“Cadance!” Twilight screams with joy as she rushes over, tackling the mare into a hug. “You're alive.” She cries with tears of joy, clutching the mare tighter, nuzzling into her. Cadance just nuzzles back, breathing in her scent. 'Oh how she'd missed her.' She chokes out a sob.

Twilight pulls back watching the pained expression on her face before a voice interrupts them.

“Miss Twilight!” Twilight looks over in shock to notice Sergeant Spark looking at her through a green gem.

“Spark!” She calls. Noticing Reaper sitting on the ground behind her, one eye closed in pain, but he was smiling gratefully towards her. “Reaper!” She calls with joy. “Are you okay?!” She asks, watching as the mare nods her head.

“We are fine, you need to take Cadance and get out of here! Stop Chrysalis!” She calls. Cadance just shakes her head refusing.

“No, what about you?!” She pleads, terrified at the thought of leaving them here.

“We'll be fine!” Spark yells, turning to look at Reaper who merely nods. “We'll find a way out, go, now!” She begs before the gem suddenly goes dark.

Twilight watches with panic before looking back towards Cadance. Noting how weak she looks.

“We need to go, can you stand?” She asks, Cadance just nods, before grunting and struggling to her hooves. Twilight helps her up before they both run off down one of the tunnels.

“We have to stop her!” Twilight yells, preparing to enter the fray, once again.

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

“Piss off ya pest.” Firecraft yells before turning to smash the hilt of his sword into the side of a changeling's head, knocking it out cold. He looks on in amazement and releases a triumphant call as five changeling's lay on the floor before him.

“Eye, take that ya bastards!” Firecraft cheers before turning back towards Nebula who's visibly shaking. “Mighty fine aim you've got there.” Firecraft grins, watching the horrid expression form on Nebula's face.

“I missed twenty times!” He cries, still shaken.

“Eye, but ya tried.” He smirks, as Nebula just shakes his head.

“We need to get out of here. There's probably more that are going to come.” He stops shaking, steadying his nerves, before fixing his glasses.

“Not witout Spark.” He gives him a stern glare. Nebula looks up pleading.

“Firecraft! We don't even know if they're down here! This could of been a trap for all we know.” Nebula pleads.

“Reeetro woudnt do that.” He gives him a glare before strutting past him to continue his journey into the caves.

“I know he wouldn't.” Nebula concedes. “But we have no idea what's going on? We need to get reinforcements!” He begs, hoping the fire maned stallion would see reason.

“How do we know the castle ain't already been overrun!” He shoots back. “Spark and Reaper are good fighters. If'n anything, we're gonna need all the elp we can get.” He huffs continuing to walk.

“Assuming their alive?” Nebula says in a worried tone. “And even if they are, how are we going to find them? It's not like they'll magically appear-” Nebula gets interrupted by Firecraft shoving him out the way, brandishing his sword. As a changeling jumps out from the shadows, slamming into Firecraft, pushing him back against the wall.

“A lit'le help!” Firecraft grunts holding back the hungry changeling's fangs with his blade.

Nebula panics before charging a spell and firing it with his eyes closed towards the two. It hits the the changeling's back before exploding, sending Firecraft smashing through the cave wall.

He lands with a grunt, eyes closed in pain.

“Fuk me, that hurt.” He groans. He freezes at the sound of a female voice calling.

“Firecraft!” He opens his eyes, staring ahead as his vision focuses, where they land upon a teary eye filled Spark.

He smiles, groaning as he shifts round to look at her properly.

“Well aren't you a sight fer sore eyes.” He smiles.

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

Celestia looks on with a sad smile, watching all the ponies with big grins on their faces, shuffling their hooves in excitement. She wants to be happy, but she can't help the pang of guilt residing in her heart.

'They should be here.' She thinks looking across to the empty seats. 'They should all be here.' She sniffs forcing the tears to remain.

She takes a deep breath before speaking.

“Princess Cadance and Shining Armour, it is my great pleasure to pronouce you-” Celestia's eyes fling open as the doors to the wedding hall fly open.

“Stop!” A voice calls out. Celestia stares is shock as Twilight begins to trot down the carpet way.

“Why does she have to ruin my special day.” Cadance cries. Celestia gives her niece a worried glance before turning her attention back towards Twilight.

“Because you're an imposter.” The sound of a weak voice can be heard. Celestia's eyes go wide as the entire room gasps, as a small, weak, pink Alicorn limps into the room.

Celestia feels her eyes shrink to the size of pin pricks as she gapes at the sight before her.

“How did you escape!” Celestia's head turns to quickly watch the burning gaze of Cadance bore through the two.

“It's over Chrysalis!” Twilight yells taking on a defensive stance.

Celestia watches with horror as Cadance begins to cackle.

“We'll see about that.” She states, before erupting into a flash of green fire. Celestia's blinded momentarily before blinding rapidly. She opens her eyes to the horror before her. The large black creature with dripping fangs. Her eyes widen in remorse.

'I've been such a fool.' She thinks, watching as the creature takes a step towards her student and niece.

“I must say my little ponies, I'm impressed.” Chrysalis chuckles. “I never once thought you'd be able to escape that god forsaken place, but it seems I was mistaken.” She stops just in front of Twilight. Celestia can only look on is despair, unable to do anything.

“But you're far too late.” Chrysalis hisses. “Shining Armour has provided me with more than enough love to overthrow your entire kingdom! You have failed!” Chrysalis laugh echoes through the room.

“Not yet you haven't!” Twilight yells before charging up a spell. Celestia watches in horror as Twilight fires a spell the chrysalis easily deflect. Sending it flying out the window, smashing the glass. Before turn back towards Twilight.

“Nice try.” She chuckles before turning around and crouching. “But not good enough.” She growls before kicking out her back legs, straight into Twilight, sending her flying.

“Twilight!” She hears Cadance call rushing over towards her. “Are you okay?” She asks worriedly. Twilight groans, nodding, eyes clenched in pain before cracking one open to look at Chrysalis who merely cackles.

“Equestria's greatest hope....” She taunts. “Ready to die.” She begins charging up her horn.

“NO!” Celestia booms. Chrysalis turns her attention towards the monarch. Celestia begins to step forward, seething with anger, eyes brimming with tears.

“I will not let you take anything else!” She cries, charging up her horn. Chrysalis just laughs.

“Oh, poor Celestia. They're already gone. You gave them to me, traded them away for a little comfort!” She laughs charging up her own horn. “You betrayed them! You've lost!” She says firing a jet of green towards Celestia.

“I haven't lost yet.” She seethes before firing a spell of her own.

The room gasps as the two beams clash, watches in terror as the green beam of magic gains the upper hoof, and hope is lost, as it reaches Celestia's horn. Her tiara flying off of her head as she crashes to the floor.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight screams.

Celestia's eyes flicker open, as she shift her head painfully towards a triumphant Chrysalis.

“Game over.” She begins laughing evilly. Celestia stares to steal a glance from the end of the hall. Watches as Twilight and Cadance stare at her in horror.

“I'm sorry Cadance.” She whispers, tears falling from her eyes.

The sound of laughing echoes through the room.

The war was lost.

Author's Note

Okay I made a slight miscalculation, filles and gentlecolts. 'This!' Next chapter will be the last.

Regards

OnTheTrot