should return them. “My husband, my subjects, my Empire and all of Equestria is hinging upon this war. Should King Sombra and Queen Chrysalis be victorious, it will spell the end of all that, to all who had held onto a sliver of hope for all this time. Their union was not something any of us could have expected, and all the plans and tricks we had to repel Umbrum, was not counting upon Changeling. Until now, I believed all those in the Apex of Villainy held grudges”

“The Queen plays my son for a fool, if that amounts to any sort of consolation” He offered. “The Umbra and Changelings have a long and bitter history, and if not for the fact that she can no longer reach the Empire and its ponies any more than my usurper son, she would have crushed him in the moment he was losing this war. Those who remember those days, likely known just how much of a farce this alliance is. He should remember, but again he proves to blind by ambition to guard himself to her” His head lowered in shame. “How could I sire such a foal?” He turned back to the window. “She uses his rage and greed to keep him from turning on her, all the while she could easily end his reign if she had the want”

Cadence thought on this, and decided it would be best to share this. “Likely Shining knows just how weak their bonds are, but I cannot allow any vital piece of information linger” She looked to a runner, who was looking very rundown. “Maybe this will help turn this battle once more to our advantage. I know I’ve asked much of you ponies today, but please send this word to the Prince. Tell him that we have our suspicions in Chrysalis using Sombra, and that the Umbrum and Changelings have their own conflicted history, and she is likely poised to turn on him” The runner pushed away all exhaustion, and gave a solute, to again make the trip down to the battlefield. Cadence returned to the window, wishing she had learned the spell Sweetie Belle had with Mystic Tome.

“My Lady, you seem at a great loss, more so than this war’s twists and turns would produce. Have you pushed yourself too far?” Equinox asked, a question that could prove dangerous to be revealed to an enemy, and though he still showed no signs of betrayal, it was not wise to admit weakness in these moments. It was hard to believe him an informant to Sombra or Chrysalis, given how much information he had readily passed against them, yet one could not be too lax in war.

Playing it off, Princess Cadence stretched and moved in a way to make it seem something else. “I have lasted longer than this, and is more worry in the guise of weary” She scanned around the outside, seeing Changelings bashing against the force field around the Empire. “My will is stronger than they are, and my dear subjects are more resilient besides”

“Yes, your subjects” He made a sound of interest. “The Crystal Heart is strong because of you, and because of them, yet they are not as resolved as you are. If their faith wavers, if they become hopeless, the Heart will also falter”

“You do know much of a place you claim is poison to you” She grew a bit more suspicious in his wisdom.

“Knowing your enemy is the first, and most important weapon to have. Any conqueror with any chance knows this, and I have had many lifetimes to learn of the ways and weaknesses of the Empire and Equestria, as well as its strengths” He stood silent for a moment. “I do apologize in sounding like I am plotting, or now a risk to what you have, but do know that I still keep to my word. Even if I was on my fool son’s side of this war, I would be breaking my honour in passing any of my knowledge to him. I am offering my view of things, and though it is not my place,” He turned to her fully. “I wish to pass some advice to you now. Go to your ponies, show them that you are still fighting for them. They need to see that hope lives in you, and you need their faith to keep it alive. Raise their spirits, and assure them that so long as you all stand united, the Crystal Heart will keep the power to hold back this deaths”

She hesitated and was struck by his willingness to provide such wisdom. “Why do you so boldly counter any chance your own son has at taking this castle? You are only obligated to keep knowledge from them, not share it with us. We hold vast stores to outlast a long siege, so what does it serve you to give us insight to make our shield also withstand for a duration?”

Shaking his head, Lord Equinox mused. “Dear Princess, you still fail to see my goals here” He gave a playful smile. “The Umbra rejected me, my son betrayed me, and I hate that bug Queen nearly as much as my insipid spawn. I do not feel they deserve any claim to this castle, or any part of the land it resides, and though any hope that I may rise to power again is long dead, I would not suffer to see him take that glory. They hold no honour, and they keep only shame” He narrowed his eyes, looking as cruel and twisted as he could, placing a rare moment of fear in Cadence. “Call it revenge, if you must find a title, perhaps even, justice” He slowly looked back out to the war, his tone lightening. “A part of me has gained a fondness for you, just as I had from another in your lineage before… so perhaps it is equal parts sentimentality”

“You confuse me still, My Lord, as you speak so of being an ancient evil, you also show such signs of being a kind soul. Why fight it, and linger in their misery of what once was, why not instead join us as a friend?”

With a heavy sigh, Equinox turned from the window, and from her. “Somethings are born into us, and we cannot deny them. I have no ability to make a move upon a box of crackers, let alone an Empire, however I assure you that had I the chance to do so, I would. I could raise an army, and use my vast knowledge to unseat every one of you rulers, and Equestria would be mine” He looked back at her, eyes like those she had seen many times in Sombra and others of the Villainy. “I would not hesitate to take my chance to rule, nor would I take pause in crushing any who stood in my way” His tone was dark and honest, and she was again finding herself torn.

As the guards were coming to life in this sense of danger he displayed to her, the Princess stayed them. “Of all I have seen, and witness, I have found none so honest, even as you show these wicked colours. I have come to trust you, as I trust so very few, and though you promise conquest, I still welcome you as a friend. In spite of the latter, and because of the former, I enjoy your company. Maybe one day, you will find a way to let go of this inborn need to dominate, and grow to be bigger than that”

“Do not allow yourself to become so blind, as Sombra, to the obvious dangers around you” He warned.

***

Prince Shining Armor received a message from his wife, yet it did little for him. “Thank you, however I do not think it will do us much good” He said to the runner. “We cannot get close enough to even shout, let alone attempt to form a rift between them” He looked around, looking for any hope in this fight. The Changelings did more than increase the numbers of the ground forces, their ability to fly sent many to the dome field and the aerial support he had with them. The one blessing was that the Changelings seemed starved, and did not possess much power to change, yet this was little consolation. The Umbrum were the least of their worries, thanks to the boost of the crystals, but this weakness was not shared by the new foes. Hope was hard to cling to now, as the Empire forces were already tired and dwindling, and now greatly outnumbered. “What I wouldn’t give for Cosmatia to return…” He shook his head. “I can’t pray for miracles”

***

Within the Empire, in the home of Mystic Tome and Dust Jacket, the former was sorting his personal library, while the latter was sitting by and watching as his love was going about their habit. Concern soon grew too great, and he called the Unicorn. “Tome?” He attempted once, in a soft and pleading voice, but it was not piercing the haze. Dust gave another go, with a greater force. “Tome, stop sorting!”

The older stallion was struck by the force of his beloved, and the older stallion turned to the Pegasus. “What?” He seemed confused by this outburst, looking upon Dust quizzically.

“You initiate a new shelving system every time you are troubled, or have too much on your mind” Dust clarified, then mused. “It took the Grand Library of Canterlot months to undo your ‘by author’s mother’s maiden name’ system, when the Princesses were deciding my fate. I can only image how stressed you must be, as this appears to be by their mane colour”

Allow themselves to admit their fears, Mystic moved to the Pegasus and embraced them. “I’m afraid… I don’t want to lose another city, another library… risk losing everything”

“It must be bad, if you are letting go of your usual collected air” He hugged back to the Unicorn, hoping to take away the terror. “What is going on out there? Has the war turned so bad?”

“All was going fine… well, it was looking to be in our favor, then another of the Villains joined with King Sombra”

It was no surprise how dire that fact was, and Dust began to see why his love was so distraught. Only it did not make sense, and Dust needed to know. “Who? What one of them could align themselves with Sombra?” Mystic did not wish to give the answer, but Dust was not yielding his interest. “Not Nightmare?” This gave no response. “Rainbow, Discord, Trixie?!” Still there was nothing coming from Mystic. “C-Chrysalis?” subtle, but Dust felt the cringe. “Cosmatia aid us…”

They sat in silence for a time, then Dust felt rage surged through them. “I cannot stand by any more” He tried to stand, but Mystic remained attached to the tan Pegasus. “If she is involved, I must act”

“Dusty, don’t… Y-you can’t go out there…” Mystic pleaded, face buried in the other.

“You did your part, and the role I served was a messenger, but I must be more” He struggled against Mystic. “I rather fight now, while there are lives to save, than wait here for her to come and steal away everything from us” He stood up, moving to the door as the Unicorn was still entangled with them. “I’m sorry my love, but the defense needs the aid I can give, the edge that might make or break this war”

“Dust Jacket… I love you… you can’t go…” His eyes flooded over, and let his grip slip. Mystic sat in the doorway, as Dust was outside. “What will happen when they know?”

“It is because I love you, that I must do this” Dust returned, looking deep into his love’s eyes. “Your love gives me the edge, and the power I need to be free… your courage was what helped me be able to live the life I was gifted. Now, I must return that” A green flash covered him, and the Pegasus was replaced by a Changeling, though not like any drone in Chrysalis’ hive. “Damn what they might think of me as I truly am. I can’t hide while the friends I’ve made as Dust die. I can’t wait for her to try to reclaim me, and consume you” His eyes flared, as did his crooked horn, and he began to change into something else, a form much larger than any had seen a Changeling take on. Mystic could only watch as the other became something monstrous, and perhaps hopeful.

***

The war did not slow, not until something from the North, within the Empire, started to black out the sky. All those witnessing the beast rising stopped dead, and it drew more attention for this. Shining whipped his head around, looking at this sudden turn, then followed the gaze of all those before, and he saw what they all saw. “What in-”

“- Tartarus is that doing here?” King Sombra exclaimed, seeing the beast making its way toward the field. “How did they find alliance with one of their kind, or is it here to make its own assault upon us all?”

Queen Chrysalis was transfixed upon the creature, only not for the same reasons as the rest. She narrowed her eyes, and saw right through the ruse, only she was more troubled by the fact that even she could not find enough power to take on such a form. “How did that drone gain such a force?”

Letting out a roar, ensuring not a single being missed their next move, the Changeling in Dragon form took a fresh breath, and unleashed an inferno upon the forces of Umbrum and Changeling. The raging fires consumed many, and turned their bodies to ash before the wintry winds blew them away. Dust was not simply in the form of a dragon, he could summon their most feared tool.

Sombra, tired of the shifting of battle, roared out in his fury. Chrysalis was likewise enraged, as she sneered. “That traitor!” She shouted. “I’ll show them what becomes of those who turn on their Queen!”

Before she could make her move, Sombra eyes blazed and his horn blinded her with its glow. He made a challenging call, and blasted out a powerful wave of his magick at this new opponent. The ground around him rippled, and the force of his blast pushed away those too weak to resist. Chrysalis actually looked on with some reverence, not expecting such a power in the King. Dust was not without his own might to counter, and his fiery breath met the magick and the two pressed until they could no longer hold. When their attacks ended, Sombra took to his shadow form, and rocketed toward the dragon. Despite his wispy body, Dust found solidity, and with a lash of his tail, sent the wicked king flying way. Sombra crashed hard into the dome of energy, and the energies of the crystals in it surged through his body, as he let out a bloody roar of pain. He crashed to the ground soon after, and was quick to stand against any foe who was waiting him. He was now far behind enemy lines, and though his body was ravaged by the previous moments, he still made himself appear mighty.

Chrysalis looked upon the spectacle, and with little concern over the fate of her “ally”, was more concerned with the member of her kind who was in opposition. She could not allow such a display, and was quick to challenge him for his treachery. “Drone, come to your Queen and heed her orders!” She shouted. “End this display of individuality, and rejoin the hive at once!”

Having sent Sombra to another fate, Dust was able to direct himself at his true target. She made it easy to give focus, and he returned her fury. “I am not your pawn, and you are not my Queen!”

Laughing in his defiance, something she found to be brief, she flew to his eye level. She locked with him, and sought to reassert her will upon him. “No Changeling can resist my control, and though you seem to have gained some new power, you are not exempt from my command” She grinned, thinking she had a great new secret to learn. “Now, tell your Queen what power hides in the Empire that has given you so much, so it may be granted to me and our hive”

He snapped at her with his dragon jaws, and she flew back with no small amount of surprise. As she sneered in his continued resistance, he responded. “You may have some mind over most of the hive, but your control is not absolute, and I will not be another brainwashed, and I know more only play your pawns. The source by which you feed them is archaic, and weak, and they reflect this. I found the true source of power and a real might in it” He postured, displaying the full potential of their kind. “I will tell you this source, one that is everlasting and pure, to those willing to cultivate and keep it. The very reason it can be gained and maintained is why you will never own it” She was too focused on his words, not the meaning, that she was excited by this new well to drink from. She was also missing how many of his hive had become entranced by his meaning and not the words. “Love. True, and actual love. Not for this illusions we can make, but the truth that we are”

She seemed lost for a moment, as she regarded what was given, then she broke any hope that she might actually be moved. “Love?” She laughed in near hysteria, lasting for a time before it trailed off. “What a fool you are, and how great a fool you must think I am to give such a blatant lie. You want me to think ponies can love Changelings? Clearly you withhold the real source, and want to keep all that power to yourself”

“You are a fool! Greater than any other!” He shot back. “You feed upon love, and see how strong it is, yet deny gaining true and honest love, and how much greater that can be? How deep you are in denial, how receded into your bitter, black heart, that you would rather continue down a path on breaking ground, instead of giving a chance to a solid course” Now Dust laughed at her. “Maybe you do know, and that without your manipulations, we could all be great. You fear losing us, so you lie about how great genuine love is”

No longer amused, and showing some cracks in her defense, she growled and was ready to lash out, when something struck her from the side. She looked to the source, finding a group of Changelings. She made a survey of the space around her, finding even more looking at her with the same defiance as the instigator. “What madness is this? You dare strike your Queen?!”

“Yes!” One spoke, seeming a leader to this group, and by their organization, it was not spontaneous. Her horn was smoking, still displaying the trail of her act against the monarch. “When the Queen has oppressed and used us for so long, and let us be weak, while faking this concern for her kind. We have seen through your ruse, to the core of your desires. Power. This rebellion has been brewing for centuries, and now with a champion who could actually match you, we can make our stand!” She made another move, and addressed the battlefield. “My Broodkin! Now is our time to fight back! A champion has risen, and our time is now!” Her body changed from the sickly blacks and greens, to one of a shimmering emerald. “Rise up, and fight for our freedom!”

Finding herself embroiled in a rage liken to Sombra, she whipped her head about to find many of her hive turning to similar shades of green, declaring their intent and allegiance. “You cannot resist me, I am Queen, and you are my spawn!” She attempted to impress upon them, only they were now beyond her. “Damn you, you will all pay for this!” She directed her next command to those remaining hers. “My loyal and true Changelings, focus your efforts on these vert rebels, and crush them!”

Back across the field, King Sombra was striking down those coming at him, until a particular foe made his march toward him. “You seek death? Then come boy” The Stallion was winded and wild.

“You’ve lost this war” Prince Shining Armor said, with absolute command of himself. “The Umbrum are weak and dwindling. The Changelings who came as allies, have turned upon themselves. You can hardly stand. Surrender now, and face punishment”

Laughing, showing even more of his madness, Sombra came back with “Surrender, to a low prince? You think I will yield to you? The Umbrum are legion, and I their King!” He started his charge, sporadic and slow, he believed he would take down the other. “I will not be-” His words were cut short, as he gave a pained shout. His voice was soon drowning and coming in coughs. The “low prince” had made his own move, one with infinite more tact and focus. His white horn pierced through the black stallion and his even darker heart.

Still the impaler, Shining spoke to the dying Sombra. “I gave you warning” He strained, with all his fury from the years giving him might to lift the cruel lord. His horn tore through through flesh and muscle, with the crimson colour of the fading life spilled and stained the dirty, but still gleaming white coat of the Prince. The blood painting him for all to see of his victory. With impressive strength, Shining flung the body to the ground, a sound that put an end to much of the fighting around it. “Once, I would have been reluctant to kill another, we have always been taught to value life, no matter what kind… however the times have changed, and lessons have been learned. Not all can be changed, not all can be saved, and not all must be spared. I will stop at nothing to protect those I love, and my love extends to all of Equestria. You are a threat, you were, and it is clear that it would never change”

“Y-yo…you wretch… ed…” Sombra coughed more, now with blood splattering around his mouth and the ground as he fought to stand, with innards heaping beneath him. “I- I- I… will not… die…”

Calmly, hiding all the rage and feelings pent up for so long, Prince Shining Armor moved to King Sombra. He bore a coldness, as he swiftly stomped down upon the neck of the broken stallion, with a snap that was a shockwave through the battlefield. For a time, seeming to be weighed down by his actions, Shining tried to catch his breath as he stood in the gore of his deed. “Call it mercy… suffering begat suffering” Something now turned in him, and he looked out at the calmed throng of ponies, Changelings, and Umbrum. “Let no Umbrum live! The Crystal Empire shale not suffer them any more, and I will not give pardon for the horrors they have brought upon us! Slaughter them!!!” He spat as he spoke, looking, with no help from the blood that coated him, like a madpony.

This order was a shock to all sides, and it took a moment before any moved. When the first of the defenders acted, it was soon a new madness, as the Umbrum scrambled to escape the impending massacre. The Changelings were not counted in the command, and were soon back at their civil war.

Above, within the Empire, Lord Equinox was still and silent with a distance in his eyes after witnessing the death of his son and the killing of his people. Princess Cadence came to him, a deep concern for how he must be feeling behind all the practiced and trained restraint. “Are… are you ok… my Lord?”

Closing his eyes, he did not respond to her. He took some time to return from the depths of his mind, and he made a course far from the window or anything that displayed the horrors beyond. He found a seat, and dropped into it. “Now… I truly have nothing…”

“I can’t believe Shining would go so far, maybe Sombra, but that? I’m sor-”

“NO!” Equinox stood, startling the room, most of all her as he cut the words short. “This is war, and we cannot condemn what it forces good souls to do. We cannot live in regret, when no choice was left to us. I applaud him, and his dedication and willingness to do whatever is required for his Empire. Do not forsake him” He sat back down, looking nearly crushed by the weight of it all. “Do not taint his sacrifice, for he surely has suffered much already in doing so, and will be for the length of his days. Do not pity me either, for had Sombra won, I would not have given you such shame. One must live, and one must die… That is the unbreakable law of such war”

Cadence stood silently as philosophy did battle in her mind, taking in his words and understanding their truth. “Sombra would not have been spared any resistance had he won,” Her mind worked. “Least of all Shining Armor, but did it mean it was right to act preemptively?” She could not understand the line between good and evil, when what was done for the greater good, was such an act of evil. “History is written by the victory, and does that too mean what is good is deemed by the same author? Does evil become just, when it is done for the country?”

As the Princess struggled with the events of the war, so too was a Queen finding herself in turmoil. With so many Changelings turning, the ones loyal falling, and the Umbrum being slaughtered, the victory so clear was now relieved to be her own downfall. She had moved thinking it was checkmate, only to discover it was her own she had given. She could not have foreseen the traitor in dragon scales, or how he would tip the game irreversibly in favor of the Empire. He was too great a foe on his own, but he was also joined by the leading delegation of undermining brood and left the Queen at more unforeseeable and complete loss. She knew she needed to escape, or she was doomed to the fate of Sombra. Chrysalis had no choice in this, and dared to attempt her survival.

Dust moved quicker than she could, and grabbed the Queen by her neck in his jaws and tossed her to the ground like a meteorite. The impact was great, causing her to call out in agony. She found herself with pools of her green, sickly blood all about her as her hard shell cracked.

“This is the end of your reign” The female Changeling that first joined the “dragon” hovered above the struggling Queen. “Like Sombra, you are too dangerous to keep alive, and though it would serve you to rot in prison until you shrivel up, you are to die this day”

Pain making it hard for her to speak, she still forced out her words, retaining her smug and arrogant. “You are right… I’m not about-t-to change… my ways,.. it’s the one thing I r-r-refuse… too” She looked at the usurper with amusement. “But you… h-haven’t the shell t-to kill. I see… t-too much of t-that p-path-thet-tic… kindness. You are t-too… weak”

Landing hard enough to cause her to lurch in her crater, Dust stood over Chrysalis with absolute conviction in his eyes and words. “You threaten the one pony who has loved me for me, the one who saved me from crawling back to your broken rule. He stood before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, true and powerful rulers, and defended me. There is nothing I will not do for him, nothing I will allow to continue that might ever hurt him. Judgement has passed, and sentence made. Now it is to me to execute”

Chrysalis could see just how serious and true he was, yet she still could not resist the humor she found in his contradiction to all she believed. Never could she find a reason to think ponies could find care for her kind, and she could only laugh in his face. This gave him no sign of remorse, or regret, only contempt. Dust had none of the former for her, and absolute in the latter. He took a great breath, and with everything he had, he blasted out a fire that would rival the fury of the greatest volcano. The force and heat seared and melted anything too near, and sent several scattering away from the area. It cut deep into the ground, changing the elements of the earth in the heat, and the roar of flames drowned out the cruel laughter of the wicked Queen. When it passed, not even an echo remained of Chrysalis, not even ash, just a great hole made in Dust’s act to remove her from ever being a danger again. It sparkled, like a fresh hope, with gems and glass forged from her defeat. Spent, the Changeling took on his true form, and collapsed to the ground.

Queen Chrysalis being removed, the remaining Changelings under her will were free, and the war here was done. A single figured waded through the crowds of friend and former foe alike. Some bowed, others shrank back, but all made way for the prince, still marked in gore from his own victory. By the time he reached Dust, he was passed out, and the female Changeling was at his side. She looked up at the prince, unsure of his intentions as he wore a cold stare. He pointed a hoof at the unconscious one, and his soldiers moved in to collect.

“What are you going to do?” She asked, keeping them from him.

“Tending to his wounds and injuries” He replied distantly, still struggling with the idea of doing this for a Changeling. “He is a… hero” The words came tumbling out, like constipation.

It was all too clear he was troubled by what he was doing, but he was still doing it for Dust. She bowed to him, and allowed the ponies to take him. As she watched her champion taken away, she focused on the pony in charge. “Prince Shining Armor,” She began, causing him to stiffen even more. “I cannot speak for all here, I do not wish to replace the one who did that, but I think I do have the consensus of the Changelings to say that we surrender. We make no demands, but request mercy” This caused Shining to raise his brow, regarding her sternly. “We were subjected to her will, Chrysalis had a power that effectively made us her pawns to any cruel deed she demanded. Those of us who were free, held too great a fear for the world outside her shelter, and did our best to survive without causing too much trouble. We knew, without her, we had no hope to survive in a world that hated us”

Taking a deep breath, and allowing himself time to think, Shining returned with “Many of you fought against her, even as the battle still was hers. This turn was the one needed to win us this conflict, gaining the advantage needed to crush two from the Apex of Villainy. In light of your service to the Empire, in a very dire time, you will be taken in and held. We will offer you care and shelter, until we can sort out just what the future will hold for our two people. You will not be prisoners of war, but you will be kept from the others. This is the best we can offer, as it is only known to us that Changelings manipulate and use. Trust isn’t easy to earn, and there is a long history that speaks against that even being a possibility, but what I have seen here… Knowing that one of yours has lived with us for so long, and done no harm that we have recorded… Hope does find a place”

“Thank you, your majesty, for giving us mercy. I understand all too well the history of my people, and the times it has put your people through, especially you personally” He tightened in the memory of when Chrysalis had stolen his bride, and was feeding upon him. “I can only hope my broodkin will accept and realize that our unique power does make us a considerable risk. That there needs to be time to heal old wounds, and mend broken relations” She looked around at the gathered remains of her kind. “We will submit to your laws, and be detained for the peace of mind of the ponies, in exchange for peace and shelter for Changelings” She focused back upon Shining. “In time, with great effort, I hope we can earn trust, maybe even friendship, but surely to make ourselves useful and productive members of your Empire”

Record 05: Endgame, Queen to Checkmate

End

Author's Note

The Royal Battle is over, in the War for Equestria. What fate will become of the Changelings, and of the Empire?

In the aftermath of combat, what will become of the survivors?