The Life & Times Of Evil Cadence

by SoundMonkey44

Chapters

• CH 1: The Start Was All So Innocent....
• CH 2: A Buzzing Friendship
• CH3: Last Days Of Youth...
• CH 4: Ruined Weddings, Honeymoons, Lies & Revelations.
• CH 5: The Suns Words Burn The Heart! Hatred Is Born!
• CH 5.5: What's In A Crystal?
• Chapter 6: An Empire, A Phantom, And A Plan

CH 1: The Start Was All So Innocent....

CH 2: A Buzzing Friendship

    " C-Chrysalis you say, my, thats a rather interesting name, if you don't mind me saying"  Cadence replied to changeling, who was admitingly somewhat oddly cute, well as cute as a young bug-pony hybrid could be any who.

  "I guess, well maybe by pony standards, not so much by ours, but oh well."  Chrysalis said with a bored look on her face.

  " So ahh, you say your the next queen right?  So that means your mother must be..."  

  "Yes my mother is the one and only Queen Death Wing, the scourge of the badlands, ruler of the great hive, leader of the changeling empire!"   Chrysalis said with a proud look on her face.

  "Oh I see, well, what brings you to Canterlot, Ms. Chrysalis."  Cadence asked nervously.

  "Why a summer retreat of course"  the buggy mare replied in a rather snooty tone.

"A Summer retreat?"  Cadence copied in a dumbfounded manner

"Well yes & no" Chrysalis replied.  "You see my mother says she's here to sign a peace treat with Princess Celestia, why she's not called Queen Celestia i'll never know, whats your ponies hang-up with sounding young, seriously the term queen has so much more power behind it then the term princess, besides she's your main ruler not some cute little pawn like they're training you to be.   Anywho yes my mother came here under the pretense of a peace treaty but really she just wants a vacation, can't blame her really, she has been running the hive for 10 years straight now without a days rest."  The changeling said in a rather stoic yet speedy tone

"Oh I see" Cadence replied, still processing the story.  "Hey, I-I'm not being being trained to be a pawn!"  Cadence responded finally catching the insult . *Note cadence isn't dumb mind you, her brain just naturally tries to ignore negative things*  "And Auntie Celestia says Princess is a more gentle term then queen, queen is too boisterous and prideful!"

  "Oh I see, i'm sorry I didn't mean to insult you, well, maybe a little" the changeling chuckled.  "Anywho I do believe you and that frightful filly of yours were going to invite me somewhere, were you not."  The insectoid equine asked.

"Oh, ah yes, your right...well Ms. Chrysalis, would you like to join Twilight and I for some Ice-Cream at Doughnut Joe's? It really is the best in town, I promise!"

    At Doughnut Joe's

   A young unicorn stallion with a white mane and blue-hair was working quickly behind the counter, under the watchful eye of an old scruffy unicorn stallion known of course as Doughnut Joe, and the stallions son Doughnut Joe Jr. *talk about original names, sheesh*  Being the only regular employee at the store that day *the others were either sick or skipping, lazy sods*  The poor unicorn found himself much more busy then usual, thankfully as it was now the afternoon, the shop wasn't nearly as busy as it was during the morning rush, or the lunch rush after that, however there were still a fair amount of ponies coming in and out, the young stallion just sighed at the slow but steady stream of customers and thought to himself "ugg, is it 5'o clock yet, I wanna get out of here and see Cadence & Twyly!"   And just as the thought had finished, speak of the devil-dog, walking into the shop was Cadence herself, along with the unicorn's beloved little sister Twilight, and, some super-freaky cheese-legged, green haired bug lady!

" YIKES!"  Shining yelped  "What happened Cadence, did you mess up a spell again or something!?  Oh my Gia, you did, didn't you, you messed up a spell during training and now your trying to make it up to this poor filly by buying her ice-cream!"  Shining tried his best not to burst out in laughter.

" I'll have you know I NEVER mess up a spell"  Cadence said with a stern look on her face.  "And you best watch your tongue Shining Armor, this is Chrysalis, the daughter of the changeling queen, she and her mother are here on a diplomatic mission, namely trying to work out a peace treaty between our two kingdoms, so you know, be nice, or shut-up!"  Cadence told her colt-friend with a stern look on her face.

"Oh, so your, your a,a"

"A Foreign Dignitary" Cadence said, still looking at him with the same stern face.

"Oh my"  Shining said gulping, looking at his boss then looking back at Cadence & co.  "I, I'm terribly sorry miss.  Here  I know, ahh, Super Decker Tripple Trouble Ice-Cream bowls on the house!"  Shining Replies as he used his magic to gather the frozen food stuffs and put them together in front of the fillies eyes.  "There you go Cadence, and Miss ahh"

"Chrysalis" the bug-bottomed equine replied.

"Chrysalis eh, well, thats an interesting name"  Shining responded nervously.  

  All of a sudden out of nowhere a small voice out of nowhere asked "Hey, what am I, chopped tofu-liver!?"

  Shining looked down past the giant bowl of ice-cream at the end of the group, and there set Twilight, holding her Smarty-Pants doll, looking none to happy about being ignored.  "Oh geez, i'm sorry Twyly!  Its just, well not every day you see your mare-friend hanging out with a foreign dignitary you know."  Shining said to the young filly with the best fake smile he could.

  Twilight sighed "well I guess thats true enough"  The young but bright filly replied.  "Still I don't like it when you ignore me big brother!"  Twilight pouted.

"I know Twyly, I know, hey, I've got an idea, how about Joe Jr. over there shows you the new machinery in the back, we got a new ice-cream maker, and some new ovens, I know you like to take learn how things work, doesn't that sound fun!?"  Shining asked.

    The young filly looking up at her brother thought for a second, and simply replied "Yeah I guess that sounds fun, can Smarty Pants come too!?"  She asked.

"Haha of course she can Twyly"  Shining motioned for Joe Jr. to come to over and take the young pony to the back, at first he was reluctant, but after a rather persuasive evil-eye from his father, he quickly picked-up the filly and ran to the back.

  "well now that things are a bit more private"  Shining said looking at Cadence with his best attempt at a seductive look, and then at the bug-butt next to her with disdain.  "Are you and me still on for tonight?"  He asked.

"Oh i'm sorry honey, I should have told you this morning, but Celestia wants me to practice my magic some more tonight, I have to write her a report about the various types of magical auras found in nature."  

  "Ugg, not again, you promised me we would go to the movie tonight!"  Shining replied in anger.

"I know honey, I know, its just, well, I have to do these kinds of things, I mean after all I am going to be the ruler of all of Equestria someday!"  Cadence said proudly.

"huh, not this again" Shining said in a huff." Shining said, turning his back to the mare and going back to cleaning the counter.

   Chrysalis couldn't help but laugh.  "You really believe that don't you?"  She asked in a rather mocking manner.

  "Why of course I do Chrysalis"  Cadence responded, beaming with pride "Why else would Celestia be training me if not to pass on the throne to her most beloved niece. I mean its not like that dim-wit Blue-Blood has any chance, and i'm an only child, so yeah!"  Cadence said cheerily

"Oh brother, delusions of grandeur much!"  Shining said under his breath continuing to wipe the counter.

"What was that dear, I didn't quite hear you"  Cadence said looking at the young unicorn stallion with her horn glowing hot blue.

"N-nothing dear"  Shining replied nervously.

"Thats what I thought" Cadence said, lowering her horn.

"Haha, thats cute darling"  Chrysalis chuckled as she dug into her ice-cream  "But honestly my dear, you really just don't seem like the ruling type, and if some one like me can see that, i'm sure Celestia can as well"  The Changeling said in a rather serious yet still stoic tone.

This angered Cadence "Well your wrong, I'll be a great ruler someday, and then it'll be me and you making false peace treaties as excuses to spend the day at the spa, just you wait!"

  "Haha, I look forward to it darling"  Chrysalis cackled as she dug into the last bite of her cold confection.

Later at Canterlot Castle.

   It was evening, less then an hour until the end of Celestia's day, and the beginning of what was once Luna's beautiful night.  *Not that that second thing matters, yet, as Luna is still serving hard time in the moon right now, but hey, she might get sad if we don't mention her*   Cadence had returned Twilight home earlier that evening and was in her room at the palace finishing up her report which she titled  "The various types of magical auras found in nature, such a shame theres not more pink"  Pink was of course the princesses favorite color, after all it was the one that penetrated her room most prominently, with some red & gold here & there, but mostly pink, yes pink was just the best!  *feel free to barf now.*   Just as she was putting away her quill she heard a knock on her door.

   Cadence turned around to face the door and gently said "Come In"

  Opening the door a royal guard came up to Cadence and saluted.  "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza"  the guard began.

"Please, just call me Cadence, i'm not a princess quite yet after all"  she said with a warm smile that almost melted the guards heart.

"ah yes, well, lady Cadence, Princess Celestia has requested your presence at dinner tonight, the royal cooks should be done with the meal in about 45 minutes to an hour, please be down in the main dining hall in no less a time then that."  The guard said.

"I see, well tell aunt Celestia i'll be there on time for sure, in fact I just finished up my homework for tonight, so after a quick shower & picking the perfect dress, i'll be all set!"  She said smiling.

   The guard saluted  "Yes m'am, we look forward to seeing you at dinner m'am."  The guard said and then promptly walked out the door.

  "Oh those guard ponies are so cute, I can't wait till Shining becomes captain of the royal guard, he'll be even more of a hunk in armor."  Cadence thought to her self, as she rushed off to the shower

  1 hour later, at dinner

  Cadence walked down the hall of the castle, admiring the regal scenery of it all, even with the sun set, the candle light made the palace shine bright, and beautiful.  "Oh I never tire of this place, its just soo wonderful"  Cadence thought to herself as she turned the corner to enter the royal dining chamber, *which was rather large and had a rather long table considering there were usually just a small number of people dining in it, other then the occasional cosmic council meeting held once every 25 years, but thats not important to the story so its a moot point.

  Any-who Cadence turned into the rather immaculate dining room and was surprised to see two Changelings at the table with Celestia.

  "Chrysalis!?"  Cadence said with a confused look on her face.  The changeling just waved at her with a coy smile.

"Ahh, I see you two have already met"  Celestia  said with a smile.

  "Ahh yes, Auntie"  Cadence responded "Twilight & I met her in the park, we invited her to join us for Ice Cream at Joe's."

"Excellent, I always knew you were the kind who could make friends easily"  Celestia Smiled.

"of course" Cadence replied nervously.  "But ahh, auntie Celestia, if you don't mind me asking, what are Chrysalis and her mother doing here?"  

  "Chrysalis & her mother Death Wing are here, as you know to sign a peace treaty, as a gesture of faith & of good will, I have invited them to stay in the palace.  I hope that doesn't bother you Cadence."

"Of course not Auntie Celestia, I would love to have a sleep over with Chrysy!"  Cadence beamed.

"Well I had planned on just getting my own room, but if its not an imposition, I guess I don't mind staying with Cadence, anything's better then having to spend time with that old battle axe over there"  Chrysalis said, pointing a hoof at her mother.

"Hummph"  Death wing growled.  But just as she was about to reply to her daughters rude little quip, the royal cooks came out with the royal dinner *which is like a regular dinner, only bigger, better, and well tastier*  The ponies at the table, alicorn and changeling alike smacked and licked there lips as each plate was presented to them.   Thus began a very delicious and enjoyable dinner.  During the course of the meal the young Chrysalis asked about one of the stain glass windows which depicted Celestia defeating what appeared to be a darker version of herself, at first she was apprehensive to reply, and Death Wing quickly told the young little larva to shut-up. But Celestia merely raised her hoof, and told her guest that it was OK, and began to tale the sad and sordid tale of her sister Luna, and her fall from grace & transformation into Nightmare Moon, after that there was an awkward silence, then desert.

  Later after the meal Cadence & Chrysalis returned to her room, while Celestia & Death Wing went to have a late night political discussion, which really meant Celestia planned to take her to a club, both in disguises of course, but yes, most of Celestia's political meetings these  days usually meant some sort of spa, club, or other form or relaxation or entertainment was involved.

  "So Chrysy, what do you think of my room, isn't it the best!"  Cadence asked with a smile.

"well it...it is very...Pink"  Chrysalis responded, with a somewhat disgusted look on her face.

"Aww, you don't like it"  Cadence said with a pout.

"No, its..fine I guess, its just, much different from the dark and dank hive i'm accustomed to you know"  

"Oh I see"  Cadence said.  "Well maybe after the summer is done you'll learn to love pink as much as I do!"  Cadence said excitedly

"Yeah maybe"  Chrysalis responded in kind, rolling her eyes as hard as she could.

  A bit later the two set on the floor, well rather comfortable pillows on the floor Cadence had requested the guards to bring in and continued their little chat, they asked each other about their lives, their interests, all the typical getting to know you stuff.

"You know I didn't know changelings could eat regular food, I thought they could only feed on love"  Cadence said to Chrysalis

"Yes, well love essence is the most satisfying meal to our kind of course, but we are able to eat regular food as well, just like any other pony, I mean its not like were vampires or something.  Were more like...Succubi" The Changeling said smiling seductivly

"Yeah if a Succubi and a witch had a kid"  Cadence said in a rather mischievous tone.

"Yeah, well at least I don't have delusions of ruling an entire country when I get older"  Chrysalis said.  "I already know i'm going to rule, because its what I chose, not what I trained or sucked up for, but what I chose"

"What do you mean?"  Cadence asked.  

Chrysalis sighed "In my society when you turn 13, as I did 2 years ago, the reigning king &/or queen ask you a question, a simple question, do you want to rule, if you choose yes, your path is set, you begin training to replace your current rulers, which are usually your parents, but not always, once their time has come.  However if you choose no, they banish you from the hive, which may sound bad, but it does give you the freedom, as a changeling to live where you want, as what you want, in any way you want.  Rather much a win-win situation when you think about it"  Chrysalis said with a smile.  "What about you, has Celestia asked you such a question?"  The Changeling asked coyly.

  "Well, thats a rather interesting way of doing things" Cadence replied.  "And no, no she hasn't but i'm absolutely sure she's training me to be the next leading Princess of Equestria, I mean after all you heard the story i'm the only heir, other then Blue-Blood, but he's really rather unimportant, and with auntie Luna locked away in the moon, yep, i'm pretty much a dead ringer!"  Cadence said smiling.

  "Well for your sake and mine, I hope your right young Cadence, and this isn't just a case where your Aunt is doing her best to prevent a second Nightmare Moon situation.  Because it seems to me,you have the same ambitions as Luna had, I would hate to see the same madness that engulfed her do the same to you."  Chrysalis said an evil smile growing upon her face.

"Oh, how dare you!"  Cadence replied.  "Thats it, it is on!"  

"Whats o-?"  Chrysalis attempted to say as a pillow came hurling at her.

"Oh, so thats it, I see, well Princess Cadence, prepare for a thorough flank whooping I my dear am a master of bedroom war!"  The Changeling said as she prepared to launch two pillows at the prissy princess to be.

"FOR EQUESTRIA!!!" Cadence shouted

"FOR THE HIVE!" Chrysalis shouted!

And thus began the short, and very fun,battle of the royal bedroom.

CH3: Last Days Of Youth...

   The sun is all to eager to set on the innocence of youth, and rise again, only to burn its dreams

-Star Swirl The Bearded

-1st Student Of Celestia

     The sun shown bright in the sky, it was hot, really really hot, like drop a Phoenix egg on the ground and watch only ash hatch out hot!

  " Your Aunt surely knows how to end a summer doesn't she Cadence"  a rather brittle and annoyed voice huffed out

  "Yes, well it is the last day of summer, I can't blame Aunt Celestia for wanting to make it go out with a bang so to speak"  Cadence replied.  

  "And here I thought the dessert wasteland around my hive was hot"  Chrysalis said, sticking out her tongue, panting like a dog.

  "Oh come now, its not that bad, besides, were almost there"  Cadence said with a smile.

" Right, where are we going again?"  Chrysalis asked

"You know very well where were going, between my studies, and foal-sitting you and Twilight I haven't had the chance to go on a single date with Shiny!"  Cadence whined.

" First off, you haven't been foal-sitting me as I am not a foal, secondly, the only reason i've spent the summer with you is because my mother is completely intolerable,  your aunt is probably the same, and none of the other ponies around here can even stand to be in the same vicinity as me it would seem."  Chrysalis said, pointing  to a young filly running at the sight of the changeling.  " Oh and if your going to ask Shining Armor on a date, why did you have me tag along, don't tell me you expect me to be some sort of body guard, because i'm afraid my dear I don't do that, i'll gladly harm a body, but i'm not all that keen on guarding."  The changeling said with a mischievous smirk.

  "Oh no, nothing like that, I just thought well..."

"Well what?  Spit it out."

"Today is the last day of Summer, and the last day of your mother & Celestia's Political Meetings, we may not see each other for awhile after today, so I just, I wanted to end the Summer with all of my very best friends by my side!"  Cadence said with a wide smile on her face.

Chrysalis Blushed " I, i've told you before, we're..were not friends, now shut up, and lets go get your stupid colt-friend already!" Chrysalis said, buzzing her wings and dashing ahead of Cadence.

  Cadence merely laughed and trotted along.

  Later, at the movie theatre.

  "Oh man, I can't believe were really here, this is awesome, the NEW Daring Doo picture, I finally get to see it!  You can't believe how happy I am!"  Shining Armor said, hugging Cadence.

   Cadence laughed "Haha, i'm glad your happy, but, maybe you could not hug me so tightly dear."

    "Oh sorry"  Shining said.  "its just, i've been waiting all summer for this flick to come out, and being here with my girl, its just, kind of a dream come true.

"Aww"  Cadence said blushing.

  "Or, at least it would be"  Shining said, his face now more serious.  "If you hadn't dragged these two along!"  Shining said, pointing his hoof at his little sister & Chrysalis.

" You mean, y-you don't want me here big brother"  Twilight began to pout.

  " Thats not what I meant Twyly, its just..."

"Just what?"  Twilight asked.

  But before he could reply, Chrysalis interrupted.

"Honestly I didn't want to come in the first place, it was your little love-bug there that decided I should come, don't blame me"  Chrysalis said in a stern voice.

  Shining just stared at Cadence, with a confused look on his face and asked his marefriend "Why!?"

  "Oh Shining" Cadence replied  "why do you think!?  Its the last day of summer, and i've hardly got to spend any time with you."  Cadence said smiling.

  "Thats not what I mean, and you know it!  Why did you let my little sister and your pet bug tag along on our date!?"  Shining asked in a stern and serious voice.

" Well"  Cadence said, looking at shining, straight into his eyes, with a confident gleam.  " Like I said, its the last day of summer, and I, I just wanted to spend it with the ponies that meant the most to me, is that so wrong?"  Cadence said, looking into her lovers eyes.

Blushing all shining could manage to say was "ah, I-I guess not."

"D'aww isn't that precocious!?"  Twilight squeed.

"Bleh, gag me with a spoon"  Chrysalis replied.

   Shaking off the effects of his lovers gaze, shining reverted his view back to Twilight & Chrysalis.  "OK, I don't mind you two tagging along, but i've been waiting to see this movie ALL SUMMER!  So behave yourselves OK!  I don't wanna get kicked out of the theatre or anything!"  Shining told them, giving the most serious and intimidating look he could.

"O-of course big brother, i'll be on my best behavior!  Filly Scouts honor!" Twilight said with a salute.

"Don't worry about me big boy, odds are i'll fall asleep after the first 5-or so minutes anyway, don't worry I promise not to snore...too much"

  Shining was about to reply to the bothersome bug, however over the theaters megaphone came a booming voice.

  "DARING-DOO AND THE QUEST SERPENTS TRIDENT WILL BEGIN IN 5 MINUTES, ALL ATTENDEES PLEASE HEAD TOWARDS THE THEATERS, SEATS ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE!

  "Oh crap!  We better hurry!"  Shining said as he trotted off.

"Honey wait, we reserved seats in the balcony, shining, seriously, slow down, your gonna bump into some pony!  Cadence yelled.

" YAY FUN!"  The young filly Twilight said, following her big brother & foal-sitter's example.

"Yeah, fun."  Chrysalis said, rolling her eyes, following them into the theatre.

.... Later, about an hour into the movie

*note the movie is 2 hours long so its really only about half over*

  The group was sitting in their balcony seats, and Chrysalis had to admit, it was pretty nice, air conditioned, with a perfect view of the theatre, not only could they see the entire screen, but all the ponies down below, looking up watching the movie.  On top of that a trolly filled with popcorn, candy, tofu-dogs, nachos, and all kinds of sodas, juices, and sparkling waters came by every 20 minutes and asked if they needed any thing.  Yep this was a pretty nice set up, much nicer then anything the changeling had experienced back at the hive.  "No wonder so many races want to conquer Equestria, its wonderful!" Chrysalis thought to herself, thinking back on all the things she and Cadence had done over the summer, the parks, the pools, the shopping the clubs, all so wonderful.  "Hmm, i'm almost sad that its over"  Chrysalis said under her breath.

"Oh Cadey, you may wanna cover Twy's eyes for this part"  Chrysalis heard Shining Armor say

"Why's that"  Both Cadence & Chrysalis asked the dashing unicorn stallion

"Well according to my bud, who saw this last week, this is kinda, maybe, the start of the, love scene"  Shining said with a blush.

"the, the what!?"  Cadence said with a somewhat shocked look on her face

"Well, ahh yeah, the studio that makes the movies is kinda strapped for funds and they thought a mare/mare love scene between Daring and her partner might help bring in the dough"  Shining said sheepishly.

"Why didn't you tell me before we came here!?"  Cadence asked with a stern look on her face as she put her hoof over Twilights eyes

"Well I thought you'd get mad"  Shining said, with a cheesy grin

"You bet your flank i'm mad mister, this is not the type of movie your little sister, or the daughter of a visiting dignitary need to see, c'mon Twy, Chrysy, lets go!"  Cadence said in a loud whisper.

   Cadence got up, with Twilight and began to leave despite Shining begging, pleading her to stay, however Chrysalis didn't budge, her eyes stayed glued to the screen.  Cadence turned around, and poked her friend on the shoulder "C'mon Chrysy, were leaving."  No reply "Chrysy?  Chrys?  Chrysalis, are, are you OK, can you hear me!?"  Cadence asked the Changeling, but her eyes did not moved they were merely glued to the screen.

"Looks like your bug buddies the real pervert here"  Shining said, laughing

"Oh shut up, i'm still mad at you mister"  Cadence snorted.

"s-s much, love, it looks...delicious!"

W-what!?"  Cadence replied.

"I, I can smell it, the love, I know its not just the screen, the screen shows it to me, but I smell it all around, it makes me...so, very hungry."  Chrysalis said, looking down from the balcony, at the ponies below, watching couples in the audience make out.

"Ahh, whats her deal?:  Shining asked.

  Instantly Cadence realized what was happening.

"Shining, you have to knock her out now, hurry before...."

  But it was too late, the changling took off, and you could hear the screams of the ponies below, pop corn buckets and sodas spilling as ponies ran away, or ran into each other.

  Cadence, Shining, & Twilight looked down, to see Chrysalis buzzing around the room, sucking what looked like a pinkish/purple aura out of the ponies below.

"wh-what the hey is she doing!?"  Shining Armor asked.

"No No No No No!  This is bad, very very bad!"  Cadence said.

"Whats bad, whats she doing!?"

"She's a changeling Shining, you idiot, changelings naturally feed on love, all the ponies making out in this theatre, oh it must have set her off!"

"What!  Why didn't you tell me this earlier!?"  Shining armor asked.

"Well why didn't you tell me this movie turned into a sexist male fantasy half way through!"  Cadence replied.

"Ahh, guys'  Twilight interrupted.  "Maybe we should put this argument on hold until we stop the crazy bug lady sucking out all ponies down theres emotions."

  Cadence & Shining Armor just looked at each other and blushed.

  "OK, lets go, we got a bug to squash!"  Shining said heroically.

"Yay, bug battle!"  Twilight squeed

"We are not squashing her, just calming her down, OK!"  Cadence yelled at the two, as she followed them down the stairs.

"Please, please mam, d-don't hurt me"  a poor colt begged, as he found himself  pinned down under the  giant bug-ponies hoofs.

"Oh, don't worry darling, I just want...a little bite" Chrysalis replied, an evil look upon her face, her eyes glowing pure green.  But just as she was about to bite into the pony and suck out his love, she heard a voice.

"Chrysalis, stop this, please!"  Chrysalis looked back, seeing Cadence and the others standing there, looking at her with faces of sadness and fear.

"Cadence I-I, I mean I, this isn't."  Chrysalis shook her head a few times, and backed away from the colt she had trapped, the young pony quickly ran-off screaming for the royal guard.

   Chrysalis, slowly approached the three trying her best to compose herself.  "Well, I guess the movie was better then I thought it would be"  she said, cracking the best fake laugh it could.

"Better then you thought it would be!  Thats all you have to say!?"  Shining said, fire blazing in his eyes.  "You hurt ponies, you sucked out their love, you could have killed someone!"  Shining said, pointing to all the ponies chrysalis had sucked the love out of, many barley able to stand.

"True"  Chrysalis replied.  "But I didn't, so theres no problem"  Chrysalis replied with a smirk.

"Actually kids, i'm afraid there is a problem"  Chrysalis, Cadence,Shining and Twilight turned around to see a giant pony, with lots of muscle, and a rather large mustache staring down at them, a rather menacing look in his eye.  "I'm afraid i'm going to have to ask you to leave, and please, never come back!"  The pony, whom they could only guess was the manager of the theatre or the head of security said, as he pointed towards the door.  The four, not wanting to cause any more trouble, merely shook their heads yes, and slowly walked out the door with the large red EXIT sign glowing.

   " Oh, don't look show down, honey, there, theres other theatres in Canterlot, we can try a different one next week, or, or we can go to one in Ponyville, or Cloudsdale, Manehatten, theres plenty of other theaters we can go see the movie in, we'll get another chance, I promise!"  Cadence said to Shining Armor.

Shining didn't reply, he just looked at her, with that look in his eye, you know the one, the look of pure contempt the look someone gives you when you really tick em off, or embarrass them to no end.

"OK, I know your mad, and it was wrong of me to get mad over a little love scene in a movie, but I promise it won't bother me next time!"

  Still no reply.

  "O, OK, maybe I should have told you about Chrysalis condition, and maybe its my fault for not thinking that something like this might happen before hand, maybe it should have just been you and me, and maybe I should have left Chrysy at the palace and Twilight with your parents. But c'mon honey, we, we all make mistakes, right!"  Cadence pleaded.

    Shining turned to her and said "looks like i'm home"  

And sure enough they were in front of he & Twy's place of residence.

"Oh so, we are"  Cadence said, with a pout.

"Twilight, go inside, I need to talk to Cadence"  Shining said, motining his little sister to go in

"O-OK big brother"  Twilight said, slowly walking up the stairs to the house.

" I need to talk to here, ALONE!"  He said turning his gaze to Chrysalis.

"Yes, well I guess I should get back to the palace, still so much packing to do, and what not, mother would get mad if i'm not ready to leave on time."  Chrysalis said, buzzing off towards the palace as fast as her wings would let her.

"Shining, listen I, i'm..."

"No Cadence, I don't want to hear it, let me speak."  Shining interrupted.

Cadence just nodded and set down.

"Cacence, listen, I love you, I do, but I, I just can't deal with this right now, today, today showed me, that maybe were not as perfect for each other as I thought."

"W-What do you mean!?"  Cadence asked, suprised.

" Listen, Cadey, don't take this the wrong way, but, your just, your too naive."

"I am not!"  Cadence replied/

"Then why, did you make friends with a monster like that!"  Shining shouted.

"Chrysalis is not a monster!"  Cadence replied in kind.

"see, see thats it right there, you think everypony is just naturally good, you think every single heart in Equestria, bleeds, no oozes out love like you do, but its not like that, its just not, there are bad ponies, bad creatures, and Chrysalis is one of them, your to kind, and you try to hard to be friends with everyone, even if it puts others safety at risk!  And I can't deal with that right now, so I think it would be for the best if Twilight and I, if we took a break from you."

Cadence was shocked at what Shining had just said, she tried her best to hold in the tears.

"B-but, Ch-Chrysalis is leaving tonight, she, she won't hurt you or Twilight, I promise!"

" Its not just about Chrysalis, like I said, your to eager to become everyones friends, Gia knows what other kinds of dangerous ponies you might attract.  And, I just don't need that right now, I just, lets take a break, OK."

"Y-Your breaking up with me!?" Cadence sobbed.

"N-No, just a break, OK, just, give me a month to think things over, maybe we'll both cool down, but right now, I just, I need some time to think, about us, OK."

  Cadence still couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"FINE!"  She shouted.  "If thats what you want, be my guest, you don't have to worry about me, not for a week, not for a month, not EVER! "  Cadence  cried, as she ran off towards the palace.

  All shining could do was watch his lovers tears fall down as she ascend towards the sky and flew off into the distance.

.... Back at the castle.

  Chrysalis had just finished packing her bags, she looked at the cocoon like case, man, it sure had a heck of a lot more stuff in it now, then it did when she first arrived.  "You know, I hate to admit it, but i've had a pretty good time here, with that preppy little princess"  Chrysalis said with a sigh & smirk.  Just then Cadence ran in the door, tears falling from her eyes.

"Cadence, knock before you enter a ladies room!  Even if its your own!"  Chrysalis said jokingly.  However once she got a good look at the alicorn, she could see this wasn't the time.

"I'm guessing your little chat didn't end well, did it darling."  Chrysalis said, walking over the the pouty pony.

"S-Shining, h-he, broke up with me!"  She balled, jumping on her bed.  Crying into a pillow.

"Somehow I have a hard time believing that, did he really say he wanted to break-up with you?"  Chrysalis asked.

  With her head still in her pillow, Cadence shook her head no.

  "Well then, theres really no problem, good to know then, i'm off"  Chrysalis said, using her magic to raise her bag into the air.

"Y-your leaving already"  Cadence asked, wiping the tears off of her eyes.

" I'm afraid so, mother wants to get back to the hive before the Sandworms wake and begin their annual attack, rather nasty ordeal, but thankfully only happens once a year, usually only minimal casualties."

"Oh, I see"  Cadence said, with the same depressed look on her face.

   Chrysalis just rolled her eyes.  " Well don't be too sad, i'll have you know I have a parting gift for you, a little thanks for taking care of your best enemy while she and her mother so rudely intruded upon your pathetic little utopia."  Chryalis said, taking a small green orb out of her bag.

  "what is it?"  Cadence asked.

  "Its a changeling tear" she replied  "its a very special device, we use it to teleport things"

"things?  Like what?" Cadence asked.  

"Oh you know, letters, supplies, under cover operatives to infiltrate and overtake kingdoms, the usual"  Chrysalis said smirking.  "Oh and have this as well"   She said, handing cadence a piece of paper with odd symbols on it.

"What are these" Cadence asked.

"They're codes, codes for different rooms in MY palace, the one circled is my bedroom, put that code on a letter or an item, then you can use the Changeling Tear stone there to, well you get the idea."  Chrysalis said, blushing.

"You, you want us to be pin-pals!?"  Cadence said smiling.  "Oh thank you Chrysalis, this is a wonderful gift!" The pretty pink alicorn said, as she grabbed Chrysalis and hugged her as tight as she could.

"Unhand me!  Proper princesses do NOT hug their enemies!"  Chrysalis remarked.

"But your not my enemy, your my friend"  Cadence replied.

"fine, Frienemy, whatever, just let go!" Chrysalis screamed wiggling out of Cadence tight grip.

  Then as she flew towards the door with her bag, she looked back at Cadence and said "Once I am queen of my hive, and once you are ruler of this land, as you so vainly believe you shall be, let us meet on the field of battle, and have the most glorious war the world has ever known!"  Chrysalis said with a blush, before flying off out the door, and down the hall.

"OK, sure thing"  Cadence replied, even though she knew Chrysalis couldn't  hear her.

  Later that night, as Cadence prepared for bed.

Knock, Knock went the door, as Cadence turned around, to ask "Who's there!?"

"Celestial Pizza Delivery"  A muffled voice sang.

"hehe, I know thats you Auntie Celestia, you may come in"  Cadence said, turning back to the mirror and combing her mane.

" How are you this fine summer night my dear niece?"  Celestia replied as she walked into Cadences room.

"Oh i'm fine I guess, I mean, not perfectly fine, could be better, but, could be worse, dunno really"  Cadence said, keeping her gaze on the mirror.

"I heard about you and Shining Armor, as well as the ordeal at the theatre."  Celestia told her niece.

"Oh, you did, well, I guess i'm in trouble then?"  Cadence asked, looking up at her aunt with sorrowful eyes.

"Not at all my dear, ordeals such as this are part of youth, i'm sure in time this will all be forgotten."  Celestia told Cadence in a kind and caring tone.

"But what about Shining, what if he never wants to see me again!?  What, what if I never get to foal-sit Twilight again!?  What if!?"

Celestia raised her hoof motioning for Cadence to be silent.

"First off, Twilight, like yourself is one of my students, I decide who watches over her, not Shining Armor, and i'm sure her parents will not let a little lovers quarrel prevent their daughter from living her own life.   And secondly, I have no doubt in my mind you and Shining Armor are perfect for each other, you'll make-up and be out on the town again in no time!"  Celestia said with a smile.

"You really think so, Auntie Celestia!?"  Cadence asked.

"I know so."  Celestia replied.

" Well, thats good to know, Thanks, Aunt Celestia"  Cadence said, hugging her aunt around the neck.

" But"  Cadence said, loosening the hug "I probably won't ever see Chrysy again will I?"

Celestia looked at her niece and replied.  "It is true, despite the length of our...talks.  That a treaty was never signed, The Hive is still an enemy to Equestria, so I can't say if you will ever see the daughter of Death Wing again, but I can tell you, the memories of this summer will always live on in your heart, your friendship won't die, just because you don't see your friend in front of you."  Celestia said with a smile.

  "Hmm, thanks Aunite Celestia, you always know how to cheer me up."  Cadence said, hugging her aunt once more.

"Anytime my dear, any time"  Celestia replied, returning the embrace.

"But you know, I guess even if Shining and I do break-up, and even if I never see Chrysy again, its not really the end of the world."  Cadence said, thinking out loud.

"Oh, and why is that my dear Cadence?"  Celestia asked.  

"Because no matter what, someday i'm still going to be the best princess Equestria has ever known!"  She said, looking at her aunt, then blushing sheepishly "Right!?"

    Celestia just looked at her niece and laughed.  "Haha, yes Cadence, I am sure someday you will be a great princess.  Well, good night my dear"  Celestia said, as she walked towards the door "sleep tight, don't let the Parasprites bite."

"Nighty Night Auntie Tia"  Cadence responded in kind.  As she hopped into bed.

  Yes, she thought to her self, no matter what the future did or didn't hold, one thing was sure, she was destined to rule, that dream, that obsession, would always keep her going,always keep her working, always keep her smiling, no matter what.

CH 4: Ruined Weddings, Honeymoons, Lies & Revelations.

      Love is but a lie, lust and ambition disguised as kindness & purity

-Sombra: Crystal Dictator

   Time passes rather quickly, at times without one even noticing.  Its been 10 years since the end of that summer, 10 years time and many things have changed,  Twilight, the young foal Cadence set went on to become one of the Elements of Harmony and is one of Equestria's greatest heroes.  Celestia's younger Sister Luna has been freed from her imprisionment on the moon, and is slowly adjusting to modern life, and    Cadence & Shining Armor of course got back together, and are now engaged to be married, the only things that really hasn't changed, is our dear Cadence, still young, still naive, and ambitious, infact, not once in the past 10 years did she ever think those little letters she's been sending to her pin-pal Chrysalis might come back to bite her.

Canterlot-Nighttime

  "La, la, la,la,la,la,la,la,la"  Sang Cadence as she pranced around her room in the palace.

"Oh, I can't believe it, its only 4 days away!  4 days till I marry the stallion of my dreams!"  She said, looking at the calander in her room, with a big heart  marked on Friday with the words "BEST DAY EVER" written inside.

"Yes, my life contiues to be perfect!  Playing out the events that I have planned since I was young!"  She began to sing.

  Just then there was a knock on her door.

  "Well, I wonder who that could be at this hour!?" She said to herself, looking at the clock, which had only struck 10 afew moments a go.

" Is that you Auntie Luna?"  Cadence asked.  "Your not trying to play another one of your tricks on me are you?"  No reply.  You do know Nightmare Night ended months ago, right?  Its not very nice to try to scare a pony for no reason."  Still no reply.

  More knocking.

  Cadence gulped and reluctantly moved forward.  She put her hoof up to the knob, twisted, opened it up and, there before her... A guard!?

  Cadence just looked and stared at the guard, she knew the pegasus was most likely one of Luna's given her bat-like wings, short hair cut *somewhat reminiscent of Rainbow Dash's now that she thought about it*  and fang sticking out the left side.

"C-Can I help you?"  Cadence asked.

"Yes my dear, I believe you can"  Said the guard with a Hiss.  

"Ah, well I see, then ahh, c-come in"  Cadence replied reluctantly.

  The guard slowly trotted into Cadence's room, sitting right where the moonlight was hitting the floor

"Ahh,  Auntie Luna's moon sure is beautiful tonight, isn't it!?"  Cadence asked the guard nervously.

"Yes, yes it is, but moongazing isn't why i'm here"  said the mysterious guard, still hissing almost every word she spoke.

"O-Oh, then, why are you here, if you don't mind me asking?"  Cadence said with a nervous smile.

"Simple my dear, I came to wish you and shiny pants the best for your wedding." The guard said, her eyes now glowing green, a massive dark aura surrounding her, then a burst of green light.  Cadence had no choice but to close & cover her eyes.  Then when she opened them, there in front of her was!

"CHRYSALIS!?"  Cadence shouted.   Even though it had been 10 years, and the changeling looked even taller & more menacing then before, Cadence could tell it was her.

  " In the flesh, so to speak"  Chrysalis said with a evil chuckle.

"B-but I don't understand, w-what are you doing here?"  Cadence asked with a dumbfounded look on your face.

"Oh don't be so surprised my dear, like I said, i'm here for the wedding."  Chrysalis smiled.

"B-But how did you know about that, I, I never sent you a letter, I haven't sent you one in..."

" In six months" Chrysalis interrupted.

"ahh, yeah something like that" Cadence replied, a nervous look on her face.

"Oh darling I don't need little letters to keep up with whats going on in the world, remember, the hive has eyes & ears EVERYWHERE!"  Chrysalis said a now stern look on her face.

"Oh, I see, so, so I guess your queen now?"  Cadence asked with a gulp

"Yes, yes I am, and I'm here as Queen of the changelings, to do my duly appointed duty"  Chrysalis said, her evil smile now even wider then before.

"Oh and, ahh, what would that be?  I-if you don't mind me asking"

"Why Cadence my dear, of course I don't mind, after all, you'll be helping me greatly in my takeover of Canterlot and overall conquest of Equestria!"  Chrysalis chortled, her evil laugh in full force.

"I-I'll what!?"  Cadence asked.  

  Just then she felt a sting, a bolt of green magic had hit  her from behind, she felt woozy, she couldn't keep her stance, she could only look at the face of the evil queen as she feel to the ground and slowly lost consciousness, the last thing she saw was a smaller changeling in armor flying towards chrysalis from above.

"Good job Commander Coccon, plan Sleeping Beauty seems to have been a success!"

"Yes man, thank you man!  Now what do we do with her..." The Commander said, as Cadence passed out and everything faded to black.

????????

Black, thats all there was, black, darkness, pain, head ached, body ached, still unconscious? No, but black, why still black, so dark, so cold... feels like, smells likely  "C-Crystals"  a weak voice muttered out.  "why, why does it smell like wet crystals"  the voice asked.

  "Ahh, Cadence, good, I see your awake, finally!"  another voice said, with a since of snark & superiority.

"Who's there"  Cadence asked getting up off her side, or at least she thought she was getting up, it was too dark to tell.

"I think you know who."  The voice cackled.

"Chrysalis, what, why, why are you doing this!?"  Cadence asked, slowly regaining her ability to stand.

Suddenly a crystal in the room glowed bright green, in it, was not the face of the changeling queen, but Cadence's own face.

"You like?"  The impostor Cadence asked with a sneer.

"Why, are you doing this,I, I don't understand, what did I ever do to you, where am I, whats going on!?

  Cadence asked in a confused repetition.

"Calm down will you, theres no need to panic, tell you what Cadey, I like you, so i'll tell you my plan, if you promise to sit still, be quite, & DON'T INTERRUPT ME WHILE I'M GLOATING!"  The impostor said in a rather cruel and harsh tone.

"Fine"  Cadence said, as she set her flank in front of the glowing green crystal, lowering her lip in a pout.

  "Well you see Cadence darling, being queen of the changelings its my job to find my people a viable food source, the dessert and badlands are hardly a livable area, so we fly off all across the world, find areas full of good food, supplies, and of course, ample amounts of love energy, we then take those lands, plunder their resources, and suck out all the love of the inhabitants like little living batteries to refuel and reinvigorate us!"  The impostor sneered.

"Thats horrible!  How could you do such things!?"  Cadence yelled at the impostor.

  "Hey, it may not be the nicest thing to do, but its a living"  The impostor chuckled.

"Anyway, thanks to you, you know those little letters you've been sending, for like, 10 years, despite never getting a single reply."

"Not true, I got one reply, on Hearth Warming's eve, rather nice gift, considering it was given by a changeling, infact I think I still have that doll somewhere in my closet."

"Shut up!"  The impostor Cadence huffed, a blush across her face. "T-that one doesn't count!"  she screamed.

"Fine, you were saying."  Cadence replied, with a huff of her own.

"Anywho, yes, With the letters you have so eagerly written me the past 10 years, and the intel from my agents, not to mention all these cheesy diaries & scrapbooks in your room here"  The impostor Cadence said holding up one of Cadence's tackiest scrapbook creations.  "I know everything about you, your entire life, your likes, your dislikes, your little quarks, and dirty secrets as well i'm the perfect copy, I shall be the one to marry Shining Armor, then as soon as the ceremony is over, I shall strike, my forces shall sweep away the fools you call royal guards & Wonderbolts and Equestria shall be mine!!!"  The evil changeling disguised as a Cadence said, in a maniacal laugh.

"NO THE THRONE IS MINE!"  Cadence said, firing a bolt of magic at  the gem, only having it to bounce off back at her

"Oh, temper, temper Cadey, how would your Auntie Celestia react to such a comment"  The imposter Cadence chuckled.

  Cadence blushed, embarrassed at what she had just said.

"I-it doesn't matter, you won't get away with this, some one will see through your disguise, Shining, Celestia, Luna, Twilight, one of them will catch you, and you WILL fall!"  Cadence told the glowing green figure, in a serious voice as her weak form could muster.

"Well, we'll just see about that won't we Cadey-poo, toodles! "  The impostor said, as she and the green light the gem emitted faded back into the darkness.

NO!"  Cadence screamed, tears now filling her eyes.  "no...."

   And the rest my dear reader you already know, Cadence is indeed saved, by none other then her faithful friend & little sister-in-law Twilight Sparkle, and with Twilight & co's help Cadence manages to defeat the evil Queen Chrysalis sending her and her forces flying back to the badlands.... But my friends, did you know of the dialogue between Cadence & Luna during the after party!?

Canterlot Gardens-Royal Wedding After Party

   Cadence took a sip of punch, looked around, and smelled the fresh air, she was so glad it was all over, she was stuck down there for so long, days she had been trapped in the darkness, hoping, praying to Gia and Heaven above that someone would see through Chrysalis's disguise that someone would save her, and they did, Twilight, her dear beloved Twilight, her little sister in heart *and by marriage now too I guess*  had saved her and given her the strength to fight back the Evil Queen Chrysalis.

   "You look well, all things considered"  A voice said.

  Cadence turned around, snapping herself out of her daydreaming *or evening dreaming, whatever*

"Oh, Auntie Luna, how are you, so glad you could make it!"  Cadence said to the dark blue-Alicorn in front of her.

"Of course my dear, I wouldn't miss it for the world, and excellent choice hosting your after party by starlight, much more refreshing then the sun is it not!?"  She said, a smile on her face.

"Ahh, yes, yes it is" Cadence said agreeingly.

  To be honest, Cadence didn't really know what to think of her Aunt Luna, she was supposedly 1000's of years old like Celestia, but she looked so young, not much older then Cadence really, and when she first returned to the palace, she looked even younger, like a child, heck Celestia would even joke & call her "Woona" But as time passed and the mare got her powers & confidence back, she slowly turned back into the form now standing before the newlywed Cadence.

"Well at least she's not still Nightmare Moon"  Thought Cadence to herself.

" I'm sorry for the trouble at your weeding today, it must have been so hard for you, being replaced and trapped in the dark like that, almost having your life's love handed to another, an impostor that used to be a friend no doubt!"  Luna said, a sad look upon her face.

"Oh no, i'm fine Auntie Luna, really, I mean, bad stuff happens right?  Life goes on!"  Cadence said, putting on the best fake smile she could.

"You don't need to put up a tough front for me my dear, I know all to well how damaging holding-back & bottling up ones negative emotions can be"  

"I bet you do"  Cadence said under her breath.

"Well on  the bright side, the day has been saved, the night is calm, and cool, and in the end Chrysalis paid for her arrogance & ambition, just as she and any like her should."  Luna said, smiling coyly at Cadence.

"Hmmph, just what are you suggesting, looking at me like that Auntie Woona!"  Cadence said, smiling Coyly back at her.

"Nothing my dear niece, merely that you should tread more carefully in making your decisions in the future.  Thats all" Luna said to Cadence, softly.

" I'll be sure to keep that in mind Auntie Luna, thank you for the advice"  

Luna mearly bowed her head and slowly walked back towards her sister.

"Oh, one more thing before I forget Cadence"  Luna said, turning her head around, her eyes now glowing as bright as the moon itself.

" As Princess of the night, it is my job to protect over all of my citizens dreams, I have seen your dreams Cadence, I know what lies, deep within your heart, even a princess of love is no pure of greed, ambition, and hatred, be wise in how you deal with these things, if you are not careful, you shall become just as bad as the very monster thought friend you fought today!"

Cadence just stood there shocked at what her aunt had just said to her.

"well,  my dear Cadence, it seems Pinkie & Vinyl are about to start the party, and I am ready to, how do you say, ROCK THE HOUSE!"   Luna screamed in her royal Canterlot voice.  Pointing to the soundstage where the two ponies now resided.

   Just then the music started, shortly after Cadence found herself on the dance floor, in the arms of Shining Armor, all she could think was...

" Luna, that crazy moon mare, whats she talking about, I have nothing to hate, and nothing to fear, here in my mans arms, all I know is love!"  

The two continued to dance as the night rolled on, Cadence letting the music consume her.

   Sometime later, the last night of the Royal Honymoon

"Its just beautiful isn't it!?"  Cadence said with a relaxed sigh, leaning over the balcony of their hotel sweet, looking out at the ocean and tropical landscape below.

"Yeah, this has been a pretty good vay-cay"  Shining Armor agreed.  Walking up next to the mare, wrapping his hoof around her neck.  "Sad it'll be over in the morning:"

"*sigh*  Me too, but nothing we can do, A Royals work is never done, and Celestia will need our help fixing things up, those changelings sure made a mess of the town."  Cadence chuckled.

"Haha, that they did, that they did..." Shining paused.

"What is it honey?"  Cadence asked with a concerned look.

"Listen, I, i'm really sorry, I, I should have known it was a fake, I should have been able to tell the real you from an impostor."  Shining said, taking his hand off the mare, rubbing his shoulder a disgraced look on his face.

"Oh, there there honey"  Cadence said, embracing her husband, shoving his head up to her chest.  "Theres no way you could have known, she had the perfect disguise, even Auntie Celestia & Luna couldn't see past it, plus you had it worse, she put you under some sort of horrible spell!"  Cadence told him.

"Yeah, your right, but still, I feel pretty bad about it"  Shining replied.

"I know, you've only apologized 500 times."  Cadence said with a laugh.

"And i'll say it 500 more, to prove my love to you dear Princess"  Shining said bowing.

"Oh, stop that!  Your making me blush"  Cadence replied.

"well then shall we, to the bed!!?"  Shining said with a smirk.

"Hmm, I guess, but only if you give me a royal foot rub first"  Cadence replied, a sly look on her face.

"*sigh* OK, I guess thats fair"  Shining agreed.

The two headed to the bead.

"You know what" Cadence said as she plopped her flank on the bed.

"What dear?"  Shining asked.

"I think when I'm ruler of Equestria, i'm gonna make it illegal for you to betray your friends & loved ones."  Cadence said, with her snout in the air.

  Shining just rolled his eyes.  Getting Cadence "special lotion" out of their bag.

"I'm surprised you don't just banish all the changelings from the kingdom, thats what i'd do"  He replied.

"Oh no, its not fair to persecute an entire species because of a few bad apples, and lord knows how many married ponies are secretly changelings in disguise, wouldn't want to be some cruel Queen like Chrysalis, now would we."  Cadence sneered.

"Oh using the royal we now are we, miss prissy princess pants"  Shining sneered as he put the lotion on his wives hoofs and slowly worked his way up her leg, to her thigh.

" Oh, you know we are baby!"  Cadence said with a smile, looking forward to the night to come.

Now this of course would usually be the part where I write in detail the glorious love making Cadence & Shining Armor partake in, but as I am rather lazy, I don't think I shall, sufficed to say though, it was rather glorious, and many ponies around Equestria would envy both parties skill in the area, especially Cadence's.  What they say about Princesses in the bed seems to be 120% true!

  But moving on to more important matters  *about time to wrap this chapter up!*

  A week later Celestia's quarters.

   It was late, 10:30 to be exact.   Cadence was waiting in the parlor outside of her Aunt's bedroom, she had been called almost an hour ago, Aunt Celestia's royal guard had come to her & Shining's house and requested her presance, but when she got her, Celestia was nowhere to be found.  So she waited.

  All of a sudden the doors opened, she could see the guards at both sides, she could hear the hoofsteps, she knew Celestia was coming down the hall, but that wasn't the only voice she heard.

"Sister, Please, I beg you, this will not work out as you have planned, please rethink your position!"

"Luna, you have known my plan for many moons now, why is it this night you voice your disdain?"

"Beacause it is too soon, no one is ready for what you have in store for them, and not everyone in the royal family is as loyal to you as I!"

" That may be true, and I'm sure Blue-Blood and many others will pout once the announcement is made public, but we shall deal with that as it comes."

"Yes but...."

"But nothing!  You already agreed to help me did you not?"

"Yes  I did, but are you sure you'll be able to persuade...."

"Of course I will, after all, why wouldn't she?"

"If you say so sister, well, I shall leave you to be, good night, I hope your talk goes well"

  With that little dialogue done Celestia walked into the room, looking as regal as ever.

"Hello Auntie Celestia, how are you this fine star filled night"  Cadence said, bowing.

"Oh no need for all that, and i'm fine Cadence, how about you, I trust your adjusting to married life well?"  

"Oh about as well as one could expect, I guess" Cadence chuckled.

"Glad to hear it"  Celestia replied.  "However, I didn't bring you here to talk about you & Shining's home life"

"Oh, you didn't!?"  Cadence asked with a coy, playing dumb tone & look on her face.

"haha, know, I asked you here because, well, we need to talk about a very important matter, one that concerns you just as it my sister and most everyone else."

"Oh, what could that be Auntie Celestia?"  Cadence asked with a smile.

"As you know, I am not as strong as I once was, I failed to protect my citizens from Chrysalis, because of this I have decided to speed up my plans, I need a concrete successor to my thrown, should anything happen to me.

"YES I KNEW IT! THIS IS IT, THIS IS FINALLY IT!"  Cadence said in her brain.  She couldn't help smile as wide as could be, as her Aunt Celestia continued to talk about the crown, the country and how important it was to protect it all, how the legacy of their clan demand they be prepared for anything.  Or something like that.  But, when the speech ended, there was something odd, she knew she hadn't mis-heard, Celestia had finally revealed to her the name of the pony who would succeed her on the throne, only, something was off, it didn't sound like Cadence's name, it was a name she recognized, but it wasn't her's.

  "Oh no"  Cadence thought, as she felt the world crumble around her  "This, this can't be real, this, this has to be a bad dream!"

   But, deep down she knew this wasn't a dream, this was real, this meeting with her aunt, and all the contents and words it pertained were real, very very real....and Cadence, she just couldn't believe it.

CH 5: The Suns Words Burn The Heart! Hatred Is Born!

      Anger, when channeled properly, can be used to conquer worlds.

-Tyrak: The Destroyer.

    Cadence did her best to contain her anger as she approached her humble abode, she slammed open the door, she looked around, no Shining Armor, just silence.  She looked around the room, then she saw it, on in the kitchen, on the table, a letter

  " Luna needed some help with the night patrol, said one of her gaurds came down with the feather-flu, i'm no pegasus, but I offered my help anyway, don't wait up, I promise i'll bring home some Donut Joe's for you to enjoy when you wake up, I know how much you love his lattes!

  Sincerly, your awesome husband Shining Armor."

    It was good Shining wasn't here, she wouldn't want him here, not now, not when she was like this.   She trotted up the stars, fast & hard, her hoof steps getting louder each second, then when she finally got up to the top, she opened the door to the master bed room and let out a loud a scream as she could.

AUUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHH!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

AAAUUUUUUHHHHH!!!!

   "I can't believe it, I can't believe she would do this to me, after all this time, after all these years I dedicated to her, to my studies, to helping others, I, I did everything, EVERYTHING she asked of me, everything she wanted me to, I never questioned, I never made mistakes, well not often anyway, I was the PERFECT NIECE!  And, and she's going to, she's going to...."  Cadence couldn't finish her sentence, she just broke down on her bed & sobbed.

Earlier..

  Cadence wiggled her ears a bit, surely she had mis heard her aunt, either that or she was still a bit loopy from the whole weeding ordeal.

  "I, i'm sorry Aunt Celestia, could you repeat that, i'm not sure I heard you correctly"  Cadence stuttered.

"Of course dear, but you know Cadence, you really must learn to stay attentive when someone is speaking to you"  Celestia said with a snicker.

"haha, yeah"  Cadence replied with a blush

"But yes, as I was saying, I have chosen a successor to my throne, it was no easy task mind you but after all these centuries, I believe I have found the perfect pony.

"And that is?"  Cadence asked.

"Why our favorite student of course"  Celestia said, her smile beaming as bright as the sun

" Ahh, Sunset Shimmer, Trixie, that one unicorn with the lisp?"  Cadence said jokingly.  Although deep down in her heart she already knew what was coming.

"Haha, of course not my dear, i'm sure you know as well as I do, Twilight Sparkle is the perfect candidate, she always has been really, I saw it from the moment I laid eyes on her all those years ago, I knew she would be the one to succeed where I have failed, and bring TRUE HARMONY to Equestria, and all the lands."  Celestia said, a somewhat regal yet nostalgic look in her eye.

"Wow, thats, an interesting story Aunt Celestia, but are you really sure Twilight is up for something like this, I mean yes she's your personal pupil, an element of Harmony, and heck practically my little sister, but, a ruler of Equestria, are you sure she's up for something like that?"  Cadence asked, still trying to process the situation.

"Oh yes, I am quite sure, infact, I sense she will ascend very soon."  Celestia replied.

"Ascend, you mean, like turn into an Alicorn?"

"Yes, it seems that way"

"You mean like I did when I was a filly?"

" there may be some subtle differences in the transformation and how it takes place, but yes"

"So, how long do you think we have"

" I would say Twilgiht Sparkle will make the change within the next year."

"Oh well, thats still quite a ways away then"

"yes, yes it is, however I think it important for you know now, I shall need you and Luna's support"

"why is that?"

"After Twilight transforms, she will be part of a whole new world, she will not only be an element of harmony, but a princess as well, I will need you and Luna to help me in her second stage of training, can I trust you to do that Cadence"

"o-of course Auntie Celestia, y-you can count on me"

"Thats good to know, I thank you for your cooperation, and please, keep this between you and me for now, I'll tell your Husband when the time is right"

"O-of course."

  Cadence got up from the chair, and began to trot towards the door, she looked back at Celestia and said

" Our Littly Twyly eh, I can hardly believe it, not to long ago, she was just a little filly out playing games in the park with me, and now, wow, I, I just don't know what to think."  Cadence said, trying to hold back the rage & the tears.

Celestia smiled back at her niece "I know its a lot to take in, but trust me my dear Cadence, everything will be just fine."

"I'm sure it will auntie celestia, i'm sure it will"  Cadence replied, as she nodded her head and wished her aunt good night.

  Now...

  Cadence sobbed uncontrollably on her bed, she couldn't believe it, her whole life had been a lie, she was nothing to Celestia but another pawn, another play-mate for her precious Twilight Sparkle.  It didn't matter Cadence had done her best, that she had always given it 120%, that she created a new type of magic, her love magic, all on her own at the age of 7.  None of that was good enough for Celestia, no, she chose Twilight instead of her, how could she, how could she!?  That was all cadence could think, the anger, the sadness the rage, it all built-up inside her, she didn't know what to do, then...then she remembered the orb.

  "This is all Chrysalis fault!"  Cadence shouted!   "If that bitch hadn't come to ruin my wedding, Celestia wouldn't have lost faith in me and I would be the one set to rule!"  Cadence shouted.  But deep down she knew that wasn't true.

"No, no I can't blame her, I should, but I can't.  In the end, the sad truth is i'm just another one of Aunt Celestia's failed experiments, just like Star Swirl,  Just like Shimmer, just like Luna."  Cadence did her best to contain her tears.

She looked in the mirror, took a deep breath, counted to 10, tired to calm herself.  Then she looked over, at the Changeling Tear.

  "No!"  She shouted.  "I won't let it end like this, i've worked to hard, for too long, i've come to far, the throne of Eqeustria is MINE!  I won't let anyone else have it!  I'll claim my prize, no matter what it takes!

  Then picking up the changeling tear, Cadence blasted it with as powerful a magic force as she could, opening up a rift, a portal large enough for her to jump through, and she did, full speed ahead.

  The Changeling Hive

  Chrysalis set in her bed, waiting for her minions to return with her midnight snack.

"Ohhh, whats taking those fools so long Commander, I need my grapes, I need them now!!!"  Chrysalis whined

"  Moth Wing & Feather Duster should be back soon enough m'am, but you must remember, the vineyard you have us steal your grapes from has added extra security since the last time we attempted a raid.  Its not as easy as it used to be."

Chrysalis sighed  "Nothings as easy as it used to be commander, if it was, I would be sitting pretty on my high horse at the royal palace in Canterlot.  But instated I had my flank beaten by my old friend and her posse, with something as cheesy and cliche as the power of...Love!  Ugg!"  Chrysalis cringed.

"Well, they do say its a rather mysterious thing, makes a bad man good, makes a blind man see, and what not"  Commander Cocoon replied.

Chrysalis just looked at the armored changeling and said "no more 80's rock for you"

"Ahh, yes m'am"  the commander blushed.

  Just then a portal opened, and out of it, a flash of pink came flying into the room, and then, it landed right on the changeling queens bed.

  The queen and her servant couldn't do anything but look in shock and awe, they could hardly believe their eyes, why would this pony, of all people, after all thats happened to her, be there, right on Queen Chrysalis's bed!?

  "H-hello Chrysy, how yea doin, i'm not interrupting anything am I?"  Cadence said blushing

All Chrysalis could do was look at the pink pony and say

"Cadence, what, what are you doing here, more importantly, do you know where you are?"

Cadence replied "Yes, I know where I am, and you, you and me, we need to talk!  NOW!"

  The Queen & her servant looked at each other, dumbfounded.

  1 hour and a 1 sob story later.

  Chrysalis set at the table, sipping her tea, looking at her old friend

" So, thats it then"  Chrysalis asked

"Yes, thats the gist of it"

" I still don't understand why you came here of all place"

" Why wouldn't I, one is supposed to turn to a friend in times of need"

" You still consider me a friend, after all I did to you?"

"I do"

"Thats sweet, if I had a heart you'd melt it"

" Please don't mock me, i've been through enough as is"

"Oh I can tell, poor little princess doesn't get her castle, boo hoo hoo!"  Chrysalis mocked

" You know how important this is to me, how its always been to me"

" Yes, I know, but why should I help?"

"I'll give you half."

"What was that dear?  I didn't quite hear you."

"If you help me, i'll give you half."

"Half of what"

"You know what"

"Oh I know, I just want to hear you say it"

"If you help me, i'll give you half of the kingdom"

"Wow, your really serious about this arn't you!?"

"I've never been more serious in my entire life"

"I see, its a nice offer, but, I don't want your kingdom anymore."

"Then what do you want?"

"I want to hear it"

"Hear what?"

" I want to hear, from the bottom of your heart, true words spoken, true words of your feelings for Celestia, and what they are at this very moment."

"I don't know what you mean"

"Oh, I think you do"

"I don't"

"You do, now tell me what I want to hear, or I'll have Commander Cocoon and my changelings kick your sorry butt out into the desert, which is rather dangerous at night you know, stone scorpions, sand worms,  flame windagos, you name it."

"Fine, i'll say it"

"Good"

"The truth is....The truth is..."

"Go one my dear"

  "The truth is, right now I HATE CELESTIA!  I HATE HER MORE THEN I'VE EVER HATED ANYONE, THING, OR PONY EVER BEFORE! I WANT TO SEE HER SUFFER, I WANT TO SEE HER BURN FOR USING ME ALL THESE YEARS, FOR LYING, FOR TAKING MY DREAM AWAY FROM ME!  I...I WANT CELESTIA'S HEAD HANGING UPON THE WALL OF MY BEDROOM AS A TROPHY!!!!"

" HAHA, Thats the spirit, oh, how sweet that tasted, oh Cadence, if you could only taste & smell  what I just did, love turning into hate, its, oh its euphoric!  You have pleased me with your words, I shall help you, but in return, I get a shot at Celestia too!  Deal?

"Yes, its a deal"

  "Excellent, now we just have to come up with a plan, bide our time, and when the opportunity presents its self, strike the heart of the beast!  Chrysalis said, wrapping her hooves around Cadence.

"But, how will we do that, how will we know when an opportunity arises?"  Cadence asked.

"Oh my dear, you'll know, you'll know, and when it does, thats when we can really get things rolling!"  Chrysalis said, with a sinister laugh.

"Yes, she's right, I just have to be patient, lie and wait, and when an opportunity knocks, i'll answer its call!  This, this may not be so hard after all!"  Cadence thought to herself.

CH 5.5: What's In A Crystal?

  ?????

"Did You find It?"  A muffled voice asked.

"Yes my Queen, The Horn of Sombra Is still Intact". The Changeling said, bowing.

"Excellent, Cadence will be pleased, I can't believe, after all this time, all this searching we finally have it, the key to lead us into a new kingdom!!!"

Back At The Crystal Empire

"Yes....I can feel it, it's almost time."

  "Ahh, Princess are you OK?"  Flash Sentry asked with a dumbfounded look on his face.

Cadence looked at the newly appointed Royal Guard Captain & laughed.  "I'm fine Flash, just enjoying the night air.  Let me guess, my husband sent you after me?"  Candace said with A smirk.

"Um yes."  Flash replied.   "He worries about you, he says ever since Celestia stationed you here in the Crystal Empire, you've been....different."

Cadence took a deep breath & looked at the young guard. " I love my husband with all my heart, and I am greatful he worries about my health & safety, but I'm fine." She put her hoof up to Flashe's cheek.  "It's true I don't sleep well these days, Sombra's magic took much out of me, and even 10 months later I don't think i've fully recovered, but it's nothing to worry about, in time my magic will heal and I'll be fine, go tell Shining Armor I'll see him in the morning, but tonight, I prefere to stay & look at the stars."

  Flash Sentry blushed & with a salute shouted " Mam, yes mam!!"  As he trotted off back down the hall & up the stairs Cadence turned back around, staring back out into the night sky.

" Luna, Discord, Sombra, That lost student you refuse to speak of, how many monsters are you responsible for Celestia, how many hearts have you broken....And I wonder, can you guess which one will destroy you?"  Cadence whispered to the stars with mischievous smile.

Chapter 6: An Empire, A Phantom, And A Plan

  10 Months Ago

.....And That's how Sombra was Defeated, but at a great cost, the loss of the Crystal Empire."  Cadence said looking at her notes.

  "Are you still reading those cliff notes?"  Shining asked from the seat across from her.

"Of course I am!"  Cadence snapped. "We're going to the northern most tip of Equestria to inspect a kingdom that's been missing for 1000 years!  And on top of that potentially fight some Phantom Unicorn King hyped up on Dark Magic Mojo!  I would like to be prepared."  

  "Haha. Fair Enough" Shining Armor replied.  " I don't think we'll have too much to worry about though. I mean how much trouble can some 1000 year old Phantom Unicorn actually be?"  Shining said with confidence.

   Cadence sighed.  "Well now that you've jinxed us by saying that, it'll probably be super hard you idiot!"  She thought.  

"You OK there dear". Shining asked, giving his wife a concerned look.

" I'm fine, your right. I'm sure everything will be just fine."

".... If only that were true". She thought to herself as she looked out the window.

The Day Before

  "The Crystal Empire has returned!"  Celestia said, a most serious look upon her face.

"The Who What now?"  Shining asked with a dumbfounded look on his face, staring at Cadence who just gave a "Heck if I know shrug"

" 1001 years ago, before the Nightmare Moon Incident, there was another threat to Equestria, a powerful Unicorn  taught by StarSwirl named Sombra became obsessed with Dark Magic, and it's effects on the hearts of ponies.  He discovered he could use the Crystal Empire to spread his darkness all throughout the land, he used his dark powers to conquer it, and there he ruled as a tyrant & dictator, treating its citizens as slaves while he studied the mysteries of The Crystals power.  Thankfully Luna & I were able to stop him by banishing him to the darkest depth of the northern ice.  However, before the final blow was struck he cast a spell making the Crystal Empire disappear."  

"Well, that wasn't very nice". Shining replied.

"Not very nice?  Seriously, that's your reply!?" Cadence thought to herself, trying not to let the annoyance of being woken up early bother her more then it already had.

  Celestia ignoring Shining's comment continued her story "We believed the Crystal Empire lost for good, but now my troops stationed at the Northern Peak tell me it has returned!  With this news I am obviously quite pleased to once more have another Relic of Equestria restored, however..."

"However What?"  Shining Asked.

"I fear the Empire is not the only thing that has returned. Sombra May Be Back As Well, I need you and Cadence to go check on the situation and report to me your findings, if Sombra has returned, we may have to use the power of the Elements of Harmony once more!"

Cadence looked at Celestia "I doubt there will be need for that."  

"Oh you do! Do you?"  Celestia asked, looking at her niece like one would a child who makes a wild claim.

"Yes, Shining and I are more then capable of handling this task ourselves". Cadence said confidently.

"Very well  you have 3 Days, if the Kingdom is not secured by then, I will have no choice but to send in Twilight & the others.  Is that understood Cadence?"  Celestia said in a voice more stern then usual.

"Yes Princess Celestia, as you wish". Cadence said, bowing.

Later In Cadence Room

  "she's having you go where!?"  A shrill voice asked.

"To The North, to fight some stupid Phantom Unicorn King & save an Empire or something like that."  Cadence replied.

"well that sounds fun"

" As if Chrysalis". Cadence said looking at Chrysalis through the hologram projected by the Changeling Tear Gem.

"Well sufficed to say this will put a kink in our plans."  Chrysalis said, a tinge of disappointment in your voice.

"True, but on the bright side, I hear this old fart dabbled in some pretty strong black magic, so who knows, maybe I'll find something useful while I'm down there"

" Oh yes, a book of ancient forbidden magics, how delightful, the perfect suvioner!"  Chrysalis cooed.

"Well just be sure to contact me when you can, and have fun with your ice and crystals & what not, later Cader!"  Chrysalis said, ending the transmission.

" Yeah fun". Cadence thought, rolling her eyes.

...............

..............

..............

After The Battle For The Empire

  Pain, all she knew was pain, the crystallization brought on by the Crystal heart had briefly replenished her energy, but now, now she was helpless & she was burning, not just from the loss of sleep, or overuse of magic, or the mental strain of putting up a force field for so long, no, she was burning because once again it had been Twilight Sparkle & her friends to the rescue, they saved the day, and even worse that little pet dragon of Twilights helped even more then she had, given if that bumbling idiot shining hadn't launched her off the balcony at the right moment , Goddess knows what would have happened, but still, being upstaged by that purple unicorn again, it burned her pride pretty badly.

"Ahh nurse, your finally here! Good". She heard Shining's voice say from the hall.

"Vy yus, Eye Ahm". The nurse replied.

"Wow, heavy accent". Cadence thought to herself, trying anything to forget about her pains.

"Hello deary, I am nurse Hearth Gem, how are you?"

"Huh, funny, the accents gone now" Cadence noticed.

"F...fine I guess"

"Well you don't look fine to me Cadey". The Nurse said with a laugh

"that voice".   "c-Chrysalis?"  Cadence asked.

"The one & only Darling". The nurse said, her eyes glowing green.

"Wh...why are you here?"  Cadence asked, her voice weak,

"You hadn't contacted me in so long, I feared the worse had happened my dear". Chrysalis said, a sad look on her face.  "After all who could replace you as my partner in crime!?"  She cooed.

"Yeah Right, like you care about me at all you ugly witch bug" Cadence thought.

"What Do You Want?"  She asked

" I want to know what the next step of the plan is darling, that's all". She said in a seductive voice.

"Power!"  Cadence replied.

"Power, I'm we I need more power, I know Sombra must have his research hidden somewhere,  find it, find it for me and help me get stronger, that, that is the next step!"  Cadence said, a crazed glazed look in her eye.  "I won't be second to Twilight Sparkle anymore!"

Chrysalis grinned a most satisfied evil grin, and bowed.

"As you wish my princess"