THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: 9

Deep in the middle of the Badlands, dark clouds stirred and gathered, amassing at a center point from within the massive canyon. Emerald thunder boomed, as numerous travelers who found themselves attempting to cross through the barren rocky landscape, found themselves instead wanting to seek shelter towards the south instead.

One particular unicorn raised a brow at her father, as she wore thick brown rags. "Papa what's happening? Is the sky sick?"

A stallion, one who bore a rugged older appearance; shook his head as he gulped. "N-No, of course not hun. Hurry, we must make our way back down the road."

The unicorn blinked a bit curiously, "But why? Are we in danger?"

The stallion snatched her up, placing her on his back. "No, we're alright for now. But it's just not safe ahead is all. Let's not cross at this time."

And together the two began making their way in the opposing direction down the beaten dirt road.

"My Queen, are you certain this is wise?" I feel I've asked this question before. A lone changeling inquired to his Queen as they remained situated in her throne room.

Queen Chrysalis smirked to herself as she raised a brow at the changeling with a snicker. "Of course you fool! This won't end up like last time!" And beneath the Queen's hooves would be a large, pulsing pink, runic symbol. She chuckled eagerly beneath her breath. "Oh yes; this certainly will be much different from last time."

The same changeling continued persistently. "B-But my Queen, did you not say you would abuse such knowledge?"

Queen Chrysalis glared back at her subject in annoyance, almost in a quiet yet absolute rage. "You dare question my reasoning? I do this not to wage war against the ponies, I do this merely to gain the upper advantage against them, to simply have an upper edge should they ever, say, dare break a pact of their own?"

The changeling shook his head, "My Queen. I do not wish for you to have to go through the same experience as last time, both negative, and positive."

Queen Chrysalis flinched in reaction to those words, as she snarled and her nose wrinkled up. "What are you saying?"

The changeling frowned heavily. "Are you certain this is not simply to fill the void left by Lady Yucca's departure?"

Queen Chrysalis practically froze as her pupil's dilated, and that intensified rage only manifested as she let off a roar of frustration. She immediately turned, lifting the changeling with powerful telekinetic magic. "SHOULD I TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB FOR QUESTIONING ME!? When did it become so tolerable to speak to your QUEEN in such a manner you whelp!? You think I would do this over misplaced feelings for some child!? You believe I still dwell on such things!? I am a changeling! Love is only but a form of nourishment for me! You dare suggest that I do this over petty whiny insecurities!? I AM QUEEN CHRYSALIS! Not a bedridden mother!" She huffed and huffed before calming herself a bit, simply staring at the changeling who continued to tremble under her telekinetic grasp. She glanced away, slowly lowering him and catching her breath. She then looked to the surrounding changeling subjects, and her multitude of guards before trotting off towards the back. "Start the ritual. I tire of waiting."

As the changeling subject dropped to the tiled floor, he coughed and wheezed, shaking his head. "It won't work my Queen!"

Queen Chrysalis halted in her tracks.

The changeling continued, "You will only find yourself with a deeper longer lasting scar! We are changelings who care for our own! Create one of these monstrosities yourself!? And your care for it will only add to that of the void which you've already acquired! Your loneliness is no hidden secret my dearest Queen!"

Queen Chrysalis snarled, "SILENCE HIM AND TAKE HIM TO THE DUNGEONS!"

And the guards didn't hesitate to follow such orders, after all this changeling was only a supposed whelp. They started by gagging his mouth, and only dragging him to the dungeons with use of their telekinetic prowess as well. A band of four guards began escorting the outspoken changeling.

Queen Chrysalis smirked to herself. "Hah, idiot. As if I would let such emotions cloud my judgement." She paused with a saddened expression, "I won't make such a mistake this time around." She made her way towards the back away from the room. "Now let us begin, start the manifestation process!" And with those words, she faced the ritual area with a wide devious grin, as if hungrily anticipating the results of this long awaited process. And her changelings didn't hesitate to make their way towards that runic circle, those of which whom were conducting the actual casting process, bore black robes as each of their sharp horns began to crackle with green magical sparks. Queen Chrysalis only stood there wearing her grin, fiercely still as she remained situated towards the back as the spell progressed further and further.

And as the changeling who'd spoken out against the Queen's actions earlier was still being dragged down the halls, he sighed heavily, shaking his head as he heard the starting of the process. He grumbled beneath his breath, only closing his eyes soon afterwords as he realized there was nothing he could do.

Queen Chrysalis just continued to watch, as soon as it appeared as if a wild emerald hurricane were gathering within her throne room quarters. But she didn't falter, she did not hesitate even when many of her subjects began to retreat. There from within the hurricane she saw the sparks flicker and her chosen ingredients rise to the air. There four colored strands remained elevated, absolutely still in the eye of the makeshift hurricane. One being sapphire, another pink, another white, and another green. The four strands wrapped around one another, as they soon became one, followed by a mighty ignition which sent majority of the changelings flying back crashing against the walls as Queen Chrysalis remained still and unfaltering while still wearing that fierce grin, as a bombardment of dust and smoke wrapped around her, covering her entirely.

Minutes passed and the dust would not settle, even after the spell had finished.

Many changelings were still attempting to gather their senses as they rose, coughing and wheezing as they tried to make sense of the situation.

Queen Chrysalis however only trekked forward as her eyes were wide with anticipation as she attempted to make her way slowly towards the center of the room. She almost appeared absolutely controlled in the way she eagerly made her way forward with slow zombie like trots. She just continued to creep ahead inch by inch. Is this what that meddlesome mare had seen when she created Yucca? Is this the same feeling that coursed through her? If so, how one could ever abandon their own creation was beyond her. Chrysalis felt like a filly venturing into the toy store for the first time. She couldn't put her excitement into words. The idea of crafting her very own being through the powers of dark magic, it all sounded so compelling. Leave it to Celestia to discover such a perplex form of magic. But Queen Chrysalis blocked out such thoughts for the time being, as she continued to make her way down the center isle leading up towards the throne, as many of the changelings whom were still recovering just watched their Queen wearily as she attempted to make her way to the center of the room to see her, desired product.

And soon enough, the outline of a tiny figure had come into view, one whom was the size of a relatively small equine creature.

And Queen Chrysalis froze, as did many of the changelings. Queen Chrysalis actually found herself gulping, uncertain about what action she should take next.

Soon the outline rose sluggishly, as it suddenly turned to its left with a bounce, then to its right. It was obviously looking around as it began circling itself as it soon called out in a tiny soft feminine voice with a thick accent. "Dost thou know thy way out of the shadows!?"

Queen Chrysalis raised a brow, before exclaiming eagerly. "Do not be afraid. Come now, trot into the light."

Soon the outline of the tiny figure gasped as it turned towards the sound of Queen Chrysalis' voice. It could be seen readying itself in a defensive stance. "A-Art thou dang'rous?"

Queen Chrysalis raised a brow, still uncertain about all of this. Why was it this one had a very peculiar accent, and why was she already speaking? Of course Yucca was unable to speak full sentences for the longest time. Was it perhaps due to the ingredients she chose? She trekked a bit closer. "No, I am not dangerous." Well to you, at least.

The figure then repeated its sudden cautious singular bounces, one to the left, then right, then behind, then back towards Chrysalis. "Hmmmm! Righty then!" And soon, emerging from the dust and debris would be a, little filly. She bore a white coat and long thick white fangs. Her wings consisted mainly of angelic white feathers, followed by sharp sapphire ones at the tips and smaller pink situated between them. Her mane was ethereal, as it bore the colors of all four strands used, with a singular green strand coursing down her bangs. She also had a bare rump, signifying that she had yet to discover her destiny. She raised a brow at the Queen then, lowering her head almost frozen and stunned by what she was looking upon. "Art thou a bug?" She shook her head then smiled confidently "Dearest bug, we shall escapeth this realm of shadows!"

Queen Chrysalis snarled fiercely then with a surprised gasp, "A-...A BUG!? WHY YOU-"

But almost immediately the filly cowered, covering her head with a scream. "Eyaaah! D-Dost bug seeketh harmeth against thy body!?" She immediately succumbed to pleading with the Queen as she shook her head desperately, spreading her two front hooves as she exclaimed, "W-We can cometh to an agreement! Doeth thou wisheth to cometh to an agreement with oh gasted of fillies!? Oh filly promises thy she is sweet! For love is all I seek!" She sniffled beneath her breath.

Queen Chrysalis was disgusted as her nose scrunched up in annoyance. "UGH! DISGUSTING! Such cowardice!!!"

The filly gasped before crossing her hooves angrily as her brows furrowed. "Doeth thou not approveth of diplomacy!?"

Queen Chrysalis in that moment swayed from left to right, as she turned and only looked up towards the ceiling. She had a look of utter defeat, and utter loss. She just began to laugh, chuckling beneath her breath before her chuckling turned into wild laughter as she began to roll around on the ground.

The filly immediately rose with excitement and eagerness as her eyes widened looking down upon Queen Chrysalis. "Dost the bug wisheth to play!?" She raised a brow at Queen Chrysalis in that moment. "Thoust been warn'd I am a strategic master!" She soon began bouncing around the Queen eagerly. "I call thee jack and queen!"

And while this happened, many of the changeling guards began to surround the two, looking upon them observantly and in absolute confusion.

Twilight sat towards the back cart of the train, using a reflective mirror spell to still keep her eyes on the nearby Lady Eula. Twilight wore a bitter expression as she just remained there, stationary in her cloak not attempting to give a hint to who she was. She knew if Eula truly was Yucca, which she was fairly certain of, then getting too close to her would certainly give her identity away. It was perhaps only the fragments of her friends within Yucca which kept her from getting discovered at this point. Thankfully it was also quite dark from within the train. Many of the passengers were sleeping due to it being so late at night, and the only light which graced the inside of the carts was that of the moon due to the operator having the courtesy to turn the lights off so majority of the passengers could get their rest. There were few who used their little makeshift lamps located overhead in order to dimly light their areas, and unsurprisingly, Lady Eula was one of them. Twilight just kept her gaze focused on the tiny floating transparent mirror which allowed her to focus on Eula, who seemed to be hard at work studying something; looking over a numerous amount of scrolls.

Twilight's own eyes bared a hint of regret. She couldn't help but think to herself as she looked upon this familiar, yet unfamiliar unicorn who sat ways away from her. Did she make the right decision rejecting Yucca back then? She couldn't help but wonder. The once tiny little filly was certainly growing up abnormally fast, as expected; but, what she was growing up into is what surprised Twilight. She was no doubt a very graceful young mare, and one whom was maturing into a beautiful symbol of Canterlot nobility. Twilight felt a hint of pride behind the scenes, but she knew she didn't deserve that. She didn't deserve to feel anything. She gritted her teeth then as she felt an uneasy amount of frustration the more she thought about it. It wasn't meant to be like this. She didn't want to be the only one left in the dark in regards to Yucca's future. She didn't want to be isolated from her life if she were to be raised by ponies anyhow! Yet, she was. And Princess Celestia was now the one in charge, just like always. Twilight's frustration only continued to grow more and more as she sat there. Until at one point she huffed, shaking her head. No! She wouldn't be isolated from this. She didn't have to sneak around to question her own pony. HER creation! Her eyes snapped wide as she froze. G-Get it together Twilight. This isn't like before. But she was firm in her beliefs in that moment. Past circumstances may have sent Yucca away from her, but she still had the right to question and speak to whomever she wanted. Especially, Yucca.

Yucca sat alone at the table as she continued to look over the scrolls. She had a look of frustration as she sighed heavily, before raising a brow. She muttered, "Now this is just silly. Of course the quantum analogy cannot add up if there isn't enough sugar particles to make up the final result. This recipe is a work of science..."

"Why hello there again Lady Eula. May I have a word with you?"

Yucca's eyes widened as she glanced up, it was once again the taller mare from earlier; the hooded one in particular. "O-Oh, erhm, hello again. Yea, it's cool."

But this time, the mare lowered her hood. Revealing an all too familiar face. "Great! I've been dying to speak to you on certain matters for some time actually. And since you happened to be going to the same place I'm going, I was thinking this can be a far more lengthy discussion compared to that brief little chit chat we had earlier."

There was a brief moment of awkward silence as the two just stared at one another, while Twilight only wore a welcoming smile.

Yucca's eyes immediately widened as she just looked upon that familiar face, almost petrified by it. She then glanced down hurriedly at her scrolls, and especially, her closed knapsack which remained attached to her side. Her heart began to race as she didn't say another word. She only glanced back up at the one speaking to her. Princess Yucca's sudden frustration and rising panic was apparent as she gritted her teeth nervously, attempting to assess the situation. P-Princess Twilight!?....

Princess Twilight Sparkle regarded the unicorn with a chuckle, "But erhm, first off, Lady Eula? What might be in the bag?..."

Yucca glanced back down at her knapsack nervously. She then looked back to Twilight Sparkle, still remaining silent.

Princess Twilight proceeded closer to the unicorn, "Lady Eula, are you going to answer my question? I'm just a little curious. There's no need to be all uppity about it. I'm sure whatever you have to show me it'll be quite alright. I mean, it's just from one studious mare to another? Isn't it?" She smirked then, as if eagerly anticipating for the unicorn to make her move, whatever move she'd make. Surely if Lady Eula were a legit unicorn, she would have nothing to hide being an ordinary studious noble pony. But Twilight already had a good feeling what was within the knapsack, familiar habits and something she'd already witnessed when Yucca visited her in her castle.

As they remained stuck in that moment together in the dimly lit cart, that lingering gaze they shared was as if they knew it were a silent message to one another. Yucca was on the edge, and Princess Twilight was the one with the upper advantage. Yucca glanced to the lower right with a bittersweet smile. It always felt like this when it came to Twilight, that they were always at odds. She recalled that duel from long ago in her mind. She chuckled softly before exhaling. She closed her eyes and bore a wide smile at Princess Twilight afterwords as she whispered. "Then that'd ruin all the fun silly." She smirked a little before appearing tired, "You were always watching, weren't you?"

Princess Twilight flinched as she cocked a brow at the mare. What is she-

And Yucca suddenly let off an ecstatic roar with her Canterlot voice. "PRINCESS TWILIGHT! OH MY GOSH!"

Immediately majority of the ponies whom were either sleeping or minding their own business were called to attention as they glanced in that voice's direction.

Yucca got in Twilight's face with an expression which mimicked her tone. "I AM ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST FANS!"

All of the ponies immediately began rushing towards the cart, some in curiosity and others eager to meet Princess Twilight in person.  "Princess Twilight!?"

The voices now echoed across the cart, "Here!?" "Princess Twilight!" "Out of my way!"

Princess Twilight's eyes widened as she glanced around hurriedly, "W-Wait! One second everypony I have to-" but she didn't have the chance to finish as she got hounded by countless individuals, crashing into her, brushing her mane, attempting to simply bathe the princess in adoration. As Princess Twilight attempted to squirm her way through the crowd, she saw in the distance making her way to an opposing cart would be Lady Eula, whom flashed the alicorn a humored wink. Princess Twilight seethed with rage in that moment as she immediately used a relocation spell to situate herself atop the train cart. She paced heavily as she exclaimed, "It won't be that easy." Princess Twilight stumbled as she attempted to gather her footing from atop the train cart. She glanced down at it as she yelled in frustration, "It's not going to be that easy!"

Princess Twilight glared down at the surface she stood upon as she could still hear the anxious ponies trotting about trying to find her. She appeared to be in deep thought as she glanced up towards the starlit sky as the train continued to surge along the tracks which lead along the mountain side which lead deeper into the Crystal Mountains. Princess Twilight spread her wings as she nodded to herself, and then closed her eyes as she let herself fall off the side of the train before flying at its side, peering through each window as she kept up with the speed of the train. Her eyes glanced about to get a good look inside the train as she immediately focused on a few carts ahead. She squinted as she saw hurriedly retreating towards the front of the train would be Lady Eula. Hurrying to the front won't make a difference you know...

It was in that moment Princess Twilight flapped her wings with greater momentum, proceeding to catch up with the retreating unicorn. And as she finally reached a point where she'd become parallel with Yucca, she glanced at her with a smirk. And as Lady Eula was attempting to reach the front of the train, she cocked a brow as if getting the feeling that somepony were watching her; and to her right she caught sight of Princess Twilight which caused her eyes to widen further in confusion. Princess Twilight then flashed her a cocky nod before gliding to her right and left in a steady repeated rocking motion. Lady Eula continued to trot hurriedly while also observing Twilight. And it was then, Princess Twilight coursed far to her right while keeping up with the train, and making her way back in a reverse motion and instantly using a teleportation spell to get within the train, snatch the retreating unicorn, then repeat as she relocated both of them to appear on the roof of the train cart. Both ponies crashed on the surface atop the carts as they skidded and rolled almost falling off as each of them caught balance and used magic to hold themselves in place. Twilight yelled, "Yucca! I know it's you. Now just admit it!"

Princess Yucca huffed as she struggled to rise to her hooves, while attempting to keep balance. "Y-You're the one being silly! Leave me alone Princess Twilight!"

Princess Twilight was growing far more impatient as she groaned. "You're not fooling me! I know who you are! You told me yourself that you were now with Princess Celestia!" Princess Twilight's eyes saddened as she suddenly appeared a bit more desperate. "Just tell me what it is you're doing! You've been caught red hoofed!"

And this caused a hint of anger to appear in Princess Yucca as her brow twitched and she snapped angrily. "B-BUT I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!!!"

And it was only then Princess Twilight recalled just exactly what she was dealing with. She muttered nervously with a slight smile, "W-Wait...Yucca; listen, I wasn't-"

Princess Yucca only continued, no longer acknowledging Twilight's presence as the air around her began to grow hot and heavy. Rainbow sparks began to flicker in the night sky as the younger mare's mane began to flutter wildly along with the wind. "All you've ever done is blame me! Blame blame blame! I didn't do anything wrong! But you're still chasing me! I'm being kind to you Princess Twilight! I'm being kind to you!" She appeared lost, in a flurry of her emotions. "But maybe I should just be honest! Maybe I should stop worrying about what happens to you! If you want to know so bad! Maybe I can just show your silly little head just what you want to know!" And since she'd fell into her belligerent rant, she'd glared at Princess Twilight. "Maybe, you don't deserve kindness! Or loyalty! Or generosity! Won't you just let it all go ya dummy!?"

Princess Twilight took a few trots back as she gulped and lowered her head, as if preparing herself. "What is it Yucca? I know you rarely come outside, rarely show your face. Now that you've really let the cat out of the bag, maybe you can tell me what you've been up to with Princess Celestia? What? Did the cord snap between you two?"

And Princess Yucca soon made her way up towards the unicorn as her brows furrowed. "I asked you a question first!"

Princess Twilight gave a determined glare towards Yucca as she muttered. "And here's my answer." She tackled the unicorn off the side of the train, sending both of them tumbling down the mountainside, as Princess Yucca was forced to unveil and spread her wings, taking for the sky with a snarl.

As Princess Yucca remained there elevated for a moment, she saw as her scrolls tumbled and rolled down the snowy hill as she appeared panicked, surprised, and overall in shock with how desperate Princess Twilight was to get her answers. She only looked at the fellow alicorn in disbelief, still attempting to catch her breath.

And as Princess Twilight tumbled for a moment longer, she immediately flapped her wings in a free moment, taking for the skies and straight towards Princess Yucca with an eager wide smile as she began laughing, now possessing more momentum then ever. "There you really are! Yucca!"