IRIS: Override And Conquer

by APStories

Rating: teen
Tags: Violence, Death, Main 6, Drama, Changelings, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Spike, Starlight Glimmer, Thriller, Adventure, Suicide / Self Harm, Queen Chrysalis, Profanity
Length: 4616

Inspired by IRIS's hit album "Goliath's Throne", the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight Glimmer, and the Changeling Kingdom must unite once again to take down Queen Chrysalis in this brand-new action-adventure tale from the creator of the Emerald Saga!

When Queen Chrysalis becomes the new tyrannical overlord of Equestria, the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight Glimmer, and the Changelings must band together to defeat the evil queen.

Rated T for action violence, massive destruction, language, suicide, and character death.

Published 2020-09-19 16:40:00 UTC
Last updated 2020-11-04 17:44:11 UTC

Preface

Starlight Glimmer had defeated Queen Chrysalis. She was stripped of her title as Queen of the Changelings. She remembered her defeat like it had happened yesterday. It was like a bad memory. She had managed to separate Discord and Trixie from Starlight and the traitor, but she still lost. How?! How could she lose to a pathetic pony?! She's been defeated once before, but twice?! This was humiliation!

"One little pony all by herself. Oh, how will I ever prevent this daring rescue?", Chrysalis had rhetorically asked. About a half a dozen changelings restrained Starlight. "Well, well, well. The Princess of Friendship's sole pupil. Honestly, I didn't think you were worth replacing with one of my drones."

"You won't get away with this!", Starlight had said as she struggled against her restraints.

"I already have. Nopony is coming to save you. Your little squad was it. And now, there's just you", Chrysalis had replied.

"Thorax is still out there", Starlight had responded.

"Don't mention that traitor's name in my kingdom! He was a fool to leave and even more a fool to return! When I find him, he'll learn just what happens to those who betray the hive!", Chrysalis had screamed. Suddenly, she had realized there was something off about Starlight. "And it seems I don't have far to look, do I..." She revealed that the Starlight in front of her was Thorax. "...Thorax?" The real Starlight had begun destroying the throne. "Very clever. And clearly Thorax revealed to you the secret of my throne. I can't have powerful ponies using their abilities against me. Even with your rather embarrassing little rescue attempt, everything has gone according to my plan."

"What plan? Why did you do all this?!", Starlight had asked.

"So I could feed, of course! By replacing the most beloved figures in Equestria, my drones will be able to store all the love meant for them and return it here to me. Everypony will do as I command, and my subjects and I will feed on their love for generations!", Chrysalis had answered before laughing maniacally.

"What if you didn't have to?", Starlight had asked.

"Ridiculous! The hunger of changelings can never be satisfied!", Chrysalis had answered.

"Exactly! Thorax left the hive and made a friend. He shared love, and now he doesn't need to feed. You don't have to live your lives starving all the time!", Starlight had replied.

"You know nothing of the changelings or what it takes to be their queen! I decide what is best for my subjects, not some mewling grub!", Chrysalis had retorted.

"I know what it's like to lead by fear and intimidation! And I know what it's like to want everypony to do what you say! But I was wrong. A real leader doesn't force her subjects to deny who they are! She celebrates what makes them unique and listens when one of them finds a better way!", Starlight had said.

"The only thing Thorax has found is what happens to those who turn their back on the hive!", Chrysalis had replied. She began absorbing Thorax's love.

"No! Stop!", Starlight had yelled.

"Just as soon as I drain every last ounce of love from him and show my subjects what a real leader is!", Chrysalis had retorted.

"I can feel the love inside me slipping away...! I can't hold onto it much longer...!", Thorax had attempted to say.

"Then don't! Sharing love is what made you different to begin with! You should share yours with Chrysalis! Give her all of it!", Starlight had replied. Thorax had listened, and the force of the energy sent Chrysalis flying. Thorax had transformed. "This is what happens when you give love freely instead of taking it!" What happened afterwards... was blinded by rubble, but she could hear everything.

"Starlight? What happened?", Twilight had asked her star pupil.

"We defeated the changelings with no magic at all, they found a new leader, and... they're all kinda... good now", Starlight had answered.

"Well done, Starlight Glimmer. It seems as though you've learned a great deal since we last spoke", Princess Luna had said. Suddenly, Chrysalis had emerged from some rubble. However, all she saw was Starlight Glimmer, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Spike, Discord, Thorax, Trixie, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, Princess Flurry Heart, Shining Armor, and her former army of changelings standing united. Princess Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Thorax, Trixie, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, Princess Flurry Heart, and Shining Armor were ready to send Chrysalis flying into next season. She knew she was outnumbered sixteen to one and that nine were ready to laser her. Once again, she had lost. Starlight approached her.

"When Twilight and her friends defeated me, I chose to run away and seek revenge! You don't have to! You can be the leader your subjects deserve", Starlight had said. She had offered her hoof to Chrysalis... but she wouldn't accept friendship that easily.

"There is no revenge you could ever conceive of that will come close to what I will exact upon you one day, Starlight Glimmer!", Chrysalis had said. She backflipped off the rubble and flew off in defeat.

"That... that... MEDDLING STARLIGHT GLIMMER!", Chrysalis screamed. She was in the Everfree Forest. "I promised revenge... and I intend to keep it. Nopony will be able to stop me this time. My time has finally come! This time... my revenge will be complete! I will make Equestria a living hell!"

This is Chrysalis's tale of revenge, hatred, conquer, and destruction. The path of an evil villain as she takes over Equestria. A fallen queen rising up again. Hell will come to Equestria. She will not be defeated a third time.

This story has not been told by mere mortals nor immortals, for the Eye of the Beholder sees even the untold. This is an age-old tale. Will Chrysalis succeed? Will Chrysalis fail? This tale will tell all. It's time... to dive into... Chrysalis's insanity.

Chapter 1: A Fallen Queen Reawakened

It's been five years since the defeat of Queen Chrysalis. Twilight Sparkle had hoped that she and her allies could rest easy. But one morning, when she woke up, she found Equestria in a state of despair. A giant tree made of black wood surrounded by thorny vines stood at the center of it all. The sky was red. Without a second thought, she flew to the Changeling Kingdom to seek help. It turned out that the other Elements of Harmony had the same idea. They were already conversing with Thorax and the Changelings. Starlight Glimmer and Spike were with them as well. "Can somecreature please tell me what the hell is going on?", Twilight asked.

"Five years passed since I defeated Chrysalis", Starlight explained. "That gave her a LOT of time to plan her ultimate revenge. This must have taken several months... no, years... to plan, because now, the Changeling Queen's now a monstrous mutation, drenched in the misery of all her humiliation. Illustrations of nightmares drawn, a crooked empire now long gone. My face won't let her forget the symbol of her regret. A fallen queen has been reawakened."

"That's putting it lightly", Spike quipped.

"She's been remade. She's been hiding in the shadows and no amount of light remains. This is no display. Equestria has been torn apart. Broken down as a reminder of all our misdeeds, and now, it's mangled. This is no illusion", Starlight continued. "Ponies are perishing left and right. Some ponies even committed suicide knowing they wouldn't want to live in world with a tyrannical queen. They can't fight this monster. We need to stop Chrysalis and her army." The Royal Guard were fighting the monsters that spawned from the ground. They somewhat resembled ponies, but they looked unnatural. It's as if they were a combination of Timberwolves and ponies. The Timberwolves were even fighting these monsters. "If we don't stop Chrysalis, then Equestria will suffer even more."

"We will NOT be her slaves! We will not be moved by coroners! We have one shot to save our world! We need to avenge the fallen! Take back our world! OVERRIDE AND CONQUER!", Twilight shouted. Suddenly, hundreds of Timber-ponies began running towards the Changeling Kingdom. Spike, the ponies, and the Changelings all ran towards the incoming army and the two sides clashed. Fortunately, the Timber-ponies were fairly easy to defeat. The only real problem was the mass number of them. Still, several Changelings fell by the Timber-ponies' jaws. Eventually, the army was destroyed. Suddenly, thorny vines emerged from the ground in front of the Changeling Army and grabbed Starlight Glimmer. They squeezed her and the unicorn began to lose her breath. Twilight blasted the vines with her magic, and Starlight was free, though she took a moment to catch her breath. The vines seemed... sentient. "Wait... the tree isn't controlled by Chrysalis... the tree is Chrysalis!" The vines then grabbed Twilight and constricted her. The Changeling Army attacked the vines and freed Twilight. "She wants Starlight! Protect my protégé!" Unfortunately, it was too late. A vine grabbed Starlight and pulled her towards the dormant Chrysalis. "No!"

Inside Chrysalis...

"Well, well, well! If it isn't my arch-pony-nemesis! Once haunted and unwanted by her town!", Chrysalis said. "Don't think I forgot what you did five years ago! Your love will be enough food for me to live FOREVER! NOW, DIE!" Starlight attempted to use her magic, but she was completely powerless. A cocoon wrapped around her and she felt her energy being drained from her. She knew no one could save her. She closed her eyes and accepted her fate. As she died, Chrysalis absorbed her energy. After completely draining her, Chrysalis ejected Starlight's empty husk. Twilight sensed this.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!", Twilight screamed. In a fit of rage, she unleashed a powerful wave of energy that eradicated all the Timber-ponies, but a fresh batch was quickly made, and in no time at all, a war broke out.

"Attack, my children! They won't survive, for I am a RAVAGE!", Chrysalis screamed. Even I, the Eye of the Beholder, could not believe what I saw. However, I could only watch as interfering would break history. Let me calm the mood with some tunes. I think you'll find this one fitting.

This day is going to be perfect
The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small
Everypony will gather 'round
Say I look lovely in my gown
What they don't know is that I have fooled them all!
This day was going to be perfect
The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small
But instead of having cake
With all my friends to celebrate
My wedding bells, they may not ring for me at all…
I could care less about the dress
I won't partake in any cake
Vows, well I'll be lying when I say
That through any kind of weather
I'll want us to be together
The truth is I don't care for him at all
No I do not love the groom
In my heart there is no room
But I still want him to be all mine
We must escape before it's too late
Find a way to save the day
Hope, I'll be lying if I say
"I don't fear that I may lose him
To one who wants to use him
Not care for, love, and cherish him each day"
For I oh so love the groom
All my thoughts he does consume
Oh, Shining Armor, I'll be there very soon
Finally the moment has arrived
For me to be one lucky bride
Oh, the wedding we won't make
He'll end up marrying a fake
Shining Armor will be...
...mine, all mine.

There's another part.

This day has been just perfect
The kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small
Everypony I'll soon control
Every stallion, mare, and foal
Who says a girl can't really have it all?

What? Not epic enough? Well, excuse me.

Author's Note

While there are My Little Pony songs featured in this story (because I want to focus on the story and not songs from other media), there are quite a bit of Easter Eggs and references to various other songs by various artists. This is the list for this chapter.

This must have taken several months... no, years... to plan, because now, the Changeling Queen's now a monstrous mutation, drenched in the misery of all her humiliation. Illustrations of nightmares drawn, a crooked empire now long gone. My face won't let her forget the symbol of her regret.- Symbol Of My Regret by NateWantsToBattle

She's been remade. She's been hiding in the shadows and no amount of light remains. This is no display. Equestria has been torn apart. Broken down as a reminder of all our misdeeds, and now, it's mangled. This is no illusion.- What You Want by NateWantsToBattle and JT Music

We will NOT be her slaves! We will not be moved by coroners! We have one shot to save our world! We need to avenge the fallen! Take back our world! OVERRIDE AND CONQUER!- Override And Conquer by IRIS

Once haunted and unwanted by her town!- Haunted And Unwanted by NateWantsToBattle

They won't survive, for I am a RAVAGE!- I'll Find My Way by IRIS

Chapter 2: The War For Equestria

As we all know, war never changes. Throughout several weeks, trenches were created for safety. Still, Twilight thought that Equestria might be a lost cause, and if this was true, then she wouldn't have a reason to live anymore. She already lost her protégé, and she carried a heavy burden on her back. The Mane Six and Spike hid in a trench with some of the Changelings. "Come out and play, ponies!", Chrysalis maniacally shrieked. "I can smell the stink of your fear! Fear me each heartbeat! You will never leave! My reign never fades, it just grows infecting your space, your world, and I can't be ERASED! YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM YOUR FATE!"

"She's right", Twilight said. "We can't win this. Equestria is doomed. We are the last line of defense." Suddenly, vines started growing where the Mane Six stood. They snared a Changeling. He attempted to fly off, but the vines absorbed his life force, leaving nothing more than an empty husk... just like the rest of the fallen Changelings. Apparently, it's the Changelings that give Chrysalis power. She absorbed Starlight Glimmer because Starlight's love was extremely powerful, so Chrysalis knew that with Starlight's life force, she could become eternal. "Run!" The Mane Six and Spike ran through the battlefield as the Changelings from the trench tried to contain the vines. They failed, however, and fell victim to Chrysalis.

"I must FEED!", Chrysalis screamed. "This is what I was BORN TO DO!" She spotted the Mane Six and Spike as they were entering another trench. "Where do you think YOU'RE going?!" She grabbed them with her vines. "Seven little creatures tied up like fish. You thought I was gone, but I'M STILL HERE!!!" Twilight blasted Chrysalis with her magic, but no damage was dealt. "How cute. You actually thought you had a chance against me. Well... now, I will destroy everything you have ever loved!" She squeezed Twilight and blood trickled from the vine that ensnared her. She began to absorb their life forces, but a rock hit her. "What the hell was that?!" She dropped her captives and they ran to the nearest trench. Even in this new form, she couldn't see who threw the rock. She was now distracted. "You can't hide!"

Oh, yes, I can. For those of you who are confused, I threw the rock. Small acts like throwing rocks won't break history. However, if I do something much more powerful, then history will break. Also, I am a gargantuan being who sees the entire universe. I can change my size should the occasion call for it. Ah, I'm rambling. One more thing. The Mothohive, an ancient being of power, is very similar to Chrysalis. I believe that if the storyline known as Jaws Of Dawn inspired Chrysalis to do this, then I have a feeling I know how this will go down...

The Mane Six and Spike were safely hidden in another trench. They found the Cutie Mark Crusaders cowering in fear. They hugged their respective sisters/sisterly figure. It turns out they wanted to join the Mane Six in battle. They said they saw the Young Six in another trench. Their mission is to go to that trench... without dying. Chrysalis was still distracted (how amusing), so the ten heroes ran out of the trench and ran past Chrysalis. They made it to the Young Six's trench. Alongside them were Thorax and Pharynx. Trixie and Discord were planning on avenging their fallen friend, so they joined the war as well. (By my count, that's twenty soldiers. Oh, boy.) Twilight saw Changeling soldiers around the trench having committed suicide. Trixie explained that they couldn't bear the thought of their life forces being absorbed by the evil Queen as she put her cape on a bloodied Twilight. The Princess of Friendship's protégé's best friend embraced her tightly, knowing she was the last piece of Starlight. (Nothing romantic here. Move along.) I think I know a good tune for this moment.

I have to find a way
To make this all okay
I can't believe this small mistake
Could've caused so much heartache
Oh why, oh why?
Something is wrong, it's plain to see
This isn't how it's meant to be
And you can't see it like I do
It's not the life that's meant for you
Oh why, oh why?
Losing promise
I don't know what to do
Seeking answers
I fear I won't get through to you
I'll try
And I'll try
I'll try
And I'll try

I must say I teared up listening to this... which actually makes sense, since I'm a literal eyeball. I might've caused a giant storm while crying. Well, some things are just sad. Give me a break.

Gallus flew out of the trench to get a better view. He saw Chrysalis swaying in the wind, no longer distracted. "Guys, if we're going to attack, now's the time", he said.

"He's right. Let's go", Ocellus replied. The twenty soldiers all nodded in agreement. Trixie put her cape back on and she and the others climbed the ladder one by one. I have another tune while we're waiting. It's the perfect pre-battle tune.

My Little Pony, My Little Pony,
What is friendship all about?
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Friendship is magic!
(My Little Pony)
I used to wonder what friendship could be.
(My Little Pony)
Until you all shared its magic with me.
When I was young I was too busy to make any friends.
Such silliness did not seem worth the effort it expends.
But my little ponies, you opened up my eyes
And now the truth is crystal clear, as splendid summer skies.
And it's such a wonderful surprise.
(My Little Pony)
I used to wonder what friendship could be.
(My Little Pony)
Until you all shared its magic with me.
When danger makes me wanna hide, you'll Rainbow Dash to my side,
Kindness is never in short supply, once smitten twice Fluttershy.
For honesty no pony can deny, you are the Applejack of my eye,
A heart that shines so beautiful, a Rarity to come by
And you all make fun and laughter as easy as Pinkie Pie!
(My Little Pony)
I used to wonder what friendship could be.
(My Little Pony)
Until you all shared its magic with me.
Our friendship's magic and it's growing all the time.
A new adventure waits for us each day is yours and mine.
We'll make it special every time!
We'll make it special every time!
(My Little Pony)
What a wonderful wonder friendship brings
(My Little Pony)
Do you know you're all my very best
(Friends!) Friends, you're my very best
(Friends!) Friends, you're my very best
(Friends!) Friends, you're my very best
(Friends!) Friends!

"UNITED WE STAND!", the twenty heroes shouted in unison.

Author's Note

While there are My Little Pony songs featured in this story (because I want to focus on the story and not songs from other media), there are quite a bit of Easter Eggs and references to various other songs by various artists. This is the list for this chapter.

Fear me each heartbeat! You will never leave! My reign never fades, it just grows infecting your space, your world, and I can't be ERASED!- The Reel Stain by Xandu

You thought I was gone, but I'M STILL HERE!!!- Meet Thy Maker by DAGames

UNITED WE STAND!- United We Stand by DAGames

Chapter 3: Rise Against The Queen

"Oh? You're approaching me?", Chrysalis asked. "Well... prepare to meet your ends!" Vines sprouted up from the ground. One ensnared Apple Bloom and quickly finished her off, which made sense, given the fact that she's a simple Earth filly. The Elements of Harmony unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some immense damage. Sweetie Belle blasted the villain with her magic, doing little damage. Scootaloo couldn't fly, so she could only kick the villain. Spike unleashed his fire breath, dealing some immense damage. Thorax and Pharynx were quickly ensnared by some of the vines, and their life forces were drained. The Young Six unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some heavy damage. Trixie attacked Chrysalis using her magic, dealing some damage. Discord used his chaos magic to unleash some lightning, dealing some extremely heavy damage.

The vines ensnared Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and finished them off. The Elements of Harmony unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some immense damage. Spike unleashed his fire breath, dealing some immense damage. The Young Six unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some heavy damage. Trixie attacked Chrysalis using her magic, dealing some damage. Discord used his chaos magic to unleash some lightning, dealing some extremely heavy damage.

"You fools!", Chrysalis bellowed as the vines ensnared Discord and absorbed his life force. The Elements of Harmony unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some immense damage. Spike unleashed his fire breath, dealing some immense damage. The Young Six unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some heavy damage. Trixie attacked Chrysalis using her magic, dealing some damage. "Why even TRY to kill me?!"

The vines ensnared Spike and absorbed his life force. Enraged, the Elements of Harmony unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some immense damage. The Young Six unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some heavy damage. Trixie attacked Chrysalis using her magic, dealing some damage. "HAHAHAHAHA! DIE, YOU WRETCHED VERMIN!", Chrysalis cackled as she ensnared Trixie and absorbed her life force. The Elements of Harmony unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some immense damage. The Young Six unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some heavy damage. "The more of you I take, the stronger I become!" Chrysalis attempted to ensnare the 12 remaining heroes, but they had force fields created by Twilight. The Elements of Harmony unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some immense damage. The Young Six unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some heavy damage. Eventually, the force fields dissipated. "DIE!" Chrysalis ensnared the Young Six and absorbed their life forces. The Elements of Harmony unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some immense damage. Chrysalis attempted to absorb the life forces of the Elements of Harmony, but they were under some kind of protection... my protection at the risk of breaking history. The Elements of Harmony unleashed a powerful blast of magic, dealing some immense damage. They repeated the attack nine more times. After the ninth strike, I grew weak, and my protection faded. The evil Queen absorbed the life forces of the Mane Six, except for Twilight, who was much stronger than her friends. She faced her enemy. She attacked Chrysalis using her magic, dealing some heavy damage. Chrysalis began to absorb Twilight's life force. Vines ensnared her. However, Twilight would not give up. She attacked Chrysalis using her magic, dealing some heavy damage. She repeated the attack three more times before her life force was completely drained. Chrysalis had won.

Knowing that Equestria couldn't fall, I made an extremely risky move: through the walls of ash, I revived the 20 soldiers who fell during the showdown. I appeared in the red sky and used my legendary move known as Revival on Chrysalis. The move allows up to 20 entities to be revived by the being who was affected by the attack. History was on the brink of collapse after I used Revival. If Chrysalis were to be destroyed, the tragedy would be prevented. Twilight charged up her horn. She made one final move and unleashed her full might on Chrysalis, destroying the villain once and for all.

In Chrysalis's wake, there was a spell. After Twilight spoke it, Equestria was reverted back to normal. The ones who fell during the war were all revived. Seeing as how history was affected by this attack, I went back in time to when Chrysalis was defeated for the second time five years ago.

"Well done, Starlight Glimmer. It seems as though you've learned a great deal since we last spoke", Princess Luna said. Suddenly, Chrysalis had emerged from some rubble. However, all she saw was Starlight Glimmer, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Spike, Discord, Thorax, Trixie, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, Princess Flurry Heart, Shining Armor, and her former army of changelings standing united. Princess Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Thorax, Trixie, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, Princess Flurry Heart, and Shining Armor were ready to send Chrysalis flying into next season. She knew she was outnumbered sixteen to one and that nine were ready to laser her. Once again, she had lost. Starlight approached her.

"When Twilight and her friends defeated me, I chose to run away and seek revenge! You don't have to! You can be the leader your subjects deserve", Starlight said. She had offered her hoof to Chrysalis... but she wouldn't accept friendship that easily.

"There is no revenge you could ever conceive of that will come close to what I will exact upon you one day, Starlight Glimmer!", Chrysalis said. She backflipped off the rubble and flew off in defeat. She saw me in the sky and I showed her what would happen if she took the path of revenge she was thinking of choosing. She agreed to choose a different path of revenge. I then went back to my timeline and everything was as it should be.

And so ends this age-old tale of Chrysalis's insanity. But... I did time behind bars for messing with history and reverting it back to normal. Still, the deed is done.

Author's Note

While there are My Little Pony songs featured in this story (because I want to focus on the story and not songs from other media), there are quite a bit of Easter Eggs and references to various other songs by various artists. This is the list for this chapter.

Through the walls of ash, I revived the 20 soldiers who fell during the showdown.- Mothohive by IRIS

But... I did time behind bars for messing with history and reverting it back to normal.- Going Away by IRIS

Still, the deed is done.- Gospel Of Dismay by DAGames