The Rein of the Evil

Twilight had prepared herself for this. She had to cast the spell directly in front of Queen Chrysalis or it wouldn’t work. This meant that she would need an audience with the Queen.

How am I supposed to approach the Queen? she thought, She’s constantly guarded by a group of changelings so I can’t just charge in.

As she pondered this, an idea struck.

I could try sneaking in. Then I can cast the spell and teleport out before I’m caught!

The plan was risky, but if it worked, then this whole fiasco would be over. The only issue remaining after that would be returning to Nightmare Moon’s everlasting night.

Twilight had missed the day and night cycle while living in Canterlot. Princess Celestia had always kept it that way, never allowing one to go on for two long. Remembering her former teacher, a wave of sadness washed over Twilight. She quickly shook it off and started moving. There wasn’t any time for regret. She quickly prepared the potion for the spell, and left her home.

As she walked, she approached the in-construction castle Queen Chrysalis had begun making. She originally lived back in her hive, but the commute towards ponies whose love she could feed on proved to be too long for her, so she recently had decided to just move to Ponyville. The new castle had many elements of the old one, giving off a similar atmosphere to it.

Twilight approached the castle and began brainstorming ways she could get in.

Maybe I could teleport in? No, I need to save all my strength to cast the spell and teleport out safely. Maybe there’s some other entrance I could try?

She walked around the perimeter of the castle, trying to find a way in until finally she saw it.

Is that a window on the floor? Oh, this must be the basement! Too bad the window is surrounded by guards, I’ll have to find a way to distract them.

After she said that, a pink pony with curly hair and a cheery attitude approached her.

“Heya Twilight! Whatcha doing?” chirped Pinkie Pie with a bright smile on her face. Despite everything in the world being the way it was, Pinkie still managed to keep a bright attitude most of the time. Twilight envied that of her.

“Oh, hey Pinkie. I’m trying to find a way… Say, would you be willing to distract the guards over there.” Twilight pointed towards the guards “It’s also very important that you don’t ask why.”

“Hmm, I think I can do that,” Pinkie said with a smile. She walked over to the changeling guards, then pulled out her cannon. “I heard it was your birthday today! Have some cake and some streamers and some confetti and-”

The guards hissed at her causing her to show a slight bit of worry, “Oh, not into celebrations? Well why don't we try group meditation? Or a group exercise! Or a-”

Not wanting to let her continue talking, the changelings charged towards her. Pinkie let out an “Eep!” and ran away.

With the coast clear, Twilight approached the window and went inside. I’ll have to remember to thank Pinkie when this is all over she thought.

Twilight roamed through the castle and made her way to the throne room. She turned the corner and the Queen came into view. She prepared the potion and held up the book she found the spell in, and began to chant:

Mortal rose with midnight wings,

Bring me an end, cut the strings

A cut half mourns the final piece,

Find the love, leave it deceased

…

Nothing happened.

Hearing the chant, Queen Chrysalis immediately turned around to look at her. “What the-” She stammered, “Guards! Seize her!”

Twilight felt one of the guards tackle her, and the room went black.

When Twilight awoke, it was in a small cell in a room. When she took in her surroundings, her eyes widened in shock. Standing right in front of her, was the council that ran Equestria! Thankfully, they didn’t seem to notice her waking up, so she began to secretly listen in on their conversations.

“I found this unicorn roaming around with black roses!” spat out Queen Chrysalis.

“Oh no!” mocked Discord, “How completely dreadful! A little flower being carried by a little pony!”

“I wouldn’t expect an imbecile like you to understand, but this flower can be used in spells that drain love. In other words, this pony was trying to rebel!” fumed Chrysalis.

“Oh pardon me, I just keep forgetting that I’m considered an equal with someone who doesn’t even know how to prevent magic uprisings.” Discord scoffed while materializing a fidget ball to mess around with.

“Please put that toy away! It’s distracting” huffed King Sombra earning him a defiant smirk from Discord.

“Make me,” he challenged.

“Ok, back to the matter at hand,” groaned Queen Chrysalis, changing the subject “How should we deal with this little traitor to the nation?”

“Just let me drain her magic and be done with it,” Tirek suggested, crossing his arms.

“And let you get too powerful?” King Sombra spat out with an accusatory tone, “We can all see her talent is magic!”

“Oh? Well what do you think we should do?” huffed Tirek.

Sombra stamped his hooves “Just leave her to rot in that prison!”

Without warning, a little pegasus entered the room.

“Sorry to interrupt misters, but if you want to settle this easily, I could just go ask the boss what she thinks! It would spare us soooo much unnecessary conflict!” said Cozy glow with a wide smile.

“Well, we can’t just interrupt the boss like that!” protested Sombra with a slightly nervous look.

Suddenly, the sound of hoofsteps coming closer led them all to turn towards the door where the last member walked in.

“What is the meaning of my summoning?” inquired Nightmare Moon with a frown.

“Ohhh, hey moonbutt, how’re ya doing on this nice day? Did you get a new tan?” snickered Discord with a mean smile on his face.

“Don’t patronize me,” she fumed, “Explain yourselves now.”

“I found this little pony attempting to cast a love draining spell on me, “ the Chrysalis said with a fiery rage.

“I see… this love draining spell would render you useless since you use love as an energy source, correct? Very clever of her.” replied Nightmare Moon. Twilight wondered if she was even worried about her.

“Well none of you better get any ideas!” the changeling queen began pacing in circles, “I’m going to set a new law to burn all spell books from now on!”

“How would that stop us?” asked King Sombra with an antagonizing tone, “We have our own libraries you know?”

Discord faced Chrysalis with a wide grin and an angel halo appearing above his head, “Well if you need any tips, you could ask me, I’d just looove to help.”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, “Ugh, I think we’re getting off topic again.”

“I suppose we can just leave her. With my magic crystals blocking her magic, there’s nothing she can do anyways” suggested King Sombra. This made Twilight immediately reach a hoof to her horn, making her realize that her magic was, indeed, being blocked by Sombras crystals. Shoot.

“Well, we can’t just let a criminal loose,” protested Cozy Glow while feigning concern, “People like her have to be locked up for everyone's safety.”

“Ok, so who’s going to take her?” asked Chrysalis.

“Why not you?” asked Cozy.

“Well, I can’t have someone who knows how to take me down.”

“Ok, let’s just draw straws,” decided Discord, materializing 6 straws out of thin air.

“No way are we letting you provide the straws. Everyone knows you always cheat!” grumbled King Sombra.

“I have some long matches!” Shouted Cozy glow pulling some out of her bag. “We can use these as straws. Now, so everyone knows it's fair, I’ll cut them in front of you all.” She cut most straws a different, but similar size, and left one to be much smaller than the rest.

“I’ll take those,” decided Tirek, holding them in his hand with his palms hiding their length so that it was impossible to determine the length of each straw “Alright everyone grab one.”

One by one everyone grabbed a straw.

“Ok, who has the shortest?” inquired Discord.

"Not me"

"Nope "

"I don’t"

"Not it"

"Uh uh"

“Well one of you has to have it,” he insisted.

“Uhm, Discord, open your palm,” suggested Cozy Glow.

“What?” the draconequus opened his palm, “Oh poo.”

“Well I guess it’s settled then.” concluded King Sombra.

“Don’t let her escape!” Queen Chrysalis commanded.

“Another problem successfully solved!” cheered Cozy.

“I’ve had enough of this,” decided Tirek, “I’m leaving now,” and with that, he left.

Twilight paused to assess her situation. Her magic was being blocked, and she was being taken prisoner to wherever Discord ruled over. Where was that again? Somewhere called Griffinstone I think.

Commotion knocked Twilight out of her thoughts, and she faced forward and realized that all the villains but Discord had left.

“So, I guess you're coming with me,” he said looking down at her, “Ugh, I guess a more normal pony would be a nice change of pace compared to all the emo griffins and edgy ponies in Griffinstone.”

“Ponies?” asked Twilight, “I thought only griffins lived in Griffinstone?”

“Oh I give my sincere greetings to you too, I’m Discord by the way! Honestly, who taught you your manners? Who even are you?” he grumbled.

“Oh, I’m Twilight Sparkle,”

“I’ll probably forget that, but whatever.” he replied, “Say, is there even a prison in Griffonstone?”

“Uhm, I’ve never been there before”

“Oh well, I can just design you one.” he smiled with a sinister giggle, sending chills down Twilight’s back.