//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5: Frag Attempt 
// Story: The Changeling Civil War 
// by ShadowGear 
//------------------------------//

The Green Changeling named Spiracle dragged Sclerite into the cave. Most of the Changelings were still asleep but many noticed Sclerite. Some came to help her while others stared or whispered amongst each other.

"There you go sir," Spiracle said to Sclerite as she positioned him near a fire. She could hear him breathing normally. The room was full of whispers.

"Is that the Lieutenant?" asked one of the nearby Changelings.

"Yeah, this is our chance. It's now or never," whispered another.

Spiracle noticed a few Changeling soldiers standing up from the nearby fires. Some of them continued to watch while three Changelings slowly approached.

"Can I help you?" Spiracle asked to he nearest one. She took up a defensive posture like a bear protecting a cub.

"Medic, we have to do this. Sclerite led us into a frozen grave. He has to go," explained one of the Changelings.

"No! He is our commander! I'm not going to let you hurt a defenseless soldier!" Spiracle yelled. Many Changelings woke up from the noise.

"I'm sorry," he said right before he swung a hoof at her.

Spiracle immediately charged him before the hoof could connect and shoved him back with the force of her movement, causing him to fall over. She may be a medic but she had been trained for self defense. These soldiers had made the mistake of underestimating her. The other Changelings realized what was going on and charged into the brawl. One of the Changelings quickly held out a small red horn and tried to stab Sclerite with it but was stopped by Spiracle who used his momentum to knock him to the ground. The other Changelings tackled the rest while Spiracle kept the one with the weapon on the ground. She held his hoof with the weapon in a really uncomfortable angle which kept him from attempting to stand back up.

Sclerite suddenly shook his head and opened his eyes only to see three Changelings being held down with one of them having a strange horn. It was red and was curved shape. The horn could've been part of a unicorn at one point but he had never heard of any unicorns with horns like that.

"Sir! Are you alright?" Spiracle asked when she noticed Sclerite's open eyes.

"Yes, I'm fine. What happened?" Sclerite asked, looking around at the Changelings that were pinned to the ground.

"You had fallen unconscious outside. I had to drag you back into the cave. That was when these Changelings attempted a mutiny," Spiracle explained.

"Thank you, what's your name?" Sclerite asked.

"I am Sergeant Spiracle," Spiracle answered.

Sclerite stood back up. He was still incredibly tired but his rest could wait until this situation was dealt with. The Changelings dragged the attackers and lined them up. He noticed something when he stared at their eyes. A purple aura made of dark magic was spilling out.

Sclerite grabbed the horn. "Where did you get this?" he asked.

"It was deeper in the cave," one of the attackers fearfully answered.

Sclerite had never seen magic like this. It seemed like mind control magic to him. "Place them under arrest. I need to look into this before I make a decision," Sclerite ordered. "And Spiracle, thank you."

"You're welcome, sir!" Spiracle responded while feeding off of his appreciation.

Sclerite dug a small hole with his hoof and buried the horn underground. He then used his magic to draw an X at the spot before going back to sleep.