"CADENZA, I AM SO VERY PROUD OF YOU."

The booming vocals were the polar opposite of the previous disembodied voice that had filled the hall. The sound was feminine and strong, much like my mentor's, but somehow even more authoritative than the Sun Princess' had ever been before. There was an overwhelming aura of power that accompanied the voice giving me the impression that it must be heeded no matter what. As such, I stayed on my guard, -- even though my instincts assured me I didn't have to -- returning my attention back to the alien mana itself.

It was impossible to see Cadenza's body at the moment, the blinding light completely concealing her form from all of us. Chrysalis was still desperately trying to reach the pillar, but any time she drew close to the strange power the chitin on her foreleg and hoof would begin to sear, forcing her to step back. The foreign energy was blaring, emanating a strange noise that was reminiscent of the tone of a timbre instrument.

In spite of Chrysalis' obvious panic, I felt... content. I think the Elements felt the same way as I did, their bright smiles an indication of that. Even Queen Cantata's tears looked to originate from happiness more than any other emotion.

"It's... IT'S HER!" Pinkie quickly transitioned from slightly vibrating in place to nearly becoming a literal firework, bursts of colorful confetti following her body as she bounced around the hall.

"Is it really?" Trixie's exuberant smile didn't match her doubt-filled question, but it appeared as if she couldn't stop, even if she'd wanted to. "Could it really be her?"

"It is," Fluttershy bowed deeply, a look of reverence coming to her face. "I can feel it." The rest of the Elements followed suit, all prostrating themselves as well. Even Pinkie did so after she'd stopped ricocheting around.

"WHAT ARE YOU IDIOTS DOING!? WHY AREN'T YOU TRYING TO HELP HER!?" Chrysalis bellowed, frantically looking at the rest of us as if there was something we could do about the current situation. I moved to take a step towards them, but the strange voice speaking up again stopped me in my tracks.

"BEHOLD, THE PRINCESS OF LOVE: MI AMORE CADENZA!" A sudden pulse of energy surged from the center of the luminescent pillar, forcing all of us back several feet.

As the shower of light began to gradually dissipate from around the pegasus, the sight it revealed was absolutely stunning, to say the least.

"Ca... Cadenza!?" I could hardly hold myself up, the gravity of what I was witnessing nearly forcing me to a sitting position.

How!? How is this possible!?

"What is it, Sunset?" she asked after turning my way. She still had that same innocent smile as before, though somehow she was even more beautiful now.

"It's... It's a miracle," Rarity remarked in awe. Her statement probably wasn't far from the truth.

"My Little Heart... you..." Cantata stepped towards her daughter, drawing the princess' attention. "You... you have a horn."

Cadenza's eyes went wide with disbelief.

"I..." She lifted a hoof to her forehead, prodding gently at the new spire. "I have a..." She was in her own stupor of confused doubt, much like the rest of us.

The Princess of the Crystal Empire had become an alicorn.

"I'm an... alicor-"

"ANOTHER ONE!?" Chrysalis' shriek of despair drew the attention of the room. She was beside herself with grief, as if Cadenza had made the decision to head to the hive this very moment and wipe it from existence.

"Chrysalis..." the new alicorn looked unsure for a second before stomping up to the bug. As Cadenza got right in her sister's face an undeniable air of authority emanated from her. "This doesn't change anything, Chrysalis," she declared confidently before her sweet smile came back to her lips. "Just try to look at it this way, Sis; now you'll have one looking out for you and the rest of the Changelings," she threw a foreleg around her elder sibling's neck.

"So you were actually serious about that?" Chrysalis looked down at her younger sister, a distasteful expression on her face.

"As a heart attack," Cadenza giggled, nuzzling further into the changeling.

"Fine, FINE! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE POKING THAT THING!" Chrysalis growled, grabbing Cadenza's foreleg and lowering it to the floor.

"S-SORRY!" Cadenza turned away, embarrassment turning her cheeks red.

"I suppose you being an alicorn might not be the worst thing to happen," Chrysalis turned her own head away, failing to hide the slight grin that'd come to her lips, at least from me. The Queen of the Changelings' horn began to sparkle causing the Elements, Queen Cantata, and I to all tense up. Cadenza, however, did not react, still simply smiling as she swayed her head back and forth, staring up at her newly acquired spire with foalish glee. Chrysalis, on the other hoof, looked at the rest of us like we were a bunch of ants ruining her picnic.

"Don't do anything dumb, Chrysalis," I energized my own horn, glaring at the bug. Chrysalis' actions made it clear that even if we were all in awe of Cadenza's transformation we were still in very real danger. None of us could afford to let our guard down. And yet...

"Sunset," Cadenza was in front of her sister in an instant, taking up a defensive posture. "She already agreed to cooperate. You don't have to be so paranoid," her horn began to glow with light blue mana. Judging by her confused expression, it was not an intentional display of power. She looked up at the spire, worry painting her features. "Does that... does that happen often?" she nervously looked my way for an answer.

"You'll get used to it," I chuckled before looking back at the Changeling Queen with much less aggression. "And you're right, Cadenza. I shouldn't be jumping to conclusions. I'm sorry."

"Thanks, Sunset," the alicorn grinned with satisfaction before turning back around. "What's going on, Chrysalis? What are you doing?"

"Certainly something nefarious," Cantata muttered under her breath.

"What I was doing," Chrysalis scoffed derisively at the queen before sending more mana into her horn. "was notifying the hive that there are no problems on my end."

"AHA! YOU SEE!?" Cantata pointed an accusing hoof, a look of smug satisfaction on her face. "She's still planning something!"

"Mom..." Cadenza sighed, keeping her tone kind while her expression had shifted to one of disappointment. "That's not it."

The queen looked flabbergasted.

"It's a safeguard," I tapped my chin, making a guess, but arriving at an answer I found to be pretty reasonable. "Right, Chrysalis?" The changeling looked down at me with a pleased smile.

"So very perceptive," she nodded her head once. "My children can be a... nervous bunch," she narrowed her eyes at the queen. "If I don't notify them of my safety at regular intervals they may take it upon themselves to..." she sneered, "deal with my captives."

"S-see?" Cadenza smiled nervously. "She's... uhm er... helping?" Not even the newly appointed Princess of Love could keep a genuine smile on her face after stumbling over her words like that. Still, she was correct. Chrysalis was trying.
The Changeling Queen smirked condescendingly at the Queen of the Crystal Empire.

"What's next?" I asked Queen Cantata in an attempt to steer the conversation in a more productive direction. "I can't imagine you'll be going against Cadenza's wishes at this point, Your Highness."

"You would be right, Sunset," Cantata shrugged, lifting a hoof in defeat. "On that point, at least. However, I am no longer the one who will be making those decisions moving forward."

"What are you saying, Your Highness?" I inquired. The queen simply sighed.

"Mom?" Cadenza was just as confused as the rest of us, pressing her parent for an answer.

"My blunders are beginning to become far too costly for the Empire, my Little Heart," Cantata smiled bitterly. "She," the pegasus glared daggers at the changeling, "was only able to do all of this because of my failures as a ruler."

"Mom, that's not-"

"No, Cady," Chrysalis smirked deviously, keeping her eyes on the pegasus. "She's right. It was soooo easy for me. All because of her incompetence."

"Chrysalis please don't-"

"Finally we agree on something, you overgrown cockroach!" Cantata interrupted her daughter. The storm of aggression swirling between the two queens was enough to force me to speak my mind.

"Let's try to keep things civil... Your Highnesses," I said firmly.

"She's right, ladies," Cadenza frowned, focusing on her mother. "Besides, if you're not gonna make choices anymore then who-"

"You, my Little Heart," Cantata walked up to her daughter, looking up at her horn with a loving smile. "I'm certain your transformation is evidence enough of just how worthy you are to take up my mantle."

"M-Mom..." Tears began to fill Cadenza's eyes as she did her best to hold them in. Cantata hugged her child, causing the alicorn to give in to her emotions.

"I was already considering stepping down when you told me that Shining Armor had proposed to you," the queen rubbed her daughters withers. "What has happened... this," she lifted her head towards Cadenza's horn. "Has made it clear. It's time, my Little Heart."

"Mom!" Cadenza bawled.

...

"What an interesting development," Chrysalis licked her lips.

"Chrysalis," I rubbed my head with a hoof.
"Would you please just let them have a moment?"

"Aw, you're no fun, Sunset," she pouted, though it was obviously just an act.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but," Fluttershy called out, drawing our attention. "We need to go check on Sunburst."

"The stallion is fine, pegasus," Chrysalis stared at the yellow mare with an annoyed expression. "I gave my children strict "no kill" orders."

"Your children aren't really the issue, Chrysalis," Trixie interjected with an angry huff.

Chrysalis and I exchanged a confused glance.

"We need to go find him," Rainbow Dash declared. "NOW!"

++++++++++++++++++++++

Sunburst...

As our motley crew trotted up to the stallion it was clear by the state he was in that he'd been to tartarus and back .

He had countless lengthy cuts and large gashes adorning his body. He was laying in such a way that made it clear his left hind leg was broken in several places. From where I stood it was hard to say if he was even breathing anymore.

"SUNBURST!?" Fluttershy shouted louder than I thought possible for the yellow pegasus' meager frame. All six of the Elements galloped up to the devastated unicorn, the yellow mare leading the charge. Cadenza and Queen Cantata followed close behind the group, worry painting their features as well.

I knew with the shy pony looking after Sunburst there was little to worry about so I decided to survey the area instead. The entrance hall was more narrow than other wings of the palace, but it was still rather large. It was furnished just as elaborately as the other parts of the palace as well. Right now though, the decor was not doing so well.

Scorched carpets, ripped tapestries, and broken windows filled the hall. On the opposite side of the room -- opposite where Sunburst's body was located -- were thirteen changelings that were just as motionless as Sunburst. They looked to be in a similar state of physical devastation as well.

As I trotted towards them their Queen strided past me, an expression devoid of emotion on her face. She came to a stop before the largest changeling, staring down at it with the same lifeless look. I came to a standstill next to her, realizing rather quickly that she wasn't paying an ounce of attention to me anymore.

As she took a deep breath and closed her eyes I decided to let whatever she was about to do play out. After a few seconds of silence, small specks of a glowing emerald substance I'd never seen before floated out of the holes on her body. It wasn't mana, -- her horn quiet -- but something else entirely.

The flecks spread throughout the room before dissolving into the air. I looked back at the others, noting that the new introduction to the atmosphere hadn't visibly harmed them so I could continue observing. Returning my attention to the Changeling Queen brought an ache to my stomach.

She was pissed.

"ON YOUR HOOVES, YŌCHŪ!" she commanded the changeling sprawled on the floor before her. With several cracking sounds and a wail of agony the changeling somehow stood up.

This one was the only changeling out of the thirteen donning sleek ebony armor. Covering various parts of his body, it was chipped on the chest and shattered along one leg and the left shoulder. The changeling's right foreleg was a gnarled mess, the armor there completely absent. He donned no helmet, a strange thing to be missing, although it could have been lost in the battle. It was beyond impressive he managed to stand, let alone move at all.

"Your... Highness..." he lifted his battered foreleg in an attempt to salute his queen, failing to do so before lowering it and bowing deeply instead. "I beg of you, my Queen. Spare the others. It was me. My incompetence failed you, not them. Please show the others mercy!"

"Mercy?" she continued to stare down at him as if he were a piece of rubbish. I moved to speak, but the queen shifted her gaze to me without budging. Her eyes screamed "they are my children, you will remain silent!", and there was enough royal authority emanating from her that I obeyed without any resistance. "The rest of you failures, STAND WITH YOUR GENERAL!"

Another command that was followed without question in spite of their injuries. The changelings were eventually able to line up behind the general, their beaten bodies delaying them, but not preventing them. I admired their tenacity. Chrysalis grew even more sour due to their slackened pace.

"YOUR HIGHNESS!" they managed to shout out as one as they all bowed.

"Your General believes he is to blame for your failure," Chrysalis kept her gaze on Yōchū. "Your mission was to capture or prevent the Elements from interfering with my operations. You ALL failed. As such, the HORDE has failed. As such, I have failed. What do you have to say for yourselves?"

...

"ANSWER YOUR QUEEN!" Yōchū shouted after only a few seconds of silence had passed.

"We are to blame, Your Highness, not Yōchū," one of the changelings stated, not lifting her head. "We are weak. Had we been strong enough our numbers would have ensured your success."

"If anyone is to blame, it is us, Your Highness," another chimed in.

"Yōchū is a fine leader, Your Highness," said another.

"Please spare his-"

"ENOUGH!" Chrysalis shouted, ending their pleas. She still hadn't taken her wrathful glare off of her general. "While your comraderie is touching, I've already made a decision," she placed a hoof under Yōchū's chin, lifting his head to look into her eyes. "A superior should take responsibility for the mistakes of their subordinates," she smiled sadistically, letting him go and taking a step away from him.

The general kept his head up, tilting it even further with a satisfied smile on his face.

"SERVE THE QUEEN," he shouted, his smile widening.

"SERVE THE QUEEN!" the others followed his lead, stomping their hooves a single time.

"Indeed," Chrysalis lowered her head, her horn sparking to life for a split second before returning to a dormant state.

...

Nothing happened.

"Chrysalis wh-" I stopped short, watching in horror as her general's head was separated from his body, both falling to the floor with a pair of thumps. "C-CHRYSALIS!?" I took a terrified step backwards. I had no time to recover or process what I'd just witnessed, the same spell ending the lives of all the changelings behind their leader in the exact same manner.
I turned to look at the Changeling Queen. My body shivered at the unadulterated level of frigidness she'd just displayed and now possessed. I was completely stunned by the cruelty I'd just seen.

"Did you expect me to employ your concept of mercy?" the Changeling wiped tears from her eyes. "Within the hive, death is a mercy that frees one from suffering."

"But... but you can't just..." A dull ringing sound came from the corpses, drawing my gaze. Jade light lifted from the bodies, floating over to the insect queen. She watched as it all focused on her breast before fading away into her.

"They've returned to their Queen," she gently pressed a hoof against her chest. "Like all changelings are meant to," she sighed in what could only be described as adoration. "That was an extremely difficult decision for me to make. The hive lost its general as well as some of its most skilled warriors this day."

I could only watch her in wonder, completely confounded by her and the ways of her species.

"Why didn't you use a spell like that against me, Chrysalis?" I asked bluntly. It was clear the queen had tricks up her sleeve she hadn't utilized against me. "What... what are you?"

"Me?" she laughed heartily. "I am the Mother and Queen of all Changelings!" she declared emphatically, sweeping a hoof through her mane to regain that same aura of royalty as before. "Don't ever forget it, Sunset Shimmer," she cackled madly. "And as for why I didn't utilize my full arsenal against you..." she looked down her nose at me in contempt. "Well... it was never my intention to kill you," she smirked, getting directly in my face. "Next time, I'll show you just how strong I really am."

"I look forward to it, Your Highness," I sneered back. We stared into each other's fierce eyes for seconds, neither of us willing to back down.

"Sunset... can you come over here for a second?" Cadenza called from across the hall.

"I'll be right there, Your Highness," I kept my eyes on the changeling as I backed away from her. "Y'know something, Chrysalis?" I lifted a brow before deliberately giving her my back. "I don't think you're as evil as you try to appear... at least not when it comes to your children."

She looked taken aback for a second, but recovered quickly. "Oh naive little Sunset," she cooed. "For how incredibly perceptive you seem to be, you certainly can't seem to see a monster for what it truly is."

"Starlight was a pretty awful pony in the past, too," I shrugged, a smile coming to my face. "Now she's one of my best friends," I glanced over my shoulder at her. "Maybe in the future, you'll be the same." I continued over to the others only to hear the Queen make one more snide remark.

"Keep on dreaming, little pony."

Author's Note

So Chrys is not going to be sunshine, gumdrops, and rainbows.

Also Cadance deserves the world and more. I love her so much.