"Hey, honey I just got more information about the changelings!" a pale, indigo and sky blue-haired unicorn said as he trotted closer to who he was talking to. As he trotted closer an alicorn mare with lemon, violet, and pink striped mane came into view. The mare seemed disinterested and tired, acting as if she had not heard anything being said. She blinked her tired eyes and turned them towards her coffee cup sitting in front of her. Looking down and summoning her spell, she levitated the coffee to her lips. She had expected the heat to make her eyes and mind open up more but it did not take immediate effect as she hoped.
"Wanna see it?'' said Shinning Armor as he held the folder in his magic closer to his wife.
"Sure" said Cadence as Shinning walked to the table his wife was at and plopped it down. Opening the case file, Cadence first saw a picture of a monster. With glowing green razors and beady little eyes. Cadence wished the monster was nothing more than a fake being from a bad dream. Remembering what the Queen did to her had woken her up some and made her shake a bit. She continued to look at the image, seeing that it had dark teal color around it, looking almost like a form itself. The razors were linked to something, a mouth, that was wide. It looked wide enough to swallow the head of a full-grown pony. Around the image was darker and darker colors, making it seem like this picture was taken with the flash on. Altogether, the picture represented Queen Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings definitely.
The second thing in the folder was a document. It had the date of when she was first noticed, the amount of energy she had been seen using, what she had done during the wedding, etc. But another thing was written on the bottom of the document. Her recent hideaway was possibly in Canterlot. Reading more of it, she could see it being noticeable because there had been sightings of green goop that had somehow been in trashcans of many citizens in Canterlot.
"Oh wait, sorry Cady, that's an old file, here's the newest one" Shinning Armor proclaimed as he moved it to the side and took out the document behind it. It was another image. This was the image of the 2nd known tyrant of the Crystal Empire having a mugshot taken. This made the Princess of Love's mood turn around a bit and make her smile a bit.
"Where did you find her?"
"In a nearby ally. Also, it had a secret passageway that led to a huuuuuuge hive of changelings"
Cadence nodded her head in acknowledgment, not really noticing any strangeness with it.
The Prince looked at the image as well and snickered. "Ya that ol' Queeny. She didn't really put up a fight though, as what I was told. She possibly just gave up, seeing as there was no way that she could build and grow her hive." The Princess paused and put it through her mind. Listening to what he said again she noticed something wrong in it. This made her scrunch her nose a bit. "This seems like a trick. Maybe you should go back and check if anything is going on."
"It doesn't really seem that necessary hun. We already have the Queen so what can a few stray changelings do on there own?
She looked at her husband unsurely. "What if they don't need a Queen to rebuild a hive? What if they can use a-any type of mare and mind control them into being loyal to the hive?"
Shinning looked at his wife, then smiled "Oh Cadence you're just being paranoid. We got it all underway, it'll be fiiiine". He put a loving hoof to his wife's shoulder and squeezing it.
The pink mare looked at him and shook her head. "Shinning, please, that doesn't sound like the real Chrysalis we saw. She wouldn't quit on her hive at all. Since her love to grow her hive is so strong she'd make sure to do absolutely
ANYTHING and impersonate ANYONE to help her hive."
"That kinda sounds like your just worried she'll come back to get you."
"Shinning, do you not care if I go away? Do you not care if anything happens to me?" Princess Cadence almost whispered to him.
The stallion looked at his wife with regret. "Cadence, I do care about you, with all of my heart and soul. I will do anything in my power to be with you and make sure you are safe. But honey, you have to stop worrying about Queen Chrysalis. We have her and her hive. Ya it might seem unusual that she was just sitting in Canterlot and nobody has said anything, but I promise, we have her."
Cadence looked at her husband more intently. "Well c-can you please just look into their one last time?"
"Yes sweetie, anything for you." He hugged his wife again and kissed her forehead, before walking off to get some things.
Princess Cadence smiled and got up to start helping her husband with the trip.
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"It was so nice of you to have tea time with me Auntie!" said Cadence as she looked over to her Aunt, her caretaker, and the owner of Equestria. "It's my pleasure Cadence," said Princess Celestia as she levitated the cup of tea to her lips. Taking a small sip of her white tea, she placed it back down looked at her niece.
"There is also, something I would like to talk to you about" she spoke in a teacherly manner. Cadence looked up at Celestia, "Yes, Aunt Celestia?"
The Princess of the Sun closed her eyes for a brief moment, trying to think if she should tell her about Twilight or her special prize. Why what would be the special prize just for the blossoming Princess of Love? Would it be a new crown for her to look more mature? Would it be the responsibility of keeping something secret and keeping in check with it?
"Since you are a growing Alicorn, I and Luna have thought about this. After chatting together for a while we have decided that you are responsible enough to own your very own Kingdom."
The pink Alicorn gasped. Having so much happiness fill her, the young mare climbed out of her seat and trotted over to her Step Aunt and gave her a great big hug. "Oh Thank you, Thank you THANKYOU!! Thank you so much, Auntie Celly! I could never ask for a better present!"
"You're so graciously welcome Cady'' Celestia slipped out gleefully as she nuzzled her niece lovingly. Celestia closed her eyes for a moment then quickly shot them open. She almost forgot to tell her about Twilight.
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Shinning Armor walked into an alleyway, 4 royal guards following suit. Behind them was 2 layers of warning tape, trying to close off the area that was on investigation. In front of the yellow and black tape were 2 police ponies, one a Unicorn mare and One a pegasus colt. The police Chiefs weren't needing to do much, aside from push said a few ponies that got too close to the wraps.
After finally getting to the wall, Shinning Armor started his horn and shone a laser into the brick wall. The side guards backed away, seeing that the Prince needed space to make a proper shape. Their Cheif officer started carving into an arch shape until the slab of brick fell out of the wall and into the secret passageway. The Unicorn Stallion stopped and stepped back a bit, inspecting if anything was going to come out. After Shinning almost backed into one of his comrades, he searched with his eyes back and forth, waiting for anything to come out. After a bit and seeing it was clear, he waited for the others to go in front of him, then went inside and made a fluorescent blue bright light to use as a shinning in the dark.
The path was dark, aside from the multiple colors of lights that illuminated the passage. The lights moved forward, mostly because of the motion of the one's holding the light, other times it wasn't straight, but they moved over somethings. Somewhere rocks, others were bigger objects. One of the comrades leading behind Shinning stopped and decided to look around for a bit. Turning his head left, he could see something. Something that looked vaguely familiar. The stallion turned his head left even more so he could see whatever was beneath him. Moving his head down, the guard could see the decapitated remains of a recent foe. Seeing the result of what he was looking for he turned around and continued to walk with his other companions.
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Cadence decided to let go of her generous, kind, and gift-giving step-aunt Celestia. "Hey, I thought only Shinning Armor called me that?" said the joking young alicorn.
"And I thought only Princess Luna called me Celly,"
The two smirked at each other before having a chuckling fit. "Hehehe by the way, I wanted to talk to you about Twilight as well," she said making Cadence stop immediately.
"What would you like to say about Twilight?"
Princess floated her tea closer to her muzzle. "She had somewhat of a....breakdown."
Cadence stayed quiet. "Mmmmmmmmm" she hummed as she levitated the tea to her mouth as well.
Celestia waited for her niece to continue talking. "Cadence, you can show how worried you are-"
"OKay well, I just really hope she's doing alright now and hasn't gotten into any serious damage."
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Shinning Armor trotted closer and closer until he smacked into something. After landing a few inches back and blinking his eyes, he looked up into the area. Having his eyes follow the light, he could see the light bouncing off of the wall, shinning in all directions.
Suddenly an image came up, onto the biggest rock, in the middle of the area that seemed like a cave. A loud static came up until it was silenced by a voice of laughter. Slowly on the sides, the image showed strip by strip a figure. The first thing to notice about it was its contrast of black against neon green. Secondly was the structure of the figure; tall, thin but possessing curves. Thirdly, long thick strands of dull turquoise hair flowed as if a breeze was there. Lastly, big buggy eyes shone out, arched angrily.
Seeing this, some guards instinctively brought out their swords and aimed at the crystal wall being.
"Ohhhohooo, this will be fuuuunn~"
"Queen Chrysalis!" Shinning yelled in the dimly lit cave. "How-UhHmGU HoW are you hiding here!?"
Chrysalis stopped dramatically posing and stared at the supposedly Captain of the Royal Guard. "Are you serious? Did you think I wouldn't use the chance of my species to boost my chance of living?!" The Queen said angrily as she stared heavily at the ponies.
"We weren't going to kill you, we were going to give you a second chance!"
"Pffff yeah right. You already irritate me. COME MY SUBJECTS, KILL THEM!!"
Suddenly, a dozen changelings came out rushing and starting to beat and tackle the army. Behind the fighting, a giant boom sounded as pieces of the crystal wall feel and out came the changeling Queen.
Chrysalis watched in glee as Shinning Armor shot out to her, missing her completely when she zoomed to the left. Grinning she watched as the bolt went to one crystal wall and bounced to a far one. After that another wall came incontact. Then another and another. Lastly after shooting off a wall it lands back to Shinning Armor, Shocking his whole entire body immediately, making the stallion wanting to scream but could only get out muffled words while his muscles compulsed constantly. After a couple of seconds, the stallion fell to the dirt floor, singed completely head to hoof.
Chrysalis grinned widely, opening her mouth in a big smile. Happily, she went over to the new corpse of her enemy, extending a hoof. After pocking the ex Prince and seeing no reaction, she bounced happily for a bit before being tackled to the ground by a royal mare guard.
Chrysalis could see she was being held down firmly but a royal guard. The stallion had thick mohawk, standing firmly while being held by the gold helmet on top of his grey head. The Queen sneered, pushing with all her might to get the stallion off of her. After struggling for a bit she hissed loudly baring her fangs and rolling her eyes back. This made the former stallion jump and get off her before getting back to her before she flew off. Stiffly the stallion pulled the mare down, making her struggle to get away from the grasp. She thought of an idea of escape, shooting the stallion in the face with a fire beam. A giant shield came up around the Guard, having the magic bounce into Chrysalis, hitting her right-wing and having her fall.
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"Well thank you for having tea time with me Aunty" Princess Cadence thanked, walking out before a Royal Unicorn Guard came suddenly and went to the older alicorn.
"Princess Celestia, Shinning Armor has been found dead!'
"WHat!?" Cadence screamed, pushing the stallion back a bit, only to hold him and stare. "What did you say?"
"C-captain Shinning Armor was found dead in a cave somewhere in Canterlot city. Captain was looking for any more sightings of Changelings. When going in the same way, there was a passage way that led to somewhere new. Apparently Queen Chrysalis had not been captured and was actually in hiding in the new cave. We had seen this and had fought our hardest but Our leader had sadly gone early. But as our duties and honor, we have gotten Queen Chrysalis and have murdered her immediately."
Cadence opened her mouth widely. This morning when asking him to check if there were any more changeling, she didn't suspect herself to be right. Why was there Changelings actually there? Why was she right? WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN??? Why to her Shinning Armor?
Princess Cadence looked down, getting the message through her head, re-hearing and re-hearing the news. The news of her dead husband. How it was her fault. How she shouldn't have bagered him about it. How....How could she? Now he's dead. Making him do it and having him dead.
Cadence shoved her way from the royal guard, running head first into any area away from where she heard the news. The pink Princess closed her eyes tightly, feeling as hot tears came down quickly, marking streaks down her face.
Cadence sobbed, opening her eyes and looking around, seeing that four guards were carrying a stretcher. Over the stretcher, she could see her husband, her dead, blackened, frizzed and singed husband. Why would I allow this? she thought. Why would I do this!?
She watched as the stretcher came closer to her aunt, watching as she saw the stallion. Seeing and judging and possibly thinking about what Cadence had done.
Cadence let out a shaky breath, watching in disbelief. She shivered and sniffled, putting a hoof to her mouth. Feeling this way, Cadence ran as fast as she could like the coward she was, down the hallway, up the stairs, in her room and locking the door.
Celestia looked down at Shinning Armor. The stretcher came closer to her, stopping and asking what they should do with him. Celestia didn't answer, putting her hoof out and touching the stallion. She put her hoof on his cold body, feeling nothing. The Princesses ears drooped, seeing there was no life left in the stallion at all. She took her hoof back and wished him to have a pleasant time in the land above or wherever his soul might be. Princess Celestia moved her head up slowly looking at the Guard who also had a depressed aura around him.
"Bring him to the same place I asked to put King Sombra. But do not wrap him, we will have a funeral later on"
She whispered.
The stallions nodded their heads, slowly trotting back and to the area where the other stallion was. When they were gone, Celestia walked away from the tea table slowly making her way to Cadences room.
"Princess Celestia, it is time fo-" the mare froze, seeing the Princess not even notice her. She quickly trotted up to the Princess, looking to see if anything was wrong.
"Raven?"
"Yes Princess?"
"Take off the events for the rest of the evening, we have a funeral to propose."
Raven stayed quiet, scratching off things on her checklist. Both mares stayed quiet until they came into Princess Cadences room. Celestia wished it wasn't true. She was just having a good time with her niece in such a long time. Now this happened. Also that her best guard, Shinning Armor and one of her friends, were gone forever.
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Several weeks later...
An array of horns sounded out, blowing until 2 mares came into sight.
Both mares starred off of the balcony, looking at the members of the new and improved Kingdom. The balcony was blue, having shimmers and shines all around it while on the floor where the other ponies where a solid purple ground was. The ponies standing on the ground where different types of races of pony, Unicorn, Pegasus and Earth pony. Although mainly unicorn were present.
"Hello and welcome all to the new and improved Crystal empire!" Said the mare an the left with a multicolor mane. The mare on the right smiled, almost looked as if it was forced.
"Today we are gathered here to officially open this Kingdom to all you lovely subjects! But, Princess Cadence would first like to give a small speech!"
Princess Celestia looked at the mare beside her, seeing that she was in a slouched position, looking down and timid. Celestia moved down beside the mare.
"I'm sure you will be fine Cadence. I put my faith in your abilities."
Celestia, pushed the pink Princess some, nudging her to speak. Cadence looked up, seeing many ponies staring at her, waiting for what she had to say. Princess Cadence smiled again, putting on some confidence and starting to speak.
"I would like to say thank you for coming here and wanting to be in the Crystal community. Thank you all so much for coming and wanting to be part of my humble kingdom!"
Cadence gave a big smile before turning around and looking a Celestia.
Celestia watched the mare before turning back to the crowd. "We will now clip the ceremonial ribbon and then we can start the celebration!"
Princess Celestia opened her wings and decided to fly down to the crowd of civilians. When getting to the bottom she stepped all four hooves onto the ground, then quickly close her wings. Expecting her niece to follow in her movements, she looked to the side only to see no one there. Turning around fully she looked around until she could see a slow walking Cadence, inching her way closer to the crowd.
When the Princess of love finally came, she watched as Princess Celestia gripped a side of giant scissor in her magic. After looking at her for a few seconds, Cadence realized and slowly lifted the other side of the scissors, opening it up. The two moved their magic together and cut the ribbon, having a cheer follow after wards.
Cadence dropped the scissor and started walking back to the castle.
"Oh but wait, Princess Cadence has one last job to do. She has to work the Crystal heart to show you the full work of the Crystal Empire."
Cadence stopped and listened to the crowd of gasps and what's before turning around. She walked to the right and started coming to the Crystal Heart. Some ponies followed while others stayed where they were. When a few came close, Cadence put on another fake smile and started her horn. Concentration
filling her, she started sending out waves of love making sure it was only directed towards the heart. Without the love of the Love Princess to the Crystal Heart then it wouldn't work at all she thought. After a bit of huffing and puffing the heart started spinning. Watching it, it began to go quicker. When it started spinning outragesley fast, Princess Cadence shielded a nearby pony, putting her hooves and wings up to block the gust of wind that might blow the pony back. A giant shine came up and smothered the whole area quickly making every pony close their eyes. After hearing nothing, the ponies opened their eyes once again to see their coats shone and had a similar design to a Crystal. Some ponies cheers, others gasped once more.
Cadence lastly opened her eyes, seeing that she too had token the form of being crystal like. She looked down at herself, smiling a little bit in feeling strange joy in being a crystal. Cadence looked up, seeing that her Aunt was also staring back, smiling widely. Then she remembered what she second ago, the action of what she did reminding her of some pony. Some pony special, Some pony, who was supposed to be with her right now to enjoy the happiness. Some pony she misses ever so dearly. That pony being Prince Shinning Sparkle Armor.
Princess Cadences knees quivered, making her drop to the floor. A couple unicorns came to her side wanting to ask if she was alright, before Princess Celestia came and started helping her up.
"I apologize little ponies. Princess Cadence is just a bit tired from working out her spell" Celestia lied smoothly, seeing no pony questioned it. The love Princess shakily got to her hooves, getting up and looking at her subjects.
"I apologize, your Princess has been somewhat nervous, for this." Said the Pink mare unsuringly.
"You may all start the festival now if you wish, I will take Princess Cadence to the castle and bring her back to enjoy with you."
Princess Celestia smiled somewhat big before flying back to the balcony and into the Castle. Some ponies sat and waited while others shook their heads and went about the festival.
One pony walked through the opening gate of the Crystal Empire, seeing that Princess Celestia had just left into the castle.
"Darn. If only I came here sooner" grumbled the voice.
