Ruin born of love

Twilight hadn't slept in days. Every time she began to drift off, the nightmares would return. Princess Celestia's face haunted her, twisting in pain and confusion as Twilight attacked her, over and over again. She saw Shining Armor and Cadence, their laughs turning to screams as the changelings swarmed them. Sometimes, her brother's head turned towards her and his voice, hollow and lifeless, asked her a single question.

"Why did you tell them?" Twilight couldn't answer him. The words caught in her throat, drowned out by tears. The truth hurt too much. She had just wanted him to be safe, to know that he was alright. That desire was what sealed her brother's fate, along with those of Cadence and Celestia. She'd been the one who signed away lives.

Another scream, this one all too real, broke Twilight from her reverie. She was almost thankful for the jumpstart by this point. It kept her from falling asleep. Slowly, Twilight glanced at the source of the echoing sound. The caves beneath Canterlot always bounced the sound all over, but Twilight knew her way around.

She found them in the usual spot, a room surrounded by reflective crystals. Light, magic, sound, it seemed they could reflect nearly anything. No matter where Twilight looked, she couldn't escape the sight. Shining Armor. Cadence. Celestia. All three trapped in cocoons, all three writhing in pain as the conversion process took them. She hadn't signed away their lives, Twilight reflected. Just their minds, their bodies, everything they were. A joyless laugh escaped Twilight's throat, and she felt like throwing up. At least they were alive, right?

"Savor the conquest, Twilight, this is as much your victory as mine."

Chrysalis appeared at the cave entrance, deigning not to wear her disguise. She rarely did anymore, at least not around around Twilight. The changeling queen smiled at Twilight, and glanced towards the pods hanging on the ceiling. She checked their progress, and began to grin.

"Ah, it's time."

"Time for what?" Twilight asked, rubbing her eyes. Chrysalis had never mentioned anything like this before. The conversion couldn't be finished yet, could it? All of them looked the same as when they went in. There was still a chance. Wasn't there?

"It is time for the true conversion to begin." Chrysalis' horn began to glow, and a green light filled the room, seemingly amplified by every reflective surface nearby. Twilight blinked at the light, trying to shield her eyes. When the light faded, the screams began.

Twilight fell back at the terrible sound, landing on her back as her front hooves moved to press down her ears. Celestia, Cadence and Shining Armor all writhed even harder, struggling against their prisons. All the while, they screamed in unison. Chrysalis waved her horn again, and the cocoons tightened. The sound cut off, but Twilight could still see their mouths working, anything but silent. Chrysalis continued to speak as if nothing had happened.

"Now the second stage has begun, removing them from their pods will kill them."

"What? But you said that-"

"I lied. You could have saved them when you had the chance, but you didn't."

"H-how do I know you're not lying this time?"

Chrysalis waved a hoof towards the pods. "I invite you to try, Twilight. We'll see what happens."

Twilight stood up, focusing. She didn't have much left, running on the last of her energy. A small spark dropped from her horn. It fizzled, and Twilight tried again, this time summoning a more stable glow. She looked at the pods, preparing herself.

"I'd aim for Cadence, she's the least useful to both of us," Chrysalis whispered in Twilight's ear. The glow of her magic nearly faltered, but Twilight held it.

"But you always wanted to prove yourself to Celestia," Chrysalis continued. "What better way to surpass your mentor than by killing her?"

Twilight gritted her teeth, and stared. A moment later, her magic fizzled. She held it too long. There was nothing left.

"I can't do it."

"That's one choice made," Chrysalis laughed. "Now for the other."

"Other?"

"Yes," Chrysalis said turning to face the pods once more. She watched the three ponies inside squirm, and raised a hoof to point at each of them in turn. "I offer you the choice to spare them from this pain."

Twilight blinked in confusion. Of course she wanted them to be unharmed. If there was anything she could to to keep them from suffering this fate, she would. Even if it meant taking their place...

"Ah, there is a catch, yes," the queen explained. "You see, pain is a natural response  to this process, but it's so inefficient, and quite unhealthy for our children. Pleasure works so much better. Of course, it also speeds the process along when they accept it so willingly."

Twilight thought she understood now, even as addled as she was. Once again, Chrysalis was forcing her to decide fate. She could choose to accelerate the conversion and lose whatever window of time was left, or let them suffer constant pain for days. The queen could have simply started with pleasure, but she wanted Twilight to make the choice.

"I nearly forgot," Chrysalis laughed to herself. Her horn began to glow green, and as Twilight watched the cocoon loosed whatever grip they held. Immediately, the screaming returned. It had never stopped. Ragged, hacking sounds were coming from the pods now, and Twilight was sure their throats were scratched raw.

"Choose wisely," Chrysalis had to raise her voice over the echoing horror. She turned to leave the cave, giving a smile that was all fang.

"Wait!" Twilight had to shout.

"Yes?"

"They won't suffer?"

"Quite the opposite. They'll love you so."

Twilight was on her last legs. Her tears had long since dried up, and her own throat was in torturous pain. She didn't know what was going to happen now. As if she ever did.

"I don't want them to suffer."

Chrysalis stopped, and turned around, her grin widening. She stepped back into the room, waving her horn. "Wise choice. You'll make a good queen some day."