Family Ties

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Wedding Preparations
Chapter 2 - Being replaced
Chapter 3 - Into the Depths
Breaking Down the Walls
Chapter 5 - The Wrong Conclusions
Chapter 6 - Events There After
Epilogue - Celestial Armour
Prologue - Unconventional Twins
Chapter 7 - Introducing Evening Star

Chapter 1 - Wedding Preparations

Twilight was fuming that she had been informed of the royal wedding by mail and not her brother in pony. Sure he was the ‘captain’ of the royal guards of Canterlot, but it was no excuse. With her in the cabin were Spike, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Applejack. Each talking about how awesome it was going to be to actually be a part of the wedding, though Twilight was pissed off.

She was 21 and her brother 25 but regardless, she still held him to a standard. If this Mi Amore Cadenza was a ‘hussy’, as Rarity had put it, then he would get a stern talking to about it. She looked out the window to see a huge bubble like skin covering Canterlot in a rich pink.

As the train passed though she glanced briefly at her mane, sure enough, the spell removed her own enchantment and returned it to its vibrant orange and pink coloured stripe that she hated. She re-casted her enchantment, changing it back to purple and hot pink, with no-pony noticing the change in the mare. She muttered a few choice words in Germane; her father was from Germaney so she learnt the language but kept to English most of the time, unless she was really pissed off then somehow she defaulted to it.

As the train jarred to a halt at the main station she was thrown into the table by the sudden stopping motion. Twilight didn’t miss a step as she bolted for the main doors and dashed out at speeds that would impress Rainbow Dash.

As she darted and weaved through the confused crowd of ponies she managed to get to the main barracks were Shining Armour would be. She rushed into the main courtyard and found herself swiftly tackled to the floor by a pair of guards.

“Shining armour!” she shouted as they held her down. “Bekommen Sie heir unten jetzt bruder”

“Twili?” Shining armour asked as he walked into the courtyard “let her go guys, she isn’t a threat”

“Dank” she replied, Getting up and dusting off her coat and getting the grass seeds out.

“Umm Twilight you know that you are speaking Germane again” Shining said. She looked at him, and then blushed.

“What? Sorry” she admitted

“You’re pissed off again aren't you?” Shining said. This comment probably wasn't the best comment to make. Her face went from embarrassed to shear pissed off.

“That is the understatement of the century, of course I’m bucking pissed off here! You don’t even have the gall to tell me in pony but via letter and getting married to some princess Cadenza!” Twilight began.

The pair of guards had to admit, watching this mare rip shreds off their captain as quite amusing in its self.

“Twilight you must understand that I would have. There have been threats made against the throne. That’s why I couldn't come down with her to say the good news” he said, she glanced up to see the shield go hexagonal before becoming a solid piece again

“Yeah I noticed. It kind of got rid of my own enchantment. Nice job on that” she dead panned.

“You mean your hair colour one?” Shining asked, Twilight nodded. “You know I still don’t know what that is”

Twilight glared at him. He knew she hated when that was brought up.

“And it can stay that way” she said. “Stop changing the subject. Who is this Mi Amore Cadenza?” she asked. The sound of horseshoes on the pavement followed by a sweet sounding voice came from one of the side doors.

“That would be me Twilight” the Alicorn said. “It’s my full name. Celestia demanded that I put it instead of just ‘Cadance’ on the invites”

Twilight’s expression changed to happiness as they both burst into their special hoof shake. The guards smirked under their helmets at the sight. The pair laughed it off though.

“Cadance, I cannot believe it? You’re marrying Shining Armour!” twilight exclaimed.

“Yes I am. Well we both agreed that dating for over 2 years now. We better tie the knot” She said. “Besides, I want you to help me with the preparations”

“Really?” Twilight asked, “I would love to help!”

“That’s good to hear” Cadance said. She kissed Shining armour, “ I'll be home before you tonight, so don’t over exert yourself okay”

“Okay dear I won’t” He said, he glanced over at the pair of guards who noticed and went ramrod still. “I got a guard to organise”

“Okay then. I'll see you tonight” Cadance said. “Come on Twilight; I want to check on how your friends are going”

“Sure!” she exclaimed as the pair walked off.

“Okay then. You two follow me. I got something planned for you” Shinning said, The Guards gulped at that comment. Last time the captain had said that, they got toilet duty in Luna’s quarters.

~0~0~

Changeling hive of operations, below Canterlot castle

The mare was slammed hard into the rock floor before her queen. She gasped and spat out green blood. A pair of drones held her to the floor as the largest, a Queen, stood over her, tutting as she did so.

The mare looked remarkably like Twilight Sparkle, but she had a metallic green saddle like carapace on her back, a pair of insect wings and a horn that was bent. Her mane and tail was a rich green colour to offset her light gray coat. Her hooves had small holes through them, but nothing huge like the queen before her.

“Chrysalis, again you have disobeyed me” the Queen stated, “first you refused your heritage as a changeling queen. Secondly you refuse to aid us in the invasion of Canterlot. Now I find that you warned the enemy of our intentions!” she shouted at the end. The drones cowered at the raging Changeling queen.

The mare remained still. Her eyes were like that of a pony rather than the orbs of pure colour like her brethren. Her wings lay limp thanks to the changeling drones shattering them, again. Her own horn was bent and holes present.

“Chrysalis. I though I brought you up. Not dragged you up. I gave you everything you could ever want. All the love you could ever need. And this is how you repay me?” the queen said. In her magic was a small crown that ended in small spheres. The mare before her looked up in anger more than fear

“I never asked for your love!” Chrysalis said firmly. “And my name is Evening Star not Chrysalis!” she spat.

The Queen tutted in annoyance as she showed the crown to the mare before her, “This is a special crown Chrysalis. It links the wearer to the hive and acts like a conduit. You will be that conduit, our spear against the ponies and you will obey me”
“Buck you Amaryllis” Chrysalis spat. The Queen sighed and placed the crown behind her horn.

Chrysalis screamed in pain as it embedded it’s self through her carapace and sent waves of pain through her body. The Drones backed off as sickening cracks and pops could be heard as her body reconfigured it’s self to the form of the queen before her. Her legs elongated, her horn increased in size, her fangs grew in and her body became a true queen to the changeling hive.

“Now then, my daughter Chrysalis, how do you feel?” Amaryllis asked. The new queen was shaky on her legs. She looked up with reptile like eyes.

“Much better mother, I do not know what came over me” She said standing at her new height. “Do you have a potential target? This wedding is going to be crashed”

“Why yes we do my daughter” the queen said, beckoning her over to a large crystal. In it was a reflection of Twilight and Cadance. “Taking the princess will be far too hard. You will need to go after the unicorn mare Twilight Sparkle. Take her out, and feed off the love from her brother, Sister in law, her friends. Enjoy”

“I will mother. I will”

Chapter 2 - Being replaced

Chapter two – Being Replaced

After checking up on all the preparations with her future sister in law, Twilight had found that she was really happy for the first time in a long time. Like the time when she was accepted into her school, or when she had been selected to be Celestia’s protégé.

She needed to tell a certain some pony about this. Not Cadance or Shinning, they knew how happy she was; her mother and father where busy with helping out Shining Armour so they were out of the question. No she needed to tell the only pony that knew of her mane’s true colour.

She walked into the cemetery as the sun began to set over the horizon. Walking past the many the many tomb stones she found one in particular. Set in what appeared to be purple and gray crystal was her cutie mark above the name.

Evening Star, this was where they had held the ceremony after she had been declared dead after 4 months of searching. She let her mane return to its orange colour. She rarely came here, but when she was capable, she altered the headstone to look like it does today.

“Guess what Evening, bro’s getting married!” Twilight began. She talked for over an hour when she was interrupted by an elderly mare coughing to get her attention. “How long have you been there?”

“Little under 10 minutes, I apologise for the interruption but I wish to speak with you about Evening Star” the mare said.

“What about her?” Twilight asked. “She has been dead for...”

“Over 20 years I know Twilight. I was there when it happened” she said.

“Wait, but there was no witnesses” Twilight said

“None that came forward about the truth, I was scared, but I wish not to dwell on it for my time it drawing near. Evening star was not a normal pony. Neither of you were”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked. The mare looked around briefly before sighing.

“It wasn’t a break in or stolen child. Celestia was the one who tried to kill her because she was a Changeling larva” the mare stated. Twilight’s expression changed to confusion, “I can see that you are confused my dear. Though not as prevalent as they were a few years ago, Changeling Larva, are unique in how they reproduce for their queens”

“How do you know all this?” Twilight asked. The mare chuckled.

“I was there at your birth of you and Evening Star. I went to check up on you and was forced to hide from Celestia and the Doctor when hey entered shortly after myself. I watched as she attempted to kill Evening but it was you who stopped her. With magic I could scarcely believe. She then placed some kind of enchantment on you” she said. Twilight tried to speak but found it odd that she didn’t. “Now I have told you, we will not meet again. Goodbye Twilight Sparkle”

Twilight remained motionless, unable to move but hear everything. Her form stiff thanks to a pair of light green needle like spines jutting out of her back legs. She tried to move but found herself unable to. She heard clopping come from her blind side.

“All too easy Twilight Sparkle. Though hearing that tale was interesting enough as is” he own voice said from her side. A complete replica of her walked into her vision this included her orange mane. Her eyes narrowed at the imposter, “Oh come now orange suits you I think. Well it will once I'm done. Not that I care really, Canterlot will become a hive once my queen is done with it”

Green flames licked around twilights hooves as a ring of it appeared and began to engulf her in a pure green dome. She tried to escape, but it was to no avail thanks to the toxin in her system. She felt the ground give way as she sunk into it to the imposter smirking and waving cheekily at her.

“Twilight, what the hay you doing out here girl?” a Familiar voice of Applejack asked. ‘Twilight’ looked over.

“Just going for a walk” she replied. Hoping that she would buy it, “You know, late night walk in the cemetery. The usual”

“Usual; That aint usual girl, that’s borderline crazy. You sure you okay and what happened to your mane?” Applejack asked walking up, “Ah didn’t know you dyed your mane purple”

“Oh right. Sorry” she said. Her horn flashed green and changed it back to purple. “Better?”

“Much. So you came out here to do your mane?” Applejack asked. The imposter nodded in agreement, “Why didn’t you say so earlier girl. Rarity would have been able to help you out with that. Come on, we got a dinner to get to”

“Coming” ‘Twilight’ said walking up to her friend. In her mind she could feel the love stemming from the mare.

Deep down though. Something stirred in her, something that was being repressed. It was trying to break free. Evening Star wouldn’t let Amaryllis win so easily.

~-~-~

It was during the practice that ‘Twilight’ walked in calm and collected, the love in the room feeding her ever increasing hunger. She noted that it was Celestia that was most concerned looks towards her, as she was positioned next to Shining Armour.

After the practice it was Cadance that had spoken up to Celestia. Chrysalis walked out, waited for every pony to leave and took on the guise of a maid and began to clean up to overhear the conversation.

“Something is seriously wrong Celestia. I know it; she was all perky yesterday, now she is quiet and broody. It’s not like her”

“Cadance; I know you are concerned. She is my student I know this. But these things happen. She might be contemplating finding someone of her own” Celestia said as she began to leave Cadance in the main hall.

“Celestia, I know who sent that warning. It was Evening Star” she said. Celestia seemed to stiffen at the name. “If she is alive, then we need to find her. I believe that would break her out of this stupor”

“Cadance, Evening Star is long dead. The Changeling was killed. I made sure of it” Celestia said. Cadance’s eye twitched at the coldness of her aunt’s comment. Deep down inside of Chrysalis, Evening star rejoiced that they knew about her.

“I don’t care about that right now. You and I both know she wasn’t a true changeling” Cadance said, “You just tell yourself that to make you feel better about the fact that you attempted to murder her”

“Enough. One more word and I will ensure you will not speak again” Celestia bellowed. Cadance recomposed herself and nodded. “Good. Now then, let us not speak of this to anypony”

Chrysalis grinned, a perfect target to take in. She followed the pink princess to her quarters. “Princess, did you require anything?”

“No thank you” she replied gloomily. Chrysalis looked at her. “Is something the matter?”

“No, I-” Chrysalises said, her face twitched as something was trying to take hold of her mind. “-I have other duties to attend to. Sorry for interrupting princess. I wish you all the best for the wedding” In a flash of green the mare disappeared leaving a confused Cadance to stand there.

The mare wasn't even a unicorn, so how did she teleport away?

~0~0~

The real Twilight found her in a very odd situation. She was hanging about 6 inches off the floor, by her forehooves upright in a large pillar like spike of light green hardened goo. Her whole lower body was encased and her forehooves at right angles, spread eagle, holding her upright in the goo.

The inside of the column was actually more akin to Jelly than goo, but she could hardly move anyway thanks to the hardened parts. She hung her head down, she was trapped and with a cold Iron ring on her horn, teleportation was out of the question.

“Given up have we?” a Soft voice said walking in on her. Twilight looked up and Gasped at the sight before her. A Changeling Queen flanked by a pair of smaller changelings.

“What are you?” Twilight asked. The Queen chuckled, “answer me!”

“You are in no place to make such demands, Twilight Sparkle” she replied, “But because you showed more backbone that Chrysalis, I will tell you. I am Queen Amaryllis, ruler of the changeling empire. And these two are changelings my dear” the queen ran her hoof down twilights face, “you are more beautiful than I had first imagined. The orange mane suits your fiery personality”

“And you’re disgusting” Twilight retorted. She got a hoof across the face, leaving a red mark on her cheek.

“ I'm likening you more and more I listen to you speak. If only Chrysalis was as impulsive. She would have been better off” she stated. A quick flash of green flames appeared behind the Queen as a second one appeared, and staggered around for a few steps. “Speaking of the devil, Princess Chrysalis welcome back”

“Mother, we may have a problem. Cadance knows of Twilights apparent lack of motivation” Chrysalis said. The queen rolled her eyes.

“And whose fault was that?” She retorted. Chrysalis looked away before noticing Twilight hanging up. Walking up to her she looked her over. “You’re more than welcome to feed off her. I’ve been doing it since she arrived”

“So you’re the one who captured me” Twilight said. Chrysalis nodded quietly and aimed her horn at Twilight.
Sucking love out of a pony is much like taking blood, the initial sting fades, but you feel woozy after. Twilight felt a particular love being drawn out of her; The Love for her dead sister, Evening Star. The result was spectacular even by magic standards. Chrysalis was sent flying into a crystal formation with orange goo running over her horn. she began to cough and splutter in pain. she attempted to get up with use of the formation that she had just slammed into.

“What did you do!” Amaryllis demanded. Chrysalis staggered around for a few steps before the crown on her head fell to the floor and green fire engulfed her. She continued to do so before screaming out in pain of having the crown removed forcibly.
Twilight watched in amazement as Chrysalis shrank to her size and almost looked exactly like her, aside from the holes in her hooves or the mane that was unkempt.

“Oh, that’s a new problem” she said picking up the crown; it seemed to wriggle then stop as though it was a living thing dying. “I must admit, that’s a new one. No changeling has ever been able to shake one of those crowns off. Oh well; I have the perfect guise now that you are indisposed of”

Twilight watched as herself appeared before her were the queen once stood. Azure flames licking around the creature before disappearing into nothingness. She did a few test stretches in her new form before walking up to Twilight and running her hoof over her chest.

“Nice form Twilight. Abet missing the athletic ability I so enjoy” she said using Twilights own voice. She looked over at the mess that was Chrysalis “String this mess up next to Twilight. I don’t care how rough you are with her. She is no daughter of mine anymore”

The changeling drones nodded before pulling her up by the forehooves and held her aloft at the same height of Twilight. Another ten appeared from the woodwork and began to construct another pillar like spike to hang her up. Twilight watched in amazement as the process took less than ten minutes the spike was complete and the new mare, chrysalis, was in a pose much like herself. Another five minutes passed and the whole outer crystallised and became hard as rock.

She watched as they then covered the deformed horn in goo as well and waited for it to harden. Sure enough, it did leaving the mare to hang, head drooped and horn covered in hardened goo.

“Oh Twilight what mess have you gotten into” she muttered to herself.

Chapter 3 - Into the Depths

Chapter 3 – Into the Depths

Chrysalis blinked the sleep out of her eyes as she was staring down at the floor. Her head felt heavier than normal and her body didn’t move. She looked harder and noticed that she was encased. Not in a cocoon like food was, but as a prisoner would be for interrogation.

“Buck” she muttered. Trying to teleport, she felt her magic ebb away from her. Glancing up so that stars began to form in her vision she noted that her horn was also encased.

“Yeah, it’s encased” a voice said. Chrysalis stopped and turned to face the sound. The mare she had captured was there. Twilight Sparkle, in the same predicament, “And yeah, we are in this together now. Thanks for that by the way”

“What? Don’t blame me. I wasn’t in control of my body. Amaryllis took control by that crown thingy” she replied. The mare at her side sighed, “Before you go jumping to any conclusions. I tried to warn Canterlot about this”

“Wait? Why would you your one of them” Twilight stated sounding rather confused.

“I'm not a true changeling, never was” she said. Twilight chuckled, “What is so funny about that?”

“So you’re a runt then?” Twilight asked.

“So says the mare with orange mane and tail that tried to keep it hidden for twenty years” Chrysalis replied. Twilight’s face turned red in anger, “Or the fact that you have been in her shadow for years never seeing what you truly were capable of?”

“Tun sie nitch sie wagen, Celestia darin zu bingen” Twilight snarled. She had reverted back to Germane than English.

“Wait, what?” Chrysalis asked. “Did you just speak Germane?”

Twilight remained tight lipped, her temper was still there, but she didn't need to answer that. “I was told my implant mother had a Germaney husband” Chrysalis said. Twilight stopped and actually listened this time. “I never got to meet them either. I was taken away by Celestia shortly after I was born and dumped on the wasteland borders. Amaryllis was like a mother to me, but she expected too much and I knew she despised me for not being a true changeling”

“When was that?” Twilight asked.

Chrysalis looked at her, “22 years ago roughly”

“I'm sorry. For what it’s worth, I lost a sister so many years ago as well, around the same time. Turns out that Celestia may have been behind it all along” Twilight said. Both mares looked at each other to which a silence ensured. “This was due to the fact that she was a Changeling Larva at the time. You don’t think that?” twilight asked, “I mean seriously if that was possible?”

“Maybe, But right now I'm more concerned about stopping Amaryllis. Can you not get out at all?” Chrysalis asked “Also, I'm not Chrysalis. The name’s Evening Star by the way, that’s my birth name”

The penny dropped on Twilight. She was staring wide eyed at her sister. The sister she thought was dead was encased to her throat next to her. The thought that Celestia had been lying this whole time drove her up the wall, she hated liars.

“Celestia knew it” Twilight said, the colours form her coat draining to white. “She knew it all along and didn’t tell me?”

Evening Star tried to break out as waves of heat began to emanate from Twilight as she began to pant in anger.

“How could she do this!” she shouted, her goo soaked mane and tail ignited in pure orange flames, boiling away the spire she was attached.

Within seconds she landed on the floor, fetlocks on fire, mane and tail ignited, her eyes pure red. Evening Star looked on in amazement, but noticed that there was no heat emanating from her. Even she looked confused at the idea that she was currently on fire and not feeling it.

“Well this is new” Twilight said. She sounded oddly calm but walked up to Chrysalis/Evening Star. “Hold still” she said firmly.
Within seconds Evening was freed as well and the spire nothing more than ash. Evening Star hugged her as the flames died down and she returned to normal. Twilight was hesitant at first, but hugged back.

“We still need to stop the wedding” Evening stated.

“Grab on” Twilight said, holding out her hoof

“What are you talking about?” Evening asked as she held the hoof with her own. With the sound of a snap, both mares disappeared in a bright violet light.

~0~0~

As Twilight and Evening Star arrived in the foyer, it was to utter chaos. Everywhere they looked there was changelings pouncing on unicorns and tying them up with the same green goo, or placing them into pods for transport.

“What the hay happened?” Twilight asked. She felt a hoof grab hers and she looked down to watch in amazement, and disbelief, as azure flames engulfed her. It came from her sister who had her hoof to her lips in an utterance of silence.

It was like an army of ant’s crawling all over her. Within seconds she felt odd but she was all in one piece, she also noted that she could feel the saddle like attachment against her; she also felt buzzing behind her shoulders. Glancing back she gasped at the light purple saddle carapace and the light purple wings

“Chill sis” Evening star said as Twilight looked at the holes now adorning her hooves. “I simply used my magic to superimpose a Changeling form on you until we can get to your friends. I don’t know how long it will last so we need to hurry”

“Where would Amaryllis hold them?” Twilight asked, not realising that she was now hovering 2 inches off the floor.

“Hold on” Evening Star said. She grabbed the nearest Changeling drone and spurted some kind of buzz at it. It cowered in response before buzzing something back. Evening Star buzzed something back, louder this time causing it to flee in panic.
“What was that all about?” Twilight asked.

“Let’s just say, I have a way with words. They are being held in the main hall” she said back. “Also sis, you are hovering you know?”

Twilight looked down before falling in realisation into a heap. Her new wings buzzed in annoyance as Evening Star helped her up, stifling a laugh.

“Not funny” twilight said pouting. Evening smirked, before helping her up. “This way to the throne room”

~0~0~

“You will not get away with this Amaryllis” Cadance shouted, her legs imbedded up to the knees in green crystallised goo.
“I already have. Feeding off Twilight ever since I got my hooves on her” she said walking up to Cadance. Shining Armour was suspended from the roof with Celestia and the rest of the bearers of harmony in cocoons. “I must say, it tasted rather oddly like oranges considering she usually goes with purple”

Twilight and Evening star entered the chamber, though now coated in liberal amounts of green goo. This made it look like something out of a B grade Sci-Fi movie. They hid behind a pillar as Amaryllis paced around Cadance, laughing at her success.

“Even with Chrysalis being the nuisances that she was; this was all too perfect of a plan, not even that runt could foul it up” she said.

Twilight looked over to see Evening Star shake in anger. Twilight placed her hoof on her, “You’re my sister, not a runt. Time to show this ‘queen’ what we can do”

Evening nodded and watched as Twilight walked out into the open and approached the queen. “My queen, I have some grave news. The traitor Chrysalis and the mare Twilight have escaped” she said bowing before the queen.
Amaryllis flicked out both insect wings and jumped at the comment. Before composing herself she spoke up. “What; How did this happen!”

“The one called Twilight somehow used fire generated from her body. She escaped with Chrysalis. Last we heard, they were heading to the main amphitheatre where the elements were held”

“Very well, thank you for informing me. Cadance looks like our time together is up I shall return once I have that bitch in my hooves”

“Don’t you dare call her that” Cadance said, spitting into the queens face.

“Backbone, I like that” she said storming off in a flurry of wing movement.

Twilight walked up to Cadance, who glared at her. “Don’t give me that. I just saved your skin” Twilight stated.
“Who are you?” Cadance asked.

“Sunshine, sunshine ladybugs awake; Do a little dance and a little shake” Twilight said doing the motions as she did. “It’s me Twilight”

“Twilight; but why do you look like one of them!?” Cadance asked.

“That was my magic” Evening Star said, “Twilight got us both out of the prison below and I got us here. We won’t have much time before Amaryllis returns”

“And you are?” Cadance asked

“Changeling wise I am the traitor Chrysalis. Birth name Evening Star. I prefer the latter” she said

“Can you get them out of the cocoons evening?” Twilight asked. Evening buzzed up to the first one, it held Shining Armour.
“I can try, but no guarantees. Your Pyromatic magic would work so much better” She replied. Burying her horn into the goo cable, she sliced the cocoon clean off and watched as it hit the floor with a loud ‘splotch’ noise. As it hit the ground, a seam split open expelling the confused and dazed Shining Armour, coated in a light layer of goo giving him a healthy green coloured coat.

Coughing up more of the goo as he staggered upright, he glanced over to see a pair of Changelings. One was helping him out and the other was helping out Cadance. The one helping Cadance out looked almost like Twilight. The other one helping him out of the pod looked roughly like Twilight, but subtle differences such as the mane and tail styles were different.

“Need a hoof up?” Evening asked. Shinning looked at her then shook his head. “Your loss, Twilight we don’t have much time left before Amaryllis gets-“

“-back?” the queen dead panned walking in, at her sides was a pair of Changelings. “Bravo on getting out my dear Chrysalis”

“It’s Evening Star” she replied. Shining looked confused at the comment from the changeling that was helping him. Now that he looked closely she was more akin to a pony than an actual changeling. Then he recalled the name as his dead sister, that couldn’t be right. Same name he thought, co-incidence, but they never found the body.

“Insolent wretch and I must say kudos to the transfer of changeling powers onto Twilight for a small duration” The queen said as flames began to lick around Twilights fetlocks. “Fooled me enough to get halfway to the amphitheatre before realising my mistake”

“You know what Amaryllis-” Her coat changing to normal then beginning to drain to white “-you strut around like you own the place. Capturing mares and colts for food”

Amaryllis took a step back as the mare ignited completely, her eyes becoming red, coat pure white and flames for her mane and tail. “I really am beginning to despise you as much as Celestia right now” Twilight said as she stepped forward, flame rings erupting from each hoof as she walked to the central point.

“Oh and what is a little unicorn going to do to stop me? My army is all over Canterlot, Their leader’s food for myself. All you got is this pathetic attempt at pyromatics” Amaryllis replied. Her tone will of sarcasm. “Go on little one. Burn me, you will fail. I have been feeding off you ever since Chrysalis brought you in”

Twilight felt something drain from her; it was like all the joy was being sucked out of her leaving nothing but coldness. She swayed as the flames died down, her mane and tail returned to the rich orange as before, much to Shinning Armour’s surprise.

“Felt that did you? Perhaps you should have just given up. A Lot easier than me doing this” she said. A beam of pure love jetted out of her heart which was visible to all. It condensed around the holes in her horn and Hooves. She breathed in and let out a soft burp. “Much better”

“Twilight, are you okay” Evening Star asked, “What’s happening to her?”

“Her body has just run out of love” Amaryllis said. “I like to call it withdrawal symptoms. Good night Twilight”
Twilight swayed harder, her eyes retaining the red before reverting and rolling up and she collapsed onto the floor in a heap. Unconscious

“Twili!” Shinning shouted

“Twilight no” Cadance muttered. Both watched as Evening Star rushed up grabbing her.

“Common sis, don’t give up please. Don’t” she muttered, tears falling.

“All too late little traitors” Amaryllis said, “She is too far gone to be saved. Savour this moment, for when she is loyal to me for the love and warmth of the hive, you will beg to be like her”

“You’re wrong” Evening star said, “She will survive and beat the ever-loving buck out of you”

Amaryllis smirked as she grabbed Evening with her magic and slammed her into a nearby pillar. The sound of her scream as her spine and carapace broke sent shivers through Cadance and Shining Armour.

Author's Note

Been busy and have not been able to put new chapters up. hopefully this will change.

Breaking Down the Walls

Chapter 4 – Breaking down walls

“Submit to my will little one, you cannot resist. Your friends and family have abandoned you” the voice echoed through Twilight's head again, For the fifth time in the last hour, she ignored it for the sixth time that hour. She had woken up inside some kind of cave with goo walls and pods all over. Each housed a wide eyed pony, each staring at her, seemingly inviting her to join them.

The air was thick with the smell of necrotic flesh which mad her throat contract and her stomach churn from the smell. Twilight had tried to cast a bubble around her head to block out the smell, but all she got was fatigue and no bubble. She had shaken off the fatigue, but the pod seemed to call to her.

“You do not wish to smell? Take a nap in the pod. Join the sleepers in my eternal embrace” the voice said messing with the wording again. “You will hear the song of love from the changelings if you do, it can be quite relaxing”

She ignored it again and continued down the corridor and into what appeared to be a huge chamber. Each part of the circular wall was covered in ponies of all shapes and sizes, each looking at her with blank, expressionless eyes.

She shuddered at the whole thing and noticed that in the center on a dais was a lone pod, open and inviting her to join them. Whispers of love, admiration and friendship wafted in the wind should she join the ranks of hypnotized ponies. She shook her head and tried to speak, but found her throat dry and talking to be too harsh for it.

“Twilight join us. Your sister, brother and sister in law are all here” it said as three pods lit up, on the ground floor. Twilight rushed up to them and noticed that it was Cadance, Shining Armour and Evening star. Each in their own pod each looked at her with no expression on their faces aside from contentment. “See how happy they are here in my embrace. Why deny that of yourself?”
She rolled her eyes and backed away from the pods. Shaking her head, she refused to believe this.

‘She is resisting you changeling. Back off before I get involved’ another voice echoed through the chambers, ‘Twilight please listen to me alone; There is a way out, but you need to trust me’

“Trust her? She constricted you magic, betrayed your family and took away your sister!” the voice replied.

‘Ignore her Twilight. I am not the one who bound you; I am the bound magic that is yours. There is a way out, the central dais in that pod. I know you don’t trust me, but listen. Think about my voice alone as you enter and you will be able to meet me’ the other voice replied. It was female and almost exactly like Twilight's own voice. ‘Then you can get payback against Amaryllis, and Celestia if you desire’

Twilight looked back and walked up to the pod running a hoof over the surface that made her twitch at the touch.

“Or you could just give in to temptation. Join your family in eternal bliss, no pain, no suffering only love and happiness. You saw how happy your sisters and brother was. Imagine, a world like that every pony working as one for a single goal”

Twilight walked up to the upright pod. The cocoon was simply open at the top where a pony could slip into easily and where the screen would be after the goo crystallized over it. Sighing she knew that the only way was to listen to one of them. Climbing up to the dais, a set of stairs shot up to allow her access to the pod.

Breathing out a sigh, she let her back legs slip into the pod, then her waist and the rest of her body. Leaning back, she watched as the goo began to cascade over her face. It felt cool and oddly like water.

“Let’s hope this works then” she said. Her mind emptied as the last of the goo filled her in, she drifted into a relaxed state and began to think about the voice. She shut her eyes as the goo covered them and the rest of her.

Twilight’s eyes bolted open as she found herself oddly upright, but not encased in goo, but rather what appeared to be light orange flames. Raising her eyebrow she moved her hoof out in front of her, the flames followed her hoof. Keeping it wreathed in flame, hiding the colour underneath.

Letting herself fall onto her hooves she looked around to see deep gray trees, each was aflame with orange fire that seemed not to burn the tree, but be a part of the actual tree. She noted that her whole body was wreathed in the flames, but oddly enough it wasn’t hurting her but keeping her warm instead.

‘I can see you Twilight Sparkle’ the voice said; this time coming from a distinct direction other than everywhere at once.
Twilight looked towards where it was coming from to find the source of it. She looked to find a clearing ad-midst the flame trees where a rich golden yellow light was being emitted.

She walked along what appeared to be a path of some kind, made from some kind of purple and black stone that was warm to the hoof. Her flame cloak, as she thought of it now, seemed to get more intense the closer she got to the golden light.

As she left the forest and entered the clearing, she stood in awe at what was before her. She was looking at a house sized golden dome.

“What the hay?” she muttered. She could see a shape in the dome walking towards the barrier before stopping. It looked roughly pony like but at the size of Celestia.

“Greetings Twilight” it said, “I wish it was under better circumstances”

“What happened to you?” Twilight asked. The shape tapped the barrier and winced.

“I have been locked away from you for the last twenty two years Twilight. I am your true magic. The magic that you should be using and not the watered down stuff you have been forced to use by that bitch Celestia”

“Watered down? You mean like diluted”

The mare nodded and pointed at what appeared to be a small hole, around the size of a small kitten, in the dome. Twilight looked at it and noticed that it was leaking a light orange fluid that changed to purple when it exited the valve. Twilight touched it with her flaming hoof and the flames roared like a jet engine in response, startling the mare and making her hit the floor with her bum.

“That is raw magic. The valve taints it and makes it weaker. Thanks to this dome, it also bottles it up and releases a constant stream” the voice said, swimming up to where Twilight was.

“So how do I free you?” Twilight asked. The figure shrugged, “Great thanks for the help”

“I am the embodiment of your magic held back by this barrier. Like I said your magic is being watered down”

Twilight sat down and pondered it for what seemed like an hour. When she got back up she created a bucket from magic much to the trapped ponies surprise.

“What are you planning?” the being asked.

“Trying something out” she said holding it under the faucet. As it hit the bucket, it retained the health orange rather than the light purple of before. She raised it to her snout and sniffed it. It smelt like oranges. Shrugging, she opened her mouth and guzzled the pure magic in one sitting without stopping.

The flames around her were the first to react. They roared like before changing from orange to a deep purple colour. She breathed out small purple flames and re-looked at the golden magic with added vigor.

“Fight magic with magic” she said, her voice bouncing back with no apparent echo. She walked up to where the valve was and aimed. Her magic cascading into six over glows within seconds of starting to cast then she fired it off. A beam of pure unrestrained magic shot into the faucet, increasing in power as it slammed into the liquid magic coming out. The magic acted like an explosive catalyst for a self replicating magic spell that increased the mass and space of the liquid tenfold.

The result was spectacular to say the least. Twilight watched as the golden dome cracked under the pressure of the self contained, perpetually generating spell. With the sound of unlike anything she ever heard, nor will hear again, the shell exploded sending out a massive tidal wave of orange colored magic.

Twilight stood agape as she was blasted into darkness by the massive wave of liquid magic.

~0~0~

“Twilight Sparkle I thank you so much for freeing me” the voice said. Twilight blinked a few times to see that everything was now a deep orange colour and that she was floating. The voice seemed to come from a shape that came closer.

“What happened?”

“You freed your own magic, now you can use it without the restriction of Celestia’s faucet” it said. Twilight looked at herself and noticed that the flames were gone. “Your fire armour here is no longer needed, but is accessible in the waking world. Thank you for trusting me”

“Fire Armour?”

“Of course; your magic of course is pyrokinetic in nature. like most of your family line you are descended from some of the most potent and destructive pyrokinetic ponies in history”

“No, my talent is magic in general not flames and destruction!” Twilight retorted. The figure snorted. which evolved into a ruckus laughter.“What is so funny about that?”

“Your diluted magic was basic magic. Your true power is Pyrokinetics. You know this, as the last few times you got angry you changed yes?”

“Well yeah, but I thought that-“

“-no pony else can do it” it replied as Twilight felt herself beginning to relax. “You must stop the changelings. Only you can do this”
“But how do –“was all she managed as her mind simply faded to black

Author's Note

NOTE - Chapter is up i posted to wrong Story - I made Derpy cry and some of my readers :(

I had these written up, but didn't upload because of the quality that i felt was not up to par. if people want, i can upload the chapters in the next few days, but the epilogue is not complete as i had other stories come and go since then. note - i have not had the time IRL to have the chapters edited to a degree that i felt was up to par hence the seriously long delay.

Chapter 5 - The Wrong Conclusions

“Are you going to be okay Evening?” Shining asked trying to stem some of the green blood from escaping the changelings abdomen.

“I have been better yes. But thanks for asking” she replied. Her voice shaking as she did, She was in a lot of pain of course but thanks to her chitin she didn't have to worry too much about her spine being broken. just a heap of pain and thanks to Shining's lack of medical magic forcing her to wince every time she breathed .

Amaryllis smirked as the Changelings fitted Twilight with what appeared to be a saddle like carapace. She didn’t resist as it was lowered onto her back and the segments underneath latched around her midsection like a clasp. They shut tight around her waist never to be removed by normal means.

“What are you doing to her?” Cadance demanded. The queen laughed, but it was Evening that answered.

“That’s a Drone harness. She is converting Twilight-“she coughed up a lot more blood “-into a drone”

“You will pay, if that works “Shinning stated. Amaryllis lofted up another batch in her TK field, each one coloured depending on who it was destined to wear it. One was light blue, metallic blue, pink, silver, orange, metallic yellow.

“The elements of harmony will be of no use when they follow my commands” she said. The queen looked down as the violet coat of the drooling Twilight began to darken into a black carapace. “Ah so it begins. Watch as she becomes one with the hive”

They watched as the purple saddle like carapace latched in and flicked out a pair of translucent green insect wings. The black carapace marched like an army of ants as it crawled over her form, assimilating her fur and replacing it with bug like armour. her head held up by one of the changelings as the black armour came up to her neck, allowing for her mane to part for the classic spines of the changelings, hidden underneath her mane. They watched as the last vestiges of her body were coated. They watched as it reached her eyes. Instead of becoming pools of pure colour, they remained the same but became cat like.

“Now then, Sparkle. Who is your queen?” she asked walking up to the now changeling Twilight. She ran her holey hoof down her cheek; Twilight didn’t even flinch as she did.

“You are my queen” she replied in a slight insect like voice. Her voice lacked any emotion.

“Good. Take this and saddle Shining Armour. Prove that you are mine to control forever” she said, handing her the light blue one. She nodded and walked up to the now restrained Shining armour. As she loomed over him, he looked into her unfeeling eyes.

“Twili, please don’t do this listen to me!” Shining said, almost wavering in his tone. “This isn’t you”

“But it is” she replied. Shining looked confused as it lacked the insect like tone from before. His eyes went wide as she winked at him, eyes flicked back to normal. “I cannot do this Amaryllis”

“What?” She said alongside Shinning Armour at the same time.

It was at this point, Twilight turned around, eyes pools of red rather than the cat like ones she had seconds before. Black carapace began to crack like caked blood and violet flames began to pour out the cracks. She poured more magic into it and with a fiery violet explosion the shell around her was vaporised in a blinding light.

Amaryllis covered her eyes as the light began to fade she stood back wings out in fear. Twilight was back to some semblance of normality. Her entire form was covered in Violet flames that burnt away the goo on the floor. A pair of red eyes looked out from where they would have been. A Pair of Flaming wings erupted from her back that looked more akin to that of a phoenix than a Pegasus.

“You tried and failed to convert me and my family. Now you get the flames” she said, flames roaring like jet engines. She crouched down and like a wolf howling, she aimed up screamed in rage upwards.

Pillars of violet flames erupted from nothing and in circles around Twilight. She continued until all the goo was flash burnt to nothing, including the pods that held her friend and Celestia.

Shinning was shocked but felt a feeling of warmth and not a burning sensation as he had thought. Evening Star felt the flames lick her wounds healing them instantly and even re-invigorating her drained form. Cadance found that she free of the goo holding her down. Celestia landed at her side flicking some ash off her form with the rest of the main six landing neatly on the ground without any pain.

After around 30 more seconds, Twilight stopped and looked down towards Amaryllis. Her flame armour had died down revealing the mare underneath.

“What kind of magic is this? No pony is capable of such magic in this day and age” Amaryllis said. It was not Twilight that responded to the comment but Celestia.

“The power of fire Queen Amaryllis” Celestia said, she strode up to Twilight. “My student how are you doing this though, I thought that I had contained that magic of yours-”

The response was less than friendly telekinetic blast of violet magic, as she was sent flying into a pillar. Shinning and Cadance gasped at the rather brutal response to the question.

“I will speak with you later Princess. For now, I have a changeling to beat. Girls you ready to use the elements on this one?” she asked. They looked at her sheepishly and nodded, each taking a position next to her, two on her right and three on her left.
Her eyes became pools of pure white light this time and she levitated off the ground, flames creating what appeared to be a pair of wings behind her as her friends also levitated alongside her. Around their necks appeared their respective elements. Her crown appeared on her head, but warped slightly to account for her new found magic.

“The element of magic, it has changed?” Shinning asked as he helped up Evening Star.

“No surprises there” Celestia said picking herself up. “I deserved that one actually”

The beam of pure rainbow magic cascaded out of the crown and slammed against the queen who was screaming in pure terror. 5 seconds later the magic cascaded out in a massive expanding bubble that passed through everything, any changeling that it struck, vanished in a sphere of rainbow magic.

Once the magic was complete, the main six landed neatly in a hexagonal pattern.

“Well that's the end of that” Rainbow Dash stated.

None of them noticed that Twilight had passed out standing up and only looked when the sound of metal on tile could be heard as she collapsed in a heap.

“Twilight!” Evening shouted, being restrained by a pair of guards that had come in to find out what had happened.

Another two came rushing in, one carrying a stretcher who stooped to Twilight. Looking up, the guards face was an expression of concern. “You two forget that changeling for a second and get this mare to the med bay ASAP”

“Sarge?” one asked the other who was just as confused.

“Do it sergeant” Shinning said, he looked over at the pair of guards as they let go of Evening. “That one is under my jurisdiction. Get my sister out of here now!”

“Sir” one bellowed as they picked the unconscious mare up and got her onto their stretcher and carted her off.
“Will she be okay?” Pinkie asked. One of the guards shrugged.

“I am unsure Pinkie Pie” he replied, “But she is breathing, that’s the main thing”

“Fear not my little ponies, Twilight is resilient. She did after all resist Amaryllis’s conversion” Celestia said.

“Then if the elements got rid of them all. Why is that one still here?” Rainbow demanded, “Shouldn’t you have gone poof with the rest of them”

“Rainbow Dash, Shut up” Shinning said firmly seeing the fear on Evening face, “I will not have you speak to her like that”

“Whoa Shinning please take a chill pill” Cadance said. She walked over to Rainbow dash, “Shinning has been under a lot of stress. What he meant to say is that Evening Star here is not a normal changeling and thus will remain here until we can decide what we will be doing with her”

“Fine, but I got my eye on you” she said poking the changeling with her hoof to a response of a huff of annoyance.

As the group left leaving only Shining Armour, Cadance and Evening in the room, Evening spoke up as she had been quiet up until that point.

“Why did you not tell them?” she asked, Shining and Cadance gave her a soft smile.

“I don’t think they need to hear it from me or you. If Twilight told them, they will be more understanding” Cadance said. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but could you perhaps get rid of the changeling parts with your magic? For the time being”

“Yeah I can” she said. Azure flames over took her briefly leaving behind a normal unicorn pony. “How this?”

“Better” Cadance replied "For the time being at least"

Author's Note

So yeah - more to come

Chapter 6 - Events There After

Twilight’s eyes blinked open to the sight of a ceiling, beeping monitor and what appeared to be a curtain around the bed she was in. Rubbing her eyes with her forehooves she noticed that she had an intravenous drip in the left. Her whole body felt weaker than before.

She looked over to see that there was an empty chair and a small bed side cabinet. On it was a vase full of her favourite flower, the Lavender, which filled the room with its scent. She winced as she tried her magic to lift the nearby Calender to no avail. Her magic must have been depleted or something she reasoned form the blast of the elemental blast.

The sound of flushing could be heard as she looking in that direction to watch as the door swung open. A mare walked out, older than most, but Twilight recognized her.

“Mum?” she asked. The mare looked up, the gloomy face instantly changed to happiness as she rushed to her side.
“Twilight!” she said, crying. “I thought you were never going to wake up”

As Twilight had the life hugged out of her by her now crying mum she tried to move, but found her body just refused. “How long was I out mum?”

“Twilight, you have been out for nearly a whole month”

“What!” Twilight shouted “A whole month, but how?”

“The doctors didn’t know. They said it was a magical induced coma” Velvet said. “Your brother was most hurt about this. Cadance especially, they put the wedding off until you got better”

“But that was a whole month ago? They shouldn’t have waited for me”

“Mum who are you talking to?” another voice said, walking into the curtained area was Evening Star. No hint of changeling remained on her at first glance. She looked like Twilight, but her coat was a light gray and her mane and Tail were a light green. “Twilight, are you awake?”

“Evening!” she replied as they hugged. Velvet had a tear in her eye. “But the changelings were purged; shouldn’t you have gone with them?”

“Yeah, turns out I'm not a real changeling anymore” she said, her Insect wings flicked out of hiding and buzzed,” I still have some traits but genetically speaking I'm mostly pony now. Something Celestia said to do with the whole ‘elements used to purge the changeling’ combined with my last casting of magic, I sort of became this true hybrid” she admitted. “Not that I care really. I mean sure it was cool, but now I'm welcomed here now, so long as I keep the magic up to hid the wings and saddle; but I have kept our little sisterly secret hidden. Cadance said it should be you to break it to the girls”

“That sounds like Cadance” Twilight said. She looked down, “What about the girls and Spike?”

“What about me Twilight?” came the male voice of spike, he had grown a bit since twilight had been asleep. On his shoulder was Peewee; in his claws was a tea tray with 4 cups and a pot. “Don’t think I'm that young I can’t look after myself”

“Besides, he was staying with me” Evening said. “Well mannered to. Not often I get to have decent company. He also helped me gather more intelligence of basic magic’s that isn’t related to changelings.” Spike blushed but put the tray on the cabinet.

“Spike can you let Celestia know I'm awake please. I need to have a few words with her, also let the girls know” she asked. Spike nodded and left with Peewee in tow.

“You mustn’t blame her for this” Velvet said taking a cup of tea in her TK field, it was a soft yellow colour. She tasted it before sticking her tongue out and casting a small flame spell under the cup to heat it up. Sipping it again she looked at Twilight. She was staring wide eyed at the small flame. “What? Where do you think you got your Pyrotechnical magic’s from; your father?”

“I didn’t know that you were-“

“-A star is a burning sphere of gas and flames. Hence why our family magic is tuned to fire” Velvet explained. “I was wondering when you would show signs of pyro magic instead of just plain magic. But from what I was told, that was quiet an impressive display of Pyro magic”

“Mum, the reason why was because the night Evening was taken, Celestia tried to kill her” Twilight said. Velvets face changed from happiness to anger, “And she also placed a magical barrier preventing me from accessing most of my magic potential”

“Pardon what did you just say?” Evening said. Her face showed anger and Evening was legitimately scared. Her mane at the tips began to turn into blue flames.

“Celestia didn’t abandon Evening in the wastelands like Amaryllis said. That was my out of control magic. She was trying to kill you. A nurse from back then informed me just before you captured me” Twilight explained.

“Twilight honey, I want you to stay quiet. I will speak to her about this” Velvet said storming out in anger, her mane flicking from blue fire to the normal hair. Muttering something like 'ill make sure she never messes with my daughters again that witch' in Germane

“What just happened” Evening said as Twilight just shook her head. “Also what did mum just say?”

“You will learn quickly around the family how to speak germane trust me”

“Twilight, Just so you know, you didn’t get off scot free” Evening said as her glamour fell away again. She revealed her saddle carapace still attached. “I may be part pony now, but a saddle carapace isn’t easily gotten rid off”

“What are you saying?” Twilight asked. She looked down as Evening took off the covers hiding her lower body. Twilight almost screamed, but stopped herself. Her waist had sections to it like when she was a drone, coloured a metallic purple. She ran a hoof over it and tapped it. It sounded hard but she felt the vibrations against it. “Is that what I think it is?”

“The saddle carapace that Amaryllis put on you; yeah it is. The docs said they can’t remove it as it’s literally replaced the skin in that area” evening said. “Sorry sis. But your part changeling, like me now”

“Don’t be, it’s not your fault. Besides we are more alike now anyway” she said. Evening looked up, wings buzzing softly. “So did I keep the wings to?”

“Yeah you did” Evening said.

“Well that’s new. Means I'm not restricted to magic only. I wonder if I could walk on clouds to”

Evening looked at Twilight with a curious eye; But both laughed it off.

~0~0~

The conversation that she wanted to have with Celestia never happened; the princess had sent a letter saying that she was deeply sorry for what she had done and regretted ever doing it. She knew that her mother probably had something to do with this.

Twilight’s response was neutral to say the least. The idea ran through her head to send an abusive letter back demanding to know why she did those things. She however restrained herself and stated that she would be finishing with her tutelage under her to begin her new research into Changelings instead of Friendship. Though she said that she would still send the occasional report about what she had discovered.

The results of that little exchange of letters lead into Luna appearing two days later in her parents’ house, or manor depending on who you talk to, whist she was busy trying to study up on what little she could have Spike or Evening find on ‘changelings’ in the main library.

“Princess Luna!” Twilight said when the princess landed in her room from the balcony.

Twilight was still recovering but was allowed to return to her family home where her mum and dad were looking after her. Her magic had since returned in full and was now a rich orange colour, but she had to undergo rigorous physiotherapy to put muscle mass back after the atrophy of sleeping for over a month.

It hadn’t taken as long as they had though originally, a week and she was walking again, compared to the doctors expectation of two months. Two days later running at full canter. The Doctors couldn’t explain it, but Evening has said that it might have been thanks to the Carapace she was now physically attached to. Changelings had enhanced internal recovery system, boosting their recovery times significantly compared to a pony, so the carapace would have its benefits.

“Twilight Sparkle; I am sorry I didn’t arrive sooner; Royal duties and all. I see what Celestia meant by the saddle remained behind after you went all inferno on the changeling queens sorry arse” She stated taking her crown off and placed it on the table. “Sorry gamer talk. Onto official business, I am here to offer you something that my sister could never provide”

“Pardon?”

“I read your letter about the possibility of researching the Changeling hive-”

“-hives; There are multiple. It was only Amaryllis’s hive that invaded” twilight corrected, her Wings buzzed in subtly annoyance. “According to Evening Star that is”

“Okay then, Hives. But I am interested in this as well. What you may not know is that there is a pony already part way through the research of his own. A bit Eccentric, but you will like him” she commented.

“Really, I never knew, as there isn’t a lot published on their race at all to be truthful” Twilight stated.

“Top secret; I knew about the threat of the changelings, but Celestia ignored my calls for concern. He has a laboratory located on the borders of the wastelands where he does his research. I have sent him a note about your potential arrival. He is quite happy to have you stay with him”

“Really?”

Luna nodded. The result was a hug form Twilight that made the alicorns wings flick up in surprise.

“Thank you so much”

“That is all right” Luna replied putting her crown back on. “I also noted that Evening Star might join you. He was quite eager to have you both considering what has happened”

“I cannot express at how happy and pleased I am about this”

“I can tell from how your wings are reacting” she said. Twilight looked back and blushed as they were a blur of light purple.
“Sorry, but I'm still learning how to control them” she admitted. The Princess giggled.

“It is quite alright. Also I saw that your friends will be arriving shortly to aid with the wedding proper this time” Luna said. She walked to the balcony and did a swan dive off and soared off, over the heads of her friends as they entered the front garden.

Twilight smirked. A lab to share with another interested academic, she couldn’t wait, but first to tell her friends.

“Twilight your friends are here” Velvet shouted.

“Coming mum” she replied.

Author's Note

Originally written back in 2012 :\

just a heads up, 2 more to go

Corrected german part as it made no sense :\

Epilogue - Celestial Armour

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Prologue - Unconventional Twins

Castle Canterlot - Ambassadorial offices.

"Nightlight, I am understanding of the personal situation that you are in. Perhaps you should take some time off" The mare said walking into the office of Ambassador Nightlight.

"Urgh, For the last time know that I need to, but I cannot with the current issues between Equestria and Germaney" Nightlight said firmly back to her. he looked over at the many documents that had the requests from their current leader.

"Sir your wife is pregnant and due within the next few days" she stated back, taking the files off of him. "So as your assistant you are taking the time off until after the foal is born"

"But the requests need to be-" he began

"they can wait for your return" she interrupted.

the phone rang and she beat him to the phone. "Ambassador Nightlights office. what is your enquiry?" she said.
Nightlight slammed his head into the desk. she was always like this.

"I will pass that on" she said hanging up.

"Who was that?" Nightlight asked.

"You better pick up your son from the crystal embassy. Your wife just went into labour" she said calmly.

His jaw hit the floor and muttered something in Germane and bolted out the door. Passing many of the ambassadors, including one from Saddle Arabia who was busy contemplating the cup of coffee he had been offered, he rushed into the Crystal Empires room.

Playing around the desk was a young Shining armour and a Young Princess Cadance.

"Oh thank Celestia, Nightlight. your son is one heck of a handful" the Ambassador from the empire said. "please take him and Cadance please!"

"well I don't know. I mean she is the only one from the empire in the last thousand years is Cadance and she is technically the Princesses niece" Nightlight stated. the ambassador moaned in annoyance. "Fine ill take them, I was going to anyway. Shinning, Cadance we have to go to the hospital"

"But dad why?" Shining asked. Nightlight smirked.

"Your sister is coming" he said. "Would you mind letting The princess know that I have Cadance in case she calls"
Shining screamed in pure joy and picked up Cadance and hugged her.

"Sure by all means. Take her; it's not like I can stop you" he said, "Or split the two of them. I'll let her know that you will be there at the hospital"

Nightlight lead the pair out of the offices to the other ambassador to breathe a sigh of relief.

~0~0~

“Okay Mrs Velvet. Push now push” the doctor said over her screams of pain. Even with the pain relieving magic that the doctor was using, she still screamed in pain.

Looking over the birth was a very young Colt and mare. The mare was an Alicorn foal of pink and light blue mane and tail, whist the colt was a unicorn of white and electric blue mane. Cadance and Shining armour. Towering over the colt and filly was a regal Alicorn of white and pastel rainbow mane and tail that flowed with a wind that didn't exist.

The doctor helped her push out her foal, a lavender mare with pink and orange mane and tail. With a quick snip, she was cut free of her mother’s cord and wrapped neatly up in a bundle. She wailed for attention proving that she was not a stillborn as the father had feared.

“It’s a girl, congratulations!” the doctor said handing her over to the parents.

The trauma was short lived however as she screamed again. The Doctor looked confused but noticed a light black head start to pear out.

“Twins, Hurry up and help me here! Nurse, make sure she doesn't go into shock!” he ordered around as the mares were shaken from their stupor of the new mother.

“The Magic scans didn't show twins!” Nightlight Sparkle said firmly.

“Well then you better tell the other foal that!” the doctor retorted. “Miss Velvet; Push like before please”

Above, whilst Cadance and Shinning were merrily prancing around Celestia, the Alicorns face changed to that of bewilderment, a pony foal that doesn't show on magic scans. It didn't make sense, unless. No it was impossible. If it was, the foal would have been a stillborn.

When the foal was expelled into the waiting doctor’s hooves, he looked at the foal before him. It also began to cry for attention. Quickly wrapping it in a bundle of blankets, “It’s a Girl as well” he said handing her over.

Velvet sighed in relief as she was handed the second child. It was a light gray with light green mane and tail, a horn poking though the mane. Both were content to sit in their mothers arms, sleeping in her warmth.

What she didn't see and what the doctor hid, was the pair of bug like wings adorning the foals back or the start of what appeared to be an Insect carapace on its chest that was a light green. The Doctor knew what it was, but he wished he didn't. He looked up to Celestia and shook his head at her.

She let a small tear of sadness fall from her face, before walking out, leaving the unaware children to continue.

~-~-~

“A changeling, Yes that is what it is” Celestia said, her form loomed over the crib that held the now called ‘Evening Star’ and her sister ‘Twilight Sparkle’. “I am surprised that the foal Twilight was unharmed. Normally there is a still born when one of them is implanted into a host like she was. But this was something completely unheard of. Both foals surviving, even in my time as ruler, i have not seen this before.”

“As was I when I saw it” the doctor said. His brown coat was hidden by the lab coat he was wearing. “Now what do we do with the larva?”

Celestia looked down; she breathed in heavily before taking the infant in her magic and held it aloft in front of her. The Wings on its back buzzed subtly and it giggled. “You know what happens to anypony within the family?” Celestia asked. The doctor shook his head, “they are the first to become drones. Her first drones. As this is the case it must die for the safety of all”

The Doctor looked sullen but nodded a necessary evil he resolved himself with.

“Leave us. This is for me to do and me to do alone” Celestia said. The Doctor nodded and left. “Forgive me you abomination of nature; your kind is not welcome in my lands” she said.

The TK field holding the larva began to constrict. The larva screamed in agony as its body was beginning to be crushed, it sounded like a small feral animal screaming for mercy. Celestia did not waiver as the field continued to shrink and crush the larva further.

What she wasn't expecting was the huge magical burst sending her flying into the nearby looking window by another force, the window cracked outwards where she had hit it. Weakened by this, Celestia looked up to see that it had been ‘Twilight’ to do the magic, a rich vibrant orange coloured magic emanating from the newborns horn. She watched in amazement as the larva was engulfed in an orange aura and then suddenly vanishes in a loud crack as the sound barrier was broken.

Twilight stopped shortly after and began to wail for attention stopping as a pair of royal knights burst into the room. One rushed to the princesses side whilst the other too Twilight’s.

“Your highness Celestia; Are you okay?” one asked, helping her up.

“I will be fine Captain. What of the Foal and the larva?” she asked. The other knight shook his head.

“Only the foal remains. The larva is gone”

Celestia looked annoyed but disappointed. “Better tell the family that their daughter ‘Evening Star’ has died, the body gone” Celestia said. She walked up to twilight, who simply cried as Celestia loomed over her crib. “You however, I have plans for you Twilight Sparkle. Magic like yours does not come by every day. Nor should it” she said. 'But fate would have you elsewhere and at a different time. I will be watching you miss Twilight Sparkle"

Hidden in the closet was a mare, who had witnessed the whole thing, she kept quiet so as not to draw any attention to herself. As was her talent was hiding after all, that's why she didn't have many friends.
~0~0~

"Miss velvet, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your foal has disappeared" the doctor said. Nightlight looked over to him as his wife took in the news. her mouth just moved but had no voice coming out.

"What the buck do you mean, 'disappeared'? A new born foal just does not simply vanish off the face of Equestria!" Nightlight said firmly.

"Sir please calm down-"

"-Calm down? how dare you tell me to calm down!" he shouted down the throat of the doctor. "Which one vanished then"
"It was Evening Star, I'm sorry" he said. he walked out to the family to deal with their loss.

As he shut the door, he walked past the princess, who was carrying the now sleeping Cadance. "I mean no disrespect your highness. but I sure hope that you are happy with yourself"

"I should have you flogged for that comment" she replied back coldly.

"I don't care if you're the princess. well you are in this case, but still. You just ruined a family" he replied leaving her alone. she heard the cries of anguish as Velvet finally spoke up. she swallowed upon hearing this, but turned around and left the grieving family alone.

Back inside the room, the news was broken to Shining Armour as 'she went to a better place'. but that story would only last until he asked about her years later and the truth was revealed to him. but until that day, as he watched over his baby sister, he thought to himself that he would protect her from any harm.

~0~0~

Deep on the wastelands of Equestria, nearest the Changeling hive of queen amaryllis, the sound of a babies cry alerted the nearest patrol of changeling drones to its position.

the pair of drones looked at the foal that was obviously a changeling Larva, but it wasn't at the same time. it for a start wasn't in one of their incubation sections and secondly it had a small band with a name of the foal wrapped around one of its legs.

They didn't know what was written on the band, being actual drones they lacked that particular aspect of the changelings.
the foal screamed for attention. the drones stopped for a moment and seemed to look at each other. they shook off whatever had affected them momentarily and picked up the foal. With the sound of buzzing wings, she was taken to the nearest hive, the hive of Queen Amaryllis.

~0~0~

Twilight bounced around in joy at the fact that she now had her cutie mark; it was a star surrounded by five others. she was now following Princess Celestia to her new quarters where she would be staying during her tutelage. she had been told that Spike, her new dragon, would be raised until she was able to do so.

"This will be your quarters, close to the royal palace, but far enough away for privacy" she stated.

"Princess this is a tower" Twilight said flatly to the princess. she rolled her eyes in response to her students lack lustre comment.

"Your tower for study and sleep. where you will be staying. however after that magical burst earlier i want to do something so that never happens again" She said back. Twilight looked embarrassed at the comment. "Are you okay?"

"Um yeah, just a little taken aback is all" she replied. Celestia chuckled in response.

"Well take a seat, this won't take long" she said. her magic began to weave into twilights own horn. her basic magic aura of Orange fought back but eventually failed allowing the alicorn access to the unicorns untapped magical power.

Inside though, Celestia found the source of her magic. Using her own she created a large dome over the metal projection of a geyser, to stem its own magic flow. she breathed out as it completed but rather than letting Twilight have no magic, she created a nozzle to one side that allowed for a stream of magic, no bigger than a rat in diameter, to filter out. as it did it changed to purple-pink as it hit the floor and passed it's magic on to the user.

in the real world Celestia got up and summoned up a blanket to covert the now sleeping Twilight. she smirked, "Now that's one problem solved" she said to herself softly.

Author's Note

updated to better go with the flow, fill in plot holes and make it seem a little more padded to set up the story better.

Chapter 7 - Introducing Evening Star

“Princess, we didn’t know you were here” Rarity said as they enter the living room.

“And why would I not be?” Candace replied. “This is after all my future in-laws house”

“Well shouldn’t you be in like, I don’t know, the palace?” Rainbow said.

“Maybe she doesn’t want to be there” Fluttershy commented.

“Tea anypony” Velvet asked bringing in a large platter of small foods and drinks “Sorry I'm Twilight Velvet, Twilights mother”
“That will confuse matters ah little mam” Applejack stated.

“It’s fine if you just call me Velvet” she said. She placed it on the coffee table in the largish room they were in. “Twilight said she would be coming down shortly. Evening said that she would be late with Shining Armour, something about a medical check-up”

“Who is Evening?” Pinkie asked. “Is she a new pony?”

“You remember that changeling Shinning said we didn't know what to do with?” Cadance said. The group nodded, “that’s her”

“Oh. But wait why would you want a changeling at the wedding?” Rarity asked.

“Because Rarity, would you stop me? “Twilight said coming into the room, her insect wings buzzing subtly in annoyance.

“Twilight, what happened to you girl?” Applejack asked walking up to her and looking over the saddle carapace. “You look half like one of those bugs”

“Oh, Oh, oh, Does this mean I can throw a ‘Twilight is a changeling’ party” Pinkie asked bouncing around the living room.
“Darling, can you explain the saddle you are wearing?” Rarity asked. “I would love to make some”

“No you wouldn’t want to. Before you ask, no I can’t remove it and yes I am like one of those ‘bugs’ as you put it Applejack” twilight said, sounding annoyed. “Sorry, but it’s been a rough recovery”

“Ah its okay sugar cube we all are here to help you along. Ah don’t care if you’re one of them. Ya still Twilight to me” she stated.

“Yeah, I mean sure whatever” Rainbow said, looking unimpressed.

“If you’re not going to feed off of me, then yay” Fluttershy muttered softly.

“I would love to do a range based of that saddle of yours, but that can wait. Besides, a line of clothing that could be used for either gender would be amazing” Rarity said.

Twilight's friends jumped into a pile of hugging with her as they finished up. She cried a little as they hugged her. She looked as Cadance was sipping neatly tea with her mother.

“Well, now that’s out of the way; Ya going to tell us why your part Bu- Changeling?” Applejack said, getting an elbow in the flank by Fluttershy. The group sat down on the couches as Twilight looked back on her wings. They buzzed before stopping and folding against the Carapace.

“Well, when the queen tired to make me into one of them. I think I rebelled mentally against her and managed to break free using my flame armour, the whole body covered in fire thing” Twilight began to explain. “I think my magic must have infused with the remnant magic’s when Evening Star changed me before to get past the changeling drones and the latent magic of the saddle caused it to fuse with me permanently. I'm kind of like Evening now in being a Half Changeling, half pony” she continued.

“Which would make sense when you think about it” Evening Star said, walking in with Shining Armour in tow, “Sorry I'm late, but having a royal guard escort who was late-“

“-I was held up was all” Shinning interrupted, walking past her and kissing velvet. “Afternoon Mum”

“Hello Shinning” Velvet said, “we were just having tea”

“Thank you but no thanks mum” he replied. “Is dad back from Germaney yet?” he asked.

“He should be here in later today in preparation for the wedding” Velvet said. “The Ambassador said something along those lines anyway, he is always busy since that fiasco years ago involving a Pony with genocide tendency”

“Quick question” Rainbow said, she walked up to Evening star and poked her in the chest. “Why are you here?”

“That’s the other reason Rainbow. She is a half Changeling half pony like me” Twilight said walking up to her side. “And like me, we share the same mother and father”

Rainbows jaw hit the floor as the teacup Rarity was levitating hit the hardwood floor and shattered. A gasp came from Pinkie and Fluttershy eeped. Applejack walked up and looked her over.

“Well why ya didn’t say so sooner sugar cube. Names Applejack and sister of mah friend is a friend to me” Applejack said holding out her hoof.

“Thanks I guess” Evening said shaking it back. “I don’t get it? Why be so friendly to me after what we did”

“That wasn’t you darling. That was Amaryllis as Luna explained to us weeks ago” Rarity said. “Besides, you’re not feeding off of us now are you?” she continued to say nervously

“Not now no. But Twilight or I could demonstrate with the Rainbow one” Evening taunted. Rainbow fell for it and tried to punch her, only to be held back by Applejack. “It’s called a joke. Neither I nor Twilight can feed off love to sustain ourselves; but we can use it to boost our magic but that’s about it I think”

“Well that's good” Applejack said. “But don’t provoke Rainbow. She can be a bit hot-headed”

“The Rainbow one, I must admit, when I was under the control of Amaryllis, I tasted your love. Oddly enough it tasted like a fruit salad” Evening stated. Rainbow looked over with a glare. “What? I tasted every pony here and yours was the most interesting”

“Oh, oh, oh, what does mine taste like?” Pinkie asked bouncing around Evening. She clicked her tongue as a small amount of love was extracted there and then to pinkie giggling.

“Urgh, I am not a fan of yours. Pure sugar like from the bag kind of sugar” she said sticking her tongue out and gagging a little. “But yours would make a changeling sick from too much of it”

“So now what happens?” Rarity asked.

“Well, seeing as Twilight has recovered we were going to re-hold the wedding and try it over” Cadance stated.
“Sounds good; Twilight by the way, Celestia wishes to speak with you at your earliest convenience, something to do with your tutelage?” Shinning said. Twilight moaned, but nodded.

“I will head there tomorrow and speak with her in pony. But for now, let’s talk about something else” she said as they all sat down on the couches.

~0~0~

The next day came without so much as a problem, not that there would be now that Amaryllis is gone. Twilight woke to the sounds of Birds chirping with a steaming mug of something on her beside cabinet. Taking it in her new coloured magic, orange, she sniffed it.

The Aroma was like that of lavender with a hint of something she couldn't place. Bringing it to her lips she tasted it. The Effects was immediate, she felt something course through her body refreshing her tiered mind and body.

“Whoa what was that?” she asked no-pony in particular as she stretched her limbs with the mug still in her magic. Walking into the main kitchen, her mother was behind the counter eating cereal.

“Morning twilight, how was your sleep?” she asked.

“Not bad, better than trying to be taken over by Amaryllis” she admitted taking another swig of the coffee stuff in her mug. “Did you make this?”

“I think it was Evening Star, she was out early this morning with Cadance. Something about learning about Canterlot” Velvet said as a colt walked in.

“Morning dear” he said kissing her on the cheek, “Twilight, how are you feeling”

“Not bad Dad. How was Germaney?” Twilight asked. Night Light sighed.

“Not well, they are talking about succeeding from Equestria because of this colt. He has the whole parliament under his hoof and the military is mobilising. I'm trying but it’s not going well” he admitted, pouring himself a cup of coffee from the decanter. Taking a massive swig of the black liquid he sighed.

“Understandable” Twilight said, “What about your job?”

“Still maintaining it” he replied.

“Do you think that you will need to remain there if it escalates?” Twilight asked. She was deeply concerned about this; if the country succeeded then her family would be in trouble and probably be sent back should the government demand it.

“No, as I'm legally an Equestrian citizen as is your mother, we won’t have to worry too much” he replied. “Don’t you have a meeting with the princess in an hour?”

“Yeah I do. I better get going then. Good to see you again dad” she said hugging him.

“You to my dear” he replied.

~-~-~
“I'm sorry Mam, but Celestia is not taking any visitors at the moment” the royal Guard stated, Twilight was fuming.

“Do you have any idea who I am?” Twilight asked through gritted teeth.

“Um no?” the colt said. Twilight sighed.

“I am Twilight sparkle, the Princesses current student” She said. The Colt stiffened but nodded in response.
“I uh, one second” he stammered opening the door and entering the room.

Twilight smirked as he exited whilst apologising to her and letting her in. She found that Celestia was lying down on a large cushion like she did all those years ago, with a book in her magic.

“Twilight” She said, her voice almost as if she had been crying for some reason or another. Twilight nodded and walked to where she would normally sit. Placing a cushion down she sat on it and the pair simply sat there for a few minutes without saying anything.

“Twilight, I wanted to apologise for how I have been acting” Celestia said, breaking the almost eerie silence.

“About time” Twilight replied, “Why did you do it? Why did you want to kill Evening star or even block my true magic?”

“You were not ready for that kind of magic Twilight” Celestia said firmly back.

“Not ready? When would I have been, on my deathbed?” the Lavender hybrid spat back.

“Twilight you must understand, your magic went out of control and almost destroyed Canterlot. I cannot allow for that to happen again” Celestia said.

“I had one mishap when I was younger. So what? That’s no excuse to treat me like I'm so kind of monster” Twilight replied.

“That is not the reason and you know it, your powers rival that of my own if not greater” Celestia said, “You were supposed to be a prodigy in magic. I couldn't have it so that you burnt everyone around you. Your powers when you were angry about something forced your real magic out for some time”

“Your point, How about what I feel now” she replied. “I have full control over it-“

“-only because of the training I gave you with restricted magic” Celestia replied. “As for Evening Star, Changeling Larva are never allowed to mature”

“You heartless monster” Twilight said getting up. “I want to seriously incinerate you right here”

“Try it, I cannot die by fire I control the sun” the princess said getting up to rival Twilights anger. “Go on then my student I want you to try it. This room is magically enchanted to withstand anything” Celestia walked up to Twilight who was now confused at her mentors current state of mind, she was always calm and collected, now she was demanding twilight go all out. “I know you don’t have the gall to try it. Call it a princesses Intuition”

“You’re not the Celestia I knew. She died the moment I found out about your murders” Twilight said. The princess took a step back. “Oh don’t think I didn't do my research for nothing. I know full well you killed many ponies who dared stand up to you, or even the changeling's who had no way of defending themselves”

“Murders huh?” Celestia said, “So another one won’t matter then”

Twilight sighed dropping her head, before looking back up her eyes orbs of pure red, “You will not get away with this ever again” she said, her voice reverberating. Her coat drained to a pure white, much to Celestia’s surprise, flames of purple and orange flicked into existence around her hooves, mane and tail replaced with her magically burning flames. Her cutie mark had also altered when in this form to be that of an ornate purple sun flanked by six others.

Celestia took a step back again, tripping over her cushion as Twilight let the flames engulf her completely forming a kind of perpetually burning armour. Her eyes went wide as she stepped forward to meet with her mentor. Her insect like wings replaced with a pair of burning phoenix wings. Amidst the flames all Celestia could see was the pitiless red orbs of Twilights eyes.

“I had no idea that you were capable of this level of control” Celestia stammered.

“You better believe it bitch” Twilight stated.

Celestia screamed out in pure fear as the inferno that Twilight had conjured whilst walked up to her was sent catapulting into her covering form. Twilight watched, her face not altering from pure disgust as her teacher was engulfed in the flames of purple and orange.

After five full minutes of burning, the flames died down leaving behind Celestia, but not as she knew her. What remained of her was now a shaking cowering filly unicorn, no mark nor any resemblance to her Alicorn form, wings gone hair a light pink. The filly looked up at the mare before her.

“Who, who are you? Where’s my mama?” she asked, innocently. Twilight sighed before walking to the door. “Please I want my mama!”

Twilight sighed as turned around and looked at the Filly who had grabbed her back leg like a missing child. Twilight picked the filly up in her orange magic and levitated her in front of her eyes. “what’s your name then?”

“Celestia” she said almost innocently. Every part of Celestia that was her before being the complete princess she was not five minutes ago. Every part gone, she was now a normal unicorn filly.

Twilight sighed as she opened the door to a waiting Shining Armour. She placed Celestia on his back and walked past. Celestia giggled a little and grabbed onto the armour and jumped up and down.

“Have an early wedding present from me to you” she said comically as she walked past.

“What wait Twili who is this and what’s going on?” he asked rushing to her side.

“Basically, that’s the princess. I went a little overboard” Twilight admitted

“Over board, that’s an understatement”

“I burnt away everything that was evil of her and she reverted to this age” Twilight stated. “I'm not sure how, but she is no longer an Alicorn as you can tell”

“What about the sun?” Shinning asked, “Can you quit that please”. He looked over his shoulder as the filly nodded and stopped bouncing on his armour. she gave him the puppy dog eyes before he sighed in defeat.

“I'm not sure. But Luna probably knows about this now anyway” Twilight said as the Lunar Princess walked up. “If not she will now”

“Will now what?” Luna asked walking up.

“See that filly?” Twilight said grabbing her with her own magic. “This is Celestia without any evil, anger, hatred or anything. Pure innocence”

“Who did this and how?”

“I did” Twilight stated. “I used my magic to burn it all away from her. This was the result”

“You have wings and a horn? Are you a peg-a-corn?” the Filly asked.

“She truly does not know me?” Luna asked. “I suppose this is for the best, Shinning I know this is a lot, but can you look after her?”

“What me why me?”

“Papa!” Filly Celestia said as she was let down and bolted to his armoured leg.

“That’s why. Besides she needs some pony to teach her right from wrong. Do not fear about the sun’s rotations. I will be dealing with that” Luna said. “Now that is sorted out, it’s time for you to leave then Twilight”

“Pretty much yeah, anything I find out about them, I will let you know” Twilight said.

“About what?”

“I'm leaving for the borderlands between Equestria and the changeling wastes to learn more about their- my kind now I suppose. Don’t fear, I will be home regularly”

“I hope so” Shinning said. “You’re not staying for the wedding?”

“Are you kidding?” Twilight laughed, “Course I'm staying”

“Thank goodness” Shinning stated.

End of the main story

Author's Note

I have the epilogue near finished, but want to make a few minor adjustments to it involving the CMC's, Celestia and school.