The Devil's Prize

Chrysalis... that's all she was known as now. At least to herself. Angel Purity? Simply another mask, another mood, another distraction from her true identity. No longer a queen; for what was a queen without subjects to look after? Or perhaps more specifically, what was a queen who'd failed to protect her subjects from an oppressive force? For Chrysalis, not a queen at all. She strode down a dark hall in an undisclosed location, no longer masking her real appearance.

At the end of this hall stood two ponies guarding a dead end. They eyed her up and down, before nodding and standing aside.

Chrysalis looked to them with skepticism at first, before shrugging and proceeding forward. She stopped before the dead end in slight confusion, soon simply stepping through. Once she came out the other side of the portal, her eyes widened, dumbfounded by what she saw before her. What... is this place? Chrysalis stood within a vast, desolate landscape, painted with a fiery orange sky. Only a few feet ahead from her position was a broken round table, at which sat a light brown mare with a thick, curly white mane, consisting of two shades. As well as a younger humanoid dragon, but still larger than the two of them combined. Chrysalis lowered her head somewhat, showing a hint of nervousness and remaining silent.

The light brown mare's expression brightened at the sight of Chrysalis, while her blue eyes glistened. "Chrysalis! You've come! I'm so glad! I was worried you wouldn't show up! I mean... it would be understandable. My coordinates to this place were sketchy at best, and of course seeing the state of everything might not add to your list of confidence."

The dragon to the mare's right scoffed. Her azure scales shimmered, as she had her arms crossed and wore a tattered brown cloak. Her physique was certainly odd, for she was obviously not a full-fledged dragon, yet she seemed no less powerful. A trained body, honed to peak physicality. Faded scars marred her body, as both her right curled horn and wing were torn in half. Obviously, she'd seen her fair share of battles.

The light brown mare rubbed at the back of her neck, before patting the top of the stone table. "Don't mind Ember, she's fairly new as well and without an assignment. So, she's a bit grumpy!"

Chrysalis' eyes honed on Ember in surprise. "Princess Ember? Of the Dragon Kingdom?... or should I say former?"

Ember rolled her eyes and glanced downward. "Yeah, it's no biggie. I don't mind. It's the truth anyhow."

Chrysalis squinted at her, before eyeing the lone brown mare. "So, do you have a name?"

The mare frowned somewhat, "I do... but it'd complicate matters. So, for now, you can refer to me as Day."

Chrysalis proceeded forward, sighing. "Not a great start, asking for help while keeping secrets. Here I was feeling generous enough to be transparent. It's not often that one is able to track me down, so I thought I'd give you the benefit of the doubt." She paused before sitting in an available seat the table, "But I'm starting to second guess myself."

Day nodded before giving her a sad smile. "I understand. I promise that it's for good reason. When the time comes, nothing will be left to question, but for now, I mustn't leave too much to chance. We have a big task ahead of us afterall."

Chrysalis raised a brow at her. "And what task would that be?"

Day leaned forward before gliding her forehoof over the surface of the table, to which it started to glow. "Saving the world." Upon the table began to float six different colored gems. Pink, red, orange, green, blue, and purple.

Chrysalis leaned forward attentively. "The Elements of Harmony."

Day nodded, "Merely a spectacle illusion of course. However, I felt it fitting for our discussion."

Chrysalis leaned back in her chair, placing a hoof upon her cheek. "The Elements of Harmony have been hidden for years. Not even somepony as pure as Celestia was able to acquire them to thwart Nightmare Moon. What makes you think you have any chance of finding them?"

Day smirked up at Chrysalis, "Because I won't need to. They'll reveal themselves to us in time." She glanced back down at the surface of the table, which then unveiled a transparent white sphere. "And harmony will guide the way."

Ember interjected with a scoff. "As if. I swear, if you're wasting our time with this superstitious nonsense..." she slammed a clenched fist atop the table and glared at Day angrily. "I will tear your throat out."

Chrysalis gave a weary glance at Ember, before focusing on Day seriously herself. "I must say... I agree. I did not come all this way to simply entertain childish theories. Equestria is heavily tied to harmony yes, but to speak as if you have some personal relationship with it is absurd. The intricacies of harmony are far beyond even the most ancient of beings." She leaned forward again, this time a bit more playfully. "So, I finally ask, what is this place? Why reach out to me specifically? And if I'm to even consider joining this little club of yours..., do you have anything more substantial to show than a fancy little illusion?" She paused, "And lastly, why should I give a hoof about this wretched world and whatever happens to it?" She asked that final question with an almost dead expression.

Yet Day glanced between both of them only with a warm smile, then nodded. "I appreciate the honesty, which is why in turn I feel I should reward such behavior with honesty of my own." She closed her eyes with a chuckle, "In spurts of course." She first leaned forward and glanced up hopefully at the fiery red sky. "We are in Equestria, specifically... my home. Or perhaps I should say, my prison. It is a dead land, beyond any hope of salvation."

Ember's eyes widened slightly before she too glanced up at the sky. "I've never been to this part of Equestria." She then stood from her chair as her nostrils flared slightly. "But I agree, the scent remains the same. Which is odd..."

Chrysalis glanced over at Ember, before focusing back on Day, remaining silent as she crossed her forehooves.

Day continued, "In regard to why I reached out to you specifically. I sought out those who've been wronged by Princess Nightmare Moon. Those who can relate to our cause on a personal level." She paused, giving Chrysalis a sympathetic gaze. "I know all that you've lost Chrysalis. Your kind... most of all."

Chrysalis's expression darkened before she lowered her head somewhat and her nose wrinkled in irritation and impatience. Then suddenly without hesitation she leapt forward, transforming into a massive bugbear, gripping Day's neck in her claw. "And what of it!? Did you think that'd be enough to win my favor!? Throw my failures in my face and then expect me to cater to your personal endeavors as some sort of righteous indignation!?"

Ember appeared unsurprised nor wholly interested in the interaction. She merely observed silently.

Day smiled, calm in demeanor. "No. However, I do believe you would do anything for an opening. An opening to reach Princess Nightmare Moon, who has eclipsed you for so long. I can grant you that, and you can do with it what you will. You are not my follower, nor do I expect you to be. We are all in this for our own selfish reasons. That said, I still can't do this alone, and would need capable allies to work with me in accomplishing each step."

Chrysalis continued to growl fiercely, as her anger slowly eased. She then glanced over at Ember again.

Ember nodded to Chrysalis as if in mutual confirmation. "She offered me the same. I am no pony's follower for certain."

Chrysalis looked back to Day, before easing her grip, then finally letting go. "And how can we expect you to deliver!?"

Day rubbed her neck before sitting back gently in her seat. "Well, please allow me to answer your prior questions first and perhaps everything will start to align." She motioned a hoof back to Chrysalis' seat.

Chrysalis glanced back at her chair, before sighing and reverting back to her original form. She then made her way back to her chair, impatiently sitting down.

Day nodded to her and then ran a hoof over the surface of the table again. "You asked me if I had anything more substantial to show you than this fancy lightshow. You also asked me why you should care about this world."

Chrysalis crossed her hooves again, remaining silent and instead listening attentively.

Day's expression saddened. "I do have something more substantial but first let me explain the nature of this world as it stands. Then I'm sure you both will leave this encounter more confident in our alliance." Suddenly appearing over the table was the transparent white sphere again. "Harmony itself dictates the course of not just ponies, but all creatures of Equestria." Beneath the white sphere, suddenly appeared a map of Equestria. "For every creature it touches, those creatures touch the earth, the sky, the sea, the nature of existence itself in the form of magic."

Ember also sat in her seat once again, joining in on listening attentively along with Chrysalis.

Day smirked then, though her eyes remained solemn. "However, I've come to find out that harmony itself is also not omniscient. It is flawed, judgmental, and oddly enough... quite desperate."

Both Ember and Chrysalis looked at Day in skepticism, before glaring at her intensely.

Day chuckled, raising her forehooves. "Please, please! Let me continue." She then ran a hoof over the table once again, as it turned into a mirror image of this desolate landscape. "You see, I was lost and alone in this prison. Then I was visited..." she paused, exhaling deeply, "By harmony itself. It chose me... of all ponies, to help fix this broken world it was left with. It relayed to me its confusion, its failed attempts to communicate with the Princesses. Like a lost child, it came to me seeking guidance."

Chrysalis cackled, "What an oxymoron! To suggest harmony is not only sentient but no more than a confused child is a contradiction in and of itself. How would such a being be capable of creating the Elements of Harmony, if it had no idea what harmony even was? What defines it!? Surely you understand how foolish this all sounds?"

Day looked to Chrysalis and nodded. "I do. Admittedly, I believed it all a ruse. Even now, I'm still uncertain how harmony came to be as it was. Yet... its existence was undeniable. Though not flesh and blood like you or I, it was an existence within reality. A presence, defining communication even by its own rules. Perhaps it's still learning?"

Chrysalis scoffed once again, groaning even. "Utterly ridiculous."

Day chuckled softly, closing her eyes. "I too thought so. Until I was given something more... substantial."

Chrysalis raised a brow at her, remaining silent with piqued interest.

The images upon the table turned into those of Day kneeling before the transparent white sphere.

Day tilted her head to the right, almost in adoration. "It gave me a second chance to fix the mistakes I made. So, I plan to start by fixing this world." Then over the table, came a perfect replication of Princess Nightmare Moon. "Princess Nightmare Moon is an anomaly here. An aberration. Far more malevolent and powerful than I've come to expect." She glanced up at Chrysalis and Ember. "I'm not surprised neither of you could overcome her. For in this world, the nature of dreams is the greatest source of magic. Nightmare Moon's influence is of utmost strength here."

Chrysalis smirked, "You speak as if you have some experience with her. Is she the one who banished you here?"

Day smiled, before closing her eyes and placing a hoof upon her chest. Then suddenly, manifesting into reality and becoming physically tangible was a magenta star gem which radiated with an overwhelming magical aura. Then just as swiftly as it came, a pillar of blinding white light crashed down upon Day, releasing a monstrous shockwave.

Chrysalis and Ember's eyes snapped wide then, as they barely had any time to react, being sent flying back. Ember masterfully landed on her feet, before raising her forearms to cover her face slightly as she looked upon the sight at a loss for words. Chrysalis midair transformed into a leopard, before landing upon the ground and tensing to prevent herself from being blown back further.

Once the crash of magical energy ceased, Day stood unmoved from her current position... with an Element of Harmony wrapped around her neck. She stood on her hind legs, as she used her forehooves to hold it close like a child. "No. However, I hope this more substantial proof might legitimize my story and my promise..." she looked to both of them then in the distance, "That I shall deliver you each unto what you desire."

Both Ember and Chrysalis remained frozen in place, still in shock from what they'd just witnessed.

Day continued, extending a hoof out to them. "Why care for this world? For soon, it'll be a blank slate. Capable of making any dream come true."

Twilight... this is no time for dreaming. A familiar voice, an echo, rang out in her mind.

Within Golden Oak Library, Twilight slept on a downstairs couch, having taken an unintentional nap. Yet something in her mind stirred, as she rustled, unable to rest soundly.

In her dreams, Twilight found herself back in her apartment bedroom in Canterlot. She stood blankly, as she glanced around her room in a confused manner, before abrasive knocks came upon her door causing her to flinch. She turned then towards her bedroom door and used her hoof to slowly open it.

There standing in the doorway was Moondancer, head lowered with tears in her eyes. "How could you agree to this Twilight? Is it something I did wrong? Do you hate me? Aren't we sisters?" Her expression darkened, as she lowered her head further, before suddenly glaring up at Twilight swiftly. "I guess not... seeing as you destroyed your biological family after all."

A shiver ran down Twilight's spine, as she slammed the door shut in Moondancer's face. However, as she slammed the door, the whole room shattered like glass, and she suddenly fell, tumbling through an empty darkness. As she flailed helplessly, eventually she crashed down upon the streets of Canterlot as it was pouring rain. She wheezed, staring down at the concrete which glistened with her reflection and broken glasses.

"Oh my gosh, it's you Twilight."

Twilight swiftly looked up at whomever was speaking to her. There she saw two mares she went to school with, as they looked down at her in pity. Twilight, drenched, simply stared up at them blankly. Still dumbfounded and confused.

One of the mares responded to her friend. "Hey, be nice now. Remember, she can't help it due to her condition." Suddenly they each leaned in closely, mere inches from her face as they now spoke in unison. "Speaking of which. When are you going to remove that horn and stop being a hindrance to others? Surely surgery can't cost that much! Or maybe... it's something else that's keeping you from committing. What a liar." They threw their heads back in laughter.

Twilight's expression twisted into one of denial as her eyes saddened. "N-No! That's not... it's..." she rose then, before turning swiftly and attempting to run down the cobbled streets of the Canterlot amidst the downpour. Though amidst her desperation, her horn started to crackle and spark with volatile magic. She glanced up at her horn before coming to a halt and raising a hoof up to it, "No! No! Stop it! Please! Just listen to me!" Yet with a poof, she was gone.

Her arrival destination was once again unfamiliar. Twilight found herself amidst a Midnight Masquerade. Ponies all danced around her; their identities hidden by their masks. Twilight stood in the center, as she looked around, before attempting to squeeze herself out. Yet her attempts were futile, as they felt impossible to move, and they only continued to dance amongst themselves. Twilight backed up, simply standing in the center now, uncertain of what to do.

Soon a pony from the crowd made their way to her, removing their mask only to reveal Sunburst. He sighed heavily, looking down at the floor before looking back up at Twilight in a broken manner. "Was I not good enough Twilight? I... I know that I'm not perfect, but my feelings are real."

Twilight shook her head and approached Sunburst pleadingly. "S-Sunburst! I... I didn't know and, and I don't know how I feel. Y-You and Starlight too, I... I don't understand. Why me?"

Then just as swiftly Sunburst came, another pony approached Twilight from behind, shoving her to the ground violently.

Twilight crashed upon the floor, shocked, trembling as she glanced over and up at her attacker.

Unsurprisingly even to Twilight, it was none other than Starlight Glimmer. Her glare was vicious, frighteningly so. Yet she said nothing, she simply stared down at Twilight.

Twilight shook her head, "Starlight... I-"

Yet before she could finish, more ponies approached her from all sides, soon removing their masks. Surrounding her was Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Tempest, Fluttershy, Diane, all gazing down at her in disappointment. Soon they all spoke in unison, "You simply bring trouble with you wherever you go. Don't you? What could the Princess possibly want with somepony as troublesome as you?"

Twilight sat up, as she began to silently cry to herself. She raised her forehooves to her ears. She muttered, "What... what is going on? What is all this? Leave me alone. All of you just leave me alone!" And with her final proclamation, her magic exploded as it simply shattered the visions of everypony around her and the entire masquerade itself.

Twilight sat alone again in the darkness. Yet soon, that darkness began to form something new. Twilight, manic and panicked, looked around in fear, ears still covered as she trembled. What could possibly come next? Yet as those thoughts came, the landscape which appeared before her was unfamiliar. Not only unfamiliar, but it was beautiful beyond measure. Twilight sat now upon a glistening lake, the reflection of the stars and the full moon upon its smooth surface. In the distance were the mountains of Equestria, beautiful in the bright midnight, as were the forest trees.

"Come to me Twilight." A soothingly familiar voice echoed in the distance.

Twilight, despite having her ears covered, could hear the voice clearly. She slowly removed her forehooves from her ears as her trembling came to a halt. She reluctantly turned around, looking upon the oddly familiar voice.

There, also standing upon the lake was a mirror image of herself. Yet somehow this mare was different. Twilight couldn't quite place it, but the demeanor of this individual was far more competent, capable, caring. Yet by all regards, it was still Twilight. The mirror mare gave Twilight a soft and reassuring smile as she tilted her head back slightly. She closed her eyes halfway, before stretching out a hoof towards Twilight. "You're safe here Twilight. Now... come to me."

Twilight glanced around in uncertainty but rose slowly. Though she wobbled every now and again, she steadily made her way towards the mare. Twilight felt desperate, desperate for whatever this endless wave of confusion was to end. Better yet, something about this mare was comforting, reassuring, and reliable. She knew it somewhere deep down to be true. She wanted nothing more than to reach her in this moment.

The mare soon spread both her forehooves as her smile widened almost in a motherly fashion. She looked to Twilight in eagerness, desiring nothing more than to welcome her. "You're finally home... Twilight."

Twilight now a mere few feet from this mirror mare, began to smile in relief herself. "Yes... I am."

Yet suddenly, with a jerk and tug, Twilight found herself pulled back forcefully before being thrown down onto the surface of the lake again. She flinched, covered in the shadow of another pony standing before her. As she looked up, her expression became one of horror.

Standing there was none other than Princess Cadence who gave Twilight a stern glare. "Twilight... WAKE UP!"

Meanwhile in the background, the mirror mare simply gave Cadence a gaze of silent amusement.

Twilight looked up at Cadence confused. "W-What?"

Cadence snapped at Twilight, "It's time for you to wake up!"

Twilight gasped, as her eyes snapped open, still upon her couch in Golden Oak Library. She wheezed, breathing heavily. Yet as strange as this all was, it seems she'd awoken into something even stranger. Twilight merely peered ahead, unable to gather the words or the appropriate thoughts for what exactly was happening.

Leaned over her with a frightened and panicked expression was none other than Princess Nightmare Moon. "Finally! Y-You're awake!"

Twilight blinked a few times, "Princess... Princess Nightmare Moon?"

Princess Nightmare Moon had sweat coursing down the side of her head, as she still wore that same panicked expression. "Of course it's me! Imbecile! Who else would it-..." then came a pause, as Princess Nightmare Moon realized the predicament she was in, and her expression morphed into one of complete dumbfound embarrassment. "No... no no no! I! It's not what it looked like!"

Twilight merely blinked a few times... still at a loss for words. Uncertain what to say.

Princess Nightmare Moon fumed, steam radiating from her mane as she snarled like a wild animal then. "Argh!" She shoved herself from the couch, beginning to trail around the library. "I... I was in Canterlot! A strict meeting! This was supposed to go differently! You, this place!? Rarity! Argh!" She snapped at Twilight then, "Speaking of which! You know how much trouble you've caused me!? No! No, no no no no! I will not tolerate this sort of impression again! I am the Princess! I am to be in control! This is humiliating! You are humiliating!"

Twilight felt obligated to sit up straight, as she simply stared at Princess Nightmare Moon with a confused frown.

Princess Nightmare Moon continued, scowling at her, "Do not look at me like that! And why couldn't I wake you!? I am the Princess of Nightmares! Of dreams! How dare you be lost in such a deep stupor without my permission!"

Twilight attempted to speak, "I-"

But Princess Nightmare Moon immediately cut her off, "Silence!"

From outside, the moon and stars were now out, glistening brightly in the night sky.

Ponies frolicked about in the lively night, roaming the streets of Ponyville.

Yet Princess Nightmare Moon's voice boomed, causing ponies passing the library to flinch and then stare in confusion at it. "Why are you such an annoying, meddlesome, irksome, unfathomably painful, acquisition of a mare!? Do not expect to sleep again anytime soon! For since you ruined this meeting as well! Your sole purpose of existence is to adhere to my every question! My every whim! My-" there was a pause and subtle cough. "W-Well, I shall start simple enough."

Twilight's meek voice responded. "I'm sorry..."

Princess Nightmare Moon snapped back. "Silence! Do... do not speak to me in such a way."

Well Twilight certainly found herself predicting an upcoming long-winded explanation. Yet oddly enough, she did not seem to mind that. Despite the Princess' harsh words. Something felt different about them. For now, the Princess' berating felt like the most comforting thing she'd heard in a time, and she didn't understand why. Perhaps... that was fine.