-TERRARIA, ACROPOLIS-

The group now found themselves at the entrance of Athena’s silver and gold palace. Winged entities and serpentine figures flew by as the Ancient herself stood before the remaining trainees; Echo standing beside her.

The Wyvern that Fluttershy was caressing was just about to take its leave as it gently nuzzles the pegasus before flying off, a surge of wind blowing various of the ponies’ manes.

“Goodbye! I hope to see you again!” Fluttershy exclaims while waving her right forehoof. The yellow pegasus then turns around and makes her way towards the other trainee members, consisting of Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie--and by extension--Shroom.

“She’s such a nice Wyvern,” Fluttershy comments. “Her name’s Annabeth. She’s super sweet.”

The ponies, Ancient, truffle, and humanoid changeling all chuckle in response.

“You really are something, Fluttershy,” Athena comments with crossed arms. “A Wyvern doesn’t often take a liking to just anyone, and would sooner eat them.”

“Fluttershy once turned a big red dragon into a chew toy,” Rainbow Dash said. “And she didn’t even use her stare on it.”

Athena ‘hmms’ in thought, then says:

“Ah, ‘The Stare.’ It’s an ability that a Zoologist, or a descendant of The Zoologist, can use.”

“Oh my!” Fluttershy exclaims; hopping a couple of times in place.

The ponies looked on in awe as Applejack states:

“Ah’ be darned. The more we explore this here Terraria, the more explanations we get fer’ our own home.”

“Well, we did find out that Harmony herself was born here, darling,” Rarity comments.

“And she’s my momma!” Pinkie Pie exclaims with a raised forehoof.

Rainbow Dash chuckles, “I’ll never be able to get over that.”

“Can I ask you all something?” Echo Silhouette suddenly questions.

The changeling’s inquiry garners the attention of each pony, their ears perking up, as Rarity responds:

“Whatever is on your mind, dearie?”

Echo closes his eyes in thought, then opens them before sighing with a sense of sadness, “Are any of you familiar with a changeling royal called: Chrysalis?”

The ponies stare at him for a moment as they seemingly think about the former ruler of the changelings. And various scowls appear on their faces, aside from Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. Then, Rarity is the first to break the silence as she says:

“We are more than just ‘familiar’ with that foul brute, she-”

“Don’t you dare mock her!” Echo interjects with a shout; clasping his fist in the process, baring his teeth.

This outburst causes Rarity to wince as a sense of fear causes her to lower herself to the ground, “I-I’m s-sorry, d-darling. I didn’t mean to offend y-you.”

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash exclaims as she flaps her wings in place, “Don’t go yelling at my friend, pal!”

“P-please stop fighting, everyone…” Pinkie Pie comments as she holds the smaller form of Shroom in her forehooves. Her mane is currently deflated as she pouts sadly.

"Oh, m-my," Fluttershy comments as she tries to hide behind her pink mane.

“Ah’ don’t think ya’ realize what that varmint did to us, Echo!” Applejack roars out in response.

“Enough!” Athena roars out as she spreads her wings apart. The very space all around them shifted in response as even the sky itself darkened. “I will not allow a misunderstanding to fester ill feelings between all of you!”

The individuals present all jump in response and lower themselves in fear of Athena’s current anger.

The Ancient then closes her wings as the skies return to normal; space itself halts its shifting process. She looks at the trainees before her, and Echo, with a face of disappointment.

“We will clear up this conflict of yours, then we shall progress as we originally intended,” Athena said with an authoritative tone that can put even Luna to shame.

A moment of silence overtakes them all, but Rarity breaks it, “I’m sorry if I insulted you, Echo,” She said while looking down to the ground in regret.

Echo sighs, “It’s fine… I, I overreacted. You guys had no way of knowing my relationship with her.”

The unicorn fashionista then raises her head to look at the humanoid changeling, “Just hear me out, darling. We’ve had a terrible past with Queen Chrysalis. I don’t know your relation to her, but judging by your reaction… I take it she was very dear to you?”

Applejack suddenly comes to a realization with a forehoof to her chin, “Hang on fer’ one second,” She lowers her hoof, “Didn’t ya’ tell us a while back that Harmony took a Queen with her?”

Pinkie Pie raises her right forehoof, “Ooh! Ooh, and Chrysalis is your sister that your mother gave to my mother in order to keep her safe!” She assesses. “Right?” The mare questions while hopping in place.

Everyone else present stared at the pink pony with a sense of awe as Shroom, currently sitting on Pinkie’s back, nods and comments:

“Shroom Shroom.”

“Actually, wow... yeah,” Echo Silhouette said after recovering, “That’s exactly the truth. Chrysalis is indeed my younger sibling, my sister.”

The ponies, aside from Pinkie Pie who grins triumphantly, all blink multiple times in unison before shouting:

“Whaaaat?!”

Athena nods, “I didn’t want to reveal it as to show respect for Echo’s privacy. But yes, Chrysalis is the daughter of Chrysella.”

“Oh my,” Fluttershy comments as she then approaches Echo. The pegasus grabs onto the changeling’s right hand with her own forehoof and says:

“Despite everything that happened between Chrysalis and my friends, and me. I, um, wanted to tell you that she’s alive and well,” She lets go of Echo’s hand, lowering herself onto her hooves, “Sure, she might’ve been mean, but so was Discord,” The yellow pegasus turns to the other ponies, “If Echo is her brother, and he’s a very nice changeling, I think Chrysalis can become good as well.”

Rainbow Dash places a forehoof to the back of her neck, nervously, “Well, yeah… I mean, sure, Echo is an awesome changeling and all,” She lowers her hoof and returns it to the ground, “I don’t know what to say, really.”

“Well ah’ think Fluttershy is right,” Applejack says before she grabs her hat and sets it against her chest, “Ah’m sorry fer’ what ah’ said, Echo. If Chrysalis is indeed yer’ family, ah’ can respect that.”

“As can I, darling,” Rarity said with a smile.

Echo smiles in response to their words, “Thank you, everyone. I appreciate it.”

Rainbow Dash suddenly gets nervous, “So, uh, about our training with you,” She chuckles nervously, “No hard feelings, right? You aren’t about to take it out on us, will ya?”

Echo laughs, “Oh no, I’m not that petty,” However, his eyes suddenly flash with a green aura, “But I’m about to slap you all around in Space.”

-TERRARIA, CAMELOT: THRONE ROOM-

Queen Amore was currently sitting on her throne, donned in her terrarian form, with Princess Cadence standing beside her. An assortment of guards of both sexes was stationed throughout the room as the late morning sunbeams creep through the windows.

Twilight, Linn, Shadow Thunder, and Starlight Glimmer all stand before the throne; at the bottom of a small flight of stairs at its base.

“I’m so glad to have made friends among your family, Queen Amore,” Twilight says as she bows respectfully, lowering her forehooves and rising again.

“As am I, dear Twilight,” Amore responds with a gleeful tone. “Both Linn and Celebes told me all about you, and having met you for myself, you live up to your name.”

“And you’re one of the cutest ponies I’ve ever seen!” Princess Cadence shouts, hopping in place.

Linn chuckles at her cousin’s antics while currently standing next to Twilight, “Thank you, dear aunt, sweet cousin.”

As they continued to converse, both Shadow Thunder and Starlight Glimmer were standing behind the lavender alicorn and the pink-haired terrarian.

Starlight turns to the dark pegasus, “So, what shall we do on our first day as special someponies?” She then gasps, “Wait, I’m so sorry if I jumped to assumptions. We are special someponies, right? Uh oh, did I just-”

Shadow Thunder cuts her off by placing a feather to her muzzle, via his right wing, “Starlight, did I ever tell you how cute you are when you get like this?” He questions with a grin. “And of course we are, beautiful. You’re the mare of my dreams.”

She blushes, “Ehehe, I almost went on a small ramble there, huh?”

The pegasus nuzzles Starlight, she of course leans in to it lovingly, “And that’s what I love about you. You’re so adorable when you do that,” He says, and places a hoof to his chin in thought, “Almost like your own version of ‘Twilighting.’”

Starlight bumps his chest with a forehoof, “Oh haha, buster,”

Shadow thunder chuckles, then smiles mischievously, “I’ve got something in mind we could do~” He wiggles his eyebrows.

The unicorn mare catches onto his meaning, and half-lids her eyes, “Play your cards right, and we can head to our room after we leave-”

Suddenly, a commotion garnered the attention of everyone in the throne room, and it was just outside of the room’s closed double doors. The doors suddenly slam wide open as several guards are sent flying into the room. It’s soon revealed that The Mech kicked them in. Zecora was standing beside her mechanical ally as she exclaims:

“Please forgive us if what we say brings forth your ire!” She points a forehoof towards The Princess, “But The Princess is nothing but a liar!”

~If she makes a move on my primary objectives, I’m gonna be kicking some ass.~ The Mech said.

Everyone stares at the newly arrived duo before them in shock, but Queen Amore stands up from her throne and shouts:

“How dare you!" She points her right index finger towards them, "You crash into my throne room, and dare to make such accusations?!”

The Princess was now forming tears, said tears beginning to stroll down her face, as she sobs:

“W-why are you being s-so mean?!” She runs into her mother who, in turn, wraps her hands around the weeping Princess. “Momma, m-make them stop!”

"It's ok, my sweet," Queen Amore comforts, then turns her gaze angrily towards Zecora and The Mech. She then raises her right hand, “Guards! At the ready!”

Every male and female guard present brace their weapons as swords and spears are drawn.

As this goes on, Linn turns towards both The Mech and Zecora before shouting:

“You two better have some damn good evidence for this!” She shouts, gritting her teeth afterward. “I’m sorry, but my family comes first! I can’t just take your word for it!”

Both Starlight and Shadow Thunder stood back to back, facing both sides. Starlight was looking towards Zecora and The mech with a confused expression, while the dark pegasus’s gaze met with Queen Amore and Princess Cadence. Also matching Starlight facial features of confusion.

Twilight could only look on in conflict as she looks back and forth. The world seemingly slows down for the alicorn, beats of sweat seemingly forming as she bites her lower lip in nervousness. Then, she comes to a decision. The alicorn fires up her horn and teleports away, reappearing next to Zecora and The Mech.

“T-Twilight?” Linn questions with a sense of disbelief, “You believe them?!”

“I do, Linn,” Twilight responds while extending her wings to their maximum lengths, “I’m so sorry, but I trust Zecora’s word. She would never say this and not have any proof!”

A sudden 'pop' sounds out right next to Twilight as light-purple particles sprinkle into being. Then, both shadow Thunder and Starlight appear next to the alicorn.

“And I’ll stand by their side, no matter what!” Starlight roars out.

Linn was absolutely shocked by this, but then sets her gaze on Shadow Thunder, “You too?! Even after we’ve been working together in the guild for all these years?!”

Shadow Thunder grits his teeth with a sense of sorrow and conflict, “I’m sorry, Linn. You will always be my dear friend, but if Starlight trusts Twilight,” He then extends his wings to their max lengths, “Then I’ll stand by their side, too.”

A tear was beginning to form in Linn’s eyes before she closed them shut. She then takes on a determined expression and raises her hand high into the air. A series of lights manifest within her hand as her Hallowed Jousting Lance is brought forth.

“Then forgive me, my friends,” She says sorrowfully, but angrily.

Over by the throne, Queen Amore now stood stoically as her guards were beginning to surround Twilight and her side of this conflict. Princess Cadence was standing beside her as she shouts:

“You all hurt my Linn’s feelings, disrespect my mommy, and now you’re trying to make me look-”

[SHLINK]

Absolute silence takes over, and Queen Amore’s face takes on absolute horror as a blade severed The Princess’s head clean off of her shoulders. The assailant was revealed to be one who appeared out of Cadence’s shadow; wielding a curved blade within their right claw.

Tori was now standing over Cadence, but before a now infuriated Queen Mi Amore. But what was most interesting about this scenario was: No blood escaped from The Princess’s form. This forms a smirk onto Zecora's muzzle, and a series of beeps escapes The Mech before it shouts:

~And THERE’S your proof!~

Character inventory/equipment:

Fluttershy: Statigel Armor(pony, equipped), Overloaded Blaster, Eviscerator, Crimslime Staff, Corroslime Staff, Slime Staff, Finch Staff, Snow Flinx Staff, Hornet Staff, Blood Clot Staff, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Healing Potion, Honey Comb(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, Staff Of Necrosteocytes, Purified Jam.

Rainbow Dash: Necro Armor(pony, equipped), Star Cannon, Minishark, Eviscerator, Aquatic Discharge, Bloody Rupture, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Healing Potion, Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Victory Shard, Slime Mount.

Zecora: Crimson Armor(zebra, equipped), Dune Hopper, Sausage Maker, Beenade, Tooth Ball, Aorta, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Various Potions, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Sand Cloak(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Bloodstained Gloves(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Skeletron Hand.

Starlight Glimmer: Meteor Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Starfury, Vein Burster, Purple Phaseblade, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Healing Potion, Victory Shard, Rocket Boots(equipped), Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Slime Mount, Book Of Skulls, Skeletron Hand.

Rarity: Meteor Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Hornet Staff, Snow Flinx Staff, Ice Mirror, Blood Clot Staff, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Angel Wings(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Slime Mount, Book Of Skulls, Skeletron Hand, Staff Of Necrosteocytes.

Applejack: Crimson Armor(pony, equipped), Vein Burster, Orange Phaseblade, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Rope, Metal Detector, Healing Potion, Angel Wings(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Flurry Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, Bone Glove, Skeletron Hand.

Twilight Sparkle: Meteorite Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Book Of Skulls, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Ichor, Victory Shards, Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Slime Mount.

Pinkie Pie: Crimson Armor(pony, equipped), Vein Burster, Blue Phaseblade, Bloody Rupture x2, Aorta, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Metal Detector, Angel Wings(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Flurry Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, The Blood Butcherer, Skeletron Hand.