//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6: The Fall of the Crystal Empire 
// Story: The Changeling Civil War 
// by ShadowGear 
//------------------------------//

"Sir!" called out one of the Changelings. The sudden call woke Sclerite who immediately stood up. He looked around and noticed that it was Spiracle who had awoken him. "The Equestrians are calling for reinforcements!"

"What?" Sclerite responded as he quickly rushed outside to see a train leaving the Crystal Empire. "Let that one go! We attack immediately!" Sclerite ordered.

The Changeling soldiers began to rush into the tanks. Others were preparing the artillery and anti-air guns for any pegasi attack.

"Sir? Is it really wise to attack so quickly?" Spiracle asked with a bit of fear. She was clearly worried about him taking her advice as an act of opposition. "We're still recovering from the trip here. I would suggest at least waiting a few more hours."

Sclerite thought for a bit before making his mind. "Spiracle, I accept your opinion that we are in no shape to fight, but we also have to worry about Equestrian reinforcements. If we wait too long, the Equestrians will arrive and we would have to worry about two armies at once." Sclerite responded.

"I understand sir, sorry if I spoke out of line," Spiracle said.

"Don't worry. I always have time to listen to my subordinates," Sclerite responded. He could hear the tanks roar to life.

"There is one more thing sir. Prior to the start of this war. There were spies who temporarily replaced the Princesses of Equestria. A few of them told us that the Crystal Empire is protected by an ancient artifact called the Crystal Heart," Spiracle said.

"Why wasn't I informed of this sooner?" Sclerite asked.

"You were asleep at the time sir," Spiracle answered.

"Alright, now we know what our target is! Good work!" Sclerite said as he went back inside to retrieve the broken horn. "I'm going to join the tanks in this attack. We will find the Crystal Heart and we will remove it from the equation. Now let's get this tank column moving!"

The tanks began to move towards the Crystal Empire in a single file line. They approached the magical shield that surrounded the entire city. The memory of the extremely close victory still clung to Sclerite like a tumor. As the tanks got closer they began to siphon magic off of the shield and poked a large hole. Despite that, Sclerite was the only Changeling in the army that needed to enter through that breach.

There was so much love in the city. Sclerite was at a lost for words and barely noticed an angry mob of Crystal Ponies charging towards the tank column. The Changelings from Queen Formic's Hive rushed to meet the Crystal Ponies in combat. The red Changelings began to feed off of their anger and hatred towards Changelings caused by earlier incidents such as their attempt to drive them off of the hill. The now super powered red Changelings were much stronger than earth ponies and began to push back the crowd.

Despite that, a few still made it through their lines and were either shot down by Sclerite or were ran over by the tanks. It wasn't long before the crowd turned around and ran. Leaving the ones inside the buildings to throw whatever they had at them. The Changelings did not pursue and instead continued focusing on their goal to get at the Crystal Heart. As the tanks began to fire at the attacking ponies in the buildings. Each shot would cause one to collapse, killing anypony still inside.

The group eventually reached the palace. There Sclerite noticed a crystal in the shape of the heart and immediately guessed, that was the Crystal Heart. As soon as his path was cleared he charged for the heart and levitated it to himself. "We have the heart! Now, attention Equestrian commander! I suggest you order everypony to surrender now or the Crystal Heart gets it!" Sclerite threatened as he powered up his horn. Hopefully somepony heard him.

A white unicorn came out through a palace balcony along with a pink alicorn carrying a foal. "Everypony stop fighting!" the white unicorn ordered. "What are your terms?"

"I want you and the empire to surrender unconditionally! Do this and I promise I will show you mercy!" Sclerite called back.

After some whispering between the unicorn and the alicorn. The princess responded with, "we surrender!"

Sclerite immediately fired a bolt into the air which exploded like fireworks, to let the artillery know of their victory. "Stand down!" Sclerite ordered to his troops. As he began to look around at all the destruction that was caused.

There was a lot of work to do. Researching the horn will have to wait.