“Ughh my head...” The voice of a mare can be heard. “I think I'm gonna be sick.” She says rubbing her head with a hoof. She blinks her eyes slowly as she gazes around at the stone walls running high into the ceiling. She notices a green, cocoon like structure hanging from the top.

She looks down to notice she's sitting in a puddle of slime like substance.

“What in the hay-” She asks to empty room, shaking her hoof to get rid of the gross residue. A shuffling sound behind her causes her to freeze. She turns around slowly, her eyes going wide at the site of a black and grey stallion, covered in the same green slime, with his back turned, groaning silently on the floor.

“Reaper!” The voice calls. She pulls herself up slowly staggering towards the the stallion on the floor. She falls on top of him, using her hooves and wings to pull him over, the slime causing her to slip several times, She stays determined, using all her might, she manages to pull Reaper onto his back, grunting as she does so.

She looks into the closed eyes, gently tapping him.

“Reaper.” She pleads. “It's me, Spark, wake up, please.” Spark begs.

Slowly the stallions eyes flutter open, holding an unfocused gaze, before nodding and closing them again.

“No, no, no.” Spark says with panic. “Ya need to stay awake, come on big guy.” She grunts, pulling Reaper into a sitting poison.

“Alright, we need to find a way out of here.” She says quickly, looking around the cave walls, scanning for an exit. She feels a tap on her shoulder, she looks down towards Reaper who's just staring ahead.

“What? What is it?” She asks franticly. He raises a hoof weakly, pointing straight ahead. She follows his gaze as her eyes freeze in shock.

A large green gem on the wall displays the image of weak, tattered looking pink pony, tears falling from her eyes into the stone below.

“Princess...........” Spark whispers in disbelief. “Princess Cadance!” She cries.

She watches, as the ponies ears prick up and she slowly turns her head towards the gem. He eyes go wide in shock as her muzzle breaks out into a weak smile.

“Spark! Reaper!” Cadance cries.

…..................................................................................................................................

Celestia wore a sorrowful expression as she gazed down at the events below her.

Ponies bustling to get decorations up, florists rushing to and from flowers sets to ensure their perfection and hoof-maidens and butler-colts rushing to set up tables and silver ware in a frantic manor. All preparing for one things.

Cadance's and Shining's wedding.

It should be a happy occasion.

So why does Celestia feel so racked with guilt?

Maybe because in the last two years she'd lost so much. Three of her most loyal subjects, the trust of her most faithful student, the closeness she once had with Cadance.

Her thoughts lingers on, as she stares emptily towards the scene below her, watching as it grows ever more busy. She barley registers a wing being placed softly on her shoulder.

“Sister?” A voice calls, causing her to jump. Her head spins around as she glances down towards the worried face of her sister, Luna.

“Art thou alright?” Luna asks, voice filled with worry. Celestia just nods her head, offering a weak smile.

“I am fine, do not worry.” She continues to give a weak smile. Luna furrows her brows, not looking convinced. She continues to hold her wing to her sister, looking into her eyes.

“Does not feel that way.” She gives her, her own weak smile. “Since my return my powers have slowly been coming back to me, but we cannot read minds dear sister. Pray tell? What has you so distraught?” Luna begs. Watching as her sister lowers head in defeat.

“I'm worried about tomorrow.” She says glumly.

“For our nieces and her suitors wedding?” Luna flicks her ear as Celestia just nods. “But tis a joyce occasion. We thought you would be overwhelmed over such a monumental feat.” Luna watches as her sister takes a deep breath.

“I am.” Celestia mumbles, watching the chaos continue below.

“Does not seem like it.” Luna states softly, looking down towards her sisters exhausted expression.

“I don't know Luna. I just don't feel right about everything that's happened.” She lifts her head, turning towards her sister with a pained expression.

“Spending this last century without you has been a struggle all on it's own, but the past two decades have been exceptionally hard.” She says, tears filling her eyes.

“Because of young Twilight?” Luna offers, Celestia just nods her head.

“I destroyed her trust in me. Watched as Cadance fell into a darkness I couldn't pull her out of, and betrayed three ponies that cared so deeply for her. Discarded them like they were nothing.” She chokes as a lone tear falls free.

“I feel so lost. Everything about this feels wrong but I can't find it in my heart to question it, when things are finally starting to return to normal.” She sniffles, as Luna pulls her in for a hug.

“Don't cry dear sister.” Luna soothes, as she rubs Celestia's back with her wings.

“What do I do Luna? Celestia begs through tears.

“We are not sure dear sister.” Luna admits. “We haven't had the privilege of watching Twilight and Cadance grow as you have. We can not question the actions of these ponies you speak so remorsefully of, but if this truly bothers you. Perhaps a word with our niece is what will clear your doubt?” Luna suggests, leaning back to wipe the tears from her sister eyes, watching the tired teal orbs. Celestia nods, releasing a huff.

“Perhaps you are right Luna.” Celestia concedes, walking off towards Cadance's chambers.

….........................................................................................................................

“Princess, are you okay?!” Spark yells towards the green gem. She struggles to stand but manages, slipping slightly on the slime, limping towards the wall placing a hoof on the gem, testing it's realness. Cadance just shakes her head.

“No, what's going on! Where is everypony?!” Cadance pleads. Spark just gazes painfully.

“I don't know princess! The last we saw of anypony Celestia had branded us as traitors!” Spark shakes her head in anger at the memory, tears begin to well in her eyes.

“What?” Cadance breathes, ears falling flat against her head. Spark just gazes at her, pleading.

“Please princess, tell me that wasn't you?” She begs. Cadance just shakes her head, digging her hooves into the ground trying to pull herself closer to the gem.

“It wasn't me Spark, it's Queen Chrysalis. She's a changeling. She's taken my place to try and drain all the love from everypony in the castle and to overthrow Equestria.” She shakes her head, hoping that Spark believes her.

“I thought so.” Spark mumbles looking around the cave. “She attacked Reaper when he realised that you weren't yourself and threw him in jail. I broke him out and Celestia branded us as traitors. We ran for months to regroup but they caught us. We failed you.” Spark closes her eyes in pain, hitting her hoof to the gem, causing it to ring out to the empty cave.

“No Spark. I failed you.” Cadance tears up. “If I hadn't been so weak, maybe, I could of stopped this.” Cadance digs her hoof into the soil below.

“You never failed us, Cadance.” Spark gives her a grateful look and a weak smile, before groaning and falling to the floor. Cadance's ear shoot up, a fearful look on her face.

“Spark! Are you okay?!” Cadance calls. Spark just nods weakly, eyes closed.

“I'm fine.” She huffs. “I'm just weak, like all of my energies been zapped.” She groans, cracking open an eye and looking towards Cadance.

“We need to find a way out of here.” She says firmly, forcing herself to stand.

“It's useless.” Cadance shakes her head, as tears fall from her eyes. “I have no strength. I haven't been able to use my magic down here.” She cries. “We're trapped.” She says helplessly.

“There's always a way.” Spark grunts walking weakly towards a wall, trying to push a stone loose.

“Spark stop, it's useless.” Cadance begs, watching the pegasuses weak attempts to escape.

“I'd listen to her if I were you.” A menacing voice echoes throughout the cave, causing all three ponies to freeze.

…..........................................................................................................................

Celestia takes a deep breath before knocking on Cadance's chamber door.

“Come in!” A voice chirps from within. Celestia takes another steady breath before stepping inside, shutting the door behind her.

She's greeted by the sight of Cadance standing in front of her mirror, holding up her wedding dress and humming to herself. Her eyes go wide as she notices Celestia through her mirror.

“Auntie!” She smiles brightly, turning around. “Doesn't this dress just look beautiful?” Cadance twirls in a circle, hugging the dress to her chest. Celestia gives her a weary smile.

“It does.” She says softy. Cadance stops spinning, turning to give a worried look to Celestia.

“You don't like it, do you?” She pouts, ears falling in hurt. Celestia shakes her head softly.

“I do.” She gives her a stronger smile. “I just came here to check up on you, make sure you weren't getting cold hooves.” She takes a small step forward, watching her expressions. Cadance bites her lip and looks towards the ground with a worried look.

“I thought I was.” She stares aimlessly at the carpet. “But I've spent so long being unsure, so long dwelling in the past, that I never thought I could ever be happy again, but I am.” She lifts her head to give Celestia a hopeful smile. “I think- I think come tomorrow. I'll finally be able to let go.” She says as tears fill her eyes.

Celestia just looks on, watching her nieces eyes. Watching how hopeful they seem. For the first time, in a long time. She looks truly happy. Can she really force herself to destroy that? Bring up old wounds that could send her spiralling back down? She watches her hopeful expression and realises she can't.

She can't bring herself to do it.

So she doesn't.

She lowers her head, holding back tears. She lifts her head offering her a genuine smile.

“Then I'll see you tomorrow.” She says warmly, watching as Cadance smiles brightly, picking up her dress and continuing to twirl. Celestia turns around and heads out the door, shutting it behind her.

She stands outside the room, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

She opens them, gaze determined and proceeds to walk down the hall to her own chambers.

Cadance was happy. That was all that mattered.

….............................................................................................................................

“Spark stop, it's useless.” Cadance begs, watching the pegasus's weak attempts to escape.

“I'd listen to her if I were you.” A menacing voice echoes throughout the cave, causing all three ponies to freeze.

The cave begins to light up, as several green gems start glowing around the walls, projecting Chrysalis real face. Cadance looks around in horror, while Spark and Reaper attempt to get into a battle stance but failing.

“Oh, save your strength.” Chrysalis taunts. “You're no threat to me in this state.” She leans in, her fangs shimmering with a green venom.

“Come say that to my face coward!” Spark challenges, despite closing one eye in pain.

“I must say, I'm impressed.” Chrysalis muses. “Not only did you two see through my guise. You're also still managing to stand after being drained in my cocoons for over a year. Well done.” Chrysalis slowly claps, is mock praise.

“A year? Drained?” Spark questions in shock, finally falling to the floor grunting.

“Yes. You see, extracting the love from a pony though bite does well to feed us for a couple of days, but extracting it through a cocoon allows us to gather ten times as much and it can be transported. The cocoons can keep ponies for as long as they have love in their hearts, so you two must really care for someponies ” She cackles through the gems. “ You've done a fine job of giving us a few weeks worth of love.” She grins.

“So take it and leave.” Spark seethes through gritted teeth.

“Oh my poor, little, pony.” Chrysalis lowers her ears, shaking her head in a pout. “One pony cocoon, is the equivalent to four weeks of food.” She leans in closer. “Per, changeling.” All three ponies eyes go wide, as Chrysalis continues. “All you've done is ensure that two of them don't starve in the coming month. No, I need something.” She taps her chin before giving an evil grin. “A little more substantial, like, an entire kingdom perhaps.” She says releasing a cackle.

“So take us, and let the princess go!” Spark pleads, already knowing it will go in vain.

“And what do you have to offer, huh?” Chrysalis tilts her head in questioning. “My cocoons have already sucked you dry, and it will be weeks before you can be harvested again.” She chuckles.

“Then why keep us alive?” Spark asks with a defiant voice.

“Because once I take control of this kingdom. I'm going to need what you call, cattle.” She chuckles. Spark just releases a growl.

“Save that energy. I'll be back to take it soon enough.” Chrysalis smirks. “But right now, I have a wedding to plan.” She gives the ponies a farewell wave. “Ta-ta.” She says before all the lights of the gems, baring Cadance's go out.

“Wedding?” Spark asks confused. She turns towards Cadance, worry etched onto her face, before asking; “Cadance? What wedding?”

She watches in terror as Cadance just screams.

Author's Note

Can our hero's be saved?

Regards

OnTheTrot