Thread 82: Stories 46-60

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>Chrysalis
"Twilight"
~~~~~

>KRACKARACKTHOOOOOM BITCHES!

"Hi Chrysalis."

>...Hold up, let me try that again.

Deftly, the changeling stepped out, gently closed the door to her lab, and then...

>KOOMKALABOOM!

"Hey."

>...This isn't right.

Again, she stepped out, again-

>CAA CAA CAA CAA CAAAAAMABOOM!

"You going to keep doing that?"

>Where are my declarations of death and horror!?

"I've spent the last month re-securing my whole lab after the... incident. Slam whatever you like, nothing bad will happen."

>You, you little pony... breaking my heart. Broken, like in a million pieces. Shattered, really.

"I considered leaving my lab in a state of possible havoc to make you happy, but in the end, I felt that you would have to rely on the magic of friendship instead."

>Breaking my heart!

"...So, you really feeling okay this time? Not... you know 'you' okay? The doctor wanted to keep you in for another couple weeks. Was not very pleased when you walked out and they weren't present."

>...But you were my doctor.

"Hint hint."

>HAH! I'll have you know I'm feeling just bitchin' right now.

"Poke."

>MOTHER FU-...

"..."

>...I'm ticklish.

"Uh huh. Well, you didn't fall over, so you know what? Benefit of the doubt."

>Damn straight.

"...Sooo... talked to Applejack since, uh... the start?"

>Nope.

"She's tried to come see you a couple times."

>Was probably sleeping. Never saw her.

"...You know she's counting on you, right?"

>HAH! Finally she realizes the power I hold. Took her long enough.

"I'm serious, if you can't get Sunset out back to normal, she'll probably..."

>...Wasn't your fault either, you know.

"Trying to make me feel better doesn't work when I was chewing her out literally four hours before it happened..."

>Meh, you'll just have to chew her out better this time, that'll work.

"...Thanks."

>Already thanking me and I haven't done shit yet. I'm damn good.

"You know, if you pull this off, this might be a good way for you and her toooo... bond?"

>HAH!

"Worth a shot."

>Hey, I'm not fighting her, let's start with that.

"Fair enough, I'll take what I can get."

>Damn straight, now!... What the fuck is this thing?

"This, Chrysalis? This is plan B."

>Plan B?... Oh, so its like, Sunset's memories or something, and you want to make a false Sunset?

"Nope."

>A time machine?

"That doesn't work, actually."

>A... margarita mixer for when this goes south?

"Wrong again."

>DAMN!... So what is it?

"It's either a way to unwind after Sunset is returned in one piece and this stress is put behind her, or... it's a way to divulge into a little fantasy to take off the burden of everything, so she can move on just a little bit easier."

>That doesn't sound healthy.

"Quite the opposite. Let's just say I know first hoof that sometimes, just not being yourself for a little bit... it goes a long way."

>Hmmm... fair enough... not that you'll need it.

"You're sure?"

>Tell you what, if I get her back and she's still sane, you have to stick with me on the game. If I fail, you gotta go with Applejack.

"Oh... okay? Why?"

>Because I already made our team name, and it doesn't fit without you. Fuck if I'm thinking up a new one.

"...Good luck."

>I don't fucking need it... I'm the greatest Queen who ever lived.

"And she has the neck strain from kissing her own ass to show it!"

>HEY!

"No regrets."

>HAH! C'mon, let's go get Caddy so I can light this thing up.

"Don't you want to rest a bit? Find out what you missed?"

>Did I miss anything important?

"...erm..."

>What?

Gently, the alicorn pulled her over, and whispered in her ear.

>THEY'RE FUCKING WHERE!?

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 >Celestia
"Dash"
~~~~~~

>So, how are my Wonderbolts progressing?

"...uh.... well, we're not breaking any records, but-"

>I'll accept 'not on enough drugs to qualify as a medicine cabinet.'

"They are not that bad."

>Good. Call my standards low, but that's all I want.

"Oh, really? Whelp! Then I have met expectations... and little else."

>They're still not listening to you?

"They pretend to sometimes, does that count?"

>Rainbow Dash, you need to be a real leader if you wish to remain as their commander.

"Kind of hard. You'd think saving the world a whole bunch of times would make them think 'hey! Maybe we should listen to her!'"

>Defeating Nightmare Moon and Discord proved you are a capable defender, not a leader.

"Way to pull a Fleetfoot on me."

>Is she still acting up?

"Nothing I can fire her over."

>Do you wish to fire her?

"You know what? Kinda."

>I see... well, I have no advice to give you anymore, my last stint with my captain proved me... inadequate. You shall have to learn how to command them in your own way.

"Gee, thanks. Big help."

>...I miss when you acted like I was some sort of goddess.

"Kinda hard to keep that same outlook after saving your ass for the sixth time."

>...Fair enough?

"And also watching you scarf down a whole cake."

>I see your point, you don't need to-

"AND watching you order that one 'unique' looking cake and swallowing it like a-"

>YOU SAW THAT!?

"Saw it all."

>...I'm going to retire any day now, I swear it.

"Take me with you."

>You haven't even been in this job for a year!

"..."

>...Yes, you can come too.

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>???
“???”
‘???’
_____

>You know what’s downright amazing right now?

“The fact that you’re somehow permitted to carry those sharp tools of yours despite a violent history of misuse?”

>Nooooope! Because any idiot with eyes can see they are merely scientific tools made for the sole purpose of scientific use!

“But that’s clearly not what you yourself use them for. I’ve seen your file. By the way, have you ever seen your own file? It’s about the size of three books and nailed shut with a thick ass bolt.”

‘Really? Shit.’

>I’m nothing but a simple scientist, I assure you, Mister…?

“Haymaker.”

>…You make hay?

‘Pffft….’

“Congratulations, you’re only the third to make that joke. Keep walking.”

>So pushy, pushy! Are you that way with all the mares?

“Only the psychopathic sort.”

>Such flattery! He’s a real charmer isn’t he, Miss…?

‘Glimmer.’

>My, oh my, what an… illuminating name!

“See, I’m not going to crack a grin over that. That’s called solidarity, Glims. You know, the thing you forgot a few minutes ago.”

‘Hay, you’re still so new to this I can practically see the green on your coat. Besides, it was legit funny. Laugh at yourself once in awhile.’

“It’s hard to laugh when your superior basically foists escort duty onto you because he’s got, and I quote, ‘other important business to take care of.’ Bull. Shit. He just didn’t want to chance getting stabbed.”

>Your superior thought that? Well now, that’s just unfair generalizing right there. I usually stick to stabbing what either tries to stab me first or what lands on my operating table.

“She says as she casually drags a scalpel along the wall.”

>Oh, that? Just marking the way.

‘Why?’

>No particular reason, but you know how experiments sometimes come to life and try to kill its creator? It helps to have an escape route prior to such an occurrence

“…”

‘…Huh.’

>And besides, why would I waste my time taking a sample from either of you? A stallion and a mare from the solar and lunar guard, respectively. Boring, been there, done that, sampled enough tissue. I need new meat, something with enough gristle to sink my sexy hooves into!

THUD.

“…Was that the changeling fellow trying to secretively follow us?”

‘Yup. Looks like he tripped over the rug back there.’

>You’ll have to forgive my number one perverted assistant. He’s madly in love with my hooves, you see.

‘…why?’

>Because they’re quite the marvel. I even have a trophy to prove it!

‘Okay, who the fuck makes a trophy for having-’

“Huh, they aren’t bad looking.”

>See?

‘…Seriously, Maker?’

“All I said was they’re not bad, no need to get jealous, Glims.”

‘Oh you so did not just say that.’

“Heh, what was that you said earlier? Laugh at yourself, girl. Go on. Haha and such.”

‘When we drop this clown off, me and you are going to have a long, physical talk, Maker.’

“You know, your hooves probably wouldn’t be so cracked if you got yourself a little pedi every once in a blue moon.”

‘MY HOOVES ARE NOT CRACKED YOU-’

>It never fails. My sexy little hooves bring dismay and confused hearts wherever they trot. By the by, where are we trotting exactly?

“Princess Applejack has other more pressing matters she needs to tender first before she circles back around to you and your situation. So, for the time being, you’re being detained in one of the castle’s special rooms. The two of us were summoned to be your escorts, because the sun and moon complement each other so very well against most… perceived threats.”

>Delightful. And how special is this room…?

“You’ll see when you get there.”

>Hm! Nothing beats the good old erotic intrigue of mystery, mmmhm….

“...And I used to think PJ was odd.”

‘Sorry, can’t hear you over the sound of my terrible hooves cracking!’

“…Gonna be a long walk.”

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Prolly NC
>Celestia
"Pommel"

>How?

"Well, to tell the truth, I'm not entirely sure. It certainly was a busy month."

>They're standing in formation. And drilling. Effectively!

"Yeah, we started training more in non-lethal tactics-which oddly are far more effective than just shooting something when it's just a robot. Then a bunch of the guys convinced me that having a crew of ponies working with a Peacetrotter instead of just one-to-one partnerships would cut down on the chance of corruption, their soulful arguments melting my icy old heart-

>You are in no way shape or form old.

"-oh and then we all foiled the vaguely sinister plans of a sinisterly vague organization...something about contaminating Canterlot's water supply with Chimera venom-y'know from the snake part."

>...all this happened in a month?

"Well to be completely honest, literally everything I just described may have been brought on by a Discord-induced montage, so I'm not really sure. Can't argue with results, though."

>I suppose not, carry on, Captain.

"At once, your highness."

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>Chrysalis
"Celestia"
~~~~

SLAM!

>WHY THE FUCK ARE MY CHANGELINGS IN THE BALLROOM!?

"...Well, nice to see you up and about."

>TALK!

"It was either that or in the middle of a construction site."

>Don't give me that bullshit! They were fine! They had a place to be! WHY THE FUCK ARE THEY HERE AGAIN!? WE WERE PAST THIS!

"...Oh, dear. Did Twilight not tell you? The stadium... um... collapsed."

>...WHAT!?

"Oh yes, quite a ghastly thing. There was a house or something lodged into the top, and when they tried to move it the whole thing just outright detonated. Turns out, it was the home of the soldier who forged the Crystal Rockets, what are the odds, right?"

>Wha-

"Oh, but then there was a heartwarming scene where they all joined together to get each other out, it was beautiful... and then came the crystal snake."

>The WHAT!?

"Yes, some latent magic infused into the magic inside of the torch-holder that's meant to keep any flame going, and it came to life as a giant segmented crystal snake. Annoying thing, even when you broke one piece it just re-attached."

>Wha... wha...

"So then they had to all join together as a massive army, but it wasn't enough... and then came the crystal golems."

>The... the...

"Yes, those chunks that had been blasted out of the snake were also alive, so they reformed into golems, so they had to be dealt hoof to hoof."

>...

"Fortunately, Eighty Eight had a brilliant idea to reroute them all into to snow, and when they were there they figured out how to melt the ice into water and quickly refreeze it! That way, they couldn't keep spreading you see. Seventy Seven was the bait, it was heartwrenching."

>...

"Then they combined their powers and vaporized them. Problem solved!... Except the stadium is, as I said, completely collapsed for now... they're fixing it, though! But this meant that the crystal ponies essentially had to shuffle into the few repaired houses, but there were so few fixed it just wasn't feasible to have even a tenth of your hive in there.... all nine of them. So, I moved them back here, and no giant snake monsters or golems have attacked them since!"

>...You're fucking with me, aren't you?

"I kind of wish I was."

>You can't just... why the fuck didn't you ask me!?

"It was, what, the second time you passed out?"

>They've been here for three weeks!?

"Two and a half."

>AND YOU NEVER FUCKING MENTIONED IT!?

"We were afraid you were going to freak out."

>I'M FUCKING FREAKING OUT!

"Well, we can move them back when the stadium is finished in two weeks, I just didn't want them to be homeless."

>I WAS ONLY THERE FOR THREE DAYS!

"Again, you don't have to stay, just... snow? Cold, icy snow? Lots of that."

>ARRGGHHHH!... At LEAST tell me Canterlot likes us better now!

"..."

>...Are you motherfucking serious.

"Uh... showing you were a good fighter is uh... not the best way to endear yourself to them, apparently."

>...

"...I'll, uh... I'll find room in the budget to shuffle over some funds to the Empire, stadium should be finished juuust after Hearth's Warming that way. Little over a week instead of two. Better?"

>...Shiny put you up to this, didn't he?

"Cadence, actually."

>...

"You okay?"

>...

"Blood seeping out of the corner of your eye says no."

>...

"I'll stop now."

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~~~~~

If the room were anymore it would have qualified as a parade.

The leaders of both the Crystal Empire and Equestria, the Elements of Harmony, and of course the close friends of both of those, all gathered together as they stood before the sealed door that contained her.

The student.

The friend.

The monster.

Which one was behind those walls, none of them knew.

But they were going to find out.

"Alright, if you're not Cadence, stay the fuck back. Last thing I need is to end up fighting a bunch of you all at the same time. Forty Two? Make sure nobody rushes in if they hear noises."

In the back, the soldier gave a curt, easy nod, and pointedly moved closer to Applejack.

"Good. Caddy? Gonna need some boost, then I'm going to tear her brain a new one."

There was a deep, pregnant pause in the room.

"...her is referring to Variolus, not... you fucking know what I meant!"

A whopping one half of the room did.

The other half, not so much.

"Let's jus' get this over with, alright?"

"Indeed... it's time to show this bitch what a real Queen is capable of!"

Powerfully, she strode into the room. Cadence, with only a single look back to Shining Armor, strode in after her.

And, with that, the room was sealed.

"...So! Does anyone have any scary stories?"

The whole room turned, and looked to the pink party pony who was bouncing eagerly, in wait.

"Yeah, I've got one. It's about a whole room of ponies on edge who suddenly snapped and beat the pink off a bubblegum colored pony because she was being weird."

"Ooooo~! I like this one Dashie! How does it end!"

"You'll find out very shortly."

"Please do not assault anyone in my Empire. I do not want to deal with that international incident paperwork."

"Ugh, fiiiine... so, what's sex with Cadence like?"

In the back of the room, Forty Two collapsed.

"DASH!"

"I have got to know this. I seriously do. She's the alicorn of love, right? So, what's sex with her like? Is she into, like, super freaky stuff? What, exactly, has she tried to cram up in there?"

"I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW! Shiny don't tell her!"

"...It kind of bothers me that you think I would, sis."

"C'MOOONN! I gotta know it too! What, does she like, make you dress up in the armor?"

"PINKIE! How ghastly of you! A proper stallion never tells!"

"Yeah, he married her, he hasn't got anything to prove... that and I'm pretty sure he hasn't actually hit that in months."

"SPIKE! EW!"

"Just being honest."

"How do you know that!?"

"Sombra told me. We play Hyperspace Hyperwars on the weekend,and he keeps mentioning how you get less pink on you than a goth."

"WILL YA'LL PLEASE STOP TALKIN' BOUT SHININ' ARMOR'S LACKLUSTER SEX LIFE!"

"My sex life is not lackluster!"

"Yer' datin' TWO mares and ya' ain't gettin' any, let's not kid ourselves."

"The Eighteen thing is complicated!"

"Um... I-I don't want to be a bother, but shouldn't we be worried about-"

"I'm just saying, if I had a threesome opportunity drop right on my lap-"

"Can we PLEASE stop talking about my sex life!"

"Yes, because to be frank, you're all amateurs at not getting laid next to me."

"That's not exactly something to brag about, sunny-C."

"That C had better stand for Celestia, or I will hurt you."

"I'll help."

"Oh sure, her big old Shiny comes to help."

"And what is that supposed to mean!?"

"I- uh- I'm just-"

"We're doing this now? Seriously?"

"I wanna know what sex with Cadence is like!"

"I think we completely fried Forty Two-"

"You're all acting so horrifically! I cannot believe you would speak of such perverted, naughty things!"

"Rar? Look me in the face and tell me you're not curious."

"Of course I am! I want to know if she uses spells like any sane unicorn would, but I wouldn't SAY it!"

"She doesn't use spells!"

"Oooo~! Doesn't want to, or doesn't need to?"

"Stop."

Time literally froze.

Everyone became weird two-dimensional versions of themselves.

Then polkadotted colors.

Then giant headed.

Then it all went back to normal.

"...s-so, uh-"

"I was trying to make a sign that said stop."

"...'

"...I need more practice."

"...Three hundred bottles of Cider on the wall-"

""""""""""NO!"""""""""""

"Awww."

~~~~~

Inside the room, the two royals gazed upon a peculiar, almost serene sight.

The unicorn they barely knew, barely recognized, suspended in the air via a magic that surrounded her, her and her every inch. A sphere of enchantment that held her in place, and kept her still.

"...There's something wrong with her."

Without yet a hint of magic, she knew it to be true.

"Can you fix her?"

"...I don't know."

A soft, reassuring pink hoof touched her on the side, gently massaging the soft chitin beneath it.

"I believe in you."

For once, there was no cocky smirk, no winning smile. Just a simple twitch of her lip, a bit of color to her cheeks, and a steadying breath.

"Tell you what, if you succeed, I'll have Shiny give you a big gift this Hearths Warming."

"...Tantalizing."

"High stakes, High rewards."

She normally would have cackled.

She didn't.

"...Let's do this."

The princess's magic did it's work. Charging her, igniting her power, turning mere scraps of love into glowing, unbridled magic. As if racing off into the night, Chrysalis's consciousness shot forwards. Into a place beyond the world, into a world with no color, sound or light. She shot forth...

And rammed right against a shield more powerful than she had been expecting.

"Hello, Chrysalis."

Her mental image hung there, outside of the ethereal dome in a world of black. Shocked into a stupor, as on the other side of the transparent dome, a pony rose up to greet her.

No... not a pony.

A twisted mockery of a pony. Chitin on it's skin, unnatural eyes...

Wings on her back, and a twisted horn to crown her head.

"I've been waiting for you."

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 >32
"Actarius"
'JJ'
~~~~~

'So, how is the work with him going?'

"He's weird."

'Weird?'

"He talks so weird. He's really roundabout with everything he says."

'I don't get it.'

"Here, listen... boss? Where do you want me to file these?"

>Just fold it in the tubing and shove that thing right in into my locker. It might not fit right at first, but if you force it it'll expand for it. Don't worry, my filing cabinet can handle it jusssst fine. It'll look dangerous, but trust me, it's worth it in the end. And at least try to look like you're enjoying yourself this time? I know this is more for me, not you, but it's important to take pride in your work, and not just focus on stuffing that load and going.

"...See? He could've just told me to file it in the B section, but for some reason he's really puffy about this."

'That is so weird, I agree.'

"And he keeps waggling his eyes at me whenever I talk about me and you, and keeps asking if he can join in. I think he's lonely."

'Well, yeah, even the changelings don't want a piece of that.'

>Act One? I think my chair is loose again, do you have anything I can sit on instead?

"I'm not swapping my chair with you again! We just keep trading it back and forth!"

>Well, I'd take it all, but it's just so lovely to share.

"...Ugh... I have no idea what is up with that guy."

>Did someone say something was up? I can help you get it back down.

"Nothing is up!"

>...Do you want it to be?

"Why would I... no, boss, I do not want something to go up just so you can put it back down!... You see? What's even the point of that?"

'Maybe he just wants to keep busy.'

"I guess I can admire that work ethic."

>Oh for fucks sake!

"Did you spill that suntan lotion all over your chair again? I'm not cleaning it up this time!... He's clumsy. Keeps dropping stuff all over himself, it's super annoying."

>HOW ARE YOU THIS THICK!?

"I work out!"

'You do, and it's really impressive.'

"Thanks!'

>...I may have met my match with this one...

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~~~

For eons it had waited, untold ages hurtling through space. At first it had rage and squirmed within its prison, trying desperately to return to the planet it had sought to immolate through force of will.

However, as it hurtled in its rocky tomb, it began to realize that while its own power was too restricted to accomplish its goals, it was enough to manipulate the meteor to take advantage of the cosmos itself.

It had taken every bit of power, mental and magical, to chart this course. Swinging on gravity wells, reorienting itself to adjust for the fact of other rocks hurtling through space, but it was finally happening.

It could sense the world that had banished it and its siblings.

It was only a matter of time before it would crash down and destroy all that its enemies held dear, mere seconds away from bathing everything in its searing flames, in the blink of an eye it would-

...miss the planet by a country mile.

"...phooey."

Next time, for certain.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

~~~~~~

A world without time, space, weight or being. A world of nothing but the emptiness of the grander universe and a singular orb that she now gazed upon. In hindsight, Chrysalis would one day realize how little she understood of this image concocted by the minds of those she invaded, how little it was she truly understood just where, or what, she was.

But the day she would seek out this answer was not now. Now was only for the eyes... the unnatural eyes of a changeling drone that never stopped watching.

"What do you mean... you have been waiting?"

The strange 'thing' on the other side of the near invisible barrier that separated the two tilted, a weightlessness to her as she rolled to the side with little to hold her down.

"It's a pretty simple statement. I have been here, in this place for a duration of time, and I did so waiting for you, specifically, to arrive."

"How did you know I was coming?"

"Give me a little credit. While the possibility that Applejack would rush in here was always present, I knew they would be sure to send in the one who broke in before first. Only other option was you sending in someone more... expendable."

"Who... what are you-"

"SUNSET!"

In a flash, she had changed. Gone away from the conversational, light tone to a screech of a harpies roar.

"SUNSET SHIMMER! MY NAME IS SUNSET SHIMMER! I AM SUNSET SHIMMER! THAT IS WHAT I AM!"

She inched away, offput by the wild eyes that shimmered much like her name.

"You don't look like Sunset."

"Looks can be deceiving."

The change in tone could have given her whiplash. In a snap she was back to the cool, calculated tone, like nothing had ever happened.

"Now that the pleasantries are done, release me."

Even with a body with nothing to choke on, she still nearly gagged.

"You cannot be serious."

"I am deathly serious. I wish to be let out."

"You cannot possibly think I'm going to let you out after what you did-"

"I'M SORRRYYYYYYYYY!"

Less than a minute. She had not even held her viperous tongue for a minute before she had broken.

She charged the shield with reckless abandon, slamming into it like a bug ramming headfirst into a light.

"I'M SORRY! I'M SO SORRY! I DIDN'T WANT THIS! I DIDN'T WANT ANY OF THIS! I J-JUST WANTED TO HELP! I WANTED TO DO GOOD! I WANTED TO MAKE UP FOR IT ALL BUT IT ALL WENT SO VERY WRONG! I'M SORRY! I'M SO SORRY!"

She collapsed against the shield, forehead banging against nothingness. Her chest heaved as it sucked in air that existed only in her mind, and gradually the sobs began to build up over her body.

"...What are you?"

"I am V... Sunset Shimmer. My name is Sunset Shimmer. I am Sunset Shimmer. I was a student. I went to another world. I am... I am Sunset Shimmer."

"...No... not who are you... what are you?"

Deathly slow, the head rose back up until she glared into the eyes of the Queen before her.

"...I am Sunset Shimmer."

"Do not give me that!"

The pony shuffled back, away from the presence that clashed against her mental shields.

"There is... changeling magic her, all around here, in every piece of this... inside of you. What is this magic? How could a pony ever hold my species power? SPEAK!"

"I want out."

Chrysalis let out a chilling snarl, raking her hoof across the shield.

"Tell me how you resurrected a former Queen, explain to me where this power comes from, and maybe, just maybe, I will consider letting you out."

"No."

She spoke with finality, with no room for recourse or discussion.

Two letters, that is all.

"Do it or I will not let you be released. You will remain here, in this suspended state for all of time."

"YOU WILL GET NOTHING FROM ME!"

The shriek was like nails on a chalkboard, scraping slowly down as to draw out every inch of the pain.

"YOU WILL GET NOTHING, YOU MONSTER! Because, you see, things changed at the end. She tried to take me, tried to wipe me out at the end, tried to eat me as she would the love and good feelings in a ponies heart. But it backfired, I- SUNSET SHIMMER, won. I won, and now... have her mind, I have her memories, I know exactly what you... THINGS are capable of now!"

No changeling, no matter how skilled, could have kept the look of shock from their face.

Chrysalis was, sadly, no exception.

"I know exactly what you can do, what you're capable of, and oh, ohhhhh... I know exactly what your MOTHER was capable of now! And by extension, what you are capable of... and I won't stand for it. I don't care if it takes me a million years, I'm going to get out of this, and I'm going to give the world, all the world, these secrets! I'm going to show them exactly how to deal with monsters like Changeling Queens, and make sure nobody ever has to suffer under them ever again! Nobody shall ever have their mind taken by you THINGS, nobody shall ever have to fear you CREATURES, and nobody shall ever again look up in fear of your so called TITAN MAGIC! I don't know how yet, but when I do I'm going to give up everything I know, everything I have found, and even if I spend the rest of my life sealed away in the darkest pit I am going to work, and work, and work until not a single thing you possess can ever hurt anyone again! I'M GOING TO BE THE LAST LIFE YOU MONSTERS DESTROY!"

She heaved again, breathless in a world without air, her rage switching back and fourth between simmering burn to raging inferno so rapidly it was near impossible to keep track of which voice she spoke with, and for whom the voice came from.

But to the changeling Queen on the other side, it didn't matter.

"So... you really think you're going to get out and spread what you've learned, do you?"

"I will get out. Either you let me out, or someday, someone does it by accident, or intentionally, it doesn't matter. Someday, I'm going to get out, I'm only offering you this chance to maintain some of the image you've held. This is your one chance and I hope you have friends who will still want you around when you are powerless, Chrysalis, because one way or another, you're done."

"Is that right..."

The coy voice was like a dinner bell, a signal to rush forwards and slam against her own mental shield.

"Don't you fucking smile like that! Never smile like that! I've seen it a thousand times, more even! Every time it keeps playing over and over in my head and it's making it harder to remember which memories are mine and which memories are hers! This makes it worse! Thinking about that damn smile makes it so much worse! Every time one of you stupid Queens smile like that, something horrible happens!"

"Oh, and it is going to... but not to me."

Two ethereal, chitinous hooves reached out, and pressed against the shield once more... and went no further.

"This isn't going to be like with her, you stupid bitch. You're not fighting Variolus this time, you're up against a mare who is used to using her mind to the fullest potential, you're up against a mare who has spent her whole time in her building, and building, and building mental blocks after mental blocks specifically to keep someone like you out. I've been waiting, and I'm ready for you. You've hidden your little secrets for too long, you've crushed down all who would release anything that might threaten your supremacy, your rule. Back then, now, and forever more you would prevent any from knowing anything that might threaten your position, and I'm not going to let it happen any longer. Bring it all you've got, Variolus was a brick wall... I'm a steel safe. BRING IT."

Through it all, through every declaration, every challenge, every taunt...

Chrysalis never stopped smiling.

"Mmm... I see. Well, Sunset Shimmer, or whoever you are-"

"I AM SUNSET SHIMMER!"

"-it seems that Variolus, who you certainly are not-"

"I AM NOT!"

"-didn't understand the most simple, basic truth to all mind invasion."

"And what is that!?"

It was as quiet as a piece of glass hitting the floor. Yet it resounded through her like the bell of a grand church.

A single crack in her shield.

"There are all sorts of fancy tricks and tips to weaken, strengthen, diminish, unsettle and even poison a shield... but when it comes right down to it..."

The crack grew.

"Nothing beats pure..."

And grew.

"Unstoppable..."

And finally-

"POWER!"

Shattered.

Sunset shrieked as the Queens power, enriched by the princess of love herself, broke her shield like it was made of paper. No tricks, no traps, merely a level of power stronger than she could conjure up to defend in time.

In one second, the game had changed, and the Queen had arrived in her mind.

"Y-you... you bitch, get away, GET AWAY!"

She walked as casual as a crisp spring day, stepping on stones invisible in the endless expanse of her mind. A grin on her face, and a chuckle in her throat.

No matter how fast Sunset tried to back away, she just could not escape.

"You didn't really think you could keep me out, did you, Varry?"

"I-I- can still-... FUCK YOU! I AM SUNSET SHIMMER!"

"Are you? Are you truly now?"

"YES! YES AND NOTHING YOU SAY CAN CHANGE THAT!"

"Then what is your mother's name?"

"HESPERUS!"

That smile never left.

It only... grew.

"W-wait... wait no, no that's her mother, not... no I just... I got confused."

And grew.

"I'm not Variolus! I'm not! I'm Sunset Shimmer! I'M SUNSET SHIMMER!"

Then came the laughter.

"SHUT UP!"

From all sides, a mental assault was unleashed. Spells, cannon fire from ethereal ships, lightning bolts conjured, so many things brought down upon her like the fury of goddesses.

Not a one even came close to scratching her.

"Oh, oh Varry... you shouldn't have revealed so much to me. Didn't you know I could see? All of it, all around... you dug in here like a tick, didn't you?"

The assault resumed, yet remained as ineffectual as ever.

"NO! I won, not her! I'm in control! I AM IN CONTROL!"

"And what makes you think that?"

"I HAVE HER MEMORIES!"

"Yes... but which her?"

Her assault died as if it were a candle snuffed out in a gust of one. There one moment, gone the next.

"...I-I am Sunset Shimmer."

"What makes you think that?"

"Because... because I want to help them, the ponies. Not... not you. She didn't care about the ponies who would have died, she was willing to do whatever it took to get her way... I'm not."

"Is that so... very well, it doesn't matter."

Fear.

True, terrifying fear gripped her heart like the claw of a dragon punched into her chest.

"What... what do you mean?"

"I mean, that when I am through with you, only Sunset shall remain regardless."

"...N-no!"

A booming cackle shook her mind like an earthquake, a cackle of mockery and hate.

"NO! No you can't! I need her memories! I need them in me if I can make this right! I need this power! I don't care if anyone ever believes me or trusts me again, I have to make this right!'

She cast everything she had at the Queen, every single thing.

She didn't even notice.

"NO! NO GET AWAY!"

Her avatar of her mental state felt the familiar burn of chains wrap around her, chains not of her own conjuring this time. Chains that held her in place as Chrysalis advanced on her like a hungry wolf stalking her prey.

"GET AWAY GET AWAY GET AWAY!"

A blade of emerald flame wisped into existence above her head, power of a mixture her own and an alicorn's bleeding off of it.

"YOU IDIOT! YOU CAN'T CUT IT OUT! It's in here! Her memories are a part of me now! I took her all in when I won! You can't! You'll just destroy me!"

For the briefest of moments, only one second in a sea of many, the smile left her face, and the blade lowered.

And, for that one moment, there was no laughter, or mockery, or confidence on her face... only one of thought.

For that one, beautiful, all too short moment, Sunset Shimmer wondered if she had found her freedom.

"...Perhaps I won't, perhaps I will beat the odds and free the pony within. I want to, that's the plan... but, if there is only two options, if there is only your escape or this... so be it."

Like the strike of a parent to her face, it was one parts painful, two parts soul destroying.

"You say you know what I'm capable of.. right?"

The blade began to lower, hovering just above the tip of her mind. A green pulse began to waft through the room, churning like the heartbeat Sunset Shimmer no longer held.

"What you don't know is that... I've perhaps found many I would hate to see hurt, I've found plenty who make my life far more fun than it ever was before. I'll protect, if I'm needed. I'll defend, if they're worth it. I'll save, if I wish them saved... but Variolus, or Sunset Shimmer, or whoever I am speaking to, you better than any should know, that despite all that, despite all the changes I've been through, am still going through and will go through, one thing was true in the past, it'll be true in the future, and it is most certainly true right now. One thing about me never and will never change..."

The precious gap that had kept them separated went away, and Sunset could do nothing but stare into those dark, intense eyes that bore right down to her very core.

"...I am not a nice Queen..."

The blade descended, cutting into her mind like a sword piercing her skull. Magic of the changelings overtook the whole room, every inch, every corner.

And Sunset Shimmer screamed.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Twilight"
~~~~~
>Welcome to Not Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content does matter, but not if house comedy, random, and non-canon has anything to say about it! Now for our main guest...TWILIGHT!!!

"Hi everypony."

wheels in a safe.
>If you wanted a gift, could you imagine it in this safe?

"...are you trying to figure out what to get me?"

>What? Nah...what makes you- SHOW'S OVER!
Twilight wakes up.

"...Hmmm, I need to start thinking what to get the others."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>29
"MM"
'Trixie'
[Zecora]
~~~~~

>FINALLYYYY!

"Right? I thought she'd never go back."

'Trixie didn't want her to go...'

[I'm sorry my friend, your words fall on deaf ears. This time now is a time for cheers!]

>Indeed mine fair zebra with stripes so striking! Come bring it out so we may have a time more to our liking!

[You'll get nothing if you make fun of my speech a single time more. I'll have you know making my relaxation medicine is quite a chore.]

>No mockery has ever escaped mine lips unto you! When I call you striking, it is nothing but true.

"Aww... why don't you ever talk to me like that?"

>...Yes I do. All the time. I've called you resplendent more times than I may count.

"That's what that means?"

'Why don't you ever talk to Trixe like that?'

>BECAUSE THOU EATS MY BREAKFAST EVERY MORNING!

'You don't even need to eat it!'

>I have taste buds! I still enjoy my Potato Dill Frittata with Vermont White Cheddar Hollandaise! Not that I would know that for sure because you EAT IT ALL THE TIME!

'It sounds fancy!'

>Why do you think I eat it!?

"Oh wow, that does sound good. Do I have to sleep over at your place to get a breakfast like that?"

>What was wrong with mine Oeufs en Cocotte?

"...The baked eggs?"

>It's fancier than that!

"They're eggs. Baked eggs."

>HRMPH!

[Enough with the squabbling and petty fights so lame! For you all, I have a fun little game!]

>And what is that?

[It is called, and I am quoting it as so... 'try to drink all of this, and not see stars from here to fro'.]

'Mystery potions from a zebra in a hut? Sign me up!'

"And that's how she died, your honor."

'Oh shut up!'

"You still have to invite Thirty Two down for one of these."

>UGH! I can barely stand him while sober! Imagine how forward he would be on these!

'Hot.'

>Foul cretin!

[ENOUGH! We are here to burn off out stress! So lean back, put these in your hooves and be at res-]

KNOCK KNOCK!

~Hello? Verily! We hath returned early! Our sister is out!... Is someone in there?~

>...Shit.

'IT'S THE PRINCESS! CHEESE IT!'

CRASH!

~Trixie? Why did you just jump out of Zecroa's hu- where are you going?~

>...

"...Don't."

>OH! LUNA! TRIXIE WAS SPEAKING OF YOU A MOMENT AGO! IT SEEMED SHE THOUGHT YOUR HAIR WAS FAKE!

~WHAT!? WE SHALL BRING DOWN HELL UPON HER HEAD FOR THAT INSULT!~

ZOOM!

>....

"... and under the bus she goes..."

>Me either. Soooo-

"No chance do we have time."

>Curses.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC
~~~

>Hey, Applejack! I know you wanted a dog, so guess what I goootcha?

"...Ah' have a dog. Her name's Winona."

>...Hey! I know how you said you wanted to give Winona a friend, so guess what I gooootcha?

"That ain't her-"

>HERE SHE IS!

'ARF ARF!'

"...."

>...I tried.

"Ah'm gonna... go sit in the corner fer a bit."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SO VERY NC
>???
"13"
'???'
~~~~~~

>Now be sure to keep yourself wrapped up in this coat, don't want to get a chill!

"Rgggh."

>And try not to walk too fast, you keep getting winded.

"Ughhhhh."

>And be careful, you accidentally pushed that marble into the walkway where it made that pony with the champagne trip into the one with a candle and made a hell of a flamethrower. It got blocked, but chitin isn't invincible you know!

"NGGHHHHHHH!"

>...Did you eat all your vegetables?

"FOR FUCKS SAKE! I thought my MOM was supposed to be the overprotective one, Sweet Note! I'M OLDER THAN YOU ARE!"

>Hey, I'm the liberal one.

"How!?"

>Watch... hey! Chitty? Should I bring the laser cannon or the thunder cannon while we walk?

'YOU'RE LETTING HER OUTSIDE!? YOU FOOL! MY TRAPS ARE USELESS OUTSIDE!'

"..."

>See?

"...Just give me the damn cap."

>Language!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC
>Cadence
"Chrysalis"
~~~

>Uh... is there supposed to be this much screaming?

"..."

>Because I expected screaming, of course there was going to be SOME screaming, but that is a lot of screaming.

"..."

>Is this... what's the bar, is all I want to know. At what point should I step in and say 'this amount of screaming is too much screaming'?

"..."

>...You're worrying me-

"AHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHH!"

>...Not... not helpful.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAH!"

>This mare wants to fuck my husband... and she sleeps in the same room as me... what the fuck happened to my life?

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Totally canon :^)
~~~

"As I thought...."

>Chrysalis?

"Sunset's power suits me well"

>What?!

"It suits I, Chrysalis' body so perfectly, my strength is recovering faster than ever before!"

>This isn't meant to happen!

"It suits me...IT TRULY SUITS ME NYEHEHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAA!"

>Oh...Uhhh, I should get help

"This body belonged to Variolous 1000 ago, and the power that I just drank belonged to her captive, Sunset Shimmer!"

>Chrysalis! Stop it!

"And the one who allowed me to make it this far, was you Cadence"

"This line of queens and wannabes was mere dog shit on the road that is my destiny, just something lying in my way!"

>Shiny!? HELP!

"BUT IN THE END, IT APPEARS THAT ALL THESE PRETENDERS ARE FATED TO BE MY TOOLS!"

>BAD DAY! BAD DAY!

"AHUEHUEHAHAHAHAH....EEHHAHAHOOHOHOHOO! HUHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHA!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________