The Changed Chapter 2, Electric Boogaloo

The Changed, Chapter Two: Electric Boogaloo

 

 

        The weeks have not been kind to the inhabitants of Ponyville, nor to the royal heads in Canterlot. The weight of the missing unicorn was becoming heavy in the hearts of her friends. The other elements of harmony were distraught with the thought of missing their best friend. Rainbow Dash and Pinky Pie seemed less energetic and preferred to remain inside their houses. Rarity and Applejack had to remain working, but the dress designs were faltering and the apples were losing their superior quality. Fluttershy seems to of taken it the worst of the group; she never would open the door, except to accept food from her friends. She never went into the marketplace anymore; that would entail leaving the sanctity of her home. She didn’t even care for the animals anymore, only Angel bunny remained.

 

        Today though, Rainbow couldn’t bring to bear the thought of Fluttershy being even more disconnected from the world around her. So in an effort to rouse her dreary mood she flew down to the surface world and trotted over to the edge of the town, to Fluttershy’s cottage. Arriving at the manor she knocked sternly on the door several times, there was no answer, other than the natural reverberation in the wood.

        “Fluttershy, are you in there?” Dash yelled.

        “L-leave me a-alone,” replied a feeble and delicate voice.

        “Open up Fluttershy, I need to talk to you,”

        “I-I’m not here!” Rainbow, fed up with this evasive attitude, ran back a few paces from the front door. Turning around to face the door, she got in a classic runner’s stance and charged the door, using her wings for extra momentum.

 

        The door broke way easily, the door not meant to withstand more than a weak storm. Giving-way with a loud *CRACK*. Wooden splinters flew in all directions in the inside of the cabin as Fluttershy sat, staring at the ground with a look of anguish and defeat on her face as tears roll down her face, eyes puffy from the act of heavy crying.

        “What’s gotten into you? I know you like to be alone but this is extreme even for you!” yelled Dash,

        “It-it’s my fault you know, why she’s gone; all because I was scared, d-did you know that? I said I would follow her, into the dark and scary woods, and now she’s gone. Who knows what could have happened to her? The only thing I know is that it’s my fault and I don’t want to go outside, not while my best friend could be dead for all I know, Dead, Rainbow Dash.”       As she finished the sentience she broke out into sobs and collapsed on the floor. Rainbow Dash paused for a moment,

        "Fluttershy, stop it. It isn't your fault; you had no way of knowing this would of happened. Now isn't the time to act like this though, you have to make it right."

        "H-how Rainbow?"

        "I think you know how." Fluttershy stopped sobbing and a look of new-found determination was upon her face.      "You're right, I have a friend who needs my help and I'm just laying here feeling sorry for myself. I need to find Twilight, thank you."

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Meanwhile, in a subterranean cave complex:

        "What do you mean you're not coming back"

        "It's quite simple, little one. You are going to be in charge of the hive now"

        "But, why now?"

        "Because, my young queen; my time has come and gone, yours has just begun. Remember, I live on, within the hivemind. Embrace it whenever you are in need of guidance, or when you need to hear the tender assurance of a thousand minds. Now come, embrace my physical form this one last time."

        As Chrysalis bid her farewells to the future leader of the hive twilight embraced her savior, sentiment not being lost in her mind, even with the effects the transformation brought on. Chrysalis was set in stone with her decision however. Unannounced to Twilight was the true nature of her departure and the reasoning behind it. Chrysalis was getting old, the magic of love as well as the whole nature of a changeling did well to postpone the major effects; but with the transformation of Twilight sparkle the aging process was accelerating. She would be useless in a week, a weak Queen meant a weak hive and a weak hive meant destruction. She planned to elevate Twilight preemptively to the position before her age got the better of her, but just killing herself would mean nothing; it would be a waste of such a glorious figure. So she decided to go off with a 'bang' as the saying is. Gathering up the senior members of her royal bodyguard and trekking off to the den of her enemy was a suicide, a death-wish; Exactly what she had in mind.

        Chrysalis left with only a chosen few changelings and a small chest, the departure was swift and silent; under the cover of night to mask their movement. Through the night they trudged until they reached the main road. They than proceed to transform into various members of the royal guard and continue with the trek. In the morning they reached the gates of Canterlot. They were stopped but were given immediate entry, due in part to the beratement issued from the disguised queen upon requests of identification. Walking through town Chrysalis couldn't help but feel smug,

        "Not a single pony sees through our disguise, we're right under their noses and they don't even know it."       She thought to herself.

       

        Upon arrival of the palace two disguised guardsmen crept behind the two doormen, when asked for proof of entry the only response they received was a magic bolt to the back of the head; rendering them incapacitated. After dragging the bodies away the same two opened the majestic doors leading to the throne room, inside was the goddess and lady of the sun, Celestia. Who upon entry of the unexpected 'royal expedition' sat up from the throne and asked,

        "What is this? I didn't arrange for any movement of troops. Identify yourselves."

        "I think you know who I am, Tia."       Said chrysalis, already in the process of changing back to her original form. The Sun pony Stood up,

        "guards, come quick!"

        "they're long gone, do you underestimate me so as to forget to tie up loose ends before our fun has a chance to even begin? Minions, bolt the doors."   The Corridor doorways creaked and moaned on their hinges before shutting with a hollow *Thud* that reverberated in the massive Throne Chamber. Chrysalis than produces the small chest from one of her changeling guards.

        "do you know what this is Celestia? This is my legacy, ironic how monumental it is; yet how it's size itself is miniscule. This, this is a Bomb, the end of my being, and the corruption of two more.

        "Explain yourself Villain, corruption of whom?"

        "You shall know soon enough. Now, look me in the eyes, you may plead for forgiveness if you wish, it won't matter in the end. For I will be gone soon, but mark my words, this will not be the last time you will see the likes of me. I will haunt your dreams, torment your waking thoughts, and all for the knowledge contained in this little black box. Now, will I be the one to bow, or you?"

        "I will never kneel to the likes of you."

        "so be it my lady, all hail the wise and pure princess."        Ending the phrase with a deep bow, a symbol of submission. But in this bow she dropped the box in which she was holding in her hoof. Time seemed to slow down for Celestia, she watched as the box fell out of her hoof, into the ground, too slow to stop it's decent into the polished marble tiles. The box shattered, as if made from fragile glass. In the small mess made from the destruction arose a mist of concentrated green energy. The energy quickly fanned out, seeking out every nook and cranny with an alien intelligence. Celestia began to cough violently at the magical fumes, making the only sound in the entire Room. Than two things happened simultaneously. Chrysalis' horn glowed and the vapor began to ignite around her, the chain reaction spreading across the entire chamber, causing the room to turn a brilliant white in the midst of the explosion. The second was Chrysalis' last move, she collected herself and moments before the vaporization destroyed her body, her mind left. Conducted by the very fog that was destroying her. It met at Celestia's body and sunk in. To her it was a sudden bombardment of thoughts and feelings. She saw twilight being kidnapped in the middle of her sleep. Twilight's failed escape, the game of cat and mouse. Than she got to the dream, the manipulation. Tears formed in her eyes amidst the concussive blast as she saw her star pupil; one of her only true friends, be tainted, and enjoy it, from her worst enemy. She didn't even have time to cry out in shock and sadness as the blast took away her breath and the waves of force and heat turned her world into blackness.

 

        The devastation was enormous, windows were blown out and parts of the roof and walls collapsed from the explosion. entire sections of the town were reduced to rubble and the natural clouds were parted, only to be replaced with ashen snowfall and a light green fog surrounding the city. The Royal guard were quick to come into the now destroyed throne-room, in the center amongst the fallen masonry and glass was a scorch mark, a black cube and Celestia, barely breathing and unconscious. She would live, her life force being connected to the very sun. But that does not grant her pardon from injury. It would be very long until she fully recovers, but even that will not fully happen. For something had rooted itself in her, nanoseconds before she was sent reeling into unconsciousness. Something inside of her broke, for the seeds of hatred were sown in her mind and heart. And as vengeance replaced forgiveness she felt herself become something different, something angry, something...violent.

 

and she liked it.