The group of heroes looked at Queen Chrysalis' castle. Discord personally was trying to figure out why he didn't successfully teleport himself and the others inside.
"Oh, this is so strange. We're here and that's there, and I clearly meant for us to be there and not here," Said Discord inquisitively.
"Oh, I-I can probably explain-"
Discord stretched his arms, completely ignoring Thorax.
"Oh, well. If at first you don't succeed…"
Discord prepared to snap his fingers, but Starlight enveloped her magic around his lion paw.
"Maybe we should come up with a plan first?" Suggested Starlight.
Discord effortlessly blew away Starlight's magic.
"A what?" Asked Discord.
"You know, figuring out the best way to do something before you actually do it," Answered Trixie.
Discord chuckled at the idea of forming a plan.
"Oh, that's adorable," Said Discord while patting Trixie's head. "But you see, unlike you, I can do anything."
"Uh, actually-"
Thorax tried to interject, but Discord placed a phalange in front of his mouth to silence him.
"That's all very nice, but really a waste of time. We have me, and what else could we possibly need?" Asked Discord rhetorically.
"You alone cannot-"
"No, no. He's got a point," Interrupted Deadpool.
"See?! He gets it! If I were to do my thing, and Deadpool does his, there would be nothing we can't accomplish!" Said Discord.
"Nothing except having the cognitive power of half a lobe," Remarked Trixie.
"Why are you here again? I mean, it's not like you're going to stop the changelings by pulling a rabbit out of a hat," Said Discord. He took Trixie's hat off, and pulled a duplicate of her out of her hat. "At least my magic can do something."
"The thing about magic here is-"
"Like this!"
SNAP!
Cutting Thorax off yet again, Discord summoned a flying pig to serve as a mount along with a helmet and a lance to wear. He also summoned a flying tiger for Deadpool.
"For Fluttershy!" Cried Discord.
"For Twilight and Narnia- I mean Equestria!" Cried Deadpool, pulling out one of his katanas.
"YAAAH!"
Both men flew into battle. As they crossed over the edge of the cliff, their mounts disappeared.
"Ah!"
Before he could fall, Discord grabbed onto the cliff and Deadpool. Holsting himself and Deadpool back onto the top of the cliff, Discord decided to test something.
SNAP!
He summoned another flying pig, and directed it to fly towards the castle. The pig followed his orders, but as soon as it crossed over the edge of the cliff, it disappeared in a cloud of magical dust.
"I've been trying to tell you! Nothing other than changeling magic works here. Chrysalis' throne is carved from an ancient dark stone that soaks up outside magic the same way changelings soak up love. It's how she keeps the hive safe," Explained Thorax.
Curious to try it herself, Starlight lit the tip of her horn. She walked over to the edge of the cliff, and stuck her horn over it. Sure enough, her magic dissipated.
"So, uh, what kind of plan were you thinking?" Asked Trixie.
"Without magic, I have no idea, but nopony else is coming. So somepony better come up with something," Said Starlight.
The rest of the group didn't say anything.
"Anypony? Anything?" Said Starlight.
Starlight's friends remained silent. Seeing as she was going to get nothing out of them, she decided to come up with her own plan.
"Hmm… This throne - if we can get into the hive and destroy it, can we get our magic back?" Asked Starlight to Thorax.
"Uh-huh!" Answered Thorax.
"Oo, oo! I have an idea!" Said Deadpool, raising his hoof eagerly like a student who figured out the answer to a math problem.
"Wade, you have a plan?" Asked Starlight in surprise.
"Yeah, yeah!" Replied Deadpool eagerly.
"Well, then. Tell us," Said Starlight with a smile.
"This oughta be interesting," Said Trixie sarcastically.
"Discord, if you'd please," Said Deadpool.
Discord summoned a chalkboard behind Deadpool, and levitated a piece of chalk.
"Alright! Step one: stealthily walk to the front entrance. Step two: take out any guards."
As Deadpool conveyed his plan, Discord drew illustrations for each step of his plan on the chalkboard.
"Step three: have Thorax guide us to the throne room. Step four: you all distract Chrysalis while I blow up her throne with C4."
"You carry C4 on you?" Asked Trixie.
"Uh, yeah!" Said Deadpool as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
(Considering who we're talking about here, it should have been obvious to her.)
"I have both my magic pistols and Desert Eagles, as well as grenades, matches, inhibitor rings, lamp oil, rope, bombs; you want it? It's yours my friend! As long as you have enough rubies!" Said Deadpool.
"Wait, what?" Asked Trixie in confusion.
"Just continue with your plan, Deadpool," Said Starlight.
"Right," Agreed Deadpool: "Step five: engage Queen Chrysalis in an epic boss battle! Step six: free all of our friends and anypony else the changelings kidnapped. Step seven: get a pizza to celebrate."
"Oo! I can get behind this plan! As long as we get olives, licorice, and cucumbers for toppings, and peanut butter for the sauce," Said Discord.
" Sure, sure," Said Deadpool: "Step eight: let myself get lavished in praise and love from Twilight."
"Okay?" Said Starlight.
"Now here's the most crucial part of the plan! Step nine: sweep Twilight off her hooves, take her to bed, and plunge my dick into her-"
"That's enough! That's enough!" Shouted Starlight frantically.
Thankfully, Discord didn't draw anything for the ninth step. Deadpool looked at Starlight in confusion. He seemed to not know why she made him stop.
"I can get behind the first seven steps of your plan, but please keep anything you do after to yourself," Asked Starlight.
"I can accept your request," Said Deadpool.
A few minutes later…
Everyone trekked across the barren landscape. Discord was practically dragging his feet. He was finding the simple act of walking to be an arduous task.
"Oh, I don't know how any of you manage not being able to disappear and reappear whenever you want!" Complained Discord.
"Stop bitching! Just appreciate that this is a relatively short walk. When I was in the service, I was on a mission that required me to travel 18 miles on hoof," Said Deadpool.
"I for one definitely miss you being able to disappear!" Added Trixie irritatedly.
"Give Discord a break. None of us knew we weren't going to be able to use magic," Said Starlight.
"I did," Rebutted Thorax.
Starlight walked ahead of the group and stopped them.
"If we get separated, it might make sense to have a way to make sure we are who we say we are," Suggested Starlight.
"Like a secret code?" Asked Discord and Deadpool in unison.
Starlight nodded her head. Both Discord and Deadpool squealed in glee.
"Here's an idea! I say 'X-Force', and you all say 'hell yeah'!" Suggested Deadpool, standing on his hind legs and crossing his forelegs to form an X shape.
"If I have to do that, then no," Deadpanned Trixie.
"How about I say 'Discord' and you all say 'is the best?" Suggested Discord. "Or how about you all say 'chaos' and I say- Woah!"
THUD!
Not watching where he was stepping, Discord ended up tripping over a rock.
"How about if we say 'klutzy' and you say 'draconequus'?" Suggested Trixie in a mocking manner.
"'Klutzy draconequus'. Works for me," Said Starlight.
"I'll definitely remember that," Added Thorax.
Discord was not amused by the secret code. Everyone walked away except for Deadpool to continue the trek towards the castle without Discord. He stayed behind to laugh at the draconequus.
"Oh, laugh it up," Said Discord irritatedly.
"Oh, I sure will! Especially since I'm usually the one that's the butt of the joke," Said Deadpool.
A few minutes later…
After continuing to walk across the wasteland, the group was finally close to the castle. They hid behind a large triangular mound to survey the area. They saw two guards wearing insect-like armor guarding the way to the front entrance. Deadpool noticed the guards were standing in front of two large rocks.
"If we can distract them, I can use the rocks as cover to knock them out," Said Deadpool.
"Allow me," Said Trixie.
Grabbing a small rock, she threw it a few feet to the left of the guards. Hearing the rock land nearby, one of the guards went over to investigate. Taking the opportunity, Deadpool quickly but quietly ran over behind the rock where the remaining guard was standing. He grabbed them around the neck, and locked them in a chokehold. The guard tried to call out to their partner, but Deadpool muffled his voice. After a few moments of struggling, they fell unconscious. Deadpool then ran over to the other guard and tapped their shoulder.
POW!
As soon as the guard whipped around, they were knocked out with a punch to the face. Once the coast was clear, Deadpool's allies came out of hiding.
"How's that for a stealth takedown?" Asked Deadpool smugly.
"Eh. I'd consider that subpar compared to the Arkham games," Replied Discord.
Deadpool scowled at Discord. The group followed Thorax to a hole that was on the side of the front entrance. Being a little ways off the ground, Discord used his body as a makeshift bridge to allow Starlight, Trixie and Deadpool to reach it.
Upon entering the castle, everyone but Thorax was in awe. The castle was built out of rocks and a material akin to that found in some wasp nests, and the tunnels were even reminiscent of those in an ant nest. What was most surprising was that holes within the walls appeared and disappeared continuously.
"Okay, I am definitely glad you came. I don't think we'd be able to find our way without you," Said Trixie to Thorax.
"You definitely wouldn't," Said Thorax, pointing back towards the way they came.
Everyone looked back, and watched as the hole they entered closed up.
"Um, where's the way out?" Asked Trixie fearfully.
"It's a changeling hive. It shifts and changes like we do, and we're the only ones who can navigate it. It's total chaos to non-changelings," Explained Thorax.
He led the group through a hole that appeared in front of them, only for it to disappear as soon as they walked through it.
"Well, it's decent chaos. I don't know if I'd call it 'total'," Critiqued Discord.
A few minutes later…
With Thorax guiding them, the group of allies navigated their way around the hive. As they walked through the hive's dizzying tunnels, they kept an eye out for any changelings that they could bump into. As they walked down a flight of stairs, Discord decided to throw a question out to the group.
"Are we sure that I'll get my magic back when we destroy this throne thingy?" Asked Discord.
"If Thorax is right, then yes," Answered Starlight.
"Well, that's reassuring," Said Discord sarcastically.
"Here's something: if Deadpool's explosives prove to be ineffective, how are we supposed to destroy the throne?" Asked Trixie.
"Have some faith! They'll work," Assured Deadpool.
"I was talking to Starlight," Said Trixie.
"I… don't know," Admitted Starlight.
"That's reassuring," Said Trixie sarcastically.
Trixie suddenly felt someone opening and rummaging through a saddlebag she was carrying. She looked over her shoulder, and found Discord tossing aside a deck of cards, a microphone, and a prop wand.
"I don't suppose you brought any throne-destroying tools along with these useless sideshow props," Said Discord bluntly.
"Asks the Lord of Chaos who can't go for a walk without whining nonstop!" Countered Trixie.
"Yes, but when the throne is destroyed, I'll be able to rip the very fabric of reality to save our friends, while you'll still be a self-absorbed, below-average illusionist!" Argued Discord, pulling Trixie's hat down over her face.
"Self-absorbed?! Why you-"
"Cut. It. Out!" Ordered Starlight, pushing Discord and Trixie from each other. "I'm just barely keeping it together, and it would be wonderful if you two could actually try to help instead of bickering like foals!"
Realizing how they were inadvertently adding onto Starlight's anxiety, Discord and Trixie decided to let their squabble go.
"Okay," Said Discord in defeat.
"How can we help?" Asked Trixie.
"Don't ask me! I couldn't even handle giving advice at the Sunset Festival, and I had magic then! And the three of us are as good as useless! At least Thorax knows where we're going," Said Starlight anxiously.
"Um, guys? I think we're lost," Said Thorax.
The group walked over to the edge of the path made out of rocks. It overlooked a massive open area with multiple holes in the walls and a singular spiral structure to the left of the path.
"You just had to say something," Said Deadpool to Starlight.
"Oh, great. We might as well just sit here and wait for the changelings to soak up all of our love or whatever gross thing it is that they do," Said Trixie irritatedly.
She threw her bags onto the ground, and sat down in frustration.
"How often do you all get hungry?" Asked Trixie to Thorax.
"Actually, I haven't been since I met Spike and Deadpool, and changelings are always hungry. We can never get enough love," Answered Thorax.
"Well that's just super-"
Before Trixie could finish her sentence, Starlight covered her mouth with a hoof.
"But you aren't hungry at all now?" Asked Starlight.
"Huh. Once I made a few friends, I guess I just sort of forgot about the whole feeding thing," Realized Thorax.
"Is that about the same time your wings changed?" Asked Starlight, pointing at Thorax's wings.
"I guess so," Replied Thorax.
"(Yawn) While I would love to sit around chit chatting about feeding and not feeding, I have a Fluttershy to save!" Shouted Discord.
Discord's voice echoed throughout the hive. The insect-like calls of changelings could be heard immediately after, but they quieted down just as quickly.
"Can you please lower your voice?! You're gonna get us all captured!" Said Trixie in hushed irritation.
"Oh, you keep saying that, but I haven't seen an actual changeling since the ones Deadpool took care of," Said Discord dismissively.
Suddenly, a humming sound could be heard coming towards them.
"W-What's that?" Asked Trixie nervously.
"A changeling patrol!" Said Thorax in alarm.
Thorax began to hyperventilate. Starlight tried to help calm him down by rubbing his back.
"This seems like one of those moments where we need a plan," Said Discord.
"What kind of plan?! We have no magic, and it's not like my illusions are gonna save us!" Said Trixie.
"I can deal with them," Said Deadpool, punching one hoof into the other.
"As capable as you are in combat, we can't risk one of them escaping or being overheard by other changelings!" Said Discord.
Thinking of what her friends have said, an idea popped into Starlight's head.
"Do you have any of your smoke bombs?" Asked Starlight, enthusiastic about her idea.
"Are you kidding?" Asked Trixie with a smirk.
A small group of three changelings flew down the path leading to the group of heroes. Once they arrived, they saw only Trixie. She looked down at the ground, the brim of her hat concealing her face.
"Looking for somepony?" Asked Trixie, looking up at the changelings with a smirk.
"HISS!"
The changelings flew towards Trixie.
POOF!
Before they could grab her, she dropped a smoke bomb, vanishing from sight. The changelings flew through the smoke, and looked around in confusion. She appeared on the other side of the open area.
"Is that the best you got?!" Asked Trixie with a laugh.
She ran down a tunnel with the changelings in hot pursuit. This lasted for a few seconds until a wall appeared in front of her. Appearing to have cornered her, the changelings landed on the ground and walked over to her. Once they were within a foot of her, she smugly pointed behind them. They looked to see none other than Deadpool behind them, blocking the way out. He calmly walked over to them.
"I see you've met my acquaintance. Allow me to introduce you to a couple more: bug zapper and fly swatter!" Said Deadpool while showing his forelegs.
BAM!
Deadpool punched two of the changelings in the face, knocking both of them out at once. Seeing what happened to their associates, the remaining changeling put their forelegs up.
"I surrender!" Said the changeling.
As Deadpool and Trixie walked over to the changeling, Discord, Starlight, and Thorax watched from a hole in the ceiling above.
"Not exactly great and powerful, but effective," Critiqued Discord.
"Hm. I'll take it," Said Trixie.
"I will as well. After all, that's only a taste of my skills," Added Deadpool.
Trixie and Deadpool appeared behind them. Seeing only two unconscious changelings tied up with handkerchiefs in the tunnel below, Discord, Starlight, and Thorax stepped back out of caution. Starlight decided to try out the new code.
"Klutzy…"
"Draconequus," Replied Deadpool and Trixie in unison.
"Ugh. I really think we need a new code word," Said Discord in embarrassment.
"That was a pretty good plan," Said Thorax.
"But we still don't know where we're going," Said Discord.
"Thankfully, the plan covered that as well," Said Deadpool.
Reaching behind him, Deadpool placed the changeling who surrendered in front of the group. Just like the others, they were bound by handkerchiefs.
"Alright pal, tell us how to get to the throne," Ordered Deadpool.
"Take the hole on the right side of the tunnel below us, and follow that tunnel to the entrance to the throne room!" Answered the changeling fearfully.
"Good, and just to make sure you're telling the truth, you'll be coming along with us," Said Deadpool.
Tying some of the handkerchiefs like a rope around his waist, Deadpool dragged the changeling behind him.
"Good job with coming up with that plan, best friend Starlight!" Praised Trixie.
Starlight chuckled sheepishly in response to the praise she received. As they made their way to the throne room, the group failed to notice a changeling watching from a hole several feet above them. They wore the standard armor worn by changeling guards, but it was purple instead of blue. They watched the group of heroes quietly with a glare.
A few minutes later…
The group climbed up the spiral structure while avoiding being spotted by changelings. After a long climb up a flight of stairs, they reached the top. They angled themselves to peek over the top step without risking getting spotted. They saw a tunnel marked with doors resembling the wings and elytra of a beetle. To their surprise, they saw that the entrance was being guarded by six changelings. Changeling drones flew in and out of the entrance, adding another layer of difficulty. Seeing the amount of changelings at the entrance, Thorax cowered behind the stairs.
"This is the entrance?" Asked Deadpool.
"Yeah," Replied Thorax.
"Then we don't need him anymore," Said Deadpool.
Deadpool looked at the changeling he was dragging around, who thankfully had been gagged to keep him from making any noise. Wanting to avoid catching the guards' attention, he decided to incapacitate his opponent by choking him out.
"There are normally not this many guards! Did a changeling escape and alert the rest of the hive?" Asked Thorax.
"Deadpool and I only encountered three changelings," Answered Trixie.
"Perhaps they tightened security after you left the hive?" Suggested Deadpool, finishing knocking out the changeling.
"Now what do we do?" Asked Trixie.
"We… go in," Said Starlight, initially hesitant before being replaced with confidence.
"Even if I wanted to, there's no way past the guards. We'll be spotted for sure," Said Thorax, shaking in his non-existent boots.
"We need some kind of distraction," Said Starlight.
"I'm fresh out of smoke bombs," Said Trixie.
"Not to worry. I keep smoke bombs on me as part of my absurdly large arsenal," Said Deadpool.
Grabbing one of several smoke bombs on his person, Deadpool inspected it. His eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when he saw a date written in white sharpie.
"Wait a minute! This is expired!" Said Deadpool in shock.
Grabbing a couple more smoke bombs, he checked their expiration dates. Sure enough, they were expired as well.
"Discord! You summoned my expired stash of smoke bombs?!" Said Deadpool irritatedly.
"Smoke bombs expire?" Questioned Deadpool.
"Yes!" Yelled Deadpool and Trixie.
"I think a better question to be asked is you keep expired smoke bombs?" Asked Trixie.
"Yeah. I like to scrap them for parts, so I can use them to make more smoke bombs or use them in different explosives," Explained Deadpool.
(Reduce. Reuse. Recycle your explosives!)
(Don't give the viewers any ideas.)
Seeing as he is great at drawing attention, Discord decided to offer to create a distraction.
"Well, normally I'm the most distracting thing I can think of, but without my magic…"
Starlight placed a hoof on Discord's shoulder, and gave him a warm smile.
"You may not have your magic, but you're still you. You shouldn't underestimate yourself," Said Starlight.
Taking Starlight's words to heart, Discord nodded his head in determination. Meanwhile, the tunnel was sealed up after a changeling drone passed through. The guards vigilantly kept watch for any suspicious activity. That was when Discord walked over to the guards, catching their attention. He held the microphone that belonged to Trixie, and tapped on it to test if it worked.
"Hello, changelings and changelettes! Believe me, I was just as surprised as you are that I'm here! When I heard that I'd be playing for a bunch of changelings, I was beside myself! Then I realized it was just one of you," Remarked Discord.
"Grrr…"
Discord's joke was met with hostile reception. The guards took a couple steps towards him, growling out of aggression.
"But seriously, this isn't the toughest crowd I've ever been in front of, but it's definitely the easiest to bug!" Remarked Discord.
This time, the guards gave each other confused looks.
"'To bug?' Is this thing on?" Asked Discord, tapping the microphone.
As the guards were focused on him, the rest of the group sneaked around to the entrance. Starlight quietly opened the doors slightly ajar, allowing her and the others to get through, and not a moment too soon. The guards' aggression returned, ready to attack Discord.
"Well, if you think that you can do any better, be my guest!" Said Discord irritatedly.
Tossing the microphone at the guards, Discord ran away. The guards flew after him, leaving the entrance unattended. The group watched from behind the doors.
"It is absolutely ridiculous that that worked," Deadpanned Trixie.
"Yeah, I had much better jokes that would have incapacitated those guards," Said Deadpool.
"Uh-huh," Deadpanned Trixie.
Meanwhile, in his attempt to run away from the guards, Discord ended up in a changeling nursery. Green, glowing eggs were held within holes bored into rocks, and cocoons hung from the ceiling. Having put some distance between himself and the guards, Discord hid behind a rock that was connected to the floor and ceiling. The guards flew by, not noticing him. Once they flew out of sight deep into the nursery, Discord confidently stepped out from behind the rock.
"It is certainly a pleasure to have such dedicated fans. I'll have to come back with some new material after I rescue Fluttershy," Said Discord.
"Please, help!"
Before he could walk back to the entrance to meet up with the others, Discord heard a cry for help along with some sniffling. His curiosity piqued, Discord decided to investigate. Walking back towards the direction the guards went, he quickly saw Fluttershy, sitting on the ground while shaking and crying.
"Fluttershy!" Cried Discord joyfully.
Hearing the voice of her friend, Fluttershy ceased her crying and smiled at him.
"Discord! I'm stuck!" Said Fluttershy.
Fluttershy looked at her tail, and Discord walked over to have a peak himself. The end of her tail was pinned underneath a large rock.
"You certainly are, and I should probably help you get free," Said Discord.
He reached down to grab the rock when he realized something. Seeing as he was in the middle of a changeling hive, and he had made his presence known to the changelings, Fluttershy could very well be one of them.
"But… oh-ho-ho-ho-ho…" Said Discord, standing up and wagging his finger.
"But what?" Asked Fluttershy.
"But you are obviously not Fluttershy!" Said Discord while placing a finger on Fluttershy's muzzle.
"Oh," Said Fluttershy dejectedly.
"I mean, I'm separated from the group and just happen to come across the one pony I care most about? I can smell this setup a mile away," Said Discord, crossing his arms and looking away.
"(Sniffles) No, you're right," Said Fluttershy sadly. "There's no way you should trust me. Just go find the others. I understand!"
Fluttershy began to ball her eyes out. Discord remained unfettered, firm in his belief that Fluttershy was actually a changeling.
"Oh, come on!" Said Discord annoyedly.
Suddenly, he heard more crying behind him. Turning around, he saw multiple Fluttershy's, all of whom were crying. Discord's stoicism was quickly flipped on its head as doubt creeped its way in.
"We're probably all changelings. You shouldn't rescue any of us."
Discord looked back at the "Fluttershy" that was pinned under a rock. Her tears faded away, her sadness being replaced with a malicious smile.
"Unless, you think, maybe one of us might be the real Fluttershy. Oh, that certainly would be a nasty changeling trick, wouldn't it?" Asked Fluttershy deviously.
"I'm the real one."
"I'm the real one."
"I'm the real Fluttershy."
Discord found himself practically frozen in place. He knew that more likely than not, all of these Fluttershys were changelings in disguise. However, maybe it was there crying messing with him, but he now found himself thinking there was a possibility that one of them was Fluttershy, and the changelings were trying to trick him into saving the wrong one. If he ran away, he could be abandoning Fluttershy. If he tried to fight them, he could accidentally hurt the real her. Time wouldn't have permitted him to try to deduce if any of them were the real Fluttershy before the changelings attacked. All he could do was stand there in defeat.
A few minutes later…
The rest of the group waited by the entrance for Discord, unaware of his current predicament.
"We can't wait for Discord. Between seeing him and potentially Trixie and Deadpool, the castle will be swarming with guards soon," Said Thorax.
"But if we do manage to destroy Chrysalis' throne, we'll need him. He could take on the entire changeling army by sneezing if he wanted to," Said Starlight.
"He's probably already been captured!" Said Trixie, shaking with fear.
"Hello? Fellow rescuers?"
Hearing Discord calling out to them quietly, the group peeked from around a corner. They saw him opening the doors. Deciding it was safe, the group stepped out from behind the corner.
"We can't stay here. We gotta find the throne," Said Thorax.
"Ooh! I heard some of the changelings who were chasing me say where it is!" Said Discord.
Trixie and Starlight glanced over at each other. They could tell that something was off with Discord, and that's saying much. Trixie decided to test him with the code.
"Klutzy…?"
"Hmm? Oh. Yeah. (Chuckles) I-I can be klutzy. Now, follow me," Said Discord.
Discord walked down the tunnel. Even though they now knew that he wasn't the real Discord, the group followed behind him.
"You know that's not Discord, right?" Asked Starlight quietly for confirmation.
"Obviously," Replied Trixie.
Stopping in front of a fork in the tunnel, "Discord" waved the others over to a tunnel on the left.
"This way! We're almost there!" Said the faux-Discord.
They walked into the tunnel, disappearing out of sight. Deadpool pulled out a grenade, and looked at it.
"Ugh… So tempting," Said Deadpool.
"You are a psychopath!" Said Trixie.
"Hey! I am a sociopath, not a psychopath!" Corrected Deadpool.
"That's not better!" Said Trixie.
"I know! However, if ponies are going to judge me, I'd prefer them to get their facts straight!" Said Deadpool.
"I know this trick. If he says to go left, we should definitely go right. He's leading us to a swarm waiting to attack!" Explained Thorax.
"Something tells me that going the opposite direction will not be enough to deter him," Said Deadpool.
As Starlight tried to come up with a plan, Trixie sighed in defeat.
"Okay, I'll handle it. You three just get ready to run into the other tunnel," Said Trixie.
As Trixie walked over to the tunnel, Starlight looked at her in shock.
"Wait, what?!" Starlight walked over to Trixie, stopping her before she could enter the tunnel. "Trixie, you can't! I won't know what to do! We've already lost Discord; I can't lose you too! Without magic, I-"
"Starlight, you got us this far with just my illusions, Discord's annoying personality, and Deadpool's just-as-annoying personality-"
"Hey!"
"And his fighting skills. You don't need magic to figure out what to do next. I know you're afraid to be in charge, but you are really good at it. Listen to your best friend," Said Trixie with a smile.
Smiling back at her, Starlight gave her a hug. After reciprocating the hug, Trixie turned back towards the tunnel.
"Hey, Discord!" Called Trixie.
Hearing her call to him, the faux-Discord walked back to the entrance to the tunnel.
"Want to see the new trick I've been working on?" Asked Trixie rhetorically.
She placed a lavender cloth over Discord's hand and her right hoof. As he looked at the cloth inquisitively, she made circular motions over the cloth with her free hoof.
"I call it the 'Changeling Catcher'!" Said Trixie.
Removing the cloth, she revealed that she secretly tied a handkerchief around both their wrists. Shocked that he had been made, the faux-Discord growled in anger.
"Run!" Cried Trixie.
Wasting no time, Trixie's friends ran to the other tunnel. Removing their disguise, the changeling tried to fly after them. This revealed several handkerchiefs were tied to each other, keeping the changeling bound to Trixie. Wanting to ensure they couldn't follow after her friends, Trixie tried to pull the changeling back.
HISS!
Hearing several hissing sounds, Trixie looked up towards the pitch black ceiling, spotting the blue glowing eyes of several changelings.
"Ta-da…"
SCREECH!
Meanwhile, Starlight, Deadpool and Thorax ran down the opposite tunnel. Knowing that it wouldn't take long for the changelings to capture Trixie, they tried to get as far away as they could, and hoped that they would find the throne room in the process. As they ran deeper into the tunnel, they saw several silhouettes in front of them. Forcing themselves to a stop, they saw several changeling guards blocking the tunnel. They looked back the way they came, only to see several changeling drones blocking the way back. A couple guards stepped aside, revealing the changeling wearing purple armor. They stepped out in front of the guards.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay put and surrender," Said the changeling.
Knowing that they couldn't get around them, the trio stayed put.
"I must admit, I'm surprised that you made it this far. I'd figured you would have all been caught after I alerted the hive to your presence, but then again, I suppose not all of you are here," Said the changeling.
Knowing that Discord and now Trixie were captured, the trio exchanged saddened looks.
"Thorax escaping the Crystal Empire was enough disappointment for me. At least now, I can rectify that mistake and take you three to the Queen," Said the changeling.
Thorax locked eyes with the purple-clad changeling, and felt his heart nearly stop. While he was afraid of his fellow changelings, that changeling in particular seemed to petrify him. This didn't go unnoticed by Starlight and Deadpool.
"Thorax, what's wrong?" Asked Starlight.
"That changeling! We're all doomed!" Said Thorax fearfully.
Deadpool looked at all of the changelings in the tunnel. He could have beaten most of them, but he would likely be overwhelmed. If he were to get captured, then Starlight and Thorax wouldn't have a means of destroying the throne… Unless he gave the explosives to Starlight.
"I'll hold them off," Whispered Deadpool.
"What?! No!" Said Starlight. "Deadpool, we need you! You're the only one who can-"
"No, you don't. You can blow up the throne," Said Deadpool.
"We don't know how to use C4," Rebutted Starlight.
"It's not that difficult," Said Deadpool. He pulled out a few blocks of C4, and gave them to Starlight. "Just place them on the throne, back the hell away from it, and use this detonator."
Deadpool handed over a small detonator that was roughly the size of a pen. Holding the explosives made Starlight extremely nervous. She carefully placed the C4 blocks in a saddlebag, and held the detonator, being extremely careful not to push the red button on top of it.
"This seems extremely dangerous!" Said Starlight nervously.
"Welcome to the world of explosives. As long as you don't accidentally activate the detonator, you'll most likely be fine," Assured Deadpool. "Now, once I start shooting, you two run like hell!"
"Wait, you're going to-"
"Grab them," Ordered the changeling.
Before any of the changelings could apprehend them, Deadpool pulled out his twin Desert Eagles.
"TAKE COVER!" Ordered the changeling.
BANG! BANG!
Deadpool aimed his guns towards both groups of changelings. They took cover by jumping through the various holes in the tunnel. A couple changelings that were within the line of fire were fatally shot. Now that the changelings weren't blocking the tunnel, Starlight made her escape. Thorax started following her, but he ended up stopping to look back at Deadpool.
"Thorax! We got to go!" Said Starlight.
"But, Deadpool! He needs to know that changeling can-"
"There's no time, Thorax! Deadpool can take care of himself," Assured Starlight.
He hesitated, but then Thorax reluctantly followed her. The purple armored changeling watched them getting away from the hole he jumped into.
"Get them! I'll deal with the superhero!" Ordered the changeling.
The rest of the changelings leapt from cover and followed after Thorax and Starlight. A couple changelings were shot in the process, but most of them got away. Unbeknownst to Deadpool, a hole appeared off to the side. The purple-clad changeling leapt from the hole and tackled Deadpool, resulting in the hero losing his guns. Before he could attempt to get them back, the changeling spat out some green mucus-like substance, sticking them to the ground.
"You've created quite a stir in the hive ever since the Canterlot invasion. The drones were afraid that you'd come back and finish us off while we were weakened. Even now, our own Queen has been adamant about capturing you specifically. Let's find out if everyone's concerns were warranted," Said the changeling.
Deadpool and the changeling stood up on their hindlegs, readying themselves to fight. The latter delivered the first hit, punching Deadpool in the jaw. He threw a couple more punches at Deadpool, but they were blocked. Deadpool retaliated with a few punches of his own, managing to hit the changeling once. He followed up with a couple of kicks, causing the changeling to stumble back. He went to deliver a right hook, but the changeling caught his hoof and tossed him into a hole on the right side of the tunnel, landing in a different tunnel.
The changeling flew through the hole and tackled Deadpool into a wall. He punched him in the face several times, only to get headbutted in retaliation. Kicking him back, Deadpool delivered several punches. The tip of the changeling's horn lit up, and fired a bolt of magic. Causing his opponent to stumble back, he bucked him in the chest. Knocking him back into the wall, he delivered yet another slurry of punches, disorienting Deadpool.
"Is this the best you can do? I expected more from the stallion who killed several of my brothers-in-arms without any weapons," Said the changeling.
"I think you don't have your facts straight. I had my weapons during the Canterlot invasion. Wouldn't have lasted as long as I did without them," Said Deadpool.
"You don't remember…? Hm, interesting," Muttered the changeling. "It doesn't matter. You may not have lived up to my expectations, but I will still enjoy beating you for what you did to my kind."
"And you and the rest of the changelings are going to pay for taking my friends!" Said Deadpool.
While they were talking, Deadpool had secretly pulled out his combat knife. Thrusting it upwards, he stabbed the changeling in the abdomen, causing him to cry out in pain. Taking advantage of his vulnerability, Deadpool pulled his knife out and attempted to stab him in the chest. The changeling reacted quickly, grabbing him by the wrist and twisting it, causing him to drop his knife. Deadpool retaliated by kicking his stab wound. Grappling with pain, the changeling spat out some slime, covering Deadpool's face.
"Ew! Ew! Ew!" Uttered Deadpool in disgust.
While Deadpool was frantically trying to remove the slime off his face, the changeling backed away, leaving a trail of green blood. Facing towards a wall, he covered his wound with a hoof. After much struggle, Deadpool managed to remove most of the slime off his face. At about the same time, the changeling turned around, revealing that the wound was sealed up with burned chitin.
"You cauterized your wound? How the hell did you manage to do that?" Asked Deadpool in confusion. "Let's see you recover from these!"
Pulling out his twin katanas, Deadpool leapt into the air. He swung both of his blades down towards the changeling, but his opponent swiftly dodged out of the way. Once Deadpool landed on the ground, he was kicked in the side. Using the momentum to get himself back upright, Deadpool ran towards his opponent. He swung his swords several times, but each attack was skillfully dodged. On the final slash, the changeling grabbed Deadpool's left foreleg and broke it.
CRACK!
As a result of his broken foreleg, Deadpool dropped one of his katanas. The changeling grabbed the katana and swung it at him.
CLANG!
Deadpool blocked the attack in the nick-of-time. He retaliated with a strike, only for it to get blocked.
CLING! CLING! CLING!
Both opponents engaged each other in a clash of blades. The sound of their blades making contact with each other echoed throughout the tunnel. Even though he only had one functional foreleg, Deadpool was able to hold his own. Both katanas locked together, their welders attempting to bear down on the other. As impressive as his swordsmen skills were up to this point, Deadpool's use of one foreleg left him severely outmatched. The changeling twisted the blade of his opponent's stolen katana, and thrust his weapon out of his hoof. Deadpool's blade punctured through one of the tunnel's walls.
BAM!
Feeling a sharp kick to his abdomen, Deadpool fell onto his back. The changeling brought the tip of his katana to Deadpool's neck, leaving only an inch between the tip and his jugular.
"You've put up a decent fight, pony. Surrender, and I will spare you from being delivered to the Queen in pieces," Said the changeling.
"Yeah, no. I don't need to surrender. I've been in this sort of position enough times to know that a solution will pop up after a couple lines of dialogue," Said Deadpool.
"You are foolish to believe that you could get yourself out of your current predicament," Said the changeling.
"Maybe so, but I'm a very resourceful pony, and, hey, even if I can't get myself out of this, my friends will save me," Said Deadpool.
"Ugh! I don't think you've been paying attention. Half of your 'rescue squad' has been captured, I will have you wrapped in a cocoon soon enough, and if my troops are competent, the rest of your friends should be captured by now. This will not be like the Canterlot invasion, nor will it be like your imprisonment at the Crystal Empire," Said the changeling.
Deadpool looked up at the changeling in shock, surprised that he knew about his arrest.
"Don't be so surprised. We had already set foot into the Crystal Empire prior to your last visit. I thought that Thorax would have undermined our entire operation by trying to 'make friends', but it turned out to have been beneficial. By getting on the Empire's good side, the Princess and her consort dropped their guard, allowing me and my men to take them and their baby," Said the changeling.
As the changeling was monologuing, Deadpool felt his foreleg begin to heal. Spotting his knife, he carefully reached towards it.
"It would have also been great if you had remained imprisoned, but I can't say I was disappointed that it had come to this," Said the changeling.
Grabbing the knife, Deadpool tossed it towards the changeling. The latter effortlessly blocked it with Deadpool's stolen katana, but it was enough of a distraction for the hero to get back up. Feeling his foreleg finish healing, Deadpool pulled his katana out of the wall. Gripping the hilt of his blade with both hooves, he stood in a defensive stance. The changeling charged at him, blade pointed towards his adversary. Once he got close enough, Deadpool dodged to the side, and swung his blade downwards.
DING!
Deadpool had attempted to cut the changeling's forelegs off, but to his utter surprise, his katana bounced off of his opponent's chitin.
"What the fuck?!" Exclaimed Deadpool in shock.
BAM!
Deadpool elbowed his opponent in the face, causing him to drop his ill-gained katana. He followed up with a kick to the chest, causing his opponent to fly several feet. Grabbing his second katana, Deadpool cautiously approached the changeling.
"Alright, buggy! You're going to tell me how the hell your forelegs didn't get sliced like packaged cookie dough! I was able to stab you with my knife, and my katanas are way sharper!" Said Deadpool.
As Deadpool got closer to the changeling, he noticed something truly startling. The changeling's fore hooves were glowing a bright orange, and smoke emitted from the rocky floor beneath them.
"RRRUGGH!"
FWOOSH!
Aiming his hooves towards Deadpool, he fired a blast of fire at him! Deadpool was hit by the scorching flames, launching him backwards. When the smoke cleared, it revealed that the majority of the front half of his costume and mask were burned away. Batting out a couple of small flames that remained attached to his costume, Deadpool looked at the changeling in absolute bewilderment.
"What. The. Fuck?!" Said Deadpool.
(Changelings can wield fire?! Thorax has been holding out on us!)
"Wait. Shapeshifting, super durability, pyrokinesis… Uggghhhh! Hey, by chance do you go by the name Super Changeling?" Asked Deadpool annoyedly.
"My name is Kl'rt - General of the changeling army. That name was given to me by four particularly troublesome ponies."
FWOOSH! FWOOSH!
The Super Changeling tossed a couple of fireballs at Deadpool. Dodging them, Deadpool leapt towards him, and thrust both his swords downwards. Raising a hoof up towards him, Kl'rt summoned an invisible force field in front of himself.
THUD!
Landing on the force field, Deadpool slowly slid down onto the floor.
"Gents, as great of a fighter as I am, I'm pretty sure that I'm outclassed by this guy. I suggest that we find our friends, get to the throne room, and get the fuck out of here!" Said Deadpool.
(I'd advise doing that now!)
Looking upwards, Deadpool saw the chitin on Kl'rt's right foreleg turn into orange rock-like skin. He then swung his foreleg downwards, forcing Deadpool to roll out of the way.
WHAM!
Missing, Kl'rt ended up punching the ground, shattering rock. Deadpool attempted to flee, running down the tunnel. Before he could get out of sight, Kl'rt stretched his foreleg to superpony proportions. Deadpool dodged out of the way. Kl'rt flew after him, his wings emitting a buzzing sound that echoed throughout the tunnel. The changeling gaining on him quickly, Deadpool attempted to use his teleportation device. Unfortunately, it was powered by magic, so it failed to work.
"Fucking fantastic! Ignore the pun! Just dealt with two villains from my franchise in the previous chapter, and now I'm dealing with yet another Marvel villain! Can't a guy just enjoy living life with his marefriend and friends without having to deal with opponents who are above his power level?" Asked Deadpool annoyedly.
The Super Changeling created a disc-shaped invisible construct, and tossed it at Deadpool. It struck the pony in the hindlegs, causing him to fall onto the ground. He followed up with a couple fireballs, which Deadpool was able to dodge. Gritting his teeth, Kl'rt stretched his foreleg out to grab Deadpool. Heading towards his head, Deadpool dodged out of the way.
"Ha, ha! You missed!" Mocked Deadpool.
Unbeknownst to Deadpool, a hole appeared several feet behind him. Kl'rt's foreleg went through the hole, then popped out from another hole to his left.
POW!
Punched straight in the head, Deadpool was left disoriented. Retracting his foreleg, Kl'rt wrapped it around Deadpool like a python with its prey. He combined his super strength with his elongated foreleg to secure him in a vice-like grip. While he reeled in his opponent, Deadpool tried in vain to struggle out of his grasp.
"You have lost. Accept your defeat and cease your struggling. It will do you no favors," Said Kl'rt.
"You only won because you stole somepony else's powers! If you were a stallion, man, what pronouns do you use? Either way, you should've continued fighting me with nothing but your fists and your changeling magic!" Said Deadpool.
Ignoring Deadpool, Kl'rt carried him down the tunnel.
"You may have stopped me, but you won't stop my friends!" Said Deadpool. "They'll destroy the throne, set the rest of our friends free, and we'll beat you, your Queen, and the rest of the changelings! You may have the combined powers of Marvel's first family, but I'd like to see you take on the Princesses, and the bearers of the Elements of Harmony all at-"
Deadpool suddenly stopped talking. He felt a pressure building up in his head. He saw that his captor had stopped walking, and held his free forehoof at a slight curve. The pressure in his head increased in intensity. Realizing that he was creating an invisible construct from within his head, Deadpool let out a gasp as he felt his head about to burst.
POP!
Meanwhile, Thorax and Starlight were running down the tunnel. Feeling exhausted, they stopped to catch their breath. They didn't have much time, however, as they heard the buzzing wings of changelings behind them. Seeing multiple holes, Starlight gestured to Thorax to go through one of them. Splitting up, they were able to trick the entire swarm of changelings into going in the wrong one. Following the tunnel the hole connected to, Starlight saw that she was about to enter a large area. Nervously poking her head out from behind a pillar like structure, she cautiously walked around.
SPLAT!
Starlight stopped in her tracks when she felt something drip onto the back of her horn. Wiping the spot, she saw that it was changeling slime. She slowly looked up, and saw something from a horror film. Discord, Trixie, and the rest of her friends were hanging from the ceiling in cocoons! She wanted to get her friends down, but she couldn't while her magic was nullified. Speaking of, straight ahead, she saw the sharp, hole littered throne. Determined to destroy the one thing keeping her from saving her friends, she began to walk over to the throne.
"Mwahahaha!"
Hearing the evil laughter of Queen Chrysalis, Starlight stopped in her tracks. She looked around the throne room, but she couldn't spot the changeling queen anywhere.
"One little pony all by herself," Said Chrysalis, her voice echoing throughout the throne room.
With nowhere else to look, Starlight brought her gaze back to the cocoons. Spotting Princess Celestia and Luna, she noticed their cocoons were being separated. Two black, hole ridden hooves stuck out from in between them, then the entirety of Chrysalis' frame squeezed through the relatively small gap. Her body hung upside down, and her joints were bent in unnatural angles.
"Oh, how will I ever prevent this daring rescue?" Said Chrysalis sinisterly, her head twisting 270° to look at Starlight.
HISS!
Changelings swarmed out of the holes riddling the throne room, surrounding Starlight from all sides. A couple changeling guards spat slime onto her forehooves, trapping her in place. She tried to struggle out of the slime, but it was proving to be an arduous task.
"Well, well, well. The Princess of Friendship's sole pupil. Honestly, I didn't think you were worth replacing with one of my drones," Admitted Chrysalis, flying down from the ceiling to sit in her throne.
"You won't get away with this!" Proclaimed Starlight.
"I already have," Said Chrysalis, pointing at the cocoons. "Nopony is coming to save you. Your little squad was it, and now, there's just you."
"Deadpool and Thorax are still out there," Said Starlight with a smirk.
"Don't mention that poor excuse for a changeling's name in my kingdom!" Shouted Chrysalis.
She flew over to Starlight and looked down at her, her eyes shooting daggers into her soul.
"He was a fool to leave, and even more a fool to return! When I find him, he'll learn just what happens to those who betray the hive!" Said Chrysalis spitefully.
Starlight whimpered out of fear. Looking into her eyes, Chrysalis saw her eyes give off an unusual blue reflection. Momentarily surprised, she quickly regained her sinister smile.
"And it seems like I don't have to look far, do I…"
Her crooked horn glowed green, and she cast a spell on Starlight. Suddenly, she was enveloped in a green fire, fading away to reveal…
"THORAX?" Cried Chrysalis.
HISS!
Seeing the traitorous changeling, the changeling drones hissed out of aggression. Unbeknownst to them or their Queen, the real Starlight was attempting to destroy the throne. She quickly but carefully placed the C4 given to her by Deadpool. Once all of the blocks were placed, Starlight sneaked over behind one of the pillars. Hastily lifting up the detonator, she went to push the button.
DONG!
When she went to push the button, her hoof bounced off of something. To her surprise, she saw that the detonator was floating in midair, surrounded by something she couldn't see. She then felt someone grab her shoulder, causing her fur to stand on end.
"Nice try, little pony."
Hearing a voice behind her, she slowly turned her head. She originally saw nothing, but then a changeling appeared before her very eyes - the Super Changeling! Wrapping his hoof around her torso, he carried her and a regenerating Deadpool over to his fellow changelings. He dropped both ponies over by Thorax.
"I'm impressed, Kl'rt. It seems you do have some worth after all," Said Chrysalis.
"Thank you, my liege," Said Kl'rt, bowing to his Queen. "You three, remove the explosives!"
Three changeling guards saluted to the general, then walked over to remove the C4. At that moment, Deadpool's head finished regenerating. Looking up in a daze, he saw Queen Chrysalis smirking at him and his friends.
"Oh, hey Chrssy. How have you been?" Asked Deadpool timidly.
"Splendid! I thought that you and your friends ruined everything, but it was merely a minor setback. Everything is going to plan, and it doesn't involve you!" Said Chrysalis gleefully.
"Harsh, but I'm totally fine with not being a mind controlled assassin," Said Deadpool.
"What plan? Why did you do all this?!" Asked Starlight.
Chrysalis walked over to her throne. Seeing that her guards finished following Kl'rt's orders, she sat down.
"So I could feed, of course! By replacing the most beloved figures in Equestria, my drones will be able to store all the love meant for them and return it here to me. Everypony will do as I command, and my subjects and I will feed on their love for generations! Mwahahaha!"
Thinking about Chrysalis' motives, she looked to Thorax. Seeing his wings, she was reminded of how Thorax was able to satiate his hunger. This gave her an idea.
"What if you didn't have to?" Asked Starlight.
"Ridiculous! The hunger of changelings can never be satisfied!" Said Chrysalis.
"Exactly! Thorax left the hive and made a friend. He shared love, and now he doesn't need to feed. You don't have to live your lives starving all the time!" Explained Starlight.
Some of the changelings shared glances with each other, wondering if what Starlight was saying could actually be true. Chrysalis grabbed Starlight with her magic, and brought her over to her.
"You know nothing of the changelings, or what it takes to be their queen!" Said Chrysalis angrily.
WHAM!
Chrysalis tossed Starlight into a rock. Getting up from her throne, she flew over to her.
"I decide what is best for my subjects, not some mewling grub!" Said Chrysalis.
Seeing her former self in Chrysalis, Starlight tried a different approach to reaching her.
"I know what it's like to lead by fear and intimidation, and I know what it's like to want everypony to do what you say! But I was wrong. A real leader doesn't force her subjects to deny who they are! She celebrates what makes them unique, and listens when one of them finds a better way!" Said Starlight.
Looking at Thorax, she smiled at him, which he reciprocated. More changelings were now contemplating what Starlight was suggesting. Chrysalis, though, was still not listening. She slowly walked over to Thorax.
"The only thing Thorax has found is what happens to those who turn their back on the hive!"
Lighting up her horn, Chrysalis picked up Thorax, releasing him from his gooey restraints.
"No! Stop!" Pleaded Starlight.
She tried to rush over to help him, but two changeling guards restrained her.
"Just as soon as I drain every last ounce of love from him, and show my subjects what a real leader is!" Said Chrysalis.
Opening her mouth, Chrysalis began consuming the love within Thorax, radiating out of him in a pink aura.
"I can feel the love inside me slipping away…! I can't hold it much longer…!" Said Thorax, trying to keep Chrysalis from stealing his love.
Knowing that there isn't much time left, Starlight tried to quickly come up with a way to help him.
"Then don't! Sharing love is what made you different to begin with! You should share yours with Chrysalis! Give her all of it!" Said Starlight with a smirk.
Left with no other option, Thorax took Starlight's advice. Giving Chrysalis his love, it triggered a flash of bright light. Before she could react, Chrysalis was suddenly struck by a pulse of love magic.
SLAM!
The magic launched her into her throne, leaving a large crack. Chrysalis looked up, and saw Thorax become enveloped in magic, creating a cocoon-like case around him. The cocoon radiated with light, causing anyone nearby to shield their eyes. Stunned by what they were seeing, the guards let go of Starlight. She walked over to the cocoon, carefully placing a hoof on it.
As soon as she placed her hoof on it, the throne room was bathed in light, momentarily blinding everyone. As soon as the light faded away, Thorax gently floated down, revealing that the magic had changed him. Instead of looking like any other changeling drone, he was now tall with a light lime green carapace, gamboge chest, dark azure carapace with an emerald green underside. He also sported rose-colored eyes, and dark fuschia elytra. His now violet wings were long and elegant, his body was no longer riddled with holes, and he sported a pair of light orange mandibles atop his head that were reminiscent of deer antlers. Everyone looked at Thorax's new form in awe. Inspecting himself, Thorax smiled out of shock and glee.
"This is what happens when you give love freely instead of taking it!" Said Starlight, pointing to Thorax.
After a few seconds of hesitation, a changeling decided to follow Thorax's example and give love. Other changelings were quick to follow, and the throne room was quickly becoming bathed in love. The love magic seeped into Chrysalis' throne, causing cracks to form. Before Chrysalis could get off the throne, it exploded.
KABOOM!
The throne along with the entire throne room and the top of the hive exploded. Thankfully, with the throne destroyed, Starlight was able to use her magic to summon a force field to protect herself and Thorax. Upon lowering the force field, Starlight and Thorax were greeted by familiar yet new faces. The changeling drones and guards had undergone similar transformations to Thorax. Looking around, Starlight saw that all of her friends were beginning to break free from their cocoons. Spotting Trixie pushing away the top of her prison, she walked over to her. Even though Trixie was covered in slime, it didn't stop her from giving her a hug. The changelings were aiding their former captives with getting out of their cocoons. Free from his cocoon, Discord shoved a couple changelings aside, spotting Fluttershy.
"Fluttershy?" Said Discord.
Running over to his friend, Discord picked her up and hugged her. The feeling of embracing her brought him immense relief.
"It's, um, good to see you, too," Said Fluttershy, reciprocating the hug.
Deadpool walked around, looking for Twilight. It didn't take him long to find her laying by the cocoon she was trapped in. He ran over to her and helped her onto her hooves.
"Twilight! Thank Celestia! Are you alright?" Asked Deadpool.
"I'll… be okay," Said Twilight.
Relieved that Twilight was fine, Deadpool gave Twilight a hug and kissed her on the cheek.
"Hm. You're stickier than the aftermath of our anniversary," Remarked Deadpool.
Twilight playfully shoved him. Starlight and Thorax walked over to them.
"What happened?" Asked Twilight.
"We defeated the changelings with no magic at all, they found a new leader, and… they're all kinda good now," Explained Starlight.
She looked over to Thorax, who nodded his head. Twilight looked at her pupil in shock while Princess Luna walked to her side.
"Well done, Starlight Glimmer. It seems as though you've learned a great deal since we last spoke," Said Luna.
Suddenly, the group heard the sound of rubble moving. Looking to where the throne used to be, they saw Queen Chrysalis standing up, the remains of her throne rolling off of her back.
HISS!
Spotting them, she hissed out of intimidation. Ponies and changelings alike gathered, prepared to act should she try to cause harm. Not afraid of her, Starlight walked over to the former queen. The wind picked up, blowing both of their manes.
"When Twilight and her friends defeated me, I chose to run away and seek revenge! You don't have to! You can be the leader your subjects deserve," Said Starlight.
Thoughts ran through Chrysalis' head, and whatever they were, they seemed to be nearly bringing her to tears. Starlight extended a hoof towards her with a compassionate smile. Chrysalis looked at Starlight's hoof, then raised her own. She slowly reached towards Starlight's hoof.
SMACK!
Rejecting her act of kindness, Chrysalis smacked Starlight's hoof away.
"There is no revenge you could ever conceive of that will come close to what I will exact upon you one day, Starlight Glimmer!" Said Chrysalis spitefully.
As she stared down her now found archenemy, something caught Chrysalis' attention.
"On second thought, why wait when I can serve it up fresh from the oven," Said Chrysalis with a smirk.
Starlight had prepared to defend herself, but she saw Chrysalis slowly back away. Confused, she dropped her guard, falling to notice an intense orange light on her left side.
"Starlight! On your left!" Shouted Twilight.
Looking behind her, Starlight saw a beam of fire heading straight for her. Before it could reach her, she teleported out of the way.
FWOOSH!
Reappearing over by Twilight and the others, Starlight looked for the source of the fire. She saw the Super Changeling walk towards her and the others.
"How is he doing that?!" Asked Starlight in shock.
"I would say read Fantastic Four #18, but something tells me that certain events from that story didn't happen in this universe," Said Deadpool.
"I'll take care of him!" Said Twilight.
"I'm with you, Twilight Sparkle!" Said Luna.
"Wait, don't!" Warned Deadpool. "He can-"
Before Twilight and Luna could move, they felt pressure build up in their heads. The Super Changeling had formed miniscule constructs in their heads just like with Deadpool. Speaking of, he did the same to Deadpool and Starlight.
"Your Highness, your orders?" Said Kl'rt.
"Kill them! Kill them all!" Ordered Chrysalis.
With a nod of his head, Kl'rt prepared to start his slaughter.
SNAP!
Before he could expand the constructs, he sensed them disappear.
POP! POP! POP! POP!
The invisible constructs reappeared around him, and they burst like bubbles. Discord appeared floating above him.
"Oh, floating, I'll never take you for granted again! Ah-hem. You can try using your powers all you want, but you'll find that they will be negated by mine. You may be a one pony army, but I can bend reality at my fingertips," Said Discord.
"RUGH!"
SNAP!
Kl'rt attempted to engulf Discord in a beam of fire, but the Lord of Chaos effortlessly turned it into a stream of bubbles. Watching the scene unfold, Chrysalis growled in anger.
"Kl'rt! Fall back and find her!" Ordered Chrysalis.
With a reluctant nod, Kl'rt turned invisible. Chrysalis took a few steps back, then did a backflip over the edge of the former throne room. Everyone rushed over and looked for her. They quickly spotted her flying over the badlands.
"Find her? Who was she talking about?" Asked Starlight.
"I don't know. As far as I'm aware of, everypony is accounted for. We'll keep an eye and ear out for her or the other changeling," Said Twilight.
Starlight watched Chrysalis fly away, feeling dejected from her turning down her offer of friendship. Seeing her pupil's sadness, Twilight wrapped a foreleg around her, and gave her a warm smile. Even though she was still hurt, Starlight returned a smile of her own.
With Chrysalis displaced from her throne, Thorax was now definitively the leader of the changelings. While he was talking to Spike, Celestia walked over to speak to him.
"Thorax, as the new leader of the changelings, I look forward to discussing how we can improve our relationship in the future," Said Celestia.
Thorax responded with a bow.
"However, for the moment, perhaps it is best that we leave the Changeling Kingdom to the changelings," Said Celestia.
Suddenly, Discord teleported in between Rarity and Applejack, and clapped his hands in applause.
"Splendid idea! Now who's ready for some celebratory tea at Fluttershy's?!" Said Discord, pointing at his friend.
Everyone looked at Fluttershy, who seemed to be understandably confused.
"Oh! Uh, everypony?" Questioned Fluttershy.
"Hey! Wait a minute! I thought we were going to get pizza?!" Said Deadpool.
"Actually, now that you can snap your claws and send us absolutely anywhere again, I think I have a better option," Said Starlight.
"Does this mean we're not getting pizza?" Asked Deadpool.
A few moments later…
At Starlight's old village, Double Diamond and Party Favor were setting up for the final day of the Summer Sunset Festival.
CLOP!
Hearing a hoof stomping on the ground behind them, they turned around, seeing Starlight Glimmer.
"Uh, hey, Starlight. What are you doing here?" Asked Party Favor.
"You left in such a hurry before, we kinda thought you didn't wanna come back," Said Double Diamond.
"Yeah… I guess after the way I used my magic on all of you I wasn't sure I was somepony who should even be in charge of a baking contest. I was afraid I might go back to being the pony I used to be, but I realize sometimes you don't have a choice. You have to step up, and I have changed! I can handle it. Whether that means saving Equestria or helping friends out with the Sunset Festival. Speaking of which, I know the festival's almost over, but I kinda invited a few of my friends to join," Said Starlight, pointing behind her.
All of Starlight's Ponyville friends along with the Princesses were gathered behind her.
"Hope that's okay," Said Starlight.
Double Diamond and Party Favor smiled. The former even chuckled in delight.
"Are you kidding? Of course!" Said Double Diamond.
"Great! Now where's that baking contest? This pony needs a cupcake!" Said Starlight.
Starlight walked off with her old friends, with Sugar Belle and Nightglider joining them as well. Just about everypony else scattered to partake in the festival, with only Discord, Trixie, and Deadpool lingering around.
"So I'm able to rip the very fabric of reality again," Said Discord.
"Yeah, yeah. And I'm still a self-absorbed, below-average illusionist, right?" Asked Trixie.
"Actually, I was going to say a couple of those illusions were slightly above average," Said Discord.
"If this is an attempt at an apology, you need to try better than that," Said Trixie.
"Erm. Yes, well, I'm… sorry. Just because my abilities transcend above what the majority of beings can accomplish, that doesn't mean your magic is worth less," Said Discord apologetically.
"That's better," Said Trixie.
"Speaking of apologizing…" Deadpool took a bite out of a slice of pineapple and olive pizza. "I'm sorry for being an ass to you over the past few days. You're actually a pretty creative mare. I think we're better off not being friends, lest we destroy all of Ponyville like a couple of gamma-irradiated monsters, but since we're probably going to keep seeing each other because we're major characters from our respective franchises, can we start over?"
"I would like that," Said Trixie with a smile.
Both ponies shook hooves.
"And I'm sorry for taking your mouth away. Regardless of my own personal feelings, it doesn't change the fact that what I did was wrong," Said Trixie apologetically.
"Thank you. At least when you did it, it wasn't permanent. To this day, Deadpool losing his mouth is still canon in one particular timeline. Thank Celestia there's still that complicated but superior timeline. Well, superior only because the actual me is in it," Said Deadpool.
"You know, with your illusions, Deadpool's healing abilities, and my chaos magic, if we were to team up, we could be the biggest entertainers in history!" Said Discord.
"Ha! When pigs fly!" Said Trixie.
"Hold up! He might be onto something. Too bad I don't have Twilight's calculator on me. I could crunch numbers on the profits we could make," Said Deadpool.
"Your wish is my command!" Said Discord.
SNAP!
Deciding to take Trixie by her word, Discord summoned three flying pigs for him and his friends. With a mischievous smirk, Discord smacked the backside of Trixie's pig.
"Whoooooaaaa!" Cried Trixie.
Trixie's pig flew away very fast. Discord and Deadpool raced their pigs after her. They flew by Twilight and her friends, who all watched in confusion as they were eating various confectioneries.
"Somepony is really gonna have to catch us up on what we missed," Said Rainbow Dash.
Fin.
Hey everyone! Hope you all enjoyed the latest chapter of "Deadpool: Mercenary of Harmony"! With the conclusion of this chapter, this marks the end of the season six arc of this story. The next set of chapters will take place during season seven of the show, with the upcoming chapter featuring cameos from two important characters in the Deadpool mythos. Be sure to stay tuned! Until next time, this has been ThePhantomArchives, and I hope you all have a great day!