>You sit on your mattress.
>You’re alone in Chrysalis’ room for the time being.
>She comes and goes. Duties and stuff, you assume.
>She never actually bothered to explain.
>Fire crackles softly in her fireplace.
>It’s been a couple of days.
>Or something like that. Time’s a little weird when you’re in a window-less room and never ever leave it.
>The days have been, well, extremely simple.
>Boring at best. Under-stimulating at worst.
>You mostly just sit there and talk away with Chrysalis, since she never seems to grow bored with you.
>But you don’t get to actually do much.
>Ever.
>You’re always chained to the wall in the corner.
>You haven’t been walking around and exploring, or given any duties or whatever of any kind.
>You’re basically a pet that she keeps in her room.
>Hell, she’s already called you ‘pet’ several times.
>But what worries you more is how any of the 6 Elements has yet to barge through the door and babble about how they’ve been looking all over for you the last few days.
>Some of the Princesses’ guards would be nice too, though.
>It’s a nagging thought.
>They would definitely be looking for you by now.
>But can they find you? You have absolutely no idea what kind of place this is.
>All you’ve seen is this single chamber.
>Suddenly the door opens.
>Slowly.
>The creaking comes off as downright ominous while you watch the door move.
>Someone peeks inside.
>A pony.
>Purple.
>Jesus fucking christ…
>Twilight looks around before spotting you.
>You just sit there and stare at her.
>You’ve been thinking about your rescue plenty.
>Like, just now.
>But having it happen feels… unreal.
>”Come with me!”
>Her voice is quiet as a whisper, but you can still hear her clearly.
>You tuck at your chain without taking your eyes off her.
>She trots into the room and her horn glows briefly.
>Her quick spell shatters the chain that has kept you to in your corner all this time.
>She trots back out the door, obviously in a hurry.
>You don’t waste time either, and get up and follow her.
>Holy shit standing up again feels good.
>You rush out the door and immediately enter a corridor.
>Twilight stands alone and looks at you.
>The corridor runs across the room’s entrance, so now there are two ways to go.
>”This way!”
>Twilight knows what’s what, though, and immediately runs in the right direction.
>You follow her.
>Your body feels awkward from all the recent inactivity, but you don’t let it stop you now.
>You run just behind Twilight as she leads the way.
>Grey stones make up the walls and ceiling around you, and blood-red carpets cover the floor.
>Kind of grim, really.
>But you don't have time to take in all the details. You're in a hurry.
>As your body once again gets some action, a pleasant rush begins to course through you.
>You’re getting out of here.
>That wonderful purple mare is helping you get away from the monstrous queen.
>You once again get to experience Pinkie's innumerable parties, Applejack's laid-back workaholism, Rarity's fashionable... fashion.
>Among other things.
>You can’t help but smile.
>The two of you run through several corridors, going through a few doors, and moving around for a while.
>The place soon feels like a maze.
>Where-ever you are, it’s big.
>Suddenly entering a hall, Twilight stops.
>It isn’t empty.
>Standing by the door, you look at a large group of changelings.
>The insect-like ponies stare back at you.
>Mostly in confusion.
>Then Twilight rears around and quickly runs back.
>”Come on!”
>You don’t hesitate with following her.
>Fuck, this is bad!
>It doesn’t take long before galloping hooves and buzzing wings can be heard behind you.
>And here you were hoping you could be sneaky about escaping!
>You run into another large chamber, this one littered with tables and stools.
>Suddenly the door is shut loudly right behind you.
>You whirl around almost automatically.
>An orange pony with a Stetson pushes a table in front of the now closed door, barring it.
>Applejack.
>She tips her hat at you and gives you a smile.
>”Howdy.”
>Another rush of joy.
>Things are really looking up.
>”Hurry!”
>Twilight calls out. There’s not much time, apparently.
>A sudden slam comes from the door as changelings hammer against it from the other side.
>Right.
>Without exchanging more words, the two of you follow your purple lead.
>More running, more corridors.
>You have no fucking clue where you’re going, and all the moving around feels confusing.
>This castle, if that’s what it really is, is enormous.
>But you’re putting all your faith in your friends.
>They seem to know exactly where to go, and never hesitate with entering doors and picking directions when corridors split.
>It doesn’t take long before you hear galloping hooves behind you again.
>You don’t look back. You already know what it is.
>Exhaustion slowly starts to settle in, what with the constant need for speed and no breaks.
>But your desperation keeps you moving.
>And possibly adrenaline.
>In any case, you’re sure as fuck not going to stop now just because you feel tired.
>You’re getting the hell out of here!
>Twilight stops at a door at the end of a narrow corridor.
>It doesn’t open as she presses her hooves against it.
>Her horn starts to glow and she begins to magically work with its lock.
>Seriously? A fucking delay NOW?!
>Turning around, you immediately see a flock of changelings approaching.
>The group is large enough to take up all the space of the corridor, and then some.
>Twilight steps aside, and Applejack walks up and straight-up bucks the door.
>It doesn’t budge.
”What the flying fuck!?”
>You can’t help swearing.
>Loudly.
>The two mares give you a slightly shocked expression but say nothing.
>By now the changelings are practically on you.
>Just a few meters away, they stand still and watch the three of you.
>Like wolves waiting to strike.
>No, please don’t let it end like this…
>But then someone screams from behind them.
>”INCOMING!”
>A bright blue Pegasus flies through the gathered group, slamming into them mercilessly and knocking them aside like bowling pins.
>She rolls a couple of times before landing on her hooves in front of you.
>Rainbow Dash.
>You’ve never been so happy to see that cocky mare.
>”Over there!”
>She points with a hoof behind her, towards a door further back in the corridor.
>Applejack and Rainbow start running, followed by Twilight and yourself.
>The two first ponies trample the now disoriented (and pretty sore) changelings and clear a path for the door.
>It opens like a charm. Nice.
>The four of you hurry on your merry way.
>Stairs appear and you swiftly move down.
>Circular ones, going down, down, down…
>God, you hate those now.
>Twilight leads you off at a seemingly random level and you continue through another wide corridor.
>That later expands into a great hall.
>Weird tapestries line the walls along with several doors that lead to who-knows-what.
>And then there’s the open gate.
>A maw that leads to the outside world.
>Your heart beats harder.
>Well, even harder than before now.
>You can see the clear night sky sprinkled with stars.
>A large wooden bridge lies across a broad moat, leading into dirt road that’s swallowed by a dark forest.
>The doorway to escape and home.
>Get through there and you’ll be out of Chrysalis’ grasp and can make your way back to Equestria.
>Suddenly changelings pour out the nearby doors.
>Another large group gathers ahead of you and the ponies, blocking your path.
>Hissing and snarling, they mean business.
>No…
>Not when you’re this close!
>Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash move closer to you.
>They look uneasy.
>Doubtful.
>You just stare at those fucking changelings.
>Stubborn little assholes.
>The exit is right there!
>RIGHT THERE!
>How can they…?!
>You move.
>You refuse to be stopped now.
>Almost automatically, you step forward.
>Then more steps.
>Your fear and worry is replaced with frustration and anger
>Faster.
>You run.
>Towards the changelings.
>No, towards the gate. The changelings just happen to be in your way.
>The changelings stop snarling.
>A few worried exchange looks.
>But none move.
>So you tell them to.
“OUT OF MY WAY!”
>You charge while the changelings desperately leap out of your path.
>A couple don’t make it.
>You trample one, your foot landing one him as you move over him, and you shove the other away from you, throwing him to the floor.
>The ponies are quick to follow when the changelings disperse in panic.
>You don’t stop, though, but continue out the gate.
>The cold night air meets you.
>It feels like a cool, soft embrace.
>You grin to yourself as you keep running across the bridge with the mares in tow.
>Even the road, with its hard dirt, feels surprisingly good under your feet.
>You keep running for another while until you reach the edge of the forest.
>The darkness between the trees honestly seems a little troublesome.
>You turn around and see the three of the mane 6 right behind you.
>They look a little confused.
>No changelings seem to be following you now, though.
>Nice.
“Twilight. What now?”
>Twilight’s eyes dart around while she seems to think.
>”Uh…”
>Doesn’t she have a plan?
>You don’t have time to ask, though, as suddenly Celestia descends from the sky.
>Motherfucking Celestia lands right behind the three ponies with a sweet smile on her face and a few golden-armoured guards at her side.
>You blink.
>Well, you didn’t see that coming.
>The three mares step aside as the Princess steps closer to you.
>Giving you a warm smile.
>”You made it? I’m quite impressed.”
>She looks back towards the gate you just exited through
>Following her gaze, you finally get a good look at what you were trapped inside of.
>Although only moonlight illuminates it, it’s still easy too see.
>It’s fucking massive.
>A dark structure protrudes from the ground, standing alone in the otherwise mostly flat landscape.
>Shaped like a mountain, it practically pierces the sky with a central high point.
>Being littered with little towers and many other structural thingies all over, it looks almost like a mix between a city and a proper castle.
>It could probably hold something like a million inhabitants, if you were to make a wild guess.
>Holy shit.
>You now feel REALLY lucky that you actually got out of there.
”Wow.”
>Celestia laughs softly.
>”Indeed. I’m sure many would be impressed with it.”
>Huh. That reaction takes you by surprise.
>Although you notice something else too.
”Celestia. I’m glad you’re here and all, but… I thought, of any princess, Luna would be the one to come pick me up at this hour.”
>Celestia’s head turns back to you as she gives you a baffled look.
>Then realization seems to hit.
>”Oh, right. That would’ve been more appropriate, wouldn’t it?”
>Kind of?
>You’re not really in a mood to nitpick, though.
>She turns to the other ponies and brings them closer with a waving hoof.
>”Gather around, everypony.”
>Both the mares and the guards gather in a semi-circle by Celestia while facing you.
>”You’ve all done very well.”
>She smiles warmly at them.
>A few ponies smile back sheepishly.
>Then she turns to you.
>”And you have managed to surprise me.”
>The situation feels a bit weird.
”Okay… What do you mean, though?”
>”I didn’t expect you to make it this far.”
>You can’t help but frown a little.
”Well, I got help from Twilight and-“
>Celestia laughs.
>”I know, of course. But… Oh, how can I best explain…”
>She looks around while thinking.
>There’s a playful smile on her face.
>… Why does she seem so weird?
>Suddenly, green energy envelops her.
>A moment later, Chrysalis is looking at you.
>”I didn’t plan for you to get all the way out here.”
>She grins with unhidden amusement.
>On reflex, you take a step back.
>Your heart sinks.
>Plummets into the core of the planet.
>Noooo…
>Chrysalis chuckles softly.
>No, no, no, no…!
>This can’t be fucking real!
>Her chuckle slowly grows into an all-out laughter.
>Like a wicked witch who just killed a noble prince.
>Changelings slowly form a circle around the two of you.
>Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, the guards…
>They’re gone.
>”Did you really think you could escape that easily?”
>Chrysalis tilts her head at you while still giving you a malicious grin.
>You look around frantically.
>The dread of the situation seems to come crashing down on you.
>”I planned for you to be stopped at the entrance hall, mind you. You know, have a view of freedom but be unable to reach it?”
>You look at Chrysalis again, although you’re barely hearing her words.
>You’re horrified.
>”But then you actually went through my poor guards. I’ll admit, that impressed me.”
>She looks at you with a vile smile on her face.
>That fucking whore!
>”I was a little concerned when I only managed to work three of those mares into this. But apparently you’re not one for such little details.”
>You glare at her.
>It’s all you can do now.
>Psychotic bitch finds amusement in toying with you like this!
>… But what can you do against a changeling queen?
>”What’s the matter? You don’t look very happy.”
>She steps closer.
>”I thought this was a fun game. But then, there’s something you should know.”
>She stands right in front of you, leaning in slightly and bringing her face close to yours.
>Her large green eyes become your world.
>”You belong to me. You’re mine, and you will remember that.”
>She steps back, gives you a satisfied smile, turns around and begins walking back to her castle.
>You feel a changeling’s hoof push against your back.
>Time for you to move, apparently.
>With a heavy heart, you follow Chrysalis.